Microbiological

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 maintained in periodontal health by means of periodic prophylaxes every 3-6 months . The subjects were divided into a control (C) and a test (T) group . A total of 33 patients in the T group and 47 in the C group completed the 4-year study . The C subjects were examined every 6 months and given a prophylaxis every 3 months . The patients in the T group were examined at similar intervals, but prophylaxes were administered according to the individualized scheme of Listgarten and Shiffter, on the basis of a differential microscopic count of subgingival bacterial morphotypes . Recurrent periodontitis was defined as an increase in probing depth of 3 mm or more from baseline measurements . Teeth so affected were sampled microbiologically when the diagnosis of recurrent disease was made and "exited" from the study for treatment . A control microbial sample was taken at the same time from a previously-defined pooled sample of non-affected surfaces with comparatively high, but stable probing depths . During a 4-year period, more than half of the subjects developed at least one recurrence of disease, and one-third of the subjects had 2 or more recurrences of periodontitis . Disease recurred on approximal surfaces 81% and on orovestibular surfaces 19% of the time . There were no significant differences in the rate of disease recurrence between the C and the T group, even though recall intervals in the T group at the 4-year examination averaged 19.4 months and an average of 30.6 months had elapsed since the previous prophylaxis . Both groups exhibited similar plaque index and gingival index scores, similar probing depth and attachment level measurements, and similar proportions of different bacterial morphotypes during the 4-year study . However, differences were noted between examinations for both groups with respect to most of these criteria . This study provides 4-year longitudinal data on the clinical and certain microbiological characteristics of a population of adult patients previously treated for moderate to advanced periodontitis, and subsequently placed on periodontal maintenance . The results indicate that some of these patients may remain in good periodontal health despite the lack of regular tri-monthly recall visits, and that microscopic monitoring of the subgingival microbiota may be of value in identifying these individuals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Stomatol DDR, 1989 Feb, 39(2), 78 - 83
{Wet root canal instrumentation and microbiologic monitoring of treatment results}; Keitel S et al.; The time and frequency of wet and dry root canal instrumentation of teeth with apical periodontitis were compared . The importance of negative microbiological culture for the success rate and for the number of treatment appointments was determined . According to the microbiological and clinical results wet instrumentation is the more effective treatment . Microbiological testing is not requested for routine use.

Minerva Pediatr, 1989 Feb, 41(2), 97 - 103
{Pediatric suspensions of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in the treatment of bacterial infections of otorhinolaryngologic importance and the upper respiratory tract}; Amendola F et al.; Thirty children, 20 males and 10 females, aged 6.57 +/- 0.78 on the average (range: from 13 to 6 months), weighing 21.60 +/- 2.25 kg with bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract and ear were admitted to the present trial . A chemotherapeutic agent based on amoxycillin and clavulanic acid in the suspension for children of 312.5 mg/5 ml (4:1 ratio) at the dosage of about 17 mg/kg in two daily administrations according to the weight of the patients was used . The therapy was prolonged for 8.87 +/- 0.30 days on the average, from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 11 days . In the course of the treatment the symptom parameters and the objective signs progressively reduced until disappearance; the body temperature came promptly back to normal values, confirming the definite improvement and the regression of the infectious pictures . The microbiological data also fully confirmed the successful activity of the chemoantibiotic drug used . No side effects were found and, as regards local and general tolerance, no signs of an even slight impairment related to the administration of the drug were found . The final judgement expressed on the efficacy, on the basis of the more or less quick and complete symptom regression, evolution of the infectious picture and good tolerance were the following: excellent in 22 cases, good in 6, fair in 1 and not able to be evaluated in 1 case (a female patient who left off the trial).

Aust Dent J, 1989 Feb, 34(1), 13 - 9
The relationship between microbiological assays and the clinical signs of periodontal disease; Newcomb GM et al.; Ninety-five patients with periodontal disease each had subgingival plaque samples collected from four sites (one from each quadrant) in their mouths . The relative proportions of spirochaetes, motile rods and cocci were determined using dark field microscopy and the proportion of anaerobic to aerobic micro-organisms calculated after culture . In addition, clinical recordings were made . The only significant correlations observed were between probing depth or attachment loss and the proportion of cocci in the plaque (negative association), probing depth or attachment loss and sites which were suppurating or displayed a radiolucent interdental crest (positive association), and the percentage of cocci and sites with a radiolucent interdental crest (negative association) . Partial correlation analysis controlling for probing depth or attachment loss showed that a significant inverse association between the percentages of cocci and the presence of a radiolucent interdental crest remained . No significant associations were observed between clinical signs such as bleeding on probing or suppuration and the microbiological assays . Overall there was a poor correlation between many of the signs thought by some to indicate periodontal disease activity.

Ala Med, 1989 Feb, 58(8), 10 - 3
Clinical experience with ciprofloxacin: analysis of a multicenter study; Simmons JF et al.; In a multicenter study of 128 patients treated with ciprofloxacin (mean daily dosage, 982 mg per day; mean duration of treatment, 8.9 days) for a variety of infections, 48 were microbiologically proven . Of these, bacteriologic cure and/or improvement resulted in 93% of cases . For all 128 infections clinical cure and/or improvement resulted in 93.8% of cases . Twenty-nine (23.8%) of all infections were classified as chronic . Overall, there were 3/128 (2.3%) adverse reactions (ADRs); one case each of diarrhea, malaise, and nausea/vomiting . None were related definitely to ciprofloxacin therapy . Therapy with ciprofloxacin was discontinued in two (1.6%) of 128 patients because of adverse gastrointestinal (GI) effects . One patient elected to continue ciprofloxacin therapy despite mild GI side effects.

J Parodontol, 1989 Feb, 8(1), 53 - 9
{Characteristics of certain early periodontitis: apropos of two cases}; Amar S et al.; The study of early onset periodontitis led in the last years to important improvement in the etiopathogenic knowledge of periodontitis . The clinical and microbiological analysis of 2 early onset periodontitis cases gives a better understanding of the evolution of these 2 models of periodontal lesions . Hypothesis are presented concerning the transition between localized juvenile periodontitis and rapidly advanced periodontitis.

J Hosp Infect, 1989 Feb, 13(2), 179 - 85
The milk kitchen, Sheffield Children's Hospital, before and after a review; Burnett IA et al.; The milk kitchen at Sheffield Children's Hospital has recently been modernized to update equipment and practices . Microbiological assessments before, during and after this upgrading are described . Limits for viable counts in pasteurized feeds are suggested and the practices adopted to minimize the contamination of feeds are described.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1989 Feb, 34(2), 98 - 101
{Application of a method of material-energy balance for controlling the process of microbiological synthesis of riboxin}; Toitman AI et al.; Possible control of riboxin biosynthesis on the basis of the information provided with the method of material-energy balance was studied . Correspondence of the cultivation conditions to the directed biosynthesis was established by comparing the experimental values of the respiration coefficient delta CO2/delta O2, the coefficient of constructive and energy metabolism conjugate Cc/e and the ratio of the consumed amounts of glucose and ammonium nitrogen delta S/delta NH4+ with the theoretical values of these parameters . The control principle included changing of the process operation parameters for providing cultivation conditions approximating the experimental values of Cc/e, delta CO2/delta O2 and delta S/delta NH4+ to their theoretical values . It was shown possible to control directed aerobic growth of the culture by changing the aeration conditions . A decrease in the initial aeration rate promoted more rapid transition of the microbial population to the exponential growth phase and provided for a certain period cultivation conditions corresponding to the conditions of conjugate metabolism . It was found that the respiration coefficient could be used not only as a parameter reflecting one of the forms of the cell physiological activity manifestation but also as an optimization criterion in development of a controlled cultivation process.

Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1989 Feb, 36(1), 21 - 6
Rotavirus infection in newborn calves . I . Evaluation trials of certain enzymes in faeces; Kita J et al.; The purpose of this work was to investigate the relationship between rotavirus infection, diagnosed in faeces using the serological test, in calves with diarrhoea and the activity of lysozyme, alpha-amylase, lipase and trypsin in the same material . The faeces were taken from 28 sick and 1 healthy animals, aged from 1 to 5 days, for microbiological and enzymatic examination . No correlation was found between lysozyme activity in faeces and rotavirus infection . Similar results were obtained with the other enzymes.

Clin Ter, 1989 Jan 15, 128(1), 21 - 5
{Relationship between clinical diagnosis and microbiological diagnosis of symptomatic vaginitis}; Sagone I et al.; After comparing the referral diagnoses of women with vaginitis sen to our cervicovaginitis out-patient clinic at the Ospedale Fatebenefratelli e Oftalmico of Milan with the subsequent bacteriological diagnoses, the Authors emphasize that treatment for the different types of vaginitis must be prescribed only after accurate and thorough bacteriological examination in order to avoid inadequate treatment and unnecessary discomfort to the patients.

Radiobiologiia, 1989 Jan-Feb, 29(1), 117 - 20
{The immuno-microbiological status of mice after partial exposure to x-rays and the possibility of its correction using immunoglobulin}; Shal'nova GA et al.; Partial X-irradiation of the hind part of mouse body with a dose of 12 Gy (LD15/30) was shown to produce a pronounced harmful effect on the clinico-hematologic and immuno-microbiological characteristics that could be coped with by a single subcutaneous injection of homologous immunoglobulin (200 mg/kg) 2 h following irradiation.

Ann Plast Surg, 1989 Jan, 22(1), 19 - 24
Drug injection injuries of the upper extremity; Smith DJ Jr et al.; The increasing incidence of illicit intravenous drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions in western society . Although the accompanying infectious complications such as hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome receive the most notoriety, injection injuries are causing an increasing number of problems . A retrospective review of patients requiring admission for acute or chronic drug injection injuries of the upper extremities was made at the Detroit Receiving Hospital from 1980 through 1985 . The demographical, historical, physical, microbiological, and follow-up data were analyzed . The majority of the injuries involved subcutaneous injections into the hand with accompanying inflammatory or infectious complications . The bacteriological data revealed unique characteristics and did not reflect patterns expected from inoculation of normal skin flora . A treatment regimen based on the data is proposed.

Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 1989 Jan, 49(1), 61 - 3
{Immunohistochemical and serologic detection of Ca-125 in patients with peritoneal tuberculosis and ascites}; Ronay G et al.; We report on two young patients with massively elevated CA-125 serum level of 290 and 264 U/ml respectively, who clinically exhibited suddenly occurring ascites . The diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma or ruptured ovarian cystoma led to a laparotomy . During the operation, a disseminating granulomatous inflammation was evident, which was identified histologically and microbiologically as miliary tuberculosis with peritoneal invasion . CA-125 was immunohistochemically localised, sharply demarcated around the tuberculous granuloma . A possible explanation for this finding is the inflammatory mesothelial proliferation . A similarity in antigenic structures of membrane components of M . tuberculosis and CA-125 cannot be excluded . Serum CA-125 levels tested 6 months after the treatment of the tuberculosis showed a value within the normal range (less than 35 U/ml).

Ann Chir, 1989, 43(6), 465 - 8
{Microbiological aspects of nosocomial risks of suction bottles}; Vassal S et al.; The suction and collection of more or less contaminated biological fluids or regurgitated matter in reusable glass bottles may be responsible for nosocomial infections . Based on a study conducted in 49 cases, the authors try to demonstrate the microbiological risks in the operating theatre of changing and transport of these bottles and the risks for the environment and the hospital staff in the cleaning of these bottles . The connection to the vacuum system was found to be contaminated in 26.1% of cases, the environment of the waste evacuation and cleaning zone was contaminated in 59.2% of cases and, in 28.6% of cases, the microorganism detected was identical to that in the bottle . All of these factors suggest that a disposable system, although apparently more expensive, ensures a greater degree of safety, avoiding the problems related to transport emptying and elimination of these bottles.

Ann Ital Chir, 1989, 60(2), 129 - 32; discussion 133
{Pharmacokinetics of the biliary excretion of some chemotherapeutic agents in patients with biliary disease}; Basoli A et al.; The authors have assessed the concentration of 7 antibiotics in the bile of patients undergoing biliary surgery or carriers of a T tube in the common bile duct . 1 hour preoperatively, 122 patients were administered with the following chemotherapeutic agents: Cefoxitin 2 g i.v.; Cefamandole 2 g i.v.; Ceftriaxone 1 g i.v.; Clindamycin 600 mg i.v.; Amikacin 500 mg i.v.; Gentamycin 160 mg i.v.; Norfloxacin 400 mg by mouth; 30 patients showed obstructive jaundice or obstructed cystic duct . Samples of bile were withdrawn from gallbladder and common bile duct . The same antibiotics were administered to 81 patients carrying a T tube . Samples of bile and serum were collected at baseline and every 30 minutes for 4 hours and subsequently at 12 and 24 hours following administration . 18 patients showed altered liver function tests . The chemotherapeutic agents were tested by the microbiological assay as well as by HPLC . Mean concentration in the gallbladder bile was: Cefoxitin 209 +/- 86 micrograms/ml; Cefamandole 436 +/- 108 micrograms/ml; Ceftriaxone 482.7 +/- 214.84 micrograms/ml; Clindamycin 64 +/- 22 micrograms/ml; Amikacin 5 +/- 1.4 micrograms/ml; Gentamycin 4 +/- 2 micrograms/ml; Norfloxacin 22 +/- 14 micrograms/ml . In the bile of jaundiced patients or with non-visualized gallbladder no antibiotics were detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Probl Tuberk, 1989, (8), 58 - 61
{Etiology of nonspecific diseases of the respiratory organs in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis}; Snitinskaia OS; Microbiological investigation of sputum and serological investigation of blood serum from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated by secondary infections were performed to determine etiology of the concomitant non-specific diseases of the respiratory organs . It was shown that the main etiological agents causing the concomitant inflammatory diseases were Str . pneumoniae in the new cases of tuberculosis and Str . alpha-haemolyticus in the patients with relapsing tuberculosis . Sensitivity to the broad-spectrum antibiotics was stated in 70 per cent of the strains isolated from the new cases of tuberculosis and in 50 per cent of the strains isolated from the patients with relapsing tuberculosis . The isolates were mainly resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin and kanamycin.

Pneumonol Pol, 1989 Jan, 57(1), 25 - 8
{Comparative studies of cyclic 11, 12 erythromycin carbonate (davercin) and erythromycin a levels in lung tissue, serum and bronchial secretions}; Krakowka P et al.; A comparison of serum, pulmonary tissue and bronchial secretory levels of erythromycin and cyclic--11,12 carbonate of erythromycin (Davercin--Polfa) was carried out in 55 patients with lung cancer . All patients received erythromycin and Davercin 80 hours prior surgery, during which a small fragment of pulmonary tissue was removed for further evaluation . Concentration of both antibiotics was determined microbiologically . Better penetration of Davercin to the pulmonary tissue was found, as well as higher tissue concentration . The study demonstrates the advantage of Davercin over erythromycin in treating bacterial infections of the respiratory system.

Infection, 1989, 17 Suppl 1, S21 - 2
{Enoxacin concentrations in lung tissue}; Adam D et al.; For successful treatment of bacterial lung infections the administered antibiotic must reach sufficiently high concentrations in lung tissue . Therefore, the concentrations of enoxacin in this tissue were measured in ten patients requiring pulmonary surgery . In order to prevent postoperative infection, the patients received 400 mg enoxacin b.i.d . for three days . Eight h after the final dose samples of venous blood were drawn and a sample of lung tissue was removed . Using a microbiological assay, we found the following concentrations (mean +/- S.D.):serum 2.36 (+/- 0.65) mg/l, lung 6.48 (+/- 1.54) mg/kg . With the HPLC-technique the corresponding values method were 2.37 (+/- 0.80) mg/l and 7.41 (+/- 3.01) mg/kg . Thus concentrations of enoxacin in lung tissue are about three times higher than the corresponding serum concentrations.

Yao Xue Xue Bao, 1989 Jan, 24(1), 22 - 6
{Microbiological dehydrogenation of intermediate of fluocinanide acetate}; Chen M et al.; Both compound I and II are intermediates in fluocinanide acetate synthesis . I could be dehydrogenated to II in 62% approximately 63% yields by Arthrobactor simplex No . A-1, which was selected in our laboratory . When concentration of I was 0.1%, it was transformed so fast that II could not be accumulated . When concentration was increased to 0.2%, four intermediates IV, V, VI and VII were formed in addition to a little amount of product II . When concentration of substrate I was increased to 0.5% and B-CS buffer solution and 4% alcohol (95%, V/V) were added, compound II in cuboidal microcrystalline form was obtained . Under this condition, the yield was steady and melting point was above 250 degrees C.

Fortschr Ophthalmol, 1989, 86(4), 287 - 90
{Bacterial contamination in corneal preservation: pathogens and their origin}; Garweg J et al.; We compared the results of microbiological cultures of conjunctival swabs and organ culture samples of human corneoscleral tissue and found bacterial contimination of the conjunctiva in 54% of all eyes investigated post mortem . Donor age or time after death up to 60 h showed no influence on the rate of microbial growth . The bacterial flora in the conjunctiva was not responsible for microbial growth in the organ cultures, and none of the bacteria found in the cultures could be related to the conjunctival flora . A sterile conjunctival swab does not mean that the organ culture is sterile.

