J Gen Microbiol, 1993 Jun, 139 ( Pt 6), 1301 - 6 Involvement of the accessory gene regulator (agr) in expression of type 5 capsular polysaccharide by Staphylococcus aureus; Dassy B et al.; The effect of an agr mutation on expression of type 5 capsular polysaccharide (CP) by Staphylococcus aureus Newman was investigated in different complex and synthetic media . CP expression by the agr mutant was strongly reduced in certain media but slightly in others, indicating that CP synthesis is positively controlled by agr . CP expression occurred in the post-exponential growth phase in both wild-type and mutant strains, suggesting that other regulatory systems could act in conjunction with agr. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1993 Jun, 14(6), 331 - 6 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a nursing home and affiliated hospital: a four-year perspective; Strausbaugh LJ et al.; OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak in a nursing home on the subsequent MRSA caseload in a closely affiliated hospital . DESIGN: Observational and descriptive; routine and special MRSA surveillance data for nursing home and hospital were reviewed for a four-year period (1988 to 1991) as were records regarding patient transfers from nursing home to hospital . SETTING: The 120-bed nursing home care unit (NHCU) and the geographically separate 434-bed acute care facility (hospital) of the Portland Veterans' Affairs Medical Center (PVAMC) . PATIENTS: Veterans hospitalized in the acute care division of NHCU . RESULTS: Following the introduction of MRSA into the NHCU in December 1987, it quickly disseminated . Two to 32 newly colonized or infected patients were recognized in each quarter of the study period . Facility-wide prevalence surveys on two occasions disclosed MRSA colonization rates of 34% and 10% . During the study period, 15 to 54 (mean: 37.6) patients were transferred each quarter from the NHCU to the hospital of the PVAMC . The number of MRSA cases transferred ranged from 0 to 16 per quarter (mean: 5.4) . During the same period, the total number of MRSA cases in the hospital increased, rising from 7 cases in 1987 to 16 in 1988, 48 in 1989, 34 in 1990, and 35 in 1991 . The percentage of hospital MRSA cases accounted for by NHCU transfers was 0% in 1988, 38% in 1989, 12% in 1990, and 11% in 1991 . CONCLUSIONS: Despite the steady flow of patients between the NHCU and the hospital, the MRSA outbreak in the NHCU was associated with only a modest increase in the MRSA caseload at the affiliated hospital. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1993 Jun, 31(6), 909 - 17 Treatment of familial staphylococcal infection--comparison of mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine/neomycin (Naseptin) cream in eradication of nasal carriage; Leigh DA et al.; Twenty-six families with recurrent staphylococcal infections were treated with either mupirocin nasal ointment (group M) or chlorhexidine neomycin (Naseptin) cream (group N) to the anterior nares, each combined with chlorhexidine soap for washing and chlorhexidine powder applied to other possible carriage sites . Patients receiving mupirocin following failure with chlorhexidine/neomycin (group M/N) were also treated . Treatment was given for seven days to 99 patients, 32 index (infected) patients and 67 family members . Follow-up swabs were collected by a study nurse 8, 14, 28, and 91 days after starting treatment . The carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in the anterior nares was 67%, in the axillae 22%, in the groin 23%, and perianal 19% . The carriage rates in the index patients was higher than family members, in all sites . The eradication of S . aureus from the nasal carriage site after therapy at 8 days was 95% in group M, 85% in group M/N and 61% in group N . Recolonization during the follow-up period was much less in those treated with mupirocin: 57% of patients in group M and 42% in group M/N were not carriers at 91 days, whereas 89% of patients group N were again colonized . Assessment clinically and in terms of prevention of further infective lesions showed that there was a higher response to mupirocin than to chlorhexidine/neomycin . Mupirocin nasal is a successful therapy for removing nasal carriage of S . aureus and has a prolonged effect on recolonization. Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler, 1993 Jun, 374(6), 395 - 402 Limited proteolysis of chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP) from Spinacia oleracea; Zapponi MC et al.; The structural and functional properties of chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-P-dehydrogenase I (D-Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate: NADP oxidoreductase (phosphorylating) EC 1.2.1.13) from Spinacia oleracea were investigated by limited proteolysis . The enzyme is insensitive to trypsin and chymotrypsin, while Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease cleaves the C-terminal region of its subunits . Subunit A (36 kDa) is only partially cleaved at Glu 317 . No intact subunit B (39 kDa) is found at the end of the proteolytic experiment: two forms are originated from this subunit which is cleaved at Glu 342 and Glu 320 . Proteolytic cleavage at these sites does not significantly alter enzymatic activity, but leads to destabilization of the protein . Unlike the intact parent enzyme (600 kDa) the cleaved enzyme behaves as a 150-kDa species in size exclusion chromatography. J Appl Bacteriol, 1993 Jun, 74(6), 637 - 44 Potential problems in the use of oligonucleotide probes for staphylococcal enterotoxin genes; Okoji CN et al.; Oligonucleotide probes unique to the five major enterotoxin genes of Staphylococcus aureus were synthesized and used to detect DNA sequences homologous to these genes in 27 non-clinical isolates of Staph . aureus isolated from nasal swabs of 74 healthy human volunteers . Genomic DNA from all 27 isolates reacted with at least one of the probes . In a phenotypic assay for toxin production by a reverse passive latex agglutination test however, only 15 of the 27 isolates produced enterotoxin in culture . The results raise the possibility that a number of Staph . aureus isolates harbour DNA sequences that are apparently silent or mutant copies of the enterotoxin genes . This complicates the identification of enterotoxin producers by tests which depend on oligonucleotide or DNA hybridization. Am J Hematol, 1993 Jun, 43(2), 81 - 5 Heterogeneous proliferative effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lymphotoxin on mitogen-activated B cells from B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Alvarez-Mon M et al.; The proliferative effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and lymphotoxin on B cells from patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) was studied . Fresh purified B-CLL lymphocytes showed no proliferative response to either recombinant (r) TNF-alpha or r-lymphotoxin . However, after "in vitro" activation of B-CLL lymphocytes for 2 days with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC), four of seven patients showed enhanced blastogenic response in the presence of either rTNF-alpha or r-lymphotoxin . We also found that the proliferative response of SAC-activated B-CLL lymphocytes to the two cytokines was independent of that found in the presence of interleukin-2 . These results demonstrate that TNF-alpha and lymphotoxin can heterogeneously support the proliferation of in vitro activated B cells from B-CLL patients and may reflect the biological heterogeneity of B-CLL disease. Am J Hematol, 1993 Jun, 43(2), 149 - 50 Ultrastructure of neutrophilic phagosome of autologous platelet in vivo in specific granule deficiency; Sakura T et al.; The ultrastructure of neutrophilic phagosomes containing autologous platelets in vivo from a woman with specific granule deficiency is described . This phagosome formation was observed only when she had developed pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus . Therefore, the phenomenon might be induced by severe bacterial infection under an abnormal neutrophilic condition accompanied by specific granule deficiency. Eur J Nucl Med, 1993 Jun, 20(6), 490 - 4 Improved detection of a staphylococcal infection by monomeric and protein A-purified polyclonal human immunoglobulin; Calame W et al.; The present study was undertaken to compare the technetium-99m labelled non-specific polyclonal human immunoglobulin (Ig) with 99mTc-labelled monomeric human immunoglobulin (m-Ig), 99mTc-labelled, protein A-purified, human immunoglobulin (A-Ig) and 99mTc-labelled monomeric, protein A-purified, human immunoglobulin (mA-Ig) as tracer agents for the detection of a thigh infection with Staphylococcus aureus . In vitro the binding of the various tracer agents to bacteria at various intervals was determined . For the in vivo evaluation, mice were infected and received one of the various labelled proteins . Scintigrams were made 0.25, 1, 4 and 24 h later . All 99mTc-labelled Igs bound to bacteria in vitro: the percentages of binding for the m-Ig (from 1 h onwards) and A-Ig and mA-Ig (from 3 h onwards) were significantly higher than that for Ig . The in vivo target-to-non-target (T/NT) ratios were significantly higher from 4 h onwards for all purified Igs than for Ig . Protein A-purified Igs yielded higher T/NT ratios than m-Ig . Furthermore, the amount of activity in the liver was significantly lower 24 h after administration of m-Ig, A-Ig and mA-Ig than after administration of Ig . It is concluded that in this experimental infection 99mTc-labelled monomeric Ig localizes a staphylococcal thigh infection better and faster than 99mTc-labelled unpurified Ig . However, the accumulation obtained with protein A-purified Ig or protein A-purified monomeric Ig was the highest of all tracer agents tested. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1993 Jun, 67(6), 584 - 8 {Three cases with pelvic dead space infection after total cystectomy caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)--local injection of vancomycin}; Kiyota H et al.; We recently had three patients with pelvic dead space infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) after total cystectomy for urothelial cancer . All were male and aged from 67 to 74 years old . As for underlying diseases, two of them had bladder cancer and one of them had bladder cancer and right ureteral cancer . Total cystectomy and ileal conduit were performed for two patients with bladder cancer, and total cystectomy, nephroureterectomy and ureterocutaneoustomy were performed for a patient with bladder cancer and ureteral cancer . Pelvic dead space infections caused by MRSA appeared after 15-30 days postoperatively . All patients were cured after we locally administered 0.5 g of vancomycin twice a day for 10-11 days from the drains to the pelvic dead spaces . All patients had preoperative antitumor chemotherapy and the postoperative administrations of beta-lactams in common . From these results, we suggest that local administration of vancomycin is effective for the pelvic dead space infection caused by MRSA after total cystectomy. Clin Infect Dis, 1993 Jun, 16(6), 766 - 71 Meningitis due to Staphylococcus aureus in children; Givner LB et al.; Meningitis due to Staphylococcus aureus is uncommon, occurring primarily in patients with known preexisting abnormalities of the CNS (including patients who have undergone previous neurosurgery or trauma) . We reviewed our experience with meningitis due to S . aureus in children seen at two medical centers . Among the 40 patients, 32 (80%) had a known predisposing abnormality of the CNS at the time of diagnosis of S . aureus meningitis; all of these 32 patients had had recent neurosurgery, most for placement or revision of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt . Eight patients had no known predisposing CNS abnormality . Four of these eight patients were known to be immunocompromised . The other four patients all had an occult CNS abnormality demonstrated during subsequent workup . Our series demonstrates that when the diagnosis of S . aureus meningitis is made in the absence of a known predisposing CNS abnormality or immunologic defect, then a timely search for an occult CNS abnormality should be undertaken. