Anaerobes

Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1979 Oct, 169(3-4), 240 - 52
{Aquatic myxobacteria (Sporocytophaga cauliformis) and the order "Myxobacterales" (author's transl)}; Graf W et al.; The indicator function of aquatic myxobacteria for the purpose of evaluating drinking water quality as well as their occurrence in sewage effluent make it desirable to describe these hitherto little known organisms in more detail . To this end, a comparative investigation of anaerobic myxobacteria of the genus Sphaerocytophaga, two typical representatives of the Order Myxobacterales (Myxococcus fulvus, Sporocytophage cauliformis), and a strain ov Vitrepscilla (Vitroescilla proteolytica) was undertaken . With respect to culture morphology, the migratory fringe surrounding colonies of Sphaerocytophaga similar to the other strains studies was a prominent characteristic . In particular, the similarity with colonies of Sporocytophaga cauliformis was apparent . The gliding motility typical of Sphaerocytophaga could be demonstrated in all of the strains investigated . Scanning electron micrographs revealed an amorphous layer of slime covering the cell surfaces in all strains compared in this study, thus excluding the existence of more rigid organelles of locomotion . Taxonomically, the anaerobec myxobacteria of the oral cavity (Sphaerocytophaga) belong to the Order "Myxobacterales" and not the "Eubacterales", i.e., to the genus Fusobacterium . This is clearly suggested by their motility lacking flagella and, above all, by their cell morphology which differs from the Eubacterales.

JAMA, 1979 Sep 7, 242(10), 1044 - 7
The increasing importance of polymicrobial bacteremia; Kiani D et al.; Polymicrobial bacteremia increased from 6% in 1970 to 13% in 1975 in patients with bloodstream infections . This type of serious infection most commonly complicated genitourinary (27%) and gastrointestinal (26%) conditions, frequently followed invasive procedures (68%), was more common in hospitalized patients (73%), and was often associated with malignancies (25%) or immunosuppressive or cancer chemotherapy (34%) . Although polymicrobial endocarditis was more commonly encountered in recent years, this infection accounted for only 4.5% of patients with multiple organism bacteremias . Gram-negative aerobic bacteria were isolated from 62% and anaerobic bacteria in 39% of patients with polymicrobial bacteremia compared with 37% and 14%, respectively, in patients with monomicrobial bacteremia . In the 88 patients with polymicrobial bacteremia, the mortality was 44.5%, compared with 18.0% in patients with monomicrobial bacteremia.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1979 Sep, 16(3), 366 - 71
Anaerobic infection in cancer patients: comparative evaluation of clindamycin and cefoxitin; Klastersky J et al.; Clindamycin and cefoxitin with or without gentamicin were administered to cancer patients having localized infections presumably caused by anaerobic pathogens . The rates of favorable response were 89% in patients receiving clindamycine alone and 78% in patients receiving cefoxitin alone . When the total experience is considered (clindamycin or cefoxitin with and without gentamicin), 20 of 24 patients (83%) responded to clindamycin and 18 of 22 (82%) responded to cefoxitin . Both therapies were well tolerated . Clindamycin was found to be more effective than cefoxitin in eradicating the offending anaerobic pathogens from the site of infection . Aerobic pathogens were frequently isolated along with anaerobes from the infectious sites in this series; their susceptibility or resistance to clindamycin or cefoxitin did not influence the therapeutic response.

J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 10(3), 331 - 3
Practical technique for quantitating anaerobic bacteria in tissue specimens; Spengler MD et al.; Quantitative bacteriology has considerable influence on the care and management of surgical wounds . Heretofore, these techniques have been limited to measurements of aerobic bacteria . A technique is reported herein which permits quantitation of obligately anaerobic bacteria in tissue specimens . This technique is easily reproduced in any clinical laboratory and eliminates the need for expensive anaerobic chambers.

N Z Med J, 1979 Aug 22, 90(642), 149 - 50
Susceptibility of New Zealand isolates to anaerobic bacteria to tinidazole; Tannock GW; Minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MIC, MBC) of tinidazole for 80 New Zealand isolates of anaerobic bacteria were determined . Growth of 95 percent of the isolates was inhibited by 4 micrograms/ml or less of tinidazole . MBC values were the same as, or one dilution higher than, the MIC.

Am J Med, 1979 Aug, 67(2), 219 - 27
Anaerobic bacterial meningitis; Heerema MS et al.; Anaerobic meningitis occurred in four patients in whom anaerobic bacteria had not been suspected as a possible cause . The predisposing conditions were typical of those seen in patients previously reported to have this infection and included chronic otitis media with mastoiditis, chronic sinusitis, recent craniotomy and abdominal trauma . Two of the patients had undergone immunosuppression (immunosuppressed patients); a compromised immune system may facilitate the development of anaerobic meningitis in patients with the appropritate underlying conditions . Head and neck neoplasms, head trauma, suppurative pharyngitis and laminectomy wounds are additional situations in which anaerobic meningitis occurs . Anaerobic bacterial meningitis probably occurs more often than is recognized . The cerebrospinal fluid should be transported and cultured anaerobically when meningitis develops in a patient with a predisposing condition.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1979 Aug, 149(2), 217 - 9
Microbiology of superficial and deep tissues in infected diabetic gangrene; Sharp CS et al.; In the current study, it is shown that, in the lesions of diabetic gangrene, there are usually mixed flora of two or more organisms . The organisms isolated from the presenting lesion may only partially reflect the organisms found in the deep tissues . Of the 58 cultures from the deep tissues, 11 of the isolates were anaerobes, but those anaerobes were never isolated as a pure culture . Bacterial synergism probably plays a role in infected diabetic gangrene . Maximizing the reduction of systemic infection and local cellulitis by elevation and appropriate antibiotic therapy results in improved wound healing in amputations of the lower extremities in patients with diabetic gangrene . However, apparent from this study, antibiotic therapy does not eradicate the organisms in the deep tissue, and surgical procedures are usually required for definitive treatment . Material from the surgically removed infected tissue should always be cultured for identification of existing organisms . When indicated, appropriate adjustment of antibiotic therapy, based upon these findings, should be prescribed.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1979 Aug, 72(2), 199 - 203
Evaluation of ten anaerobic blood culture media; Schell RF et al.; Selection of an anaerobic blood culture based upon clinical findings that have compared the isolation rates of bacteremic agents from different blood culture media . No agreement has been reached as to which of the commercially available blood culture media is optimal for detection of bacteremia . The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of recovery of anaerobic microorganisms from various anaerobic blood culture media . The blood culture media were inoculated with a small inoculum of microorganisms in the presence or absence of an erythrocyte-serum mixture . The results demonstrated that the type of medium and the erythrocyte-serum mixture influenced the ability of blood culture media to support the growth of microorganisms . The majority of the media failed to support the growth of 87% or more of the microorganisms within four days after inoculation . Pre-reduced brain-heart infusion broth supported the growth of a larger proportion of microorganisms than the other types of blood culture media.

J Reprod Med, 1979 Aug, 23(2), 49 - 56
Sterilization of laparoscopes . Is soaking sufficient?
Corson SL, Block S, Mintz C, Dole M, Wainwright A.
Controversy exists over the proper methods of sterilizing laparoscopic telescopes . An edict requiring gas sterilization rather than solution soaking of these instruments is in force in all federal hospitals . This rule has necessitated capital investments for new instruments and has led to a severe reduction in the number of cases of laparoscopy that may be scheduled in one day . Fear of contamination is based on theoretical considerations and rusn counter to the actual, observed safety record seen with laparoscopes soaked in activated glutaraldehyde between cases . In an effort to dispassionately approach this problem, cultures of the umbilical area, the laparoscope and the pelvic serosal surfaces were taken to document the type of organisms commonly encountered under clinical conditions . Cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as for fungi were taken after soaking the telescope in activated glutaraldehyde . The results demonstrated growth of common skin organisms even after skin preparation with povidone-iodine and ethyl alcohol . Similar organisms were recovered in some cases from the laparoscope and the pelvic surfaces . The actual degree of contamination suggested by a colony count falls well within the range of the healthy peritoneum to cope with these organisms . Recommendations for laparoscopic sterilization or disinfection are based on the results obtained.

Rev Gastroenterol Mex, 1979 Jul-Sep, 44(3), 147 - 53
{Infections caused by gram negative anaerobic bacteria and other associated bacterial strains}; Tamayo y Orozco JA et al.; Between November 1975--December 1977, in the Laboratory of Microbiology, National Institute of Nutrition, Mexico, 156 cultures for anaerobic bacteria were grown on 118 cases with a clinical picture suggestive of anaerobic infection . There were 42 positive cultures (26.9%) from which 18 (42.8%) grew a mixed flora (aerobicanaerobic) . Those 42 cultures came from 35 patients (29.6%) and the 18 mixed cultures came from 18 cases (15.25% global and 51.42% of the cases with anaerobic flora) . The highest positive marks were obtained from material provenient from the abdominal cavity, and lesser indexes were obtained from lungs, blood, bone and sinovial cavities . The overall mortality was registered in 24 cases (20.33%) but only in 6 cases (5.8% global and 25% of the total cases) a positive anaerobic culture was obtained . In these 6 cases the cause of death was secondary to the principal disease, and only in one case the patient died from septicemia . The diagnosis of anaerobic infection resides mainly in the clinical findings, secondly in a positive gram stain, and thirdly in the identification of the etiologic agent, that will aid in the choice of a more specific therapy, which must include a surgical excision of the affected tissues.

South Med J, 1979 Jun, 72(6), 687 - 9, 692
Lethal toothache: parapharyngeal cellulitis complicating dental infection; English WJ 2nd et al.; Three patients with parapharyngeal cellulitis arising from dental infection were seen by the Medical Service over a period of ten months . Respiratory distress and/or pharyngeal discomfort prompted all patients to seek medical aid . The extent of infection within the parapharyngeal space, the potential for life-threatening complications, and the significance of the dental lesions were not appreciated initially in all cases . Despite early antibiotic therapy, one patient died and one incurred severe neurologic sequelae . Early recognition, use of antibiotics effective against anaerobic bacteria, and prompt surgical drainage are mandatory to prevent considerable morbidity and mortality . Control of the airway is the most important therapeutic maneuver leading to a favorable outcome.

J Pediatr, 1979 Jun, 94(6), 912 - 4
Acute suppurative thyroiditis in children; Abe K et al.; Ten cases of acute suppurative thyroiditis were studied . All patients remained euthyroid clinically during the course of this disease and during the follow-up . Of seven cases in which bacterial cultures were performed, an aerobic bacterium alone was isolated in one patient and anaerobic bacteria alone in four patients . Mixed aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were recovered from one patient and cultures were negative in one case . Plasma TSH, T4, T3, and PBI levels were normal except in one case . The 131I uptake values were normal in six of seven cases . Plasma TSH response to TRH stimulation was normal in four of five cases . Antibodies against thyroglobulin and thyroid microsome were negative in four of six cases . These findings suggest that anaerobic bacteria may play an important role in the pathogenic process of acute suppurative thyroiditis and that the pituitary-thyroid functions are not impaired.

Laryngoscope, 1979 Jun, 89(6 Pt 1), 992 - 7
Otitis media in children: a prospective study of aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology; Brook I; Tympanocentesis with aerobic and anaerobic cultivation of middle ear fluid was performed through one or both tympanic membranes of 186 children with acute otitis media . Aerobic bacteria alone, predominantly pneumococcus and Hemophilus influenzae, were isolated from 118 (63.4%) patients: and anaerobic organisms alone, most commonly Peptococcus, from 24 (12.9%) . Twenty-six (14%) yielded mixtures of aerobes and anaerobes, and several had multiple aerobic agents . No bacterial growth was noted in 18 (9.7%) patients . The isolation of anaerobic bacteria alone, supported in some patients by Gram-stain observations of middle ear fluid, suggests that these bacteria, especially Peptococcus, may occasionally play a direct role in acute otitis media.

J Biol Chem, 1979 May 25, 254(10), 3812 - 7
Biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids . Presence of dithionite and an endogenous electron donor in Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens; Yamazaki S et al.; Two oxygen-consuming substances were isolated from cell-free extracts of the rumen anaerobe, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens . The major fraction comprising 97% of the total activity was characterized as a three-component mixture of glucose, maltose, and dithionite . The minor activity fraction contained an electron donor for the reduction of cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoate to trans-11-octadecenoate . After oxidation, the electron donor could be reduced by the dithionite, thereby accounting for the previously observed capacity of cell-free extracts of the bacterium to carry out the biohydrogenation of the conjugated dienoic fatty acid.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 406 - 10
{Effect of methanosarcina on the growth of primary anaerobes}; Bonch-Osmolovskaia EA; The effect of Methanosarcina vacuolata on the mixed celluloytic population and on pure cultures of anaerobic bacteria was studied . In the pasteurized enrichment culture decomposing cellulose but producing no methane, the biomass of primary anaerobes increased at a higher rate when Methanosarcina was introduced; the rate of cellulose hydrolysis did not change . Methanosarcina stimulated also the growth of Escherichia intermedia and Ruminococcus albus on a medium containing glucose and cellobiose . The growth of combined cultures with the production of methane was possible only on a medium with a low content of carbohydrates since an increase in the concentration of glucose inhibited the growth of Methanosarcina.

Am J Surg, 1979 May, 137(5), 593 - 6
Comparative efficacy of prophylactic cephalothin and cefamandole for elective colon surgery: results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind study; Slama TG et al.; Thirty-four patients undergoing elective colon resection or anastomosis received either intravenous cephalothin or cefamandole prophylactically and were observed for evidence of intraabdominal or wound infection, or both, postoperatively . The infection rates were 31 and 33 per cent, respectively . Infections were caused predominantly by cephalosporin resistant aerobes and anaerobes . All four bacteremias were caused by members of the B . fragilis group . The overall infection rate (32 per cent) and the frequency of anaerobic bacteremia (12 per cent) observed in this study were much higher than previously reported after cephalosporin prophylaxis for colorectal surgery.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1979 May 1, 134(1), 68 - 74
Use of laparoscopy to determine the microbiologic etiology of acute salpingitis; Sweet RL et al.; To determine the microbiologic etiology of acute salpingitis, laparoscopy was used in 26 patients to obtain specimens for a variety of microorganisms directly from the fallopian tube . Simultaneous culdocentesis was performed to obtain peritoneal fluid for microbiologic analysis . A variety of microorganisms were isolated from the fallopian tubes and cul-de-sac aspirate . However, the organisms isolated from the fallopian tube were not consistent with the cul-de-sac isolates . It appears that direct culture from the fallopian tube may be necessary to determine the microbiologic etiology and pathogenesis of acute salpingitis . N . gonorrhoeae was isolated from the cul-de-sac in 32 per cent of cases and the fallopian tube in 19 per cent . In patients with endocervical gonorrhea, the gonococcus was isolated from the fallopian tube in 38.5 per cent of cases . Aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria were present in the cul-de-sac aspirate in 46 per cent of patients and in the fallopian tube in 38 per cent.

J Clin Periodontol, 1979 Apr, 6(2), 115 - 30
Effect of hydrogen peroxide on developing plaque and gingivitis in man; Wennstrom J et al.; The present experiment was undertaken to assess the effect of hydrogen peroxide release during mouth rinsings on the composition of the microbiota of developing plaque in humans and the amount and pathogenecity of the plaque formed . The trial was designed as a double-blind crossover study of the effect of a mouthwash (Amosan) had a placebo rinse on the development of plaque and gingivitis in young adults . The active compound was available as a powder; the rinse consisted of 1.7 g powder dissolved in 30 ml hot tap water . Fourteen dental students participated in the trial . The students were examined during two consecutive periods, each consisting of one preparatory (during which active tooth cleaning measures were carefully practiced) and one main test period (during which mouth rinsings were the only plaque control measure) . Each of the two test periods was initiated by a baseline examination following which the participants rinsed either with the active or the placebo mouthwash . The rinsings were performed immediately after breakfast, after lunch and after dinner . Measurements of Plaque and Gingival Index scores were performed 4, 7 and 14 days after the start of the no-toothbrushing period . Bacteria were sampled and examined after 7 and 14 days of trial . The results demonstrated that a mouthwash which released hydrogen peroxide effectively prevented the colonization of filaments, fusiforms, motile and curved rods as well as spirochetes in developing plaque . The mouthwash which was used as the only oral hygiene measure during a 2-week period furthermore markedly reduced the amount of plaque formed and significantly retarded gingivitis development . It is suggested that H202 released by mouthwashes during rinsing may prevent or retard the colonization and multiplication of anaerobic bacteria.

Ann Sclavo, 1979 Mar-Apr, 21(2), 205 - 28
{Bacteriological diagnosis of anaerobic infections (author's transl)}; Filadoro F et al.; A review on anaerobic bacteria with special reference to their role in human disease and an outline for clinical laboratory practice (collection of the specimens, culture media, isolation, identification, antibiotic sensitivity tests) is presented.

Rev Infect Dis, 1979 Mar-Apr, 1(2), 248 - 53
Taxonomy, enzymes, and clinical relevance of anaerobic bacteria; Finegold SM; Present systems for the classification of anaerobic bacteria have eliminated many of the problems of earlier systems . There are still a number of major problems that require attention, however . Anaerobic bacteria produce many different enzymes that are of importance in providing nutrients to the bacterial cell, as virulence factors, and in permitting organisms to colonize or survive under adverse conditions (including exposure to antimicrobial agents) . Some enzymes effect several types of modifications to bile acids, neutral steroids, and corticosteroids . Anaerobes are clearly important in a variety of infections in humans and animals as well as in various other types of pathologic processes.

J Hyg (Lond), 1979 Feb, 82(1), 101 - 14
Gastroenteritis in London and Jamaica: a clinical and bacteriological study; Ellis-Pegler RB et al.; The flora of both faeces and small bowel lumen was studied in children with gastroenteritis from London, England, and Kingston, Jamaica . Clinical and laboratory differences between these two groups are described . All bacterial groups in the faeces were greatly altered during gastroenteritis and this particularly affected anaerobic organisms . These changes generally reverted rapidly to normal after the illness . The small bowel flora was also altered during gastroenteritis; there was a tendency for a wider range of organisms including anaerobes to be isolated from the children in Jamacia than from those in England.

Thorax, 1979 Feb, 34(1), 106 - 12
Pleural effusion: laboratory tests in 300 cases; Hirsch A et al.; The cause of pleural effusion was studied in 300 consecutive patients by clinical examination and laboratory tests . The three most common causes were found to be cancer 117 cases (metastatic 65, bronchogenic 34, mesothelioma 10, lymphoma 7, other 1); tuberculous infection 53; and bacterial infection 38 . The cause was not found in 62 patients . Cancer diagnosis was established by cytological examination of pleural fluid (63), closed pleural biopsy (37), and open pleural biopsy (11) . Tuberculosis was diagnosed by culture of pleural fluid (12), closed pleural biopsy (38), and open pleural biopsy (3) . In cases of empyema 12 Gram-positive and two Gram-negative cocci and two anaerobes were identified . The various causes and the usefulness of the different investigative procedures are discussed, and the data evaluated in the light of current knowledge about mechanisms of transfer through the pleural space.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Feb, 137(2), 905 - 11
Nitrite reduction in Veillonella alcalescens; Yordy DM et al.; Nitrite reduction was examined in Veillonella alcalescens C-1, and obligate anaerobe with an ATP-yielding nitrate-reducing system . Hydrogen donors for nitrite reduction included hydrosulfite, hydrogen gas, and pyruvate, but not pyridine nucleotides, in the presnece or absence of flavins . Pyruvate-linked nitrite reduction was not inhibited by 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl) 1,3-butanedione, dicoumarol, or 2-heptyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline-N-oxide . The noninvolvement of membrane-bound factors was supported by the fact that 100% of pyruvate-linked activity remained in the soluble fraction after fractionation of crude extracts by ultracentrifugation . Using DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, however, the participation of ferredoxin in nitrite reduction was demonstrated . The product of nitrite reduction appeared to be ammonia, as determined from H2-to-NO2- ratios . Nitrite reductase was induced by nitrate or nitrite and was repressed by increased levels of reduced nitrogenous compounds.

S Afr Med J, 1979 Jan 27, 55(4), 129 - 32
Incidence of aerobic and anaerobic infection in patients with incomplete abortion; Kowen DE et al.; The incidence of infection in 100 cases of abortion was studied . Intra-uterine swabs and products of conception were cultured both aerobically and anaerobically . Significant potentially-pathogenic organisms were cultured from 94 of 100 intra-uterine swabs and from all 100 samples of the products of conception . Anaerobes were cultured from 70 intra-uterine swabs and from 56 products of conception . The spectrum and relative proportion of organisms isolated resemble those found in the normal vagina and cervical os . In addition, positive blood cultures were obtained from 24 patients, 8 on admission and 17 after evacuation . With this high incidence of infection, routine antimicrobial therapy for aerobic and anaerobic organisms should be given to all patients with abortion.

Dermatologica, 1979, 158(1), 72 - 9
Antimicrobial spectrum of triclosan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent for topical application . II . Comparison with some other antimicrobial agents; Regos J et al.; The antimicrobial activity of 5-chloro-2(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol (triclosan, one of the active ingredients of Logamel, Ciba-Geigy) was compared in vitro with that of other antimicrobials exclusively or occasionally used as topical agents in dermatology: hexachlorophene, clioquinol, chlorquinaldol . gentamicin, neomycin, nystatin, econazole, clotrimazole and salicylic acid . Upon determination of the MICs for 53 strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts and fungi, triclosan was found to display a high degree of activity against most of the test organisms and to have the broadest spectrum of chemotherapeutically significant antimicrobial activity of the substances tested.

Zentralbl Gynakol, 1979, 101(23), 1532 - 6
{Use of "Konokonlit B", butyl-cyano-acrylate tissue adhesive, for caesarean section (author's transl)}; Kosowski I et al.; "Kanokonlit B", a butylic cyano-acrylate tissue adhesive, was applied to 60 patients with caesarean section to stabilise uterus sutures . Severe postsurgical infection did not occur in any of the cases . Evidence thus was produced to the high quality of the tissue adhesive, its tensile strength and its antibacterial properties to resist aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms . Direct histotoxicity was negligible . The adhesive is recommended by the authors for wider use in obstetrical and gynaecological practice.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 53 - 63
{Anaerobic infections in surgery}; Speranza V et al.; In the past few years the incidence of anaerobes in the aetiology of surgical infections has definitely increased due to a distinct increase in anaerobic flora and to the noticeable improvement in isolation and culture techniques which have drastically decreased the incidence of so-called "sterile pus" . The development of the toxi-infective shock due to Gram negative anaerobes, presents the most serious clinical problems, being the shock with the highest mortality rate . A paradigmatic example of shock due to surgical infections is the shock complicating peritonitis . A correct postoperative behaviour includes peritoneal lavage through drainages placed during surgery . The AA . personal experience with 50 hospitalized patients treated surgically and with cefoxitin, a new cephamycin semisynthetic antibiotic resistant to beta-lactamases, is reported.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 137 - 52
{Approaches to antibiotic therapy in anaerobic infections}; Giunchi G; After a short introduction pointing out the difficulties faced by an italian clinician when he has to apply a correct aetiologic therapy to the non-sporing anaerobe infections, difficulties which are especially due to the lack of an efficient microbiologic support, the A . examines the main infections caused by these bacteria and shows the treatment for each case according to the more recent literature and to his own experience.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 95 - 103
{A definitive identification method: gas-liquid chromatography}; Boniforti L et al.; The definitive identification of many anaerobes requires the use of gas-liquid chromatography to detect alcohol and volatile acids end-products of their metabolism . In this study we have used the gas-liquid chromatography for the identification of 360 non sporing anaerobes isolated from faeces of healthy individuals . These analyses were performed on a Variant-Aerograph mod . 2700 gas chromatography fitted with a column without phosphoric acid . The results showed a good percentage of typing (83%).

