Scanning Microsc, 1988 Jun, 2(2), 1055 - 68 Bioapplication of colloidal gold in microbiological immunocytochemistry; Beesley JF; Microbiological organisms are an ubiquitous group of animals encompassing bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae and fungi . They are adapted for survival in many diverse habitats and exert a profound effect on man and his environment . Colloidal gold electron immunocytochemistry is a useful technique for studying these organisms and may be applied in several ways . The post-embedding technique is used to detect internal antigens, whilst the pre-embedding technique is employed for the detection of external antigens . In contrast the immuno-negative stain technique is applied to detect antigens on structures such as viruses or bacterial pili which may be dried down onto an electron microscope grid and immunolabelled in situ . In addition the immunoreplica technique allows the examination of cell surfaces for the appearance of antigens . Together these techniques have yielded valuable information concerning microbiological organisms. Semin Respir Infect, 1988 Jun, 3(2), 113 - 22 Invasive procedures in the diagnosis of pneumonia; Busk MF et al.; The etiology of respiratory infections can be elusive despite the recent advances in diagnostic technology . Thereby, the clinician needs a systematic approach for a definitive early diagnosis . This review presents the pros and cons of various invasive procedures in order to select the most appropriate diagnostic method . Expectorated sputum, the important initial step in community-acquired pneumonia, is unreliable in complex pneumonias, mainly because of colonization of the oropharynx . Even though blood cultures are frequently negative, they provide a precise diagnosis and should be obtained in undiagnosed pneumonias . Transtracheal needle aspiration has few false-negative results . However, its use has decreased because of the high frequency of false-positive cultures and risk of serious complications . Bronchoscopy provides direct access to both the bronchi and parenchyma for visualization and sampling . Plugged telescoping catheter brush, used safely in different clinical settings, has good sensitivity in identifying the pathogen, but the specificity varies with the underlying status of the patient . Because of upper airway contamination, bronchial washings are only slightly better than expectorated sputum . A newer technique, transbronchial needle aspiration, is, thus far, no improvement over the plugged telescoping catheter brush . In the immunosuppressed patient, bronchoalveolar lavage has excellent diagnostic accuracy for opportunistic infections . The accuracy increases with the addition of transbronchial biopsy . Transthoracic needle aspiration gives decisive information with low false-positive results . With the ultrathin needle, the complications decrease . Renewed interest in thoracoscopy-guided biopsy has demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy with low complication rate . One procedure, a combination, or improvements of these procedures may reduce the need for open lung biopsy . Nevertheless, an open lung biopsy furnishes the best specimen for making a histological and microbiological diagnosis, although controversy exists regarding any improvement in survival rates. Am J Physiol, 1988 May, 254(5 Pt 2), F747 - 53 Aberrant responses to growth-regulatory signals by variant kidney epithelial cells; Walsh-Reitz MM et al.; Cultures that achieved a higher cell density than expected were noted during study of growth regulation in monkey kidney epithelial cells of the BSC-1 line . Multiplication of the variant cells was accelerated, compared with parental cells, as the cultures approached confluence . Cytogenetic analysis, immunofluorescence antibody reactions with specific monkey serum, isoenzyme analysis, microbiological studies, and lack of growth in soft agar indicated that the variant cells were not a contaminating cell type, lacked new isoenzymes, were free of microbial contamination, and were not transformed . Confluent variant cultures did not respond to a purified growth inhibitor protein produced by BSC-1 cells that inhibits multiplication and reduces cell Na content in subconfluent variant and parental cells . Vasopressin, which is a mitogen for parental cells, was a potent growth inhibitor for confluent cultures of variant cells . Low-K or high-Na media, which stimulate proliferation of parental cells, had no effect on growth of the variant cell line . These results suggest that enhanced multiplication of the variant cells is mediated by altered signal transduction pathways and/or receptors for growth-regulatory molecules. J Clin Periodontol, 1988 May, 15(5), 324 - 30 Longitudinal study of untreated periodontitis (I) . Clinical findings; Jenkins WM et al.; The principal aim of this study was to investigate the use of certain clinical and microbiological criteria to predict periodontal breakdown during a 1-year period . A further aim was to establish whether the act of collecting subgingival plaque samples periodically throughout the observation period would have any effect on the clinical or microbiological variables . Only the clinical data is presented in this paper . The study population comprised 11 volunteers (aged 32-51 years) with persistent advanced periodontitis and inadequate plaque control in spite of a previous intensive course of hygiene therapy . From the left jaw quadrants, 89 teeth were selected, yielding 148 bleeding pockets of 4 mm depth or more . From the right jaw quadrants, 74 teeth were selected, yielding 117 bleeding pockets of 4 mm depth or more . All subjects were examined on 7 occasions at 2-monthly intervals when plaque index scores, dichotomous measurements of gingival redness, pocket depths and attachment levels were recorded . Bacteriological sampling was carried out at each visit for each site only in the left jaw quadrants while the right jaw quadrants were sampled only at the first and last visits . During the study, no subgingival instrumentation was performed, except at 3 sites which exhibited loss of attachment of 3 mm . These teeth were withdrawn from the study for ethical reasons . At the completion of the study, the sequential changes in probing attachment level at each site were subjected to regression analysis to determine the direction and extent of attachment change which had taken place at each site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1988 May, 186(2), 118 - 37 {Illnesses in relation to swimming pool visits--conclusions of a survey}; Botzenhart K et al.; Diseases acquired by using swimming-pools were recorded by inquiring visitors and local physicians in a German spa . The diseases were brought into relation with microbiological and chemical parameters of the swimming-pool water . Water quality was in general satisfying, but on days with a very great number of visitors the treatment-plant quickly was working beyond capacity . 663 out of 1056 visitors indicated diseases which they traced back to the visit of the swimming-pool . The quality of the water was the reason for only a part of the diseases . Eye-irritations and colds counted up to nearly half of the illnesses, other frequent complaints concerned the skin and the ear-nose-and throat-region. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 May, (5), 31 - 4 {Epidemiological characteristics of postoperative wound infections in a trauma center hospital}; Sukhomlinova GI et al.; The occurrence of cross infections in osteomyelitis patients has been proved by clinical, microbiological, and epidemiological methods . The patients are infected mainly in the dressing room for patients with purulent processes; the working conditions in this dressing room do not preclude the possibility of cross infections. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1988 Apr 29, 113(17), 683 - 5 {Bronchoscopic diagnosis of lung infiltrates in immunocompromised patients}; von Eiff M et al.; Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was undertaken in 21 immunocompromised patients for microbiological and cytological diagnosis . In all of these patients radiologically confirmed pneumonic lesions had developed which, under empirical antibiotic treatment, had progressed or not clearly regressed . In four patients each the causative organisms of the pneumonia were identified as Pneumocystis carinii and Legionella, respectively, and Aspergilla in a further three . Proof of the causative organism in these patients resulted in a change of the antibiotic treatment . The pneumonia was healed in 11 patients . Ten patients died . Early bronchoscopy to identify the causative organism is recommended in immunocompromised patients so that, by administering microorganism-specific treatment, the at present high mortality in this group may be reduced. Pharmazie, 1988 Apr, 43(4), 246 - 8 {Mercurimetric determination of cephalosporin antibiotics}; Pospisilova B et al.; The conditions for a potenciometric estimation of cefuroxime, cefsulodin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxon with mercury(II) perchlorate after the previous reaction of the antibiotics with hydroxylamine were established . The mercurimetric determination was well reproducible with the relative error of the mean ranging up to 1% and the results are identical with the spectrometric and microbiological determination . There is no need to use a standard . With this technique only the content of effective antibiotic with an intact beta-lactam ring can be estimated . The method did not provide objective results for cefoperazone and cefoxitin . The direct determination of cephalosporin degradation products was verified for cefalexin, cefalothin, cefuroxime, cefsulodin and ceftriaxon. Lab Anim, 1988 Apr, 22(2), 109 - 16 The microbial environment and intestinal nematode infections of Heligmosomoides polygyrus in laboratory mice; Lewis JW et al.; The difficulty of establishing primary infections of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (= Nematospiroides dubius) in ASH/CSI mice in the Laboratory Animal House at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College during a recent autumn and spring period was associated with a syndrome of worm distortion, together with zero or low worm establishment and reduced fecundity (eggs/female worm) . The eggs produced were non-viable and the egg capsule comprised a rumpled lipid and ruptured chitin layer . The egg size and peaks of egg production were also reduced and the total egg output ceased entirely by day 28 post-infection in male mice . The syndrome was repeated when control LACA mice harbouring 'normal' infections of H . polygyrus were housed on the same source of peat bedding material as the ASH/CSI mice . An increase in H . polygyrus egg production in ASH/CSI mice, removed from the peat or treated with 0.04% oxytetracycline hydrochloride suggested that the cause of the syndrome was microbial in origin . A microbiological assay of the peat, which was the common denominator of all syndrome infections, revealed an abundance of chitinase secreting species of bacteria (Bacillaceae) . Bacterial chitinase was therefore likely to rupture the chitin layer of the egg capsule producing nonviable eggs and either abnormal or no larvae . Preliminary in vitro studies using chitinase from Streptomyces griseus indicated that the hatching success of eggs of H . polygyrus was reduced as the concentration of chitinase increased. J Laryngol Otol, 1988 Apr, 102(4), 362 - 4 Antroscleroma; Saad EF; Oedema, hypertrophy, polyposis, atrophy or empyema of the maxillary sinus are common features of rhinoscleroma . However, actual involvement of the antrum by the nasal granuloma is rare and primary scleroma of the antrum is of extreme rarity . Three cases of antroscleroma are presented, one secondary to an extensive rhinoscleroma and two primary . The difference in the physical, biological and microbiological environment in the antrum from that in the nose might explain the rarity of antroscleroma. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Apr, 21(4), 481 - 7 Evaluation of imipenem/cilastatin for treatment of infection in an elderly population; Smith MD et al.; Eighty-seven episodes of infection occurring in 83 patients were treated with imipenem as the sole antibiotic (1.5-4 g daily) . All patients were aged 65 years or over, many with other non-infective diseases . A favourable clinical outcome (infection cured or improved) was obtained in 88% of cases . Of the 37 patients who were microbiologically evaluable, a favourable clinical outcome occurred in 92% and a favourable bacteriological outcome (pathogen eradicated or suppressed) occurred in 86% of cases . There were 13 deaths amongst the study group, which might be expected in an ill elderly population . None of the deaths was thought attributable to imipenem . Minor clinical side effects occurred in 10.6%, and one patient sustained a cerebral ischaemic episode and fits, possibly related to imipenem . No serious changes were detected in laboratory parameters. Can J Vet Res, 1988 Apr, 52(2), 239 - 48 Bronchoalveolar lavage of cranial and caudal lung regions in selected normal calves: cellular, microbiological, immunoglobulin, serological and histological variables; Pringle JK et al.; Of a group of 30 clinically normal male Holstein calves two to eight weeks of age, six two week old and six four week old calves met various radiographical and clinicopathological criteria for normality . Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy on cranial and caudal lung regions in all 30 calves and samples analyzed for free cells, microorganisms, and immunoglobulins . Lateral chest radiographs and lung biopsies were also conducted on each calf . Calves were euthanized and necropsied ten days after bronchoalveolar lavage was conducted . Reported in this paper are results from the 12 normal calves . Microorganisms were present in small numbers in the lower respiratory tract of some normal calves . There were no differences in the above parameters between cranial and caudal lobes . There were statistically significant changes in bronchoalveolar lavage cell proportions with age although there were no detectable differences in clinical signs . Four week old calves had a lower percentage of macrophages and a higher percentage of epithelial cells than two week old animals (p less than 0.05) . There was also a trend toward an increased percentage of neutrophils in older calves but this was not significant (p greater than 0.05) . Total bronchoalveolar lavage protein also appeared to increase with age (p less than 0.05) . In both groups a higher proportion of IgG2 in bronchoalveolar lavage compared to serum was found, suggesting the presence of a local selective transfer mechanism into respiratory secretions. J Clin Periodontol, 1988 Apr, 15(4), 240 - 6 Clinical, microbiological and immunological features of subjects with destructive periodontal diseases; Haffajee AD et al.; 76 subjects with prior evidence of destructive periodontal diseases were monitored clinically and immunologically every 2 months for up to 5 years . Clinical parameters measured included bleeding on probing, gingival redness, plaque accumulation, suppuration, pocket depth and attachment level . Blood samples were taken by venipuncture and serum antibody levels to a series of 18 subgingival species determined . 33 of these subjects showed evidence of active disease during the monitoring period, based on changes in attachment level measurements assessed using the tolerance method of analysis . Mean attachment loss in these 33 subjects varied from 1.4 mm to 9.0 (median value 3.4 mm) and subjects whose mean attachment level was above the median showed a higher % of pockets greater than 3 mm and more suppuration . Severity of gingival inflammation related poorly to mean attachment loss . Subgingival plaque samples were taken from the active site(s) and from control sites of equal pocket depth and attachment loss in the same active disease subjects, prior to therapy, for predominant cultivable microbiota studies . 50 randomly selected isolates were identified from each sample . Predominant cultivable species in 170 pretreatment active and inactive sites combined (8500 isolates) were enumerated . The most frequently detected species were F . nucleatum (112 sites) and S . intermedius (106 sites), although the predominant species in the samples from each subject differed . The distribution of putative pathogens differed among subjects . For example, A . actinomycetemcomitans was found in 21 samples in 11 subjects and B . forsythus was found in 18 samples from 10 individuals . Antibody response patterns to the 18 subgingival species also varied among subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) APMIS, 1988 Apr, 96(4), 329 - 32 Stability of ampicillin, piperacillin, cefotaxime, netilmicin and amikacin in an L-amino acid solution prepared for total parenteral nutrition of newborn infants; Goldstein K et al.; The stability of ampicillin, piperacillin and cefotaxime, alone or in combination with either netilmicin or amikacin, was tested by microbiological methods at 29 degrees C (ampicillin, also at 22 degrees C) in an L-amino acid solution specially prepared for newborn infants . In the case of ampicillin, the mean concentration had dropped to 84% of the initial value after 24 hours . This fall is acceptable . Piperacillin and cefotaxime were stable . Admixture of netilmicin or amikacin did not affect the activity of ampicillin, piperacillin and cefotaxime . The concentrations of netilmicin and amikacin were stable for 24 hours . Combination with ampicillin, piperacillin or cefotaxime did not affect the activity of either aminoglycoside . The antibiotics investigated could therefore be used in our TPN infusion system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1988 Apr, 85(8), 2658 - 61 Sequence analyses of herpesviral enzymes suggest an ancient origin for human sexual behavior; Gentry GA et al.; Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the deoxythymidine kinases of herpes simplex (HSV) and of marmoset herpes viruses (MHV) suggests a divergence time of 8 to 10 million years ago for HSV-1 and -2 . Like MHV, HSV-1 and -2 cause local infections in their natural hosts, and direct contact between two individuals during the brief period of infectivity is needed for transmission . Because B virus, a nearer relative of HSV, depends on both oral and genital routes of transmission, we postulate that ancestral HSV (aHSV) was similar, and that for HSV-1 and -2 to diverge, genital and oral sites had to become microbiologically somewhat isolated from each other, while oral--oral and genital--genital contact had to be facilitated to maintain both aHSV strains . We propose that acquisition of continual sexual attractiveness by the ancestral human female and the adoption of close face-to-face mating, two hallmarks of human sexual behavior, provided the conditions for the divergence. J Hosp Infect, 1988 Apr, 11(3), 263 - 70 'Cialit' as a tissue preservative: a microbiological assessment; Cookson BD et al.; We describe bacterial contamination of a 'Cialit'-preserved cartilage bank which continued after a variety of changes to the harvesting and preservation protocols during a 3-year prospective study . Our results emphasize the importance of adequate tissue bank microbiological screening . Alternative methods of tissue preservation should be considered. Aust Vet J, 1988 Mar, 65(3), 73 - 5 Bovine leptospirosis: microbiological and histological findings in cattle at slaughter; Skilbeck NW et al.; Kidneys from cattle at slaughter were examined for the presence of leptospires . Of 218 (8.3%) kidneys leptospires were isolated from 18; all were identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo . None of the leptospire-infected kidneys had histopathological lesions indicative of leptospirosis and leptospires were demonstrated in only 2 by immunogold silver staining . Leptospires infected kidneys remained viable for at least 21 days when stored at 4 degrees but became non-viable within 14 days when stored frozen at -15 degrees. Fam Pract, 1988 Mar, 5(1), 24 - 8 Management of cystitis: the patient's viewpoint; Pill R et al.; Two years after a microbiological study of the urethral syndrome 32 sufferers and 26 controls were asked what they felt caused 'cystitis' symptoms, what they did to prevent recurrences and how they managed acute episodes . Doctors may feel that they have discharged their clinical responsibility by excluding pathogens but the patient is often confused and frustrated by the mismatch between her own ideas on causation and the paradoxical ideas of her doctor . The findings indicated that both patient groups think in a divergent and largely non-biomedical manner about their symptoms . Medical advisers were unlikely to explore lay ideas on cystitis or reinforce self-help measures . Clinicians would be well advised to take lay ideas into account and, where appropriate, to capitalize on them in negotiating management. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1988 Mar, 56(1), 61 - 5 A second sooty mangabey monkey with naturally acquired leprosy: first reported possible monkey-to-monkey transmission; Gormus BJ et al.; The existence of naturally acquired leprosy in a second sooty mangabey monkey has been documented . The disease has the clinical and histopathological characteristics of subpolar lepromatous leprosy (LLs), and microbiological studies thus far confirm the etiologic agent as Mycobacterium leprae . This mangabey had been housed in direct contact with the first mangabey in which naturally acquired leprosy was diagnosed in 1979 . Clinical symptoms appeared in the second mangabey in 1986, almost 7 years after the appearance of skin lesions in the first monkey . It is likely that the second mangabey contracted leprosy from the first mangabey or that both animals contracted the disease by contact with an unknown common third source . This is the only known possible natural transmission of leprosy from monkey to monkey, and suggests that a potential zoonosis exists in wild monkeys that may serve as a reservoir for the disease in areas where human leprosy is endemic. Clin Radiol, 1988 Mar, 39(2), 121 - 6 Radiologically-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of empyemas; Hunnam GR et al.; We describe our experience with the percutaneous drainage of empyemas in 20 patients, using fluoroscopic, computed tomographic or ultrasonic guidance for catheter placement . The patients were seen over a period of 17 months . Sixteen patients were successfully treated, with the empyema drained and the cavity closed . In four patients drainage was unsuccessful and surgery was required . In three of these patients there was a history of illness in excess of 4 weeks preceding treatment and in one a history of trauma . Two or more catheters were used in seven patients and positive microbiological culture of the pus was obtained in 12, although neither factor significantly altered prognosis . There were no complications of the procedure . We believe the percutaneous insertion of catheters using suitable imaging guidance should be the initial method of drainage of empyemas. Arch Intern Med, 1988 Mar, 148(3), 715 - 7 Candida pericarditis and tamponade in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus; Kaufman LD et al.; Candida pericarditis and tamponade developed in a patient with sterile purulent pericarditis secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus . Therapy with amphotericin B and properly timed surgical intervention led to a clinical and microbiological cure . This article emphasizes the importance of differentiating an infected pericardial effusion from the sterile pericarditis of systemic lupus erythematosus and provides suggested guidelines for the management of that complication. Gut, 1988 Mar, 29(3), 332 - 5 Prevalence of sexually transmitted disease among male patients presenting with proctitis; Andrews H et al.; Fifty male patients with proctitis were examined and the clinical, microbiological, serological and proctological features compared with 51 known male homosexuals attending the genitourinary (GU) clinic at the same hospital . The homosexuals had a short history of bowel symptoms, minor sigmoidoscopic and histological changes on rectal biopsy and many positive serological markers of sexually transmitted infection . There was some evidence of sexually transmitted disease in the IBD patients and three were homosexuals . IgG antibodies were positive for chlamydia trachomatis (n = 10) and hepatitis A (n = 7) . One had a positive screening test for syphilis . Stool examination and rectal swab cultures were positive in two patients for cryptosporidium and cytomegalovirus respectively . Gastroenterologists must be aware of the possibility of specific infection in IBD patients and a clinical history should include sexual preferences and practices . If homosexuality is admitted, specific infection must be sought and excluded. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Mar, 26(3), 573 - 5 Comparison of Track XI fluorometric immunoassay with Bio-EnzaBead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of serum antibody to mouse hepatitis virus; La Regina MC et al.; The Track XI system (Microbiological Associates, Bethesda, Md.) was compared with the Bio-EnzaBead assay (Organon Teknika, Durham, N.C.) for the detection of antibody to mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) . Strain A/J mice were inoculated intranasally with MHV type 3 . Sera were collected at 1, 2, 4, and 9 weeks postinoculation and tested . Individual serum samples were retested twice by each method . The results suggested that the Track XI system was more sensitive and reliable than the Bio-EnzaBead assay in detecting antibody to MHV type 3 in individual serum samples from A/J mice. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1988 Feb 20, 118(7), 223 - 6 {Chlamydia diagnosis in clinical practice . Chlamydia trachomatis EIA and direct immunofluorescence (MikroTak) in comparison with cell culture}; Gelzer D et al.; The correct obtaining of material is decisive for microbiological diagnosis . The new immunologic methods, enzyme immunoassay (Chlamydiazyme) and the direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies (MikroTrak) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis have several advantages over cell culture . In 457 tests of urethral smears from men with all 3 methods, sensitivity and specificity were compared with cell cultures as method of reference . Tests with Chlamydiazyme yielded a concordance of 87.1%, a sensitivity of 81.5% and an specificity of 87.8% . Tests with MikroTrak were almost identical with a concordance of 86.9%, a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 87.5% . With both methods, the positive predictive value with 43.8% and 43.3% respectively is low . Frequent positive results with the immunological methods, which could not be verified by cell cultures, must be interpreted as failure of the culture method under practice conditions . The correlation of results with the clinical course supports this assumption. JAMA, 1988 Feb 12, 259(6), 865 - 9 Postmortem microbiological findings of two total artificial heart recipients; Dobbins JJ et al.; This report describes the postmortem microbiological findings and related gross pathology from two patients who had the longest survival after implantation of the Jarvik-7-100 total artificial heart . We documented extensive polymicrobial colonization at the site of the device and adjacent structures; however, the internal drive lines were remarkably free of bacterial colonization despite evidence of infection at the skin junction and in close proximity to the artificial heart . The polyurethane polymer (Biomer) on the external surface of the device was discolored and pitted in appearance and the Velcro material that attaches the two ventricles together was eroded . A nonspecific mass of tissue that was adherent to the device and to portions of the drive lines contained inflammatory cells, fibrinous debris, and colonies of microorganisms. J Virol Methods, 1988 Feb, 19(2), 185 - 8 A comparison of two ELISAs for detecting HBe markers; Sutehall GM et al.; A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Wellcozyme HBeAg/anti-HBe; Wellcome Diagnostics) for detecting hepatitis Be antigen and antibody, the markers by which the infectivity of persons with hepatitis B surface antigenaemia may be inferred, has been compared with the ELISA obtained from the Division of Microbiological Reagents and Quality Control (Public Health Laboratory Service, London U.K.) currently used in this laboratory . The new test may be completed within 2 h compared with about 19 h for the current test . There was agreement between the two assay kits with 106/109 (97%) samples tested . The new test is acceptably sensitive and specific as well as being straightforward to perform. J Nutr, 1988 Feb, 118(2), 165 - 9 Immature corn as a source of niacin for rats; Carpenter KJ et al.; The variability in the concentration and biological availability of niacin in corn was investigated . Plots of both sweet and field corn were harvested at different stages . In rat growth assays for available niacin, grains harvested at the immature, "milky" stage and then dried gave values of 88 and 74 micrograms/g, respectively . These values were in contrast to the low growth assay values of 18 and 16 micrograms/g for grain harvested at maturity, and even higher than the value of approximately 56 micrograms/g obtained for each immature corn in both the Association of Official Analytical Chemists procedure of chemical analysis and a standard microbiological procedure . However, when the milky grains were precooked at neutral pH, the values from these procedures were higher and agreed with the biological assay results . It is suggested that, during the initial alkaline digestion used for these two procedures, a proportion of the niacin in NAD, the major form of niacin in milky corn, degrades . However, when the materials are first cooked at neutral pH, nicotinamide is released without loss, and the pyridine ring is then stable . The traditional American Indian practice of roasting and drying "green corn" apparently provided a valuable source of niacin. Aust N Z J Surg, 1988 Feb, 58(2), 153 - 6 Homograft skin banking--current practices and future trends; Fielding GA et al.; Homograft skin remains a very successful technique for covering major burns . This paper reviews current techniques of harvesting, microbiological testing, freezing and thawing of the skin, that lead to its optimal use . Recent advances, especially the use of homograft skin in combination with split skin and skin cultures, will add to the effectiveness of homograft skin application. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1988 Feb, 36(2), 127 - 32 {Consequences of ischemia of the terminal ileum in the rat: influence of exclusive parenteral nutrition}; Canarelli JP et al.; An experimental model of ischemia of the distal part of the small intestine has been realized in rats . This experimental study realizes a moderate ischemia of the distal part of ileum loops, by vascular ligations . An important decreasing of the intestinal motility is observed 2 days after the operation, by in vitro study . The motility became normal 7 days after . During this time a microbiological evaluation revealed an important increasing of anaerobic germ in the distal ileum . Total parenteral nutrition preserves the intestinal motility and the endoluminal flora . Ischemia of the small bowel is an important component of enterocolitis by modification of the peristalsis . The total Parenteral Nutrition in such condition seems to protect the intestinal flora. J Hosp Infect, 1988 Feb, 11 Suppl A, 77 - 81 Food hygiene in hospitals; Wilkinson PJ; Food hygiene in British hospitals is reviewed in the context of national trends in food poisoning and changes in food legislation . New methods of large scale catering such as the cook-chill system are considered, and the safe operation of such a system in a typical health district is described . The application of current guidelines for the microbiological quality of cook-chill food is evaluated . The need for careful observance of these principles, together with appropriate microbiological surveillance of the process and the product, is demonstrated. J Hosp Infect, 1988 Feb, 11 Suppl A, 244 - 50 What is in the surgeon's glove? Newsom SW, Rowland C, Wells FC. Three aspects of surgical hand hygiene have been studied: the attitude of the surgeon, the microbiology of glove changing during an operation, and the use of antiseptic-coated gloves together with different handwash routines . The survey revealed that the predominant factor in choice of agent for surgical hand hygiene was skin tolerance . The microbiological studies showed that 'closed' glove changing was to be preferred to 'open' changing, and that antiseptic-coated gloves further suppressed the skin flora, even after prolonged operations, compared to standard gloves. Arch Intern Med, 1988 Jan, 148(1), 129 - 35 Persistent fever after recovery from granulocytopenia in acute leukemia; Talbot GH et al.; We reviewed the hospital admissions of 168 patients with acute leukemia to determine the incidence of persistent fever following recovery from chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia . This phenomenon was observed during 26 (15.5%) hospital admissions . The microbiologically and/or clinically documented causes identified in 23 instances included viral infection (two patients), perirectal abscess (two patients), Hickman catheter-related bacteremia (two patients), intraabdominal infection (four patients), and nine fungal infections (five resolving pneumonia, one disseminated candidiasis, three focal hepatic and/or splenic mycosis) . One patient had both cholecystitis and a pneumonia of uncertain origin and three patients had drug reactions . Although overall the source of fever was usually readily apparent, focal hepatic and/or splenic mycosis produced protracted fevers that were difficult to diagnose . Visceral fungal infection should be a leading diagnostic consideration in patients with leukemia who remain persistently febrile following recovery from chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia. Vopr Onkol, 1988, 34(8), 960 - 6 {Induction of tumor-like growth in a culture of mycelial fungi--a potential experimental model of multistage carcinogenesis}; Zhemaletdinov FG et al.; A microbiological model of two-stage experimental carcinogenesis is described . Induction of tumor-like growth in mycelial fungus Fusarium bulbigenum var . blasticola culture was shown to include: (1) initiation by carcinogenic mutagens and (2) promotion or reversible morpho-energy transformation of the cell. Clin Nephrol, 1988 Jan, 29(1), 35 - 40 Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and intraperitoneal fosfomycin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Bouchet JL et al.; Kinetics of fosfomycin were investigated in six patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis . Each subject received both an i.v . and an i.p . 1 g dose of fosfomycin with a one week washout between doses . Fosfomycin was assayed by a microbiological diffusion technique . After intravenous injection the fosfomycin serum kinetic parameters were as followed: elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) 38.4 +/- 8.7 h; volume of distribution 0.32 +/- 0.02 l/kg; total plasma clearance 7.0 +/- 1.4 ml/min and peritoneal clearance 3.2 +/- 0.2 ml/min . Dialyzate fosfomycin concentrations reached a maximum mean value of 32.2 +/- 2.8 micrograms/ml at 4 h post-injection and fosfomycin was detectable in dialyzate samples for up to 72 hours post-dosing . After intraperitoneal instillation, fosfomycin appeared in the serum rapidly and the mean peak plasma concentration was 36.2 +/- 2.8 micrograms/ml at the 4th h . The absorption rate (ka) was 0.580 +/- 0.039 h-1 and the absorption of fosfomycin from peritoneal space was 68.4 +/- 6.0% . These data suggest a bidirectional exchange through the peritoneal membrane . Intraperitoneal administration of 1 g either 48 h apart for anephric patients or 36 h apart for patients with residual renal function may achieve therapeutic serum concentrations. Pathology, 1988 Jan, 20(1), 70 - 3 Microbiological and histopathological confirmation of acanthamebic keratitis; McClellan KA et al.; A healthy 42 yr-old woman presented with a left keratitis which she had had for 3 months . No organisms could be grown by culture of corneal scrapings for bacteria and fungi, and the condition failed to respond to topical therapy . Amebic keratitis was diagnosed following corneal biopsy and cultures which grew Acanthamoeba of a species similar to, but not identical with, Acanthamoeba polyphaga . Medical treatment was continued for 6 mth . During this time the corneal infiltrate became less prominent but visual acuity remained impaired by both corneal opacity and cataract. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 1, S14 - 8 Ciprofloxacin concentrations in tonsils following single or multiple administrations; Falser N et al.; Penetration of ciprofloxacin into human tonsils was studied in 20 adult humans undergoing tonsilectomy . Ten patients received a single intravenous infusion of 200 mg ciprofloxacin within 15 min (group A) and 14 patients were treated orally for three days with 500 mg ciprofloxacin b.i.d . prior to a preoperative infusion of 200 mg (group B) . Ciprofloxacin concentrations in serum and tonsils were determined microbiologically . Mean ciprofloxacin serum concentrations did not differ significantly between both groups . Similarly, mean distribution ratios between tonsils and serum were not dissimilar, being on average 150% irrespective of whether the drug was administered once or repeatedly . Thus, a significant accumulation of ciprofloxacin was not observed either in the intravascular or in the extravascular space. Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother, 1988, 5(1), 41 - 7 Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema complicating intermediate and high-dose Ara C treatment for relapsed acute leukemia; Jehn U et al.; Infection, hemorrhage and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are pulmonary complications occurring after remission induction therapy for acute leukemia . The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of these causes by serial roentgenogram, clinical, microbiological and laboratory tests in 21 patients (pts) with relapsed acute leukemia (18 X myeloid, 3 X lymphoblastic), an AML-pt (acute myeloid leukemia) suffering from secondary leukemia, and three pts with primary refractory leukemia following treatment with intermediate (IM) and high-dose cytosine arabinoside (HD-Ara C), in combination with amsacrine (AMSA)(n = 19), etoposide (VP 16) (n = 5) or Mitoxantrone (n = 1) . Eleven out of 25 pts developed pulmonary complications, one of them with massive hemoptysis and roentgenographic signs of pulmonary bleeding, one suffering from protracted shock after a tumor lysis syndrome, two pts showing symptoms of a cardiogenic pulmonary edema complicating severe Candida pneumonia in one case and legionnaires' disease in the other . Seven of the eleven pts had a non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema with respiratory failure 1-14 days after cessation of induction or consolidation therapy . In six of the seven, there were no signs of cardiogenic, infectious or metabolic reasons, including fluid overload, for the pulmonary edema, one had as a contributing factor a Candida infection of the lung . Three of the seven patients recovered, four died (two following IM and two after HD-Ara C) . Other adverse side effects, clearly attributable to HD-Ara C, included delirious state (n = 3), generalized erythema (n = 3), acute pancreatitis (n = 2), acute abdomen (n = 1) and conjunctivitis in almost all patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Int J Artif Organs, 1988 Jan, 11(1), 51 - 6 Seven-day storage of single donor platelets in polyolefin bags: clinical, biochemical, morphological and microbiological evaluation; Dragani A et al.; We compared the in vitro and in vivo function of fresh and stored platelet concentrates (PCs) collected by an automated continuous-flow blood cell separator (CS 3000 Fenwal) in a closed-system apheresis kit in order to evaluate the possibility of extending the storage time to seven days with the polyolefin container (PL-732) . The initial 220 ml platelet volume (5.14 +/- 1.23 x 10(11) was divided into two parts . Half was transfused and the other half was stored for 7 days . All cultured units were negative for bacterial contamination . Mean counts for fresh and stored platelets were respectively 2.34 +/- 0.59 and 2.17 +/- 0.50 X 10(11)/100 ml of PCs (mean recovery 88.7 +/- 11.9%) . The pO2 levels were maintained during storage (179.9 +/- 30.5 mmHg) but pCO2, pH, LDH, osmolality, glucose consumption, bicarbonates, ATP, and osmotic stress values changed significantly after 7 days storage . From a clinical point of view, in 14 patients receiving a total of 38 PC transfusions no statistically significant change in corrected post-transfusional levels was observed between fresh and stored PC . Biochemical and morphological data and clinical results suggest that PCs collected with CS-3000 blood cell separator in a closed system and stored for 7 days in polyolefin bags (PL-732) can be satisfactorily employed in clinical practice. Lab Anim, 1988 Jan, 22(1), 35 - 45 Altered clinical and histological features of male MM mouse pyelonephritis associated with a change in its microbiology; Taylor DM et al.; Radical changes in the clinical, microbiological and histological features of spontaneous pyelonephritis in MM male mice occurred when they were transferred to a new environment after Caesarean derivation . Although the incidence of pyelonephritis remained the same, the survival age was increased . The renal histology indicated a shift to a more chronic form of pyelonephritis with renal amyloidosis as a common feature . At autopsy much more renal scarring was seen, resulting in the 'shrunken' kidney typical of chronic pyelonephritis . Renal lymphocytic accumulations were commonly found in MM mice, but they were also seen frequently in C57BL mice and in germfree stocks of both strains: no association was found between these lesions and pyelonephritis. Chemotherapy, 1988, 34(1), 13 - 7 Study on tissue concentrations of antibiotics: bacampicillin in gingiva and maxillary bones; del Piano M et al.; 21 patients, whose age ranged from 17 to 60 years and who had not been previously treated with antibiotics or other drugs, received bacampicillin as a perioperative prophylaxis for minor operations in the oral cavity . Four oral doses of bacampicillin were administered: each dose of 800 mg every 12 h, and the last dose was administered 2 h before surgery . To assess bacampicillin serum concentrations two blood samples were collected from each patient: the first sample was obtained 1 h before surgery and the second one during surgery . Together with the second blood sample, small quantities of gingiva and bone were obtained from each patient to also assess the antibiotic concentrations in these tissues (microbiological method) . The results show that bacampicillin reaches high concentrations in both the blood and tissues studied by us, and that a direct correspondence exists between blood and gingival and bone tissue concentrations . Furthermore, it should be noted that no postoperative infections developed in our patients . These results lead to the conclusion that bacampicillin appears to be a suitable drug in the therapy of dental infections. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Jan, 267(3), 331 - 8 Is there an optimal methodology for the microbiological analysis of effluent in CAPD peritonitis? von Graevenitz A. The definition of CAPD peritonitis and reasons for negative effluent cultures are discussed . Based on published data, present-day recommendations for an optimal culture technique of CAPD effluents are given. Res Vet Sci, 1988 Jan, 44(1), 125 - 31 Microbiological and serological studies on caprine pneumonias in Oman; Jones GE et al.; Eight of 10 typical cases of contagious caprine pleuro-pneumonia in Oman yielded strain F38-like mycoplasmas from the lungs in high titre, but no other mycoplasmas: both negative animals had been treated with tylosin shortly before death . Among 21 other lungs examined three of six cases of acute pneumonia yielded Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae; one also yielded M capricolum . M ovipneumoniae was also isolated from all eight cases of chronic pneumonia sampled from an abattoir, and from the lungs of three animals which died without overt signs of pneumonia . A single isolate of M arginini and three of unidentified mycoplasmas were also obtained from goats with and without pneumonia . Various bacterial species were isolated, none of which predominated . Antibodies to M mycoides subspecies capri (M m capri) and strain F38 were detected in sera from eight different sources . Assuming titres of 1 in 40 or more as positive in the indirect haemagglutination test used, 29 per cent of 422 serum samples had antibodies to M m capri alone, 2.6 per cent to strain F38 alone and 3.6 per cent to both organisms . These results confirm the presence of F38-like mycoplasmas in Oman, and indicate also widespread infection with M m capri . The role of the latter in caprine pneumonias in Oman requires elucidation. Langenbecks Arch Chir, 1988, 373(2), 82 - 90 Chronic atrophic gastritis and risk of N-nitroso compounds carcinogenesis; Carboni M et al.; Chronic atrophic gastritis is considered a precancerous condition for carcinoma of the stomach . To evaluate the correlation between progressive alterations in the mucosa and gastric juice microenvironmental factors, retained involved on N-nitroso compounds carcinogenesis, detailed analyses of biochemical and microbiological parameters such as pH, total viable counts (TVC), nitrate reductase positive bacterial counts (NRPBC), nitrite (NO2-) and thiocyanate (SNC-) levels, were carried out on 56 fasting gastric juices samples obtained at endoscopy from 28 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), 14 with gastric cancers (GC), and 14 normal controls (NC) . The mean values of pH, nitrite, TVC, and NRPBC were significantly lower in the juices of NC than in those of CAG and GC patients . Furthermore, the mean levels of the same parameters were higher in GC than in CAG juices . No significant difference was found in the three groups for SCN- level which principally resulted influenced by smoke habit . The 28 patients with CAG were subdivided into two groups (Group A = Diffuse chronic atrophic gastritis--DCAG; Group B = Multifocal chronic atrophic gastritis--MCAG) according to the involvement of gastric corpus and fundus besides antrum by a process of mucosal atrophy . The mean levels of pH, nitrite, TVC, and NRPBC were significantly higher in MCAG than in normal controls but statistically lower in reference to DCAG and cancers . In these two groups no difference was found for the same variables . The percentage of contaminated juices was higher for DCAG and cancers in respect to MCAG but no difference was found between DCAG and neoplastic stomachs . The results of this study suggest that the DCAG could be considered as the chronic atrophic gastritis type more exposed to the risk of N-nitroso compounds carcinogenesis. Crit Care Med, 1988 Jan, 16(1), 23 - 6 Intravenous immunoglobulins in association with antibiotics: a therapeutic trial in septic intensive care unit patients; De Simone C et al.; The therapeutic use of iv immunoglobulins of the G class in association with antibiotics in patients with severe sepsis is reported . As compared to the randomized control group of patients treated with antibiotics alone, patient survival was only slightly improved (from 25% to 42%; NS); however, the defervescence time was significantly shorter (10 vs . 16 days), and a greater percentage of microbiologically positive cultures became negative (40% vs . 8%; p less than .01) . The percentage of days on antibiotic treatment during ICU hospitalization was consequently reduced (38% vs . 95%; p less than .01) . The therapeutic use of iv immunoglobulin G is discussed in terms of antibody substitution and modulation of the immune system. Eye, 1988, 2 ( Pt 3), 318 - 23 Neural spread of herpes simplex virus to the eye of the mouse: microbiological aspects and effect on the blink reflex; Claoue C et al.; This paper reports the microbiological aspects of zosteriform spread of herpes simplex virus (HSV) to the eye in the NIH strain of inbred mouse . Microbiological data support the concept of true zosteriform spread of herpes simplex virus from the inoculation site on the snout to the trigeminal ganglion, and thence to the eye . Following zosteriform spread of HSV to the eye, there is a frequent bacterial superinfection and this is associated with a typical clinical picture . Treatment of the mice with intensive systemic and topical antibiotics is able to alter the frequency with which this type of keratitis is seen. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res, 1988, 8(2), 111 - 6 Efficacy of miocamycin in the therapy of non-specific genital infections (NSGI): non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and acute urethral syndrome (AUS); Furneri PM et al.; The therapeutic efficacy of miocamycin against Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chlamydia trachomatis was the object of this study . Two different groups of patients were included in the trial: 40 males and 20 females affected by NGU and AUS respectively . All the patients positive for chlamydiae and/or ureaplasmas received 1200 mg/die of miocamycin for 12 days; a microbiological examination was performed 5 days from the end of the therapy . The therapy with miocamycin caused the resolution of both symptoms and microorganisms present . The use of miocamycin in current therapy could be favourable. Arch Inst Pasteur Madagascar, 1988, 54(1), 217 - 28 {Cyto-microbiologic study of cervico-vaginal specimens, associated with a serologic study to detect sexually transmissible diseases in Madagascan prostitutes}; Mouden JC et al.; A microbiological survey of cervical and vaginal smears associated with a serological survey of sexual diseases was carried out on 298 prostitutes at the four principal Malagasy sea ports . This survey leads us to these conclusions: The great frequency of specific inflammations (72.1%) with Trichomonas vaginalis in the first place (39.2%) . The serological tests proved a high rate of positive treponemical serologies (25.2%), whose the half of the cases are evolutive forms . Nevertheless prevalence of HBs-antigene among this population does not exceed the rate recorded in the other African countries, while the rate of anti HIV antibodies' carriers is lower than the rates recorded in those African countries . A comparative survey with tests carried out at IPM on Malagasy women showed clearly higher figures of inflammations, cervical and vaginal infections and positive treponemical serologies among prostitutes. Zentralbl Gynakol, 1988, 110(18), 1170 - 3 {Oral ciprofloxacin therapy in salpingitis}; De Wilde R; Thirty patients with clinical pelvic inflammatory disease were studied . Diagnosis was confirmed by laparoscopy . To determine the microbiological etiology, swab specimen for detection of aerobic, anaerobic and chlamydial infections were obtained from the endocervix, fimbriae and cul-de-sac . In 22 of 30 patients, microorganisms were detected . The patients received ciprofloxacin 2 X 750 mg p.o . daily at 12 hours interval for 10 days . During and after therapy, bacteriological examinations of the endocervix were performed . Based on the microbiological evaluation and clinical aspects, the bacteriological response and clinical efficacy were 86% . Laboratory analysis showed no alterations of blood values . As side effects we noticed gastrointestinal complaints (6/30), candidiasis vulvovaginalis (6/30), allergic exanthema (5/30) and non-bacterial cystitis (2/30) . Oral ciprofloxacin-monotherapy proved to be safe and effective in pelvic inflammatory disease. Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(5), 463 - 73 Management of pregnant women with contagious infections at delivery; Sterner G et al.; Since 1970 pregnant women with contagious infections in the country of Stockholm have been delivered at the Danderyd Hospital, the only hospital in the area which has departments of obstetrics and pediatrics as well as infectious diseases . This paper presents data from a prospective study carried out during a period of 10 years (1975-1984) . The study includes 303 women and their newborns who for various reasons were transferred to the Department of Infectious Diseases (DID) before or after delivery . A comprehensive microbiological investigation was made in order to establish an etiological diagnosis in all women included in the study . A possible transmission of the infection from the mother to her fetus/child before or after delivery was also investigated . Only 0.17% of the pregnant women in the area needed care at the DID at delivery or in the puerperal period . 9% of the deliveries occurred at another hospital, 32% at the DID and the remaining at the obstetrical department, Danderyd Hospital . The rate of complications, including cesarean sections, was 12% . Of the 165 women suffering from an infectious disease at the time of delivery, 40% had a verified viral disease--in most cases varicella or mumps, 28% had a bacterial infection and for 32% no etiology of the disease could be established . The study population also includes women suspected either to be incubated with a contagious disease or to be carriers of infectious agents, as well as healthy mothers whose newborns were expected to be carriers of infectious agents such as rubella and varicella . None of the women died during the study period but 5 were seriously ill and 3 needed intensive care . The rate of stillbirths was the same as reported among all births in the country of Stockholm but the perinatal mortality rate was significantly higher (see also a following article, ref . 