J Immunol, 1990 Oct 15, 145(8), 2669 - 76 Regulation of HIV replication in infected monocytes by IFN-alpha . Mechanisms for viral restriction; Gendelman HE et al.; In a survey of 15 different virus isolates, no IFN-alpha or IFN-beta activity was detected in culture fluids of HIV-infected T cells or monocytes . Exogenous rIFN-alpha added to T lymphoblast or monocyte cultures induced restriction in replication of the amphotropic HIV that infect both cell types . With IFN-treated HIV-infected T cells, levels of reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in culture fluids were half those in control cultures, but the frequency of infected cells or the levels of p24 Ag released in culture fluids were unchanged . In contrast to the modest effect of IFN on HIV-infected T cells, IFN-induced antiviral activity in monocytes was quite dramatic . Monocytes treated with IFN at the time of virus challenge showed no evidence of HIV infection: no p24 Ag or RT activity, no viral mRNA, and no proviral DNA . In this system, IFN interrupts one or more early event(s) in the virus replication cycle before formation of proviral DNA . Monocyte cultures infected with HIV 7 days before IFN treatment showed a gradual decrease in levels of p24 Ag and RT activity to baseline by 3 wk . HIV-induced cytopathic changes were markedly reduced, and the frequency of productively infected cells was less than or equal to 1% of total cells . Virus particles released 24 h after IFN treatment were 100- to 1000-fold less infectious than equal numbers of control virions . But, monocytes treated with IFN 7 days after HIV infection were not free of the retroviral pathogen: levels of proviral DNA in the IFN-treated and control HIV-infected cells were indistinguishable . The presence of large quantities of proviral DNA in cells with little or no evidence for active transcription documents a situation approaching true microbiological latency. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Oct, 69(4), 530 - 8 Centroid search optimization of cultural conditions affecting the production of extracellular proteinase by Pseudomonas fragi ATCC 4973; Myhara RM et al.; The production of extracellular proteinase by Pseudomonas fragi ATCC 4973 grown in a defined citrate medium, containing glutamine as the sole nitrogen source, was determined under varying cultural conditions . Simultaneous evaluation of cultural conditions using a 'centroid search' optimization technique showed that the optimum cultural conditions for proteinase production by Ps . fragi were: incubation temperature, 12.5 degrees C; incubation time, 38 h; initial pH, 6.8; organic nitrogen concentration, 314 mmol nitrogen/l (glutamine); a gas mixture containing 16.4% oxygen flowing over the medium (7.42 ppm dissolved oxygen) . Oxygen was the major factor influencing proteinase production by Ps . fragi . The results may have applications in the storage of fluid milk . Centroid search optimization was shown to be suitable for microbiological experiments. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Oct, 69(4), 504 - 11 A proposal for using previous experience in designing microbiological sampling plans based on variables; Smelt JP et al.; A microbiological sampling system on the basis of variables is presented which requires only small numbers of replicates (n greater than or equal to 2) . The system uses previous data on standard deviations of numbers of micro-organisms in batches and is particularly useful for in-plant situations . The discriminating power of the system is comparable to that of the current International Committee on Microbiological Specifications for Foods sampling schemes but uses more replicates. Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Oct, 36(10), 551 - 5 {Determination of serum- and phagocyte resistance of E . coli using bioluminescence}; Sokolowska-Kohler W et al.; Resistance to serum and phagocytosis belong to the most important virulence markers of the bacteria . These properties enable the microorganism to have some selective advantage by overcoming of host defence, thus increasing the invasiveness of the bacteria . Determination of these properties make it possible to evaluate better the virulence of the facultative-pathogenic microorganisms and can therefore be used for microbiological diagnosis . The method used until now to test these characteristics are very time consuming . For these reason we have employed bioluminescence to determine the number of viable cells . This method is very suitable for this purpose. Int J Androl, 1990 Oct, 13(5), 329 - 36 The influence of inflammation of the human male genital tract on secretion of the seminal markers alpha-glucosidase, glycerophosphocholine, carnitine, fructose and citric acid; Cooper TG et al.; Biochemical analysis was made of specific accessory gland products in the ejaculates of 362 men suffering from various acute inflammatory diseases of the reproductive tract and 33 normozoospermic patients acting as controls . The ejaculate content of the epididymal markers alpha-glucosidase and L-carnitine, but not glycerophosphocholine, was significantly reduced in ejaculates from men with epididymitis; citric acid was reduced in men suffering from prostatitis; both citric acid and alpha-glucosidase were reduced in men suffering from adnexitis . The ejaculate content of epididymal and prostatic markers in prostato-urethritis (adnexitis), where the exact localization of the inflammation was unclear, was not as low as in epididymitis or prostatitis . Seminal vesicle function, as judged from semen volumes and seminal fructose, was not different in these groups of patients . The results, although strongly related to the clinical diagnosis, were unrelated to the microbiological flora of the semen and indicate that both the epididymis and the prostate glands are involved in some forms of adnexitis. Burns, 1990 Oct, 16(5), 339 - 42 Bashkiria train-gas pipeline disaster: a history of the joint USSR/USA collaboration; Kulyapin AV et al.; In June 1989, a methane/propane pipeline explosion destroyed two passenger trains in the Bashkirian Republic of the Soviet Union . Over 400 passengers died immediately and 806 were injured . Most of those injured suffered thermal injuries . One hundred and fifty patients were treated at Hospital 21 in Ufa, Bashkiria, by a combined Soviet-US team . Twenty-six patients underwent excision and grafting of their burn wounds . Microbiological studies indicated significant resistance to locally available antibiotics . Antibiotics provided by the US team proved useful in treating the resistant organisms . This disaster and the international response to it exemplify the need for a coordinated response to major burn disasters and the positive results of international cooperation. Immun Infekt, 1990 Oct, 18(5), 147 - 51 {Microbiological diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections}; Marre R et al.; Successful microbiological diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections demands a close cooperation between clinician and clinical microbiologist . Because of the broad spectrum of possible respiratory pathogens precise requests are necessary for adequate laboratory procedures . The high rate of potential pathogens requires quantitative microbiological and cytological data in order to differentiate between colonisation and infection . Pathophysiological reactions on microbial colonisation of the bronchial tree may contribute to acute exacerbations of a chronic bronchitis . The precise role of microbial nocuous agents, however, remains to be clarified. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 Oct, 26 Suppl B, 103 - 10 Pefloxacin in lower respiratory tract infections; Grassi C et al.; To determine the efficacy and safety of pefloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, a multicentre trial involving four departments of respiratory diseases was performed . One hundred and eight patients were admitted to the study: most of them were affected with exacerbations of chronic bronchitis or with pneumonia complicating lung cancer . Isolation and identification of responsible microorganisms from bronchial secretions was possible in 78 patients . Seven patients were withdrawn, one for worsening of the underlying disease and six for early side-effects . Thus, of 108 patients recruited, 101 completed the course of therapy (pefloxacin 400 mg bd for 5-14 days) and could be submitted to final evaluation . Of these 43 (42.6%) were cured and 48 (47.5%) showed improvement . Eradication of responsible microorganisms was achieved in 70 (90.9%) of 77 patients microbiologically evaluated . Side-effects of moderate severity were observed in 12 patients (gastrointestinal disturbances in 11 and dyspnoea in one); these did not necessitate discontinuation of therapy. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 1990 Oct, 28(10), 426 - 9 Influence of alcohol consumption on erythromycin ethylsuccinate kinetics; Morasso MI et al.; The effect of ethyl alcohol ingestion on erythromycin kinetics was studied . Nine healthy volunteers, four males and five females, participated in the study . They received, in two separate occasions, 500 mg of erythromycin ethylsuccinate ester given with water or with an alcoholic beverage . The antibiotic was assayed in plasma, using a microbiological method . Absorption and disposition parameters were calculated according to classical pharmacokinetic techniques . A longer lag time and a decrease in AUC were observed when the antibiotic was given with alcohol . The differences were statistically significant . It is likely that the effect of alcohol on gastric emptying could be responsible for the delayed absorption of the antibiotic. Int J Artif Organs, 1990 Oct, 13(10), 667 - 71 Raster-electron-microscopic investigations in large-bore catheters for extracorporeal detoxification; Bambauer R et al.; Large bore catheters (n = 42, 31 patients) which remained in position for a period of between 2 to 73 days (mean = 26.8 days/patients) were investigated with raster electron-microscopy (scanning electron micrographic: SEM) and for bacterial colonisation . Microbiological findings indicated colonisation of the intravascular large bore catheters in 8 out of 42 catheters (19%) . SEM morphological investigation showed bacterial colonisation in only 3 catheters (7%) . The 3 different catheter materials had small deposits of fibrin and protein on the inner and outer surfaces after 2 days . This second layer covered the entire surface after 3 days and increased to a thickness of 3-60 microns in the following days . In this matrix erythrocytes, thrombocytes and granulocytes could also been seen. J Clin Periodontol, 1990 Oct, 17(9), 650 - 3 Subgingival irrigation in the maintenance phase of periodontal therapy; Schlagenhauf U et al.; The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of subgingival scaling versus subgingival pocket irrigation with 0.1% chlorhexidine or saline controls on the repopulation of subgingival periodontal sites with disease-associated micro-organisms following a single procedure of scaling and root planing . Additionally, pertinent clinical parameters (attachment level, plaque index, bleeding on probing) were also recorded . 375 sites in 30 individuals with previously untreated periodontal disease were thoroughly scaled and subsequently either rescaled, irrigated, or not treated at all for the following 6 months at 1-month intervals . The results show that the initial scaling and root planing procedure led to significant clinical and microbiological improvements in all experimental groups . These improvements were maintained in all but the untreated sites . Based on the observed clinical and microbiological changes, subgingival irrigation of periodontal pockets at 1-month intervals was equally effective as scaling and root planing performed at the same pace . 0.1% chlorhexidine however, being used as test irrigant, was not more effective than saline controls. Pharmazie, 1990 Oct, 45(10), 785 - 6 {The microbial count of insulin multiple-dose containers}; Thonke M et al.; In accordance with the Pharmacopoeia of the GDR, from multiple-dose containers containing injection preparations with preservatives added such preparations may be repeatedly withdrawn up to 72 h after opening these containers . Exempted from this limitation are multiple-dose containers containing insulin injection preparations repeatedly used by diabetics for self-injections . Microbiological tests were to contribute to clearing the question whether the period of using these insulin multiple-dose containers can be provided to be maximally 30 d after first use. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1990 Oct, 190(4), 380 - 94 {Use of UV radiation for the disinfection of water . V . Microbiological studies of the behavior of bacterial cells from the logarithmic and from the stationary phase in cold and warm drinking water}; Martiny H et al.; The u.v.-susceptibility of E . cloacae, E . coli and E . faecium was tested with a flow-through u.v . light treatment apparatus . Drinking water of three ranges of temperature (ca . 13 degrees C, ca . 33 degrees C, and ca . 48 degrees C) was used . The u.v.-susceptibility was tested with bacteria harvested in the exponential phase of growth as well as with bacteria harvested in the stationary phase . In all ranges of temperature and both phases of growth reductions of at least 99.9999% of E . cloacae and E . coli were obtained by a dosage of less than or equal to 25 mWs/cm2 . For E . faecium harvested in the exponential phase of growth this could be confirmed in cold water of 13 degrees C, while in warm water of 48 degrees C a dosage of ca . 47 mWs/cm2 for a reduction of 99.9999% was necessary . To kill E . faecium-cells, which were harvested in the stationary phase, dosage between 39 and 45 mWs/cm2 were necessary in water of the three ranges of temperature. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1990 Oct, 190(4), 365 - 79 {Microbiological studies of the significance of natural and simulated water transmission in the evaluation of UV plants for water disinfection}; Leuker G et al.; The efficiency of UV-irradiation for water disinfection was tested using an UV-plant with constant flow between 0.7 and 11.5 m3/h . Within the range of water transmission (254 nm) between 40% and 98% (1 cm), which naturally was found in tap water, water from the Neckar river and biologically treated sewage water in an amount of 96%, 78% and ca . 60%, simulation was performed by artificial addition of fluorescein to demineralized water . Data obtained show similar results for the reduction of E . faecium and C . albicans, which were used as test strains . The investigation show no major discrepancies in the range of transmission from 80-96%, which is relevant for tap water disinfection . Water transmission at 254 nm was confirmed as important factor for UV-irradiation . Also found suitable was fluorescein for simulation of the natural water transmission without affecting the test strains . Thus UV-sensitivity of test strains could be detected by combination of flow rate and simulated water transmission using fluorescein . P . aeruginosa and E . coli were found to be more UV-sensitive than S . enteritidis and S . marcescens . UV-resistance increased on the scale from E . faecium, S . aureus, M . luteus up to C . albicans . The efficiency of an UV-plant can be experimentally defined by a specific combination of flow rate (up to a certain amount) and water transmission . Thus the question can be answered whether and UV-plant is able to fulfill the specific requirements in use . These results, regarding the artificial variation of transmission values, are to be considered important for the specification of an additional measure of safety for minimal irradiation exposure times. Minerva Ginecol, 1990 Oct, 42(10), 381 - 5 {Genital HPV infection, relation between vulvar and cervico-vaginal localization}; Becagli L et al.; The Authors studied 37 women affected by vulvar condylomatosis . Thirty-four presented features of florid or microflorid condylomatosis, three were affected by flat condylomatosis, Papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the cervico-vaginal tract was present in 25 women . No vulvar cellular atypia was found in the 37 cases with HPV lesions, while in 6 cases there were also cervical dysplasia (CIN 1-CIN 2) . Nineteen out of 23 patients with disseminated revealed a vaginal flogosis mostly by yeats, detected by microbiological examinations . The evidence of disseminated florid or microflorid lesions associated with the virus infection, both located at the cervico-vaginal tract, support the ipothesis of virus types with higher virulence, a greater ubiquitary trophysm and a greater oncogenic risk, as supported also by other Authors. Vet Rec, 1990 Sep 29, 127(13), 324 - 30 A clinical and microbiological study of cats with protruding nictitating membranes and diarrhoea: isolation of a novel virus; Muir P et al.; Fifty cats with the syndrome of protruding nictitating membranes and diarrhoea were compared clinically and microbiologically with nine cats with diarrhoea alone and 17 healthy cats . A novel torovirus-like agent was isolated from 11 cats, including seven of the cats with protruding nictitating membranes and diarrhoea. Minerva Ginecol, 1990 Sep, 42(9), 333 - 6 {Vaginitis and vaginosis}; Cerza S et al.; Recently, within the wide subject on vaginal phlogosis a new pathology has been included . Owing to its peculiar characteristics, as it is not to be regarded as a vaginitis in the strict sense of the word, it has been identified as anaerobic bacterial vaginosis . The latter proves to be different from most common vaginitis related pathologies as a result of a series of microbiological and clinical patterns that are widely dealt with in this research . Moreover, the author place special emphasis on the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of vaginosis. Jpn J Antibiot, 1990 Sep, 43(9), 1538 - 44 {Microbiological assay method of BMY-28100 and some other cephem antibiotic in serum and tissues . Development of new sample preparation with Evan's blue, a high albumin binding dye}; Nakanomyo H et al.; With a new simple sample pretreatment, microbiological assay methods for quantitative determination of BMY-28100 and some other cephem antibiotics in serum and tissues have been developed . Presented sample pretreatment was founded on the extraction with Evans' blue, a high serum protein binding dye, and the ultrafiltration using cellulose membrane (Millipore; MW cutoff is 10,000) to which Evans' blue was specifically absorbed . Regardless of sample media, antibiotic contents in filtrates were determined accurately using calibration curves based on standard solutions prepared with 1/15 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 . Four cephems, ceftriaxone (CTRX), cefazolin (CEZ), BMY-28100 and cefadroxil (CDX) were examined in human serum and rat liver tissues . Corrections were made for antibiotic recoveries into 1/15 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 . CTRX, CEZ, BMY-28100 and CDX in serum and tissues were recovered into buffer at rates of 98.4-101.6%, 97.6-102.0%, 99.8-101.4% and 97.5-98.2% of of spiked (theoretical) values, respectively regardless of antibiotic concentrations . Furthermore, these concentrations obtained using the present bioassay method were well in agreement with those obtained by the HPLC method . When BMY-28100 was administered to volunteers, concentrations of BMY-28100 in serum obtained by the present bioassay method were well in agreement with those obtained by the usual bioassay method which required the fresh human serum to prepare the standard solutions. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Sep, (9), 89 - 93 {Comparative evaluation of efficiency of various immunologic reactions with Candida antigens in detecting immediate hypersensitivity}; Litovskaia AV et al.; In the dynamic survey of 577 persons having had contacts with yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida the effectiveness of tests for the diagnosis of mycogenic sensitization was made with the use of a number of immunological methods . The basophil degranulation test was shown to have higher sensitivity and specificity in the detection of hypersensitivity to microbial strains used in the production processes of microbiological synthesis, while the use of polysaccharide antigens is more expedient in immunological reactions, such as the precipitation test with the finished product obtained by these processes and with C . albicans . Some prevalence of the level of sensitization in the presence of Candida carriership was established in persons having had contacts with these fungi. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Sep, 69(3), 338 - 58 Open fronted safety cabinets in ventilated laboratories; Clark RP et al.; Open fronted Class I and II microbiological safety cabinets (MSCs) are required by the British Standard 5726 to provide similar levels of operator protection (viz . 10(5) . In laboratories that are naturally ventilated large numbers of both types of cabinets have been shown to exceed this requirement consistently over a number of years . The designs of some mechanically ventilated laboratories, however, produce excessive turbulence and draughts that can prejudice containment at the front aperture . On-site commissioning tests to determine operator protection factor are now well established and are recognized as being essential to the setting up of all open fronted cabinets in both ventilated and unventilated laboratories . This paper shows that where environmental conditions induce unsatisfactory cabinet containment, adjustments to air supply and exhaust systems can be made which will enable both Class I and II cabinets to produce operator protection factors in excess of 10(5) . When compatibility is achieved between the local environment and the cabinets it is demonstrated that disturbances at the front aperture, caused by operator working procedures or by disturbances due to personnel movement within the room, have similar effects on both Class I and II cabinets . Once performance levels have been satisfactorily achieved, regular containment testing has shown that consistent performance can be maintained . These aspects of open fronted safety cabinet performance are discussed in relation to ventilated laboratories suitable for work with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) . Of paramount importance in the future is the necessity to design laboratory air systems that will be compatible with satisfactory safety cabinet performance--a relatively new requirement in ventilation system specifications. Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Sep, 36(9), 466 - 70 {Trends in medical microbiology--gene probes in medical microbiology}; Schonian G et al.; At first the principle of nucleic acid hybridisation, some important technics used heretofore, and methods to label nucleic acids are described . The advantages and disadvantages regarding to the application to microbiological diagnostics are discussed . The advantage, before all, is the high specificity of the test which allows to detect the presence and the properties of genes which are not expressed . The methods known up to now can only be applied if the probe is labelled radioactively, since under these conditions the sensitivity is high enough to identify bacteria contained in clinical isolates without prior cultivation . The comparable complex methods are restricted, presently, to special mostly epidemiological problems . To improve these technics regarding increased sensitivity, to the use of non-radioactively labelled probes, to higher speed, and to the automation of the test internationally much work is carried out with great intensity . The solution of these problems will create conditions for a wide application of DNA probes in the general microbiological laboratory. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1990 Sep, 13(3), 270 - 7 Tissue concentrations of clindamycin after multiple oral doses in normal cats; Brown SA et al.; Eighteen normal cats were randomly allocated into two blocks with three treatment groups and dosed orally with clindamycin aqueous solution for 10 days at a dosage rate of 5.5 mg/kg twice daily (Group 1), 11 mg/kg twice daily (Group 2), or 22 mg/kg once daily (Group 3) . At the end of dosing, all cats were killed and tissues were taken for clindamycin concentration analysis . Clindamycin was extracted from tissues using solid-phase extraction columns followed by microbiological assay of clindamycin using a cylinder plate assay using M . luteus . Recovery from each tissue was determined by inoculating known concentrations of clindamycin into drug-naive tissues and comparing the observed concentration from the expected concentration . Confirmation that the bioassay detected clindamycin and not N-desmethylclindamycin, its active metabolite, was done using gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry . Concentrations were highest in the lung, with tissue:serum ratios greater than 3 in all groups . Concentrations were higher in Group 3 than Group 1 (P less than 0.05) . Only liver concentrations in Group 3 were statistically higher than in Group 2, although all tissues except bone marrow and CSF had numerically higher concentrations in Group 3 than Group 2 . The tissue:serum ratio was greater than 1 in all tissues studied except bone, cerebrospinal fluid, brain, and skeletal muscle. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 Sep, 26 Suppl A, 15 - 21 An experimental model of chronic osteomyelitis caused by Escherichia coli treated with cefotaxime; Gomis M et al.; An experimental model in Wistar rats, of osteomyelitis caused by Escherichia coli, was used to evaluate the efficacy of cefotaxime in two treatment regimens of different durations . Four groups of rats were set up: a group of rats receiving short-term treatment (14 days) with subcutaneous cefotaxime (100 mg bd), killed after 56 days; a control group receiving no treatment, killed after 56 days; a group of rats undergoing long-term treatment (28 days) with subcutaneous cefotaxime as above, killed after 70 days and a control group of rats receiving no treatment, killed after 70 days . Analysis of histopathological and microbiological findings revealed significantly better results in the long-term treatment group . No side-effects were observed during treatment or afterwards. Ir Med J . 