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 85 - 94
{Technics for isolation, incubation and preliminary identification tests}; Panichi G et al.; In this report the AA . emphasize the fact that anaerobes are mostly isolated from mixed cultures in which several bacteria are present . Therefore they suggest to grow all the bacteria under the best conditions and consequently to select the anaerobes from the aerobes . Furthermore they describe the selecting techniques used at Istituto Superiore di Sanita and Clinica Medica III, to attain this aim and enumerate the best methods used for anaerobic incubation.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 65 - 76
Anaerobic sepsis; Tabaqchali S; Anaerobic bacteria are the major residents of the skin and mucous-membrane surfaces, it is reasonable to suspect therefore, that these organisms play a part in the pathological processes associated with disturbances of these sites . The improvements in laboratory methods and the clarification of taxonomy have resulted in an increased awareness of the prevalence and virulence of the non-sporing anaerobic organisms in clinical infections . In this paper, only a brief outline of the types of infections associated with the normal flora and the types of bacteria isolated from these infections are given . Finally some of the pathogenetic mechanisms of anerobic infections are discussed.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 105 - 11
Definitive identification methods: antibiotic sensitivity and microtube system; Peach S; The definite identification of species and subspecies of an anaerobe implies certain difficulties, such as the poor and slow fermentation of carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions and the fact of having many keys in common . As a result several tests are required and as the number of tests increases the chances of error and the number of variables also increase . Hence specific methods have been developed in order to try and obtain satisfactory results . The A . refers his experience and judgement on V.P.I . and A.P.I . and on identification based upon antibiotic sensitivity spectrum . When properly used, such techniques enable the species and subspecies of non-sporing anaerobes to be more easily identified.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1979, 19(6), 431 - 8
Dynamics of anaerobic growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the chemostat; Wojcik M et al.; A kinetic Monod model has been used to describe the dynamic response of a continuous stirred tank fermentor (CSTF) to changes in dilution rate . A general analytical solution of a linearized model was obtained . Experimental results (Vairo et al . 1977) of continuous anaerobic culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have verified the model quantitatively . For step disturbances on the dilution rate the responses of biomass concentration and the outlet substrate concentration were calculated on a digital computer and compared with the experimental data.

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1979, 14(7), 891 - 6
The effects of phthalylsulphathiazole on the bacteria of the colonic mucosa and intestinal contents as revealed by the examination of surgical samples; Marks CG et al.; The isolation of a bacterial flora specifically associated with the colonic mucosa of patients undergoing large-bowel surgery is described . This flora differed from that of faeces in both the numbers and the types of bacteria isolated . The most striking difference was the reduction in the number of anaerobic bacteria isolated from the colonic mucosa . The ratio of anaerobic to aerobic was approximately 1:1 for mucosa compared with 100:1 for faeces.

Zentralbl Gynakol, 1979, 101(11), 722 - 6
{Bacteriological aspects of trichomonal vaginitis (author's transl)}; Brockmann J et al.; An analysis was made of the vaginal flora of 25 gynaecological patients with acute trichomomal vaginitis, with the view to elucidating the bacteriological situation . Eighty-four isolates, an average of 3.4 per patient, were taken and included a wide range of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . - Obligate anaerobic species, such as bacteriodes and peptostreptococci, with susceptibility to metronidazole were among the predominant pathogens . - The differentiated susceptibility of the most common bacteria to antibiotics may yield information useful to therapy in the case of aggravated infection.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1979, (19), 68 - 73
Are anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections uncommon or commonly undetected in Britain?
Collee JG.
Despite marked and increasing awareness of the clinical significance of pathogenic anaerobes, the role of anaerobes in pleuropulmonary infections is still largely unrecognised in Britain . A considerable literature testifies that this is not so in America . The reasons for this paradox are explored . British anaerobic methodology is briefly reviewed, with special reference to the range of recognised respiratory pathogens and the anaerobes that can be cultured in simple anaerobic jars . The limitations of sampling and transport procedures are considered . Differences in approach are discussed . The technological problems of the isolation and culture of "difficult" pathogenic anaerobes have been largely solved at the laboratory level; effective approaches to sampling and transit of specimens require more positive consideration and the results might influence our choice of specific antimicrobial therapy . If these points are taken and an increased awareness of the role of the anaerobes in certain pathological conditions of the lower respiratory tract is generated, we might hope either to produce a meaningful parallel to the experience of our American colleagues--or to structure a more valid defence to explain our lack of experience of these infections in the lower respiratory tract.

Drugs, 1979 Jan, 17(1), 1 - 37
Cefoxitin: a review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacological properties and therapeutic use; Brogden RN et al.; Cefoxitin is a beta-lactam antibiotic derived from cephamycin C, a naturally occurring substance produced by Streptomyces lactamdurans . Its resistance to destruction by beta-lactamases results in a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity which includes anaerobic as well as Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, including many resistant to cephalothin and other cephalosporins . Given by intravenous or intramuscular injection, cefoxitin is effective against a wide variety of infections caused by Gram-positive or Gram-negative aerobes as well as by anaerobic bacteria . It is generally well tolerated, thrombophlebitis, skin rash and some degree of discomfort after intramuscular injection, being the most commonly reported side effects . Cefoxitin has not been shown to cause adverse effects on renal function.

Rev Infect Dis, 1979 Jan-Feb, 1(1), 113 - 7
Cefoxitin for treatment of infections due to anaerobic bacteria; Kirby BD et al.; Twenty-seven patients with 29 infections due to anaerobic or mixed anaerobic-aerobic bacteria were treated with cefoxitin . From the 27 patients 99 isolates of anaerobic bacteria and 70 isolates of aerobic bacteria were recovered . Twelve pleuropulmonary infections, 12 soft tissue infections, three bone infections, and two intraabdominal infections were treated . Twenty-six of the 29 infections were completely or partially eradicated; the remaining three infections were unchanged . One-third of the patients experienced phlebitis; in two instances severe phlebitis caused discontinuation of therapy . In this study cefoxitin appeared to be an effective single agent for the therapy of infections due to specific anaerobic bacteria or to a mixed flora of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1979, (19), 13 - 6
In vitro susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria; Washington JA 2nd; In vitro susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria should be limited to isolates from persistent or recurrent infections that have been treated adequately and appropriately with antimicrobial agents and, in reference centers, to collections of isolates in order to monitor alterations in susceptibility of species to various antimicrobial agents . An agar dilution reference method is being evaluated currently; however, practicality limits sporadic testing of single isolates to disk elution or broth dilution techniques . No single disk diffusion method has yet been found to be acceptable for testing anaerobic bacteria, and the results obtained with standardized procedures for aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria are not applicable to anaerobic bacteria.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 173 - 6
{The role of anaerobe adhesion in the colonization of the vaginal mucosa}; Tufano MA et al.; Some our previous research works on bacterial adhesion to vaginal cells in the different phases of the menstruum showed that adhesion changes depending on changing environmental conditions . We therefore considered interesting to extend our investigations to anaerobic flora, in the light of recent observations intended to attribute an important role to anaerobic flora in the pathogenesis of vaginitis . The results obtained so far indicate that the maximum adhesion capability is found in the middle of the menstruum . The very low adhesion of bacteria belonging to the Leptothrix genus remains substantially unaltered throughout the menstruum . Low adhesion is also found in sporogenic bacteria, whereas the coccoid ones have a stronger adhesion, particularly about the middle of the menstruum . With lower pH values adhesion of the anaerobic flora is enhanced, whereas in the final phase of the menstruum, with higher pH values, adhesion is reduced . Competition tests evidence a stronger adhesion of coccoid as compared to bacillar types.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979, 245(3), 324 - 31
Identification of anaerobes on the Minitek System, compared to a conventional system; Holloway Y et al.; The Minitek Miniaturized System (BBL) was compared to a conventional method (V.P.I.) for the indentification of anaerobes . Anaerobiosis was achieved by using the GasPak system (BBL) and a glove box . Gram staining, colonial morphology, gas-liquid chromatography and biochemical reactions as detailed in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute anaerobe laboratory manual were compared to the biochemical results obtained on the Minitek system . A total of 32 anaerobes was used . The percentage of correlation was an overall 98.2% . Discrepancies were found mostly in the production of indole, the reduction of nitrate, and the hydrolysis of aesculin . A further 95 anaerobes were tested on these three reactions, and found to give an overall agreement of 92.9% . It was found necessary to use some additional tests as well as gas-liquid chromatography for definitive identification . The microsystem was also evaluated as to time saved, cost and ease of use.

Biofizika, 1979 Jan-Feb, 24(1), 82 - 6
{Glucose induced transport of H+, K+ and lactate in the cells of Acholeplasma laidlawii}; Kapitanov AB et al.; Currents of H+ and K+ ions initiated under the effect of facultative anaerobe of A . laidlawii, valinomycin, nigericin and carbonyl cyanide chloride phenylhydrasone on the membrane are recorded by means of the system of cation sensitive electrodes . It is stated that during glucose transport a redistribution of H+ and K+ and lactate between the cellular content and the medium takes place . Preincubation of cells with 3-o-methyl-D-glucose essentially decreases the effect of induced ion transport . It is concluded that ion transport observed in the experiments with glucose is related not to glucose transport through the cell membrane but to the release of its metabolic products from the cells.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1978 Dec 18, 544(3), 540 - 6
Quinones as hydrogen carriers for a late step in anaerobic heme biosynthesis in Escherichia coli; Jacobs NJ et al.; A late step in anaerobic heme synthesis, the oxidation of protoprophyrinogen with fumarate as electron acceptor, was studied in extracts and particles of Escherichia coli mutants deficient in quinones or cytochromes . Mutants specifically deficient in menaquinone did not couple protoporphyrinogen oxidation to fumarate reduction, whereas mutants containing menaquinone but deficient in either ubiquinone or cytochromes exhibited this activity . These findings indicate that this coupled reaction is dependent upon menaquinone as hydrogen carrier but independent of ubiquinone and cytochromes . Other characteristics of this coupled reaction were also studied . The activity was located exclusively in the membrane fraction of cell-free extracts . Coproporphyrinogen III could not replace protoporphyrinogen as substrate . Methylene blue, triphenyl tetrazolium and nitrate, but not nitrite, could replace fumarate as anaerobic hydrogen acceptor . These findings have implications for the mechanism and regulation of microbial heme and chlorophyll synthesis and for the physiology of cytochrome synthesis in anaerobic microorganisms.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Dec, 8(6), 708 - 14
Growth of clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria on agar media: effects of media composition, storage conditions, and reduction under anaerobic conditions; Murray PR; The quantitative growth, the colony size, and the rate of growth of 47 clinical anaerobic isolates were compared on five different media, namely Brucella agar, brain heart infusion agar, Columbia agar, Schaedler agar, and tryptic soy agar . There was no significant difference in the quantitative growth of the anaerobes inoculated onto the five media . Although no single medium was superior for the growth of all isolates, 12 of 22 isolates, inoculated onto media stored for 4 weeks or less, grew best on Schaedler agar . The effects of supplementation of the media with reducing agents and reduction of the media before use were also analyzed and were found to be affected by the composition and length of storage of the media, as well as the bacteria tested.

Arch Intern Med, 1978 Dec, 138(12), 1825 - 7
Clinical usefulness of susceptibility testing of anaerobes; Bourgault AM et al.; We have studied the clinical usefulness of antibiotic susceptibility testing of fresh clinical isolates of anaerobes (primarily from blood cultures) . Analysis of 65 patients showed that susceptibility reports were used in only 13 instances (20%), representing mainly orothopedic and CNS infections . Of the 47 patients whose susceptibilities were not used, 20 received therapy (appropriate in each case) based on the culture report, and 27 were treated empirically . Only six patients in the empirically treated group received inappropriate treatment, but four of those six died, and patients in this group as a whole had a worse outcome than did patients in the other groups . However, these empirically treated patients also had a somewhat worse prognosis . We suggest that susceptibility testing of anaerobes be reserved for bacteremic patients and for managing severe, chronic anaerobic infections, such as septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and brain abscesses.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Dec, 8(6), 736 - 9
Rapid entry port for an anaerobic glove box; Gill VJ et al.; A rapid entry mechanism for an anaerobic glove box is described . The entry port is practical for entry or removal of one or two items and requires only seconds to operate . No deleterious effect on isolation or growth of anaerobes has been encountered since installation of the rapid entry port 3.5 years ago . Details for its construction are given.

Helv Chir Acta, 1978 Dec, 45(4-5), 463 - 70
{Preventive drug therapy against anaerobic bacteria}; Waldvogel FA; Anaerobic organisms can found normally in be normally major i.e . the upper airways, the gastrointestinal tract (beyond the caecum) and the female genital tract . Whereas the first group of microorganisms is usually sensitive to penicillin, the others are sensitive to clindamycin, metronidazole and chloramphenicol . An appropriate prophylactic regimen will have to comply with these microbiological data . Prophylactic antibiotics should be started during operation and should be given for a short period of time; their efficacy has been proved and confirmed, particularly in bowel surgery . Nevertheless, side-effects should be carefully watched for.

S Afr Med J, 1978 Oct 21, 54(17), 703 - 6
Metronidazole in the prophylaxis and treatment of anaerobic infection; Appelbaum PC et al.; The influence of prophylactic metronidazole on vaginal carriage rates of anaerobes and the development of postoperative anaerobic infection was studied in 104 women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy . Metronidazole prophylaxis in 54 patients led to a decrease in the anaerobe vaginal carriage rate from 65% pre-operatively to 17% and 28% on the 3rd and 7th postoperative days respectively . In the control group (50 patients) no significant decrease in anaerobe yield was noted, corresponding percentages being 72%, 64%, and 74% . Postoperative infection occurred in 36 patients (28 controls; 8 on prophylactic metronidazole) . Wound swabs from all 8 patients in the latter group yielded aerobes, and in 1 patient mixed infection (aerobes/anaerobes) occurred . In 7 of these patients (including the patient with mixed infection), the infection resolved spontaneously, while the 8th patient responded to therapy with metronidazole, kanamycin and ampicillin . In the control patients, 21 cases of postoperative wound infection and 4 of vault infection were seen; wound swabs from patients in the former group yielded aerobes in only 6 cases, and mixed growth of aerobes/anaerobes in 10 cases . Postoperative wound/vault infections in control patients cleared spontaneously in 18 cases and responded to imidazole therapy, with or without ampicillin and kanamycin, in 7 cases.

Equine Vet J, 1978 Oct, 10(4), 249 - 52
Changes in the caecal flora associated with the onset of laminitis; Garner HE et al.; Caecal fluid samples collected 8 and 24 hours after carbohydrate overload were quantitatively compared to control samples in terms of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Concomitant increases in lactic acid-producing bacteria and decreases in Gram negative bacteria were substantiated during the onset of acute laminitis . Progressive decreases in caecal fluid pH were also quantitated . Although endotoxin assays of caecal fluid and blood were not done, the caecal flora changes suggest its presence during the onset of acute laminitis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Oct, 8(4), 369 - 73
Argon detector: alternative detection system for gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of short-chain organic acids; Sullivan NM et al.; Two detection systems for gas-liquid chromatography were compared for the identification of metabolic end products (short-chain organic acids) from anaerobic bacteria . Argon and flame ionization detectors were connected in series with inert argon as the carrier gas for analysis of 35 stock strains and 148 clinical isolates . There was an excellent correlation between the argon and flame ionization chromatograms, and both were readily comparable to the thermal conductivity detector tracings published in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute manual . The linear response of the argon detector was examined by analyzing twofold serial dilutions of the short-chain organic acids and comparing the results to the very linear flame ionization detector . The argon detector was found to react with sufficient linearity within the organic acid concentration range normally obtained from anaerobic bacterial broth cultures . The argon detector, therefore, appears to be a viable alternative to the flame ionization and thermal conductivity detector systems in the identification of anaerobic organisms.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1978 Oct, 31(10 Suppl), S131 - S135
Factors involved in colonization of the gut epithelial surface; Savage DC; Some indigenous microbes form climax communities on gastrointestinal epithelial surfaces during succession in animals of many types . Most communities form in mucous layers on the surfaces, where some microbes in the communities may utilize the mucin as a source of carbon and energy . The mucous gel may also serve physically to stabilize the community . Some microbial types that colonize early during succession may serve, perhaps synergistically with dietary components, to lower the oxygen tension and oxidation-reduction potential so that oxygen-intolerant anaerobes can colonize the epithelial surfaces . Microbes in the communities may adhere to the epithelial surface; the mechanisms by which they adhere may depend upon a variety of factors, including the type of epithelium and the rate of flow of lumenal contents in the areas . Dietary fiber may influence the composition of these communities by providing nutrients for the microbes or altering their environmental conditions including peristaltic rate, mucous concentration and composition, and oxygen tension and oxidation-reduction potential.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1978 Oct, 96(10), 1813 - 6
Peptostreptococcal endophthalmitis with a relapsing course; Mason GI et al.; A posttraumatic exogenous endophthalmitis developed that was due to Peptostreptococcus . This Gram-positive anaerobe was isolated in pure culture from vitreous . The endophthalmitis showed a bacteriologic and clinical relapse despite conventional routes of antimicrobial treatment . A second clinical relapse occurred despite apparent vitreal sterilization with intravitreal antibiotics . The response to vitrectomy was impressive, and postoperatively the patient's visual acuity improved to 20/20.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Oct, 8(4), 427 - 30
Evaluation of routine subcultures of macroscopically negative blood cultures for detection of anaerobes; Murray PR et al.; Routine anaerobic subcultures of macroscopically negative blood culture bottles, performed within 1 day of receipt of the culture and after 5 days of incubation, were evaluated . Anaerobes were recovered from 207 (12.3%) of the total 1,688 positive cultures and, of these, 154 were only detected macroscopically, 11 only by subculture, and 42 by both procedures . In no instance was the anaerobe detected earlier with the subculture, and the time required for a definitive identification was reduced for only 10 isolates . Since the subcultures did not significantly improve the detection or early identification of anaerobes, routine anaerobic subcultures are not recommended.

Arch Intern Med, 1978 Sep, 138(9), 1369 - 71
Prostatic abscesses involving anaerobic bacteria; Bartlett JG et al.; Anaerobic bacteria have seldom been reported in prostatic abscesses . The present study concerns four cases in which the exudate was cultured with optimal microbiological techniques . Our results showed a complex aerobic-anaerobic flora in each instance, with a total of 21 isolates, including seven aerobes and 14 anaerobes . This experience has important implications concerning culture practices and empiric antimicrobial treatment for patients with prostatic abscess.

Am J Med Sci, 1978 Sep-Oct, 276(2), 159 - 71
Combined clinical and laboratory studies with carbenicillin and ticarcillin: use in infections involving anaerobic bacteria; Westerman EL et al.; Eleven patients with serious infections involving anaerobic bacteria were treated with carbenicillin (four patients) or ticarcillin (seven patients) . All patients were cured clinically and bacteriologically of their infections . An in vitro study testing 157 recently isolated anaerobic organisms against 11 antibiotics showed chloramphenicol, carbenicillin, and ticarcillin at blood level concentrations to be inhibitory to more anaerobic strains than the other eight antibiotics tested . Ticarcillin and carbenicillin appear to be safe and effective and deserve further consideration for use in the therapy of anaerobic infections.

Obstet Gynecol, 1978 Sep, 52(3), 279 - 84
Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is cesarean section; Kreutner AK et al.; The effect of an 8-hour, 3-dose perioperative regimen of cefazolin or placebo was evaluated in 97 patients . Postoperative morbidity occurred in 13 patients (27.1%) in the cefazolin group and in 17 patients (34.7%) who received placebo . The clinical sites of infection were similar in both groups except that wound infections (2) and sepsis (2) were found only in patients receiving placebo . Aerobic organisms diminished and anaerobes increased in patients who received antibiotics . Aerobic isolates were essentially unchanged and fewer anaerobes were recovered from patients given placebo . Antibiotic levels observed at cesarean section were in the therapeutic range . The only risk factor which correlated with morbidity was the presence of ruptured membranes . This short course, single drug regimen did not significantly reduce morbidity although it was bacteriologically effective.

J Hand Surg {Am}, 1978 Sep, 3(5), 455 - 7
Infections following clenched-fist injury: a new perspective; Goldstein EJ et al.; Fifteen cases of clenched-fist injury were studied by aerobic, anaerobic, and 10% CO2 cultures . Anaerobic bacteria and Eikenella corrodens were prominent pathogens, being recovered in 60% and 20% of cases, respectively . These organisms are more susceptible to penicillin than to penicillinase-resistant penicillins or cephalosporins . All clenched-fist injuries should be cultured in aerobic, anaerobic, and 10% CO2 atmospheres . We recommend the use of both penicillin and a penicillinase-resistant penicillin as initial empiric therapy.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Sep, 8(3), 339 - 41
Mass spectral measurement of residual oxygen in the atmosphere of an anaerobic culture chamber; Tabaqchali S et al.; A simple and reproducible procedure has been devised for sampling gases and for analysis of the residual oxygen in the atmosphere of the anaerobic culture chamber by mass spectrometer.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1978 Sep-Oct, 86(3-4), 298 - 302
Bacteriology of maxillary sinusitis in relation to quality of the retained secretion; Carenfelt C et al.; The bacteriological findings in 200 patients with acute maxillary sinusitis are reported . It is concluded that the sampling technique--by antral aspiration--is highly significant in the evaluation of the bacteriological background of sinusitis, whereas the anerobic transport of the sample seems to be of less importance . By aspiration the purulent secretion can be properly separated from the non-purulent secretion . Pneumococci, H . influenzae and anaerobic bacteria can be isolated in about 90% of the patients with true sinus empyema, while sterile conditions are rare.

Br J Clin Pharmacol, 1978 Aug, 6(2), 135 - 43
Plasma, bone, hip capsule and drain fluid concentrations of ampicillin and flucloxacillin during total hip replacement after intravenous bolus injection of magnapen; Parsons RL et al.; 1 . A rapid intravenous bolus injection of 4.0 g Magnapen (which contains 2.0 g of ampicillin and 2.0 g of flucloxacillin) was to seven patients undergoing total hip replacement immediatly before induction of general anesthesia . Postoperatively the patients patients received 2.0 g Magnapen by intramuscular injection every 6 h for up to 72 h until removal of the wound drains . 2 . The plasma, bone, hip capsule and drain fluid concentrations of ampicillin and flucloxacillin were measured by a differential small plate microbiological assay method using Sarcina lutea and a penicillinase producing Staph . aureus Russell as the test organisms . 3 . The mean +/- s.e . mean concentrations of ampicillin after this regimen were 4222.2 +/- 285.0 microgram/ml (plasma), 65.6 +/- 1.3 microgram (g (hip capsule), 19.1 +/- 3.8 microgram/g (cancellous bone), and 211.1 +/- 65.6 microgram/g (ground up bone) respectively . 4 . The mean +/- s.e . mean flucloxacillin concentrations after this regime were 137.2 +/- 28.4 microgram/ml (plasma), 61.8 +/- 15.0 microgram/g (hip capsule), 47.1 +/- 9.5 microgram/g (cancellous bone) and 139.4 +/- 21.8 microgram/g (ground up bone) respectively . 5 . An intravenous bolus injection of Magnepen (4.0 g), given immediately before induction of general anaesthesia, provides concentrations of ampicillin and flucloxacillin in plasma, hip capsule, cancellous and ground up bone, and drain fluid that exceed the MICs of these antibiotics against Staph . aureus and E . coli . 6 . The plasma, hip capsule, cancellous and ground up bone concentrations of ampicillin after this dose of Magnapen do not, however, exceed the MICs of the Gram negative anaerobes that sometimes cause postoperative wound infections in these patients.

J Clin Periodontol, 1978 Aug, 5(3), 198 - 205
Comparison of the in vivo and in vitro antibacterial properties of providone iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinses; Addy M et al.; Clinical and laboratory studies were carried out to compare the antibacterial properties of two antiseptic mouthwashes, namely 1% povidone iodine and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate . In a group of 10 subjects after a single rinse with povidone iodine, an immediate mean fall in total salivary aerobes and anaerobes occurred, followed by a return to normal levels by 1-hour postrinsing . With chlorhexidine gluconate a similar but greater reduction in salivary bacterial counts was observed, which was still present up to the 7-h postrinsing period . Saliva samples obtained from the subjects 2 min after rinsing with providone iodine produced little or no inhibition to the growth of a test organism in vitro, whereas following chlorhexidine gluconate, antibacterial activity was present in the saliva specimens up to the 3-h sampling time . Using culture media containing comparable levels of soluble protein to saliva, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of povidone iodine against several standard test organisms were much higher than those of chlorhexidine gluconate . The results suggest that povidone iodine, as a mouthwash, exerts only an immediate antibacterial effect and unlike chlorhexidine, is not retained at antibacterial levels within the oral cavity after expectoration . This lack of prolonged action of povidone iodine in the oral cavity would appear to be relevant to its reported lack of antiplaque activity.

