|
|
|
|
|
| Gut, 1978 Oct, 19(10), 916 - 22 Disinfection of upper gastrointestinal fibreoptic endoscopy equipment: an evaluation of a cetrimide chlorhexidine solution and glutaraldehyde; Carr-Locke DL et al.; There is little information available on the bacteriological contamination of upper gastrointestinal fibreoptic endoscopes during routine use and the effects of 'disinfecting solutions' . A bacteriological evaluation was therefore made of cleaning an endoscope and its ancillary equipment with (1) water, (2) an aqueous solution of 1% cetrimide with 0.1% chlorhexidine, and (3) activated aqueous 2% glutaraldehyde . All equipment, but particularly the endoscope itself, was found to be heavily contaminated after use with a wide variety of organisms of which 53% were Gram positive . Cleaning the endoscope and ancillary equipment with water and the cetrimide/chlorhexidine solution alone or in combination was inadequate to produce disinfection but immersion in glutaraldehyde for two minutes consistently produced sterile cultures with our sampling technique . A rapid and simple method for disinfection of endoscopic equipment is therefore recommended and we think this is especially suitable for busy endoscopy units. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Sep, 31(9), 820 - 8 Noboritomycins A and B, new polyether antibiotics; Keller-Juslen C et al.; Noboritomycins A and B, two new polycyclic ionophoric polyethers were isolated from a strain of Streptomyces noboritoensis . The crystal structure and absolute configuration of noboritomycin A were established by X-ray analysis of its silver salt C43/63O14Ag . Noboritomycin A is the first metabolic polyether possessing two carboxylic acid functions on the carbon backbone (C-31), namely a free acid and an additional carboxylic acid ethylester group . An unusual spiroketal system as well as a salicylic acid chromophore represent further remarkable elements . Noboritomycin A shows in this respect a structural relationship to salinomycin and lasalocid respectively . Comparison of physico-chemical data, in particular the interpretation of the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra, revealed that noboritomycins A and B are structurally closely related, noboritomycin B carrying an ethyl substituent on the aromatic ring in the place of a methyl group present in noboritomycin A . Both metabolites exhibit activity against Gram-positive bacteria and against Eimeria tenella (chicken coccidiosis). Arch Microbiol, 1978 Sep 1, 118(3), 309 - 16 Sporogenesis in Streptomyces melanochromogenes; Strunk C; The mode of spore differentiation in a strain of Streptomyces melanochromogenes was followed by analysis of ultrathin sections of sporulating aerial hyphae at various stages of sporogenesis . A special accent was laid on the formation of the sporulation septum and its alterations in the course of spore delimitation and separation . Distinct differences in formation and substructure have been observed between the cross walls of vegetative hyphae and the sporulation septa . Cross walls of vegetative hyphae are formed in a way typical for Gram-positive bacteria by a centripetal annular ingrowth of cytoplasmic membrane, on which wall material immediately is deposited . The development of the sporulation septa is characterized by the accumulation of amorphous material in addition to the newly synthesized wall layer inside the invaginating cytoplasmic membrane . This amorphous septal material will later be decomposed presumably by two lytic systems which cause the separation of the spores . The central region of the finished sporulation septum is perforated by microplasmodesmata . Spores are released by a break down of the surface sheath . The complete spores are enveloped by a two-layered cell wall and the spiny surface sheath. Can J Microbiol, 1978 Sep, 24(9), 1099 - 101 Microbes associated with the epithelium of the oesophagus and stomach of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus); Yoon CS et al.; Histological examination of oesophagus and stomach specimens from 28 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) revealed microbes associated with the epithelial surface of these organs . Layers of Gram-positive cocci were associated with oesophageal tissue in all the animals . Yeasts (Torulop-sid pintolopesii) were associated with stomach tissue in most animals 1 week of age or older. Stomatol DDR, 1978 Sep, 28(9), 620 - 2 {Comparative studies of the oral flora in patients with cancer and precancerous lesions of the mouth mucosa}; Gernand K et al.; Bacteriological smears were taken from various regions of the oral cavities of a total of 100 subjects (patients with carcinoma, non-specific ulcer or leucoplakia, and patients without pathological oral findings) . The preparations were stained by the Gram procedure and differentiated according to germ count, morphology and ability to combine with dyes . Gram positive cocci prevailed in all groups . The total germ counts were greater in patients with carcinoma than in those with nonspecific ulcer and in normal subjects. J Periodontol, 1978 Sep, 49(9), 480 - 2 Effects of tobacco smoking on plaque development and gingivitis; Bastiaan RJ et al.; A study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that patients who smoke tobacco have a more rapid rate of plaque deposition and development of gingivitis than those patients who do not smoke tobacco . Twenty subjects participated in this study, their age range was 17 to 30 years . Ten were smokers and 10 were nonsmokers . After an initial thorough removal of all deposits, oral hygiene measures were stopped for 10 days . On days 3, 7 and 10, plaque levels were evaluated using the Plaque Index and the gingival status was evaluated using the Gingival Index . Samples of plaque were stained by the Gram technique and examined microscopically . Plaque levels appeared to be higher in smokers than nonsmokers but the differences were not statistically significant . No consistent differences were evident in the gingival status of the two groups . Microbiological analysis showed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of Gram-positive bacteria to Gram-negative bacteria in the smokers as compared to the nonsmokers on day 3, however these differences were not maintained in the plaque samples taken after the 3rd day. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Sep, 31(9), 834 - 7 New antibiotics, enaminomycins A, B and C . II . Physico-chemical and biological properties; Itoh Y et al.; Physico-chemical characterization of enaminomycins revealed that these antibiotics are new members of the epoxy quinone family . From elementary analysis and mass spectroscopic measurements the molecular formulae of enaminomycins A, B and C appear to be C7H5NO5, C10H11N06 and C7H7NO5, respectively . They are very unique in their chemical properties, possessing various functions, such as epoxy, primary amine and carboxylic acid, in their small structural units . Enaminomycin A, the most potent component, has activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and shows cytostatic effect on L1210 mouse leukemia cells in vitro, but enaminomycins B and C are only weakly active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. J Clin Pathol, 1978 Aug, 31(8), 721 - 3 Upper respiratory tract and aural flora of saturation divers; Jones DM et al.; The conditions of helium saturation diving promote the proliferation of Gram-negative bacterial species in the external auditory meatus of divers . These changes in flora occurred in the absence of operational diving, that is, no contact with water . The colonising bacteria were autogenous in origin and cross-colonisation was observed between divers . On return to normal atmospheric conditions the aural flora became predominantly Gram-positive again within 48 hours. Am J Med, 1978 Aug, 65(2), 298 - 302 Infections caused by Rhodochrous; Haburchak DR et al.; Organisms conforming to "rhodochrous taxon" were isolated from three immunocompromised patients, suggesting a pathogenic role for the organisms . The organisms are partially acid-fast, gram-positive catalase positive rods which form orange or red colonies aerobically in three or four days on Sabouraud, Mueller-Hinton and Middlebrook 7H-10 agars . They are differenitated from Nocardia by morphology and ability to degrade ethylene glycol in 7H-10 media . Two of these clinical isolates and a reference strain were injected intraperitoneally into guinea pigs, half of which received methylprednisolone intramuscularly beginning three days prior to inoculation . Steroid-treated animals exhibited clinical illness, diffuse peritonitis and recovery of inoculated organisms whereas one of three nonsteroid-treated animals exhibited a localized abscess without recovery of organisms . This study suggests that rhodochrous may be pathogenic under conditions of immune compromise. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1978 Aug, 75(8), 3732 - 6 Partial amino acid sequence of penicillinase coded by Escherichia coli plasmid R6K; Ambler RP et al.; Direct studies of the amino acid sequence of an Escherichia coli plasmid-coded penicillinase (penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase, EC 3.5.2.6) are in complete agreement with results derived from the translation of the DNA sequence of a related plasmid, apart from a single amino acid substitution . This penicillinase from a Gram-negative bacterium shows 30-35% identity with functionally similar enzymes from Gram-positive bacteria . This paper should be read in conjunction with the report of the DNA sequence of the gene. J Bacteriol, 1978 Jul, 135(1), 161 - 3 Presence of squalene in gram-positive bacteria; Amdur BH et al.; The presence of the isoprenoid squalene, synthesized de novo, was demonstrated in 64 out of 73 strains of gram-positive bacteria by thin-layer chromatography . This observation was confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography, chemical reactivity, incorporation of radiolabeled precursor, and by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy of thin-layer chromatography-recovered material. Can Med Assoc J, 1978 Jun 24, 118(12), 1523 - 6 Septicemia in children with leukemia; DeClerck Y et al.; A review of the hospital records of 164 children with leukemia diagnosed between January 1969 and December 1975 disclosed 51 episodes of septicemia in 43 patients; 57 infectious agents were isolated . Gram-positive bacteria were isolated as frequently as gram-negative bacteria, each type accounting for 45.6% of all the agents isolated . Only 2 of the 24 episodes of exclusively gram-positive septicemia were fatal, whereas 9 of the 23 episodes of exclusively gram-negative septicemia were fatal . The mean duration of neutropenia was 5.6 days in patients with gram-positive septicemia and 19.5 days in patients with gram-negative septicemia, a significant difference (P less than 0.01) . Gram-positive septicemia was diagnosed after a mean of 5.9 days of hospitalization and gram-negative septicemia after a mean of 29.0 days, also a significant difference (P less than 0.001) . In this exclusively pediatric population of leukemic patients gram-positive agents have to be considered as potential pathogens, and initial antibiotic therapy must be selected with this fact in mind. JAMA, 1978 Jun 23, 239(25), 2671 - 3 Accuracy of Gram's stain in identifying pneumococci in sputum; Rein MF et al.; We prospectively examined the accuracy of Gram-stained sputum for identifying pneumococci in 42 patients with community-acquired pneumonia . We considered the Gram's stain positive if a preponderant flora or more than ten Gram-positive lancet-shaped diplococci were seen per oil immersion (x1,000) field . These criteria were met in 18 (62%) of 29 specimens that actually contained pneumococci as determined by a positive quellung reaction, or culture on plates or in mice . The Gram's stain was negative in 11 of 13 specimens that did not contain pneumococci . Of the 20 specimens yielding positive Gram's stains, 18 contained pneumococci . A positive Gram-stained smear of sputum strongly suggests the presence of pneumococci, but will miss 38% of specimens containing pneumococci . Deviation from these criteria substantially reduces the overall accuracy of the test. J Bacteriol, 1978 Jun, 134(3), 1171 - 5 Association of long surface appendages with adherence-related functions of the gram-positive species Actinomyces naeslundii; Ellen RP et al.; Electron microscopy of new isolates of gram-positive Actinomyces naeslundii demonstrated long, fragile appendages . Removal of the appendages impaired attachment to epithelial cells and reaggregation, thus implicating them in attachment-related functions. Infect Immun, 1978 Jun, 20(3), 721 - 7 Water-soluble adjuvant obtained from Bacterionema matruchotii; Nitta T et al.; The adjuvant effect of a butanol-extracted water-soluble adjuvant (bu-WSA) obtained from Bacterionemia matruchotii, a gram-positive oral bacteria, was studied on the antibody response at the plaque-forming cell (PFC) level in murine spleens . Intraperitoneal injection of Bu-WSA caused significant increase in direct PFC numbers in spleens 1 to 3 days after the antigenic stimulation with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) . Injection of 100 to 800 microgram of Bu-WSA was effective, and 400 microgram of Bu-WSA seemed to be the optimum for induction of the adjuvant effect . The adjuvant effect was strongest when Bu-WSA was injected at the same time as the SRBC, but some effect was still observed when Bu-WSA was injected 7 days before or 1 day after the immunization . The adjuvant effect of Bu-WSA was greatest at high dose of antigen . The mice injected with Bu-WSA at the time of priming SRBC and then immunized with trinitrophenylated SRBC showed greater anti-trinitrophenyl PFC response than controls without the injection of Bu-WSA . These findings suggest that a part of the adjuvant effect of Bu-WSA depends on thymic cell function and another part does not. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 May, 35(5), 962 - 9 Isolation and properties of fungi that lyse blue-green algae; Redhead K et al.; Of 70 pure microbial cultures isolated from aquatic habitats, soil, and air according to the ability to lyse live blue-green algae, 62 were fungi representing the genera Acremonium, Emericellopsis, and Verticillium . Algal-lysing fungi were isolated from all habitat types sampled . The remaining isolates comprised four bacteria and four streptomycetes . All isolates lysed Anabaena flos-aquae and, in most cases, several other filamentous and unicellular blue-green algae . The fungi generally showed greater activity than most other isolates towards a wider range of susceptible algae, including green algae in some cases . Acremonium and Emericellopsis isolates, but not Verticillium, also inhibited the growth of blue-green algae and gram-positive bacteria, but did not lyse the latter . Lysis of blue green algae by Acremonium and Emericellopsis spp . was associated with the formation of diffusible heat-stable extracellular factors which, evidence suggests, could be cephalosporin antibiotic(s) . Blue-green algae were also lysed by pure cephalosporin C . The frequent isolation of lytic fungi from algal habitats suggests a possible natural algal-destroying role for such fungi, which might be exploitable for algal bloom control. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1978 Apr, 86(2), 53 - 7 The role of cell wall carbohydrates in binding of microorganisms to mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages; Freimer NB et al.; The recognition by macrophages of unopsonized bacteria was studied, employing a binding assay, performed at 4 degrees C . Various Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were shown to bind to glass-adherent mouse peritoneal exudate cells under these conditions, Str . pneumoniae being the only exception . The binding could be inhibited by pretreatment of the macrophage monolayers with various monosaccharides . The role of particular components of the bacterial cell wall in binding was examined further using different strains of K . aerogenes and S . typhimurium with a known cell wall composition and mutant strains deficient in certain sugars . The ability of a particular constituent to inhibit binding was found to correlate closely with its presence in the bacterial cell wall . It is concluded, that this form of binding, mediated by cell wall carbohydrates represents a primitive recognition mechanism enabling phagocytes to bind microorganisms. Ophthalmology, 1978 Apr, 85(4), 320 - 6 Etiology and diagnosis of bacterial postoperative endophthalmitis; Forster RK; It is necessary to determine if postoperative endophthalmitis is of infectious or sterile etiology . Intraocular contents should be cultured and were positive in 50% of 58 eyes tested at our institute with suspected postoperative endophthalmitis . The vitreous aspirate is more sensitive than the anterior chamber aspirate in making a diagnosis . The use of a membrane filter to concentrate vitreous samples obtained at vitrectomy increases diagnostic yield . Fifty percent of culture-positive eyes yielded gram-positive organisms . Stained smears were consistent with the cultured organism in half of the cases. Res Vet Sci, 1978 Mar, 24(2), 129 - 33 Effects of mineral buffers on the rumen flora of sheep fed grain diets; McManus WR et al.; The structure of the microbial population of rumen liquor froom sheep fed diets of roughage and of whole wheat grain with and without mineral buffer additives was studied . Addition of either 2 per cent of a mixture of 1/1/1/1 sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, disodium hydrogen phosphate and calcium hydrogen phosphate or of 1 per cent of aluminium hydroxide to grain diets acted to increase microbial concentration, allow persistance of a rumen flora of predominatly Gramnegative staining characteristic, and to increase the proportion of rods . Animals consuming these diets had an improved production performance . In the absence of dietary buffers the microbial population shifted towards a Gram-positive population with no reduction in the proportion of coccal forms. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Mar, 31(3), 170 - 7 Teichomycins, new antibiotics from Actinoplanes teichomyceticus nov . sp . II . Extraction and chemical characterization; Bardone MR et al.; The teichomycins are new antibiotics produced by Actinoplanes teichomyceticus nov . sp . Teichomycin A1 is a phosphorus-containing antibiotic, active in vitro and in vivo against gram-positive bacteria, and active only in vitro against gram-negative bacteria . Teichomycin A2 is a chlorine-containing antibiotic, active in vitro and in vivo against gram-positive bacteria . Isolation, purification and physical and chemical properties of the two antibiotics are reported . Teichomycin A1 is a member of the phosphoglycolipid class of antibiotics while teichomycin A2 is related to the group of the glycopeptide antibiotics. J Bacteriol, 1978 Mar, 133(3), 1126 - 9 Occurrence of glutathione in bacteria; Fahey RC et al.; Glutathione and soluble thiol content were examined in a broad spectrum of bacteria . Significant soluble thiol was present in all cases . The thiol compound was glutathione in most of the gram-negative bacteria but not in most of the gram-positive bacteria studied . Glutathione was absent in four anerobes and one microaerophile but was present in a blue-green bacterium . The glutathione content of Escherichia coli increased significantly during transition from exponential to stationary phase. