Biodegradation, 1995 Jun, 6(2), 167 - 72 Tetrachloroethene and 3-chlorobenzoate dechlorination activities are co-induced in Desulfomonile tiedjei DCB-1; Cole JR et al.; Desulfomonile tiedjei, a strict anaerobe capable of reductively dechlorinating 3-chlorobenzoate, also dechlorinates tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene . It is not known, however, if the aryl and aliphatic dechlorination activities are catalyzed by the same enzymatic system . Cultures induced for 3-chlorobenzoate activity dechlorinated tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene to lower chlorinated products while uninduced parallel cultures did not dechlorinate either substrate . The observed rate of PCE dechlorination in induced cultures was 22 mumol h-1 g protein-1, which is considerably faster than previous rates obtained with defined cultures of this organism . These results show that both dechlorination activities are co-induced and therefore, that the dechlorination mechanisms may share at least some components. Clin Lab Med, 1995 Jun, 15(2), 333 - 64 Current issues and problems in dealing with anaerobes in the clinical laboratory; Allen SD et al.; Because of the current concern for health care reform and the demands placed in the clinical microbiology laboratory by decreased resources, questions regarding appropriate work-up of anaerobes remains unresolved . Although anaerobes are ubiquitous, the number of anaerobes causing disease is relatively few . This article focuses on the need for isolation and identification of these anaerobes and emphasizes proper collection, culture, and identification techniques . Varying levels of expertise in isolation and identification of anaerobes are proposed, and the role of "rapid" identification kits in identification of these organisms is discussed. Am J Health Syst Pharm, 1995 Jun 1, 52(11), 1199 - 207; quiz 1239-40 Systemic antimicrobial treatment of foot infections in diabetic patients; West NJ; The pathophysiology, microbiology, and treatment of diabetic foot infections are reviewed . Patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk for developing infections of the lower extremity because of physiological and anatomical changes . The treatment must be aggressive to prevent systemic complications and recurrence . A combination of pathogens is likely to be found at the site of infection, including gram-negative and gram-positive aerobes as well as anaerobes . If preventive and nonpharmacologic treatment methods are not successful, systemic antimicrobial therapy is indicated . The appropriate agent for empirical therapy is chosen on the basis of the patient's medical history and clinical status with consideration to cost and administration issues . Until a specific organism is identified, a single broad-spectrum agent is administered . The duration of i.v . therapy and appropriate role for oral administration is based upon clinical response . Home infusion therapy is an option for medically stable patients . A single, broad-spectrum, i.v . antimicrobial is usually the best choice for empirical treatment of diabetic foot infection . The regimen is then tailored on the basis of the clinical response and culture and susceptibility test results . Aggressive pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment is needed to avoid possible gangrene and loss of limb. Clin Infect Dis, 1995 Jun, 20 Suppl 2, S174 - 7 Survival of anaerobes in original specimens transported by overnight mail services; Baron EJ et al.; Overnight mail delivery was evaluated for its effect on the recovery of facultative and anaerobic microbes in cultures of clinical specimens from patients . Ten clinical specimens, which were collected at different geographic locations and during different weather conditions, were cultured at the site and after overnight delivery to a distant laboratory . Forty-five facultative anaerobic isolates and 48 anaerobes were recovered . There was no significant difference in numbers of strains or relative quantities recovered in cultures of transported and nontransported specimens . With proper collection, transport, and inoculation of specimens, overnight delivery did not compromise recovery of clinically relevant microbes. Clin Infect Dis, 1995 Jun, 20 Suppl 2, S117 - 21 Molecular biology as a tool for taxonomy; Wilson KH; Bacterial taxonomy based on phenotypic properties has encountered several problems: many organisms grow to poorly under laboratory conditions to be studied; the same phenotypic property often arises independently in more than one branch of a phylogenetic tree; and phenotypic schemes sometimes become unwieldy . Thus, molecular approaches have found a niche in taxonomy . Measurement of DNA hybridization between strains is the single most definitive tool for defining a species . Data on sequences of DNA and amino acids can be used to infer phylogeny . The molecular phylogenetic approach is most useful at levels ranging from kingdom to species . Restriction fragment length polymorphisms or variability in random polymerase chain reactions often differentiates strains . In the majority of cases, different molecular approaches tend to confirm established taxonomic schemes for bacteria . However, discrepancies between standard taxonomy and molecular data are not rare, especially when dealing with anaerobes . The contemporary approach to taxonomy takes into account both standard and molecular data. Clin Infect Dis, 1995 Jun, 20 Suppl 2, S112 - 6 Anaerobes under assault: from cottage industry to industrialization of medicine and microbiology; Goldstein EJ; More than 100 years have elapsed since the initial discovery of anaerobiosis, the first anaerobic microbiological isolation, and the first clinical descriptions of human anaerobic infection . New species are still being discovered, the important role of anaerobes as normal flora and in the maintenance of health is becoming increasingly appreciated, and the development of resistance by anaerobes to virtually all antimicrobials has recently accelerated . Anaerobes and their products have been employed widely and at times have been associated with political evolution, such as the establishment of the state of Israel . Despite all this, the current era of recession and health care economizing threatens the field of anaerobic bacteriology with funding cutbacks and diminished recognition . In order to prevent stagnation in the field and its decline, anaerobists must remain committed and vigilant and must take an increasingly active stance in education, publication, and research. Clin Infect Dis, 1995 Jun, 20(6), 1512 - 24 The role of anaerobic bacteria in recurrent episodes of sinusitis and tonsillitis; Nord CE; Chronic and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections represent a significant clinical challenge . The causative organisms tend to be heterogeneous, involving both aerobes and gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobes . There is evidence that these mixed groups of bacteria interact synergistically, enhancing and prolonging the overall virulence of infection . The role of anaerobic bacteria, in particular their proposed ability to protect susceptible organisms by the production of beta-lactamases, has been the subject of intense speculation . The evidence of a significant role for anaerobic bacteria in recurrent episodes of tonsillitis and sinusitis is reviewed and the most appropriate antimicrobial strategies and possible future developments in diagnosis and therapy are discussed. Minerva Stomatol, 1995 Jun, 44(6), 273 - 83 {Morphological changes on gold-coated brass endodontic pins}; Ventura G et al.; Scanning electron microscope (SEM) connected with X-ray microanalysis (EDX) was used to study surface alterations of gold-coated brass dental pins (Dentatus), taken out after some years from restored teeth due to necessity for repeating a restorative therapy . The study method led to establish that: --the gold coating of the base material, constituted of copper alloy, absolutely insufficient to prevent corrosion attack; --the observed morphological alterations are the consequence of a localized corrosion attack, produced by anaerobic bacteria, which origin is confirmed by the presence of S on the most attacked points; --finally the corrosive phenomenon does not cause a periapical pathology, but the process is contrary, or rather, it is the pathology that leads to the favourable conditions to create corrosion. J Chromatogr B Biomed Appl, 1995 May 5, 667(1), 161 - 5 Capillary zone electrophoresis as a new tool in the chemotaxonomy of oral treponemes; Brondz I et al.; The existing taxonomy of oral treponemes is not satisfactory . This is due to the fact that these strict anaerobic bacteria are not easily cultivated or differentiated . Therefore, new techniques that can contribute to improved cultivation, classification, and identification of these fastidious organisms should be welcomed . In the present study capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was used to distinguish oral treponemes by their metabolic product patterns generated in a liquid medium . To our knowledge this technique has not previously been used in bacterial chemotaxonomy . Reference strains of Treponema denticola, Treponema pectinovorum, Treponema vincentii, Treponema socranskii subspecies buccale and Treponema socranskii subspecies socranskii were cultured anaerobically in duplicate on different days in Pectin medium for 4 days at 37 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere . Treponemal cells were harvested by centrifugation . Thereafter, their supernatants were filtered through 0.22-micron Millipore filters and subjected to CZE . The resulting electropherograms clearly distinguished T . denticola, T . pectinovorum and T . vincentii . Minor differences were detected between T . socranskii subspecies buccale and T . socranskii subspecies socranskii . Subspecies were clearly different from species . It seems that CZE of culture metabolites, which showed high resolution and good reproducibility, may be a valuable tool in the chemotaxonomy of oral treponemes, even at the subspecies level. Aust N Z J Surg, 1995 May, 65(5), 367 - 9 Cellulitis owing to Aeromonas hydrophilia: treatment with hyperbaric oxygen; Mathur MN et al.; Aeromonas hydrophilia, a Gram-negative facultative anaerobe, is a rare cause of cellulitis . We review the literature and report a case of Aeromonas hydrophilia cellulitis which failed to respond to the conventional management of surgical debridement and antibiotics . Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was used successfully to control the infection . As far as we are aware this is the first case in world literature of Aeromonas hydrophilia cellulitis treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Infect Immun, 1995 May, 63(5), 1652 - 7 Detection of muramic acid in a carbohydrate fraction of human spleen; Hoijer MA et al.; In previous studies, we showed that peptidoglycan polysaccharides from anaerobic bacteria normally present in the human gut induced severe chronic joint inflammation in rats . Our hypothesis is that peptidoglycan from the gut flora is involved in perpetuation of idiopathic inflammation . However, in the literature, the presence of peptidoglycan or subunits like muramyl peptides in blood or tissues is still a matter of debate . We were able to stain red pulp macrophages in all six available human spleens by immunohistochemical techniques using a monoclonal antibody against gut flora-derived antigens . Therefore, these human spleens were extracted, and after removal of most of the protein, the carbohydrate fraction was investigated for the presence of muramic acid, an amino sugar characteristic for peptidoglycan . Using three different methods for detection of muramic acid, we found a mean of 3.3 mumol of muramic acid with high-pressure liquid chromatography, 1.9 mumol with a colorimetric method for detection of lactate, and 0.8 mumol with an enzymatic method for detection of D-lactate per spleen (D-lactate is a specific group of the muramic acid molecule) . It is concluded that peptidoglycan is present in human spleen not as small muramyl peptides as were previously searched for by other investigators but as larger macromolecules probably stored in spleen macrophages. Biochem Mol Biol Int, 1995 May, 36(1), 101 - 11 Nucleotide and deduced protein sequence of the extracellular, serine basic protease gene (bprB) from Dichelobacter nodosus strain 305: comparison with the basic protease gene (bprV) from virulent strain 198; Lilley GG et al.; In earlier studies, it appeared that benign strains of the Gram-negative, obligate anaerobe, Dichelobacter nodosus, were devoid of the extracellular, serine basic protease (pI approximately 9.5) of virulent strains . However, Southern and PCR analysis have shown a homologous gene (bprB) in the representative benign strain 305 . The deduced amino acid sequence of the prepro- and mature protease regions of bprB confirmed this homology and showed 97% sequence identity with the bprV precursor from virulent strain 198 . Identity in the carboxy-terminal extension region was 90% . Expression studies in Escherichia coli transformed with bprB, showed that the gene was capable of the production of an active protease . A protease, albeit with a lower iso-electric point (approximately 8.6), was isolated from D . nodosus culture supernatants and shown to cross-react with antibodies raised against the more basic protease from strain 198 . The amino acid sequence encoded by the strain 305 gene revealed two additional acidic residues consistent with a lowered iso-electric point and supported the conclusion that bprB and bprV produce equivalent basic proteases. Ann Pharmacother, 1995 May, 29(5), 501 - 14 Piperacillin/tazobactam: a new beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination; Schoonover LL et al.; OBJECTIVE: To discuss the antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and adverse effect profile of piperacillin/tazobactam, a new beta-lactan/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination . DATA SOURCES: Literature was identified by MEDLINE search of the medical literature, review of selected references, and data provided by the manufacturer . STUDY SELECTION: In vitro susceptibility