Kidney Int, 1986 Jul, 30(1), 99 - 106 Longitudinal follow-up of chronic hemodialysis patients without vitamin supplementation; Ramirez G et al.; Vitamin supplementation for dialysis patients is still controversial . In our study, we followed longitudinally over a period of a year, 15 patients on chronic hemodialysis who were deprived of vitamin supplementation . Microbiological assays were used to determine the levels of five vitamins of the B group (folate, niacin, B12, B6, and thiamine) . Vitamin C was measured chemically . During the observation period when vitamins were not supplemented, a marked drop of many of these vitamins in blood levels were encountered . For vitamins B12 and C, the plasma levels remained within the normal range in all the subjects studied . For the other vitamins, the blood levels were found to be low in a few patients . Our data suggest that vitamin supplementation is probably not needed in most stable hemodialysis patients as it is recommended now, and that perhaps, if supplementation is indicated, less should be given than is presently prescribed . Further research is needed in this area. Toxicol Lett, 1986 Jul-Aug, 32(1-2), 153 - 62 A germ-free status does not protect from the lethal effects of acute lung damage caused by O,S,S,-trimethyl phosphorodithioate; Nemery B et al.; To investigate whether a normal resident microbiological flora of conventional rats influences the lethality of chemical-induced lung damage, the pneumotoxin O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate (OSSMe, 75 or 100 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered to age-matched conventional and germ-free male F344 rats . Microbiological and serological examinations confirmed the germ-free state of the germ-free rats and showed that no specific lung pathogens were present in the conventional rats . As in conventional rats, clinical symptoms and death of OSSMe-treated germ-free rats resulted from respiratory failure . The germ-free rats were not more resistant, but rather more susceptible to OSSMe than conventional rats . Increases in lung weight and histological examination of lung tissue 3 days after dosing with OSSMe (75 mg/kg, s.c.) showed no differences between germ-free and conventional rats . Despite alterations in their nasopharyngeal flora, death in the conventional rats was probably not caused by bacterial superinfection . The higher susceptibility of germ-free rats to OSSMe can be partly attributed to pharmacokinetic differences, since plasma levels of OSSMe decreased more slowly in germ-free than in conventional rats . It is concluded that germ-free rats are not protected from the lethal consequences of acute chemical-induced lung damage. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1986 Jul, 20(3), 145 - 59 {Bacterial etiology of eye infections}; Gur D et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine the etiologic agents in bacterial ocular infections, their antibiotic sensitivities and the most suitable conditions for the microbiological diagnosis, using several methods . 200 patients who were diagnosed to have bacterial conjuntivitis (111 cases), corneal ulcers (39 cases), dacryocystitis (34 cases) or infections of the eyelids (16 cases) at the ophthalmology department of our university were taken as the patient group and there were 100 normal people in the control group . The frequency and species of bacteria isolated from both groups are similar to those in the literature . In cases of conjunctivitis, the results of the direct smears were parallel to the results obtained by cultures in 8.2% of the cases . The percentage of growth was higher when the specimen was inoculated immediately in the clinic compared to the results obtained by inoculations which were performed in the laboratory . According to the results of the antibiotic sensitivity tests, chloramphenicol should take the first place among the antibiotics which are in general use for gr (+) and gr (-) bacteria, and tetracyclines should take the second place while waiting for the results of the cultures. Mikrobiologiia, 1986 Jul-Aug, 55(4), 612 - 7 {Study of the effect of the fungicide zineb on microorganisms}; Emnova EE et al.; Changes in yeast cells induced by the fungicide zineb were studied using biochemical, genetic techniques and electron microscopy . The primary changes involved anabolic processes since RNA and protein content increased in the cells . The data were consistent with a larger size of mitochondria . The oxidative-reductive activity of cell extracts did not change under the action of the fungicide . Zineb at a concentration of 0.5 to 50 mg/litre exerted a genetic activity towards indicator microorganisms . The changes in the morphophysiological characteristics of yeast growth under the action of zineb are presumed to be of a protective nature . Zineb traces in soil must be controlled in terms of the microbiological index. Z Gesamte Inn Med, 1986 Jul 1, 41(13), 361 - 6 {Bacterial meningitis}; Crusius S; A survey is given of important bacterial pathogens of meningitis . It is referred to the necessity to include rare pathogens into the differential-diagnostic considerations . The importance of the microbiological diagnostics and the empiric initial therapy for the prognosis of the bacterial meningitis is discussed. Am J Vet Res, 1986 Jul, 47(7), 1542 - 50 Effects of microbial and host variables on the interaction of rotavirus and Escherichia coli infections in gnotobiotic calves; Runnels PL et al.; Naturally occurring mixed infections with Escherichia coli and rotavirus have been associated with fatal diarrhea of calves about 1 week old . Experiments were designed to reproduce this syndrome in gnotobiotic calves . Clinical, microbiological, and pathologic data were used to assess severity of disease and mechanisms of the interaction between the 2 infections . An initial study involved 5- to 8-day-old gnotobiotic calves inoculated with a strain of enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) and a strain of rotavirus . Calves were observed for 2 days after they were inoculated; fatal diarrhea was not produced . In later studies, variables were tested to identify those that might contribute to fatal diarrhea . Variables which did not result in fatal or severe diarrhea or which did not cause disease that was more severe in dually inoculated calves than that in monoinoculated calves were increasing feed to 2 times base line, increasing dose of ETEC to 10 times base line, inoculating calves when they were 2 days old, using a strain of E coli that causes colisepticemia, and using a different strain of rotavirus . When the observation period was extended from 2 days to 6 days after calves were inoculated, severe, watery, fatal diarrhea occurred in 6 of 12 calves by 32 to 72 hours after dual inoculation was given . Fatal diarrhea was associated with intensive colonization by the ETEC in the caudal half of the small intestine . Microscopic lesions were similar between dually inoculated and rotavirus-monoinoculated calves, except there was more severe atrophy of ileal villi of dually inoculated calves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Infect, 1986 Jul, 13(1), 11 - 6 The value of adjuvant systemic antibiotic therapy in localised wound infections among hospital patients: a comparative study; Huizinga WK et al.; In a prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial that involved 73 patients with non-invasive wound infections receiving local wound treatment, the effect of adjuvant systemic antibiotic therapy was compared with that of a placebo . On inspection, more wounds were assessed as clinically clean after administration of an antibiotic than after the placebo was given although this difference was not statistically significant . Microbiological evaluation, however, showed a significantly higher cure of sepsis and elimination of individual organisms (P less than 0.05) after antibiotic therapy . Furthermore, eradication of antibiotic-susceptible organisms was significantly greater than that of resistant organisms (P less than 0.005), indicating adequate penetration of antibiotic into the septic wound exudate . The results suggest that appropriate adjuvant systemic antibiotic therapy in the management of infected wounds promotes bacterial clearance and this may enhance healing of wounds. J Bacteriol, 1986 Jul, 167(1), 346 - 9 Effects of salts on the lethality of paraquat; Kitzler J et al.; Escherichia coli suffered 95 to 100% lethality when exposed to 1.0 mM paraquat for 30 min at 37 degrees C in aerobic nutrient broth medium but did not lose viability when the exposure was done in Vogel Bonner or tryptic soy yeast extract medium . Paraquat was, however, bacteriostatic in all of these media . Salts, added to the nutrient broth medium, protected against the lethality of paraquat, whereas sucrose did not . Salts of divalent cations were much more effective than salts of monovalent cations . Paraquat increases cyanide-resistant respiration by E . coli; salts added before, but not after, the paraquat diminished this effect . 2,4-Dinitrophenol similarly decreased the cyanide-resistant respiration when added before, but not after, the paraquat . The lethality imposed by paraquat correlated with the rate of cyanide-resistant respiration whether this respiration was modulated by varying salt concentration at a fixed concentration of paraquat or by varying paraquat concentration at a fixed concentration of salt . We conclude that salts or 2,4-dinitrophenol interferes with the active uptake of paraquat by E . coli and thus prevents its lethal effect . The salt concentrations found in a number of commonly used microbiological media are sufficient to exert this effect. J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Jul, 13(6), 551 - 7 Experimental gingivitis in relation to susceptibility to periodontal disease . II . Phase-contrast microbiological features and some host-response observations; Abbas F et al.; In the present investigation, a number of histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of periodontal tissues as well as the phase-contrast microscopy of dental plaque were studied after experimentally-induced gingival inflammation in relation to susceptibility to periodontal disease . The study included a younger (mean age 34.1 years) and an older age group (mean age 48 years) with a reduced but healthy periodontium . Both age groups had the same amount of loss of attachment which may suggest that they had different degrees of susceptibility to periodontal disease . At the start of the experiment, each patient was instructed to abstain from oral hygiene in one quadrant of the mouth for a period of 18 days . At the end of the 18-day period, supra-gingival plaque and gingival tissue samples were taken . As determined by phase-contrast microscopy, the plaque samples of both age groups contained relatively high proportions of spirochetes . This may indicate that the patients are at risk for recurrence of periodontal breakdown . The general histopathologic picture of the gingival tissue samples of both age groups was similar to the so-called 'early lesion' . However, IgA-producing plasma cells were found in most tissue samples of both age groups . The first part of this study showed that the younger, in comparison to the older, patients developed inflammation in terms of bleeding on probing more rapidly . These clinical results cannot be explained by the host-parasite parameters investigated in the present study. Biochem Pharmacol, 1986 Jul 1, 35(13), 2123 - 8 Intestinal first pass metabolism of amygdalin in the rat in vitro; Strugala GJ et al.; The intestinal first pass metabolism of amygdalin has been investigated in rat small intestine in vitro . The results show that amygdalin is hydrolyzed to prunasin, essentially in the wall of the proximal jejunum . This specific beta(1-6)hydrolytic cleavage of the terminal glucose residue is pH-dependent and can be inhibited by glucono-delta-lactone, a potent inhibitor of the lysosomal beta-glucosidase of the rat intestine . No substrate competition between phloridzin and lactose vs amygdalin was noted . None of the more common soluble beta- or alpha-enzymatic activities of mammalian intestine (alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase) or mammalian liver (beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase) were capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of the terminal glucose from amygdalin at pH's 5.0, 7.0 or 9.0 . Furthermore, no metabolic activity of isolated rat livers toward amygdalin and prunasin was observed within two hours of recirculating perfusion . However, cecal contents of conventional rats, exhibited both amygdalin- and prunasin-hydrolyzing activities . The resulting mandelonitrile dissociates spontaneously into cyanide and benzaldehyde . Therefore, our findings indicate that metabolism of amygdalin to prunasin occurring in the proximal part of jejunum is apparently mediated by enzymatic beta(1-6)glucosidase activity of the gut wall . In contrast, the toxicity of amygdalin due to the release of cyanide obviously requires microbiological activities of the gut flora. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1986 Jun 28, 292(6537), 1699 - 700 Assessment of oral candidiasis in patients with respiratory disease and efficacy of a new nystatin formulation; Thompson PJ et al.; Fifty consecutive patients with respiratory diseases who developed oropharyngeal candidiasis were assessed clinically and microbiologically before and after seven days' treatment with nystatin suspension or pastilles (a new formulation) . In 45 patients in whom microbiology yielded positive results there was frequent associated use of oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, sedatives, and inhaled corticosteroid, while in a few patients atropine analogues may have predisposed to infection . Dentures were worn by 32 of the infected patients . Concomitant treatment of dentures in chronically infected patients appeared to improve the therapeutic response . Pastilles and suspension were equally efficacious both clinically and microbiologically . The potential for enhanced drug delivery to the oropharynx suggests that nystatin pastilles may be useful in patients in whom poor compliance seems likely. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 1986 Jun, 182(6), 459 - 63 Formation of biogenic amines in herring and mackerel; Klausen NK et al.; The formation of biogenic amines (histamine, cadaverine, putrescine and spermidine) was followed during vacuum packed storage at 2 degrees C or 10 degrees C in the scombroid fish mackerel and in the non-scombroid fish herring . Also the changes in the content of free amino acids and in the organoleptic and microbiological qualities were followed . At 10 degrees C the amine contents were 2-20 times higher at the time of rejection as compared with samples stored at 2 degrees C . In herring and mackerel similar amounts of histamine were accumulated, whilst cadaverine was formed at much higher levels in mackerel compared with herring . The high contents of cadaverine in mackerel can possibly explain why mackerel and not herring are often implicated in incidents of scombrotoxic poisoning. NIPH Ann, 1986 Jun, 9(1), 33 - 9 External quality assessment in serological diagnostic virology in Norway 1982-84; von Kraemer M; Serum specimens for external quality assessment in virology were sent as an open distribution to 10-13 clinical microbiological laboratories during the period 1982-84 . Antibodies to rubella were tested by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI); other viral antibodies were tested by complement fixation (CF) . The median of the antibody-titres for each annual batch of serum specimens is used to describe and evaluate the laboratory performance . Generally speaking the antibody titres in both tests were found to cover a wide range. Lab Anim Sci, 1986 Jun, 36(3), 248 - 55 Spontaneous corneal opacities in laboratory mice; Van Winkle TJ et al.; Corneal opacities were observed in numerous strains and stocks of laboratory mice (Mus musculus) from different microbiological environments . The opacities were characterized as acute and chronic inflammatory lesions of the corneal epithelium and anterior corneal stroma, including corneal ulcers and erosions, acute keratitis, stromal neovascularization and mineralization of the basement membrane zone . Some strains and stocks of mice from barrier-reared colonies had a high incidence of corneal opacities {DBA/2 (29.1%), C3H (16.2%), CF1 (16.2%) and BALB/c (10.0%)} while others had a lower incidence {CD-1 (4.3%) and C57BL/6 (4.1%)} . Axenic and gnotobiotic mice had a very low incidence of corneal opacities (1.6%) . An experimental study demonstrated that twice weekly cage cleaning would reduce the incidence of corneal opacities to a very low level . A bacterial product, such as ammonia, is proposed as a significant factor in the pathogenesis of spontaneous corneal opacities in laboratory mice. J Am Acad Dermatol, 1986 Jun, 14(6), 993 - 9 Tinea pedis and erythrasma in Danish recruits . Clinical signs, prevalence, incidence, and correlation to atopy; Svejgaard E et al.; Prior to military service, 665 recruits were examined clinically and microbiologically for tinea pedis and erythrasma and 546 of these were reexamined at the end of military service . The prevalence of clinical signs, erythrasma, and dermatophyte infection at the first investigation was 58.8%, 51.3%, and 6.2%, respectively, and at the second investigation, 81.1%, 77.1%, and 7.0%, respectively . The incidence of tinea pedis was 4.2% during the 9 months of military service . Of those infected at the first visit 41% had persistent infection mainly due to Trichophyton rubrum, whereas new infections were largely caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes . Some of those persistently infected had signs of chronicity at the follow-up visit, indicating that chronic dermatophytosis may become established in the early twenties . The prevalence of atopy was 15.0% in all the recruits but was almost 50% in those with persistent tinea pedis. J Biolumin Chemilumin, 1986 Jun, 1(1), 3 - 10 Rapid microbiology: applications of bioluminescence in the food industry--a review; Stannard CJ et al.; The bioluminescent assay of ATP is rapid and simple and may be used as an estimate of microbial numbers . It therefore shows great potential as a technique to provide information on the microbiological quality of a food within a few minutes, in comparison with conventional techniques, which provide results retrospectively . However, despite the advantages of speed and sensitivity, no food microbiologists are using the technique for routine quality control and hygiene monitoring . This review seeks to highlight the reasons for this, and to offer some ideas for future research to increase the acceptance of ATP assays within the food industry. Microbiol Sci, 1986 Jun, 3(6), 168 - 71 International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF): name changes in fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance . Part 1; Cannon PF; This is the first of a series of reports bringing changes in the names of fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance to the attention of workers in these fields . The series is sponsored by the Division of Mycology of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) and prepared under the auspices of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF). J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1986 Jun, 9(2), 140 - 9 Effect of ingesta on systemic availability of penicillins administered orally in dogs; Watson AD et al.; Six penicillin preparations were administered to six dogs of various types, both when the dogs were fasted and when fed a standard meal immediately before dosing . The preparations used were: amoxycillin tablets and drops, ampicillin tablets, penicillin V tablets, phenethicillin tablets and cloxacillin capsules . A Latin square design was employed with ampicillin and the two amoxycillin preparations, while three separate cross-over studies were done with penicillin V, phenethicillin and cloxacillin . Dose rates used were 50 mg/kg for cloxacillin, and 10 mg/kg for the others . A microbiological method was used to assay penicillin in blood samples taken at intervals after dosing . Values for peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax), the time at which it occurred (Tmax), and area under the curve (AUC) were obtained for each curve of drug concentration plotted against time . In fasted dogs, ampicillin showed poorer systemic availability than did amoxycillin, with Cmax and AUC values of less than half those of amoxycillin . The solid and liquid preparations of amoxycillin had similar bioavailability . Ingesta adversely affected the systemic availability of antibiotic from all preparations tested . With ampicillin and both amoxycillin preparations, there were reduced Cmax and AUC and prolonged Tmax, indicating slowed and diminished absorption . Feeding did not alter Tmax with the other drugs, but reduced the Cmax of penicillin V, phenethicillin and cloxacillin and the AUC of cloxacillin . It is suggested that, if minimal impairment of bioavailability by ingesta is desired, then the penicillins commonly administered by mouth (amoxycillin, ampicillin, penicillin V, phenethicillin, cloxacillin) should be given to dogs that are fasting. J Bacteriol, 1986 Jun, 166(3), 1096 - 105 Identification and cloning of genes involved in phaseolotoxin production by Pseudomonas syringae pv . "phaseolicola"; Peet RC et al.; Genes involved in the production of phaseolotoxin by Pseudomonas syringae pv . "phaseolicola" NPS3121 were identified by Tn5 mutagenesis and cosmid cloning . A total of 5,180 kanamycin-resistant colonies were screened for the loss of phaseolotoxin production by a microbiological assay . Six independent, prototrophic, Tox- mutants were isolated that had Tn5 insertions in five different EcoRI fragments . All six mutants had Tn5 inserted in the same KpnI fragment, which had a length of ca . 28 kilobases including Tn5 . The mutants produced residual toxin in vitro . An EcoRI fragment containing Tn5 and flanking sequences from mutant NPS4336 was cloned and used to probe a wild-type genomic library by colony hybridization . Seven recombinant plasmids showing homology to this probe were identified . Each Tox- mutant was restored in OCTase-specific toxin production by two or more of the recombinant plasmids . The data suggest that at least some of the genes involved in phaseolotoxin production were clustered in a large KpnI fragment . No homology was detected between the Tn5 target fragment cloned from mutant NPS4336 and the total genomic DNA from closely or distantly related bacteria that do not produce phaseolotoxin. J Bacteriol, 1986 Jun, 166(3), 1055 - 60 Characterization of bacteriophages infecting Streptomyces erythreus and properties of phage-resistant mutants; Donadio S et al.; Three bacteriophages infecting Streptomyces erythreus, called G3, G4 and G5, were isolated and characterized . They contain double-stranded linear DNA molecules with cohesive ends . The restriction map of G3 DNA (48 kilobases long) for four restriction endonucleases and that of G4 DNA (43 kilobases long) for seven restriction endonucleases are reported . Restriction analysis and hybridization experiments showed that G3 and G4 share little DNA homology, while G4 and G5 are apparently identical except for an additional EcoRI site present in G5 . The region containing this EcoRI site has been mapped on G4 DNA . Microbiological and serological data showed that G5 is very similar to G4 . G3- and G4-resistant mutants of S . erythreus PS1 were isolated . The screening of phage-resistant mutants showed a high frequency of strains with increased erythromycin production . The mechanism of phage resistance of strain PS3 (G3 resistant) and of strain PS16 (G4 resistant) was examined . The DNA of the resistant strains contains no phage DNA, ruling out lysogeny as a cause of phage resistance . Transfection of strains PS1, PS3, and PS16 with DNA of the three phages showed the same efficiency, indicating that resistance is at the level of the bacterial wall. Vet Rec, 1986 May 31, 118(22), 607 - 9 Pharmacokinetics of cefoperazone in the cow by the intramammary route and its effect on mastitis pathogens in vitro; Wilson CD et al.; The pharmacokinetic and microbiological properties of a new third generation cephalosporin, cefoperazone, when given by the intramammary route to the cow are described . Cefoperazone is excreted from the udder over a three- to five-day period following a single infusion of 250 mg in an oil base into each of all four quarters . By the fifth milking after treatment the mean bucket (composite) concentration of cefoperazone was below 0.01 microgram/ml . The minimal inhibitory concentrations for 470 pathogens isolated from cases of mastitis were determined . A few exotic species were resistant but all the usual isolates were sensitive . No signs of transferable drug resistance from known multiple drug-resistant strains were detected. Can J Hosp Pharm, 1986 Jun, 39(3), 57 - 9, 66 Expiry date guidelines for a centralized IV admixture service; Stroup JW et al.; Expiry date guidelines for a centralized pharmacy-based IV admixture program are documented . These guidelines form part of an overall quality assurance program for the IV admixture service . Factors affecting IV admixture expiry times include drug compatibility with the vehicle(s) and container, microbiological parameters, and established standards of practice for pharmacy-based IV admixture programs. J Sterile Serv Manage, 1986 Jun, 4(1), 3 - 5 The microbiological contamination of equipment processed by the HSDU; Phelps M et al.; The microbiological hazard to staff of used instruments and equipment when returned to the HSDU appears to be small providing reasonable precautions are taken (Parsons et al, 1985) . Nevertheless, little evidence is available on the contamination of used equipment or the efficiency of cleaning and disinfection methods. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 1986 May, 30(4), 305 - 8 Comparison of microbiological contents of compressed air in two Danish hospitals . Effect of oil and water reduction in air-generating units; Oberg B et al.; In a comparative study microbiological contamination of compressed air for medical use produced in oil-lubricated and oil-free compressors was investigated . Significantly lower levels of bacterial contamination were observed in the air produced by oil-free compressors; but if the air is transported to operating rooms and intensive care units through extensive pipeline systems previously contaminated by oil-lubricated compressors, the bacterial count at peripheral air outlets remains unchanged. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 May, (5), 3 - 7 {Etiology of acute bronchitis in adults}; Bogdanov NA et al.; A total of 126 adult patients with acute bronchitis were subjected to microbiological, virological and immunological examination . Influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections were detected in 104 (82.5%) cases of acute bronchitis . The results of microbiological examination and the study of local and systemic immunity showed that in 94.4 +/- 2.6% of the patients the development of acute bronchitis was linked with the appearance of acute pneumococcal infection irrespective of the presence, or absence, of virologically and serologically confirmed acute viral or mycoplasmal infections. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 May, 17 Suppl C, 103 - 13 Timentin--clinical and pharmacokinetic evaluation in otorhinolaryngology; Federspil P et al.; The efficacy and tolerance of Timentin was studied in 41 patients with various infections of the ears, nose and throat . The pharmacokinetics of Timentin were determined in pus, mucosa and polyps of the nose and paranasal sinuses, the tonsils and submandibular gland as well as in the interstitial fluid collected in Redon vacuum drainage . Experimental pharmacokinetic studies in the guinea pig were performed in the inner ear and eye fluids and in serum . Ticarcillin and clavulanic acid concentrations were determined by a microbiological micromethod . The clinical studies demonstrated that Timentin was very effective and well tolerated . The clinical and experimental pharmacokinetic studies provide a good explanation of this high degree of effectiveness. J Clin Periodontol, 1986 May, 13(5), 476 - 87 Analysis of data from clinical studies of localized juvenile periodontitis; Christersson LA et al.; Data from 27 subjects with localized juvenile periodontitis were used to compute estimates of the intraclass correlation coefficient for initial periodontal pocket depth measurements and total subgingival Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans counts, and for changes from pre- to post-treatment in periodontal pocket depth, probing attachment level and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans counts . The estimates for the clinical parameters were considerably higher than those found in a similar study of adult periodontitis . On the average, the estimates for the intraclass correlation coefficients for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans counts did not differ markedly from the corresponding estimates for the clinical parameters . Although the results of this study indicate that the major component of variability in parameters commonly used in studies of periodontal disease can be attributed to site-specific factors, sites within subjects cannot be considered statistically independent . For the analysis of data arising from studies of periodontal disease, it is recommended that statistical techniques, like the nested mixed effects analysis of variance model be employed, which account for this dependence . These techniques will allow meaningful biological questions concerning site-specific phenomenon to be answered . However, changes in clinical and microbiological parameters, when therapeutic measures are employed on localized juvenile periodontitis patients, are often dramatic enough to allow informal data presentation. J Periodontol, 1986 May, 57(5), 305 - 10 Effects of subgingival chlorhexidine irrigation in chronic moderate periodontitis; Haskel E et al.; The clinical and microbiological effects of once daily subgingival irrigations with 1 ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CH) during 14 days were evaluated in 23 patients with 4 to 6 mm contralateral pockets . On Days 0, 14 and 28, evaluations were made of the plaque index, the gingival index, gingival bleeding on probing pocket depth and of microbiological variables (phase-contrast microscopy) . Supragingival scaling was carried out but no oral hygiene instructions were given to patients at the start of the trial . Twenty-three test sites (subgingival CH) and 23 control sites (subgingival distilled water + supragingival CH) were studied . The clinical results showed a significant reduction of the gingival index (P less than 0.05) in the test group with respect to the control group on Day 14 . No other clinically significant differences could be observed in the test group with respect to the control group . A significant reduction in the proportions of spirochetes (P less than 0.05) and a significant increase in the proportions of cocci (P less than 0.005) were observed in the test group on Day 14 . CH irrigation as a subgingival monotherapy yielded transient microbiological and limited clinical effects. Anal Biochem, 1986 May 1, 154(2), 509 - 15 Microbiological analysis of 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid and other folates using an automatic 96-well plate reader; Newman EM et al.; The growth of auxotrophic bacteria remains the method of choice for the determination of biologically active folate metabolites in plasma . This report describes a microbiological assay for folates adapted to use disposable 96-well plates and an automatic plate reader . The modifications in the assay decreased reagent costs and made the analysis of hundreds of samples per day possible with a sensitivity limit of 10 fmol of (6S)-5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid . This limit compares favorably with that of previously reported, more laborious methods . The unnatural 6R diastereomer of 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid did not interfere with the microbiological assay of the natural 6S diastereomer. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1986 May, 31(5), 329 - 33 {Formation of a streptothricin-group antibiotic by a Streptomyces glaucus 1136 culture}; Preobrazhenskaia TP et al.; In screening of new antibiotics a streptomycete (strain 1136) was isolated from a soil sample of Armenia . It showed no antagonistic properties in streek cultures on agarized media . When grown under submerged conditions strain 1136 produced an antibiotic active against grampositive and gramnegative bacteria . By its cultural and morphological properties strain 1136 was classified as Streptomyces glaucus Agre et Preobrazhenskaya, 1983 . Microbiological and chemical investigation of the antibiotic produced by strain provided its identification at the early stages of the investigation as an antibiotic of the streptothricin group . Up to now no organisms producing streptothricin antibiotics were detected among streptomycetes of the Azureus section including strain 1136. J Hosp Infect, 1986 May, 7(3), 277 - 82 A 2-year survey of Branhamella catarrhalis in a general hospital; Smith JM et al.; During a 2-year period, 143 strains of Branhamella catarrhalis were recovered from 7929 respiratory tract specimens (mainly sputa) sent for routine microbiological investigations at a 500 bed general hospital . The incidence of beta-lactamase positive strains increased from 2.7% in 1983 to 40% of isolates in the last 5 months of 1984; this increase continued in the early months of 1985 . Forty-four strains of Bran . catarrhalis recovered from 35 patients were considered on laboratory generated data potentially pathologically significant . Almost half of the beta-lactamase producing strains were recovered from these 35 patients . Clinical information from 21 of these patients revealed the isolates in all cases to be associated with the advent of a respiratory tract infection . Appropriate antibiotic therapy in 16 of the 21 patients resulted in clinical improvement although in only 11 of these was Bran . catarrhalis specifically considered the causative pathogen . Underlying lung pathology seemed a major factor in permitting Bran . catarrhalis to express its pathogenic potential. Wien Med Wochenschr, 1986 Apr 30, 136(7-8), 155 - 7 {Clinical microbiology and chemotherapy in the spirit of Escherich}; Spitzy KH et al.; One hundred years ago Billroth and Escherich were engaged with microbiological investigations . They are representative of intimate relationship between clinic and microbiological laboratory . In 1979 the Department of Chemotherapy was founded and this tradition was resumed and continued. Br J Ophthalmol, 1986 Apr, 70(4), 301 - 4 Oral doxycycline in the treatment of adult chlamydial ophthalmia; Viswalingam ND et al.; Ninety-three consecutive patients with adult chlamydial ophthalmia were treated with four different regimens of oral doxycycline . In patients treated with a single dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight (300 mg) of doxycycline the severity of clinical signs was reduced, and in half of the patients shedding of the infective agent was stopped . Treatment with a weekly dose of 300 mg of doxycycline for three weeks or a daily dose of 1.5 mg/kg of body weight (100 mg) for one week produced a clinical and microbiological cure in 100% of patients . However, in some of these patients mild to moderate papillary responses were present up to six months from completion of the treatment . The best results were obtained with a daily dose of 100 mg for two weeks, which produced rapid clinical and microbiological cure in all patients. Pathology, 1986 Apr, 18(2), 237 - 9 Laboratory diagnosis of peritonitis in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Poole-Warren LA et al.; Patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are constantly exposed to microbial invasion of the peritoneal cavity and rapid microbiological diagnosis of peritonitis is essential . Aseptic peritonitis is diagnosed in a high proportion of episodes when small volumes of dialysate are cultured . The aims of this study were to enumerate the microorganisms associated with clinical peritonitis and compare the efficacy of various culture systems for laboratory diagnosis of peritonitis . Four qualitative culture systems were compared: low (1 ml) volume and high (10 ml) volume inoculations of broth media, centrifugation (10 ml) followed by culture of the sediment and filtration (less than or equal to 100 ml) followed by culture of the filter . The pour plate and drop plate were the 2 quantitative methods used . Results of this study indicate that culture of 10 ml fluid volumes is comparable to culture of larger volumes sampled by filtration . Low volume cultures of fluid resulted in a lower proportion of positive cultures . The low numbers of viable microorganisms often found in dialysate from patients with peritonitis supports the concept of culturing a minimum of 10 ml of fluid. Pharmazie, 1986 Apr, 41(4), 254 - 6 Microbiological purity testing of semisolid topical preparations; Turakka L et al.; The reliability of the poured plate method for purity testing of three different creams and an anhydrous ointment was studied . The ability of some nonionic surfactants to elute the microbes from the semisolid preparations to water phase and possible detrimental effects of these surfactants on the microbes was especially investigated . The method was used to test the effect of preparation temperature and of storage on the number of microbes in creams . Nonionic surfactants studied did not generally harm the bacteria . Variation was, however, found between different bacterial species and even bacterial strains . The surfactants studied eluted bacteria quantitatively from the water-containing creams but not from the water-free ointment . The concentration needed for quantitative elution of microbes was dependent on the surfactant used, being lower for Brij 58 than for Tween 80 . Heating of the phases up to 60 or 70 degrees C for a short time during the preparation of the creams does not ensure the microbial purity of the preparation . In creams made at 80 degrees C, however, all the bacteria had died, only the spores of B . subtilis survived this temperature . After two months storage at 5 degrees C, all microbes tested were still detected in creams . There were, however, differences in survival of different microbes . None of the bacteria multiplied during the storage, but decreased slightly in number. Klin Wochenschr, 1986 Apr 1, 64(7), 307 - 13 {Differential diagnosis in fever of unknown origin: significance of concomitant clinical symptoms}; Gries E et al.; Between 1978 and 1984, 169 patients were admitted to the hospital for fever of unknown origin which was repeatedly above 38.3 degrees C . After a retrospective analysis of their records the patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the following new criteria . The first group (74 patients) was described as having "monosymptomatic fever", i.e . fever without any other physical signs, whereas the second group (95 patients) had "polysymptomatic fever", i.e . fever with additional physical signs . In 56 patients (76%) of the monosymptomatic group fever had lasted longer than 3 weeks prior to admission . In 86% of these patients case history, physical examination, microbiological tests, serological tests for microorganisms and outoimune antibodies, and microscopic inspections of tissue and/or bone marrow led to a diagnosis . Malignancies, factitious fever and fever of unknown origin were found only in this group . The patients with malignancies were generally older than the rest of the patients (p less than 0.05), and eight of ten patients suffering from connective tissue diseases also had monosymptomatic fever . The incidence of infections in this group was 42% (31 cases), in contrast to 88% (84 cases) in the polysymptomatic group (p less than 0.05) . Whereas the latter had significantly more bacterial infections (p less than 0.05), viral infections prevailed in the monosymptomatic group (p less than 0.05) . Thus, the etiology of polysymptomatic fever distinctly differed from that of monosymptomatic fever . Since the frequency distribution of etiologies in the monosymptomatic group corresponded to that of the cases of fever of unknown origin in the literature, differentiation into monosymptomatic and polysymptomatic fever might be helpful in determining further diagnostic workup of patients with fever of unknown origin. J Clin Monit, 1986 Apr, 2(2), 87 - 94 The microbiological risk of invasive hemodynamic monitoring in adults undergoing cardiac valve replacement; Damen J; The microbiological risk of invasive hemodynamic monitoring was studied prospectively in 230 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement during prophylactic therapy with cephalothin . A total of 923 catheter tips were cultured, and 1.6% yielded positive cultures . The rate of positive cultures did not differ significantly between catheters inserted percutaneously (1.9% positive) and those inserted surgically (0.5% positive) . The incidence of positive catheter tip cultures for intravenous, central venous, arterial, and pulmonary arterial catheters was 0, 1.5, 2.6, and 2.9%, respectively, whereas the surgically inserted right and left atrial catheters yielded 0.6 and 0% positive tip cultures, respectively . One patient developed septicemia related to a right atrial catheter . There was no correlation between the incidence of positive catheter tip cultures and the length of time that the catheters remained in situ . No patient developed early or late endocarditis . Invasive hemodynamic monitoring seems to be microbiologically safe, even in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement. Jikken Dobutsu, 1986 Apr, 35(2), 189 - 92 Detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus antibody in colonies of laboratory animals in Japan; Sato H et al.; Indirect fluorescent antibody method was applied for a detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) antibody in colonies of laboratory animals in Japan . The results showed that the antibody exist in SPF mice (3/152, 2.2%) and conventional mice (30/539, 5.6%) with the titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:160 . The antibody was also detected in 2.2% (2/89) of Syrian hamsters, and 2.9% (2/68) of Apodemus agrarius, 21.4% (3/14) of Japanese harvest mice which have been maintained as laboratory colony for several years . However, the antibody was not demonstrated in Mongolian gerbils, Suncus murinus, guinea pigs and rats, thus far . These results indicate that LCMV infection is present in laboratory animals in Japan, and pointed out the importance of microbiological monitoring for LCMV. Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Apr, 5(2), 193 - 6 Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin; Ullmann U et al.; Penetration of ciprofloxacin into nasal secretion was studied in 20 healty volunteers to whom 500 mg oral ciprofloxacin was administered twice daily for eight days . Nasal secretion and blood samples were collected following the 1st and 15th dose and samples assayed microbiologically . Absolute concentrations of ciprofloxacin in serum and nasal secretion as well as kinetic parameters indicate that repeated administration did not result in significantly increased serum or nasal secretions levels although there was a tendency towards slight drug accumulation . The rate of penetration of ciprofloxacin into nasal secretion was 73% following the first oral dose and 90% following the 15th oral dose. Minerva Med, 1986 Mar 10, 77(9-10), 317 - 9 {Ceftriaxone in the therapy of infections of the lower respiratory tract: comparison with cefotaxime}; Lanni N et al.; 20 patients suffering from severe lower respiratory tract infections were included in the study . 10 patients were given ceftriaxone (1-2 g/day) and the other 10 cefotaxime (2-4 g/day) for a week . The results of microbiological findings and both local and systemic tolerance were found to be similar for both drugs . This indicates that 7-14 g of ceftriaxone and 14-28 g of cefotaxime are equivalent quantities in the treatment of severe respiratory tract infections. Br J Clin Pharmacol, 1986 Mar, 21(3), 295 - 9 Gastrointestinal side effects after intravenous erythromycin lactobionate; Downey KM et al.; Ten healthy normal volunteers received an intravenous infusion of erythromycin lactobionate over 60 min to a total dose of 800 mg (n = 9), and 524 mg (n = 1) . Blood samples were collected at 10 min intervals for 100 min and gastric contents aspirated, via a nasogastric tube, from pre-dose to 105 min after start of infusion . Incidence and severity of three gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, stomach discomfort and feelings of hunger), two CNS symptoms (dizziness and faintness) and a 'control' symptom (back pain) were measured using 100 mm visual analogue scales . Rate of infusion and plasma erythromycin concentration correlated with nausea (P less than 0.001) and stomach discomfort (P less than 0.001); plasma erythromycin concentration was also correlated with dizziness (P less than 0.05) . Concentrations of active erythromycin in the aspirate were pH dependent . In one subject the concentration of erythromycin in the aspirate exceeded that in the plasma by 100 fold . Bile staining of samples containing the highest levels of microbiologically active erythromycin makes the origin of the erythromycin in these samples uncertain. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 51(3), 622 - 9 Microbiological evaluation of the intraruminal in sacculus digestion technique; Meyer JH et al.; The influence of nature of the feed sample, feeding frequency and pore size on the influx of bacteria and protozoa into synthetic fiber bags suspended in the rumens of sheep fed different diets was studied . Counts of total culturable bacteria in bags with a pore size of 10 microns were less than 30% of the ruminal counts for animals that were fed the lucerne hay and high-roughage diets . The maximum count (62 and 82% of the ruminal count) for these specific diets was obtained by using bags with a pore size of 53 microns . Protozoal counts in bags with pore sizes of 30 and 53 microns were equal to or higher than the ruminal counts for the lucerne hay and high-roughage diets but less than half of the ruminal count for the low-roughage diet . An interaction between incubation time, feeding frequency of the host animals, and the microbial populations developing inside the bags was also demonstrated . The results clearly show that the microbial population inside the bag differed from that of the surrounding ruminal ingesta and that caution must be taken in interpreting results on feed evaluation and especially on rates of degradation when using the in sacculus technique . Factors influencing the influx of bacteria and protozoa into bags with different pore sizes and containing a variety of substrates are discussed together with suggestions for the use of this technique. Int J Epidemiol, 1986 Mar, 15(1), 126 - 33 Statistical analysis of case-control studies of communicable diseases; Tillett HE; At the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre most outbreak investigations are carried out by questioning cases and unaffected 'controls' to look for associations with possible sources of infection . Illness rates are compared in those exposed with those not exposed to a possible risk factor, using statistical techniques appropriate to the survey design . Significance testing to obtain evidence of the source of transmission is made as quickly as possible so that action may be taken . Microbiological corroboration is sought wherever possible . Unlike chronic disease epidemiology the estimation of odds ratios and relative risk is seldom of primary importance . Examples are given of the analysis of three types of study . Firstly where the whole population is interviewed and then where cases are matched 1:1 and 1:M with controls, including an example with missing data, ie variable numbers of controls. Pediatrie, 1986 Mar, 41(2), 135 - 45 {Determination of aminoglycosides in the newborn infant . Significance and methods}; Bingen E et al.; Monitoring of serum aminoglycosides is useful in neonates to ensure therapeutic efficacy and avoid toxicity . The choice of a method must take in count several informations: sample size, versatility, sensitivity, specificity, precision, rapidity, equipment requirements and reagent cost . Many methods are now available: Microbiological assay, Radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques, Radioenzymatic assay (REA), "High Pressure" liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fluorescent immunoassay, Enzyme-Multiplied Immunoassay (EMIT) and Fluorescent polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) . Microbiological assay is inexpensive but has major disadvantages: lack of specificity, low precision, requires 24 to 48 hours, large sample size . EMIT and FPIA are rapid, sensitive, highly specific and particularly adapted to the pediatric use but reagent are expensive. Q J Med, 1986 Mar, 58(227), 241 - 51 The clinical spectrum and diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection; Ali NJ et al.; The clinical, radiographic and microbiological data of 47 patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection admitted to three Norfolk hospitals during a 20-month period between 1982 and 1983 have been reviewed . Thirty-nine presented with pneumonia and eight with non-pulmonary infection . The M . pneumoniae specific IgM test was positive in 42 of 45 patients tested (89 per cent); in 39 the levels were diagnostic on admission . Cold agglutinins were detected in 27 (57 per cent) and a fourfold rise in complement fixation titre was demonstrated in 13 (29 per cent) . Sputum culture was positive in 12 (26 per cent) . The extrapulmonary manifestations observed were haemolytic anaemia (17 per cent), Stevens Johnson syndrome (4.1 per cent), neurological abnormalities (4.1 per cent), arthritis (2.1 per cent), hepatitis (2.1 per cent) and pericarditis (2.1 per cent) . One patient with multilobe pneumonia, pericardial effusion and haemolytic anaemia died . Six patients presented with a history of illness longer than a month; in three the clinical and radiographic picture suggested chronic disease (pulmonary tuberculosis, lymphoma and unresolving pneumonia) . There were no distinctive clinical or radiographic features of M . pneumoniae infection . Diagnosis, therefore, relies on serological tests of which the most useful is the rapid, specific IgM test, positive in 86 per cent of the admission sera. Recomb DNA Tech Bull, 1986 Mar, 9(1), 1 - 15 Genetically-engineered microorganisms: I . Identification, classification, and strain history; Strauss H et al.; We have argued that accurate identification of the microorganism will form a cornerstone of the assessment of potential hazard . Appropriate methodology for identification exists, and is continually under development and refinement . Organizations such as the American Type Culture Collection will perform certified identifications for relatively low cost . Thus there appears to be little reason that an organism should not be identified insofar as current microbiology allows prior to submission for PMN review . We suggest that a complete microbiological characterization be considered an essential element of an acceptable PMN . To accomplish this, however, current institutional arrangements for the protection of trade secret information needed in the process of identification may need to be improved . An accurate identification of the strain will often provide access to important information with which to evaluate its ecology, pathogenicity, biochemistry, and genetics . Specialized texts, the scientific literature, and professional consultation are ready sources of such information . However, a major effort should be made to establish a data base that can specifically address the needs of biohazard evaluation . This could be done, in part, by collecting information about the construction, and about the behavior in the environment of genetically-engineered microorganisms that are now under development and will soon be tested or used . Identification information may also eventually be useful for the formulation of hypotheses about possible modes of harm or about relative safety, based on phylogenetic relationships . This is a very difficult undertaking at present, however . Microbial taxonomy is currently in a process of radical reevaluation as new macromolecular sequence information reveals previously unsuspected phylogenetic relationships, and disturbs categorizations based on older types of traits such as morphology, etc . This means that both inferences about relative safety and about possible modes of harm from taxonomic relationships must be highly tentative based on current information . Regulatory authorities may wish to consider requesting confirmatory DNA hybridization data or other macromolecular sequence comparisons in cases where strong arguments related to safety must be made from taxonomic information in relatively poorly studied groups of organisms . Detailed strain histories would provide valuable information for safety evaluations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) J Hosp Infect, 1986 Mar, 7(2), 185 - 8 The therapeutic impact of blood culture results; Holliman RE; The influence on therapy of blood culture results was monitored over a 3-month period . Approximately half the patients yielding significant cultures commenced initial or altered antibiotic treatment on the basis of laboratory results . Therapy based on a defined antibiotic policy was found to be satisfactory in most instances . Whilst an antibiotic policy allows effective treatment of many patients, there remains a need for an early microbiological diagnosis. Pharm Weekbl Sci, 1986 Feb 21, 8(1), 79 - 84 Quantitative determination of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and pefloxacin in serum by high pressure liquid chromatography; Groeneveld AJ et al.; A simple sensitive HPLC method for the analysis of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin in serum is described . The quinolones were extracted using dichloromethane under neutral conditions, followed by drying under nitrogen and dissolving in mobile phase before chromatographic analysis . The stationary phase consisted of a stainless steel column with Nucleosil CI8 (5 microns), and a mobile phase of 0.04 M phosphoric acid, tetrabutylammoniumiodide as ion-pairing reagent and methanol (pH 2.2) . UV absorbance was used for detection . The method was shown to be linear, quantitative and reproducible in the therapeutic range of each of these quinolones . Serum levels of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were determined and compared to those found by a microbiological assay . Good correlation was found for the assay of ciprofloxacin as well as for ofloxacin. Immun Infekt, 1986 Feb, 14(1), 18 - 21 {Blood culture: efficacy of the specimens for the analysis of bacteremia and sepsis}; Heym B et al.; The indication for examination of blood cultures is discussed . The evaluation of clinical information with respect to the underlying diseases demonstrated that in most cases a microbiological etiology was suspected . Mostly we obtained diagnosis