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1978 Feb, 45(2), 200 - 6 Pulmonary nocardiosis associated with primary nocardial infection of the oral cavity; Terezhalmy GT et al.; A case of pulmonary nocardiosis associated with primary nocardial infection of the oral cavity in a compromised host is presented . Nocardia asteroides, an aerobic, gram-positive, branching, filamentous fungus, was demonstrated in the sputum and in pathologic specimens from gingival sulci stained by Gram's method and the acid-fast method Kinyoun . The organism was identified in cultures made on Sabouraud's glucose agar . Marked clinical improvement was noted when the patient received high dosage of sulfisoxazole diolamine (8 to 12 Gm . per day) for a prolonged period of time (9 to 12 months) . Because of an apparent relative increase in the incidence of nocardiosis and a paucity of information on the subject in the dental literature, this article is timely. Med Pediatr Oncol, 1978, 5(1), 241 - 4 Increasing incidence of Gram-positive sepsis in cancer patients; Pizzo PA et al.; A review of the agents causing septicemia in cancer patients during a nine-year period (1968--76) revealed that Gram-positive organisms (especially S aureus) have become the most frequent isolates during the last two years . This unanticipated increase (P less than 0.001) in the number of Gram-positive isolates could not be related to horizontal transmission nor to changes in patient characteristics or therapy. Med Pediatr Oncol, 1978, 5(1), 193 - 203 Septicemia in acute leukemia; Cesario TC et al.; We have surveyed septicemic episodes occuring in individuals with acute leukemia and have found two factors favorably influencing survival, mainly granulocyte counts over 1,000 mm3 and gram-positive bacteremias . In contrast, blood cultures persistently positive for longer than 48 hours were a bad prognosticator . Significantly, patients with gram-positive bacteremia had received less antibiotics in the week prior to septicemia than had patients with gram-negative bacteremia. Curr Med Res Opin, 1978, 5(6), 427 - 32 A study on tissue concentrations of cephradine achieved in patients with peripheral vascular disease; Matharu SS et al.; The levels of cephradine were measured in serum, voluntary muscle and subcutaneous fat samples collected from 30 patients during surgical operations for peripheral vascular disease . Cephradine 2 g was administered in two equal doses by intramuscular and intravenous routes before each operation . The mean levels found in the serum and muscle were well above the minimum inhibitory concentrations required for most important Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, in contrast to the relatively low mean level found in subcutaneous fat. Avian Dis, 1978 Jan-Mar, 22(1), 122 - 30 The development of dermatitis (scabby-hip) on the hip and thigh of broiler chickens; Harris GC Jr et al.; Broiler chicks grown on litter or in cages at high bird density developed skin lesions on the thigh and hip . Changes in bird denisty markedly influenced lesion incidence (100% at 0.0185 sq m of floor space per bird) . The dermatitis was characterized by crusted dry "scabs" at the base of feather follicles and between follicles . The lesions often coalesced to cover wide areas . The scab consisted of a mass of pyknotic nuclei and cellular debris, and when the epidermis was intact there was little inflammatory reaction in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue . The epidermis was destroyed in some lesions, with heterophils penetrating into the subcutaneous tissue . Colonies of gram-positive cocci were present in the lesions. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1978, 26(1-6), 975 - 9 Neutrophil functions in renal transplant recipients; Gorski A et al.; Neutrophils obtained from peripheral blood of renal allograft recipients were studied for their ability to kill Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as to enhance intracellular metabolism measured by the reduction of NBT salts . In addition, the influence of sera these patients on normal cells was investigated . At the same time, these cells were also tested for candidacidal activity . The data derived from these studies indicate that phagocytic cells from these patients are impaired with respect to their capacity to fight the pathogenic microorganisms as well as their sera do not promote normal killing of microorganisms, while the NBT reaction is not changed significantly . Large doses of steroids and rejection crises do not appear to affect dramatically these functions, while an ATG therapy abolishes neutrophil killing ability. Immunol Commun, 1978, 7(6), 669 - 76 Influence of intermittent hyperglycemic glucose levels on the phagocytosis of microorganisms by human granulocytes in vitro; van Oss CJ et al.; Repeated brief exposures to glucose in concentrations of 0.8 g/100 ml significantly depresses in vitro phagocytic ingestion of opsonized Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by human peripheral polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN's), while the same concentration of L-aminoacid mixtures (Freamine) under the same conditions has no influence on it. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Jan, 31(1), 7 - 14 Carriomycin, a new polyether antibiotic produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus; Imada A et al.; Carriomycin, a new polyether antibiotic, was isolated from culture broth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus strain T-42082 . It is active against Gram-positive bacteria, several fungi, yeasts and mycoplasma . It is also coccidiostatic . The free acid of carriomycin occurs as colorless prisms having the molecular formula C47H80O15 (M.W . 885.15), m.p . 120 approximately 122 degrees C and {alpha}25D -0.5 in methanol . It has no characteristic absorption maxima in the ultraviolet spectrum . The presence of one carboxyl and three methoxy groups was observed from its infrared, PMR and CMR spectra. Czech Med, 1978, 1(2), 83 - 90 Contribution to the problem of the relationship of infection and rejection in patients with kidney transplants; Liska M et al.; The paper deals with the incidence of infectious complications and rejection crises in patients with renal transplants . It was revealed by statistical methods that there exists a certain correlation between infections and rejections, which depends on the type of the infectious agent . In patients where infectious complications were caused only by gram-negative flora an indirect relationship was revealed, while in patients with infectious complications where gram-positive flora, viruses or fungi participated, a marked direct correlation was found . Statistical methods proved also a higher incidence of rejection crises in patients with active cytomegalic infection. Ann Anesthesiol Fr, 1978, 19(11-12), 919 - 22 {Focalized irrigation-lavage and sequential use of a new antiseptic by local and general route . Preliminary report apropos of 2 cases of suppurative pancreatic necrosis}; Vankemmel M et al.; In view of the severe course seen in the presence of any suppurated pancreatic necrosis, it was felt to be of value to treat two patients by the adjuvant use of a new antiseptic tauroline, administered locally and, where appropriate, systemically . After surgical excision of pancreatic and peripancreatic necrotic tissue, the authors prefer to avoid active suction drainage of the residual pocket, replacing it by continuous and prolonged post-operative irrigation-lavage, together with the sequential, twice-daily use of a solution of 2 p . 100 tauroline . In view of the presence of a Gram negative septicemia (organisms identical to those of the suppurated area), the same substance was given by intravenous infusion in a 0.5 p . 100 solution, this being the only systemic, anti-infectious therapy . The effectiveness, good tolerance and originality of this new substance, active against Gram negative, Gram positive, aerobic and anaerobic organisms as well as yeast, have led the authors to immediately report their initial experience with its use. Arch Intern Med, 1977 Dec, 137(12), 1698 - 1701 Bacteremia in a community hospital: spectrum and mortality; Setia U et al.; The problem of bacteremia was studied at our 500-bed community hospital during 1974-1975 . All patients with positive blood cultures for clinically significant organisms were analyzed with respect to age, sex, host factors, type, dose, and time of institution of therapy with antibiotics, and mortality . Of 142 episodes of bacteremia, outcome according to underlying host factors showed that 12/15 died in the rapidly, fatal group, 12/24 died in the ultimately fatal group, and in the nonfatal group 25/103 died . Mortality for Gram-positive bacteremia was 37% (7/54) for Gram-negative bacteremia in the nonfatal group . In addition to underlying host factors, inappropriate antibiotic therapy also contributed to higher mortality in patients with gram-negative bacteremia. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1977 Dec, 8(4), 558 - 62 Disseminated nocardiosis after pulmonary collapse: a case report; Leelarasamee A et al.; A 24-year-old Thai woman receiving corticosteroid treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus, developed pulmonary nocardiosis after pulmonary collapse . The correct diagnosis was reached when dissemination had occurred which was characterized by two subcutaneous abscesses and acute uveitis of the right eye . Gram stain of sputum and pus revealed delicate, branching, Gram-positive filamentous mycelia which were identified as Nocardia asteroides on culture . Subcutaneous abscesses and exophthalmos disappeared after one week of therapy and she made an uneventful recovery. J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Nov, 6(5), 489 - 93 Rapid detection of bacterial growth in blood samples by a continuous-monitoring electrical impedance apparatus; Specter S et al.; A growth detection method utilizing an automated apparatus capable of rapidly detecting bacterial growth by measuring changes of electrical impedance in bacteriological medium was utilized with "mock" blood cultures containing various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria . Measurement of changes of electrical impedance was found to ba as accurate and comparable for time of growth detection as the radiometric method for detection of the same bacteria using mock blood cultures . In a limited clinical trial the use of the electrical impedance apparatus detected in 1 positive specimen from 40 clinical blood specimens as rapidly as by radiometric measurement . Both methods were considerably faster for detecting bacterial growth as compared with conventional culture methods . The selected species of gram-positive and -negative organisms tested were all detected by the electrical impedance method, including aerobes and anerobes . However, addition of 5% CO2 to the incubation atmosphere enhanced detection of gram-positive organisms. South Med J, 1977 Oct, 70 Suppl 1, 55 - 60 Joint replacement; Wilson PD Jr; Joint replacement at the Hospital for Secial Surgery has shown that the procedure of cementing total hip replacement components in place carries a high risk of infection . Simple preventive measures against infection are essential, including careful identification of patients at special risk, preoperative eradication of all possible foci of infection, and strict observance of high-quality operative technic . The risk of infection and the disastrous consequences of infection when it occurs justifies the use of perioperative bactericidal-antibiotic prophylaxis against gram-positive organisms in patients undergoing total joint replacement . Studies of the 1,350 patients having total hip replacement in a four-year period, with minimal follow-up of two years while on a preventive program of this kind, show that the regimen as used at the Hospital has been effective and devoid of important harmful side effects. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Oct, 34(4), 355 - 62 Cholesterol-reducing bacterium from human feces; Sadzikowski MR et al.; An anaerobic, gram-positive diplobacillus that reduces cholesterol to coprostanol was isolated from human feces and rat cecal contents . The isolates closely resemble a cholesterol-reducing organism isolated by Eyssen et al . (H . Eyssen et al., Eur . J . Biochem . 36:412-421, 1973) from a rat's cecum . These organisms would not form colonies and were isolated and cultivated in an anaerobic medium containing homogenized pork brains (naturally high in cholesterol) . These organisms require free or esterified cholesterol for growth . They were isolated by serially diluting feces or cecal contents and inoculating brain medium . Colony-forming organisms, which did not reduce cholesterol, were eliminated by addition of inhibitory agents to the brain medium cultures . This serial dilution procedure was performed until a pure culture of a cholesterol-reducing organism was obtained. Chest, 1977 Oct, 72(4), 439 - 41 In vitro effects of lidocaine on anaerobic respiratory pathogens and strains of Hemophilus influenzae; Ravin CE et al.; Lidocaine is commonly employed as a topical anesthetic agent during fiberoptic bronchoscopic procedures or transbronchial brushing . Previous studies have demonstrated an inhibitory effect of lidocaine on the growth in culture media of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as several species of Mycobacterium and various fungi . The current in vitro investigation demonstrates an inhibitory, as well as a bactericidal, effect of lidocaine hydrochloride (in concentrations identical to those encountered during fiberoptic bronchoscopic procedures) on the common anaerobic respiratory pathogens and on multiple strains of Hemophilus influenzae . The finding helps to explaint the difficulty in producing proof via culture of the specific etiologic agent in inflammatory lesions from specimens obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopic procedures or transbronchial brushing. Res Vet Sci, 1977 Sep, 23(2), 171 - 8 Nocardia species as a possible cause of ovine abortion; Watson WA et al.; An instance of ovine abortion is described in which focal placental lesions were caused by a Gram-positive branching filamentous organism . The organism was present in well oxygenated tissues and so is thought more likely to have been a Nocardia sp than an Actinomyces sp. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1977 Sep, 30(9), 714 - 9 Structure of aplasmomycin; Nakamura H et al.; A new antibiotic, aplasmomycin, was isolated from a broth cultivated with a marine isolate of actinomycete, and inhibits Gram-positive bacteria in vitro and Plasmodium berghei in vivo . It is a natural ionophore and the structure of the Ag-salt was solved by an X-ray crystallographic analysis . It has symmetric structure having boron in the centre of the molecule. Arch Microbiol, 1977 Aug 26, 114(2), 149 - 53 Decomposition of 14C-labelled lignin and phenols by a Nocardia sp; Trojanowski J et al.; A Gram-positive bacterium which was isolated from a Finnish soil and identified as a Nocardia sp., was able to decompose lignin and to assimilate lignin degradation products as a carbon source . It could release 14CO2 from 14C-labelled methoxyl groups, side chains or ring carbons of coniferyl alcohol dehydropolymers (DHP) and from specifically 14C-labelled lignin of plant material . Furthermore, it could release 14CO2 from phenolcarboxylic and cinnamic acids and alcohols labelled in the OCH3, COOH groups, side chain or aromatic ring carbons. Z Gesamte Inn Med, 1977 Aug 15, 32(16), suppl 247 - 8 {Studies of human serum and lung-tissue oxacillin levels}; Kiss J et al.; After the intramuscular administration of 500 mg oxacillin (oxacillin-chinoin) the serum level and the level of the pulmonary tissue of 15 patients operated on account of different diseases of the respiratory tract were determined by means of the agar diffusion method . In the first hour the serum level showed the average value of 11.8 mcg/ml, the level of the pulmonary tissue was 2.4 mcg/g . 60-120 minutes after the administration the serum level rapidly diminished, the decrease of the level of the pulmonary tissue was smaller, i.e . oxacillin was more rapidly excreted from the serum than from the pulmonary tissue . Taking into consideration the minimum inhibition concentration of oxacillin on the basis of our results we are of the opinion that oxacillin is suitable for the treatment of gram-positive oxacillin-sensitive infections of the lungs. Z Urol Nephrol, 1977 Aug, 70(8), 589 - 93 {Bacterial prostatitis--therapeutic principles}; Baumuller A et al.; The authors examined the possibilities of the treatment of bacterial prostatitis and yielded the following result: A medicament suited for the treatment of prostatitis must fulfil such chemical criteria, as they are at present to be found only in alkaline marcolids (e.g . erythromycin) and trimethoprim . Since trimehtoprim has a good spectre of action against gram-negative germs, it seems to be the suited remedy, for these pathogens are frequent and dominating in the pathogenesis of prostatitis . Gram-positive bacteria should be accessible to a therapy with erythromycin. J Neurosurg, 1977 Aug, 47(2), 236 - 40 Non-pneumococcal Gram-positive coccal meningitis related to neurosurgery; Weinstein MP et al.; Thirty-eight of 154 cases (25%) of bacterial meningitis seen by the authors during a 7-year period were due to non-pneumococcal Gram-positive cocci . Thirty cases (80%) resulted from neurosurgical manipulation; half of these were shunt infections and half were early postoperative complications . Only three cases (8%) occurred de novo in patients with presumably normal host defenses . Signs, symptoms, and laboratory data related more to predisposing factors than to infecting microorganisms . Fever, peripheral leukocytosis, abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and positive Gram stain were the most reliable indicators of infection . Prognosis was good with antibiotic therapy and removal of CSF shunt equipment when present. J Cell Physiol, 1977 Aug, 92(2), 145 - 53 Bacterial, serum and cellular modulation of granulopoietic activity; Bolin RW et al.; The interaction human peripheral blood lymphocytes, monocytes, gram-positive bacteria and human serum in the release of colony stimulating activity (CSA) has been studied . CSA was assayed by the soft agar technique using human and murine bone marrow cells . It has been demonstrated that gram-positive organisms and their products can stimulate release of CSA by mononuclear cells . Human serum is also effective in promoting release of CSA . Release is further modulated by interactions between lymphocytes and monocytes, and lymphocytes may serve to control the modulation . The serum component is sensitive to temperature inactivation suggesting that it may have a specific physiologic role in regulation . Bacterial products, on the other hand, are not subject to temperature inactivation and require the presence of human serum for activity to be expressed. Am J Ophthalmol, 1977 Jul, 84(1), 120 - 1 Late iris abscess after cataract extraction; Romem M et al.; A 73-year-old woman underwent an uneventful intracapsular lens