data were surveyed from studies following the methods of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards . Data evaluating clinical efficacy were selected from all published trials and abstracts . Additional information concerning safety, chemistry, and pharmacokinetics was reviewed . DATA SYNTHESIS: The antimicrobial activity of piperacillin is enhanced by addition of tazobactam against gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria . Tazobactam is active against a broad spectrum of plasmid and chromosomally mediated enzymes and has minimal ability to induce class I chromosomally mediated beta-lactamase enzymes . Piperacillin/tazobactam's expanded activity appears encouraging in the treatment of mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections . Direct comparisons of ticarcillin/clavulanate and piperacillin/tazobactam for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections showed piperacillin/tazobactam to be clinically superior, and in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections the 2 agents were comparable . For the treatment of intraabdominal infections, piperacillin/tazobactam was at least as effective as imipenem/cilastatin and clindamycin plus gentamicin . CONCLUSIONS: The combination of tazobactam with piperacillin results in an antimicrobial agent with enhanced activity against most beta-lactamase-producing organisms . Preliminary data indicate that piperacillin/tazobactam has proven clinical efficacy in the treatment of a variety of infections, especially polymicrobic infections. Am J Ment Retard, 1995 May, 99(6), 579 - 94 Anaerobic infections in children with neurological impairments; Brook I; Children with neurological impairments are prone to develop serious infection due to anaerobic bacteria . They often are predisposed to develop infections caused by their own indigenous bacterial flora caused by impairments of their mechanical and immunological defenses, the change in their oral flora due to poor hygiene, and the delay in recognition of acute infection . The most common anaerobic infections are decubitus ulcers, gastrectomy site wound infections, pulmonary infections (aspiration pneumonia, lung abscesses, and tracheitis), and chronic suppurative otitis media . The unique microbiology of each of the infections and their medical and surgical management were discussed in this review. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi, 1995 May, 105(5), 345 - 55 {Studies on periodontal pathogenic proteinases from Porphyromonas gingivalis and host cells}; Yamamoto K; Progressive periodontal disease is characterized by acute progressive lesions of gingival connective tissues, excessive leukocyte infiltration, and occurrence of a characteristic microflora . A variety of proteolytic enzymes derived from oral bacteria and host cells are found in gingival crevices and thought to play an important role in the onset and development of progressive periodontal disease . The anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in the etiology of the disease . Recently, we have purified a novel arginine-specific cysteine proteinase, termed "argingipain", from the culture supernatant of the organism . The enzyme was shown to have two important abilities related to the virulence of the organism . One is direct association with periodontal tissue breakdown through its abilities to degrade physiologically important proteins such as human collagens (type I and IV) and to evade inactivation by internal protease inhibitors . The other is associated with disruption of the normal host defense mechanisms through its abilities to degrade immunoglobulins and to inhibit the bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes . The virulence of argingipain was further substantiated by disruption of argingipain-encoding genes on the chromosome by use of suicide plasmid systems . On the other hand, we have studied roles of host cell-derived proteinases in the periodontal tissue breakdown . Levels of lysosomal proteinases such as cathepsins B, H, L, G and medullasin were determined in gingival crevicular fluid from periodontitis patients and experimental gingivitis subjects by activity measurement and sensitive immunoassay . The results suggested that all of these enzymes would be involved in the development of both gingivitis and periodontitis. J Clin Microbiol, 1995 May, 33(5), 1366 - 7 Susceptibilities of 201 anaerobes to erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, and roxithromycin by oxyrase agar dilution and E test methodologies; Spangler SK et al.; The susceptibility of 201 anaerobes to erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, and roxithromycin was tested by agar dilution and E test methods by using a commercially available plate and dish system (OxyDish) to provide anaerobic conditions . Plates were incubated for 48 h . MICs for 50% of strains tested and MICs for 90% of strains tested by agar dilution and E test methods corresponded within 1 doubling dilution for all compounds . When all antibiotics were considered together, agar and E test MICs were within 1 and 2 doubling dilutions of each other in 84 to 91% and > 99% of cases, respectively. J Clin Microbiol, 1995 May, 33(5), 1196 - 202 Use of Presumpto Plates to identify anaerobic bacteria; Whaley DN et al.; Identification of anaerobic bacteria requires special media and growth conditions that contribute to a higher cost per identification than that for aerobic isolates . Newer rapid methods streamline the identification process, but confirmation to the species level is often difficult . The Presumpto Plate method for the identification of commonly encountered anaerobes consists of three quadrant plates, each containing four conventional media, that result in the generation of 21 test parameters: growth on Lombard-Dowell medium; production of indole, indole derivative, catalase, lecithinase, and lipase; proteolysis of milk, H2S, and esculin; growth on 20% bile; precipitate on bile; DNase, glucose, casein, starch, and gelatin hydrolysis; and fermentation of lactose, mannitol, and rhamnose . Identification charts were developed by using the results from 2,300 anaerobic isolates . Because conventional media were used, there was a high degree of agreement between the Presumpto Plate method and the reference method when testing commonly encountered anaerobes . The Presumpto Plate method is as accurate as commercially available enzyme systems for the identification of many anaerobic species but is less expensive to perform. Obstet Gynecol, 1995 May, 85(5 Pt 1), 656 - 8 Catalase activity as a predictor of amniotic fluid culture results in preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes; Font GE et al.; OBJECTIVE: To evaluate catalase activity as a rapid predictor of microbial invasion of amniotic fluid (AF) . METHODS: The study population consisted of 74 patients before 36 weeks' gestation with preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes (PROM) . Subjects were excluded if there was evidence of clinical chorioamnionitis or fetal distress at admission . Amniocentesis was done within 24 hours of admission, and the AF was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and for Mycoplasma species . All AF samples were Gram stained, and slides were examined by microbiology technologists . Amniotic fluid catalase activity was measured immediately after amniocentesis using a commercially available kit . The sensitivity of the Gram stain and catalase activity were compared using McNemar exact test . RESULTS: Amniotic fluid cultures were positive in 12 of 37 (32%) patients presenting with preterm labor and in 21 of 37 (56%) patients with PROM . Catalase activity was significantly more sensitive than Gram stain in detecting positive AF cultures in cases of PROM (P < .001) and preterm labor (P < .04) . CONCLUSION: Catalase activity is a simple, rapid test that is useful in identifying subclinical intra-amniotic infection in patients with preterm labor or PROM. Obstet Gynecol, 1995 Apr, 85(4), 509 - 14 Association of post-cesarean delivery endometritis with colonization of the chorioamnion by Ureaplasma urealyticum; Andrews WW et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine if asymptomatic antenatal colonization of the chorioamnion with Ureaplasma urealyticum is a risk factor for the development of post-cesarean delivery endometritis . METHODS: The chorioamnion was cultured at cesarean delivery for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasmas, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis in 575 singleton gestations with intact membranes . Culture results were compared with the clinical outcome . Postoperative endometritis was defined as a temperature of 38C with uterine tenderness and without other nonpelvic sources of fever . RESULTS: Fifty-eight (10%) of the 575 women developed endometritis . Women with spontaneous labor developed endometritis twice as often as those delivered for medical or obstetric indications (17 versus 8%, P = .002) . Endometritis occurred in 28% of women with U urealyticum present in the chorioamnion at cesarean delivery, compared with only 8.4% if the culture was negative and 8.8% if only bacteria other than U urealyticum were isolated (P < .001) . Gestational age less than 34 weeks, spontaneous labor, and a vertical uterine incision were all associated with endometritis (P < or = .002) . Regression analysis controlling for gestational age and incision type revealed a threefold increased risk of endometritis if the chorioamnion was colonized with U urealyticum at cesarean (odds ratio {OR} 3.0, 95% confidence interval {CI} 1.1-8.3) and an eightfold risk (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.9-31.5) in women in whom the onset of labor was spontaneous . CONCLUSION: Colonization of the chorioamnion with U urealyticum in women with intact membranes being delivered by cesarean is a significant, independent predictor of subsequent endometritis. South Med J, 1995 Apr, 88(4), 397 - 404 Meropenem versus imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of hospitalized patients with skin and soft tissue infections; Nichols RL et al.; Meropenem is a new carbapenem antibiotic shown to resist degradation by renal dehydropeptidase I . In a multicenter, open-label, prospective trial, we compared the efficacy and safety of meropenem with imipenem/cilastatin in patients with skin and soft tissue infections . Patients received either 500 mg of meropenem every 8 hours (n = 184) or 500 mg of imipenem/cilastatin every 6 hours (n = 193), by intravenous infusion for an average of 6 to 7 days . Satisfactory clinical responses were achieved in 120 (98%) of 123 assessable meropenem-treated patients and in 120 (95%) of 126 assessable imipenem/cilastatin-treated patients . Satisfactory bacteriologic responses were achieved in 120 (98%) of 123 assessable meropenem-treated patients and in 120 (95%) of 126 assessable imipenem/cilastatin-treated patients . Satisfactory bacteriologic response rates were high as well: 94% with meropenem and 91% with imipenem/cilastatin . Between-group differences in satisfactory response rates were not significant (95% confidence interval, -2.29 to 6.93 {clinical}; -2.73 to 10.39 {bacteriologic}) . Overall pathogen eradication rates (for aerobes and anaerobes) were slightly higher for meropenem . Elevated liver enzymes were the most frequent adverse events in each treatment group . Meropenem was well tolerated and as effective as imipenem/cilastatin in treatment of hospitalized patients with skin and soft tissue infections. J Clin Periodontol, 1995 Apr, 22(4), 316 - 20 Microbiological features of gingivitis in pubertal children; Tsuruda K et al.; The subgingival microflora of 42 pubertal children (aged 12-15 years) and 18 young adults (aged 21-25 years) was investigated by anaerobic culture and phase contrast microscopy . Motile rods, spirochetes and Prevotella intermedia were elevated proportionately in pubertal children with gingivitis (median GI > or = 1); however, no statistically significant differences in enumerated organisms on selective media were observed between pubertal children and young adults . These organisms were positively correlated with the index of bleeding on probing and the gingival index of pubertal children . Pubertal children were divided into 3 distinct subject clusters according to the similarity of subgingival microbial features, and the subjects who were then selected for the gingivitis group were distributed into clusters 1 and 2 . The proportions of motile rods, P . intermedia and Eikenella corrodens were significantly higher in cluster 2 than in cluster 1 . These results suggest that these 2 species and motile rods which differentiated features of clusters, are useful for screening of high-risk subjects for worsening of inflammation. J Clin Periodontol, 1995 Apr, 22(4), 300 - 5 Correlation of the periodontal status 6 years after puberty with clinical and microbiological conditions during puberty; Mombelli A et al.; The purpose of this study was to assess the oral clinical and microbiological status of young adults 6 years after puberty and to compare these findings with the conditions observed during puberty . Clinical and microbiological parameters were monitored in 42 individuals 10 x between the ages of 11 and 14 years . 33 individuals were re-examined 10 years after the start of this monitoring . Microbiology included 2 subgingival samples per subject taken from the mesiobuccal aspects of the upper 1st molars . The samples were subject to continuous anaerobic culturing . Individuals with a marked and sustained increase in mean papillary bleeding scores during puberty (group A, n = 16) differed 6 years later from individuals without pronounced puberty gingivitis (group C, n = 8) in several aspects . Individuals in group A had a significantly higher gingival bleeding tendency and an increased number of sites with more than 3 mm attachment loss . The subjects in group C showed the lowest anaerobic total cultivable counts . Spirochetes were detected only in group A subjects (4 samples in 3 individuals) . In all positive sites, spirochetes had been identified at least 8 out of 10 times during puberty . A . actinomycetemcomitans was present in only one individual of group A . P . gingivalis had not been detected during puberty; none of the samples were P . gingivalis positive 6 years later . P . intermedia was found in 27% of all samples, isolates belonging to the P . melaninogenica group of black pigmenting anaerobes had a frequency of 6%, 6 years after puberty.