Bull Pan Am Health Organ, 1989, 23(3), 316 - 22
Microbiological analyses of Merluccius merluccius hubbsi (Marini, 1933) fillets treated with Co-60 ionizing radiation; Valdes E et al.; Fillets of a hake, Merluccius merluccius hubbsi, were exposed to 2 kGy, 6 kGy, and 10 kGy of ionizing radIation from a Cobalt 60 source and were subsequently stored frozen at 0 degree C . Both these irradiated samples and control samples were examined to determine their bacterial counts and organoleptic qualities (texture, elasticity odor, color, and drip loss) for a period of seven weeks following the irradiation . The irradiated fillets showed an initial marked decrease in the total number of bacteria--amounting to roughly one order of magnitude for those exposed to 2 kGy and roughly three orders of magnitude for those exposed to 6 kGy and 10 kGy as compared to the controls . The samples irradiated with 6 and 10 kGy had bacterial counts well below the minimum acceptable level of 0.8 x 10(6) bacteria per gram for the entire seven-week study period . Regarding organoleptic quality, the fillets exposed to 2 kGy and 6 kGy were found to retain acceptable qualities for an average of about six weeks, somewhat longer than the controls and other irradiated samples . Considering both bacterial counts and organoleptic qualities, the most effective of the three radiation doses employed was 6 kGy.

Biomed Pharmacother, 1989, 43(4), 307 - 12
Aspergillus sinusitis in neutropenic patients with cancer: a review; Peterson DE et al.; Aspergillosis typically occurs in patients with reduced host defenses; such patients include renal and marrow recipients as well as patients with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression . Pulmonary structures are most frequently involved; non-pulmonary involvement (including sinus) has not been frequently reported . In the present study, paranasal sinusitis occurred in 52 myelosuppressed cancer patients treated over 5 years at the UMCC with chemotherapy . Twenty-one patients had Aspergillus sinusitis; Aspergillus spp., including flavus and niger, were directly recovered from sinus in 19 of the 21 infections . Two other patients were considered clinically, although not microbiologically, documented . Multiple predisposing factors for Aspergillus sinusitis during the 60 days prior to infection diagnosis appear to exist; these include: 1) granulocyte count less than 500 mm3 (mean duration, 42 days versus 14 days for sinusitis of other etiology; P less than 0.001); 2) prolonged hospitalization (mean duration, 22 days versus 14 days for patients with non-fungal sinusitis; P less than 0.001); and 3) prolonged antibiotic therapy (mean duration, 22 days versus 9 days; P less than 0.001) . The Aspergillus sinusitis resolved in 18 of 21 patients following treatment with amphotericin B; however, 11 of 18 patients had infection recurrence that always developed when tumor recurred and chemotherapy was reinstituted.

Gig Tr Prof Zabol, 1989, (1), 5 - 8
{Status of immunologic reactivity and prospects of the implementation of occupational selection of workers at a microbiological plant}; Artamonova VG et al.; The results of immunologic studies of different groups of workers engaged in the microbiologic synthesis production are presented . The study reveals a very important role of the immune system in the development of various forms of diseases . Differentiated shifts in various chains of cellular and humoral immunity have been identified in practically healthy people and in patients with occupational diseases both in acute condition and at the remittance stage . These shifts are specified by the form and stage of the disease, length of service at the given enterprise and individual immunity characteristics . By means of using immunograms it is possible to select patients with stable, adequate immune type enabling one to go on working at the industrial enterprise without any significant pathologic changes in the body.

Vestn Akad Med Nauk SSSR, 1989, (6), 82 - 4
{Mycoplasma and rheumatoid arthritis in children}; Vul'fovich IuV et al.; A microbiological and serologic investigation was carried out in 80 children with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to detect Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma as possible causative agents of RA . The antigen of Mycoplasma in question is shown to be detectable in 42.6% of cases more commonly as part of an association of 2 or more species . M . arthritidis and U . urealyticum are the more common findings . Anti-mycoplasma antibodies were detected in 25.7% of the examined children . The role of these Mycoplasma species in RA is discussed, as is the need for etiotropic treatment of mycoplasma rheumatoid arthritis.

Pediatr Radiol . 1989;19(6-7):436.
Cerebral candidiasis . Computed tomography appearance; Chaabane M et al.; A three year old child who had been suffering from oral candidiasis since the age of 1 year presented with osteitis of the clavicle, 2 cerebral frontal abscesses and an occipital abscess which extended across the calvaria and was associated with osteolysis . Histological and microbiological studies following surgery confirmed the diagnosis of candidiasis in this girl who was found to have IgA immunodeficiency . The authors report the computed tomographic appearance of the cerebral lesions and review the literature.

J Pharmacobiodyn, 1989 Jan, 12(1), 60 - 6
Ocular pharmacokinetics of latamoxef and cefaclor in humans . Penetration into aqueous humor; Kitaura T et al.; Penetrations of latamoxef (LMOX) and cefaclor (CCL) into the aqueous humor after intravenous or oral administration were investigated in patients admitted with cataract . Concentrations of antibiotics in plasma and aqueous humor were determined periodically by microbiological assay . LMOX disappeared from plasma in a monoexponential manner with a half-life of 2.7 h after intravenous administration at a dose of 1000 mg . The maximum concentration of LMOX in aqueous humor (4.7 micrograms/ml) was observed 2 h after administration . When CCL was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg, the maximum concentration of CCL in aqueous humor was 0.53 microgram/ml 2 h after administration, whereas the maximum plasma concentration of 8.4 micrograms/ml was observed at 1 h . Pharmacokinetic analysis (simultaneous simulation) of plasma and aqueous humor concentration-time courses was done by using the best-fitting compartment model examined (modified two-compartment model) . Prediction of the concentration of antibiotics in aqueous humor from the plasma concentration profile was also examined using the same compartment model in a separate experiment . The predicted concentration in aqueous humor was proved to fit reasonably with the measured concentration.

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1989, 18(2), 167 - 72
{Role of Chlamydia trachomatis in tubal pathology (acute salpingitis and tubal sterility) . Microbiological study of 175 samples of peritoneal fluid}; Keilani A et al.; The study was carried out on 175 patients who underwent laparoscopy together with search for chlamydia in the peritoneal fluid when they were having investigations for sterility or for pelvic pain . These patients are classified into three groups according to the clinical and laparoscopic features: 50 cases of acute salpingitis . 104 cases of tubal sterility and 21 control cases who were normal on laparoscopy . The mean age was 25.7 years for acute salpingitis and 30.4 years for tubal sterility . The purpose of this study was to work out the role played by chlamydia trachomatis in tubal phatology and two techniques were used at the same time: The identification of chlamydia trachomatis in 175 samples of peritoneal fluid taken during a laparoscopy; Research for anti-chlamydia antibodies in serum using an indirect micro-immunofluorescent technique . Cell cultures were performed after the peritoneal fluid had been centrifuged . It had been in transport medium 2 SP and frozen . Our technical methods for isolating chlamydia (microplaque culture on Hela lines, incubation in the presence of cycloheximide and research for chlamydial inclusion bodies using direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies and 2 successive passages of the cells) have allowed us to confirm that chlamydia was present in 44% of cases of acute salpingitis and in 37% of cases of tubal sterility . The search for anti-chlamydial antibodies in the serum in indirect immunofluorescence with a single antigen (of L2 serotype) gave positive results which were comparable to those in other studies, i.e . 50% of positive serological results in acute salpingitis and 63% in tubal sterility.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zentralbl Gynakol, 1989, 111(24), 1589 - 98
{Bacterial vaginosis}; Hoyme UB; Bacterial vaginosis is the most prevalent microbiological cause of vaginal discharge . Sexual intercourse is considered as a main risk factor, however, bacterial vaginosis is not a true sexually transmitted disease and characterized as a dysbalance in the vaginal microbiological ecosystem . The diagnosis is based on the characteristic vaginal discharge, a pH greater than 4.5, a positive whiff test and on presence of clue cells . In therapy nitroimidazoles p.o . are considered as treatment of choice . Bacterial vaginosis is a significant risk factor for ascending as well as postoperative and pre- and post-partum genital infections.

Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1989, 173(3), 195 - 204
{Microbiologic diagnosis of diseases of the lung, bronchi and pleura}; Tauchnitz C et al.; Microbiological examination of sputum specimens is of limited value and may give misleading results . On the other side, knowledge of aetiologic agents and corresponding antibiograms may be life-saving in nosocomial pneumonias, for instance . Bronchoalveolar lavages and invasive diagnostic procedures are necessary to obtain microbiological materials without contamination by oral germs . Blood cultures and pleural effusions are useful too . Further informations are given by CF, immunofluorescence (antibody or antigen), ELISA, CIE, latex-agglutination and other modern techniques . Bacterial bronchitis should be treated on the base of calculated chemotherapy . Microbiological procedures are indicated only in the case of repeated therapeutic failure . Invasive diagnostic measures should be avoided in the case of bronchitis . Calculated chemotherapy is sufficient in most cases of community-acquired pneumonias too . Nosocomial pneumonias have a high mortality which only can be reduced by rapid aetiologic diagnosis . All efforts in this direction are of considerable value . Special problems are connected with aspiration pneumonia, atypical and viral pneumonias and pleural empyema . Besides pleural exudate pleural biopsies are useful to demonstrate some special microbes.

Ann Ital Chir, 1989, 60(3), 157 - 62
{Optimal preparation of the colon for elective surgery . A personal proposal}; Picardi N; Positive results of modern elective colon surgery are founded not only on a correct anatomo-surgical technique, but also on antibiotic prophylaxis and on the best possible "preparation" both mechanical and microbiological to surgery of colon . Also if in recent literature the opportunity of the last kind of preparation is controversial, here are considered principles and the various most modern related available methods . As regards the mechanical preparation, the most useful dietetic directives, a correct and safely employ of laxative, and also orthograde and retrograde use of physiologic and hyperosmotic solutions of bowel lavage are here considered . As regards the microbiological drainage of colon, criteria of choice between various available antibiotics and plans of their employ, mainly in a prophylactic use, are here recorded . At the end is offered the personal proposal of colon preparation, founded on a synthesis of preliminary mechanical endoscopic colon dressing with a preoperative microbiological drainage, following the most modern principles of antibiotic prophylaxis of colon surgery complications.

Scand J Rheumatol Suppl, 1989, 79, 13 - 20
Benign polyarthritis and undifferentiated arthritis an epidemiological terra incognita; Zeidler H et al.; Introduction of new diagnostic criteria and the development of HLA-typing and microbiological--serological techniques have aided in classifying and differentiating inflammatory rheumatic diseases . Reviewing epidemiological prevalence studies shows that inflammatory rheumatic diseases are often so called benign polyarthritides and that arthritides, classified as definite and probable rheumatoid arthritis (RA), may belong to a group of benign or undifferentiated arthritides . Own data show that only 25% of patients of an early synovitis out-patient clinic have definite or probable RA, 25% have an undifferentiated arthritis . The term "undifferentiated" refers to the heterogeneity of diseases included . We conclude that few epidemiologic studies exist concerning undifferentiated arthritis and spondarthritis and combined efforts are needed to distinguish RA from the multitude of other well characterized or yet unknown arthritides.

Biomed Pharmacother, 1989, 43(6), 421 - 6
Antibiotic treatment of Lyme borreliosis; Dattwyler RJ et al.; Unlike most bacterial infections, where diagnosis is by identification of the causal organism, diagnosis of infection by Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme's borreliosis) relies mostly upon indirect techniques . This situation has some short-comings . As long as no technology permits a microbiological diagnosis of this infection, controversy will exist as to the clinical symptoms and the criteria for the cure of the disease . Despite the lack of consensus upon both the clinical definition and the treatment of Lyme's borreliosis, it is widely agreed that the affection is best understood if regarded as a progressive general infectious disease . Indeed, following a bite with local infection, there occurs a fairly rapid dissemination of the spirochaetes . In vivo therapeutic trials have shown the potential effectiveness of beta-lactams and tetracyclines, but no treatment is considered universally effective . Most of the first trials were empirical, as antibiograms were not used . Antibiotic concentrations reached with some oral therapies are too low for the protection of certain sites such as the central nervous system . In vitro studies conducted on various strains of B . burgdorferi both in the US and in Europe are very enlightening . Among the more perplexing results of some of these studies, it is worth noting the high resistance rate of some B . burgdorferi strains to penicillin, reported by Johnson et al . and by Preac Mursic et al . Therapy for Lyme's borreliosis is discussed in light of both the in vivo and in vitro studies.

Curr Med Res Opin, 1989, 11(8), 510 - 7
Acute and chronic Legionnaires' disease and co-existent tuberculosis: a trial of erythromycin; Hamedani P et al.; To assess the prevalence of Legionnaires' disease, 115 patients with 'difficult-to-treat' chest infections were screened for Legionnella pneumophila . The results were positive in 10 (37%) of 27 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 15 (22%) of 68 with a recent onset acute respiratory infection, and 7 (35%) of 20 patients with history of a chronic respiratory infection . These 32 patients were enrolled in an open therapeutic trial of erythromycin . Less severe cases (17 of 32) received erythromycin stearate orally (500 mg 4-times daily) for up to 28 days, while severe cases were treated for the first few days with intravenous erythromycin lactobionate (4 g/day) . Weekly chest X-ray examinations revealed prompt resolution . Most patients had no signs and symptoms detectable after 7 days, and none persisted up to 28 days . There were no therapeutic failures and microbiological tests on Day 28 were negative for Legionella pneumophila . It is suggested that the possibility of co-existing legionellosis should be considered in all patients with difficult to treat acute and chronic chest infections, particularly in developing countries where tuberculosis is very common, and treatment instituted or supplemented with erythromycin as the drug of choice.

Proc Finn Dent Soc, 1989, 85(2), 81 - 93
Recombinant DNA techniques . Basic concepts and practical applications in oral biology; Syrjanen SM; Advances in molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, in particular, have provided researchers and diagnostic laboratories with powerful new tools enhancing understanding of biological events and aiding clinical laboratory diagnosis of many diseases (both genetic and those caused by infectious agents) . The main applications of recombinant DNA technology at the moment include diagnosis of genetic disorders and microbiological infections, assessment of normal cell differentiation, and the molecular biology of tumours . In future, extensive correlation analyses of gene structure and expression with tissue morphology, clinical presentation and prognosis will also improve abilities to diagnose diseases of the oral cavity.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Res, 1989, 9(3), 229 - 32
Preliminary pharmacokinetic and clinical evaluation of ofloxacin in dental and oral cavity diseases; Pappalardo G et al.; In 14 healthy volunteers (8 M and 6 F), aged 19 to 33 years, serum and salivary concentrations of ofloxacin, administered in a single oral dose of 300 mg, were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the microbiological agar diffusion method . The serum peak was observed at hour 1 (2.61 +/- 0.17 micrograms/ml), with a T1/2 of 4.14 h, a Kel of 0.167 h-1 and AUC of 15.07 micrograms/ml.h . The peak salivary concentration, obtained at hour 2, was 1.96 micrograms/ml, with a T1/2 of 4.40 h . Twenty dental patients (12 M and 8 F), aged 18 to 37 years, with various diseases, were treated orally with ofloxacin 600 mg/day for a period of four to six days . The clinical response proved excellent in one case, good in 16, fair in two and poor in one, with 85% efficacy rating . In five of these patients, ofloxacin concentrations in gingival tissue and alveolar bone were found to be 1.90 +/- 0.09 micrograms/g and 1.58 +/- 0.06 micrograms/g, respectively, while serum and salivary assays by HPLC confirmed the previous results . No changes of importance in haematochemical parameters were found in any of the patients . One patient only presented with diarrhoea and a skin rash which promptly cleared on discontinuing the therapy . Ofloxacin for its spectrum of action and good diffusion in the salivary and parodontal tissue compartment can be considered an useful tool in oral chemo-antibiotic therapy.

Gig Tr Prof Zabol, 1989, (4), 16 - 8
{Hygienic evaluation of factors of the occupational environment at an industrial plant synthesizing microbiological enzyme preparations}; Kuchuk AA et al.; A complex of sanitary, hygienic, epidemiologic and bacteriologic studies of the production process of microbiologic synthesis enzyme preparations showed that dust produced by a final product and exceeding MACs was a major occupational hazard . Microbic contamination of the workplace air and production equipment became higher by the end of the technological cycle . The study of the occupational environment effect on workers' health revealed the most prevalent skin, laryngologic, gastrointestinal and bronchiopulmonary diseases . Body sensitization to the produced enzyme preparations was detected in a number of workers.