1990 Sep;83(3):112, 114, 116. Raised PPD antibodies in active pulmonary tuberculosis; O'Mahony C et al.; Antibodies to purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) were measured in 47 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and in various control subjects using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay . Raised IgG anti PPD antibodies were found in 30 patients with active tuberculosis, in one of 28 patients with miscellaneous non tuberculous diseases and in one of 49 healthy control subjects . This gave the assay a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 98% . Antibodies were also measured in a further 20 patients with suspected tuberculosis but in whom microbiological evidence was absent . In eight of these patients active tuberculous disease was subsequently validated on the basis of clinical response to chemotherapy: raised PPD antibodies were found in six of this group but in none of the remaining 12 patients in whom the diagnosis of tuberculosis was considered doubtful . Further studies showed that patients' PPD antibody level fell over a one year period of successful therapy and that tuberculin skin testing and BCG vaccination did not cause a rise in antibodies in healthy subjects . These results suggest that the measurement of PPD antibodies is a useful adjunctive test in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. J Clin Pathol, 1990 Sep, 43(9), 777 - 9 Effect of sample volume on yield of positive blood cultures from adult patients with haematological malignancy; Brown DF et al.; Six hundred and sixteen blood samples from patients with haematological malignancy were each distributed equally among three identical cells in a Malthus Microbiological Growth Analyser . The mean (SD) volumes inoculated into sets in which one, two, or three of the three bottles were positive were 37.7 (10.1) ml, 37.4 (12.9) ml, and 37.7 (10.5) ml, respectively . Overall, clinically important organisms were isolated from one bottle only with 18 cultures, from two bottles only with 19 cultures, and from all three bottles in a set with 104 cultures . If the yield from a single bottle inoculated with a mean volume of 12.6 ml blood is taken as 100%, the yield from 25.2 ml in two bottles was 110.7% and the yield from 37.7 ml in three bottles was 115.6% . The increased yield from increased volume was considerably lower than that reported from unselected groups of patients, which suggests that the magnitude of bacteriaemia is greater in patients with neutropenia . The isolation of infecting organisms from the blood of patients with neutropenia is, however, particularly important in directing chemotherapy and consequently 45 ml blood samples from these patients continue to be requested. Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1990 Sep, 40(3), 426 - 38 {Fish silage from shrimp by catch fish: I . Preparation and biological evaluation}; Rodriguez T et al.; Fish silage was prepared from some fish species of the shrimp by-catch caught in Golfo Triste, Carabobo, Venezuela . Fish were ground until a particle size that would guarantee the liquefaction process was achieved . The process was accelerated by the incorporation of a 3.5% w/w acid mixture, formed by diluted sulfuric acid (1:3) and concentrated formic acid, in a proportion of 1:4 . The silage process occurred spontaneously at room temperature during 17 days . Chemical, physical and microbiological tests were conducted in order to characterize both the raw material and the final product . The raw material used had adequate levels of freshness, so that it was suitable for use, thus producing a first-grade silage . A first biological evaluation was carried out in rats in order to estimate the protein quality of the silage by means of certain biological parameters such as PER, NPR and apparent digestibility percentage of the protein . The results of the first experimental period demonstrated that the fish silage protein was of optimal quality, since the biological response in rats was similar to that of the control group fed the casein diet. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1990 Sep-Oct, 73(5), 805 - 8 Application of a tri-enzyme extraction for total folate determination in foods; Martin JI et al.; A tri-enzyme digestion procedure using chicken pancreas conjugase, alpha-amylase, and Pronase was evaluated to determine its usefulness in the microbiological quantitation of total folate in foods . Folate values obtained by traditional conjugase digestion were compared to those obtained by the tri-enzyme method for 12 food products that represent diverse matrixes . The tri-enzyme treatment increased measurable folate from most foods when compared to levels found after conjugase digestion . Largest increases were noted for tuna fish (51%) and yogurt (33%) after tri-enzyme digestion . For the 12 foods, a mean increase of 19% in measurable folate was obtained with tri-enzyme treatment . The study shows that traditional conjugase treatment does not completely free folate from complex food matrixes before microbiological analysis . Further, as other investigations have suggested, current accepted methods for folate analysis may be underestimating folate levels in foods. Mycoses, 1990 Sep-Oct, 33(9-10), 441 - 8 Fluconazole monitoring in Candida peritonitis based on histological control; Kujath P et al.; Between May 1, 1988 and January 1, 1990, 10 patients were treated for Candida peritonitis . Origins of the infections were lesions and perforations of the gastrointestinal tract . Risk factors promoting the disease were tumours, diabetes mellitus and extensive antibiotic therapy . The mean classification by the APACHE score 2 was 19.0 . All patients underwent the programmed peritoneal lavage for diffuse peritonitis . Daily relaparotomy and lavage of all quadrants of the abdomen was performed . The diagnosis of Candida peritonitis had been established by microbiological investigation, increasing serologic titres, histologic demonstration of a deep mycosis and clinical picture . All patients were treated with 300 mg fluconazole daily . Five of the ten patients died from their severe primary diseases in spite of control of fungal peritonitis . Daily relaparotomies allowed to follow up the microbiologic and histologic course of the disease . Within 2 to 4 days after administration of fluconazole, hydrous swelling and reduction of fungal elements could be demonstrated histologically . On the 4th day after onset of antifungal therapy, fungal mycelia were markedly reduced and distendedly decayed . Fluconazole clearly leads to a destruction of deeply invading Candida elements within 4 days. J Steroid Biochem, 1990 Aug 28, 36(6), 517 - 21 Inhibitory effect of a new androstenedione derivative, 14 alpha-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,6,17-trione (14 alpha-OHAT) on aromatase activity of human uterine tumors; Yamamoto T et al.; The development of human uterine estrogen-dependent tumors is considered to be closely related to estrogen biosynthesis . This study examined whether or not 14 alpha-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,6,17-trione (14 alpha-OHAT), a new 4-androstene-3, 17-dione derivative synthesized microbiologically, inhibits estrogen biosynthetase (aromatase) activities of human uterine tumors (i.e . uterine endometrial cancer, uterine leiomyoma and uterine adenomyosis tissues) . 14 alpha-OHAT inhibited aromatase activity in all uterine tumors, dose-dependently (0.1-10 microM) . Moreover, 14 alpha-OHAT did not show the binding affinity to rabbit uterine cytosol-sex steroids, and it was not converted to estrogen in human placental preparations . Thus, 14 alpha-OHAT, an aromatase inhibitor, may be useful clinically as an endocrine chemotherapy for peri- or post-menopausal women with uterine estrogen-dependent tumors. Ugeskr Laeger, 1990 Aug 13, 152(33), 2349 - 51 {Forms of care and children's infections . 2 . Consequences and possibilities for intervention}; Uldall P; t may be calculated that between one fourth and one third of all infectious illnesses in preschool children in Denmark can be attributed to care in day care centres . A series of socially stressing problems have been demonstrated for parents with work outside the home in connection with care of their sick children . There is no evidence that children with many recurrent infections early in the preschool age become more resistant to infection with increasing age . On the contrary there is evidence that recurring middle ear infections and respiratory infections in childhood may have chronic sequelae and may possibly predispose to allergic disease . From a community medical standpoint, there is no doubt that day care centres are of importance in the spread of infection e.g . influenza epidemics in the adult population . On this basis, indications are found to attempt to institute measures which can reduce sickness in day care centres . Apart from prohibition of smoking, it is not clear whether improved indoor atmospheric conditions will improve the resistance in children . More restrictive turning away of children with very slight symptoms of colds is probably of limited value, whereas more prolonged convalescence for the individual child would probably reduce the number of children with recurrent infections . This necessitates a considerable number of days of care at home for parents with sick children . Intensified microbiological hygiene should be the central measure in intervention . This necessitates improved microbiological training of the staffs of day care centres . Children should be out-of-doors to a greater extent and the space should be increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Genitourin Med, 1990 Aug, 66(4), 251 - 3 Flat condylomata of the penis presenting as patchy balanoposthitis; Arumainayagam JT et al.; Fifty patients presenting with either primary or recurrent patchy balanoposthitis which became aceto-white after the application of 5% acetic acid underwent biopsy . Microbiological screening, including Grocott staining of the biopsy material for fungal hyphae was performed . Forty nine biopsies showed marked koilocytosis suggestive of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, and of these, only three showed fungal hyphae . This study suggests that HPV may be associated with some cases of patchy balanoposthitis. Rev Esp Enferm Dig, 1990 Aug, 78(2), 76 - 8 {Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a comparative study of 2 methods of ascitic fluid culture}; Sainz S et al.; The sensitivity in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis of ascitic fluid inoculation in blood culture bottles has been compared with the conventional method . We have analyzed 74 positive ascitic fluid cultures from 64 patients, the samples being processed by both techniques simultaneously . While all the ascitic fluid cultures performed by inoculation in blood culture bottles were positive, in only 42 from the 74 conventional cultures (56, 75%) bacterial growth was detected (p less than 0.001) . Nineteen bacterascites were diagnosed by inoculation in blood culture bottles and 10 by the conventional method (p = NS) . Gram stain was only positive in 3 spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (6%) . We conclude that ascitic fluid inoculation in blood culture bottles improves significantly the sensitivity of the microbiological diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, without increasing the diagnosis of bacterascites. Poult Sci, 1990 Aug, 69(8), 1428 - 32 A comparison of seven microbiological sampling procedures for hard-cooked eggs; Fletcher DL et al.; Seven microbiological sampling methods for hard-cooked eggs were evaluated and compared . Fresh eggs within 24 h of oviposition were cooked at 98 C for 22 min in water and then cooled in 31 C water . Eggs were dipped for 10 min in a physiological saline solution (.85% saline) 10 C cooler than the eggs and containing known numbers of bacteria . Eggs were then stored for 4 days at 6 C and sampled using one of seven rinse or blend procedures on whole eggs, shell, shelled egg contents, or shelled egg contents plus shell . Highest recoveries were made from the peeled egg plus shell rinse, shell rinse, whole egg blend, and shell blend . Lowest recoveries were found with the whole egg rinse, the peeled egg rinse, and the peeled egg blend . These results indicate that significant numbers of organisms are associated with the inner and outer shell surfaces as well as the egg contents surface (albumen) . Satisfactory recoveries can be made with the peeled egg plus shell rinse or the whole egg blend . Whole egg rinsing of hard-cooked eggs does not appear to be satisfactory. Kinderarztl Prax, 1990 Aug, 58(8), 425 - 30 {The microbial colonization pattern of newborn infants . What is its significance? Results of a study at a district hospital in the Gera district}; Scheven M et al.; A microbiological investigation was performed under standardized conditions both on mother and child for total of 151 births, 112 of which being classified as normal, the remainder of 39 as risk births . Significant differences were found between the microbial colonization patterns for normal and risk births, respectively, as judged from cultures of smears from maternal cervices and from their neonates . In addition, colonization patterns of the newborn children turned out to be age-dependent . No correlation between the colonization pattern of the neonatal surface and infections of the newborn infants has been found. Mycopathologia, 1990 Aug, 111(2), 75 - 83 Name changes in fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance . Part 4; Cannon PF; This is the fourth in a series of reports bringing changes in the names of fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance to the attention of workers in these fields . The series is sponsored by the Division of Mycology of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) and prepared under the auspices of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF) . The first of this series of reports included an introduction to the series explaining the need for name changes. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1990 Aug, 145(8), 73 - 5 {Optimal parameters of carbon dioxide laser irradiation in the prevention and treatment of suppurative-inflammatory surgical diseases in children}; Livshits IuL et al.; An analysis of experience with using the CO2 laser radiation with power density of 15-60 Wt/cm2 and 100 Wt/cm2 with the purpose in mind to prevent acute inflammatory complications and treat pyo-inflammatory surgical diseases in children . Results of microbiological and histological researches of the laser radiation studied are presented. Offentl Gesundheitswes, 1990 Aug-Sep, 52(8-9), 401 - 4 {Hygiene problems with mineral and table waters}; Steuer W; The article describes the definitions of mineral water, water from natural sources, and table water as laid down by Federal German legislation . The microbiological limit or guiding values are discussed and compared with the results obtained by the Land Bureau of Medical Testing in Baden-Wurttemberg . Results of the examinations show not only the chemical hazards but also the microbiological ones to which mineral water sources are exposed--which, by the way, are not surrounded by protected areas (a few rare cases excepted) and are thus greatly in danger of noxious contamination . To this are added microbiological contaminations due to inadequate hygiene during recovery and filling . The weak points are pinpointed . The problems facing the controlling authorities are pointed out, and so are instances where limit values have been exceeded . Attention is drawn to the urgent need for protecting natural mineral water sources. Arch Dermatol, 1990 Aug, 126(8), 1071 - 4 Skin surface electron microscopy in Pityrosporum folliculitis . The role of follicular occlusion in disease and the response to oral ketoconazole; Hill MK et al.; The yeast Pityrosporum orbiculare is thought to cause the folliculitis associated with seborrheic eczema . However, a combination of mechanical and microbiological factors may be involved, with follicular occlusion leading to yeast overgrowth and folliculitis . Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate this hypothesis . Skin biopsy specimens obtained from patients with Pityrosporum folliculitis were examined by scanning electron microscopy before and after oral ketoconazole therapy . Patients with active disease showed occlusion of noninflamed follicles, which resolved after ketoconazole treatment . Follicular occlusion was not present in biopsy specimens obtained from unaffected controls nor was it related to the presence of P orbiculare . These findings suggest that follicular occlusion may be a primary event in the development of this folliculitis, with yeast overgrowth a secondary occurrence . The beneficial effect of ketoconazole in this disease may be due to direct effects on the follicle. Odontostomatol Proodos, 1990 Aug, 44(4), 245 - 53 {Juvenile periodontitis (microbiology--immunology)}; Nicolopoulou-Papaconstantinou A et al.; Juvenile periodontitis is a destructive periodontal disease with young healthy individuals at the age 15-18 . Main causative factor is the strain Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and is characterized by the rapid periodontal destruction of the incisors and 1st molars in the upper and lower jaw . In this paper is presented the current concepts of the microbiology and immunology of tis disease . However the comparison of the microbiological and immunological picture of juvenile periodontitis to those of the different types of the same disease as well as of the corresponding picture of the adult periodontitis seems to be important in order for the dentists to understand and explain those suffering from juvenile periodontitis . Furthermore, it is concluded that the earliest the diagnosis the better the results of the treatment. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 1990 Aug, 6(8), 1045 - 9 Restriction of HIV replication in infected T cells and monocytes by interferon-alpha; Gendelman HE et al.; Human recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) restricted viral replication in human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV) infected T cells and monocytes . With T cells, reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in culture fluids was reduced threefold from that of control infected cells by IFN treatment, but HIV p24 antigen levels were unchanged . In contrast, levels of p24 antigen and RT activity in lysates of IFN-treated infected cells were threefold greater than those of controls . These differences suggest that the mechanism for IFN-induced antiviral effects in HIV-infected T cells resides in the terminal events (assembly and release) of the virus replication cycle . Monocytes treated with IFN at the time of virus challenge showed no p24 antigen or RT activity, no HIV-specific mRNA, and no proviral DNA in cells for up to 3 weeks after infection . IFN treatment of chronically infected monocytes also decreased virus replication, as assessed by p24 antigen, mRNA and RT detection assays . However, levels of proviral DNA in the IFN-treated and control HIV-infected cells were indistinguishable . The presence of large quantities of proviral DNA in cells with little or no evidence for active transcription documents a situation approaching true microbiological latency. Parodontol, 1990 Aug, 1(3), 230 - 48 {Instrumentation for periodontal treatment}; Hohlfeld M et al.; Since the introduction of scalers in the beginning of the century for the mechanical removal of plaque, instruments with few major modifications are still in clinical use today . New approaches in diagnosis of periodontal disease such as microbiological analysis, enzyme diagnosis of crevicular fluid or computer-aided procedures are presently in clinical trials . A set of periodontal instruments is presented which has been well established and is recommended for the treatment of periodontal disease . The discussion of the specific instruments is presented according to the sequence of patient treatment, which is divided into diagnosis, initial therapy, scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery and maintenance therapy. Br Dent J, 1990 Jul 21, 169(2), 51 - 3 Bacteraemia following incision and drainage of dento-alveolar abscesses; Flood TR et al.; Twenty-five patients undergoing routine incision and drainage of dento-alveolar abscesses were screened for bacteraemia during the procedure . In 13 patients, the abscesses were aspirated with a needle prior to incision and drainage, while needle aspiration was omitted in the remaining 12 . A blood sample was taken from all individuals immediately before the surgical procedures and at one-minute intervals for a period of 5 minutes after surgery . Needle aspiration of pus resulted in a significant reduction (P less than 0.05) in the bacteraemic episodes (0 out of 13) during subsequent surgery as compared with incision and drainage, without aspiration (3 out of 12) . Bacteraemia appeared to be transient, although in one case it was detected at 5 minutes . It is concluded that bacteraemic episodes occur during incision and drainage of dento-alveolar abscesses and this may be reduced by aspiration of the abscess contents prior to incision and drainage . In addition, the aspirates could serve as excellent microbiological samples, uncontaminated with salivary flora . The need for antibiotic cover in at risk patients, however, needs to be established by further studies. Cesk Oftalmol, 1990 Jul, 46(4), 307 - 11 {The effectiveness of taking measures against infection in eye surgery . Microbiological study}; Hakenova J et al.; The authors investigated in a group of 100 eyes the incidence of micro-organisms in the conjunctival sac and on the borders of the eyelids and their sensitivity to antibiotics before planned operations of the eyes . In all instances cultivation at three time intervals was used--on admission, on the morning before operation after administration of antibiotic drops for at least one day, and in the operation theater after careful disinfection of the surgical field . The assembled results indicate the small effectiveness of short-term preoperative administration of disinfectant and antibiotic drops and confirm the high effectiveness of antiseptic preparation of the surgical field. AIDS, 1990 Jul, 4(7), 687 - 9 The value of barium enema and colonoscopy in patients infected with HIV; Connolly GM et al.; Double contrast barium enema (DCBE) and colonoscopy were prospectively compared with rigid sigmoidoscopy, rectal biopsy and microbiological examination in the analysis of stool specimens in 58 HIV-1-infected patients with diarrhoea (more than three liquid motions/day for greater than 1 month) . In 26 patients no cause for the diarrhoea was found . In 17 patients the cause of diarrhoea was microbiological, and in 19 rectal histology provided a specific diagnosis . In all these patients sigmoidoscopic appearances were abnormal except in those with Cryptosporidium alone . Colonoscopy provided additional information in only one individual, with cytomegalovirus ulcers of the transverse colon . DCBE was abnormal in only seven cases (cytomegalovirus in three, Kaposi's sarcoma in two, Giardia lamblia in two) and in no case provided additional information . A combination of stool microbiology and rectal histology gave a sensitivity of 97% with a positive predictive value of 100% . The sensitivities of DCBE and colonoscopy with histology were low (16 and 62%, respectively) although the specificity for each test was high, with high positive predictive values . We conclude that neither barium enema nor colonoscopy add usefully to rigid sigmoidoscopic biopsy and stool microscopy in HIV-positive patients with diarrhoea. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Jul, 43(7), 778 - 82 Trichomycin B, a polyene macrolide from Streptomyces; Komori T; Two polyene macrolide, trichomycins A and B, were compared by physico-chemical and microbiological methods . The two antibiotics were found to have the same molecular formula, C58H84N2O18 (MW 1,096), by elemental analysis and FAB-MS . However, 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry studies indicated that the hydroxyl at C-5 of trichomycin A located on C-9 in trichomycin B . Trichomycin B possessed lower activities against fungi and yeasts than those of trichomycin A. Arch Dis Child, 1990 Jul, 65(7), 774 - 8 Surfactant abnormality and the sudden infant death syndrome--a primary or secondary phenomenon? James D, Berry PJ, Fleming P, Hathaway M. A prospective study of 46 infant deaths occurring between 3 and 100 weeks of age was performed and comprised a structured necropsy followed by collection of lung washings for surfactant phospholipid analysis and samples for microbiological examination . Of the 46 infants studied, 23 died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) alone; SIDS was the cause of death in a further 12 but there were additional clinical or pathological findings insufficient in themselves to account for the death ('SIDS-plus') . In 11 there were other causes of death ('non-SIDS') . The lung washings from infants dying from SIDS had significantly lower concentrations of phosphatidylcholine and a significantly lower palmitate content in the phosphatidylcholine . There was no association between surfactant phospholipid abnormality and the presence of recognised pathogens, histological evidence of pulmonary inflammation, aspiration of stomach contents, age at death, sex, and death-postmortem interval . There were, however, lower concentrations of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine palmitate content in infants colonised by organisms with reported phospholipase A2 activity. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1990 Jul, 24(3), 226 - 36 {Efficacy of intravenous ceftazidime in childhood infections}; Kanra G et al.; Ceftazidime, a beta-lactamase resistant cephalosporin, was administered intravenously to 33 patients with various infections . The age range was between 3 days and 15 years and substantial underlying disease was present in 90% of the patients and 72% had malignancy . Seventeen (51.5%) were in critical condition and twenty had granulocytopenia . Clinical and microbiological results were evaluated and overall clinical response was 88% . No major adverse effects were encountered . Ceftazidime was an effective and safe therapy for serious infections and neutropenic patients. Rinsho Shinkeigaku, 1990 Jul, 30(7), 771 - 3 {Intracranial multiple granuloma preceded by rheumatic disease--a case report}; Nakayasu H et al.; In 1980, a 38-year-old man had remittent fever, swelling and arthralgia of the knee, ankle and wrist joints, as well as visual disturbance due to bilateral iritis . On his admission to our hospital, his laboratory data showed neutrophilia, normocytic normochromic anemia, hepatomegaly, hepatocellular damage, and a strongly positive RA test . All the microbiological examinations were negative . Thirty mg of prednisolone improved his symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings . Due to persistent mild arthralgia, he had continued to take 5-10 mg of prednisolone and analgesics until 1985 when he was readmitted to our hospital . In 1983, he began to complain of a steady pain around his left eye, and he sometimes had double vision . In 1985, he began to complain of decreasing left visual acuity and sensory disturbance in his left face in addition to pain in and around the eye . On his 2nd admission to our hospital, the neurological examination revealed involvement of the 2nd and 3rd cranial nerves and the 1st branch of the 5th cranial nerves of the left side . Laboratory data showed a positive RA test with RAHA titer at 1:320 and IgM at 216 mg/dl, but he had no joint deformities . The computed tomography (CT) of the brain demonstrated a high density mass of his left cavernous sinus extending to the left orbital apex . The prescription of the high dose of prednisolone (100 mg/day) relieved ophthalmic pain and improved visual acuity and neurological involvement within a week . Prednisolone was then gradually decreased to 10 mg . In 1986, he had partial and complex partial seizures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Gig Sanit, 1990 Jul, (7), 32 - 4 {Hygienic examination of oranges subjected to electro-ion treatment for the prolongation of preservation time}; Bronnikova IA et al.; On the basis of large experimental material (study of organoleptic properties, chemical composition of electro-antiseptic + oranges, microbiological studies of microbic cenosis during their storage, biological experiments to find out the possible general toxic effect of the pretreated fruit on animal organism) safety of oranges subjected to electro-ion++ treatment to prolong the term of preservation has been stated . The possibility to use electro-atiseptic oranges by the people in their nutrition has been proved. J Ethnopharmacol, 1990 Jul, 29(3), 283 - 90 New procedure