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Pathol Biol (Paris), 1995 Apr, 43(4), 289 - 93 {In vitro activity of carbapenems (biapenem, imipenem and meropenem) and some other antibiotics against strict anaerobic bacteria}; Bland S et al.; During 1994, the in vitro antibiotic susceptibility of 306 anaerobic bacteria was performed in 4 hospitals, by the reference agar dilution method . Among the 129 B . fragilis group strains, only two B . fragilis strains were resistant to the three carbapenems and all beta-lactams, even combined with beta-lactamase-inhibitors while metronidazole resistance could not be detected . Evolution in antibiotic resistance rates could be assessed only for piperacillin whose resistance rates increased to 20% . beta-lactamase production was detected respectively for 27% of Prevotella and 17% of Fusobacterium strains . No beta-lactamase activity was seen among Gram positive anaerobes . On the whole anaerobic strains resistance rates were: biapenem, imipenem, meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam 0.7, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or metronidazole 2, piperacillin 11.3, amoxicillin 31%, respectively . The three carbapenems demonstrated a good in vitro activity against most anaerobes with few differences between them. Placenta, 1995 Apr, 16(3), 289 - 96 Angiogenesis and the placental environment; Wheeler T et al.; Rapid growth and vascularization of the human placenta are characteristic of early pregnancy and are accomplished in an unusually hypoxic environment . Stimulation of placental growth through hypoxia-induced angiogenesis may therefore be of particular importance . We have previously found that several varieties of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA, including VEGF165, are present in cultured placental fibroblasts . We hypothesized that hypoxia would increase the transcription and translation of VEGF by these cells and provide one mechanism linking placental development with its environment . Placental fibroblasts were grown in aerobic or anaerobic atmospheric conditions for 72 h . By 24 h the oxygen tension of the anaerobic culture media was significantly less than that of the aerobic cultures . RNA was extracted from the cells at 24, 48 and 72 h . Following reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) stronger signals for VEGF were always found in the anaerobic cultures and this was confirmed by competitive PCR . mRNA for VEGF165 was represented most strongly but the anaerobic cultures also showed clearly mRNA for VEGF121, VEGF189 and VEGF206 . The VEGF protein was also measured in the aerobic and anaerobic culture medium . By 72 h the average concentration of VEGF was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in the anaerobic culture medium . VEGF production is one mechanism through which oxygen supply may influence placental development . Examples of this may include the compensatory placental hypertrophy associated with maternal anaemia and with reproduction at high altitude. Microbiology, 1995 Apr, 141 ( Pt 4), 945 - 57 A gene region in Dichelobacter nodosus encoding a lipopolysaccharide epitope; Billington SJ et al.; Dichelobacter nodosus is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that is the causative organism of footrot in sheep . A D . nodosus locus responsible for a modification of the host lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Escherichia coli was cloned and sequenced . Genetic studies showed that the modification occurred within the inner-core region of the host LPS, most likely to one or more of the heptose molecules . Antibodies eluted from the modified LPS reacted preferentially with the lipid-A-core region of D . nodosus LPS, suggesting that the cloned epitope was present in this region of the D . nodosus LPS . The gene responsible for the modification, IpsA, potentially encoded a polypeptide of approximately 37 kDa which was highly basic, a characteristic of enzymes which interact with the acidic inner LPS core . The IpsA gene appeared to be arranged in a complex operon with a downstream gene, prfC, which encoded a protein with similarity to E . coli peptide-chain release factor 3. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1995 Apr, 61(4), 1488 - 91 Biochemical analysis of starch degradation by Ruminobacter amylophilus 70; Anderson KL; Ruminobacter amylophilus is an obligate anaerobe that uses only alpha-linked glucose molecules (i.e., maltose, maltodextrins, and starch) as a source of energy, making it an excellent model for the study of bacterial starch degradation . Constitutive amylase, amylopectinase, and pullulanase activities were found in intracellular and extracellular fractions of R . amylophilus . However, extracellular activities apparently resulted from cell lysis . Both soluble and membrane-bound polysaccharidase activities were detected . Most of the soluble polysaccharidase activity partitioned with the periplasmic cell fraction . No alpha-glucosidase or maltase activity was detected in either the cellular or extracellular fraction . In addition, intact cells of R . amylophilus bound U-14C-starch . This binding could be saturated and was constitutive and sensitive to proteinase K, indicating protein or protein complex mediation . Competition experiments showed that these starch-binding sites had equally high affinities for starch and maltodextrins larger than maltotriose . The sites had a reduced affinity for maltose and virtually no affinities for glucose and nonstarch polysaccharides . These findings suggest that R . amylophilus binds starch molecules to the cell surface as an initial step in transporting the molecule through the outer membrane and into the periplasmic space . Extracellular polysaccharides do not appear to be involved in starch degradation. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1995 Apr, 74(4), 275 - 80 The diagnostic value of amniotic fluid Gram stain examination and limulus amebocyte lysate assay in patients with preterm birth; Hazan Y et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine the value of Gram stain examination and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test in the detection of intraamniotic infection . Ninety women with preterm labor and intact membranes (n = 55) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (n = 35) who delivered prematurely were included in the study . Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as for mycoplasmas . Amniotic fluid analysis included Gram stain examination and limulus amebocyte lysate tests . The prevalence of positive amniotic culture was 32.2% (29/90) and the most common isolate was Ureaplasma urealyticum . Patients with preterm PROM group had a higher rate of infection than those with preterm labor and intact membranes 57.1% (20/35) vs . 16.4% (9/55), respectively (p = 0.0001) . We found a lower gestational age at delivery and lower mean birth weight in neonates born to mothers with a positive amniotic fluid culture than those with negative amniotic fluid culture . The combined use of Gram stain examination and LAL test had a sensitivity and specificity of 51.7% (15/29) and 95.1% (58/61) respectively for the detection of positive amniotic fluid culture . We conclude that Gram stain examination and LAL test are rapid, simple and specific tests that can be used to detect microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity except in patients with mycoplasmas infections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1995 Mar 28, 92(7), 2499 - 503 Association of a polynuclear iron-sulfur center with a mutant FNR protein enhances DNA binding; Khoroshilova N et al.; In the facultative anaerobe Escherichia coli, the transcription factor FNR (fumarate nitrate reduction) regulates gene expression in response to oxygen deprivation . To investigate how the activity of FNR is regulated by oxygen availability, two mutant proteins, DA154 and LH28-DA154, which have enhanced in vivo activity in the presence of oxygen, were purified and compared . Unlike other previously examined FNR preparations, the absorption spectrum of LH28-DA154 had two maxima at 324 nm and 419 nm, typical of iron-sulfur (Fe-S)-containing proteins . Consistent with these data, metal analysis showed that only the LH28-DA154 protein contained a significant amount of iron and acid-labile sulfide, and, by low temperature EPR spectroscopy, a signal typical of a {3Fe-4S}+ cluster was detected . The LH28-DA154 protein that contained the Fe-S cluster also contained a higher proportion of dimers and had a 3- to 4-fold higher apparent affinity for the target DNA than the DA154 protein . In agreement with this, we found that when the LH28-DA154 protein was treated with an iron chelator (alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl), it lost its characteristic absorption and the apparent affinity for DNA was reduced 6-fold . However, increased DNA binding and the characteristic absorption spectrum could be restored by in vitro reconstitution of the Fe-S center . DNA binding of the LH28-DA154 protein was also affected by the redox state of the Fe-S center, since protein exposed to oxygen bound 1/10th as much DNA as the protein reduced anaerobically with dithionite . The observation that DNA binding is enhanced when the Fe-S center is reduced indicates that the redox state of the Fe-S center affects the DNA-binding activity of this protein and suggests a possible mechanism for regulation of the wild-type protein. Am J Health Syst Pharm, 1995 Mar 15, 52(6 Suppl 2), S29 - 33 Clinical use of beta-lactamase inhibitors in combination with extended-spectrum penicillins; Jones RN; The in vitro antimicrobial spectrum of piperacillin-tazobactam is described and the results of clinical trials are summarized . Injectable products combining a beta-lactam antibiotic with a beta-lactamase inhibitor have a broad spectrum of activity, principally influenced by the potency of the beta-lactam . Piperacillin-tazobactam can be used for the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative, gram-positive, aerobic, and anaerobic bacteria . Appropriate indications include infections caused by mixed flora, such as gynecologic, intra-abdominal, and surgical wound infections . Other infections that appear responsive include those associated with human and animal bites, ischemic or diabetic foot infections, infected ischemic or pressure ulcers, and lower-respiratory-tract infections . Piperacillin-tazobactam has been reported to be superior to ticarcillin-clavulanate in community-acquired lower-respiratory-tract infections and superior to imipenem-cilastatin (at 1.5 g/day of imipenem) in intra-abdominal infection. Arch Microbiol, 1995 Mar, 163(3), 188 - 94 Metabolic pathways and energetics of the acetone-oxidizing, sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfobacterium cetonicum; Janssen PH et al.; Acetone degradation by cell suspensions of Desulfobacterium cetonicum was CO2-dependent, indicating initiation by a carboxylation reaction . Degradation of butyrate was not CO2-dependent, and acetate accumulated at a ratio of 1 mol acetate per mol butyrate degraded . In cultures grown on acetone, no CoA transfer apparently occurred, and no acetate accumulated in the medium . No CoA-ligase activities were detected in cell-free crude extracts . This suggested that the carboxylation of acetone to acetoacetate, and its activation to acetoacetyl-CoA may occur without the formation of free acetoacetate . Acetoacetyl-CoA was thiolytically cleaved to two acetyl-CoA, which were oxidized to CO2 via the acetyl-CoA/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase pathway . The measured intracellular acyl-CoA ester concentrations allowed the calculation of the free energy changes involved in the conversion of acetone to acetyl-CoA . At in vivo concentrations of reactants and products, the initial steps (carboxylation and activation) must be energy-driven, either by direct coupling to ATP, or coupling to transmembrane gradients . The delta G' of acetone conversion to two acetyl-CoA at the expense of the energetic equivalent of one ATP was calculated to lie very close to 0 kJ (mol acetone)-1 . Assimilatory metabolism was by an incomplete citric acid cycle, lacking an activity oxidatively decarboxylating 2-oxoglutarate . The low specific activities of this cycle suggested its probable function in anabolic metabolism . Succinate and glyoxylate were formed from isocitrate by isocitrate lyase . Glyoxylate thus formed was condensed with acetyl-CoA to form malate, functioning as an anaplerotic sequence . A glyoxylate cycle thus operates in this strictly anaerobic bacterium . Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase formed PEP from oxaloacetate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Chemosphere, 1995 Mar, 30(5), 813 - 30 Anaerobic biodegradability testing of surfactants; Salanitro JP et al.; Anionic and nonionic surfactants (5-50 mg C/g solids/L medium) were screened for anaerobic microbial decomposition to methane in an automated pressure transducer serum bottle assay system at 35C using municipal digester solids as a source of anaerobic bacteria . Analysis of the headspace gas recovered from tests with linear primary alcohol sulfates (A45S and A24S) and a linear alcohol ethoxylate (LAE-8) showed that these compounds were readily degraded (60-85% of the theoretical methane, TM) after a 15-30 day lag period at 50 ppm C . The extent of degradation of a branched alkyl phenol ethoxylate (NPE-9) was lower (30-40% TM) . A survey of intact nonionic and anionic surfactants present in municipal digester sludges in the U.S . showed that these materials were present at levels of 0.5-8 mg CTAS or MBAS/g dry solids . A surfactant which was slower to biodegrade (NPE-9) at 50 ppm C was readily metabolized to methane when tested at 5 and 10 mg C/g solids/L . The pressure transducer serum bottle method described may be used to test biodegradability and inhibitory effects on methanogenesis at surfactant concentrations (e.g . 