S Afr Med J, 1978 Jul 8, 54(2), 57 - 60
Treatment of chronic destructive pneumonia with cephalosporins, penicillin and metronidazole; Cameron EW; Three hundred and ten patients with chronic destructive pneumonia (CDP), a necrotizing pneumonia probably caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacterial synergism, were treated with cephalosporins (80 of these with cephalosporins, penicillin and metronidazole) . The reasons for selecting these drugs to treat CDP are given and evidence is presented which suggests that the combination of cephalosporins, penicillin and metronidazole is more effective therapy for CDP than cephalosporins alone . This finding supports the thesis that anaerobes are implicated in the aetiology of CDP.

Obstet Gynecol, 1978 Jul, 52(1), 105 - 8
Anaerobic bacterial recovery from two transport systems in a study of gynecologic flora; Grossmann JH 3rd et al.; Several systems for transporting specimens to the laboratory to test for the presence of anaerobic bacteria are available to clinicians . To date, these have not been systematically compared, especially regarding cost-effectiveness . This study compares recovery of anaerobic organisms from genital cultures of gynecological patients under bacteriologic study for research purposes . Two transport systems for delivery of specimens to the laboratory were studied: 1) the commercially available Anaswab system, and 2) a modified Stuart medium (transport charcoal medium) with 0.2% added agar in addition to 0.2% added charcoal . Our data shows no significant difference in kinds of anaerobic organisms recovered using either system when specimens are transported to the laboratory within 24 hours . Although the sites of culturing compared in this study are not directly applicable to the problem of pelvic infection, nevertheless the potential for lowering cost by selecting alternative systems for anaerobic recovery should prompt further comparisons in clinical settings . Some practical suggestions are made for applying agar-modified transport charcoal medium, the less expensive alternative, to clinical situations.

Am J Med Technol, 1978 Jul, 44(7), 709 - 22
Alternative procedures for identification of anaerobic bacteria; Stargel MD et al.; Recognizing the need for practical inexpensive procedures which allow identification of anaerobes commonly encountered in clinical laboratories, a number of investigators have in recent years proposed various alternatives to the expensive, time-consuming techniques presently recommended by reference anaerobe laboratories . Some of these techniques are potentially good alternatives . In this paper we review some of the more promising approaches and present a detailed description of two commercial microbiochemical systems for characterization of anaerobes . When used in conjunction with other available tests, the microsystems are useful and convenient methods for identification of anaerobic bacteria at a reasonable cost.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Jul, 8(1), 28 - 35
Evaluation of Port-A-Cul transport system for protection of anaerobic bacteria; Mena E et al.; The protection of anaerobes in Port-A-Cul (PAC) transport system (Bioquest, Div . of Becton, Dickinson &Co., Cockeysville, Md.) tubes and vials was studied . Ten species of obligately anaerobic bacteria commonly isolated from clinical specimens were used to prepare simulated swab and fluid specimens in high and low concentrations . Samples in PAC tubes and vials were held for 2, 24, and 48 h at ambient temperature and in a refrigerator . In addition, samples of the simulated specimens were exposed to controlled anaerobic and aerobic conditions in vented tubes and vials, with and without PAC medium, at ambient and refrigerator temperatures . Viable bacterial colony counts from specimens in PAC tubes and vials used as recommended by the manufacturer were consistently greater than those from specimens exposed to the different controlled conditions . The protection in PAC was about equal for specimens with either high or low concentrations of bacteria . Protection of the anaerobes in PAC was more obvious with swab than with fluid specimens . Quantitative recovery of anaerobes from refrigerated PAC samples, with few exceptions, was comparable to that from PAC samples held at ambient temperature.

Br J Dis Chest, 1978 Jul, 72(3), 187 - 95
Pleuropulmonary lung infection by anaerobic bacteria; Abeysundere RL et al.; Two patients with severe pleuropulmonary infection caused by non-sporing anaerobic bacteria are described . One had an empyema with foul-smelling pus and developed bacteraemia, and the other developed a lung abscess . Both were successfully treated with antibiotics and drainage, chest surgery being avoided . The successful diagnosis and treatment of these patients involved close liaison between clinical and laboratory staff.

Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 1978 Jun 27, 220(3), 167 - 74
Access of metronidazole into the chronically inflamed middle ear with reference to anaerobic bacterial infections; Jokipii L et al.; Strictly anaerobic bacteria were found in about one third of 138 consecutive cases of active chronic otitis media . These infections were always mixed involving aerobes as well . In 79 cases only aerobes were found and 16 cultures were sterile . To provide a basis for possible clinical trials, the penetration of metronidazole into the ear was studied after an oral dose of 2.4 g to patients with chronic otitis media . Significant amounts of biologically active metronidazole were found in 8 of 12 middle ear discharges at 2--4 h, the concentrations varying between 9.4 and 65.0 microgram/ml . Between 2 and 13 h after administration, significant drug concentrations all exceeding the highest reported bactericidal ones were found in the middle ear mucosa in 6 cases of the 8 in which the determinations were possible . Neither the mucosal nor the discharge concentrations correlated with the simultaneous serum levels of metronidazole, which were high in all 23 patients studied.

J Oral Surg, 1978 Jun, 36(6), 462 - 6
Tetanus--review of the literature and report of case; Morse HE et al.; This case presents many of the difficulties of management that are inherent in a severe case of tetanus . Also it shows a seldom-considered therapeutic modality, that of dental extraction, gingival debridement, and gingivectomy with a confirmed case of tetanus without an established portal of entry . It is well known that periodontal and periapical locations can easily give rise to an anaerobic focus . In this case, anaerobic culture of C tetani was unsuccessful, possibly because of the inherent difficulty of anaerobic transfer from an oral locus and the extreme fastidiousness of the organism . As a rule, all patients who recover from tetanus do so completely, without any residual deficit . This was true in the case discussed here . Conclusions that can be drawn from this case are the following: a diagnosis of tetanus should be considered in any case of unexplained trismus; aggressive treatment of the immunologic deficit by antitoxin should be instituted along with a course of active immunization; and aggressive symptomatic treatment should be started . The bases of the treatment of this case were management of airways, sedation, treatment of autonomic crisis, and eradication of the causative agent . The result was that a severely ill patient reponded to treatment and completely recovered from a devastating disease.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1978 May 26, 165(1), 67 - 72
Use of a rapid fermentation test for indentification of anaerobic bacteria; Lindquist BL et al.; Rapid fermentation tests of carbohydrates were performed on 84 strains of anaerobic bacteria, and the result is compared with a commercially available micromultitest, API . An overall correlation of 87% was achieved between the two systems . The rapid fermentation test is easy to perform, since it is done aerobically, and easy to read . This study shows that RFT is useful in routine diagnosis of anaerobic bacteria, if it is used in combination with other relevant biochemical tests, morphologic examination, and gas chromatography.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 May-Jun, 47(3), 396 - 9
{Development of a pure Methanosarcina biotype 2 culture on acetate}; Zhilina TN; A pure culture of the obligate anaerobe methanosarcina, biotype 2, was isolated using an original technique of dilution in agar and inoculation into a preliminarily reduced medium . Additional organic substances, in particular yeast extract, are necessary for germination of a small number of packets in the course of isolation . The methanosarcina can use, during several inoculations, acetate as a sole source of carbon and energy, and does not require hydrogen as the main substrate of catabolism . The organic substances being tested (with an exception of pyruvate, hemin and cysteine which somewhat increased the lag phase) had no significant effect on growth and production of methane . Apparently, the mechanosarcina, biotype 2, should be referred to as an individual species.

J Infect Dis, 1978 May, 137 Suppl, S103 - S109
Cefamandole in treatment of peritonitis; Stone HH et al.; Cefamandole was evaluated as the sole antimicrobial agent used to treat bacterial peritonitis in 113 patients . Dosage varied between 1 and 2 g given intravenously every 6 hr . Laparotomy for excision of infected or gangrenous tissues, closure of gastrointestinal perforations, or drainage of an established abscess was required in 99 of the cases . A good clinical response was obtained in 107 patients, or 95% of the total group . Of the six deaths only one could be attributed to infection . No evidence of renal, hepatic, or hematopoietic toxicity was noted . There were no allergic reactions, although 13 patients (12%) developed phlebitis in a vein used for antibiotic administration . Bacteriological studies revealed aerobic peritonitis in 99% of the patients, with anaerobe participation in 60% of these cases . Sensitivity testing by the disk diffusion and tube dilution methods confirmed the appropriateness of cefamandole therapy; 91% of the gram-negative rods and 61% of the anaerobes were susceptible . From results of this study, it would appear that cefamandole is a reliably effective antibiotic for use in treatment of most forms of acute peritonitis . Its role in surgical prophylaxis may be even more promising.

Nouv Presse Med, 1978 Apr 15, 7(15), 1287 - 9
{Pleuro-pulmonary infections : importance of anaerobic bacteria and therapeutic consequences (author's transl)}; Petit JC et al.; A prospective study of bacteriology and therapeutic outcome in 14 cases of pleuro-pulmonary infections is reported . Bacteriologic results are based on transtracheal aspirates and empyema fluid . Appropriate anaerobic bacteriologic methods were employed . Anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 11 patients, and were the only pathogens isolated in 6 patients . Patients were treated by penicillin G . This was judged satisfactory in all cases, although 1 patient died from pneumococcal septicemia few hours after his admission to the hospital . The results indicate that with reliable specimen (pleural fluidand transtracheal aspirates) and optimal anaerobic culture methods, bacteriologic diagnosis can be established . Since anaerobes play a key role in most cases of pleuro-pulmonary infections, penicillin G is the prefered initial drug.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1978 Apr 11, 502(1), 38 - 44
Isolation and characterization of a rubredoxin and an (8Fe-8S) ferredoxin from Desulfuromonas acetoxidans; Probst I et al.; A two cluster (4Fe-4S) ferredoxin and a rubredoxin have been isolated from the sulfur-reducing bacterium Desulfuromonas acetoxidans . Their amino acid compositions are reported and compared to those of other iron-sulfur proteins . The ferredoxin contains 8 cysteine residues, 8 atoms of iron and 8 atoms of labile sulfur per molecule; its minimum molecular weight is 6163 . The protein exhibits an abosrbance ratio of A385/A283 = 0.74 . Storage results in a bleaching of the chromophore; the denatured ferredoxin is reconstitutable with iron and sulfide . The instability temperature is 52 degrees C . The rubredoxin does not differ markedly from rubredoxins from other anaerobic bacteria.

Arch Surg, 1978 Apr, 113(4), 467 - 72
Intra-abdominal infection and acute renal failure; Milligan SL et al.; The course of 76 consecutive patients with acute renal failure and severe intra-abdominal infection was reviewed to identify the microorganisms responsible, the factor precipitating reoperation, and prognostic indicators . Peritonitis occurred in 75 patients, 48 of whom had abscesses . Twenty-four patients (32%) survived . Anaerobes and fungi were commonly grown from blood . Gram-negative aerobic blood isolates were associated with the highest mortality . Leukocytosis, physical findings, and fever were factors that prompted reexploration whereas diagnostic procedures played an ancillary role . The finding of specifically correctable conditions at reoperation improved survival (P less than .05) . Myocardial infarction and disseminated intravascular coagulation affected survival unfavorably whereas hyperalimentation had a favorable influence (P less than .05) . Aggressive medical, nutritional, and surgical management results in improved survival rates in these patients.

Chest, 1978 Apr, 73(4), 497 - 500
Mediastinitis from odontogenic and deep cervical infection . Anatomic pathways of propagation; Moncada R et al.; Potentially lethal consequences can quickly occur once the mediastinum is subjected to the ravages of an anaerobic infection . Mediastinitis from odontogenic or deep cervical infections is extremely rare in the era of antibiotic drugs . We have recently encountered five such cases, with a rapid spread of the inflammatory process into the mediastinum resulting in a number of local and systemic complications . All were caused by anaerobic bacteria . Awareness of such complications and early roentgenographic diagnosis lead to prompt surgical drainage, proper antibiotic therapy, and survival after a stormy clinical course . The anatomic pathways between the various fascial planes of the neck and mediastinum will be described.

AJR Am J Roentgenol, 1978 Apr, 130(4), 715 - 8
Bacteremia during barium enema study; Butt J et al.; The occurrence of bacteremia was studied in patients undergoing barium enema . Blood cultures were done on 34 patients before, during, and after the procedure using two schedules . Cultures were obtained once during the procedure in the first schedule and four times in the second . None of the cultures were positive by the first schedule, while 23% of patients studied by the second schedule had one or more positive cultures . Organisms isolated were anaerobes . The bacteremia was transient and self-limited, without serious clinical sequelae . The incidence of bacteremia during barium enema examination was statistically indistinguishable from bacteremia previously reported during colonscopy . It is concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated in most patients undergoing colonic diagnostic procedures . Prophylaxis in selected high-risk patients requires further study.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Apr, 240(2), 235 - 45
{Construction and operation of an anaerobic glove box (author's transl)}; Nicolai-Scholten ME; Construction and operation of an anaerobic glove box is described mainly built of commercially available material . The box is made of refined steel and has the dimensions of 150 cm in length, 62 cm in height and 68 cm in depth . It is equipped with one round vacuum tight steel airlock for transfer of material . Three Neopren gloves and an oblique glass window are installed into the frontside . The anaerobic box is continuously perfused by 35 l/h of O2-free gas . In the box the atmosphere is whirled round by a fan and hereby led over a layer of catalyst . The O2-content of the anaerobic atmosphere is less than 1 ppm-3 ppm to 4 ppm on a yearly average - measured by an oxygen trace analysor . All bacteriological work as cultivation and isolation of strictly anaerobic bacteria can be done within a continuous O2-free atmosphere by conventional technics . The anaerobic glove box described was used for three years without any failure . In glove boxes built in the same manner as above mentioned similar O2-values will be achievable.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1978 Mar 15, 130(6), 658 - 61
Cervical and vaginal bacterial flora: ecologic niches in the female lower genital tract; Bartlett JG et al.; The bacterial flora of the cervix and vaginal vault were compared by obtaining duplicate specimens for quantitative bacteriologic studies in 14 patients electively admitted for hysterectomy . There were a total of 137 isolates from the 28 specimens, including 71 aerobes and 66 anaerobes . Aggregate data showed that the flora of the two sample sites were similar by both qualitative and quantitative analysis . However, individual comparison of paired specimens showed considerable differences in that 75 of the 137 isolates were recovered from only the cervix or vaginal vault . Additional studies showed that neither low concentrations of bacteria nor the culture techniques accounted for these differences . It is concluded that most women harbor distinctive bacterial populations in the cervix and vaginal vault.

J Neurosurg, 1978 Mar, 48(3), 465 - 9
Anaerobic spinal epidural abscess . Case report; Guerrero IC et al.; An acute spinal epidural abscess is reported from which a pure growth of the anaerobe Fusobacterium necrophorum was isolated . The mode of infection and pathogen makes it unique . The literature concerning the bacteriology of epidural abscess and the implications of anaerobic epidural infection are discussed.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1978 Mar, 13(3), 383 - 8
Modified agar dilution method for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria; Hanson CW et al.; A simplified method has been developed for agar dilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria, designed to economize on time and money when only a few isolates need to be tested . The procedure is based on the principle of using filter paper disks as carriers of the antibiotic and 35- by 10-mm petri dishes which, when inoculated with the Steers replicator, can test up to four organisms per plate . The procedure was run in parallel with conventional agar dilution techniques and showed 95% agreement to within one dilution for all minimal inhibitory concentrations recorded on fresh anaerobic isolates from clinical specimens . The technique was further simplified by using commercially available antibiotic-containing disks, thereby alleviating the tedious and time-consuming procedure of preparing the disks . The data indicated that 48- to 72-h diffusion periods were sufficient to achieve a uniform concentration of the antibiotic in the petri plate and that the antibiotics were stable at room temperature for that period of time . In terms of applicability and relevance to the needs of the clinical microbiology laboratory, the modified agar dilution method for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing of individual anaerobic isolates was found to be superior to the broth dilution method since it was easier to read and required considerably less set up time.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Mar, 35(3), 507 - 11
Computer-assisted identification of anaerobic bacteria; Kelley RW et al.; A computer program was developed to identify anaerobic bacteria by using simultaneous pattern recognition via a Bayesian probabilistic model . The system is intended for use as a rapid, precise, and reproducible aid in the identification of unknown isolates . The program operates on a data base of 28 genera comprising 238 species of anaerobic bacteria that can be separated by the program . Input to the program consists of biochemical and gas chromatographic test results in binary format . The system is flexible and yields outputs of: (i) most probable species, (ii) significant test results conflicting with established data, and (iii) differential tests of significance for missing test results.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1978 Mar, 13(3), 460 - 5
Antimicrobial activity of metronidazole in anaerobic bacteria; Tally FP et al.; The antimicrobial activity of metronidazole was investigated in anaerobic bacteria by use of time-viability studies . This antimicrobial agent has a rapid onset of bactericidal activity under proper reducing conditions . The bactericidal rates were not affected by inoculum size or nutritional requirements, nor by inhibition of growth and protein synthesis by chloramphenicol . Using supernatant fractions of actively growing cultures of susceptible organisms, we observed a disappearance of metronidazole and a loss of biological activity, but there was no significant change in preparations from resistant bacteria . The decrease in drug concentration with susceptible cells occurred during the time that its bactericidal action was being exerted . Extracts from susceptible organisms rapidly reduced the concentration of metronidazole, confirming previous observations which suggest that the drug acts as a terminal electron acceptor . Radioisotope experiments with {14C}metronidazole revealed that the compound was taken up by both resistant and susceptible bacteria, although there was a difference in rate and extent of accumulation . These studies demonstrate that metronidazole's antimicrobial activity against anaerobic bacteria is bactericidal and independent of growth rate, and that it involves the uptake and metabolism of the compound.

J Reprod Med, 1978 Feb, 20(2), 93 - 6
Amniotic fluid contamination during internal fetal monitoring; Thadepalli H et al.; The risk of infections associated with intrauterine fetal monitoring was evaluated in 30 consecutive labors . Amniotic fluid samples collected through the intrauterine catheter were found to be contaminated with bacteria in 15 of 30 consecutively monitored patients during labor . Aerobes were the exclusive isolates in eight, anaerobes in five and both in two patients . Eleven patients developed puerperal fever . One patient developed gonococcal amnionitis, and her newborn infant later developed gonococcal septicemia . The equipment--catheters and fetal scalp electrodes--was sterile . The overall risk of infection associated with internal monitoring in our study was 50% for amniotic fluid contamination and 37% for puerperal febrile morbidity.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1978 Feb 1, 130(3), 312 - 6
Endometrial and vaginal cuff bacteria recovered at elective hysterectomy during a trial of antibiotic prophylaxis; Grossman JH 3rd et al.; PIP: The risks and benefits of prophylactic antibiotics in elective pelvic surgery were investigated in 99 patients admitted for elective abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy . Immediately prior to the operations, preparation of the vagina was done using povidone-iodine soap solution . Cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were made before operation, on the 2nd postoperative day, and on the day of discharge . Additional bacterial cultures were made at the time of operation . The treatment group received iv cefazolin, penicillin G, or a placebo . Drugs were given at least 40 minutes before entering the operating room and every 6 hours for a total of 48 hours . Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were occasionally found in the endometrial and vaginal cuff cultures . Antibiotics given prophylactically did not eliminate them . Time in the menstrual cycle did not show any pattern of selective distribution . 17 of 19 patients who developed either a vaginal cuff or abdominal wound infection had not had a previous curettage . The presence of specific types of bacteria was not predictive of subsequent development of infection . It is concluded that either aerobic or anaerobic bacteria may be present in the endometrium and vaginal cuff at the time of operation . Findings do not justify routine culture at the time of operation nor the use of prophylactic antibiotics .

Nord Vet Med, 1978 Feb, 30(2), 49 - 60
{Anaerobic infections of domestic animals excluding enterotoxaemias (author's transl)}; Wierup M; With the advent of improved techniques for anaerobic cultivation on recent years increased interest in anaerobic infections has occurred . Against this background the present study presents a survey of those animal diseases (with the exception of the enterotoxaemias) in the pathogenesis of which anaerobic bacteria are involved.

Cancer, 1978 Feb, 41(2), 682 - 6
Anaerobic liver abscess and intrahepatic metastases: a case report and review of the literature; Trump DL et al.; A patient is described in whom the first recurrence of a cloacogenic carcinoma of the rectum was an intrahepatic metastasis associated with an hepatic abscess caused by the anaerobic bacterium Peptococcus prevotii . Three previously reported cases of infection associated with hepatic tumor nodules have been found in which bacteriologic data were provided, and in all three cases anaerobic bacteria were the primary or only infection organisms . Experimental data exist which document the ability of certain anaerobic bacteria to grow selectively in tumor nodules, but not in the normal tissues of a tumor-bearing host . Since 23% of patients with liver metastases have fever and offer a clinical picture compatible with infection, occult anaerobic infection associated with liver metastases may be more common than previously recognized.

Ann Surg, 1978 Feb, 187(2), 170 - 3
Evaluation of wound irrigation by pulsatile jet and conventional methods; Brown LL et al.; Irrigation of wounds to remove bacteria and foreign material is an essential of wound management along with debridement . The effectiveness of saline lavage by high pressure (50 psi) pulsatile jet irrigation has been compared with conventional gravity flow and bulb syringe procedures . Experimental paravertebral incisional surface wounds in 234 randomized rats were either clean or traumatized and soiled . Wounds in 200 of the rats were seeded with E . coli (log 8.80) . Swab specimens of each wound were taken at incision, after seeding, after irrigation, and at three, seven, and ten days after closure . Eulates of more than 1600 specimens were cultured . No anaerobes were found . Irrigation diminished bacterial counts in all wounds, but only pulsatile jet irrigation brought about significant (P less than 0.05) reduction of bacteria in each type of wound . After three days E . coli was significantly diminished in all wounds, regardless of irrigation or none, owing to host defense mechanisms . Nevertheless, clean contaminated wounds were infected at three days but not at seven days after lavage, while traumatized wounds remained infected at ten days except for those initially irrigated by pulsatile jet . Thus, pulsatile jet irrigation removed bacterial from experimental wounds more efficiently than conventional procedures.

J Dent Res, 1978 Feb, 57(2), 175 - 9
Effects of an antiseptic mouthwash on odorigenic microbes in the human gingival crevice; Pianotti R et al.; Odorigenic gram-negative anaerobes in human gingival crevices were significantly decreased for up to 120 minutes after rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash . This observation parallels clinical measurements of the antiseptic effect on oral malodor and suggests that its odor-decreasing properties are related to its antimicrobial action in the mouth.

Nephron, 1978, 22(1-3), 63 - 8
Bacterial populations of the small intestine in uremia; Simenhoff ML et al.; The small intestinal bacterial flora of 15 patients with chronic renal insufficiency was compared with that of subjects with blind loop synDROME . 9 patients were on regular hemodialysis with high protein intake and 6 (serum creatinine 7.5 to 12.5 mg/dl) were maintained on low protein diet . The chronic renal patients harbored a greatly increased microbial flora of both anaerobes and aerobes in the duodenum and jejunum, quantitatively comparable to those in blind loop subjects . The composition did not differ significantly in the two groups . Some organisms may have the potential to metabolize substrates which reach the intestinal lumen from the diet and bile, and perhaps to generate toxic metabolites that could contribute to uremic toxicity or malabsorption.