extraction . Two years later, an iris abscess, hypopyon, strong flare, corneal edema, and elevated intraocular pressure developed . Visual acuity diminished from 6/6 (20/20) with aphakic correction to hand movements . Gram-positive cocci sensitive to erythromycin and chloramphenicol were cultured from the anterior chamber . The hypopyon and the iris abscess reabsorbed because we administrated erythromycin at the beginning of the illness . Final visual acuity was 6/6 (20/20) and only a small hole remained in the iris at the site of the abscess . She was in good health four years later. Ann Sclavo, 1977 Jul-Aug, 19(4), 537 - 45 {Evaluation of survival of bacteria on dry swabs and transport systems (author's transl)}; Mandler F et al.; The survival of bacteria on dry swabs varied from twenty pro cent of organisms alive to no viability at four hours after the inoculation . Cotton-wool swabs highly reduced survival of bacteria; alginate or albumin swabs were less toxic for Gram-positive bacteria, charcoal swabs for Gram-negative bacteria . Transport systems allow certain organisms to remain viable as long as 24--48 hours . The quality and accuracy of any bacteriological culture depends greatly upon obtaining a proper specimen . Cotton-wool swabs are to be employed only when cultures are made immediately after collection, dry swabs--charcoal, albumin coated or calcium alginate--when cultures are made within four hours . For longer periods of time only transport systems are to be employed. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1977 Jun, 30(6), 443 - 9 Macrolide antibiotics M-4365 produced by Micromonospora . I . Taxonomy, production, isolation, characterization and properties; Furumai T et al.; A series of basic 16-membered macrolide antibiotics, M-4365 A1, A2, A3, G1, G2 and G3, were isolated from the culture broth of strain MCRL 0940 which is assigned to be a new species of Micromonospora and for which the name Micromonospora capillata sp . nov . is proposed . Among these antibiotics, M-4365 A2 and G2 showed strong inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Xue Za Zhi, 1977 Jun, 10(1-2), 1 - 7 Studies on Thermoactinomyces sp . TM9208 . I . Description of the strain; Chen JY et al.; A strain of Thermoactinomyces sp., TM9208, isolated from a soil sample in the Taipei area showed antagonistic activity to Gram positive bacteria but not to the Gram negative on the potato extract agar plate by the cross streaking method . The strain showed strong starch hydrolysis, beta type of hemolysis, brownish yellow growth on the potato extract agar and green on the nutrient agar . Its aerial mycelium, white to grayish white, was long and straight with short branches . The spores are single and have smooth surface . It is a good utilizer of starch, maltose and cellobiose as carbon source, but utilizes dulcitol, salicin, sucrose, rhamnose and sorbitol poorly. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1977 Jun, 30(6), 460 - 7 Glycinothricin, a new streptothricin-class antibiotic from Streptomyces griseus; Sawada Y et al.; Glycinothricin is a streptothricin-class antibiotic obtained for the first time from the culture broth of a strain of Streptomyces griseus . Glycinothricin, the deformimino derivative of antibiotic LL-AB664, gives N-methylstreptolidine, N-methyl-D-glucosamine and glycine on acid hydrolysis . In comparison with LL-AB664, glycinothricin is less active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and less toxic to mice. Infect Immun, 1977 Jun, 16(3), 1013 - 23 Interaction of inflammatory cells and oral microorganisms . IV . In vitro release of lysosomal constituents from polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed to supragingival and subgingival bacterial plaque; Taichman NS et al.; The deposition of bacterial plaques on tooth surfaces appears to be responsible for the initiation and progression of periodontal disease . In this study, human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) actively released lysosomal constituents upon in vitro exposure to either viable or irradiated, supragingival or subgingival dental plaque . Plaques were obtained from the PMN donors (autologous plaque) or from pooled samples (homologous plaque) secured from patients with periodontal lesions . Fresh sera from PMN donors amplified the release reactions to supragingival and subgingival plaques . Heated (56 degrees C, 30 min) sera also enhanced release reactions, but not as consistently as fresh serum . It was postulated that modulation of PMN release by serum is mediated by complement components and/or antibodies to plaque bacteria . Electron microscopic observations indicated that degranulation and discharge of PMN lysosomal enzymes may be associated with phagocytosis of gram-positive and gram-negative plaque bacteria and with reverse endocytosis of lysosomes from cells contacting relatively large masses of aggregated plaque bacteria . These data suggest that PMN lysosome release in response to plaque may serve as a potential mechanism of tissue injury in the pathogenesis of gingival and periodontal inflammation. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1977 May 31, 472(1), 1 - 12 Occurrence and function of membrane teichoic acids; Lambert PA et al.; Membrane teichoic acids, sometimes described as lipoteichoic acids, are important but not major components of nearly all Gram-positive bacteria . They appear on the outer surface of the cytoplasmic membrane and possess antigenic properties . Several functions have been ascribed to these glycerol phosphate polymers, including the binding of divalent cations required for optimal activity of membrane-bound enzymes, and the control of certain lytic enzymes . A substance that is identical or closely similar to membrane teichoic acid, lipoteichoic acid carrier, plays an important part in the biosynthesis of wall teichoic acid; it accepts polyol phosphate residues from CDP-glycerol or CDP-ribitol to form a polyol phosphate chain which is then transferred after the incorporation of a tri(glycerol phosphate) linkage unit, to the growing glycan chain of peptidoglycan. JAMA, 1977 May 23, 237(21), 2311 - 4 Airborne contamination of fine-particle nebulizers; Kelsen SG et al.; To determine whether bacteria present in ambient air play a role in the contamination of fine-particle reservoir nebulizers, nebulizers were placed in operation in separate hospital locations having qualitatively and quantitatively different bacterial flora in background air . Nebulizers placed in a surgical intensive care unit that had higher numbers of bacteria and a predominance of Gram-negative organisms in background air had a significantly higher incidence of nebulizer contamination (33.0%) than did nebulizers placed in a non-patient-care area that had lower bacterial counts and a predominance of Gram-positive organisms (0%) (P less than .05) . The present study indicates that airborne contamination of fine-particle reservoir nebulizers occurs when bacteria present in ambient air enter the nebulizer during its operation. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1977 May-Jun, 128A(4), 393 - 400 {Viridicine: a bacteriocine from "Aerococcus viridans" (author's transl)}; Ballester JM et al.; Viridicine, a new bacteriocine, was extracted from whole cells of Aerococcus viridans by repeated washings with Tris-HCl 5 X 10(-3) M pH 8,1, NaCl 1 M . A crude preparation of the macromolecule was not inactived by heating for one hour at 50 degrees C and was sensitive to the action of protease, lipase and catalase . The molecular weight was about 100,000 . A large number of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to viridicine action. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1977 May, 30(5), 376 - 82 Semisynthetic beta-Lactam antibiotics . II . Penicillins from alpha-hydrazinoarylacetic acids; LiBassi G et al.; A number of penicillins (2) have been synthesized from the alpha-hydrazinoarylacetic acids (4) via the activated chloride hydrochlorides (5) or via the mixed anhydride of the corresponding N2-benzyloxycarbonyl derivatives (6) . The penicillins, 2b, e, j, show good activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and enhanced penicillinase resistance in comparison with ampicillin. J Bone Joint Surg Br, 1977 May, 59(2), 197 - 9 Diffusion of antibiotics from acrylic bone-cement in vitro; Hill J et al.; The diffusion of Fucidin, gentamicin, and clindamycin from acrylic cement was tested in an in vitro system . The activity of Fucidin was very short-lived and only against gram-positive organisms; gentamicin inhibited gram-positive and gram-negative organisms for twenty-two and eleven days respectively; clindamycin had significant action only against gram-positive organisms and retained some activity for fifty-six days . We suggest that the destruction of organisms in the tissues is more likely to be achieved by topical and intravenous administration of antibiotics during the operation than by incorporation of antibiotic in the cement. Infect Immun, 1977 May, 16(2), 505 - 9 Environmental origin of natural antibodies to teichoic acid; Rozmiarek H et al.; In an effort to determine the origin of natural antibodies to teichoic acid, rats were fed a sterile liquid diet free of detectable teichoic acid and virtually free of gram-positive bacteria . Both germ-free and conventional Sprague-Dawley rats raised on this diet failed to produce antibodies to polyglycerophosphate, whereas 100% of their counterparts fed the usual teichoic acid-containing diet did produce these antibodies . The intestinal flora was similar in both groups of animals . When the test animals were immunized intraperitoneally or orally with gram-positive bacteria, 100% displayed