27) . Our routines prove the necessity to take special care of pregnant women carrying a contagious infectious agent at term. Rev Mal Respir, 1988, 5(6), 633 - 5 {A case of semi-delayed hypersensitivity to dry sausage dust}; Dalphin JC et al.; The authors record a case of semi-delayed hypersensitivity to sausage dust in an employee of a wholesale pork butcher and curing business . The symptoms combined cough and fever with rigors; there were no clinical or laboratory data to suggest alveolar disease . The immunoallergic "work-up" suggested a precipitin mediated disease with notably 10-14 precipitation arcs to the products of sausage sweepings . A microbiological analysis of the flora of the sausages, as well as an extensive search for precipitins and cutaneous tests have not enabled us to confirm the antigen responsible with certainty. Ther Drug Monit, 1988, 10(4), 459 - 62 Evaluation of a fluorescence polarization immunoassay procedure for quantitation of isepamicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic; Uematsu T et al.; A fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) procedure for measuring isepamicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, was evaluated . The range of the assay studied was from 0.3-50 micrograms/ml and the calibration curve can be stored for at least 32 days . There was no interference from hemoglobin (up to 400 mg/dl) and bilirubin (up to 20 mg/dl) . Within-run precision on each 20 replicates at 5, 15, and 25 micrograms/ml yielded a coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.44-2.52%; between-run precision on analyses at 5, 15, and 25 micrograms/ml over five periods yielded a CV of 1.26-1.59% . Cross-reactivities of the assay system with tobramycin and amikacin were null, but that with gentamicin, of which isepamicin is a derivative, was approximately 14-29% . Data obtained by microbiological assay and FPIA and by high-performance liquid chromatography and FPIA correlated significantly, with coefficients of correlation being 0.980 (n = 70) and 0.965 (n = 39), respectively . The FPIA offers a rapid, efficient, and accurate system for therapeutic monitoring of isepamicin plasma levels. Pediatr Radiol, 1988, 18(6), 453 - 4 Differentiating bacterial from viral pneumonias in children; Bettenay FA et al.; 58 paediatric patients with pneumonia, in whom an etiological agent had been isolated, were reviewed . The patients were designated to have either viral or bacterial pneumonia on the basis of proposed clinical and radiological criteria . These presumed diagnoses were then compared to the microbiologically proven diagnosis . When clinical features suggested a bacterial infection the chance of isolating a bacteria as opposed to a virus was 18% . Was radiological features suggested a bacterial infection the chance of isolating a bacteria as opposed to a virus was 30% . Thus the commonest cause of "bacterial" clinical and radiological features is a viral infection and the proposed criteria do not allow differentiation of bacterial from viral pneumonia. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1988, 53, 18 - 21 Concentrations of doxycycline in muscle tissue and muscle tissue fluid; Cars O et al.; Doxycycline is known to have a marked tissue affinity, but there seems to be no previous studies where doxycycline levels have been compared in different compartments of a tissue . The purpose of the present investigation was to measure concentrations of doxycycline in serum, muscle and muscle tissue fluid using an experimental model in rabbits . After an intravenous infusion of doxycycline 10 mg/kg, samples were obtained at intervals for 4 h and concentrations were measured using microbiological methods . The levels of doxycycline in muscle tissue fluid followed closely the concentrations in serum and showed a similar rate of elimination . Doxycycline concentrations in muscle peaked later than the tissue fluid concentrations and were much higher than the corresponding serum level (mean ratio tissue/serum = 3.5). Nahrung, 1988, 32(4), 375 - 81 Investigations on biochemical properties of milk-clotting enzymes; Braun I et al.; The properties of proteolytic enzymes produces from calf maws and from an Ascomycete were studied . Both milk-clotting proteases have their optimum activity at pH 5.2 and 45 degrees C . The microbiological rennin has a second maximum activity at pH 3.5 and 55 degrees C . Temperatures above 55 degrees C cause a rapid decrease of activity . The behaviour of enzyme activity is similar with varying substrate and enzyme concentrations . However, increasing amounts of enzyme in ratio to the substrate lead to reaction rates of the calf rennin differing clearly from that of the microbiological rennet complex. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1988 Jan, 9(1), 55 - 7 Mycoplasma and ureaplasma in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from immunocompromised hosts; Parides GC et al.; The significance of Mycoplasma spp . and Ureaplasma urealyticum infection in immunocompromised patients has not been clearly established . We identified mycoplasma or ureaplasma in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 12 of 61 (20%) immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates . A complete microbiological investigation was made on the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the sole agent detected in three instances, suggesting that it may have been the cause of the infiltrates in these immunocompromised patients . Other Mycoplasma spp . and ureaplasma were detected in nine patients, but in eight of these patients other pulmonary pathogens were also recovered. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1988 Jan-Feb, 71(1), 16 - 9 Comparison of paired-ion liquid chromatographic method with AOAC fluorometric and microbiological methods for riboflavin determination in selected foods; Reyes ES et al.; A paired-ion liquid chromatographic (LC) technique coupled with fluorometric detection to determine riboflavin in various food matrices is described . Chromatograms of many foods showed 2 peaks of interest due to presence of riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) . Relatively high levels of FMN were found in raw beef, corned beef, chicken liver, and canned mushrooms . When riboflavin and FMN contents were summed, LC values were comparable to those obtained by the AOAC standard procedures . The LC technique was sensitive, rapid, and simple, yielding a mean standard deviation of 3.1% which was comparable to the AOAC fluorometric method (3.0%) and better than the AOAC microbiological assay (9.6%) . Mean spike recoveries were 91.8% for LC compared to 90.5% and 89.6% for the AOAC fluorometric and microbiological methods, respectively. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1988, 56, 55 - 8 Clinical and microbiological efficacy of a single dose of norfloxacin in the treatment of chancroid; Ariyarit C et al.; Forty-one men with a clinically and bacteriologically verified diagnosis of chancroid were given a single dose of 800 mg of norfloxacin and were examined clinically and bacteriologically four, seven and 14 days after treatment . Five patients were excluded from evaluation of efficacy due to concomitant infections or incomplete follow-up . Of the remaining 36 patients, 34 were cured and culture negative at follow-up controls . Another 15 men with culture-negative ulcers treated with 800 mg of norfloxacin as a single dose, were all cured clinically . The high cure rate and the good tolerability make norfloxacin a convenient and cheap alternative to intramuscular single dose therapy of chancroid. Surg Endosc, 1988, 2(3), 176 - 9 Present indications and future expectations of ultrasound in surgery; Rothlin M et al.; With the improvement of resolution in the ultrasound image, this technique has become more and more popular as a diagnostic means in various fields of medicine . Surgeons use diagnostic ultrasound pre-, intra- and postoperatively . Preoperatively, it is mainly employed for tumour staging, differential diagnosis of the acute abdomen, assessment of intra-abdominal and intrathoracic fluid in polytrauma and lately for arthrosonography . Intraoperative ultrasound has developed into one of the most important tools in intraoperative decision making in surgery of the liver, the bile ducts and the pancreas . Adenomas of the parathyroid glands may represent an indication for intraoperative ultrasound . Postoperative ultrasound has become increasingly important in the follow-up of tumour patients and the monitoring of patients in the intensive care unit . Interventional sonography can either be diagnostic or therapeutic . Both pre- and postoperatively, it can be used to help acquire material for microbiological, chemical and cytological examination . On the other hand, it is applied for drainage of abscesses and pancreatic pseudocysts, as well as pleural and intra-abdominal fluid collections . The main problem for the surgeon beginning to work with ultrasound today is the lack of training facilities with an experienced teacher . This is the origin of most of the other problems, such as quality control, 24-h service and interobserver-variations . With the new technologies already available or being developed, ultrasound is bound to gain even more importance for the surgeon in the future. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol, 1988, 15(4), 161 - 7 Cervical chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasmal infections in women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears; Cardillo MR; In a series of 2,346 Papanicolaou-stained smears from women undergoing routine gynaecological examination, 39 showed cytomorphological signs of inflammation suggesting Chlamydia trachomatis infection (Papanicolaou class II or III) . The 39 smears were studied microbiologically by the direct-immunofluorescence test and cell culture to see whether chlamydial infection correlated with the presence of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum . The results were compared with the cytological and colposcopic findings . C . trachomatis was cultured in 56.41% of the 39 smears, and isolated by the direct-immunofluorescence test in 51.28% . M . hominis was detected in 35.89% and U . urealyticum in 25.54% . Though all three organisms coexisted in 10.25% of the smears, C . trachomatis and M . hominis in 15.38%, C . trachomatis and U . urealyticum in 2.56%, no valid conclusions could be drawn from their association . The study did, however, indicate that vacuolated cells and cells with "bubbly" cytoplasm are common also to other infections seen in PAP-test smears and do not necessarily warrant a diagnosis of C . trachomatis, but that Gupta-type intracellular inclusion bodies do. Gynecol Obstet Invest, 1988, 26(4), 313 - 7 Comparison of tinidazole given as a single dose and on 2 consecutive days for the treatment of nonspecific bacterial vaginosis; Ekgren J et al.; Nonspecific bacterial vaginosis, defined as the presence of clue cells, was treated in a randomized, double-blind study with (1) tinidazole 2 g as a single dose (82 patients), (2) tinidazole 2 g on 2 consecutive days (84 patients), and (3) with placebo (81 patients) . The cure rates, both clue cells and Gardnerella vaginalis absent, were 51, 74 and 4%, respectively . A closer clinical and microbiological evaluation showed the 2-day regimen to be superior. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1988, 67(2), 165 - 72 {A case of nocardiosis located in the suprahyoid region (histopathological and microbiological clinical study}; Bianchi L et al.; A case of Nocardia asteroides infection affecting salivary gland is reported in a 43 years old woman . N . asteroides was cultured from pus, the histological appearance of suppurative lesions is described. Tierarztl Prax, 1988, 16(4), 431 - 5 {Advice as to the safety precautions for handling infectious material in a veterinary practice laboratory}; Bohm R et al.; The number of microbiological investigations with infectious material increases in veterinary practice . Frequently the working space is cramped so that special security measures are imperative . These measures are discussed in detail . Their disregard can result in laboratory infections with zoonotic agents and in unpleasant lawsuits with bad consequences . The German regulations pertaining to security in laboratories are listed . They should be observed in any case. Crit Rev Biotechnol, 1988, 7(3), 187 - 236 Biotransformations of steroids; Sedlaczek L; Different types of microbiological transformation of steroids are reviewed, with special attention given to bioconversions applied in the manufacturing of steroid hormones, i.e., 11 alpha- 11 beta-, 16 alpha-, 17 alpha-hydroxylations and 1-dehydrogenation . Availability and utilization of raw materials for industrial production of steroids of the estrane, androstane, and pregnane series are discussed . Among the current trends in steroid research of a practical nature, immobilization of enzymes and living cells and the spore process are emphasized as alternative techniques of steroid transformation of possible future importance . Efforts to recognize, in cell-free preparations, the components of steroid-transforming enzyme systems as well as the cellular mechanisms of control of their biosynthesis and activity are described in order to illustrate the main subjects of current basic investigation in steroid bioconversion. Crit Rev Biotechnol, 1988, 8(1), 33 - 84 Methods for detecting recombinant DNA in the environment; Jain RK et al.; The successful introduction of genetically modified and genetically engineered microorganisms into the environment requires a quantitative evaluation of the survival and dispersion of the microorganisms and specific gene(s) in the environment . The objective of this article is to examine the applicability, suitability, and significance of existing and new methods for detecting and monitoring the recombinant genes or organisms introduced into the environment . Conventional microbiological method(s) involving the selective and differential growth of microorganism(s) adn other quantitative approaches such as the most-probable-number (MPN) method and direct microscopic observation (e.g., acridine orange direct count analysis) have drawbacks and are not specific or universally applicable . Direct enumeration by immunofluorescence by the use of fluorescent dye seems more sensitive although still not perfect . However, the molecular methodologies such as the use of gene probes, plasmid epidemiology, antibiotic resistant marker strains, and protein electrophoresis and bacteriophage sensitivity are receiving more attention . As yet, the technology of DNA:DNA hybridization appears to be very useful, sensitive, and accurate for detecting and monitoring the microorganisms in the environment, although improvements are required . New approaches can be developed which may include biochemical signature compounds as well as gene cassettes to be used in a complementary fashion with conventional and molecular techniques for quantifying specific genotypes and genes in the environment. Zentralbl Chir, 1988, 113(12), 793 - 800 {Experimental microbiological criteria for the banking of full-thickness skin}; Baumer F