J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1989 Oct, 251(1), 321 - 7 Antibacterial activity of liposome-entrapped ampicillin in vitro and in vivo in relation to the lipid composition; Bakker-Woudenberg IA et al.; The antibacterial activity of liposome-entrapped ampicillin against Listeria monocytogenes was investigated in relation to the lipid composition of the liposomes . This was studied in vitro in mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with L . monocytogenes, as well as in vivo in experimental L . monocytogenes infection in mice . Two types of liposomes, a relatively fluid type, consisting of cholesterol-phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine (5:4:1), and a less fluid type, consisting of cholesterol-distearoylphosphatidylcholine-dipalmitoylphosphatidylglyc erol (10:10:1), were used . The uptake of both types of liposomes by macrophages in vitro was similar . However, the rate of intracellular degradation appeared to be dependent on the lipid composition . A correlation was found between the relatively slow degradation of the less fluid liposomes and a delayed intracellular release of the encapsulated ampicillin, as reflected in absent or delayed intracellular killing of L . monocytogenes in vitro . The results obtained in vitro were confirmed by the observations in vivo . Slow degradation of the less fluid liposomes in vivo resulted in a decrease in the therapeutic effect of the antibiotic. J Cell Biol, 1989 Oct, 109(4 Pt 1), 1597 - 608 Actin filaments and the growth, movement, and spread of the intracellular bacterial parasite, Listeria monocytogenes; Tilney LG et al.; Listeria monocytogenes was used as a model intracellular parasite to study stages in the entry, growth, movement, and spread of bacteria in a macrophage cell line . The first step in infection is phagocytosis of the Listeria, followed by the dissolution of the membrane surrounding the phagosome presumably mediated by hemolysin secreted by Listeria as nonhemolytic mutants remain in intact vacuoles . Within 2 h after infection, each now cytoplasmic Listeria becomes encapsulated by actin filaments, identified as such by decoration of the actin filaments with subfragment 1 of myosin . These filaments are very short . The Listeria grow and divide and the actin filaments rearrange to form a long tail (often 5 microns in length) extending from only one end of the bacterium, a "comet's tail," in which the actin filaments appear randomly oriented . The Listeria "comet" moves to the cell surface with its tail oriented towards the cell center and becomes incorporated into a cell extension with the Listeria at the tip of the process and its tail trailing into the cytoplasm behind it . This extension contacts a neighboring macrophage that phagocytoses the extension of the first macrophage . Thus, within the cytoplasm of the second macrophage is a Listeria with its actin tail surrounded by a membrane that in turn is surrounded by the phagosome membrane of the new host . Both these membranes are then solubilized by the Listeria and the cycle is repeated . Thus, once inside a host cell, the infecting Listeria and their progeny can spread from cell to cell by remaining intracellular and thus bypass the humoral immune system of the organism . To establish if actin filaments are essential for the spread of Listeria from cell to cell, we treated infected macrophages with cytochalasin D . The Listeria not only failed to spread, but most were found deep within the cytoplasm, rather than near the periphery of the cell . Thin sections revealed that the net of actin filaments is not formed nor is a "comet" tail produced. J Immunol, 1989 Sep 1, 143(5), 1710 - 5 Efficient natural defense mechanisms against Listeria monocytogenes in T and B cell-deficient allogeneic bone marrow radiation chimeras . Preactivated macrophages are the main effector cells in an early phase after bone marrow transfer; Roesler J et al.; Radiation chimeras in the early phase after bone marrow transplantation are a good model to study the efficiency of the body's nonspecific defense system represented by macrophages (M phi), polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), and NK cells . These cell types are present in large numbers in spleen and liver at that time, whereas the specific immune system represented by T and B cells is functionally deficient . We previously reported enhanced activities in vitro of M phi (and PMN) from recipient animals in an early phase after allogeneic bone marrow transfer . We here demonstrate that these activities result in enhanced spontaneous resistance against Listeria monocytogenes in vivo: CFU of L . monocytogenes in spleen and liver 48 h after infection were about 1 or 2 to 4 log steps less than in untreated control mice of donor or host haplotype . This enhanced resistance decreased over the 4-mo period after marrow transfer . Preactivated M phi were identified as the most important effector cells . Isolated from spleen and peritoneal cavity, they performed enhanced killing of phagocytosed Listeria . Such preactivated M phi occurred in recipient animals after transfer of allogeneic but not of syngeneic bone marrow . The precise mechanism of M phi activation in the allogeneic radiation chimera in the complete absence of any detectable T cell function is not clear at present . However, these preactivated M phi display an important protective effect against L . monocytogenes: chimeras could eliminate Listeria without acquisition of positive delayed-type sensitivity when infected with 10(3) bacteria . An inoculum of 5 . 10(3) L . monocytogenes resulted either in prolonged survival compared with normal mice of the recipient haplotype or in definitive survival accompanied by a positive delayed-type sensitivity . We concluded that enhanced nonspecific immune functions can in part compensate for the defective specific immune system after bone marrow transfer. Sb Lek, 1989 Sep, 91(8), 230 - 7 {An attempt to control the growth of syngeneic experimental tumors in inbred mice using Listeria factor Ei, BCG vaccine and a combination of both}; Zak M et al.; The investigation assessed, whether a nonspecific single and repeated immunization induced by Listeria monocytogenes Ei factor, BCG vaccine and their combination influences the growth of transplanted syngenic methylcholanthrene tumour depending on tumour graft cellularity . The cellularity of 10(4) and 10(5) were investigated . Tumour growth was examined 10 and 17 days after the inoculation . It has been found that single Ei factor administration did not influence the tumour growth . Single BCG vaccine favourably influenced the tumour growth, but in progressing time and cellularity the effect was failing . In combination of BCG vaccine and Listeria Ei factor the antitumour effect appeared to be most profound . In progressing time after the tumour grafting and graft cellularity the effect was disappearing . It was probably due to the fact that immunotherapy fails to control tumour mass with high cellularity . The antitumour effect potentiation by combination of BCG vaccine with Ei factor suggests a way to a possible combined antitumour immunotherapy. Ir Med J, 1989 Sep, 82(3), 132 - 4 Transient diabetes insipidus following listeria meningitis; Sloane AE; Disorders of ADH secretion associated with meningitis are usually consistent with the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) . This reports an unusual case of central diabetes insipidus following SIADH secondary to listeria monocytogenes meningitis in a neonate. Sb Lek, 1989 Sep, 91(8-9), 230 - 7 {The effect of Listeria factor Ei, BCG vaccine and a combination of both on the growth of experimental syngeneic tumors in inbred mice}; Zak M et al.; The investigation assessed, whether a nonspecific single and repeated immunization induced by Listeria monocytogenes Ei factor, BCG vaccine and their combination influences the growth of transplanted syngenic methylcholanthrene tumour depending on tumor graft cellularity . The cellularity of 10(4) and 10(5) were investigated . Tumour growth was examined 10 and 17 days after the inoculation . It has been found that single Ei factor administration did not influence the tumour growth . Single BCG vaccine favourably influenced the tumour growth, but in progressing time and cellularity the effect was failing . In combination of BCG vaccine and Listeria Ei factor the antitumour effect appeared to be most profound . In progressing time after the tumour grafting and graft cellularity the effect was disappearing . It was probably due to the fact that immunotherapy fails to control tumour mass with high cellularity . The antitumour effect potentiation by combination of BCG vaccine with Ei factor suggests a way to a possible combined antitumour immunotherapy. Microb Pathog, 1989 Sep, 7(3), 213 - 23 Growth at reduced temperatures increases the virulence of Listeria monocytogenes for intravenously but not intragastrically inoculated mice; Czuprynski CJ et al.; Growth of three clinical isolates (Scott A, Murray B, and F5380) and one laboratory strain (EGD) of L . monocytogenes at 4 degrees C significantly increased their virulence for intravenously injected mice . Using the EGD strain for subsequent experiments, we determined that growth at either 4 degrees or 22 degrees C enhanced the growth of listeria in the spleen and liver . Similar numbers of listeriae were recovered from the spleens and livers of mice during the first 48 h after i.v . injection of strain EGD grown at 37 degrees C or 4 degrees C . At later timepoints (3-6 days), significantly more listeriae were recovered from the spleens and livers of mice injected i.v . with strain EGD grown at 4 degrees C . In contrast, L . monocytogenes EGD grown at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C demonstrated similar abilities to survive in the gastrointestinal tract, to translocate to the mesenteric lymph nodes, and to disseminate to the spleen and liver in intragastrically inoculated mice . Listeria monocytogenes EGD grown at 4 degrees C released less hemolysin into the culture medium than did this strain when grown at 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C . Transfer to fresh broth and incubation at 37 degrees C for 2 h increased the release, to similar levels, of hemolysin from L . monocytogenes EGD grown at 4 degrees, 22 degrees, and 37 degrees C . Temperature-induced differences in virulence, therefore, may not reflect the amount of hemolysin released. Anal Biochem, 1989 Sep, 181(2), 345 - 59 Nucleic acid hybridization assays employing dA-tailed capture probes . I . Multiple capture methods; Morrissey DV et al.; A quantitative hybridization assay termed "reversible target capture" is described . The technique is designed to extensively purify the target nucleic acid from crude cell lysates in about 1 h without phenol extraction . Simple, rapid methods are described that explain how each process in the assay is optimized . The procedure involves hybridizing the target nucleic acid in solution with a dA-tailed capture probe and a labeled probe . The capture probe-target-labeled probe "ternary complex" is then captured on magnetic beads containing oligo(dT) . After the excess unhybridized labeled probe, cell debris, and other sample impurities are washed away, the intact ternary complex is further purified by chemical elution from the beads and recapture on fresh beads . The ternary complex is then eluted thermally and recaptured on a third set of beads or on poly(dT) filters . This triple capture method results in a detection limit of approximately 0.2 amol (100 fg) of target with 32P-labeled riboprobes . This is approximately 1000 times more sensitive than sandwich assays employing only a single capture step . The method is illustrated by detecting Listeria cells in the presence of heterologous bacteria . With three rounds of target capture, as few as six Listeria cells have been detected in the presence of 1.25 x 10(7) control cells. J Infect, 1989 Sep, 19(2), 167 - 71 Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome--limitations of conventional typing methods in tracing a foodborne source; Ridgway EJ et al.; Listeria monocytogenes is an unusual pathogen in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) . We report a case of meningitis caused by L . monocytogenes in a patient with AIDS dementia who had eaten cheese from which a similar organism was isolated. Immunology, 1989 Sep, 68(1), 93 - 5 Active and memory immunity to Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice is mediated by phenotypically distinct T-cell populations; Orme IM; The results of this study show that acquired protective immunity to Listeria monocytogenes, measured as the capacity of splenic T cells to passively transfer acquired resistance to normal syngeneic recipients, was mediated by a population of cyclophosphamide-sensitive CD4- CD8+ T cells . The results further show, in contrast, that memory immunity to listeriosis, which was defined as resistance transferred by T cells harvested from infected animals that had received ampicillin chemotherapy, was shown to be mediated by cyclophosphamide-resistant CD4+ CD8- T cells. Scott Med J . 