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1993 Jun, 37(6), 1334 - 42 Randomized double-blinded trial of rifampin with either novobiocin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization: prevention of antimicrobial resistance and effect of host factors on outcome; Walsh TJ et al.; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major pathogen in hospitals . Current antimicrobial regimens for eradicating colonizing strains are not well defined and are often complicated by the emergence of resistance . The combination of novobiocin plus rifampin in vitro and in vivo was found to prevent the emergence of resistant populations of initially susceptible strains of MRSA, particularly resistance to rifampin . We therefore studied, in a randomized, double-blind, multicenter comparative trial, the combination of novobiocin plus rifampin versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (T/S) plus rifampin in order to determine the efficacy of each regimen in eradicating MRSA colonization and to further characterize the host factors involved in the response to this antimicrobial therapy . Among the 126 individuals enrolled in the study, 94 (80 patients; 14 hospital personnel) were evaluable . Among the 94 evaluable subjects, no significant demographic or medical differences existed between the two treatment groups . Successful clearance of the colonizing MRSA strains was achieved in 30 of 45 (67%) subjects receiving novobiocin plus rifampin, whereas successful clearance was achieved in 26 of 49 (53%) subjects treated with T/S plus rifampin (P = 0.18) . The emergence of resistance to rifampin developed more frequently in 14% (7 of 49) of subjects treated with T/S plus rifampin than in 2% (1 of 45) of subjects treated with novobiocin plus rifampin (P = 0.04) . Restriction endonuclease studies of large plasmid DNA demonstrated that the same strain was present at pretherapy and posttherapy in most refractory cases (24 of 29 {83%} subjects) . Among the 56 successfully treated subjects, clearance of MRSA was age dependent: 29 of 36 (80%) subjects in the 18- to 49-year-old age group, 19 of 35 (54%) subjects in the 50- to 69-year-old age group, and 8 of 23 (35%) in the 70- to 94-year-old age group (P < 0.01) . Clearance was also site dependent; culture-positive samples from wounds were related to a successful outcome in only 22 (48%) of 46 subjects, whereas culture-positive samples from sites other than wounds (e.g., nares, rectum, and sputum) were associated with a success rate of 34 of 48 (71%) subjects (P = 0.02) . Foreign bodies in wounds did not prevent the eradication of MRSA by either regimen . T/S plus rifampin was less effective in clearing both pressure and other wounds, whereas novobiocin plus rifampin was equally effective in clearing both pressure and other wounds . There were no significant differences in toxicity between the two regimens . Thus, the combination of novobiocin plus rifampin, in comparison with T/S plus rifampin, was more effective in preventing the emergence of resistance to rifampin and demonstrated a trend toward greater activity in clearing the MRSA carrier state . The response to either combination depended on host factors, particularly age and the site of MRSA colonization. Am J Physiol, 1993 Jun, 264(6 Pt 2), H1878 - 83 Thromboxane A2 analogue, U-46619, potentiates calcium-activated force in human umbilical artery; Crichton CA et al.; It has previously been shown that human umbilical artery (HUA) smooth muscle produces thromboxane A2 in response to increasing oxygen levels and that this thromboxane promotes contraction . To investigate the intracellular action of thromboxane A2, strips of HUA longitudinal smooth muscle were permeabilized using alpha-toxin from the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus . This treatment rendered the surface membrane permeable to low-molecular-weight substances but left functional thromboxane A2 receptors . Tension measurements were used to investigate the effect of the stable thromboxane A2 analogue, U-46619, on the Ca2+ sensitivity of smooth muscle contractile proteins . U-46619 (1 nM to 1 microM) potentiated submaximal Ca(2+)-activated force (generated by {Ca2+}, 50 nM to 3 microM) but not maximal Ca(2+)-activated force (generated by {Ca2+}, 10-100 microM) . The specific thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, GR-32191B (1 microM), inhibited the action of U-46619 (0.1 microM) . The potentiation of submaximal Ca(2+)-activated force produced by the muscle in response to U-46619 (0.1 microM) was antagonized by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (1 mM), the nonhydrolyzable analogue of GDP, and mimicked by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (100 microM), the nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP . These results suggest that U-46619 acts via the previously identified thromboxane A2 receptor to promote Ca2+ sensitivity of tension production in HUA smooth muscle . Furthermore, this effect appears to be mediated via a G protein. Kidney Int, 1993 Jun, 43(6), 1357 - 62 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and infections in CAPD; Lye WC et al.; In view of the increasing concern about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, we studied the characteristics and outcome of MRSA nasal carriage and infections in our CAPD program . All patients entering into the CAPD program from January 1989 to December 1991 were enrolled into the study . The patients' anterior nares were cultured before the implantation of the catheters . Peritoneal dialysis-related infections were diagnosed based on standard criteria . Data on MRSA nasal carriage, exit-site and tunnel infections and peritonitis were prospectively collected . A total number of 167 patients with 225.9 patient dialysis years were studied with a mean follow-up duration of 16.2 +/- 9.5 months . There were 28 patients with MRSA nasal carriage . The carrier state was unrelated to age, sex and presence of diabetes mellitus . MRSA nasal carriage was associated with a significant increase in the rate of peritonitis (P < 0.01) and exit-site infections (P < 0.01), the number of catheter losses, and CAPD patient dropout (P < 0.001) . A total of 30 patients had MRSA infections . In this group, 15 patients had 24 episodes of peritonitis; 20 had 22 episodes of exit-site infections; and 1 had tunnel infection . Fourteen patients had a combination and/or multiple episodes of infections . Treatment of MRSA infections with intraperitoneal vancomycin was unsuccessful in 12 patients (40.0%) resulting in catheter loss . Nine patients (30.0%) dropped out of CAPD after treatment failure for MRSA peritonitis . The patient dropout rate per infection for MRSA infections was comparable to Pseudomonas and fungal infections, but was significantly higher than MSSA infections (P < 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Singapore Med J, 1993 Jun, 34(3), 221 - 4 A survey of postoperative wound infections in obstetrics and gynaecology--the Kandang Kerbau Hospital experience; Chia JY et al.; Postoperative wound infection is of great importance to both the surgeon and patient . This study covers 6,639 major operations in Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore over a 12-month period . The overall wound infection rate was 2.26% . The highest wound infection rate occurred in hysterectomies and the lowest in laparoscopies . There was a good correlation between monthly caesarean wound infection rate and number of caesarean sections . Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated . The wound infection rate was also higher in crowded wards and among some surgeons . After distribution of the survey results, we noted a decrease in wound infection rate for some surgeons and a changing pattern in the use of antibiotics . A further study of other risk factors was encouraged. J Dermatol Sci, 1993 Jun, 5(3), 150 - 64 Production of staphylococcal impetigo-like lesion on human skin explants in culture; Abe Y et al.; We produced a highly reproducible experimental impetigo-like lesion in normal human skin explants in culture . The three Staphylococcus aureus strains we used were an isolate from a human impetigo (E strain), an isolate from a human furunculosis (N strain) and ATCC 29213 strain . E strain was a protein A positive, coagulase type V, producer of exfoliative toxin (ET) and beta-toxin . N strain was a coagulase type IV, ET non-producer and alpha-toxin positive . ATCC 29213 was a coagulase type II, ET non-producer, and alpha-, beta-, and delta-toxin positive . Normal human skin samples were obtained from 8 adult skin surgery patients . One specimen was obtained from human oral mucosa . Small pieces of the samples were slightly abraded on the epidermal surface and cultured on lens paper rafts floating in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% air . Fifty microliters of the respective bacterial suspensions were applied to the epidermal surfaces of the explants . The inoculated surfaces were then occluded under sterile plastic plaster . Histologically, the formation of intraepidermal blisters at the granular layer level with acantholytic cells was observed in all 8 of the skin specimens at 10 h after inoculation with E strain . The specimen from an oral mucous membrane did not produce similar changes with any of the three S . aureus strains . Neither N or ATCC strains developed bullae in the epidermis at 6, 10 or 18 h after inoculation . Immunofluorescent examination revealed that the inner surfaces of blisters in the epidermis were lined with anti-ETA antibody . Under the electron microscope, the blisters of the specimens which had been inoculated with strain E contained only a few S . aureus cells . These results suggest that blister formation at the granular layer level with acantholytic cells is mediated by ET action at the granular layer level and occurs without invasion of lymphocytes or neutrophils, or the involvement of any serum components . Therefore, under appropriate conditions, impetigo could develop even in adults. J Physiol, 1993 Jun, 465, 629 - 45 Effects of pH and inorganic phosphate on force production in alpha-toxin-permeabilized isolated rat uterine smooth muscle; Crichton CA et al.; 1 . Strips of longitudinal smooth muscle isolated from rat uterus were permeabilized using crude alpha-toxin from the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus . This treatment rendered the surface membrane permeable to small molecular weight substances . Simultaneous measurements of tension and calcium concentration ({Ca2+}) (using indo-1 fluorescence) were used to investigate the effects of pH and inorganic phosphate concentration ({Pi}) on Ca(2+)-activated force generated by the contractile proteins . 2 . Raising the {Pi} from 1 to 11 mM at a pH of 7.2 depressed both maximal and submaximal Ca(2+)-activated force . This effect of Pi was concentration dependent having the majority of its effect by 6 mM . 3 . Further experiments at a submaximal {Ca2+} showed that Ca(2+)-activated force was enhanced by raising {Pi} from 6 to 11 mM suggesting that Pi increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of tension production . Based on these results, calculations indicate that the apparent affinity constant of Ca2+ for the contractile proteins increased from 4 x 10(6) M-1 to 6 x 10(6) M-1 on raising {Pi} from 1 to 11 mM . 4 . Lowering pH from 7.2 to 6.7 at a {Pi} of 1 mM potentiated Ca(2+)-activated force with a small depression in the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of tension production . This effect of pH on maximum (100 microM Ca2+) and submaximum (0.3 microM Ca2+) Ca(2+)-activated force was observed over a range of acidic pHs (7.0-6.7) . 5 . Increasing pH from 7.2 to 7.7 at a {Pi} of 1 mM depressed Ca(2+)-activated force with no effect on Ca2+ sensitivity of tension production . 6 . Spontaneous contractions in intact rat myometrium are abolished under hypoxic conditions . Under these same conditions intracellular {Pi} rises and pH falls . The results of this study suggest that taken individually neither the effect of a rise in {Pi} nor a fall in pH on Ca(2+)-activated force generated by the contractile proteins can account for the effect of hypoxia on spontaneous contractions. Mikrobiol Z, 1993 Jun-Aug, 55(4), 68 - 74 {The carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among different population groups}; Malanchin IN; The level of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in three biotopes (nose, fauces, hand skin) and categories of carriers among students and teachers of the Medical Institute, medical personnel of surgical department and maternity hospital as well as the workers of combine building plant have been studied . The higher percentage of Staphylococcus aureus carriers was established in the nasal cavity of the maternity hospital personnel (p < 0.001) and on the hand skin of the personnel of surgical stationary (p < 0.05) as compared to the students and teachers . Carriage frequency of Staphylococcus aureus among the workers several times exceeded its level in the control group . The strains of the third phage group predominated among the personnel of surgical department, those of the second and fourth phage, groups, among the maternity hospital workers . Representatives of the second phage group were isolated in the plant workers . High level of carriage among the workers creates preconditions for the development of purulent diseases of the hand and fingers after microtraumas at the plant . All this dictates a necessity to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus in the carriers of all three biotopes. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1993 Jun, 279(2), 214 - 24 Antibiogram typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a comparison with phage typing, biotyping and API Staph; Hamilton-Miller JM et al.; 68 strains of methicillin- and gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been characterized by four different methods . First, by their production of lecithinase, lipase, pigment and sheep haemolysin . Second, by API Staph code . Third, by their sensitivity to 9 antibiotics . Fourth, by phage typing using the International Set and Supplementary phages . The third method was the most discriminatory . The combination of the first three techniques provides a highly effective, cheap and simple system to type MRSA . 80 separate MRSA strains from 26 countries were found to belong to a wide variety of phage types . Most were of group III . The most commonly found types were 85 (6 strains), 84 (4 strains) and 47 (3 strains). Antibiot Khimioter, 1993 Jun, 38(6), 30 - 4 {Antibiotic resistance plasmids in various strains of Staphylococcus aureus}; Gabisoniia TG et al.; Plasmids with the molecular weights of 1.6 to 21.0 MD were detected in Staphylococcus aureus . The plasmids determined resistance to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, arsenate and arsenite . Strain p16 of Staphylococcus aureus contained plasmid pL16 with the molecular weight of 18.0 MD determining resistance to erythromycin, streptomycin, benzylpenicillin and ampicillin . The plasmid has two replication sites and is likely a natural recombinant of two plasmids. Fukushima J Med Sci, 1993 Jun, 39(1), 35 - 42 The properties and mec A gene of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Fukushima Medical College Hospital; Tanabe F et al.; The 106 methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in Fukushima Medical College Hospital were examined for their properties and mecA gene . The strains produced four types of coagulase, of which type II was the most common, produced by 84 (79.2%) . Beta-lactamase was produced by 58 (50%) . Enterotoxins were produced by 45 (42.5%), most of which (39/106, 36.8%) were of type A . Thirty-four strains (32.1%) produced both enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 . All strains were susceptible to vancomycin and arbekacin, although they were mostly resistant to many other antibiotics . Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, the mecA gene was detected in 57 (91.9%) of the 62 strains used . In addition, one of the 42 methicillin-susceptible strains isolated had the mecA gene . These results indicate that detection of the mecA gene by the PCR technique is a rapid and accurate way to identify methicillin resistance. J Hosp Infect, 1993 Jun, 24(2), 139 - 51 Strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Australian hospitals from 1986 to 1990 . Australian Group for Antimicrobial Resistance; Vickery AM; Major teaching hospitals in each state of Australia participated in five annual surveys (1986 to 1990) of clinically significant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus . All isolates of methicillin-resistant S . aureus (MRSA) were phage typed with the Basic International Set and an Australian experimental set of typing phages . One or two predominant strains were isolated in individual states during each of the survey periods . Less than 3% (33 of 1243) of MRSA isolates were not typable and more than 86% (1070 of 1243) belonged to strains that were isolated on at least five occasions during a single survey period . Strains of phage types 83A/85/95/90/88@47T/90A/87M/13M and 85/90/88@47T/90A/87A were the most prevalent, but each was identified in only four of the five surveys . Isolates of phage type (83A/85/95) weak/88@87M persisted throughout the survey period. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1993 Jun, 278(4), 510 - 7 Unrelatedness of multiply resistant Staphylococcus aureus with resistance to methicillin and to quinolones (QR-MRSA) as evident from SmaI-digestion patterns of genomic DNA; Witte W et al.; Methicillin-resistant S . aureus with quinolone-resistance (QR-MRSA) isolated in Germany from three outbreaks of nosocomial infections and from sporadic nosocomial infections in five hospitals exhibited different SmaI-restriction patterns of their genomic DNA . Phage-typing and determination of plasmid profiles performed in parallel confirmed this differentiation, with one exception . These results indicate that there is obviously no overregional spread of one particular QR-MRSA clone and that quinolone resistance has developed independently in different MRSA. Curr Microbiol, 1993 Jun, 26(6), 337 - 44 The membrane binding C-terminus of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus affects its cellular localization and causes structural deformation when expressed in Escherichia coli; Warnes A et al.; Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus is a powerful diagnostic reagent and has several uses in human disease therapy . Expression in non-pathogenic Escherichia coli containing recombinant plasmids coding for this protein has increased its availability, but can reduce the stability of the plasmid-bearing host . By employing immune electron microscopy, we have determined that E . coli containing stable plasmids coding for a truncated version of protein A, without the membrane binding site, secrete this protein through the cytoplasmic membrane and into the periplasmic space, where it accumulates . E . coli containing unstable plasmids, however, which code for the complete protein including the membrane-binding site, target the protein into the cytoplasmic membrane . This accumulation of protein A in the E . coli cytoplasmic membrane inhibits the formation of septa between dividing cells and results in aberrant elongated, multi-chromosomal forms. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1993 Jun, 279(2), 180 - 90 Binding of collagen, fibronectin, lactoferrin, laminin, vitronectin and heparan sulphate to Staphylococcus aureus strain V8 at various growth phases and under nutrient stress conditions; Liang OD et al.; We have examined how Staphylococcus aureus strain V8 cells interact with 125I-labelled extracellular matrix (ECM) and serum proteins (collagen type I and IV), fibronectin, lactoferrin, laminin, vitronectin, and heparan sulphate at various phases of the growth cycle . Maximal binding of these glycoproteins and heparan sulphate to the bacteria occurred after 17 to 20 h in the late stationary phase except for fibronectin-binding, which was maximal after 12 to 14 h . Binding of the glycoproteins and heparan sulphate to S . aureus V8 under nutrient stress conditions exhibited complex patterns based on different starving conditions and various binding ligands . In general, bacteria starved in distilled water and 0.02 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) at room temperature showed high susceptibility to all binding ligands within the first 18 h, followed by entering a lower binding period (except for collagen-binding which still remained high) . The binding was not correlated to cell surface charge or hydrophobicity of the bacteria . Furthermore, extracellular and cell-associated proteolytic activity of starved cells against ECM and serum proteins was found to be greater than for non-starved cells . Thus, S . aureus could sustain its ability to bind various connective tissue and cell surface components during a long period of time even in the absence of energy-yielding substrates. Presse Med, 1993 May 29, 22(19), 909 - 13 {Severe infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . 62 cases}; May T et al.; A French multicentre study was conducted in 15 Infectious Diseases departments; 347 cases of severe staphylococcal infections were collected during one year (October 1989 to October 1990): Two-hundred and fifty-eight strains were analysed with complementary bacteriological studies, including 62 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects were investigated . Nosocomial infection was responsible for 90 percent of the cases, and previous antibiotic therapy was reported in 74 percent . An invasive procedure was incriminated in 43 patients (69 percent); intravenous catheter (38 percent), mechanical ventilation (31 percent), surgery (22 percent), prosthetic device (20 percent) . Thirty-nine patients were treated with glycopeptides either alone or in combination with beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, fucidic acid, fosfomycin, rifampicin, quinolones or synergistines, showing the great diversity in the choice of antibiotics in methicillin-resistant S . aureus infections . More than 90 percent of these strains were resistant to gentamicin and quinolones, 80 percent of clindamycin and 70 percent to rifampicin . No resistance to glycopeptides (vancomycin or teicoplanin) was observed . Prognosis was severe, with a mortality rate of 35 percent, justifying educational and prophylactic measures in at risk medical departments. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1993 May 28, 193(1), 6 - 12 Ins(1,4,5)P3 and glutathione increase the passive Ca2+ leak in permeabilized A7r5 cells; Missiaen L et al.; Thapsigargin depletes intracellular Ca2+ stores by its inhibitory effect on the Ca2+ pumps, which unmasks an aspecific Ca2+ leak from the stores . This aspecific Ca2+ permeability of the stores was further investigated using 45Ca2+ fluxes on intact and permeabilized A7r5 smooth-muscle cells . Stores in intact cells were found to be more leaky for Ca2+ than those in saponin-permeabilized or Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin-permeabilized cells, which suggests that a cytosolic factor may be involved . Supplementing the medium bathing the permeabilized cells with a submaximal Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentration increased the leakiness of the stores . Glutathione also increased the aspecific Ca2+ leak . This effect occurred with both the reduced and the oxidized form but reduced glutathione was more effective . Our data show that basal Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels and glutathione can contribute to the relatively high Ca2+ leak in intact cells . The washing out of these substances during permeabilization can reduce the aspecific leakiness of the stores. J Biol Chem, 1993 May 25, 268(15), 11247 - 55 Phosphorylation weakens DNA binding by peptides containing multiple "SPKK" sequences; Green GR et al.; Sea urchin testis-specific H1 and H2B histones (Sp H1 and Sp H2B) are characterized by reversibly phosphorylated N-terminal regions consisting largely of multiple clustered "SPKK" tetrapeptides (serine-proline adjacent to two basic amino acids) . This report presents data showing differences in DNA affinities between peptides containing dephosphorylated and phosphorylated N-terminal regions . Sp H1 and its phosphorylated derivative (pSp H1) were purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography . Peptides containing the N-terminal regions of Sp H1 and pSp H1 (NP and pNP, respectively) were produced by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus protease . NP and two forms of pNP differing in phosphate content were purified by DNA-cellulose chromatography . The DNA affinities of the peptides were compared using several criteria . NP was bound more tightly by DNA-cellulose than pNPs . NP precipitated DNA under a broad range of NaCl concentrations; pNPs did not . Both NP and pNPs protected DNA against thermal denaturation, but NP created a more stable DNA-peptide complex . Thirty to sixty times more pNP than NP was required to obtain equivalent inhibition of Hoechst 33258 binding to DNA . NP did not behave as a competitive inhibitor of DNA binding by Hoechst 33258 binding to DNA . We conclude that during spermatogenesis, dephosphorylation of the Sp H1 N-terminal region increases its basicity and thus its affinity for DNA. Med J Aust, 1993 May 17, 158(10), 671 - 4 Bacteraemia and fungaemia in an Australian general hospital--associations and outcomes; McGregor AR et al.; OBJECTIVE: To obtain a comprehensive overview of bacteraemia and fungaemia in a general hospital and thus to determine the incidence, primary sites of sepsis, organisms involved and associated mortality . DESIGN: A prospective laboratory and clinical evaluation of all episodes where microorganisms were cultured from blood over one year . SETTING: The two major hospitals in the Australian Capital Territory which have both community and referral functions . These hospitals provide obstetric and paediatric services along with adult medicine and surgery . PATIENTS: All those who acquired bacteraemia in hospital or presented with a blood-stream infection documented by a positive blood culture . RESULTS: During 1990, 474 clinical episodes of bacteraemia or fungaemia were detected in 446 patients . Significant isolates were identified in 317 of these episodes . The incidence of significant sepsis was 8.1 episodes per 1000 admissions . The most common organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (75 episodes) and Escherichia coli (70 episodes) . One hundred and twenty-eight episodes were hospital acquired . Intravenous catheters were the primary sites of sepsis in 68 episodes . Fifty patients died . Higher mortality rates were associated with patients over 60 years of age, respiratory tract sepsis, endocarditis and the presence of an underlying malignancy . CONCLUSION: Bacteraemia and fungaemia are common problems . Nosocomial bacteraemia accounted for 40% of episodes . Half of these nosocomial infections were iatrogenic . Many of the episodes of intravenous catheter sepsis were potentially preventable . Ongoing programs of surveillance of bacteraemia, with the evaluation of primary site, associated features and mortality, are essential to monitor the dimensions of this problem and aid in implementing effective preventive strategies. J Immunol, 1993 May 15, 150(10), 4261 - 9 Differential expression of IL-4 receptors in human T and B lymphocytes; Mozo L et al.; IL-4R have been described in unstimulated human T and B lymphocytes . However, a precise comparative study on the expression and regulation of IL-4R in isolated human T and B cell populations has not yet been fully assessed . We examined the mRNA levels and the cell membrane expression of IL-4R in freshly isolated T and B lymphocytes as well as in in vivo- and in vitro-stimulated cells . IL-4R protein expression and transcript levels were higher in tonsillar unstimulated B cells than in T cells . Splenic and peripheral blood B lymphocytes also expressed higher surface IL-4R in their membranes than T cells did . Large B lymphocytes from tonsils (in vivo-activated cells) obtained by Percoll gradient centrifugation displayed higher IL-4R levels than resting cells . On activation in vitro of T lymphocytes with IL-2 or PHA, slight increments on the IL-4R mRNA and protein levels were achieved . However, maximal levels of IL-4R expression were obtained on T cell incubation with IL-4 at a concentration of 100 U/ml . Similarly, the same concentration of this lymphokine up-regulated the surface IL-4R molecules and the IL-4R mRNA levels in purified B lymphocytes . Cross-linkage of surface Ig by insolubilized anti-IgM potentiated the effect of IL-4 in up-regulating IL-4R expression in B cells, probably by inducing outgrowth of IL-4R positive subpopulations . The B cell mitogen, Staphylococcus Aureus Cowan I, although inducing cell proliferation, was ineffective in promoting new receptor synthesis . Cell proliferation was not required for IL-4-dependent IL-4R up-regulation on both T and B lymphocytes. Am J Cardiol, 1993 May 15, 71(13), 1186 - 97 Clinicopathologic features of active infective endocarditis isolated to the native mitral valve; Fernicola DJ et al.; Although a number of clinicopathologic studies in patients with active infective endocarditis (IE) have been reported, none have focused on patients studied at necropsy with active IE isolated to the mitral valve . We studied at necropsy 63 patients (aged 12 to 88 years {mean 50}, 44 males {70%}) with active IE limited to the native mitral valve: 21 (33%) had preexisting mitral valve disease (rheumatic in 8, prolapse in 3, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1, and mitral annular calcium in 9), and the other 42 patients (67%) had previously normal mitral valves . Of the latter 42 patients, 22 (52%) had recognized predisposing factors to IE: opiate addiction in 14, habitual alcoholism in 6 and/or chronic hemodialysis in 4 . Staphylococcus aureus or epidermidis was the responsible organism in 32 patients (51%), and the active IE was associated with an infection elsewhere in the body in 31 patients (50%) . The active IE caused rupture of mitral chordae tendineae in 11 patients (18%), perforation of the anterior mitral leaflet in 7 patients (11%), and mitral ring abscess in 10 patients (16%) . Grossly visible systemic emboli were found in 44 patients (70%) and 33 (52%) had infarcts in 1 or more body organs . Thus, active IE isolated to the mitral valve in necropsied patients appears to be more common in males than females (2 to 1); the infection more commonly than not involves a preexisting anatomically normal valve rather than a preexisting abnormal one (2 to 1); the vegetations often do not cause or worsen valvular dysfunction; a predisposing factor is commonly present (2 of 3 patients), and the IE commonly is part of a generalized or systemic infection (1 of 2 patients). FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1993 May 15, 109(2-3), 303 - 9 A murine IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to outer surface protein A of Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi; Abolhassani M et al.; A murine monoclonal antibody, designated MA-2G9, directed against outer surface protein A (OspA) of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, has been produced . Antibody MA-2G9, IgG1 subclass, was purified by affinity chromatography on protein G Sepharose column and used for purification of OspA antigen from Borrelia burgdorferi cell lysate . Epitope specificity was studied by Western immunoblotting, using several strains of B . burgdorferi and non-Lyme disease bacteria such as Treponema pallidum and B . hermsii . The MA-2G9 monoclonal antibody reacted specifically with recombinant OspA as well as with native OspA in sonicated B . burgdorferi strains . No reaction was observed with T . pallidum, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and B . hermsii lysates . The MA-2G9 antibody also recognized the denatured form of OspA indicating that it is directed against sequential epitope and not conformational epitope. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1993 May 15, 109(2-3), 279 - 82 Transformation and expression of a staphylococcal plasmid in Escherichia coli; Saha D et al.; A multiple antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, was found to possess three plasmid bands in agarose gel electrophoresis . A plasmid of approximately 4.3 kb (pMC790/2) was found to code for ampicillin and tetracycline resistance and to have one EcoRI site when transformed into S . aureus RN 4220 . pMC790/2 in unmodified form was transformed into a recA- E . coli at a frequency of 1.2 x 10(4) transformants/micrograms of plasmid DNA . Plasmid (pMC790/2) replicated, maintained itself stably and expressed far better in the E . coli host than in S . aureus. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1993 May, 59(5), 1515 - 9 Repair and enterotoxin synthesis by Staphylococcus aureus after thermal shock; Hernandez FJ et al.; To study repair and enterotoxin synthesis, four staphylococcal strains (FRI-100, FRI-137, FRI-472, and S6) were subjected to sublethal heat treatment, transferred to four liquid repair media (1% powdered skim milk in distilled water, complex medium, M9 minimal salt medium, and saline solution), and then incubated at different temperatures . Powdered skim milk proved to be the most efficient medium for promoting the repair of injured cells, particularly at 37 degrees C . Minimal salt medium also gave good results . Salt tolerance also increased at 4 degrees C, although it did not reach normal values . After 6 h of incubation at 37 degrees C in powdered skim milk, strain FRI-100 synthesized detectable amounts of enterotoxin A . After 10 h of incubation in the same medium at the same temperature, enterotoxins were detected in all of the strains. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1993 May, 37(5), 1144 - 9 blaI and blaR1 regulate beta-lactamase and PBP 2a production in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Hackbarth CJ et al.; For Staphylococcus aureus, it is hypothesized that two genes located upstream of the beta-lactamase gene, blaZ, are required for the inducible expression of beta-lactamase . blaR1 is predicted to encode a signal-transducing membrane protein, and blaI is predicted to encode a repressor protein . These same two genes may also regulate the production of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP 2a), a protein essential for expression of methicillin resistance . To confirm that these two genes encode products that can control both beta-lactamase and PBP 2a production, blaI, blaR1, and blaZ with a 150-nucleotide deletion at the 3' end were subcloned from a 30-kb staphylococcal beta-lactamase plasmid and three beta-lactamase-negative strains of methicillin-resistant S . aureus were transformed with the recombinant plasmid containing that insert . The production of PBP 2a and a nonfunctional beta-lactamase was detected by fluorography and by immunoblots with polyclonal antisera directed against each of the proteins . Whereas the parent strains did not produce beta-lactamase and constitutively produced PBP 2a, PBP 2a and a truncated beta-lactamase were now inducible in the transformants . Therefore, two plasmid-derived genes regulate the production of both PBP 2a and beta-lactamase. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1993 May, 46(5), 850 - 7 Cephalosporins having a heterocyclic catechol in the C3 side chain . II . Improvement of pharmacokinetic profile; Iimura S et al.; 7-{(Z)-2-(2-Aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxy-(or hydroxy)-iminoacetamido}-3- {propen-1-yl}-cephalosporins having a variety of heterocyclic catechol in 3-position of the propenyl group were synthesized . Among them, 6,7-dihydroxyisoquinoline derivatives, 2a and 2b, showed very high and prolonged blood levels after intramuscular administration to mice and higher in vivo antibacterial activity than expected from their in vitro activity . The former cephalosporin (2a) gave well-balanced in vitro and in vivo antibacterial spectra including anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity . The latter cephalosporin (2b) also showed good in vitro and in vivo activities against Gram-positive bacteria, especially against S . aureus A15036, a strain of MRSA, the in vivo activity being comparable to vancomycin but was lacking in anti-pseudomonal activity. Eur J Vasc Surg, 1993 May, 7(3), 277 - 82 Bacterial adherence to synthetic vascular prostheses and influence of human plasma . An in vitro study; Zdanowski Z et al.; The in vitro adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli to five commercially available prosthetic vascular graft materials was compared . The influence of precoating the segments with human plasma for 2 h was also studied . S35-methionine was used to radiolabel bacteria . The segments were exposed to bacterial suspensions of approximately 10(7) CFU/ml at 37 degrees C for 0.5-18h . Following repeated washing in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), radioactivity associated with the segments was measured . The adherence of the three clinically relevant bacterial species was higher to untreated Dacron than to gelatin or collagen impregnated/coated Dacron or to PTFE . Furthermore, precoating of grafts with human plasma reduced bacterial adherence to woven Dacron, had a little effect on gelatin coated Dacron, but increased the adherence to collagen treated Dacron and, in particular, to PTFE. Biotechniques, 1993 May, 14(5), 800 - 9 A baculovirus-expressed fusion protein containing the antibody-binding domain of protein A and insect luciferase; Oker-Blom C et al.; A fusion construct encoding two antibody-binding sites of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus and click beetle, Pyrophorus plagiophthalamus, luciferase (LucGR) was designed and expressed using the baculovirus system . The construct was inserted under the transcriptional regulation of the polyhedrin gene promoter of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) and expressed in the insect Spodoperta frugiperda cell line during viral infection . The properties of the resultant chimeric protein product, protA-LucGR, were studied both in vivo and in vitro by using i) luminometry, ii) immunoblot analysis, iii) immunoprecipitation, iv) metabolic labeling procedures and v) luminescent immunoassays . Together, the results clearly demonstrate that the light-emitting properties of the fused luciferase construct remain intact . Further, the antibody-binding domain of protein A retains its activity as it binds to both rabbit and goat as well as human immunoglobulins . Due to the dual biological function of this fusion protein, it should provide a potential reagent within the field of molecular biology and diagnostics. J Infect, 1993 May, 26(3), 265 - 77 Interactions of drugs acting against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in a mouse model; Renneberg J et al.; Two combinations of antibiotics, clindamycin with rifampicin and cloxacillin with netilmicin, were investigated for their activity against two strains of Staphylococcus aureus (a sensitive reference strain and a methicillin-resistant clinical isolate) by means of the in vitro checkerboard technique and an in vivo infected mouse model . The mouse model allowed drug interactions to be evaluated both from the changes in the number of bacteria surviving treatment and from the measured exposure to antibiotics at the site of infection . Specimens from the latter were evaluated twice (day 0 and day 2) in each experiment . The combination of cloxacillin and netilmicin exhibited a synergistic effect against the reference strain both in vitro and in vivo, whereas synergism was obtained under in vitro conditions only against the methicillin-resistant strain . The clindamycin and rifampicin combination acted synergistically or indifferently against both strains in vitro and at day 0 of the in vivo experiments . In contrast, on day 2 of infection, this combination had significantly greater bactericidal effect (synergism) compared to the combination of cloxacillin and netilmicin . These results illustrate the difficulties of interpreting in vitro results for clinical use. J Dairy Sci, 1993 May, 76(5), 1290 - 7 Effect of a Staphylococcus aureus bacterin on serum antibody, new infection, and mammary histology in nonlactating dairy cows; Nickerson SC et al.; The influence of a Staphylococcus aureus mastitis vaccine on immunologic status and rate of new IMI was evaluated . At drying off, cows were vaccinated, either intramuscularly or subcutaneously in the area of the supramammary lymph node, or were left as unvaccinated controls; vaccinates received booster injections at 6 wk . Serum antibody concentrations, bacteriologic status, and SCC of quarter milk samples were determined . Four weeks after revaccination, cows were challenged by intramammary infusion of S . aureus and then killed 24 to 72 h later . Mean serum antistaphylococcal antibody titer of vaccinated cows during the trial was 4.7-fold that of controls . Challenge resulted in IMI rates of 92, 36, and 60% for control cows, cows vaccinated intramuscularly, and cows vaccinated in the area of the supramammary lymph node . Vaccination by either route had no influence on mammary parenchymal tissue components compared with controls; however, leukocyte infiltration was greater in quarters from cows vaccinated in the area of the supramammary lymph node than in quarters from unvaccinated controls . Plasma cell populations producing IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM were greatest in quarters of cows vaccinated in the area of the supramammary lymph node followed by those in quarters of cows vaccinated intramuscularly and control cows. J Dairy Sci, 1993 May, 76(5), 1285 - 9 Opsonization of Staphylococcus aureus by bovine immunoglobulin isotypes; Guidry AJ et al.; The ability of specific bovine Ig isotypes to enhance phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by polymorphonuclear neutrophils was studied . Polymorphonuclear neutrophils were isolated from the blood of 14 lactating Holstein cows . Antibodies against S . aureus M10 were produced by two Holstein cows immunized via intramuscular injections and injections in the area of the supramammary lymph node with M10 emulsified in dextran sulfate . The IgG1, IgG2, and IgM were prepared from immune sera . Fluorescein-labeled, formalin-killed S . aureus M10 were opsonized with the respective isotypes prior to incubation with polymorphonuclear neutrophils . Percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophils phagocytosing averaged 37.4, 1.1, 15.9, and 9.4% for immune sera, IgG1, IgG2, and IgM, using a M10: polymorphonuclear neutrophils ratio of 10:1; and 77.1, 1.8, 32.1, and 57.9 using a 40:1 ratio . When IgG1 was incubated with either IgG2 or IgM, phagocytosis was reduced to 10.0 and 5.0%, respectively, using the 10:1 ratio and 24.2 and 44.7%, respectively, using the 40:1 ratio . Significant variation occurred among cows in the ability of polymorphonuclear neutrophils to undergo phagocytosis independent of isotype and S . aureus M10: polymorphonuclear neutrophil ratio . These data show that IgG2 and IgM are opsonic for bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils and that IgG1 inhibits the activity of both . These results will be helpful to determine immunization protocols to solicit synthesis of bovine IgM and IgG2 specific for S . aureus. Rheum Dis Clin North Am, 1993 May, 19(2), 311 - 31 Nongonococcal bacterial arthritis; Mikhail IS et al.; The most salient features of nongonococcal bacterial arthritis are reviewed . Factors such as life expectancy, prosthetic joints, arthroscopies, the spread of the AIDS epidemic, and of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as modifiers of the course of these arthritides are discussed. J Clin Microbiol, 1993 May, 31(5), 1275 - 9 Accuracy of reporting of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a provincial quality control program: a 9-year study; Mackenzie AM et al.; We report the results of a province-wide quality control program in which five methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains were circulated to all Ontario laboratories (hospital, private, and public health laboratories) on nine occasions between 1980 and 1989 . The level of expression of methicillin resistance in each of the isolates was determined by performing viable colony counts on serial dilutions of methicillin in agar, and each isolate was assigned to an expression class according to previous published criteria (A . Tomasz, S . Nachman, and H . Leaf, Antimicrob . Agents Chemother . 