Geogr Med Suppl, 1989, 2, 69 - 80
{Microbiological measurement of air-borne bacteria at an office building}; Sixl W et al.; Following a request of a cleaning firm microbiological measurings were carried out in (large building) office areas . Air was supplied through an air conditioner and all windows were locked and could not be opened . Office employees were on the opinion that illness had increased and felt endangered by colleagues' germs . To find out the reason of these complaints measurings were conducted in various rooms and floors also in the air conditioner . It must be stressed that in spite the continuous air conditioning, almost all doors were open to the corridors . This, declared one of the questioned employees had above all a communication expansion effect.

Eur Surg Res, 1989, 21 Suppl 1, 43 - 51
Treatment of postoperative infections with a single daily dose of ceftriaxone: analysis of international issues; Germiniani R; The results of 13 clinical trials were analysed in order to define the efficacy of ceftriaxone (Rocephin) when given alone and in a single daily dose in the treatment of postoperative infections . In a total of 306 evaluable patients, many of whom were suffering from severe infections, the global clinical success rate was about 90% . The drug was very well tolerated . Minor transient effects occurred only in a few patients . In 8 out of the 13 trials, ceftriaxone was compared with other standard antibiotics . In these comparative studies, the global clinical success rate with ceftriaxone (93.8%) was higher than with other drugs (81%) . The microbiological response to ceftriaxone was extremely satisfactory for almost all pathogenes.

Nauchnye Doki Vyss Shkoly Biol Nauki, 1989, (2), 5 - 16
{Bacteriolytic enzymes produced by actinomycetes . II . Biosynthesis and areas of practical application}; Vinogradova KA et al.; The data on physiological conditions of the bacteriolytic enzyme formulation of actinomycetes, the population structure of producing cultures, the search of producers of enzymes able to hydrolyze the peptidoglycan of cellular walls of bacteria are reviewed . The fields of application of lytic enzymes in fundamental and applied microbiological investigations are pointed out . These enzymes are of considerable interest as potentially useful chemotherapeutics and food preservatives . They may be successfully used in biochemical and genetic investigation, in the study of peptidoglycan structure . The ability of bacteriolytic enzymes to cause the lysis of microorganisms resistant to the lysozyme action is of special importance . The application of these enzymes allows to work out gentle methods of lysis of bacterial cells used in various fields of microbiology.

Schriftenr Ver Wasser Boden Lufthyg, 1989, 80, 247 - 60
{Sanitizing contaminated soil and groundwater pipes by microbiological and physico-chemical methods}; Werner P et al.; The contribution reports on two contamination cases, i.e., a waterwork "Durlacher Wald" and an industrial plant "Oberrheingraben" which were remedied using biological and physico-chemical methods . Furthermore, it deals with the laboratory investigations of the degradation of hydrocarbons, and also discusses briefly the advantages and problems of the microbiological remediation techniques.

Schriftenr Ver Wasser Boden Lufthyg, 1989, 80, 187 - 207
{Hydraulo-geologic assumptions of biological purification processes in the subsoil}; Battermann G; The use of microbiological methods to remediate contaminated underground and ground water may become both effective and economically advantageous . To exploit the potential advantage of these methods, one must start early enough prior to the treatment investigate the degradability of the contaminants present, and the geo-hydraulic conditions existing at the site . It seem to be advisable to involve neutral experts at this stage of preparation, i.e., those who are personally not indebted to one specific remediation method . At the present time, the progress in the biological remediation techniques seems to allow their use in numerous cases of the environmental contamination under economically attractive conditions.

Schriftenr Ver Wasser Boden Lufthyg, 1989, 80, 147 - 66
{Technical methods and hydrogeological aspects of in situ sanitation measures in soil and groundwater areas}; Schiefer B et al.; The contribution deals in general with the following aspects of remediation processes: --Hydrogeological parameters --Microbiological and engineering parameters --Engineering conceptions of biological in situ remediations --Analytical aspects and monitoring.

Schriftenr Ver Wasser Boden Lufthyg, 1989, 80, 119 - 46
{The identification of microorganisms from groundwater and characterization of their physiologic activities}; Dott W et al.; The microbiological method presented in this contribution allows the following investigations: --Identification of aerobic, heterotrophic environmentally-related organisms . --Investigation of different physiological activities of the test bacteria (e.g., degradation of different organic carbonaceous compounds, formation of extracellular enzymes) . --Characterization of biological communities and their diversity . --Estimation of activities in environmental samples and mixed cultures . --Evaluation of a micro-site quality, e.g., reductions in the numbers of species or in a specific activity due to the effects of toxic substances . --Monitoring of the microbial community and its activities during biorestoration processes.

Microbiologica, 1989 Jan, 12(1), 101 - 4
Ultrasonographic and microbiological diagnosis of mycetic liver abscesses in patients with AIDS; Filice C et al.; A rare case of multiple mycetic abscesses in a patient with AIDS is reported: the diagnosis was suspected after an ultrasound (US) examination and was obtained with US guided percutaneous puncture . The US appearance and differential diagnosis of mycetic liver abscesses are discussed and the increasing role of US and US guided percutaneous puncture in the screening of these patients is stressed.

J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1989 Jan, 71(1), 105 - 12
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis . Association with vertebra plana; Yu L et al.; In seven children who had chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, the radiographic and histological findings were consistent with those of osteomyelitis, but the results of cultures were negative . We studied the clinical, radiographic, histological, and microbiological findings in these patients, who had a total of thirty-nine lesions . The lesions occurred most frequently in the spine, tibia, and femur; three patients had vertebra plana . The natural history of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis appears to be slow, spontaneous resolution of the osseous lesions without specific treatment . The diagnosis is one of exclusion . Biopsy is recommended, and results of cultures must be negative before therapy with antibiotics can be withheld.

Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 1989, 28(6), 26 - 9
{Our experience in using nolitsin in puerperal infections (preliminary report)}; Despodova Ts et al.; The therapeutic possibilities of the chemotherapeutic preparation Nolicine were studied . Clinical and laboratory parameters were followed in dynamics as well as microbiological examination of lochial and wounded secretion in dynamics . The results from the study showed that the applied preparation, when its usage is contemplated with the isolated bacterial flora, is suitable for treatment of some postpartal infections especially in women, who are allergic to antibiotics.

Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp, 1989 Jan-Feb, 40(1), 53 - 5
{Rhinocerebral mucormycosis}; Garcia Fernandez E et al.; Mucormycosis is unusual in ORL pathology . We present a case of a 53-year-old patient in the dialysis program for the past 6 years for renal insufficiency . Starting with some trouble in the left lacrimal region, he was diagnosed by his ophthalmologist as having deep dacryocystitis, appearing as an ulcero-necrotic lesion on the same side of the nasal dorsum . In the presumption of clinical mucormycosis, a microbiological and histological study was done to confirm the diagnosis, starting treatment with amphotericin B . Because of the rapid extension of the lesion, surgical debridement of the zone was done but his evolution was bad, lapsing into a coma and requiring a neurosurgical operation for intracranial complications . The patient died 12 days after admission . For that reason we did an evaluation of the problem and also a review of the literature.

Med Arh, 1989, 43(1), 31 - 6
{Relation between microbiological monitoring and the risk of hospital infection in obstetrical departments}; Basic F et al.; 1 . The increased microbiological control of the total work process at maternity wards enables the timely notice of the contamination location . 2 . A direct result of such control is an improvement of hygienic-technological procedures, disinfection and sterilisation at maternity wards . 3 . A favourable epidemiological situation was registered during a two-year period following the epidemic (1986-1987) caused by the Coxsackie B virus with respect to a two-year investigation period preceding the epidemic (1984-1985) . 4 . During the two-year investigation period preceding the epimic 1,942 microbiological controls were performed at the Ginealogical-Obstetrics Clinic in Sarajevo . During the same period following the epidemic 3.321 microbiological controls were performed which is an increase of 1.7 times . 5 . Increased number of controls influenced the improvement of the hygienic regime, and the basic parameters were: decreased prevalence of dangerous bacteria species, increased number of sterile swabs and a decreased number of pathogenous isolates . 6 . The evaluation of hygiene and epidemiological risk of the medical equipment based on isolated pathogenous carriers prior and after the epidemic shows a significant difference (P less than 0.01) . 7 . There is a significant statistical difference (P less than 0.01) concerning the hygienic conditions of working clothes with respect to isolated pathogenous carriers before and after the epidemic . 8 . Increased microbiological supervision resulted in the elimination of risks associated with working and floor surfaces since findings during the 1986-1987 . period in comparison with the 1984-1985 . period show significant statistical results with respect to pathogenous isolates (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Int J Clin Pharmacol Res, 1989, 9(5), 313 - 7
Cortical and medullary kidney tissue levels of cefonicid in human beings; Scaglione F et al.; Cefonicid concentration has been determined microbiologically in cortical and medullary tissue in 30 patient undergoing surgery because of neoplastic disease localized within the kidney . Each subject received 1 g of cefonicid intramuscularly in a single administration . The patients were divided into six groups, from which samples of blood and tissue were collected 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 h respectively after treatment with the drug . The mean peak serum levels appeared at the second hour (74.96 +/- 8.14 mcg/ml) and the decay shows a monoexponential behaviour, reaching a minimum value of 5.4 +/- 2.33 mcg/ml at the 24th hour . In the cortical tissue of the kidney the peak levels appeared at the fourth hour (26.22 +/- 8.87 mcg/g), while at the 24th hour levels were about 3.08 +/- 0.81 mcg/g . A very similar behaviour could also be observed in the medullary tissue of the kidney with peak levels at the fourth hour (25.82 +/- 10.06 mcg/g) and levels of 3.48 +/- 0.85 mcg/g at the 24th hour . A delay in the decay of tissue levels in comparison with the decay of blood levels could be observed from the eighth hour.

Stomatol DDR, 1989 Jan, 39(1), 21 - 4
{Contribution on disinfection of dental impressions}; Bockisch H et al.; The effectiveness of various measures of disinfection with stomatological impressions had microbiologically been tested . The most efficient reduction of the number of germs could be stated after a five minutes influence of 0.5% commercial solution of peracetic acid on calcinate impressions . Gargling by Sol . chlorhexidini SR before taking the impression and a 60 minutes formaldehyde gasification of plaster casts also resulted in an essential reduction of the number of germs, too.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1989, 43(5), 747 - 50
Immunoglobulin concentration in the blood serum of foals suffering from pneumonia associated with mycoplasma infection; Antal A et al.; Clinical, microbiological, haematological, and immunological investigations were carried out in mares and their foals of 2 studs . A considerable number of foals fell ill with pneumonia, the mortality rate was high . Mycoplasmas were mostly isolated from nasal swabs and from the lungs . The isolation rate of bacteria was lower . Serum IgG concentration was reduced in the diseased or dead foals compared to that of healthy animals, the data stress in importance of IgG in the development of respiratory diseases also in foals.

Probl Tuberk, 1989, (11), 33 - 7
{The complex cytologic and bacteriologic study of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for the purpose of differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis and disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis}; Nikolaeva GM et al.; Investigation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with sarcoidosis and disseminated tuberculosis of the lungs revealed signs of similarity of and difference between certain cytological, cytochemical and microbiological indices . The signs were helpful in differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis of the lungs and suggested a common etiological factor causing them.

Chemotherapy, 1989, 35(6), 406 - 9
Antibiotic levels in aqueous and vitreous humor after intraocular administration; Miglioli PA et al.; Antibiotics poorly penetrate the vitreous humor after periocular or systemic administration . Sometimes a direct intravitreal injection is necessary for the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis . The kinetics of the intravitreally injected antibiotics, netilmicin (500 micrograms/0.1 ml), piperacillin (2,000 micrograms/0.1 ml), ampicillin (2,000 micrograms/0.1 ml) and aztreonam (2,000 micrograms/0.1 ml), were examined in rabbits . Aqueous and vitreous antibiotic concentrations were assayed by microbiological methods . The results show that active levels of all drugs studied are present in the vitreous body for 48 h . In aqueous humor beta-lactam antibiotics are present in very small concentrations, whereas the aminoglycoside netilmicin (vitreous/aqueous ratio) have higher levels (%) than other drugs.

Zentralbl Chir, 1989, 114(8), 534 - 44
{Brain abscess and subdural empyema from the bacteriologic viewpoint}; Szuwart U et al.; The bacteriology has changed since beginning of antibiotic therapy . Reports of literature and the dates of patients treated in Neurosurgical Clinic of Munster are analyzed . The improvement of microbiological technique leads to the evidence of a greater role of anaerobics and of a smaller part of sterile cultures . The success of therapy depends on the early beginning of specific therapy . The poor prognosis of the sterile inflammations is caused by inefficiency of unspecific therapy.

Tierarztl Prax, 1989, 17(3), 319 - 21
{Electron microscopic detection of herpesviruses in a mass death of Greek tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and four-toed turtles (Agrionemys horsfieldii)}; Lange H et al.; In a population of about 130 tortoises, consisting mainly of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and Four-toed tortoises (Agrionemys horsfieldii), 50% of the reptiles died within 3 months in autumn 1987 . Post mortem analysis of 5 necropsied turtles revealed thick, caseous coatings in the upper digestive tract, hepatomegaly and enteritis . By microbiological examination a lot of ubiquitous bacteria could be isolated . By electron microscopy of concentrated and negatively stained gut specimens herpes virus particles were found in two Hermann's tortoises and one Four-toed tortoise . Isolation experiments in embryonic turtle tissue cultures showed no evidence of a cytopathogenic agent . The results are discussed in respect of their importance for the high mortality observed in the population of mediterranean land turtles.

Neoplasma, 1989, 36(5), 615 - 22
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in hematological patients (Czechoslovakia-German Democratic Republic cooperative study; Blaha M et al.; A group of 55 hematological patients treated for the last 2.5 years by the method of selective decontamination was evaluated . Though both institutes (Bad Saarow, Hradec Kralove) worked on the problem in the same conditions (indications for the treatment, characteristics of patients, basic drugs), many differences in details were found . However, the important clinical results were the same: A statistically significant decrease in infections and duration of fever in treated patients . A survey of therapy complications, surveillance of infections and incidence of microbes are presented . The evaluation showed that future research including microbiological and immunological investigation based on a standard protocol will be useful.

Zahn Mund Kieferheilkd Zentralbl, 1989, 77(8), 815 - 8
{The spectrum of S . mutans OMZ 176 products from different mono- and disaccharides}; Stosser L et al.; S . mutans OMZ 176 produced from mono-, disaccharides and hexitols in microbiological culture up to the log . growth phase different amounts of acid . Lactate was the gas chromatographically analyzed prevailing end product . Microbial suspensions of the same living mass prepared from the cultures produced homofermentatively lactate from glucose and sucrose whereas all other substrates (galactose, lactose, sorbitol, mannitol) were turned over partial heterofermentatively.

Gig Tr Prof Zabol, 1989, (7), 31 - 3
{Use of immunomycologic indicators in solving the problems of health protection of pregnant workers in the microbial synthesis industry}; Litovskaia AV et al.; The study of 106 pregnant women engaged in microbiological synthesis production revealed the tendency to increasing genitalia contamination by Candida yeast-like fungi, including fungi-protein producers, and also oppression of immunologic reactivity in comparison with nonpregnant women and the control group . It was pointed out that from the beginning of their pregnancy period women should have no contact with yeast-like fungi.

Zahn Mund Kieferheilkd Zentralbl, 1989, 77(3), 273 - 5
{Comparative microbiological, macro- and microscopic and x-ray findings in iatrogenic perforation of the maxillary sinus depending on the time of its lancing}; Schulz S et al.; To determine whether the inflammation afflicting the sinus mucosa shortly after oroantral communication is due to an injury or an infection, microbiological studies of two biopsy preparations each were performed simultaneously in 20 patients with the diagnosis: radix in antro . As a rule, notwithstanding the time of oroantral communication aerobe micro-organisms corresponding to the local conditions of oral and nasal flora . Primary asepsis of the sinus mucosa being assumed, an infection of the sinus maxillary has to be taken into account only one hour after the dislocation of a root of the tooth into the sinus maxillary . After six hours the infection will be followed by an inflammatory reaction.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Res, 1989, 9(3), 233 - 7
Clinical pharmacokinetics and tissue penetration of teicoplanin; Novelli A et al.; The pharmacokinetic properties were investigated of teicoplanin, including its penetration into suction blister fluid (SBF), after a single intravenous bolus administration of 600 mg in seven pneumological patients with normal renal and hepatic function . Blood and SBF samples were collected during the 60-hour period drug administration . Teicoplanin was assayed microbiologically and the mean serum concentration at the end of the i.v . injection was 98.7 +/- 16 mg/l falling to 2.3 +/- 0.4 mg/l at 60 h . The antibiotic was rapidly distributed into a fast equilibrating peripheral compartment and, at a lower rate, into a slowly equilibrating peripheral compartment, while the mean elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) was 34.1 +/- 6.8 h . Penetration into the SBF, though slow, was good, reaching a mean peak level of 8.7 +/- 1.7 mg/l at a mean time of 2.1 h, with a penetration index (obtained by percentage ratio of the area under curve in the SBF to that of serum) of 42.9%.

