Pol Tyg Lek, 1989 Aug 21-28, 44(34-35), 813 - 6 {Studies of microbiological contamination of ultrasonic apparatus used in pediatric aerosol therapy}; Alkiewicz J et al.; It was found that inflating tube is most rarely contaminated with microorganisms during the use of ultrasonic inhalator TUR USI 70 . Glass cylinder is contaminated more frequently whereas a diaphragm, aerosol preparation, inhaling mask and a pipe joining it with the device are contaminated most frequently . Sporadic contamination of the inflating tube indicate an efficient work of air filters while frequent contamination of the diaphragm, aerosol preparation and glass cylinder prove that the contamination is caused by a coupling fluid . It was also found that ultrasound exerts a destructive effect on microorganisms in the aerosol preparation . The investigations have shown that the inhaling mask and tubes joining it with the device should be changed before each use while the other parts of an inhalator and aerosol preparation may be changed once per 15 inhalations . It was also noted that disinfection of different parts of the device by a 2% aqueous glutaric aldehyde (30 minutes at room temperature) is efficient in about 95%. Sociol Health Illn, 1989 Sep, 11(3), 279 - 93 Coming clean: the symbolic use of clinical hygiene in a hospital sterilising unit; Rawlings B; The hospital Theatre Sterile Supplies Unit cleans and provides sterile instruments for use in operating theatres . The strict standards of cleanliness, based on scientific notions of clinical hygiene, are maintained at the everyday level by people such as ancillary workers, nurses and doctors organising their activities, movements and understandings according to known rules . Since clinical hygiene is related to advanced microbiological discoveries, an instrument cannot be judged sterile by the naked eye . The judgement is made on the basis of what is believed to be happening to the instrument (e.g . processes it goes through; places it has been) . The paper, based on an empirical study, notes the conceptual relationship between primitive and western notions of hygiene, and examines the ways that rules are used in the everyday accomplishment of instrument sterilisation. Minerva Ginecol, 1989 Aug, 41(8), 417 - 9 {Controlled clinical study of cyclopyroxolamine in vaginal candidiasis}; Jasonni VM et al.; The clinical and microbiological results of the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with cyclopyroxolamine or miconazole in thirty-eight patients are discussed . Cyclopyroxolamine treatment was demonstrated to be an effective and well-tolerated compound for the treatment of this kind of infection. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1989 Aug, (8), 91 - 5 {Effect of controlled bacteria-free medium on the course of the wound process in patients with chronic venous insufficiency of the legs complicated by trophic ulcer}; Kostiuchenok BM et al.; Treatment in a controlled abacterial medium was applied to 102 patients with venous ulcer of the lower limbs . The course of the wound process was studied on the basis of objective examination methods (microbiological, cytological, morphological, study of the activity of tissue hemostasis factors) . The results showed that a controlled abacterial medium causes favourable changes in the course of the wound process and allows the trophic ulcer to be prepared for operation in a short period of time (9-12 days). Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Aug, 33(8), 1403 - 5 Performance characteristics of two bioassays and high-performance liquid chromatography for determination of flucytosine in serum; St-Germain G et al.; We compared the accuracy and precision of two microbiological methods and one high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure used to measure the concentrations of flucytosine in serum . On the basis of an analysis of six standards, all methods were judged reliable within acceptable limits for clinical use . With the biological methods, a slight loss of linearity was observed in the 75- to 100-micrograms/ml range . Compared with the bioassays, the HPLC method did not present linearity problems and was more precise and accurate in the critical zone of 100 micrograms/ml . On average, results obtained with patient sera containing 50 to 100 micrograms of flucytosine per ml were 10.6% higher with the HPLC method than with the bioassays . Standards for the biological assays may be prepared in serum or water. Cesk Pediatr, 1989 Aug, 44(8), 454 - 8 {Immunologic indicators in the treatment of recurrent respiratory diseases using peroral bacterial vaccines}; Kapellerova A et al.; The authors treated on account of relapsing respiratory diseases 95 children with Broncho-vaxom (Lab . ltd . Meyrin, Geneva) and 75 children with bacterial vaccine prepared with regard to the microbiological examination . Restoration or improvement of the clinical condition was achieved in 80% of the patients . No side-effects were observed during treatment . As to investigated immunological indicators they recorded after treatment a significant reduction of IgM (P less than 0.001), IgA (P less than 0.01), SIgA in saliva (P less than 0.01), values of the nitroblue tetrazolium test (P less than 0.01) and (P less than 0.05) . The assembled data revealed that bacterial vaccines are useful as immunomodulating preparations. APMIS, 1989 Aug, 97(8), 745 - 7 Comparison of methenamine silver nitrate and Giemsa stain for detection of Pneumocystis carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from HIV infected patients; Holten-Andersen W et al.; Seventy-seven bronchoalveolar lavages from human immunosuppressive virus infected patients with pulmonary symptoms were examined routinely for the presence of Pneumocystis carinii, using Giemsa stain to detect trophozoites and methenamine silver nitrate to detect cysts . Thirty-seven samples were found positive with both methods, but a further 10 were diagnosed with Giemsa indicating that the trophozoite stain is more sensitive . As Giemsa stain is simple, quick, cheap and familiar to most microbiological laboratories it should be used for screening of samples to be examined for Pneumocystis carinii . In cases where trophozoites are not detected by Giemsa a supplementary cyst stain may be performed in order to rule out the presumably few cases where cysts are present as the only evidence of Pneumocystis carinii infection. Poult Sci, 1989 Aug, 68(8), 1148 - 9 Toe scratches cause scabby hip syndrome lesions; Hargis BM et al.; Scabs and scratches in the hip region of chicken carcasses have become the single most common cause of downgrading and required trimming at processing in some areas of the United States . Repeatable correlations with microbiological agents, environment, and nutrition have not been observed . The present report provides evidence that scabs and scratches, present at processing, are the result of injuries inflicted by toenails of birds as they climb on one another . Onychectomy (removal of approximately two-thirds of the distal phalanx) of all four digits of each foot prior to chick placement resulted in 3.7 and 4.8-fold reduction in subjective lesion scores and 7 to 10-fold increases in the percentage of USDA Grade A carcasses at a commercial processing plant. J Steroid Biochem, 1989 Aug, 33(2), 271 - 6 Microbial transformations of steroids--IV . 6,7-Dehydrogenation; a new class of fungal steroid transformation product; Smith KE et al.; Microbial steroid dehydrogenation is quite common . The reaction seems to occur mainly in bacteria and usually results in hydrogen abstraction from positions C(1)-C(2) and/or C(4)-C(5) with occasional aromatisation of ring A . We have screened large numbers of fungal cultures for their ability to monohydroxylate steroids at unusual sites and in the course of our investigations we have identified seven fungal strains capable of dehydrogenating ring B of progesterone and androstenedione at positions C(6)-C(7) . Microbiological dehydrogenation at this site seems not to have been reported previously . The structures of the metabolites isolated from progesterone, and the producing fungi, are: 6-dehydroprogesterone (Botryodiplodia theobromae), 11 alpha-hydroxy-6-dehydroprogesterone (Botryosphaerica obtusa, Mucor racemosus and Nigrospora sphaerica), 12 alpha-, 15 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxy-6-dehydroprogesterones (B . obtusa) and 14 alpha-hydroxy-6-dehydroprogesterone (Apiocrea chrysosperma) {1} . From androstenedione we isolated 6-dehydroandrostenedione (Absidia coerulea and Curvularia lunata) and 6-dehydrotestosterone (C . lunata). Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1989 Aug, 17(4), 200 - 3 Long-term effect of xylitol chewing gum on dental caries; Isokangas P et al.; About 85% (n = 269) of the subjects who participated in the Ylivieska follow-up studies on the effect of xylitol chewing gum on dental caries during 1982-84 or 1982-85 were re-examined in 1987 for the analysis of possible long-term preventive effects . Further caries reduction was found 2 or 3 yr after the discontinuation of the use of xylitol . The effect was especially marked in girls; the reduction in caries increment in the post-use years was 60% for the 2-yr users, suggesting that more pronounced caries reduction was associated with the most regular use of xylitol . In teeth erupting during the first year of the use of xylitol gum the long-term preventive effect was greater than in other teeth . Several explanations are suggested: lasting effect of the microbiological changes in the mouth, bacterial colonization on newly erupted teeth by organisms other than S . mutans, and/or thorough maturation of the teeth under favorable physico-chemical circumstances . The results suggest that the value of xylitol in caries prevention depends on the timing of the treatment in relation to the development of the dentition. J Chemother, 1989 Aug, 1(4), 248 - 52 Gentamicin distribution in tissues and pleural exudate . A comparison between bolus vs drip-infusion, microbiological assay vs enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique; Miglioli PA; Concentrations of gentamicin in rat serum and tissues were compared after i.v . (30 mg/kg) bolus injection or continuous infusion . Serum and tissue specimens were collected after 0.5, 1 and 2 h and gentamicin assayed by the microbiological method; serum and pleural exudate samples were also evaluated by enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) . Continuous infusion gave higher concentrations of antibiotic in serum after 0.5, 1 and 2 h; in pleural exudate, kidney and muscle after 1 and 2 h from the beginning of administration; the area under the concentration curve (0-2) for serum, pleural exudate and kidney were higher also . These data suggest that continuous infusion may attain the highest serum and tissue levels . Gentamicin concentrations in pleural exudate after both bolus and continuous infusion assayed by the microbiological method, were greater than EMIT . This difference may be explained by the synergistic action between the antibiotic and the pleural exudate. J Reprod Med, 1989 Aug, 34(8 Suppl), 597 - 601 Clinical evaluation of terconazole . United states experience; Thomason JL; Terconazole is the first of a new class of antifungal agents, the triazoles . The results of numerous European studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of this agent in both cream and suppository form in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis . Recently, results of short- and long-term analyses in the United States confirmed the efficacy and safety of 0.4% terconazole cream and 80-mg terconazole suppositories . In short-term evaluations (eight to ten days after therapy), 0.4% terconazole cream was as effective as 2.0% miconazole nitrate cream and significantly superior microbiologically in one study . The clinical cure rates with terconazole cream ranged from 87.3% to 95.5% and the microbiologic cure rates, from 76.9% to 91.1% . Thirty- to 35-day microbiologic relapse rates with terconazole cream ranged from 10.4% to 22.2% . In the short-term evaluations of vaginal suppositories the cure rates of 80-mg terconazole suppositories for three days were comparable to those of 100-mg miconazole nitrate suppositories for seven days . The clinical cure rates with 80-mg terconazole suppositories ranged from 90.0% to 92.2% and the microbiologic cure rates, from 80.4% to 85.0% . The 30- to 35-day microbiologic relapse rates of the 80-mg terconazole suppositories ranged from 20.0% to 28.1% . Terconazole cream and suppositories demonstrated an excellent safety profile in all the studies; no life-threatening side effects occurred with any of the regimens . The frequency of common side effects was similar with terconazole and miconazole nitrate formulations. J Clin Pathol, 1989 Aug, 42(8), 847 - 52 Clinical and pathological variability of infection by enterohaemorrhagic (Vero cytotoxin producing) Escherichia coli; Hunt CM et al.; The clinical and pathological features of five sporadic cases of enteric infection caused by Escherichia coli O157 (enterohaemorrhagic or Vero cytotoxin-producing E coli showed a range of features . These included one case with pseudomembranous colitis, one with an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, and three with enterocolitis . Diagnostic difficulties encountered initially in four of the five cases were finally resolved by correlating the results of microbiological with histopathological investigations . In view of the heterogeneity of clinical and histological signs and symptoms, it is concluded that all patients with abdominal pain and diarrhoea or rectal bleeding should have early microbiological investigation. Baillieres Clin Rheumatol, 1989 Aug, 3(2), 285 - 301 Seronegative arthritis and the bowel; Isdale A et al.; In this chapter we have outlined the seronegative spondarthritides associated with bowel disease, excluding those