Gynecol Obstet Invest, 1978, 9(2-3), 124 - 31
Metronidazole and facultative anaerobes; Pohunek M et al.; The influence of metronidazole on some strains of facultatively anaerobic bacteria was studied . In high doses similar to those used for local treatment the growth of some strains was clearly suppressed, moreover there was an inhibition of hemolysis in hemolytic strains even when they were found to be resistant to the drug . Results are of particular importance for clinical problems as they might explain a number of alterations in the microbial flora of the vagina during and after therapy with metronidazole.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1978, 18(8), 593 - 601
Oxygen and "strictly anaerobic" intestinal bacteria . II . Oxygen metabolism in strictly anaerobic bacteria; Uesugi I et al.; Oxygen metabolism of "strictly anaerobic" intestinal bacteria was investigated and compared in 25 strains . Washed cell suspensions of all the bacterial strains, in which growth in a medium initially equilibrated with a gas mixture consisting of 5% O2, 5% CO2, and 90% N2 was almost the same as under anaerobic conditions, absorbed O2 at high rate . Such O2 uptake was inhibited by NaN3 . Most strains in which growth was inhibited either partially or completely in the same oxygenic condition absorbed O2 at a comparably low rate, and in many cases, such O2 uptake was not inhibited by NaN3 . However, in a certain strain incapable of growth in the initial presence of dissolved O2, absorption of O2 was as high as that in some aerobic bacteria, and it was inhibited by NaN3 . Little interrelationship was found between the degree of oxygen tolerance and the activities of NADH-peroxidase, H2O2-splitting reaction or superoxide dismutase . A slight interrelationship seems to be present in the case of NADH oxidase even though many exceptions were recognized . All the strains studied had the activities of superoxide dismutase, the absence of which has been regarded as the enzymatic basis of strict anaerobiosis of "strictly anaerobic" bacteria . Some strict anaerobes had high an activity of this enzyme as some aerobic bacteria . The differences in the levels of this activity seem to have some interrelationship not with differences in the degree of oxygen tolerance but with those in the genus to which every strain belongs taxonomically.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1978, 57(5), 415 - 9
Preoperative cervical microbial flora and post-abortion infection; Moberg PJ et al.; With the aim to find criteria for the prediction of the patients who are at risk of developing a post-abortion infection the pretreatment cervical microbial flora was compared between one series of patients who developed and another series of patients who did not develop such an infection . Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as mycoplasma and fungi, were studied in 104 patients . The distribution of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was similar in the 14 patients who later developed post-abortal infection and in uncomplicated cases . It is concluded that the cultivation of the cervical microbial flora cannot serve as a basis for the prediction of which patients will develop subsequent genital infections.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1978, 23(3), 236 - 42
Microbial changes in clover rhizosphere after foliar and soil application of cobalt; Vrany J; Application of cobalt(II) nitrate to the leaves of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) resulted in a pronounced increase of dry weight and the number of root nodules . Counts of bacteria in the rhizosphere, content of ammonia and production of carbon dioxide in rhizosphere soil were also higher, whereas the content of nitrates decreased . Differences in the counts of bacteria, actinomycetes, Azotobacter, anaerobic bacteria and cellulose decomposing bacteria in the rhizosphere of control and treated plants were not directly related to the way of application of cobalt . Genera Penicillium, Fusarium and Trichoderma predominated among fungi . The relative occurrence of penicillia was higher after the application of cobalt, the incidence of fusaria was lower . The effects of foliar and soil application of cobalt on rhizosphere microflora were not identical.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Jan, 31(1), 1 - 6
The isolation and characterization of narasin, a new polyether antibiotic; Berg DH et al.; Narasin is a new polyether antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces aureofaciens . It is purified by organic solvent extraction and silica gel chromatography . Narasin is active in vitro against gram-positive bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and fungi and is effective in protecting chickens from coccidial infections.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Jan, 35(1), 166 - 71
Immunolatex localization by scanning electron microscopy of intestinal bacteria from cockroaches; Bracke JW et al.; An immunolatex reagent was developed from antiserum to Fusobacterium varium, an obligate anaerobe isolated from the colon of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana L . A new technique that enabled the preparation of a highly efficient immunolatex conjugate was used to localize the bacterium with scanning electron microscopy, in situ, in the mixed gut contents.

J Chromatogr Sci, 1978 Jan, 16(1), 28 - 35
Quantitative methods for the gas chromatographic characterization of acidic fermentation by-products of anaerobic bacteria; Bohannon TE et al.; The present report describes improved chromatographic procedures which are capable of separating and quantitating complex mixtures of acidic fermentation by-products produced by anaerobic bacteria grown in two glucose-containing media . These methods are reliable and are sensitive, being able to detect as low as 0.5 mumoles of each by-product . Sample preparation has been simplified, and the methylation conditions have been optimized . It is also indicated in this investigation that each culture produced different patterns of by-products in each medium, indicating that the types and quantities of by-products produced in one medium cannot be used as a basis for characterization of these same cultures when grown in a different medium . Finally, it is shown that cultures can be characterized by the distinctive molar proportions of by-products they produce within each medium.

Ann Surg, 1978 Jan, 187(1), 1 - 7
Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis . Therapeutic decisions based upon clinical staging; Bell MJ et al.; A method of clinical staging for infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is proposed . On the basis of assigned stage at the time of diagnosis, 48 infants were treated with graded intervention . For Stage I infants, vigorous diagnostic and supportive measures are appropriate . Stage II infants are treated medically, including parenteral and gavage aminoglycoside antibiotic, and Stage III patients require operation . All Stage I patients survived, and 32 of 38 Stage II and III patients (85%) survived the acute episode of NEC . Bacteriologic evaluation of the gastrointestinal microflora in these neonates has revealed a wide range of enteric organisms including anaerobes . Enteric organisms were cultured from the blood of four infants dying of NEC . Sequential cultures of enteric organisms reveal an alteration of flora during gavage antibiotic therapy . These studies support the use of combination antimicrobial therapy in the treatment of infants with NEC.

CRC Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci, 1978, 9(2), 105 - 21
The microbiology of paranasal sinus infections: diagnosis and management; Rice DH; Study of the bacteriology of sinusitis and its diagnosis and treatment has been difficult . One problem is the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses; all communicate with a bacteriologically contaminated cavity . Access to all but the frontal sinus involves traversing either the nasal or oral cavity, both of which are teeming with aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . The criteria used to establish the diagnosis of sinusitis has varied widely . There are a number of examination techniques available, but none are foolproof . Therefore, patient populations may not be comparable . The absolute elimination of the possibility of contamination of culture specimens is impossible . Investigators have taken cultures in several ways: of the purulent secretions within the nose, of the contents lavaged from the sinus into the nose, of material aspirated from the sinus, and of tissue removed from the sinus . In most studies prior to 1974, anaerobic cultures were not performed . Studies of various treatment programs have used differing criteria to monitor the progress of treatment . No single method is completely reliable . Clinical signs and symptoms, radiologic appearance, the results of irrigation, and thermography have been used to follow patients . Many studies have used multiple therapeutic maneuvers concurrently, for example, antibiotics, lavage, and a decongestant . In some there were no controls . Because of these problems, as is true in many clinical areas of investigation, meaningful comparisons of various studies are difficult . Despite this, there are some areas of consensus in the literature.

Acta Chir Scand, 1978, 144(7-8), 527 - 32
Septic complications in colo-rectal surgery after 24 hours versus 60 hours of preoperative antibiotic bowel preparation . II . Significance of bacterial concentrations in the bowel for contamination of the operation field and subsequent wound infection; Scheibel JH et al.; In a controlled study, the results of peroral preoperative antibiotic bowel preparation administered for 24 vs . 60 hours, respectively, were compared . No differences were found in concentrations of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria or in concentrations of antibiotics in colonic contents . Contamination of the operation field during operation was examined by quantitative culture of irrigation fluid from the peritoneal cavity and subcutaneous tissue . A significant correlation was found between concentrations of bacteria in colonic contents and the degree of contamination in the peritoneal cavity and subcutaneous tissue . A significant correlation was also found between contamination of the operation field and subsequent development of wound infection.

Acta Chir Scand, 1978, 144(7-8), 523 - 6
Septic complications in colo-rectal surgery after 24 hours versus 60 hours of preoperative antibiotic bowel preparation . I . Prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study; Lykkegaard Nielsen M et al.; A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed to compare 24 hours and 60 hours of preoperative antibiotic bowel preparation by means of gentamicin + vancomycin + mycostatin . 83 patients undergoing elective colo-rectal operations completed the study (Tablet I), and the two groups proved similar in terms of age, sex, diagnosis, surgical procedures and operation time (Table II) . No significant difference in septic complications was found between patients receiving 24 hours and 60 hours of preoperative treatment (Table III) . Wound infection occurred significantly more frequently in operations of long duration (Table IV) . Cultures made from infected wounds revealed a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in half of the cases, whereas pure aerobic or anaerobic infections were equally frequent (Table V).

J Foot Surg, 1978 Spring, 17(1), 10 - 1
Anaerobic culture in podiatric practice; Lantor HA; Although few podiatric infections are anaerobic, it is important to isolate, identify, and test all of the various types of bacteria for sensitivity . Dr . Lantor did not write this synopsis to analyze the procedures mentioned, but to outline some of the signs and symptoms associated with anaerobic growths and to make foot surgeons aware of the need for anaerobic culture techniques.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1978 Jan-Feb, 85(1-2), 116 - 21
The role of local gas composition in pathogenesis of maxillary sinus empyema; Carenfelt C et al.; An impaired ostial function may be of importance in the pathogenesis of the maxillary sinus empyema due to changes of the antral gas composition . Oxygen is usually not demonstrable in purulent sinus secretion while carbon dioxide accumulates . In vitro, pneumococci were able to create a similar gas environment, provided that the gas exchange between the medium and the atmospheric air was reduced . It is suggested that heavy antral growth of facultative anaerobes, such as pneumococci, is related to the antral ventilation, which when impeded facilitates bacterial growth.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1978 Jan 1, 130(1), 49 - 54
Cervical-vaginal flora of immunosuppressed renal transplant patients; Ohm MJ et al.; The purpose of this investigation was to determine the endocervical microflora present in 25 renal allograft recipients hwo were receiving therapeutic dosages of azathioprine or cyclophosphamide and prednisone . The aerobic flora was similar to that found in other populations . However, these immunosuppressed patients had more different anaerobic species per culture than were found in most other populations . This was reflected in the more frequent isolation of many species of anaerobic bacteria, especially the anaerobic gram-negative rods . The clinician should be aware of these differences since they may be significant in regard to gynecologic or obstetric postoperative infectious morbidity in women using immunosuppressive medications.

Zahn Mund Kieferheilkd Zentralbl, 1978, 66(5), 453 - 6
{Clinical and bacteriological studies with metronidazol in endodontic therapy (author's transl)}; Ferenczy I et al.; Metronidazol was employed in the endodontic treatment of 200 gangrenous teeth, with symptoms of acute and chronic periodontitis . In 50 cases aerobic and anaerobic microbiological cultivations have been performed . The number of the necessary treatments was less, symptoms of irritation in the periapical region could not be observed . The favourable clinical and microbiological results in the course of the Metronidazol treatment point to the role of the anaerobic microorganisms in connection with the inflammatory symptoms of the gangrenous pulp.

Acta Derm Venereol, 1978, 58(6), 501 - 4
Quantification of anaerobic diphtheroids on the skin; Aly R et al.; The widely used technique for sampling skin bacteria employs a detergent (Triton X-100) in buffer solution to remove and suspend the microorganisms . The fraction of the total population of anaerobes on the forehead removed by scrubbing with this solution was estimated . We calculated that approximately 10% of the resident anaerobes were removed by one minute of scrubbing with the detergent solution and two 1-min washes remove approximately 19.5% of the resident anaerobes (8.8 X 10(5)/CM2).

Ann Anesthesiol Fr, 1978, 19(11-12), 925 - 9
{Purulent pleurisy caused by anaerobic bacteria . Apropos of 2 observations}; Janvier G et al.; Purulent pleural effusions due to anaerobic organisms secondary to infections of the pulmonary parenchyma are complications which often occur following the inhalation of organisms from the buccal cavity . The most commonly found organisms belong to the endogenous anaerobic flora of Veillon . Rapid encystment of the pleural collection is suggestive of this diagnosis . Treatment consists of drainage of the cavity associated with specific antibiotics.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1978, 133(3), 225 - 31
Factors affecting the microbial and chemical composition of silage . III . Effect of urea additions on maize silage; Mahmoud SA et al.; The effect of urea additions on the microbiological and chemical properties of silage, produced from young maize plants (Darawa stage), was studied . Urea treatments, i.e., 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00%, stimulated higher densities of the desired microorganisms than the control, while undesired organisms showed lower counts (proteolytic and saccharolytic anaerobes) . Addition of 0.25 to 0.50% or urea resulted in the production of high quality silage with pleasant small and high nutritive value, as confirmed by the various microbiological and chemical analyses conducted . Higher levels (0.75 and 1.00%) of urea decreased the quality of the product.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Jan, 7(1), 59 - 62
Quantitative evaluation of three commercial blood culture media for growth of anaerobic organisms; Mangels JI et al.; The ability of three different commercial blood culture media--brain heart infusion broth (Pfizer), thiol broth (Difco), and PRS-peptone broth (Becton, Dickinson & Co.)--to support the growth of five different anaerobes is described . Inocula of 100 and 1,000 colony-forming units per ml were used to evaluate potential differences in survival, lag time, growth rate, and doubling times of each anaerobe in each medium . In addition, each medium was evaluated for its ability to neutralize the antibacterial effects of whole blood . The results of this study indicate that the PRS-peptone broth is superior to brain heart infusion and thiol broths . Shorter lag times and accelerated generation times and growth rates were noted for more different anaerobes in the PRS-peptone broth . Neither the size of inoculum nor the addition of normal whole blood appeared to alter the survival or growth characteristics of the anaerobes in any medium . However, the addition of normal whole blood did extend the lag time of each anaerobe by approximately 1 to 2 h in each medium.

Br J Vener Dis, 1977 Dec, 53(6), 368 - 71
The possible role of anaerobic bacteria in the aetiology of non-gonococcal urethritis in men; Hallen A et al.; Men with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) were divided into two groups and treated with either lymecycline or tinidazole; anaerobic cultures were performed before and after treatment . Neither treatment affected the anaerobic flora . However, the men treated with lymecycline were relieved of symptoms and signs, while those treated with tinidazole were not . The anaerobic bacteria found are considered normal inhabitants of the urethral tract and without significance in the aetiology of NGU.

Scott Med J, 1977 Dec, 22(5), 389 - 91
Erythromycin and anaerobes: in vitro aspects; Watt B; Anaerobic organisms are being increasingly recognised as important causes of serious infection in man . Sampling procedures, transport of specimens and laboratory techniques need to be constantly monitored and improved if the causative organisms are to be consistently recovered from clinical specimens . Once the organisms have been isolated, their susceptibility to antibiotics should be determined so that the clinician can base his antibiotic therapy on reliable laboratory results . There are many variables in the sensitivity testing of anaerobes--these may account for the difficulty reported by some workers in obtaining consistently reliable results with some antibiotics, including erythromycin . These problems can be largely overcome if a standardised procedure is adopted . It is clear from the published data that erythromycin has considerable in vitro activity against many strains of anaerobic bacteria, both sporing and non-sporing . There is a broad spectrum of activity with some strains being very sensitive and a few strains being resistant . M.I.C . values range from 0.04 microgram./ml . to 20 microgram./ml . or more . Further studies are now needed to assess the role of erythromycin in the treatment of anaerobic infections in vivo.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Dec, 6(6), 642 - 4
Unusual coiled gram-positive anaerobe isolated from a gutter wall abscess; Pollock HM et al.; A gram-positive, nonsporing coiled rod was visible on Gram stain and isolated in pure culture from 20 ml of pus . This organism differs from previously described species in that it produces only acetic acid from glucose metabolism, hydrolyzes esculin, and has less fermentative activity in carbohydrates.

Arch Microbiol, 1977 Nov 18, 115(2), 207 - 13
Electron microscopic investigation of the hydrogen-oxidizing acetate-forming anaerobic bacterium Acetobacterium woodii; Mayer F et al.; Acetobacterium woodii is a Gram-positive anaerobic nonsporeforming bacterium able to grow on H2 and CO2 as sole sources of energy . The product of fermentation is acetic acid . Fine structural analysis showed rod-shaped flagellated cells, and coccoid cells without flagella arranged predominantly in pairs and chains . The cell wall was found to be composed of three layers . The cell surface exhibited a periodic array of particles consisting of subunits . The cytoplasmic membrane showed particles either in random distribution or in a hexagonal pattern . Intracytoplasmic membranes were rarely observed, whereas inclusion bodies of varying shapes, predominantly in an uncommon disc-shape, could frequently be observed . Their content was dissolved in ultrathin sections indicating hydrophobic nature.

J Periodontol, 1977 Nov, 48(11), 730 - 2
The effect of povidone iodine on plaque and salivary bacteria . A double-blind crossover trial; Addy M et al.; A double blind crossover trial was carried out to assess the effect of povidone iodine on plaque accumulation in vivo and to measure the total salivary aerobes and anaerobes throughout the study . When compared to the placebo preparation, povidone iodine was without effect on plaque accumulation in all the subjects and there was a progressive increase in plaque throughout the 10-day periods . A 30 to 40 % overall reduction in aerobes and anaerobes occurred with the active preparation which was significant . There appears to be no indication for the use of povidone iodine as an adjunct to oral hygiene or in the treatment of chronic gingivitis.

Science, 1977 Sep 30, 197(4311), 1371 - 4
Expression of murine sarcoma virus genes in uninfected rat cells subjected to anaerobic sress; Anderson GR et al.; Exposure of uninfected rat cells in tissue culture to anaerobic culture conditions induces transcription of RNA corresponding to the two principal constituents of rat-derived type-C sarcoma virus genomes: (i) those specific rat cell sequences present in the Kirsten and Harvey murine sarcoma virus genomes, and (ii) an endogenous type-C rat leukemia virus.

J Virol, 1977 Sep, 23(3), 626 - 36
Genetic and physiological control of host cell lysis by bacteriophage lambda; Rolfe BG et al.; The timing of host cell lysis at the end of the lytic cycle of phage lambda is under complex control . The lambda S protein stimulates lysis . Another physiological system, the lysis regulator, inhibitis lysis from occurring prematurely . The effects of a series of phage and bacterial mutations on these controls are described . They show that the lambda rex gene plays a role in regulating lysis under suboptimal growth conditions . In certain mutant cells, and especially under anaerobic culture conditions, the rex gene aids in the scheduling of host cell lysis . The data also suggest that the lysis regulator may control the transition of the lambda S protein from an inactive to an active state.

J Oral Surg, 1977 Sep, 35(9), 730 - 2
Necrotizing fasciitis; Roser SM et al.; Necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively uncommon severe soft tissue infection that is characterized by rapid widespread superficial fascial necrosis with undermining of surrounding soft tissue . Recent advances in anaerobic culture techniques have allowed identification of anaerobic organisms, which are now considered to have a vital role in the pathogenesis of this soft tissue infection . Therapy requires both rapid institution of a high level of antibiotics and a radical surgical incision and drainage procedure . All of the aerobic and anaerobic organisms isolated in the reported case of necrotizing fasciitis arising from a periapically infected mandibular third molar demonstrated in vitro sensitivity to penicillin.

Orig Life, 1977 Aug, 8(2), 87 - 90
The length of the transition period from the reducing to the neutral biosphere; Broda E; The development of the complicated mechanisms for N2 fixation, which in nature is an endergonic process and requires a great deal of ATP, must have taken a long time . During that time primeval NH3 must still, albeit to a decreasing extent, have been available as a source of nitrogen . This is true, whether N2 fixation originally arose in the primitive anaerobes, or, according to Postgate, in more advanced bacteria . As NH3 resists UV radiation only in the presence of excess H2 it follows that the disappearance of H2 and the transition from the reducing to the neutral biosphere also took a long time, probably of the order of 10(9) degrees yr . According to previous evidence, the transition from the neutral to the oxidizing biosphere likewise took long; this length enabled the organisms to adapt the N2 fixing machinery to aerobic conditions.

Obstet Gynecol, 1977 Aug, 50(2), 148 - 51
Effect of preoperative scrub on the bacterial flora of the endocervix and vagina; Osborne NG et al.; A study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a preoperative vaginal and perineal scrub in reducing bacteria . An iodophore soap followed by an iodophore solution was used for the scrub . Cultures were taken from the vagina and endocervix of 50 patients before and after the scrub, and cultured for aerobes, anaerobes, and mycoplasma . An average of 5.62 bacterial species per patient was cultured from the vagina before the scrub and 3.9 from the endocervix . The corresponding numbers after the scrub were 0.08 species per patient from the vagina and 1.84 from the endocervix . The reduction of organisms from the vagina was unrelated to the reduction in the endocervix . The scrub was by far more effective in the vagina than in the endocervix . The vagina was bacteria free in 92% of cases while the endocervix was bacteria free in only 8% of cases . No organisms could be recovered from the cervix of 8 patients who had removal of the endocervix by hot conization followed by the iodophore scrub . There was an average of 4.25 species per patient from the 8 cultures of the endocervix prior to the cone and scrub.

Can J Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 23(8), 1041 - 4
A single-bottle blood culture system: evaluation and comparison with two other systems; Qadri SM et al.; A commercially available single-bottle blood culture system was evaluated at Ben Taub General Hospital, a Harris County District Hospital . Blood cultures from 1010 patients were examined with the Lederle Diagnostics one-bottle blood culture medium-SPS, Columbia broth (E-Vac, Pfizer), and an in-house-prepared brain heart infusion broth with p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and 0.1% agar . Of the 1010 patients examined, blood cultures from 211 (20.8%) were positive, yielding a total of 23 different species of microorganisms . Comparison of the results during clinical evaluation, as well as those from simulated blood cultures, showed that the Lederle Diagnostics blood culture bottle was as effective as the in-house-prepared brain heart infusion and commercially available Columbia broths for isolation of aerobes as well as anaerobes . The techniques used in the evaluation and the advantages of a single-bottle culture system are discussed.

Clin Orthop, 1977 Jul-Aug, (126), 178 - 80
Anaerobic infection after total hip replacement . Report of three cases; Evanski PM et al.; In a series of 387 consecutive total hip replacements there were nine infections (2.3% infection rate) . Three of the infections were caused by an anaerobic gram positive cocci, Peptococcus . This is an increased incidence of infection for this previously rare pathogen . The anaerobic infections occurred despite prophylactic antibiotic coverage with Keflin . No causative factors such as hospital, operating time, operating personnel, medical disease, or blood loss could be associated with the observed anaerobic infections . Two of the anaerobic infections appeared late . This is consistent with other reports of anaerobic infections in implants . Drainage after total hip arthroplasty operation must be cultured for anaerobes as well as aerobes, especially late infections in patients on prophylactic antibiotics . Drainage which is sterile to aerobic culture should alert the physician to a possible anaerobic infection.

Ann Sclavo, 1977 Jul-Aug, 19(4), 546 - 52
{Microbiological specimen for anaerobic assay (author's transl)}; Moroni M et al.; The most important events of the bacteriological study of the anaerobic infections are the choose of specimen, how to collect and carry it . These preliminary steps may condition the success of each further manipulation . A correct methodology requires some general rules: 1 . to prepare anaerobic assay only whether the clinical data are indicative: so the laboratory could give better performances for the truly interesting cases; 2 . to prevent, for what it is possible, contacts between 02 and the sample; to avoid contamination with anaerobic bacteria of the endogen flora present on human mucosa; 3 . the sample must be assayed within 30--45 min after having been collected . After this time many bacterial cells are lost and the sample does not represent anymore microbiology of the septic focus . Indications about samples available for anaerobic assay, are given . It is emphasized how much preferable is a syringe collecting, while swab or biopsy present some technical difficulties and cause loss of the exigent bacteria . Some indication is at last given about the transport of specimen in the case the patient is not near the laboratory.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977 Jul, 238(3), 394 - 401
{Experiences with the API 20A system in routine species identification of anaerobes (author's transl)}; Essers L et al.; The API 20A System was tested in three modifications: a) The microtubes were inoculated with the API anaerobe basal medium, filled up completely with sterile mineral oil and incubated aerobically . b) The test strips were inoculated with the basal medium and incubated in an anaerobic chamber . c) The strips were inoculated with a modified Viande-Levure medium containing Tween 80, vitamin K3 and hemin . The microtubes were covered with sterile mineral oil and incubated in an anaerobic chamber . Each procedure was compared with the conventional method (PRAS) of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute . The overall agreement between the three modifications of the API System and the conventional method was 83.2, 91.7, and 98.5% related to the number of tests performed . The advantage of the modified medium was also demonstrated by measuring the growth rate of some anaerobes in thioglycolate broth, API basal medium and VL-medium, modified as mentioned above, nephelometrically . So the micromethod is more accurate and reliable when inoculated with an improved medium.

J Clin Pathol, 1977 Jul, 30(7), 609 - 14
Recovery of anaerobic bacteria from small inocula: a model for blood culture studies; Collee JG et al.; The recovery of anaerobic, facultative anaerobic, and aerobic pathogens from very small inocula was studied under conditions that could be related to routine blood culture procedures . Results with Brain Heart Infusion broth were unsatisfactory . Freshly prepared Brewer thioglycollate medium gave apparently good results, but there are disadvantages when this medium is used for blood culture . Results with Difco Thiol broth were disappointing . A modification of Robertson's cooked-meat broth supplemented with Brain Heart Infusion gave good recovery and sustained viability with a wide range of test organisms including exacting strains . The findings raise points of practical importance.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1977 Jun 10, 482(2), 341 - 7
A continuous fluorometric assay for flavokinase . Properties of flavokinase from Peptostreptococcus elsdenii; Mayhew SG et al.; A continuous fluorometric assay that utilizes apoflavodoxin as a trapping agent for riboflavin 5'-phosphate (FMN) has been developed for flavokinase (ATP:riboflavin 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.26) . Use of this assay is illustrated in a procedure for the partial purification of flavokinase from the strict anaerobe Peptostreptococcus elsdenii . The purified enzyme catalyzed the formation of 8.3 nmol FMN - min-1 - mg-1 at 37 degrees C and had apparent Km values for riboflavin and ATP of 10 and 4.7 micronM, respectively . ATP could be replaced by ADP (22% of the rate observed with ATP) but not by GTP . The enzyme also phosphorylated 5-deaza- and 8-bromoriboflavin with activities of 15 and 70%, respectively, of that with riboflavin; it was inactive with iso riboflavin and deoxyriboflavin.