35:124-129, 1991) . Over this time there was an improvement in the performance of laboratories in the recognition of three strains that were relatively easy to detect (strains B, C, and E) . These strains were of expression class II, and 98% of laboratories reported correct identifications in 1986 . Performance in identifying two strains (strains A and D) of expression class I remained poor . Strain A was circulated in two surveys in 1987 and 1989, and laboratories were sent a questionnaire requesting details of the methods used in those two surveys . The methods used by the laboratories were classified into three categories: disk diffusion, single-plate screening by agar incorporation, and automated methods, which included premanufactured MIC panels . Between the 1987 and 1989 surveys, there was no change in the performance of the disk diffusion test (60% correct on both occasions), but there was improvement in the sensitivity of the agar incorporation test (36% correct in 1987 and 84% correct in 1989) and in automated methods (43% correct in 1987 and 79% correct in 1989) . Over a decade, there was overall improvement in the performance of laboratories in detecting easy-to-detect strains, but there were difficulties in detecting organisms of low expression class, and an organism of very low expression class should be designated as a control organism for routine testing of methicillin-resistant s . aureus isolates. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1993 May, 14(5), 260 - 4 Oxacillin- and quinolone-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Sao Paulo, Brazil: a multicenter molecular epidemiology study; Sader HS et al.; OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of interhospital spread of multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus in Sao Paulo, Brazil . DESIGN: We evaluated 13 nosocomial S aureus strains selected because of resistance to oxacillin and ciprofloxacin . SETTING: The strains were collected between March 1991 and September 1991 from four different hospitals in Sao Paulo . Two were teaching hospitals, and two were private hospitals . PATIENTS: Each strain was isolated from a different patient . All patients were hospitalized when the strains were isolated . INTERVENTIONS: The strains were typed by restriction endonuclease analyses of plasmid DNA (REAP) using EcoRI, HindIII, RsaI, and AluI and by extended antibiogram profile (34 drugs) . RESULTS: All strains had identical plasmid and antibiogram profile . They demonstrated the same plasmid pattern as previously described in one of the hospitals studied . CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the dissemination of a unique oxacillin- and quinolone-resistant strain of S aureus in several hospitals of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1993 May-Jun, 16(4), 343 - 9 Synergy assessed by checkerboard . A critical analysis; Hsieh MH et al.; The checkerboard dilution test is widely used for evaluation of in vitro synergy for multiple drugs, although problems in performance, standardization, and interpretation have been noted . A major problem inherent in this commonly used method is the use of twofold dilutions for the antibiotic concentrations . We evaluated an alternative method proposed by Horrevorts and colleagues that preserved the twofold dilution scheme . Giant checkerboards were constructed from a series of component checkerboards using rifampin and minocycline against Staphylococcus aureus . We found that this method improved the stability of the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices, but required substantially more labor and generated other problems . FIC interpretation and calculation remained compromised by the twofold dilution scheme . We have analyzed the theoretical basis of the checkerboard and its FIC calculation and conclude that the twofold dilution with its exponential increase in dilutions makes this method of synergy evaluation inherently unstable . The principle of examining growth at multiple dilutions of combined antibiotics is valid for assessment of synergy, but newer methods need to be devised. Cell Immunol, 1993 May, 148(2), 291 - 300 The effects of retinoic acid on in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis by cord blood and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Wang W et al.; Retinoic acid (RA) has attracted considerable attention as an agent with a broad range of physiologic and metabolic effects . The importance of RA in the susceptibility of vitamin A-deficient animals and humans to infection is well known . Initial studies from our laboratory showed that RA augmented the IgM response of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) at concentrations ranging from 10(-5) to 10(-8) M, but not adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), to formalinized Cowan I strain Staphylococcus aureus (SAC), a T-cell-dependent polyclonal B-cell activator . In the present study, we demonstrate that RA augments the SAC-stimulated IgG synthesis of adult PBMC at very low concentrations (10(-11) to 10(-13) M) indicating that adult PBMC is 10(4) to 10(6) times more responsive to the augmenting effects of RA than CBMC . To evaluate the differences in dose-response characteristics between CBMC and adult PBMC, co-mixture experiments between T- and B-cells of CBMC and adult PBMC were performed . The dose-response characteristics of the augmenting effects of RA for a particular Ig isotype were related to the responding B-cell population . The results of an ELISA spot assay showed that the RA-induced enhancement in Ig synthesis was due to the "recruitment" of more B-cells to differentiate into Ig-secreting cells . When RA was added to CBMC stimulated by EBV, a T-cell-independent polyclonal activator, or to EBV-transformed B-cell clones, a small (twofold) augmentation in IgM synthesis was seen which suggested that RA may also have some direct effect on B-cells . However, if cord blood T-cells were preincubated with RA for 36 hr, washed, and added to cord blood B-cells with SAC, a 2.5- to 9-fold augmentation in IgM was obtained . These studies suggest that the principal mechanism(s) by which RA augments the Ig synthesis of SAC-stimulated cultures is mediated by the T-cell, or T-cell products, e.g., cytokines, which induces an increased proportion of B-cells to differentiate into Ig-secreting cells . RA may also have an effect, although minor, directly on B-cells . The differences in the dose-response characteristics between CBMC and adult PBMC appears to reside within the intrinsic capabilities of an Ig-producing B-cell subpopulation. EMBO J, 1993 May, 12(5), 1887 - 95 Bacterial internalization mediated by beta 1 chain integrins is determined by ligand affinity and receptor density; Tran Van Nhieu G et al.; Binding of bacteria to beta 1 chain integrin receptors results in either bacterial adherence or uptake by cultured cells (Isberg, 1991) . In this report we show that Staphylococcus aureus coated with high affinity ligands for the beta 1 chain integrin family can be internalized efficiently, whereas bacteria coated with low affinity ligands are poorly internalized . Overproduction of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin increased the efficiency of bacterial internalization, indicating that the uptake efficiency is directly related to the level of expression of the receptor . By using latex beads or S . aureus coated with mAbs directed against the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin, a roughly semi-logarithmic correlation was observed between the affinity of the receptor-ligand interaction and the rate of bacterial internalization . Evidence is presented that high affinity binding of the bacterium allows the microorganism to compete efficiently with receptor-ligand interactions at the basolateral surface of the cell. J Intern Med, 1993 May, 233(5), 419 - 21 Pyomyositis in a patient with myeloma responding to antibiotics alone; Hoyle C et al.; Pyomyositis is a rare purulent infection of skeletal muscle with striking clinical features . It usually occurs in patients living in the tropics but is increasingly being reported in immunosuppressed patients . The traditional approach to management has been surgical with drainage and debridement of the multiple muscle abscesses . We report a patient with myeloma who developed multiple muscle and lung abscesses associated with a Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia . The case was successfully managed with intravenous antibiotics alone with no recurrence of the abscesses during a later episode of neutropenia . The advantages of avoiding surgical intervention in immunosuppressed and thrombocytopenic patients are obvious. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1993 May 1, 90(9), 4271 - 5 Three-dimensional structure of a human immunoglobulin with a hinge deletion; Guddat LW et al.; X-ray analysis at 3.2-A resolution revealed that the Mcg IgG1 (lambda chain) immunoglobulin is a compact T-shaped molecule . Because of the hinge deletion, the Fc fragment lobe is pulled tightly upward into the junction of the Fab arms . Along the molecular twofold axis, the Fab arms are joined by an interchain disulfide bond between the two light chains . The antigen combining sites consist of large irregular cavities at the tips of the Fab regions . Potential complement (C1q) binding sites on Fc are sterically shielded by the Fab arms, but putative attachment sites are accessible for docking with the FcRI receptor on human monocytes and with protein A of Staphylococcus aureus. J Exp Med, 1993 May 1, 177(5), 1239 - 46 Glucocorticoid-mediated control of the activation and clonal deletion of peripheral T cells in vivo; Gonzalo JA et al.; Poly- and oligoclonal T cell stimuli like anti-CD3 epsilon monoclonal antibody or Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB), injected at doses that per se are not lethal, provoke acute death within less than 24 h, provided that endogenous glucocorticoids (GC) are depleted by adrenalectomy or by injection of saturating amounts of the GC receptor antagonist RU-38486 (mifepristone) . Pharmacological doses of the GC agonist dexamethasone (DEX) alter the in vivo response of splenic V beta 8+ T cells to SEB, thus impeding the expansion of such cells and causing their rapid (3 d) clonal deletion . In contrast, coadministration of RU-38486 counteracts a SEB-induced early (12 h) reduction of V beta 8+CD4+ and V beta 8+CD8+ spleen cells . In vivo T cell stimulation by injection of bacterial superantigen induces a rapid (peak at 90-120 min) increase in corticosterone serum levels, suggesting that endogenous GC might control early T cell activation . Accordingly, kinetic studies revealed that RU-38486 has to be administered within 2 h after superantigen administration to exert its lethal effect . Similarly, exogenous GC must be injected during this critical phase (2 h) to rescue animals from acute death induced by coinjection of SEB and D-galactosamine (GalN) . Adrenalectomy, injection of RU-38486 and priming with GalN per se provoke the programmed death of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells . Thus, three manipulations that sensitize mice for the lethal effect of T cell stimulation also exert a proapoptotic effect on peripheral T cells . In synthesis, endogenous and exogenous GC regulate T cell responses and determine the propensity of peripheral T cells to undergo apoptosis. J Lab Clin Med, 1993 May, 121(5), 675 - 82 Staphylococcus aureus binding to cardiac endothelial cells is partly mediated by a 130 kilodalton glycoprotein; Johnson CM; Binding of Staphylococcus aureus to vascular endothelial cells may be an initiating event in the pathogenesis of endovascular infection, particularly infective endocarditis . In this study a competition assay between labeled and unlabeled bacteria was used to identify potential S . aureus-binding determinants on the surface of cultured porcine aortic valve endothelial cells . Concanavalin A inhibited 30% to 40% of the specific binding of S . aureus to membrane-associated components . Concanavalin A affinity chromatography of radiolabeled cell-surface proteins, followed by isolation of S . aureus-binding proteins, identified a 130,000-molecular-weight cell surface protein that may function as an endothelial cell S . aureus receptor . These data suggest that specific binding of S . aureus to cardiac valve endothelial cells is mediated in part by a 130 kd mannose-containing glycoprotein. J Bacteriol, 1993 May, 175(9), 2779 - 82 Altered muropeptide composition in Staphylococcus aureus strains with an inactivated femA locus; de Jonge BL et al.; Tn551 inactivation of femA, a factor involved in methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, caused the production of peptidoglycan in which the fraction of monoglycyl- and serine-containing muropeptides was increased at the expense of pentaglycyl muropeptides . femA mutants have a specific block in the biosynthesis of pentaglycine cross bridges after the addition of the first glycine residue. Infect Immun, 1993 May, 61(5), 2059 - 68 Staphylococcal enterotoxin type A internal deletion mutants: serological activity and induction of T-cell proliferation; Harris TO et al.; Previous findings indicate that the N-terminal region of staphylococcal enterotoxin type A (SEA) is required for its ability to induce T-cell proliferation . To better localize internal peptides of SEA that are important for induction of murine T-cell proliferation, SEA mutants that had internal deletions in their N-terminal third were constructed . A series of unique restriction enzyme sites were first engineered into sea; only one of these changes resulted in an amino acid substitution (the aspartic acid residue at position 60 of mature SEA was changed to a glycine {D60G}) . Because the D60G substitution had no discernible effect on serological or biological activity, the sea allele encoding this mutant SEA was used to construct a panel