Offentl Gesundheitswes, 1989 Jan, 51(1), 21 - 6
{Evaluation of technical indoor air ventilation systems in operating departments from the health viewpoint}; Bahr E et al.; By means of measurement examples it is shown that the examination of the cfu-concentration in the supply-air is not a sufficient criterion for the hygienic-microbiological evaluation of air-conditioning systems in operation wards . Maximum upper values for cfu-concentration were only exceeded a little in some cases . Particle measurements, carried out simultaneously, gave further information on the hygienic status of the air supplied by the air-conditioning system and permitted an evaluation of the ventilation system (for example an air-supply ceiling with a stabilized air ventilation) . An efficient air-ventilation system should have the effect that the air quality in the operation area is of nearly the same quality as the supply-air . On the basis of own measurements maximum upper values and recommended values for cfu- and in particular particle-concentrations in the supply-air of air-conditioning systems with three-step filtration were proposed . The set-up and the carrying out of the measurement is described to standardize a "hygienic evaluation" of air-conditioning systems in operation theatres . Help for the interpretation of measurement results is given by means of measurement examples.

Acta Pol Pharm, 1989, 46(4), 343 - 9
{Selenazoles . XII . (1) Reaction of 4-(p-tolyl)-selenosemi-carbazides of acetic, benzoic, isonicotinic, nicotinic and picolinic acid with omega-acetophenone}; Bilinski S et al.; The cyclization of 4-(p-tolyl)-selenosemicarbazides of acetic, benzoic, isonicotinic, nicotinic and picolinic acids (Ia-e) with omega-bromoacetophenone was investigated in the medium of methanol (Method A) or in methanol in the presence of anhydrous sodium acetate (Method B) . Acid hydrolysis of compounds IIf-i and IVa-c, e was studied . Results of UV and IR spectrometric measurements and of the in vitro microbiological studies are presented . In contradistinction to corresponding thiosemicarbazides, the change in N4 nitrogen atom basicity of the parent selenosemicarbazide I (pKa of p-toluidine = 5.1), in comparison to that of 4-phenyl-selenosemicarbazide (pKa of aniline = 4.63), proved to influence the equilibrium of the reaction with omega-bromoacetophenone only in the methanol medium without addition of anhydrous sodium acetate (Method A).

Med Arh, 1989, 43(2-3), 157 - 60
{The hygienic and epidemiologic importance of water disinfection in pools used for medical rehabilitation}; Puvacic Z et al.; The water in the medical rehabilitation pools has some specific features in respect to hygiene--and--epidemiological casualty, bringing to an increase of infection risks by many diseases . It presents a way to communicate carriers from one patient to another, and thus the risk of infection . Major infections communicated by pool water are the nose, mouth, ear and larynx infections, and all the other ones are only sporadic and of minor importance in the periods of passive epidemiological situations . Apart from the microbiological contaminations and chemical agents (nitrogenous compounds), the chemical parameters of water present important factors . Chlorine compounds used for water disinfection have their advantages and disadvantages, and their disinfection action is influenced by numerous factors.

Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1989, 47(10), 601 - 6
Chemiprobe, a nonradioactive system for labeling nucleic acid . Principles and applications; Nur I et al.; The Chemiprobe Kit provides a complete system for nonradioactive labeling of DNA probes and their detection in hybridization studies . The system is highly sensitive, permitting the detection of 0.2-0.4 pg DNA which allows detection of a single gene sequence in 0.5-1 microgram of bacterial DNA or in 3-5 micrograms of mammalian DNA . In this paper the authors show that the rRNA genes of M . capricolum can be detected by using only 50 ng/ml of sulfonated probe cloned from another mycoplasma, M . pneumoniae . The Chemiprobe system has been successfully used in the detection of the single copy human gene for glucocerobrosidase from total embryonic DNA by hybridization to a specific sulfonated cDNA . 5 x 10(4) M . pneumoniae cells can be detected either free or mixed with sputum using a standard dot blot technique: mycoplasma cells were lysed by a mucolytic agent, denaturated by NaOH, immobilized on a nylon membrane filter, and then hybridized with pPN4, a plasmid DNA probe specific for M . pneumoniae . The resulting hybrids were then detected by the standard Chemiprobe procedure . A new kit based on the Chemiprobe system has been designed especially for the detection of mycoplasmas in tissue culture . This kit has been tested on 70 random samples collected from tissue culture fluids from 11 different sources . Of these, 42 were found to be contaminated by the Chemiprobe procedure, whereas 41 were found to be contaminated by classical microbiological methods . No false negatives were found.

Probl Tuberk, 1989, (10), 38 - 40
{Improvement of the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis with an account of the detection of L forms and ultrasmall mycobacteria}; Golyshevskaia VI et al.; Possible addition of various drugs to the Dorozhkova nutrient medium for isolation of L-forms of M . tuberculosis was studied with a purpose of preventing microbial contamination of the cultures . It was shown that the use of malachite green as 1% sterile aqueous solution in an amount of 11 ml per 1 liter of the medium lowered the number of the sprouts from 35 to 4.5 per cent . Various microscopic methods were tested to choose the most suitable one for isolating L-forms of M . tuberculosis . Different nutrient media for additional cultivation and isolation of revertants from ultrasmall mycobacteria were compared . The Dorozhkova medium provided reversion of the ultrasmall mycobacterial L-forms in 12 per cent of the cases . The respective index on the routine Sauton and Shkolnikova media amounted to 5 per cent.

Neurosurg Rev, 1989, 12(3), 239 - 44
Antibiotic single-dose prophylaxis of shunt infections; Blum J et al.; Shunt infections after implantation or revision of a shunt for CSF drainage in hydrocephalic patients are serious complications . In view of their frequency, this study investigated the efficacy of prophylactic administration of a single dose of the antibiotic cefazedone in reducing in the post-operative infection rate . Fifty children of up to 14 years of age suffering from hydrocephalus of various etiologies were treated prophylactically and compared with a similar untreated group . The diagnosis of infection was based mainly on microbiological and clinical observations and investigations . Classical infection parameters were also recorded and evaluated, but played only a secondary role in establishing the diagnosis as they can change post-operatively without an infection being present . The infection rates observed were 6% in the group of patients who received antibiotic treatment prophylactically and 14% in the untreated control group.

Klin Padiatr, 1989 Jan-Feb, 201(1), 11 - 5
{Dexamethasone therapy in bronchopulmonary dysplasia}; Merz U et al.; Dexamethasone has recently been introduced for the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) . Whereas the short-term effect of dexamethasone has been documented in previous publications, studies on the long-term effect do not appear to exist in the literature . The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the influence of dexamethasone on respiratory parameters, the long-term efficacy, and the side-effects . Dexamethasone was given to premature babies with BPD who could not be weaned from the respirator . Twelve infants were included in this study . The gestational ages ranged from 26 to 30 weeks and the birth weights ranged from 640 to 1410 g . Dexamethasone treatment was initiated at the age of 14 to 44 days . After 6 days of dexamethasone therapy, ventilation rates and FiO2 values improved significantly . All infants were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation and extubated at 2 to 40 days after the start of dexamethasone therapy . The follow-up for the estimation of the long-term efficacy ranged from 3 to 18 months . Ten out of twelve patients had been weaned permanently from the ventilator; one 12-months-old infant is still respirator-dependent . One patient died at 8 months from BPD . In 5 out of 12 infants we observed a leukocytosis with neither clinical signs nor microbiological signs of an infection . Septicaemia developed in one case and one patient suffered from pneumonia . Arterial hypertension was observed in one infant during dexamethasone therapy . The results suggest that dexamethasone facilitates the weaning of preterm infants with BPD from the ventilator . This treatment may prevent some infants from long-term ventilation.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1989, 68(3), 249 - 54
{Recurrent infections of the urogenital tract: preliminary results of a study on the clinical and immunological effects of thymopentin treatment}; Amoroso A et al.; We are carrying on a trial with subcutaneous injections of thymopentin in a group of patients that presented more than 2 infectious episodes of uro-genital tract in the latest 18 months . Microbiological investigations were performed with microscopic and cultural examinations before and after six weeks of treatment with thymopentin (TP5) associated with antibiotic therapy chosen on the basis of cultural response . The follow-up was prolonged to 6 months . The immunological studies were performed at the same moments, by a panel of monoclonal antibodies and by the evaluation of the NK activity and granulocytic phagocytosis . The cellular immunity was studied by skin tests . In our patients, during the follow-up period, we observed a significant reduction of infectious episodes, an increase of NK activity, and a restoration of cellular immunity in hypoergic subjects.

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 1989, 7(12), 1711 - 8
Determination of aminoglycosides in pharmaceutical formulations--II . High-performance liquid chromatography; Fabre H et al.; A post-column derivatization procedure using OPA and fluorescence detection has been used for the determination of seven aminoglycosides (dibekacin, framycetin, kanamycin, netilmicin, sisomicin, tobramycin and gentamicin) in commercial pharmaceutical formulations . The linearity, precision and detection limits were satisfactory . Recoveries from eye drops, ointments, injections and capsules were comparable (P = 0.05) to those obtained with TLC or microbiological assays . A ruggedness test showed that the method was not sensitive to minor variations in the mobile phase composition, post-column derivatization system or detection wavelength.

G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1989 Jan-Dec, 82(1-12), 31 - 3
{Ecological and microbiological aspects of otitis}; Cavallo GP et al.; The indigenous and the pathogenic microorganisms of the various body areas have been compiled but the list is constantly growing . The A.A . have examined the properties of the bacterial flora of the oropharynx and of the ear in regard of the etiology of the otitis and have hypothesized some mechanisms enhancing the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria.

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 1989, 7(8), 975 - 9
Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of amphotericin B in human serum and plasma; Hosotsubo H et al.; An improved reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure is described for the determination of Amphotericin B (AMB) in human serum and plasma . The procedure involves the addition of the internal standard, p-nitroaniline, to the sample (0.1 ml) followed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile . The supernatant is injected directly onto a C8 chromatographic column and eluted with an acetonitrile-aqueous 0.01 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 7.4, mobile phase . A spectrophotometric detector operated at 405 nm is used . Retention times for internal standard and AMB are 5.2 and 6.6 min, respectively . The assay standard curve is linear between 0.05-2.0 micrograms cm-3 . Within- and between-run relative standard deviations (RSD) for high and low concentrations of the drug are less than 5.30% . Analytical recovery of added AMB in serum is 98.4-101.4% . Data obtained by microbiological assay correlated well (r = 0.936) with LC results . Some commonly co-administered drugs and high concentrations of bilirubin are shown not to interfere.

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 1989, 7(7), 883 - 92
Determination of aminoglycosides in pharmaceutical formulations--I . Thin-layer chromatography; Sekkat M et al.; A simple, fast and reliable procedure for the determination of seven major aminoglycosides in commercial formulations (injections, capsules, eye drops, solutions and ointments) is presented . The aminoglycosides are separated on silica gel plates then located with ninhydrin and analysed in situ using a chromatogram spectrophotometer . Linearity tests, repeatability (relative standard deviation congruent to 3.5%) detection limits (60-200 ng) were satisfactory for all the compounds . Recovery data in pharmaceutical formulations (expressed as the percentage of the label claim) from thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and microbiological assays did not give any significant difference (P = 0.05); this result shows that TLC is a reliable method for the determination of aminoglycosides as the drug substance and in pharmaceutical formulations.

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 1989, 7(7), 871 - 5
Flow microcalorimetric assay of antibiotics--IV . Polymyxin B sulphate, neomycin sulphate, zinc bacitracin and their combinations with Escherichia coli suspended in buffer plus glucose medium; Joslin Kjeldsen N et al.; Flow microcalorimetric assays for polymyxin B sulphate and neomycin sulphate have been developed using Escherichia coli as the test organism, suspended in a glucose plus buffer medium . These assays have a better reproducibility (relative standard deviations 3.2 and 2.0%, respectively), and require a shorter time (1 h including time required for preparation of the calorimeter) than do conventional microbiological assays, but are not as sensitive . It is suggested that a screening programme might produce a small group of more suitable (i.e . more sensitive) test organisms, which could be used to develop rapid and reproducible flow microcalorimetric assays for a wide range of antibiotics by the procedure described . The effect of combinations of polymyxin B sulphate, neomycin sulphate and zinc bacitracin (the antibiotic components of the commercial preparation Trisep, ICI, Macclesfield, UK) on the power output of cells suspended in glucose plus buffer medium is also reported . In defined combinations, the effects of neomycin sulphate appeared to be exerted before those of polymyxin B sulphate.

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 1989, 7(7), 851 - 7
Flow microcalorimetric assay of antibiotics--I . Polymyxin B sulphate and its combinations with neomycin sulphate and zinc bacitracin on interaction with Bordetella bronchiseptica (NCTC 8344); Joslin Kjeldsen N et al.; A flow microcalorimetric assay for polymyxin B sulphate has been developed which has a better reproducibility (relative standard deviation less than 3%) and sensitivity (0.35 micrograms ml-1) than conventional microbiological assays, and requires an assay time of ca . 4.5 h . The combinations with zinc bacitracin, with neomycin sulphate, and with both zinc bacitracin and neomycin sulphate indicate antagonism between these antibiotics upon interaction with Bordetella bronchiseptica (NCTC 8344) . The combinations of all three antibiotics assayed were: (1) equimolar proportions; and (2) those proportions present in the commercial preparation TrisepR (ICI, Macclesfield, UK).

Stomatol Glas Srb, 1989 Jan-Feb, 36(1), 49 - 56
{Microbiological investigation of supragingival dental plaque in patients treated with porcelain jacket and gold veneered resin crowns}; Kostic L et al.; The majority of periodontologists agree that the primary aetiological factor of periodontal disease is dental plaque . The purpose of the study was to investigate the accumulation of dental plaque on the with porcelain jackets and gold veneered resin crowns, and to correlate these findings with the data obtained on the uncrowned control teeth in the same patients . The qualitative analysis of microorganisms in dental plaque did not show a great difference between porcelain jacket and gold veneered resin crowns . However, a high difference was found in the quantitative accumulation of microorganisms in the mature dental plaque (considerably less on porcelain jacket crowns) . These findings indicate that dental porcelain is less susceptible to accumulation of bacterial plaque in comparation to resin and even to hard tooth structures.

Ann Ig, 1989 Jan-Apr, 1(1-2), 65 - 72
{Microbiological and serological study in cases of infertility with or without sterility with particular emphasis on the etiological role of Chlamydia trachomatis}; Mazara M et al.; Microbiological investigations were carried out on two groups of men and women--a) with genital non gonococcal pathology and--b) in infertile/sterile people of the same sex and age (mean age 28.4 y) with the aim to document in them the prevalence of various microorganisms particularly of Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma and Chlamydia trachomatis as aetiological agent of their pathology . Serum antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis were also studied by microimmunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase and ELISA methods in the same population in comparison with apparently healthy blood donors of the same sex and age as control . Finally, 56 infertile/sterile couples were included in this study to investigate the possible role of Chl . trachomatis . Various microorganisms were isolated more frequently from women of the group b) (45.5%-22.9% respectively p less than 0.01) . Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma in comparison with Chl . trachomatis were prevalent in all groups investigated (p less than 0.01) . Infertile/sterile women had higher anti Chl . trachomatis antibodies than did women with genital non gonococcal pathology or women of the control group (p less than 0.01) . Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma strains were isolated from infertile/sterile couples more frequently than Chl . trachomatis but the women of these couples had high titres (greater than 128) of anti Chl . trachomatis antibodies . Finally, IgA as well as IgG anti Chl . trachomatis antibodies were demonstrated in two out of nine peritoneal fluid samples obtained from women affected by PID . In one case, a pregnancy underwent after an ad hoc therapy of the two partners from whom two Ureaplasma strains were isolated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1988 Dec 10, 118(49), 1817 - 22
{Focus on beta-lactam antibiotics}; Cometta A et al.; The beta-lactams are mainly active on the bacterial cell wall . Although it was long claimed that their clinical efficacy was due to the bactericidal effect observed in vitro, it is now demonstrated that this effect cannot be the sole explanation for the therapeutic successes noted with these antibiotics in clinical situations . Several effects other than bactericidal are observed at subinhibitory concentrations and allow a better understanding of the activity of the beta-lactams . These are, among others, inhibition of bacterial growth, the post-antibiotic effect, the morphological effect, loss of virulent factors and decrease of adherence . --Following recent developments in the field of the beta-lactams, the new antibiotics exhibit a major broadening of their microbiological spectrum that in some cases allows simplification of antibiotic therapy: in some clinical situations monotherapy can be used instead of a combination . Some antibiotics have very good pharmacokinetic properties, allowing once-a-day dosage and outpatient treatment . --Finally, adverse drug effects such as neutropenia, hitherto considered infrequent, have been recognized more often . Explanation of their physiopathological mechanisms could favour the development of less toxic antibiotics.

