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| J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Oct, 29(10), 1026 - 34 Chemical studies on actinoxanthin; Khokhlov AS et al.; The antitumor protein actinoxanthin exhibits high inhibitory activity against a number of gram-positive bacteria and some strains of transplantable leucoses and related tumors . Actinoxanthin was shown to consist of a single polypeptide chain crosslinked by two disulfide bonds and to contain 107 amino acid residues . Reduced and alkylated actinoxanthin was digested with chymotrypsin, thermolysin and trypsin . Based on the sequence analysis of fragments so obtained the complete amino acid sequence and the location of disulfide bonds of actinoxanthin has been proposed . The high degree homology of some regions of actinoxanthin and the antitumor protein neocarzinostatin have been revealed. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Oct, 29(10), 1019 - 25 Studies on marine microorganisms . V . A new antibiotic, aplasmomycin, produced by a streptomycete isolated from shallow sea mud; Okami Y et al.; A new antibiotic, aplasmomycin, which inhibits growth of Gram-positive bacteria including myobacteria in vitro, and plasmodia in vivo was obtained from a strain of Streptomyces griseus isolated from shallow sea sediment in Sagami Bay . The antibiotic forms colorless needle-like crystals and has a molecular formula of C41H60O14Na . Based on its physical and chemical properties, aplasmomycin was concluded to be a new antibiotic . The antibiotic was produced in selected media devised to relate to a marine environment. J Gen Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 96(2), 289 - 97 Actinorhodin is a chromosomally-determined antibiotic in Streptomyces coelicolar A3(2); Wright LF et al.; Streptomyces coelicolar A3(2) synthesizes a second antibiotic, in addition to the plasmid-determined methylenomycin A . It was identified, primarily on the evidence of mass spectroscopy of its diethyl ester, as actinorhodin, which has been described previously in other strains . It inhibited most Gram-positive bacteria tested, but only at a comparatively high concentration . Five independent mutations leading to lack of actinorhodin synthesis were located between cysD and strA on the chromosome. Am J Vet Res, 1976 Oct, 37(10), 1225 - 6 Dermatophilosis in a titi monkey (Callicebus moloch); Migaki G et al.; The occurrence of dermatophilosis in the titi monkey is reported . Lesions were principally in the epidermis of the skin and were characterized by parakeratosis, necrosis, abscess formation, acanthosis, and hyperkeratosis . The cause, Dermatophilus congolensis, was demonstrated as a gram-positive filamentous organism with both horizontal and vertical septums. J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 4(4), 330 - 3 Evaluation of the sodium polyanethol sulfonate disk test for the identification of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius; Wideman PA et al.; The previously reported sodium polyanethol sulfonate disk test for the identification of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (Graves et al., 1974) was evaluated, with modifications . Three bands of brucella agar, three inoculum sizes, and two inoculum sources were compared . Nine stock cultures of P . anaerobius (eight normal flora isolates and ATCC 27337) and 16 fresh clinical isolates were used . All cultures of P . anaerobius showed inhibition zones of 12 to 30 mm in diameter, regardless of test conditions . Out of 103 clinical isolates of other species of anaerobic gram-positive cocci tested, only two had an inhibition zone size in this range (one P . micros of 11 studied had a zone of 12 mm and one P . prevotii of 14 studied had a zone of 16) . The test had an overall accuracy of 98% in the identification of P . anaerobius from clinical specimens . Since P . anaerobius accounts for one-fifth to one-third of all anaerobic gram-positive cocci encountered in clinical specimens, this simple and rapid technique can be very useful for presumptive identification. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Sep, 29(9), 876 - 81 A new antibiotic,, asukamycin, produced by Streptomyces; Omura S et al.; Asukamycin, a new antibiotic, has been isolated from the culture broth of a streptomycete designated as Streptomyces nodosus subsp . asukaensis . The antibiotic inhibits the growth of Gram-positive bacteria including Nocardia asteroides . The empirical formula of antibiotic asukamycin has been proposed as C29H22N2O9 (M.W . 542) . An acute toxicity of the antibiotic in mice is LD50 48.5 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection and it has no effect on mice when it was administered by 450 mg/kg per os. Arch Surg, 1976 Aug, 111(8), 888 - 9 Concomitant pneumococcal appendicitis, peritonitis, and meningitis; Dimond M et al.; A 9-year-old boy developed pneumococcal meningitis and peritonitis following appendectomy . Subsequent pathologic examination showed Gram-positive diplococci in the appendix . Cultures of the peritoneal fluid, blood, and spinal fluid showed Diplococcus pneumoniae . The experience illustrates the danger of assuming that all pneumococcus peritonitis is the primary variety and the advisability of routine Gram stain of the peritoneal fluid at operation in order to select the appropriate antibiotic. Acta Med Okayama, 1976 Aug, 30(4), 257 - 70 Measurement of endotoxin . II . Comparison of reactivities measured by radioimmunoassay and with the Limulus test; Kimura H; Various endotoxins and the extracts of gram-positive bacteria were measured immunologically by radioimmunoassay and also biologically by the Limulus test . The minimum amount of endotoxin detectable with the Limulus test was in the range from 1ng/ml to 1 mug/ml, with the lysate of sensitivity, 100 ng/ml {E . coli O111: B4 (B) lipopolysaccharide} . On the other hand, by the radioimmunoassay they were estimated in the range o- 0.3 to 10 times of dry weight . Endotoxin-like activity was detected in the ether extracts of gram-positive bacteria at a minimum concentration between 1 mug/ml and 100 mug/ml with the Limulus test . However, most of them were estimated by the radioimmunoassay to be under 1/50 of dry weight . Various substances such as thrombin, thromboplastin, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid, carrageenan and human colonic mucosal antigen had cross reactivities of various degrees in the minimum concentration from 10 mug/ml to 10 mg/ml . Compounds such as thrombin and thromboplastin cross-reacting in the Limulus test were scarcely measured by the radioimmunoassay except for polynucleotides . From this study, it has become clear that the radioimmunoassay method is quite specific and accurate for quantitative measurements of endotoxin. Poult Sci, 1976 Jul, 55(4), 1194 - 200 Infected feather follicles in cage reared broilers; Bayer RC et al.; A high incidence of feather follicle infection was observed in broilers reared in cages with wood slat floors . The incidence of feather follicle infection was significantly higher for males than for females within cage-reared broilers at 59 days of age . Male broilers at 50 days of age had a significantly lower incidence of the feather follicle condition than hatch mates at 59 days of age . Intact feather follicles were removed from freshly killed cage-reared birds and prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . Examination of infected follicles revealed surface detail about the lesions . Removal of the encrustations covering the infected follicles revealed numerous cocci type bacteria at the base of the follicle . Infected and non-infected follicles were also examined by conventional histological techniques . Gram positive cocci were observed at the base of the infected follicles. Infect Immun, 1976 Jul, 14(1), 28 - 32 Stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation by killed mycobacteria and other bacterial species; Bekierkunst A; Killed mycobacteria and some mycobacterial fractions induced spleen cells from normal C3H mice to incorporate tritiated thymidine to a relatively high degree . Thymocytes under the same conditions were not activated . However, incorporation of thymidine was significantly increased when mixtures of thymus and spleen cells were cultured in the presence of the inducers . A similar activation of spleen cells was displayed in the presence of gram-positive and gram-negative non-mycobacterial species. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Jun, 29(6), 603 - 10 Alborixin, a new antibiotic ionophore: isolation, structure, physical and chemical properties; Gachon P et al.; Alborixin, a polycyclic polyether ionophorous antibiotic, active against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, was isolated from cultures of a strain of Streptomyces albus . The isolation, structure and physiochemical properties of this antibiotic are reported . Some derivatives have been prepared and their structures and properties are also described in this paper. J Med Chem, 1976 Jun, 19(6), 754 - 9 Semisynthetic cephalosporins . Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7-sulfonylacetamido-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acids; DeMarinis RM et al.; The synthesis and in vitro and in vivo activities of a series of 7-sulfonylacetamido-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acids with acetoxymethyl or heterocyclic thiomethyl substituents at the 3 position are described . Lengthening the alkyl chain attached to the sulfonyl group increased gram-positive activity but the effect on gram-negative activity was variable . Other structural changes on the 7-acyl side chain resulted in only minor changes in vitro activity . the protective effectiveness in infected mice generally paralleled the in vitro activity, except that the butylsulfonyl derivatives were less protective than predicted by in vitro activity . replacement of the 3-acetoxymethyl by a 3-heterocyclic thiomethyl group resulted in an overall improvement of activity both in vitro and in vivo. Chest, 1976 May, 69(5), 680 - 2 Pericarditis with effusion casued by Actinomyces israelii; Schlossberg D et al.; Actinomyces israelii is a rare cause of pericarditis . Infection spreads to pericardium from an intrathoracic focus . Branching gram-positive filaments are seen on microscopic examination of clinical specimens . Cultures should be performed under anaerobic conditions . Both surgical drainage and antibiotics (penicillin) are required for treatment . Nocardiosis may resemble actinomycosis in many respects. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 May, 29(5), 507 - 10 Gardimycin, a new antibiotic from Actinoplanes . II . Isolation and preliminary characterization; Coronelli C et al.; The strain Actinoplanes garbadinensis nov . sp . produces a peptide antibiotic, named gardimycin, which is active in vitro and in vivo against Gram-positive bacteria . Isolation and purification of the product have been accomplished by extraction from the broth with butanol and dialysis of the crude extract, followed by counter-current distribution . Gardimycin is an open chain peptide with an approximate minimal formula C84H138N18S3-4O34Na . The following amino acids have been identified by column chromatography of an acid hydrolysate: serine, glutamic acid, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, valine and two sulphur-containing amino acids whose structure is presently under study . Tryptophan has been identified in an alkaline hydrolysate. Res Vet Sci, 1976 May, 20(3), 342 - 3 Application of the Limulus amoebocyte lysate test to the detection of gram-negative bacterial endotoxins in normal and mastitic milk; Hartman I et al.; The Limulus in vitro endotoxin assay was evaluated as a possible method for the prompt detection and measurement of endotoxins of Gram-negative bacteria in milk . Quantitative results were obtained following 1 h incubation of Limulus lysate and 10-fold dilutions of milk from normal quarters and from quarters of cows with clinical mastitis . This test was capable of detecting endotoxins associated with acute coliform mastitis . A positive Limulus reaction was recorded at dilutions ranging from 1: 10(4) to 1: 10(9) of milk from quarters affected with clinical mastitis due to coliform bacteria . Milk from normal quarters and from clinical mastitis cases due to Gram-positive bacteria was consistently negative to the test when diluted 1:10(3). Klin Padiatr, 1976 May, 188(3), 271 - 7 {Clinical and pharmacokinetic researches of doxycyclin vibravenös in childhood (author's transl)}; Weingartner L et al.; Doxycyclin is one of the first efficacious depot antibiotics . It is used in two applications as Vibramycin (R) (peroral and Vibravenos (R) (parenteral) . Doxycyclin has a favourable effect not only on different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also on a lot of other germs as mycoplasms, rickettsias, protozoons and large viruses . The tissue invasions is a good one, because there is only a low fraction of free Doxycyclin and further a high lipid activity . Pharmacokinetic investigations of different age-groups show that good serum-levels can be reached because of the sensitivity of numerous germs . The levels are higher, as our experiences demonstrate, if the dose of 4 mg/kilo/weight is injected in two single doses . Our investigations are reported on 49 patients with diseases of the respiratory tract and on 25 patients with diseases of the urogenital tract . Doxycyclin was very useful especially in different forms of pneumonias . The results in infects of the urogenital tract are not so good ones . The compatibility of Doxycyclin can be characterised as very good for children. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Apr, 29(4), 398 - 407 Isolation and characterization of satellite antibiotics, mimosamycin and chlorocarcins from Streptomyces lavendulae, streptothricin source; Arai T et al.; Under novel conditions of culture, Streptomyces lavendulae No . 314 was found to produce new antibiotics, chlorocarcins and mimosamycin in addition to streptothricin . The antibiotics are extracted from culture filtrate with organic solvents and further purified by silica gel chromatography . Chlorocarcins A, B and C are closely related basic antibiotics which are active against gram-positive bacteria, EHRLICH carcinoma and L 1210 leukemia of mice . Mimosamycin is a neutral antibiotic which is mainly active against mycobacteria . Production, isolation and physicochemical properties of the antibiotics are described. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Apr, 29(4), 394 - 7 A30641, a new epidithiodiketopiperazine with antifungal activity; Berg DH et al.; A new antibiotic, designated A30641, having in vitro activity against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi has been isolated from a strain of Aspergillus tamarii . Chemical and physical characterization indicate that it is a member of the class of antibiotics containing the epidithiodiketopiperazine moiety. Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1976 Apr, 142(4), 537 - 43 Accelerated healing in infected wounds; Tenorio A et al.; The effect of a standardized infection of pure and mixed cultures of gram-negative bacteria and a gram-positive coccus was studied in laparotomy wounds of rats . The infections were significantly stronger than in the control group wounds in 14 of 15 comparisons . This increased strength could not be correlated with an increased wound content of collagen . Results of histologic studies showed a vigorous inflammatory response which probably was responsible for the increased strength . There was a suggestion in our data to support the concept that certain bacteria evoke the proper inflammatory response to result in stronger wounds, while others provoke too little or too much inflammation. Infect Immun, 1976 Apr, 13(4), 1126 - 31 Interaction of Nocardia asteroides with cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages; Beaman BL et al.; The interaction between virulent and less virulent strains of Nocardia asteroides and cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages was studied . It was shown that cells of the less virulent strain (N . asteroides 10905) were rapidly phagocytized and destroyed . However, some cells were able to avoid being killed, and they persisted within the macrophage in an altered, gram-negative form . These variants apparently increased in numbers after several days within the macrophage population, so that at 9 days postinfection more colony-forming units per macrophage were recovered than at 3 h . Little or no extracellular growth was observed in the tissue culture medium . During the increase at 9 days, both transitional-phase variants and L-forms of N . asteroides were isolated from the macrophages but not from the medium . Gram-positive bacterial cells were never observed in 9-day infected macrophages . In contrast, cells of the more virulent strain (N . asteroides 14759) were not destroyed after being ingested . After 6 h postinfection, it was observed that the number of colony-forming units per macrophage had increased significantly . There was no corresponding increase in extracellular organisms observed in the culture medium . Therefore, cells of N . asteroides 14759 were able to grow rapidly within cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages . Upon continued incubation of the infected cells (24 h postinfection), it was shown that this strain of Nocardia grew out of the macrophages as acid-fast branching filaments . From these data, it is clear that the initial interaction between N . asteroides and unstimulated, nonimmune alveolar macrophages depends upon the relative virulence of the nocardial strain. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1976 Apr, 24(4), 155 - 64 The changing pattern of bacterial sepsis since the introduction of antibiotic therapy; Seneca H et al.; During the six-year period, 1968-1973, sepsis developed in 1 of every 80 patients admitted to the Presbyterian Hospital, New York . In 1 of 133 patients the sepsis was due to Gram-positive organisms, and in 1 of 188 patients to Gram-negative organisms . The mortality rate for Gram-positive cases was 4.4 percent, for Gram-negative cases 19.1 percent, and for urologic cases 15.3 percent (versus 56.25 percent in 1959-1964) . Data are presented on the relative incidences of involved pathogens in 1740 cases of Gram-positive sepsis /78 deaths), and in 1236 cases of Gram-negative sepsis (205 deaths) . The lowering of the sepsis mortality rate has been the result of preventative measures, early diagnosis, and vigorous treatment . Treatment includes the correction of acidosis and anoxia, early administration of bactericidal antibiotics, and restoration of the microcirculation by administration of corticosteroids, beta-adrenergic drugs, and appropriate diuretics. Experientia, 1976 Mar 15, 32(3), 319 - 21 Emericid, a new polyether antibiotic from Streptomyces hygroscopicus (DS 24 367); Ninet L et al.; Emericid is a new polyether polycyclic ionophore antibiotic excreted by Streptomyces hygroscopicus (DS 24 367) . Active in vitro against Gram-positive bacteria, it is ineffective in vivo . At a 0.006-0.02% level in the diet it protects chickens and rabbits against coccidiosis. J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 258 - 63 Blood culture technique based on centrifugation: clinical evaluation; Dorn GL et al.; A total of 1,000 blood samples from patients suspected of having a bacteremia were analyzed concurrently, where possible, by three methods: (i) Trypticase soy broth with sodium polyanethol sulfonate and a CO2 atmosphere: (ii) pour plates with either brain heart infusion agar or Sabouraud dextrose agar; and (iii) centrifugation of the suspected organism in a hypertonic solution . There were 176 positive cultures . The centrifugation technique recovered 73% of the positive cultures . The broth and pour plate techniques recovered 38 and 49%, respectively . The centrifugation technique showed an increased isolation rate for Pseudomonas, fungi, and gram-positive cocci . In general, for each organism the time required for the detection of a positive culture was shortest for the centrifugation technique. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Mar, 29(3), 227 - 35 Enterocin, a new antibiotic taxonomy, isolation and characterization; Miyairi N et al.; Enterocin is a new antibiotic isolated from cultures of two strains of Streptomyces, which were given the names Streptomyces candidus var . enterostaticus WS-8096 and variant M-127 of Streptomyces viridochromogenes . Its elementary analysis and mass spectroscopic measurement suggest the molecular formula is C22H20010 . The ultraviolet absorption gave two maximal peaks at 250 nm and 283 nm in methanol . Enterocin has static activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and no activity against fungi and yeast. Ann Surg, 1976 Mar, 183(3), 289 - 92 The surgical management of bacterial endocarditis: a review; Parrott JC et al.; A total of 239 surgically treated patients with primary endocarditis were reviewed both from the literature and from our own experience . The age range was 10 to 74 years with a male to female ratio of 3:1 . A wide variety of organisms was found . However, as a group, gram positive organisms predominate . The onset of congestive failure was the major indication for surgery . The aortic valve was predominantly involved with the mitral valve running a distant second . The hospital mortality rate was 20% and the late mortality rate was 6.7% with an overall mortality of 26.7% . The prognosis in infective endocarditis when congestive failure develops, even in the presence of antibiotic therapy, is poor (79-89% mortality) . In view of this poor prognosis, an aggressive attitude with regard to early surgical intervention can greatly improve the outcome of valvular endocarditis. Acta Orthop Scand, 1976 Feb, 47(1), 28 - 35 Postoperative wound infection after implant and removal of osteosynthetic material; Raahave D; Osteosynthetic material was implanted and removal in 972 consecutive operations in the upper and lower extremity . Early post-operative wound infection developed significantly more often after osteosynthesis than after removal of the implant; neither sex nor age influenced significantly the frequency of wound infection . The latter was higher when insertion or removal of material was performed in the lower extremity than in the upper extremity . The hip and ankle regions were involved most often . Staph . aureus and Staph . albus predominated among the Gram-positive infections; gram-negative infections, however, occurred remarkably frequently, E . coli being the most common organism isolated . To decimate exogenous and endogenous contamination of the wounds during operation, aseptic and antiseptic measures should be reinforced . In operation in a region proven to carry a higher post-operative infectious risk, i.e . the hip and ankle, it is suggested that antibiotics should be administered at the time of osteosynthesis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Biopharm, 1976 Jan, 13(1), 42 - 7 Investigation on the serum and lung tissue level of rifampicin in man; Kiss IJ et al.; After the oral administration of 600 mg rifampicin, we determined the rifampicin level of the lung tissue of 18 operated patients, as well as the rifampicin level of the pleural callus of one patient, that of the pericardial cyst of another, and the serum level of all the 20 patients . The serum level amounted to an average of 6.5 mcg/ml between 2 and 6hours after administration, and to 3.3 mcg/ml between 8 and 9 hours . The lung tissue level amounted to an average of 2.3 mcg/g . The lung rifampicin level reached 32-44-62 per cent of the serum level 2 to 9 hours after its administration . This concentration was found to meet treatment requirements of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Gram-positive cocci, and certain Gram-negative bacteria-induced airway infections. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1976, 42(1-2), 59 - 71 Oxidation of ethylene by soil bacteria; De Bont JA; The course of the biological oxidation of ethylene by soil was dependent on the type of soil used as well as on other factors . As evidenced from an increase in oxidation rate, the ethylene-consuming microorganisms in soil could grow at the expense of ethylene, even when the gas was present at concentrations of 50 ppm or less . Five strains of bacteria strongly resembling each other were isolated from different soils . These pleomorphic, gram-positive, acid-fast, obligate aerobic, ethylene-oxidizing bacteria grew also on saturated alkanes and on ordinary carbon sources . An apparent Km for ethylene of approximately 40 ppm was estimated for whole-cell suspensions of strain E20 by following the disappearance of the gas from the atmosphere. J Periodontol, 1976 Jan, 47(1), 1 - 18 Structure of the microbial flora associated with periodontal health and disease in man . A light and electron microscopic study; Listgarten MA; Teeth slated for extraction were evaluated with respect to their periodontal status and classified accordingly into five categories; namely normal, gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontosis and postperiodontosis . After processing, one approximal surface of each tooth was sampled at various levels in an apico-occlusal direction for light and electron microscopic study of the associated bacterial flora . In normal samples, the flora consisted of a relatively thin, adherent bacterial layer confined to the enamel surface . The cells were predominantly coccoid in shape with cell wall features compatible with those of Gram-positive organisms . Isolated filamentous or branching forms and some Gram-negative bacteria were noted on the surface of the more apical portion of the bacterial layer . No flagellated cells or spirochetes were present . Gingivitis samples yielded a relatively more voluminous and complex supragingival flora with relatively more filamentous bacteria and more cells with a Gram-negative cell wall ultrastructure . These samples also contained corncob formations on the surface of supragingival deposits, and flagellated cells with spirochetes within the predominantly Gram-negative flora of the sulcus bottom . Supragingival bacterial deposits of periodontitis samples were similar to those observed in gingivitis . The subgingival flora consisted of relatively fewer cells adherent to the root surface with a concomitant increase in the population of Gram-negative and flagellated cells, as well as spirochetes . The tissue side of the subgingival flora generally exhibited a distinctive concentration of "test-tube brush" formations, spirochetes of predominantly medium size, and assorted cell types peculiar to this region . A transitional flora generally separated the supra- from the subgingival microbial population . Periodontosis samples had a relatively sparse, predominantly Gram-negative flora . A unique electron-dense, lobulated cuticular deposit covered the majority of the samples studied . Postperiodontosis samples were much more similar in their microbial flora to the periodontitis group . The results suggest that (1) a certain microbial flora may be compatible with a state of periodontal health; (2) a different flora is associated with varying degrees of periodontal disease; (3) the structure and composition of the supragingival flora differs markedly from that of the subgingival flora; (4) with the exception of periodontis, the alterations of the microbial flora as periodontal disease increases inseverity parallel the changes described previously in the microbial population collected on artificial crowns during experimentally induced gingivitis . The use of the expressions "microbial flora" or "microbial population" is considered preferable to the terms "plaque", "materia alba", or "debris" in reference to the microbiota of the gingival sulcus region. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1976, 16(1), 27 - 32 Characterization of a red pigment-antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp . strain NRC-C7; Hussein AM et al.; The streptomycete strain NRC-C 7 isolated from some Egyptian soil samples, produces a red-coloured pH indicator antibiotic active against gram positive bacteria . The producing organism belongs to the grey series of the genus Streptomyces and has grey coloured aerial mycelium with violet pigmented substrate mycelium, the violet pigment does not diffuse into the agar medium . Glucose sodium nitrate medium proved the most suitable medium for the production of this antibiotic . The pigment was extracted from the broth and purified . The solubility, Rf values, minimal inhibiting concentrations, optical rotation, UV, and IR spectra were studied . Melting point 180, elemental analysis: carbon 51.71%, hydrogen 6.25%, and oxygen 42.04%. Arch Chir Neerl, 1976, 28(1), 55 - 62 Necrotic colitis in the presence of normal vascularization of the colon; Deleu HW; Necrotic colitis in the absence of organic obstruction of the mesenteric vessels is an extreme and fulminant form of ischemic colitis . This calamity with its high mortality rate usually occurs in patients with pre-existent cardiopathy . It is rare for necrotic colitis to occur as a complication of hypotension, hypovolemia or sepsis . A report is presented of a case of total gangrene of the colon in a patient with hemorrhagic shock . Certain concepts are presented concerning the etiology of non-occlusive intestinal infarction . It is postulated that the fulminant gangrene of the colon is co-induced by Gram-positive rods which are demonstrable even in the deep layers of the colonic wall. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Jan, 29(1), 21 - 8 Studies on a new polyether antibiotic, Ro 21-6150; Liu CM et al.; A new polyether antibiotic, Ro 21-6150, has been isolated from culture broths of Streptomyces hygroscopicus, strain X-14563 . Ro 21-6150 has ionophore properties and is active in vitro against gram-positive bacteria. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Jan, 29(1), 10 - 4 Two new antibiotics, A-218 and K-41 . Isolation and characterization; Tsuji N et al.; Two new antibiotics, A-218 and K-41, were isolated from strains identified as Streptomyces hygroscopicus . The antibiotics are characterized as polycyclic polyether compounds and are active against gram-positive bacteria. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Jan, 29(1), 7 - 9 New antibiotics, griseusins A and B . Isolation and characterization; Tsuji N et al.; New antibiotics, griseusins A and B were isolated from a strain of Streptomyces griseus . Both antibiotics have a 5-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone chromophore and their molecular formulae were determined to be C22H20O10 and C22H22O10, respectively . The griseusins are active against gram-positive bacteria. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1976, 51(2), 206 - 13 Induction of adjuvant arthritis in the rat by various bacterial cell walls and their water-soluble components; Koga T et al.; A number of purified cell walls of various gram-positive bacteria had arthritogenic activity in the rat . The water-soluble adjuvant-active component(s), which were isolated from some of these cell walls by utilizing a peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme, did produce severe adjuvant arthritis . However, the components obtained by digestion with glycan-degrading enzymes failed to produce arthritis . Thus, the present finding indicates the importance of a peptidoglycan portion, especially its intact glycan chain, for induction of adjuvant arthritis. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Dec, 28(12), 931 - 4 Antibiotic A-130, isolation and characterization; Kubota T et al.; An antibiotic, A-130, was isolated from a strain identified as Streptomyces hygroscopicus, strain A-130 . The antibiotic belongs to the nigericin group and like dianemycin, has an alpha, beta-unsaturated ketone chromophore in its molecule . A-130 is active against gram-positive organisms. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Dec, 28(12), 925 - 30 Nanaomycins, new antibiotics produced by a strain of Streptomyces . III . A new component, nanaomycin C, and biological activities of nanaomycin derivatives; Tanaka H et al.; A new component, nanaomycin C, has been isolated from culture medium of Streptomyces rosa var . notoensis, which had been found to produce nanaomycins A and B . Nanaomycin C is an amide of nanaomycin A . Biological activities of nanaomycin C and several derivatives of nanaomycin A are also shown . Acetylnanaomycin A exhibits as strong activities against Gram-positive bacteria, fungi and Mycoplasma gallisepticum as nanaomycin A. Farmaco {Sci}, 1975 Dec, 30(12), 937 - 46 The anti-mycoplasmal activity of aminosidine; Buogo A et al.; Some in vivo experiments of therapeutic activity in severe experimental infection (intracranial) in the mouse due to different strains of Mycoplasma proved the high efficacy of the antibiotic aminosidine when administered subcutaneously at the dose of 30 mg/kg and have also demonstrated that oral treatment is moderately effective against Mycoplasma hominis 2 . Sensitivity test carried out in vitro on the same Mycoplasma strains confirmed the bactericidal activity of aminosidine . These experiments have therefore shown that the therapeutic spectrum of aminosidine, which includes Gram-positive, Gram-negative, acid-fast bacteria and some protozoa, may be enlarged to include the genus Mycoplasma . For this reason the antibiotic can find a useful application in the treatment of primary atypical neumonia . In addition, from a clinical research point of view, aminosidine may constitute a promising tool for the treatment of different illnesses in which Mycoplasma have been described as important co-factors of pathogenicity in man. J Neurosurg, 1975 Dec, 43(6), 717 - 20 Clindamycin concentrations in the central nervous system of primates before and after head trauma; Picardi JL et al.; The authors measured levels of clindamycin, a drug well established as useful in the treatment of various soft-tissue and parenchymal bacterial infections, in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue of 14 rhesus monkeys . Penetration into brain tissue was erratic and concentrations detected were not significant . Cerebrospinal fluid levels, however, averaged 20.5% of paired serum concentrations and were higher than concentrations needed to inhibit most Gram-positive bacteria . Further studies in humans are indicated before this antibiotic may be used routinely. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1975 Nov 20, 54(5), 393 - 9 {Effects of thymectomy on the natural bactericidal power of thymectomized mice}; Moroni M et al.; T and B-dependent systems are correlated between themselves and with the macrophage system in eliciting the immune humoral response . Not all immunogens require T-B interactions to elicit the antibody response: consequently, the problem of the limits of T-dependence, with regard to different immunogen stimulations, remains open . The comparative study of the serum antibody response in mice, thymectomized at birth and in the normal ones, inferred from the values of bactericidal activity (b.a.), detected versus E . coli, S . typhi and S . albus strains did point out evident variation . Thymectomy has impaired b.a . against E . coli; it seems to have no consequence on b.a . against S . typhi; is not possible to the results of our investigation, it seems that the response to the immunogens, responsible for the so-called natural antibodies does require T-B cooperation only for some bacterial species and not for others . A higher bactericidal capacity of normal serum with regard to Gram positive as compared with Gram negative bacteria, is confirmed. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Nov, 28(11), 860 - 7 Nanaomycins, new antibiotics produced by a strain of Streptomyces . I . Taxonomy, isolation, characterization and biological properties; Tanaka H et al.; Nanomycins are new antibiotics produced by the strain OS-3966 which was designated Streptomyces rosa var . notoensis . Nanomycins A and B were isolated from the culture filtrate by extraction with organic solvent and silica gel chromatography . The physical and chemical properties suggest that nanaomycins A and B are quinone-related compounds having the molecular formulae, C16H14O6 and C16H16O7, respectively . Nanaomycins A and B inhibit mainly mycoplasmas, fungi and Gram-positive bacteria . The acute toxicities (LD50, ip) of nanaomycins A and B in mice are 28.2 and 169 mg/kg, respectively. Arch Ophthalmol, 1975 Nov, 93(11), 1180 - 5 Ocular tissue absorption of clindamycin phosphate; Tabbara KF et al.; Clindamycin phosphate, a new semisynthetic antibiotic that is effective in the treatment of toxoplasmosis and of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, was found to be highly concentrated in the choroid, iris, and retina of the pigmented rabbit eye after a single intramuscular injection of 75 mg/kg . Drug levels considered adequate for the control of most ocular infections were detectable in the iris, choroid, and retina 24 hours after injection, at which time serum levels were negligible . Subconjunctival injection of clindamycin phosphate also produced sustained high levels of drug in the choroid, iris, and retina; but when 150 mg was injected in a volume of 1 ml, corneal edema and severe inflammation of the conjunctiva resulted . Lesser amounts (15 to 35 mg) injected subconjunctivally produced adequate ocular tissue levels without damage to the conjunctiva or cornea. Biochem J, 1975 Nov, 151(2), 455 - 8 Evidence of isosteric and allosteric nucleotide inhibition of citrate synthease from multiple-inhibition studies; Harford S et al.; Citrate synthases from diverse organisms are inhibited by ATP and NADH . Evidence is presented, from multiple-inhibition studies on various citrate synthases, that ATP acts in all cases as an isosteric inhibitor at the acetyl-CoA site . On the other hand, NADH also acts isosterically with eukaryotic and Gram-positive bacterial citrate synthases, but behaves as an allosteric inhibitor specifically in the case of the Gram-negative bacterial enzyme . After desensitization to this allosteric inhibition, only the isosteric nucleotide inhibition, as found in other citrate syntheases, is observed. C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1975 Oct 27, 281(17), 1277 - 80 {Effect of pH on bacteria in early log phase}; Tytgat F et al.; The bacteria harvested in the early log phase lyse when they are submitted to a pH above 10 . The peptidoglycan is not degraded in these conditions . Thus, the authors used these properties to extract the peptidoglycan from several gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Br J Surg, 1975 Oct, 62(10), 773 - 6 Gram-negative septicaemia in surgical practice; Litton A; Septicaemia in surgical patients usually occurs after operation or a manipulative event . The incidence of bacteraemia in one surgical unit was observed over a 7-year period . Gram-negative infections occurred three times more frequently than bacteraemia caused by Gram-positive bacteria . The clinical features of septicaemia, the portals of entry of the infection and the bacteria isolated from blood cultures are described. J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Oct, 2(4), 305 - 10 Differential medium for detecting dental plaque bacteria resembling Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii; Ellen RP et al.; A medium for detecting colonies of Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii in dental plaque samples was developed . The medium (CNAC-20) contains 20.0 mug of 3CdSO4-8H2O per ml of Columbia CNA agar base . Laboratory strains of A . viscosus grew on CNAC-20 in characteristic round, white, smooth, opaque colonies . Increasing the cadmium concentration impaired the growth of some A . viscosus strains . Stock strains of A . naeslundii and A . israelii grew in colonies of similar white, opaque morphology . The few strains of other gram-positive plaque bacteria that grew on CNAC-20 had colonies easily distinguished from those of A . viscosus . Most of the bacterial strains freshly isolated from Actinomyces-like colonies on CNAC-20 that had been inoculated with human dental plaque samples were found to have cultural characteristics consistent with previous descriptions of A . viscosus or A . naeslundii . CNAC-20 may facilitate investigations into the relationship of microaerophilic Actinomyces with the etiology of dental diseases. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Oct, 28(10), 749 - 56 Characteristics of two broad spectrum antibiotics produced by Mycoplasma sp . RP III; Sakai T et al.; Two extracellular antibiotics produced by Mycoplasma sp . RP III growing in serum-containing media have been purified by solvent extraction and ion-exchange chromatography . Factor I inhibits Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and a crude preparation protected mice from Pseudomonas and Straphylococcus infections; it is of low cytotoxicity . Factor II, a lipid, inhibits Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Candida species, and is as cytotoxic as the actinomycins. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1975 Oct 1, 167(7), 605 - 9 Antibiograms of pathogenic bacteria isolated from laboratory animals; Owens DR et al.; Study of antibiotic sensitivity patterns of 178 bacterial isolants from laboratory animals revealed that these bacteria in general were sensitive to many commonly used antibiotics; however, there were notable exceptions . This report presents current antibiotic sensitivity patterns of most gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial pathogens common to laboratory animals. JAMA, 1975 Sep 29, 233(13), 1366 - 9 Limulus lysate test for gram-negative bacterial meningitis . Bedside application; Ross S et al.; The limulus lysate on cerebrospinal fluid was evaluated in 335 infants and children as a method for the rapid diagnosis of Gram-negative bacterial meningitis . Positive limulus tests were obtained within one hour in 33 of 34 cases of Hemophilus influenzae meningitis; four additional patients with Gram-negative meningitis also showed positive limulus lysate tests . Conversely, 13 patients with Gram-positive bacterial meningitis all yielded negative limulus assays . All 48 cases of aseptic meningitis and 236 children with no meningitis showed negative limulus assays . Antibiotic therapy prior to hospitalization did not vitiate the validity of the test . A bedside adaptation of the limulus test, performed by house officers and medical students, showed approximately 98% agreement with the laboratory assay. Med J Aust, 1975 Sep 20, 2(12), 463 - 7 A review of bacteria in L-phase and their possible clinical significance; Butler HM et al.; L-phase bacteria are bacterial variants produced by adverse conditions in the environment . Although variant growth may be perpetuated for generations, the changes are not of genetic origin, but due solely to the environment which causes damage to the bacterial cell wall . Since the structure of Gram-positive and Gram-negative cell walls is fundamentally different, the degraded variant which will occur in each case will also be different . Such variants are seldom detected in routine diagnostic laboratories because they will not grow on normal media, as their optimal conditions of growth are changed . L-phase variants bear a strong resemblance to the mycoplasmas; both are resistant to penicillin, both lack characteristic bacterial cell wall constituents, and their colonial and cellular morphology are similar . Since the conditions for mycoplasma cultivation are, at this time, more clearly understood, they provide useful models for handling fragile L-phase organisms . L-phase bacteria may be readily produced in vitro by the action of penicillin, and it is theoretically possible for conversion to occur in vivo just as readily during phagocytosis, by the action of bacteriophage, antibiotic therapy, and other defence mechanisms of the host . In the clinical field, the most difficult problem is the assessment of the significance of the isolation of L-phase bacteria in the individual case because they have not been observed with certainty in the pathological process . It is probable that such organisms may be clinically significant in cases of chronic and recurrent infection, since these bacteria will survive the defence mechanisms of the host which are largely directed at the cell wall. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1975 Sep 19, 161(4), 273 - 7 Transformation of lymphocytes in patients with certain bacterial infections; Wagnerova M et al.; The state of cell-mediated immunity was measured by the morphological method of lymphocyte transformation with and without PHA, in a group of 56 patients with bacterial infections and in a group of healthy controls . The patients were divided into three subgroups according to the aetiology: 1 . Patients with Gram-positive infections, 2 . Patients with Gram-negative infections, and 3 . mixed infections . The transformation values with PHA were significantly (t-test) higher in the Gram-positive subgroups than in the control group . Transformation in cultures stimulated by PHA was much higher in the subgroup of patients with Gram-positive aetiology; the difference between the values in the Gram-negative and in the Gram-positive subgroups was also significant . A decrease of transformation value below 50% was observed in 6 out of 18 patients with Gram-negative aetiology, whereas in the Gram-positive group it was noted in only 2 out of 21 patients. Clin Orthop, 1975 Sep, (111), 142 - 6 Antibiotic bone penetration . Concentrations of methicillin and clindamycin phosphate in human bone taken during total hip replacement; Schurman DJ et al.; Clindamycin phosphate or methicillin was given preoperatively to 47 patients undergoing hip operations for arthritis . Serum, cortical and cancellous bone specimens were simultaneously obtained during the operation and assayed for antibiotic concentrations . Both gave levels in bone/serum concentration ratio significantly higher for clindamycin than methicillin . No patients studied developed deep infection . It is concluded that clindamycin phosphate and methicillin give comparable concentrations in bone which exceed the minimal inhibitory antibiotic concentration of gram-positive pathogens that frequently cause infection after orthopedic surgical procedures. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Sep, 28(9), 656 - 61 Platomycins A and B I Taxonomy of the producing strain and production, isolation and biological properties of platomycins; Takasawa S et al.; Two new antibiotics, platomycins A and B, belonging to the phleomycin-bleomycin family, were isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptosporangium sp . MK-78 . This strain has been identified as a new variety of Streptosporangium violaceochromogenes . Both platomycins A and B are active against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and also inhibit solid Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Lloydia, 1975 Sep-Oct, 38(5), 369 - 77 Isolation of chromomycin A3 from a new subspecies of Streptomyces; Skarbek JD et al.; A streptomycete contaminant in a marine fungal culture was found to exhibit antibiotic activity against gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria . The active principle was determined to be a mixture of as many as 12 components which exhibited properties characteristic of the aureolic acid group of antibiotics . Chromatographic comparisons using reference materials revealed the major and second components of the antibiotic mixture to be indistinguishable from chromomycins A3 and A2, respectively . The major component was isolated using a series of column chromatographic and preparative tlc separations . Confirmation of the identity of the major antibiotic as chromomycin A3 was based on elemental analysis, optical rotation, spectral (uv, ir and nmr) characteristics, and properties of an acetate derivative. Infect Immun, 1975 Sep, 12(3), 556 - 63 Characterization of a dextranase produced by an oral strain of Actinomyces israelii; Staat RH et al.; A dextranase-producing, gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from human dental plaque was identified as Actinomyces israeli . Although the extracellular dextranase (EC 3.2.1.11) formed by this microbe appeared to be constitutively produced, the bacterium did not utilize the reaction products as a carbon source during growth . A striking feature of the dextranase was the formation of two distinct groups of oligosaccharide end products . The two groups presumably correspond to the limit dextran and the released reaction product which appeared to be cleaved from the end(s) of larger dextran molecules . Low levels of dextranase activity were measured by {3H}NaBH4 reduction and alcohol fixation of the large, tritiated end products on filter paper disks . Of the carbohydrate substrates tested, only alpha-1,6-linked glucans were cleaved . The enzyme did not exhibit any metal ion requirements, and its pH optimum was 6.3 . It is suggested that the A . israelii dextranase may function as a regulatory factor during extracellular in vivo glucan synthesis from sucrose by various plaque microbes. Ann Surg, 1975 Sep, 182(3), 280 - 6 The early diagnosis of gram negative septicemia in the pediatric surgical patient; Rowe MI et al.; Ninety-three postoperative patients 1 day to 13 years of age had blood cultures, limulus lysate assay, determination of fibrin degradation products, white blood cell and platelet counts . Seven groups were studied . The limulus lysate assay was often positive (64%) in the presence of gram negative septicemia but there were false positives and negatives . The tests for fibrin degradation products were inconsistent . The white blood cell count was low in babies with gram negative septicemia . One hundred per cent of the infants with gram negative septicemia had a platelet count below 150,000; 71% below 100,000 (average 67,000 septic babies, 257,000 non-septic babies) . The drop in platelet count with gram negative septicemia was abrupt---as much as 222,000 in 24 hours . Platelets increased when therapy was effective . Two children with gram negative septicemia had platelet counts of 50,000 and 20,000 . The platelet count for patients with gram positive septicemia was 299,000, and above 150,000 in all children with ruptured and non-ruptured appendicitis and major surgery without gram negative septicemia . It was concluded that serial measurements of platelet count in the postoperative infant and child was a rapid and reliable method for early detection of gram negative septicemia and changes in platelet count in response to treatment was an indicator of the effectiveness of therapy. Am J Surg, 1975 Sep, 130(3), 341 - 6 A more reliable gram staining technic for diagnosis of surgical infections; Magee CM et al.; The purpose of this study was to identify pitfalls in the Gram staining technic that limit its diagnostic value . In our clinical experience, gram-positive organisms were often decolorized too easily . Factors have been identified that alter the susceptibility of gram-positive organisms to decolorization in the Gram staining technic . The age of the bacterial culture, the preparation of the smear, the fixation technic, and the mordant have an important influence on the ease with which gram-positive organisms are decolorized . On the basis of these studies, a more reliable and reproducible Gram staining technic has been developed for the diagnosis of surgical infections. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1975 Aug 29, 100(35), 1730 - 3 {Treatment of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis with econazole (author's transl)}; Obolensky W et al.; In 2103 women with vulvo-vaginal candidiasis proved by culture, econazole (an antimycotic drug, also effective against gram-positive bacteria) was administered as vaginal cream (1077 patients) or in ovules (1026 patients) . The cure rate for each method was about 90% one week after the end of treatment . Although each of the methods of administration contained the same amount of effective substance, the cure rate four weeks after end of treatment was higher for the ovules (90.3%) than the vaginal cream (86.5%). Appl Microbiol, 1975 Aug, 30(2), 205 - 11 Microwave sanitization of color additives used in cosmetics: feasibility study; Jasnow SB et al.; Microwave exposure has been explored as a method of microbiologically sanitizing color additives used in cosmetic products . Selected microbiologically unacceptable cosmetic color additives, D&C red no . 7 Ca lake (certified synthetic organic color), carmine (natural organic color not subject to certification), and chromium hydroxide green (inorganic color not subject to certification), were submitted to microwave exposure . Gram-negative bacteria were eliminated, as verified by enrichment procedures, and levels of gram-positive bacteria were reduced . Generally, analytical and dermal safety studies indicated no significant alterations in physical, chemical, and toxicological properties of the colors . Sanitization was also successfully performed on other colors (D&C red no . 9 Ba lake, D&C red no . 12 Ba lake, D&C green no . 5, and FD&C red no . 4); initial physical and chemical tests were satisfactory . Results indicated that this method of sanitization is feasible and warrants further investigation. J Invest Dermatol, 1975 Aug, 65(2), 244 - 7 The localization and distribution of gram-positive cocci in normal skin and in lesions of acne vulgaris; Imamura S; The localization of gram-positive cocci in the normal skin and in the lesions of acne vulgaris was investigated using fluorescein-labeled antiserum raised to gram-positive, coagulase-negative cocci . The cocci were found in 10 of 19 specimens from normal facial skin and in 3 of 11 specimens from the normal skin of the rest of the body . The bacteria were found mostly in the openings of follicles, but in 6 of 10 facial skin specimens, they were also present deeply in the lumina of the dilated sebaceous follicles near the sebaceous glands . Cocci were found in 5 of 6 noninflammatory acne comedones . In inflammatory acne they were demonstrated not only in the follicular canals but also sparsely in the infiltrate surrounding the follicles. Beitr Pathol, 1975 Aug, 155(4), 443 - 6 Some staining characteristics of Mott's or morular cells of nagana; Kaliner G; The spherules of morular (Mott's) cells are not metachromatic with toluidin blue at pH 8 and the majority are stained yellow with PTAH . This distinguishes them from globule leucocytes . They differ from Russell bodies of plasma cells which are Gram-positive. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1975 Aug, (8), 45 - 9 {Isolation of the individual structural elements of bacteria of the genus Bordetella and a study of their properties . I . The formation of mureinoplasts and true protoplasts from B . pertussis}; Zakharova MS et al.; B . pertussis suspension was tested by De Voe et al . method (1970) and its modification with the solutions of a definite ionic composition and a lysozyme . The best results were obtained by the following modification elaborated by the authors . The microbes were grown on the casein-carbon agar for 36 hours and were washed with chilled 0.5 M NaCl . The suspension was washed 4 times with the same solution and then the precipitate was suspended in saccharose solution (0.5 M) . In 2 hours the saccharose was replaced by a solution of salts with lysozyme . After a 2-hour incubation at 35 degrees C the substance was centrifugated for 20 minutes and the precipitate suspended in the tris-buffer at pH 7.8 . The following changes were observed: after the washing and incubation with saccharose there was seen a strong stretching and separation of the cell wall (CW) from the cytoplasmic membrane (CPM); cells without the CW were rarely revealed; 2) after the lysozyme treatment there were many cells of spherical shape (phasic-contrast microscopy) without any CW, limited by the CPM only . Morphologically they were no different from the true protoplasts of the Gram-positive bacteria . The chemical analysis also confirmed a possibility of obtaining the true protoplasts of the Gram-negative bacteria. Am J Med, 1975 Jul, 59(1), 61 - 7 Endotoxin, prekallikrein, complement and systemic vascular resistance . Sequential measurements in man; Robinson JA et al.; Eighteen patients were studied prior to and again within 6 hours after transurethral resection or cystoscopy . In addition to hemodynamic measurements, detection of endotoxin by limulus assay and bacteriologic sampling; prekallikrein, C3, C3 proactivator and lysosomal enzyme levels were measured . In five patients limulus assays were positive, and in one, gram-positive bacteremia developed but limulus assay remained negative . All six had significant decreases in prekallikrein, C3 or C3 proactivator . Systemic vascular resistance fell in all six . Four additional patients who had a decrease in systemic vascular resistance were not endotoxemic or bacteremic; one of these had a decrease in prekallikrein only . In the remaining eight patients with neither bacteremia nor endotoxemia, systemic vascular resistance did not change or increase after instrumentation . One had a decrease in C3 proactivator, another in prekallikrein . There was no significant difference in age, disease, antibiotic therapy or bactermia in the two groups of patients . Four of the five resectional procedures were performed in the group that showed decreases in systemic vascular resistance . The data suggest that acute endotoxemia or gram-positive bacteremia in man is associated with depletion of prekallikrein, decreased peripheral resistance and, in some instances, activation of the complement system. Z Immunitatsforsch Exp Klin Immunol, 1975 Jul, 149(2-4), 349 - 53 Adjuvant activity of bacterial peptidoglycans; Nauciel C et al.; Purified peptidoglycans isolated from various Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria can substitute for Mycobacteria in Freund's adjuvant . Monomeric subunits possess the same adjuvant activity . This activity seems to be related to the peptidic fraction. Z Immunitatsforsch Exp Klin Immunol, 1975 Jul, 149(2-4), 302 - 19 Immunoadjuvant activities of cell walls, their water-soluble fractions and peptidoglycan subunits, prepared from various gram-positive bacteria, and of synthetic n-acetylmuramyl peptides; Kotani S et al.; 1 . The cell walls from some 20 species of gram-positive bacteria, with only few exceptions, were found to be definitely adjuvant-active in both stimulation of increased serum antibody levels and induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to ovalbumin when administered to guinea pigs in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion . 2 . By the use of various cell wall lytic enzymes, the immunoadjuvant principles were solubilized with the full retention of adjuvant activities observed with the cell walls of S . aureus, Str . pyogenes, Str . mutans, L . plantarum, C . diphtheriae, Myc . smegmatis and A . viscosus . N-acetylmuramyl peptide monomers (either L-Lys or meso-Dap type) were shown to be the unit chemical structure responsible for the manifestation of adjuvant activities to stimulate both antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immune responses . 