Arch Intern Med, 1977 Jun, 137(6), 804 - 7
Hepatic necrobacillosis . Report of a case resembling metastatic tumor; Young EJ et al.; A 47-year-old man had multiple pyogenic liver abscesses from which the anaerobic bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Peptostreptococcus were isolated . The clinical course, diagnostic evaluation, and appearance of the lesions at surgery suggested metastatic tumor . Histologically, the lesions consisted of necrotic liver tissue surrounded by zones of acute and chronic inflammation and fibrous connective tissue closely resembling the lesions of hepatic necrobacillosis attributable to F necrophorum . Treatment with high doses of penicillin was curative.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Jun, 5(6), 564 - 9
Recovery of anaerobic, facultative, and aerobic bacteria from clinical specimens in three anaerobic transport systems; Helstad AG et al.; With aspirated specimens from clinical infections, we evaluated the recovery of anaerobic, aerobic, and facultative bacteria in three widely used transport systems: (i) aspirated fluid in a gassed-out tube (FGT), (ii) swab in modified Cary and Blair transport medium (SCB), and (iii) swab in a gassed-out tube (SGT) . Transport tubes were held at 25 degrees C and semiquantitatively sampled at 0, 2, 24, and 48 h . Twenty-five clinical specimens yielded 75 anaerobic strains and 43 isolates of facultative and 3 of aerobic bacteria . Only one anaerobic isolate was not recovered in the first 24 h, and then, only in the SGT . At 48 h, 73 anaerobic strains (97%) were recovered in the FGT, 69 (92%) in the SCB, and 64 (85%) in the SGT . Two problems hindered the recovery of anaerobes in the SCB and SGT systems: first die-off of organisms, as evidenced by a decrease in colony-forming units of 20 strains (27%) in the SCB and 25 strains (33%) in the SGT, as compared with 7 strains (9%) in the FGT, over 48 h; and second, overgrowth of facultative bacteria, more frequent with SCB and SGT . The FGT method was clearly superior at 48 h to the SCB and SGT systems in this study and is recommended as the preferred method for transporting specimens for anaerobic culture.

J Clin Pathol, 1977 Jun, 30(6), 505 - 9
The API ZYM system in the identification of Gram-negative anaerobes; Tharagonnet D et al.; The API ZYM reactions of type species of Gram-negative anaerobes representative of those encountered in human infections and of 56 clinical isolates of such organisms, identified by conventional techniques, were investigated . The API ZYM test clearly distinguished between the different genera and species examined and appears to provide a simple, reliable method for the identification of this group of organisms.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 May, 5(5), 505 - 9
Comparative evaluation of three different commercial blood culture media for recovery of anaerobic organisms; Mangels JI et al.; A comparison of three different commercial media was made to assess their recovery of anaerobic organisms from the blood stream . The three media used were the 50-ml brain heart infusion broth with added CO2 (Pfizer), the 50-ml Thiol broth with added CO2 (Difco), and the 50-ml prereduced, supplemented peptone broth in a Vacutainer tube with added CO2 (Becton-Dickinson) . During a period of 17 consecutive months, 12,216 specimens of blood were processed with each broth . Aerobic or anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 913 specimens (7%) . Seventy-four specimens (8%) of the total positive cultures contained anaerobic organisms . When potential contaminants were removed from the totals, 7% of the positive cultures contained anaerobic organisms and 7% of the patients with positive cultures had bacteremia with anaerobic bacteria . Of the three commercial blood culture media studied, the prereduced, supplemented peptone broth recovered more anaerobic organisms than did either the brain heart infusion or Thiol broths.

Gut, 1977 May, 18(5), 356 - 9
Role of intestinal microflora in colonic pseudoobstruction complicating jejunoileal bypass; Barry RE et al.; A double-blind crossover study using placebo and antibiotics effective against either aerobic or anaerobic organisms has been performed to elucidate the role of intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of colonic pseudo-obstruction, which is now established as an important complication of jejunoileal bypass . Using strict Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) technique, quantitative bacterial studies of the intestinal flora in the region of bypassed bowel have been correlated with symptoms of abdominal pain and distension . It has been shown that antibiotics effective against obligate anaerobes rapidly relieve the symptoms of pseudo-obstruction and this coincides with the disappearance of these organisms from this region of bowel . Symptoms rapidly recur when anaerobic organisms repopulate the bowel . It is concluded that obligate anaerobes may play a role in the pathogenesis of this complication.

J Clin Periodontol, 1977 May, 4(2), 92 - 9
Experimental transient bacteraemias in human subjects with varying degrees of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation; Silver JG et al.; Ninety-six subjects were assigned to one of four groups according to severity of gingival inflammation and bacterial plaque accumulation on the teeth . Following a standardized toothbrushing procedure, blood specimens from a vein in the antecubital fossa were cultured under aerobic and stringent anaerobic conditions . The percentage of positive cultures increased significantly with increasing severity of gingival inflammation, as did the number of species of organisms isolated . Thirty different microbial species indigenous to the oral cavity, including many strict anaerobes, were recovered . The study has implications for standards of oral health which might be considered necessary in patients with congenital or acquired endocardial defects or cardiovascular prostheses.

J Med Microbiol, 1977 May, 10(2), 195 - 201
The culture of clinical specimens for anaerobic bacteria: a comparison of three regimens; Wren MW; Three procedures for the anaerobic culture of clinical specimens are compared: (i) a conventional bench routine, (ii) a system whereby primary anaerobic plates were incubated for 48 h before examination, and (iii) an anaerobic chamber . It was shown that the anaerobic chamber was of no advantage over bench regimens when primary anaerobic plates were incubated for 48 h before being examined.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1977 May, 43(5), 766 - 70
Isolation of anaerobic bacteria from the root canal systems of necrotic teeth by the use of a transport solution; Goodman AD; The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically practical technique for isolating predominant anaerobic microorganisms from the root canal systems of intact necrotic teeth . Fifty-five consecutive teeth, all of which were necrotic, were sampled for this study . The technique developed involved a transport solution into which each sample was placed . At least one anaerobic bacterium was isolated from each case, with as many as four anaerobic bacteria being isolated from one case . Over half of the total number of organisms isolated were anaerobes, and almost half of these organisms were gram-negative . Whereas this technique has enabled the author to isolate and identify the same spectrum of predominant anaerobic bacteria as has been reported recently by others using the rigid VPI technique, the author suggests that the technique described here be utilized when the VPI technique cannot be performed.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1977 Apr, 144(4), 577 - 8
A technique for isolation of ileostomy drainage during abdominal operations; Nichols RL; An abdominal operation performed upon a patient with an existing ileostomy carries an increased risk of postoperative infection due to the escape of ileal effluent from the stoma during the course of the operation . The bacteriologic sample of this effluent has been shown to contain high cocentrations of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria qualitatively similar to that of the microflora of the colon . A nontraumatic technique for effective isolation of the effluent using Foley catheter occlusion between the balloon and the fascial ring has been devised.

Postgrad Med J, 1977 Apr, 53(618), 195 - 200
A new look at erythromycin; Lacey RW; This article reviews the current place of erythromycin in antibiotic therapy . Overall, erythromycin is thought to be underused because: (1) the fear of resistance has been exaggerated; (2) significant toxicity has been associated with only one derivative (the estolate); (3) newer antibiotics have very rarely been demonstrated to be superior to erythromycin . Erythromycin has an important place in treating acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections, acute otitis media, sinusitis, skin and soft tissue, osteomyelitis, prostatitis, infections due to Mycoplasma spp . and Chlamydia organisms, and infections due to anaerobes.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1977 Mar, 67(3), 240 - 4
The absence of bacteremia during colonoscopy; Hartong WA et al.; Seventy-nine blood cultures were obtained from 15 patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy . Aerobic and anaerobic culture technics showed no evidence of bacteremia during or after the procedure . The colonoscope was passed to the cecum in 12 of the 15 patients . The time of the procedure varied from 15-60 minutes with an average of 30 minutes . The results of this study supplies further evidence that bacteremia during colonoscopy is an infrequent occurrence.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Mar, 135 Suppl, S4 - 6
Techniques for anaerobic susceptibility testing; Thornsberry C; Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents for anaerobic bacteria can be determined by agar dilution and broth dilution (including microdilution) techniques . If MICs are not determined routinely, the disk broth or category methods are recommended for routine use . The Bauer-Kirby disk diffusion method and its interpretative standards should not be used for anaerobes.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Mar, 135 Suppl, S30 - 4
Comparison of clindamycin and chloramphenicol in treatment of serious infections of the female genital tract; Ledger WJ et al.; A study was performed of 102 obstetric-gynecologic patients who were thought to have sepsis or a pelvic abscess . Fifty-three of these women received chloramphenicol and 49 received clindamycin . In addition, all patients received penicillin or a similar antibiotic and an aminoglycoside . Similar clinical results were observed with the two treatment regimens . In eight of the 49 patients who received clindamycin and in three of 52 patients who received chloramphenicol, use of the drug was discontinued because of side effects . These combinations of antibiotics did not eliminate the necessity for major operative drainage, which was required in 40 patients . Resistant organisms were recovered from only two patients . Although sepsis and shock were most frequently associated with gram-negative aerobic bacteremia, they occurred in two patients in whom only anaerobes were recovered from blood cultures . Because the clinical results with the two regimens were equivalent, a decision to use either clindamycin or chloramphenicol should be based on the individual physician's assessment of the toxicity of these agents.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Mar, 135 Suppl, S111 - 9
Gastrointestinal side effects of clindamycin and ampicillin therapy; Lusk RH et al.; Hospitalized patients who received clindamycin or ampicillin were evaluated for gastrointestinal side effects for a period of up to six weeks after therapy was discontinued . Of 104 patients receiving clindamycin therapy, 31 (29.8%) developed diarrhea, and two (1.9%) developed pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) . Of 138 patients receiving ampicillin, 24 (17.3%) developed diarrhea, and one (0.7%) developed PMC . Diarrhea persisting for three days or more was noted in 13 (12.5%) of the patients receiving clindamycin and in seven (5.1%) of those receiving ampicillin . The tendency to develop diarrhea was positively correlated with serious illness, abdominal or pelvic sepsis, and total dosage of clindamycin . Examination of stools from a patient with PMC that was associated with clindamycin therapy showed a decrease in the number of anaerobic bacteria from the numbers found in stool cultures of normal controls . Those patients who did not develop diarrhea also had fewer anaerobic bacteria and coliform organisms . Lymphocytes from the patient with PMC were hyporeactive to phytohemagglutinin and hyperreactive to clindamycin.

Arch Dis Child, 1977 Mar, 52(3), 228 - 34
Duodenal bacterial flora in early stages of transient monosaccharide intolerance in infants; Kilby AM et al.; The aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora of the duodenum were studied in 10 infants with transient monosaccharide intolerance . 5 infants had protracted diarrhoea after an episode of acute gastroenteritis and 5 had acute gastroenteritis . The duration of monosaccharide intolerance ranged from 1 to 20 days . Serial intubations were performed on 8 infants . In 5 of 8 cases the bacterial flora were of a normal type at the first intubation at 0--4 days after the onset of monosaccharide intolerance . In 4 of those 5 patients there was an increase in bacterial count a few days later and anaerobes appeared . These findings are not consistent with the suggestion that monosaccharide intolerance is caused by abnormal bacteria in the upper small bowel.

Crit Care Med, 1977 Mar-Apr, 5(2), 76 - 81
A simple method for diagnosing pneumonia in intubated or tracheostomized patients; Matthew EB et al.; A safe, simple, reliable technique for sampling uncontaminated peripheral bronchial secretions in patients with endotracheal tubes has been developed . It is easily performed and requires no special training or equipment . This report summarizes the techniques's usefulness in providing diagnostic samples of peripheral airway secretions from 20 patients with pneumonic infiltrates . In eight of the patients, a single organism was recovered from the peripheral airway despite polymicrobial colonization of the upper airways . An additional patient had two anaerobes . The recovered organism's role as a pathogen was verified by an appropriate response to specific antibiotic therapy in two patients, isolation from blood or empyema fluid in five, confirmation by bronchoscopy in one, and transtracheal aspiration after extubation in one . Peripheral bronchial secretions were sterile in the remaining 11 patients, even though multiple organsims were isolated from usual tracheal suctionings.

J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Mar, 5(3), 315 - 9
Simple disk technique for detection of nitrate reduction by anaerobic bacteria; Wideman PA et al.; The laboratory and clinical evaluation of a potassium nitrate-saturated disk for the rapid detection of nitrate reductase production in anaerobes was investigated . The optimal disk concentration and incubation time were determined by utilizing triplicate sets of quadrant plates prepared with supplemented brucella (Difco) blood agar and swabbed with a 24-h broth (BBL; 135 C thioglycolate) suspension of the test organism . Each set of plates received one control disk and three disks of varying concentrations of potassium nitrate (1 to 8 mg) with 0.1% sodium molybdate . All sets were incubated in GasPak jars for 24, 48, or 72 h, and subsequently sulfanilic acid and 1,6-Cleve's acid were added to each disk . A pink or red color change was indicative of nitrate reductase production . Eighty-eight stock isolates, 23 American Type Culture Collection strains, and 214 fresh clinical isolates were evaluated and compared with results obtained with tubes of preduced indole-nitrite medium (BBL) incubated for 7 to 10 days . The 6-mg disk incubated for 48 h yielded an overall agreement of 89% with the conventional tube technique, and fresh clinical isolates demonstrated better disk-tube agreement (93%) than previously frozen stock strains . The simplicity and ease of this disk test suggest its value as a preliminary screening procedure for nitrate reductase production . There were no false positives . Negative results by disk should be rechecked by tube.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Mar, 135 Suppl, S54 - 7
Intraabdominal sepsis: characterization and treatment; Nichols RL; Intraabdominal sepsis is frequently present after trauma, surgical resection, or intrinsic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract . When infection occurs it may be generalized or localized in intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal locations as well as in solid organs . The offending microflora is polymicrobial, consisting of both aerobes and anaerobes . Adequate, prompt surgical drainage and the appropriate choice of parenteral antibiotics aimed at both types of bacteria will result in a more favorable postoperative course and will reduce the possibility of local infection and secondary septicemia.

Br J Oral Surg, 1977 Mar, 14(3), 264 - 9
Metronidazole compared with penicillin in the treatment of acute dental infections; Ingham HR et al.; The efficacy of metronidazole in the treatment of acute dental infections was investigated and compared with parenteral penicillin in a controlled trial . All 37 patients in the trial responded satisfactorily and metronidazole appeared to be as effective as parenteral penicillin . A further 24 patients treated with metronidazole also responded satisfactorily . Bacteriological studies of pus obtained from 25 patients revealed the presence of many species of obligate anaerobes . Since metronidazole is only active against obligate anaerobic bacteria it is concluded that these organisms are the important pathogens in acute dental infections.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1977 Mar, 74(3), 861 - 3
Chromatium hydrogenase; Kakuno T et al.; Previous reports of a relatively air-stable soluble hydrogenase from the photosynthetic anaerobe, Chromatium vinosum, have been substantiated . The properties of this enzyme, as seen in highly purified samples prepared by procedures that permit improved yields, are described . A possible role for flavin mediation is noted.

Am J Med, 1977 Mar, 62(3), 397 - 403
Role of anaerobic bacteria in spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis: report of two cases and review of the literature; Targan SR et al.; The role of anaerobic or microaerophillic bacteria in spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis has not been clearly defined . Among 126 cases recorded in the literature, in only eight (6 per cent), including the two reported here, was bacterascites associated with anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria . Clinical features in these cases were indistinguishable from those associated with aerobic bacteria . However, polymicrobial bacterascites occurred in four of eight cases associated with anaerobes, as contrasted with only 10 of 118 cases (8 per cent) associated with aerobes alone . On the other hand, concurrent bacteremia occurred in only one of eight cases associated with anaerobes as contrasted with 52 of 118 cases (44 per cent) of aerobic spontaneous peritonitis . Experimental evidence is cited in an attempt to explain this relatively low incidence of spontaneous peritonitis associated with anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria, despite the high density of these organisms in the normal bowel flora.

J Clin Pathol, 1977 Feb, 30(2), 157 - 9
Improving the performance of anaerobic bacteriology in a hospital laboratory; Morgan JR et al.; A comparison was made of the performance of a newly established anaerobic section of a clinical laboratory and the routine diagnostic section in terms of isolation and identification of anaerobic bacteria . Both sections attempted to isolate obligate anaerobes from the same clinical specimens which were not transported in anaerobic containers . Anaerobic and diagnostic sections isolated anaerobes from 35% and 6% respectively of clinical specimens . The use of antibiograms greatly improved the identification of anaerobic organisms.

J Med Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 10(1), 49 - 61
The anaerobic culture of clinical specimens: a 14-month study; Wren MW et al.; This paper presents the results of the examination of routine clinical specimens for anaerobes and gives details of the revised anaerobic cultures techniques recently introduced into this laboratory . The species of anaerobic bacteria isolated from lesions in different sites of the body are described and recommendations are made concerning methods of identification and culture.

C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1977 Jan 3, 284(1), 97 - 9
{Lipase activity of anaerobic bacteria on glycerol-tributyrate determined by gas-liquid chromatography}; Guillou JP et al.; Anaerobic bacteria are classified among other criteria by the presence or absence of phospholipase and lipase . The liquid gas chromatographic method detects with great sensibility the lipasic activity of the anaerobic bacteria . A liidolytic action has been demonstrated in Cl . perfringens.

Biochimie, 1977, 59(2), 153 - 61
An iron-containing superoxide dismutase from the strict anaerobe Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (Norway 4); Hatchikian EC et al.; Superoxide dismutase, the enzyme which catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide free radicals (formula: see text) has been purified to homogeneity from the strict anaerobe sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (Norway 4) . Its molecular weight is 43,000 and it is composed of two subunits of equal size which are not covalently bound . The enzyme was found to contain iron by atomic absorption and the absence of acid-labile sulfur indicates that it is not an iron-sulfur protein . Electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum revealed that iron occurs in a high spin ferric form . The ultraviolet and visible absorption spectra of the enzyme are presented, as are the results of amino-acid analysis . The data reported allow to conclude that this superoxide dismutase isolated from a strict anaerobe exhibits similar physico-chemical properties as compared to the iron-containing dismutases found in aerobic microorganisms . The significance of the presence of a superoxide dismutase in this strict anaerobe sulfate reducer is discussed.

Ann Surg, 1977 Jan, 185(1), 84 - 7
Perforated appendicitis: current experience in a Childrens Hospital; Marchildon MB et al.; A review of 89 consecutive cases of perforated appendicitis recently treated surgically at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles revealed no mortality and a complication rate of 17% . Significant factors in this low morbidity are: adequate preoperative resuscitation, routine administration of broad spectrum antibiotics pre and postoperatively, and attention to surgical detail . Anaerobic organisms were invariably present in cultures of the peritoneal fluid taken at operation . Anaerobes were also present in the blood in all 5 patients having positive blood cultures and were frequently pathogens whenever postoperative infectious complications occurred . The use of antibiotics effective against anaerobic organisms was common in this series and produced no morbidity.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1977 Jan, 144(1), 91 - 2
Technique for specimen collection of postsurgical exudate of wounds; Nichols RL; Postsurgical sepsis due to anaerobic microoganisms is often difficult to diagnose . The difficulty arises primarily because of inadequate specimen collection techniques and because of delays in the transport of the specimen to the microbiologic laboratory . Three acceptable techniques for anaerobic specimen collection and transportation have been offered . All of these techniques have in common the minimization of contact between the collected specimen and the atmosphere, a step which helps to preserve the viability of many of the fastidious anaerobic bacteria frequently implicated in surgical sepsis.

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1977, 12(8), 977 - 82
Bacterial flora of the small intestine and bile acid metabolism in patients with hepatico-jejunostomy Roux-en-Y; Nielsen ML et al.; Duodenal and jejunal bacterial flora and bile acid metabolism were investigated in 14 patients with hepatico-jejunostomy Roux-en-Y . Anaerobic culture procedures were based on the use of a glove-box with an oxygen-free atmosphere and pre-reduced, anaerobically sterilized media . Anaerobic transport was based on evacuation of atmospheric air from transport-tubes and transport-time less than 30 minutes . Bile acid metabolism was evaluated from concentrations of toal bile acids and deconjugated bile acids, glycine/taurine ratio and breath test . In 92 per cent of the patients an abnormal flora-containing anaerobic and/or aerobic bacteria was found in the most proximal part of the jejunum at the site of the entero-entero anastomosis (cf . Fig . 1 and Table 1) . Total bile acid concentrations were low in half of the patients, whereas deconjugated bile acids or elevated glycine/taurine ratio was found in one patient only (cf . Table II) . An abnormal breath test was found in 5 patients, but without any clear correlation between the breath test and the bacterial flora.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1977, 35(3), 139 - 45
Oxygen tolerance of anaerobic bacteria isolated from necrotic dental pulps; Carlsson J et al.; The oxygen tolerance of 43 anaerobic reference strains and 36 anaerobic strains from necrotic dental pulps was studied . All strains survived for two hours or more as colonies on the surface of a medium supplemented with blood, and as many as 26 of the 79 strains survived for more than seven days . The hemolysed blood in the medium significantly increased the survival time for many of the strains . Factors influencing the death rate were studied in one of the strains and it was found that the lysed red cells of the blood and not the serum had a protective effect and that catalase had the same protective effect as the hemolysed blood . The finding that hemolysed blood significantly increased the oxygen tolerance of many anaerobes may explain some of the divergent results regarding the efficiency of various methods for the recovery of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens . The use of media supplemented with blood during various phases of processing a specimen might be more important for a high recovery of anaerobic bacteria from clinical sources than the measures taken to minimize exposure of the specimen to air.

Infection, 1977, 5(1), 55 - 9
{Microbiological diagnosis of septicemia (author's transl)}; Rotter M; To detect microorganisms in the blood it is necessary not only that the microbiologist uses reliable methods, but also that the clinician takes a sufficient number of blood samples at the right point in time using a correct method for drawing the blood . The best results are obtained if the blood sample is transferred to the culture media at the bedside . The media should contain anticoagulants, osmosis stabilizers and preparations to neutralize the microbial action of the blood (caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors) . Up until now sodium polyanetholsulfonate ("Liquoid") has proved to be the most suitable additive . The procedure used for blood culturing must enable growth of aerobes, anaerobes and microbes with cell-wall damage . Today, modern methods such as radiometry, impedance measurement and microcalorimetry are used or are in the process of being developed which facilitate screening for positive cultures . Antigens, cell-wall constituents and metabolites of bacteria and fungi present in the blood stream can be detected by means of counter-immunoelectrophoresis, the Limulus test and gas chromatography, without culturing being necessary . Concentration techniques such as filtration and centrifugation are also being refined to enable a more reliable and earlier detection of septicemia.

J Infect Dis, 1977 Jan, 135(1), 42 - 50
Ex vivo hemodialysis culture of microbial and mammalian cells; Gerhardt P et al.; A small hemodialysis culture unit was developed which can be attached to an arterial-venous shunt and worn by an animal for days . The unit consists of a blood channel separated by a membrane from a dialysate chamber in which microbial or mammalian cells can be cultured . Bacterial multiplication proceeded first exponentially at the maximal rate and then arithmetically at a lesser, dialysis-limited rate . In a survey of 16 pathogenic microorganisms and five types of mammalian cell, results indicated that most of the aerobes grew well, but none of the obligate anaerobes grew at all . The separation of the culture from cellular and macromolecular host defense mechanisms allowed the cultivation of parasitic cells on an animal that was not naturally susceptible.

