J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1988 May-Jun, 71(3), 651 - 4 Listeria methods development research at the Eastern Regional Research Center, U.S . Department of Agriculture; Buchanan RL et al.; Listeria methods research at the U.S . Department of Agriculture, Eastern Regional Research Center, has concentrated on 2 areas during the past year . The first was development of techniques for assessing isolation methods for their ability to detect sublethally stressed cells . It appears that a number of widely used media do not accurately detect Listeria that have been injured by thermal processing or acidification . The second was development of improved plating media . One, modified Vogel-Johnson agar, shows promise; it is highly selective and quantitative, and eliminates the need to select colonies on the basis of a blue color when illuminated with reflected light. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1988 May-Jun, 71(3), 647 - 50 Direct plating technique for enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes in foods; Golden DA et al.; The advantages and disadvantages of various techniques for detecting and enumerating Listeria monocytogenes in foods are reviewed, and results from a study designed to compare 14 direct plating media for their suitability to recover uninjured cells of L . monocytogenes from 4 foods are summarized . McBride Listeria agar (MLA), gum base nalidixic acid tryptone soy agar (GBNTSA), modified Despierres agar (MDA), and modified MLA (MMLA) performed best for recovering all inoculum populations from milk and ice cream mix . For Brie cheese, MLA, MDA, MMLA, and Dominguez Rodriguez isolation agar were superior for recovering L . monocytogenes; GBNTSA, MDA, MMLA, and Donnelly's Listeria enrichment agar were best for recovering the organism from cabbage . Direct plating procedures without prior enrichment can be utilized successfully for recovering L . monocytogenes from foods such as pasteurized milk and ice cream mix, which contain low populations of background microflora . However, recovery of L . monocytogenes from foods such as raw cabbage and Brie cheese, which contain high populations of other microorganisms, was not satisfactory using direct plating procedures. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1988 May-Jun, 71(3), 644 - 6 Historical perspectives on methodology to detect Listeria monocytogenes; Donnelly CW; While recognized as a causative agent of illness in animals and humans for some time, the foodborne role of Listeria monocytogenes is a new and emerging one . This review briefly summarizes the historical developments in methodology used to detect the presence of L . monocytogenes . Although clinical procedures exist, these procedures do not consider isolation of Listeria from heavily contaminated environments . Federal agencies such as the U.S . Food and Drug Administration and the U.S . Department of Agriculture have defined protocols for the isolation of Listeria from dairy and meat products, respectively . Each of these protocols, and current problems common to all methods for the isolation of Listeria from food products, are discussed . Finally, future challenges with respect to improvement in our abilities to recognize, isolate, and rapidly identify Listeria in foods are presented. J Infect Dis, 1988 May, 157(5), 941 - 9 Antigen-specific production of colony-stimulating factors by Listeria monocytogenes-immune, L3T4-positive cells; Magee DM et al.; We investigated production of colony-stimulating factors by Listeria monocytogenes-immune spleen cells . Levels of total colony-stimulating factors in supernatants from antigen-stimulated immune cells were increased two- to fourfold over those in supernatants from nonimmune cells . Immune supernatants primarily induced formation of granulocyte colonies, whereas nonimmune supernatants induced formation of macrophage colonies . Immune supernatants had two- to 10-fold higher levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor, as determined by radioimmunoassay, and higher levels of interleukin-3 and possibly granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, as determined by factor-dependent cell line growth, than did nonimmune supernatants . Using enrichment and depletion techniques we showed that L3T4-positive T lymphocytes were responsible for most of the colony-stimulating factor production in the immune reaction. J Immunol, 1988 May 1, 140(9), 3173 - 9 Cloned Listeria monocytogenes specific non-MHC-restricted Lyt-2+ T cells with cytolytic and protective activity; Kaufmann SH et al.; Mice were infected with Listeria monocytogenes and Lyt-2+ T cell clones capable of lysing Ag-primed bone marrow macrophages were established . In accordance with earlier findings obtained at the population level, some T cell clones were identified which lysed bone marrow macrophages of different MHC type provided the relevant Ag was present . This unusual target cell recognition was further analyzed using a T3+, L3T4-, Lyt-2+, F23+, KJ16+ T cell clone, designated L-28 . Target cell lysis by this clone was Ag specific, apparently non-MHC restricted . In contrast, YAC cells and P815 cells were not lysed by clone L-28 . However, lysis of irrelevant targets could be induced by anti-T3, F23, or KJ16 mAb . Furthermore, Ag-specific lysis was blocked by anti-Lyt-2 mAb and by F(ab)2 fragments of F23 mAb . In addition to its cytolytic activity, clone L-28 produced IFN-gamma after co-stimulation with accessory cells, Ag, and rIL-2 and conferred significant protection on recipient mice when given together with rIL-2 . These data suggest that non-MHC-restricted Lyt-2+ killer cells generated during listeriosis are cytolytic T lymphocytes that interact with their target Ag via the T cell receptor/T3 complex and the Lyt-2 molecule and, furthermore, that these cells play a role in anti-listerial resistance . The possible relevance of IFN-gamma secretion and target cell lysis for antibacterial protection is discussed. Infect Immun, 1988 May, 56(5), 1371 - 5 Mouse macrophages stimulated by recombinant gamma interferon to kill tumor cells are not bactericidal for the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes; Campbell PA et al.; Data presented here demonstrate that recombinant gamma interferon (rIFN-gamma) activated a single population of 10% fetal calf serum-elicited mouse peritoneal exudate cells to express tumoricidal activity but not bactericidal activity for the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes . Fetal calf serum-elicited cells incubated with rIFN-gamma phagocytosed listeriae normally, suggesting that their inability to kill this bacterium is not because they cannot phagocytose it . Data also show that proteose peptone-elicited peritoneal exudate cells, which are bactericidal but not tumoricidal, acquired tumoricidal activity but lost bactericidal activity following incubation overnight with rIFN-gamma . These experiments show that under conditions sufficient for rIFN-gamma to induce macrophages to express tumoricidal activity, the same cell population does not express bactericidal activity for the facultative intracellular bacterium L . monocytogenes . This suggests that mechanisms responsible for these two biological activities may be different. Int J Food Microbiol, 1988 May, 6(3), 187 - 98 A selective and diagnostic medium for use in the enumeration of Listeria spp . in foods; van Netten P et al.; A new medium, called RAPAMY agar, has been elaborated for the isolation from and the enumeration of Listeria spp . in foods . It is based on Ralovich's nalidixic acid-trypaflavin-agar with the following modifications: (i) the slight inhibitory properties of that medium were overcome by the use of Columbia Blood agar base instead of tryptose agar and the addition of 0.05% ferric ammonium citrate and 2.5% egg yolk emulsion; (ii) selectivity was improved by the addition of 0.25% 2-phenyl ethanol and incubation under microaerobic conditions; (iii) the medium was provided with two diagnostic traits by the addition of (a) aesculin + ferric ammonium citrate; and (b) D-mannitol and phenol red . The growth of Enterococcus spp., the only organisms other than Listeria spp . which grow on RAPAMY agar, was not inhibited by the addition of 20 microgram.ml-1 Cefoxitin (Moxolactam) . Higher levels inhibited some Listeria spp., but not the enterococci . The medium recovered Listeria spp . quantitatively and allowed recovery from foods colonized by Enterococcus spp . at levels upto 10(2) per g. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 May, (5), 84 - 8 {Immunomodulating properties of salmozan and its effect on the functional activity of macrophages}; Tumanian MA et al.; The effect of salmozan on the resistance of mice to Listeria monocytogenes infection, the formation of delayed hypersensitivity (DH) to sheep red blood cells in the animals, as well as changes in some functional activity characteristics of macrophages have been studied . The study has revealed that salmozan enhances anti-infectious resistance, suppresses the dermal manifestations of DH, and decreases the level of 5'-nucleotidase in peritoneal macrophages, stimulating their phagocytic activity . The intensity of the drug action depends on the time of its administration . The most pronounced immunomodulating action and maximal changes in the function of macrophages have been registered simultaneously after the treatment of the animals with salmozan. J Appl Bacteriol, 1988 May, 64(5), 371 - 8 Serological studies on Listeria grayi and Listeria murrayi; Vazquez-Boland JA et al.; A cross-agglutination study between somatic antigens from reference strains of Listeria grayi and Listeria murrayi with rabbit antisera was done . L . murrayi antisera reacted, at low titres, with L . grayi but L . grayi antisera did not react with L . murrayi antigen . These results, together with agglutinin-absorption tests, led to the conclusion that the serologic relationship between L . grayi and L . murrayi is not as close as is thought . The two species seem to differ in at least one somatic factor, that might be designated O-XVI for L . grayi and O-XVII for L . murrayi . The serologic relationship of L . grayi and L . murrayi with other serovars of Listeria is discussed . The agglutination titre of 180 healthy ruminants against O-antigens of L . grayi and L . murrayi was also investigated; almost all the sera reacted with the antigens of these species, with similar titres (that reached 640) to those detected against O-antigens of serogroups 1/2 and 4. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1988 May-Jun, 71(3), 669 - 73 Comparative studies of nucleic acid hybridization assay for Listeria in foods; Klinger JD et al.; A nucleic acid hybridization assay has been developed for Listeria spp . in dairy foods and environmental samples . The assay is based on detection of unique Listeria 16S rRNA sequences by using a 32P-labeled synthetic DNA probe . Inclusivity and exclusivity of the probe were confirmed with 139 Listeria isolates representing all known species, and 73 non-Listeria bacterial strains . In this paper, we present results from our preliminary studies comparing the hybridization assay with conventional culture on a total of 575 specimens that represent a variety of inoculated and uninoculated foods and environmental samples . The assay, which is done in a filter manifold format after 2 days of cultural enrichment, requires a total assay time of less than 2.5 days . The false-negative rate for all sample groups tested using the GENE-TRAK hybridization assay was less than the rate for culture . Thus, the new assay allows rapid screening of the indicated product groups and provides reliable numerical results. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1988 Apr, 27(4), 283 - 8 Perinatal listeriosis underdiagnosed as a cause of pre-term labour? Valkenburg MH, Essed GG, Potters HV. Between April 1, 1985, and April 1, 1986, four cases of perinatal listeriosis were reported at the Maastricht Academic Hospital . All cases were of the early-onset type . All mothers were admitted for pre-term labour between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation . Pre-natal symptoms included maternal fever, non-characteristic influenza-like manifestations, leucocytosis and (pre-term) meconium-stained amniotic fluid . Two neonates died, one in utero and one due to listeriosis sepsis . Another neonate developed a hydrocephalus . Only one neonate has survived without damage up to now . Such a high incidence of listeriosis and the high perinatal morbidity and mortality rates are remarkable . Epidemiological, bacteriological and placental sequelae of Listeria monocytogenes are discussed. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Apr, 268(2), 259 - 70 The influence of ciprofloxacin treatment in vivo on cell-mediated immunity to Listeria monocytogenes; Ehlers S et al.; The intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of ciprofloxacin in very high doses (2 x 1 mg/d up to 2 x 2 mg/d) can reduce the bacterial load of mice experimentally infected with the intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes . The T-cell response generated during the treated infection is affected in much the same way as it is during antibiotic treatment with ampicillin, i.e . the protective immunity established directly correlates with the number of bacteria present during an extended period of time during the primary infection . Although an additional anti-proliferative effect of ciprofloxacin on expanding T-cells as evidenced in in vitro experiments cannot be excluded, our data in summary favour the view that in vivo this effect is at most of minor importance. Immunology, 1988 Apr, 63(4), 677 - 82 Acute starvation in mice reduces the number of T cells and suppresses the development of T-cell-mediated immunity; Wing EJ et al.; Experiments were performed to determine the effect of starvation on T-cell mediated host defences . In mice starved for 72 hr, the number of thymocytes fell by 98%, spleen cells by 82% and peripheral blood cells by 44% . By 7 days after the end of starvation, values had returned to within 50% of baseline . The percentage of L3T4 and Lyt-2 antigen-bearing cells fell in the thymus, but the percentage of Thy-1.2-positive cells did not change . Starvation decreased the percentage of lymphocytes in peripheral blood but increased the percentage of granulocytes . During starvation, the cellularity in thymuses, spleens and peripheral blood was preserved in adrenalectomized mice compared to normal or sham-adrenalectomized mice . Confirming previous results of ours, starved mice were resistant to i.v . challenge with Listeria monocytogenes immediately after starvation . However, when starved mice were immunized with a sublethal dose of Listeria immediately after starvation and challenged 3-4 weeks later, they were less resistant to Listeria than fed, immunized mice . Similarly, spleen cells of starved, immunized mice had a reduced capacity to transfer immunity passively to non-immune mice . Increasing the immunizing dose of Listeria in starved mice increased the level of immunity that developed . These data indicate that starved mice have a marked reduction in T-cell cellularity, possibly related to corticosteroid production during the stress of starvation . Although starved mice were relatively resistant to Listeria immediately after starvation, they had a reduced capacity to develop T-cell mediated immunity to Listeria . This deficiency could be partly overcome by increasing the immunizing dose of Listeria. Immunology, 1988 Apr, 63(4), 649 - 55 Protective immunity to Listeria monocytogenes in neonatally thymectomized (NTx) mice: involvement of T cells distinct from those in sham-thymectomized mice; Watanabe Y et al.; Neonatally thymectomized (NTx) mice, whose ability to mount antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity is reported to be generally defective, were found to be capable of mounting a normal level of acquired cellular resistance (ACR) and delayed footpad reaction (DFR) to Listeria monocytogenes . The present study was done in order to determine the functional differences of T cells contributing to the protection against L . monocytogenes between NTx and sham-operated mice . In mice immunized with viable L . monocytogenes, the absolute number of splenic T cells was significantly lower in NTx mice compared with sham-operated mice . When the ability of immune T cells to transfer ACR and DFR was examined by passive transfer, lymphocytes from immune NTx mice conferred a higher level of ACR and DFR on naive recipient mice, despite the marked difference in total number of T cells compared with immune Sham mice . Antigen-specific proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by splenic T cells from immune NTx mice were significantly lower than in those from immune Sham mice . The proliferative response of T cells to exogenous IL-2 was also lower in NTx group . These results suggest that the requirement for the IL-2-driven T-cell proliferation system is basically low in the generation of effector T cells specific for L . monocytogenes. J Gen Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 134 ( Pt 4), 1029 - 35 PSK, a polysaccharide from Coriolus vesicolor, enhances oxygen metabolism of murine peritoneal macrophages and the host resistance to listerial infection; Saito H et al.; PSK, a protein-bound polysaccharide isolated from the basidiomycete Coriolus vesicolor (Fr.) Quel . was examined with regard to its effects of macrophage (M phi) oxygen metabolism in mice, a function important for the expression of M phi antimicrobial activity . The O2(-)-producing ability and chemiluminescence (CL) of host peritoneal M phi s in response to phorbol myristate acetate were markedly elevated by preinjection of PSK (1 or 5 mg per mouse intraperitoneally) around 4-7d before M phi-harvest . The enhanced O2(-)-producing ability due to PSK injection persisted much longer than the enhanced CL, indicating a discrepancy in regulation of generation of active oxygen species such as O2-, H2O2, OH, and 1O2 . Daily injections of PSK (1 mg per injection) from 10 to 4d before M phi harvest did not increase the efficacy of PSK over that given by a single 1 mg injection . When PSK (5 mg) was given intraperitoneally to mice in a single injection 10, 7 or 4d before the intravenous Listeria monocytogenes inoculation, a similar increase in the host resistance to the bacteria was noted regardless of the timing of the injection . Multiple PSK injections fron 10 to 4d before the infection also enhanced the host resistance, to the same degree . Therefore, PSK is thought to augment the host resistance to certain intracellular parasites including L . monocytogenes at least to some extent by enhancing oxygen metabolism of the host M phi. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1988 Apr 1, 113(7), 380 - 3 {Listeria mastitis in cattle}; van Daelen AM et al.; Cases of human infection caused by Listeria and resulting from the consumption of dairy produce contaminated by Listeria are referred to in the literature . A case of mastitis in cattle, caused by Listeria monocytogenes type 1/2a, is reported . The result of treatment of the infected quarters with penicillin was not satisfactory so far . Several cases of short-lived excretion of Listeria bacteria in the milk and carriers not showing any symptoms are referred to in the literature, whereas cases of prolonged mastitis caused by Listeria, marked by abnormal milk, increased cell counts and reduced production are not reported. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1988 Apr 1, 113(7), 372 - 9 {Listeria monocytogenes in food . A review}; Kleiss TH; Listeriosis as a foodborne disease made European headlines in the autumn of 1987 . Some years earlier, the USA were alarmed by the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a large number of dairy products . Following recent outbreaks, this paper deals with pathogenesis, isolation, epidemiology and distribution of Listeria monocytogenes in food . Its reactions in food (e.g . growth, survival, thermal inactivation) under various circumstances is described. Infect Immun, 1988 Apr, 56(4), 766 - 72 Expression in Escherichia coli and sequence analysis of the listeriolysin O determinant of Listeria monocytogenes; Mengaud J et al.; To evaluate the role of hemolysin production in the virulence of Listeria monocytogenes, we have undertaken the analysis of the chromosomal region containing hlyA, the gene coding for listeriolysin O . A recombinant cosmid, conferring a hemolytic phenotype to Escherichia coli, was shown to express listeriolysin O, by immunoblotting with a specific antiserum against listeriolysin O . The presence of hlyA on the cosmid was demonstrated by DNA hybridization with a probe previously shown to contain part of hlyA . The complete nucleotide sequence of hlyA has been determined . The deduced protein sequence reveals the presence of a putative 25-amino-acid signal sequence: the secreted form of listeriolysin O would have 504 amino acids, in agreement with the molecular weight of purified listeriolysin O (58,000) . The protein sequence is highly homologous to those of streptolysin O and pneumolysin . A peptide of 11 amino acids conserved in the three proteins contains the unique cysteine known to be essential for lytic activity . By DNA-DNA hybridization, the listeriolysin O gene was detected in all L . monocytogenes strains tested, even in the nonhemolytic type strain . The gene was absent in other species of the genus Listeria. J Exp Med, 1988 Apr 1, 167(4), 1459 - 71 Role of hemolysin for the intracellular growth of Listeria monocytogenes; Portnoy DA et al.; Listeria monocytogenes insertion mutants defective in hemolysin production were generated using the conjugative transposons Tn916 and Tn1545 . All of the nonhemolytic mutants (hly-) lacked a secreted 58-kD polypeptide, presumedly hemolysin, and were avirulent in a mouse model . An intracellular multiplication assay was established in monolayers of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, the J774 macrophage-like cell line, the CL.7 embryonic mouse fibroblast cell line, and the Henle 407 human epithelial cell line . The hly+ strain grew intracellularly in all of the tissue culture cells with a doubling time of approximately 60 min . In contrast, the hly- mutants failed to grow in the murine-derived tissue culture cells, but retained the ability to grow in the human tissue culture cells examined . Hemolytic-positive revertants were selected after passage of the hly- mutants through monolayers of J774 cells . In each case, the hemolytic revertants possessed the 58-kD polypeptide, were capable of intracellular growth in tissue culture monolayers and were virulent for mice. Vet Rec, 1988 Mar 19, 122(12), 274 - 6 An outbreak of meningo-encephalitis in fallow deer caused by Listeria monocytogenes; Eriksen L et al.; An outbreak of listeric meningo-encephalitis occurred in a population of 1800 fallow deer (Dama dama) in a park during the winter and early spring of 1985 to 1986 . Listeriosis was diagnosed in 41 of 42 fallow deer that showed the typical central nervous system signs of circling disease or were found dead . The diagnosis was verified by bacteriological examination of the brains of 35 animals . In five of the seven remaining cases listeriosis was diagnosed by histological examination, and in one animal by clinical signs alone . Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in three of 23 soil samples taken from the park . In addition, L monocytogenes was isolated from the intestinal contents of apparently normal fallow deer . Fifty isolates from animals and soil were serotyped and all of them belonged to serovar 4b except one from brain (serovar 1/2b) and three from intestinal contents (serovar 1/2a) . In phage typing of 54 isolates, the 35 isolates from the brain and spleen of diseased animals belonged to the same lysovar, as did most isolates from other sources, but strains from intestinal contents belonged to three other phage types . No external source of L monocytogenes was demonstrated in the outbreak and stress due to the poor beech-mast crop, an increased stocking rate and a sudden change in the weather are suspected as predisposing factors. J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino), 1988 Mar-Apr, 29(2), 140 - 2 Successful surgical treatment of a case of listeria monocytogenes endocarditis; Alonso J et al.; Endocarditis due to listeria monocytogenes is rare with only twenty one cases to our knowledge appearing in the world's literature to date . We report a further case with a successful surgical outcome and stress the importance of surgery in the treatment of infective endocarditis . There is a clear predilection of this organism for the left side of the heart and systemic embolization is frequent . In contrast to other clinical forms of listeriosis, endocarditis has not been associated with debilitating states or immunosuppressive treatments . Though clinical and laboratory data suggest a similarity with other types of bacterial endocarditis, the prognosis is more unfavorable and the mortality rate higher. Cancer Lett, 1988 Mar, 39(2), 137 - 43 Effect of combined treatment of anti-inflammatory drug and mannoheptulose on the production of tumour necrosis factor and endotoxin shock in mice; Fung KP et al.; The endotoxin shock induced in mice by injection of viable Listeria monocytogenes and challenged with endotoxin can be alleviated by combined administration of mannoheptulose with acetylsalicylate or sulindac . The ability of animals to secrete tumour necrosis factor into the blood was, however, not affected . The significance of these observations are discussed. Infect Immun, 1988 Mar, 56(3), 607 - 12 Susceptibility of HRS/J mice to listeriosis: dynamics of infection; Archinal WA et al.; Congenitally hairless HRS/J homozygous (hr/hr) mice as well as phenotypically normal littermates (hr/+) were found to exhibit unusual susceptibility to infection with Listeria monocytogenes with 50% of the animals dying within a 10-day period (LD50) at an infecting inoculum approaching 200 microorganisms . In marked contrast to the outbred CD-1 strain as well as other Listeria-susceptible mice, HRS/J hosts are virtually incapable of limiting infection with virulent Listeria . The dynamics of infection reveal early uncontrolled bacterial growth within the peritoneal cavity, followed by a sharp increase of bacterial load in the spleen of both HRS/J homozygotes and heterozygous littermates . Spleen indices obtained for mutant mice indicate substantial splenomegaly which parallels the onset of infection in that organ . Assessment of the exudate population within the peritoneal cavity during infection indicates that HRS/J mice produce an early sustained influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes while exhibiting a diminished macrophage inflammatory response . Additionally, it was shown that the mutant strain expresses significant increases in the total number of recoverable peritoneal leukocytes in response to other phlogistic stimuli. Infect Immun, 1988 Mar, 56(3), 548 - 51 Antibacterial activity of recombinant murine beta interferon; Fujiki T et al.; Recombinant murine beta interferon was protective and therapeutic for mice against Listeria monocytogenes infection in vivo . The recombinant murine beta interferon caused enhanced H2O2 release by macrophages in vivo, but not in vitro. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Mar, 268(1), 15 - 23 Microcalorimetric investigations on Listeria; Allerberger FJ et al.; Sixty-one Listeria strains--Listeria monocytogenes (35 strains), Listeria ivanovii (8), Listeria innocua (7), Listeria welshimeri (6) and Listeria seeligeri (5)--were tested microcalorimetrically for their heat production upon growth in Columbia broth . Listeria ivanovii and Listeria seeligeri displayed different and quite characteristic thermograms . Listeria welshimeri, Listeria innocua and all but one of the Listeria monocytogenes strains showed similar microcalorimetric curves, which differed considerably from those of Listeria ivanovii and Listeria seeligeri. APMIS, 1988 Mar, 96(3), 223 - 8 In vitro susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from human blood and cerebrospinal fluid . A material from the years 1958-1985; Poulsen PN et al.; The in vitro susceptibility of 156 strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated since 1958 from human cerebrospinal fluid or blood to twelve antibiotics was determined by an agar dilution technique . Erythromycin (0.05), trimethoprim (0.2), netilmicin (0.2), and penicillin (0.2) were the most active drugs on weight basis (MIC90 0.05-0.2 micrograms/ml) . Ampicillin and imipenem had MICs for 90% of the strains of 0.4 micrograms/ml . Ceftazidime was inactive (MIC90 greater than 100 micrograms/ml) . Comparison of susceptibility pattern between strains isolated in different years showed that the antimicrobial susceptibility of L . monocytogenes has not changed during the last 25 years . The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of penicillin was determined by a macro tube dilution method in ten recent isolates . Penicillin was bactericidal for all the strains with a MBC of 0.4-3.1 micrograms/ml, i.e . one to three two-fold dilutions above the MIC of 0.2-0.8 micrograms/ml, which means that no tolerant strains were found. CMAJ, 1988 Mar 1, 138(5), 413 - 8 Listeria monocytogenes: a foodborne pathogen; Farber JM et al.; Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, appears to be increasing in incidence worldwide . The disease is of great concern to the food industry . A recent outbreak in California was linked to the consumption of Mexican-style soft cheese and involved more than 300 cases, 30% of which were fatal . L . monocytogenes can be found in a variety of dairy products, leafy vegetables, fish and meat products . It can grow in refrigerated foods and is more heat resistant than most vegetative microbes . The epidemiologic features of listeriosis are poorly understood, and the minimum infectious dose is unknown . Those predisposed to listeriosis include immunocompromised people and pregnant women and their fetuses . Meningitis, spontaneous abortion and septicemia are the primary manifestations of the disease . Early recognition is critical for successful treatment, and ampicillin is the preferred drug . Listeriosis should be considered in any febrile patient with neurologic symptoms of unknown origin, as well as in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages, premature labour or fetal death . A food source should be the prime suspect if any isolated case or outbreak occurs. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1988 Mar, 268(1), 50 - 6 Therapeutic activity of teicoplanin on experimental listeriosis compared with that of vancomycin and ampicillin; Berner R et al.; Several strains of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria spp . are without exception susceptible to teicoplanin (MIC 0.25 mg/l) . Vancomycin as well as ampicillin are likewise active . A bactericidal effect of teicoplanin was only achieved at rather high concentrations and after incubation of several hours . There is no synergistic effect between teicoplanin and gentamicin . The therapeutic activity of teicoplanin as well as vancomycin in mice infected with L . monocytogenes is low . The efficacy of ampicillin could not be achieved . Treatment of chronically infected athymic, nude mice with teicoplanin is ineffective . Consequently, teicoplanin is not able to replace ampicillin in the therapy of listeriosis. Infect Immun, 1988 Mar, 56(3), 613 - 8 Susceptibility of HRS/J mice to listeriosis: macrophage activity; Archinal WA et al.; Macrophage functions, including phagocytosis and bactericidal and oxidative activities, were measured in highly susceptible Listeria monocytogenes-sensitive HRS/J homozygous and heterozygous mice . Phagocytic studies with both caseinate-elicited and L . monocytogenes-immune macrophages revealed comparable engulfment of latex particles, zymosan, and bacteria by mononuclear phagocytes obtained from all experimental mouse strains . Elicited macrophages cultivated from mutant hairless and heterozygous littermates exhibited a reduced capacity to control Listeria infection compared with cells derived from CD-1 mice . However, intracellular killing of the microorganisms by immune macrophages was comparable to that observed with the outbred controls . Studies on oxidative metabolic activities associated with the respiratory burst indicate that while intracellular nitroblue tetrazolium reduction was comparable for macrophages cultivated from all mouse strains, the liberation of superoxide anion and chemiluminescence responses were significantly diminished in caseinate-elicited HRS/J cells . Moreover, immune elicited hr/hr and hr/+ macrophages generated oxidative species at levels comparable to that observed with cells derived from resistant animals . Thus, immunologically elicited HRS/J mice are capable of responding to sublethal Listeria infection with heightened antibacterial and oxidative activities. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1988 Feb, 92(2), 246 - 54 Toxic effects of benzene and benzene metabolites on mononuclear phagocytes; Lewis JG et al.; Benzene is a potent bone marrow toxin in animals and man . Animal studies have shown that exposure to benzene can alter T lymphocyte functions and decrease the resistance of animals to Listeria monocytogenes and transplanted tumor cells . Mononuclear phagocytes participate in host resistance to Listeria and tumor cells . The purpose of the studies presented here was to determine the effects of benzene and benzene metabolites on macrophage functions and the ability of macrophages to be activated for functions which are important in host defense . Benzene had no effects on macrophage function or activation for any of the functions tested . Conversely, metabolites of benzene, catechol (CAT), hydroquinone (HQ), benzquinone (BQ), and 1,2,4-benzenetriol (BT) had potent and varied effects on macrophage function and activation . BQ inhibited the broadest range of functions including release of H2O2, Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis, interferon gamma priming for tumor cell cytolysis, and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggering of cytolysis . BQ was also the most potent metabolite causing inhibition at lower concentrations than the other metabolites . HQ inhibited H2O2 release and priming for cytolysis and BT inhibited phagocytosis and priming for cytolysis . CAT only inhibited the release of H2O2 . None of the compounds tested inhibited the induction of class II histocompatibility antigens on the cell surface . All of the effects measured occurred using concentrations of compounds which did not disrupt the cell integrity or inhibit general functions such as protein synthesis . Taken together these data suggest that benzene metabolites alter macrophage function through several mechanisms including inhibition of output enzymes and disruption of signal transduction systems. J Clin Lab Immunol, 1988 Feb, 25(2), 97 - 100 Effect of a high-fat diet on resistance to Listeria monocytogenes; Shinomiya N et al.; Effects of a high-fat diet on macrophage (M phi) functions were investigated . Eight-week-old ddN mice were fed a high-fat diet and carbon clearance was tested . Remarkable suppression of phagocytic activity (K16) was observed in mice fed such a diet for 1 or 2 weeks . Resistance against Listeria monocytogenes inoculated intravenously (iv) with a lethal, a sublethal, or a non-pathogenic dose was observed in the liver of mice fed a high-fat diet . When mice were infected with a lethal dose of bacteria, the number of listeria increased progressively in the liver to kill both control and a high-fat diet fed mice by day 4 . The number of listeria revealed no significant difference between the group in the case of low dose inoculation . High-fat diet fed mice given a sublethal dose of bacteria showed a rise in the number of viable bacteria during the first 3 days after infection while a decline in the number of bacteria was observed in control mice during such a period . Suppression of M phi activity induced by a high-fat diet may account for the reduced resistance. Genitourin Med, 1988 Feb, 64(1), 52 - 3 Prophylaxis against infection in Singaporean prostitutes; Bradbeer CS et al.; One hundred prostitutes were interviewed about the prophylactic measures they took against infection . The use of contraceptive diaphragms and clandestine antibiotics correlated significantly with fewer gonococcal infectionsPIP: The self-treatment methods used by 100 prostitutes, selected from those regularly attending the Middle Road Hospital, Singapore, were determined by structured interviews, and correlated with incidence of gonococcal infections . Subjects were studied if they had attended clinics at least 15 times in the last year . Treatments included antiseptic solutions by 67 women (Dettol, Listerine, pHisohex); antibiotics by 31 (19 from drug stores or pedlars, 12 medically prescribed or injected); contraceptive diaphragms by 16 . Antibiotics, ampicillin or tetracycline, generally were used inappropriately, such as 1 tablet/week, and inert capsules may have been obtained . The mean number of gonococcal infections was significantly reduced by use of antibiotics (0.55 vs 1.49, p0.01),diaphragm (0.50 vs 1.39, p0.55), and by both antibiotics and diaphragm (0.16 vs 1.57, p0.05) . No significant effect was seen with postcoital washing or insertion of cotton wool . Neither was there any correlation between number of infections and number of clients said to be using condoms . These results suggest that fitting prostitutes with diaphragms on their 1st visit to the clinic may be beneficial . Am J Gastroenterol, 1988 Feb, 83(2), 180 - 2 Listeria monocytogenes peritonitis; Soto-Hernandez JL et al.; Listeria monocytogenes peritonitis in a patient with cirrhosis and simultaneous soft tissue infection is reported . Six previously documented cases are reviewed . All seven patients were bacteremic, suggesting hematogenous seeding to the peritoneum as the pathogenic mechanism . Clinical and laboratory characteristics of L . monocytogenes peritonitis are compared with peritonitis of other bacterial etiologies. Can J Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 34(2), 95 - 100 The presence of Listeria spp . in raw milk in Ontario; Farber JM et al.; Raw milk samples from bulk tanks in Ontario were analyzed for the presence of Listeria species . The overall incidence of Listeria species in raw milk was 12.4% . Listeria innocua was most frequently isolated and was found in 9.7% (43/445) of the raw milk samples, while L . monocytogenes and L . welshimeri were each found in 1.3% (6/445) of the samples . No other species of Listeria was found . Of five regions in Ontario that were examined, the eastern region had a significantly higher incidence rate of Listeria species than the western, northern, or northwestern regions . There was also a significantly lower incidence rate of Listeria species in winter than in the other three seasons . A comparison of several cold enrichment and shortened enrichment procedures demonstrated that no single procedure was totally satisfactory in isolating Listeria species. Psychiatr Neurol Med Psychol (Leipz), 1988 Feb, 40(2), 95 - 101 {Listeriosis of the central nervous system in children beyond the neonatal period}; Wasser S et al.; Observations on three children with neurolisteriosis (one case of meningitis, two cases of meningoencephalitis, each Serovar 4 b), show that even after the neonatal period, listeriosis must not be ignored in the process of diagnosis and therapy . It is the bacteriological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, together with the blood culture, and not clinical symptoms and serology that guarantee a timely diagnosis and therapy (ampicillin and gentamicin). Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 54(2), 581 - 2 Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities after heat injury of Listeria monocytogenes; Dallmier AW et al.; Four strains of Listeria monocytogenes were examined for catalase (CA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities . The two strains having the highest CA activities (LCDC and Scott A) also possessed the highest SOD activities . The CA activity of heated cell extracts of all four strains examined decreased sharply between 55 and 60 degrees C . SOD was more heat labile than CA . Two L . monocytogenes strains demonstrated a decline in SOD activity after heat treatment at 45 degrees C, whereas the other two strains demonstrated a decline at 50 degrees C . Sublethal heating of the cells at 55 degrees C resulted in increased sensitivity to 5.5% NaCl . Exogenous hydrogen peroxide was added to suspensions of L . monocytogenes; strains producing the highest CA levels showed the greatest H2O2 resistance. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 54(2), 497 - 501 Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in tissues of experimentally infected cattle and in hard salami; Johnson JL et al.; Muscle, organ, and lymphoid tissues of four Holstein cows experimentally inoculated (intravenously) with Listeria monocytogenes were examined 2, 6, or 54 days postinoculation for the presence of the organism by direct plating and cold enrichment procedures . L . monocytogenes was isolated from 66% of the tissues sampled; 38% of the isolations were attributed to the use of cold enrichment . Isolation of the organism from muscle tissue was possible only with animals inoculated 2 days before slaughter . The fate of L . monocytogenes during the manufacture and storage of fermented hard salami made from this meat also was determined . Three sausage treatments were evaluated: (i) uninoculated control sausage, (ii) "naturally" contaminated sausage (NC) made from meat of an experimentally inoculated cow, and (iii) sausage made from beef inoculated with a laboratory culture of L . monocytogenes (I) . Initial Listeria levels in NC and I sausage were 10(3) CFU/g in trial 1 and 10(4) CFU/g in trial 2 . Numbers of L . monocytogenes decreased by approximately 1 log10 CFU/g during fermentation and decreased further during drying and refrigerated storage . Small numbers (less than or equal to 20 CFU/g) of L . monocytogenes were present in I and NC sausage at the end of 12 weeks of refrigerated storage; recovery of these organisms generally depended on the use of an enrichment procedure . The results indicate that L . monocytogenes does not multiply during the fermentation and drying processes typical of hard salami manufacture but that survival may occur if the organism is initially present at greater than or equal to 10(3) CFU/g. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 54(2), 364 - 70 Thermal inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes within bovine milk phagocytes; Bunning VK et al.; Thermal resistance of intracellular and freely suspended Listeria monocytogenes that was associated with a milkborne outbreak of listeriosis was studied by using the sealed tube and slug flow heat exchanger methods . Test temperatures for the former method were 57.8, 62.8, 66.1, and 68.9 degrees C (136, 145, 151, and 156 degrees F, respectively); whereas those for the latter method were 66.1, 68.9, 71.7, and 74.4 degrees C (151, 156, 161, and 166 degrees F, respectively) . The heating menstruum was sterile, whole milk . The intracellular inoculum was generated from an in vitro phagocytosis reaction by using endotoxin-induced bovine milk phagocytes . The phagocyte population consisted of 88% neutrophils, 8% macrophages, and 4% lymphocytes . Neutrophils harbored the majority of intracellular L . monocytogenes . The mean level of infectivity in the phagocyte population was 43%, and there were 26.1 +/- 19.3 bacteria per cell (10(4) viable cells per ml of test milk) . Initial bacterial counts for the freely suspended and intracellular experiments (the latter was based on a sonically disrupted sample) were 10(6) L . monocytogenes cells per ml . Heat-stressed bacteria were recovered by direct plating in parallel with recovery from an enrichment broth; both methods gave comparable results . The predicted D62.8 degrees C (145 degrees F) value for intracellular sealed tube studies was 53.8 s (ZD = 5.6 degrees C {10.0 degrees F}), indicating a safe 33.4 D margin of inactivation for vat pasteurization (62.8 degrees C for 30 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Infect Immun, 1988 Feb, 56(2), 534 - 6 Levels of Listeria monocytogenes hemolysin are not directly proportional to virulence in experimental infections of mice; Kathariou S et al.; The sulfhydryl-activated hemolysin of Listeria monocytogenes has been implicated in the virulence of the bacteria . Although loss of hemolytic activity by means of transposon mutagenesis is accompanied by loss of virulence in the mouse infection model, a direct relationship between in vitro production of hemolysin and virulence was not observed . Noticeable deviations in the extent of hemolysin production appeared to leave virulence unaffected. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1988 Feb, 112(2), 163 - 5 Effect of Prompt Inoculator on results of Sceptor system minimal inhibitory concentration determinations for Listeria monocytogenes; Dillon PA et al.; The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of eight antimicrobial agents were determined for each of 36 isolates of Listeria monocytogenes with the Sceptor system . Two different inoculation procedures, the standard Sceptor log-phase broth (LB) culture and the Prompt Inoculator (PI) (Bauer-Kirby type), were used . The PI MIC/LB MIC ratio (PI/LB ratio) was determined for each antimicrobial agent for each of the isolates . Of the 217 on-scale PI/LB ratio results, all were within the expected range of 0.5 to 2.0 . The PI was found to be a convenient, rapid, and suitable method of preparing an inoculum of L monocytogenes for use with the Sceptor system and should function equally well when testing L monocytogenes isolates with other commercially available MIC systems. J Clin Microbiol, 1988 Feb, 26(2), 213 - 5 Comparative study of inactivation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 by commonly used antiseptic agents; Croughan WS et al.; A comparative study of the different reactions of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 to Lysol, Listerine, bleach, rubbing alcohol, Alcide disinfectant (Alcide Corp., Westport, Conn.), and various pHs, temperatures, and UV light exposures was performed . Both types of stock virus (titers of approximately 10(6) and 10(5.5) for types 1 and 2, respectively) were inactivated by 0.5% Lysol in 5 min; by Listerine (1:1 mixtures) in 5 min; by 2,000 ppm (2,000 microliters/liter) of bleach in 10 min; by rubbing alcohol (1:1 mixtures) at zero time; by Alcide disinfectant (0.2 ml of virus plus 2.0 ml of Alcide) at zero time; by pHs 3, 5, and 11 in 10 min; and by a temperature of 56 degrees C in 30 min . A germicidal lamp (model G30TB; General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.) (30 W) at a distance of 48 cm failed to completely inactivate the two types in 15 min . Type 1 showed slightly more resistance to Listerine and bleach and significantly more resistance to heat; moreover, pH 9 did not affect the infectivity of either type after 10 min. J Immunol, 1988 Feb 1, 140(3), 962 - 8 Effects of murine recombinant interleukin 1 alpha on the host response to bacterial infection; Czuprynski CJ et al.; The effects of exogenously administered rIL-1 alpha on elimination of viable listeriae from the liver and spleen during the course of a primary Listeria monocytogenes infection was studied . Similar numbers of L . monocytogenes were recovered from rIL-1 alpha-treated and control mice at up to 24 h after infection; however, by 48 h after infection more than 1 log10 fewer viable L . monocytogenes were recovered from the spleens of rIL-1 alpha-treated mice than from Listeria-infected controls . The difference in bacterial burden between IL-1 alpha-treated and control mice increased with time; by 7 days after infection viable L . monocytogenes had been eliminated from most rIL-1 alpha-treated mice, whereas control mice still harbored 10(4) to 10(5) L . monocytogenes per spleen and liver . Histopathologic examination confirmed that rIL-1 alpha-treated mice suffered considerably less damage to the spleen, liver, lung, and brain than did control mice . To determine whether rIL-1 alpha-mediated protection indirectly by augmenting the release of other cytokines, we determined serum levels of colony-stimulating activity and IFN activity in rIL-1 alpha-treated and control Listeria-infected mice . Treatment with rIL-alpha elicited an early burst of serum colony-stimulating activity as compared with sera from Listeria-infected control mice . These data suggest that exogenous administration of rIL-1 initiates release of colony-stimulating activity, and perhaps other cytokines, that accelerate the protective response of the infected host . Prophylactic augmentation of antimicrobial resistance by administration of rIL-1 alpha may be worthy of further evaluation. Science, 1988 Jan 22, 239(4838), 401 - 4 Suppression of macrophage activation and T-lymphocyte function in hypoprolactinemic mice; Bernton EW et al.; The effects of prolactin on lactation and reproductive organs are well known . However, the other possible target organs and physiological consequences of altered levels of circulating prolactin remain poorly understood . In this study, mice were treated with bromocryptine, a dopamine receptor agonist that inhibits pituitary prolactin secretion . Bromocryptine treatment prevented T-cell-dependent induction of macrophage tumoricidal activity after the intraperitoneal injection of Listeria monocytogenes or Mycobacterium bovis . Coincident treatment with ovine prolactin reversed this effect . Of the multiple events leading to macrophage activation in vivo, the production by T-lymphocytes of gamma-interferon was the most impaired in bromocryptine-treated mice . Lymphocyte proliferation after stimulation with mitogens in vitro was also depressed in spleens of bromocryptine-treated mice, and coadministration of prolactin also reversed this effect . Bromocryptine treatment also reduced the number of deaths resulting from inoculation of mice with Listeria; exogenous prolactin significantly reversed this effect . The critical influence of pituitary prolactin release on maintenance of lymphocyte function and on lymphokine-dependent macrophage activation suggests that, in mice, lymphocytes are an important target tissue for circulating prolactin. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S92 - 7 Biochemistry of the cell surface of Listeria strains: a locating general view; Fiedler F; The cell surfaces of Listeria strains are composed of various compounds . These include peptidoglycan, teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids . The structural features of these polymers are described and a macromolecular model of the organization of the cell wall of a Listeria cell is given . The occurrence of further components at the cell surface and biological aspects are briefly discussed. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1988 Jan, 54(1), 165 - 7 A new selective medium for isolating Listeria spp . from heavily contaminated material; Bannerman ES et al.; Food-associated outbreaks of human listeriosis have emphasized the importance and necessity of screening food for the presence of Listeria isolates-selective agar medium combining acriflavine (10 mg/liter) with ceftazidime (50 mg/liter) was developed . A total of 1,099 cheese production specimens were cultured, from which 157 Listeria isolates . (14.3%) grew . When compared with modified McBride agar, the acriflavine-ceftazidime agar recovered more Listeria isolates (98 versus 65%, P less than 0.001) more rapidly (57% after 48 h of incubation of the enrichment broth versus 35%, P less than 0.01) and in greater amounts . Acriflavine-ceftazidime selective agar medium proved to be a highly sensitive medium to recover Listeria spp . from heavily contaminated food products. Drugs, 1988, 35 Suppl 2, 169 - 77 A randomised prospective comparison of cefotaxime versus netilmicin/penicillin for treatment of suspected neonatal sepsis; Hall MA et al.; In an open prospective study performed in 2 neonatal units, infants with suspected neonatal sepsis (SNS) of unknown microbial cause were randomly allocated to receive treatment with either cefotaxime (CTX) or netilmicin plus penicillin (N + P) . 