3 . Several N-Acetylmuramyl peptides were prepared by condensation of benzyl N-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-muramide with each peptide benzyl ester by means of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-hydroxysuccinimide method and removal of the protecting groups by hydrogenolysis . N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine was identified as the minimum structural entity essential for the immunoadjuvant activities characteristic of bacterial cell walls . Neither synthetic N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine nor L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-lysyl-D-alanin was found to be active. Z Immunitatsforsch Exp Klin Immunol, 1975 Jul, 149(2-4), 258 - 64 Use of limulus assay to compare the biological activity of peptidoglycan and endotoxin; Wildfeuer A et al.; The gelation of a lysate prepared from the amebocytes of Limulus polyphemus, the horseshoe crab, has been used to detect endotoxin-like material in clinical studies and in "in vitro" experiments . The investigation of blood samples from 54 hospitalized patients suspected of having endotoxemia, revealed a positive limulus test in 14 . Infections due to gram-positive organisms were not associated with positive assays . These results were in agreement with the observation that living gram-positive microorganisms - in contrast to gram-negative bacteria - did not initiate lysate gelation when studied "in vitro" . Only very high concentrations of peptidoglycan, isolated from the cell walls of various gram-positive bacteria, induced the reaction . Therefore, these findings support the view, that the limulus test is relatively specific for the detection of gram-negative bacterial endotoxin and endotoxemia. Stain Technol, 1975 Jul, 50(4), 227 - 31 Studies in gram staining; Adams E; Gram-negative bacteria stained with crystal violet are decolorized by 95% alcohol within 2 min, whereas Gram-positive bacteria require at least 3 min treatment . Aqueous solutions of safranin, neutral red, and fuschsin replace crystal violet from stained Gram-positive bacteria more quickly than alcohol alone, and alcoholic solutions of these counterstains are in most cases still more effective . Treatment of crystal violet-stained organisms with alcoholic safranin (0.25%) for 15 sec will distinguish Gram-positive bacteria (violet) from Gram-negative bacteria (pink) . Alcohol containing very low concentrations of iodine generally decolorizes crystal violet-stained Gram-positive bacteria more quickly than alcohol alone . Increasing concentrations of iodine in alcohol reduce the rate of decolorization of stained bacteria, but stained Gram-negative bacteria are still readily decolorized . The addition of 0.1% iodine to alcohol increases the rate of extraction of crystal violet by alcohol from Gram-negative organisms, but delays extraction of dye from Gram-positive organisms, and this applies when counterstain is also present . A two-solution modification of Gram staining is described in which crystal violet-stained bacteria are treated with an alcoholic solution of safranin, fuchsin, and iodine. JAMA, 1975 Jun 2, 232(9), 929 - 31 Spontaneous peritonitis and systemic lupus erythematosus . Importance of accurate diagnosis of gram-positive bacterial infections; Lipsky PE et al.; Primary Gram-positive bacterial peritonitis developed in three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) . These cases suggest a possible association between these two entities . Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis when evaluating abdominal symptoms in patients with SLE. Farmaco {Sci}, 1975 May, 30(5), 326 - 42 New prenylated chalcones from Lonchocarpus neuroscapha Benth . (Cordoa piaca); Goncalves de Lima O et al.; The isolation of eight prenylated chalcones (cordoin, isocordoin, psi-isocordoin, derricin, lonchocarpin, 4-hydroxyderricin, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin, 4-hydroxyisocordoin) and of the flavanone and dihydrochalcone corresponding to cordoin is described . These substances are biogenetically correlated . The structures of the above mentioned substances were established through the examination and comparison of spectral data (U.V., I.R., N.M.R., M.S.) and of the chemical behaviour . Particular interest is shown by psi-isocordoin and 4-hydroxy derivatives . The latter and 4-hydroxyderricin in particular show also a marked inhibition on the growth of gram-positive bacteria. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 May, 28(5), 366 - 71 A new antibiotic victomycin (XK 49-1-B-2) . II . Isolation, purification and physicochemical and biological properties; Takasawa S et al.; A new antibiotic, victomycin, is active against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and also has in vivo activity against solid Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma . It belongs to the phleomycin-bleomycin group of antibiotics and has been differentiated from all known phleomycins and bleomycins by its physicochemical properties and thin-layer chromatograms. Can J Microbiol, 1975 May, 21(5), 688 - 93 Differentiation of Arthrobacter soil isolates and named strains from other bacteria by reations on dye-containing media; Hagedorn C et al.; Twenty-five gram-negative and 62 gram-positive bacterial cultures, of which 37 werearthrobacters, were tested, using a multipoint inoculation device, for responses on varying concentrations of 35 dyes . Both selective (growth vs . no growth) and differential (dye absorption) responses were obtained . It was possible to differentiate the arthrobacters from the other gram-positive bacteria tested as well as to distinguish separately each Arthrobacter-named strain . The results indicated that dyes have a greater potential for use in selective and differential media than has been presently realized; and the possibility of using dye-reactions as features in taxonomic schemes to differentiate rapidly many of the common genera of soil bacteria is discussed. Circulation, 1975 May, 51(5), 940 - 9 Prosthetic aortic valvular endocarditis; Madison J et al.; Infective endocarditis (IE) continues to be one of the most serious complications following cardiovascular surgery, particularly that for replacement of valves . In order to define more clearly the clinical course and the role of surgical therapy, clinical and necropsy data were reviewed in 16 adult patients with prosthetic aortic valvular endocarditis (PAVE) and compared with the experience cited in the literature . Positive blood cultures were obtained in each of the patients with bacterial endocarditis . Gram positive bacteria predominate and the onset of infection is usually later than 25 days postoperatively . In 11 of 16 patients, aortic insufficiency was recognized . Autopsy material demonstrated large perivalvular abscesses which loosened the attachment of the prosthetic valve in each case and which made successful operation unlikely . Aortic insufficiency appears to be of prognostic importance, since patients who developed aortic insufficiency early in the course of PAVE died . Survivors included patients who made an excellent response to medical therapy and who either did not develop aortic insufficiency or developed aortic insufficiency either late in the course or even after cure of PAVE, Poor response to medical therapy and progressive aortic insufficiency even in the absence of left ventricular failure appear to be indications for prompt surgical replacement of the prosthetic aortic valve. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1975 Apr 18, 117(16), 687 - 92 {Econazole nitrate . In vitro tests and clinical trial}; Dorn M et al.; Econazole-nitrate is a new potent antifungal drug with a broad spectrum against dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds; in addition it is effective against gram-positive bacteria . Econazole nitrate was tested in-vitro for antifungal and anti-microbial properties . In an open trial 75 patients were treated with a 1 percent econazole cream . Cure was achieved in tinea pedis in 91 percent; in tinea genitocruralis in 100 percent and in tinea corporis in 92 percent . The remainder were greatly improved . 22 patients with erythrasma were cured within 3 weeks. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Mar, 28(3), 176 - 84 Studies on marine microorganisms . IV . A new antibiotic SS-228 Y produced by Chainia isolated from shallow sea mud; Okazaki T et al.; A new antibiotic named SS-228 Y, which inhibits growth of Gram-positive bacteria, Ehrlich carcinoma in mice, and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, was obtained from a species of Chainia isolated from shallow sea mud in Sagami Bay . It was yellowish brown powder having the molecular formula C19H1406 . From the physical and chemical properties, SS-228 Y was concluded to b a new antibiotic having structure of peri-hydroxyquinone moiety. Scott Med J, 1975 Mar, 20(2), 85 - 91 Septicaemia; McAllister; Septicaemia still presents a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the clinician . Most cases are hospital-acquiredand the reasons for their increasing prevalence are discussed, with reference to predisposing factors and opportunistic infections . The pathology and bacteriology of proven cases (positive blood cultures) in 1974 in a modern children's and maternity hospital complex are presented . Gram-positive and Gram-negative varieties are compared and the molecular biology and mechansims of endo- and exotoxaemia described . Successful therapy demands correct choice of antibiotic and the development of shock requires skilled supportive measures . For the former a rational scheme is outlined and a plea is made for collection of data for this purpose . Polypharmacy is deprecated and either an aminoglycoside or a cephalosporin forms the mainstay of therapy . The emergence of Bacteroids sp . in cases of abdominal and puerperal sepsis necessitates addition of a lincomycin or metronidazole . Superinfection with systemic candidiasis requires 5-fluorocytosine. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Mar, 28(3), 167 - 75 Viridenomycin, a new antibiotic; Hasegawa T et al.; Viridenomycin, a new crystalline antibiotic, was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces viridochromogenes strain No . T-24146 . Viridenomycin is a weakly acidic and lipophilic substance, which exhibits a strong absorption maximum at 310 nm and shows strong activity against Trichomonas vaginalis and gram-positive bacteria. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1975 Mar, 10(3), 525 - 32 Inhibition of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase reaction by 6-(p-hydroxyphenylazo)-uracil: A result of drug induced dithiothreitol oxidation; Sclair M et al.; 6-(P-hydroxyphenylazo)-uracil (HPUra) reduced by dithiothreitol inhibited AMV or RLV virion associated exogenous RNA-dependent DNA polymerase reactions . However, the inhibition was variable from experiment to experiment and was not consistent with the base specificity of HPUra seen for inhibition of gram positive DNA-dependent DNA polymerases . Increasing the concentration of dithiothreitol reversed the inhibition . Furthermore, at non-toxic concentrations, HPUra did not influence the plating efficiency of RLV in tissue culture, as measured by the ability to induce foci on sarcoma virus positive-leukemia virus negative cells . Oxidation of dithiothreitol in the presence or absence of HPUra was followed spectrophotometrically under enzyme conditions . HPUra catalyzed the oxidation of dithiothreitol under these conditions . Since dithiothreitol is required for optimum reaction rates, as well as complete disruption of virus in some polymerase assay systems, the oxidation of dithiothreitol in the presence of HPUra is sufficient to explain the inhibition seen. Arzneimittelforschung, 1975 Feb, 25(2), 224 - 30 Bilogical and toxicological properties of econazole, a broad-spectrum antimycotic; Thienpont D et al.; The spectrum of activity of 1-(2,4-dichloro-beta-{(p-chlorobenzoyl)oxy}phenethyl)imidazole-nitrate (econazole, R 14827) was tested in vitro on various pathogenic fungi and bacteria, and also in vivo in guinea-pigs and rats experimentally infected with dermatophytes and C . albicans . The in vitro activity spectrum is very broad: the dermatophytes, the yeasts, the dimorphic fungi, the aspergilli, the mycetoma causing agents and the Gram-positive bacteria being most sensitive . Guinea-pigs infected with T . mentagrophytes, M . canis or C . albicans and treated topically or orally with econazole, were cured . In each of these tests the activity of econazole was compared with that of different reference drugs . Vaginal candidiasis in rats was cured after oral administration of econazole . Toxicity and teratogenicity studies in different laboratory animals indicate that econazole is well tolerated. Ann Clin Res, 1975 Feb, 7(1), 50 - 3 Concentration of cephalexin in maxillary sinus mucosa and secretion; Kohonen A et al.; Twenty patients hospitalized for unilateral or bilateral sinus surgery were given 500 mg or 15 mg/kg body weight of cephalexin by mouth two hours before operation . Samples of serum, sinus mucosa and secretion for cephalexin concentrations were taken during operation . There was a large variation in the mucosal and secretion concentrations and no definite correlation with serum levels . Drug levels effective against most gram-positive cocci were usually found in the mucosa . The mucosal concentrations were much larger than those in the secretion . There were no noteworthy differences between the patients with purulent infection and those in whom the infection was quiescent. Can J Microbiol, 1975 Feb, 21(2), 121 - 9 Comparative ultrastructure of methanogenic bacteria; Zeikus JG et al.; Electron-microscopic studies using thin sections revealed that methane-producing bacteria were an ultrastructurally diverse group . Fine structure and morphological characteristics separated these bacteria into four discrete cell types . Methanogenic bacteria displayed a gram-positive cell wall that varied considerably among different cell types . Differences in granular inclusions, reserve materials, and intracytoplasmic membranes were observed . Unique ultrastructural features were not shared by all methanogenic species studies. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1975 Jan 3, 100(1), 10 - 3 {Bacteriological study of redon drains in accident surgery (author's transl)}; Knapp U et al.; After 'clean' operations, 121 Redon drains from 80 patients were cultured . 17.4% of Redon tips were contaminated, but microorganisms were found in only 7.4% of wound secretions aspirated from them before they were removed . Only Gram-positive cocci, most of them of questionable pathogenicity, were found . Although drains or wound secretions were found to be contaminated in 21 patients, clinical evidence of disturbed healing occurred in only two patients . The presence of microorganisms provided no pointer to later healing difficulties . Culturing Redon tips is, therefore not a reliable method for early recognition of wound infections . Antibiotics should not be used merely on evidence of bacterial contamination of Redon tips without any clinical signs of infection. Acta Chir Acad Sci Hung, 1975, 16(4), 351 - 7 {Methicillin levels in the human serum, pericardial effusion and myocardium}; Kiss J et al.; The antibiotic level in the serum, pericardial fluid and myocardium of 11 patients prepared for heart surgery was tested by means of the agar-diffusion method after the intramuscular administration of 1 g of methicillin . The mean level after 1 to 3 hours was 14.7 mcg/ml in serum, 1.7 mcg/ml in the pericardial fluid and 8.2 mcg/g in the myocardium . In the case of drug sensitivity, the myocardial methicillin concentration is sufficient for the treatment of Gram-positive infections . If the infection is localized in the pericardium, higher doses, local applications, drug combination or complex therapy might be called for. Drugs, 1975, 9(6), 406 - 23 Miconazole: a review of its antifungal activity and therapeutic efficacy; Sawyer PR et al.; Miconazole2, a synthetic imidazole derivative, is a new topical antifungal agent for use in the local treatment of vaginal, and skin and nail infections due to yeasts and dermatophytes . It is particularly active against Candida spp., Trichophyton spp., Epidermophyton spp., Microsporum spp . and Pityrosporon orbiculare (Malassezia furfur), but also possesses some activity against Gram-positive bacteria . In vaginal candidiasis, miconazole vaginal cream has produced higher cure rates than conventional nystatin vaginal tablets or amphotericin B vaginal cream . There have been no published comparisons with nystatin vaginal cream or foaming vaginal tablets - the nystatin dosage form preferred by some clinicians . The vaginal cream has also achieved a cure where previous nystatin or natamycin therapy had failed . Miconazole has proved equally effective in both Candida and dermatophyte infections of the skin, but as yet there have been no published comparisons with other antifungal agents . However, it has been successfully used in chronic skin infections which had not responded satisfactorily to other agents such as natamycin and pecilocin . Preliminary experience with oral and intravenous miconazole therapy in systemic candidiasis is promising . Miconazole preparations are well accepted and tolerated. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1975 Jan-Feb, 84(1 Pt 1), 16 - 21 Prophylaxis of predisposed otitis externa; Hutchison JL et al.; Evaluation, in the guinea pig ear, of fourteen water repellent or therapeutic compounds has resulted in the recommended use of 360 Medical Fluid as a prophylactic agent for those persons with a high risk of otitis externa . This compound was found to adhere well, be easy to apply and was nonirritating . Use of this material prevented adverse bacterial growth in ear canals exposed to water for up to seven days . The significance of maintaining the normal Gram positive bacterial flora in the external ear canal and the role of cerumen in maintaining a healthy meatal surface is discussed . A system for monitoring the health of the ear canal through measurement of the Gram positive/Gram negative bacterial ratio is suggested. Chemotherapy, 1975, 21(5), 289 - 96 In vitro and in vivo microbiological evaluation of Cephapirin, a new antibiotic; Renzini G et al.; The microbiological properties of cephapirin, a new semisynthetis cephalosporin, have been studied . This antibiotic, if compared with ampicillin, shows a greater activity against gram positive bacteria, a lack of sensitivity to staphlococcal beta-lactamase, and a lower sensitivity to those produced by gram-negative bacteria . Useful therapeutic of cephapirin levels can be detected in human serum 6 h after administration of 500 and 1,000 mg parenterally. Acta Microbiol Pol B, 1975, 7(2), 125 - 33 Inhibitors produced by algae as an ecological factor affecting bacteria in water ecosystems . I . Dependence between phytoplankton and bacteria development; Chrost RJ; Studies were conducted on the eutrophic Mikolajskie Lake in the Mazurian Lake District . Over the period of investigation three maxima of the development of phytoplankton were observed: in the spring, summer and autumn . During the algal blooms the total number of bacteria in the lake strongly decreased and was between several and a dozen time smaller than between blooms . The decrease in the total number of bacteria in water and the elimination of gram positive bacteria during the algal blooms is most probably caused by the production by the algae of substances inhibiting bacterial development. J Bacteriol, 1975 Jan, 121(1), 373 - 80 Fine structure of Methanospirillum hungatii; Zeikus JG et al.; The fine structure of Methanospirillum hungatii was studied by electron microscopy . The topography of the cell wall and the mechanism of cell division are not typical of gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria . A novel architectural arrangement of cells in continuous spiral filaments is described . Filamentous cells are connected by spacers and enclosed within a rigid outer envelope . The unique ultrastructural features of cells and cell spacers were examined.
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