discussed in separate chapters . Although, traditionally, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have been dealt with separately in any discussion of seronegative arthritides, they have been discussed together here for the following reasons . Despite being pathologically distinct they show remarkable similarity in extraintestinal manifestations including any associated arthritis . Any observed differences in prevalence rates of arthritis may be secondary to the relative difficulty in diagnosing Crohn's disease, and most of the important prevalence studies were done before the more sophisticated techniques to investigate the bowel became available . This may in part explain the dramatic increase in the world-wide incidence of Crohn's disease seen in the last 30 years, particularly through the 1970s, but which has fallen off recently (Miller et al, 1974) . It would seem that the body has a limited means of expressing disease processes . The final common pathway of a number of quite distinct disease entities is the concept of the seronegative spondarthritides . Exactly how the microbiological, immunogenetic and molecular factors interact to produce a particular disease end-point is currently not clearly defined, but with the increasingly sophisticated means to investigate the body at a cellular level the explanations may soon be at hand . Further controlled family studies are also needed to define the genetic relationships more precisely . We may then be able to piece the jigsaw puzzle together. Health Phys, 1989 Aug, 57(2), 269 - 79 Synopsis of French experimental and in situ research on the terrestrial and marine behavior of Tc; Masson M et al.; Terrestrial environment studies have been essentially concerned with the evolution of soil deposition and soil-plant transfers . Experimentally determined coefficients of distribution in soils are low: 60-80% of Tc remains hydrosoluble during the first months . Technetium emissions resulting from microbiological activity have been quantified . Antagonistic effects on Mo and Tc retention by soils are dependent on their respective concentrations . Four areas of soil-plant transfers have been studied: 1) root absorption kinetics relative to deposition of Tc, 2) interaction of stable Mo (environmental parameter) with the transfer of Tc to plants, 3) interaction of some long-lived radioisotopes (effluent parameters) with the transfer of Tc to plants, and 4) long-term soil-plant transfer and aging of deposited material . Of aquatic systems, only the marine environment has been studied . Under anoxic conditions in the presence of reducing sediments, the distribution coefficients (Kd) were very high (10(3)) . Concentration factors (CF) from water to organisms were generally very low (1 to 10); however, CF greater than 1000 have been observed for some biota such as macrophytic brown algae, worms and lobsters . Biochemical analysis showed that Tc was essentially free and partially bonded to proteins . The transfer factors between sediments and species were very low (TF less than 0.5) . The biological half-time was determined in some marine organisms that had accumulated Tc from water, food or sediments; the loss is biphasic . Uptake in edible parts was low . The physiochemical form affects the accumulation and loss of Tc . Analyses have quantified 99Tc in marine fauna and biota in the English Channel in relation with releases of the reprocessing plant of La Hague . Brown algae are the best bioindicators for following 99Tc dispersion in marine ecosystems. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Aug, 33(8), 1193 - 7 Randomized prospective study comparing vancomycin with teicoplanin in the treatment of infections associated with Hickman catheters; Smith SR et al.; In 72 episodes of suspected or proven Hickman-catheter-associated infection occurring in 59 patients with various hematological disorders, patients were assigned to treatment with either vancomycin or teicoplanin in a randomized nonblinded prospective study . Of 60 episodes evaluable for response, 28 were treated with vancomycin and 32 were treated with teicoplanin . Sixteen infective episodes were microbiologically documented in the vancomycin group, and twenty-one were microbiologically documented in the teicoplanin group . Microbiologically and clinically documented infections treated with vancomycin had an 80% response rate, compared with a 69% response rate for those treated with teicoplanin (P = 0.316) . Adverse events occurred in nine (25%) of the episodes in the vancomycin group, compared with three (8%) in the teicoplanin group (P = 0.044) . Teicoplanin may provide an effective alternative to vancomycin in the treatment of Hickman-catheter-associated infection in patients with hematological malignancies. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A, 1989 Aug, 36(7), 494 - 504 Differentiation between five types of pneumonia distribution pattern in pigs; Buttenschon J; Five types of lesion distribution pattern in pig pneumonia were described through gravity point calculation on the lesions of abattoir samples of pig lungs, using the gravity points as the matrix for a statistical characterisation of the type . The pneumonia types studied were: bronchopneumonia, pleuropneumonia, secondary disseminated bronchopneumonia, vermoid disseminated pneumonia and haematogenically disseminated (embolic) pneumonia . A qualitative approach to pneumonia type designation by pathological and microbiological examination was not consistent with the quantitative description, as the pathological features and the isolated microorganisms varied between cases of a type . Of the five types studied only two types (pleuropneumonia and vermoid pneumonia) were not distinguishable from each other in a type to type comparison . The patterns observed reflect two main pathways of disease dispersion in pulmonary disease, bronchogenic and haematogenic . The haematogenically dispersed pneumonia had a random lesion distribution pattern, while the bronchogenic type patterns were skewed . Some patterns were shown to reflect properties of the dispersive system and vehicle, while the lesion distribution determinants of pleuropneumonia and vermoid pneumonia need further study . The two major dispersion pathways could be distinguished with high levels of confidence from each other by a simple calculation: the number of lesions in the lobi apicales et cardiaci expressed as a percentage of the total number of lesions. Am J Kidney Dis, 1989 Aug, 14(2), 110 - 8 Evaluation of a new disinfectant for dialyzer reuse; Husni L et al.; Glutaraldehyde has been proposed to be as effective as formaldehyde as a disinfectant for reprocessing capillary hemodialyzers . Formaldehyde has become the standard to which all disinfectants are compared . The two products are compared for microbiological efficacy, reuse, membrane integrity, biocompatibility, performance, residual binding and ease of removal, environmental hazards, and immunogenicity . Glutaraldehyde (0.8%) is as effective as 4% formaldehyde in its microbiocidal effect . The disinfectants are comparable except in the following areas: the use of glutaraldehyde leads to lower reuse rates than formaldehyde, significantly less glutaraldehyde than formaldehyde remains in the dialyzer following standard predialysis rinse procedures, and less glutaraldehyde than formaldehyde is found in environmental air. Antibiot Khimioter, 1989 Jul, 34(7), 555 - 8 {Combined antibiotic therapy of acute radiation disease in persons affected during the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station}; Baranov AE et al.; One hundred and fifteen patients with acute radiation disease of degrees I to IV affected during the accident at the Chernobyl APS were treated in a specialized hospital . The anti-infection regimen included isolation, air sterilization with ultraviolet light, intravenous administration of broad spectrum of antibiotics (gentamicin, cephalosporins and carbenicillin) and nystatin . Some cases were treated with amphotericin . Some cases were treated with amphotericin B . Out of 22 patients who died at the early periods (days 14 to 34) or at the period of agranulocytosis in 7 patients sepsis was stated . In 5 of them it was complicated by pneumonia . In 5 patients who died at the late periods (days 48 to 99) or at the period of hemopoiesis normalization infectious complications by the death moment were stated: sepsis in 3 patients and pneumonia in 2 patients . The aspect of the microbiological diagnosis and therapy efficacy is discussed. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb, 1989 Jul-Aug, 127(4), 488 - 91 {Documentation and quality control}; Harle A; Documentation and quality control in hospitals are not only required due to legal obligations, but should be a representation, how physicians see themselves . The fast changes in medical treatment procedures makes adequate techniques of information management indisposable . In the past data analysis in hospitals was characterized by a too strong restriction in variables under study, and a too sharp project orientation with the consequences, that many tasks had to be done repeatedly and an overview on the whole situation wasn't achieved either . So in recording postoperative wound sepsis many separate aspects have to be taken into consideration and microbiological results have to be stored in a way, that differentiation over time is possible . For medical data management a time oriented database structure is therefore advisable and more adequate than a relational one. Taiwan Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi, 1989 Jul, 88(7), 740 - 3 {Hypereosinophilic syndrome with Löffler's endomyocarditis: report of an autopsy case}; Yu IT et al.; Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) with Loffler's endomyocarditis is a rare disease with poor prognosis . Clinically, it mainly affects young adults, characterized by prolonged idiopathic blood eosinophilia, cardiopulmonary symptoms and hepatosplenomegaly . Pathological features consist of ventricular mural thrombi, marked fibrotic thickening of endocardium with scarring of myocardium, and multiorgan eosinophilic infiltration . We report a 2-year-old girl with idiopathic HES associated with Loffler's endomyocarditis . The girl was noted to have constitutional symptoms, cardiomegaly, and hepatosplenomegaly . Her total eosinophil count reached 150,000/microliters . She had no history of allergic diseases . The microbiological studies were negative . Echocardiography suggested thickened endocardium, mitral stenosis and regurgitation . In spite of intensive medical management, the girl died of refractory congestive heart failure . Autopsy revealed thick fresh mural thrombi involving the biventricular inflow tracts, inflammation and fibrosis of the endomyocardium, systemic thromboembolism and multiorgan eosinophilic infiltration . The pathology and pathogenesis of the disease are discussed and the literature is reviewed. Sante Publique (Bucur), 1989 Jul-Sep, 32(3), 295 - 300 {Conditioning factors in the quality of health education for workers in public and collective food catering services}; Berila I et al.; The authors started from the assumption that "expectations" relating to hygienic work habits of workers in the food catering industry were a function of their health education . Research was conducted in three major food catering units both before and after completion of health education courses . In order to assess workers' awareness, they were asked to fill in a questionnaire pertaining to their sanitary information and their approaches to washing up, cleaning and disinfection . Samples taken from tableware, tools and workers' hands were tested microbiologically . Indices computed to measure the efficiency of the health education courses and the standards of microbial safety, as well as the chi 2 test confirmed the non-stochastic character of the positive findings in experimental units vs . controls. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 1989 Jul-Aug, 31(4), 286 - 9 Erysipelothrix endocarditis with previous cutaneous lesion: report of a case and review of the literature; Rocha MP et al.; This report describes the first documented case of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae endocarditis in Latin America . The patient was a 51-years-old male, moderate alcoholic, with a previous history of aortic failure . He was used to fishing and cooking as a hobby and had his left hand wounded by a fish-bone . The disease began with erysipeloid form and developed to septicemia and endocarditis . He was treated with antibiotics and surgery for aortic valve replacement . There are only 46 cases of E . rhusiopathiae endocarditis reported to date . The authors wonder if several other cases might go unreported for lack of microbiological laboratorial diagnosis. Med Tekh, 1989 Jul-Aug, (4), 51 - 2 {A universal slide with a chemically resistant coating for microbiological studies}; Naumova ZV et al.; The aim of this investigation was to work out the design and technology for the universal slide plate with the chemical resistant coating, which allows to grind in the covering glass and create on that basis the set of hermetic micro-cuvettes for different types of microbiological investigations . Different methods of coating manufacture and the results of the tests in working reagents were considered . The optimal technological process was chosen. Med Tekh, 1989 Jul-Aug, (4), 47 - 8 {The use of a microcolorimeter in microbiological practice}; Papanova EV et al.; The possibilities to use medical photometric microcolorimeter MKMF-1 have been considered herein . Application of the unit allows one to reduce the testing time and eliminate subjective factor when initial microorganism concentration is carried out according to the turbidity standard, which allows one to compare the investigation results more correctly, especially those which are related to the identification of sensitivity of some bacteriological methods. W V Med J, 1989 Jul, 85(7), 280 - 2 Clinical experience with ciprofloxacin; Palmer JP et al.; In a multicenter study of 32 patients treated with ciprofloxacin (mean daily dosage, 1,000 mg per day; mean duration of treatment, 9.5 days) for a variety of infections, eight were microbiologically proved . Of these, bacteriologic cure and/or improvement resulted in all cases . For all 32 infections, clinical cure and/or improvement resulted . Four infections were classified as chronic . There were 3/32 (9.4 per cent) adverse reactions (ADRs), and one case each of nausea, dizziness and increased menstrual flow . Only the dizziness and nausea were considered related definitely to ciprofloxacin therapy . Therapy with ciprofloxacin was discontinued in all three patients because of adverse effects. S Afr Med J, 1989 Jul 1, 76(1), 7 - 10 Research on the health implications of the use of recycled water in South Africa; Hattingh WH et al.; South Africa has an inadequate and unreliable supply of water . It is expected that water resources will be a limiting factor to development by the year 2020 . Reclamation and reuse of sewage effluent is one possible method of supplementing existing supplies . Windhoek has had direct supplementation of its water supply for over a decade . Guidelines for using recycled sewage as a source of potable water are given and South African studies on chemical, microbiological and virological aspects of reclaimed water are reviewed . Epidemiological studies, retrospective in Windhoek and prospective for Cape Town, are discussed. Stomatologiia (Sofiia), 1989 Jul-Aug, 71(4), 11 - 5 {Some epidemiological and clinical-etiological studies on children with lingua nigra villosa}; Naidenova M; Some epidemiological and clinical-etiological studies are reported about the incidence of lingua nigra villosa (black hairy tongue) among 3334 children aged from 2 months to 14 . It has been very convincingly established that the disease occurred in children administered antibiotics for the treatment of a primary disease . Some new data are presented about the clinical pathology of glossitis on the base of clinical, paraclinical, microbiological and virological studies and reliable possibilities of affecting by nistatin-prednisolone emulsion (NAP). Med Lab Sci, 1989 Jul, 46(3), 250 - 4 Microbiological screening of blood donations: cost versus effectiveness; Barbara JA; The already considerable list of pre-transfusion microbial screening tests may well increase . Some American opinion favours attempting to achieve a 'zero-risk' blood supply by introducing extra tests . However, as well as being theoretically unattainable, 'zero-risk' causes practical problems as the efficacy of a screening test is often predicted, not proven . The increasing complexity of extra testing can overload the system, causing laboratory and clerical errors, and although the blood supply must be as safe as possible a small residual risk should be anticipated and balanced against the risk of withholding transfusion . Assessing cost-effectiveness requires that indirect and direct consequences of infecting a recipient are considered . What is cost-effective in one country may not be elsewhere, due to factors such as microbial prevalence . Uniformity of worldwide transfusion policy must be balanced against the best local use of increasingly limited health-care budgets. J Med Assoc Thai, 1989 Jul, 72 Suppl 2, 15 - 9 Microbial contamination of enteral feeds; Chantrakooptungool S et al.; The microbiological quality of 4 feed ingredients and 29 hospital-prepared non-sterile enteral feeds were determined . All 4 feed ingredients yielded no growth of micro-organisms, but all 29 enteral feeds had aerobic viable counts exceeding 10(5) organisms g-1 with a high coliform count in each feed . Both the aerobic palte count and the coliform count exceeded numerical limits for micro-organisms in enteral feeds . Sources of contamination were the feed containers and the liquidizer which were inadequately disinfected. Clin Microbiol Rev, 1989 Jul, 2(3), 227 - 40 Rocky Mountain spotted fever: a disease in need of microbiological concern; Walker DH; Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a life-threatening tick-transmitted infection, is the most prevalent rickettsiosis in the United States . This zoonosis is firmly entrenched in the tick host, which maintains the rickettsiae in nature by transovarian transmission . Although the incidence of disease fluctuates in various regions and nationwide, the problems of a deceptively difficult clinical diagnosis and little microbiologic diagnostic effort persist . Many empiric antibiotic regimens lack antirickettsial activity . There is neither an effective vaccine nor a generally available assay that is diagnostic during the early stages of illness, when treatment is most effective . Microbiology laboratories that offer only the archaic retrospective Weil-Felix serologic tests should review the needs of their patients . Research microbiologists who tackle these challenging organisms have an array of questions to address regarding rickettsial surface composition, structure-function analysis, and pathogenic and immune mechanisms, as well as laboratory diagnosis. Czas Stomatol, 1989 Jul-Sep, 42(7-9), 484 - 90 {Periodontology yesterday and tomorrow . Epidemiology, aetiology and classification of periodontal diseases}; Janczuk Z; Modern periodontology is pervaded by a host of problems, and their solving may bring a considerable progress in this field . Views are verified on the incidence of parodontal diseases and their course . It is thought that the incidence of parodontal diseases is generally decreasing, and their course is more varied than it has been assumed as yet . An ever greater role is ascribed to bacteria in the aetiology of these diseases, this role is thought even to be a specific one . In connection with the advances in microbiological and histological examination new trends appear in the classification of parodontal diseases. Clin Ter, 1989 Jun 30, 129(6), 429 - 36 {Enoxacin in the treatment of bacterial infections of the respiratory system}; Marchioni CF et al.; The above study was carried out in 30 patients, 22 males, 8 females, aged between 30 and 66 years, average age 57.17 +/- 1.43 years, 19 of whom with flare-ups of chronic or asthmatic bronchitis, 6 suffering from flare-ups of chronic bronchoectasic bronchitis, and 5 with acute tracheobronchitis . Treatment with two 300 mg tablets of enoxacin daily lasted from 10 to 15 days . The clinical result was good in 95% of the cases, and microbiological results were also satisfactory in that the micro-organisms isolated were sensitive to the antibiotic . Tolerance was good both locally and generally, only two patients complained of slight stomach discomfort . Both symptoms and laboratory findings improved progressively, and the result was considered excellent in four cases, good in 25 and only fair in one. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1989 Jun, (6), 14 - 8 {Possibility of intraoperative reinfusion of blood in coloproctology}; Mints IaV et al.; The possibility of conducting intraoperative reinfusion of blood in coloproctology is appraised on the basis of complex microbiological, cytological, and biochemical study of blood of patients who underwent operation for various diseases of the large intestine . It was found that blood escaping into the abdominal cavity during operations on the large intestine is hemolized to a great measure and contains many bacteria, and therefore such blood cannot be used for transfusion . At the same time, if blood is collected directly from the pulsating vessel its contamination, marked distortions of its formed elements, and hemolysis above admissible values can be avoided . The dependence on the time of blood collection, whether before or after the intestine is opened, has not been established. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Jun, 33(6), 977 - 9 Biliary and pancreatic excretion of cefamandole; Burns GP et al.; After intravenous infusion of secretin and cholecystokinin in six dogs, cefamandole (50 mg/kg of body weight) was given intravenously for 10 min . Samples of serum, bile, pancreatic juice, liver, pancreas, fat, and muscle were collected over a 2-h period . Cefamandole levels were measured by a microbiological assay . The highest levels were as follows: serum, 160 micrograms/ml; bile, 3,071 micrograms/ml; pancreatic juice, 7 micrograms/ml; liver, 101 micrograms/g; pancreas, 44 micrograms/g; muscle, 20 micrograms/g; and fat, 14 micrograms/g . Levels in pancreatic juice were extremely low compared with levels in pancreatic tissue, suggesting the existence of a barrier to excretion at the ductal membrane. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 27(6), 1206 - 9 Clinical and microbiological evaluation of four culture methods for the diagnosis of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Doyle PW et al.; A prospective study was performed to evaluate four culture methods for the diagnosis of bacterial peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis . Peritonitis was present in 44 of 85 patient admissions (52%) . The overall sensitivity of the culture methods in detecting peritonitis was 66% . The sensitivities of the individual methods were as follows: bag culture method, 61%; blood culture broth method, 51%; filter method, 54%; and plate method, 39% . Our broad definition of peritonitis resulted in lower sensitivities . A combination of the bag and blood culture broth methods detected all positive cultures. Eur J Clin Nutr, 1989 Jun, 43(6), 411 - 20 Folate status in tuberculosis: a study in the Guinea Savanna of Nigeria; Knox-Macaulay H; Information about folate status in tuberculosis in developing countries is scanty . It was therefore decided to study serum and red cell folate (SF and RCF) levels in this infection . SF and RCF measurements were carried out by a microbiological (L . casei) method on 152 patients before treatment and on 94 patients (58 defaulted) at varying intervals during treatment . Mean SF (3.9 micrograms/l) of tuberculous subjects was significantly lower than that of the normal mean (6.8 micrograms/l; P less than 0.001) but their mean RCF (212.9 micrograms/l) was not significantly different from the normal mean RCF (220 micrograms/l) . These findings indicate at least a state of incipient folate depletion . Though the mean RCF was normal, 32 patients had low RCF values of less than 120 micrograms/l while in 16 patients RCF levels were less than 100 micrograms/l . Only 10 ill subjects--all with disseminated disease--showed both very low SF (less than 2.0 micrograms/l) and low RCF (less than 120 micrograms/l) . Thus, established folate deficiency was also clearly demonstrated in a proportion of the affected individuals . In the patient population as a whole, however, no relationship was detected between folate levels (SF, RCF) and (a) extent of disease (b) haemoglobin or haematocrit . Antituberculous treatment was accompanied by a rise in mean SF and RCF which, however, were still less than the normal mean values. Eur J Epidemiol, 1989 Jun, 5(2), 131 - 42 Nosocomial aspergillosis: environmental microbiology, hospital epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment; Walsh TJ et al.; The purpose of this review is to characterize the environmental microbiology, hospital epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of nosocomial aspergillosis . Appropriate environmental control measures are important in preventing or arresting an outbreak of nosocomial aspergillosis . These include selective environmental microbiological surveillance and floor to ceiling barriers during construction or renovation . These is particularly important for the bone marrow transplant units and units with persistently granulocytopenic patients . We have summarized the point source and cited or formulated the environmental correction measures relating to 25 outbreaks of nosocomial aspergillosis involving a total of more than 100 patients . The most frequent settings of nosocomial invasive aspergillosis occurred in granulocytopenic patients following respiratory infection from an airborne source, associated with hospital construction or contaminated ventilation systems. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 1989 Jun, 16(6), 1501 - 9 Late toxicity of total body irradiation with bone marrow transplantation in a rat model; Moulder JE et al.; In defined-flora, barrier-maintained rats, radiation nephritis is the principle late toxicity seen after high dose-rate total body irradiation (TBI), when hematologic toxicity is prevented by bone marrow transplantation (BMT) . Pneumonitis develops only if rats are placed in a conventional microbiological environment during and after BMT . Low dose-rate TBI gives qualitatively similar late toxicity, but at radiation doses twice as large . Fractionation of the TBI has little effect on the bone marrow ablation doses, but results in increased gastrointestinal and renal tolerance . The addition of immunosuppressive or cytotoxic drugs (cyclosporine-A, methotrexate, cis-platinum) after TBI and BMT greatly decreases the dose of TBI that can be tolerated . The use of a cyclophosphamide plus cytosine arabinoside conditioning regimen prior to TBI and BMT increases the bone marrow ablation dose, but has no effect on acute gastrointestinal toxicity or on renal toxicity . These results indicate that substantial late toxicity may be associated with the TBI conditioning regimens used for BMT even in the absence of cytotoxic and antibiotic drugs, immunosuppressive agents, infection and graft-versus-host disease; and that radiation may be a contributing factor in the nephritis sometimes observed after TBI and BMT. Mutat Res, 1989 Jun, 216(3), 163 - 78 Effects of specific monooxygenase and oxidase inhibitors on the activation of 2-aminofluorene by plant cells; Wagner ED et al.; Using specific inhibitors, a plant cell/microbe coincubation assay was employed to investigate biochemical mechanisms of plant activation . The biological endpoints of mutation induction, inhibition of mutagenicity and viability of the plant-activating system as well as viability of the microbiological indicator were simultaneously assayed from the same reaction tube . We investigated six inhibitors of monooxygenases and oxidases (diethyldithiocarbamate, methimazole, metyrapone, (+)-catechin, 7,8-benzoflavone and potassium cyanide) . The activation of 2-aminofluorene by TX1 cells was mediated by an enzyme system(s) that was inhibited by microM amounts of diethyldithiocarbamate or 7,8-benzoflavone . (+)-Catechin (at low concentrations) or methimazole enhanced the activation of 2-aminofluorene while higher concentrations of (+)-catechin were inhibitory . These data indicate that a significant pathway of the plant activation of 2-aminofluorene is via a cytochrome P-448-type N-hydroxylase . The presence of a FAD-dependent monooxygenase was not detected. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 1989 Jun, 45(6), 674 - 81 Teicoplanin pharmacokinetics and bioavailability during peritoneal dialysis; Brouard RJ et al.; The pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin in serum and dialysate were examined in a crossover study after intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of a 3 mg/kg dose to five anuric patients who were undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . Blood and dialysate samples were obtained for 30 and 15 days, respectively, and were assayed microbiologically . The principal pharmacokinetic parameters after intravenous administration were as follows: total body clearance, 2.76 +/- 1.08 ml/min; elimination half-life, 377 +/- 109 hours; volume of distribution at steady state, 1.04 +/- 0.18 L/kg . Only 9% +/- 6% of the intravenous dose was recovered in the dialysate and the net peritoneal clearance was 0.25 +/- 0.21 ml/min . Bioavailability values, which were assessed by use of three methods after intraperitoneal administration and while dialysate was retained in the peritoneal cavity for 5 hours (dwell time), were 0.77 +/- 0.21, 0.78 +/- 0.05, and 0.76 +/- 0.08 . Changes in bioavailability with dwell time were also examined . A dosing guide, which accounts for changes in bioavailability with dwell time, is presented. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Jun, 8(6), 556 - 8 Intraperitoneal penetration of cefpirome; Kavi J et al.; Twenty-six patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery received a 1 g intravenous dose of cefpirome before operation . Serum and peritoneal fluid samples, obtained 0.5-7.6 h following administration, were assayed for cefpirome by a microbiological assay . The serum half-life of cefpirome was 2.1 h . The mean concentration of cefpirome in peritoneal fluid 0-2 h after administration was 44.4 micrograms/ml . The half-life of cefpirome in peritoneal fluid was 2 h, with mean concentrations of less than 10 micrograms/ml measured 6 h after administration . The mean percentage of intraperitoneal penetration of cefpirome over the study period was 97.7% . The therapeutic implications are discussed. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 27(6), 1342 - 5 Clinical impact of rapid identification and susceptibility testing of bacterial blood culture isolates; Trenholme GM et al.; Two hundred twenty-six patients with bacteremia were prospectively enrolled in a randomized trial that was performed to determine the clinical impact of the receipt of in vitro microbiological data by the physician soon after organism detection as opposed to having the physicians wait until similar data were available by routine methods . Identification and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of 110 isolates were determined by direct inoculation of the Vitek AutoMicrobic system (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) with a sample from a positive blood culture vial . One hundred sixteen isolates were processed by routine methods . Microbiological results were available within an average of 8.8 h by the direct method versus an average of 48 h by the routine method . In both groups an infectious disease fellow used the information to make therapeutic recommendations to the responsible physician . When compared with that provided by the routine method, the information provided by the direct method was significantly more likely to result in an initiation of antibiotic therapy, a change to more effective therapy, or a change to less expensive therapy . Recommendations were significantly more likely to be followed in patients whose isolates were processed by the direct method versus the routine method . A projected savings of $158 per patient was estimated for the patients who were changed to less expensive therapy or in whom antibiotics were discontinued because results were available sooner . These cost savings, coupled with changes in therapy made for reasons of efficacy, support the usefulness of the earlier reporting of the identity and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial blood culture isolates. Cas Lek Cesk, 1989 May 26, 128(22), 676 - 81 {Childhood AIDS}; Syrucek L et al.; The authors emphasize the present importance of AIDS in children and explain the causes of the rising trend of this syndrome in the child population . They summarize the most important epidemiological characteristics of AIDS in children, its pathogenetic differences and the ensuing clinical symptoms . Attention is drawn to the pitfalls of microbiological diagnosis of child infections caused by HIV, and the authors discuss principles, possibilities and perspectives of causal treatment of this syndrome in children . Finally they summarize contemporary experience and knowledge regarding immunization of children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Rev Prat, 1989 May 18, 39(15), 1308 - 12 {Leptospirosis}; Bricaire F; Recent epidemiological data show that leptospirosis is widespread in the animal kingdom, and not only among Muridae, and, that the number of human cases is greater than in the past while being still underestimated . To the classical occupational contaminations must now be added those due to water sports . Since leptospirosis has extremely diverse clinical features, physicians should have this diagnosis in mind in many circumstances and should request the appropriate examinations at the right moment . Carefully performed microbiological techniques may reduce the problems encountered in isolating leptospires . Serological tests requested after the 12th day of the disease and repeated several times should improve the diagnostic confirmation . The potential severity of certain forms justifies not only a curative antibiotic therapy, but also prophylactic measures including wider immunization campaigns, notably among people professionally exposed to the infestation. Hosp Formul, 1989 Jun, 24(6), 332 - 6, 339-41 Impact of a practical two-stage intervention on aminoglycoside usage; Shalansky S et al.; To control aminoglycoside usage and costs, a two-stage intervention was implemented at this 1,000-bed, major Canadian teaching hospital . An informational stage, reviewing the therapeutic equivalence of netilmicin, gentamicin, and tobramycin in various internal publications, was followed by an automatic therapeutic interchange program . The intervention involved removing netilmicin from the formulary and substituting gentamicin for tobramycin . Comparing the 8-week pre-implementation period with the 24-week, post-implementation period, new orders for netilmicin declined from 42% to less than 1% of the total new aminoglycoside courses initiated . During the same time frame, new orders for gentamicin increased from 50% to 90%, orders for tobramycin remained stable at approximately 5.5%, and orders for amikacin remained unchanged at 1% . A retrospective health record review revealed a low incidence of microbiologically inappropriate interchanges . Pharmacy manpower requirements were minimal and prescriber acceptance was high . A +27,000 cost savings per year was estimated. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 May, 37(5), 433 - 6 {Tonsil diffusion of cefixime in children}; Begue P et al.; Cefixime is a new oral cephalosporin antibiotic, with broad-spectrum of activity, near than of third generation cephalosporin, especially against betelactamase producers bacteria . Cefixime has been assayed with microbiological method in tonsils of 21 children (mean age 59 months) . Tonsillectomy was performed 5 hours after a third dose of 4 mg/kg cefixime . Plasma levels were evaluated 10 hours after the second dose, with mean level of 0.84 micrograms/ml (0 to 1.35) . Blood level was evaluated after third dose, during amygdalectomy was 1.24 micrograms/ml (0.1 to 3.9) . Tonsils levels were: for right tonsils 0.74 micrograms/g and for left tonsils 0.53 micrograms/g . Cefixime was not detected in both tonsils of 6 children, and in one of the two tonsils in 11 of them . The tonsils penetration of cefixime was about 1 microgram/g in the case where cefixime was detectable . This penetration is not regular as for other betalactam antibiotics in relation with fibrosis of tonsils tissue inhibiting a good diffusion of antibiotic. Aust N Z J Ophthalmol, 1989 May, 17(2), 195 - 6 Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis; Richardson P et al.; A case of Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis is described . As with any infective keratitis, appropriate treatment depends upon rapid and accurate microbiological assessment of corneal scraping . Acid-fast stains such as Ziehl-Nielson should be performed, particularly in chronic corneal ulcers, as only these stains will distinguish mycobacteria from the more common diphtheroid organisms . The mycobacterium chelonae organism was sensitive only to tetracyclines. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 May, 27(5), 927 - 31 Clinical, microbiological, and experimental animal studies of Candida lipolytica; Walsh TJ et al.; Candida lipolytica was recovered from six patients in three different clinical centers . The index isolate caused a persistent fungemia with catheter-associated Candida thrombophlebitis, the second isolate was from a polymicrobial sinusitis, and the remaining four isolates were involved in tissue colonization . These and 20 other isolates were consistent in their morphological and physiological characteristics . All formed true hyphae and blastoconidia on cornmeal-Tween 80 agar and all assimilated glucose, glycerol, and erythritol . In a murine model of disseminated candidiasis, the index isolate that caused clinical fungemia caused no mortality and produced only two lesions on a kidney, as determined at necropsy . The nine isolates selected for in vitro antifungal susceptibility studies had intermediate susceptibilities to amphotericin B but were susceptible to ketoconazole . We conclude that C . lipolytica is a weakly virulent pathogen which may require an intravascular foreign body to cause fungemia. Infection, 1989 May-Jun, 17(3), 139 - 41 Regional variation in the use of antibiotics in four Danish hospitals; Friis H et al.; The increasing use of antibiotics contributes to the selection of resistant bacteria and to the cost of health care . Large regional differences in the use of antibiotics between and within countries exist . This study describes such usage in four Danish hospitals, and includes a comparison with that of the average of 450 US hospitals . Compared to the Danish hospitals, the US hospitals used approximately double the amount of antibiotics in defined daily dosages (DDD)/100 bed days . In contrast to the comparison with the American hospitals no real differences were found comparing the four Danish hospitals . The four Danish hospitals differed in degree of specialization, presence of a clinical microbiological department or a hospital pharmacy . Use of antibiotics, in DDD/100 bed days, was highest in the hospital without a department of clinical microbiology, while the highest cost of antibiotics/admission was found in the hospital with the highest degree of specialization . Restraint in antibiotic usage calls for the joint efforts of the department of clinical microbiology, the hospital pharmacy and the local drug committee - the most important tools being: continuous education, audits of antibiotic use, provision of guidelines and recommendations, facilities for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases, and limitation of the number of antibiotics used in routine sensitivity testing. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J, 1989 May, 50(5), 235 - 9 Enumeration of viable fungi in occupational environments: a comparison of samplers and media; Smid T et al.; The performance of sampling for fungi using four widely used microbiological air sampling devices and three broad spectrum media was compared in seven occupational settings . Total colony forming units counts ranged from 10 to 3700 CFU/m3 . The sampling efficiencies of the Andersen N-6 sampler, slit sampler, and Reuter centrifugal air sampler (RCS) were comparable, whereas the SAS sampler underestimated CFU counts by approximately 50% . The correlation between the RCS results and the other three samplers used was lower compared to their mutual correlations . There were no large differences in performance of the three media tested: malt extract agar, dichloran glycerol (18) agar, and dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar . Coefficients of variation of duplicate samples were large compared to commonly used methods for sampling dust and chemicals . It is concluded that the N-6 and slit sampler perform best, although RCS is useful in probes because it is easy to handle . The three media tested yielded similar results . Further testing of DG-18 is recommended, as it inhibits fast growing genera and, thus, counting colonies is easier. Z Gesamte Hyg, 1989 May, 35(5), 247 - 50 {Computer-assisted evaluation and analysis of bacteriologic findings}; Patsch R et al.; A computer-aided information system was developed for registration and analysis of microbiological findings . The base of the system is a microcomputer with a 16-bit-processor and a hard disc ensuring the analysis of a great number of material . Besides the printing of bacteriological findings for the senders detailed questions can be analysed to give informations about the distribution and frequency of bacterial species in certain specimens, about the bacterial resistance in dependence on a definite time and about the choice of combinations of chemotherapeutics as well as the existence of multiple resistances. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 May, 27(5), 1062 - 7 Use of a Chlamydia trachomatis DNA probe for detection of ocular chlamydiae; Dean D et al.; We examined the efficacy of a Chlamydia trachomatis DNA probe in detecting ocular chlamydiae by comparing it with tissue culture isolation, direct fluorescent-antibody cytology, and clinical eye exams . In a trachoma-endemic area of Nepal, 430 Nepalese villagers were examined according to the World Health Organization trachoma grading scale . Upper tarsal conjunctival specimens from each subject were obtained for DNA probing, tissue culture, and fluorescent-antibody screening . Moderate to severe intensity of inflammation was found in 85 (21%) of 430 people studied . An additional 25 (7.2%) of 345 people with low or no intensity of inflammation also had microbiologically proven infection, which may reflect asymptomatic carriage . Compared with culture, the DNA probe had a sensitivity of 86.9% and a specificity of 91% . For direct fluorescent antibody versus culture, the values were 47.8 and 96.9%, respectively . Results from this study indicate that the DNA probe for C . trachomatis might be considered a valuable epidemiologic tool in screening trachoma-endemic populations for ocular chlamydiae. J Miss State Med Assoc, 1989 May, 30(5), 145 - 8 Clinical experience with ciprofloxacin: analysis of a multicenter study; Chevis SA et al.; The authors report a multicenter study of 19 patients treated with ciprofloxacin (mean daily dosage, 972 mg per day; mean duration of treatment, 8.5 days) for a variety of infections, ten microbiologically proven . Of these, bacteriologic cure equaled 70%, and improvement 30% . Overall, clinical cure equaled 73.7%, while improvement was 15.8% . No infections were classified as chronic . One adverse reaction was noted; a case of severe vomiting classified as related definitely to ciprofloxacin therapy . The patient discontinued therapy. Prakt Zubn Lek, 1989 May, 37(4), 116 - 21 {Comparison of Czechoslovak and foreign toothpastes}; Housova D et al.; The authors made a nation-wide investigation focused on the consumption of foreign toothpastes and their evaluation, as compared with locally produced ones . They also assessed the properties of selected foreign toothpastes according to the Czechoslovak norm by laboratory tests . The investigation related that foreign toothpastes are purchased by one quarter of the subjects where enquiries were made . The main reason for selection of a foreign toothpaste was better taste and a better sensation of fragrance . People appreciate also the attractivity packing and adequate information on the properties and composition of the toothpaste . As compared with local toothpastes, the better taste of foreign ones is emphasized . Laboratory tests of the properties of foreign tooth pastes, as compared with local revealed that from the physico-chemical and microbiological aspect local toothpastes compare favourably with foreign ones . However, the organoleptic properties, packing and information are not comparable. Stomatologiia (Sofiia), 1989 May-Jun, 71(3), 17 - 23 {Microbiological study on subgingival dental plaque in children with chronic catarrhal gingivitis after metronidazole effect}; Opalcenova G et al.; Clinical and bacteriological studies on sublingual dental plaque have been carried out on 60 juveniles (from 13 to 16 years of age) with chronic catarrhal gingivitis . The therapeutic schedule covers local metronidazol treatment, combined with oral hygiene (OH) and instructions and control for maintenance of OH at home . The results reveal that metronidazol had an excellent antianaerobic action, though the mechanical removal and optimal OH are particularly important for the good clinical results. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A, 1989 May, 36(5), 393 - 400 The occurrence of lesions in the tongue of adult cattle and their implications for the development of actinobacillosis; Buttenschon J; The occurrence of lesions on the tongue and the concurrence of actinobacillosis was investigated in samples consisting of totally 2,423 corpora and 947 apices linguarum of adult cattle . The investigation was made as an extended recording in connection with routine meat inspection . The diagnosis actinobacillosis is an assessment made on the gross pathological findings confirmed by consistent results of randomised samplings for histopathological and microbiological examination . The sampling was found to be representative of the mean of the phenomena investigated, and the samples were submitted to statistical analysis . Actinobacillosis was found in 2% of the lesions of the corpus as well as the apex, and the frequency on all tongues was 0.7% . These results are compared to previous findings . The importance of initial lesions for the development of actinobacilosis, and some factors predisposing for lesion infliction are discussed on the basis of the present results and literature sources . It is concluded, that there is a connection between primary lesions and actinobacillosis. Ann Ig, 1989 May-Aug, 1(3-4), 761 - 7 {Microbiological control of hospital infections}; Gallo IA et al.; In the recent years there is a growing interest in Nosocomial Infections in Italy, because of current studies providing useful information on hospital epidemiology, hospital cost and infection control measures . Besides there is an increasing awareness that clinical and epidemiologic data provide a more important support for infection control program than microbiologic data, which are not always required to identify Nosocomial Infections . Still a reliable microbiology laboratory is an integral support system for infection control program, contributing information on Nosocomial Infection Surveillance and Education of personnel . Over the past five years in the Hospital of Frosinone, prevalence and incidence studies on patient population and microbiologic monitoring were performed . All investigations were accomplished by the Hospital Infection Control Team by collecting and reporting data on special forms, since 1988 information on microbial cultures were included . The prevalence and incidence studies have demonstrated few microbial isolates compared to the number of infections identified . Antibiotic monitoring is considered an integral component of Infection Control Programs, contributing to the surveillance of emerging resistance . All data concerning microbial isolates have been routinely an orderly collected and tabulated . A three-monthly report is distributed throughout the hospital and pertinent data are briefly reviewed . This simple method of surveillance is used to identify trends in problem areas, support antibiotic policy statements and serve as a focus for educational programs of personnel . These routine studies have some limitation: 1) all microbial agents are considered, irrespective of nosocomial infection cases; 2) 100-120 hours of work from an infection control nurse are required . Therefore microbial data are not adequate in containing Nosocomial infections, if not supported by Infection Control Team's investigation. Bull Acad Natl Med, 1989 Apr, 173(4), 447 - 75; discussion 479-83 {Toxicologic and ecotoxicologic problems posed by air pollution in urban environments}; Truhaut R; After defining the terms "toxic" and "ecotoxic", general notions are given on: 1) the main sources of urban pollution; 2) the main factors having an influence on qualitative and quantitative composition of urban pollution; 3) the main risks for man, urban ecosystems and physical environment (acute and long term noxious effects); the importance of interactions is stressed; 4) the general principles of prevention . A special chapter is devoted to "indoor pollution" . Microbiological pollution is excluded. Genitourin Med, 1989 Apr, 65(2), 126 - 7 Imported pedal chancroid: case report; Marckmann P et al.; A man aged 22 who had returned from the Fiji Islands to Denmark had chancroid on the left foot, but no history or sign of primary genital infection . The pedal location only is an unusual presentation of the disease, which was diagnosed only microbiologically . Chronic tropical ulcers therefore demand special microbiological attention. Antibiot Khimioter, 1989 Apr, 34(4), 248 - 51 {Direct screening for producers of antibiotics among the Micromonospora}; Bibikova MV et al.; A test system was developed for screening organisms producing antibiotics of definite chemical groups or mechanisms of action . The system includes efficient selection of cultures belonging to a definite microbiological taxon (genus Micromonospora), investigation of their biological and taxonomic features, the use of specific selective media with high concentrations of definite antibiotics for isolating antibiotic-producing cultures from natural substrates, the use of specific methods for antibiotic chemical isolation at the initial stages of the screening and chromatographic study of the screened compounds . The system provided efficient screening of valuable antibiotics in a short period. J Biomed Mater Res, 1989 Apr, 23(A1 Suppl), 73 - 86 Clinical-pathological analysis of failed central nervous system fluid shunts; Kossovsky N et al.; Clinical failures of central nervous system fluid shunts remain a vexing problem . Attributed largely to infectious and technical etiologies, it has been hypothesized recently that inflammatory mechanisms may play a role in this clinical phenomenon . In order to obtain morphologic evidence for this hypothesis, a study of failed shunts was performed . Twenty-five of 57 sequentially removed CNS fluid shunt assemblies or components over the course of 18 months contained sufficient intraluminal tissue to allow a histomorphologic assessment . Tissue was removed from either the intraventricular or intraperitoneal portion and examined with routine light microscopical and histochemical techniques to assess the degree of cellularity, composition of the cells, presence of debris, and organisms . Morphologic findings were correlated with the clinical courses and microbiological cultures . Data were analyzed nonparametrically using the chi 2 test . There was a substantially significant association between repeated failures and non-infectious obstructions . Eight demonstrated evidence of active inflammatory processes; and although not statistically significant, the presence in 3 cases of giant cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and eosinophils all suggestive of a hypersensitivity reaction correlated with the occurrence of culture negative clinical failures . These morphologic findings will stimulate further experimental and clinical research into possible inflammatory mediators of shunt failure. Eur J Haematol, 1989 Apr, 42(4), 339 - 43 HIV-disease and bone marrow changes: a study of 60 cases; Mir N et al.; We report our experience of peripheral blood and bone marrow changes in patients with HIV disease . Abnormalities were most commonly seen in patients with advanced disease . In AIDS group IV patients (CDC classification) anaemia (92%) neutropenia (85%) monocytopenia (75%) and thrombocytopenia (61%) have their highest incidence, the reason being a combination of factors such as infection, myelosuppressive drugs and HIV infection itself . Bone marrow examinations were performed most commonly for microbiological culture (25%) and the investigation of anaemia (16%) . Morphological changes in the bone marrow were non-specific and not pathognomic; however erythroid hypoplasia was found to be a distinctive feature associated with MAI infection . The procedure provided a high yield for microbiological culture, particularly in MAI infection. Arch Stomatol (Napoli), 1989 Apr-Jun, 30(2), 429 - 39 {Chlorhexidine in the prevention of periodontal disease}; Belardo S et al.; Authors considering microbiological and clinical characteristics of chlorhexidine pointing out its notable capacity to inhibit bacterial plaque formation and analyze possible collateral effects by its use. Med Lab Sci, 1989 Apr, 46(2), 120 - 6 Serum vitamin B12 levels in an Indian population: an evaluation of three assay methods; Kumar S et al.; Serum vitamin B12 levels were measured in 300 Indian subjects, comprising 165 haematologically normal volunteers, 78 cases of nutritional megaloblastic anaemia and 57 patients with myeloproliferative disorders . Each sample was assayed by three different techniques: i) a microbiological assay using Euglena gracilis as the test organism; ii) radioisotope dilution assay, using pure intrinsic factor as the B12 binder and haemoglobin-coated charcoal for separation of bound from free vitamin B12; iii) radioisotope dilution assay using intrinsic factor as the vitamin B12 binder and DEAE cellulose for separation of bound from free vitamin B12 . Results by the three methods correlated closely at normal and high levels of serum B12: at low levels microbiological assay and radio-assay using haemoglobin-coated charcoal correlated well but DEAE cellulose failed to detect 16 of 68 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency . The radioisotope dilution assay tended to yield higher values of serum vitamin B12 than did the microbiological assay . In none of the healthy volunteers was a clearly low value found by any of the techniques, but 20 of them had low serum B12 levels . Radioisotope dilution assay using haemoglobin-coated charcoal is recommended as an accurate assay procedure for developing countries like India, where ready-made kits are not easily available and vitamin B12 deficiency states are common. Antibiot Khimioter, 1989 Apr, 34(4), 261 - 3 {A microbiological test system for determining dioxidine levels in biological fluids}; Ponomareva TR et al.; A microbiological procedure for determining dioxidine concentrations in biological fluids with using E . coli AB 2472 rec A 16, a reparation deficient strain as a test organism is described . Cell suspension of the strain 24-hour culture is added to 1.2 per cent agar with Hottinger digest (140 mg per cent of amine nitrogen), 3 g/l of disubstituted sodium phosphate and 0.4 per cent of glucose cooled to 50 degrees C . 