5 ppm C/g solids) typically present in digesters. Minerva Stomatol, 1995 Mar, 44(3), 75 - 80 {The presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in subgingival bacterial plaque in relation to the amount of supragingival plaque}; Paolantonio M et al.; Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is currently considered the principal bacterium involved in juvenile forms of periodontitis . Considering that supragingival and subgingival plaque are closely correlated, the aim of the present research has been to assess if a correlation can be recognized between the amount of supragingival plaque and the presence of Aa in subgingival plaque in young subjects . Thirty-three individuals participated in the study . In each subject's dentition two periodontal sites were chosen: one (test site) was randomly selected among those sites which displayed a Plaque Index (P1I) = 0; another site was similarly chosen among those which presented the highest P1I score (2 or 3) . In each test and control site Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) was recorded and a microbiological sampling of subgingival plaque was performed . After anaerobic culture of plaque samples, the occurrence of Aa in each test and control site and the proportional representation of the bacterium in total cultivable anaerobic flora were assessed . Results showed a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of Aa between test and control sites in the same oral cavity and a correlation between GBI positivity and Aa presence . In conclusion, according to other authors, Aa seems to be more frequently founded in subgingival plaque coming from periodontal sites where supragingival plaque in more abundant. Vet Q, 1995 Mar, 17(1), 1 - 5 Effects of sarafloxacin hydrochloride on human enteric bacteria under simulated human gut conditions; McConville ML et al.; The effects of sarafloxacin, a newly developed veterinary fluoroquinolone antimicrobial, on 15 strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria of human origin were assessed under simulated human gut conditions . An in vitro gut simulation model was designed to mimic the situation of sarafloxacin (free and bound to meat) passing through the human gastrointestinal tract . The survival of bacteria in the simulation model and any subsequent change in the sensitivity of isolates to sarafloxacin were measured . The inhibitory level of sarafloxacin for the tested bacteria was strain dependent . It appeared that in broth culture Escherichia coli isolates were sensitive to sarafloxacin concentrations 5-fold lower than the concentrations present in the simulated gut model, suggesting that sarafloxacin may be partially unavailable due to absorption to organic matter in the model . There was no significant observed change in the sarafloxacin sensitivity of the bacterial strains exposed to the compound in the model. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1995 Feb, 74(2), 132 - 6 Antibodies to Ureaplasma urealyticum in women with intraamniotic infection and adverse pregnancy outcome; Horowitz S et al.; OBJECTIVE . To determine the association between antibody response to Ureaplasma urealyticum and pregnancy outcome in women with ureaplasmal invasion of the amniotic cavity . METHODS . A cross section study was performed in our high risk pregnancy unit . Three groups of pregnant women were identified: 1) 271 women at the midtrimester of pregnancy (16-20 weeks), who underwent transabdominal amniocentesis for genetic indications 2) 161 consecutive women admitted with preterm labor and intact membranes . 3) 118 consecutive patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes . Amniotic fluids were cultured for Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and also for other aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Serum antibodies to Uu were measured by a specific enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay . RESULTS . The prevalence of positive AF cultures with Uu in the 3 study groups was 2.9%, 4.3% and 17.8%, and the prevalence of antibodies to Uu in the AF-colonized patients was 50%, 86% and 57%, respectively . Adverse pregnancy outcome (preterm birth, low birth weight or fetal death) among all AF colonized women, was significantly higher in patients with antibodies to Uu than in those without antibodies; preterm delivery 90% vs . 43%, and low birth weight infants or fetal death 85% vs . 28%, p = 0.006 and 0.001 respectively . CONCLUSION . Women with intraamniotic infection with Uu and elevated levels of antibodies to Uu, had a higher rate of preterm delivery, and low birthweight infants/fetal death than those without antibody to Uu. Eur J Surg, 1995 Feb, 161(2), 93 - 6 Luminal bacterial overgrowth and intestinal translocation in pigs given either cyclosporin A or 15-deoxyspergualin after small bowel transplantation; Biffi R et al.; OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of two immunosuppressant regimens on composition of the bowel flora and rate of translocation after transplantation of the small bowel in pigs . DESIGN: Randomised controlled study . SETTING: University hospital, Italy . MATERIAL: 35 female Large White pigs . INTERVENTIONS: 9 Animals were not operated on (normal controls) . 19 Animals underwent total orthotopic small bowel allotransplantation and were then randomised to receive: group A (n = 8) cyclosporin A 25 mg/kg subcutaneously and cephazolin 2 g intramuscularly daily; group B (n = 6) 15-deoxyspergualin (15-dos) 3 mg/kg for 7 days then 1.5 mg/kg, cephazolin 2 g intramuscularly daily for 4 days then selective intestinal decontamination with colistin 1.5 million U, tobramycin 100 mg, vancomycin 1 g, and nystatin 500,000 U daily; and group C (n = 5) cephazolin 2 g intramuscularly daily for 8 days . A further group (D, n = 7) underwent orthotopic autotransplantation and received the same antibiotic and selective decontamination regimens as group B . Animals in group C were killed on day 8, and the rest on day 29 . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Signs of rejection, graft versus host disease, luminal overgrowth, and evidence of translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes . RESULTS: All animals in group C, and 2 in group B, showed signs of acute rejection . There was a significant overgrowth of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in all 3 groups after allotransplantation compared with normal controls . Bacterial translocation was similar in autografted and allotransplanted animals . Mesenteric lymph nodes were colonised in 4/9 controls, 7/8 in group A, 4/4 in group B, 5/5 in group C, and 7/7 in group D . CONCLUSION: Neither cyclosporin A nor 15-dos prevented luminal overgrowth or bacterial translocation to mesenteric nodes up to one month after operation . The rate of translocation was similar in autotransplantation and allotransplantation, suggesting that non-immunological factors (for example, denervation and interruption of lymphatics) may have a role in these alterations. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1995 Feb, 35(2), 263 - 9 Metronidazole susceptibility factors in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans; Pavicic MJ et al.; Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a facultative anaerobic bacterium that displays moderate susceptibility to metronidazole and this study was undertaken to identify the factors involved . A . actinomycetemcomitans appeared two to four times less susceptible to metronidazole when grown in air supplemented with 5% CO2 than under anaerobic conditions . Ferredoxin-linked pyruvate:oxidoreductase activity was absent but each strain exhibited nitroreductase activity which corresponded directly with uptake of metronidazole and susceptibility to the drug under anaerobic conditions but not in air supplemented with 5% CO2 . Nitroreductase activity therefore appears responsible for the susceptibility of A . actinomycetemcomitans to metronidazole. Antibiot Khimioter, 1995 Feb, 40(2), 51 - 4 {Attempt to use cefpiramide (Tamicin) in patients with infectious destructive lung diseases}; Kuleshov SE et al.; The clinical efficacy and tolerance of cefpiramide were studied in 34 patients at the age of 15 to 79 years with infectious destructive lesions in the lungs . The clinical efficacy amounted to 88.2 per cent . Out of 39 strains of grampositive and gramnegative aerobes and anaerobes 85 per cent were sensitive to cefpiramide . The bacteriological efficacy of cefpiramide amounted to 71.4 per cent . In 11.7 per cent of the patients involved in the trial there were recorded adverse reactions to cefpiramide . The results of the study made it possible to recommend the drug for the treatment of patients with severe and complicated infectious destructive lesions in the lungs. Antibiot Khimioter, 1995 Feb, 40(2), 14 - 8 {Antimicrobial and antitrichomonal activity of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives in an in vitro experiment}; Seleznev AS et al.; The comparative study on the antimicrobial activity of metronidazole and its complex with cobalt sulfate showed that the complex formation increased 2-4 times the metronidazole activity against elective anaerobes . The study of the drug action on Trichomonas spp . revealed that as a result of the complexing with cobalt sulfate the metronidazole efficacy against the Trichomonas strains isolated from the discharge of a female patient with metronidazole resistant trichomoniasis increased, the activating effect of the complex on the host cells being suggested. Braz Dent J, 1995, 6(2), 85 - 90 Mechanism of action of calcium and hydroxyl ions of calcium hydroxide on tissue and bacteria; Estrela C et al.; The biological and bacteriological action of calcium hydroxide confer to its current success as an intracanal dressing . For this reason the mechanism of action of calcium and hydroxyl ions on tissue and bacteria deserves further study . The objective of the present paper is to analyze and discuss the mechanism of action of calcium and hydroxyl ions on anaerobic bacteria, starting from the isolated study of the influence of pH on these bacteria , as well as the mechanism of action of calcium hydroxide on tissue. Khirurgiia (Sofiia), 1995, 48(3), 46 - 8 {Postoperative necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior abdominal wall}; Fichev G et al.; Postoperative necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior abdominal wall is a serious and life-endangering complication of an acute progressive synergistic infective process . There is an absolute increase in its incidence rate attributable to a number of situations in modern life . Morphological and clinical studies are carried out on personal case material of 28 patients, followed up over a 3-year period . The presence of aerobic-anaerobic mixed polyinfection, consisting of average 3.75 bacterial species of which 1.43 aerobes and 2.32 anaerobes, is demonstrated microbiologically . Of the latter non-spore-bearing obligate anaerobes predominate among which B fragillis is the most common . As shown by the study, the process is characterized by slow initial course with ensuring rapid spreading by neighbourhood . The process reveals all signs of a mixed aerobic-anaerobic polyinfection, thereby necessitating subordination of both antibiotic therapy and surgical tactics to the latter. Khirurgiia (Sofiia), 1995, 48(5), 11 - 4 {Anaerobic nonclostridial soft-tissue infection}; Kostov V et al.; Over the period 1985 through 1994, observations are conducted on forty-eight patients, 35 men and 13 women, with age ranging from 11 to 56 years, presenting anaerobic non-spore-forming infection of the soft tissues (necrotizing fasciitis (3), postinjection nonclostridial myositis (7), crepitant cellulitis in diabetic gangrene (21), neck phlegmon (5), perineal phlegmon (9), and progressive bacterial synergistic gangrene against the background of chronic osteomyelitis (3) . Infection development is characterized by local necrotic processes, intoxication, crepitations, fetor, fever, and in part of the patients--septic shock and DIC syndrome . The microbiological study shows presence of anaerobes, as mono- and polyinfection, aerobic-anaerobic associations, and gram-negative aerobes--in one patient alone . Invariably, the general condition is rather serious . Lethality amounting to 12.5 percent is ascribed to the late detection and unspecified and inadequate treatment protocol in the initial period of observation . The treatment is complex: incisions with successive many-staged necrectomies, antibiotics, metronidazole, hyperbaric oxygenation and hemadsorption . If several (2-3) of the aforementioned symptoms are present, evidence of anaerobic flora should be mandatory and purposefully seeked. Annu Rev Microbiol, 1995, 49, 305 - 33 CO dehydrogenase; Ferry JG; Structurally and functionally diverse CO dehydrogenases are key components of various energy-yielding pathways in aerobic and anaerobic microbes from the Bacteria and Archaea domains . Aerobic microbes utilize Mo-Fe-flavin CO dehydrogenases to oxidize CO in respiratory pathways . Phototrophic anaerobes grow by converting CO to H2, a process initiating with a CO dehydrogenase that contains nickel and iron-sulfur centers . Acetate-producing anaerobes employ a nickel/iron-sulfur CO dehydrogenase to synthesize acetyl-CoA from a methyl group, CO, and CoA . A similar enzyme is responsible for the cleavage of acetyl-CoA by anaerobic Archaea that obtain energy by fermenting acetate to CH4 and CO2 . Acetotrophic sulfate reducers from the Bacteria and Archaea also utilize CO dehydrogenase to cleave acetyl-CoA yielding methyl and carbonyl groups . These microbes obtain energy for growth via a respiratory pathway in which the methyl and carbonyl groups are oxidized to CO2, and sulfate is reduced to sulfide. Drugs, 1995, 49 Suppl 2, 81 - 5 Effect of quinolones on the human intestinal microflora; Nord CE; The quinolones exhibit a selective suppressive effect on the intestinal microflora . The aerobic Gram-negative bacteria are strongly suppressed, while the aerobic Gram-positive bacteria are less affected, with ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin having the greatest effect . The anaerobic microflora is not affected by administration of norfloxacin, but is suppressed