immunocompetency by producing significant levels of antibody . These results demonstrate the environmental nature of the antigenic stimulus for these antibodies and suggest the importance of food as the major source of stimulation . The experimental model described here furnishes a valuable tool for studies of immunologic responses where a single known specificity and a controlled system would be advantageous. J Pak Med Assoc, 1977 May, 27(5), 323 - 4 Amoxycillin trihydrate (Ibeamox) in the treatment of pyogenic meningitis-a preliminary report; Haquani AH et al.; Amoxycillin a new broad spectrum antibiotic has been found to be effective against common gram positive and negative bacteria diagnosed in clinical practice . Moreover, it achieves higher blood levels as compared to Ampicillin . Since it was available only for oral use it had not been tried in the treatment of bacterial meningitis . Recently Amoxycillin Trihydrate became available for parenteral administration . Here we report its use as a single drug in 11 cases of Pyogenic meningitis . The dose administered by intravenous route was 200-400 mg/kg/day . All the cases recovered . Only three had minor neurological sequelae . Amoxycillin Trihydrate appears to be a safe and effective drug as there were no side effects or toxic manifestation even with the high dosage schedule. J Am Dent Assoc, 1977 May, 94(5), 887 - 90 Cold sterilization of gutta-percha cones with formocresol vapors; Senia ES et al.; Cold sterilization of gutta-percha cones was accomplished by exposing them to formocresol vapors for 16 hours . The data obtained from this in vitro study indicate that gaseous sterilization with formocresol vapors is effective against a variety of gram-positive, gram-negative, and spore-forming microorganisms. JAMA, 1977 Apr 25, 237(17), 1852 - 3 Infantile agammaglobulinemia and immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin G; Ganier M et al.; A case of X-linked infantile agammaglobulinemia with preserved synthesis of IgE and resultant normal serum levels of IgE is described . The patient had manifestations of atopy and an anaphylactic reaction following the administration of penicillin G . Because he had multiple respiratory tract infections with Gram-positive organisms and did not respond adequately to prophylactic gamma-globulin administration, penicillin therapy was deemed desirable . Therefore, after successful desensitization, therapy with prophylactic ampicillin was started with a resultant decrease in both number and severity of infections. Pathology, 1977 Apr, 9(2), 111 - 3 Bacteria in neonatal omphalitis; McKenna H et al.; A 6-year study of bacteria isolated from swabs taken from clinically apparent infections of the stump of the umbilical cord showed an overall infection rate of 0.7% (200/27,107), with a preponderance of Gram-negative organisms as compared with Gram-positive organisms (171/118), an excess which was statistically significant . When the data were broken down into premature and non-premature nurseries, the incidence of infection in the former was 2.08% (84/4028) and in the later 0.5% (116/23,079), a highly significant statistical difference . Most of the organisms isolated from the premature nurseries were Gram negative (83/120) and this finding too was statistically highly significant. Can J Microbiol, 1977 Apr, 23(4), 478 - 81 Ribosomal ribonucleic acid cistron homologies among Hyphomicrobium and various other bacteria; Moore RL; The extent of hybrid formation between the ribosomal ribonucleic acid (r-RNA) of Hyphomicrobium strain B-522 and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from bacteria of 21 different genera was examined . Three generalized groupings were formed . Group I (72-100%) consisted entirely of other strains of Hyphomicrobium . Representatives of the genera Rhodopseudomonas, Chromatium, Caulobacter, Prosthecomicrobium, Rhodomicrobium, Hyphomonas, and Hyphomicrobium made up group II (49-69%) . The remaining Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and cell wall--less bacteria fell into group III (12-40%) . The taxonomic implications of these results are discussed. Surgery, 1977 Apr, 81(4), 473 - 7 Selecting patients requiring antibiotics in biliary surgery by immediate gram stains of bile at operation; McLeish AR et al.; The value of selecting patients for antibiotic cover during biliary surgery by the use of immediate gram stains of bile was determined in a nonrandomized prospective study which compared two groups of patients . Group A consisted of 119 consecutive patients in whom antibiotics were administered during operation according to the results of immediate gram stains on bile . Group B included 101 patients, none of whom received antibiotics . In Group A gentamicin was given for gram-negative bacteria, ampicillin for gram-positive organisms, and no antibiotics were given if no bacteria were seen on the gram stain . In Group A the incidence of wound sepsis was 7 percent, compared with 22 percent in Group B (p less than 0.005) . Septicemia occured in 2 percent of Group A, compared with 8 percent in Group B . It is concluded that immediate gram stains of bile will provide a means of selecting patients requiring antibiotic cover during biliary surgery; furthermore, this procedure is a practical way of reducing postoperative sepsis while avoiding unnecessary antibiotic administration. J Immunol, 1977 Apr, 118(4), 1466 - 71 Mitogenic activity of Actinomyces viscosus . I . Effects on murine B and T lymphocytes, and partial characterization; Engel D et al.; Actinomyces viscosus homogenate (AVIS) contins substance(s) which cause spleen cells from conventional and germfree mice to undergo increased DNA synthesis . This mitogenic effect is primarily on B cells since spleen cells from nude mice or T-depleted spleen cells from conventional mice respond as strongly as conventional (T + B) spleen cells . Mouse thymocytes do not respond mitogenically to AVIS . It is unlikely that the mitogenic acitivity is due to the presence of LPS, since A . viscosus is Gram-positive and is not known to have an LPS cell wall component . Also, AVIS is not inactivated by polymyxin B, as are some preparations of LPS, and C3H/HeJ mouse splenocytes respond strongly to AVIS but not to LPS . The activity is heat stable, is not lost upon dialysis, and is not affected by lysozyme . Mitogenic activity is partially lost when AVIS is digested with nonspecific bacterial protease or treated with metaperiodate . Sodium hydroxide treatment completely abolishes mitogenic activity . Actinomycotic lesions are characterized by a long-tern inflammatory response involving a dense plasma cell infiltrate . We suggest that B cell mitogens form Actinomyces may play a role in the elicitation of the plasma cell component of these lesions. Biken J, 1977 Mar, 20(1), 5 - 10 Gelation of the amoebocyte lysate of Tachypleus tridentatus by cell wall digest of several gram-positive bacteria and synthetic peptidoglycan subunits of natural and unnatural configurations; Kotani S et al.; Water-soluble adjuvant-active fractions prepared by digestion of the cell walls from several gram-positive bacteria with an endo-N-acetylmuramidase (Mutanolysin) were shown to gelate the amoebocyte lysate of Tachypleus tridentatus, the Japanese horseshoe crab . This finding was further extended by examination of the clotting activities on the amoebocyte lysate of a synthetic N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine and related compounds, either adjuvant-active or -inactive, demonstrating that there are in general close correlations between the abilities to initiate lysate gelation, immunoadjuvancies and pyrogenicities, although there are some exceptions. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1977 Mar, 30(3), 221 - 5 The striatins--new antibiotics from the basidiomycete Cyathus striatus (Huds . ex Pers.) Willd; Anke T et al.; Three crystalline antibiotics which we named striatins A, B, and C were isolated from the mycelium of the basidiomycete Cyathus striatus strain No . 12 . The striatins are highly active against fungi imperfecti and a variety of Gram-positive bacteria, as well as against some Gram-negative bacteria . The molecular formulas as determined by mass spectrometry are C27H36O7 for striatin A, C27H36O8 for striatin B, and C25H34O7 for striatin C. Undersea Biomed Res, 1977 Mar, 4(1), 67 - 73 Evidence of bacteremia and endotoxemia in mice undergoing hyperbaric stress; Gillmore JD et al.; Swiss albino mice were exposed to normoxic (PO2 approximately 0.2 ATA) helium at 1, 20 or 35 ATA for 2 or 48 h and examined for the presence of bacteria and endotoxin in selected tissues . Among mice exposed to 35 ATA for 48 h and tested immediately after decompression for bacteria in liver and peritoneal cavities, 6 of 30 (20%) contained gram-negative rods and 27 of 30 (90%) contained gram-positive cocci . Incidence of infection was considerably less in mice exposed to 35 ATA for 2 h or exposed to 1 ATA . Evidence of presence of gram-negative rods and /or escape of free endotoxin from the intestine was provided by demonstration that limulus lysate is coagulated (presumptive evidence of endotoxin) by liver homogenates in 70% of the mice exposed to 35 ATA for 48 h, 68% of those exposed to 20 ATA and 14% of those exposed to 1 ATA . Mice subjected to the hyperbaric stress of 35 ATA for 48 h were shown to be increasingly susceptible to injection with purified lipopolysaccharide . The LD50 was 0.24 mg for hyperbaric exposed mice and 0.39 mg for the control groups . These data suggest that hyperbaric stress, but not necessarily decompression, results in a short-term presence in mouse tissues of microbial agents originating from the gut . This invasion temporarily renders