1989 Aug;34(4):503. Rhabdomyolysis and listeria monocytogenes; Clark P et al.; Non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis occurs as a complication of a wide variety of infections and is often discovered as a result of the associated renal failure . We report a case of meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes, an uncommon cause of infection in adults which was associated with rhabdomyolysis . This confirms a recent first case report of this association. South Med J, 1989 Aug, 82(8), 1044 - 5 Listeriosis as an obstetric complication in an immunocompromised patient; Fan YD et al.; We have reported a case of maternal death associated with Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in a woman who was being treated with immunosuppressive drugs for lupus nephritis . This report, coupled with a previous case of L monocytogenes sepsis in a pregnant patient with AIDS, emphasizes that L monocytogenes infection may be an important, unrecognized pathogen in pregnant women with impaired immunity. Scand J Immunol, 1989 Aug, 30(2), 165 - 74 Induction of non-specific immunosuppression in mice by mycobacterial infections and its relationship to macrophage activation; Appelberg R et al.; The development of non-specific immunosuppression during the infection of different strains of mice with three mycobacterial species was evaluated by studying the immune response to a heterologous antigen (sheep red blood cells) and comparing it with the induction of non-specific resistance to a Listeria monocytogenes challenge . It was shown that early (at 15 days) immunosuppression developed in Mycobacterium avium-susceptible mouse strains infected with a high inoculum dose {2.5 x 10(8) colony forming units (CFU)} of virulent M . avium but not in resistant mice infected with a similar inoculum nor in susceptible mice infected by a smaller inoculum dose (2.5 x 10(6) CFU) . In the latter case it developed only during the second month of infection and was of smaller magnitude . An inoculum of M . avium of attenuated virulence did not induce immunosuppression . M . lepraemurium induced a late immunosuppression, which occurred when extensive bacterial proliferation had already taken place . The non-pathogenic M . bovis BCG induced immunosuppression in C57BL/6 mice . The results do not establish a correlation between the development of generalized immunosuppression and susceptibility to infection . It could be seen that the early immunosuppression was observed in those situations where there was extensive macrophage activation as shown by the development of non-specific resistance to a listeria challenge . The late immunosuppression was observed when bacterial proliferation was extensive. Infect Immun, 1989 Aug, 57(8), 2350 - 7 Detection of listeriolysin, the thiol-dependent hemolysin in Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria ivanovii, and Listeria seeligeri; Leimeister-Wachter M et al.; The listeriolysin gene from a weakly hemolytic but virulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 1/2a was cloned in Escherichia coli K-12 . Recombinants were identified on the basis of their cross-reactivities to hyperimmune antisera raised against streptolysin O and listeriolysin . Low levels of hemolytic activity were detected in crude lysates of strains harboring the listeriolysin gene . In DNA hybridization studies with five DNA probes that encoded the listeriolysin gene and surrounding sequences, highly homologous listeriolysin genes were found to be present in the species L . monocytogenes, Listeria ivanovii, and Listeria seeligeri . Immunoblotting performed with affinity-purified antibody to listeriolysin allowed the detection of this protein in supernatants of all three species . This study demonstrates for the first time that listeriolysin is produced by L . seeligeri and documents the genetic homology between the various listeriolysins produced by Listeria spp . Sequences unique to the species L . monocytogenes were found to be located downstream of the listeriolysin gene . Furthermore, the restriction fragment length polymorphisms detected with probes flanking the hlyA gene may be useful epidemiological markers in identifying and distinguishing virulent Listeria strains from each other. Infect Immun, 1989 Aug, 57(8), 2569 - 73 Loss of catalase activity in Tn1545-induced mutants does not reduce growth of Listeria monocytogenes in vivo; Leblond-Francillard M et al.; Two catalase-negative mutants of Listeria monocytogenes were obtained by chromosomal insertions of the conjugative transposon Tn1545 . The loss of catalase activity did not reduce the level of virulence of these mutants in mice . Indeed, both mutants were capable of growing in host tissues at the same rate as the parental catalase-positive strain . These results favor the view that catalase does not play a critical role in the resistance of L . monocytogenes to macrophage killing. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Aug, 55(8), 1925 - 7 Listeria spp . found on fresh market produce; Heisick JE et al.; From October 1987 to August 1988, 1,000 tests were conducted on 10 types of fresh produce from two Minneapolis area supermarkets to detect Listeria spp . The produce included broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, potatoes, radishes, and tomatoes . The vegetables were tested by the Food and Drug Administration method for isolation of Listeria spp., with the addition of LiCl-phenylethanol-moxalactam agar in the last 280 tests; 8.6 and 11.4% of these tests were positive by modified McBride and LiCl-phenylethanol-moxalactam agars, respectively . Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from cabbage, cucumbers, potatoes, and radishes; L . innocua was isolated from cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, potatoes, and radishes; L . seeligeri was isolated from cabbage and radishes; and L . welshimeri was isolated from cucumbers, potatoes, and radishes . The isolates were of various serotypes; however, the L . monocytogenes isolates were predominantly serotype 1 (82%) . Only potatoes (25.8% positive) and radishes (30.3% positive) showed significant amounts of L . monocytogenes contamination. J Exp Med, 1989 Aug 1, 170(2), 589 - 94 Acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes is mediated by Lyt-2+ T cells independently of the influx of monocytes into granulomatous lesions; Mielke ME et al.; Facultative intracellular bacteria induce specific T cell responses of both the CD4+ and the CD8+ subsets . The immunohistological study of the tissue responses to Listeria monocytogenes in T cell subset-depleted, Listeria-primed mice revealed that CD4+ cells not only represent the predominant lymphocyte population in granulomatous lesions but mediate the attraction and accumulation of blood-borne monocytes into inflammatory foci . On the other hand, CD8+ T cells are able to mediate protection in the absence of CD4+ T cells, invading monocytes, and granulomatous inflammation, and therefore appear to activate resident macrophages for listericidal activity. J Leukoc Biol, 1989 Aug, 46(2), 134 - 43 Macrophage function in murine allogeneic bone marrow radiation chimeras in the early phase after transplantation; Roesler J et al.; We tested several of the functions of macrophages (M phi) in the early phase after allogeneic bone marrow transfer to get information about this important aspect of the nonspecific immune system in the T-cell-deficient recipient . On days 3-5 after transfer, the number of M phi was reduced in the spleen, liver, lungs, and peritoneal cavity (Pe) . The phagocytosis of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) by these M phi was normal or even enhanced, as in the case of Pe-M phi . Already on days 8-12 after transfer, the number of M phi in spleen and liver exceeded that of controls, whereas the number was still reduced in lungs and Pe . We examined their ability to kill P815 tumor cells, to produce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), to phagocytose SRBC, to produce reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in vitro and to kill Listeria monocytogenes in vivo . Most functions were normal and often even enhanced, depending on the organ origin, but the ability of Pe-M phi to produce ROI was reduced . Proliferative response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and killing of YAC-1 tumor cells revealed a high frequency of macrophage precursor cells in the spleen and liver and a high natural killer (NK) activity in the liver . Altogether, enhanced nonspecific immune function, especially preactivated M phi, may enable chimeras to survive attacks by opportunistic pathogens. Infect Immun, 1989 Aug, 57(8), 2345 - 9 Recombinant murine gamma interferon induces enhanced resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in neonatal mice; Chen Y et al.; Neonatal mice within 24 h of birth were highly susceptible to intraperitoneal infection with Listeria monocytogenes . The 50% lethal dose of bacterial cells was 6.3 X 10(1) CFU for neonates and 3.2 X 10(6) CFU for adult mice . A single injection of recombinant murine gamma interferon (rMuIFN-gamma) protected neonatal mice from simultaneous challenge with a lethal dose of L . monocytogenes cells . The rMuIFN-gamma effect was dose dependent: protection was consistently observed in mice treated with rMuIFN-gamma at doses of more than 4 X 10(2) U (0.1 microgram of protein) per mouse . Bacterial growth in the spleens and livers of rMuIFN-gamma-treated neonates was significantly suppressed in comparison with that in the nontreated controls . The infected neonatal mice showed acquired antilisterial resistance against secondary intravenous infection after 4 weeks of age, and this resistance was significantly augmented in mice that had been treated with rMuIFN-gamma. Vet Rec, 1989 Jul 29, 125(5), 111 - 4 Immunisation against infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes in sheep; Gudding R et al.; Immunisation against listeriosis in sheep using a live, attenuated vaccine was introduced in Norway in 1984 . Since then 65,000 to 80,000 animals have been vaccinated annually . Information obtained by a questionnaire showed that the incidence of listeriosis decreased from approximately 4.0 per cent before the introduction of the vaccine to 1.5 per cent after vaccination started . The incidence of abortions was 0.7 per cent in vaccinated flocks compared to 1.1 per cent in unvaccinated flocks . There were a few adverse reactions in the vaccinated sheep. Cancer, 1989 Jul 15, 64(2), 516 - 20 Listeriosis in the setting of malignant disease . Changing issues in an unusual infection; Hantel A et al.; Thirteen cases of Listeria monocytogenes infection occurred at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center over a 10-year period, representing 0.09% of all admissions . These cases principally occurred in patients with underlying hematologic of lymphoreticular malignancy, but in all patients other causes of immune suppression were also present . Corticosteroids were the most frequent exogenous cause of immune suppression . Bacteremia was detected more frequently than meningitis and in contrast to earlier reports, bacteriologic cure was achieved in 12 of 13 patients . Therapeutic success appeared to be related to early institution of effective antimicrobial agents . Despite eradication of infection, seven of the patients were dead within three months from progression of their underlying disease . The overall survival rate of cancer patients with listeriosis is therefore a function of the underlying malignancy and not the infection. Arch Intern Med, 1989 Jul, 149(7), 1569 - 72 Surveillance of listeriosis in Los Angeles County, 1985-1986 . A first year's report; Mascola L et al.; After a large food-borne outbreak of listeriosis in Los Angeles County, California, in 1985, the California State Department of Health Services instituted mandatory reporting of Listeria monocytogenes by clinical laboratories . From September 1, 1985, through August 31, 1986, 94 cases of listeriosis were reported in Los Angeles County for an annual crude incidence rate of 12 cases per million persons . Of the 94 cases, 37 (39%) were in neonates and/or their mothers and 57 (61%) were nonperinatal . The overall case fatality rate was 31%, with a perinatal case fatality of 16% (6 fetal and 23 nonperinatal); this compares with an epidemic perinatal case fatality rate of 32% . No significant differences were observed in age-adjusted, race-specific incidence rates among nonperinatal cases or race-specific incidence rates among perinatal cases . All but 2 of the nonperinatal patients had a known predisposing risk factor for the development of listeriosis, the most common of which was a prior history of steroid therapy . A clustering of cases was not identified . No common food sources were apparent . Patients presenting as perinatal cases were more likely to have ingested Mexican-style cheese, ice cream, and yogurt than those presenting as nonperinatal cases . Improved case ascertainment through mandatory reporting and laboratory-based surveillance will establish meaningful baseline levels of listeriosis. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jul, 8(4), 317 - 9 A DNA probe specific for L . monocytogenes in the genus Listeria; Chenevert J et al.; Two DNA fragments encoding part of the listeriolysin O of Listeria monocytogenes have been used as probes in Southern blot experiments to detect the presence of the gene in the genus Listeria . Under stringent conditions, and using a fragment internal to the gene, only L . monocytogenes reacted with the probe. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Jul, 8(7), 603 - 9 Effect of free or liposome-encapsulated muramyl dipeptide on uptake and intracellular survival of Listeria monocytogenes in mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro; Bakker-Woudenberg IA et al.; The effect of free versus liposome-encapsulated muramyl dipeptide (MDP) on the uptake and intracellular survival of Listeria monocytogenes in mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro was investigated . Macrophages in monolayer culture were exposed to free MDP at various concentrations during different time periods before incubation with Listeria monocytogenes . An increase in bacterial uptake dependent on the concentration of MDP and the length of exposure was observed . Exposure of macrophages to 200 micrograms of free MDP per milliliter for 15 h led to a threefold increase in bacterial uptake, resulting in an average of 15 bacteria per macrophage after 30 min of incubation . In addition, intracellular bacteria were killed in the MDP-exposed macrophages, in contrast to the intracellular multiplication of Listeria monocytogenes in macrophages not exposed to MDP . Encapsulation of MDP within liposomes resulted in a significant enhancement of its activity: liposomal encapsulation led to a 1,000-fold reduction in the amount of MDP required to obtain these effects on bacterial uptake and intracellular killing, whereas empty liposomes had no effect at all . Liposomal encapsulation may be an appropriate means of increasing delivery of the muramyl peptides to the macrophages. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1989 Jul, 271(2), 146 - 52 Amino acid requirement of six strains of Listeria monocytogenes; Siddiqi R et al.; Different serovars of Listeria monocytogenes grew well in a chemically defined medium . Sixteen amino acids were tested for the growth of L . monocytogenes . Most strains required cystine, valine, isoleucine, and leucine . Phenylalanine was a stimulatory growth factor for all six strains of Listeria . Whilst tryptophan was essentially required by NCTC 7973, LM and C-286 and stimulatory for 4155 and C-294, none of the strains did exhibit requirements of asparagine, glutamine, proline, histidine and tyrosine as essential/stimulatory growth factor. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jul, 27(7), 1572 - 6 Effects of growth temperature on the ingestion and killing of clinical isolates of Listeria monocytogenes by human neutrophils; Stecha PF et al.; In this study, we compared three human isolates (F5380, Scott A, and Murray B) and one laboratory strain (EGD) of Listeria monocytogenes for their resistance to ingestion and killing by human neutrophils . We observed no substantial difference in killing among these strains when they were grown at 37 degrees C . Because it is likely that listerial growth occurs at lower temperatures during food-borne outbreaks of listeriosis, we also compared these strains after they were grown at 22 and 4 degrees C . A general reduction in the ability of human neutrophils to kill L . monocytogenes was observed as the temperature at which the listeriae were grown decreased . Growth at 4 degrees C significantly decreased the killing of all four strains of L . monocytogenes by human neutrophils; two strains (EGD and F5380) were more resistant to killing than were the other two strains (Scott A and Murray B) . No obvious relationship was noted between the chemiluminescence response of neutrophils to opsonized listeriae and the ability of the neutrophils to kill listeriae in vitro . Growth at 4 degrees C, however, significantly increased the resistance of L . monocytogenes to killing by hydrogen peroxide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Jul, 86(14), 5522 - 6 Intracellular methicillin selection of Listeria monocytogenes mutants unable to replicate in a macrophage cell line; Camilli A et al.; To dissect the determinants of Listeria monocytogenes that are required for pathogenicity, we designed an intracellular selection protocol based on penicillin selection to isolate mutants defective for intracellular growth . Eight independent mutants obtained by insertion of Tn916 were isolated that were resistant to methicillin treatment following internalization by the J774 macrophage-like cell line . Seven mutants were absolutely defective for intracellular growth, whereas one showed abortive intracellular growth . The majority of the mutants were nonhemolytic and lacked a secreted 58-kDa polypeptide thought to be the L . monocytogenes hemolysin, listeriolysin O . Southern blot analysis indicated that one mutant contained a Tn916 insertion in hlyA, the listeriolysin O structural gene, which resulted in a truncated listeriolysin O polypeptide, whereas another mutant contained an insertion immediately upstream of hlyA, which resulted in reduced expression of listeriolysin O . The other mutants contained Tn916 insertions in genes other than hlyA, although all but one were nonhemolytic . Revertants isolated by their ability to grow within tissue culture cells regained hemolytic activity . These data show that intracellular methicillin selection facilitates isolation of mutations in genes required for intracellular growth and strengthens the premise that listeriolysin O is essential for intracellular growth. J Exp Med, 1989 Jul 1, 170(1), 27 - 37 Exacerbation of murine listeriosis by a monoclonal antibody specific for the type 3 complement receptor of myelomonocytic cells . Absence of monocytes at infective foci allows Listeria to multiply in nonphagocytic cells; Rosen H et al.; Treatment of mice with a rat mAb (5C6) specific for an epitope of the type 3 complement receptor of myelomonocytic cells severely interfered with the ability of the mice to resist infection with Listeria monocytogenes . Consequently, a sublethal infection was rapidly converted to a lethal one that resulted in death in 5 d . However, infection was only exacerbated if 5C6 was given earlier in infection, before mononuclear phagocytes populated sites of Listeria implantation in the liver and spleen . If given after day 3 of infection, 5C6 caused only a temporary increase in bacterial multiplication . The infection-enhancing effect of 5C6 was associated with failure of mice to focus mononuclear phagocytes at sites of bacterial multiplication of Listeria in liver hepatocytes and extracellulary in the spleen . This resulted in unrestricted multiplication of Listeria in hepatocytes and extracellularly in the spleen . The results are in keeping with the ability of 5C6 to inhibit the accumulation of myelomonocytic cells in peritoneal inflammatory exudates, as revealed by a previous study. J Immunol, 1989 Jul 1, 143(1), 127 - 30 Tumor necrosis factor is involved in the T cell-independent pathway of macrophage activation in scid mice; Bancroft GJ et al.; We analyzed the T cell-independent production of IFN-gamma in the severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mutant mouse . Spleen cells from scid mice secreted high levels of IFN-gamma in response to heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes (HKLM), but not to the T cell stimulus ConA . This response was ablated by prior removal of adherent macrophages . IFN-gamma secretion in vitro was preceded by the rapid production of TNF and was inhibited by addition of neutralizing mAb to TNF . Moreover, injection of scid mice with anti-TNF mAb increased the severity of infection with live Listeria and inhibited macrophage activation for class II-MHC expression . Finally, IFN-gamma secretion and class II-MHC expression were also inhibited by an antibody to asialoGM1, a reagent known to impair host NK cell function . These results suggest that TNF is a critical cytokine in the T cell-independent pathway of macrophage activation in scid mice. Ir Med J, 1989 Jun, 82(2), 70 - 1 Listeriosis: a community problem? Corcoran GD, Flynn J, Gibbons N, Mulvihill E. Three epidemiologically distinct cases of listeriosis, one perinatal and two adult, presented in hospital over a three day period . Clinical signs were non-specific with pyrexia and respiratory distress . Diagnosis in all three was made by blood cultures . Such cases reflect the general increase in reporting of listeriosis and suggest that the condition is increasing in incidence in the community, most likely due to food contamination . Raw vegetables, milk, soft cheeses, pre-cooked and inadequately cooked meats have all been implicated . Regular public health inspection of foods and food storage facilities with increased public awareness of the hazards of inadequate cooking and storage of food are the most effective means of preventing listeriosis and its potentially disastrous consequences especially for pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients. Eur J Pediatr, 1989 Jun, 148(7), 644 - 5 Tumour necrosis factor in neonatal listeriosis: a case report; Girardin E et al.; A newborn with fatal neonatal listeriosis developed septic shock, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and profound hypoxaemia due to severe pulmonary hypertension . Tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1-beta and interferon-gamma serum concentrations were markedly elevated, suggesting the participation of these cytokines in the aetiopathogenesis of shock induced by Listeria monocytogenes in the neonate. Jpn J Clin Oncol, 1989 Jun, 19(2), 159 - 62 Listeriosis in hematological malignancies: report of two cases; Ikehara O et al.; Listeriosis occurred in two patients with hematological malignancies, one with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) (Case 1) and the other with chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) (Case 2) . In Case 1, listeriosis was the initial manifestation of ATL, while it occurred in Case 2 after prolonged treatment with an alkylating agent and splenic irradiation . In both cases, depressed cell-mediated immunity was considered to be responsible for the listeriosis . Experience with the present two cases has indicated that listeriosis can be an initial manifestation of ATL, and the combination of an alkylating agent and splenic irradiation may increase the risk of listeriosis in patients with CGL. J Parasitol, 1989 Jun, 75(3), 405 - 10 Effects of pyran copolymer on host resistance of mice to Plasmodium yoelii; Krishna VR et al.; Female B6C3F1 mice treated with 25 mg/kg pyran intravenously (i.v.) on days -4 and -3 were more susceptible to nonlethal Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL or lethal Plasmodium berghei ATCC-30090 than untreated mice or mice treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) . Female B6C3F1 mice treated with pyran i.p . displayed enhanced resistance to Listeria monocytogenes as compared to untreated mice or mice given pyran i.v . Peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) primed by pyran i.p . possessed enhanced ability to kill Listeria but impaired ability to destroy Plasmodium . Phagocytosis of Covaspheres by PEC was greater for mice given pyran i.p . than those given pyran i.v . Chemiluminescence evoked by zymosan was less for PEC from mice given pyran i.v . than for those from untreated mice or those given pyran i.p . Chemiluminescence was greater for adherent splenocytes from mice treated with pyran i.p . than for those from untreated mice or those from mice treated i.v . Pyran administered i.v . is less effective in modulating the host immune response than pyran administered i.p . Immunomodulatory agents such as pyran have adverse as well as beneficial effects depending upon the route of administration. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 277 - 80 Investigations on the pathogenicity of Listeria spp . by experimental infection of the chick embryo; Terplan G et al.; To investigate the pathogenicity of Listeria spp., chick embryos were infected by two methods . Very encouraging results were obtained with the inoculation of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of 10 day old chick embryos: embryos inoculated with pathogenic strains (L . monocytogenes or L . ivanovii) died within 72 h, whereas those infected with apathogenic strains survived . This test could be a suitable method to replace the mouse pathogenicity test. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 285 - 91 Thermal resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in foods; Farber JM; Recent studies on the heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in dairy products, the discrepancies in results and some of the difficulties involved in comparing interlaboratory experiments are reviewed . In addition, some current work on the thermal resistance of the organism in meat products is discussed. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 259 - 64 Identification and enumeration of virulent Listeria strains; Datta AR et al.; Recent outbreaks and a continuous increase in cases of listeriosis underscore the need for rapid, sensitive and reliable techniques to detect Listeria . Of the species of Listeria, only L . monocytogenes has been found to be associated with human infections . One factor which definitely contributes to its pathogenicity is the presence of hemolysins, although L . ivanovii and L . seeligeri also elaborate hemolysins . Based upon cloned hemolysin genes, we have developed DNA probes specifically for detecting L . monocytogenes . The technique combines growth of bacterial colonies on selective agar plates and DNA hybridization of these colonies on a solid matrix . This technique permits identification and enumeration, and the entire procedure can be completed in 3-4 days . Our method was found to be suitable for identifying and enumerating this organism in various foods, the main vehicle of human infection . Advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed and compared with other existing techniques. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 233 - 9 Analysis of Listeria monocytogenes by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and application of the method to epidemiologic investigations; Bibb WF et al.; We examined 310 strains of Listeria monocytogenes by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis . Fifty-six electrophoretic types (ETs) of the organism were defined: 10 for serovar 4b strains, 11 for serovar 1/2b strains, and 30 for serovar 1/2a strains . Strains of serovars 1/2c, 3a, and 3b, and a non-typable strain were distributed among the remaining five ETs . The mean genetic diversity of the species was 0.41 . Principal coordinate analysis revealed a sharp division among ETs which divided the species into two major clusters . ETs containing serovar 1/2a strains were in one cluster while all ETs containing serovar 4b, 1/2b, and 3b strains were in the second cluster . Except for two ETs that contained strains from both serovar 1/2b and serovar 3b, no ET contained strains from more than one serovar . Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis facilitated the analysis of epidemiologic data . In three separate epidemiologic investigations electrophoretic typing confirmed a common source as a cause of an outbreak; in a fourth investigation a single common source as a cause of an outbreak was effectively ruled out . Electrophoretic typing was also useful in documenting potential links between Listeria contaminated foods and persons with listeriosis who consumed those foods. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 219 - 23 Methods and media for the isolation and cultivation of Listeria monocytogenes from various foods; Brackett RE et al.; Many methods and media currently exist for the detection and enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes . However, the suitability of any specific method or media is influenced by the purpose of the analysis and the type of food being analyzed . Food which are likely to contain high populations of contaminating microorganisms require highly selective media for enumeration . Moreover, media which contain indicator systems are also helpful in distinguishing L . monocytogenes colonies . In contrast, less selective media may be adequate for less contaminated foods. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 183 - 95 Listeria monocytogenes in foods . Isolation, characterization and control; Mossel DA; The intent for examining foods for Listeria monocytogenes, i.e . for surveying, for epidemiological purposes, or to inspect consignments of foods for microbiological safety, determines which analytical method is to be used . For instance resuscitation of debilitated cells may be required, and the degree of accuracy and precision necessary should be considered . Moreover, in the case of acceptance-or-rejection monitoring target values for 'absence' of the pathogen have been amply but not always effectively discussed . Recommendations are given for assessing adequate repair of sublethally damaged populations of L . monocytogenes and for performance testing of selective enrichment and isolation media to be used for the isolation and enumeration of L . monocytogenes . An approach to the empirical assessment of reference values for L . monocytogenes in foods processed for safety is also presented . This relies on a data base of results obtained when examining foods manufactured and distributed according to practices previously validated by longitudinally integrated ('holistic') quantitative risk analysis. Immunobiology, 1989 Jun, 179(2-3), 244 - 58 A low degree of requirement for Ia-positive macrophages and IL 2 in the induction phase of Listeria monocytogenes-specific T cells in vitro; Handa T et al.; We have analyzed the priming process of Listeria-specific T cells using an in vitro primary culture system . Listeria-specific T cells mediating delayed footpad reaction (DFR) and acquired cellular resistance (ACR) upon passive local transfer into naive recipients were generated from non-immune mouse spleen cells when stimulated with viable Listeria monocytogenes primarily in vitro . The effectors were detected on the third day of culture, and culturing for 5 days was sufficient for the generation of effectors mediating the peak level of DFR and ACR . The requirement of T cell subsets, Ia antigen and interleukin 2 (IL 2) for inducing effectors was studied . Presence of macrophages (M phi) and their contact to T cells were required for priming of Listeria-specific T cells in vitro . The presence of Ia antigens on macrophages was absolutely required for priming, but this requirement was lower than that in secondary immune response of Listeria-specific T cells . Effectors could not be generated when L3T4+ cells were depleted, but effectors capable of conferring a full level of DFR and ACR were induced even after the depletion of Lyt2+ cells . Contribution of IL 2 to the generation of effectors during early phase of priming was not observed . IL 2 was not produced in the supernatant of the in vitro primary culture . Precursor cells of the effectors did not respond to exogenously added recombinant IL 2 (rIL 2) . Some mechanisms operating in the induction phase of Listeria-specific T cells were clarified in this study. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 55(6), 1645 - 8 Evaluation of three newly developed direct plating media to enumerate Listeria monocytogenes in foods; Cassiday PK et al.; LiCl-phenylethanol-moxalactam Agar (LPMA), ARS Modified McBride Agar, and Modified Vogel Johnson Agar were compared with previously tested plating media in the enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes from pasteurized whole milk, chocolate ice cream mix, Brie cheese, and raw cabbage . LPMA was most suitable for analyzing Brie cheese and cabbage . Gum base-nalidixic acid-tryptone-soya medium (previously tested) was most suitable for analyzing milk and chocolate ice cream mix. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 55(6), 1565 - 9 Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in processed meat products during refrigerated storage; Glass KA et al.; The fate of Listeria monocytogenes during refrigerated storage was determined on several processed meat products, including ham, bologna, wieners, sliced chicken, sliced turkey, fermented semidried sausage, bratwurst, and cooked roast beef . The meats were surface inoculated with a five-strain mixture of less than or equal to 200 or ca . 10(5) L . monocytogenes cells per package, vacuum packaged, and stored at 4.4 degrees C . Survival or growth of listeriae was determined for up to 12 weeks of storage or until the product was spoiled . The organism survived but did not grow on summer sausage, grew only slightly on cooked roast beef, grew well on some wiener products but not on others, grew well (10(3) to 10(5) CFU/g increase within 4 weeks) on ham, bologna, and bratwurst, and grew exceptionally well (10(3) to 10(5) CFU/g increase within 4 weeks) on sliced chicken and turkey . The rate of growth depended largely upon the type of product and the pH of the product . Growth was most prolific on processed poultry products . The organism generally grew well on meats near or above pH 6 and poorly or not at all on products near or below pH 5 . These results indicate the importance of preventing postprocessing contamination of L . monocytogenes in a variety of ready-to-eat meat products. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 55(6), 1490 - 4 Comparative recovery of uninjured and heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes cells from bovine milk; Crawford RG et al.; The standard selective enrichment protocols of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S . Department of Agriculture (USDA) were compared with an experimental nonselective broth enrichment (NSB) protocol and variations of the standard cold-enrichment (CE) protocol for the recovery of heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes . Bacterial cells (10(7)/ml) were suspended in sterile milk and heated at 71.7 degrees C in a slug-flow heat exchanger for holding times ranging from 1 to 30 s . Surviving cells were determined (50% endpoint) by the given protocols, and the following D values were obtained: NSB, D = 2.0 +/- 0.5 s; FDA, D = 1.4 +/- 0.3 s; USDA, D = 0.6 +/- 0.2 s; CE, D less than or equal to 1.2 s . The respective direct-plating media used in these enrichments were also analyzed for recovery, and the following D values were calculated from the enumeration of surviving cells; NSB, D = 2.7 +/- 0.8 s; FDA, D = 1.3 +/- 0.4 s; USDA, D = 0.7 +/- 0.2 s . The low levels of heat-injured L . monocytogenes cells which were detected at inactivation endpoints on the optimal nonselective media (25 degrees C for 7 days) failed to recover and multiply during experimental CEs (4 degrees C for 28 days) . Initial inactivation experiments in which raw whole milk was used as the heating menstruum gave much lower recoveries with all protocols . The detectable limits for uninjured cells that were suspended in raw milk were similar (0.35 to 3.2 cells per ml) for the standard CE, FDA, and USDA protocols.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1989 Jun, 137(6), 321 - 5 {Listeriosis in the newborn infant: improved prognosis due to early detection}; Bucher HU et al.; Perinatal clinical data were collected retrospectively from 35 newborn infants infected with Listeria monocytogenes and compared with the subsequent outcome . The average annual incidence of neonatal listeriosis in the Canton of Zurich (Switzerland) between 1983 and 1987 was 0.33 per 1000, which is more than twice that during the preceding 10 years . This increase paralleled a similar outbreak in the French part of Switzerland, where contaminated soft cheese was found to be the source . Three infants were probably cross-infected in the delivery room . Antenatal symptoms included fever in the mother, greenstained amniotic fluid, pathological cardiotocogram, premature contractions and disappearance of fetal movements . After birth the infants showed respiratory distress, fever or hypothermia, exanthema or neurological abnormalities . A gram stain of the gastric content was highly accurate in predicting listeria infection (92% sensitivity, 90% specificity) . Five infants died, all within 24 h of birth; seven infants survived with and 23 without, sequelae . Factors associated with fatal outcome were a short gestational age, a low birth weight and a long interval between onset of symptoms and delivery or first dose of an appropriate antibiotic . Cephalosporins were not effective in four infants and therefore should not be given alone to pregnant women and newborn infants as long as Listeria monocytogenes infection is not excluded. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 225 - 32 A new colorimetric nucleic acid hybridization assay for Listeria in foods; King W et al.; Non-isotopic colorimetric detection has been applied in a rapid nucleic acid dipstick hybridization assay for detection of Listeria spp . in food and environmental samples . The assay takes approximately 2.5-3 h following a two day broth and plate enrichment . Hybridization occurs between fluorescein labeled detector probes, poly(deoxyadenosine)-tailed capture probes, and Listeria-specific regions of 16 S ribosomal RNA . These target:probe complexes are captured on poly(deoxythymidine) coated plastic dipsticks . Detection is based on binding of horseradish peroxidase conjugated anti-fluorescein antibody to the hybridization complex, and enzyme-mediated color development . The colorimetric endpoint is read on a photometer at 450 nm . In these initial studies, 306 inoculated dairy, meat and seafood samples, and 200 environmental samples were tested . When compared with total culture results the hybridization assay had unconfirmed positive and false-negative rates of approximately 1.4-2.9% and 0.8-4.7%, respectively. Infection, 1989 May-Jun, 17(3), 131 - 8 Perinatal listeriosis in Dresden 1981-1986: clinical and microbiological findings in 18 cases; Schwarze R et al.; Between 1981 and 1986 Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from blood cultures, CSF, meconium/stools or external swabs from 18 newborn infants of two neonatal intensive care units (ICU) in adjacent pediatric clinics of Dresden . The epidemiological and clinical data of infants and their mothers, as well as microbiological and laboratory, x-ray, EEG and ultrasonic findings, are presented . All infants had an early onset of their disease . Cases were classified as granulomatosis infantiseptica (three cases), sepsis (three cases), meningitis (eight cases) and listerial infection without distinct organ manifestations (four cases), respectively . As far as the predominant symptoms at admission were concerned, no typical clinical signs of neonatal listeriosis could be evaluated . Cases with manifest clinical infections had an overall mortality rate of 21% (3/14) despite the immediate initiation of antibiotic therapy; at discharge, a further five patients showed neurological residuals . Serotyping and phagetyping have proved to be methods for recognition or exclusion of epidemiological relationships. J Clin Periodontol, 1989 May, 16(5), 311 - 5 Chemotherapeutic inhibition of supragingival dental plaque and gingivitis development; DePaola LG et al.; A 6-month double-blind, controlled clinical study was conducted on 107 healthy adult subjects to determine the efficacy of a mouthrinse used as a supplement to regular oral hygiene measures on supragingival dental plaque and gingivitis . 