Pharm Weekbl Sci, 1988 Dec 9, 10(6), 267 - 71
High pressure liquid chromatographic determination with ultraviolet detection of gentamicin and correlation with the microbiological potency; Van Duijn JW et al.; The content of gentamicin in pharmaceuticals is measured by the high pressure liquid chromatographic technique described in the monographs for Gentamicin Sulphate and Gentamicin Injection in the British Pharmacopoeia 1980 for the determination of the composition of gentamicin . Calculation procedures are presented to transform this qualitative high pressure liquid chromatographic procedure for the assay of gentamicin so that it gives results in terms of potency . A comparison is made of this data with the results of the microbiological assay according to the European Pharmacopoeia.

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1988 Dec, 26(6), 458 - 63
A clinical and microbiological study of Actinomycetes in oral and cervicofacial lesions; Samuels RH et al.; A retrospective study of the incidence of cervicofacial actinomycosis in patients attending the Liverpool Dental Hospital from 1980-1983 was undertaken . A total of 86 patients were found which were divisable into three distinct presentations: acute painful swellings with a duration of less than 1 month; chronic long-standing infections, duration greater than 3 months; unsuspected microbiologically-proven actinomycotic lesions . A prospective study from 1983-1986 also was divisable into three similar types of presentations . The most common presentation in both parts of the study was acute painful swellings associated with soft tissue abscesses secondary to dental lesions . Clinicians dealing with acute dentally-associated swellings should consider the possibility of actinomycosis as a possible diagnosis.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Dec, 32(12), 1875 - 8
Pharmacokinetics and human tissue penetration of flurithromycin; Benoni G et al.; The relationship between concentrations in serum and levels in tissue of flurithromycin, a new fluorinated macrolide, was determined in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery and thoracotomy . All patients received 500 mg of flurithromycin orally every 8 h . Drug levels in serum, bone, soft tissue, lung, and pericardial fluid were determined microbiologically . The total amount of antibiotic per gram of tissue was calculated on the basis of the concentration in the supernatant of the homogenate . From the parallel course between free concentrations in serum and calculated contents in interstitial fluid tissue, it was concluded that the tissues examined were easily accessible by flurithromycin; penetration values measured by the ratio of areas under the curve were 8.3 for lung, 3.6 for bone, and 0.8 for soft tissue . The results of the pharmacokinetic study suggest that accumulation of the drug during repetitive multiple doses is predictable . Mean residence times were 10.2 and 8.3 h in groups 1 and 2, respectively . For bacteriostatic drugs such as macrolides, not only very high but also prolonged concentrations in tissue lead to favorable therapeutic result.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Dec, 22(6), 935 - 44
A rapid, enzymatic method for the determination of chloramphenicol in serum; Morris HC et al.; A simple, rapid assay of serum chloramphenicol has been developed which combines the specificity of the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase with the convenience of a colorimetric detection system . The assay is linear over the drug concentration range 5-200 microM (1.5-65 mg/l) and therefore is suitable for detection below and above the therapeutic range (31-62 microM, 10-20 mg/l with potential toxicity above 75 microM, 24 mg/l) . This method does not detect the microbiologically inactive succinate or palmitate pro-drugs of chloramphenicol and evidence suggests that the major metabolite, chloramphenicol glucuronide also is not detected . Good correlation with an HPLC method has been achieved (r = 0.9860) . The assay is based on a two reagent system with very simple methodology, the only instrumentation required being a spectrophotometer . However, the assay could be adapted to run on a range of discrete analysers.

J Laryngol Otol, 1988 Dec, 102(12), 1115 - 8
Local iatrogenic complications in nasopharyngeal rhinoscleroma; Dawlatly EE et al.; The possible role of surgical manipulation in inducing local spread and cicatricial complications in rhinoscleroma is illustrated by the three cases discussed in this paper . This is especially so where its occasional presentation as polypoid lesions of the lower respiratory tract may mimic other more sinister lesions and lead to unwarranted invasive procedures by the unsuspecting clinician . The infective nature of the lesions must be appreciated and confirmed microbiologically for appropriate drug treatment to be used . The benefits of minimal surgical intervention are illustrated in the third case.

J Am Optom Assoc, 1988 Dec, 59(12), 929 - 34
Prevention of eye injuries in the dental office; Bezan D et al.; The dental office can be a source of ocular injury due to mechanical, chemical, microbiological, and electromagnetic insult . Survey questionnaires were sent to all Indian Health Service dentists in the Oklahoma area to assess knowledge of and compliance with measures to prevent eye injuries . After distribution of eye safety information, a second questionnaire was sent to assess any changes in compliance with wearing protective eyewear . Recommendations are given for measures to prevent eye injuries in the dental office.

J Dent Res, 1988 Dec, 67(12), 1510 - 4
Periodontal disease in adolescents: some clinical and microbiologic correlates of attachment loss; Carlos JP et al.; The influence of several clinical and microbiological variables on the site-specific risk of attachment loss was studied in Navajo Indian adolescents aged 14-19 . Diagnoses were made at mesio-buccal sites of the four first permanent molars . Case-control analytical methods were used, with A . actinomycetemcomitans, B . gingivalis, and B . intermedius considered the "risk" variables, and with calculus, gingival bleeding, age, and gender treated as possible confounders . The presence of B . intermedius significantly increased the likelihood that attachment loss would be diagnosed at a site (odds ratio = 2.86) . However, this association was confounded by calculus and gingival bleeding; when either or both were present, the effect of B . intermedius was markedly weaker . Step-wise multiple logistic regression analyses showed that, of the variables considered, the combination of calculus, gingival bleeding, and B . intermedius gave the most parsimonious explanation of the presence of attachment loss . The chance that attachment loss would be diagnosed was increased five times when calculus was present, 16.5 times in the presence of both calculus and gingival bleeding, and 37 times when these variables plus B . intermedius were observed at a particular site.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1988 Dec, 106(12), 1718 - 21
Concentration change of fluorouracil in the external segment of the eye after subconjunctival injection; Kondo M et al.; Five milligrams of fluorouracil was injected subconjunctivally in the rabbit eye, and its concentration changes in the cornea, aqueous humor, and conjunctiva and sclera (both at the injection site and 180 degrees away from it) were determined by microbiological assay . The fluorouracil concentrations in the cornea and the aqueous humor averaged about 20 micrograms/g at one hour . The former decreased to 0.5 micrograms/g at 24 hours, while the latter was 0.03 micrograms/g at ten hours or later . At five hours, the fluorouracil concentrations in the conjunctiva and sclera at the injection site were similar to those 180 degrees away from it, both averaging about 2 micrograms/g . They decreased to 0.3 through 0.9 micrograms/g at 24 hours . The fluorouracil concentrations in the cornea, conjunctiva, and sclera at 24 hours were still above the reported 50% inhibition levels for the cultured conjunctival fibroblast . These findings have potential clinical implications for the safe use of fluorouracil.

Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1988 Dec, 38(4), 865 - 82
{Preparation of a spread from shrimp by-catch fish}; Sena C et al.; The composition of shrimp by-catch fish from the Central-Western region of Venezuela at different periods of the year was studied, as well as mean size and weight of same, and the yields obtained during processing, until the edible portion (pulp) was reached . The pulp was also analyzed from the physical, chemical and microbiological (pH, basic volatile N, trimethylamine, thiobarbituric acid test, moisture, fat, protein, ashes content and mesophyll and psychrophilic counts) points of view . The purpose of these studies was to determine its quality and freshness, since said pulp was utilized for the preparation of a canned and sterilized bread spread . Results obtained indicated the pulp to have an acceptable freshness, a fact which reflected in a final product with adequate characteristics . The bread spread was also analyzed from the physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory viewpoints (objective analyses of color and texture, pH, rancidity and sterility tests, moisture, fat protein, ashes, carbohydrates, sodium chloride contents, and sensory evaluation) . In addition, these analyses were repeated monthly during the three-month storage period at two temperatures . On the basis of the above-mentioned findings, it was possible to determine that the bread spread had adequate acceptability and stability during storage . Furthermore, raw material variations did not affect the final product characteristics, which resulted in a product with commercial potential.

Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 1988 Dec, 48(12), 887 - 8
{Incidence and significance of pathogen detection in Douglas fluid in non-inflammatory genital diseases}; Decker K et al.; Between 1976 and 1986 the secretions from the pouch of Douglas of 1,219 patients with non-inflammatory genital diseases were microbiologically studied . Microorganisms were detected in 3.4% . In the majority of cases they were physiological skin organisms, with a count of less than 10 per ml of Douglas fluid . These findings support the view, that secondary contamination of the specimens occurred during removal, transportation, or laboratory processing.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1988 Dec, 46(6), 703 - 10
Rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria: a new enemy of the cardiac surgeon; Robicsek F et al.; A review of atypical mycobacterial infections complicating cardiac operations is presented . Proven sources of infections at different institutions include contaminated porcine valves and municipal water supply, but the mode of transmission in the great majority of patients remains unclear . There are two principal clinical forms of atypical mycobacterial infections after cardiac operations--endocarditis and sternal osteomyelitis . The latter has characteristics resembling tuberculotic "cold abscess." Specialized laboratory testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, and surgeons may have to take the initiative to request special microbiological investigation in cases where infection is clinically suspected but routine cultures are reported as "negative." The prognosis for patients who have any atypical mycobacterial infection after a heart operation is severe . Those infected with the strain chelonei and those whose cardiac chambers were entered during operation fare worse . This dim clinical prognosis may be improved by appropriate and aggressive antibiotic and surgical therapy . Awareness of the urgency of special bacteriological studies is the key to successful management.

Cancer, 1988 Dec 1, 62(11), 2445 - 50
Analysis of early infectious complications after autologous bone marrow transplantation; Kirk JL Jr et al.; We reviewed the hospital course of 35 patients who underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation . Fever and profound neutropenia developed in all . Microbiologically confirmed infection developed in 22 patients, and unconfirmed but clinically evident infection developed in six . A bacterial infection developed in 21 patients (most commonly bacteremia without a detectable focus) . Mucocutaneous fungal (12 patients) and viral (13 patients) infections were common, whereas invasive fungal (two patients) and viral (one patient) infections were uncommon . New pulmonary infiltrates developed in seven patients . Six deaths occurred during the initial hospitalization for transplantation, only one of which was directly attributable to infection . Stepwise logistic regression analysis retained male gender, total body irradiation, administration of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and development of mucositis or diarrhea as predictors of decreased survival, whereas higher pretreatment albumin levels and the administration of oral nonabsorbable antifungals were associated with an increased likelihood of survival . A comparison of these infectious complications with those found in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients shows similarities and differences with potentially important implications for patient management.

Baillieres Clin Rheumatol, 1988 Dec, 2(3), 603 - 22
Genetics of the spondarthropathies; Woodrow JC; Recent investigation of the possible role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of AS has provided very interesting data . What is at present lacking is a clear demonstration that the findings point to the actual mechanisms involved in the initiation of the disorder . Rapid progress in three related areas of research gives hope that, in the relatively near future, the genetic basis for susceptibility to AS will be elucidated . These are the demonstration of the detailed structure of an HLA class I molecule, of the primary amino acid structure of B27 heavy chain with its subtypes, and of the nature of the interaction between foreign proteins and MHC molecules which leads to antibody and cytotoxic cell responses . It is just possible that the B27 molecules have a disease-promoting capability because of some structural characteristic independent of their antigen binding site . However, it may perhaps be considered more likely that it is the propensity of the specific antigen-binding site itself to bind to a particular group of antigenic peptides that will explain the susceptibility of B27-positive individuals to several clinical disorders . The ability to study the properties of antigenic epitopes which preferentially bind to the very variable binding site of different MHC molecules raises the possibility of revealing the antigenic structures which bind to B27 molecules in patients with AS . This could in turn lead to the source of these antigens in the environment . There has been a tendency to assume that one simple model will explain all the B27-associated disorders but it may be preferable to keep an open mind about the possibility that the mechanisms involved in AS, in the bacteria-induced acute arthropathies and in acute anterior uveitis may not be identical . At the same time, there is a need to continue further direct investigation of the role of microbiological agents in AS both in vitro and in vivo, as ultimately it is most likely that, by blocking the effects of such agents as may be shown to be involved, progress in our ability to influence the progress of the disease in a fundamental way will be achieved . There is still little information as to how the tissues involved in AS come to be the particular targets of the pathological process and currently proposed theories of pathogenesis have not yet provided very satisfactory answers to this problem.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Nov, 270(1-2), 153 - 9
Resistance-pattern-analysis--a step toward predictable differentiated antibiotic therapy; Fegeler W et al.; The Resistance-Pattern-Analysis (RPA)-the procedure will be described- makes possible a comparison of susceptibility test results of different antibiotics independent of patient and test related factors . Using two examples, the comparative assessment of a more recent antibiotic with well-tried older antibiotics and the selection of antibiotics for an interventive therapy, whereby the pathogen being unknown the therapy is based upon the probable pathogen, the expected susceptibility and the localization of the infection the practicability will be illustrated . A RPA of 1526 bacterial isolates was carried out using aztreonam, gentamicin and amikacin . Aztreonam was superior to amikacin against all species tested . In comparison to gentamicin, aztreonam showed the best results against Pseudomonadaceae . Using common combinations of antibiotics for the initial interventive therapy the possible use of RPA for a cost-risk-analysis from a medical microbiological viewpoint will be demonstrated.

Can J Anaesth, 1988 Nov, 35(6), 567 - 9
A microbiological study of the contamination of the syringes used in anaesthesia practice; Lessard MR et al.; In many operating theatres, it is common practice to reuse disposable plastic syringes with the same needles for several injections to different patients during the same day . This practice could lead to bacterial contamination of these syringes, making them an infection hazard to patients . We did a microbiologic survey of 100 of the most frequently reused syringes in our operating rooms and a control group of 100 single-use syringes . Only three of the syringes were contaminated in each group . None of the patients exposed to the syringes having a positive culture showed any sign of sepsis . Our data suggest that reusing plastic syringes is not associated with an increase in the incidence of bacterial contamination . However, contamination of the syringes by patients' blood, with the risk of cross-infections, remains a possibility and further studies are needed to evaluate this potential hazard.

Arch Intern Med, 1988 Nov, 148(11), 2451 - 2
Influence of underlying disease process on the utility of cellulitis needle aspirates; Kielhofner MA et al.; A prospective microbiological evaluation of 87 patients with acute cellulitis was performed . Adult patients with cellulitis with diabetes mellitus or malignant disorders had a greater frequency of positive cultures . Qualitative leukocyte disorders associated with these underlying disease states was hypothesized as a contributing factor to this higher yield.

Vopr Pitan, 1988 Nov-Dec, (6), 50 - 4
{The efficacy of enriching wheat bread with lysine and its effect on gastric secretory activity}; Vitollo AS et al.; A high biological effectiveness of bread enriched with microbiologically synthesized lysine has been proved in experiments on rats which were fed with this bread . Optimum lysine concentration for bread enrichment has been determined . The biological value of bread proteins with respect to all growth parameters increased proportionally, within the range of lysine concentration from 0.2 to 0.7% . Further concentration increase induced amino acid imbalance . Certain characteristics of the effect of lysine-enriched bread on the digestive organs were revealed in experiments on dogs . Intensified secretion of gastric juice, pepsin and hydrochloric acid was recorded under the effect of lysine-enriched bread . The data obtained have evidenced the possibility and effectiveness of bread enrichment with lysine.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Nov, 22(5), 739 - 45
The in-vitro degradation at 37 degrees C of vancomycin in serum, CAPD fluid and phosphate-buffered saline; White LO et al.; Solutions of vancomycin in phosphate-buffered saline, peritoneal dialysis effluent fluid and human serum were incubated at 37 degrees C for ten days and sampled at daily intervals . The samples were assayed for vancomycin content by a microbiological assay, HPLC and polarisation fluoroimmunoassay (Abbott TDX) . The results obtained by HPLC and microbiological assay agreed well and indicated approximately 50% loss over ten days in serum and buffered saline and over 70% loss in dialysate . TDX results indicated losses of only 20% and 40%, respectively . Degradation products were prepared from vancomycin by acid hydrolysis and purified by HPLC . These purified products were shown to cross-react in the TDX assay . It is suggested that the TDX assay becomes non-specific in the presence of vancomycin breakdown products and thus overestimates true vancomycin concentrations.

J Clin Periodontol, 1988 Nov, 15(10), 639 - 43
Treatment of rapidly destructive periodontitis in Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome . Laboratory and clinical observations; Preus HR; This paper reports the successful treatment of the periodontal component of the Papillon-Lefevre syndrome in 2 siblings . Treatment consisted of extractions of periodontally-involved teeth under antibiotic therapy . The exogenous source of the suspected pathogenic A . actinomycetemcomitans in this family, identified as a pet dog, was also treated with antibiotics . Assessments of monocyte function and levels of serum antibodies against A . actinomycetemcomitans were performed prior to an immediately after treatment . Microbiological screening of subgingival dental plaque of the PLS patients as well as the rest of the household members, including the dog, was performed every month during the study period . Remission of the rapidly destructive periodontitis, as well as an earlier-described monocyte dysfunction in these two PLS patients occurred concomitantly with the eradication of A . actinomycetemcomitans from the family . 15 months after this treatment, the children still had no signs of periodontitis or of A . actinomycetemcomitans infection . The legitimacy with which PLS is defined as a disease entity is discussed and questioned.