that host more susceptible to additional endotoxic challenge. J Bacteriol, 1977 Mar, 129(3), 1506 - 12 Ultrastructure of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens: a gram-positive bacterium; Cheng KJ et al.; The cells of bacteria of the genus Butyrivibrio are universally described as being gram negative, and they produce an unequivocal gram-negative reaction in the standard staining procedure . However, their cell walls contain derivatives of teichoic acid, which are characteristic of gram-positive cells . In this study, the cell walls of two representative strains of Butyrivibrio were of the gram-positive morphological type, as seen by electron microscopy, but they were very thin (12 to 18 nm) . The thinness of these cell walls may account for the tendency of these cells to stain gram negatively in the standard staining procedure . Ruthenium red staining revealed an extracellular structure surrounding cells of Butyrivibio sp . (strain C3) . This structure was composed of individual "knobs" that sometimes mediated cell-to-cell adhesion in the culture. Can J Surg, 1977 Mar, 20(2), 147 - 9 Actinomycosis of the gallbladder; Marrie T et al.; Actinomycosis of the gallbladder is rare, and the pathogenesis of the infection is poorly understood . The authors report the case of a 77-year-old man admitted to hospital because of abdominal pain . Clinical and laboratory findings suggested the diagnosis of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis . At cholecystectomy the gallbladder was inflamed and contained many calculi . Gram staining of material from the mucosa of the gallbladder demonstrated gram-positive pleomorphic filaments, and Actinomyces israelii grew in pure culture, thus confirming the diagnosis of actinomycosis of the gallbladder . The pathogenesis of the condition is also discussed. J Oral Pathol, 1977 Mar, 6(2), 82 - 95 Changes in the fine structure of the human dental pulp subsequent to carious exposure; Torneck CD; Sections of human pulp tissue taken from the region of a carious exposure in four young patients each having a clinical history of spontaneous dental pain were examined with the electron microscope . All the tissues examined exhibited a generalized edema, and an infiltration with lymphocytes, plasma cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages . Varying degree of lysis of pulp and inflammatory cells were evident . The unmyelinated nerve axons of the pulp appeared to be least affected . Extracellular lysosomes were present in many of the necrotic areas . Edematous vacuoles were noted in two of the pulp specimens . In some of the sections these vacuoles appeared to be responsible for a physical distortion of adjacent unmyelinated nerve axons . It was postulated that such distortion may be a contributing factor to the pain of pulpitis . In another of the pulp specimens, micro-organisms were found intracellularly and extracellularly . Intracellularly they were present within the cytoplasm of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages and exhibited evidence of lysis . Only two morphological forms, a gram positive rod, and a gram positive coccus were identified. Infect Immun, 1977 Mar, 15(3), 925 - 37 In vitro response of rabbit alveolar macrophages to infection with Nocardia asteroides; Beaman BL; The interaction of Nocardia asteroides with cultured "normal" nonimmune rabbit alveolar macrophages was studied by light and electron microscopy . It was shown that the alveolar macrophage response to the more virulent strain (N . asteroides 14759) was quite different from the response to the less virulent organism (N . asteroides 10905) . N . asteroides 14759 elicited a dramatic in vitro response of the macrophages toward the nocardial infection . Within a few hours postinfection, there was a migration of macrophages toward other cells actively infected with viable nocardia, so that at 6 h considerable macrophage aggregation on the cover slips had occurred . Many of the macrophages within these aggregates exhibited tight cell-to-cell contact, whereas others were observed to fuse, forming multinucleate giant cells, with many containing more than 10 nuclei . Upon continued incubation, these giant cells appeared to destroy the intracellular nocardia, so that, at 24 h postinfection, gram-positive, ultrastructurally intact bacteria could not be observed . At the same time, some of the macrophage aggregates that did not fuse appeared to be unable to stop the intracellular growth of nocardia . At 12 to 24 h large numbers of gram-positive, acid-fast filaments were observed growing out from within these macrophage aggregates . The macrophage response seemed dependent upon the strain of Nocardia infecting them, since N . asteroides 10905 did not induce a similar response within the macrophage population. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1977, 25(1), 123 - 37 Actinomycetes of the genus Streptomyces in soil from Syria; Wieczorek J et al.; Species identification and antagonistic properties of 55 actinomycete strains isolated from Syrian soil were studied . The actinomycete strains belonged to 22 species, of which most abundantly represented were Streptomyces antimycoticus, S . rubiginosohelvolus, S . macrosporeus and S . coerulescens . Actinomycetes belonging to 16 species exhibited antagonism in relation to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and neoplastic cells. J Pharm Sci, 1977 Jan, 66(1), 130 - 2 In vitro inhibition of viral DNA polymerase activity by litmomycin; Sethi ML; Litmomycin, an antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces litmogenes, is highly active against Gram-positive bacteria and possesses antitumor activity . It inhibited viral DNA polymerase activity in vitro . The amount of litmomycin required to cause 50% inhibition of enzyme activity was 80-100 mug (180-225 nmoles)/ml of reaction mixture . The enzyme inhibition was observed when polyriboadenylate--oligodeoxythymidylate, polydeoxyadenylate-oligodeoxythymidyate, polyribocytidylate-oligodeoxyguanylate, activated DNA, and 70 S RNA were used as templates . Reaction kinetics and the mechanism of enzyme inhibition are discussed . The results suggest that litmomycin interacts with the template primer and not with the enzyme protein to stop the polymerization process. Chemotherapy, 1977, 23 Suppl 1, 392 - 8 Surgical suppurating infections and surgical abdominal infections treated with fosfomycin; Gallardo A et al.; Two groups of patients suffering surgical infections were treated with fosfomycin . The first includes 21 suppurating dermic of soft underlying tissue lesions . The second group includes 29 surgical abdominal infections . The bacteriology of the first group was made up of gram-positive and gram-negative germs predominantly S . aureus and E . coli, all the isolated species appeared to be sensitive to fosfomycin . In the second group a gram-negative bacterial flora predominantly E . coli was obtained; with a sensitivity to this antibiotic of 90.5% . Surgical treatment accompanied the treatment with fosfomycin . In the first group, all the patients were cured with the oral administration of 2-6 g/day and in an average time less than that of the similar control group which did not receive the antibiotic . In the second group surgical treatment was necessary in 25 of the 29 patients and in all of them parenteral treatment was done with fosfomycin, preferably intramuscularly and in general the dosage was 4 g daily . All patients were cured except for one who was not operated on and who suffered from a fever of undetermined origin. Arch Intern Med, 1977 Jan, 137(1), 55 - 6 Detection of endotoxin in cerebrospinal and joint fluids by limulus assay; Tuazon CU et al.; Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and joint fluid from 81 patients were studied for the presence of endotoxin using the limulus assay . All fluids that grew Gram-negative organisms had a positive limulus test . However, one sample of CSF and one of joint fluid, both very purulent, that contained Gram-positive organisms also gave positive limulus assays . All culturally negative fluids had a negative limulus assay . Thus, a positive limulus assay with CSF or joint fluid is indicative of bacterial infection probably caused by Gram-negative organisms and can be an extremely useful diagnostic adjunct. Arzneimittelforschung, 1977, 27(3), 640 - 2 {Inhibition by "essential" phospholipids of the bactericidal effect of cetylpyridinium chloride on common bacteria . Short communication}; Fruchart A et al.; The authors examined the conditions under which the bactericidal action of the disinfectant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is neutralized by a dispersion of "essential" phospholipids (EPL) . Both gram-positive and gram-negative strains of bacteria were exposed to various concentrations of the quarternary ammonium over different periods of time . Three cultures were prepared for each contact model to check on the effect of either pre-treatment and after-treatment with phospholipids or of CPC-exposure without the addition of phospholipids . The results obtained demonstrate that EPL are able to "receive" gram-negative bacteria like E . coli, P . aerug . and Morax . glucidol . after exposure to lethal concentrations of CPC for 30 min . While the "phenomenon of restoration" depended on the dose of phospholipids applied, the time of expsure to phospholipids proved irrelevant . The stabilisation of bacterial membranes due to EPL is discussed as a possible explanation of the phenomenon of restoration. Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg, 1977, 132(5-6), 418 - 22 Effect of clays on the microbe adsorption; Novakova J; The non motile Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria are much more adsorbed on the bentonite than the motile Gram-negative rods . The motile bacteria adjance to clays in the phases of their rapid multiplication only . The dependence of the clay adsorption of motile microbes by the substrate and/or intermediate adsorption has been suggested. Cutis, 1977 Jan, 19(1), 126 - 9 Cutaneous candidiasis: treatment with miconazole nitrate; Cullin SI; In a well-controlled, double-blind, randomized study, 30 patients with cutaneous candidiasis were treated with a 2% miconazole nitrate lotion or its placebo control . By the 14th day, 13 of the 15 patients {87%} treated with miconazole nitrate achieved clinical and mycologic cures . Only a single patient treated with the placebo lotion would be classified as a therapeutic cure . In a second portion of the study those patients judged to be therapeutic failures were treated with the lotion containing 2% miconazole nitrate . By combining the results of both portions of the study we find that miconazole nitrate lotion produced both a clinical and mycologic cure in all patients receiving the active lotion . The miconazole lotion formula was well tolerated by all patients and no side effects were noted . The fact that miconazole nitrate acts rapidly in relieving symptoms, is well tolerated, and is highly effective against dermatophytes, yeasts and gram-positive bacteria, makes it a welcome addition to available topical therapy of skin infections. J Med Chem, 1977 Jan, 20(1), 30 - 5 Semisynthetic cephalosporins . Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of analogues with 7-acyl groups derived from 2-(cyanomethylthio)acetic acid or 2-{(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)thio}acetic acid and their sulfoxides and sulfones; DeMarinis RM et al.; The synthesis and in vitro and in vivo activities of a series of cephalosporins having side chains derived from 2-{(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)thio}acetic acid or 2-(cyanomethylthio)acetic acid and with acetoxymethyl or 3-heterocyclic thiomethyl substituents at the 3 position are described . In both series, increasing the oxidation state of the side-chain sulfur atom from sulfide to sulfoxide/sulfone decreased the in vitro gram-positive activity, but the effect on gram-negative activity was variable and less pronounced . The protective effectiveness in mice infected with Escherichia coli increased as the oxidation level of the side-chain sulfur was raised from sulfied to sulfoxide/sulfone . Replacement of the 3-acetoxymethyl by a 3-heterocyclic thiomethyl group resulted in overall improvement of activity both in vitro and in vivo for all oxidation states. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1977, 7(6), 383 - 8 Placental transfer of thiamphenicol in term pregnancy; Plomp TA et al.; The placental transfer of thiamphenicol was studied in 21 subjects at term after an intravenous bolus injection of 1000 mg of the drug . Detectable antibiotic levels were present in umbilical blood and amniotic fluid within 15 min of maternal administration . With the dosage applied, minimum concentrations required for the inhibition of many Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms causing intrauterine infections were attained in maternal plasma, cord plasma and amniotic fluid . The value of thiamphenicol for the treatment of intrauterine infections is discussed. Vet Rec, 1976 Dec 18-25, 99(25-26), 503 - 5 Bacteria associated with beak necrosis in broiler breeder hens; Cheng KJ et al.; Beak necrosis occurred in 48 per cent of female broiler breeders used fro nutritional studies but none was found in male broiler breeders or in either sex of single comb white Leghorns . About 10 per cent mortality, probably largely due to beak necroses, occurred in the affected flock . Based on electron microscopic photographs of affected beak tissue, we suggest that in our study the breakdown of beaks was associated with the presence of a single morphological type of Gram-positive bacterium. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Dec, 29(12), 1253 - 7 A new antibiotic XK-90 . II . The structure of XK-90; Takai H et al.; The new antibiotic, XK-90, produced by Streptomyces sp . is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . The structure has been determined as N-acetyl-N'-(3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazine (1) and is the second example of a naturally occurring antibiotic having the phenylhydrazine skeleton. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1976 Dec 1, 126(7), 858 - 68 Aerobic and anaerobic flora of the cervix during pregnancy and the puerperium; Goplerud CP et al.; Comparison of species of bacteria isolated from patients with endometritis with species isolated from normal pregnant and nonpregnant women suggests that bacteria causing infections are indigenous to the genital tract . However, complete studies of the flora of pregnant women, especially anaerobic flora, are lacking . Aerobic and anaerobic cultures of the endocervix were obtained from women in all trimesters of pregnancy and at three days and six weeks post partum . The incidence of occurrence of each species of bacteria and the average number of different species per culture were determined for each period . The most prevalent organisms in each period were aerobic gram-positive rods and cocci and anaerobic gram-positive cocci . The average number of species of aerobic bacteria per culture remained approximately the same in each culture period . The average number of anaerobic species per culture decreased as pregnancy progressed, peaked on the third postpartum day, and at six weeks post partum returned to a level similar to that of the first trimester. J Trauma, 1976 Nov, 16(11), 919 - 20 Puncture wound of the eyelid causing brain abscess; Fanning WL et al.; A case of brain abscess following an apparently trival puncture wound to the eyelid is presented to emphasize the importance of meticulous examination of eye wounds in children to look for penetration into the cranial vault . Any suggestion of such penetrating injury either by history, examination, or X-ray should dictate neurosurgical consultation, and immediate local culture and debridement of the wound . If nonoperative management is elected, a careful watch must be kept for signs of infection, which dictate early exploration, and broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms common to penetrating skull trauma. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1976 Nov 1, 169(9), 943 - 5 Pulmonary nocardiosis in an orangutan; McClure HM et al.; Pulmonary nocardiosis was diagnosed in an adult male orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) being maintained in an outdoor facility . Periodically, the orangutan had had clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, as evidenced by slight nasal discharge and cough . At the terminal stage, the orangutan had acute respiratory embarrassment, with epistaxis, and died before diagnosis could be made and treatment initiated . Gross necropsy findings included fibrosis of the pulmonary parenchyma as well as evidence of air sac infection, extensive pneumonia, and extensive chronic pleuritis . Microscopically, some of the lung sections had alveoli filled with polymorphonuclear cells, with other sections being diffusely fibrotic; the areas of fibrosis contained interspersed foci of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration . Many of the latter areas contained organism colonized in the form of granules that resembled those seen in actinomycosis . These organisms were gram-positive and branched, and measured close to 1 mum in diameter . Nocardia asteroides was isolated from the pulmonary tissue. Aust Dent J, 1976 Oct, 21(5), 397 - 404 The potential role of bacteria and their antigens in periodontal disease; Knox KW; The inflammatory changes typical of periodontal disease are believed to involve immunological reactions, with bacteria being a potential source of the antigens inducing these reactions, with bacteria being a potential source of the antigens inducing these reactions . Various investigators have studied the ability of specific organisms to induce tissue changes in experimental animals, while others have examined human sera and tissues for the presence of antibodies reacting with particular organisms or their isolated antigens . The significance of these results is assessed, particularly with respect to the problem of antibody cross-reactivity . The antigens that could be involved in periodontal disease are discussed in terms of the difference in structure of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells, with attention being drawn to those components that could occur extracellularly and thus diffuse into oral tissues . The antigen most studied is the lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin of Gram-negative cells which, through the mediation of complement, is a potential inflammatory agent. Aust Vet J, 1976 Oct, 52(10), 455 - 7 Tuberculosis-like granulomas in cattle caused by Actinomycetes; Norton JH; From 280 lesions from normal cattle at slaughter, 10 were found to contain thin, branching, Gram-positive organisms belonging to the Nocardia/Streptomyces group and this was confirmed by culture in 3 cases . Macroscopically the older lesions were similar in appearance to those of tuberculosis . Microscopically, all lesions contained numerous foreign body giant cells and thin, branching organisms . The older lesions also contained areas of necrosis, caseation, mineralisation and fibrosis.
|
© 2005
Transgalactic Ltd (manufacturer of Bioscreen C software) |
Privacy Statement | P.O. Box
1393, 00101 Helsinki, Finland,
Last modified: May 25, 2005
| ||||||