et al.; Experimental studies were conducted into the biological durability of homologous full skin grafts . Colony counts for that purpose were determined in deep-frozen specimens in weekly intervals . Specimens were stored at various temperatures (+4 degrees C, -20 degrees C, -70 degrees C, -80 degrees C), with and without preceding quick freezing . Storage at -70 degrees C with protracted freezing gradient of 1 degree C/minute proved to the most favourable variant with due consideration of microbiological criteria . The physiological resident flora of skin grafts after thawing was almost unchanged under these conditions. Adv Appl Microbiol, 1988, 33, 107 - 72 Microbial ecology of the terrestrial subsurface; Ghiorse WC et al.; We have presented a current view of the microbial ecology of the terrestrial subsurface by considering primarily the ecology of shallow aquifer sediments . The properties of the aquifer sediments and groundwater determine their ability to support microbial life and control the abundance and activities of microorganisms . Pore size, nutrient limitations, availability of electron acceptors, and large surface area for attachment all may have major effects on microbial abundance and activities in aquifer material . Microorganisms are the predominant forms of life in the subsurface . They will be found wherever enough space, nutrients, and water are available for them to live . Environmental factors such as pH, temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and dissolved salts also may influence subsurface microbial populations, but these factors do not exhibit great extremes in shallow water table aquifers, and thus only in very deep formations might they limit diversity or preclude the existence of microorganisms . Although the presence and activity of microorganisms in most subsurface environments are predictable, only recently have subsurface microbial populations in shallow subsurface zones been characterized . Aseptic sampling methods have been employed and microbiological and biochemical methods have been adapted to determine the types, abundance, and metabolic activities of microorganisms in subsurface material . Bacteria dominate, but eukaryotic microorganisms also are present . Vertical profile studies of a shallow aquifer in Oklahoma showed that active microbial biomass declined with depth to the unsaturated zone, but was variable in saturated sediments . Such a distribution of active biomass may be common in shallow aquifers . Studies on the lateral distribution of microorganisms in shallow and deep aquifers suggest that microorganisms are transported or migrate over fairly long distances in aquifer sediments . Surficial aquifers may be colonized by vertical or lateral transport and migration of surface microorganisms from recharge areas, but microorganisms could also have colonized when sediments were originally deposited . The biological and physical mechanisms controlling the migration of microorganisms in aquifers are not well understood . The function of shallow aquifers was considered with regard to nutritional ecology . Most pristine aquifers are oligotrophic . Heterotrophic life in these unique ecosystems is supported by secondary organic compounds that filter down from the soil above . The quantity and quality of organic nutrients depend on the age of water and rate of recharge of the aquifer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1988, 53, 12 - 7 In vitro comparison of the activity of doxycycline, tetracycline, erythromycin and a new macrolide, CP 62993, against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum; Rylander M et al.; The in vitro activities of doxycycline, tetracycline, erythromycin and a new macrolide, CP 62993, against clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 3), Mycoplasma hominis (n = 64) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (n = 33), were compared using an agar dilution method . M . pneumoniae seemed equally susceptible to the two tetracyclines, while the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of doxycycline were one or two dilution steps lower than the MICs of tetracycline for most strains of M . hominis and U . urealyticum . Ten of the 64 M . hominis strains required greater than or equal to 32 mg/l of tetracycline and 4 to 32 mg/l of doxycycline for inhibition . The MICs of CP 62993 were lower than those of erythromycin for all species tested although as much as 2 to 4 mg/l were required for inhibition of M . hominis . There is microbiological evidence that doxycycline as well as tetracycline might be effective against mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas . For erythromycin this is only true for M . pneumoniae and U . urealyticum. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1988 Jan, 21(1), 93 - 100 Comparison of high performance liquid chromatographic and microbiological methods for determination of itraconazole; Warnock DW et al.; A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method, with internal standard quantification, is described for the analysis of itraconazole in human serum . No interference was encountered from over 60 drugs tested . The standard curve was linear from 10 to 10,000 micrograms/l . The detection limit of the method was 10 micrograms/l, with coefficients of variation from 2.2 to 7.8% over a range of itraconazole concentrations from 20 to 1600 micrograms/l . An agar diffusion method is also described with a lowest reproducible limit of 100 micrograms/l . This method had coefficients of variation from 11.0 to 17.1% over a range of itraconazole concentrations from 100 to 1600 micrograms/l . Comparison of the methods showed that HPLC gave much lower values of itraconazole concentrations in patient serum samples than did the microbiological method. Br J Cancer, 1988 Jan, 57(1), 83 - 6 The effect of tumour growth on liver pantothenate, CoA, and fatty acid synthetase activity in the mouse; McAllister RA et al.; Enzymatic, and microbiological assays were used to determine the hepatic contents of coenzyme A, acetyl CoA, fatty acid synthetase activity, and pantothenate in livers of tumour-bearing mice . Significant decreases in CoA and acetyl CoA were found in mice bearing TLX-5 lymphoma, sarcoma 180 or a fibrosarcoma . These changes were accompanied by significant decreases in pantothenate and increases in 4-phosphopantothenate suggesting an increase in pantothenate kinase activity due to reduction of CoA inhibition of the enzyme . In contrast, large increases were found in pantothenate and 4-phosphopantothenate in mice bearing TLX-5 lymphoma, i.p . or s.c . These changes could be due to a large reduction in the rate of conversion of an intermediate in the pathway of CoA, or increased production of pantothenate or 4-phosphopantothenate from the degradation of CoA or the phosphopantetheine residue in fatty acid synthetase . Activities of fatty acid synthetase in liver of mice bearing this tumour showed marked decreases, but were insufficient to account for the increase in pantothenate, and may reflect a reduction in cytosolic CoA needed for the conversion of the apo to the holoenzyme. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1988, 228, 153 - 86 Interaction of viruses, bacteria and bacterial toxins with host cell surface glycolipids . Aspects on receptor identification and dissection of binding epitopes; Bock K et al.; An overview and perspective is presented on animal cell surface carbohydrate (primarily lipid-linked oligosaccharides) as specific receptors for viruses, bacteria and bacterial toxins . Although carbohydrate has been known for many years to be specific attachment sites for these ligands, it is only in very recent time that carbohydrate technology and receptor assays in combination afford a rational approach . One generalization from present experience is the property of microbiological ligands to recognize sequences placed internally in an oligosaccharide chain which differs from antibody recognition of short sequences which most often involves terminally placed determinants . This is of both biological and technical importance . Biologically it may assure attachment by avoiding differences between host individuals often residing in terminal parts (e.g . blood group determinants), and may also make a shift of target cells by mutations more efficient . Technically this property is an important help when dissecting narrow binding epitopes, and for disclosing receptor-binding variants with only slight differences in binding epitopes (e.g . different epitopes on the same disaccharide) . Such variants representing a kind of "epitope drift" are probably a consequence of point mutations in the binding site of the lectin-like proteins to select a proper host environment . Current technology allows an efficient screening for carbohydrate receptors with interesting consequences for applications within medicine (diagnosis and therapy) and biotechnology. Cater Health, 1988, 1(1), 7 - 10 Hygiene--an economic factor in catering; Skroder P; Both nutritional and hygienic factors contribute to the economic success of a catering operation . Customers are increasingly nutritionally health conscious and also look for cleanliness when choosing somewhere to eat . Outbreaks of food poisoning are very bad publicity . Good quality of food is important but this is not necessarily synonymous with microbiological safety . Raw materials need to be checked on receipt and there should be good communication between the purchasing and the reception staff . Correct storage prolongs quality and safety and prevents waste, which frequently becomes most apparent when the food reaches the preparation area . The cold kitchen is very vulnerable and poor quality or badly stored raw materials compound bad handling to cause a risk to the consumer and a reduced shelf life leading to wastage . Warm holding of food needs to be balanced between the requirements of microbiological safety and loss of quality from holding too long at a high temperature . The official food inspector plays an important role, not just as the enforcer of food hygiene law, but also as an impartial adviser on hygiene . Caterers and their staff need to be encouraged to see hygiene as a positive way to economic success by reducing waste and thus achieving greater productivity: it is easier for most people to become enthusiastic about profits than about microbiology . The Swedish Catering Institute has published a training package with this as its main objective. Cater Health, 1988, 1(1), 3 - 5 Microbiology and food hygiene in mass catering; Beckers HJ; Serious consequences can arise from lack of hygiene in mass catering . The uncritical use of routine microbiological tests purporting to measure hygiene merely creates a false sense of security . The microbiological safety of food is achieved by as far as possible ensuring the absence of pathogenic microorganisms and by all means preventing their multiplication . The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point concept is used to identify microbiologically vulnerable points in the food production process and to determine the most appropriate methods of control to be applied, usually such methods as improved handling techniques, monitoring of temperature and more intensive supervision . Microbiological testing is of value in the initial analysis, at appropriate intervals for verifying the effectiveness of control measures, and in demonstrating to food handlers the reality of the microbial risk if good hygienic standards are not maintained. Med J Aust, 1987 Dec 7-21, 147(11-12), 550 - 2 The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in a young, sexually-active population; Kovacs GT et al.; A prospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among 1000 sexually-active women at the Family Planning Association Clinic in Melbourne . This organism was isolated from the cervices of 5.1% of screened women . The women were surveyed about their sexual and gynaecological history, and symptoms of discharge or pain . It was found that women who gave positive results for the presence of Chlamydia were younger, and had commenced intercourse at an earlier age . Risk factors of multiple sexual partners, cervical ectopy and symptoms of urethritis were identified . We recommend that women who have more than one sexual partner should ask their partners to use condoms or, failing this, undergo annual screening for Chlamydia by immunofluorescent stainingPIP: A prospective study was conducted over the December 11, 1985-May 29, 1986, period to determine the prevalence of "Chlamydia trachomatis" among 1000 sexually-active women at Melbourne's (Australia) Family Planning Association Clinic . An epidemiological and clinical history was recorded on a code sheet for study participants . Patients' ages, weights, coitarches, numbers of sexual partners during the last 12 months, and lengths of association with their present partners were recorded along with current contraceptive usage and the results of the last Papanicolaou smear-test . Patients also were asked about the presence of any symptoms of sexually-transmitted disease (STD) . The appearance of the cervix was ascertained on speculum examination . Cervical specimens were taken from all women for microbiological assessment . 995 patients completed the patient record form . In 994 of these women, satisfactory swabs were taken for microbiological examination . The patients ranged in age from 15-50 years with a mean age of 25.4 . The age at 1st intercourse (coitarche) ranged from 12-30 years and the number of sexual partners during the last 12 months from none to more than 10 partners . 