Presse Med, 1988 Oct 26, 17(37), 1981 - 4
{Ceftazidime and probabilistic treatment of severe infections in adults}; Potel G et al.; Probability antibiotic treatments are based on two "best guesses": the nature of the responsible organism and its resistance phenotype . Such treatments are justified in immunocompetent patients with severe infection . The microbiological and pharmacokinetic properties of third generation cephalosporins, and notably ceftazidime, are such that their use as single or combined therapy can be determined . A very wide spectrum and a tendency towards a stronger bactericidal effect are in favour of monotherapy preceded by a short course of bitherapy, especially in cases of hospital-acquired infections.

Presse Med, 1988 Oct 26, 17(37), 1960 - 3
{Randomized prospective study of ceftazidime versus a cefotaxime-tobramycin combination in acute leukemia in therapeutic aplasia}; Pellegrin JL et al.; In a prospective study, 157 patients with prolonged aplasia (PMN less than 500/mm3 during more than 21 days), hospitalized in a protected environment unit, were randomly assigned to receive ceftazidime alone or cefotaxime + tobramycin for initial febrile episodes . Age, sex, underlying diseases, duration of neutropenia, digestive decontamination regimen, clinical and microbiological characteristics of infections were similar in the two groups . Patients were evaluated for their initial response to antibiotics (defervescence in 48 hours, maintained 7 days) and long term response (prevention of another infection during aplasia) . The overall initial response to ceftazidime was 48/71 (68 per cent) and to cefotaxime + tobramycin 55/86 (64 per cent) . The long term response to ceftazidime was 33/71 (46.5 per cent) and to cefotaxime + tobramycin 31/86 (36 per cent) . In conclusion, ceftazidime alone was as effective as cefotaxime + tobramycin in the first line treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients.

Presse Med, 1988 Oct 26, 17(37), 1921 - 4
{Pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in children and newborn infants . Study in 14 patients and review of the literature}; Quinet B et al.; A pharmacokinetic study of ceftazidime was conducted in 1983, together with a clinical study, on 7 neonates (3 of them premature), 4 infants and 3 children . The antibiotic was administered by slow intravenous injection in mean doses of 30 mg/kg twice in 24 h in neonates and thrice in 24 h in older children . Blood samples were collected by micropuncture, and assays were performed by the microbiological method on agar plates . Curves of plasma concentrations over time showed two slopes compatible with a two-compartment model . The alpha half-life was the same in neonates and infants; the beta half-life varied from 1.9 to 5 h . The highest values were observed in the 3 youngest and most immature neonates . In infants and older children the mean beta half-life was the same as in adults: 1.4 +/- 0.19 h . The results of several studies performed on neonates differed as regards the influence of term, post-natal age and bodyweight on the pharmacokinetic constants of ceftazidime . A dose of 25 to 50 mg/kg twice a day administered to premature and full-term neonates during the 1st week of life gives therapeutically effective concentrations . Doses of 30 to 50 mg/kg 3 or 4 times a day are necessary in infants and older children . Dosage should be adjusted to renal maturity and renal functions as well as to the infection treated.

Pharm Weekbl Sci, 1988 Oct 14, 10(5), 217 - 20
Gamma irradiation of Sennae Folium . Microbiological and phytochemical studies; Van Doorne H et al.; The effect of different doses of gamma irradiation on senna leaves was studied . No changes in sennoside content and composition were observed after irradiation with 25 kGy . It was demonstrated that a minimum dose of 10 kGy was necessary to obtain a product of good microbiological quality . Cold maceration of senna leaves has to be discouraged, because of unavoidable microbial growth . Hot extraction is the method of choice for tea preparation . The rationale of gamma irradiation is discussed.

Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1988 Oct 14, 113(41), 1588 - 93
{Gastrointestinal findings in HIV infection . Clinical aspects, microbiological findings and endoscopic picture}; Heise W et al.; Among 200 hospitalized patients treated for HIV infections there were 98 with gastrointestinal symptoms, independent of the stage of the disease . Only 22 had abnormal stool findings . But histological examination and culture of endoscopically obtained biopsies revealed opportunistic infection in 62, of whom 28 had a cytomegalovirus infection . Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare was found in the gastrointestinal mucosa of 25 patients, but its clinical significance is unclear . In 33 of the 98 patients previously classified as positive for HIV or AIDS-related complex, endoscopic demonstration of an opportunistic infection required amendment of their HIV stage . In over 60% endoscopy revealed mucosal changes . A distinction from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis could only be made by histology or exclusion of the causative microorganism . Demonstration of the causative microorganism from the biopsy is thus essential in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, because specific treatment is in principle possible and successful for some opportunistic infections.

Czas Stomatol, 1988 Oct, 41(10), 616 - 20
{Mycotic infection in various diseases of oral cavity and cytologic examinations' usefulness for early detection of them}; Szponar E et al.; Basing on observations of a group of patients treated in Oral Mucosa Diseases and Industrial Dentistry Department analysis of some cases with clinical symptoms of oral cavity mycosis, without any clinical symptoms but with subjective complaints pointing out the possibility of mycotic infection existence and with other diseases of oral mucosa from the point of view of additional mycotic infections has been performed . Clinical examinations, cytological and microbiological examinations have been carried out . Cytological examination has been proved useful for quick determination of oral cavity mycotic infections that has been confirmed by microbiological examinations . Early detection of the infection was precipitating the treatment procedure and improving the disease prognosis.

J Pharmacobiodyn, 1988 Oct, 11(10), 694 - 9
Ocular pharmacokinetics of latamoxef and cefaclor in rabbits . Penetration into aqueous humor; Kitaura T et al.; Penetrations of latamoxef (LMOX) and cefaclor (CCL) into the aqueous humor after intravenous or oral administration were investigated in rabbits . Concentrations of antibiotics in plasma and aqueous humor after administration were determined periodically by microbiological assay . LMOX disappeared from plasma in a monoexponential manner with a half-life of 43 min after intravenous administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg . The maximum concentration of LMOX in aqueous humor (6.4 micrograms/ml) was observed 1 h after administration . When CCL was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg, the maximum concentration of CCL in aqueous humor was 1.00 microgram/ml 1.5 h after administration, whereas the maximum plasma concentration of 19.2 micrograms/ml was observed at 30 min . Pharmacokinetic analysis (simultaneous simulation) of plasma and aqueous humor concentration-time courses was made using the best fitted compartment model examined (modified two-compartment model) . Prediction of the concentration of antibiotics in aqueous humor from the plasma concentration profile was also examined using the same compartment model in a separate experiment . The predicted concentration in aqueous humor was proved to coincide reasonably well with the measured concentration.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 Oct, (10), 42 - 5
{Specific prevention of disorders in the immune status of experimental animals by inhalation exposure to products of microbiological synthesis}; Chechura AN; The possibility of the specific prophylaxis of the immunosuppressing effect of the products of microbiological synthesis (MBS) on laboratory animals by the preliminary immunization of the animals with the vaccine prepared from the live culture of fungi releasing MBS products has been shown.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1988 Oct, 33(10), 782 - 5
{Development of a data bank for control of antibiotic resistant causative agents of purulent-inflammatory diseases and complications}; Bekbergenov BM et al.; To provide constant control of drug resistance in causative agents of surgical infections an automatized data bank based on computer SM-4 was filed at the All-Union Research Institute of Antibiotics . The bank includes information on 1500 objects described by 60 indices referring to the isolated pathogens . For every particular strain there are indicated data on the patients, characteristics of the pathogen biochemical profiles and sensitivity to various antibiotics (28 drugs) . The data were obtained during identification of the cultures with automatized microbiological systems . The major functions of the data bank and standard information requests performed on its basis during solving particular epidemiological and clinical problems are described.

Nucl Med Commun, 1988 Oct, 9(10), 713 - 7
Osteomyelitis; Roddie ME et al.; The use of 111In-labelled granulocyte scintigraphy is recognized as a reliable method for detecting osteomyelitis and has similar sensitivity and significantly increased specificity compared to bone scintigraphy and 67Ga studies . Recent published work using pure granulocytes labelled with 111In tropolonate to detect osteomyelitis resulted in sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 92% . 99Tcm as an alternative granulocyte label offers advantages of convenience, lower radiation dose and higher image resolution . We have scanned 20 patients with suspected osteomyelitis using autologous granulocytes labelled with 99Tcm hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (HMPAO), 12 of whom had prosthetic joints . The scan results were correlated with clinical, radiographic, microbiological and histological findings . Sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 93% which compares favourably with results obtained using 111In-labelled granulocytes . We believe that labelled granulocyte scintigraphy is a useful investigation in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and that 99Tcm HMPAO appears to be at least as useful as 111In as the labelling agent.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1988 Oct, 72(10), 774 - 7
Marginal corneal abscess associated with adult chlamydial ophthalmia; Darougar S et al.; In four patients with an adult chlamydial ophthalmia small, marginal corneal abscesses were detected . These corneal abscesses were associated with unilateral papillary and follicular conjunctivitis and punctate keratitis . In these patients no bacteria was isolated from the abscesses, but Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from materials collected from the abscesses and from the conjunctival swabbings . In addition all patients had microbiologically proved concomitant chlamydial genital infections . The clinical signs resolved after topical treatment with rifampicin or tetracycline eye ointment for six weeks or systemic treatment with tetracycline for two weeks . Because of concomitant chlamydial genital infection it is advisable to treat patients with adult chlamydial ophthalmia with systemic tetracycline and to refer these patients and their consorts for investigation and treatment of their genital infection.

Lancet, 1988 Sep 10, 2(8611), 615 - 8
Family outbreaks of psittacosis in Israel; Huminer D et al.; Eight family outbreaks of clinical or subclinical psittacosis in Israel after exposure to infected birds were studied . Throat cultures for Chlamydia psittaci and serological tests for Chlamydia species, including strain TWAR, were obtained from 37 people . Cloacal smears and cultures of internal organs for C psittaci were taken from 9 dead birds . 62% of the people studied had symptoms, and 67% of the birds that died had previously been sick . Evidence for acute C psittaci infection was found in 81% of patients (30/37) . Diagnosis was established in 22 by isolation of the causal organism from throat cultures and in 8 by positive IgM serology (reciprocal titre greater than or equal to 8) with evidence of acute seroconversion or clinical findings compatible with the disease, or both . No serological evidence for acute TWAR infection was found . All birds studied had microbiological evidence of C psittaci infection, and most had abnormal findings on necropsy.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 1988 Sep, 26(9), 444 - 7
Human pharmacokinetics of erythromycin propionate-N-acetylcysteinate: comparative evaluation with erythromycin stearate and N-acetylcysteine; De Bernardi M et al.; The pharmacokinetic pattern of erythromycin propionate-N-acetylcysteinate (EPAC) (erythromycin stinoprate I.N.N.), a new derivative, was studied on 12 healthy volunteers after single and multiple oral treatments . Microbiological and/or HPLC analytical methods were used to titer either erythromycin as base, propionate and total or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) . In the acute experiment, a comparative evaluation was performed with erythromycin stearate (ES) and with N-acetylcysteine, according to a randomized-multi-crossover design . EPAC showed a better bioavailability than ES with longer-lasting serum levels of active antibiotic . NAC concentrations in the serum after EPAC were practically identical to those found after an oral administration of NAC alone . The multiple treatment study, performed in the same 12 volunteers with only EPAC, indicated that the pharmacokinetic pattern is somewhat different from that observed after a single dose, since higher concentrations were present at the steady state conditions.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 1988 Sep, 26(9), 428 - 31
Amoxicillin kinetics and ethanol ingestion; Morasso MI et al.; The effect of ethyl alcohol ingestion on amoxicillin kinetics was studied . Eight healthy volunteers participated in the study . They received, in three separate occasions, a 500-mg dose of the antibiotic given with water, hydroalcoholic solution or pisco-sour . Blood samples were drawn at appropriate intervals . Amoxicillin was assayed using a microbiological method . Absorption and disposition parameters were calculated by classical pharmacokinetic techniques . There were no statistical significant differences in the rate of elimination of the antibiotic in the three experimental conditions . Ethanol affected significantly the absorption rate constant, lag time and t peak . On the other hand, Cmax and AUC were not significantly modified . Thus, it can be concluded that ethyl alcohol has influence on the rate but not on the extent of absorption.

J Int Med Res, 1988 Sep-Oct, 16(5), 367 - 75
Vulvovaginal candidosis: comparison of 3-day treatment with 2% butoconazole nitrate cream and 6-day treatment with 1% clotrimazole cream; Hajman AJ; Sixty-three women with laboratory confirmed diagnoses of vulvovaginal candidosis were enrolled into this randomized, single-blind, parallel comparison of treatment with 2% butoconazole nitrate cream for 3 days and 1% clotrimazole cream for 6 days . Approximately 1 week after treatment ended both medications had substantially relieved vulvovaginal discharge, itching, burning, erythema and swelling . Both fungal cultures and potassium hydroxide stained preparations of vaginal secretions were negative for 93.3% of the butoconazole nitrate-treated patients . Comparable results for clotrimazole-treated patients were 80.6% and 77.4%, respectively . Both treatments improved the clinical signs and symptoms of candidosis . More butoconazole nitrate-treated patients (53.3%) had a 'very good' clinical response to treatment than clotrimazole-treated patients (38.7%) . None of these differences was statistically significant, nor were statistically significant differences found between the percentages of patients considered clinically, microbiologically, or therapeutically cured in each group . No adverse experiences were associated with either treatment . Thus, the 3-day butoconazole nitrate regimen was considered as efficacious and safe as the 6-day clotrimazole regimen.

Thorax, 1988 Sep, 43(9), 715 - 9
Evaluation of the penetration of ciprofloxacin and amoxycillin into the bronchial mucosa; Honeybourne D et al.; The concentrations of two antibiotics, amoxycillin and ciprofloxacin, were measured by microbiological assay in serum and in bronchial mucosa obtained at fibreoptic bronchoscopy in 38 patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy for a range of respiratory symptoms . Patients had taken one of the two drugs orally for four days before bronchoscopy . The percentage penetration of antibiotic from serum to bronchial mucosa was calculated as the ratio of drug concentration in bronchial tissue to that in serum x 100 . Of the nine patients who took amoxycillin 500 mg thrice daily the mean (SD) percentage penetration was 75 . This was significantly lower than the mean percentage penetration of 147 in 29 patients who took ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily . Ten patients were given a single intravenous dose of ciprofloxacin 200 mg one hour before bronchoscopy and the mean percentage penetration was 231 . This study has shown that the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin is concentrated in the bronchial mucosa.

J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Sep, 26(9), 1687 - 90
Novel plate culture method to improve the microbiological diagnosis of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Gould IM et al.; A novel economical plate culture technique incorporating Tween 80 was used for the isolation of organisms from dialysis effluent in cases of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis . It was found to be convenient for routine laboratory use and increased the yield of positive plate cultures in specimens without antibiotics from 53 to 75% (P less than 0.01) and in specimens containing antibiotics from 24 to 38% (P less than 0.05) . It allowed for the identification and susceptibility testing of isolates 24 h earlier than did broth culturing and a more ready appreciation of mixed cultures and contaminants.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1988 Sep-Oct, 22(5), 1164 - 97
{A simple system of cloning in phage M13 and DNA sequencing with terminators}; Kraev AS; A compilation of techniques for DNA cloning in filamentous phage M13 based vectors for a novice in cloning is presented . It does not require either specialized microbiological facilities, or any specific knowledge in Escherichia coli genetics . The cloning strategy uses only blunt-end ligation into a vector that has been prepared once for several hundred experiments . The first part describes the isolation, preparation and checking of a blunt-ended M13 vector (with M13 mp series vectors as an example), and also the isolation of clonable fragments, transformation of competent cells and preliminary analysis of recombinants . The second part describes procedures and equipment, which enable to sequence recombinant M13 clones by the chain termination procedure of Sanger et al . It includes simplified procedures for the preparation of sequencing gels, and the rules of interpretation of the sequencing ladders . Reference material is added, which includes trouble-shooting guide, E . coli K12 strain list and polylinker sequences for use of mp-series vectors as well as a fully documented cloning and sequencing experiment.

Minerva Med, 1988 Sep, 79(9), 737 - 52
{Pneumocystosis}; Libanore M et al.; On the basis of personal experience, the microbiological, epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia are analysed.

J Immunol Methods, 1988 Aug 9, 112(1), 99 - 103
A simple quantitative fluorimetric assay of in vitro phagocytosis in human neutrophils; Oben JA et al.; In general the in vitro assays of phagocytosis rely on microscope counting or radioisotopic detection of ingested particles or microbiological counting of non-ingested bacteria . A very simple, rapid, highly quantitative method using fluorescein-labelled bacteria was described by Vray et al . (Scand . J . Immunol . (1980) 11, 147) for non-human phagocytes . We report here a modification of this method to increase its sensitivity, to make it more suitable for pharmacological studies . We also provide detailed experimental parameters for its use with human phagocytes . A suspension of fluorescein-labelled bacteria is incubated with human phagocytes; after incubation at 37 degrees C, the reaction is terminated with ice-cold Tyrode buffer solution, and the non-ingested bacteria are removed by lysis with lysozyme and the resultant cell suspension treated with the detergent TX-100 . The fluorescence of the suspension is then measured . The modified method is sufficiently sensitive to permit the detection of bi-directional effects on phagocytosis of a known modulator of human phagocyte function.

Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1988 Aug 5, 113(31-32), 1234 - 5
{Paranoid psychoses in HIV infection}; Moller AA et al.; Paranoid psychosis developed in two homosexual patients (aged 36 and 37 years) three and four years, respectively, after found to have an HIV infection . There was a marked reduction in the T-helper to T-suppressor-cell proportion (0.4 and 0.2) . Neither computed tomography nor magnetic resonance imaging, nor microscopic, microbiological and biochemical tests of cerebrospinal fluid demonstrated opportunistic infection of the central nervous system . After treatment with haloperidol (3 mg daily) there was a rapid regression of the psychotic symptoms.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Aug, 22(2), 229 - 35
Cefodizime in acute purulent exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease; Maesen FP et al.; Clinical, microbiological and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out after 1 or 2 g intramuscular injections bd of cefodizime (HR 221), a new aminothiazolyl cephalosporin, in 41 patients hospitalized for acute purulent exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease . Treatment was for 10 days . Serum Cmax values of 54.8 and 84.7 mg/l were recorded approximately 2 hours after the injections, the corresponding sputum values averaging 1.01 and 2.58 mg/l . Penetration from blood to sputum was 2 to 3.6% . The elimination phase half-life in serum was approximately 4.5 h . Clinical, microbiological and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out after 1 or 2 g intramuscular injections bd of cefodizime (HR 221), a new aminothiazolyl cephalosporin, in 41 patients hospitalized for acute purulent exacerbations of chronic respirators disease . Treatment was for 10 days . Serum Cmax values of 54.8 and 84.7 mg/l were recorded approximately 2 hours after the injections, the corresponding sputum values averaging 1.01 and 2.58 mg/l . Penetration from blood to sputum was 2 to 3.6% . The elimination phase half-life in serum was approximately 4.5 h.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1988 Aug, 41(8), 1164 - 71
{Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies on ceftizoxime in the perinatal period}; Yamamoto T et al.; Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies were carried out on the use of ceftizoxime (CZX) in the perinatal period . The results obtained are summarized below . 1 . Mean maternal serum concentrations of CZX reached 57.3 micrograms/ml at about 15 minutes after a single intravenous injection of CZX 1 g and then gradually decreased to 13.1 micrograms/ml in 1 hour and 55 minutes, 3.59 micrograms/ml in 4 hours and 20 minutes and 0.11 microgram/ml in 17 hours and 51 minutes . CZX in umbilical cord serum was at detectable concentrations soon after administration and peaked to 23.5 micrograms/ml in 32 minutes . Although the concentrations in umbilical cord serum gradually decreased thereafter, they were higher than those in maternal serum at 3 hours and more after an injection and was 0.41 microgram/ml at 17 hours and 51 minutes . The CZX in amniotic fluid became detectable a little later than CZX in umbilical cord serum . The concentration of CZX in amniotic fluid was below 1.00 microgram/ml at 30 minutes after administration . Concentrations then gradually increased to 21.3 micrograms/ml in 1 hour and 55 minutes and, even in 17 hours and 51 minutes, they were as high as 9.44 micrograms/ml . 2 . In the clinical evaluation, CZX was given to a total of 7 cases, i.e., 1 of amnionitis, 2 of puerperal endometritis, 1 of puerperal fever, and 3 of pyelonephritis . The treatment showed satisfactory results, i.e . excellent result was obtained in 1 case, good in 5 and poor in 1 with an clinical efficacy rate of 85.7% . Microbiological examinations resulted in the isolation of 5 bacterial strains of 4 species and 1 fungal strain from 5 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1988 Aug, 28(3), 216 - 20
Microbiological profile of the cervix in 1,000 sexually active women; Kovacs GT et al.; One thousand consecutive women who attended the Richmond Family Planning Association Clinic and who were to undergo a vaginal examination were asked to participate in a large prospective microbiological study . Participants were questioned about their sexual activity during the previous 12 months and any apparent signs of sexually transmitted disease . On examination the cervix was inspected for evidence of inflammation, ectopy or discharge and cervical swabs were taken microbiological assessment . Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated in 5.1% of women tested while Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis were found in 48.8% and 16.4% of women respectively . Significant associations were found between the number of sexual partners during the previous 12 months and the incidence of all 3 organisms . The carriage rate of the genital mycoplasmas was significantly affected by the type of contraception . In addition the association between the presence of the genital mycoplasmas and pelvic and cervical abnormalities was determined.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Aug, 22(2), 203 - 6
The penetration of fleroxacin into bronchial mucosa; Wise R et al.; Twenty patients undergoing fibreoptic endoscopy received 400 mg of fleroxacin once a day for four days . Bronchial biopsies were performed 2.7-5.9 h following the final dose of fleroxacin . A microbiological assay was used to determine the levels of fleroxacin in serum and biopsy material . The serum levels of fleroxacin ranged from 3.9-12.5 mg/l (mean 8.4, S.D . 2.4) . In all but one patient the bronchial mucosa level exceeded that in serum, the range being 5.9-19 mg/l (mean 12.8, S.D . 3.3) . The mean percentage penetration into bronchial mucosa over the period of the study was 158% (S.D . 41.2%) . The therapeutic implications are discussed.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Aug, 32(8), 1231 - 6
Cefoperazone compared with ampicillin plus tobramycin for severe biliary tract infections; Bergeron MG et al.; In a prospective, randomized, multicenter study, the efficacy and safety of cefoperazone and the combination ampicillin-tobramycin as initial therapy for patients with severe acute biliary tract infections were compared . Of 77 patients initially entered in the study, definite severe biliary tract infection was confirmed in 67 . Sixty-four patients completed treatment . At the end of treatment, 35 of 36 (97%) patients given cefoperazone and 23 of 28 (82%) given ampicillin-tobramycin were cured of their infection (P = 0.07) . Pathogens were recovered from the bile in 32 patients; microbiological cures were observed in 18 of 19 (94%) patients receiving cefoperazone and 8 of 13 (62%) receiving ampicillin-tobramycin (P = 0.03) . Thirteen patients had septicemia . None (0%) of the eight septicemic patients from the cefoperazone group, but two of five (40%) from the ampicillin-tobramycin group, were clinical failures . Of the isolated pathogens, 51% were resistant to ampicillin, while the resistance rate was 4% for tobramycin and 1% for cefoperazone (P less than 0.001) . Biliary concentrations of cefoperazone were maintained at high levels--236 +/- 87 micrograms/ml up to 12 h after administration . Even in the presence of severe obstruction, cefoperazone levels in the bile and gallbladder wall were above MICs for most pathogens . Cefoperazone may be considered as an excellent alternative in the therapy of severe biliary tract infections.

Ultraschall Med, 1988 Aug, 9(4), 180 - 4
{Synthetic ultrasound blocks and contact gels in sonography: hygienically satisfactory?}; Kainberger F et al.; Different sponge-like plastic blocks and several samples of two coupling gels used during small-parts real-time sonography were investigated microbiologically . Whereas the coupling gels showed no contamination a great deal of different bacteria could be found on the plastic blocks . These findings lead to a restricted use of those devices especially when investigating immunocompromised patients . Sufficient procedures of decontamination do not exist . Because of the relative high purchase cost the one-way use of plastic blocks is uneconomical.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Aug, 7(4), 460 - 75
Treatment of systemic fungal infections: recent progress and current problems; Walsh TJ et al.; Systemic mycoses continue to emerge as life-threatening infections . Considerable progress in treating these infections is being achieved through better application of established available antifungal agents (amphotericin B, flucytosine, miconazole and ketoconazole), and through development of promising investigational agents (fluconazole, itraconazole) . Systemic fungal infections, however, continue to present major problems, including clinical resistance, microbiological resistance, emergence of new pathogens, and involvement of more immunocompromised patients . The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to review the recent progress and current problems in treatment of systemic fungal infections.

Z Hautkr, 1988 Jul 15, 63(7), 553 - 6
{Diagnosis of urethritis in general practice . Methods and possibilities}; Mensing H; The diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases can be exactly defined nowadays, since the specific germs responsible for urethritis have been microbiologically characterized . The term "unspecific urethritis", therefore, should be replaced or completed by the identified specific germ . A short description is given of the various techniques (native procedures, staining, culture, and technical methods like Elisa or immunofluorescence), which can be performed in dermatologic practises . In addition, a survey of the urethritis germs isolated at the Hamburg Department of Dermatology is presented.

J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1988 Jul-Aug, 71(4), 776 - 8
Determination of novobiocin residues in milk, blood, and tissues by liquid chromatography; Moats WA et al.; Residues of novobiocin in milk, blood, and tissues can be detected by microbiological tests but cannot be distinguished from other antibiotics . A simple liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for identification of residues . Tissues were blended and milk and blood serum were mixed with 0.2M NH4H2PO4 . The mixture was deproteinized by adding aqueous methanol and filtering . The LC apparatus consisted of a variable wavelength detector, set at 340 nm, an automatic loop injector, and a C18 column with guard cartridge . The flow rate was 1 mL/min and the solvent mixture of 0.01M H3PO4-acetonitrile-methanol was programmed from 50 + 0 + 50 (0-1 min) to 20 + 80 + 0 (20 min) . Novobiocin was concentrated directly by solid-phase extraction on the analytical column . Five or more 200 microL aliquots of the filtrate in water-methanol (1 + 1) (adjusted if necessary) were injected with the column solvent at 50 + 0 + 50 . After the final injection, the program was run to completion . Recoveries were 90-100% with sensitivities of 0.05 ppm or less . The procedure should be adaptable for use with formulations and feeds.

J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1988 Jul-Aug, 71(4), 717 - 20
Microbial diffusion assay for antibiotics in feeds using a simplified design; Brady MS et al.; Results are compared for the microbiological analysis of antibiotics in feeds using the AOAC plate diffusion assay and the simplified 2-plate assay . Five antibiotics, bacitracin, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, penicillin, and streptomycin, were used to supplement feed extracts at levels of 100 and 25 micrograms antibiotic/g feed (bacitracin at 100 micrograms/g only) . For bacitracin at the one level and for penicillin at both levels, the 2-plate design yielded significantly more accurate results than those of the AOAC assay . The same was true for the 25 micrograms/g level of oxytetracycline and the 100 micrograms/g level of streptomycin . For streptomycin at the 25 micrograms/g supplementation, the AOAC assay results showed better accuracy . There was no significant difference in results between the 2 designs for oxytetracycline at 100 micrograms/g and chlortetracycline at either level . The accuracy and precision of the results for the 2-plate design are equivalent to or better than those obtained using the AOAC design; in addition, the 2-plate assay is less labor-intensive, is more cost-effective, and is able to determine reasonable conditions of similarity.

J Infect Dis, 1988 Jul, 158(1), 36 - 43
Microbiological and clinical significance of a new property of defective lysis in clinical strains of pneumococci; Tuomanen E et al.; A pneumococcal isolate that caused relapsing meningitis in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was found to display an unusual response to penicillin--rapid death but a striking lack of cellular lysis . This lytic defect was also detected in all four pneumococcal isolates from three additional HIV-infected patients and in more than half of the clinical isolates from patients with bacteremia . In a rabbit model of meningitis, the lysis-defective strain remained cryptic, with a delay of 5 h in the onset of leukocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid . A marked burst of leukocytosis was associated with ampicillin-induced lysis of a lysis-sensitive strain but not of a lysis-defective strain . Pneumococcal clinical isolates have different lytic responses to penicillin; defective lysis may adversely affect the course of meningitis, an observation suggesting that autolysins play a role in modulating infectious diseases.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1988 Jul, 48(1), 117 - 21
Maternal aerobic exercise and vitamin B-6 status; Yates CY et al.; Effects of an aerobic walking program during gestational weeks 22-30 on vitamin B-6 status and birth outcome were studied in 28 healthy pregnant women, aged 21-36 y, receiving vitamin-mineral supplements . Mean daily vitamin B-6 intake, excluding a 10-mg supplement, was 1.81 mg . Subjects in the walking (n = 18) and nonwalking (n = 10) groups had similar microbiologically assessed plasma total vitamin B-6 levels and radioenzymatically assessed plasma pyridoxal phosphate concentrations . One walker at 22 wk and at 30 wk and a second walker at 30 wk had plasma total vitamin B-6 concentrations in the low-normal range; the same was true for plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels except that the 30-wk value for the walker who was low at 22 wk was missing . Birth-outcome measurements were similar for both groups . Participation in the walking program slightly improved aerobic fitness without affecting vitamin B-6 status or birth outcome in pregnant women taking vitamin-mineral supplements.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988 Jul, 32(7), 1103 - 5
Rapid determination of amphotericin B levels in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography without interference by bilirubin; Hosotsubo H et al.; A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of amphotericin B concentrations in human serum without bilirubin interference was developed and compared with a microbiological assay . The high-performance liquid chromatographic assay utilized a reversed-phase trimethyl silica column, simple sample preparation, and visible detection . Reproducibility studies yielded coefficient-of-variation ranges from 1.02 to 2.11% for within-day precision and 2.88 to 4.32% for between-day precision . The correlation coefficient with the microbiological assay was 0.984 for amphotericin B.

Trop Geogr Med, 1988 Jul, 40(3), 218 - 22
Thiamin intakes and erythrocyte thiamin levels in eleven-year-old children in the Western Cape; van der Westhuyzen J et al.; Dietary intake of thiamin has been evaluated in a series of 615 eleven-year-old children in Western Cape Province, South Africa . Thiamin intakes, determined by 24-hour recall and local food composition tables, were highest in rural white children (boys 1.49 mg/day, girls 1.11 mg), followed by rural black (Xhosa) children (1.33, 1.15 mg), and lowest in rural (1.18, 1.11 mg) and urban coloured (Euro-African-Malay) subjects (1.11, 0.85 mg) . The group means exceeded WHO recommended daily intakes except for urban coloured girls . Thiamin nutritional status was determined by automated microbiological assay of thiamin in erythrocytes in a subsample of 69 children . One urban coloured child was thiamin deficient . The highest mean value (69.4 micrograms/l) was found in rural coloured children, followed by their urban counterparts (64.8 micrograms/l) and black rural children (63.6 micrograms/l) . Rural white children had the lowest mean value (60.3 micrograms/l) . In general, thiamin stores in these children appear to be adequate.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jul, 22 Suppl B, 63 - 8
Efficacy of spiramycin on experimental airborne legionellosis in guinea pigs; Nowicki M et al.; The effect of preventive and curative spiramycin therapy was studied in guinea pigs infected by aerosol with the experimental model previously tested . The infectious aerosol was obtained from a virulent strain of Legionella pneumophila (Philadelphia ATCC 33 152) . Male guinea pigs (Dunkin-Hartley) weighing 250-300 g were exposed for 30 min to an aerosol of 1 or 10 LD50 (10(3) or 10(4) viable inhaled organisms) . Spiramycin was administered intraperitoneally (150 mg/kg/day) 18 h after infection for five days for curative therapy; for preventive therapy it was administered on the day before and on the day of aerosol administration (10 LD50) . The animals were observed during seven days for weight and temperature and 28 days for survival; bacterial (lungs, spleen) and serological tests were performed . Spiramycin levels (lungs, serum) were evaluated during treatment by a microbiological method . The survival rate in the treated guinea pigs after inhalation of 1 LD50 was 100% . For the 10 LD50 aerosol, curative and preventive therapy gave a survival rate of 87.5%; these results are significant when compared with results of non-treated animals, P less than 0.05 . Spiramycin merits further study in experimental and human legionellosis.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jul, 22 Suppl B, 171 - 7
Comparison of spiramycin and tetracycline used adjunctively in the treatment of advanced chronic periodontitis; Chin Quee T et al.; This study was designed to compare both clinical and microbiological changes during the treatment of advanced periodontal disease with mechanical debridement, with or without the adjunctive use of either spiramycin or tetracycline . The study, which included 96 patients with advanced periodontitis, was performed as a controlled double-blind parallel randomized trial . All patients received thorough scaling and root planing as well as adjunctive placebo or spiramycin or tetracycline . Probing depth measurements, attachment level changes, plaque level, gingival crevicular fluid, bleeding on probing and microbiological evaluation were carried out at baseline, 2-, 8-, 12- and 24-week visits . Seventy-nine patients (24 placebo, 27 tetracycline and 28 spiramycin) completed the study . At 24 weeks there were no intergroup differences in the improvement of any of the clinical parameters . Spiramycin was the only antibiotic which produced a significantly greater decrease in the proportion of spirochaetes than the placebo group at the 24-week visit . It was concluded that mechanical debridement alone was sufficient in decreasing the subgingival bacteria to a level which would result in the return to periodontal health . The study was not long enough to determine whether or not the difference in spirochaete level was an indication that the spiramycin group would have maintained the benefits of treatment for a longer time.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jul, 22 Suppl B, 135 - 40
Spiramycin uptake by alveolar macrophages; Harf R et al.; The in-vitro and in-vivo uptake of spiramycin by human and animal alveolar macrophages was studied . In-vitro penetration was studied in guinea pig and human alveolar macrophages incubated in medium 199 at 37 degrees C containing spiramycin at various concentrations . Results were expressed as the cellular/extracellular concentration ratio (C/E) . The in-vivo study was performed in patients receiving 500 or 1000 mg spiramycin every 8 h as a 1-h infusion on day 1 . A single infusion was given on day 2, 2 h before serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sampling . Spiramycin was assayed by HPLC, and by a microbiological assay . In guinea pig alveolar macrophages, the C/E ratio of spiramycin after 60 min at 37 degrees C was 20.3 +/- 6.5 when the concentration was 10 mg/l . In human alveolar macrophages, the C/E ratio was 21.3 +/- 8.7 at 5 mg/l spiramycin and 23.8 +/- 8.7 at 50 mg/l . The accumulated spiramycin was slowly released when the cells (guinea pig alveolar macrophages) were washed and re-incubated in antibiotic free medium . Spiramycin was able to penetrate the alveolar space . In BAL supernatant, spiramycin levels were about 24-fold the serum level (n = 6 patients), when the BAL/serum glucose ratios were used as the dilution estimate . Alveolar macrophage levels ranged from 17 to 210 mg/l (n = 6 patients receiving 500 mg spiramycin infusion) . These results are consistent with the in-vitro data.