10 ml of the medium are added to every Petri dish with metallic cylinders put on the agar . After the medium solidification the cylinders are removed and 0.1 ml of the solution being tested is added to every well . The dishes are incubated for 24 hours under anaerobic conditions . The test system sensitivity is 0.2 microgram/ml of dioxidine . The relationship between the growth inhibition zone and the drug concentration is linear within dioxidine concentrations of 0.2 to 3.2 micrograms/ml. Z Gesamte Hyg, 1989 Apr, 35(4), 186 - 8 {Research in hospital health at the Institute of General and Community Health of the Greifswald Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University}; Weuffen W; With a retrospect of the historical development of hygiene in Greifswald the essential tasks of research in hospital hygiene especially during the last two decades are shown . The problems of hospital hygiene have been treated already before the establishment of the Institute of Hygiene of the University . Friedrich Loeffler, who as a young researcher had already treated the problems of disinfection and antisepsis, has founded the systematic hygienic-microbiological-virological working direction in Greifswald . Out of this in the following years with different essential tasks and devotion the hospital hygiene has developed in Greifswald . During the process of differentiation and forming of the department and later the Institute of General and Communal Hygiene was the hospital hygiene an essential task of research work . As peculiarity to this a close research co-operation has been developed with the territorial Institute of Hygiene of District Hygiene Inspection Rostock. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1989 Apr, (4), 84 - 8 {Airtightness of intestinal anastomoses when laser resection technics are used}; Gain IuM; Experiments were conducted on 168 dogs to appraise the biological and physical air-tightness of single- and double-row anastomoses formed on the small and large intestine after resection with a routine and laser scalpel . Microbiological, histological, histobacteriological, and statistic methods of examination were employed . A direct connection was revealed between the degree of infection of the abdominal cavity via the sutures of the anastomoses and the size of the destructive-inflammatory processes in the zone of the communication which depended on the type of the sutures and the method of resection of the intestine . The results allowed the expediency of using laser resection techniques and Pirogov's single-row suture to be substantiated from new standpoints (standpoints of higher biological air-tightness of the anastomoses). J Chemother, 1989 Apr, 1(2), 110 - 2 The use of augmentin in hospitalized and ambulatory children; Raz R et al.; Twenty-six hospitalized and 14 ambulatory children with the most common bacterial infections were treated with augmentin, intravenously and orally . In 90% of the cases in this study a clinical and microbiological cure was obtained . The number of side-effects was no higher than those caused by other drugs . Augmentin provides safe and effective therapy for infections commonly seen in the pediatric population. Indian J Ophthalmol, 1989 Apr-Jun, 37(2), 94 - 5 Microbiological studies in conjunctivitis; Boralkar AN et al.; A total of 102 cases of clinically diagnosed cases of acute conjunctivitis were included in the present study . The sample was collected from the inflamed conjunctiva and was subjected to conventional bacterial and fungal cultural studies . The allergic element was found out by studying the smear after Giemsa staining and demonstrating increased number of eosinophils . The data revealed that 32 samples had an evidence of bacterial infection, 14 showed isolation of fungi and one displayed an allergic etiology . Thirty cases showed presence of mixed infection in different combinations while 25 samples were sterile on conventional culture media . Microbiological studies are essential for confirmation of clinical diagnosis and to institute an appropriate treatment. J Hosp Infect, 1989 Apr, 13(3), 281 - 8 Endemicity of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 3 in a hospital water supply; Franzin L et al.; A microbiological and epidemiological investigation at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Turin, Italy, demonstrated Legionella pneumophila serogroup 3 at 10(2) to greater than 4 X 10(3) cfu l-1 from 24 of 32 hot water samples collected from hand-basins in six separate buildings . A sample taken from the public water supply, and a hot water sample (80 degrees C) collected from hot water tanks, did not yield legionellas . Legionella pneumophila serogroup 3 was found in samples taken at the first point of mixed hot and cold water (50 degrees C) at 3 X 10(2) cfu l-1 . 12 of 26 samples from the shower-heads yielded 10(3) to 2.5 X 10(5) cfu l-1 and one of 12 water samples from oxygen bubble humidifiers tested yielded 1.6 X 10(4) cfu l-1 . No other legionellas species or serogroups of Legionella pneumophila were isolated during the study . No cases of nosocomial pneumonia were detected among 3653 patients' records, nor was there serological evidence of Legionella infection in the 180 patients tested. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1989 Apr, 187(4-6), 591 - 7 {Health risks through imported food}; Gerigk K; For the evaluation of health risks emerging from imported foods data can be utilized which result from national surveillance programmes of member states and which are summarized, e.g . in the WHO Surveillance Programme for Control of Foodborne Infections and Intoxications in Europe . Within this programme annual reports are published reflecting the situation in the various European countries . The epidemiological data allow for long term preventive measures to be developed in an attempt to minimize health risks resulting from foods . Within this programme an Early Warning System has been established to monitor and report on incidents of international concern . The Commission of the European Communities operates an Alert System on contaminated food articles which are in international or intracommunity trade . Thus countries shall be placed in a position to initiate without delay steps for the prevention of current health risks . It is the declared policy of the EEC to dismantle by 1992 all trade barriers between the member countries and thus complete the European domestic market . This situation will make impossible border controls for food within the Community . From that time on import controls will only exist towards so-called Third Countries at the outer border of the Community . The internal free trade with foods on the one hand and the shift of inspection and control measures on the other necessitate a reconsideration of traditional official food inspection procedures . This reorientation has to include risk evaluations and strategies for routine food inspection services as well as questions of judgement criteria for different articles of food, e.g . microbiological criteria, agreement on sampling plans and standardization of examination procedures which would have to be applied. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1989 Apr, 187(4-6), 557 - 63 {Experiences in the control of the food industry . Standards and warning values}; Steuer W; Findings of one year under review concerning food investigations carried out by the official food control of Baden-Wuttemberg are presented . This study is to demonstrate that, taking more samples, does not consistently mean improvement concerning the microbiological situation of food . A high percentage of the taken samples had to be confiscated because of the detection of pathogenic and facultative pathogenic germs being microbiologically inadmissible contaminants . The necessity of having a uniform judgement on microbiological food investigations is demonstrated . The study group "Food Hygiene" of the DGHM worked out examples related to instant products, raw dehydrated farinaceous pastes, cooking products, dehydrated soups, dehydrated one-dish meals, dehydrated sauces and spices . These examples are demonstrated . The problematic nature of a critical judgement is discussed. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1989 Apr, 187(4-6), 533 - 45 {The hygiene of refrigerated and frozen foods}; Sinell HJ; Health and spoilage hazards arising from refrigerated and deep frozen foods may be due to - raw materials, e.g . pathogenic microorganisms which come from infected living animals or contaminate raw foods during handling . Psychrotrophic organisms have particular significance as pathogens or spoilage organisms as they can multiply also during refrigeration; - improper processing . Temperature abuse and incorrect time/temperature relations are main causes for microorganisms being not destroyed at the expected rate or even getting a chance of multiplying . Proper handling after refrigeration or frozen storage of foods ("hygiene of thawing") deserves also particular attention . - contamination, i.e . initial contamination of raw products which are ready for consumption without further processing (fruits, raw salads) . Recontamination which follows a heat process is much more important and occurs before, during and after application of cold . In those cases, again, one has to distinguish between products which (a) are ready for consumption without a process (bakery and confectionary goods, ice cream, drinking milk) and (b) have to pass a process which reduces the bacterial load before consuming the food (ready to eat dishes or other foods ready for reheating in the home) . Sites of increased hygienic hazard are a) lack of partitioning "clean" and "unclean" areas and processes, b) defects of sanitation and hygiene of personnel, c) defects of packaging, d) leakage during aseptic filling . Hazards are controlled through product and plant specific analysis of the process flow followed by continuous monitoring the "Critical Control Points" . As an example, a report is given on a study on random samples taken from 180.000 prepackaged deep frozen menus which had been produced for a mass meeting . Microbiological monitoring of the process revealed time/temperature relations as critical control points of primary importance . Particular problems arose from any stoppage at the production line . Reliable means to assure food safety and protect consumer's health are HACCP concept based in plant control programs rather than sporadic microbiological monitoring of end products. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1989 Apr, 187(4-6), 295 - 311 {The occurrence of legionella in dental units and the consequences for practice hygiene}; Borneff M; The objective of our investigation is to establish and explain the contamination of dental treatment units on the basis of a theoretical model, as well as to develop solutions to problems . In a first longitudinal study (6), facultatively pathogenic bacteria were identified in the operating water of dental units; the legionellae findings in screening were verified in a second longitudinal study with consideration of possible causal factors of bacteriological and parasitological nature . We took samples from the dental units and the water conduit system (cold and warm water in the dental surgery, cold water in front of and behind house internal accessory installations) in seven practices at ten measurement times over a period of ten weeks . Microbiological diagnostics were carried out with regard to the occurrence of legionellae, amoebae, pseudomonads and coliforms . The correlation between the metal content of the water and the occurrence of legionellae described in the literature caused us to determine the copper, zinc and iron content of the waters (according to standard German method, 1985) . In addition, the physical-chemical parameters temperature, pH value, conductivity and oxidizability as well as the total hardness were determined . The findings in the first phase of the study could be confirmed both qualitatively and quantitatively in the second phase . However, a greater diversity of species was shown with regard to the occurrence of legionellae in connection with an enlarged sample . We were able to isolate free-living amoebae from all dental units, the identification of which was carried out in parallel to that of legionellae in the context of the second investigation (26) . With a high variance of the contamination spectrum between the individual practices and the various units within each practice, generalization of the results is not possible; the findings are hence illustrated with examples from selected practices with consideration of the initial and interaction conditions. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 Apr, 37(4), 273 - 5 {Comparative study of the penetration of penicillin V, amoxicillin, cefaclor and josamycin in the tonsils}; Bizet C et al.; Fourty patients undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis were administered penicillin V, amoxicillin, cefaclor or josamycin . Antibiotic concentrations in serum and tonsillar tissues were determined by microbiological assay . Cefaclor demonstrated a superior diffusion than penicillin V and amoxicillin, but nevertheless inferior to that of josamycin. Anal Biochem, 1989 Apr, 178(1), 63 - 6 A radiometric microbiological assay for pantothenic acid in biological fluids; Guilarte TR; A semi-automated radiometric-microbiological assay (RMA) was developed and applied for the analysis of pantothenic acid in human blood and milk . The RMA is based on the measurement of 14CO2 produced from the metabolism of L-{1-14C}methionine or L-{1-14C}valine by the yeast Kloeckera brevis in the presence of pantothenic acid . The assay was shown to be sensitive and specific for the analysis of this vitamin in biological fluids. Arch Esp Urol, 1989 Apr, 42(3), 261 - 5 {Transrectal echography in the infertile male . Statistical study}; Dominguez C et al.; We evaluated the transrectal echo patterns in 140 infertile men using the following parameters: the transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the prostate, the presence of periprostatic venus plexus, and the transverse diameter of the seminal vesicles . Patients were classified according to data gleaned from semen analyses following the criteria recommended by the WHO . Microbiological analyses using the Meares and Stamey technics, as well as semen analyses, were performed in those patients who presented with leukospermia . These were considered a separate, homogeneous group classified as "inflammatory" . The following patient groups comprised the study: azoospermia (18 patients), oligospermia (4), astenozoospermia (43), oligoastenozosermia (48), and inflammatory (27) . Statistical analyses of the ultrasound data for the infertile males and those of the control group were performed using the Mann-Whitney U . test and compared . Data were statistically significant for the following parameters: the transverse diameter for the infertile males with azoospermia, the anteroposterior diameter of the prostate for those patients with leukospermia, and the periprostatic plexus for those in the oligoastenozoospermia and inflammatory patient groups. Steroids, 1989 Mar-May, 53(3-5), 345 - 61 Synthesis of dehydro-oogoniol, a female-activating hormone of Achlya: the progesterone route; McMorris TC et al.; The structure of dehydro-oogoniol (3 beta,11 alpha,15 beta,29-tetrahydroxystigmasta-5,24(28)(E)-dien-7-one), a female-activating hormone of the water mold Achlya, has been confirmed by synthesis . The starting material was progesterone, which was converted to the 11 alpha, 15 beta-dihydroxy derivative by microbiological hydroxylation with Aspergillus giganteus (ATCC 10059) . The side chain was constructed in a stepwise manner by means of Wittig and Horner-Emmons reactions, and the C-7 ketone was then introduced by allylic oxidation . The biological activity of the synthetic compound was the same as that of the natural hormone. Antibiot Khimioter, 1989 Mar, 34(3), 205 - 8 {Mathematical approach to modeling of the treatment of suppurative processes}; Men'shikov DD et al.; Consideration of an inflammation focus as an "open system" provided analogy between microbiological processes in inflamed wounds and in systems of continuous cultivation of microorganisms . Mathematical modeling of such systems is widely used . Some of the methods for the mathematical modeling were applied to chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy of postoperative wounds . In modeling continuous cultivation of microorganisms it is usually necessary to determine optimal conditions for the maximum yield of their biomass . In modeling of wound treatment the aim was to determine the process parameters providing the minimum biomass . The described simple models showed that there could be certain optimal flow rate of the washing fluid in the aspiration-washing procedure for wound treatment at which the drug was not completely washed out while the growth rate of the microbial population was minimal . Such mathematical models were shown valuable in optimizing the use of bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics. Vojnosanit Pregl, 1989 Mar-Apr, 46(2), 111 - 5 {Morpho-etiologic problems of pseudomembranous lesions of the colon}; Simic M et al.; Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is an infectious colon disease caused by Cl . difficile toxin . Each change of the intraluminal microbiological balance as well as damages of the hemato-enteral barrier may cause changes in the enteral flora and selective proliferation of anaerobic bacterial strains . PMC has been most frequently described after enteral application of antibiotics, even of those with the broadest use . In nonocclusive mesenterial ischemia changes similar to postantibiotic PMC may occur but pseudomembranous changes are confluent and associated with haemorrhagia and microthromboses . Some systemic and chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon may be a basis for development of anaerobic Cl . difficile which one should have in mind at establishing endoscopic and bioptic diagnosis. Acta Pharm Hung, 1989 Mar, 59(2), 87 - 94 Bioactivity of some chemotherapeutic agents in selected polyethylene glycol ointment bases; Farouk A et al.; Six different chemotherapeutic agents were individually incorporated in each of fourteen selected polyethylene glycol ointment bases, and their bioactivities were assessed using different diffusion techniques . The prepared medicated ointments were evaluated for drug release using the standard microbiological agar cup diffusion, the long period method and the short period method, as well as dialysis through artificial kidney membrane . On the basis of consistency, stability and diffusion results, formulation 11 was the most suitable base for ampicillin, formulation 14 for oxytetracycline HCl, formulation 10 and 9 for neomycin sulphate, and preparation 10 for chloramphenicol . On the basis of the results of drug release, it was evident that formulation 3 was the best for ampicillin and chloramphenicol, formulation 2 for erythromycin, formulation 4 for neomycin sulphate, formulation 12 for sulphadimidine, and formulation 14 for oxytetracycline HCl. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 1989 Mar, 27(3), 126 - 8 Concentrations of flurithromycin in serum and tonsils; Galioto GB et al.; The concentrations of flurithromycin in serum and palatine tonsils of eleven adult male patients undergoing tonsillectomy were determined . Each patient received 500 mg t.i.d., in all ten doses, before tonsillectomy . Flurithromycin concentrations were measured by a microbiological method . Mean serum levels (+/- SE) were 0.72 microgram/ml (+/- 0.19) after 8 h from the 9th dose and 0.67 microgram/ml (+/- 0.13) after 4 h from the 10th dose . Average concentrations (+/- SE) in tonsils were: 1.43 +/- 0.20 microgram/g (right) and 1.32 +/- 0.21 (left) 4 h after the last administration . Therefore, the mean tissue/serum ratio was about 2:1 . These results indicate a good diffusion of flurithromycin from serum to tonsillar tissue. J S C Med Assoc, 1989 Mar, 85(3), 97 - 101 Clinical experience with ciprofloxacin: analysis of a multi-practice study; Dunbar CP et al.; In a multi-practice study of 113 patients treated with ciprofloxacin (mean daily dosage, 995 mg per day; mean duration of treatment, 9.6 days) for a variety of infections, 14 were microbiologically proven . Of these, bacteriologic cure and/or improvement resulted in 92.9% of cases . For all 113 infections, clinical cure and/or improvement resulted in 97.1% of cases . A total of 17 infections were classified as chronic . Therapy with ciprofloxacin was discontinued in three (2.6%) of 113 patients because of adverse effects . Overall, there were 5/113 (4.4%) adverse reactions (ADRs) . Only one ADR was related definitely to ciprofloxacin therapy . Two ADRs were definitely not related; in two the relationship was uncertain . Two patients of the five (40%) elected to continue ciprofloxacin therapy despite mild side effects. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1989 Mar, 31(1), 299 - 309 {Effectiveness of local delivery of ofloxacin using controlled-release strips (PT-01) in periodontal patients . Part 2 . Successive delivery system and combination with scaling}; Ueda M et al.; Four different sites were randomly selected in each periodontal patient and divided into four group: PT-01-treated site (A), PT-01 treatment combined with scaling (S + A), placebo-treated site (P) and placebo treatment combined with scaling (S + P) . PT-01 and the placebo were applied to the periodontal pocket weekly on days 0 to 28, and clinical and microbiological evaluations were made . The results obtained were as follows: 1 . Weekly changes in plaque index, plus discharge and mobility of the tooth were not observed in any group . 2 . In gingival index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth and gingival crevicular fluid, significant improvement was found in A in comparison with P and in S + A in comparison with S + P . 3 . In total number of subgingival bacteria and in the ratio of motile rods and spirochetes to the total number of bacteria, significant reduction was found in A in comparison with P and in S + A in comparison with S + P. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1989 Mar, 31(1), 288 - 98 {Effectiveness of local delivery of ofloxacin using controlled-release strips (PT-01) in periodontal patients . Part 1 . PT-01 application among treatment plans for periodontal disease}; Ueda M et al.; Three different sites which have more than 5 mm pocket were randomly selected in each periodontal patient and were divided into three groups: PT-01 treated site, placebo treated site and control site . After application of either PT-01 or placebo twice for two weeks, subgingval scaling and root planing were performed . Then PT-01 and the placebo were applied weekly to the periodontal pocket for four weeks and clinical and microbiological evaluations were made . The results obtained were as follows: 1 . On clinical evaluation, significant improvement was found in the PT-01 treated site in comparison with the placebo treated and/or control site . 2 . On microbiological evaluation, slight improvement was found in the PT-01 treated site, whereas there was no significant difference among the three sites. Res Microbiol, 1989 Mar-Apr, 140(3), 207 - 19 Evidence for broken minocycline by NMR and HPLC techniques: a new additional resistance mechanism mediated by tetB determinant; Jupeau-Vessieres AN et al.; As demonstrated by microbiological assays, a decrease in the active minocycline level occurs in spent media from each Escherichia coli K12 recipient containing one of 10 different plasmids bearing tetB determinants . No such decrease was detected when tetA, C, D or E determinants were tested under the same conditions . Likewise, no decrease in tetracycline or doxycycline levels was detected when 20 plasmids bearing tetA to E determinants were tested . Studies carried out by nuclear magnetic resonance and high pressure liquid chromatography proved that minocycline is broken by a mechanism mediated by the tetB determinant . This new mechanism can be considered as additional to the active efflux of minocycline. Scanning Microsc, 1989 Mar, 3(1), 279 - 86 Microbiological immunocytochemistry: a review of current trends and applications; Beesley JE; It has been considered worthwhile to update previous reviews of microbiological immunocytochemistry in order to identify areas of current importance in this continually expanding area of research . Publications in virology, bacteriology and protozoology indicate a continued interest in immunocytochemistry . Deployment of colloidal gold techniques is almost universal in these applications . The post-embedding technique was the most widely applied technique although a few studies employed the immunonegative stain, pre-embedding and immunoreplica techniques, thereby reflecting the use of colloidal gold in all other areas of the biological sciences. Vopr Pitan, 1989 Mar-Apr, (2), 54 - 7 {Detection of toxigenic Fusarium strains, producing T-2 toxin, in wheat grain mycoflora by microbiologic assay}; Kroiakova EA et al.; Twenty-three Fusarium strains were isolated from wheat grain harvested in the Moscow region . The ability of the fungi cultures isolated for producing T-2 toxin was studied by the microbiological assay with the use of Saccharomyces lactis culture (BKMU-459) susceptible to T-2 toxin . The toxigenic properties were shown by 9 cultures . Six strains with unestablished species appurtenance grown on A . Capek's agar in Perti dishes were found to produce T-2 toxin in an amount of 2 to 50 micrograms/ml agar . Three strains grown on sterilized wheat grain and attributed to Fusarium sporotrichiella v . poae according to the morphological characteristics were discovered to produce T-2 toxin in an amount from 50-100 to 400-600 micrograms/g . Production of T-2 toxin by the strains isolated was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography . Experiments made on young rats have demonstrated that extracts from F . sporotrichiella v . poae strains producing T-2 toxin appeared highly toxic for the animals. Scand J Prim Health Care, 1989 Mar, 7(1), 19 - 22 The diagnosis of candida vaginitis in general practice; Bro F; In a multi-practice study, 29 general practitioners registered 361 women with increased vaginal discharge, malodour, or pruritus, and 229 women without vaginal complants . A wet-smear was examined for Candida by the general practitioner . Culture for Candida was performed in the general practitioner's laboratory, and at a microbiological laboratory . Candida was found by microscopy or culture in 140 (39%) women with vaginal symptoms, compared with 51 (22%) without vaginal complaints (p less than 0.001) . In 34 women with symptoms (24%) Candida was found by wet-smear microscopy, in 98 (76%) by microscopy or culture in the general practitioner's laboratory, and in 126 (90%) by microscopy or culture at the microbiological laboratory . No relation was found between the number of Candida isolated and the presence of vaginal symptoms (p greater than 0.05) . The sensitivity of microscopy was low compared with previous studies and underlines the need for multi-practice studies in the evaluation of diagnostic procedures . Vagicult is recommended for general practice, but problems exist in the interpretation of a positive culture result. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1989 Mar-Apr, 72(2), 237 - 41 Microbiological determination of neomycin in feeds: collaborative study; Stahl GL et al.; A modification of the AOAC microbiological determination of neomycin in feeds was collaboratively studied by 12 laboratories . The official method was modified by substituting a constant salt concentration diluent for the feed extract diluent, preparing the agar medium in tris buffer, and performing the test with a monolayer plating system . Each laboratory performed single assays on 8 samples in a randomized sequence . The samples included duplicates of a cattle and swine feed at 2 different marketed concentrations . The mean recovery across all laboratories was 110.7% of theory with a range of means of 69.4-128.6 across the 12 laboratories . The results of one laboratory and 2 additional values from different laboratories were deemed outliers and excluded from statistical analysis . The statistical analysis gave a confidence interval of +/- 26% for individual assays. Int Dent J, 1989 Mar, 39(1), 33 - 47 Detection of high-risk groups and individuals for periodontal diseases; Johnson NW; Though gingivitis has a prevalence of close to 100 per cent in many populations, most forms of the 'disease' are self-limiting and reversible: tooth support and function are not compromised so the public health importance of the condition is questionable . Periodontitis occurs in a number of different clinical forms which may have quite different aetiological factors and--perhaps more importantly--host predispositions . Collectively, however, these diseases result in only a minority (approximately 5-20 per cent) of most populations which have been adequately surveyed having destructive periodontitis of a 'clinically significant' degree, i.e . with pockets over 6 mm, attachment loss over 4 mm or teeth requiring extraction because of their periodontal condition alone . Indeed, current evidence shows the reasons for tooth loss, though complex, to be primarily related to caries and its sequelae (both infective and iatrogenic) . Indeed, in populations without access to dental health care services most people keep most of their teeth for most of their lives . Destructive periodontitis, therefore, is not the public health problem it was until recently assumed to be . Nevertheless, a prevalence of 5-20 per cent constitutes an endemic disorder of very significant proportion . The ability to identify such individuals in advance would be a major breakthrough, as would methods for detecting the intraoral sites of those individuals susceptible to breakdown, or undergoing a phase of active and destructive periodontitis . The former may be approached by genetic and general health screening, plus measurement of immune status to relevant microbial virulence factors; the latter by microbiological, biochemical and immunological screening of oral fluids--notably gingival crevicular fluid samples on a site specific basis. Int Dent J, 1989 Mar, 39(1), 25 - 32 Latest state of research on lactitol and dental caries; Grenby TH; Research on the dental properties of lactitol as a bulk sweetener to replace dietary sugar is reviewed under three headings: microbiological experiments in vitro, investigations in laboratory animals, and studies in man . Lactitol was not easily metabolized by acidogenic and polysaccharide-forming oral micro-organisms, its enamel-demineralizing potential in vitro intra-oral acid development and dental plaque formation from lactitol in man were substantially lower than from sucrose . The indications for dental health benefits are promising. Medicine (Baltimore), 1989 Mar, 68(2), 116 - 32 Disease due to the Legionellaceae (other than Legionella pneumophila) . Historical, microbiological, clinical, and epidemiological review; Fang GD et al.; More than 20 species of the Legionellaceae family of bacteria have been discovered since the discovery of Legionella pneumophila . Thirteen have been implicated as causative agents of pneumonia including the Pittsburgh pneumonia agent (Tatlockia micdadei, Legionella micdadei) . Although outbreaks of nosocomial pneumonia in immunosuppressed hosts have been well-described, most cases have occurred sporadically in the community . The spectrum of disease ranges from severe life-threatening pneumonia to a self-limiting febrile illness (Pontiac fever) . Isolation from the natural aquatic environment has preceded its discovery as agents of human disease in 6 species, while environmental isolation has not yet been obtained for 3 species implicated in disease . The mode of transmission is uncertain, but cases of dual infection by L . pneumophila and the newer species suggests that the epidemiology of these new organisms will be similar to that of L . pneumophila . The antibiotic of choice appears to be erythromycin . The historical background, epidemiology, microbiology, and clinical manifestations of these newly-discovered organisms are reviewed in comparative fashion. Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1989 Mar, 31(1), 278 - 87 {Application of local drug delivery system to periodontal therapy . 5 . Clinical and microbiological effects of TC film application in furcation involvements}; Takeuchi K et al.; Two molars having furcation grade II involvements were selected from each of six patients with periodontal diseases . One molar received a local application of tetracycline immobilized cross-liked collagen film four times at one-week intervals (TC film-treated group) and the other received no treatment (non-treated group) . The clinical and microbiological effects were, as follows, 1 . Throughout the experimental period, no significant differences in pocket depth, attachment level, bleeding on pocket probing, periotron unit, gingival index and plaque index were noted between the TC film-treated group and the non-treated group . 2 . One week after TC-film application, the treated group showed significant decreases in the density of microorganisms and the proportion of spirochetes compared with the non-treated group . The results revealed the insufficient effectiveness of the local application of TC film by itself for the treatment of teeth having furcation grade II involvements. Nor Tannlaegeforen Tid, 1989 Mar, 99(5), 156 - 60 {Few aspects with regard to diagnosis and treatment of oral candidiasis}; Axell T et al.; The present article discusses the rationale for daily use of the combination of amphotericin B (4 lozenges) intraorally and chlorhexidine denture disinfection (15 min) extraorally vs separate use of polyene antimycotics or chlorhexidine in the treatment of infectious denture stomatitis, frequently considered as the most common form of oral candidiasis . The amphotericin B/chlorhexidine combination has been standard treatment of infectious denture stomatitis in Scandinavia for more than 15 years . It was found to be the best among several regimens tested in 100 patients after a series of subjective and objective parameters had been used to record treatment efficacy in controlled clinical and microbiological studies . The fact that there was a significant (5% level) higher reduction of yeasts cultured from the palatal mucosa with this drug regimen than with the other modalities tested, including chlorhexidine lozenges/chlorhexidine denture disinfection, suggested that no drug interaction of clinical importance took place in vivo with this combination . Therefore, care should be taken when extrapolating findings on drug interaction in vitro (12) to the in vivo situation, and guidelines for treatment of oral candidiasis should preferably be based on controlled clinical and microbiological trials with patients . In order to prevent relapse of oral candidiasis after treatment, local and general predisposing factors should be eliminated, in particular reestablishment of plaque on the fitting side of the denture should be prevented. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 1989 Mar-Apr, 31(2), 126 - 31 {Biosafety in the laboratory}; Ishak R et al.; The occurrence of laboratory-acquired infections have elicited in the last ten years an intense interest in methods and procedures for the safe handling of microbiological material . The major laboratory safety problem is aerial transmission, however, protection against airborne hazards is efficiently achieved by the use of microbiological safety cabinets . Biosafety rules should be strictly followed by all members of a laboratory . Evaluation of these procedures should be effectively performed by an independent biosafety committee . The upsurge of AIDS should stimulate the adoption of safe working procedures in the laboratory. Mutat Res, 1989 Mar, 222(3), 205 - 18 An interlaboratory comparison of enhanced morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells cultured under conditions of reduced bicarbonate concentration and pH; LeBoeuf RA et al.; Initial studies performed in our laboratory indicated that early passage Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells exhibit optimal clonal proliferation when cultured in medium with a sodium bicarbonate concentration of 8.9 mM and pH of 6.70 instead of 44 mM and pH 7.35 as used previously by others . Subsequent studies indicated that morphological transformation frequency induced by benzo{a}pyrene (BP) was also enhanced at pH 6.70 compared to 7.35 and the level of enhancement was affected by cell density and duration of culture . With optimal conditions identified, the carcinogens BP, 3-methylcholanthrene, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, 2-acetylaminofluorene and the non-carcinogen anthracene were tested at pH 6.70 and 7.35 in our laboratory and at Microbiological Assoc . Inc . under code . Additionally, the non-carcinogens 4-acetylaminofluorene, and caprolactam were tested in our laboratory . Results from these studies indicate that all carcinogens tested caused a significant increase in morphological transformation frequency compared to controls at pH 6.70 . In contrast, only BP caused a significant increase in the morphological transformation frequency at pH 7.35 . The non-carcinogens did not significantly increase the morphological transformation frequency compared to controls . Interlaboratory comparisons were in qualitative agreement despite the fact that different lots of serum and hamster cell isolates were used by the two laboratories . However, different dose-response curves for the various chemicals were observed between the two labs . It was also demonstrated that the enhanced morphological transformation frequency is not due to a decrease in culture medium osmolality or Na concentration, a condition which accompanies media with a reduced bicarbonate concentration and pH . These results demonstrate that the chemicals tested, low pH transformation of SHE cells agrees with carcinogenic potential and that assay variability is minimized . The implications of these results regarding use of the SHE cell assay as a short-term test for predicting the carcinogenic potential of chemicals are discussed. Gig Sanit, 1989 Mar, (3), 53 - 4 {Medico-biological criteria of the evaluation of air quality at the site of microbiological synthesis plants}; Pogorel'skaia SA et al.; The efficacy of environmental protection in the areas of location of protein synthesis microbiologic plants was analyzed . It was established that under the conditions of observance of a technological regime and the stability of the gas cleaning systems for industrial affluents the operation of the plants caused no air pollution of residential districts by fungi producers and protein dust of the finished product . The study revealed the absence of detrimental health effect of microbiologic products . The proposed set of biomedical indicators can be recommended for monitoring air quality in the area of location of microbiologic plants. J Clin Periodontol, 1989 Feb, 16(2), 116 - 9 Effects of subgingival irrigation on A . actinomycetemcomitans; Wikesjo UM et al.; The effects of repeated subgingival irrigation on Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was examined . 24 periodontal pockets harboring A . actinomycetemcomitans in 3 juvenile and 4 adult periodontitis patients were studied . The protocol included bi-weekly subgingival irrigation with hydrogen peroxide of the periodontal sites until the micro-organism was no longer detected by selective culture, or for 6 months . A . actinomycetemcomitans was gradually suppressed to below detection following the irrigation regime and could no longer be detected in 46% of the sites at completion of the irrigation protocol . The sites were microbiologically re-examined 5 months after cessation of the irrigation regime . A . actinomycetemcomitans re-occurred in only 2 of the sites from which it had originally been suppressed below detection . The results indicate: (1) that the irrigation regime tested has some potential to suppress A . actinomycetemcomitans in periodontal pockets; (2) that the effect of the irrigation protocol generally lasted for 5 months; (3) that the reduction rate of A . actinomycetemcomitans to below detectable levels seems related to the initial number of cultivable bacteria from the periodontal pocket. J Clin Periodontol, 1989 Feb, 16(2), 105 - 15 Comparative longitudinal study of 2 methods of scheduling maintenance visits: 4-year data; Listgarten MA et al.; 116 subjects were recruited from a population of patients previously treated for adult periodontitis and