573 (57.6%) women were using oral contraceptives (OCs), 141 (14.2%) no contraception, 101 (10.2%) an IUD, 118 (11.9%) a barrier method, and the remainder a progestagen-only pill, an injectable contraceptive agent, sterilization, or natural contraceptive methods . The previous cervical cytology was available for 775 (77.9%) women; 625 (80.6%) of these showed no abnormal cells . Of the 150 smear-tests that showed some abnormality, only 10 tests demonstrated dysplastic lesions . The rest were indicative of infection or a benign abnormality . Of the 994 cervical swabs, 51 (5.1%) swabs grew Chlamydia trachomatis . 42 swabs gave positive results of both immunofluorescence staining and culture; 9 swabs gave positive results of culture alone . An association between other factors and the presence or absence of Chlamydia was determined . When the ages of patients were compared, patients whose swabs gave positive results for Chlamydia were significantly younger than those whose swabs gave negative results . The women whose swabs gave positive results for Chlamydia began intercourse at a significantly younger age . The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in a young sexually-active population was 5.1%; the group with multiple partner was identified as being at high risk (9.3% positive results) . In trying to identify women with an increased risk of carrying Chlamydia, 5 factors appeared relevant: younger age at coitarche; a younger age; more than 1 sexual partner during the previous 12 months; symptoms of urethritis; and the presence of cervical ectopy . Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1987 Dec, 23(4), 383 - 93 {Computerized management of information in the microbiology section of a hospital laboratory . Personal experience}; Cipriani S et al.; We installed in our microbiology laboratory a new computerized management system with a dedicated software for the needs of the department . The system allow us to give to the clinician the reports of microbiological data in a shorter time and to store them permanently . The computer system doesn't modify the existing organization of work, samples acceptance, execution of microbiological and serological tests and the report of the results, but make them faster, safer and more efficient . The system also shows the possibilities of epidemiological researches and statistical studies . These data are very interesting and useful for the relationship between the laboratory and general wards. J Clin Gastroenterol, 1987 Dec, 9(6), 632 - 4 Treatment of cryptosporidiosis with spiramycin in AIDS . An "N of 1" trial; Woolf GM et al.; We describe a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with spiramycin in a single patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a severe secretory diarrhea caused by cryptosporidium . Spiramycin, a potentially harmful antibiotic, had no clinical or microbiological effect in this patient . The application of the single patient (N of 1) trial to common clinical problems is a simple way to analyze the value of different therapeutic approaches . The time-consuming, expensive, multi-patient trial with ultimate extrapolation to the individual patient can be avoided . Single-patient trials can influence management and improve patient care and have potentially wide use in patients with gastrointestinal disease. Eur J Epidemiol, 1987 Dec, 3(4), 356 - 64 Rapid methods for the molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases: current trends and applications; Miotti PG; Methods for the rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases have become increasingly common in the last decade . The impetus for the development of such techniques has stemmed from the need to provide clinically relevant information without the length of time and complexity inherent to traditional cultivation methods . This is particularly important in high-risk populations for which more effective antibiotics and antiviral compounds are now available . Assay systems for the immunological detection of microbial agents occupy a central role in the molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases and are rapidly appearing on the market . Novel methods of organism detection by nucleic acid hybridization, long considered usable only in highly specialized laboratories, have the potential for use in routine microbiological laboratories and some systems are now commercially available . As more efficient and rapid diagnostics systems are being developed, the selection of the optimal method will depend on the environment in which the system is to be used . Rapid methods for the detection of infectious agents might markedly improve health care in a variety of clinical, laboratory and epidemiologic situations. Minerva Med, 1987 Nov 15, 78(21), 1583 - 9 {Computerized management of the Chemico-Clinical and Microbiological Analysis Laboratory of U.S.S.L . No . 47 in Biella}; Detoma P; The current degree of computerisation in the chemical, clinical and microbiological analysis laboratory in USL 47, Biella, is reported with a description of the system employed . Future plans for further computerisation are described with particular reference to the random acceptance of samples and the direct link-up of analysts that will further improve a situation that is already highly satisfactory. J Chromatogr, 1987 Nov 13, 409, 337 - 42 Simplified method to quantify geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol concentrations in water and microbiological cultures; Johnsen PB et al.; A simple and rapid method for the extraction and quantification of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol is described . Using methylene chloride extraction and gas chromatography, the procedure eliminates costly stripping devices . Recovery efficiency of the procedure is approximately 65% with a sensitivity equal to the human threshold for these two important off-flavor compounds. Vet Pathol, 1987 Nov, 24(6), 532 - 6 Candida abortion in cattle; Foley GL et al.; In a retrospective study, four cases of yeast-associated abortion were found among 1,323 bovine abortions during a 5-year period at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine . Tissues were examined histologically, and results of virological testing and microbiological culture were reviewed . Candida parapsilosis was the only pathogenic agent demonstrated in these four cases . Placental lesions consisted of necrotizing placentitis with large numbers of yeasts within trophoblasts . Secondary fetal infection occurred in all four cases, with histological lesions or isolation of Candida from the lung, liver, intestines, abomasum, and heart . A tentative diagnosis of Candida parapsilosis-induced abortion in cattle can be made on the characteristic intracytoplasmic yeasts in placental trophoblasts. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1987 Nov-Dec, 70(6), 931 - 6 Recommendations for preparing test samples for AOAC collaborative studies of microbiological procedures for foods; Andrews WH; Preparation of test samples for microbial collaborative studies poses problems not encountered in studies on chemical analytes . For Associate Referees who are considering a collaborative study of a microbiological procedure for food analysis, these problems have not been adequately addressed . Types of contamination (natural or artificial), number of test samples required, analyte selection, proper controls, and container selection are addressed herein . The discussion is a supplement to the guidelines contained in the Handbook for AOAC Members. J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Nov, 25(11), 2214 - 5 Peritonsillar abscess caused by Nocardia asteroides; Adair JC et al.; A 22-year-old man with recurrent pharyngitis developed a peritonsillar abscess from which aspirated material yielded a pure culture of Nocardia asteroides . It is likely that the organism was introduced iatrogenically during a prior tonsillar incision . Although unusual, Nocardia species should be considered and microbiological specimens should be handled appropriately in pharyngeal abscesses that respond poorly to conventional therapy. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1987 Nov, 185(3), 201 - 10 {Strategy of environmental medical research}; Beck EG et al.; A report is made on the strategy and tactics of an environmental medical, group-diagnostic study of children which was carried out by order of the Hessian Minister of Social Security within the framework of the Lufreinhalteplan (Clean Air Plan) Rhine/Main in the time from 1982 to 1986 . This is a group-diagnostic examination of ten-year-old healthy children in the burdened area Rhine/Main (Wiesbaden, Frankfurt) and in the control areas of Freiburg and Starnberg . The objective of the study is to register the influence of the environment, in particular of air pollution, on a portion of the child population, especially with regard to persons at risk who react particularly sensitive to environmental influences and/or who have special health problems . In this connection it is attempted to convert the measuring data collected for characterizing the environment (ambient air) into effect-oriented data . The targets examined, i.e . anthropometric and clinical examinations as well as microbiological, immunologic and haematologic tests and the analysis of hair are to be evaluated in addition to family and social factors . Beyond that the attempt is made to correlate the results of the study with the biometeorological effective variables. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1987 Oct 10, 117(41), 1591 - 5 {Experiences in the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection using a double-sheathed brush catheter}; Lagler U et al.; Specimens from the lower airways were taken by protected brush catheter during 54 fiberoptic bronchoscopies for quantitative microbiological analysis . This technique allows uncontaminated sampling of lower airway secretion . The chance of identifying a bacterial pathogen in patients who have already been treated with antibiotics was less than 10% . The method is cumbersome, and it is important not only to culture but also to quantify the bacteria . The microbiological results thus obtained have influenced clinical decision-making in only a few patients. Br J Urol, 1987 Oct, 60(4), 355 - 9 The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in epididymitis; Grant JB et al.; Microbiological studies have identified an infective micro-organism in 28 of 54 patients (52%) with epididymitis . Chlamydia trachomatis was the commonest infection isolated, occurring in 15 patients . An additional 17 patients (31%) who were culture negative had serological evidence which suggested recent chlamydial infection . Most patients with chlamydia were under 26 years of age, in contrast to patients over 35 years, in whom coliform infections predominated . Of the 12 consorts of patients with chlamydial epididymitis who were screened, nine were also positive for this micro-organism . These findings have important implications in the management of epididymitis, especially in young men. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1987 Oct, 26(2), 151 - 5 Endometrial microbial flora of hysterectomy specimens; Teisala K; Microbiological and histopathological specimens were obtained from three levels (fundal, middle and cervical) of the endometrium immediately after removing the uterus . Hysterectomy indication was menometrorrhagia and uterine fibroids in eight cases and chronic pelvic pain in two cases . All cultures for C . trachomatis, N . gonorrhoeae, M . hominis, U . urealyticum, herpes simplex virus, anaerobic and facultative bacteria were negative . Histopathological examination showed few plasma cells in the endometrium in four cases with the presence of uterine fibroids and in one case with adenomyosis . These results suggest that the endometrial cavity of a nonpregnant uterus is sterile. Chemioterapia, 1987 Oct, 6(5), 374 - 6 Incidence of endogenous and exogenous opportunistic fungal infections in relation to different prophylactic measures: clinical and microbiological study of 431 immunocompromised patients; Mazzoni A et al.; Two groups of immunocompromised patients were studied with the aim of pointing out the possibilities of antifungal prophylaxis in this type of patient . All patients received oral treatment with nystatin, but only the patients of one group were also in strict reverse isolation . It has been confirmed that chemoprophylactic treatments may control opportunistic endogenous mycoses effectually . On the contrary, only reverse isolation seems to be effective against airborne exogenous fungal infections . Because of the difficulty and high cost of this practice, different modalities for a really generalizable antifungal prophylaxis are required . At present only the detection of new systemic antifungal drugs, which are not toxic and are easy to use, seems hopeful. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1987 Oct, 8(2), 113 - 7 Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia: case report and review of the literature; Cimolai N et al.; Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated on two separate occasions from the blood of a patient with chronic renal failure receiving dialysis . Treatment was complicated by recurrent ventricular tachycardia occurring after both 1 mg and 0.1 mg test doses of amphotericin . We report the unique clinical and microbiological aspects of this patient's management, and review the literature pertinent to this organism. Occup Med, 1987 Oct-Dec, 2(4), 755 - 77 Biological interventions in the treatment of patients with multiple chemical sensitivities; McLellan RK; The syndrome of multiple chemical sensitivities has many manifestations and undoubtedly many causes . Treatment must be individualized based on a thorough psychosocial and biological diagnostic evaluation . Careful listening, as is usually the case, not only results in a more complete history but also serves a critical therapeutic purpose in cementing a trusting, working partnership . Family dynamics, and larger social concerns, such as litigation, may figure importantly as obstacles to rehabilitation if they are ignored in treatment planning . In chronically disabled patients, the importance of psychosocial interventions is even greater but should not eclipse attention to relevant medical interventions . The most basic physiologic manipulation involves a program of environmental avoidance . Such a program should be applied with caution since it is not without risks of inadvertent exacerbation of medical and psychologic disabilities . Therefore, from a medical perspective, interventions should focus on improving chemical tolerance by the appropriate application of first aid, chronohygiene, nutrition, psychophysiology, and correction of microbiological disruptions . Thorough investigation for intercurrent disease and its appropriate management is paramount . Attempts to treat the entire problem by isolating attention to one area or based on a single theory are likely to fail. Thorax, 1987 Oct, 42(10), 759 - 65 Value of bronchoalveolar lavage in the management of severe acute pneumonia and interstitial pneumonitis in the immunocompromised child; de Blic J et al.; The diagnostic value of 73 bronchoalveolar lavages was assessed in 67 immunocompromised children (aged 3 months to 16 years) with pulmonary infiltrates . Thirty one children had primary and 19 secondary immune deficiency, 14 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and three AIDS related complex . Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed during fibreoptic bronchoscopy, under local anaesthesia in all but two . One or more infective agents was found in eight of 11 patients with severe acute pneumonia and in 26 of 62 patients with interstitial pneumonitis . In interstitial pneumonitis, the most frequently encountered agents were Pneumocystis carinii (12), cytomegalovirus (8), and Aspergillus fumigatus (3) . The yield was related to the severity of interstitial pneumonitis . The mean cellular count and cytological profile in lavage returns from patients with varying infective agents or underlying pathological conditions showed no significant difference, except in those children with AIDS and AIDS related complex who had appreciable lymphocytosis (mean percentage of lymphocytes 28 (SD 17} . In children with AIDS and chronic interstitial pneumonitis lymphocytosis without pneumocystis infection was observed in eight of nine bronchoalveolar lavage returns and was suggestive of pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia . Finally, bronchoalveolar lavage produced a specific diagnosis from the microbiological or cytological findings in 44 instances (60%) . Transient exacerbation of tachypnoea was observed in the most severely ill children but there was no case of respiratory decompensation attributable to the bronchoscopy . Bronchoalveolar lavage is a safe and rapid examination for the investigation of pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised children . It should be performed as a first line investigation and should reduce the use of open lung biopsy techniques. Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1987 Sep, 37(3), 560 - 77 {Preparation and evaluation of fish portions from shrimp by-catch}; Acosta J et al.; Fish portions were obtained from a mixture of fish flesh from shrimp by-catch . Physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory tests were done to evaluate quality of raw materials, formulations and processing conditions . Several technological procedures proved to be feasible for this product . Stability of frozen products for four months was determined by physical, chemical and microbiological tests, the results of which indicated its stability during the study period . Findings of our study, therefore, suggest the potential of shrimp by-catch for the preparation of fish portions in view of its high acceptability and simple processing technique, by using marine resources not fully utilized at present. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1987 Sep, 20 Suppl A, 143 - 5 General principles of the treatment of infective endocarditis; Fleming HA; The early diagnosis of infective endocarditis is important so that effective antibiotic treatment may be started without delay . When this is achieved other treatment problems are minimised . Heart failure and rhythm changes are treated in the conventional way . The use of necessary surgery at any stage of the disease has greatly improved the prognosis . The timing of surgery is important and is best achieved by close consultation between cardiologist, microbiologist and surgeon . In general, any failure, either haemodynamic or microbiological, of the patient to make a good response will be an indication to consider surgery. J Int Med Res, 1987 Sep-Oct, 15(5), 319 - 25 Short-term treatment of vaginal candidiasis with fenticonazole ovules: a three-dose schedule comparative trial; Wiest W et al.; In an unblinded, randomized parallel group trial three different therapeutic dose schedules of fenticonazole (vaginal ovules) were compared in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis . A total of 60 patients, aged 17-71 years, affected by mycologically confirmed symptomatic vaginal candidiasis were included and randomly allocated to three treatment groups: 200 mg daily, for 3 days; 600 mg in a single administration; and 1000 mg in a single administration . Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by microbiological and clinical criteria 7 days after the end of the treatment . All mycologically cured patients were re-checked, microbiologically and clinically, 2 weeks after the end of treatment to identify and evaluate possible relapses . The results obtained indicate that vaginal application of fenticonazole ovules is highly effective in producing both symptomatic relief and mycological sterilization of vaginal swabs in 75-85% of treated patients . No relapses were noted at the time of re-check . The three administration schedules tested appear to be equally effective and well tolerated . In one case only of the group given 200 mg and two cases of those given 1000 mg, a local burning sensation was noted . These results show that short-term treatment of vaginal candidiasis with fenticonazole ovules is effective and well tolerated. Acta Eur Fertil, 1987 Sep-Oct, 18(5), 335 - 8 Is perlaparoscopic bacteriological analysis sufficient for establishing the etiology of P.I.D.? Marino L, Montoli S, Di Mario M, Paganelli A, Sampaolo P. The Authors have studied the usefulness and the limits of laparoscopy in the etiologic diagnosis of P.I.D.; for this purpose 21 patients affected with P.I.D . underwent microbiological sampling from cervix and/or vagina and from Fallopian tube during laparoscopy . The findings have shown a discrepancy between the microbiological isolation from vagina/endocervix and from salpinx and remarkably the loss of evidence of S.T.D . agents from tuba with, conversely, frequent isolation of these agents (34.7%) from cervical swabs . Therefore, the Authors believe that the percelioscopic microbiologic study of endosalpinx is essential for the correct etiologic diagnosis of P.I.D., especially in anaerobic germ infections; yet the technical problems of percelioscopic samples and the biological features of S.T.D . agents require the simultaneous bacteriological sampling from the cervix and/or vagina. Minerva Med, 1987 Aug 31, 78(16), 1227 - 30 {Clinical evaluation of aztreonam in the prevention and therapy of infections in patients subjected to neurosurgical intervention}; Donati PA et al.; Twenty-six neurosurgery patients were given prophylactic treatment with Aztreonam at a dose of 1 g every 8 hours (30 mg/kg every 12 hours in children) for 8-12 days after the operation . In 18 cases 300 mg Clindamycin was also given every 8 hours for 8 days . No local or general infections arose in the postoperative period . Three patients with infections caused by susceptible bacteria were given 1 g Aztreonam every 6 hours (30 mg/kg every 8 hours in children) for 8 days . In all cases all clinical and microbiological signs of the infection had disappeared by the end of treatment . Apart from one episode of mild nausea no side effects were noted . Aztreonam is therefore considered a safe and effective drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of postoperative infections in neurosurgery. Arch Fr Pediatr, 1987 Aug-Sep, 44(7), 539 - 44 {Fetomaternal therapeutic follow-up of spiramycin during pregnancy}; Forestier F et al.; In the preventive treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis it is admitted that spiramycin is concentrated in the placenta and crosses the placental barrier at the end of pregnancy . However, little is known about its entry in the fetal circulation . We studied fetal spiramycin blood levels during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy in women who, having presented with toxoplasmosis during the 1st trimester, had been given spiramycin until delivery . Microbiological titrations of spiramycin were performed--in the maternal blood at the onset of treatment, at the time of fetal blood sampling and during delivery), in the fetal blood at the time of prenatal diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, in cord blood and placenta at birth . We were able to confirm transplacental crossing of spiramycin . Fetal blood levels during the 2nd trimester were about 47% of the maternal ones and there was no correlation between maternal and fetal levels . Levels at birth showed that (1) there was no accumulation in the course of treatment, (2) spiramycin was concentrated in placenta and (3) there was a correlation between fetal and maternal levels during the 3rd trimester. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Aug, 31(8), 1157 - 63 Recent analytical methods for cephalosporins in biological fluids; Toothaker RD et al.; Since 1980, RP chromatography has been the principal analytical technique used for cephalosporins . This technology offers selectivity, accuracy, and ease of use . Most of the methods rely on protein precipitation and, to a lesser extent, solid-phase isolation or extraction procedures . The proper selection of a method depends on the analytical constraints imposed by the overall objective of the study . For example, pharmacokinetic datum interpretation mandates that the method be validated and provide specific and accurate results . LC is the preferred technique, since it not only meets these specifications but may also distinguish between the drug and metabolites . Those chromatographic methods which quantify several different cephalosporins are not desirable for pharmacokinetic datum interpretation, since accuracy and precision are usually compromised in order that many different drugs may be quantified in a single analysis . The proper selection of sample preparation method is dependent on the presence of potential interferences and the acceptable lower limit of quantitation . Protein precipitation methods offer ease of sample preparation but may suffer from nonselectivity . Solid-phase isolation and extraction procedures may increase selectivity and improve the limit of quantitation . Although LC provides specific and accurate results, clinical laboratories may prefer to use the less specific methods for therapeutic drug monitoring . In this case, microbiological, enzymatic, and fluorimetric methods offer improved sample throughput but less specificity . However, these methods should not be used for drugs that may have a low margin of safety or if the patient is on multiple-antibiotic therapy . Future methods may involve incorporating solid-phase isolation columns to enhance the specificity of chromatographic, microbiological, enzymatic, and fluorescence methods . Advancements in microbore column technology may allow improvements in the selectivity and sensitivity of LC methods . Many investigators prefer to use simple protein precipitation procedures for sample preparation because of sample throughput constraints . However, advances in robotic sample preparation may allow the more cumbersome solid-phase isolation or extraction techniques to be used to improved sample throughput and specificity. Carcinogenesis, 1987 Aug, 8(8), 1085 - 8 Biochemical studies on the catalysis of nitrosation by bacteria; Calmels S et al.; Biochemical and microbiological studies were conducted to characterize the mechanism of bacterial formation of N-nitrosomorpholine from morpholine and nitrite at neutral pH . Nitrosating activity was markedly induced when bacteria were cultured anaerobically in minimal culture medium containing nitrate, while the presence of cysteine or tungsten in the medium inhibited induction . Of various metals, coenzymes and inhibitors tested for their effects on in vitro nitrosation of morpholine, potassium cyanide, sodium azide, NAD(P)H and nitrate strongly inhibited nitrosation . Several mutants of Escherichia coli A10 strain were prepared in order to examine whether nitrosation activity is linked to specific loci . Niridazole-resistant mutants, which lack nitroreductase, had as much nitrosating activity as the original E . coli A10, but chlorate-resistant mutants had completely lost this activity . A good correlation was observed between nitrate reductase activity and nitrosating activity in these mutants . These results indicate that bacterial nitrosation is an enzyme-mediated reaction closely associated with molybdenoenzymes such as the nitrate reductase/formate hydrogenlyase system. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Aug, 31(8), 1222 - 4 Determination of teicoplanin concentrations in serum by high-pressure liquid chromatography; Joos B et al.; An isocratic reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for the determination of six components of the teicoplanin complex in biological fluid was developed . By using fluorescence detection after precolumn derivatization with fluorescamine, the assay is specific and highly sensitive, with reproducibility studies yielding coefficients of variation ranging from 1.5 to 8.5% (at 5 to 80 micrograms/ml) . Response was