of mutant SEAs lacking residues 3 to 17, 19 to 23, 24 to 28, 29 to 49, 50 to 55, 56 to 59, 61 to 73, 68 to 74, or 74 to 85 . Recombinant plasmids with the desired mutations were constructed in Escherichia coli and transferred to Staphylococcus aureus . Staphylococcal culture supernatants containing the mutant SEAs were examined . Western immunoblot analysis with polyclonal anti-SEA antiserum revealed that each of the recombinant S . aureus strains produced a mutant SEA of the predicted size . All the mutant SEAs exhibited increased sensitivity to monkey stomach lavage fluid in vitro, which is consistent with these mutants having conformations unlike that of wild-type SEA or the SEA D60G mutant . In general, deletion of internal peptides had a deleterious effect on the ability to induce T-cell proliferation; only SEA mutants lacking either residues 3 to 17 or 56 to 59 consistently produced a statistically significant increase in the incorporation of {3H}thymidine . In the course of this work, two monoclonal antibodies that had different requirements for binding to SEA in Western blots were identified . The epitope for one monoclonal antibody was contained within residues 108 to 230 of mature SEA . Binding of the other monoclonal antibody to SEA appeared to be dependent on the conformation of SEA. Infect Immun, 1993 May, 61(5), 1700 - 6 Induction of macrophage-mediated production of tumor necrosis factor alpha by an L-form derived from Staphylococcus aureus; Kuwano K et al.; We investigated the capability of an L-form derived from Staphylococcus aureus to induce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production in murine peritoneal macrophages . The activity for TNF-alpha induction was found in the membrane fraction of the L-form but not in the cytoplasmal fraction purified by the sucrose step gradient centrifugation . TNF-alpha mRNA was also detected in macrophages stimulated with L-form membranes . L-form induced TNF-alpha production in macrophages from both lipopolysaccharide-responsive and -unresponsive mouse strains . Regardless of the presence of polymyxin B, the activity of TNF-alpha induction of L-form was mostly found in the phenol layer, but not in the aqueous layer, both of which were prepared by phenol extraction method . Fractions of L-form membranes representing molecular masses of approximately between 29 and 36 kDa were primarily responsible for inducing the production of TNF-alpha consistently . Moreover, this stimulatory effect was abolished by digestion with Streptomyces griseus protease . In Western blot (immunoblot) analysis with anti-lipoteichoic acid antibody, two bands (65 and 45 kDa) were observed in the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the phenol layer, whereas one band (14 kDa) was observed in either the aqueous layer or lipoteichoic acid of S . aureus . These results suggest that the component in the membrane of the L-form, distinct from cell wall components such as teichoic acid or lipopolysaccharide, possesses the capability to stimulate TNF-alpha production by macrophages. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1993 May, 37(5), 950 - 6 Oxidant-scavenging activities of ampicillin and sulbactam and their effects on neutrophil functions; Gunther MR et al.; Luminol-enhanced luminescence is a method used to measure formation of reactive oxygen intermediates important in the ability of neutrophils to kill microbes . Several studies have demonstrated that under some conditions of incubation, ampicillin can inhibit neutrophil-derived luminol-enhanced luminescence . We evaluated the mechanism(s) by which ampicillin inhibited the luminescent response of stimulated neutrophils . We also investigated sulbactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor which has been given in combination with ampicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics to increase their spectra, for possible similar effects . Both ampicillin and sulbactam attenuated luminol-enhanced luminescence by approximately 40% . Superoxide production was not prevented by added ampicillin, nor was superoxide scavenged by it . Myeloperoxidase reacts with H2O2 and Cl- to generate OCl-, which is believed to be the oxidizer of luminol that is primarily responsible for enhancement of neutrophil-derived luminescence . Hydroxyl radicals (HO.), which may also oxidize luminol, resulting in luminescence, can be formed from O2- and H2O2 via either myeloperoxidase-dependent (involving intermediate OCl-) or myeloperoxidase-independent (through a metal ion catalyst) reactions . Ampicillin scavenged H2O2 and OCl- and prevented 95% of Fenton reaction-generated HO . from reacting with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide . Sulbactam was found to scavenge OCl- and HO., but less avidly than ampicillin did . Neither ampicillin nor sulbactam inhibited myeloperoxidase activity . Sublethal concentrations of sulbactam had no significant effect on neutrophil killing of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Our results demonstrate a mechanism(s) by which ampicillin inhibits luminol-enhanced luminescence from stimulated neutrophils, namely, through scavenging of the oxidant(s) primarily responsible for the generation of luminescence. J Clin Invest, 1993 May, 91(5), 1926 - 33 Plasma triglycerides determine low density lipoprotein composition, physical properties, and cell-specific binding in cultured cells; McKeone BJ et al.; The relationship between the plasma triglycerides and the LDL triglycerides of 30 normal and 48 hypertriglyceridemic subjects has been quantified; the data fit a simple adsorption isotherm, LDL triglyceride/(LDL triglyceride+LDL cholesterol ester) = 0.65 plasma triglyceride/(464 + plasma triglyceride) . In vitro transfer of triglyceride from concentrated VLDL to VLDL-depleted plasma produced triglyceride-rich LDL that had similar properties . LDL uptake by HepG2 cells increased with LDL triglyceride content whereas the reverse was found with skin fibroblasts . At 37 degrees C, the cores of both normal and hypertriglyceridemic LDL were isotropic liquids . Circular dichroic spectra revealed no difference in the secondary structure of normal and triglyceride-rich LDL . The affinity of monoclonal antibody MB47, which binds to the receptor ligand of apo B-100 was independent of LDL triglyceride content . MB3, which binds near residue 1022 of apo B-100, showed a triglyceride-dependent decrease in affinity for LDL from hypertriglyceridemic subjects and from in vitro incubations . LDL with an elevated triglyceride content formed in vitro had reduced proteolytic cleavage of apo B-100 by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . From these data, we infer that (a) LDL triglyceride is a predictable function of plasma triglyceride, (b) triglyceride induces subtle changes in apo B-100 structure at a site that is remote from the putative receptor binding ligand, and (c) the triglyceride-dependent receptor-binding determinants of apo B-100 are recognized differently by fibroblasts and HepG2 cells. Mikrobiol Zh, 1993 May-Jun, 55(3), 47 - 53 {The interaction of pathogenic microorganisms with the sorbent polymethylsiloxane}; Dikova IG et al.; The method of electron microscopy has been used to study adhesion of the microbic cells of standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and fungi of genus Candida on the organosilicon sorbent polymethylsiloxane (PMS) and medicamentous complex containing it . This complex contains furazolidone and metronidazole immobilized on silver ions-modified PMS . It is shown that the adhesion of microorganisms is accompanied by their destruction whose rate on pure PMS and medicamentous complex is different . Using experimental data the assumptions are advanced concerning the mechanism of the PMS interaction with Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms as well as with fungi of genus Candida. Clin Exp Rheumatol, 1993 May-Jun, 11(3), 263 - 70 Selective suppression of resting B cell function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with cyclophosphamide; Takeno M et al.; The immunological function of patients with inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving chronically administered, low-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) together with prednisolone (PSL) was compared with that of inactive patients receiving PSL alone . A striking selective suppression of "genuine" resting, but not "partially" or "fully" activated, B cell function was noted in the patients receiving PSL + CY as measured by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC)-induced proliferative responses by Percoll-separated small resting B cells of high density; the small resting B cells sedimenting in a high density fraction were more responsive to SAC in patients treated with PSL alone than those in normal controls . However, the spontaneous proliferation and spontaneous secretion of immunoglobulins by peripheral blood B cells were elevated in both the patient groups . The proliferative responses to phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A by T cells were not significantly different between both patient groups . The data indicate that the genuine resting B cells may be the major target for the CY effect in SLE, and thus such selective suppression may help explain the efficacy of CY and PSL together in treating SLE. Arzneimittelforschung, 1993 May, 43(5), 607 - 9 Synergistic effect of ethanolic extract of propolis and antibiotics on the growth of staphylococcus aureus; Krol W et al.; Ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP), known to possess marked antibacterial activity, was incubated with 8 different common antibiotics in culture medium containing a fixed amount of a standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus . The antibiotic compounds used were: penicillin G, doxycycline, streptomycin, cloxacillin, chloramphenicol, cefradine, ampicillin and polymyxin B . They were used in varying levels, ranging between 0.000005-125.0 micrograms/ml or units, resp . Firstly, their minimal inhibitory concentrations were established in the absence of EEP, than EEP was added in concentrations up to 600 micrograms/ml . EEP had a marked synergistic effect on the antibacterial activity of streptomycin and cloxacillin, and a moderate synergistic effect on the others, except ampicillin. Z Kardiol, 1993 May, 82(5), 287 - 92 {An unusual cause of myocardial infarct . Bacterial mitral valve endocarditis, valve ring and myocardial abscess with direct coronary lesion}; Volker U et al.; We report on a 45-year-old man with bacterial mitral valve endocarditis and valve-ring abscess following a staphylococcus aureus sepsis with septic shock and respiratory insufficiency . A thrombosis of the marginal branch of the left circumflex coronary artery with a myocardial infarction occurred as a consequence of the unusual location of the abscess which spread to the left ventricular lateral wall with an encasement of this blood vessel, and with destruction of the arterial wall . The patient died of biventricular heart failure because of septic shock and myocardial infarction . We discuss entrance spots of infection, predisposing diseases, and complications of valve-ring and myocardial abscesses. J Orthop Res, 1993 May, 11(3), 404 - 11 Evaluation of biodegradable cefazolin sodium microspheres for the prevention of infection in rabbits with experimental open tibial fractures stabilized with internal fixation; Jacob E et al.; Immediate internal fixation of severe open tibial fractures usually is contraindicated due to the high risk of infection . The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of local antibiotic therapy with biodegradable poly-(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) cefazolin-loaded microspheres for the prevention of infection in experimental open fractures stabilized with internal fixation . Rabbits with experimental tibial fractures that were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus were treated with local application of cefazolin microspheres, an equivalent local dose of free Ancef powder, or systemic Ancef therapy . The bones then were fixed with a four-hole plate, and the animals were observed for 8 weeks . Clinically, deep infection was present in 86% of control animals that received no antibiotics and in 60% of animals that received a 7 day course of systemic Ancef therapy . In contrast, no infections were noted among any of the surviving rabbits that received local therapy with either cefazolin microspheres or free Ancef powder . Significantly higher levels of serum cefazolin were measured at 1 h for animals treated with free Ancef powder (18.7 +/- 6.1 micrograms/ml) than for those treated with cefazolin microspheres (0.57 +/- 0.27 micrograms/ml) . Follow-up studies are in progress to evaluate further the potential clinical benefits of local antibiotic therapy for the management of contaminated open fractures in humans. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1993 May, 11(5), 235 - 40 {Right endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in parenteral drug addicts: evaluation of a combined therapeutic scheme for 2 weeks versus conventional treatment}; Espinosa FJ et al.; BACKGROUND: Intravenous drug addicts (IVDA) are a group of patients in whom it is difficult to complete standard treatment of infectious endocarditis due to frequent antisocial behavior and in whom, once clinical improvement is achieved, voluntary discharge is frequently requested . This is why the evaluation of new treatment schedules tending to decrease the length of the same is of great interest . This non randomized study has the aim of knowing the efficacy of a short treatment with cloxacillin or vancomycin associated to gentamicin in right-sided endocarditis by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, comparing this with the standard schedule of 28 days . METHODS: This series was made up of IVDA patients diagnosed of right endocarditis by S . aureus . Inclusion criteria were the presence of intravenous drug addiction, isolation of methicillin-sensitive S . aureus in 2 or more blood cultures and achievement of the diagnostic criteria of right-sided endocarditis . Two schedules were used: a) standard: cloxacillin or vancomycin for 4 weeks, associating aminoglucoside in the first 3-5 days; b) short; cloxacillin or vancomycin associated to gentamicin for 2 weeks with no ulterior treatment . The study was not randomized and the treatment of 2 weeks was compared with historic controls treated for 4 weeks . The criteria evaluated were those of clinical cure, relapse, appearance of complications during treatment and mortality . RESULTS: Both the standard treatment and the combination of cloxacillin or vancomycin with gentamicin for 2 weeks cured 100% of the episodes of right endocarditis by S . aureus . There were no relapses and mortality was nul . Neither were there any differences between the two groups with regard to appearance of complications . CONCLUSIONS: In intravenous drug addict patients with right-sided endocarditis by methicillin S . aureus, the association of cloxacillin and gentamicin for 2 weeks is an effective alternative to long (4 week) treatments with only one antibiotic . The low number of cases treated with vancomycin does not allow conclusions to be drawn on its efficacy. Arch Dis Child, 1993 May, 68(5 Spec No), 594 - 6 What cord care--if any? Verber IG, Pagan FS. The use of antiseptic treatment during cord care varies from unit to unit . Although it may reduce bacterial colonisation it may also delay cord separation . Where antiseptic treatment is used there is uncertainty as to the best agent . Hexachlorophane powder (0.3%) and 4% chlorhexidene detergent were each compared with dry cord care as a control on a two ward maternity unit in a six month open study . Of 133 infants treated with hexachlorophane 44 (33%) became heavily colonised with Staphylococcus aureus compared with 80 (47%) of 171 controls; a reduction of one third . Chlorhexidene reduced colonisation by more than half; 17 (16%) of 104 compared with 41 (42%) of 98 controls . Chlorhexidene was associated with cord attachment at 10 days in 29 (28%) infants compared with 31 of 515 (6%) infants when it was not used . Hexachlorophane was more acceptable to the nursing staff . The reduction in colonisation with the two compounds was largely due to the suppression of cross infection. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1993 May 1, 109(1), 19 - 23 Enhanced conjugative transfer of plasmid DNA from Escherichia coli to Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes; Trieu-Cuot P et al.; Transfer of mobilizable shuttle cloning vectors by conjugation from Escherichia coli to Staphylococcus aureus occurred at a very low frequency (10(-9) transconjugants per donor colony-forming unit after the mating period) . It was observed that subinhibitory concentrations of penicillins (oxacillin or penicillin G) in the mating medium resulted in increased transfer frequency by conjugation of the shuttle vector pAT18 from E . coli SM10 to S . aureus 80CR5 Str (54-fold) and to Listeria monocytogenes LO17RF (45-fold) . These results were interpreted as indicating that the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria constitutes an important barrier for conjugative transfer of genetic information delivered from E . coli . It was also demonstrated that presence of a restriction system(s) in S . aureus recipients represented a major barrier to introduction of foreign DNA. Am J Vet Res, 1993 May, 54(5), 732 - 7 Role of an intramammary device in protection against experimentally induced staphylococcal mastitis in ewes; Penades JR et al.; An intramammary device (IMD) was adapted for use in ewes; this device was made of abraded polyethylene material (1.7 mm in diameter, 47 mm long) and formed a 15-mm-diameter loop in the gland cistern . The IMD was inserted in 1 gland in each of 43 ewes . A significant (P < 0.0001) increase in milk somatic cell count (SCC) was observed in glands provided with an IMD . This increase was attributable to an increase in neutrophil numbers and was observed during the first 12 weeks after insertion . The IMD had a protective effect against experimentally induced staphylococcal mastitis (Staphylococcus aureus and S epidermidis), although different milk SCC were required for protection from each bacterial species in most ewes (10(6) and 2 x 10(5) cells/ml, respectively) . Histologic studies revealed that the IMD induced local squamous metaplasia in the glandular part of the lactiferous sinus . Erythrocytes were found in milk from glands provided with an IMD throughout the studied period (35 days of the 45-day lactation) and, in some cases, blood clots were observed during the first 2 weeks of lactation . Glands with IMD also had lower milk production and quality at 30 and 32 days of lactation . Eight ewes with IMD were studied throughout a subsequent lactation . Milk from the IMD-containing glands had an increase in SCC, as in the previous lactation period; did not contain blood clots or erythrocytes; and had normal composition (similar to that in glands without the IMD). Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo, 1993 May-Jun, 48(3), 112 - 5 {Tropical myositis}; Takayasu V et al.; The authors describe six cases of tropical myositis or pyomyositis treated in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo between 1985 and 1992 . Staphylococcus aureus was the causative agent . It was isolated from the muscular abscess in four cases and blood cultures in two cases . The treatment with appropriate antibiotics and drainage of the abscess(es) determined satisfactory evolution without mortality or residual deformity. Cytokine, 1993 May, 5(3), 276 - 84 Prevention and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections with recombinant cytokines; Daley M et al.; Antibiotic therapy is only moderately efficacious for bovine Staphylococcus aureus mastitis . We have used recombinant bovine cytokines to activate the natural host defenses, to prevent and treat bovine mastitis . Uninfected mammary glands infused with GM-CSF or IL-2 increased the percentage of phagocytic cells in the milk by 2-3 fold . IL-1 increased the number of polymorphonuclear cells in the milk, enhanced their inducible oxygen radical formation, and had no effect on phagocytosis . Treatment with IL-2 increased the number of polymorphonuclear cells in the milk, enhanced their inducible oxygen radical formation, and enhanced their phagocytosis . GM-CSF had no effect on the number polymorphonuclear cells in the milk but enhanced their inducible oxygen radical formation, and enhanced their phagocytosis . All cytokines were effective in preventing S . aureus infections (20-100%) . 52% of all chronically infected mammary gland quarters treated with three doses of IL-2 responded to therapy and 32% of the treated quarters remained cured . 75% of all mammary glands treated with three doses of IL-1 beta responded to therapy by clearing the infection and 22% of the treated glands remained cured . These studies demonstrate that recombinant bovine cytokines can be used effectively to prevent infections as well as treat established chronic infection. Lik Sprava, 1993 May-Jun, (5-6), 65 - 9 {The relationship of duodenal peptic ulcer and gastroduodenitis to a chronic staphylococcal infection}; Zavadiak MI; Tonsillar and pharyngeal smears revealed growth of pathogenic microorganisms, mainly of Staphylococcus aureus, in 58.0 +/- 3.7% of 174 patients with duodenal ulcer and gastroduodenitis during remission or unstable remission, in 40.0 +/- 5.3% of 85 patients with other gastroenterological diseases and in 17.5 +/- 6.0% of 40 subjects constituting control group . Urease activity ratio (biological marker of Helicobacter pylori) was found to be approximately the same in every group of patients vs 11.1 +/- 6.2% of 27 healthy persons . Pathogenetic mechanisms of relation between duodenal ulcer, chronic gastroduodenitis and chronic focuses of infection are discussed . Lymphatic pharyngeal ring is supposed to be biotopical for Helicobacter pylori. J Hosp Infect, 1993 May, 24(1), 23 - 8 Infection due to a contaminated thoracic drainage system; Jacobs JA et al.; Infection and colonization of the pleural space in three patients was traced to contaminated thoracic drain equipment . The organisms implicated were Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and various non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria . A careful examination of cleaning and decontamination procedures revealed delay in replacing the drainage bottle jar to be the main factor responsible for the contamination of the drainage unit and the pleural space . Recent technical adaptation of the drainage apparatus had removed the need for daily changing of this jar . These findings confirm that thoracic drainage systems may be a potential source of contamination for the patient . We emphasize that technical improvements to existing operating apparatus should necessitate the adaptation of recommendations governing their use in accordance with approved hospital hygiene standards. Immunol Lett, 1993 May, 36(2), 203 - 8 Cyclosporin A and FK506 block the negative signaling mediated by surface IgM cross-linking in normal human mature B cells; Yamaoka K et al.; Cross-linking of surface IgM (sIgM) or sIgD by anti-IgM Ab or anti-IgD Ab, respectively, induced DNA synthesis in peripheral blood B cells (PBL-B) . Cell division, determined by the increase in the number of M phase cells, was also induced when PBL-B were stimulated with anti-IgD Ab plus IL-4 or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC), but far less by stimulation with anti-IgM Ab plus IL-4 . Anti-IgM Ab did not suppress the DNA synthesis induced by SAC or anti-IgD Ab plus IL-4, but it did suppress the cell division induced by them . Thus, sIgM cross-linking generates both positive and negative signaling to B-cell proliferation . Cyclosporin A (CSA) and FK506 suppressed DNA synthesis and cell division at relatively high concentrations . On the other hand, CSA and FK506 at lower concentrations blocked the anti-IgM Ab-generated inhibition of cell division without affecting DNA synthesis . Low concentrations of CSA did not affect the cell division induced by anti-IgD Ab plus IL-4 but did increase the cell division induced by SAC or anti-IgM Ab plus IL-4, suggesting that stimulation with SAC, as well as with anti-IgM Ab plus IL-4, generates both positive and negative signals to cell division, whereas sIgD lacks the ability to transduce negative signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1993 May 1, 90(9), 4032 - 6 Common elements in interleukin 4 and insulin signaling pathways in factor-dependent hematopoietic cells; Wang LM et al.; Interleukin 4 (IL-4), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) efficiently induced DNA synthesis in the IL-3-dependent murine myeloid cell lines FDC-P1 and FDC-P2 . Although these factors could not individually sustain long-term growth of these lines, a combination of IL-4 with either insulin or IGF-I did support continuous growth . The principal tyrosine-phosphorylated substrate observed in FDC cells stimulated with IL-4, previously designated 4PS, was of the same size (170 kDa) as the major substrate phosphorylated in response to insulin or IGF-I . These substrates had phosphopeptides of the same size when analyzed by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and each tightly associated with the 85-kDa component of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase after factor stimulation . IRS-1, the principal substrate phosphorylated in response to insulin or IGF-I stimulation in nonhematopoietic cells, is similar in size to 4PS . However, anti-IRS-1 antibodies failed to efficiently precipitate 4PS, and some phosphopeptides generated by V8 protease digestion of IRS-1 were distinct in size from the phosphopeptides of 4PS . Nevertheless, IL-4, insulin, and IGF-I were capable of stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in FDC cells that expressed this substrate as a result of transfection . These findings indicate that (i) IL-4, insulin, and IGF-I use signal transduction pathways in FDC lines that have at least one major feature in common, the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of 4PS, and (ii) insulin and IGF-I stimulation of hematopoietic cell lines leads to the phosphorylation of a substrate that may be related to but is not identical to IRS-1. Pharm World Sci, 1993 Apr 23, 15(2), 79 - 82 Pharmacokinetics and clinical study of cefotetan in bile: prophylactic use in biliary tract surgery; Cherrier P et al.; The excretion of cefotetan, a 7 alpha-methoxy-cephalosporin, was studied in 27 patients undergoing biliary surgery . Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined after a single intravenous bolus dose of 1 g (10 patients) or 2 g (17 patients) . Rapidly excreted in bile, cefotetan concentrations were considerably higher in bile {range: 92-2,594 mg.l-1 (1 g); 35-4,610 mg.l-1 (2 g)} than in plasma despite the presence of gall stones . Bile bactericidal activities against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 8 mg.l-1) and Bacteroides fragilis (MIC 2 mg.l-1) correlated well with gall bladder cefotetan levels {r = 0.888 (1 g); r = 0.971 (2 g)} . No cefotetan was detected in the bile of 3 patients with nonfunctioning gall bladders . One other patient with very low activity and these three aside, the inhibitory quotients (cefotetan concentration/MIC) were > 4 for both doses against both bacteria. Biochemistry, 1993 Apr 20, 32(15), 3842 - 51 The energetics and cooperativity of protein folding: a simple experimental analysis based upon the solvation of internal residues; Staniforth RA et al.; The reversible unfolding of two dissimilar proteins, phosphoglycerate kinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus (PGK) and Staphylococcus aureus nuclease (SAN), was induced with two denaturants, urea and guanidinium chloride (GuHCl) . For each protein, structural transitions were monitored by intrinsic fluorescence intensity changes arising from a unique tryptophan residue . In the case of SAN the single, native tryptophan residue was used, whereas for PGK two versions, one with a tryptophan at position 315 and one at 379, were constructed genetically . The resultant folding curves were analyzed by considering the change in the solvation free energy of internal amino acid residues as the denaturant concentration was varied . We derive the following simple relationship: -RT ln K = delta Gw + n delta Gs,m{D}/Kden . + {D}) where K is the equilibrium constant describing the distribution of folded and unfolded forms at a given denaturant concentration {D}, delta Gw is the free energy change for the transition in the absence of denaturant, and n is the number of internal side chains becoming exposed . delta Gs,m and Kden . are constants derived empirically from the solvation energies of model compounds and represent the behavior of an average internal side chain between 0 and 6 M GuHCl and 0 and 8 M urea . For proteins of known structure these values can easily be derived, and for others, average values in guanidinium chloride (delta Gs,m = 0.775 kcal/mol and Kden . = 5.4 M) or urea (delta Gs,m = 1.198 kcal/mol and Kden . = 25.25 M) can be used in the analysis . Results show that the parameters n and delta Gw are independent of the denaturant used for all 12 transitions studied . This supports the hypothesis that the unfolding activity of urea and GuHCl can be accounted for by their effect on the solvation energy of amino acid side chains which are buried in the folded but exposed in the unfolded protein . This simple analytical treatment allows the "cooperativity" of protein folding to be interpreted in terms of the number of side chains becoming exposed to the solvent in a given step and allows accurate estimation of the free energy irrespective of the denaturant concentration needed to induce the transition. FEBS Lett, 1993 Apr 19, 321(1), 15 - 8 The two Staphylococcal bi-component toxins, leukocidin and gamma-hemolysin, share one component in common; Kamio Y et al.; Staphylococcal bi-component toxins, leukocidin and gamma-hemolysin, consist of two protein components, i.e . F and S for leukocidin and H gamma I and H gamma II for gamma-hemolysin . In this study we purified H gamma I and H gamma II to homogeneity from the culture medium of Staphylococcus aureus RIMD 310925 and compared their properties with those of F and S purified from the same source . The N-terminal 59- and C-terminal 2-residue amino acid sequences, apparent molecular mass, and isoelectric point of purified H gamma I were the same as those of F . In an Ouchterlony double diffusion test a fused line without spur was formed between F and H gamma I using either anti-F or anti-H gamma I antibodies . A synergistic action of F and H gamma II caused hemolysis of human red blood cells, and H gamma I acted synergistically with S to exhibit leukocidin activity . We conclude that the two toxins share one protein component (F = H gamma I) in common and leukocidin- and gamma-hemolysin-specific activities are determined by S and H gamma II, respectively . It is also reported that the N-terminal 58-residue sequence of H gamma II is 72% similar to the corresponding sequence of S. J Immunol, 1993 Apr 15, 150(8 Pt 1), 3224 - 9 Staphylococcus aureus Wood 46 strain activates human B cells without affecting DNA synthesis or tyrosine phosphorylation; Saiki O et al.; Induction of Ig secretion in human tonsilar B cell by protein A-deficient Staphylococcus aureus WOOD 46 strain (SAW) was examined . SAW induced as much Ig secretion as protein A-rich S . aureus Cowan I strain (SAC) when IL-2 was present in the culture . Activated and resting B cells are separated by Percoll gradient to determine whether SAW stimulates either resting or activated B cells . In resting B cells, SAW plus IL-2 induced IgM secretion significantly, but neither IL-2 nor SAW alone induced IgM secretion . In activated B cells, however, IL-2 induced IgM secretion by itself and SAW plus IL-2 did not induce additional IgM secretion . These results suggest that SAW activates small resting B cells rather than preactivated B cells . Subsequently, mechanisms of B cell activation by SAW and SAC were compared . SAW did not induce {3H}-TdR incorporation through day 1 to 5, and the number of viable cells was not increased by SAW stimulation . Moreover, SAW did not induce significant tyrosine phosphorylation at any concentration tested, when tyrosine phosphorylation of B cells was examined . However, SAC induced both {3H}-TdR incorporation and tyrosine phosphorylation of B cell efficiently . In further experiments, induction of IL-2R and IgM mRNA expressions were examined . SAW by itself induced IL-2R and IgM mRNA expressions without affecting expression of membrane-type IgM mRNA . These results show that SAW activates human B cells in quite a different manner from SAC by up-regulating the expression of secretory type IgM mRNA without affecting cell proliferation nor tyrosine phosphorylation, proposing a distinct B cell activation model from SAC. J Biol Chem, 1993 Apr 15, 268(11), 7646 - 9 Activation of protein kinases by insulin and non-hydrolyzable GTP analogs in permeabilized 3T3-L1 adipocytes; Klarlund JK et al.; The molecular events that lead from the interaction of insulin with its receptor to the activation of protein serine/threonine kinases are still unknown . In this study, we have examined the role of GTP-binding proteins in this signaling pathway using differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes permeabilized with alpha-toxin from Staphylococcus aureus . Addition of GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)) or insulin to such permeabilized cells markedly increases protein kinase activities in cell lysates using the microtubule-associated protein-2 kinase substrate peptide KRELVE-PLTPSGEAPNQALLR, which contains the threonine 669 phosphorylation site on the epidermal growth factor receptor . Similar stimulations of protein kinase activity by these agents are observed using the peptide KRRRLASLAA, which is selectively phosphorylated by ribosomal protein S6 kinases . The effects of insulin and GTP gamma S are not additive . Importantly, the GTP-binding protein antagonist GDP beta S (guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate)) inhibits the activation of the protein kinase activities by insulin in permeabilized 3T3-L1 adipocytes . These data are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of Ras or other GTP-binding proteins is a key element of the signaling mechanism whereby insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activates the microtubule-associated protein-2 kinase cascade. Biochemistry, 1993 Apr 13, 32(14), 3549 - 56 Immunochemical mapping of domains in human interleukin 4 recognized by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies; Ramanathan L et al.; Human interleukin 4 is a highly pleiotropic cytokine secreted by activated T cells that exerts multiple biological effects on B and T lymphocytes and other cell types . Elucidation of structure-function relations was accomplished by epitope mapping of a panel of monoclonal antibodies and by mutagenesis of selected amino acid residues . Epitope mapping of these monoclonal antibodies was achieved through binding studies with recombinant human interleukin 4 (rhuIL-4), proteolytic fragments produced by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and synthetic peptides derived from the sequence of the parent molecule . Monoclonal antibodies 25D2, 35F2, and 11B4 neutralized the in vitro T-cell proliferation activity of rhuIL-4 and also prevented binding of rhuIL4 to its cell surface receptor . These antibodies recognized sequences 104-129, 70-92, and 61-82, respectively . These regions comprise the BC loop/helix C (residues 61-92) and helix D (residues 104-129) . A nonneutralizing monoclonal antibody (1A2) recognized a nonoverlapping region (residues 43-59) comprising almost entirely helix B . Mutagenesis of a cluster of residues within helix C showed that at least three residues (K84, R88, and N89) were potentially involved in receptor recognition . The existence of two distinct nonneighboring binding domains in the three-dimensional structure of rhuIL-4 provided preliminary evidence for a model of receptor interaction involving the formation of a ternary complex consisting of two molecules of the extracellular portion of the receptor and one molecule of rhuIL-4. Biochemistry, 1993 Apr 6, 32(13), 3298 - 305 Rhodopsin mobility, structure, and lipid-protein interaction in squid photoreceptor membranes; Ryba NJ et al.; Treatment of outer segment membranes from Loligo forbesi with endoprotease-V8 from Staphylococcus aureus results in cleavage of the C-terminal extension of the squid rhodopsin, with accompanying reduction of the apparent molecular weight from 47,000 to 36,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Negative-stain electron microscopy of the intact membranes shows that small clusters of the rhodopsin C-termini form structures extending from the membrane surface and that these are absent after protease treatment . Fourier transform infrared spectra of the amide I band of the protein indicate that removal of the C-terminal extension increases the relative alpha-helical content of squid rhodopsin to a level comparable to that for bovine rhodopsin in disk membranes, and to an extent which suggests that the alpha-helical structure lies mainly in the M(r) 36,000 (transmembrane) section of the protein . Saturation-transfer electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy of the spin-labeled protein reveals that the rotational diffusion of squid rhodopsin in outer segment membranes that have been extensively washed with urea to remove peripheral proteins is much slower than that of bovine rhodopsin in rod outer segment disk membranes . This reduction in rotational mobility is also found with purified squid rhodopsin reconstituted in egg phosphatidylcholine and in urea-washed outer segment membranes which have been treated with endoprotease-V8 to remove the C-terminal extension of squid rhodopsin . In the latter case, the saturation-transfer ESR spectra are virtually identical to those of the non-proteolyzed membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Biochemistry, 1993 Apr 6, 32(13), 3511 - 8 The epitope for the inhibitory antibody M7-PB-E9 contains Ser-646 and Asp-652 of the sheep Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit; Abbott A et al.; The binding of monoclonal antibody M7-PB-E9 to the alpha-subunit of Na+,K(+)-ATPase partially inhibits enzyme activity (35%) in competition with ATP, while in the presence of magnesium it stimulates the rate of ouabain binding severalfold {Ball, W . J . (1984) Biochemistry 23, 2275-2281} . These effects have been shown to result from an antibody-induced shifting of the enzyme's E1 <==> E2 conformational equilibrium to the right that affects all enzyme-ligand interactions except that with Mg2+ {Abbott, A.J., & Ball, W.J . (1992) Biochemistry 31, 11236-11243} . In order to identify the location of the M7-PB-E9 epitope, proteolytic fragments of the lamb kidney enzyme were generated and the immunoreactive alpha fragments were identified by Western blot analyses . These studies revealed a 47-kDa tryptic fragment, which bound both M7-PB-E9 and a -COOH terminus specific antisera and NH2-terminal sequencing showed to originate at Ala-590 . Digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease produced a 36-kDa -COOH-terminus fragment which originated at Gly-697 and did not contain the antibody epitope . Thus the intracellular sequence region Ala-590 to Gly-697 was shown to contain the antibody epitope . When M7-PB-E9's ability to recognize the alpha subunits from various species and tissues was determined and correlated with available sequencing data, only Ser-646 was present in the highly reactive lamb, pig, and avian kidney alpha 1 proteins and altered (Asn) in the poorly recognized Xenopus and rat kidney and Torpedo electroplax organ enzymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Ugeskr Laeger, 1993 Apr 5, 155(14), 1047 - 9 {Purulent arthritis and bursitis after local injection of depot steroids}; Bak K et al.; The occurrence of severe joint and bursal infections preceded by local steroid injection was investigated in a retrospective survey . Of 37 consecutive patients with pyogenic arthritis or bursitis admitted to two hospitals over a three-year-period, nine (95% confidence limits 12-41%) had received previous intraarticular or intrabursal injections of steroid . Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in all cases . This incidence rate of endemic iatrogenic infection is at least 60 times higher than earlier reported . The alarming frequency may be attributed to insufficient aseptic precautions and/or the injection of depot steroids into cavities with overlooked established infection . An increased awareness of this complication seems warranted . Meticulous hygienic measures should be emphasized in drug information inserts . Health authorities and quality control bodies should monitor and analyze the occurrence of such accidents. Jpn J Antibiot, 1993 Apr, 46(4), 310 - 7 {Therapeutic efficacy of cefodizime in combination with minocycline against systemic infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in immunocompromised tumour bearing mice}; Furukawa T et al.; The in vivo synergistic effect of cefodizime (CDZM) in combination with minocycline (MINO) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was investigated . A study of fractional effective dose (FED) index showed that either synergistic or additive effect was observed between CDZM and MINO . The postantibiotic effect (PAE) of MINO was not altered by the addition of CDZM . However, a strong synergistic bactericidal effect of CDZM and MINO against MRSA CT-18 was observed for more than 14 hours in the presence of immunocompromised tumour bearing murine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) . These results suggest that the strong therapeutic efficacy of CDZM in combination with MINO was caused by synergistic bactericidal effect of the 2 drugs in the presence of PMN. J Gen Microbiol, 1993 Apr, 139 ( Pt 4), 695 - 706 Recombination at the coagulase locus in Staphylococcus aureus: plasmid integration and amplification; McDevitt D et al.; The integrating plasmid pCOA18, comprising pUC18 linked to a mutated coagulase (coa) gene from Staphylococcus aureus, and constructed by substituting coa sequences with a tetracycline (Tc)-resistance marker (delta co