like chill, septic shock or suspicion of nosocomial infection . In most cases the infection origin was related to the gastrointestinal tract or the genitourinary tract . The examination of different specimens yielded the blood culture bottle as the best medium for diagnosis of septicemia . The laboratory diagnostic procedure is briefly presented . The rate of positive results, the contamination rate and the interpretation are discussed. Chemioterapia, 1986 Feb, 5(1), 26 - 32 Comparative clinical evaluation of ceftriaxone in treating lower respiratory tract infections; Abbate GF et al.; To evaluate the clinical and microbiological efficacy and safety of ceftriaxone in comparison with cefotaxime in treating acute lower respiratory tract infections two open randomized trials were performed . Sixty-two adult hospital in-patients were entered and 58 completed the study . The patients suffered from either acute (broncho-)pneumonia (19pts) or severe exacerbation of chronic bronchopneumonia (39 pts) . Forty-one of the patients had severe underlying or concurrent diseases . Diagnoses were in all cases confirmed by isolation of the causative pathogen(s) from bronchial brushing or washing under fiberoptic bronchoscopy . Twenty-eight patients were administered at random with either a single 2g daily dose of ceftriaxone or 2g twice daily dose of cefotaxime (1st trial) . Successively (2nd trial) ceftriaxone was administered at a dose of 1g once daily either i.v . or i.m . The duration of treatment ranged from 7 to 12 days . A satisfactory response was observed in all patients suffering from acute pneumonia or bronchopneumonia; the eradication rate of the causative pathogen was 73% and 62% for ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, respectively . Concerning the exacerbation of chronic bronchopneumonia (39 patients) an overall satisfactory response to both treatments was registered in about 80% of cases . No significant differences between the 1g and 2g single daily dosing regimens of ceftriaxone appeared . Both ceftriaxone and cefotaxime were well tolerated: no or minimal changes in laboratory values were noticed . It is concluded that a 1g or 2g single daily dose of ceftriaxone were at least as effective as a 2g twice daily dose of cefotaxime in treating acute lower respiratory tract infections due to susceptible pathogens. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1986 Feb, 26(1), 36 - 9 Preoperative cervical dilatation: a trial of laminaria tents and prostaglandin F2 alpha gel; Morris ND et al.; PIP: 60 nulliparous women undergoing 1st trimester abortion were allocated randomly to 3 treatment groups -- using laminaria tents preoperatively, using prostaglandin F2alpha gel preoperatively, and having no pretreatment (control group) -- to compare the benefits of laminaria tents and those of PGF2alpha with an untreated control group . The length of gestation ranged from 6-13 weeks, based upon menstrual dates and, where necessary, ultrasound examination . Patients were admitted to the hospital the evening prior to the abortion . The cervix was examined microbiologically on 2 occasions, at the time of cervical pretreatment and again 12 hours later, immediately prior to suction curettage . Direct air-dried smears were made for Gram staining and specimens were taken to detect infection . For the 20 patients in each treatment group, 4 main observations were tabulated and submitted to a rank sum test . 5 of the women treated with PGF2alpha aborted between the time of insertion of the gel and the time of elective suction curettage, and observations of cervical dilatation in these women were omitted from the statistical analysis . The uterine sizes in the 3 groups were statistically comparable . Both PGF2alpha gel and laminaria tents produced a cervical dilatation significantly greater than no pretreatment . Laminaria tents were significantly more effective than PGF2alpha gel . PGF2alpha gel did not render further cervical dilatation any easier than where no pretreatment was used . Laminaria tents made the dilatation easier than both PGF2alpha gel and no pretreatment . There was no significant difference in blood loss among the 3 groups . Close examination of all microscopy and culture results showed that no significant change in cells or flora was detected in any patient set, regardless of treatment group . Outpatient followup was so incomplete as to make meaningful assessment impossible . The results provided clear evidence of the efficacy and safety of laminaria tents in producing useful preoperative cervical dilatation . PGF2alpha gel was significantly inferior to laminaria tents but better than no pretreatment . Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1986 Feb, 15(1), 39 - 52 Marginal tissue reactions at osseointegrated titanium fixtures (I) . A 3-year longitudinal prospective study; Adell R et al.; 16 consecutive totally edentulous patients were provided with 95 osseointegrated titanium fixtures in 7 upper and 9 lower jaws . Facultatively removable bridges were later connected to abutments, attached to the fixtures . The marginal soft and hard tissue reactions were investigated at a baseline examination and after 6, 12, 21, 30 and 39 months by standardized clinical and radiographical methods . At the last examination, microbiological samples and gingival biopsies were also analysed . The % ratios of abutments without plaque, 70-75%, and without any gingivitis, 80-85%, were almost constant throughout the study . The mean probing depth was 2.9 mm at the final examination . About 75% of all probing depths were 3 mm or less and none exceeded 5 mm . The bridge-gingiva distances increased during the investigation . Attached gingiva surrounded 65% of the buccal and lingual abutment surfaces . Only 0.9 mm marginal bone was lost as a mean during the first year and not more than 0.05 mm annually for the next 2 years . After 6 months, no significant changes in marginal bone levels occurred . The perifixtural bone gradually became more radiopaque, especially marginally in upper jaws, indicating a successive load-related remodelling . The microbiotia comprised coccoid cells and non-motile rods to 93% in 32 samples . Healthy tissues were present in 35% of the 14 soft tissue biopsies . In a further 29%, only a slight inflammation was observed . No constant correlations could be established for any of the investigation parameters used . It is concluded that the marginal soft tissue reactions were mild and not significant for a progressive periodontitis . Mobility tests of separate fixtures combined with quantitative and qualitative standardized radiological examinations of the surrounding bone appear to provide a truer comprehension of longitudinal events at osseointegrated implants than conventional clinical soft tissue observations . The prognosis for the osseointegrated implants appears excellent, especially with regard to the microbiotia, the small marginal bone height changes, and the radiological indications of remodelling in the perifixtural bone. J Periodontol, 1986 Feb, 57(2), 94 - 9 The effect of treatment on Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in localized juvenile periodontitis; Mandell RL et al.; Three treatment regimens including local tetracycline delivery, systemic doxycycline and surgery plus systemic doxycycline were investigated in a localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) population . Of the investigated treatments only surgery plus systemic doxycycline for 14 days was effective in eliminating or suppressing Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, an organism strongly associated with LJP lesions . While surgery plus antibiotics was the superior treatment, it appears that the possibility of reinfection or incomplete elimination of the organism exists . Careful long-term follow-up, including clinical and microbiological monitoring, is highly recommended in this periodontal population. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1986 Jan 4, 292(6512), 30 - 2 Irritable urethral syndrome: follow up study in general practice; O'Dowd TC et al.; Two years after a microbiological study of the urethral syndrome 25 of 31 women had had further symptoms, but only two had sought medical help for their symptoms in the year after the study . Analysis of patients' records showed that women with the urethral syndrome had higher consultation and sterilisation rates and more psychosomatic symptoms and relationship problems than matched control patients . Using the Nottingham health profile women with the urethral syndrome were more likely to mention that health problems affected their sex lives and were more likely to see themselves as having health problems than control patients . Women who have the urethral syndrome are considerable drain on the doctor's time, and management needs to be directed towards the anxious patient who makes such demands . Seeing the condition as the "irritable urethral syndrome" may help both doctor and patient to recognize the psychosomatic aspect of the problem. Pharmatherapeutica, 1986, 4(7), 411 - 5 The management of genital candidosis with an oral antimycotic agent, ketoconazole; Silva-Cruz A et al.; Fifty-three women with clinical evidence of vaginal candidosis confirmed by culture were entered into an open study . Patients received 400 mg ketoconazole once daily for 5 days . At 2 weeks post-treatment, 49 (92.5%) showed clinical and microbiological remission . The remaining 4 patients received 400 mg ketoconazole once daily for a further 21 days, along with a 400 mg 5-day course for their sexual partners . On completion of this second course of treatment, 3 of these patients were cured . Apart from some mild nausea, no side-effects were reported or observed. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1986 Jan-Feb, 69(1), 28 - 30 Determination of oxytetracycline in premixes and veterinary products by liquid chromatography; Chappell GS et al.; A liquid chromatographic method for the assay of oxytetracycline in premixes and veterinary products is described . Premix samples are extracted with acidified methanol, diluted with mobile phase, and filtered before chromatography on a C-8, reverse phase column . The assay method separates oxytetracycline from epioxytetracycline, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline . Total elution time for oxytetracycline is less than 5 min at 1.5 mL/min . Five spiked premix samples each of 2 and 50 g/lb had a coefficient of variation of 3.5 and 4.5% and a mean recovery of 99 and 104%, respectively . The results of premixes and veterinary products assayed by this method compared closely with those of the same assayed by the official AOAC microbiological method. Nephron, 1986, 42(1), 41 - 6 The plasma and red cell vitamin B levels of chronic hemodialysis patients: a longitudinal study; Ramirez G et al.; Plasma B12, folate, B6 and thiamine, and red blood cell folate, thiamine and niacin levels were monitored for a period of 6 months in 15 clinically stable, chronic hemodialysis patients who were not supplemented with the water-soluble vitamins . Microbiological assays were used to determine the blood levels of the water-soluble vitamins . Over the period of 6 months, none of the patients had plasma or red cell vitamin levels below the normal range . No appreciable changes were observed in the plasma and red blood cell vitamin levels before and after dialysis in 5 patients . This study showed that chronic hemodialysis patients are able to maintain normal plasma and red cell levels of some water-soluble vitamins without daily supplementation. Polim Med, 1986, 16(1-2), 19 - 30 {Packaging in the process of radiation sterilization . II . Physicochemical studies}; Pekala W et al.; The penetrability of the ionizing radiation through the matter makes possible the sterilization of the medical devices in the packed form by radiation method . The effect of the radiation should not bring any destructive changes in the material used for the package . In this paper have been discussed the results of the investigations of the one--and multilayer packaging materials from the point of view their utility for the radiation sterilization purposes . The changes of the useful parameters of the investigated materials have been determined in the dependence on the absorbed dose immediately after irradiation and the period of the durable keeping after the sterilization . The results of the mechanical investigations in the correlation to the results of the microbiological effects of the sterilized materials enabled to draw practical conclusions concerned the usability of the particular packages. Int J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(6), 569 - 72 Rapid tumor regression and induction of tumor-regressing activity in serum by various immune-modulating agents; Baba H et al.; A rapid decrease in the number of tumor cells from S180 tumors was caused by several antitumor polysaccharides including the beta (1-3)glucans lentinan and TAK-N and a mannoglucan MGA, but not by those lacking antitumor activity . MGA was demonstrated to induce potent tumor-regressing activity in the serum of tumor-bearing mice similar to that reported previously to be induced after an injection of CM-TAK, a carboxymethylated beta (1-3)glucan . It is probable that the induction of rapid regression of established tumors is a phenomenon common to antitumor polysaccharides and some microbiological products and that the tumor-regressing factor in the serum underlies a common mechanism. Gerontology, 1986, 32(4), 222 - 7 Bacterial arthritis in the elderly; Cooper C et al.; The clinical and microbiological features of bacterial arthritis in 21 elderly patients presenting to hospitals in an English health district over the decade 1973-1982 are reviewed . Differences from bacterial arthritis in younger patients include the high prevalence (71%) of underlying joint disease, infections more commonly affecting the hip (38%), absence of constitutional features of toxaemia and delay in diagnosis . Outcome in elderly patients is markedly worse, with an appreciable mortality attributable to the condition. Am J Ind Med, 1986, 10(3), 251 - 9 Health effects of organic dusts in the farm environment . Report on agents; Popendorf W; Recommendations were formulated on sampling strategies and characteristics of different sampling methods . Microbiological products, such as endotoxins and proteases were suggested to be included apart from traditional dust measurements . It was recommended that priority should be given to establishing dose-response relationships and that the importance of anaerobic organisms be evaluated . A summary of components within organic dust suspected of contributing to respiratory disease was presented. Vet Med Nauki, 1986, 23(6), 66 - 71 {Necrosis of the tail in buffaloes}; Filipov Zh et al.; Clinical, microbiological, and biochemical indices and X-ray examination revealed that disturbed metabolism and the development of dystrophic processes in the derma and epidermis and the last tail vertebrae were to be incriminated as predisposing factors contributing to tail necrosis . There were fissures in the epidermis, thickening of its layers, and hyperkeratosis with necrotic suppuration of the surface and deposition of detritus . After microbial contamination necrosis of the distal portion of the tail set in. Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1986, 44(2), 127 - 30 {Adaptation of the Autobac system to the determination of serum concentrations of antibiotics}; Libert JM et al.; Adaptation of the Autobac system to the determination of antibiotic concentrations in the serum . In face of increasing interest in antibiotic assays, particularly for those effective within a narrow range, we have combined the Autobac system with a rapid microbiological assay in liquid medium which involves the use of a laser nephelometer . This method is rapid, simple, accurate and inexpensive . It allows laboratories with the Autobac system to monitor closely antibiotic treatments. Ther Drug Monit, 1986, 8(2), 232 - 5 Comparison of the fluorescence polarization immunoassay and the microbiological assay methods for the determination of gentamicin concentration in human serum; Tayeb OS et al.; The performance of the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) was compared with that of a microbiological assay for the measurement of serum gentamicin concentrations . Within-run precision from duplicate assays of two concentrations (4 and 8 micrograms/ml) using FPIA and the microbiological assay yielded coefficients of variation (r) of 2.62%, 1.76% (n = 12) and 8.06%, 6.87% (n = 12), respectively . Day-to-day precision was estimated by repetitive analysis of 4 and 8 micrograms/ml control samples over a 3-week period . Coefficients of variation (r) were 2.57%, 3.09% (n = 8) and 10.71%, 14.20% (n = 8) for FPIA and the microbiological assay, respectively . Linear regression analysis performed on data from parallel determinations on 143 patient samples by the two methods showed correlations in the order of 0.74 . The FPIA offers a rapid, efficient, and accurate system for therapeutic monitoring of gentamicin serum levels. J Int Med Res, 1986, 14(3), 131 - 6 Aminophylline blood levels with concomitant erythromycin therapy in relapsed chronic obstructive lung disease; Vercelloni M et al.; Sixty patients affected by chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) in relapse were treated with erythromycin and aminophylline . The patients were divided into three groups: Group A received 2 g erythromycin and 1200 mg aminophylline daily, and Group B and C received 2 g erythromycin with respectively 800 mg and 600 mg of aminophylline daily, administered as two oral doses in each case . On day 5 of therapy, we chromatographically evaluated aminophylline in a serum sample taken two hours after morning drug administration which corresponds to the peak plasma level . We also evaluated certain biohumoral, microbiological, radiological and electrocardiographic parameters both before and after therapy . Statistical analysis of the data was performed by the Student's t test . Our data confirm that 600-800 mg oral aminophylline administered simultaneously with erythromycin induce an improvement in the respiratory function of patients with relapsed COLD without elevating blood aminophylline levels and without side-effects. Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1986, 141(1), 67 - 70 Microbiological control of ticks; Ali FS et al.; Twelve isolates (9 spore-forming bacteria and 3 fungi) were obtained from a dead adult tick (female) that had failed to lay eggs . There were different internal changes in the tick's eggs, caused by inoculation with these isolates . Such changes differed according to the type of microorganisms under study . However, fungi were more effective than spore-forming bacteria in decreasing hatching percentage of tick's eggs at 28 degrees C . Generally, inoculation with these isolates decreased the longevity of unfed larvae of ticks. Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(2), 99 - 101 Penicillin concentrations in serum following weekly injections of benzathine penicillin G; Hagdrup HK et al.; Twelve patients with syphilis were treated weekly with injections of 1.44 g (2.4 X 10(6) IU) of benzathine penicillin G for up to 3 weeks . Almost daily, serum penicillin concentrations were measured by a sensitive microbiological agar cup method . An individual and interindividual variation was found . Concentrations below the recommended 0.018 micrograms/ml were found 7 days after the first or second injection in 5 samples . Shorter intervals between injections are recommended. Clin Ther, 1986, 9 Suppl A, 33 - 7 Evaluation of doxycycline in the treatment of urethritis and cervicitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis; Noguera X et al.; The efficacy of treatment with doxycycline hyclate was studied in 50 patients (25 men and 25 women) with urethritis or cervicitis, or both, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis . Microbiological diagnosis was carried out by means of a micro-immunofluorescent technique . The pathogen was eradicated in the specimens from the urethra and endo-cervix from 86% of the patients after treatment with 200 mg/day doxycycline for up to 24 days . Clinical symptoms disappeared in 76% of the patients, and the remaining patients showed improvement . A possible adverse effect (mild gastric discomfort) was reported by one patient, but it did not prevent his completing the treatment course . The results of the study support previously published findings and indicate that doxycycline may be a treatment of choice for patients with lower genital tract infections caused by C trachomatis. Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am, 1986, 14(5), 333 - 40 {Prevalence of superficial mycoses in the adult population of the Brazil-Colombia frontier}; Pecher SA et al.; A microbiological study was performed in the adult population of tier Brazil-Colombia, a very damp place with warm weather . It was observed a higher prevalence of P . versicolor (41.5%) and candidiasis (28.09%), followed by P . hortai and E . floccosum . The T . Tonsurans was the principal agent of the trichophitics of the hair . It's a higher prevalence of superficial mycosis was observed in the male. Annu Rev Microbiol, 1986, 40, 211 - 35 The biology of natural transformation; Stewart GJ et al.; Natural transformation is widely distributed among bacteria . Its variations, in terms of specific mechanisms, may in part reflect responses to different selective pressures in different bacteria . We have suggested that both gene transfer and acquisition of carbon, nitrogen, and energy represent physiological needs that may have contributed to the evolution of natural transformation . While natural transformation was the first mechanism of genetic exchange to be detected, it is perhaps the least understood . Our understanding of the mechanism for uptake and incorporation of soluble DNA has increased significantly in the last two decades, but the overall picture of transformation as a biologically significant function is still unfolding . The mechanism by which DNA is released for transformation, the control of genes involved in DNA release and uptake, the potential for transformation in the natural environment, and the potential of natural transformation as a tool for other microbiological studies are but a few of the important issues that remain. Microbios, 1986, 45(182), 7 - 19 Growth of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides on media containing various sugars and amino sugars: an ampoule microcalorimetric study; Miles RJ et al.; The growth of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides strain T1 on media containing various sugars, tryptose, yeast extract, salts and either pig or calf-serum or a mixture of bovine serum albumin (BSA) plus lipid was followed by ampoule microcalorimetry . Power-time (p-t) curves were reproducible and showed details of growth not observable by conventional microbiological techniques . In media with metabolisable sugars p-t curves typically showed three periods of exponential increase in power separated by transient declines or plateaux . Maximum power (Pmax) was dependent upon the nature and concentration of sugar, whether ampoules were capped in air or nitrogen, and whether the medium contained pig or calf-serum or BSA plus lipid . The highest Pmax was observed in pig-serum medium with glucose, in ampoules capped in air . Decline in power from Pmax was essentially exponential. Respiration, 1986, 49(3), 222 - 30 Treatment of lower respiratory tract infections with ceftriaxone and cefotaxime . A comparative study; Abbate GF et al.; The microbiological and clinico-therapeutic efficacy and safety of ceftriaxone were compared with those of cefotaxime in an open randomized trial . Fifty-four adult hospitalized patients (37 males and 17 females) suffering from either acute bronchopneumonia (19) or acute exacerbations of chronic bronchopneumonia (35) have been investigated . Four patients were withdrawn from the trial . Underlying diseases were present in 41 patients . Ceftriaxone was administered at a once-a-day dose of either 1 or 2 g (in 13 and 14 patients, respectively) and cefotaxime at a 2 g twice daily dosing regimen (27 patients), both antibiotics being given for 7-12 days . In the ceftriaxone group, 15 out of the 27 patients were cured (55%) and 9 had a favourable clinical response for a total satisfactory response rate of 88% . The causative pathogen was eliminated in 18 (66%) patients . The results obtained in the cefotaxime group did not differ significantly, but 2 patients were excluded from the study because of in vitro resistance of the causative pathogen isolated . Both drugs were well tolerated: no relevant laboratory changes were registered . The results indicate that ceftriaxone at a dosage of 2 or 1 g daily is at least as effective as cefotaxime given daily at a dosage of 4 g in the treatment of severe lower respiratory tract infections. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1986 Jan, 39(1), 121 - 7 The synthesis and biological evaluation of 7 beta-{2-(2-aminooxazol-4-yl)-2-Z-methoximinoacetamido}-cep halosporin antibiotics; Wheeler WJ et al.; 7 beta-{2-(2-Aminooxazol-4-yl)-2-Z-methoximinoacetamido}-3-cep hem -4-carboxylic acids 12 and 13 were synthesized . The microbiological activity of 12 and 13 as well as the beta-lactamase stability of 12 were discussed . Both 12 and 13 were quite active against a wide variety of microorganisms although usually less active than cefotaxime. Infection, 1986, 14 Suppl 4, S254 - 5 Diffusion of ofloxacin into the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with bacterial meningitis; Stahl JP et al.; Ofloxacin diffusion into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was evaluated in nine patients with bacterial meningitis . Patients were under treatment with i.v . amoxicillin (100 mg/kg/day), and during the first five days they were also given oral ofloxacin, 200 mg b.i.d . On days 2 and 5, blood and CSF samples were collected for assays by both HPLC and microbiological techniques . Samples were obtained 2 h (n = 2), 4 h (n = 1), 6 h (n = 2), 8 h (n = 2) and 12 h (n = 2) after the ofloxacin dose respectively . Concentration in CSF was 50 to 60% of that in serum and there was no significant difference between results with the two assay techniques. Swed Dent J Suppl, 1986, 38, 1 - 45 Studies of individuals with orofacial discomfort complaints . An investigation of a group of patients who related their sufferings to effects of dental materials and constructions; Yontchev EA; This thesis is based on seven studies . The aims of these studies were to investigate a series of consecutive patients with orofacial and general sensations and complaints of discomfort, which the patients assumed to be caused by galvanic currents created by metallic dental fillings and restorations, as well as contact allergy to both metallic and non-metallic substances in dental materials . Studies I and II described the patients' symptoms and complaints, as well as the clinical findings of many odontological and medical examinations . A widely varying symptom panorama and numerous clinical findings, both oral and general, have been found which could not be explained by a single etiological factor . A combination of many factors, such as general health problems, side effects of medication, psychosocial problems, including stressful life events and complications due to the chronicity of the pain formed the background to the oral and general complaints of these patients . The salivary and microbiological conditions and patch test results were presented in studies III and IV . The saliva flow rate, pH and cariogenic bacteria level as well as contact allergy to metallic and non-metallic substances known as allergens, were not significantly different, but buffer capacity and saliva conductance did differ . A laboratory investigation of the corrosion behaviour of dental amalgams and gold alloys in natural saliva and saline solutions was performed (Study V) and the corrosion state of dental amalgam fillings and constructions was examined (Study VI) . Special laboratory and clinical methods and apparatus were constructed and used . No differences between electrode potentials of the amalgam fillings and constructions in patients with and without orofacial discomfort complaints were measured . Study VII presented an analysis of the outcome of the treatments applied . The treatment was based on each patient's symptoms and signs and probable diagnosis . Besides conventional dental, stomatognathic and medical treatment, metallic constructions were removed in 54% of the patients . The initial treatment result was favourable in 80% but recurrences were frequent . It was concluded that these patients need a careful oral examination and dental treatment of observed local pathosis and defects of dental constructions, but removal of metallic fillings and constructions should be avoided when not indicated . Many of these patients require medical consultation and treatment, and collaboration between dentist and the physician is recommended. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim, 1986, 5(1), 58 - 63 {Artificial nutrition in hospitals: general principles of quality control}; Postaire E et al.; Sterile pharmaceutical preparations must be supplied to clinical wards; their high degree of safety is given by hospital pharmacists who are responsible for quality control of these preparations . Various considerations on the choice of protocol are suggested . Good manufacturing practice is to carry out quality controls at every stage of production of total parenteral nutrition fluids . However, these controls are made difficult by the poor equipment of hospital pharmacies and by the absence of specific pharmaceutical monographs . The selected protocol involves: preliminary controls, which determine the practicability of the suggested formulation, as well as its expiration date: amino acid determinations using liquid chromatography, electrolyte analysis and concentration, pH, evolution of particle size in fat emulsion according to storage conditions, choice of plastic container; microbiological controls: every two months and every time the pharmaceutical staff changes; moreover, a search for bacterial endotoxins using a chromogenic substrate (LAL technique) with "microstrips" is suggested; a sample from each admixture is kept under refrigeration for 15 days; controls during fabrication to check, at the end of the process, if good manufacturing practices have been realized: microbiological sampling of the working area and elaboration of a written procedure; control after fabrication of each nutrient admixture: determination of various elements such as sodium, potassium and dextrose in a 5 ml sample . These assays enable the checking of high standards of fabrication . Hospital pharmacies, despite their reduced equipment, can answer by these procedures to the physicians' needs and supply sterile TPN meeting pharmaceutical standards. Vopr Med Khim, 1986 Jan-Feb, 32(1), 134 - 6 {Microbiological determination of DNA levels in blood leukocytes}; Blokh KO et al.; A procedure is developed for estimation of DNA microquantities in biological samples, which involved acid hydrolysis of DNA and the following microbiological estimation of its concentration . A sensitivity of the procedure was as little as 0.25 micrograms DNA per ml . At the DNA concentration 0.25-10 micrograms/ml growth of the indicator strain of bacteria exhibited the linear shape . As shown by means of the procedure developed one rat leukocyte contained 6.3 +/- 0.6 X 10(-12) g of DNA. Infection, 1986, 14 Suppl 1, S54 - 9 {Biotransformation of selected gyrase inhibitors}; Borner K et al.; The common structure of the gyrase inhibitors norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, and ofloxacin is 3-carboxy-4-oxo-6-fluoro-7-(1-piperazinyl)-1,4-dihydro-quinolone . Several biotransformations of these substances are reported in the literature, mostly in animals and partly in humans: 1 . Conjugation of the carboxylic acid to glucuronic acid (formation of an O-methyl ester of norfloxacin was found only in the rat); 2 . Oxidation of the piperazine ring to the oxo derivative and subsequent metabolisation (or degradation) of the piperazine ring to several intermediates and finally to elimination of the side chain; 3 . Substitution of the piperazine side chain to the 4-N-acetyl or 4-N-formyl-derivative (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin); 4 . Methylation of the 4-methyl-piperazine side chain (pefloxacin, ofloxacin) . 5 . N-oxidation of the 4-methyl-piperazine side chain (pefloxacin, ofloxacin) . The glucuronides are microbiologically inactive . The activity of metabolites with a modified piperazine side chain varies from high (oxo derivatives) to low (after splitting of the ring) . Quantitative data on the formation of the described transformation products in humans are presently still incomplete . The oxo derivative appears to be the main metabolite of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin . Additional metabolites to the described ones are likely to be detected in the near future. Ther Drug Monit, 1986, 8(3), 340 - 5 Determination of ciprofloxacin in biological samples by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography; Vallee F et al.; Previously reported high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assays for ciprofloxacin have used cumbersome fluorescence detection . UV absorbance is more commonly used for assay of antibiotics . Separation of ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid (internal standard) was achieved using UV absorption at 313 nm, and a reversed phase C-18 Nova-Pak column . The mobile phase consisted of 35% phosphate buffers adjusted to pH 7.4, 65% methanol, and 5.5 mM hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide . Retention times were 4.3 and 7.3 min, respectively, for ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid . Serum sample preparation involved protein precipitation with acetonitrile (1:2), followed by methylene chloride and 2-propanol extraction (90:10) . After evaporation, reconstitution with a minimal volume of mobile phase allowed for 5X concentration of the sample . The sensitivity limit of the assay was 0.06 microgram/ml . The response was linear from 0.125 to 10.0 micrograms/ml (r greater than 0.999) . The coefficient of variation for day-to-day analysis was less than 5.3%, and the recovery was 55% . When compared with microbiological assay in serum, the correlation coefficient was 0.922 (n = 58) . This HPLC method using UV detection provided comparable results to those obtained by fluorimetry . Data from three pharmacokinetic studies showed this method to be reliable and accurate. J Hosp Infect, 1986 Jan, 7(1), 68 - 73 Microbiological quality of products used in enteral feeds; Anderton A; The microbiological quality of 19 commonly used nasogastric feeds and feed ingredients was determined . Thirteen of the products yielded no viable micro-organisms while six, all of which were powders containing milk or whey proteins, gave aerobic viable counts from 50-3000 organisms g-1 . Possible microbial limits for enteral feeds are discussed with reference to those already suggested for special dietary products, infant formulas and non-sterile pharmaceuticals. Int Urol Nephrol, 1986, 18(4), 411 - 6 Intravesical bleomycin in bladder tumour prophylaxis; Tripi M et al.; The authors have evaluated the efficacy, tolerability and systemic absorption of bleomycin administered by intravesical route in the prophylaxis of recurrences of superficial vesical tumours after endoscopic resection (TUR) . Thirty mg of bleomycin dissolved in 30 ml of saline solution were instilled in the bladder once a week for the first month and then once a month for 12 months . The instilled fluid was held in the bladder for 1 hour . The systemic absorption of the drug was evaluated by a microbiological assay of bleomycin in plasma and in the perfusion liquid recovered from the bladder . Fifteen patients were treated; most had a long history of multiple recurrent tumours despite previous intravesical treatments . Thirteen patients presented tumour recurrences during the treatment; 4 of them were given a second course of instillations following a second TUR and 3 of these presented further recurrences . The authors conclude that the drug, administered intravesically to high-risk patients with the modalities employed in the present study, was not effective in preventing recurrences . It was well tolerated locally and was free from systemic toxicity . The amount of bleomycin that was not recovered from the bladder after a contact time of one hour was relatively high but the drug did not reach measurable levels in the peripheral blood. J Immunol Methods, 1985 Dec 27, 85(2), 257 - 67 Rapid and simple identification of mycoplasmas by immunobinding; Kotani H et al.; A simple and rapid method of species identification of mycoplasmas by immunobinding assay is described . Small amounts of antigen of supernatant from cell cultures, broth cultures or clinical specimens were spotted onto nitrocellulose paper . This was followed by application of specific anti-mycoplasma antisera . After incubation, an enzyme-conjugated antiserum against the first antiserum was applied . A positive reaction was indicated by the development of intense blue color reaction when substrate was added . This method identified mycoplasma species with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies . It detected 9.3 X 10(3) - 7.5 X 10(4) CFU/ml of organisms depending on mycoplasma species . For identification of mycoplasma, ureaplasma, acholeplasma and spiroplasma species, this assay is useful and rapid compared with other serological methods . In limited studies, the method correlated with microbiological assay of clinical specimens for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Med J Aust, 1985 Dec 9-23, 143(12-13), 615 - 7 Acanthamoebic keratitis in a healthy Australian man; Roussel TJ et al.; We report a case of acanthamoebic keratitis that occurred after minor ocular trauma in a healthy 31-year-old man . Multiple microbiological investigations failed to reveal the causative organism, which was identified as Acanthamoeba castellanii only after a corneal graft operation had been performed . A review of previously described cases reveals that this rare ocular infection tends to cause recalcitrant corneal ulcers after minor eye injuries in otherwise healthy individuals. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 50(6), 1531 - 4 Gamma processing of Arabic bread for immune system-compromised cancer patients; Grecz N et al.; Arabic bread prepared from local Saudi flour contained a total of up to 10(4) organisms per g . Most of these were bacterial spores that survived the baking process (1.3 X 10(2) to 3.5 X 10(3} and a small number of yeasts and molds (10 to 40 cells per g) . The organisms in Arabic bread appear to be harmless to healthy individuals . However, for immune system-compromised cancer patients and bone marrow transplant recipients, it is prudent to irradiate the bread to reduce microbial contamination . The decimal reduction doses (10% survival) for the most radiation-resistant organisms (spore formers) in bread were 0.11 to 0.15 Mrad . Accordingly, 0.6 Mrad was sufficient to reduce the number of spores in Arabic bread by a factor of 10,000, i.e., to less than 1/g . This treatment constitutes radiation pasteurization (radicidation), and to this extent, provides a margin of microbiological safety . Sensory evaluation by the nine-point hedonic scale showed no detectable loss of organoleptic quality of bread up to 0.6 Mrad, while irradiation to 2.5 Mrad induced unacceptable organoleptic changes. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Dec, (12), 22 - 7 {Peptide and amino acid composition of different protein bases for culture media}; Smirnova GA et al.; The enzymatic hydrolysates under study, obtained from different raw materials, have been shown to contain a great variety of peptides with different molecular weight . The highest content of fractions with a molecular weight of 2000 D has been observed in enzymatic meat and casein hydrolysates manufactures in the GDR . Low-molecular fractions (100-200 D) prevail in amino peptide . A great variety of peptides with different molecular weight is observed in Hottinger's meat hydrolysate and in blood clot hydrolysate obtained from the blood of laboratory animals . All peptide fractions have been shown to contain a wide spectrum of free amino acids . These data on the peptide and amino acid composition of different protein bases facilitate their rational use of microbiological culture media. Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1985 Dec, 37(3), 377 - 86 Immunological and microbiological factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; Lopes-Virella MF et al.; Among the several pathological events that lead to the formation of an atheromatous lesion, endothelial cell damage, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and foam cell formation, are considered as particularly significant . In this review we summarize data suggesting that immunological and microbial factors may cause, directly or indirectly, these pathological events . Binding of immunocomplexes to endothelial cells, phagocytic cells, platelets, or erythrocytes could be the starting point for a variety of circuits leading to endothelial cell cytotoxicity and to the release of a variety of mediators, including cell proliferative factors . Endothelial cell toxicity could also be induced, directly or indirectly, by endotoxin; however, the possibility that endotoxin and other microbial factors may induce abnormalities in lipid metabolism at the monocyte/macrophage level which eventually result in intracellular accumulation of cholesterol (particularly if cholesterol levels are elevated) is specially attractive as a potential pathogenic mechanism . The various pathologic pathways discussed in this review appear plausible on the basis of our current knowledge and point to the need to investigate the potential role of infectious processes, autoimmune reactions, and administration of antigenic compounds as possible risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1985 Dec, 182(1), 89 - 94 {Method for contaminating test objects with coagulated blood}; Spicher G et al.; A special method to contaminate test objects with blood is described . It is characterized by the use of coagulable blood and its coagulation when adhering to the test objects . Above all, the method is suitable for the microbiological evaluation of the efficacy of agents and methods for the disinfection of surfaces to which coagulated blood will adhere (e.g . instruments) . Immediately upon sampling, the blood is heparinized (Liquemin 500 from Hoffmann-La Roche AG at a ratio of 0.1 ml per 100 ml blood) . Until use, the coagulable blood is stored at 0 degrees C . For the contamination of test objects, the test organisms are added to the blood (at 0 degrees C), either by mixing the blood with a small amount of a suspension of the test organism or by centrifuging this suspension and dispersing the sedimented organisms in the blood . To start coagulation, Protamin 1000 (Hoffmann-La Roche) is added at a ratio of 0.15 ml per 10 ml blood . Immediately afterwards, the test objects are contaminated with the coagulating blood . Until complete coagulation of the blood, taking ca . 15 min, the test objects are stored in a humid chamber at ca . 20 degrees C. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1985 Dec, 182(1), 64 - 77 {An information system for hospital hygiene . I . Data acquisition, data bank retrieval and presentation of data}; Xander L et al.; Aiming at efficient control or prevention of hospital infection it is necessary to provide the clinician immediately with his patient's relevant microbiological data, i.e . relative frequency and susceptibility patterns of species . Therefore an information system for acquisition, on-line storage and retrieval of infection control data was developed together with Institut fur Krankenhausausbau of Technische Universitat Berlin . The output from the database of microbiological isolates is presented in diagrams for easy evaluation by the clinician and produced either on a graphic color display or on a plotter . The system was developed using a database which was set up retrospectively including about 5000 microbiological isolates from about 1000 intensive care patients of a Berlin university hospital from a period of 18 months . The first communication covers input and output of the data processing system by way of examples . Acquisition of isolates is facilitated at a display terminal using a program to check the data entry and to store the correct data record in a multiple index key oriented file system . Retrieval may be defined either selectively by means of keys, i.e . code of species, specimen or patient entry number or searching across the whole file and for given time periods . One may determine as well to retrieve only data records including test results from selected antibiotics. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1985 Dec, 38(12), 1699 - 713 Physico-chemical and microbiological comparison of nystatin, amphotericin A and amphotericin B, and structure of amphotericin A; Aszalos A et al.; Two polyene antibiotics, nystatin and amphotericin A, were compared by physico-chemical and microbiological methods . The two antibiotics were found to have the same molecular weight, 926, by plasma desorption and electron-impact MS . However, 13C NMR spectrometry and HPLC studies indicated that the two molecules are different . The 200 MHz NMR studies indicated a chemical environment of 24 carbons of amphotericin A identical with that of the carbons of amphotericin B and nystatin . The structure of amphotericin A is identical with that of amphotericin B, except that there is a single bond between carbons 28 and 29 instead of a double bond, as shown by two-dimensional NMR studies. Sci Total Environ, 1985 Dec, 47, 385 - 413 Carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of chemicals in drinking water; Bull RJ; Isolated cases of careless handling of industrial and domestic waste has lead to a wide variety of dangerous chemicals being inadvertently introduced into drinking water . However, chemicals with established carcinogenic and mutagenic properties that occur with a high frequency and in multiple locations are limited in number . To date, the chief offenders have been chemicals of relatively low carcinogenic potency . Some of the more common chemicals are formed as by-products of disinfection . The latter process is generally regarded as essential to the production of a "microbiologically safe" drinking water . Consequently, any reductions in what may be a relatively small carcinogenic risk must be balanced against a potential for a higher frequency of waterborne infectious disease . The results of recent toxicological investigations will be reviewed to place the potential carcinogenic and mutagenic hazards frequently associated with drinking water into perspective . First, evidence for the carcinogenicity of certain volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride is considered . Second, the carcinogenic activity that can be ascribed to various by-products of chlorination is reviewed in some detail . Finally, recent evidence that other chemicals derived from the treatment and distribution of drinking water is highlighted as an area requiring move systematic attention. Laryngol Rhinol Otol (Stuttg), 1985 Dec, 64(12), 614 - 7 {Malignant lymphoma and tuberculosis}; Hormann K et al.; In 153 patients with malignant lymphoma (1981-1984) one case of simultaneous occurrence of a Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of high grade malignancy and tuberculosis of a cervical lymph node is reported . Typical morphological characteristics were absent . In the first biopsy mycobacterium tuberculosis was demonstrated in a microbiological animal trial . In a second biopsy a centroblastic lymphoma was found . It is possible that the onset of lymph node tuberculosis is promoted by the impaired immunological defence mechanism of the malignant growth . On the other hand, the malignant lymphoma might be caused by the chronic tuberculous inflammation . Independent of this question, a persistent cervical lymphoma must be identified by biopsy and microbiology . An essential factor in deciding both therapy and prognosis of the malignant lymphoma is to diagnose the presence of a tuberculous infection, for the concurrent treatment of primary and secondary disease provides the only chance of cure. Ann Ophthalmol, 1985 Dec, 17(12), 746 - 8 Trimethoprim-polymyxin B ophthalmic solution in treatment of surface ocular bacterial infections; Nozik RA et al.; A safety and efficacy study comparing the clinical and bacteriologic effectiveness of trimethoprim-sulfacetamide-polymyxin B-neomycin-gramicidin in a group of patients with surface ocular bacterial infections was conducted . The results demonstrated TSP to be as effective as the other solution (both clinically and bacteriologically), with fewer adverse experiences . A second study was conducted comparing TSP with trimethoprim-polymyxin B (TP) and found TP to be superior to TSP in effecting bacteriologic cures . Clinical response was similar in both groups, and the low incidence of mild adverse experiences was approximately the same . It appears that the combination of trimethoprim with polymyxin B is safe and highly efficacious, both clinically and microbiologically, for the treatment of surface ocular bacterial infections. Minerva Med, 1985 Nov 30, 76(45-46), 2179 - 87 {Anatomicopathological findings relating to fungal infections: considerations on their increase and microbiological findings}; Ceppa P et al.; 2,366 consecutive autopsies carried out at the Institute of Anatomy and Histopathology of the University of Genova over the last 10 years are re-examined . 33 cases of visceral mycosis were found (a frequency of 1.4%) . The following factors were considered: number and location of fungal infection, morphological characteristics of mycetes responsible, host tissue reaction, relationship with any other disease manifestation or predisposing factors . It is emphasized that these infections are increasing in frequency and severity . Clinics should therefore always consider possible fungal causes in the differential diagnosis of infections. Z Hautkr, 1985 Nov 15, 60(22), 1750, 1755 - 7 {Heck's disease}; Nasemann T et al.; The clinical, microbiological, histological and electron microscopical findings in cases of oral papillomatosis (Heck's disease, focal epithelial hyperplasia), as well as differential diagnosis and therapy are presented . Electron microscopic investigations confirmed the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the lesions of Heck's disease. J Chromatogr, 1985 Nov 8, 344, 275 - 83 Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of spiramycin by direct injection of plasma, using column-switching for sample clean-up; Dow J et al.; A fully automated high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of spiramycin 1 in plasma . First, 1 ml of plasma is diluted with 1.5 ml of 4% acetonitrile containing spiramycin 2 as internal standard, and 1 ml is then injected via an automatic sampling unit . A pneumatic valve, which is remote-controlled by the programmable timer of an integrator, switches the sample, initially injected onto a precolumn for sample clean-up, to an analytical column for sample separation . This method was compared with a microbiological assay and has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies on spiramycin in humans. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Nov, 38(11), 3169 - 78 {Clinical evaluation of doxycycline in the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infections}; Saito I et al.; Thirty male patients with nongonococcal urethritis and 7 female patients nongonococcal cervicitis were treated with 200 mg doxycycline (DOXY) daily over a period of 7 days . The microbiological cure rate in infections with C . trachomatis was 92.9% with the clinical effectiveness rate being 92.9% . The clinical effectiveness rate in nonchlamydial urethritis was 63.6% . There were no statistically demonstrable difference in clinical outcome between the group of the C . trachomatis positive patients and the C . trachomatis negative patients, both treated with DOXY . Side effects were observed in 2 cases (5.4%) who complained of gastrointestinal disorder, but no dizziness was observed. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Nov, 38(11), 3156 - 68 {Clinical studies on doxycycline in male nongonococcal urethritis}; Yamagoe M et al.; Doxycycline (DOXY) was administered to 45 male patients with nongonococcal urethritis . The dose was 200 mg b.i.d . and the duration of administration was 14 consecutive days in principle . The results were as follows: C . trachomatis was detected from urethral swab by culture confirmation test and/or direct specimen test . Of 45 patients with nongonococcal urethritis, 25 were positive with C . trachomatis . The positive rate was 56% . In the C . trachomatis positive group, the clinical efficacy was excellent in 15 patients, and fair in 4 out of 19 patients which could be studied about the clinical effect after administration . The total efficacy rate was 79% . The efficacy in 11 patients of the C . trachomatis negative group was excellent in 7 patients and fair in 4, the total efficacy rate being 64% . Microbiologically, inclusion bodies disappeared in 7 days of administration in all 9 patients which were positive with C . trachomatis by culture confirmation test . In 19 patients which were positive by direct specimen test, elementary bodies of C . trachomatis disappeared within 7 days in 13 patients (76%) and within 14 days in all patients . As to side effect, mild epigastralgia was observed in 1 patient, but medication could be continued when the dose of DOXY was reduced by half . Clinical laboratory tests were investigated in 15 patients before and after administration and no abnormal alteration was observed. Ophthalmology, 1985 Nov, 92(11), 1471 - 9 The diagnostic value of a ring infiltrate in acanthamoebic keratitis; Theodore FH et al.; During the past ten years it has become increasingly apparent that acanthamoebae can directly infect the cornea, usually after trauma, associated with contaminated water or soft contact lens wear . Thirteen cases of acanthamoebic keratitis have been published . In only three of these cases was the diagnosis first made by microbiologic methods, while in the others it was made only after pathologic examination of resected corneal specimens or enucleated eyes . We report three additional cases, two of which were accurately diagnosed by corneal scrape-smears and cultures before penetrating keratoplasty was performed . The reason for the accurate laboratory diagnosis in these cases was the presence of a diagnostic paracentral annular corneal infiltrate or abscess, a feature identified in over two-thirds of the earlier cases but one which has not been adequately emphasized or pursued for its early diagnostic value . We review the other clinical and epidemiological features of this entity, microbiological diagnostic techniques, the pathologic aspects, the role of topically and systemically administered medicaments, and finally point out the almost unavoidable role of penetrating keratoplasty after the temporizing effects of medical treatments have been achieved. Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1985 Nov, 24(11), 646 - 50 Thorac