Br Med J, 1976 Dec 11, 2(6049), 1418 - 21
Metronidazole and anaerobic sepsis; Eykyn SJ et al.; Fifty patients with anaerobic sepsis were treated with intravenous and oral metronidazole . In 26 cases this was combined with other antimicrobial agents . Highly satisfactory clinical results were obtained in most patients, though in many surgical drainage was also essential . No side effects or thrombophlebitis were seen . Mixed growths of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria were isolated from all except five patients, who produced only anaerobes . Metronidazole is the only available antimicrobial agent providing selective activity against anaerobic organisms . It is effective and safe and is usually the drug of choice for treating severe anaerobic sepsis.

Lancet, 1976 Dec 11, 2(7998), 1291 - 3
Bacteraemia in a London teaching hospital 1966-75; Williams GT et al.; Analysis of blood-cultures done at St . Bartholomew's Hospital over the decade 1966-75 has revealed a five-fold increase in the incidence of bacteraemia . This increase was particularly prominent in patients with non-malignant disease . The predominance of bacteraemia caused by gram-negative organisms declined in recent years, whereas bacteraemia due to gram-positive organisms, anaerobes, and Candida spp . increased . A recent increase in the number of blood-cultures performed was associated with the introduction of commercially prepared bottles . This led to a higher rate of investigation of patients who ultimately proved to have negative results, and also to a higher incidence of contamination which exceeded the positivity-rate.

Science, 1976 Dec 10, 194(4270), 1165 - 6
Titanium (III) citrate as a nontoxic oxidation-reduction buffering system for the culture of obligate anaerobes; Zehnder AJ et al.; An oxidation-reduction buffering system based on titanium(III) citrate eliminates any traces of oxygen in a culture medium, serves as an indicator for low oxidation-reduction potentials, and prevents the growth of facultative anaerobes, which frequently contaminate anaerobic cultures.

J Periodontol, 1976 Dec, 47(12), 683 - 6
A quantitative measurement of bacteremia and its relationship to plaque control; Wank HA et al.; Despite the improvement in the patients' oral hygiene, there was no significant decrease in the frequency of bacteremia . There was no significant difference in bacteremia between brushing, flossing, or deplaquing either before or after initial periodontal preparation and plaque control in 21 healthy subjects . Utilizing more sophisticated bacteriologic techniques for the cultivation of obligate anaerobes, a relatively high frequency of anaerobic bacteremia was found.

Infusionsther Klin Ernahr, 1976 Dec, 3(6), 361 - 4
{Dietetic and antibiotic preparation in surgery of the large intestine}; Peters H et al.; Besides patient's cardiac, pulmonary, renal and hepatic status, a correct operative technique and mechanical bowel cleansing the protein status is of central importance to prevent anastomotic leakage and wound infection in colon surgery . Using an oral elemental diet prior to surgery both sufficient caloric and protein intake and reduction of intestinal flora can be achieved . Wound infection and anastomotic leakage are reduced significantly without the side effects of antibiotic bowel preparation . If oral antibiotics are used preoperatively only a short term low dose regimen is effective for the control of infection after colon surgery which reduces the concentration of aerobes and anaerobes.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Dec, 32(6), 781 - 91
New approach to the cultivation of methanogenic bacteria: 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (HS-CoM)-dependent growth of Methanobacterium ruminantium in a pressureized atmosphere; Balch WE et al.; The sensitivity of the requirement of Methanobacterium ruminantium strain M1 to a new coenzyme, 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (HS-CoM) was examined by use of new techniques that were developed for rapid and efficient handling of large numbers of cultures of methanogenic bacteria . The system uses sealed tubes that contain a gas mixture of 80% hydrogen and 20% carbon dioxide under a pressure of 2 to 3 atm . This modification of the Hungate technique reduces variability among replicate cultures and simplifies the dispensing, sterilization, and storage of liquid media as well as the transfer and maintenance of methanogenic bacteria . Results indicate a limit of sensitivity of the assay at 5 nM HS-CoM, with half-maximal growth at 25 nM HS-CoM . Coenzyme activity could be replaced by 2,2'-dithiodiethanesulfonic acid at a half-molar equivalent of the HS-CoM concentration, or by 2-(methylthio)ethanesulfonic acid on an equimolar basis . These data reveal a very sensitive and precise requirement for HS-CoM in the nutrition of this fastidious anaerobe.

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 Nov, 97(1), 63 - 71
Fermentation of purines and their effect on the adenylate energy charge and viability of starved Peptococcus prévotii; Reece P et al.; The principal products of endogenous metabolism of the obligate anaerobe Peptococcus prevotii were carbon dioxide, ammonia, acetate and butyrate, which are also produced by fermentation of nucleosides, purines and ribose, thus supporting our previous finding that RNA is the only cellular component to undergo substantial degradation under starvation conditions . Minor products were hydrogen, formate and propionate . The stoicheiometries of fermentation of xanthine, adenine, adenosine and ribose were determined . The ability to ferment exogenous nucleosides, purines and ribose declined rapidly on starvation, as did the ability to generate ATP from xanthine, and was paralleled by the loss of viability . However, addition of pulses of xanthine or adenine to organisms in the early stages of starvation sustained their adenylate energy charge and prolonged their viability . Evidence suggests that P . prevotii dies when its principal energy source (RNA) is depleted, and a possible explanation is that the transport function of the cytoplasmic membrane decays rapidly under these conditions so that, on transfer to a recovery medium, uptake of nutrients is inadequate to support growth.

J Infect Dis, 1976 Nov, 134(5), 428 - 35
Bacteriology of the lower respiratory tract as determined by fiber-optic bronchoscopy and transtracheal aspiration; Jordan GW et al.; For assessment of the validity of cultures of tracheobronchial secretions and exudates (TBSE) obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy, the aerobic and anaerobic flora of expectorated saliva and TBSE obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy from nine healthy volunteers and eight patients were compared with those obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy as well) . Normal volunteers yielded both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in amounts usually less than 104.5 colony-forming units (cfu)/ml in TBSE obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy . In patients with chronic bronchitis, 42 isolates of aerobic bacteria (104-105.5 cfu/ml) and only 10 isolates of anaerobes (usually less than 104 cfu/ml) were reovered from 15 samples obtained by trantracheal aspiration . The data lead to the conclusion that low-level contamination (less than or equal to 104 cfu/ml) with oral flora is common in TBSE obtained by fiber-optic bronchoscopy . A single potential pathogen in numbers of greater than or equal to 105 cfu/ml may be of etiologic significance, particularly if recovered from purulent drainage material from a localized portion of the lung . Under circumstances in which quantitative bacteriology cannot be done, TBSE obtained by transtracheal aspiration will most reliably reflect the bacterial flora present in the lung.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Nov, 128(2), 616 - 22
Arginine catabolism by Treponema denticola; Blakemore RP et al.; Treponema denticola, an anaerobe commonly present in the human mouth, ferments various amino acids and glucose . Amino acid analyses indicated that substrate amounts of arginine were utilized by T . denticola growing in a complex, serum-containing medium . Cell suspensions metabolized L-arginine to citrulline, NH3, CO2, proline, and small amounts of ornithine . CO2, NH3, ornithine, and proline were produced from L-citrulline by cell suspensions . Determinations of radioactivity in products formed from L-{U-14C}ornithine indicated that cell suspensions converted this amino acid to proline . Furthermore, proline was excreted by cells growing in a complex, arginine-containing medium . Arginine iminohydrolase (deiminase) and ornithine carbamoyltransferase activities were detected in T . denticola cell extracts . Carbamoylphosphate dissimilation by extracts yielded adenosine triphosphate . The data indicate that T . denticola derives energy by dissimilating L-argine via the arginine iminohydrolase pathway . However, unlike some of the other bacteria that utilize this pathway, T . denticola converts to proline much of the ornithine derived from L-arginine.

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 1976 Nov-Dec, 3(6), 539 - 44
Experimental kerosene pneumonitis in primates: relevance to the therapeutic management of childhood poisoning; Wolfsdorf J; 1 . Fifteen baboons were utilized to investigate whether secondary bacterial invasion followed experimentally-induced kerosene pneumonia . They were divided into two groups and used as their own controls, following intratracheal injection of either normal saline or kerosene (0.3 ml/kg) . 2 . The baboons were X-rayed daily for 3 days and lung biopsies taken for histology, aerobic and anaerobic culture . When killed on day 4, all lungs were examined macroscopically, weighed and lung weight/body weight ratios calculated, while biopsy material was handled as above . 3 . In spite of repeated anaesthesia, biopsies, pneumothoraces and atelectasis, no organisms were seen histologically, nor were any aerobic or anaerobic organismsm cultured . 4 . The results strongly suggest that secondary bacterial infection following kerosene-induced pneumonitis is rare.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1976 Nov, 66(5), 927 - 8
A simple method for maintaining fastidious organisms; Park CH; Many strains of nutritionally fastidiuos organisms and anaerobes have been maintained in glycerol broth at-50 C for at least two years without loss of viability . This method of preservation offers convenience and reduces cost.

J Neurosurg, 1976 Nov, 45(5), 561 - 7
Pathologenesis of hematogenous bacterial meningitis in rabbits; Gregorius FK et al.; The authors present data obtained from a series of 27 rabbits studied following intracarotid injection of saline, brain-heart infusion broth, aerobic, or anaerobic bacteria . These data support the hypothesis that injections of cultures of both aerobic and anaerobic organisms by way of the carotid artery disrupts the blood-brain barrier over the cerebral convexities within 15 minutes; however, the inflammatory response and bacterial proliferation occur much more rapidly in the ventricular system . Within 3 hours,the barrier over the convexities is intact, but leukocytes and organisms may be seen in the long cilia of the aqeuductal region . A relative failure of leucotaxis over the convexities of the brain is the most likely explanation of these preliminary findings in this experimental model.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Nov, 4(5), 394 - 9
Evaluation of enrichment, storage, and age of blood agar medium in relation to its ability to support growth of anaerobic bacteria; Hanson CW et al.; By measuring the colony size of a variety of anaerobic bacteria isolated from clinical specimens, an evaluation was made of the benefits derived from the addition of several enrichments to blood agar medium commonly used for the growth of anaerobes . Similar methods were used to study the effects of various storage conditions and age of the medium . The results were compared with those obtained on freshly prepared and enriched blood agar plates as well as commercially available blood agar plates . Freshly prepared and enriched blood agar was found to give substantially larger colonies than could be grown on commercially obtained blood agar plates when both were inoculated and incubated under identical conditions . Storage of plating media under CO2 for periods of up to 72 h had only a minor effect on the growth of the anaerobic bacteria studied, but longer periods of storage under CO2 resulted in a less efficient plating medium . Nonenriched brain heart infusion (BHI) was found to be a better basal medium than Trypticase soy agar (TSA) medium . Colony size on fully enriched BHI blood agar plates was greater than nonenriched BHI greater than nonenriched TSA greater than commercially prepared nonenriched TSA plates . The data suggest that freshness of the plates may be as important as using rich media.

Chem Phys Lipids, 1976 Oct, 17(2-3 SPEC NO), 222 - 32
Novel lipids of Butyrivibrio spp; Clarke NG et al.; (1) An analysis has been conducted of the lipids present in three obligately anaerobic bacteria isolated from the ovine rumen belonging to the genus Butyrivibrio . Two of these organisms are rich in phospholipase (A1 + A2) activity, and appear to be different strains of the species fibrisolvens . (2) The only N-containing lipids comprise N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine occurring as a minor component in all organisms and a new lipid, diglyceride galactosylphosphorylethanolamine in one of these . (3) All three organisms contained the n-butyryl ester of phosphatidyl-glycerol and in one this represented the major phospholipid present . Valeryl, iso-valeryl, propionyl and myristoyl esters of phosphatidylglycerol were also detected . (4) Two organisms contained glycerylphosphorylgalactosyldiglyceride and one of these also contained a large proportion of a less polar galactophospholipid which is probably a diacyl derivative of the former lipid . (5) All three organisms contained monogalactofuranosyl diglyceride and from one a n-butyryl ester of this galactolipid was isolated . (6) In all of the lipids examined the "diglyceride' moiety consisted almost entirely of plasmalogenic diglyceride (alk-1-enyl, acyl, glycerol).

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 22(10), 1561 - 6
Investigations of nitrogenase activity in rheotrophic peat; Waughman GJ; Acetylene reduction by the peat microflora was unaffected by light, but was sensitive to temperature, with an optimum of about 30 degrees C . The nitrogenase was inactivated by exposure to temperatures above about 35 degrees C . Activity occurred in completely anaerobic conditions; the rate of ethylene production was of the order of 0.5 nmol C2H4 ml-1 h-1 . Experiments with time courses indicated that exposure to oxygen caused an initial inhibition of activity followed by a period in which ethylene production was stimulated to rates much higher than in the anaerobic tests; both the inhibition and stimulation appeared to be related to the level of oxygenation . It is suggested that these results could be explained by the existence of nitrogen-fixing associations of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the peat . The stimulation of activity caused by exposure to air indicates that care must be taken when interpreting results of the assay obtained from waterlogged organic soils.

Am Fam Physician, 1976 Oct, 14(4), 100 - 10
Anaerobic Infections; Nichols RL et al.; Oxygen-sensitive anaerobic bacteria comprise the largest group of organisms among the human endogenous microflora . The oral cavity, the vagina and the colon are areas where the obligate anaerobes are predominant and can be isolated in high numbers . Clinical clues that indicate anaerobic sepsis include a putrid odor of the exudate and evidence of abscess, necrosis or associated gas formation . A Gram stain is highly valuable in early identification . Surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotics are essential.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 4(4), 315 - 8
Semi-microtechnique for the biochemical characterization of anaerobic bacteria; Morgan JR et al.; A semi-micromethod is described for characterizing anaerobic bacteria by substrate utilization . Small volumes of individual substrates were placed in the wells of plastic microtiter trays . When heavy inocula and a colorimetric indicator were used, complete results were available after 30 h of incubation . Microtiter trays containing a range of substrates can be stored at -20 degrees C . The method is accurate, economical, and convenient for use in a hospital microbiology laboratory.

Mikrobiologiia, 1976 Sep-Oct, 45(5), 825 - 30
{Mesophilic rod-like nonsporeforming bacterium reducing sulfates}; Rozanova EP et al.; A pure culture of a new organism, strain X, reducing sulphates is described . According to its morphological, physiological and biochemical properties, the organism is classed as a new species . Desulfovibrio baculatus nov . sp . The cells have the shape of short rods, 1.3X0.6 mcm, with a polar flagellum 0.021 mcm thick . It is an obligate anaerobic culture growing on media only in the presence of sulphates at the account of sodium salts of lactic, pyruvic and malic acids and also in the presence of yeast autolysate at the account of formate and hydrogen . Sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate can serve as acceptors of electrons during growth on lactate . The organism grows at 2 to 41 degree C in the presence of up to 6% NaCl in the medium and does not require NaCl for its growth . The cells do not contain desulphoviridine as was proved by fluorescence . Hemes of cytochromes b and c were found in the cells . The content of G+C base pairs in DNA is 56.8+/-0.4 mole % . The culture was isolated from dumps of manganese ore.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Sep, 4(3), 216 - 24
Critical analysis of hypertonic medium and agitation in detection of bacteremia; Ellner PD et al.; Over 18,000 clinical specimens collected in Vacutainer tubes with sodium polyanethol sulfonate were inoculated into modified Columbia broth (MCB) with and without 10% sucrose . The effects of venting and shaking on recovery were studied . The volume of the blood had a definite effect on the recovery rate . When inoculum size was held constant, recovery of aerobic and facultative organisms was maximal in vented and shaken bottles; the presence of sucrose had no demonstrable effect, recovery of anaerobes was maximal using an unvented bottle incubated under stationary conditions; a significantly greater recovery of facultatives and a marginally greater recovery of anaerobes was obtained with the hypertonic formulation . We conclude that a hypertonic formulation of MCB offers no advantage in the recovery of anaerobes but is of value in the recovery of facultatives and anaerobes . It is recommended that blood cultures be routinely inoculated into isotonic MCB and then vented and shaken for at least 4 hours, and hypertonic MCB incubated without venting or shaking.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Sep, 4(3), 208 - 13
Study on the usefulness of hypertonic culture media; Louria DB et al.; Specimens from 300 patients were studied using five to nine aerobic and anaerobic culture media, including five that were hypertonic, Groups studied included fever of unknown origin, suspected endocarditis, endocarditis during therapy, bacteremia during therapy, abscess and cellulitis, presumed infectious arthritis, renal transplantation during rejection, collagen disease, sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and colitis . Isolates in hypertonic media were reverted to parent form by agar passage . In only 5% of these selected cases were organisms found in hypertonic, but not conventional, media that appeared on the basis of repeated isolation and/or serological studies to come from the patient . Nine of the 16 appeared to be of major significance . The two groups in which use of highly enriched, hypertonic media seemed most helpful were suspected endocarditis and undefined meningitis with negative cultures using standard media . The most effective of the hypertonic media used was 0.3 M sucrose in brain heart infusion with 20% horse serum . In most instances, the organism grew only in the hypertonic sucrose, and in most cases it appeared in conventional rather than aberrant form . Hypertonic media, especially 0.3 M sucrose, are of substantial helpin a small number of carefully selected cases.

Arch Intern Med, 1976 Sep, 136(9), 1041 - 3
Chiasmal syndrome due to intrasellar abscess; Neelon FA et al.; A 43-year-old woman had diabetes insipidus and amenorrhea . There was panhypopituitarism on endocrine testing and visual field examination showed inexorably progressive loss to bitemporal hemianopsia . All radiographic findings were normal, but craniotomy disclosed the cause of this chiasmal syndrome to be an intrasellar abscess which, on culture, grew a Gram-positive anaerobe, Peptococcus . Intrasellar or pituitary abscess is rare, but it must always be considered in the differential diagnosis of the chiasmal syndrome, since loss of pituitary and visual function may occur much more rapidly than with the tumors most often responsible for this syndrome and since surgical cure is possible.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1976 Sep 1, 126(1), 1 - 6
A new approach to patients with suspected anaerobic postpartum pelvic infections . Transabdominal uterine aspiration for culture and metronidazole for treatment; Ledger WJ et al.; Oral metronidazole was given as therapy in 25 women with the clinical diagnosis of a postpartum anaerobic soft tissue pelvic infection following a vaginal delivery . There was a good clinical response in 80 per cent of these women . No anaerobic organisms resistant to metronidazole were recovered in the treatment failures . Different specimen collection techniques were evaluated, with anaerobes recovered in 4 per cent of the blood cultures, 26.3 per cent of the transabdominal endometrial aspirations, and 88 per cent of the transcervical endometrial samples . The aerobic recovery of organisms was 4 per cent from blood cultures, 15.8 per cent from transabdominal endometrial aspirations, and 96 per cent from the transcervical approach . The significance of these findings is discussed.

Am J Med, 1976 Sep, 61(3), 346 - 50
Sepsis associated with decubitus ulcers; Galpin JE et al.; Among 21 patients with sepsis attributed solely to decubitus ulcers, bacteremia was documented in 16 (76 per cent)9 Bacteremia involved obligate anaerobes in eight patients (50 per cent) and was polymicrobial in eight patients (50 per cent) . Twelve of 17 patients who received antibiotics had persistent bacteremia; in five patients, bacteremia was terminated only after surgical debridement . Ten of these 21 patients died, eight despite appropirate antibiotics . Among 14 patients who underwent surgical debridement, only four patients died . Surgical debridement and antibiotics effective against aerobic as well as anaerobic bacteria are both important in the treatment of this serious complication.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1976 Sep, 143(3), 353 - 9
Anaerobic mediastinitis; Howell HS et al.; Three patients with anaerobic mediastinitis associated with retropharyngeal abscess have been encountered recently . Dental infections accounted for two instances, and the third instance resulted from rupture of the thoracic esophagus from blunt trauma . Each was marked by extreme difficulty in achieving complete abscess drainage due to the initially unrecognized virulence of the causative anaerobic bacteria . Complications were frequent and included empyema, pericarditis and aspiration pneumonia . The combination of vigorous diagnostic efforts, prompt operation and reoperation when necessary plus specific antibiotic effective against anaerobes led to a successful outcome for each patient.

Mayo Clin Proc, 1976 Sep, 51(9), 557 - 61
Vaginal flora in asymptomatic women; Tashjian JH et al.; Four groups of 25 asymptomatic women--pregnant, premenopausal and taking oral contraceptives, premenopausal and not taking oral contraceptives, and postmenopausal--were studied for the presence in vaginal specimens of aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, fungi, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, mycobacteria, and Trichomonas . No significant differences in microbial flora were found among the groups.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Sep, 4(3), 227 - 31
Comparison of API and Minitek to Center for Disease Control methods for the biochemical characterization of anaerobes; Hansen SL et al.; Two commercially available micromethod multitest systems (API, Analytab Products, Inc., Minitek-Bioquest) were compared with conventional tests suggested by the Center for Disease Control for the identification of anaerobes . Anaerobiosis for the microsystems was achieved using GasPak system (BBL), A total of 175 anaerobes, including 158 clinical isolates and 17 reference strains, were used . Gram morphology, gas-liquid chromatography data, and biochemical reactions from the Center for Disease Control and Virginia Polytechnic Institute anaerobic manuals were used to identify the organisms . The Minitek system included a new anaerobe inoculum broth and two new disks, dextrose without nitrate and nitrate reductase disks . The percentage of correlation of 12 biochemicals using Minitek and 11 biochemicals using the API were compared with the Center for Disease Control reactions . The percentage of correlation of both positive and negative reactions with the API anaerobic strip ranged from 70.8 to 99.4% and with the Minitek from 97.1 to 100% . The microsystems were also evaluated as to the ease of use, adaptabilty to a clinical laboratory, time, and cost.

Z Naturforsch {C}, 1976 Sep-Oct, 31(9-10), 544 - 50
Regulation of intracellular pyrophosphatase-activity and conservation of the phosphoanhydride-energy of inorganic pyrophosphate in microbial metabolism; Klemme JH; The conservation of the phosphoanhydride-energy of inorganic pyrophosphate (PP) in microbial metabolism requires a stringent metabolic control of the intracellular pyrophosphatases (PPases, EC 3.6.1.1) . In this article, the rate of intracellular PP-liberation during biosynthesis of cellular constituents is calculated from the specific growth rate and the macromolecular composition of the respective microorganism . This rate is compared with the maximal specific activity of PPase in cell free extracts or purified enzyme preparations in order to investigate the possibility of the limitation of biosynthesis through PPase-activity . The catalytic and regulatory properties of microbial PPases are discussed in respect to the occurrence of PP-dependent ransphosphorylases . The evidence showing that certain anaerobic microorganisms including photosynthetic bacteria, can use PP instead of ATP as phosphate donor for transphosphorylation reactions will be discussed.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Sep, 22(9), 1404 - 10
Characterization of a strain of Methanospirillum hungatti; Patel GB et al.; The results of morphological, base ratio, nutritional, temperature, and pH studies on a strain of Methanospirillum hungatii, isolated from an anaerobic pear waste digester, are described . The isolate, designated as strain GP 1, was compared with some of the characteristics of type-strain M . hungatii JF 1 . Strain GP 1 is Gram-negative, weakly motile, and a strict anaerobe with a guanine plus cytosine (G +C) content of 46.5 mol% . The preferred substrates for methane production are hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and formate . Acetate is used under certain conditions but its specific contribution to cell carbon and (or) methane formation was not established . The optimum temperature for both growth and methane production is 35 degrees C, but growth and methane production occur over the range 25-45 degrees C . Methane production is optimal at pH 7.0.