Lab Anim, 1988 Jul, 22(3), 240 - 2
Whole blood folate values in normal female hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus); MacDonald DG; Whole blood folate estimations in adult female hamsters, using radioassay kits gave values similar to human data and comparable with previously reported serum folate levels measured using microbiological techniques.

Br J Dis Chest, 1988 Jul, 82(3), 282 - 4
Short course chemotherapy for lymph node tuberculosis: final report at 5 years . British Thoracic Society Research Committee; Effect of chemical germicides on the integrity of hemodialyzer membranes; Nosocomial Infections Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333Epidemiologic investigations of bacteremia in dialysis patients by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identified an association with the use of dialyzers disinfected with a specific chemical germicide . A collaborative study by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was conducted to determine the effect of dialyzer disinfectants on five types of dialyzer membranes: three cellulosic (Cuprophan, cellulose acetate, cuprammonium rayon); and two synthetic (polysulfone, polyacrylonitrile) . The disinfectants tested were: 4% formaldehyde; Renalin; Cidex Dialyzer; Sporicidin HO; Warexin; and RenNew-D . Water was the control . Dialyzers were reprocessed up to 15 times . Each reprocessing consisted of rinsing, air-leak testing, filling with fresh disinfectant, and storing for 2 to 4 days . After 15 reprocessings or air-leak failure, each dialyzer was microbiologically challenged for membrane integrity . Membranes exposed to Renalin, Cidex Dialyzer, and water passed all tests . Cellulosic membranes exposed to Warexin failed all tests after 2 to 9 reprocessings . Cellulose acetate membranes exposed to Sporicidin HD failed microbiologic testing . One polysulfone dialyzer exposed to RenNew-D and one exposed to 4% formaldehyde failed microbiologic testing . These results and those obtained from epidemiologic studies suggest that membrane integrity testing (e.g . an air-leak test) should be an integral part of dialyzer reprocessing.

J Periodontol, 1988 Jul, 59(7), 439 - 44
A rationale for monitoring the periodontal microbiota after periodontal treatment; Listgarten MA; Strict control of dental plaque accumulation remains the cornerstone of successful maintenance of the treated patient . However, some recurrences of periodontitis appear to take place despite good oral hygiene habits . A proportion of these are likely due to qualitative features of the periodontal microbiota rather than merely increased mass . Microscopic as well as cultural monitoring of qualitative features of the periodontal microbiota may be helpful in detecting critical changes . This review presents some of the research findings that provide a rationale for microbiological monitoring . Some of the advantages as well as difficulties encountered with these procedures are discussed.

Rev Chir Oncol Radiol O R L Oftalmol Stomatol Ser Stomatol, 1988 Jul-Sep, 35(3), 191 - 4
{Pharmaceutical preparations from plant products employed in stomatologic diseases}; Suciu G et al.; Two preparations for stomatological use have been introduced, obtained from vegetal extracts of Ocimum basilicum L., Tilia sp., and Symphytum officinalis L . Their stability in time was evaluated, and the microbiological activity was assessed in vitro on microbial strains involved in stomatological affections . In clinical experiments good results were obtained in parodonthopathies, in the therapy of lesions developing under prostheses, and in other affections.

Vet Q, 1988 Jul, 10(3), 191 - 7
Therapeutic efficacy of medicating drinking water with spectinomycin and lincomycin-spectinomycin in experimental Escherichia coli infection in poultry; Goren E et al.; Although no microbiological activity was found in blood plasma during treatment of broilers through the drinking water with spectinomycin or lincomycin-spectinomycin, these drugs proved highly effective in treating experimentally induced colibacillosis . This efficacy may be produced by a metabolite or a degradation product of spectinomycin that reaches the infection site in the respiratory tract and interferes with adherence of bacteria.

J Infect Dis, 1988 Jul, 158(1), 70 - 9
Characterization of enteroadherent-aggregative Escherichia coli, a putative agent of diarrheal disease; Vial PA et al.; Escherichia coli that exhibit the aggregative pattern of adherence to HEp-2 cells (enteroadherent-aggregative E . coli {EA-AggEC}) have been epidemiologically incriminated as a cause of diarrhea . We undertook a preliminary microbiological and pathogenetic characterization of 42 isolates of this putative pathogen . The strains were negative by tests with DNA probes for enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive, and enterohemorrhagic E . coli and, by serotype, did not fit these categories . Thirty-nine of 42 strains had a 55-65-megadalton plasmid; many shared DNA homology . With one representative strain, plasmid transfer was accompanied by transfer of smooth lipopolysaccharide, fimbriae expression, and the aggregative property . EA-AggEC caused characteristic lesions in rabbit and rat ileal loops . The intestinal lesions and (Shiga-like) limb paralysis and death in rabbits inoculated with live organisms suggest toxin involvement; assays for Shiga-like toxins were negative . These preliminary results support the contention that EA-AggEC may represent a distinct category of diarrheagenic E . coli.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1988 Jun 25, 118(25), 972 - 8
{Pleural diseases: an unusual cause of cough}; Baumann HR; The parietal pleura contains myelinated sensitive nerve fibers as well as mechanoreceptors which coordinate the breathing muscles . The small volume of fluid within the pleural space is in dynamic balance: hydrostatic and colloid-osmotic pressures maintain a constant flow of fluid from the parietal to the visceral pleura, which turns into pleural effusion under pathological conditions . Separation of transudate from exudate is best done by calculation of the protein and LDH ratios in the pleural fluid and in serum . Transudates of cardiac origin are due to congestive left heart failure alone . In detecting subpulmonary pleural effusion, ultrasonography is more accurate than X-ray in lateral decubitus . Pleural exudate is investigated by chemical, microbiological and cytological examination of the fluid, complemented by pleural biopsy, fibre bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy . In this way less than 10% of pleural effusions remain unexplained.

J Laryngol Otol . 1988 Jun;102(6):540.
The use of sputum-trap in the collection of antral washout specimen during antroscopy; Violaris NS et al.; Antroscopy of the maxillary sinus has become an established and proven procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of sinus disease . Below we outline the use of the sputum-trap in the collection of antral washout specimens for microbiological culture during antroscopy.

J Infect Dis, 1988 Jun, 157(6), 1163 - 8
Clinical and microbiological features of infection with Malassezia pachydermatis in high-risk infants; Mickelsen PA et al.; Malassezia pachydermatis, a yeast that has not previously been implicated as a cause of human disease, was isolated from cultures of blood from three infants . All infants were 25-27 w of gestational age and had multiple underlying medical problems . The infants had been hospitalized for at least six weeks, had received broad-spectrum antibiotics, and had received parenteral lipid nutrition via a central venous catheter . In one patient, fungemia was accompanied by clinical and laboratory evidence of Broviac catheter infection . During a three-year period, M . pachydermatis was also recovered from fungal cultures of an additional 30 patients, 85% of whom were infants . A pathogenic role for M . pachydermatis recovered from sources other than blood or catheters was not established . Risk factors for and symptoms in infants with M . pachydermatis fungemia appeared to be similar to those described for Malassezia furfur sepsis.

Obstet Gynecol Surv, 1988 Jun, 43(6), 328 - 34
Modifications to selective conservative management in preterm premature rupture of the membranes; Fisk NM; Selective conservation in preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) reduces risks of infection and pulmonary hypoplasia associated with expectant management by delivering those at greatest risk, while permitting continuation of pregnancy in the remainder . Although patient selection has traditionally been a clinical decision, more accurate criteria are now available . The role of biochemical, biophysical and microbiological predictors of chorioamnionitis and fetal pulmonary status in PPROM is reviewed, and the resultant modifications to selective conservative management discussed.

J Assoc Physicians India, 1988 Jun, 36(6), 365 - 6
Plasma rifampicin levels during oral contraception; Gupta KC et al.; PIP: Researchers conducted a study on the effect of oral contraceptives (OCs) on rifampicin plasma levels in 6 healthy women between 19-38 years old . These women's weight ranged between 40-60 kg an their height between 150-160 cms . All hemoglobin levels were 10 g . They had not used OCs for 3 months before the research began . As a control, the volunteers 1st did not receive an OC and had a menstrual cycle . Blood samples were collected between days 15-28 of the menstrual cycle . They took a daily low dose OC containing 1 mg norethisterone acetate and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol in the next cycle . Before and after the 2nd OC cycle, they took 450 mg of rifampicin while the stomach was void and laboratory personnel estimated plasma levels of rifampicin by microbiological assay at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours . When the women were taking no OC, peak plasma levels of rifampicin ranged between 8.2-36 mcg/ml, while they varied between 11.25-29 mcg/dl during the 2nd OC cycle . Further, the time of peak concentration of rifampicin when the women did not use an OC occurred between 2-4 hours in 5 women and at 6 hours for the other woman . During OC administration, all the women's peak concentration was 2 or 4 hours . The area under curve (AUC) of rifampicin while no OC was used extended from 29.85-176 + or - 22.1 mcg/ml/hour and 61.9-157.7 + or - 14.9 mcg/ml/hour while the women took the OC . No significant difference existed between before and during OC use plasma levels of rifampicin and AUC . Even though studies show that rifampicin treatment reduces plasma levels of OCs, these results demonstrate that a low dose OC does not change rifampicin levels .

Chemioterapia, 1988 Jun, 7(3), 156 - 9
Tissue diffusion of doxycycline in rats: a comparison between intravenous bolus injection or drip-infusion; Miglioli PA; The aim of the present paper is to investigate the influence of the infusion rate on doxycycline concentrations in rat body fluids (serum and experimental pleural exudate) and tissues (muscle) . The same dose of antibiotic (30 mg/kg) was given both as a bolus and by drip-infusion over 30 min . The drug concentrations in serum samples and tissue specimens were measured by a microbiological method . The highest serum levels and the optimal penetration into muscle and pathological fluids were obtained following drip-infusion.

J Periodontol, 1988 Jun, 59(6), 373 - 9
Microbiological and clinical effects of surgery plus doxycycline on juvenile periodontitis; Mandell RL et al.; It was previously determined that surgery plus the antibiotic doxycycline were effective in eliminating or suppressing Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), an organism strongly associated with disease in localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) . Eight patients with LJP participated in this surgical study . Patients were reexamined three and 12 months following therapy . The results of this study strongly suggest that surgery plus doxycycline effectively eliminate Aa from periodontal pockets . This elimination results in clinical improvement and attachment gain at three and 12 months following surgery . Further destruction was seen in individuals who continued to harbor high levels of Aa.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1988 Jun, 6(4), 295 - 307
Microbiological quality and shelf life prediction of chilled fish; Jorgensen BR et al.; A number of storage experiments have been carried out with whole cod and vacuum-packed cod fillets stored in ice . The microbiological quality of the fish was determined on the basis of detection time estimated rapidly by conductance assays in a TMAO-containing medium at 25 degrees C . Detection time and sensory data have been incorporated into a predictive linear model to estimate the remaining shelf life of the products . It is concluded that the shelf life of iced whole cod can be predicted using this model but not that of vacuum-packed fillets because of the greater variability of bacterial activity in packaged fish.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 715 - 8
{Kinetics of pefloxacin diffusion in human bone tissue following a single infusion of 800 mg . Evaluation of an extraction technic using chloroform}; Etesse-Carsenti H et al.; A better understanding of the pharmacokinetics of pefloxacin in human bone is warranted by the efficacy of this drug in the treatment of bone and joint infections . Surgical bone samples were taken at 30 mn, 1h, 6h, 12h and 24 h after the administration of a single 800 mg intravenous dose of pefloxacin over 1 hour for 26 patients who underwent surgery in an orthopedic surgery ward . Drug concentration was measured by a microbiological method (extraction of the antibiotic in buffer or with chloroform) . Up until the 24th hour, in 25/26 cases, the bone levels were superior to 2 mg/l (the critical concentration of pefloxacin) in cortical as well as in spongy bone . Our study reveals a good diffusion of pefloxacin in bone, results which support the idea that this antibiotic may be prophylactically effective in orthopedic surgery.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Jun, 36(5 Pt 2), 699 - 701
{Placental passage of cefodizime}; Berthelot G et al.; The aim of this study was to evaluate the placental transfer of cefodizime (HR 221) in 28 women undergoing a cesarean section . After a single injection of 1 g cefodizime i.m., maternal blood, amniotic fluid and foetal cord blood samples were collected after 0.5 to 12 hours . The antibiotic assay was carried out by a microbiological procedure . The results showed a significant placental transfer of cefodizime with an early peak of 5.8 micrograms/ml at the 2nd hour in the cord blood and a progressive diffusion of the drug in the amniotic fluid until a maximal value of 9.9 micrograms/ml 11.5 hours after injection.

Am J Optom Physiol Opt, 1988 Jun, 65(6), 476 - 80
Evaluation of contact lenses by microbial enumeration and protein determination; Barr JT et al.; Contact lenses worn for varying periods of time (from 1 to 48 months) were subjected to microbiological examination by plate counts and protein determination . Seventy percent of the lenses displayed bacterial colony counts below 120 colony-forming units (CFU)/lens, 28 percent were in the range of 140 to 9060 CFU/lens, and one lens was contaminated with greater than 6 x 10(4) CFU/lens . Fungal contaminants were detected in three lens specimens in the range of 220 to 760 CFU/lens . Protein accumulation showed wide variation of up to 1.2 mg of protein per lens . Statistical analysis indicated highly significant associations (p less than 0.001) between the bacterial colony counts obtained with three different media . Some significant associations were found between the protein concentration and bacterial counts . The data did not indicate statistically significant relations between the above variables and either the water content or the length of wear of the contact lenses.

What Is Yeast?, What Is Growth Medium?, What is Food Microbiology?, What Is Salmonella?, What Is Prokaryote?, a, Microbes, n, Microorganisms, c, Bacterium, e, Bacteriology, n, Microbe, r, Antibiotics, i, Microbiological, i, Salmonella typhimurium, n, Biocontactor, n, Vibriosis, s, Pathogenic bacterium, o, Functional genomics, i, Bactericidal, s, E coli O157, i, Cellulomanas, n, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, n, Escherichia coli, s, Escherichia coli, e, Escherichia coli, o, Escherichia coli, s, Campylobacter, e, Staphylococcus, r, Achromobacter, n, Microorganism, o, Meningococcus, c, Salmonella typhimurium

Scientific Publications - Work Done by Microbiology Reader Bioscreen C
Agricultural Microbiology Anaerobic Microbiology Antimicrobial Susceptibility Artificial Atmosphere Bioassay of Antibiotics Biofilm Microbiology Bioreactor Technology Biotechnology Cell Biology Clinical Microbiology Environmental Microbiology Experiments with Yeast	Fermentation Food Microbiology Functional Genomics Gene Technology Growth Media Development Growth Rate and Lag Time Industrial Microbiology Medical/Pharmaceutical Field Microbiological Assay Microbiological Research Microbiology of Cosmetics go to a specific theme...	Military Microbiology Molecular Microbiology Mutagenicity and Genotoxicity Oral Microbiology Patents Postantibiotic Studies Soil Microbiology Spore Microbiology Veterinary Microbiology Waste/Wastewater Treatment Water Microbiology Wine Microbiology

� 2005 Transgalactic Ltd (manufacturer of Bioscreen C software) | Privacy Statement | P.O. Box 1393, 00101 Helsinki, Finland, phone: +358 9 85172920, fax: +358 9 8749481, e-mail: microbiology@bionewsonline.com

Last modified: May 25, 2005