115 healthy adult patients were recruited for the study . Following screening examinations for minimal entry levels of existing gingivitis and plaque in patients with a minimum of 20 sound natural teeth, extrinsic tooth stain, gingivitis and plaque index scores were recorded . Soft tissues were evaluated . All subjects then received a complete dental prophylaxis, removing plaque, calculus and extrinsic stain . Utilizing their normal oral hygiene, subjects began a regimen of rinsing with 20 ml of the randomly assigned rinse, twice daily for 30 s for 6 months . 7 days after prophylaxis, gingivitis was again scored (baseline 2) . Soft tissue, gingivitis, plaque area and extrinsic stain were evaluated again at 3 and 6 months . Results demonstrated that after 6 months, listerine produced a 34% inhibition of both plaque and of gingivitis compared to a hydroalcohol control (p less than 0.001). Arch Intern Med, 1989 May, 149(5), 1207 - 8 Listeria monocytogenes septic arthritis . A case report and review of the literature; Curosh NA et al.; Septic arthritis is a relatively uncommon manifestation of listeriosis . Only four documented cases of Listeria arthritis have been reported in the medical literature . We now present a fifth case associated with Listeria peritonitis and briefly review the clinical spectrum of articular listeriosis . These cases suggest that (1) the early diagnoses of Listeria peritonitis and arthritis require a high degree of clinical suspicion, and (2) a cephalosporin should not be used as the sole antibiotic in cases of septic arthritis and peritonitis in which the causative organism has not been identified. J Leukoc Biol, 1989 May, 45(5), 434 - 43 Transglutaminase levels and immunologic functions of BCG-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages isolated by centrifugal elutriation; Khera V et al.; BCG-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages were separated into three subpopulations by counterflow centrifugal elutriation . The three subpopulations were characterized on the basis of the level of a protein cross-linking enzyme, tissue transglutaminase . Subpopulation-3 consisted of large cells (greater than 95% esterase positive and greater than 90% viable) and had at least a fivefold higher transglutaminase activity (35 +/- 6 nmol/hr/mg) as compared to macrophages in subpopulation-1 (6 +/- 2 nmol/hr/mg) and at least a threefold higher enzyme activity as compared to subpopulation-2 (11 +/- 2 nmol/hr/mg) . Subpopulation-3 also showed sevenfold higher phagocytosis of IgG-coated sheep red blood cells . The three subpopulations showed no difference in their ability to kill Listeria monocytogenes as determined by {3H}-thymidine release . Subpopulations-2 and -3 caused 90% inhibition of murine adenocarcinoma (EMT-6) tumor cell growth in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide . Subpopulation-1 had a poor ability to inhibit EMT-6 cell growth (29 +/- 12%) . However, in the presence of lipopolysaccharide, this activity increased by at least threefold (92 +/- 7%) . The three subpopulations showed no significant difference in their cytolytic activity against murine mastocytoma (P815) target cells in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide . These results suggest that tissue transglutaminase may have no significant role in bactericidal, tumoricidal, or tumoristatic function of macrophages; however, it might have some role in promoting the Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytic function of the macrophages. J Exp Med, 1989 May 1, 169(5), 1589 - 605 Molecular cloning of a murine fibronectin receptor and its expression during inflammation . Expression of VLA-5 is increased in activated peritoneal macrophages in a manner discordant from major histocompatibility complex class II; Holers VM et al.; Human fibronectin receptor (VLA-5) alpha and beta chain probes were used to identify their mouse homologues in a thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal exudate cell cDNA library . Sequence analysis of both alpha and beta chain-related murine clones revealed approximately 90% homology to their human counterparts by both nucleotide and derived amino acid sequence comparisons . Detectable alpha chain transcripts were seen predominantly in total RNA of peritoneal macrophages . beta chain expression, however, was detected at higher levels in lung, heart, brain, and kidney, suggesting the presence of a large murine VLA family similar to the human family . Analysis of levels of expression comparing resting peritoneal macrophages with macrophages elicited using inflammatory stimuli indicated that alpha chain message and surface VLA-5 expression were significantly increased using thioglycollate or Listeria monocytogenes as stimuli to elicit cells . Interestingly, beta chain message was unaffected by these inflammatory stimuli, suggesting that VLA-5 expression is regulated by VLA-5 alpha chain message levels . These results indicate that macrophage VLA-5 expression can be modulated in vivo and may provide an important mechanism by which macrophages are recruited to or adhere to fibronectin in inflammatory foci. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1989 May, 63(5), 534 - 40 {Four cases of adult Listeria monocytogenes infection in the last 5 years--hepatic necrotic foci in the adult septic case}; Kumada T et al.; We have reported on the clinical courses of 4 cases of adult Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection, and the autopsy findings of 2 cases, those we have observed over the past 5 years . They were 2 cases of meningitis, 1 case of meningitis and sepsis and 1 case of sepsis . These 4 cases had CML, neoplastic angioendotheliosis, SLE and post-renal transplant condition, as their underlying diseases, and all were receiving immunosuppressive therapy . One meningitis patient who recovered showed mild liver dysfunction during her clinical course . The other 3 patients who died had jaundice at the time of onset and severe liver dysfunction . The 2 cases those were autopsied were the sepsis cases . The one with an acute course and hepatic failure showed multiple miliary necrotic foci in the liver, where the presence of Lm in the cells could be verified . The other autopsy case, which had received adequate antibiotic therapy and the Lm infection had been cured, showed no necrotic foci in the liver . The case that had necrotic foci in the liver was the first such adult case in Japan . We have discussed the hepatic Lm infection in adult compromised hosts, which conventionally has not been considered a serious problem. J Dairy Sci, 1989 May, 72(5), 1098 - 102 Loss of viability by Listeria monocytogenes in commercial bovine pepsin-rennet extract; el-Gazzar FE et al.; Loss of viability by Listeria monocytogenes strains California, V7, and Scott A in commercial bovine pepsin-rennet extract was determined during storage for 56 d at 7 degrees C . Four levels (10(3) to 10(6)/ml) of L . monocytogenes were added to the coagulant, and McBride listeria agar was used to determine numbers of survivors . Selected colonies thought to be L . monocytogenes were confirmed biochemically . Samples also were tested during and after completion of cold enrichment (up to 8 wk at 4 degrees C) . Coagulant inoculated with 10(3) to 10(4) L . monocytogenes/ml usually was free of viable cells of the pathogen after 28 d and sometimes after 14 d, as determined by direct plating and cold enrichment . When the inoculum was 10(5) to 10(6) cells/ml, samples of coagulant usually were free of viable L . monocytogenes after 42 d and sometimes after 28 d . The three strains of L . monocytogenes behaved similarly, although strain California was somewhat less hardy in the environment of the coagulant than were the other two strains . Bovine pepsin-rennet extract, before inoculation, was free of L . monocytogenes (direct plating and cold enrichment). J Clin Microbiol, 1989 May, 27(5), 812 - 7 Ingestion and killing of Listeria monocytogenes by blood and milk phagocytes from mastitic and normal cattle; Czuprynski CJ et al.; Human listeriosis resulting from consumption of listeria-contaminated dairy products is emerging as a significant public health concern . There is a need to understand better the processes involved in the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes-induced bovine mastitis . In the present report, we describe the results of the in vitro interaction of L . monocytogenes with bovine blood and milk leukocytes . Induction of an experimental L . monocytogenes mastitis resulted in a rapid and dramatic increase in neutrophils in the milk of infected cows . Blood neutrophils and mononuclear cells and milk leukocytes from listeria-infected and uninfected cows readily ingested L . monocytogenes in the presence of serum opsonins . These leukocytes also killed a portion of the ingested listeriae . Ingestion of listeriae evoked a vigorous chemiluminescence response by blood neutrophils and a relatively weak response by blood mononuclear cells . Ingestion, killing, and chemiluminescence by milk leukocytes were directly related to the percentage of neutrophils that were present . Blood neutrophils from healthy donor cattle ingested and killed L . monocytogenes when leukocyte-depleted milk and whey from mastitic cows were the sole sources of opsonins, although fewer listeriae were ingested than when normal bovine serum was present . These results indicate that bovine blood and milk phagocytes, like blood and inflammatory phagocytes from other mammalian species, can ingest and kill L . monocytogenes in vitro. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1989 May 1, 102(5), 166 - 70 {Biochemical differentiation of Listeria from cheese}; Seiler H et al.; Listeria spp . isolated from cheese were tested for biochemical characteristics together with reference strains from culture collections . Microtitration plates were used for testing the fermentation patterns . The results were subjected to a numerical cluster analysis based on linkage maps . The variation of the group structures calculating the characteristics with and without the hemolysin reactions is demonstrated . The pathogenic species L . monocytogenes could only be separated from the avirulent species L . innocua by the hemolysin tests . Most of the cheese isolates were identified as L . innocua, some as L . monocytogenes and L . seeligeri . There is a need for an inexpensive commercial test kit to identify the serovars or virulence factors of Listeria spp . in the quality assessment of food . The present study sets up doubts for a sufficiently ensured separation of L . innocua from L . monocytogenes. J Clin Pathol, 1989 May, 42(5), 548 - 50 Evaluation of API 20 STREP system for identifying Listeria species; MacGowan AP et al.; The API 20 STREP system was used to identify 146 known strains from seven species of the genus Listeria, including both pathogenic and environmental strains . The gallery was easy to use and tests, with the exception of leucine arylamidase (LAP) and starch fermentation (AMD), were simple to interpret . Identification to genus level was satisfactory but differentiation between species was poor . Using the API 20 STREP the haemolytic species L monocytogenes, seeligeri, and ivanovii could easily be differentiated from the non-haemolytic species L welshimeri, innocua, grayii and murrayi . Of the haemolytic species, L monocytogenes could not be distinguished from L seeligeri but L ivanovii could be separated from the two other haemolytic species because it fermented ribose . Non-haemolytic L welshimeri could not be differentiated from non-haemolytic L innocua, but mannitol and ribose fermenting non-haemolytic L grayi and L murrayi were easily differentiated from the other two non-haemolytic species . The API 20 STREP identified Listeria in four hours and therefore might be used for rapid identification of strains causing infection in man . It would, however, not be useful to identify environmental isolates when speciation is important. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 May, 86(10), 3818 - 22 Genetic characterization of clones of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes causing epidemic disease; Piffaretti JC et al.; One hundred and seventy-five isolates of the pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes recovered from human clinical (blood and cerebrospinal fluid), animal, and environmental sources in Europe, North America, and elsewhere were analyzed electrophoretically for allelic variation at 16 genetic loci encoding metabolic enzymes . Forty-five distinctive allele profiles (electrophoretic types, ETs) were distinguished, among which mean genetic diversity per locus (H) was 0.424 . Cluster analysis of a matrix of genetic distances between paired ETs revealed two primary phylogenetic divisions of the species separated at a distance of 0.54 . ETs in division I were presented by strains of serotypes 4b, 1/2b, and 4a, whereas strains of ETs in division II were of serotypes 1/2a and 1/2c . Human and animal isolates did not represent distinctive subsets of ETs . The occurrence of linkage disequilibrium between enzyme loci and the widespread distribution of certain ETs indicate that the genetic structure of L . monocytogenes is clonal . One clone, marked by ET1, caused major epidemics of human disease in western Switzerland in the period 1983-1987 and in Los Angeles County, California, in 1985, both of which were attributed to contamination of soft cheese . ET 1 is closely related to the clone (ET7) that caused two large outbreaks of listeriosis in Massachusetts in 1979 and 1983. Infect Immun, 1989 May, 57(5), 1615 - 7 Protection of mice against Listeria monocytogenes infection by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha; Desiderio JV et al.; Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rHuTNF-alpha) administered intravenously to mice resulted in enhanced resistance to a lethal challenge infection of Listeria monocytogenes given 24 h later . The observed protection was lost following treatment of the rHuTNF-alpha preparations with rabbit polyclonal antibody rHuTNF-alpha but not with normal rabbit immunoglobulin G. Infect Immun, 1989 May, 57(5), 1556 - 60 Role of lipopolysaccharide in induction of Ia expression during infection with gram-negative bacteria; Marshall NE et al.; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, is known to be a potent modulator of many host immune functions, including the expression of products of the class II major histocompatibility locus (Ia molecules) by macrophages . LPS-mediated Ia induction is controlled by the lps gene . We sought to determine the role of LPS in the induction of Ia expression during infection with gram-negative bacteria . To address this question, we tested a simple prediction: if LPS is the primary determinant of Ia induction during gram-negative infection, then the Ia response to intraperitoneal injection of these organisms should be under the control of the lps gene . We found that while both LPS-responder and LPS-low-responder mice showed strong Ia responses to injection of either a gram-positive bacterium (Listeria monocytogenes) or concanavalin A, only the LPS-responder mice responded strongly to gram-negative organisms or to LPS alone . We interpret these results as strong evidence for the role of LPS as the primary determinant of Ia induction by gram-negative bacteria. Infect Immun, 1989 May, 57(5), 1512 - 6 Stimulation of macrophage phagocytic but not bactericidal activity by colony-stimulating factor 1; Cheers C et al.; The ability of mouse peritoneal cells to phagocytose and lyse Listeria monocytogenes was measured after the cells were incubated with purified murine macrophage-specific colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) . Activation of combined phagocytic and bacteriolytic ability required 24 h, with an optimal dose of 1,000 U of CSF-1 per ml . No activation was achieved with a shorter period of incubation, known to be sufficient for GM-CSF to stimulate phagocytosis by granulocytes, and there was no advantage in longer exposure . After 24 h in 1,000 U of CSF-1, macrophages showed visibly increased spreading on the plastic petri dish . Activated cells examined microscopically showed an increase in the number of phagocytic cells and in the numbers of bacteria per phagocytic cell . This increased phagocytic ability was evident also in the increase in the amount of radioactivity associated with the cells following a 30-min incubation with radiolabeled bacteria . When these cells were carefully washed, the percentage of this initial uptake released during the next 2 h was not increased by pretreatment of the cells with CSF-1, showing that the effect of this growth factor was on phagocytosis of the bacteria not on the killing mechanisms per se. J Immunol, 1989 Apr 15, 142(8), 2879 - 86 Lyt-2+ T cell-mediated protection against listeriosis . Protection correlates with phagocyte depletion but not with IFN-gamma production; Lukacs K et al.; The transfer of listeria-immune splenocytes into non-immune mice markedly increases host resistance to listeriosis . To study the mechanism for this enhancement, we compared the inflammatory response to infection in nonimmune and adoptively immunized mice . Despite much better containment of bacterial growth, adoptively immunized animals accumulated significantly fewer phagocytes (neutrophils and macrophages) in the spleen and liver than controls . Immune T cells not only inhibited phagocyte accumulation but also reduced the in vitro anti-listerial activity of splenocytes . Significant differences in phagocyte accumulation were observed even when the initial listeria dose was adjusted to produce comparable spleen listeria loads in immune and non-immune animals . However, bone marrow and peripheral blood phagocyte counts were similar in both groups . Depletion of Lyt-2+ cells (using mAb and C) from donor splenocytes prevented the transfer of protection and increased phagocyte accumulation without altering listeria-dependent IFN-gamma production by donor or recipient splenocytes in vitro . L3T4 depletion did not affect host resistance or phagocyte accumulation even though it reduced in vitro interferon production by donor cells . Hence the different effects of L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ cells in vivo cannot be explained simply by variations in IFN production . We suggest this paradoxical suppression of phagocyte accumulation during adoptive transfer may reflect lysis of bacteria-laden phagocytes by listeria-specific Lyt-2+ cells in vivo . Selective destruction of older, heavily infected cells might contribute to host resistance by eliminating a potential site for intracellular proliferation of bacteria. Arch Intern Med, 1989 Apr, 149(4), 931 - 2 Listeria monocytogenes osteomyelitis; Chirgwin K et al.; Listeria monocytogenes is usually an opportunistic pathogen causing either meningitis or bacteremia in adults . Focal infection outside the central nervous system occurs infrequently . We describe two cases of osteomyelitis caused by L monocytogenes . Certain characteristics of L monocytogenes may make cure difficult, particularly in a deep-seated focus such as bone, and may warrant special consideration when planning therapy. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 55(4), 902 - 6 Specific gene probe for detection of biotyped and serotyped Listeria strains; Notermans S et al.; A total of 284 strains of Listeria, including all known serovars and biovars together with Listeria grayi and Listeria murrayi, were biotyped and serotyped . Biotyping and serotyping could be done in 2 days . A gene probe encoding a delayed hypersensitivity factor (DTH) was used in the detection of pathogenic biotypes and serotypes of the tested strains . The gene was found in all 117 tested Listeria monocytogenes strains of serogroups 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4ab, and 7 . It was also present in Listeria ivanovii . Of 78 L . monocytogenes strains of serogroup 4b, 77 strains contained the gene, whereas it was absent in all 10 tested L . monocytogenes strains of serogroup 4a . Furthermore, the gene was absent in Listeria seeligeri, L . grayi, L . murrayi, and L . innocua of serogroups 3c, 4b, and 6a and in L . welshimeri of serogroups 1/2b, 3b, 6a, and 6b . Since L . monocytogenes and L . ivanovii are the only two biotypes of the genus Listeria considered pathogens, the data obtained indicate that the DNA probe tested may be a useful tool in the detection of virulent Listeria isolates in clinical, environmental, and food samples. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1989 Apr, 31(1), 83 - 91 Perinatal listeriosis; more common than reported (2 case reports and revision of literature); Makar AP et al.; Listeriosis is again reported with an increasing frequency in recent literature . It is reported to be the third cause of neonatal sepsis {4,7} . Hereby we are presenting two cases of perinatal listeriosis together with a summary of literature. J Dairy Sci, 1989 Apr, 72(4), 838 - 53 Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes during manufacture and ripening of brick cheese; Ryser ET et al.; Brick cheese was made by the washed-curd procedure from pasteurized whole milk inoculated to contain ca . 1 x 10(2) to 1 x 10(3) Listeria monocytogenes {strain Scott A, Ohio, V7, or California}/ml . Cheeses were ripened (15 degrees C/95% relative humidity) with a surface smear for 2, 3, or 4 wk to simulate production of mild, aged, or "Limburger-like" brick cheese, respectively, and then stored an additional 20 to 22 wk at 10 degrees C . Populations of strains Scott A, Ohio, V7, and California increased 1.89, 1.72, .83, and .86 orders of magnitude, respectively, following completion of brining ca . 32 h after the start of cheese making . All four L . monocytogenes strains leached from cheese into brine during 24 h and survived in brine at 10 degrees C at least 5 d after removal of cheese . Strains Scott A and Ohio grew rapidly during the initial 2 wk of smear development and attained maximum populations of ca . 6.6 and 6.2, 7.0 and 6.9, and 5.6 and 5.1 log10/g in 4-wk-old slice (pH 6.0 to 6.5), surface (pH 6.5 to 6.9), and interior (pH 5.6 to 6.2) samples of cheese, respectively . Numbers of strains Scott A and Ohio generally decreased 1- to 7-fold during 20 to 22 wk at 10 degrees C . Strains V7 and California failed to grow appreciably in any cheese during or after smear development, despite pH of 6.8 to 7.4 in fully ripened cheese; the strains were never isolated from 2- and 3-wk-old cheese and with direct plating were detected sporadically at levels generally less than or equal to 4.0 log10/g in cheese aged greater than or equal to 4 wk . Cold enrichment of slice, surface, and interior samples of cheeses aged greater than or equal to 4 wk generally yielded positive results for L . monocytogenes; strains V7 and California were detected in all cheeses after 20 to 22 wk at 10 degrees C . At 10 ppm, methyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, or methyl trisulfide (compounds commonly produced during ripening of brick and Limburger cheese) failed to inhibit appreciably growth of L . monocytogenes. J Infect Dis, 1989 Apr, 159(4), 680 - 5 Investigation of an outbreak of listeriosis: new hypotheses for the etiology of epidemic Listeria monocytogenes infections; Schwartz B et al.; From December 1986 to March 1987 an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infection occurred in the Philadelphia metropolitan area . A patient-control study showed patients were more likely than controls to have had an ill family member and to have used antidiarrheal medication during the month before their illness . Diet histories showed patients were significantly more likely to have eaten ice cream or salami than were controls, and to have shopped at one grocery store chain . Subtyping of L . monocytogenes isolates of patients showed no predominant strain, and cultures of food products eaten by patients were negative except for Brie cheese eaten by one patient . With no predominant strain of L . monocytogenes in the patients, a common source for this outbreak is unlikely . Thus, the identified risk factors may have been associated with carriage of L . monocytogenes and a coinfecting organism may have precipitated disseminated disease . Possible cofactors should be considered in investigations of future outbreaks of listeriosis. J Immunol, 1989 Mar 15, 142(6), 2057 - 60 The C5-sufficient A/J congenic mouse strain . Inflammatory response and resistance to Listeria monocytogenes; Gervais F et al.; A/J mouse strain poorly responds to an inflammatory stimulus and is highly susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection . This defect in the phagocyte inflammatory response caused by the C5 component of C deficiency was shown, by linkage analysis, to be the major reason for the extreme susceptibility of A/J mice to Lm infection . The importance of this genetic defect in C5 in relation to the poor macrophage inflammatory response and to the susceptibility to Lm infection was evaluated by developing a C5-sufficient congenic A/J mouse strain . This A/J.C5 mouse strain was studied for its inflammatory response and for its susceptibility to Lm infection . C5-sufficient congenic A/J.C5 mice showed a slight improvement (2X) in their level of macrophage inflammatory response; however, they did not mount an as strong response as the Listeria-resistant C57BL/6J mice which donated the C5 allele . When infected with Lm, A/J.C5 mice were found to be as resistant as C57BL/6J mice . These results suggest that the presence of C5 on an A/J background partially improves the deficient macrophage inflammatory response of that strain . This increase is sufficient to render the A/J.C5 mouse strain highly resistant to Listeria infection . A/J.C5 mouse strain represents a new tool for the study of the importance of C5 in resistance to infection and in the regulation of the macrophage inflammatory response. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1989 Mar 11, 119(10), 306 - 11 {Listeria in food}; Breer C et al.; Since some outbreaks of listeriosis have been traced to various foods, the contamination rate of the foodstuffs is of great interest . Out of 1708 samples of milk and milk products, 105 samples (6.1%) proved to contain Listeria spp . L . monocytogenes was isolated from 54 specimens (3.0%) . The isolation rate among 496 samples of meat and raw meat products was 38.9% . L . monocytogenes was found in 14.1% of these samples . Salads and vegetables proved to be contaminated by Listeria spp . in 6.4%; 2.1% of the strains were identified as L . monocytogenes . 