Am J Dis Child, 1976 Aug, 130(8), 871 - 3
Anaerobic meningitis and bacteremia caused by Fusobacterium species; O'Grady LR et al.; In the two cases of anaerobic meningitis and bacteremia caused by Fusobacterium species described, upper respiratory tract infection preceded the onset of meningitis . Isolation of the causative organism and appropriate antibiotic therapy resulted in cures in both patients . Although extremely rare, these organisms should be considered as possible causative agents in meningitis when routine cultures are negative, and appropriate anaerobic culture techniques should be employed, especially when sinus, otitic, or mastoid symptoms precede or accompany the onset of meningitis . Susceptibility testing of these organisms is necessary to ensure proper therapy because of the resistance of some anaerobes to antibiotics commonly employed in meningitis . In this regard, metronidazole, which provides excellent cerebrospinal fluid levels, may prove to be an effective agent in anaerobic infections of the central nervous system.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 4(2), 180 - 4
Rapid spot test for the determination of esculin hydrolysis; Edberg SC et al.; Esculin hydrolysis is a useful test in the differentiation of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria covering a wide spectrum of aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and anaerobes . Commonly utilized methods require a minimum of 18 h of incubation in broth or agar medium and utilize the production of a brown-black compound, due to the combination of ferric ions with the hydrolysis product esculetin, as indicator . A procedure is presented that requires 15 to 30 min for completion and utilizes fluorescence loss as the indicator of hydrolysis . Esculin fluoresces at 366 nm, whereas the hydrolysis product esculetin does not . Over 1,400 strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were tested . There was 98.4% of correlation between the spot test and esculin broth and 97% correlation with the bile-esculin agar.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 4(1), 40 - 5
Improved chamber for the isolation of anaerobic microorganisms; Cox ME et al.; A small portable chamber for the recovery of anaerobic bacteria is described . This rigid chamber is constructed of clear acrylic with dimensions of 30 inches (ca . 76.2 cm) wide, 18 inches (ca . 44.7 cm) deep, and 18 inches (ca . 44.7 cm) high . Conventional bacteriological techniques can be used inside the chamber to efficiently isolate strict anaerobic organisms . An adapter allows the attachment of a standard anaerobic jar to the outside of the chamber . The jar can be used to store reduced media . Once the jar is attached to the chamber and the media is removed to the interior of the chamber, the jar is available to receive inoculated media . The anaerobic jar can then be removed from the chamber, without contaminating the jar or chamber with oxygen, and be placed in a conventional 37degreesC incubator . This chamber also allows the microbiologist to process cultures without wearing gloves as was necessary with previous anaerobic chambers . Air-tight latex rubber sleeves seal around the microbiologists arms and to the armport flange of the chamber to prevent the introduction of oxygen into the chamber . Anaerobic conditions are maintained by circulating a 80% N2, 10% H2, 10% CO2 gas mixture through alumina pellets coated with palladium . This study indicates that anaerobic conditions obtained in this chamber are sufficient for recovery of obligate anaerobes.

Acta Orthop Scand, 1976 Jun, 47(3), 320 - 3
Bacteria in hip surgery . A study of routine aerobic and anaerobic cultivation from skin and closed suction wound drains; Lindgren U et al.; One hundred and seven patients with closed suction wound drains after hip surgery were investigated with regard to bacteria in the drain . In one-third of the cases bacterial contamination of the wound was found . In more than half the total number of cases the bacteria in the wound were not identical with those found on the skin, either pre- or post-operatively . Anaerobe bacteria occurred only in one case . Penicillin administration considerably reduced the frequency of positive cultures . These findings support the prophylactic use of antibiotics in the prevention of late infections in endoprosthesis operations even when the early infection rate is satisfactorily low.

Heart Lung, 1976 May-Jun, 5(3), 406 - 10
Anaerobic infections; Silva J Jr; The treatment of anaerobic infection will be improved by: (1) having a high index of suspicion of anaerobic bacteria in all infections, (2) recognition of clinical signs characteristic of some of these infections, and (3) institution of antibiotics that are likely to be appropriate before the culture results become available 4 to 7 days later.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1976 May 1, 125(1), 79 - 82
Incidence of infections associated with the intrauterine contraceptive device in an isolated community; Mead PB et al.; PIP: Evaluation of the extent of the problems of infections associated with IUDs was attempted by collecting all gynecologic morbidity data relating to infections in women of childbearing age which occurred during a 2-year period in an isolated community . Chittenden County, Vermont, had a total population of 105,700 with 24,795 women in the 15-44 year age range . All seriously ill patients from the county are admitted to the Medical Care Center Hospital of Vermont . Venereal disease is relatively uncommon as only 168 cases of gonorrhea in women were reported during the 2-year period . Legal abortion services are highly developed so that illegal or self-induced abortions are few . During the 2-year period, 10 patients were admitted to the obstetric service with a diagnosis of septic abortion, with a ratio of 1 to every 400 deliveries . Of these, 9 had a Dalkon Shield in place at the time . 8 of the abortions occurred in the second trimester . Only 1 was a primigravida . The insertion-infection interval was from 4 months to 3 years . Prompt uterine evacuations were done in all cases and antibiotic therapy given . All patients recovered . Of the 2352 admissions to the gynecologic service in the 2-year period, 63 had acute inflammatory disease and 26 of them (41%) were wearing an IUD . These gynecologic infections were associated with several types of IUD devices of which 10 (38%) involved a Dalkon shield . The insertion-infection interval ranged from 1 to 42 months with half occurring 2 years or more after insertion . Responsible pathogens were equally divided between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . N . gonorrhoeae was isolated in only 2 cases . Of the 26 patients wearing IUDs, 7 required major operations . This may be an issue in the choice of contraception, particularly for nullipara .

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 May, 94(1), 1 - 10
Peptococcus heliotrinreducans, sp . nov., a cytochrome-producing anaerobe which metabolizes pyrrolizidine alkaloids; Lanigan GW; Several strains of a new, obligately anaerobic, Gram-positive coccus were isolated from sheep rumen contents . An important distinctive feature was their reductive cleavage of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidines, using hydrogen gas or formate as hydrogen donor . With the same hydrogen donors, the organism reduced nitrate and fumarate . In all cases, the reductive metabolism formed part of an energy-giving sequence used by the organism for growth . This new coccus also utilized energy obtained by dissimilation of arginine . Enzymic hydrolysates of casein and yeast autolysate were satisfactory substrates for growth but no strain fermented carbohydrates . Ultrasonic extracts of the coccus contained a c-type cytochrome . The characteristics of the organism are consistent with its allocation to the genus Peptococcus within which it differs significantly from currently recognized species . The name Peptococcus heliotrinreducans is proposed for this new species, and a reliable method for isolating it is described.

J Gen Microbiol, 1976 May, 94(1), 126 - 30
Isolation of lipoteichoic acids from Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens; Hewett MJ et al.; Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and deacylated lipoteichoic acid have been isolated from the bovine-rumen Gram-negative anaerobe Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens by phenol extraction . Lipoteichoic acid (21.8 mumol phosphorus/g cells) consisted of a conventional 1, 3-phosphodiester-linked chain of glycerol phosphate units joined covalently to a glycolipid . It was not substituted with glycosyl or D-alalyl ester groups . Deacylated lipoteichoic acid (57.5 mumol phosphorus/g cells) was similar in constitution but lacked fatty acid esters . Lipoteichoic acid reacted serologically with antisera to the glycerol phosphate backbone of known lipoteichoic acids . The presence of similar teichoic acid polymers has also been demonstrated in some other strains of B . fibrisolvens and this is of significance in demonstrating that teichoic acids can occur in Gram-negative bacteria.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Apr, 31(4), 475 - 80
Intestinal microflora in rats: isolation and characterization of strictly anaerobic bacteria requiring long-chain fatty acids; Morotomi M et al.; Three strains of strictly anaerobic bacteria, isolated from the cecal contents of rats, have strict requirements for long-chain fatty acids . The effect of exogenous fatty acids on the growth and fatty acid composition of the bacteria was examined . Biohydrogenation of linoleic acid into octadecenoic acid was observed . These observations suggest that long-chain fatty acids in the intestine are factors in controlling the localization and the population levels of indigenous bacteria in vivo in rats.

Chem Biol Interact, 1976 Apr, 13(1), 89 - 97
H2O2 generation during the redox cycle of mitomycin C and dna-bound mitomycin C; Tomasz M; Reduction of mitomycin C by NaBH4 or by NADPH in the presence of a cell extract followed by exposure to air results in the generation of H2O2 . This phenomenon occurs not only with free mitomycin but also with mitomycin irreversibly bound to DNA . In view of these findings, the antibiotic activity of mitomycin was tested in two bacterial systems: a facultative aerobic bacterium grown in the presence or absence of oxygen and obligate anaerobic bacterium . No oxygen effect could be demonstrated in either case in the growth-inhibitory and bactericidal activity of the drug . Nevertheless, the H202 generating capacity of mitomycin-DNA complexes inside the nucleus may play a role in the drug-induced biological damage to the genetic material of cells.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 281 - 6
Clinical comparison of aerobic, hypertonic, and anaerobic culture media for the radiometric detection of bacteremia; Coleman RM et al.; The BACTEC 225 was used to test 5,811 routine blood cultures over a 20-month period . Aerobic, anaerobic, and hypertonic media were employed . The BACTEC 225 detected 511 positive cultures; 407 of these were considered significant organisms, and 104 were presumed contaminants . Of the significant positive cultures, 15% were detected within the first 12 h of incubation, 52% within 24 h, 82% within 48 h and 92% within 72 h . Aerobic, anaerobic, and hypertonic media are recommended for each venipuncture since 56 cultures were isolated from the aerobic medium only, 110 from the anaerobic medium only, and 94 from the hypertonic medium only . There were 16 patients who had multiple venipunctures from which organisms were repeatedly isolated from only one medium: two from the aerobic medium, four from the anaerobic medium, and ten from the hypertonic medium only . Detection times were not significantly different for the aerobic and hypertonic media . However, there were five patients with multiple venipunctures in which growth was detected radiometrically at least 48 h earlier in the hypertonic than in the aerobic medium . False-positive growth index readings were noted in 1,085 (19%) of the aerobic vial, 11 (0.19%) of the anaerobic vials, microorganisms were isolated from at least one of the companion vials . Using 5% co2 to flush the aerobic vials . With some false-positive aerobic and hypertonic vials decreased the number of false positives to about 6% of the total.

Ann Sclavo, 1976 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 243 - 8
{Anaerobic flora of the respiratory tract (author's transl)}; Bonomi U; The general outlines for the microbiological study of respiratory tract anaerobic flora are indicated . To day research tend to assign to these bacteria a significant role in sustaining some diseases of lungs pleural space and upper respiratory tract; anaerobes are therefore a subject of outstanding interest for clinical microbiologists . Difficult arise in isolation and identification of respiratory tract anaerobes owing to normal presence of anaerobic flora in the mouth; the difficult can be overcomed by avoiding contamination with normal flora (lung puncture for instance) or by quantitative evaluations of bacteria in sputum.

Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique, 1976 Mar-Apr, 24(2), 107 - 121
The contribution of epidemiology to knowledge of cancer; Doll R; Epidemiology has contributed to knowledge of cancer in five ways . First, it has demonstrated that all cancers that are at all common anywhere vary in incidence from place to place and from time to time . The amount of variation is large, sometimes several hundred fold, and no cancers are so uniformly common that they would affect as many as 1 per cent of people by 75 years of age, in the absence of other causes of death, in all countries . Studies of migrant groups and the changes that have occurred with time show that this variation is, in large part, due to environmental factors and that most cancers are, in principle, preventible . Secondly it has shown that the incidence of specific cancers can be correlated with the prevalence of factors in the environment that might be suspected of causing the disease . Recent correlations include those between oesophageal cancer in Iran and the consumption of certain locally produced foods, between colon cancer and the presence of certain groups of anaerobic bacteria in the faeces, and between liver cancer and the amount of aflatoxin in the diet . These correlations do not provide direct evidence of causation, but they do suggest ideas for investigation by other methods . Thirdly, epidemiology has provided means for testing hypotheses by relating the occurrence of particular types of cancer to the personal characteristics of individuals, either by studying the past experience of people with and without cancer, or by following up people whose exposure to suspected agents has been previously defined . In this way it has been possible to detect dozens of occupational hazards in industry, which is many more than have been detected by laboratory experiment . Fourthly, epidemiology has confirmed that an agent is a cause of cancer by monitoring the effects of intervention to reduce or prevent exposure . An example is provided by observation in British doctors, who have reduced their consumption of cigarettes to half the national average and have experienced a corresponding reduction in the risk of death from cancers of the lung.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 313 - 7
Rapid fermentation testing of anaerobic bacteria; Schreckenberger PC et al.; Rapid tests for glucose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, and starch fermentation were performed on 112 strains of anaerobic bacteria . The tests were incubated under aerobic conditions, and results were read within 4 h . An overall correlation of 89% was achieved between the rapid tests and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute method.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 291 - 301
Modification of the Minitek Miniaturized Differentiation System for characterization of anaerobic bacteria; Stargel D et al.; The Minitek Miniaturized System (BBL) was modified for characterization of anaerobic bacteria . The modified system and the conventional Center for Disease Control method were used to test a variety of anaerobic bacteria, and results were compared . Tests performed by both techniques were indole and H2S production, esculin hydrolysis, nitrate reduction, and fermentation of glucose, mannitol, lactose, sucrose, maltose, salicin, glycerol, xylose, arabinose, mannose, rhamnose, and trehalose . The manufacturer's recommended procedure for the Minitek system was modified by using a new suspension medium (Lombard-Dowell broth) and an inoculum equivalent to the density of a McFarland no . 5 nephelometer standard . The Minitek results, recorded after 48 h, agreed satisfactorily with the conventional test results, usually recorded after 5 to 7 days of incubation . In the examination of 80 strains representing 22 different species or subspecies of anaerobic bacteria, with 16 biochemical tests performed in triplicate, 93.8% of the Minitek test results agreed with those of the corresponding conventional tests . Only tests for indole, H2S, and nitrate reduction gave less than 90% agreement . It was concluded that the modified Minitek system is a suitable substitute for the more expensive and time-consuming conventional procedure for determining carbohydrate fermentation and esculin hydrolysis by anaerobes . This system, when used in conjunction with other tests, can effectively aid in the definitive identification of commonly isolated anaerobes.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 3(2), 200 - 202
A new medium for the detection of gelatin-hydrolyzing activity of human dental plaque flora; Syed SA; A new medium for the detection of gelatin-hydrolyzing activity of human dental plaque flora by a simplified plate method is described . It is designed to support the growth of obligate anaerobes, facultative anaerobes, and aerobes . This medium can be used for the identification of gelatinase-producing organisms of clinical importance.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 3(2), 161 - 71
Evaluation of simplified dichotomous schemata for the identification of anaerobic bacteria from clinical material; Porschen RK et al.; Simplified dichotomous schemata are described for the identification of anaerobic bacteria commonly encountered in clinical material . The procedures used are combinations of routine biochemical tests and techniques that are used to uniformly characterize these organisms . Over 200 anaerobic organisms were used in a three-stage evaluation in which data were compared with those obtained by conventional methods . When there was inconsistency between the biochemical tests described in the presumptive identification schemes and gas-liquid chromatography, additional biochemical tests or reference procedures were used to confirm identification . Strains from the American Type Culture Collection and the Center for Disease Control, as well as recent clinical isolates, were included in this evaluation . The results show the simplified procedures to be useful for the identification of anaerobic isolates from clinical material.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 3(2), 133 - 6
Anaerobes survive in clinical specimens despite delayed processing; Bartlett JG et al.; Quantitative cultures were performed on 11 purulent specimens of at least 2 ml from mixed aerobic-anaerobic infections to determine the effect of prolonged exposure to air on the recovery of anaerobes . The specimens were processed immediately and after air exposure for periods of 10 min and 1, 4, and 24 h . There were at total of 37 anaerobic and 36 aerobic strains recovered from these specimens . Of the anaerobes, 26 were isolated with the initial processing and 22 were still present after air exposure for 24 h . The numerical concentrations of anaerobes showed little change with the sequential samplings . Eleven anaerobic strains were not detected in the initial culture but appeared sporadically in subsequent cultures . Using the types of specimens and method of processing employed in this study, most pathogenic anaerobes survived in purulent exudate despite extended periods of air exposure . The major cause of discrepent results with periodic cultures was attributed to vagaries in sampling.

J Pediatr Surg, 1976 Feb, 11(1), 37 - 42
Bacterial flora of appendicitis in children; Stone HH; Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were taken immediately upon operative entry to the peritoneal cavity of 114 consecutive children undergoing appendectomy . Stage of appendicitis and clinical presentation could be closely correlated to specific patterns of peritoneal bacterial flora . It was found that appendiceal gangrene and perforation uniformly produce a polymicrobial peritonitis that is based on the symbiosis of aerobes with anaerobes . Ensuing wound and intra-abdominal septic complications were likewise mixed infections . Based on these findings, refinements in the diagnosis of appendiceal gangrene and perforation as well as rationales in the treatment of appendicitis have been discussed.

Mikrobiyol Bul, 1976 Feb, 10(2), 203 - 14
{Anaerobic bacteria isolated from appendices and appendicitis cases}; Mutlu G; Anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 17 of 40 normal appendices and appendicitis cases in Ankara . In both cases gram positive, nonsporulating, and gram negative organisms were isolated . Gram positive cocci were only isolated from appendicitis cases . The bacteria isolated from appendicitis are usually like the anaerobic bacteria of the colon flora . All anaerobic bacteria in appendix flora can cause appendicitis in suitable conditions.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1976 Feb, 84(1), 51 - 6
Survival of anaerobic bacteria during transportation . 1 . Experimental investigations on the effect of evacuation of atmospheric air by flushing with carbon dioxide and nitrogen; Justesen T et al.; The effect of evacuation of atmospheric air during transportation on recovery of anaerobic bacteria was investigated . Evacuation of atmospheric air from glass tubes by flushing with pure carbon dioxide lowered the content of oxygen to about 0.4 per cent . Three B . fragilis strains and one strain of Fusobacterium mortiferum and of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius were investigated . Bacterial recovery was determined one hour and 24 hours after evacuation of atmospheric air by pure carbon dioxide and pure nitrogen, was compared to bacterial recovery from samples transported with free access to atmospheric air . Evacuation by pure carbon dioxide significantly improved the recovery of one B . fragilis strain after 24 hours of transportation and significantly impaired the recovery of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius after one hour of transportation, while evacuation by pure nitrogen significantly improved the recovery of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius after 24 hours of transportation . In all other cases, however, no statistically significant effect on bacterial recovery was found.

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1976, 11(1), 73 - 85
Susceptibility of the liver and biliary tract to anaerobic infection in extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction . II . Liver function and morphology of the liver and biliary tract--an experimental study in rabbits; Nielsen ML et al.; Biliary tract infection with anaerobic bacteria (B . fragilis or Fusobacterium mortiferum) was produced in rabbits by common duct ligation (c.d.l.) 3 days prior to intravenous bacterial inoculation . Animals were investigated 1, 4 or 7 days after inoculation . Histopathological investigations included the liver, the common duct, and the gallbladder, while liver function was evaluated by bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and L-alanine aminotransferase (GPT) in serum . Rabbits with c.d.l . and biliary tract infection were compared to rabbits with c.d.l . in which bacterial inoculation failed to produce infection, to inoculated rabbits without c.d.l., and to uninoculated rabbits with c.d.l . Anaerobic biliary tract infection in rabbits with c.d.l . caused a significant increase in liver abscesses, a significant increased infiltration with granulocytes in the gallbladder, and a significant increase in serum levels of bilirubin, AP, and GPT, but failed to produce signs of cholangitis in the liver and intramural abscesses in the gallbladder . A material is presented of normal values for bilirubin, AP, and GPT in serum in rabbits.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1976 Jan, 65(1), 58 - 63
Evaluation of amniotic fluid for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; Lewis JF et al.; Studies of 117 pregnant women, 83 at term, were instituted to determine the bacteriologic state of amniotic fluid, utilizing both standard aerobic and anaerobic technics . A high association of postpartum infection was found in women who had long periods of premature reptured membranes and many vaginal examinations . Significant organisms including anaerobes, were isolated in many of these instances . Based on the findings of these studies, it is recommended that amniocentesis for aerobic and anaerobic cultures be done when membranes have been ruptured for 8 hours or more, and when the patient has had seven or more vaginal examinations during the course of labor.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1976, 42(4), 411 - 20
Chemically defined media for growing anaerobic bacteria of the genus Veillonella; Lopes JN et al.; A chemically defined medium for Veillonella parvula and V . alcalescens is described . Some nutritional aspects of the two strains used were examined: the optimum concentration of reducing agents, the requirements for amino acids, diamines, vitamins and other growth factors, and the conditions needed for well balanced nutrition . No specific requirements for single amino acids were observed . A combination of L-cysteine, DL-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-serine and L-tyrosine, promoted growth . In V . alcalescens, serine could substitute both arginine and tryptophan (or histidine) . No growth was obtained with ammonium salts as the sole N source . Decarboxylation of L-ornithine, L-lysine and L-arginine was not demonstrated in the Veillonella parvula strain, which required putrescine or cadaverine for growth . Spermine, spermidine, L-lysine, L-ornithine and L-arginine, could not substitute putrescine in Veillonella parvula . Veillonella alcalescens, which does not require putrescine in the medium, was able to decarboxylate L-ornithine while forming putrescine.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1976, (9), 82 - 4
Isolation of Chlamydia in acute salpingitis; Eilard T et al.; In 22 patients with acute salpingitis, verified by laparoscopy, samples for attempted isolation of bacteria, Mycoplasma and Chlamydia were drawn from aspirates and cervical smears . CF-antibodies to Chlamydia were measured to acute and convalescent phase sera . Anaerobic bacteria were isolated from tubal secretions in two patients and Mycoplasmas in one patient . In two patients Chlamydia were recovered from the Fallopian tube . The serological investigation indicated Chlamydia infection in 6 patients.

Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1976, 37, 17 - 21
Route of infection in extrahepatic biliary tract disease . II: Bacterial recovery from gallbladder bile and gallbladder wall in human biliary tract disease; Nielsen ML et al.; Bacterial recovery from gallbladder wall and gallbladder bile was investigated in 73 patients with extrahepatic biliary tract diseases . The technique of anaerobic culture was based on the use of a 'glove-box' and prereduced anaerobically sterilized media . Transport of samples was based on evacuation of atmospheric air with oxygen-free carbon dioxide and a transport time less than 30 minutes . When samples of bile and tissue were obtained simultaneously before operations on the biliary tract were begun and handled by one of the authors to avoid contamination, no significant difference in bacterial recovery between bile and tissue was observed . If samples were handled routinely by the staff or if biopsy from the gallbladder wall was not obtained until after operation on the biliary tract was finished, bacterial recovery from gallbladder tissue was significantly more frequent compared to bile . Under these last mentioned circumstances, the difference in bacterial recovery was due to bacterial species like Staph . aureus, Staph . albus, P . acnes and Difteroids.

Chirurg, 1976, 47(2), 98 - 101
{Cultivation possibility for obligatory anaerobic bacteria from contaminated cotton carriers after storage . Comparative testing of simple swabs and swabs in transport medium using Stuart's method}; Kuchler R et al.; 26 strains of obligate anaerobic bacteria, which had been isolated from clinical specimens, were tested for their survival on artificially contaminated cotton swabs after storage . All strains could hardly if at all be cultivated, if the cotton swabs had been stored in empty test tubes at 4 degrees C for 48 hrs . In contrast to that it was possible to cultivate all strains without significant reduction of their number from swabs, which were stored at 4 degrees C for 48 hrs in test tubes containing Stuart's transport medium . The necessity of an improvement of techniques and transport-methods to isolate anaerobic bacteria is discussed . The use of a special transport medium is recommended as an important aid to the early recognition of anaerobic infection.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Jan, 31(1), 21 - 4
Use of the Hungate anaerobic technique in the isolation of phloroglucinol-negative mutants of Coprococcus species; Thompson LA et al.; The Hungate anaerobic technique was used with a standard procedure for bacterial mutagenesis employing N-methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine to obtain mutants of an obligate anaerobe . Three mutant strains were derived from a Coprococcus sp., strain Pe15, a rumen anaerobe capable of growing on phloroglucinol . The mutants did not grow on phloroglucinol but did degrade the compound in anaerobic washed-cell suspensions, producing the same end products in approximately the same proportions as the wild type . It was concluded that the mutants were blocked in a unique step or steps necessary for carbon skeleton or energy synthesis from phloroglucinol and not in formation of an enzyme involved in the pathway of phloroglucinol degradation.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1976 Jan, 234(1), 121 - 8
{Comparison of diverse methods for the cultivation of anaerobians, with special reference to the GASPAK system}; Wehrspann P; The frequent presence of anaerobic bacteria in clinical specimens requires the use of adequate methods for their detection . The GASPAK system, following closely the experiences made by BREWER, meets these requirements and has the additional advantage of easier handling when compared with other methods . Hydrogen necessary for binding oxygen in the anaerobe-receptacle, is produced chemically from a sodium borohydride plate over which only a certain amount of water needs to be poured for activation . A bar containing citric acid and sodium bicarbonate releases carbon dioxide at the same time . Small palladium-coated aluminium balls act as a cold catalyst . The hydrogen-carbon dioxide developer is supplied in disposable bags (Fig . 1) . A strip impregnated with methylene blue is used as indicator . This strip is used only once . The GASPAK system was examined and compared with the anaerobe-receptacle by FILDES and MCINTOSH where a pressure-bottle feeds the hydrogen into the system, and the vacuum-process by ZEISSLER . Growth of several anaerobians from fresh clinical specimens and from some defined strains was used in the test (Table 1-4) . The highest rate of growth was achieved with the GASPAK-system so that - even if one bears in mind that the other two methods do not undergo enrichment by carbon dioxide - this method for the cultivation of anaerobians can be recommended for use in routine laboratories.