for direct bioautographic TLC assay as applied to a tincture of Ranunculus bulbosus; Didry N et al.; A new procedure for TLC bioautographic assay using a flooding method to inoculate the developed plates is described . Details about several microbiological parameters allow good reproducibility for this method which appears rapid, easy to perform and requiring no specialized equipment . Significantly results obtained with a commercial tincture of Ranunculus bulbosus illustrate this method which can be extended to complex mixtures of natural products in order to isolate active fractions. Comput Appl Biosci, 1990 Jul, 6(3), 229 - 36 MUCIDS: an operative C environment for acquisition and processing of polarized-light scattered from biological specimens; Diaspro A et al.; In this work, we describe a software package, MUCIDS, completely developed in our laboratory, for acquisition and processing of differential polarization light-scattering data from specimens of biophysical interest . MUCIDS is a C environment that manages the whole activity of an instrument used for measurements of Mueller matrix scattering elements . It allows one to capture, analyse, process and display data from this or from other similar light-scattering experiments . The entire system is suitable for routine measurements in a general biophysical (or microbiological) laboratory because of its easy handling and maintenance . The software was written in C lattice and will run on IBM personal computers and similar . It uses IBM/DAC and GPIB/IBM interface cards. Br J Urol, 1990 Jul, 66(1), 47 - 54 Pathogenesis of chronic bacterial prostatitis in an animal model; Nickel JC et al.; A reproducible rat model of chronic bacterial prostatitis was developed using a defined bacterial pathogen (Escherichia coli) to study the pathogenesis and persistence of chronic bacterial prostatitis . The progression of inflammation and its consequences from acute to chronic prostatitis were documented with microbiological, histological, ultrastructural and immunological data . Chronic bacterial prostatitis in this model was associated with sparse glycocalix-enclosed protected bacterial microcolonies within the prostatic acini and ducts which appeared to stimulate a persistent local and systemic immunological reaction resulting in chronic inflammation of the gland . This model has many striking similarities to the natural history of human chronic bacterial prostatitis. Postgrad Med J, 1990 Jul, 66(777), 526 - 30 Myalgic encephalomyelitis--a persistent enteroviral infection? Dowsett EG, Ramsay AM, McCartney RA, Bell EJ. Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a common disability but frequently misinterpreted . Amongst 6,000 patients referred for general microbiological diagnosis between 1975 and 1987, 420 cases were recognized . Coxsackie B neutralization tests, in 205 of these, demonstrated significant titres in 103/205 (50%), while of 124 additionally investigated for enteroviral IgM, 38/124 (31%) were positive . This illness is distinguished from a variety of other post-viral states by an unique clinical and epidemiological pattern characteristic of enteroviral infection . Prompt recognition and advice to avoid over-exertion is mandatory . Routine diagnosis, specific therapy and prevention, await further technical advances. J Wildl Dis, 1990 Jul, 26(3), 329 - 38 Causes of mortality of albatross chicks at Midway Atoll; Sileo L et al.; As part of an investigation of the effect of plastic ingestion on seabirds in Hawaii, we necropsied the carcasses of 137 Laysan albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) chicks from Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean during the summer of 1987 . Selected tissues were collected for microbiological, parasitological, toxicological or histopathological examinations . Dehydration was the most common cause of death . Lead poisoning, trauma, emaciation (starvation) and trombidiosis were other causes of death; nonfatal nocardiosis and avian pox also were present . There was no evidence that ingested plastic caused mechanical lesions or mortality in 1987, but most of the chicks had considerably less plastic in them than chicks from earlier years . Human activity (lead poisoning and vehicular trauma) caused mortality at Midway Atoll and represented additive mortality for pre-fledgling albatrosses. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1990 Jul, 114(7), 697 - 9 Palisading granulomas associated with lung cancer; Kolin A et al.; A granulomatous response to neoplastic structures was found in three cases of resected small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung . This consisted of almost continuous rims of palisading epithelioid cells surrounding viable, necrotizing, and necrotic tumor nests . None of the patients had received chemotherapy or radiation treatment prior to surgery, and no clinical, microbiological, or histological evidence of tuberculosis, fungal infection, or rheumatoid disease was found . The granulomatous rim seems to be a response to spontaneous tumor decay. Oncology (Huntingt), 1990 Jul, 4(7), 45 - 53; discussion 53-4 Management of infectious complications of acute leukemia and antileukemia therapy; Karp JE et al.; The patient with acute leukemia is predisposed to infection by bone marrow failure that leads to absence of granulocytes, by extramedullary leukemia infiltration that leads to barrier breakdown, and by cytotoxic antileukemia therapy that exaggerates both the hematopoietic and the tissue mucosal defects . Empiric approaches tailored to treat commonly occurring bacterial and fungal infections have successfully decreased the morbidity and mortality from overwhelming infection in these compromised patients . More recently, prophylaxis directed against dissemination of pathogens from specific sites has had a positive impact in preventing the clinical and microbiological manifestations of infection during profound aplasia . The approaches that have been successful in preventing and treating bacterial infections are being applied to the increasingly prevalent fungal infections that occur later during the granulocytopenic course, with encouraging results. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop, 1990 Jul-Sep, 23(3), 163 - 70 {Infective risks blamed on hospital waste . Epidemiologic reality or sanitary fiction?}; Zanon U; This revision is a reflection on the infectious risks of the hospital waste . According to Center for Disease Control there is no epidemiologic or microbiologic evidence to suggest that most waste from hospitals is any more infective than residential waste . There is no documented epidemiologic evidence that current health care related waste disposal practices have ever caused disease in the community . Only sharps and microbiological cultures are potentially infectious, but they constitute a small part of the total hospital waste and they must be autoclaved . Incineration is not a safe method for the sterilization of the hospital potential infectious waste. N Z Dent J, 1990 Jul, 86(385), 62 - 4 Effectiveness of sterilisation and disinfection procedures for dental amalgam carriers; Schwass DR et al.; The potential for cross infection through dental amalgam carriers was investigated in 37 Dunedin dental practices and in the University of Otago School of Dentistry . Eighteen practitioners had autoclavable carriers, but only 2 autoclaved them at least daily . The School of Dentistry disinfected plastic carriers and autoclaved metal carriers . Microbiological examination, by culturing from the most commonly contaminated carrier site, showed that the School of Dentistry method for disinfection of plastic carriers was unreliable . Autoclaving was confirmed as the preferred method of sterilisation, but many existing carriers are not suited to this technique. Nutr Hosp, 1990 Jul-Aug, 5(4), 225 - 8 {3 possible sources of microbiologic contamination in the preparation of formulations for parenteral nutrition}; Cervera Casino P et al.; It is well known that the microbiological control of "all in one" nutritional preparations is difficult . In this work we evaluated and compared the potential contaminants that may be present in the process of manufacturing in a Centralized Unit of Parenteral Nutrition . The study has been centered on the microbiological contamination that may be introduced by the technician, by the raw materials, and that existing in the work area . A microbiological contact technique was used . The results obtained showed that the main microbiological contaminants are introduced by the technician when not observing strict aseptic measures . Another source of contamination is represented by PVC bags when they are manipulated in the pre-sterile area and are not sprayed with alcohol 70 degrees . Therefore, PVC contamination arises from the hands of the technician . Significant differences in contamination between hands washed with germicidal soap and sterile gloves and between clean and sterile surgical dressing could not be demonstrated. Minerva Med, 1990 Jul-Aug, 81(7-8 Suppl), 5 - 7 {Microbiological study performed on intravenous catheters for parenteral nutrition}; Caraccio V et al.; The study reports the results of microbiological analyses performed on 43 venous catheters for parenteral nutrition submitted to the Laboratory for Chemico-Clinical and Microbiological Analysis at the Ospedale Civile in Alessandria during the period July 1987 to July 1988. J Hosp Infect, 1990 Jul, 16(1), 29 - 34 A microbiologist's view of commissioning operating theatres; Holton J et al.; We report our experiences of microbiological testing of operating theatres over a 10-year period . Major faults within the theatres can be detected by microbiological monitoring of air flow direction and the bioload in theatre air . We advocate that there should be a close cooperation between the microbiologist and the hospital engineering department for effective monitoring of theatre commissioning and upgrading . Also we recommend that contract work should be closely supervised particularly with respect to theatre ventilation systems. Arch Monaldi Mal Torace, 1990 Jul-Aug, 45(4), 279 - 85 {The microbiological aspects of AIDS-related respiratory infections}; Ponticiello A et al.; Main etiologic agents of AIDS-related infections pneumonia and diagnostic tools useful to identify microorganism are discussed . Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) remains the most important performed technique to collect pulmonary secretions, but it needs to be completed by colorimetric, immunological (monoclonal antibodies), serological (ELISA vs . mycobacterial antigens), molecular (DNA probes) techniques . These tools are very useful to identify pathogen agents. Wien Med Wochenschr, 1990 Jun 30, 140(12), 298 - 302 {Nosologic concept and new developments in the etiopathogenesis of reactive arthritis}; Wollenhaupt J et al.; Reactive inflammatory arthritis is caused by extraarticular infection with different arthritogenic microorganisms . The causative bacteria can not be cultured from synovial specimens, but bacterial antigens have been demonstrated in cells of synovial fluid and synovial membrane, respectively . Thus, latent intraarticular infection may be the cause of reactive arthritis . A model of the etiopathogenesis of reactive arthritis is described on the basis of recent immunological and microbiological findings. Environ Health Perspect, 1990 Jun, 86, 229 - 32 Influence of food-environment interactions on health in the twenty-first century; Fennema O; The quality and safety of foods are affected by the environment, and the quality and safety of the environment are, in turn, affected by foods and food processing . To explore these interrelationships, as they might exist in the twenty-first century, one must speculate regarding future changes in foods and food processing . Several trends in food processing seem likely to predominate into the twenty-first century, and they will be, for the most part, evolutionary in nature and of low consumer visibility . These trends are greater use of foods marketed in a refrigerated state, greater use of irradiation and combination processes, greater automation and optimization of processes, and greater use of biotechnology . It is also reasonable to assume that food products of the following types will increase in importance, namely, those that are convenient (includes eating away from home), those that are tailored to specific dietary needs, those containing chemically modified components such as altered proteins and carbohydrates, and fabricated foods . If these trends in foods and food processes prevail then concern must be directed to the following areas: Microbiological concerns--refrigerated foods; food service operations; new or altered procedures for processing, handling and storing foods; and new foods or food formulations; attention must be given both to controlling known pathogens as well as newly perceived pathogens . Chemical concerns--toxicants occurring naturally in foods; contaminants; chemicals developing in foods during processing, handling and storage; chemicals used in fabricated foods; and chemicals of newly perceived importance, especially those having adverse, covert effects . Several of these chemical concerns are influenced in seriousness by composition of the food environment. Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Jun, 35(6), 37 - 9 {Evaluation of liposomal forms of rifampicin and prodigiozan in the treatment of experimental chronic tonsillitis}; Tsyganenko AIa et al.; Therapeutic effect of liposomal dosages of rifampicin and prodigiozan was studied on rabbits with simulated chronic tonsillitis in comparison to that of commercial ones of the drugs . The treatment schemes included daily intra-tonsillar++ injections of the dosage forms for 5 days . A high efficacy of their liposomal dosage forms in treatment of experimental chronic tonsillitis was confirmed microbiologically and immunologically . Approval of the liposomal dosage forms used in the therapy of patients with chronic tonsillitis requires clinical trials. Aust Dent J, 1990 Jun, 35(3), 261 - 5 Microbiological assays as predictors of the response to periodontal therapy; Newcomb GM et al.; Thirty-four patients with periodontal disease each had subgingival plaque samples collected from four sites (one from each quadrant) in their mouths . The relative proportions of spirochaetes, motile rods and cocci were determined using dark field microscopy and the proportion of anaerobic to aerobic microorganisms was calculated after culture . In addition, clinical recordings were made at these sampled sites . The patients then underwent a course of periodontal treatment and were placed on a maintenance programme . The clinical recordings were repeated and the results examined to ascertain if the original microbiological or clinical measurements could have been used to predict the response to therapy . Of the baseline recordings, the initial probing depth, the initial attachment level and the presence of suppuration all showed a positive correlation with the degree of pocket reduction or attachment gain produced by treatment . The percentage of cocci in the subgingival plaque correlated negatively with the treatment response . Suppuration seemed to be associated primarily with the original pocket depth while the percentage of cocci in subgingival plaque showed a true relationship with the amount of attachment gained after periodontal therapy . The significance of this finding is discussed. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1990 Jun, (6), 50 - 5 {Active methods of correction of endotoxemia in generalized suppurative infection}; Shimanko II et al.; The characteristics of the natural history of acute sepsis and the nature of the intoxication syndrome are analysed an on ample material (120 patients), and microbiological and immunological diagnostic findings are shown . Endotoxicosis in sepsis is attended by marked disorders of the immune status in the form of varying degrees of immunodeficiency . The authors generalize their experience with the management of endotoxicosis in sepsis . The article first shows the results of the combined use of various methods of endotoxicosis correction (homosorption, hemodiafiltration, plasmapheresis, endolymphatic therapy, ultraviolet irradiation of autoblood, hyperbaric oxygenation, application sorption) in the treatment of 120 patients with sepsis of various etiology . Active methods of detoxification via the blood and lymphatic system were first applied in the management of endotoxicosis in patients with sepsis. Gig Sanit, 1990 Jun, (6), 15 - 6 {Nicotinic acid in dust-gas emissions from the biochemical industrial plants producing yeast for animal feed}; Pitirimova VG et al.; The presence of nicotine acid in the dustgaseous pollution from biochemical plants producing fodder yeast has been shown . Its allergic and sensitizing role compared to the same properties of protein-containing dust has been pointed out . It has been suggested that MAC of nicotine acid should be established for the sanitary-protective zone of microbiological industry enterprises. J Clin Pathol, 1990 Jun, 43(6), 479 - 83 Microbiological investigations into an outbreak of Pontiac fever due to Legionella micdadei associated with use of a whirlpool; Fallon RJ et al.; In the investigation of a large outbreak of non-pneumonic legionellosis at a leisure complex in Lochgoilhead, Scotland all direct cultures of environmental samples were initially negative for legionellae . Legionellae readily infect appropriate protozoa under suitable conditions, and following immunofluorescence to select specimens for special study, Legionella micdadei was isolated from whirlpool water via co-cultivation with Acanthamoeba polyphaga . L micdadei was also isolated, along with host amoebae, from the whirlpool filter . The use of amoebae in the isolation of legionellae from environmental (and other) sources can be of great value, especially if specimens shown by indirect immunofluorescence to contain legionellae fail to yield legionellae on routine culture. J Otolaryngol, 1990 Jun, 19(3), 201 - 5 Infections of the fascial spaces of the neck; Odell PF; Infections of fascial spaces of the neck continue to be life-threatening events . The frequency of these infections has been drastically reduced by antibiotics and good dental care . Intravenous drug use and immunosuppressed states have altered the modern presentation of these infections . This paper represents a review of these conditions, the anatomical and microbiological factors involved and the treatment . Attention is given to the use of modern imaging and contemporary antibiotic management . A clear understanding of regional anatomy remains critical to the proper resolution of these conditions. Semin Oncol, 1990 Jun, 17(3 Suppl 6), 19 - 23 Fluconazole treatment of fungal infections in the immunocompromised host; Meunier F; Immunocompromised patients are predisposed to opportunistic fungal infections . Candidiasis is reported most frequently both as a localized infection (eg, oropharyngeal candidiasis) and as life-threatening systemic candidiasis . With relatively few antifungal agents in the clinical armamentarium, the optimal management of candidiasis remains controversial . Among the agents that are available, amphotericin B is difficult to administer, 5-fluorocytosine cannot be used alone due to the frequent emergence of resistant yeasts, and ketoconazole, which is effective for esophageal and oropharyngeal candidiasis, is not recommended for systemic candidiasis, especially in granulocytopenic patients . Recently, fluconazole, a new triazole antifungal agent, has been found to be active against Candida spp and is being studied in various clinical settings . In addition to its oral formulation, it is available for intravenous (IV) administration, which is a significant advantage in treating debilitated or noncompliant patients . In a randomized, double-blind study, we compared the efficacy of 100 mg/d oral fluconazole with that of 400 mg/d ketoconazole in cancer patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis . Although clinical and microbiological outcomes were similar for both groups, relapses occurred earlier in ketoconazole- than in fluconazole-treated patients . In another study, we administered fluconazole IV 100 to 300 mg/d to 13 patients, eight of whom had fungemia . Preliminary results are encouraging . Further studies of fluconazole as prophylaxis in granulocytopenic patients and as therapy for documented systemic candidiasis are under way . These studies are expected to define specific indications for fluconazole in immunocompromised patients. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1990 Jun, 144(6), 3 - 8 {Infection in abdominal surgery: present and future problems}; Savel'ev VS et al.; Based on an analysis of personal clinical materials the authors consider etiological factors and principles of tactics of treatment of acute purulent diseases and their complications in abdominal surgery . The significance of microbiological diagnosis, tactics of prophylactic and curative application of antibiotics, methods of detoxication are discussed. Microbiologia, 1990 Jun, 6(1), 21 - 9 Fish viral infections in northwest of Spain; Ledo A et al.; During a three years survey, a total of 149 samples from 20 farms of rainbow trout, salmon and turbot were examined for the presence of virus with the purpose to study the viral infections affecting cultured fish and their incidence in the fishfarms of Northwestern Spain . Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) was the only viral agent isolated from salmonid fish . Fry and fingerlings of trout showed the highest infection rate (24%) . This virus was not detected in broodstock or embryonated eggs, although it was isolated from ovaric and seminal fluids and from juvenile carriers . From 24 samples of salmon analyzed, IPNV was only detected in one sample of juveniles . Examination of turbot led the isolation of a new virus belonging to the reoviridae family, which affected to the ongrowing population . All of the IPNV tested belonged to serotype Sp regardless of the origin of the trout stocks . During the monitorization of imported embryonated eggs, no virus was detected from any of the samples . However, in some case, IPNV was isolated when testing the fry obtained in our laboratory from those samples of imported eggs . Our findings indicate that: i) the analysis of fingerlings increase the probability to detect viral infections allowing us an optimal control of importations, and ii) most of the viral infections of fish take place in the own fish farms . The detection of mixed viral and bacterial infections emphasize the importance of carrying out an integral microbiological analysis to determine the causal agent(s) of fish mortalities. Rev Esp Enferm Dig, 1990 Jun, 77(6), 409 - 13 {Isolation of M . tuberculosis in abdominal specimens}; Xercavins Valls M et al.; The isolation of mycobacteria in abdominal specimens during a 10 years period is presented . Twenty-three clinical cases have been reviewed; patients were divided in three groups: 1) Peritoneal and intestinal tuberculosis . 2) Pulmonary tuberculosis with isolation of M . tuberculosis in feces, and 3) Miliary tuberculosis . We emphasize the low yielding of bacilloscopy, the low number of colonies in cultures and the importance of the microbiological study of abdominal specimens in the confirmatory diagnosis . The predominant symptoms of peritoneal tuberculosis were abdominal pain and distention and fever . The study of the ascitic fluid showed in most of the cases lymphocytic exudate and the pathological study of biopsies showed granulomas with caseous necrosis . Three patients had another associated abdominal disease . Isolation of M . tuberculosis in feces does not invariably mean the presence of intestinal tuberculosis . We confirm the frequent association of disseminated tuberculosis and HIV1 infection. Clin Prev Dent, 1990 Jun-Jul, 12(2), 26 - 30 Long-term evaluation of a prebrushing dental rinse for the control of dental plaque and gingivitis; Lobene RR et al.; One hundred and three adults completed a double-blind, 6-month controlled study to assess the effects of rinsing with Plax (Oral Care Division of Pfizer Inc., New York, NY) before brushing on plaque, gingivitis and calculus . All the parameters were evaluated at baseline and after three and six months of home use of either Plax or placebo rinse . Microbiological components of plaque were monitored . Following prolonged use as a prebrushing rinse, Plax was no more effective than placebo in reducing plaque, gingivitis and calculus. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1990 May 19, 120(20), 731 - 7 {Diagnostic DNA probes}; Fey MF; Advances in molecular biology have had a tremendous impact on our understanding of the pathogenesis of hereditary disorders, tumours and infectious diseases . It is anticipated that recombinant DNA technology will gradually assume an important role as a diagnostic tool in medicine, since at least some of the techniques are now ready for routine use in the clinical laboratory . The most lucrative application (and hence the most competitive market) for DNA probes will be the detection of bacteria, viruses and other microbiological organisms by nucleic acid hybridization techniques . The value of recombinant DNA technology for prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection in genetic disorders is now firmly established . Analysis of DNA and RNA obtained from tumours may provide diagnostic information of practical relevance in carefully selected cases . It is, however, unlikely to challenge the established value of the more "traditional" diagnostic tools such as histopathology and immunophenotyping. Klin Wochenschr, 1990 May 17, 68(10), 496 - 502 Differences in gallstone structure in primary common bile duct lithiasis and gallbladder lithiasis; Garcia Ontiveros A et al.; Some differences between gallbladder lithiasis and primary common bile duct lithiasis are described . Microbiological cultures and biochemical analyses were carried out on the bile of two groups of patients: 27 suffering from gallbladder and 5 from primary common duct lithiasis . The microstructure and composition of gallstones were also examined by polarized light microscopy and X-ray diffraction . Women predominated in gallbladder lithiasis but not in primary common duct lithiasis group (P less than 0.05) and body weight was higher in the former group (P less than 0.02) . Primary common duct lithiasis patients had a higher, although not significant, incidence of duodenal diverticulosis (P = 0.15), and a higher incidence of E . coli-positive cultures in bile (P less than 0.001) . No significant difference in the biochemical composition of the bile was found between the groups . Brown pigment stones predominated in primary common duct lithiasis, while cholesterol stones did in gallbladder and secondary common duct lithiasis (P less than 0.0001) . Stones formed in the gallbladder generally show linear, radial growths of cholesterol crystals, while those from the common duct present a polystratified, concentric deposition of microgranules composed mainly of pigmentary salts . These differences should be taken into account as additional criteria in the differential diagnosis between primary and secondary common duct lithiasis, as the classical criteria for diagnosing of the former greatly underestimate its actual incidence . The distinction between primary and secondary common duct lithiasis is of practical significance, since each entity requires different treatment. Anal Biochem, 1990 May 15, 187(1), 89 - 93 Ultrasensitive enzymatic radioimmunoassay using a fusion protein of protein A and neomycin phosphotransferase II in two-chamber-well microtiter plates; Hunger HD et al.; A new sensitive method for antigen detection employing a phosphorylation reaction is described using human serum albumin as a model . The antigen is initially bound to the surface of polystyrene microtiter plates and reacted with an antibody (rabbit) . A microbiologically produced bifunctional fusion protein of protein A and neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) serves as a second immunological reagent by virtue of its protein A component . The detection is based on the phosphorylation of an aminoglycoside antibiotic by the NPT II moiety of the fusion protein using {gamma-32P}ATP as a cosubstrate . This reaction is performed in solution and the evaluation is accomplished by dotting aliquots of the reaction mixture onto phosphocellulose paper, washing with water, and autoradiography . Microtiter plates with a specially designed 10 microliter-volume reaction chamber are particularly advantageous for this procedure . The sensitivity of detection is currently 10 fg (1 pg/ml) of antigen. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1990 May, 190(1-2), 101 - 9 Hygienic investigation of coastal waters of the upper Adriatic Sea; Mose JR et al.; In the course of the bathing season of 1989, investigations of bathing waters were carried out in two-week intervals . From the point of view of public health, the chemical-physical and microbiological results do not suggest objections against bathing at the beach areas investigated (Grado, Lignano) . However, these favorable results do not imply intact ecological conditions . National and international standards are designed for humans and allow only very limited conclusions about the living conditions of the marine ecosystem . This also means that ecological investigations are not sufficient to permit conclusions about hygienic conditions . In spite of this seeming contradiction, hygienic and ecological concerns are clearly identical . Hygienic measures must not be limited to local "cosmetic" corrections but must target foremost unfavorable basic conditions. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 May, (5), 14 - 7 {The natural background of chromosome anomalies in the bone marrow cells of mice and the control of vaccines for genotoxicity}; Volgareva GM et al.; The levels of chromosomal anomalies in marrow cells of mice kept under conventional conditions in the animal house of the Mechnikov Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera (Moscow) and under specific pathogen-free conditions were compared by the micronuclear and metaphasic methods . In the animals kept under specific pathogen-free conditions the occurrence of anomalies did not exceed the normal level; in the animals of the other group the level of cells with aberrations was 4-5 times higher . All detected aberrations in the chromosomal structure were unstable . The results obtained in this investigation indicate that under the conventional conditions existing in the animal house of a microbiological research institute mitogens of the biological nature may be present. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 May, 68(5), 471 - 7 A study of conventional formaldehyde fumigation methods; Lach VH; The currently recommended methods for the formaldehyde fumigation of rooms have been studied with the aid of an instrument designed to monitor the temperature, humidity and formaldehyde concentration . The results show that although the procedures are generally effective as measured by microbiological methods the conditions within the areas treated are not those expected from calculations based on the room volume and the amount of formaldehyde used . The measured formaldehyde levels in particular are much lower than predicted and indicate that formaldehyde vapour may be effective at lower concentrations than previously supposed. Infection, 1990 May-Jun, 18(3), 166 - 9 Ceftriaxone versus aztreonam plus cefazolin for infections in cancer patients with adequate neutrophil counts; Menichetti F et al.; In a prospective randomized trial, 154 febrile episodes in cancer patients with adequate neutrophil counts (greater than 1,000 cells/mm3) were treated with either ceftriaxone (72 episodes) or aztreonam plus cefazolin (82 episodes) . Documented infections represented almost half of the febrile episodes . The overall response rates among the 144 evaluable episodes were similar for the two regimens: 76% (51/67) with ceftriaxone versus 82% (63/77) with aztreonam plus cefazolin (p = 0.41, not significant) . Although not statistically significant, the response rate of the microbiologically documented infections was slightly better in patients treated with the double beta-lactam combination (85% vs . 65%, p = 0.16) and clinically documented infections showed a better response in the group of patients receiving monotherapy (87% vs . 59%, p = 0.12) . No serious adverse effects were observed during this study and both regimens were well tolerated . Ceftriaxone or the combination of aztreonam plus cefazolin showed a similar efficacy as empirical therapy for infections in cancer patients with adequate neutrophil counts. Equine Vet J, 1990 May, 22(3), 170 - 3 A tracheoscopic technique for obtaining uncontaminated lower airway secretions for bacterial culture in the horse; Darien BJ et al.; Transtracheal aspirate (TTA) aerobic microbiology culture results from 30 ponies were compared to protected catheter brush (PCB) culture results obtained from the same ponies . The PCB procedure resulted in significantly fewer (P less than 0.05) isolates than those obtained by the TTA procedure and the PCB procedure resulted in significantly more samples with no bacteria growth than the TTA procedure . To address the possibility that the volume of tracheobronchial secretion obtained by PCB was insufficient as a microbiological sample, a sterile, double-sheathed, protected aspiration catheter (PAC) was developed . Comparisons were made between TTA and PAC aerobic microbiology culture results from 18 pneumonic foals and weanlings . There were no significant differences between the PAC and TTA procedures with respect to the number of bacteria isolates . It was concluded that the PAC technique may be used as an alternative to TTA for isolation of equine pulmonary bacteria and may be the preferred procedure because of the reduced risk of complications associated with the TTA. Acta Otolaryngol, 1990 May-Jun, 109(5-6), 438 - 43 Penetration of enoxacin into middle ear effusion; Sundberg L et al.; An oral dose of 400 mg enoxacin was given to each of 19 patients with long-standing secretory otitis media (SOM) . A total of 27 samples of middle ear effusion (MEE) and blood were collected at different intervals during a 6-h period after administration of the drug . The concentration of enoxacin in MEE and serum was determined by a microbiological agar-well diffusion method . Enoxacin was found to penetrate rapidly into MEE but was eliminated slowly . The concentration in MEE was about the same at one hour as at 6 h (median value 0.6 mg/l) with a slight peak at 4 h (median value 0.9 mg/l) . The peak in blood occurred after one hour (median value 1.8 mg/l), followed by a slow decrease in the concentration during the 6 h studied . The concentration of enoxacin in MEE exceeded the MICs of some (but not all) pathogens usually responsible for infections in chronic otitis media. Klin Padiatr, 1990 May-Jun, 202(3), 141 - 6 {In-vivo activation of the 4th component of the complement system (C4) in premature and term infants with generalized bacterial infections}; Nurnberger W et al.; The concentrations of the complement components C3 and C4 and their activation products C3dg and C4d were determined in EDTA-stabilized serum of 25 premature and term infants . EDTA plasma and EDTA serum obtained from 30 normal blood donors were used as controls . According to clinical, laboratory and/or microbiological findings, six of the 25 children had infections . The mean scatter range of the C3 and C4 values was from 30% (in the 30th week of pregnancy) to 80% (in term infants) of the normal value for adults . In all the children, irrespective of gestational age, the C3dg concentrations were of the same order of magnitude as in healthy adults . As regards the C3, C4, and C3dg values, there was no difference between the newborns with and without infections . The C4d values of the newborns without infections, on the other hand, (range 0.1-1.4 mg/dl, mean 0.8 mg/dl, n = 19) were significantly lower than those of the newborns with infections (range 1.3-2.4 mg/dl, mean 1.95 mg/dl, n = 6) . Observation of the course and comparison with CrP showed that elevated C4d values may occur earlier . In the authors' view, these findings indicate that in bacterial infections of premature and term infants the fourth complement component is activated, while the extent to which the third complement component is involved in the activation process is not measurable . Further studies are needed to establish whether early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis can be improved by determining C4d. Stomatol DDR, 1990 May, 40(5), 220 - 2 {Value and importance of treatment with OTC in selected patients with marginal periodontitis}; Sponholz H et al.; Over a period of 14 days we have treated 27 after special criterious selected patients with 250 mg OTC three times/day . We compared these results with those of 25 patients--of a placebo-group . The analysis included clinical and microbiological parameters . It could be pointed out, that the OTC-therapy results in a significant improvement of the examined parameters stile 6 months after starting with the therapy. Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1990 May, 45(5), 282 - 5 {Inhibition of caries by Na-saccharin}; Karle EJ et al.; The inhibition of dental caries by Na-saccharin was studied in an optimized and standardized experiment with cara rats . The animals were given a cariogenic diet ad libitum as well as under controlled frequency feeding conditions . The addition of 0.5% Na-saccharin to the cariogenic diet produced no cariostatic effects . Ancilliary microbiological in vitro and in vivo experiments showed no appreciable bacteriostatic effects on the cariogenic bacteria flora. Mikrobiologiia, 1990 May-Jun, 59(3), 472 - 81 {Characteristics of microbial association in secretions of various mammalian sebaceous glands}; Sokolov VE et al.; The following secretions of mammalian skin glands were subjected to a microbiological survey: the middle-abdominal glands of great and Mongolian gerbils, the preputial gland of musk deer, the perineal organ of African civet cat, the interdigital skin regions and interdigital glands of bison, European bison, European roe deer, and musk deer . All the secretions were found to contain microbial associations . The composition of bacterial species in the secretions and the quantity of microorganisms varied among different animal species, during the ontogenesis of an animal, and depended on the topography of a gland on an animal body as well as on its functional state in different seasons or upon hormonal changes . The secretions of certain glands contain factors which determine the composition of microbial species in a particular ecological niche and the stability of such a cenosis. J Nat Prod, 1990 May-Jun, 53(3), 644 - 56 Microbiological transformation of (+/-)-flavanone and (+/-)-isoflavanone; Ibrahim AR et al.; The microbiological transformation of flavanone and isoflavanone was explored using a group of 80 microorganisms in the initial screening . Ten metabolites of flavanone were isolated and identified as 4'-hydroxyflavanone {3}, 3',4'-dihydroxyflavanone {4}, 3-hydroxyflavone {2}, flavone {5}, 2'-hydroxydihydrochalcone {7}, 2',4-dihydroxydihydrochalcone {6}, 2',3,4-trihydroxydihydrochalcone {8}, 2',5'-dihydroxydihydrochalcone {9}, 4'-hydroxyflavan-4 alpha-ol {11}, and 2'-hydroxydibenzoylmethane {10} . The isoflavanone metabolites were identified as isoflavone {15}, 2-hydroxyisoflavanone {16}, 4'-hydroxyisoflavanone {13}, 6,4'-dihydroxyisoflavanone {17}, and 3',4'-dihydroxyisoflavone {14} . The structures of the metabolites were established using spectroscopic techniques including ir, ms, uv, 1H-nmr, and 13C-nmr spectroscopy . Production of 4'-hydroxyflavanone, 3',4'-dihydroxyflavanone, and 2',4-dihydroxydihydrochalcone by 13 microorganisms was assayed using reversed-phase hplc. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1990 May, 189(6), 473 - 510 {The importance of the endogenous agent and environmental factor thiocyanate for nonspecific and specific resistance from the hygienic viewpoint}; Weuffen W et al.; Thiocyanate (previous designation rhodanide, SCN-) is a physiological substance which is ubiquitously spread in the animate nature . As an essential constituent of cell it participates in important physiological resp . biochemical processes . From the hygienic and microbiological point of view the occurrence of SCN- as environmental factor, its alimentary significance and its vitalizing effect (stimulation of nonspecific and specific warding off, stimulation of proliferation, protective effect at toxic loading) are of interest for the fundamental and applied research. Rev Med Chil, 1990 May, 118(5), 543 - 7 {Microbiological study of urethritis in men}; Otth L et al.; From 1985 to 1987 we obtained urethral samples from 453 patients with a clinical diagnosis of urethritis . N gonorrhoeae was isolated in 55%, a rate that increased along the study period . The most common other agent was U urealyticum alone or in combination with other organisms . Among 82 patients, the incidence of chlamydia trachomatis was 19% . The proportion of Beta-lactamase producing strains among N gonorrhoeae varied form 7% in 1985 to 13% in 87 and 3% in 1988. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1990 May, 190(1-2), 39 - 50 {Use of UV radiation for the disinfection of water . IV . Microbiological studies of the UV sensitivity of different aged cells of E . faecium, E . coli and P . aeruginosa}; Martiny H et al.; With a flow-through u.v . light treatment apparatus the u.v.-susceptibility of E . faecium, E . coli and P . aeruginosa in drinking water was tested . The investigations were done with cells harvested in the exponential phase of growth . One part of the suspensions was used immediately (= 0 days old cells), two other parts were stored for 5 and 7 days in sterilised drinking water in the dark at room temperature (= 5 and 7 days old cells) . In either case--0 or 5 and 7 days old cells--reductions of at least 99.999% were obtained by a dosage of 25 mWs/cm2 . No difference concerning the u.v.-susceptibility could be noticed between the different kind of cells of E . faecium, E . coli, and P . aeruginosa. Rev Med Interne, 1990 May-Jun, 11(3), 223 - 8 {Infectious esophagitis in HIV infection}; Pauwels A et al.; Infectious oesophagitis is the most frequent of digestive tract diseases occurring in patients with AIDS . It is diagnosed by endoscopy which permits brushing and biopsy of mucosal lesions for cytological, histological and microbiological examinations . In 40 to 50 percent of HIV positive patients, Candida is responsible for oesophagitis which is often asymptomatic and almost regularly associated with oral candidiasis . Brushing is preferable to biopsy to confirm a diagnosis which is frequently obvious at endoscopy . The prevalence of CMV and HSV oesophagitis has perhaps been underestimated . Diagnosis rests on the finding of intranuclear inclusions, usually in endothelial cells of the chorion for CMV and in epithelial cells for HSV . The demonstration of viral antigens by immunoperoxidase staining is useful in difficult cases, as is viral culture . Antiviral agents (gancyclovir against CMV, acyclovir against HSV) are usually effective . Co-infection with both Candida and a virus is not uncommon . The other pathogens, such as bacteria or mycobacteria, are exceptional . The authors suggest a therapeutic strategy taking into account epidemiological and clinical data. J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 1990 May, 18(4), 175 - 8 Successfully treated candida sinusitis in an AIDS patient; Colmenero C et al.; An AIDS patient with a subdural empyema as a complication of candida sinusitis is presented . Clinical features resembled those of invasive aspergillosis or phycomycosis . Microbiological diagnosis was established by blood cultures, sinus cultures, and histopathological examination . An aggressive surgical approach first to the sinuses and then to the subdural space, together with fluconazole produced a satisfactory result. S Afr Med J, 1990 Apr 21, 77(8), 403 - 4 Acute salpingitis--laparoscopic and microbiological evaluation; Papavarnavas CP et al.; The diagnosis as well as the severity of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (APID) can be difficult to assess clinically . A study was undertaken to compare the accuracy of clinical findings (Gainesville classification) with laparoscopic findings in 28 patients with APID in terms of: (i) establishing the correct diagnosis; (ii) determining the severity of the disease; and (iii) obtaining specimens to establish the causative organisms . The results were as follows: (i) (a) clinical diagnosis of APID was confirmed by laparoscopic evaluation in 78.6% of cases; (b) clinical staging of APID correlated with laparoscopic findings in 82.6% of cases; (ii) severity of the clinical staging of APID correlated with that of laparoscopic staging; and (iii) polymicrobial cause, as reported by other investigators, was confirmed . Laparoscopic evaluation was of importance in eliminating the inaccuracy of clinical diagnosis in 21.4% of cases and in establishing the causative organisms so that optimal treatment could be given and the long-term after-effects of APID reduced. Fortschr Med, 1990 Apr 20, 108(12), 244 - 6 {Roxithromycin versus doxycycline in the treatment of cervicitis . Prospective randomized multicenter study under practice-related conditions}; Hoyme UB et al.; In a prospective randomized multicenter study Roxithromycin 150 mg or Doxycycline 100 mg was given b.i.d . p.o . for ten days to women with clinically diagnosed cervicitis . All women were seen as outpatients by one of eight licensed gynecologists in their private office in the Essen city area . With a cure and improvement rate of 100% in those women who completed therapy, Roxithromycin (n = 106) was as effective as Doxycycline (n = 104; 98%) . At 90% Roxithromycin was as well tolerated as Doxycycline at 93% . Both drugs were clinically and microbiologically effective in eradicating Chlamydia trachomatis. J Chromatogr, 1990 Apr 6, 526(2), 475 - 86 Determination of erythromycin base and 2'-acetylerythromycin in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection; Laakso S et al.; A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of plasma concentrations of erythromycin base and 2'-acetylerythromycin, an ester prodrug of erythromycin, is described . tert.-Butyl methyl ether extracts of 1-ml plasma samples (pH 10) were chromatographed on a C18 reversed-phase column . A three-electrode coulometric detector (oxidation potentials +0.65 and +0.85 V) was used for quantitation . Oleandomycin was used as an internal standard . The method has good precision and accuracy, is linear in the range 0.25-7.5 mg/l and has proved to be suitable for pharmacokinetic studies in humans . Correlation with a microbiological assay was satisfactory (r greater than or equal to 0.95), but the chromatographic method gave ca . 30% higher values. Ann Occup Hyg, 1990 Apr, 34(2), 189 - 93 Reducing the risk of Legionnaires' disease; Dennis PJ; Many common aquatic bacteria like Legionella pneumophila are able to colonize man-made water systems . Poorly maintained systems or those that are seldom used provide ideal sites for growth and often also provide the means for aerosolizing the organism . Compounds leached from construction materials and the by-products of other organisms can be used as food by the Legionellaceae and can thus aid their growth . Keeping water systems clean and well serviced, keeping hot water at or above, and cold water below, recommended temperatures and additionally in cooling towers maintaining the required levels of biocide, will reduce or prevent the growth of legionellas . To be certain that the control measures are successful microbiological and chemical monitoring should be done . The results of this and the maintenance work undertaken should be kept in a log so that failures in treatment can be quickly seen and remedial action taken before any risk of infection arises . Adhering to these simple guidelines will go a long way to removing the risk of infection and will also provide systems that are more efficient and thus cheaper to run. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1990 Apr, 109(4), 389 - 91 {Experimental study of new polymer dressings in the treatment of burn wounds}; Sologub VK et al.; Data on the experimental study of a new polymer coverage for treatment of burn wounds are presented in the article . Application of this coverage, which has a tanning and absorbing affect promotes formation of a dry eschar over a burn wound within the first two days after the accident . This allows to perform early chemical necrectomy on the 6-7th day after the accident . Microbiological investigations show that wound dissemination after application of the coverage remains low and is 3.5 +/- 0.1 per . 1.0 g of the tissue. Scand J Dent Res, 1990 Apr, 98(2), 167 - 72 Patients complaining about amalgam-related symptoms suffer more often from illnesses and chronic craniofacial pain than their controls; Meurman JH et al.; All patients who during the academic year 1987-88 had come or were referred for investigation to the Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, because of their anticipated amalgam-related symptoms were included in the study . The group comprised 20 patients, 7 men and 13 women, 41.6 +/- 11.1 yr old . For paired controls, 20 age and sex matched subjects were randomly selected among other patients at the Institute . The subjects' medical and dental history was taken, they were all examined clinically, and saliva analyses were done . The subjects were tested with standard patch test series of 25 common dental allergens . All patients were given the possibility to give a blood test for mercury concentration analysis, but only five were willing to do so . The results showed that the group of 20 patients suffered significantly more often from medical illnesses than the controls (P less than 0.05) . Chronic craniofacial pain was diagnosed significantly more often among the patients than in the controls (P less than 0.01) . The controls had more caries than the patients, but there was no difference in any other clinical, salivary chemical or microbiological findings between the groups . In the five patients who gave blood samples, both inorganic and organic mercury levels were below threshold values . No difference was observed between the patients and controls in the allergy test reactions. J Anim Sci, 1990 Apr, 68(4), 1061 - 71 Physiological relationships between microbiological status and dietary copper levels in the pig; Shurson GC et al.; Ten germ-free pigs and 10 conventionally reared pigs were fed one of two nutritionally balanced diets containing either 16 ppm Cu (basal) or 283 ppm Cu (high-Cu) to evaluate the physiological relationships between Cu and microbiological environment . Germ-free pigs tended to have higher ADG and average daily feed intake (ADFI) than conventionally reared pigs . Feeding the high-Cu diet tended to reduce ADG and ADFI in germ-free pigs but it increased ADG and ADFI in conventionally reared pigs . Hemoglobin and hematocrit were higher in germ-free pigs than in conventionally reared pigs (P less than .001), and hematocrit (P less than .01) and erythrocyte count (P less than .06) were reduced by feeding the high-Cu diet . Germ-free pigs had lower total leukocyte count (P less than .01) and the relative percentages of differentiated leukocytes were altered compared with conventionally reared pigs . Feeding the high-Cu diet increased the percentage of band neutrophils and monocytes in germ-free pigs but reduced the percentage of these cells in conventionally reared pigs (P less than .04) . Germ-free pigs had higher concentrations of Cu and Zn in liver and plasma (P less than .001) and greater plasma ceruloplasmin oxidase activity (P less than .001) than conventionally reared pigs did . The high-Cu diet increased liver Cu and Zn (P less than .001) and plasma Cu (P less than .001) and reduced liver and plasma Fe (P less than .05) . Organ weights (g/kg BW) differed between germ-free and conventionally reared pigs, and feeding the high-Cu diet reduced thymus weights (P less than .002) . Intestinal weight and thickness were reduced in germ-free pigs, and feeding the high-Cu diet generally reduced villus height and width and crypt depth in germ-free pigs, whereas it increased these measurements in conventionally reared pigs. Int Angiol, 1990 Apr-Jun, 9(2), 127 - 9 Inflammatory aspects in atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms . A case report; Stella A et al.; An important inflammatory reaction was histologically observed in the wall of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a 42 year-old patient suffering from multifocal atherosclerotic lesions . Histochemical and ultrastructural studies showed an active-stage wall lymphomonoplasmacellular component . The histological appearance and biochemical and microbiological studies excluded specific aortitis, a rheumatic disease or concomitant infectious processes . The morphological relationships between the atherosclerotic lesion and the infiltrate together with the immunophenotyping features of the infiltrate suggest the possibility of a close correlation between the inflammatory process and the atherosclerotic lesion of the wall. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd, 1990 Apr, 97(4), 163 - 6 {Microbiological aspects in the treatment planning of periodontal disease}; Goene RJ et al.; A large number of bacterial species are found in the periodontal pocket . It has been shown that the composition of the subgingival microbiota can differ significantly between individual pockets in one patient, as well as between different subjects . These different types of microfloras can be characterized by indicator bacteria . These indicator bacteria are strongly associated with active periodontal breakdown . Therefore, these microorganisms can be useful in the periodontal treatment of individual patients . It also supports the use of antibiotics in specific forms of periodontal disease . The application of microbiological data in diagnosis and treatment planning in four severe periodontitis patients is illustrated. J Chemother, 1990 Apr, 2(2), 100 - 7 The efficacy and safety of imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of severe bacterial infections; D'Amato C et al.; We have assessed the efficacy and safety of imipenem/cilastatin in a non-comparative study of 27 immunocompromised patients suffering from severe bacterial infections . Moreover in two groups of 14 patients the efficacy of imipenem/cilastatin versus a standard broad spectrum antibiotic therapy has also been compared . Clinical and microbiological efficacy and side effects have been evaluated. J Dent, 1990 Apr, 18(2), 102 - 6 Histological, microbiological and haematological investigations in denture-induced stomatitis; Jennings KJ et al.; Biopsy specimens of palatal mucosa from 10 edentulous female subjects exhibiting the signs of chronic atrophic denture-induced stomatitis were fixed and processed to produce sections which were quantitatively analysed by light microscopy . The type and