57.4% of food samples contained less than 10 Listeria spp . per gram, while in the other samples the Listeria count ranged between 10 and 10(3)/g . In only one sample of cheese was more than 10(3) Listeria/g found . In contrast to cheese, where the contamination normally occurs during the ripening process and must be considered a hygiene problem, meat is already contaminated during slaughtering and processing . Beside these findings, there are further differences in the listerial microbiology of cheese and raw meat products . Additional studies are needed to determine the bearing of these factors on the epidemiology of human listeriosis. Obstet Gynecol, 1989 Mar, 73(3 Pt 2), 469 - 71 First-trimester maternal Listeria monocytogenes sepsis and chorioamnionitis with normal neonatal outcome; Cruikshank DP et al.; A secundigravida developed culture-proved Listeria monocytogenes sepsis with signs and symptoms of chorioamnionitis at 13 weeks' gestation . Pregnancy termination was refused, and she was treated with intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin followed by oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol . Fifteen days after initiation of therapy, an amniotic fluid culture was negative, although uterine tenderness persisted for 7 weeks . A healthy, culture-negative infant was delivered at term. J Neuroimmunol, 1989 Mar, 22(1), 47 - 53 Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced alpha/beta-interferon synthesis by dopamine and the dopamine-1 agonist fenoldopam; Andrade-Mena CE; In vitro incubation of Listeria monocytogenes-immune spleen cells in the presence of dopamine or fenoldopam, a dopamine-1 (D1) agonist, inhibited alpha/beta-interferon (IFN) synthesis induced by the mitogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in a manner that appeared to be concentration dependent . In addition, the inhibitory effect of dopamine and fenoldopam on the synthesis of IFN was prevented by incubating immune spleen cells in the presence of haloperidol, a D1 antagonist. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 135 ( Pt 3), 481 - 7 Production of thiol-dependent haemolysins by Listeria monocytogenes and related species; Geoffroy C et al.; Twenty-six strains belonging to the five main species of the genus Listeria were examined for production of thiol-dependent exotoxins . All strains of L . monocytogenes cultured in charcoal-treated broth secreted a haemolytic factor at a level ranging from 200 to 800 haemolytic units (HU) ml-1, except for the strain EGD (1500 HU ml-1) and the type strain CIP 82110T (10 HU ml-1) . The haemolytic activity reached a maximum level by 8-10 h and then rapidly declined as soon as bacterial exponential growth ceased . The titres of haemolytic activity were markedly reduced when bacteria were grown in charcoal-untreated broth . The haemolytic factor produced by L . monocytogenes strains was characterized as listeriolysin O (Mr about 60,000), a member of the group of thiol-dependent exotoxins . Strains of Listeria ivanovii also produced high levels of thiol-dependent exotoxin (about 2500 HU ml-1), in both charcoal-treated and untreated broth . Small amounts of haemolytic factor (about 9-30 HU ml-1) were also produced by Listeria seeligeri in charcoal-treated broth . The haemolysin produced by L . seeligeri was identified for the first time as a thiol-dependent exotoxin of Mr about 60,000, antigenically related to listeriolysin O . As expected, we failed to detect thiol-dependent exotoxin in the two nonhaemolytic species, Listeria innocua and Listeria welshimeri. J Appl Bacteriol, 1989 Mar, 66(3), 191 - 6 The incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk from farm bulk tanks in north-east Scotland; Fenlon DR et al.; Over 180 farm bulk milk tanks were tested for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on three separate occasions which included periods when cows were grazing and confined inside on a silage diet . The incidence of L . monocytogenes contamination was low, ranging from 3.8% in the summer samples to 1.0% in October . The level of contamination was estimated to be lower than one L . monocytogenes bacterium per ml in positive samples, as most required cold enrichment of 10-20 ml volumes before recovery . The distribution was sporadic; only one farm gave positive isolations on all three sampling occasions, one other on two, and all others were from different farms . No correlation between the presence of L . monocytogenes and hygiene standards or the feeding of silage was found. Tohoku J Exp Med, 1989 Mar, 157(3), 205 - 14 Suppressive effect of 1-methyladenosine on the generation of chemiluminescence by mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with opsonized zymosan; Itoh K et al.; The preparation of an in vitro assay system for the immunosuppressive activities of modified nucleosides on macrophage (M phi) functions is described . Briefly, Listeria-elicited mouse peritoneal M phi s (Lm-M phi s) were treated with nucleosides in vitro for 18 hr at less than 1 mM concentration and chemiluminescence (CL) was measured after stimulation with opsonized zymosan . To confirm the usefulness of this assay (in vitro test), the immunosuppressive activities of 1-methyladenosine (m1 Ado) and adenosine (Ado) were determined by mouse Listeria infection (in vivo test), CL generation by M phi s obtained from the peritoneal cavity of nucleoside-treated mice (in vivo-in vitro test), and the in vitro test . The immunosuppressive activity of m1 Ado detected by the in vitro test was confirmed by the in vivo and the in vivo-in vitro tests . As for Ado, no immunosuppression was detected by the in vivo and the in vivo-in vitro tests through a potent suppressive effect was detected by the in vitro test . The ineffectiveness of Ado can be explained by the in vivo conversion of Ado to an inactive form . Thus, the proposed in vitro test seems to be useful, with the provision that the known in vivo metabolism is taken into consideration. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 Mar, 37(3), 206 - 11 {Listeriosis in France in 1986: census made by hospital laboratories}; Goulet V et al.; A census of all Listeria monocytogenes isolates was made in 1986 by the microbiologists of 75% of the French hospitals . 811 cases were registered giving a yearly incidence rate of 14.7 cases/million population instead of 11.3 cases/million population registered in 1984 . The cases are classified in perinatal cases (positive culture for L . monocytogenes from the mother, the child or the placenta) and non perinatal cases (all the others) . The increase between 1984 and 1986 is mostly due to the fact of the non perinatal cases . A seasonal increase was observed in May-June-July of 1986 . Case fatality rate observed was 29%; therefore the two classes have basically the same rate. Z Gastroenterol, 1989 Mar, 27(3), 145 - 7 Listeria monocytogenes cholecystitis; Allerberger F et al.; Listeriosis usually manifests at the extremes of age, during pregnancy or among immunocompromised individuals as an acute meningoencephalitis with or without associated septicemia . Localized infections are rare . We investigated the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes cholecystitis using the data of the Listeria reference laboratory of the University of Wurzburg/FRG . Out of 467 culture proven L.m-infections in the years 1986 and 1987, two cases were localized infections of the gall bladder . Although studies of the microbiology of gallbladder infections have not demonstrated the recovery of Listeria monocytogenes as a pathogen in acute or chronic cases of cholecystitis, these two cases substantiate the existence of this rare form of listeriosis as an entity and support the theory of the importance of the gastrointestinal tract in the pathogenesis of Listeria infections. J Infect, 1989 Mar, 18(2), 179 - 87 A possible outbreak of listeriosis caused by an unusual strain of Listeria monocytogenes; McLauchlin J et al.; During 1987, a cluster of 23 cases of listeriosis due to an unusual serotype of Listeria monocytogenes was identified . All the 'epidemic' strains (designated serovar 4b(X)) were indistinguishable by serotyping, phage-typing and monoclonal antibody-typing . Clusters of cases due to this type have not been identified previously in Britain at such a high frequency . In an epidemiological survey, patients were interviewed so as to identify risk factors but none common in all cases was identified. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 55(3), 631 - 8 Antibacterial activity of hen egg white lysozyme against Listeria monocytogenes Scott A in foods; Hughey VL et al.; Egg white lysozyme killed or prevented growth of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A in several foods . Lysozyme was more active in vegetables than in animal-derived foods that we tested . For maximum activity in certain foods, EDTA was required in addition to lysozyme . Lysozyme with EDTA effectively killed inoculated populations of 10(4) L . monocytogenes per g in fresh corn, fresh green beans, shredded cabbage, shredded lettuce, and carrots during storage at 5 degrees C . Control incubations without lysozyme supported growth of L . monocytogenes to 10(6) to 10(7)/g . Lysozyme had less activity in animal-derived foods, including fresh pork sausage (bratwurst) and Camembert cheese . In bratwurst, lysozyme with EDTA prevented L . monocytogenes from growing for 2 to 3 weeks but did not kill significant numbers of cells and did not prevent eventual growth . The control sausages not containing lysozyme supported rapid and heavy growth, which indicated that lysozyme was bacteriostatic for 2 to 3 weeks in fresh pork sausage . We also prepared Camembert cheese containing 10(4) L . monocytogenes cells per g and investigated the changes during ripening in cheeses supplemented with lysozyme and EDTA . Cheeses with lysozyme by itself or together with EDTA reduced the L . monocytogenes population by approximately 10-fold over the first 3 to 4 weeks of ripening . In the same period, the control cheese wheels without added lysozyme with and without chelator slowly started to grown and eventually reached 10(6) to 10(7) CFU/g after 55 days of ripening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 55(3), 599 - 603 Comparison of lithium chloride-phenylethanol-moxalactam and modified Vogel Johnson agars for detection of Listeria spp . in retail-level meats, poultry, and seafood; Buchanan RL et al.; The effectiveness of Modified Vogel Johnson agar and lithium chloride-phenylethanol-moxalactam agar for detection of Listeria spp . in foods was compared by using the media to analyze retail-level meat, poultry, and seafood both by direct plating and in conjunction with a three-tube most-probable-number enrichment . The most-probable-number protocol detected Listeria species, including Listeria monocytogenes, in a substantial portion of the fresh meat and seafood samples . In most instances the Listeria levels were less than 2 CFU/g, which precluded detection by direct plating . Modified Vogel Johnson agar performed as well as did lithium chloride-phenylethanol-moxalactam agar and was considerably easier to use because of its ability to differentiate Listeria spp . from other microorganisms. J Immunol, 1989 Mar 1, 142(5), 1639 - 45 Macrophage activation-associated proteins . Characterization of stimuli and conditions needed for expression of proteins 47b, 71/73, and 120; MacKay RJ et al.; The expression of cellular proteins was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis during and after exposure of mouse macrophages to either mouse rIFN-gamma or natural MuIFN-beta sufficient to prime macrophages for tumor cell killing . The reversible inhibitor of protein synthesis, cycloheximide (CY), was included in some experiments during exposure to IFN . While it was present, CY suppressed protein synthesis by greater than 90%, but did not affect priming for tumor cell killing that was induced by either kind of IFN, as measured in cytotoxicity assays . Further analysis showed that, after CY and IFN were removed, protein synthesis recovered fully within 1 h . p47b, a protein that has been associated closely with the induction of the primed state in mouse macrophages, was then substantially expressed despite no new stimulation by IFN . Thus, macrophages in which protein synthesis had been reversibly inhibited delayed full processing of a signal delivered by IFN, until after protein synthesis had resumed . Such a delay in processing may explain how macrophages subsequently became activated, despite treatment with CY . The expression of the protein doublet, p71/73, was induced, regardless of which of three dissimilar agents (LPS, heat killed Listeria monocytogenes, poly I:C) was used to trigger the expression of cytolytic activity by primed macrophages . Therefore, the likelihood was increased that p71/73, expressed with p47b, is a valid phenotypic marker for fully activated, cytolytic macrophages . By contrast, p120, another protein that has been proposed as a marker of full activation in peritoneal macrophages, was expressed by bone marrow culture-derived macrophages regardless of whether or not they were cytolytic for tumor cells . It cannot be regarded as a reliable marker of macrophage activation in all circumstances, therefore. Pediatr Res, 1989 Mar, 25(3), 311 - 5 Neonatal host defense mechanisms against Listeria monocytogenes infection: the role of lipopolysaccharides and interferons; Bortolussi R et al.; The human newborn infant is susceptible to lethal infection caused by a number of bacterial species including Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive rod which is pathogenic by virtue of its ability to survive intracellularly . In adult animals interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma or agents that induce or augment IFN production confer protection against lethal L . monocytogenes infection . Regulation and production of IFN is poorly understood during the neonatal period . We therefore evaluated the role of IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma, IFN-inducers (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, amino-bromo-phenyl-pyrimidinone, amino-iodophenyl pyrimidinone) and lipopolysaccharide in modifying neonatal L . monocytogenes infection . Pretreatment of juvenile rats with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid or lipopolysaccharide protected them against a lethal challenge with L . monocytogenes . Among newborn rats, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, amino-iodo-phenyl pyrimidinone and amino-bromophenyl-pyrimidinone gave significant protection, however, lipopolysaccharide did not influence survival . The role of IFN was further examined . Pretreatment of 3-d-old rats with purified IFN-alpha/beta, native rat IFN-gamma or rDNA rat IFN-gamma protected them against the lethality of subsequent L . monocytogenes injection . At 3 d after bacterial challenge, bacterial content in the spleens of 3-d-old rats pretreated with rIFN-gamma were significantly decreased compared to controls: IFN-alpha/beta-pretreated animals had less of a decrease, which become significant only 5 d after challenge . Our experiments indicate a role for IFN in neonatal host defense against L . monocytogenes infection. S Afr Med J, 1989 Feb 18, 75(4), 188 - 9 Listeria pneumonia . A case report; Whitelock-Jones L et al.; A 42-year-old man with an atypical pneumonia . He had chest pain and a dry cough for 3 weeks, was dull at the left base clinically, and had left lower zone consolidation on chest radiography . The pneumonia spread despite oral ampicillin and cloxacillin . Blood culture grew Listeria monocytogenes and white cell count showed a monocytosis . He responded to intravenous penicillin and gentamicin with complete X-ray clearance. J Immunol, 1989 Feb 15, 142(4), 1293 - 8 Enumeration of single IFN-gamma-producing cells in mice during viral and bacterial infection; Gessner A et al.; A solid phase immunoenzymatic technique was employed for detecting single IFN-gamma-producing cells (IFN-gamma PC) in the mouse . After infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or Listeria monocytogenes, the numbers of IFN-gamma PC in spleens began to rise on day 4, attained maxima on days 7 and 8, and declined thereafter . Negative selection in vitro by use of mAb and C allowed phenotypic identification of the producer cells; most, if not all, carried Thy-1, and approximately one half expressed CD4, the other half, CD8 . Depletion of cells in vivo by treatment of mice with mAb led to somewhat different results; again, anti-Thy-1 antibody eliminated essentially all IFN-gamma PC, but considerably more than 50% were either CD4+ or CD8+, suggesting regulatory interactions between these T lymphocyte subsets with regard to generation of the lymphokine. Ital J Neurol Sci, 1989 Feb, 10(1), 85 - 7 Brainstem encephalitis due to Listeria monocytogenes . Favourable outcome after early antibiotic therapy; Barontini F et al.; A case of brainstem encephalitis is reported in which an early identification in blood of listeria monocytogenes allowed an effective antibiotic therapy (Ampicillin and Gentamicin) with complete recovery. J Immunol, 1989 Feb 1, 142(3), 932 - 9 Impact of genetically regulated T cell proliferation on acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes; Berche P et al.; Two lines of mice genetically selected for high and low in vitro responses to PHA were used to evaluate the impact of T cell polyclonal expansion on acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes . The selective breeding induced two major consequences in low responder mice: (1) a reduction of the number of L3T4+ cells and (2) a restriction of T cell expansion upon PHA stimulation, predominantly affecting the Lyt-2+ subset, and associated with an abridgment of IL-2 production . In vivo PHA stimulation induced anti-Listeria protection in high responder mice, but was much less effective in low responder mice . Flow cytometer analysis revealed that T cell proliferation was also reduced in low responder mice during the course of Listeria infection, implying both L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ subsets . This defect did not apparently influence the kinetics of bacterial elimination in host tissues, which was similar in both lines during primary Listeria infection . In contrast, the expression of delayed-type hypersensitivity to Listeria antigens and the level of immunologic memory were significantly reduced in low responder mice . In vivo selective T cell depletion by anti-L3T4 or anti-Lyt-2 mAb allowed us to demonstrate the predominant role of Lyt-2+ cells in protection and that of L3T4+ cells in the expression of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Postgrad Med J, 1989 Feb, 65(760), 74 - 8 Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in previously healthy adults; Hearmon CJ et al.; A retrospective study of four sporadic cases of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis is reported . Contrary to the conventional epidemiology these patients were adults who were not immuno-compromised . Although all four cases produced positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures, in three, listeria was not microscopically identified . Protein and glucose contents of cerebrospinal fluids were variable and all samples showed lymphocytic pleocytosis . All four had neutrophil leucocytosis in peripheral blood . The unwary may dismiss lymphocytic meningitis as being of 'viral' origin, thereby making an important diagnostic misjudgement of vital therapeutic importance . Intravenous ampicillin is the drug of first choice for treatment of listeria meningitis; third generation cephalosporins are ineffective. Offentl Gesundheitswes, 1989 Feb, 51(2), 67 - 70 {The dilemma of listeriosis control by the public health office}; Seeliger H; The frequent occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes both superficially and in certain foods requires measures in accordance with the Federal Laws on Communicable Diseases and Safe Foods to study possible sources of the infectious agent and prevention if positive findings are reported . On the other hand, due to good defence mechanisms, the majority of the population are not at great risk . This excludes, however, immunodeficient patients, aged persons and newborn . The Federal Law on Notifiable Diseases requires only the reporting of meningitis and encephalitis as well as of listeriosis in newborn . Hence, Listeria infections with other syndromes are not registered . The some-times relatively long time of incubation and the lack of knowledge on mild and transient forms of listeriosis render the search for sources of such infections rather difficult . This results in a true dilemma . -Thus, it appears at the present to be more important to encourage strongly the producers of Listeria-endangered food, to eliminate the risk by all possible means . This, however, appears to be applicable only in a few food items . Therefore, the consumer should be more thoroughly informed, so that at least for the 'at risk' part of the population any possible danger may be minimised . Particular attention should be paid to impart good knowledge on the possibilities of preventing listeriosis by appropriately efficient methods of food preparation. Int J Food Microbiol, 1989 Feb, 8(1), 85 - 94 Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in the presence of sodium propionate; el-Shenawy MA et al.; Survival or growth of Listeria monocytogenes in Tryptose Broth supplemented with 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25 or 0.3% sodium propionate was determined when the pH of the medium was 5.0 or 5.6 and incubation was at 4, 13, 21 and 35 degrees C . The pathogen grew in all controls, propionate-free broth, except at 4 degrees C and pH 5.0 . At pH 5.6 and 4, 13, 21 and 35 degrees C the bacterium grew in the presence of all propionate concentrations used in this study . The higher concentrations permitted only minimal growth with smallest ultimate populations and longest generation times . Reducing the pH to 5.0 served to minimize growth further at 13, 21 and 35 degrees C than that observed at the same temperatures but at pH 5.6 . The extent of growth was directly proportional to the propionate concentrations; at high concentrations, propionate caused a gradual decrease in populations and/or prolonged the lag phase . At 35 degrees C, a concentration of 0.25% did not allow growth, whereas 0.3% caused inactivation of the pathogen after 80 h of incubation . At 4 degrees C and pH 5.0, all concentrations of sodium propionate caused a gradual decrease in populations during the incubation period. Can J Microbiol, 1989 Feb, 35(2), 245 - 54 Physiological studies on the growth and utilization of sugars by Listeria species; Pine L et al.; Experiments, relevant to growth in milk, were done to delineate the aerobic and anaerobic growth of Listeria species on selected sugars in several media . All species grew on glucose aerobically, forming lactic acid and (or) acetic acid . Anaerobically, only lactic acid was formed; cell yields were 80% of those obtained aerobically . When incubated aerobically, small amounts (1.5 microns/mL) of isovaleric acid, 2-hydroxyisovaleric acid, and trace amounts of isobutyric acid were formed . These products were characteristically formed by 26 strains representing all the species of Listeria . Added leucine stimulated isovaleric acid formation . Anaerobic fermentations of glucose could be followed by 60 to 80% cell lysis; less lysis occurred in air . Anaerobically, only hexoses and pentoses supported growth; aerobically, maltose and lactose supported growth of some strains, but sucrose did not support growth of any strain tested . Listeria grayi and Listeria murrayi utilized the galactose and glucose moieties of lactose for growth; Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua used only the glucose moiety . Glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine supported aerobic and anaerobic growth as well as glucose, and their presence stimulated the utilization of lactose by "lactose-negative" strains . Analyses of cultures grown at 5 degrees C in sterile milk treated with glucose oxidase supported the conclusion that the glucose of the milk was the major, if not the limiting, substrate that supported growth. J Interferon Res, 1989 Feb, 9(1), 79 - 86 Recombinant mouse interferon-gamma is not chemotactic for macrophages or neutrophils; Canono BP et al.; Recent evidence implicates interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in resistance to infection with the facultative intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes . Reports showing that inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils are highly bactericidal for listeria suggest that IFN-gamma might act by directly or indirectly causing recruitment of these cells . The purpose of the experiments described here was to test whether recombinant mouse IFN-gamma is chemotactic for macrophages or neutrophils in vivo or in vitro . In vivo experiments showed rIFN-gamma to have no ability to cause recruitment of inflammatory neutrophils or macrophages into the peritoneal cavities of mice . When tested in vitro, rIFN-gamma also did not induce migration of inflammatory neutrophils or macrophages through cellulose nitrate filters in a chemotaxis assay . The data indicate that rIFN-gamma has no direct or indirect chemotactic activity in vivo or in vitro for mouse macrophages or neutrophils. Arch Neurol, 1989 Feb, 46(2), 173 - 7 Central nervous system infections in heart and heart-lung transplant recipients; Hall WA et al.; Infections, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed heart and heart-lung transplant recipients, frequently involve the central nervous system and can produce devastating neurologic sequelae . Between 1980 and 1987, a total of 363 heart transplant and 54 heart-lung transplant recipients at the University of Pittsburgh sustained 13 intracranial infections two to 143 weeks after transplantation . Computed tomography demonstrated well-defined Nocardia and Aspergillus abscesses in four patients . Cerebrospinal fluid was normal in all cases studied, including in those patients in whom culture confirmed meningitis . Computed tomography-guided stereotactic surgery was used to diagnose and aspirate two nocardial brain abscesses . The prognosis for patients with central nervous system infections was related to their overall condition at the time of diagnosis . Both patients with nocardial abscesses and one patient with Listeria leptomeningitis survived, but all ten other patients died because of extensive multisystem infectious complications. Infect Immun, 1989 Feb, 57(2), 553 - 8 Separate and combined effects of recombinant interleukin-1 alpha and gamma interferon on antibacterial resistance; Kurtz RS et al.; Our laboratory has previously reported that administration of murine recombinant interleukin 1 alpha (rIL-1 alpha) substantially enhanced the resistance of mice to Listeria monocytogenes infection . Other investigators have rep