slightly by ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, and moderately by sparfloxacin and temafloxacin . Very high concentrations of the quinolones are obtained in faeces, far exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentration for most aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . The discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro outcome is explained by the binding of the quinolones to faeces, and by inoculum effects . These ecological properties of the quinolones on the intestinal microflora make them suitable for treatment of bacterial enteric infections, selective decontamination and prophylaxis against travellers' diarrhoea. Drugs, 1995, 49 Suppl 2, 76 - 80 Quinolone activity against anaerobes: microbiological aspects; Appelbaum PC; Currently available quinolones are either inactive or marginally active against anaerobic bacteria . This review summarises the in vitro activity of currently available as well as experimental quinolones against clinically significant anaerobic bacteria . Quinolones with low activity against anaerobes include ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, fleroxacin, pefloxacin, enoxacin, lomefloxacin and probably E 4868 and NM 441 . Compounds with intermediate anaerobe activity include sparfloxacin, grepafloxacin, PD 131628 and AM 1155 . Quinolones that are very active against anaerobes include clinafloxacin and DU 6859a . CP 99,219, a naphthyridone, is also very active against anaerobes . Toxicity problems have necessitated the withdrawal of some quinolones shown to have intermediate activity (temafloxacin and tosufloxacin) and the discontinuation of the development of some investigational agents (Win 57273 and BAY Y 3118) with high activity . Conclusions regarding the therapeutic value of quinolones against human anaerobic infections await further clinical toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies. Drugs, 1995, 49 Suppl 2, 115 - 22 Quinolones in sexually transmitted diseases . Global experience; Ridgway GL; The role of quinolones in sexually transmitted diseases is still being defined . In vitro and in vivo efficacy of established agents against gonorrhoea after a single oral dose is well established, although problems with emerging resistance have been identified . However, among these agents only ofloxacin is reliably active against Chlamydia trachomatis infection, and only as a course of treatment . Preliminary trials with sparfloxacin are encouraging . Other new agents show potentially useful in vitro activity, but clinical studies are awaited . To date, clinical activity of quinolones in bacterial vaginosis has been disappointing . The efficacy of newer agents with anaerobic activity will be of interest . Chancroid can be cured with ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin; resistance has been reported, but is not yet clinically significant . Ofloxacin appears to be effective therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease, without the need for additional anaerobe cover . The possibility of improved clinical efficacy justifies further in vitro and in vivo studies. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed, 1995, 105(2), 155 - 8 {Subgingival plaque due to gingivitis and inactive periodontitis sites in the adult periodontitis patient}; Adler A et al.; There are several discrepancies with respect to the composition of subgingival plaque in gingivitis and in inactive adult periodontitis (AP) . In this study we compared subgingival plaque samples taken from gingivitis sites to those from inactive periodontitis sites of the same patients . Of 44 patients plaque samples from 86 gingivitis sites and 92 periodontitis sites were analysed . Darkfield microscopy showed a higher proportion of spirochetes and mobile rods in the periodontitis sites . Analysis of cultures revealed a higher and statistically significant number of anaerobes in the periodontitis sites (1.7 x 10(7) vs 3 x 10(6), p = 0.006) . The following bacterial species were isolated more frequently from periodontitis sites than from gingivitis sites: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (18% vs 10%), as well as the black-pigmented Prevotella intermedia (68% vs 48%) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (48% vs 28%) . On the one hand, these small differences in the bacteriological parameters can be explained by the fact that both gingivitis and periodontitis plaque samples were taken from the same periodontitis patients . An infection of the gingivitis sites from the parodontitis sites within the same patient could not be excluded . On the other hand, the mean probing depth of the gingivitis sites was relatively high, 3.6 mm (measuring point interdental plus pseudo-pocket) which may favor the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Gynecol Obstet Invest, 1995, 39(3), 180 - 5 A case-control study on post-caesarean endometritis-myometritis in Mozambique; Libombo A et al.; Post-caesarean endometritis-myometritis (PCEM) was diagnosed in 49 Mozambican women . They were compared with 47 control women without signs of PCEM after caesarean section . The patients and controls were matched for age, parity and days post partum . Features of the socio-economic background and of past and current obstetric history were registered . Endocervical, intracavitary and blood cultures were carried out . Screening for syphilis seropositivity and HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies was performed . Socio-economic and obstetric background factors were similarly distributed in cases and referents, though previous caesarean section was less frequent among cases than among referents (OR 0.12) . Moderate high-risk factors in existing antenatal card tended to be more frequent among cases than among referents (OR 3.29) . Microbiological findings indicated more anaerobes in the vagina, in the endocervix and in the uterine cavity, though the differences only approached significance . It is concluded that women with PCEM in the setting studied expose few characteristic background features discriminating them from women with uneventful post-caesarean outcome . Further research efforts should be directed towards case-control studies with focus upon surgical factors and on a more comprehensive microbiology and serology approachPIP: A case control study included 49 women diagnosed with post-cesarean endometritis-myometritis (PCEM) and 47 controls who had also undergone a cesarean section but had no PCEM . Controls were matched with cases by age, parity, and days postpartum . All cases and controls delivered at Maputo Central Hospital in Mozambique . The study aimed to define potential background PCEM risk factors of socioeconomic and obstetric origin and serological and microbiological correlates . Health workers took blood samples, endocervical swabs, and intracavitary cultures from all cases and controls . They administered intraoperative prophylactic antibiotics to all cases and controls . Cases were more likely to live in a household of at least 6 persons (odds ratio {OR} = 4.44) . Other socioeconomic factors studied were not significantly different between the 2 groups . Number of live births, stillbirths, abortions, and previous low birth weight deliveries were similar among both cases and controls . Cases were significantly less likely to have undergone a previous cesarean section than controls (OR = 0.12) . Anaerobic bacteria were isolated more often from cases than controls in vaginal, endocervical, and intrauterine cultures (OR = 1.65, 1.95, and 1.77, respectively) . Yet, the observed cultures were not significantly different between the 2 groups . Syphilis seropositivity and Chlamydia trachomatis rates were similar in cases and controls . These findings did not reveal any easily recognizable background risk factors for PCEM or any etiologic agent for PCEM . Additional case control studies are needed to focus on surgical factors . They also need to take on a more comprehensive microbiology and serology approach . Scand J Infect Dis, 1995, 27(1), 83 - 4 Fusobacterium nucleatum, a new invasive pathogen in neutropenic patients? Landsaat PM, van der Lelie H, Bongaerts G, Kuijper EJ. Three chemotherapy-induced neutropenic hematologic patients with severe systemic infection caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic rod, are described . Anaerobic infections are not very common in this patient category, but in a short period of time, several such patients were seen . The infection was considered to be caused by a combination of chemotherapy-induced mucositis, which served as a portal of entry for the systemic infection, and the antibiotic regime used in these patients . This is a serious infection with a high mortality . In hematological neutropenic patients suffering from severe mucositis and fever, antibiotic therapy should cover anaerobic bacteria. Microbiol Immunol, 1995, 39(1), 75 - 80 A gene encoding a cytochrome c oxidase-like protein is located closely to the cytochrome c-553 gene in the anaerobic bacterium, Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Miyazaki F); Kitamura M et al.; The gene encoding cytochrome c-553 from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Miyazaki F) was cloned using a synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe . The nucleotide sequence indicated that cytochrome c-553 was synthesized as a precursor protein with an NH2-terminal signal sequence of 23 residues . In the cloned DNA fragment, there are three other open reading frames whose products have 191, 157, 541 amino acid residues, respectively . The putative ORF-4 product is highly homologous with the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I from various organisms. Zentralbl Chir, 1995, 120(4), 336 - 42 {Bacterial clearance of the terminal ileum in relation to the ileocolic connection}; Ecker KW et al.; The ecology of the (neo-)terminal ileum was investigated in three groups of mongrel dogs (group 1 to 3; 6 animals per each group) depending on the ileocolic connection and the resection of the terminal ileum . The efficacy of a stabilized nipple-valve-anastomosis (SNVA) was evaluated comparing the physiological ileocecal valve and the conventional end-end-anastomosis . The relations of the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts of all 18 dogs (group 0) preoperatively served as reference-values . Under this physiological condition the median counts were found to be lower in the ileum than in the colon, two logs for the aerobic bacteria and three logs for the anaerobic bacteria, confirming statistical significance (p < or = 0.05) . The resection of the terminal ileum conserving the ileocecal valve (group 1) had no influence on the bacterial flora of the neoterminal ileum, whereas the limited resection of the ileocecal valve with ileocolic end-end-anastomosis (group 2) induced a bacterial colonisation of the terminal ileum . In contrast, following wide ileocoecal resection and replacement of the ileocecal valve by the SNVA (group 3) the bacterial counts were lower in the terminal ileum than in the colon: five logs for aerobic and seven logs for anaerobic bacteria . This difference was statistically significant within this group between ileum and colon and between ileum preoperatively and postoperatively (p < or = 0.05) . In conclusion, the bacterial clearance of the (neo-)terminal ileum depends more on the retrograde barrier-function of the ileocecal valve or an appropriate mechanical substitute than on the propulsive motility of the ileum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Plasmid, 1995 Jan, 33(1), 15 - 25 Mobile genetic elements of Fusobacterium nucleatum; McKay TL et al.; The gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum, is a predominant member of the human oral flora . As a major component of subgingival plaque, this bacterium has a significant impact on the ecology of the oral cavity due to its ability to adhere to many different microbial species . The objective of this study was to identify and characterize plasmids and transposons that may have the potential to be developed into tools for cloning, genetic transformation, and mutagenesis of oral isolates of F . nucleatum . Analysis of a collection of laboratory strains resulted in the identification of a homologous family of small cryptic plasmids . Plasmids within this family ranged in size from 6.0 to 6.6 kb . Eighteen percent of all strains examined (n = 74) contained DNA sequences related to the plasmids . Homologous plasmid sequences were found in strains belonging to 2 of the 3 subspecies of the bacterium . The 2 smallest plasmid species were cloned in Escherichia coli to facilitate endonuclease restriction mapping . Among the strains examined for plasmids, 5 exhibited resistance to at least 10 micrograms/ml of tetracycline . These strains, all members of the subsp . polymorphum, contained a tetracycline resistance determinant (TetM) as part of a Tn916-like integrated transposon sequence . The Tn916-like element and 1 of the plasmid species co-resided in a single strain of the bacterium . Hybridization patterns of the Tn916-like sequences were identical in all 5 tetracycline-resistant strains . However, these strains appeared to be clonally distinct based on genomic fingerprinting. Pharmacotherapy, 1995 Jan-Feb, 15(1 Pt 2), 15S - 21S Considerations for therapy of mixed infections: focus on intraabdominal infection; DiPiro JT; Intraabdominal infections are a wide range of diseases that include penetrating abdominal trauma, appendicitis, peritonitis, and abscess . Most are polymicrobic, involving aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . The primary treatment is surgery, but important issues regarding administration of antimicrobials may affect patient outcome . Evaluation of an antimicrobial regimen must include consideration of outcomes--survival, organ failure, adverse drug effects, and superinfection . Single-agent regimens have demonstrated benefit in patients with acute intraabdominal contamination and established infections . Guidelines for selecting antimicrobial agents are available from the Surgical Infection Society . Regimens are effective when active against most bacteria isolated from the focus of abdominal infection . The patient's clinical response, not culture results independent of clinical findings, is the primary guide for directing changes in therapy. Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol, 1995 Jan, 110(1), 71 - 5 Bactericidal effect of rat cystatin S on an oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis; Naito Y et al.; We tested antibacterial and antiviral activities of rat cystatin S, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, belonging to the family 2 cystatins against 18 different bacterial species and poliovirus type 1 (Sabin) . Rat cystatin S specifically inhibited the growth of a human oral anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis due to a bactericidal effect. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed, 1995 Jan, 72(1), F43 - 6 Preterm prelabour amniorrhexis: intrauterine infection and interval between membrane rupture and delivery; Carroll SG et al.; This study aimed to determine if fetal bacteraemia and amniotic fluid infection at the time of membrane rupture reduces the interval between membrane rupture and the onset of labour in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabour amniorrhexis . Sixty nine pregnancies with preterm prelabour amniorrhexis at 12-36 weeks' gestation that were managed expectantly had spontaneous onset of labour . In all cases cordocentesis and amniocentesis were performed and fetal blood and amniotic fluid were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . In the group with negative fetal blood and amniotic fluid cultures (group 1) the median interval from amniorrhexis to delivery was 41 days (range 1-161) and there was an inverse correlation between gestational age at amniorrhexis and delivery interval . In the group with negative fetal blood but positive amniotic fluid cultures (group 2) the median amniorrhexis to delivery interval was nine days (range 1-37), and in the group with positive fetal blood cultures (group 3) the interval was two days (range 1-5) . These findings suggest that pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabour amniorrhexis and fetal bacteraemia undergo spontaneous labour within five days of membrane rupture, and if labour does not occur then infection is unlikely. Bone Marrow Transplant, 1995 Jan, 15(1), 65 - 9 Effects of bacterial naso-oropharyngeal colonisation on acute graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation; Liu KL et al.; The efficacy of gastrointestinal decontamination in reducing the incidence of severe bacterial or fungal infections and of moderate to severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has been suggested . We report here a retrospective study of 71 patients grafted consecutively in our institution with bone marrow from HLA genotypically identical siblings . Complete decontamination (plastic isolator or laminar airflow room, sterile nursing and oral antimicrobial drugs) was carried out in all patients . Sixty eight patients were evaluable . Only six patients had aerobic Gram negative rods or anaerobic bacteria in their faeces and 44 of 68 (65%) had yeasts in their faeces . Most patients had oropharyngeal and/or nasal colonisation with bacteria (Gram positive cocci: 39 patients (57%); Gram negative rods: 13 patients (19%)) or yeasts (29 patients (43%)) . Thirty nine patients (57%) experienced severe grade > or = II acute GVHD (grade II-IV) . A significant relation was found between bacterial oropharyngeal or nasal colonisation and GVHD (P < 0.01) but not between gastrointestinal microflora and GVHD, whatever microorganisms were considered (bacteria, yeasts). Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1995, 67(1), 29 - 46 Anaerobic treatment of sulphate-containing waste streams; Colleran E et al.; Sulphate-containing wastewaters from the paper and board industry, molasses-based fermentation industries and edible oil refineries present difficulties during anaerobic treatment, leading to problems of toxicity, reduction in methane yield, odour and corrosion . The microbiology and biochemistry of dissimilatory sulphate reduction are reviewed in order to illustrate the potential competition between sulphate reducers and other anaerobes involved in the sequential anaerobic mineralisation process . The theoretical considerations which influence the outcome of competition between sulphate reducers and fermentative, syntrophic, homoacetogenic and methanogenic bacteria are discussed . The actual outcome, under the varying influent organic composition and strength and sulfate concentrations which prevail during digestion of industrial wastewaters, may be quite different to that predicted by thermodynamic or kinetic considerations . The factors governing competitive interactions between SRB and other anaerobes involved in methanogenesis is discussed in the context of literature data on sulphate wastewater treatment and with particular reference to laboratory and full-scale digestion of citric acid production wastewater. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1995 Jan, 14(1), 61 - 4 Lack of effect of orally administered human serum immunoglobulin on the normal human oral and intestinal microflora; Bogstedt AK et al.; The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of large doses of orally administered human IgG on the normal gastrointestinal microflora of healthy volunteers since human immunoglobulin has been tried as oral prophylaxis and therapy in gastrointestinal infections . Ten adult healthy volunteers received 10 g of IgG orally, once daily for three consecutive days . Aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were identified in the saliva and stool specimens, using morphological, biochemical and serological tests and gas-liquid chromatography . Although the immunoglobulin preparation contains antibodies against a variety of microorganisms, there were no significant changes in the numbers of different aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms due to the oral intake of the immunoglobulin . IgG may, therefore, be used against pathogens without disturbing the normal oral and intestinal microflora. Antibiot Khimioter, 1995 Jan, 40(1), 13 - 21 {Clinical value of cefmetazole and other cephamycin antibiotics}; Simada D; The review is concerned with the description of the antibiotics belonging to cephamycins . The data on the chemical structure of cefmetazole and other cephamycins and the mechanisms of their action are presented . The peculiarities of the binding to penicillin-binding proteins and the stability to the action of various beta-lactamases are discussed . The spectrum of the antibacterial activity of cefmetazole against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes, as well as the antibiotic pharmacokinetics is described . The literature data on the clinical efficacy of cefmetazole in the treatment of infectious diseases of various etiology and localization and the data on the drug tolerance and the incidence of adverse reactions are summarized . The indications to the use of cefmetazole and other cephamycins are substantiated. Int J Colorectal Dis, 1995, 10(3), 161 - 6 Bacteriology and complications of chronic pilonidal sinus treated with excision and primary suture; Sondenaa K et al.; Two prospective studies were undertaken to examine the role of bacteria in the outcome after excision and primary suture for chronic pilonidal sinus disease . In the first study 52 consecutive patients were given cloxacillin as prophylaxis . In a second randomised study 51 patients were given 2 g cefoxitin intravenously (n = 25) or no prophylaxis (n = 26) . From 49 out of 98 patients (50%) no microorganisms were isolated from sinuses preoperatively . Wound complications were observed postoperatively in 61% of the patients (63/103) . A postoperative bacteriology sample was positive in 47 of 49 samples (96%) . Preoperative presence of bacteria was not significantly associated with wound complications . Anaerobe isolates were present in 40% of patients preoperatively whereas aerobes were cultured in 43% postoperatively . After an observation period of 30-42 months, recurrences were 13% among the patients (7/52) who had been given cloxacillin . No recurrences were seen in the last study after an observation period of 18-30 months, for an overall 7% in both studies . We conclude that preoperative bacterial isolates, usually anaerobes, in chronic pilonidal sinuses do not influence the complication rate since bacterial isolates from infected wounds are mostly aerobes. Eur J Biochem, 1994 Dec 15, 226(3), 945 - 51 O-demethylation by the homoacetogenic anaerobe Holophaga foetida studied by a new photometric methylation assay using electrochemically produced cob(I)alamin; Kreft JU et al.; The previously studied complete methyl transfer sequence of tetrahydrofolate-dependent O-demethylation catalyzed by Holophaga foetida strain TMBS4 extracts was separated into two steps using cobalamins as non-physiological substrates: electrochemically produced cob(I) alamin served as methyl acceptor for phenyl methyl ether demethylation, yielding methylcob(III)alamin (reaction I), and methylcob(III)alamin served as donor for tetrahydrofolate methylation, yielding 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (reaction II) . Both reactions were measured with a new and direct photometric assay of cob(I)alamin methylation (or the reverse reaction) at 540 nm, the isobestic wavelength of the cob(II)alamin/cob(I)alamin redox couple (delta epsilon 540 = 4.40 nM-1.cm-1 . The rates of reactions I and II were proportional to protein concentration, unlike the complete reaction sequence . Small components of cell extract did not affect activity of reactions I and II . Isovanillate demethylation by extracts of synringate-grown cells (reaction I) required reductive activation by cob(I)alamin and was inhibited and inactivated by cob(II)alamin, indicating that the reaction mechanism was a nucleophilic attack of an enzyme-bound corrinoid in the reduced Co(I) state on the methyl carbon of the ether, rather than a radical attack . Only phenyl methyl ethers were demethylated; demethylation rates were enhanced by ortho-hydroxyl or para-carboxyl groups, but reduced by additional meta substituents . The rate of isovanillate demethylation was 81 nmol.min-1.(mg protein)-1 {0.76 mM cob(I)alamin} and apparent kinetic constants for cob(I)alamin were: Km = 1.2 mM, Vmax = 220 nmol min-1.(mg protein)-1, and Vmax/Km = 180 nmol.min-1.(mg protein) 1.mM-1 3,5-Dihydroxyanisole demethylation by extracts of 3,5-dihydroxyanisole-grown cells (also reaction I) was much slower . Reaction II did not require activation; specific activity and the specificity constant for methylcob(III)alamin were much lower. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1994 Dec 15, 205(12), 1753 - 8 Pleural effusion associated with acute and chronic pleuropneumonia and pleuritis secondary to thoracic wounds in horses: 43 cases (1982-1992); Collins MB et al.; Case records of 43 horses with pleural effusion associated with acute pleuropneumonia, chronic pleuropneumonia, or pleuritis secondary to a penetrating thoracic wound were reviewed to determine the predisposing factors, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition . Acute pleuropneumonia was diagnosed in 36 horses, the majority of which were Thoroughbreds (89%) . Of 22 (61%) horses that were in race training at the onset of illness, 11 (31%) had been recently transported a long distance and 4 (11%) had evidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage . Physical examination findings and hematologic data were nonspecific . The most consistent abnormality was hyperfibrino-genemia . Affected horses were treated with antibiotics, thoracic drainage, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and supportive care . Twenty-two (61%) horses were discharged from the hospital, with the mean duration of hospitalization for those discharged being 23 days . Nine (25%) horses were euthanatized and 5 (14%) died . Bacterial culturing of thoracic fluid resulted in growth in 30 of the 36 (83%) horses . The finding of anaerobic bacteria in thoracic fluid was not associated with a lower survival rate (62%) than the overall survival rate (61%) . Four horses with chronic pleuropneumonia had a history of lethargy and inappetence for > 2 weeks . Actinobacillus equuli was isolated, either alone or in combination with other bacteria, from thoracic fluid of these 4 horses . Each horse was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and made a rapid recovery . Three horses with acute pleuritis secondary to penetrating thoracic wounds also had nonspecific clinical signs, apart from the wound and a large volume of pleural effusion . Bacteriologic isolates from these horses differed slightly from those of horses with acute pleuropneumonia. Vet Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 42(4), 373 - 81 A retrospective study of clinical and laboratory characteristics of ovine footrot; Liu D et al.; The infection of the feet of sheep by the anaerobic bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus results in a spectrum of diseases ranging from virulent through intermediate to benign footrot . By examining the clinical characteristics of various forms of footrot from 22 properties in Victoria, Australia in association with the results of several laboratory tests including the gene probe-based dot blot hybridisation, it was shown that virulent footrot could not be differentiated from intermediate footrot using the clinical characteristics alone . In addition, D . nodosus isolates from sheep with benign footrot as diagnosed by the clinical manifestations might in fact show characteristics associated with those causing virulent, intermediate or benign footrot as determined by the laboratory tests . Although the elastase test, gelatin gel test and dot blot were in agreement with isolates from 9 of the 22 properties under investigation, they displayed differences from one another in many other cases, especially those with clinical benign footrot . The results of the elastase test appeared to be slightly closer to those of the dot blot compared with the gelatin gel test . Like any other tests based on the measurements of phenotypic characteristics of D . nodosus bacteria, the elastase test and gelatin gel test are subject to changes with factors that affect bacterial growth and metabolism . The use of DNA based detection methods would eliminate many of the problems associated with the conventional tests for differentiating strains causing virulent, intermediate and benign footrot. Vet Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 42(4), 307 - 15 Penicillin G and penicillin G-tinidazole treatment of experimentally induced summer mastitis--effect on elimination rates of bacteria and outcome of the disease; Hirvonen J et al.; Two udder hind quarters of ten pregnant heifers were inoculated experimentally with a combination of Actinomyces pyogenes, Peptostreptococcus indolicus and Fusobacterium necrophorum at a dose of 9 x 10(8) colony forming units (CFU) of each species of bacteria . The development of aerobic-anaerobic mastitis was followed-up clinically and through analysis of udder secretion samples . All heifers developed acute clinical mastitis . Thick, purulent secretions with foul odour were already present 24 h after infusion . At 32 h post inoculation, 19 of 20 quarters harboured all infused bacteria, the viable counts of bacteria varying from 10(4) to 10(5) CFU/ml . No bacteria were isolated from blood samples taken simultaneously . NAGase values of udder secretions, indicating tissue damage, were high . The heifers were treated systemically with penicillin G alone, or in combination with tinidazole . Treatment started 32 h after inoculation and was continued for three days . The anaerobic bacteria (F . necrophorum and P . indolicus) were usually eliminated within four days, while A . pyogenes infections often persisted in the quarters . Penicillin G with tinidazole was not more effective than penicillin G alone: of the four heifers which recovered from infection, two were treated with penicillin G alone and two with the drug combination . The most important factor affecting the recovery seemed to be the host response of individual heifers . The six heifers which did not recover from the infection were continuously infected after calving, harbouring A . pyogenes in ten quarters, and P . indolicus and F . necrophorum each in three quarters. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 1994 Dec, 150(6 Pt 2), S143 - 6 The role of proteolytic enzymes in the development of pulmonary emphysema and periodontal disease; Travis J et al.; Pulmonary emphysema and periodontal disease are each characterized by the uncontrolled proteolysis of connective tissue proteins by proteinases derived from human neutrophils . Although these diseases would not appear to be related in terms of the initial insult to individual tissues, the ultimate result in each disease is the accumulation and degranulation of neutrophils at inflammatory sites, apparently as a result of frustrated phagocytosis and specific activation of these phagocytic cells . This result is easily recognized in the case of emphysema, where there is clear evidence that the primary cause of the disease is the accumulation of foreign materials in the lung (e.g., smoke condensate), followed by the recruitment of neutrophils to the organ and the release of oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes . In periodontitis, however, the problem begins with the accumulation of plaque at the base of the teeth, followed by the growth of opportunistic anaerobic bacteria below the gum line . These parasitic microbes, which are resistant to killing by both monocytes and granulocytes, secrete proteinases that can activate the kallikrein-kinin pathway, degrade clotting factors, and release the potent neutrophil chemotactic factor, C5a, from complement . It is under such conditions that neutrophils are recruited to infected sites within the periodontium . After the neutrophil-recruitment stage, the two diseases become similar in that degranulation of neutrophils occurs during attempted phagocytosis of either cigarette smoke components (emphysema) or bacteria (periodontitis), followed by inactivation of tissue proteinase inhibitors and degradation of connective tissue proteins, the ultimate result being the destruction of the alveolus or gingiva, respectively. Chem Phys Lipids, 1994 Dec, 74(2), 101 - 39 Ether lipids in biomembranes; Paltauf F; Plasmalogens (1-O-1'-alkenyl-2-acylglycerophospholipids) and to a lesser extent the 1-O-alkyl analogs are ubiquitous and in some cases major constituents of mammalian cellular membranes and of anaerobic bacteria . In archaebacteria polar lipids of the cell envelope are either diphytanylglycerolipids or bipolar macrocyclic tetraether lipids capable of forming covalently linked 'bilayers' . Information on the possible role of ether lipids as membrane constituents has been obtained from studies on the biophysical properties of model membranes consisting of these lipids . In addition, effects of modified ether lipid content on properties of biological membranes have been investigated using microorganisms or mammalian cells which carry genetic defects in ether lipid biosynthesis . Differential utilization of ether glycerophospholipids by specific phospholipases might play a role in the generation of lipid mediators that are involved in signal transduction . A possible function of plasmalogens as antioxidants has been demonstrated with cultured cells and might play a role in serum lipoproteins . Synthetic ether lipid analogs exert cytostatic effects, most likely by interfering with membrane structure and by specific interaction with components of signal transmission pathways, such as phospholipase C and protein kinase C. J Appl Bacteriol, 1994 Dec, 77(6), 709 - 18 Microbial succession and intestinal enzyme activities in the developing rat; Chang J et al.; The succession of gut bacteria and selected intestinal enzyme activities in developing 7-35-d-old rats was studied . Aerobes and anaerobes were identified as members of four broad major bacterial groups, i.e . Gram-positive rods, Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods and obligate anaerobes . The enzyme activities of nitro and azo reductases, beta-glucuronidase, dechlorinase and dehydrochlorinase were determined by anaerobic incubation of intestinal homogenates with 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene, methyl orange, p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucuronide, and p,p'-DDT respectively . Nitroreductase and azo reductase activities increased significantly with the appearance of anaerobes in the large intestine . No increase in either nitroreductase or azo reductase activities in the small intestine was found . The early and high level of beta-glucuronidase activity in the small and large intestines coincided with high numbers of coliforms recovered in 7 and 14 d animals . Dehydrochlorinase activity appeared early but was undetectable at both 21 and 28 d . Its activity increased at 35 d . Dechlorinase activity was variable in development . The rapid changes in the microbial flora and intestinal enzyme activities may influence the susceptibility of pre-pubescent rats to a variety of toxicants . Therefore, age-dependent toxicity may be important in the risk assessment of some environmental chemicals. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1994 Dec, 60(12), 4559 - 66 Purification and characterization of a thermostable thiol protease from a newly isolated hyperthermophilic Pyrococcus sp; Morikawa M et al.; A hyperthermophilic archaeon strain, KOD1, was isolated from a solfatara at a wharf on Kodakara Island, Kagoshima, Japan . The growth temperature of the strain ranged from 65 to 100 degrees C, and the optimal temperature was 95 degrees C . The anaerobic strain was an S0-dependent heterotroph . Cells were irregular cocci and were highly motile with several polar flagella . The membrane lipid was of the ether type, and the GC content of the DNA was estimated to be 38 mol% . The 16S rRNA sequence was 95% homologous to that of Pyrococcus abyssi . The optimum growth pH and NaCl concentration of the strain KOD1 were 7.0 and 3%, respectively . Therefore, strain KOD1 was identified as a Pyrococcus sp . Strain KOD1 produced at least three extracellular proteases . One of the most thermostable proteases was purified 21-fold, and the molecular size was determined to be 44 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 45 kDa by gel filtration chromatography . The specific activity of the purified protease was 2,160 U/mg of protein . The enzyme exhibited its maximum activity at approximately pH 7.0 and at a temperature of 110 degrees with azocasein as a substrate . The enzyme activity was completely retained after heat treatment at 90 degrees C for 2 h, and the half-life of enzymatic activity at 100 degrees C was 60 min . The proteolytic activity was significantly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid or E-64 but not by EDTA or phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride . Proteolytic activity was enhanced threefold in the presence of 8 mM cysteine . These experimental results indicated that the enzyme was a thermostable thiol protease. Biochem Mol Biol Int, 1994 Dec, 34(6), 1167 - 76 Properties of the extracellular acidic proteases of Dichelobacter nodosus . Stability and specificity of peptide bond cleavage; Kortt AA et al.; Dichelobacter nodosus, a Gram negative obligate anaerobe and causative organism of ovine footrot, secretes a family of extracellular acidic serine proteases with pI's in the range of 5.2 to 5.6, and a basic serine protease with a pI of approximately 9.5 . The acidic proteases show optimum activity at pH 8 and require a divalent metal ion (eg . Ca) to maintain structural integrity . In the presence of EDTA or conditions that cause protein unfolding, the proteases undergo rapid and complete autolysis . The proteases were stable to heating to about 50 degrees C for 30 min but at higher temperatures, activity was rapidly lost; virulent proteases V1 and V2 were slightly more stable (by about 5 degrees C) than benign proteases B2 and B3 . The effect of various protease inhibitors on the D . nodosus acidic proteases was the same except that the inhibitor, chymostatin, markedly inhibited protease V5 but not proteases V1-3 or B1-B4 . Cleavage of the oxidized insulin B-chain showed that the specificity of proteases V1-V3 and B1-B4 was identical but that it was distinct from that of proteases V5/B5. Biochem Mol Biol Int, 1994 Dec, 34(6), 1157 - 66 Purification of the extracellular acidic proteases of Dichelobacter nodosus; Kortt AA et al.; Dichelobacter nodosus, a Gram negative obligate anaerobe and causative organism of ovine footrot, secretes a family of extracellular acidic serine proteases with pI's in the range of 5.2 to 5.6, and a basic serine protease with a pI of approximately 9.5 . Four acidic proteases (V1, V2, V3 and V5) from virulent and five acidic proteases (B1 to B5) from benign strains of D . nodosus were purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B . Proteases V2, V5 and B5 were found to yield two forms (a and b) on purification which probably arise from limited autolysis of the parent molecule . Amino acid compositions, peptide profiles produced on autolysis and apparent Mr on SDS-PAGE of proteases V1-V3 showed that they were similar to each other and to proteases B1 to B4, and that these proteases were clearly distinct from proteases V5 and B5, which were found to be identical. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1994 Nov, 171(5), 1198 - 204 Bacterial vaginosis-associated microflora and effects of topical intravaginal clindamycin; Hill GB et al.; OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were as follows: (1) to further define the microbiologic characteristics of bacterial vaginosis in nonpregnant women, (2) to evaluate the in vivo activity of topical intravaginal clindamycin and reference this activity to clinical cure, and (3) to evaluate for clindamycin-related emergence of species . STUDY DESIGN: Vaginal microflora was identified and quantified from 33 women with bacterial vaginosis at enrollment and 4 to 7 days after treatment with placebo or three different dosages of clindamycin administered twice daily for 5 days in a double-blind, randomized trial . RESULTS: Clindamycin eradicated and/or decreased counts of major bacterial vaginosis-associated microflora such as Gardnerella, gram-negative and gram-positive anaerobes, and Mycoplasma hominis; this was correlated with cure in 22 of 24 (92%) women . Altered flora (nonlactobacilli) among some of the women who received clindamycin appeared to be transient and without apparent adverse effects . CONCLUSION: Microbial (and clinical) results support use of clindamycin as effective treatment of bacterial vaginosis. South Med J, 1994 Nov, 87(11), 1103 - 10 Empyema thoracis: medical aspects of evaluation and treatment; Kelly JW et al.; Empyema thoracis is a disease that, despite centuries of study, still causes significant morbidity and mortality . Sixty-five cases were seen at Brooke Army Medical Center over an 8-year period (March 1, 1985, through March 1, 1993) . The majority of the patients were men, older than 50 years of age, with significant underlying diseases . Pneumonia remains the most common single proximate cause of empyema . Gram-positive cocci are the most frequently isolated organisms; however, empyemas due to gram-negative organisms and anaerobes are associated with higher mortality . Pleural fluid gram stains proved to be an accurate but neglected diagnostic tool in guiding initial therapy . The choice of antibiotics seemed to have no discernible impact on mortality . Closed tube thoracostomy was the initial method of drainage in most patients and had an overall success rate of 50% . Empyemas that could not be effectively drained by a single chest tube were unlikely to be drained by additional closed maneuvers . There was an overall 22% case-fatality rate with most deaths related to our inability to eradicate the empyema. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1994 Nov-Dec, 88(6), 704 - 6 Sensitivity of Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus and Giardia intestinalis to bacitracin and its zinc salt in vitro; Andrews BJ et al.; The activity of bacitracin in vitro against Giardia intestinalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus was enhanced 5-10 times by equimolar concentrations of zinc . Bacitracin and bacitracin zinc activity was tolerant to either aerobic or anaerobic culture conditions and equally effective against T . vaginalis isolates sensitive or insensitive to metronidazole . This enhancement was not due to zinc toxicity and was zinc dose dependent. Pediatr Pathol, 1994 Nov-Dec, 14(6), 927 - 34 Necrotizing funisitis associated with Actinomyces meyeri infection: a case report; Wright JR Jr et al.; Necrotizing funisitis is associated with an increased rate of stillbirth, perinatal infection, and preterm delivery . No one organism has been associated with necrotizing funisitis, although this condition has been linked with congenital syphilis in some studies . We report a case of necrotizing funisitis in a 24-year-old G2P0A2 woman who experienced preterm labor at 31 weeks of gestation . Examination of the placenta revealed severe chorioamnionitis and necrotizing funisitis; large numbers of gram-positive filamentous branching organisms could be seen on the surface of the cord and within Wharton jelly . Initial cultures of the placenta, which had not been maintained under anaerobic conditions after delivery, were negative . A fragment of the cord was then homogenized; anaerobic culture on brain-heart infusion agar yielded Actinomyces meyeri . This organism usually resides in the periodontal sulcus and has not been previously reported in the female genital tract . The mother gave a history of a dental abscess that flared up and drained with each of her three pregnancies; the pain was particularly severe during the last 2 months of this pregnancy, so she had the tooth removed after delivery . The infant was treated for prematurity and presumed sepsis and did well. J Periodontol, 1994 Nov, 65(11), 1016 - 21 Mechanism of irrigation effects on gingivitis; Chaves ES et al.; Although gingivitis is initiated by plaque and plaque removal controls gingivitis, gingival irrigation with water has been shown to reduce gingivitis without reducing plaque . This study attempted to explore possible mechanisms involved in the treatment of gingivitis by water irrigation . Patients (n = 125) with more than 20 teeth, less than 4 sites with probing depth (PD) deeper than 6 mm, bleeding on probing (BOP) frequency of 30% or higher, and no systemic disease were randomized to one of four treatment groups: toothbrushing alone (brush), toothbrushing plus chlorhexidine 0.12% rinse 2x/day (CHX), toothbrushing plus water irrigation 1x/day (irr+H2O), or toothbrushing plus chlorhexidine 0.04% irrigation 1x/day (irr+CHX) . Six sites/tooth were examined at baseline, and at 3 and 6 months for BOP and PD using an automated probe, and for gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) by standard means . A prophylaxis and oral hygiene instructions were provided after baseline and 6 month measurements . Subgingival microbial samples and crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from 2 teeth/subject at each time point . Microbial samples were processed for anaerobic culture and the predominant cultivable flora was determined . CHX and irr+CHX had a 30 to 35% decrease in mean PI, while brush and irr+H2O had only a 12 to 16% decrease . BOP was reduced by 14% in the brush group and 23 to 24% in the other groups . GI was significantly correlated with PI in the brush, CHX, and irr+CHX groups, but not in the irr+H2O group . Prevotella intermedia was significantly reduced in both irrigation groups, but not CHX or brush groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Clin Periodontol, 1994 Nov, 21(10), 690 - 700 Evaluation of the efficacy of a redox agent in the treatment of chronic periodontitis; Gibson MT et al.; A redox dye, methylene blue, was compared with subgingival root surface debridement and sterile water in the treatment of adult periodontitis . Plaque and gingival indices, bleeding on probing, and microbiological samples were obtained at baseline, and at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks following treatment . All subjects had matched pockets in each of the 4 quadrants, of 5 mm or more . One treatment consisted of 0.1% methylene blue gel irrigated professionally at 0, 1 and 4 weeks, and by subjects at days in between up to 4 weeks, at chosen sites within a randomly selected quadrant (split-mouth design) . A 2nd treatment was sterile water irrigation as above . A 3rd quadrant received subgingival debridement, and sites in the 4th received methylene blue incorporated into a slow-release device of a biodegradable collagen alginate vicryl composite . All sites showed improvements in clinical and microbiological parameters . However, no statistically significant differences between treatment types were found for clinical measurements . Although plaque index tended to increase after week 1, gingival index was reduced, as was the papilla bleeding index . Probing depth reductions were approximately 1.2 mm for all treatments . Microbiological variables showed an increase in cocci and a decrease in motile organisms for all groups, the latter reaching statistical significance for subgingival debridement . The reductions in spirochaetes were significant for subgingival debridement and methylene blue by slow-release . Culture demonstrated an increase in the aerobe:anaerobe ratio for all groups, which was statistically significant initially (weeks 1 and 4) for subgingival debridement . Methylene blue was also effective statistically in improving this ratio, both by irrigation and slow-release (week 4) . Methylene blue also significantly reduced the numbers of black-pigmented anaerobes during the trial period, both by irrigation and slow-release, which sterile water and subgingival debridement failed to do . No serious adverse experiences were seen, however, significantly greater morbidity was associated with subgingival debridement . These results clearly demonstrate that in altering the microflora to one that is more compatible with periodontal health, methylene blue treatment is comparable, or even better, than the currently standard treatment of subgingival debridement, and is better tolerated. J Prosthet Dent, 1994 Nov, 72(5), 500 - 6 Periodontal care for community-dwelling older adults; Ellen RP; The prevalence and severity of periodontitis increases with age . Epidemiologic studies have identified several risk variables associated with advancing periodontitis in older adults: namely tobacco smoking, frequency of dental appointments, infection with anaerobic bacteria considered periodontal pathogens, plaque and calculus accumulation, and some socioeconomic variables . Future morbidity from periodontitis might be reduced by minimizing the impact of these risk-associated variables at younger ages . Treatment of periodontal disease in community-dwelling older adults should be aimed at (1) targeting care to their overall health, functional, and esthetic needs; (2) strategic planning for maximal health and patient satisfaction; (3) documentation of past susceptibility and current risk; (4) control of principal risk factors; (4) investing time in patient education and informed consent; and (5) planning ahead for a potentially catastrophic decline in health . Periodontal treatment needs should be met in an integrated treatment plan that considers the overall prognosis for the dentition and individual teeth and the most efficacious prosthodontic options . Frequent recall for supportive periodontal care is essential . Several medical, physical, and societal impediments to provision of optimal care for older adults should be sought and minimized by the practitioner . Population dynamics and health-oriented activism among older adults are increasing the demand for essential and elective periodontal and prosthodontic services, which are met by implant-supported prostheses . Over the next few decades, as the incidence of tooth loss declines and our knowledge of the pathogenesis of periodontitis and biology of tissue regeneration increases, there will likely be a renewed emphasis on the preservation of the natural periodontium. J Exp Biol, 1994 Nov, 196, 471 - 82 Bacterial anion exchange: reductionist and integrative approaches to membrane biology; Maloney PC et al.; Studies of two different bacterial anion exchange proteins (antiporters) led us to conclude that both reductionist and integrative approaches contribute to progress in understanding membrane biology . We have used a reductionist perspective in applying cysteine scanning mutagenesis to probe individual amino acid positions of UhpT (uptake of hexose phosphate transporter), the carrier responsible for transport of glucose 6-phosphate by Escherichia coli . This work has established experimental criteria that should allow one to identify and localize the translocation pathway in such membrane proteins . An integrative view is exemplified by work with OxlT (oxalate transporter), the carrier used by an anaerobe Oxalobacter formigenes to catalyze the antiport of divalent oxalate and monovalent formate . The activity of OxlT is functionally coordinated with that of a cytosolic oxalyl decarboxylase; together, these vectorial and scalar activities constitute a metabolic proton pump, allowing O . formigenes to display decarboxylative phosphorylation . The role played by OxlT argues that membrane carriers can assume unanticipated emergent properties when their biochemical functions are properly articulated in relation to other aspects of cell function. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1994 Nov, 12(9), 449 - 51 {Evaluation of blood cultures in anaerobiosis}; Garcia-Irure JJ et al.; BACKGROUND: The rate of processed blood cultures from anaerobic bottles was checked and the number of isolates from anaerobic microorganisms and other non anaerobic ones from processed bottles was established . Next, we studied the relationship between bacteremia caused by anaerobic organisms and the clinical history . METHODS: A total of 3.540 blood cultures have been checked for a period of 21 months; all of them were processed using Bactec NR 730 system . Those patients suffering bacteremia caused by anaerobic microorganisms had their medical histories revised . There is neither Gynecology nor Pediatrics Services at our Medical Center . RESULTS: Eleven episodes of bacteremias caused by anaerobic microorganisms have been detected since we started our research 21 months ago . Three aerobic microorganisms grew only in the two processed bottles in anaerobiosis, being their respective aerobic cultures negative . In all cases of bacteremia caused by anaerobic bacteria, the clinical history was compatible with this infection . CONCLUSIONS: We consider it is worth keeping the anaerobic bottles, because the number of anaerobic microorganisms isolates is considerable and clinically significant . A 2.76% incidence, where there is not gynecologist hospitalization, seems to be a high and relevant one . An alternative approach is to perform them only under certain clinical circumstances, although the process of collecting samples would make it a difficult task. Int Endod J, 1994 Nov, 27(6), 291 - 8 Associations of specific bacteria with some endodontic signs and symptoms; Gomes BP et al.; Although a wide range of bacterial species has been isolated from infected dental root canals it remains necessary to determine whether any particular group of such bacteria is associated with specific endodontic symptoms and clinical signs . In this study 30 root canals were examined microbiologically; of these, 14 were associated with pain, 20 with tenderness to percussion, 23 presented with wet root canals, seven with swelling, five with purulent exudate and four with a sinus . Clinical and microbiological correlation was observed particularly with regard to pain where anaerobes were isolated from 93% of painful canals and only from 53% of painfree canals . The former yielded means of 2.5 anaerobic species and 1.6 facultative species per canal, compared with 1.5 and 2.4 in painfree canals . Prevotella spp . were isolated from 64.2% of painful canals and 12.5% of painless canals (P < 0.01) similarly, peptostreptococci were isolated from 71.4% of painful and 31.3% of painless canals (P < 0.05) . It was concluded that a significant association exists between pain and the presence of Prevotella and Peptostreptococcus spp . in dental root canals. Mol Gen Genet, 1994 Oct 28, 245(2), 260 - 4 Identification of non-catalytic conserved regions in xylanases encoded by the xynB and xynD genes of the cellulolytic rumen anaerobe Ruminococcus flavefaciens; Zhang JX et al.; xynB is one of at least four genes from the cellulolytic rumen anaerobe Ruminococcus flavefaciens 17 that encode xylanase activity . The xynB gene is predicted to encode a 781-amino acid product starting with a signal peptide, followed by an amino-terminal xylanase domain which is identical at 89% and 78% of residues, respectively, to the amino-terminal xylanase domains of the bifunctional XynD and XynA enzymes from the same organism . Two separate regions within the carboxy-terminal 537 amino acids of XynB also show close similarities with domain B of XynD . These regions show no significant homology with cellulose- or xylan-binding domains from other species, or with any other sequences, and their functions are unknown . In addition a 30 to 32-residue threonine-rich region is present in both XynD and XynB . Codon usage shows a consistent pattern of bias in the three xylanase genes from R . flavefaciens that have been sequenced. Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1994 Oct, 44(4), 612 - 9 Isolation and characterization of Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans gen . nov., sp . nov., an anaerobic bacterium which reductively dechlorinates chlorophenolic compounds; Utkin I et al.; An organism that is able to reductively ortho-dechlorinate 2,4-dichlorophenol and 3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenylacetate (3-Cl-4-OHPA) was isolated from a methanogenic lake sediment . This organism, an anaerobic, motile, Gram-type-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, grew in the presence of 0.1% yeast extract when pyruvate, lactate, formate, or hydrogen was used as the electron donor for reductive dehalogenation of 3-Cl-4-OHPA . Sulfite, thiosulfate, and sulfur were reduced to sulfide, nitrat