236 patients were entered into the trial, of whom 222 were evaluable . The number of 'definitely' and 'probably' infected babies was similar in both groups . There was no difference in clinical outcome between patients in the 2 treatment groups and no side effects were recorded for either of the antibiotic regimens . Antibiotic sensitivity testing of bacterial isolates from peripheral sites showed almost universal sensitivity of potential pathogens to both antibiotic regimens at the start of treatment in all infants . Thereafter, organisms resistant to CTX were isolated from patients in both treatment groups, possibly reflecting the antibiotic sensitivity profile of the colonising bacteria in both neonatal units . The results of this study indicate that either CTX or N + P are suitable, in our units, for the 'blind' treatment of early SNS . In units where listerial infections are prevalent, specific cover should be added to CTX . For SNS developing after admission, the choice of antibiotics will depend upon the background antibiotic sensitivity profile of the colonising bacteria. Am J Med, 1988 Jan, 84(1), 162 - 4 Listeriosis: an uncommon opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome . A report of five cases and a review of the literature; Mascola L et al.; Between January 1985 and March 1986, five cases of listeriosis were reported in Los Angeles County in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . All patients were homosexual men with no other risk factors for AIDS . Two patients had sepsis only, two patients had sepsis and meningitis, and one patient had sepsis and signs of meningitis . Sixty percent of the cases (three patients) had a prior or concurrent gastrointestinal illness . Eighty percent of the cases (four patients) also had no prior history of antibiotic administration . Both of these findings may have predisposed these AIDS patients to be at increased risk for listeriosis . Although listeriosis is an infrequent illness in AIDS patients, people with AIDS or human immunodeficiency virus infection should probably refrain from ingesting food items associated with listeriosis . These food items include improperly pasteurized dairy products, and raw fruits and vegetables not properly washed. Int J Immunopharmacol, 1988, 10(7), 875 - 8 Kinetics of interleukin-1 production by macrophages during infection with Listeria monocytogenes; Petit JC et al.; Production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by peritoneal macrophages from mice inoculated intravenously with Listeria monocytogenes was measured at increasing intervals of infection . IL-1 activity in the 24 h macrophage supernatants was determined by using the thymocyte PHA co-mitogenesis assay . IL-1 production increased as the infection progressed, reached a peak on the 9th or 10th day and then declined progressively to approach normal values by the 20th day . Our data on the kinetics of IL-1 levels during an acute infection with L.monocytogenes are discussed in relationship to the development of cell-mediated immunity and its regulation by macrophages. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol, 1988, 10(3), 345 - 64 Protective effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to), on Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice; Kawakita T et al.; Lethal effect of Listeria monocytogenes (L . monocytogenes) in mice was prevented by an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to), 4 days before ip bacterial infection . The numbers of bacteria in the peritoneal cavity and liver were smaller in shosaiko-to-treated mice from one day after the infection . Macrophage accumulation in the peritoneal cavity after ip inoculation of L . monocytogenes was observed in both untreated and shosaiko-to-treated mice . Although rates of such increases were almost the same between both groups, the absolute number of macrophages was larger in shosaiko-to-treated than in untreated mice because of a higher level of the macrophage number at 4 days after ip injection of shosaiko-to . In untreated mice, bactericidal activity of peritoneal macrophages decreased from one day to 3 days after ip injection of killed L . monocytogenes . Such an activity was maintained at the same level from 1 to 3 days in shosaiko-to-treated mice . Augmented accumulation of macrophages and maintenance of their bactericidal activity may be main mechanisms of the augmented resistance in shosaiko-to-treated mice . Augmented resistance against bacterial growth in the thigh muscle in ip shosaiko-to-treated mice may be caused by such mechanisms . The effect of shosaiko-to observed at an early stage of infection may be T cell-independent, since such an effect was observed in athymic nude mice and delayed footpad reaction could not be detected at such a timing in euthymic normal mice. Rev Med Interne, 1988 Jan-Feb, 9(1), 104 - 6 {Treatment of Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis with cotrimoxazole in monotherapy}; Corront B et al.; L . monocytogenes meningo-encephalitis are still a therapeutic problem, with most of the time a poor prognosis . In vitro, cotrimoxazole has about the same bactericidal activity as the ampicillin-aminoglycoside combination . So we treated 8 patients with L . M . meningoencephalitis with cotrimoxazole alone, with a mean duration of treatment of 13 days . All patients recovered without sequellae from their infectious episode. Rev Infect Dis, 1988 Jan-Feb, 10(1), 53 - 5 Oral trimethoprim as follow-up treatment of meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes; Gunther G et al.; Successful treatment of meningitis and septicemia caused by Listeria monocytogenes with intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has previously been reported . This case report of a 13-year-old boy with meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes documents complete cure with 6 days of intravenously administered trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole followed by orally administered trimethoprim as monotherapy. Transplantation, 1988 Jan, 45(1), 187 - 94 Inhibition of antigen-specific activation of an L3T4+ T cell line by cyclosporine with maintenance of macrophage-mediated antigen presentation; Lu CY et al.; Cyclosporine has clearly been shown to directly inhibit T lymphocyte activation by monoclonal antibodies or mitogens where nominal antigen and accessory cells are not present . However, when T lymphocytes are stimulated by antigen, as occurs in allograft rejection, T lymphocytes and accessory cells must interact with one another . Under the latter circumstances, the issue of whether cyclosporine acts on T lymphocyte, accessory cell, or both is not resolved . This issue is addressed in this study . To assess the effect of cyclosporine on T cell activation, macrophages were incubated with heat-killed Listeria and then fixed in paraformaldehyde . These fixed macrophages retained their ability to present antigen to T cells but were not affected by subsequent treatment with cyclosporine . When cyclosporine and a L3T4+ T lymphocyte line were added simultaneously to fixed, antigen-pulsed macrophages, the drug inhibited antigen-specific T cell activation with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 10 ng/ml . To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that low doses of cyclosporine inhibit antigen-specific T cell activation where the drug's effects on antigen-presenting cells have been excluded . To assess the effects of cyclosporine on macrophage-mediated antigen-presentation, macrophages were exposed simultaneously to cyclosporine and antigen, and then fixed . Antigen-presentation was not inhibited unless extremely large doses (9000 ng/ml) of cyclosporine were used . In our experimental system, any new inhibitory activity acquired by live cyclosporine-treated macrophages could be explained by residual drug . Finally, cyclosporine did not inhibit the induction of macrophage Ia expression nor antigen-presenting function after stimulation in vitro with lymphokine. Infect Immun, 1988 Jan, 56(1), 247 - 51 Production of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) during infection: separate determinations of macrophage-, granulocyte-, granulocyte-macrophage-, and multi-CSFs; Cheers C et al.; After infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes, elevated levels of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) in the serum were quantitated by six different assays: ability to stimulate colony formation, the proliferation of 2 suspension of bone marrow cells (both measuring total colony-stimulating activity), a radioimmunoassay for macrophage-CSF (CSF-1), the WEHI-3B differentiation assay for granulocyte-CSF, and proliferation of 32D-c1-3 and FDC-P1 cell lines (specific for multi-CSF and either multi- or granulocyte-macrophage-CSFs, respectively) . The great bulk of serum colony-stimulating activity represented macrophage- and granulocyte-CSFs, with small but measurable amounts of granulocyte-macrophage-CSF . The degree of elevation of serum CSF depended on the infecting dose used and the numbers of bacteria growing in the spleens and livers of the two mouse strains compared, i.e., L . monocytogenes-resistant C57BL/10 and susceptible BALB/cJ . The increase in serum CSFs occurred before the peak in bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitors and before the reduction in bacterial numbers which follows the onset of specific cell-mediated immunity. Int J Biochem, 1988, 20(10), 1067 - 72 Chromatographic and enzymatic effects on transfer factor-like activity from human leukocytes and porcine spleen dialysate; Karhumaki E et al.; 1 . The effect of dialysable transfer factor (TFd), derived from human leukocytes or porcine spleen cells, was measured using Listeria resistance in mice . 2 . The molecular weight range of substance(s) containing TF-like activity is in the less than 3500 MW dialysis fraction on the basis of the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to produce superoxide anion (O2-) . This biological activity is removed by heating at 56 degrees C . 3 . After Sephadex G-10 chromatography of dialysates the significant activities are found in fractions III and IV of human leukocyte dialysate and in fractions of II and III of porcine spleen dialysate . 4 . From enzymatic studies, most of the protective activity of both human leukocyte and porcine spleen dialysate is based on the action of small-molecular weight structures containing peptides and/or polynucleotides. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1988, 36(2), 151 - 9 Innate anti-listerial resistance of mice differing in their susceptibility to listeriosis; Dlugonska H et al.; The work was designated to compare the influence of an active immunization on the expression of anti-listerial resistance of relatively resistant to listeriosis C57B1/6 mice as compared with more susceptible to the infection DBA/2 mice . Although, specific immunization of DBA/2 mice enhanced their anti-listerial resistance but immunized DBA/2 mice still eliminated Listeria rods less effectively than immunized C57B1/6 mice . It means that innate difference in anti-listerial resistance between C57B1/6 and DBA/2 mice was maintained after immunizing them with the same number of alive bacteria . Greater anti-listerial resistance of C57B1/6 versus DBA/2 mice is associated with an increased accumulation of inflammatory Ms and PMNs in their peritonea and an increased capacity of their PMNs to restrict Listeria growth. Geogr Med Suppl, 1988, 1, 89 - 92 Serological examinations of dogs (Canis familiaris) in Colombo/Sri Lanka; Sixl W et al.; In Colombo/Sri Lanka wild dogs were investigated for various zoonoses . Based on the poor general conditions the contamination rate was relatively high . 27 of the 30 dog sera reacted positive against Listeriosis . 17 of the 29 samples reacted against Q-fever in low titers, however, because of the highly purified antigen used these are evaluated as positive . The contamination rate was 100% . 18 sera reacted positive against the RMSF-group antigen . 14 samples reacted positive against Chlamydiasis . 17 samples reacted positive against Echinococcosis and in the Brucellosis samples 3 were positive . 7 positive reactions were found against Adenovirus. Geogr Med Suppl, 1988, 1, 65 - 70 Serological investigations in Q-fever and listeriosis of wild-living small mammals on the Cape Verde Islands; Brosch R et al.; Serological investigations of small mammals had been made on the Island Santiago (Cape Verde Islands), to clear up how far synantropic, small mammals are reservoir hosts for pathogens, such as Coxiella burnetti and Listeria monocytogenes . 367 small mammals representing two species (Rattus rattus and Mus musculus) were trapped . Q-fever antibodies were detected in 155 of 350 examined rats and mice (44.29%) . 18.89% of all tested sera showed positive results to Listeria-antigen, serovar 4bH, 5.48% to 4b0 and 9.75% to 01. Int J Immunopharmacol, 1988, 10(5), 519 - 24 Inhibitory effect of tetracycline and doxycycline on resistance of mice to infection with a tetracycline-resistant strain of Listeria monocytogenes; Metz P et al.; By transposon mutagenesis a tetracycline-susceptible strain of Listeria monocytogenes (MIC 1 mg/l . for tetracycline and 0.25 mg/l . for doxycycline) was rendered resistant (MIC 64 mg/l . for tetracycline and 16 mg/l . for doxycycline) . Infection of mice with this resistant strain led to an acute infection . Treatment with 2 x 2 mg tetracycline per day did not influence the course of infection during the first 3 days, indicating that the nonspecific resistance, mediated mainly by macrophages and granulocytes, was not affected by this treatment . The second phase of infection, characterized by a continuous resistance to infection due to macrophages activated by T-lymphocytes was, however, definitely hampered . Even acquired immunity to a secondary infection was impaired by treatment with tetracycline, indicating that cell-mediated immunity can be blocked . The course of infection of athymic, nude mice which are unable to build up a cell-mediated immune response, was not affected by tetracycline treatment . Doxycycline expressed the same activities as tetracycline. Geogr Med Suppl, 1988, 1, 77 - 80 Serological examinations of slaughtered animals (cattle and goats) in the slaughter-house of Colombo/Sri Lanka towards antibodies against brucellosis, Q-fever, RMSF-rickettsia-group, listeriosis, echinococcosis and adenoviruses; Sixl W et al.; Serological examinations of slaughtered animals (76 cattle and 184 goats) in the slaughter-house of Colombo/Sri Lanka revealed antibodies against Listeriosis, Brucellosis, Q-fever, RMSF-Rickettsia-group, Echinococcus and Adenoviruses . As the results show, part of this zooanthroponosis has a role to play in human medicine and human infections are to be expected. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1988, 177(4), 207 - 17 Generation of Listeria monocytogenes-specific T cells mediating delayed footpad reaction and protection in neonatally thymectomized mice but not in nude mice; Mitsuyama M et al.; Neonatally thymectomized (NTx) mice, sham-operated control mice and congenitally athymic nude mice were immunized with viable Listeria monocytogenes and their spleen cells examined for the capacity to transfer both delayed footpad reaction and protection against challenge at the site of local transfer . Cells from immune NTx mice conferred significant degrees of delayed footpad reaction and protection comparable to sham mice, while cells from immune nude (nu/nu) mice did not . This ability was completely eliminated by the treatment of cells with anti-Thy1, anti-Lyt1 or anti-L3T4 antibody plus complement but not with anti-Lyt2 antibody plus complement . These results indicated that NTx mice can normally mount the immunity to L . monocytogenes by generating Lyt1+2-, L3T4+ T cells . Immune competence of NTx mice and thymus dependency of various immune responses are discussed. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S80 - 4 Listeriosis--history and actual developments; Seeliger HP; Although apparently observed before, the history of listeriosis dates back approximately 60 years . First known as a cause of epidemics and sporadic cases in some 50 species of animals, the disease appears now with increased frequency among human populations at risk . The causative agent Listeria monocytogenes is primarily a psychrophilic soil-borne bacterium with a wide pathogenic potential thus provoking primarily septicemia, meningitis and intrauterine infections . Recent observations indicate certain types of food being the principle vehicle for transmission of human listeriosis . This would parallel the epizootic situation in domestic animals . Further studies of the mechanisms leading to clinical and subclinical infections are just as necessary as reliable methods to determine the immunity status of individuals at risk. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S171 - 4 Therapy of experimental listeriosis--an evaluation of different antibiotics; Hof H et al.; The therapeutic activities of various antibiotics were evaluated in two murine models, i.e . the infection of normal mice as well as of nude mice . Coumermycin and rifampicin were the most active drugs, since not only inhibition of multiplication but also rapid elimination of Listeria monocytogenes could be achieved in normal and immunocompromised animals . Ampicillin was the most active beta-lactam antibiotic followed by azlocillin . The other beta-lactam antibiotics were definitely less active . The combination of ampicillin with gentamicin expressed no synergistic effect in vivo . Co-trimoxazole as well as ciprofloxacin were of moderate therapeutic value . The bacteriostatic drugs such as tetracycline and erythromycin were able to inhibit the bacterial multiplication in the normal mouse but not in the immunocompromised host . Thus an optimal drug for therapy of listeriosis does not yet exist. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S165 - 70 Liposome-encapsulated ampicillin against Listeria monocytogenes in vivo and in vitro; Bakker-Woudenberg IA et al.; In an experimental infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes in mice a considerable enhancement (90-fold) of the therapeutic activity of ampicillin resulting from liposomal encapsulation was observed . The mechanism by which liposomes improved the therapeutic index of ampicillin in this infection appeared to be an increased delivery of the antibiotic to the site of infection, i.e . the liver and spleen . Substantial amounts of liposomal ampicillin were recovered from isolated Kupffer cells, the target cells of L . monocytogenes after intravenous inoculation . In addition, in studies on the survival of L . monocytogenes within murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro it was found that liposomal encapsulation of ampicillin resulted in an increased availability of the antibiotic for the intracellular bacteria: liposomal ampicillin killed 90% of the intracellular bacteria, whereas a similar concentration of free ampicillin plus empty liposomes had no effect upon the intracellular bacteria. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S149 - 56 Hemolysin from Listeria--biochemistry, genetics and function in pathogenesis; Goebel W et al.; Thiol-activated hemolysins (listeriolysins) from Listeria monocytogenes (Sv4b) and Listeria ivanovii were purified to homogeneity . The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the 58 kDa listeriolysin of L . ivanovii and of a 24 kDa protein which may represent the CAMP-factor of L . ivanovii were determined . Antibodies raised against the L . ivanovii listeriolysin and anti-streptolysin O antibodies were used in Western blot analyses to detect listeriolysin(s) in virulent and avirulent Listeria strains . It was found that all virulent strains of L . monocytogenes synthesize and secrete listeriolysin (Mr 58-59 kDa), albeit in significantly variable quantities . No protein cross-reaction with anti-listeriolysin antibodies or anti-streptolysin O-antibodies was present in the supernatant of Listeria innocua, Listeria welshimeri, Listeria grayi and Listeria murrayi strains . Furthermore, the avirulent but hemolytic Listeria seeligeri did not cross-react with these antibodies . In a L . monocytogenes (strain EGD) gene bank constructed in Escherichia coli two types of hemolytic clones were identified . The first type carried recombinant plasmids with a common 2.0 kb fragment coding for a 23 kDa protein . This hemolytic activity was not activated by DTT and the 23 kDa protein did not cross react with anti-listeriolysin or anti-streptolysin antibodies . The other type of hemolytic clones was detected by using anti-streptolysin O antibodies to screen the gene bank . Some of these clones synthesized a protein of 61 kDa which cross reacted with anti-streptolysin O (or anti-listeriolysin) antibodies . By transposon Tn916 mutagenesis of L . monocytogenes two types of nonhemolytic mutants were obtained . Type I produced no extracellular protein that cross reacted with anti-listeriolysin (or anti SLO) antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S145 - 8 Invasiveness and intracellular growth of Listeria monocytogenes; Berche P et al.; Listeria monocytogenes is an invasive bacterial pathogen capable of multiplying inside many host cells, including macrophages, enterocytes and hepatocytes . There is evidence to believe that secretion of listeriolysin O, an SH-activated exotoxin, is crucial for bacterial growth in host tissues . This exotoxin is stimulated in iron-deprived medium and mostly active at low pH (5.5) . Electron microscopic studies showed that intracellular bacteria rapidly disrupt the vacuole membrane of phagosomes and freely multiply inside the cytosol of infected cells, thus escaping at an early stage of infection from the cellular microbicidal mechanisms . Vacuole disruption does not occur with a nonhemolytic mutant obtained by insertion of a single copy of transposon Tn1545 in the structural gene of listeriolysin O . These results strongly suggest that listeriolysin O is a major factor promoting intracellular growth of L . monocytogenes and that intracellular growth of virulent bacteria is initiated after escaping from the phagosomal compartment. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S141 - 4 Pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes in comparison to other Listeria species; Hof H et al.; In different mouse models the pathogenicity of various strains of Listeria monocytogenes and of other Listeria spp . was evaluated . Although quantitative differences of virulence among strains of L . monocytogenes are found, all isolates have to be regarded pathogenic unless essential virulence factors, such as protein composition of the cell wall or hemolysin production, are lacking . Besides L . monocytogenes, only Listeria ivanovii is able to multiply in the murine host, though definitely to a lesser extent . The other Listeria spp., such as Listeria innocua, Listeria welshimeri and Listeria seeligeri, have to be regarded as non-pathogenic. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S137 - 40 Roles of factor increasing monocytopoiesis (FIM) and macrophage activation in host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes; van Furth R et al.; The present contribution concerns two aspects of host resistance in overcoming an infection with Listeria monocytogenes . One of these aspects is the regulation of monocyte production by the factor increasing monocytopoiesis (FIM), a macrophage-derived factor . Listeria-resistant (C57BL/10 mice and Listeria-sensitive CBA mice produce and secrete similar amounts of FIM in response to an inflammation induced by soluble Listeria antigen . However, monocyte precursors in the bone marrow of Listeria-resistant mice react to an injection of serum containing FIM by increased monocyte production, whereas Listeria-sensitive mice are unable to react to this stimulus . The other aspect of host resistance to L . monocytogenes is the activation of macrophages leading to increased bactericidal activity . Macrophages of both mouse strains stimulated first with live BCG and then with PPD, killed ingested Listeria faster than resident peritoneal macrophages did . However, recombinant interferon-gamma, thought to be the most important macrophage-activating factor, did not induce increased listericidal activity in macrophages. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S128 - 36 Listeria monocytogenes specific T-cell lines and clones; Kaufmann SH; Evidence is summarized to suggest that both CD4 and CD8 T cells and both helper and cytolytic T cell functions are involved in protective immunity to infection with the intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes . This suggestion is based on the following findings obtained with T cell lines and clones from L . monocytogenes infected mice: L3T4+ (CD4) T cells produce multiple lymphokines after antigen stimulation in vitro; Lyt2+ (CD8) T cells lyse L . monocytogenes primed macrophages; L3T4+ (CD4) T cells also lyse L . monocytogenes primed macrophages provided the latter express Ia-molecules; Lyt2+ (CD8) T cells secret Interferon-gamma provided that exogenous Interleukin-2 is supplied . Furthermore, both L3T4+ (CD4) and Lyt2+ (CD8) T cell lines can confer a certain degree of adoptive protection upon naive recipient mice. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S123 - 7 The role of T cell subpopulations in cell mediated immunity to facultative intracellular bacteria; Mielke M et al.; This brief review summarizes the experimental data which underly the classic concept of antibacterial cell mediated immunity and will integrate recent developments focusing on results obtained by in vivo studies in the model of rodent listeriosis. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S118 - 22 Comparison of responsiveness to the monocytosis-producing activity of Listeria monocytogenes in mice genetically susceptible or resistant to listeriosis; Galsworthy SB et al.; Injection of a monocytosis producing activity (MPA) from Listeria monocytogenes caused a dose-dependent elevation in numbers of macrophage colony forming units (CFU-m) in bone marrow and in peripheral blood . The increase could be seen as early as 8 h after injection of MPA and persisted until 72 h after injection . Serum from MPA-treated animals, capable of inducing monocytosis, also caused an elevation in numbers of CFU-m . The effect of MPA on CFU-m numbers in peripheral blood was measured in inbred strains of mice with differing susceptibility to listeriosis . Resistant C57B1/6 and B10 . A mice responded best to MPA . C3H/HeJ and CBA mice, sensitive to Listeria, gave a slow, intermediate response . A/J mice, lacking the 5th component of complement, failed to respond to MPA . Since both B10.D2 old (C5-deficient) and B10.D2 new (C5-sufficient) mice, responded comparably to MPA, the unresponsiveness in A/J mice cannot be attributed solely to lack of C-5 . Our results are consistent with the idea that A/J mice lack or are unresponsive to the MPA-induced serum factor which promotes monocytosis. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S112 - 7 Alteration of non-specific resistance to infection with Listeria monocytogenes; Wirsing von Konig CH et al.; The experimental infection of murine hosts with Listeria monocytogenes is often used as a model for cell-mediated immunity . However, the natural immunity or non-specific resistance to listeriosis can be influenced by the parasite itself and also by a wide array of endogenous and exogenous host factors . The most important host factor in inbred mouse strains is their genetically determined susceptibility or resistance to Listeria monocytogenes . Secondly, the age of the mice is crucial for the outcome of infection . Resistance is only slowly developed by newborn mice, while aged mice possess an increased non-specific resistance as compared to young adult animals . Resistance is further influenced by the nutritional status, by pregnancy or by a simultaneous second antigenic stimulation . Regarding exogenous factors, macrophage blocking agents can totally abolish the resistance to listeriosis, while a lot of immunomodulating agents, such as BCG, killed Bordetella pertussis or Propionibacterium acnes organisms, lipopolysaccharides, suramin etc., can either increase or decrease the resistance . The mononuclear phagocyte system seems to be the main target of all these immunomodifiers . The timing between listeria infection and application of the immunomodulator determines the effect on non-specific resistance . A simultaneous injection of parasite and immunomodulator results in a decrease of resistance, while the application of immunoadjuvants several days before infection can dramatically increase the resistance to listeriosis . The delicate equilibrium of the mononuclear phagocyte system must therefore be taken into account, when infection with Listeria monocytogenes is used to test for immune-modifying agents, which are intended for use in humans or animals. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S106 - 11 Histomorphology of experimental listeriosis; Heymer B et al.; This paper is a survey of the histomorphology of experimental listeriosis based on cooperative studies performed within the past ten years . The influence of various parameters of the infectious agent (pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes serovar 4b, nonpathogenic Listeria innocua serovar 6b etc.) as well as of the host (euthymic NMRI-mice conditioned with dextran sulfate 500 or cyclosporin A, athymic nude mice etc.) on the course, morphology and outcome of the Listeria infection was investigated . From the experimental models used and the studies performed much could be learned concerning the factors that determine the histomorphological manifestations of listeriosis in humans. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1988, 177(3), 123 - 31 Anti-Listeria monocytogenes immunity in mu-suppressed mice: a comparison of treatment with conventional hyperimmune rabbit anti-mouse IgM and affinity-purified, monoclonal rat anti-mouse IgM; Cerny A et al.; The capacity of anti-IgM treated, B-cell-depleted mice to control infection by Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated . Suppression was achieved with a hyperimmune rabbit anti-mouse-IgM antiserum (IRS), with affinity-purified IRS (IRP), or with an affinity-purified, monoclonal, rat anti-mouse-IgM antibody (LO-MM-9) . B-cell depletion in specifically treated mice was judged to be complete by the following criteria: absence of significant response to a B-cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide, absence of B-cells with detectable IgM or kappa light chain on their surface, absence of detectable IgM, and presence of free anti-IgM antibodies in serum . BALB/c mice, conventionally treated from birth with IRS, had an increased capacity to clear L . monocytogenes from the blood during the first 5 min after intravenous infection . Furthermore, control of infection seemed to be enhanced during the first 24 h but was found to be impaired when assessed 3 and 4 days after initiation of infection . These effects were, however, not IRS specific, because control mice treated with normal rabbit serum behaved comparably . Mortality caused by 2 x 10(3) L . monocytogenes injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice susceptible to L . monocytogenes was increased more in NRS-than in IRS-treated mice when both were compared with untreated control mice . Therefore, chronic injection of IRS or NRS seemed to disturb anti-L . monocytogenes immunity, rendering an evaluation of the role of antibodies impossible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Infect, 1988 Jan, 16(1), 65 - 71 Recurrence of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis; Richards J et al.; A case of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in a 3-year-old boy which relapsed after chloramphenicol treatment is described . The patient was subsequently successfully treated with ampicillin and gentamicin and made a complete recovery . In vitro studies confirmed the inadequacy of chloramphenicol therapy . The value of combination therapy, as evidenced by chessboard and killing-curve techniques with the strain, is discussed. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1988, 177(1), 47 - 9 The role of hepatic lectins and the activity of the mononuclear phagocyte system in systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection in Balb/c mice; Beuth J et al.; Hepatic lectin blocking experiments with D-galactose in Balb/c mice showed that parenchymal liver cells are obviously not involved in Listeria monocytogenes infection (strain SLCC 4013, 5 X 10(6) cells i.v.) . Using the bacterial immunomodifier Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 the importance of an activated mononuclear phagocyte system in the early stage of Listeria infection could be demonstrated. Infect Immun, 1988 Jan, 56(1), 79 - 82 Hemolysin supports survival but not entry of the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes; Kuhn M et al.; The gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular pathogen . The only known property of L . monocytogenes which has been shown to be involved in virulence is a hemolysin, listeriolysin (J . L . Gaillard, P . Berche, and P . Sansonetti, Infect . Immun . 52:50-55, 1986; S . Kathariou, P . Metz, H . Hof, and W . Goebel, J . Bacteriol . 169:1291-1297, 1987) . Using our previously obtained transposon Tn916-induced hemolysin-negative mutants of L . monocytogenes Sv1/2a (Mackaness strain), we demonstrated that the loss of hemolysin reduced significantly the rate of survival of the bacteria in mouse peritoneal macrophages but did not reduce their uptake . It was further shown that virulent L . monocytogenes strains could invade the mouse embryo fibroblast 3T6 cell line, i.e., mammalian cells which are nonprofessional phagocytes . This uptake was inhibited by cytochalasin B and hence seems to be accomplished by parasite-induced endocytosis . Hemolysin was not essential for this step . Strains of other Listeria species could not efficiently penetrate the 3T6 cells. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1988, 239, 343 - 52 Immunomodulation and Chlamydia: immunosuppression and the protective immune response to C . psittaci in mice; Byrne GI et al.; Mice immunized intramuscularly with a low dose, viable inoculum of C . psittaci survived an otherwise lethal intraperitoneal challenge with the homologous chlamydial strain . Immunized animals were not protected from intraperitoneal challenge by the unrelated pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes . Spleen cells from animals that exhibited protective immunity were suppressed in their proliferative responses to mitogens or chlamydial antigen in an in vitro blastogenic assay . This suppression was transferable to normal spleen cells by adding irradiated cells from immunized animals to normal cell populations . The degree of normal cell blastogenic suppression was dependent on the ratio of irradiated immune to normal cells present in the assay medium . Suppression of humoral responses was demonstrated in vivo . Immunized animals were incapable of producing antibody secreting cells to sheep red blood cells after an intraperitoneal inoculation of SRBC . Unimmunized animals produced a significant number of plaque forming cells as measured by a direct plaque forming cell assay . Lymphokine activity was not impaired in spleen cells from mice that exhibited other manifestations of suppression . Taken together, these data provide evidence to indicate that the induction of suppression may not correlate with increased pathogenesis, but rather be closely associated with protective immunity . Data also provide circumstantial evidence to indicate that lymphokine induction may be important in the development of protective immunity to C . psittaci in the mouse. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1988, 239, 245 - 55 In vitro production of colony-stimulating factors by Listeria-immune spleen cells; Magee DM et al.; In this series of experiments we have shown that there are at least two mechanisms of CSF production by spleen cells in vitro: nonspecific secretion of CSF by nonimmune cells and immune, antigen-driven production by specific T-lymphocytes . M-CSF was mainly produced in the nonspecific reaction . The immune production by T-lymphocytes consisted of increased CSF production and secretion of multiple species of CSFs. Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(4), 359 - 68 Listeria monocytogenes endocarditis: a review of the literature 1950-1986; Gallagher PG et al.; 34 cases of Listeria monocytogenes endocarditis reported in the literature from 1950-1986 were reviewed . The male to female ratio was 2: 1 . The average age was 49 years, and 35% of patients were 60 years of age or older . A single case of polymicrobial endocarditis was identified . There were 8 cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis . Left-sided cardiac involvement predominated, with only a single case of right-sided endocarditis reported . Aortic and mitral valvular involvement accounted for 32 and 29% of cases respectively . Underlying cardiac disease was present in over half of the cases, with rheumatic heart disease being the most common underlying cardiac condition . Noncardiac underlying conditions were found in 38% of cases . These included chronic hemodialysis, alcoholism, pregnancy, malignancies, diabetes mellitus, steroid therapy and malnutrition . Onset of the disease was varied as was initial presentation . There was a high incidence of vascular phenomena (59%), with large vessel emboli seen late in the course of many cases . Many cases were diagnosed late . Overall mortality was 50% . Treatment of listeria endocarditis varied from case to case . A review of in vitro and in vivo studies as well as case reports suggests that ampicillin or penicillin plus an aminoglycoside may be the treatment of choice. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S98 - 105 Isolation of Listeria: a review of procedures and future prospects; Klinger JD; Recent documented foodborne outbreaks of listeriosis have underscored the need for improved isolation and identification procedures for Listeria . This review considers the development of selective enrichment media, various approaches to improving efficiency of isolation, and efforts to shorten enrichment periods . The application of simplified rapid nucleic acid hybridization techniques, in combination with improved cultural methods is the most promising of these approaches . Such methodological improvements should facilitate gathering data on important questions concerning the epidemiology of Listeria, and the natural history of listeriosis. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S175 - 7 Listeria monocytogenes infections--therapeutic possibilities and problems; Marget W et al.; Listeriosis in humans is a rare disease, which, however, is known to be epidemic and endemic . The prognosis has remained unsatisfactory up to today, the fatality being at least 10% and often considerably higher depending on the clinical features of the disease and the patient's age . Three population groups are at risk: pregnant women, fetuses and newborn infants . Furthermore, immunosuppression in older patients due to disease, therapy, or age also plays a role . The incidence of Listeria infections in patients over 45 is clearly increasing . Due to the nature of the pathogen (in vivo bactericidal concentrations of antibiotics are often not attainable; intracellular growth) a high dosage of ampicillin is recommended . Although the present therapeutic possibilities are not satisfactory, a combination of ampicillin and an aminoglycoside appears to be the best therapy at present . Other combinations such as rifampicin and beta-lactam antibiotics have exhibited in vitro antagonism . The preferred therapy, ampicillin, can only be recommended with reservations because it is not optimally effective. Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S160 - 4 Antibiotic susceptibilities of Listeria: in vitro studies; Espaze EP et al.; Although Listeria is a rather susceptible bacterium, most antibiotics exert a bacteriostatic effect on Listeria monocytogenes . Except for fosfomycin, antibiotic susceptibilities are similar among the species of the genus Listeria . In vitro, bactericidal effect is often achieved by the use of antibiotic combinations . The most commonly used combinations are ampicillin with aminoglycosides . Up until now, there has been no trend towards reduced susceptibility of Listeria to antibiotics. Diabetes, 1988 Jan, 37(1), 112 - 8 Synergistic effects of adjuvants, endotoxin, and fasting on induction of diabetes with multiple low doses of streptozocin in rats; Wright JR Jr et al.; Three weekly intraperitoneal injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and, 1 day later, low-dose streptozocin (STZ; 25 mg/kg i.p.) have been reported to cause immune destruction of beta-cells and a gradual onset of diabetes mellitus . In this study, male Lewis rats were injected intraperitoneally with CFA and 1 day later with low-dose STZ; these were repeated at weekly intervals for 3 wk . The incidence of diabetes mellitus (nonfasted plasma glucose greater than 200 mg/dl) in wk 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 50, 80, 93, and 100%, respectively . Rats receiving either CFA or STZ only did not develop diabetes . Injections of either the components of CFA (incomplete Freund's adjuvant and Mycobacterium butyricum), another granuloma-inducing organism (Listeria monocytogenes), or endotoxin before STZ induced diabetes, but the onset was slower and the diabetes was less severe than with CFA and STZ . Because intraperitoneal CFA injections caused peritoneal irritation, acute weight loss, and hypoglycemia on the day after injection, we examined whether fasting alone potentiated low-dose STZ . Fasting for 24 h before and 24 h after low-dose STZ caused diabetes that was similar in rapidity of onset and severity to that induced with CFA and STZ . Administration of CFA subcutaneously before STZ did not cause hypoglycemia or weight loss but did cause diabetes . Thus, the fasting effect of intraperitoneal CFA was not responsible for the induction of diabetes with CFA and STZ . These data indicate that immunologic adjuvants, endotoxin, and fasting all potentiate the diabetogenic action of low-dose STZ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Infection, 1988, 16 Suppl 2, S157 - 9 The listeriolysin O gene: a chromosomal locus crucial for the virulence of Listeria monocytogenes; Cossart P; In culture supernatants of a Tn 1545-induced non-hemolytic mutant of Listeria monocytogenes, by immunoblotting with an anti-serum raised against purified listeriolysin O, we have detected the presence of a truncated protein of 52,000D (the secreted listeriolysin O is 60,000D) . The region of insertion of the transposon has been cloned and sequenced . The transposon had inserted in an open reading frame . The homologies detected between this ORF, streptolysin O and pneumolysin demonstrate the the transposon had indeed inserted in the listeriolysin O gene . As the non-hemolytic mutant was non-virulent, our work demonstrated that a genetic determinant essential for virulence is the listeriolysin O gene or its adjacent region. J Wildl Dis, 1988 Jan, 24(1), 127 - 32 Serological investigations for some bacterial and viral pathogens in fallow deer (Cervus dama) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) of the San Rossore Preserve, Tuscany, Italy; Giovannini A et al.; Sera of 43 fallow deer (Cervus dama) of the San Rossore Preserve (Tuscany, Italy) were examined for antibodies against eight pathogens; one proved positive for Brucella sp., 21 for Listeria monocytogenes, 34 for Chlamydia psittaci, three for Coxiella burnetii, one for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, 11 for parainfluenza-3 virus, 25 for bovine viral diarrhea virus and six for bovine respiratory syncytial virus . No age and sex difference in the positivity rates and titers was evidenced, while a sex difference was found both in rates of infection and in titers against parainfluenza-3 virus . Parainfluenza-3 infection was more prevalent in 1984 than in 1983 sampling . Sera of 20 wild boars (Sus scrofa) of the same preserve were examined for antibodies against five pathogens: four sera were positive for Brucella sp., while all were negative for Listeria monocytogenes, Chlamydia psittaci, Coxiella burnetii and Aujeszky's disease virus . Public and animal health involvement with these diseases are discussed for these respective host species. J Immunol, 1987 Dec 15, 139(12), 4225 - 31 Production of tumor necrosis factor during murine listeriosis; Havell EA; During a lethal murine infection with the gram-positive bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, a factor appears in the serum that is capable of lysing certain tumor cells in vitro . The levels of this serum cytotoxic factor increase with the progression of morbidity . Neutralization of Listeria-induced cytotoxic factor activity with a monospecific antiserum to recombinant murine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) revealed that the cytotoxic factor was antigenically indistinguishable from natural TNF present in endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis serum . In contrast to a lethal infection, no TNF activity was detected in sera of mice throughout a sublethal infection . However, shortly after initiation of a sublethal infection, mice acquire a greatly enhanced capacity to produce serum TNF in response to an intravenous injection of endotoxin . Cultures of unfractionated spleen cells from mice with ongoing Listeria infections produced TNF when incubated in the absence, but not in the presence, of antibiotics . However, such antibiotic-treated cultures could be stimulated with endotoxin to produce substantially higher TNF yields than spleen cells of uninfected mice . It is also shown that intravenous infusion of anti-recombinant murine TNF IgG into sublethally infected mice results in increased Listeria proliferation in spleens and livers, and ultimately in death from an overwhelming infection. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1987 Dec 12, 117(50), 2010 - 2 {Fulminant hepatitis in Listeria septicemia}; Tschumper A et al.; We report on a 44-year-old male patient admitted with acute severe icteric hepatitis . Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from blood cultures . The further course was complicated by meningitis and the patient finally died of multiorgan failure . Autopsy revealed nodular cirrhosis of the liver with cholestatic hepatitis and focal subacute liver dystrophy, as well as granulating meningitis . The case is discussed in the context of five previously published observations on hepatitis due to Listeria monocytogenes. Infect Immun, 1987 Dec, 55(12), 3215 - 8 Passive transfer of acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection is independent of mononuclear cell granuloma formation; Roberts EC et al.; This study documents the formation of leukocyte foci in the livers of mice infused with either normal or immune T cells and then challenged intravenously with Listeria monocytogenes . The results show that the transfer of antilisterial resistance occurred before mononuclear cell granuloma formation and was associated instead with the appearance of foci of infiltrating lymphocytes and neutrophils . Numbers of these foci remained low in mice which received immune cells but increased progressively until death in mice which received normal cells . These findings do not support the previous hypothesis that a major component of acquired resistance against Listeria infection involves the rapid generation of mononuclear cell granuloma formation under the control of immune T cells. J Leukoc Biol, 1987 Dec, 42(6), 653 - 8 Regulation of granulocyte responses in the blood and peritoneal cavity of CBA and B10 mice during an acute inflammation; Sluiter W et al.; The regulatory mechanisms that determine the course of an inflammation induced by an intraperitoneal injection of kaolin were investigated in Listeria-susceptible CBA and Listeria-resistant B10 mice . The magnitude of the granulocyte inflammatory response in the peritoneal cavity was high in B10 mice (area under the curve; AUC0-48 h: 210.9 x 10(6) granulocytes/mouse x h) and lower in CBA mice AUC0-48 h: 136.8 x 10(6) granulocytes/mouse x h), whereas the reverse was seen for the granulocyte response in the peripheral blood (AUC0-48 h: 30.5 and 80.7 x 10(6) granulocytes/mouse x h, respectively) . With respect to the presence of humoral factors that affect the number of granulocytes in the circulation, sera of both mouse strains sampled 24 h after the kaolin injection had granulocytosis-inducing effect in CBA recipient mice and did not induce a response in the B10 recipient mice . This divergent sensitivity to serum factors inducing granulocytosis is consistent with the difference in the blood granulocyte response of B10 and CBA mice but does not explain the divergent inflammatory responses in the peritoneal cavity . Computer simulation showed that at least two factors must be taken into consideration to explain the differences in the inflammatory response, i.e., a factor regulating the release of granulocytes from the bone marrow and a factor governing the rate of granulocyte efflux from the site of inflammation. Immunol Lett, 1987 Dec, 16(3-4), 199 - 203 Remote effects of inflammation on non-specific immunity; Fauve RM et al.; Following inflammation induced in mice with non-biodegradable, non-diffusible, and non-antigenic substances, host resistance is increased against bacteria, parasites and malignant cells injected at a distance from the inflammatory focus . This resistance is also increased in germ-free and nude mice . The increased resistance is correlated with (1) an increased leukopoiesis induced, at least in part, by a protein (MW = 40 kDa, pI = 5.2) which, in vitro, is able to induce the differentiation of bone-marrow cells into polymorphs; (2) the occurrence of giant cells in the granuloma which, after incubation in vitro, release an immunostimulating protein able to activate mice macrophages in vivo; (3) activation in vivo of liver and spleen macrophages following the occurrence, both in granuloma and in serum, of a protein (MW = 56 kDa, pI = 5) which, contrary to endotoxin, is heat-labile and can fully protect mice against Listeria monocytogenes . Furthermore, this protein, which is different from TNF and GM CSF, is able to activate macrophages against Lewis tumor cells . The same protein can be isolated from rat and is antigenically related to a human protein having the same biological activity. Gut, 1987 Dec, 28(12), 1661 - 2 Multiple listerial liver abscesses; Jenkins D et al.; Hepatic involvement in listeriosis is uncommon in adults . Cases previously reported include three presenting as acute hepatitis and three of listerial liver abscesses found at necropsy . We report a case of multiple listerial liver abscesses . We believe this to be the first time this diagnosis has been made in a living patient. Immunol Cell Biol, 1987 Dec, 65 ( Pt 6), 505 - 10 Particulate antigens may be reprocessed after initial phagocytosis for presentation to T cells in vivo; Wright MD et al.; Macrophages were pulsed with Listeria monocytogenes antigens by intraperitoneal injection prior to harvesting and thoroughly washing the cells . The pulsed macrophages were injected into the feet of Listeria-immune or naive mice to elicit a delayed hypersensitivity reaction . Where soluble Listeria antigen was used, presentation by donor macrophages to host T cells required identity within the I region of the H-2 complex . However, presentation of alcohol-killed Listeria organisms or of a living, temperature-sensitive mutant of Listeria was apparently not H-2 restricted . When T cells enriched in vitro for Listeria reactivity were injected into the feet of naive mice, they reacted in an H-2 restricted manner to antigen presented to them either by the pulsed macrophages or host cells apparently acquiring antigen from the original pulsed macrophages. J Appl Bacteriol, 1987 Dec, 63(6), 533 - 7 Survival of Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk treated in a pilot plant size pasteurizer; Fernandez Garayzabal JF et al.; The survival of Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk treated in a pilot plant size pasteurizer was investigated . Raw milk was inoculated with different initial concentrations of L . monocytogenes and heated at temperatures ranging from 69 degrees to 73 degrees C . Listerias were not isolated from any of the milk samples immediately after thermal treatment . They were isolated, however, from 46.6% of heated samples (none from samples heated at 73 degrees C) after variable periods at refrigeration temperature . The results suggest that a low number of listerias survive some thermal treatments, but a cold enrichment is necessary to repair the thermally injured cells and detect these organisms in milk . The importance of the isolation technique in the recovery of listerias from pasteurized milk samples is discussed. J Immunol, 1987 Dec 1, 139(11), 3813 - 21 T cell recognition of listeriolysin O is induced during infection with Listeria monocytogenes; Berche P et al.; During bacterial multiplication, Listeria monocytogenes (strain EGD) secretes sulfhydryl-dependent cytotoxin, termed listeriolysin O, a virulence factor presumable promoting intracellular growth of this ubiquitous pathogen . The role of this exotoxin in the process of T cell activation was studied in vivo during the course of an experimental infection in the mouse . By using highly purified listeriolysin O, it was found that infection with viable, replicative bacteria induced in vivo the emergence of T cells specifically reacting against this exotoxin, as demonstrated by eliciting the expression of delayed-type hypersensitivity to listeriolysin O in Listeria-immune mice . The kinetics of this inflammatory reaction followed the same pattern as that observed with crude Listeria antigenic preparation classically used for the detection of delayed-type hypersensitivity, with a peak of expression by day 6 and a slow decline over the next 3 wk to a residual level, indicating the presence of memory T cells reacting with the exotoxin . This result, therefore, allowed us to identify for the first time that a pure immunogenic molecule secreted by L . monocytogenes