Biochimie, 1976, 58(5), 601 - 10
{Permeability of yeast mitochondrial internal membrane: structure-activity relationship}; Chateaubodeau GA et al.; In order to investigate the possible relations between the anionic permeability and the functions (or the structure ) of the inner mitochondrial membrane, three types of organelles isolated from S . cerevisiae were tested: mitochondria (aerobic culture), promitochondria (anaerobic culture) and CAP-mitochondria (aerobic culture with chloramphenicol added) . By using the technique of swelling in isoosmotic potassium salts, after a derermination of the isotonic conditions, it was possible to discriminate between an electrogenic (valinomycin induced) or an electroneutral (both valinomycin and uncoupler induced) translocation . 1) Mitochondria: The permeability properties of mitochondria are energy dependent: a) Respiring mitochondria are permeable to Cl-; Mg2+, however, inhibits this translocation . Phosphate transport seems to be exclusively electrogenic and mersalyl sensitive, but swelling inhibition by that thiol reagent is restored by Mg2+ . b) Non respiring mitochondria are impermeable to Cl-, but ATP addition restores the permeability . Thiocyanate permeates as the anionic form and acetate as the undissociated form . The phosphate transport, sensitive to mersalyl, seems to be partially electrogenic . 2) Promitochondria: Deficient of respiratory enzymes but containing an oligomycin sensitive ATPase, they are impermeable to Cl- only when Mg2+ is added . In these conditions, an electrogenic phosphate transport, sensitive to mersalyl, is observed . 3) CAP-mitochondria: Although CAP-mitochondria are cytochrome deficient and contain an oligomycin insensitive ATPase, they are also impermeable to Cl- in presence of Mg2+ . As in fully differenciated mitochondria, an electroneutral phosphate entry is observed; Mg2+ is required for mersalyl sensitivity.

Acta Derm Venereol, 1976, 56(4), 307 - 8
Metronidazole and acne; Bannatyne RM et al.; The strong activity of metroindazole against obligate anaerobes suggested that the organism Proprionobacterium acnes and the disease acne vulgaris might respond to treatment with this drug . Thirty-three clinical isolated of P . acnes were tested and found to be highly resistant to metronidazole . Prospects for its successful use in acne are remote.

Arch Intern Med, 1975 Dec, 135(12), 1562 - 8
A study of 57 cases of actinomycosis over a 36-year period . A diagnostic 'failure' with good prognosis after treatment; Weese WC et al.; Actinomycosis continues to elude the clinician . In only four of 57 patients seen at the University of Iowa Hospitals (and in none of 12 since 1958) the disease was correctly diagnosed on admission . The disease is more common in men, but has no seasonal or occupational predilection . A normal inhabitant of the mouth, Actinomyces israelii acts as an opportunistic infection, usually in association with bacterial invasion . It tends to follow a break in normal mucosal barriers . Fistula and palpable mass are the physical hallmarks, with pain and fever the most frequent symptoms . Definitive identification requires anaerobic culture . Chances for cure are excellent with lengthy antibiotic administration.

J Bacteriol, 1975 Dec, 124(3), 1522 - 8
Lipid-phase transitions of the strictly anaerobic bacteria Veillonella parvula and Anaerovibrio lipolytica; Verkley AJ et al.; As a basis for physicochemical studies on the membranes of the strictly anaerobic bacteria Veillonella parvula, Anaerovibrio lipolytica, and Megasphaera elsdenii, the fatty acyl and alk-1-enyl moieties on the phosphoglycerides of these organism were characterized . Uncommon is the high proportion of a heptadecenoic acyl and alk-1-enyl moiety in these three lactate-fermenting bacteria . In contrast to V . parvula and A . lipolytica, M . elsdenii contains high amounts of branched-chain acyl and alk-1-enyl moieties . Freeze-etching electron microscopy showed that the lipids of the plasma membranes of V . parvula and A . lipolytica go from the liquid crystalline to the gel state upon lowering of the temperature, indicating that the membrane lipids are predominantly in the fluid state . No lipid-protein segregation could be detected in the plasma membrane of M . elsdenii . This can be explained by the abundance of branched-chain fatty acyl and alk-1-enyl residues in the membranes of this organism which may prevent lipid-protein segregation during the lipid-phase transition.

Cancer, 1975 Dec, 36(6 Suppl), 2387 - 400
The role of colon anaerobes in the metabolism of bile acids and steroids, and its relation to colon cancer; Hill MJ; The principle enzymes in the metabolism of both the substituent groups and the nucleus of the bile acids and of cholesterol are reviewed, together with their possible relevence to the etiology of large bowel cancer . Since the incidence of the disease appears to be related to the bile acid concentration and the activity of the 7-dehydroxylase and the delta4-dehydrogenase enzymes, the study of bile acids with a 4,6-dien-3-one structure is strongly recommended.

Gut, 1975 Nov, 16(11), 903 - 8
Colonic pseudo-obstruction: a new complication of jejunoileal bypass; Barry RE et al.; Five female patients ranging in age from 25 to 44 years are reported in whom jejunoileal bypass (three end-to-side and two end-to end), performed for morbid obesity, was complicated 1 1/2 to three years later by symptoms of colonic pseudo-obstruction . In each size, the colon was markedly elongated, dilated, and atonic but with no demonstrate organic obstruction . The cause of this complication is not known . Full thickness rectal biopsy in one case showed normal intrinsic nervous plexuses and ganglia . Serum electrolytes were normal . Functional and defunctionalized small bowel were not involved . Symptoms varied from complete colonic paralysis to incapacitating crampy abdominal pain and distention . In the three patients with end-to-side bypass, dilatation affected the entire colon, while, in the two patients with end-to-end bypass, the dilatation was localized to colon distal to the anastomosis with the defunctionalized small bowel . Resection of the affected portion of colon in one case resulted in recurrence distal to the new site of drainage of defunctioned bowel . Treatment with anti-anaerobe antibiotics in two cases produced dramatic but temporary relief of symptoms.

Rhinology, 1975 Nov, 13(3), 141 - 5
The importance of the anaerobic bacteria in paranasal sinusitis; van Cauwenberge P et al.; The anaerobic examination of the material, obtained by 100 antral punctures, in 66 patients with paranasal sinusitis, showed the importance of the anaerobic bacteria . In 33% we found anaerobes: 12% of the cultures were pure anaerobic, 21% were mixed aerobic-anaerobic . The most frequent anaerobe is the Peptostreptococcus . Anaerobic cultures are more frequently found in the unilateral cases of paranasal sinusitis . The presence of anaerobes does not seem to be dependent on the patient's age, the duration of the sinusitis and the previous administration of antibiotics during the last 3 days . In 76% the anaerobes disappeared after the initial antral puncture and washing.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Nov, 30(5), 831 - 7
Micromethod for identification of anaerobic bacteria: design and operation of apparatus; Wilkins TD et al.; A replicator is described for transferring 48 bacterial cultures into separate wells of microtiter plates . The device was designed for determination of carbohydrate fermentation patterns of anaerobic bacteria but should be useful for other applications . A simple device for filling microtiter wells with media is also described.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Nov, 30(5), 825 - 30
Development of a micromethod for identification of anaerobic bacteria; Wilkins TD et al.; A microprocedure was described for determining the carbohydrate fermentation patterns of 48 anaerobic bacteria at one time in microtiter plates . The cultures were transferred into agar-filled wells of microtiter plates with a replicator inside an anaerobic glove box . Fermentation was measured both with a colorimetric indicator and with a small pH electrode . The method was approximately 97% accurate . It would be most useful for laboratories that need to identify large numbers of anaerobes at one time.

Am J Med Technol, 1975 Nov, 41(11), 431 - 6
Clinical aspects of anaerobic infections in the surgical patient; Nichols RL et al.; Oxygen-sensitive anaerobic bacteria comprise the largest group of organisms among the human endogenous microflora . The oral cavity, vagina and colon are the areas where obligate anaerobes are predominant and can be isolated in very high numbers . Sepsis following surgery of any of these organs is frequently due to the escape of endogenous bacteria during the course of the operative procedure . To isolate and successfully identify most of these anaerobic microorganisms from clinical exudate, special collection and bacteriologic techniques are necessary . The acceptable anaerobic collection techniques mentioned above minimize exposure of the clinical specimen to atmospheric oxygen during collection and transfer . Clinical clues indicating anaerobic sepsis include a putrid odor of the exudate and evidence of abscess, necrosis or associated gas formation . The importance and value of the Gram stain in early identification of surgical sepsis is stressed . Treatment of infectious complications includes surgical drainage and specific antibiotics.

Am J Med Technol, 1975 Nov, 41(11), 402 - 10
Methods for isolation of anaerobes in the clinical laboratory; Dowell VR Jr; Major points to be emphasized include: 1) Anaerobes are very numerous in nature, but only a relatively small number of species are commonly associated with disease in man; 2) The majority of anaerobic bacterial infections involve endogenous rather than exogenous microorganisms, and the patients are usually compromised in some manner prior to infection; and 3) Success in isolating anaerobic bacteria requires careful performance and control of each step in the isolation procedure . These steps include selection and collection of clinical specimens, microscopic examinations, selection and use of primary isolation media, use of anaerobic systems, incubation of cultures and subculture of colonies to obtain pure culture isolates.

S Afr Med J, 1975 Oct 11, 49(43), 1804 - 6
Studies on multiple antibiotic resistance in obligate anaerobes; Burt SJ et al.; Forty-eight Gram-negative obligate anaerobic bacterial strains were isolated from faeces on selective media and their antibiotic resistance spectra were determined . R factor transfer was not detected in a series of experiments involving matings among the anaerobes, nor between the anaerobes and known donor and recipient facultative E . coli strains . Antibiotic resistance plasmids could not be demonstrated by treatment with acridine dyes and ethidium bromide in four multiply-resistant strains.

J Bacteriol, 1975 Oct, 124(1), 573 - 5
Formation of indoleacetic acid by intestinal anaerobes; Chung KT et al.; Indoleacetic acid was produced from tryptophan by only three of 23 intestinal anaerobes studied . Evidence is presented to show that the formation of indoleacetic acid proceeds through the intermediate, indolepyruvic acid, via transamination with alpha-ketoglutarate rather than by tryptamine pathway.

Arch Microbiol, 1975 Sep 30, 105(1), 1 - 12
Morphology and physiology of Spirochaeta aurantia strains isolated from aquatic habitats; Breznak JA et al.; 1 . Seven strains of Spirochaeta aurantia were isolated from pond and swamp water by means of a selective technique which utilized the ability of these organisms to move through bacterial filters and to diffuse through agar media . Although most of the isolations were accomplished when enrichment media low in carbohydrates were used, all seven strains were found to be exclusively saccharolytic . 2 . The isolates could be divided into two groups on the basis of cell morphology: a loosely coiled group, and a tightly coiled group with markedly smaller wave length and wave apmlitude . Spirochetes of the latter group possessed a slightly lower GC content in their DNA . The isolates were facultative anaerobes, synthesized carotenoid pigments which conferred an orange color to aerobic colonies, and utilized a variety of carbohydrates--but not amino acids--as energy sources . Exogenous thiamine was required by six isolates tested, riboflavin by four, and biotin by one . The major products of glucose fermentation were acetate, ethanol, CO2 and H2 . Growth of the isolates was inhibited by a variety of antibiotics . Determinations of GC contents of DNA showed that strains of S . aurantia are phylogenetically distant from spirochetes classified in the genera Treponema and Leptospira . 3 . S . aurantia populations inoculated in the center of agar medium plates migrated in the form of growth rings toward the periphery of the plates . The rate of migration of glucose-utilizing rings was greatest at low glucose concentrations (e.g., 0.02 g/100 ml) . It was concluded that migration of cells present in these rings was mainly due to a chemotactic response to glucose which served both as the attractant and the substrate . Chemotaxis of S . aurantia toward glucose may be used as a selective factor in isolating this bacterium from natural environments . 4 . The subspecific epithet stricta is proposed to recognize, taxonomically, the tightly coiled strains of S . aurantia.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1975 Sep 19, 161(4), 239 - 42
Evaluation of a test kit for identification of anaerobic bacteria; Nord C-E et al.; A test kit for identification of anaerobic bacteria--API--has been compared for accuracy in individual tests and for identification on the genus or species level with pre-reduced anaerobically sterilized media methods on 241 anaerobic strains . The microsystem was found to be reliable and permits identification of the clinically most significance anaerobic bacteria if it is supplemented with other tests such as gaschromatographic analysis, morphology, lecithinase, lipase and antibiotic sensitivity pattern.

J Infect Dis, 1975 Sep, 132(3), 282 - 6
Antimicrobial therapy of experimental intraabdominal sepsis; Weinstein WM et al.; Septic complications of colonic perforation involve miltiple bacteria derived from the intestinal flora . This type of mixed intraabdominal infection was produced experimentally by insertion of a standardized inoculum of rat colonic contents into the peritoneal cavity of male Wistar rats . The respective roles of coliforms and anerobic bacteria were then studied by use of selective antimicrobial therapy (with gentamicin and clindamycin) . Untreated rats had a two-stage disease . Initally, there was an acute peritonitis associated with a 37% mortality rate; all animals that survived developed indolent intraabdominal abscesses . Treatment with gentamicin reduced the acute mortality rate to 4%, but 98% of the survivors had abscesses . Clindamycin acute mortalherapy was associated with a 35% mortality rate, but the incidence of intraabdominal abscess was only 5% . A combination of gentamicin and clindamycin yielded the salutary effects of each agent--7% mortality and 6% incidence of abscesses . These studies, in concert with bacteriological findings, suggest that coliforms caused early mortality while anaerobes were primarily responsible for the late complication of intraabdominal abscess formation.

J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1975 Sep, 56(3), 206 - 14
Transtracheal aspiration studies in asthmatic patients in relapse with "infective" asthma and in subjects without respiratory disease; Berman SZ et al.; Exacerbations of bronchial asthma that cannot be accounted for by allergic reactions have sometimes been called "infective" asthma . The validity of this designation was tested by study of transtracheal aspirates (TTA) obtained from 27 asthmatic patients in relapse who had findings suggestive of respiratory infection and 12 subjects without respiratory disease . Aspirates were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Mycobacteria, fungi, Mycoplasma, and viruses . A comparable variety of bacterial and fungal growth in small numbers was obtained from a majority of both groups . Microbial growth did not correlate with the presence of symptoms or signs compatible with infection . Aspirates from asthmatics with chronic bronchitis, immediate hypersensitivity to aeroallergens, or aspirin intolerance yielded no greater growth than did aspirates from asthmatics without these characteristics . In only one asthmatic was there suggestion that overt infection of the lower respiratory tract contributed to exacerbation of asthma . These results do not lend support to the empiric use of antibiotics in the management of unexplained asthmatic relapse.

Gastroenterology, 1975 Aug, 69(2), 483 - 91
In vivo effect of bile salts and cholestyramine on intestinal anaerobic bacteria; Williams RC et al.; In vitro studies have shown that some bile salts inhibit the growth of intestinal bacteria . We investigated the possibility that bile salts might have a similar action in vivo in the ileum by performing serial anaerobic cultures and bile salt analyses on postprandial ileal fluid obtained anaerobically via intestinal tube . Five subjects were studied under control conditions, and after a 1-week course of orally administered cojugated bile salts in a dose shown to increase the bile salt pool . Three of the subjects were also studied after a 1-week course of cholestyramine . The numebr of ileal anaerobic microorganisms decreased significantly after both bile salt and cholestyramine treatment . Ileal bile salt concentrations were generally high (mean 9.2 mM) and did not change significantly after either bile salt or cholestyramine treatment . The results of this study are unexplained . Although it is possible that bile salts play a role in the regulation of small intestinal anaerobic flora, the lack of a relationship between ileal bile salt concentration and population levels of anaerobic organisms is puzzling and raises further questions about such a role for bile salts.

Br J Surg, 1975 Aug, 62(8), 642 - 4
A rabbit model of perforated appendicitis with peritonitis; King DW et al.; No satisfactory animal model simulating acute perforating appendicitis followed by peritonitis in man has hitherto been achieved . A technique has been developed in New Zealand White rabbits to fulfil these desiderata . The bacterial flora associated with the ensuing peritonitis is similar to that found in man both as regards aerobes and anaerobes and their concentrations . The method effectively produces the required model in 70 per cent of rabbits subjected to the experiment . Satisfactory postoperative survival is achieved enabling therapeutic studies.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 Aug, 232(4), 554 - 63
{A method for routine identification of anaerobic bacteria, in particular of non-sporogenic forms (author's transl)}; Lodenkamper H et al.; In the Institute of Bacteriology of Allgemeines Krankenhaus St . Georg, Hamburg, all clinical specimens received (except stools, sputum, and vaginal swabs) have been studied for the presence of anaerobians since 1947 . More than 25 years' experience has convinced the authors that not infrequently, non-sporogenic anaerobians occur as infectious agents . Statistical data compiled for the period 1956-1972 revealed that from a total of 71,973 specimens contaminated with bacteria, 7,047 (9.8%) were containing non-sporogenic anaerobians . Pure anaerobic cultures were obtained in 2.404 cases (3.3%) and mixed cultures of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in 4,643 cases (6.5%) . The pathogenic importance was revealed by identifications from osteomyelitis cases: 11-13.7% pure cultures and 17% mixed cultures (with aerobians) . Also in cases of total endoprosthesis of complicated course they were detected in up to 23% . On account of the frequent cultures of non-sporogenic anaerobians obtained from clinical specimens, the authors demand a routine analysis of all clinical specimens for the presence of anerobians...

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1975 Aug, 78(2), 307 - 15
Effect of nitrate reduction on the enzyme levels in carbon metabolism in Escherichia coli; Yamamoto I et al.; The activities of twelve enzymes were measured in crude extracts from cells of Escherichia coli K-10 grown aerobically or anaerobically in a defined medium in the presence or absence of nitrate . The activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase, aconitate hydratase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and D-lactate dehydrogenase (NAD+-independent) were found to be higher in cells grown in nitrate respiration than in those in fermentation, but lower than in those in respiration . This finding may explain the incomplete oxidation in nitrate respiration and, on the other hand, suggests the operation of the tricarboxylic acid even under these conditions . The activities of succinate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase in relation to the formation of fermentation product were as high in cells grown in fermentation as in those in respiration and were low in those in nitrate respiration . However, that ratio of the activities in the latter case to the activities in respiration was the same as the ratio for most enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle . The level of lactate dehydrogenase (NAD+-dependent) was not affected by nitrate respiration but its activity in the extract was inhibited by nitrate and nitrite . The absence of lactate in the anaerobic culture with nitrate may be due to this inhibition as well as NADH oxidation by nitrate . Levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase were not altered by the growth conditions and that of pyruvate dehydrogenase was low only in cells grown in fermentation.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1975 Jul 15, 122(6), 683 - 7
Bacterial flora of the cervix from 100 prehysterectomy patients; Ohm MJ et al.; Although anaerobic bacteria are being reported more frequently as causes of pelvic infections, few investigators have carefully studied these organisms in the normal female genital flora . This study describes the aerobic and anaerobic flora of 100 women prior to their undergoing hysterectomy . Anaerobic organisms were isolated from 86 per cent of the cultures in combination with aerobic organisms . Of the anaerobes the gram-positive cocci were the most common isolates (154 isolates in 74 cultures) . The anerobic gram-positive rods (41 isolates in 38 cultures) were second, followed by the anerobic gram-negative rods (32 isolates in 29 cultures) and the anerobic gram-negative cocci (16 isolates in 15 cultures) . The gram-positive cocci were most prevalent aerobic organisms isolated (149 isolates in 85 cultures).

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Jul, 2(1), 1 - 7
Modification of the gas-liquid chromatography procedure and evaluation of a new column packing material for the identification of anaerobic bacteria; Hauser KJ et al.; Gas-liquid chromatography has become a useful aid for the identification of anaerobic bacteria in the clinical laboratory . When many extracted samples are to be analyzed, time is of prime importance . By altering the operating conditions of the chromatograph, we have decreased the total elution time of the volatile fatty acids examined to approximately 12 min . There is, however, a decrease in the ability to resolve propionic and isobutyric acids . A new column packing material, SP-1220 (Supelco), was found to give excellent separation of propionic and isobutyric acids as well as demonstrating the presence of formic acid which was not seen with the previously used Resoflex . Extracts of clinical isolates of anaerobic organisms were processed using the altered conditions and new column packing material with excellent resolution of all acids . The use of SP-1220 in the clinical laboratory will facilitate the identification of anaerobic bacteria.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1975 Jul-Aug, 11(4), 523 - 5
{Effect of low temperature treatment of liquid nutrient media on the reproduction of microorganisms}; Lastkov OA et al.; The development of bacterial cultures of 37 microbial strains was studied after their 4-5 and 24 hour cultivation in liquid thawed and normal nutrient media . The cultivation of gram-positive aerobic bacteria, facultative anaerobic bacteria, actinomycetes and moulds in pre-frozen nutrient media increased 2-4 fold their reproduction as compared to that in the media that were not prefrozen . An insigificant acceleration of growth was found in six strains of gram-negative aerobic bacteria.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1975 Jul, 112(1), 59 - 64
Fever and pneumonia after flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy; Pereira W et al.; The frequencies of fever, parenchymal infiltration, and bacteremia were studied prospectively after 100 flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopies performed transnasally under topical anesthesia . Fever occurred after 16 per cent, and parenchymal infiltration, after 6 per cent of the procedures . Most complications were mild and transient; however, one patient developed rapidly progressive pneumonia and died . No organisms were isolated from cultures of blood drawn at the time of the procedure or during complications . The organisms most commonly isolated from the sputum of the patients who developed pneumonia were the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria normally found in the mouth . Isolation of a significant pathogen before the procedure did not predispose to development of a complication . Advanced age (greater than 60 years) and the endoscopic findings of abnormalities were significant predisposing factors . Bronchial brushing, but not bronchial biopsy or bronchial washing, was associated with significantly higher complication rates in patients with bronchial carcinomas than in those without a neoplasm . The mechanism of the fever and parenchymal infiltration is thought to be related to obstructive atelectasis and infection produced by organisms present in the airways at the time of the procedures.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Jun, 1(6), 527 - 30
Anaerobic bag culture method; Rosenblatt JE et al.; In a new method of anaerobic culture, a transparent, gas-impermeable bag is used and the anaerobic environment is established with copper sulfate-saturated steel wool . An Alka-Seltzer tablet generates carbon dioxide . The agar plate surface can be inspected through the bag at any time without interrupting the anaerobic atmosphere or disturbing other specimens . Methylene blue indicator strips are completely reduced by 4 h after the bag is set up and have remained reduced for as long as 3 weeks . Growth of 16 different stock culture anaerobes was generally equivalent by the bag and GasPak jar methods . Yield and growth of anaerobic isolates also were equivalent with 7 of 10 clinical specimens; from the other 3 specimens, 13 isolates were recovered, 5 by both the bag and jar methods and the rest by one method or the other . No consistent differences were found between the anaerobic bag and GasPak jar methods in the yield of anaerobes from clinical specimens . Early growth (24 h of incubation) of anaerobes from one specimen was detected with the bag method.

Can J Microbiol, 1975 Jun, 21(6), 846 - 54
Aerobic adaptation in yeast . I . Changes in metabolic intermediates during a step-down anaerobic-aerobic transfer; Bruver RM et al.; Early investigation into the mechanism of mitochondriogenesis in the facultative anaerobe Saccharomyces cerevisiae used anaerobic-aerobic transitions as model systems to study the in vivo assembly of these oxidative organelles . This methodology has become entrenched in the early literature and as a result a definitive study has been undertaken utilizing this protocol (high hexose, complete medium under anaerobic growth transferred to low hexose, minimal medium with aerobic environment) to study the altered distribution of various metabolites during these transitions . Measurement of all the glycolytic, and some tricarboxylic acid intermediates during such a transition has elucidated the following points . On a qualitative basis, the metabolic controls prevalent in these growing cultures are similar to those identified in yeast under less physiological conditions . Also, the effect of anaerobic catabolism, which preconditions enzyme and pool levels in the yeast, is of paramount importance in determining the events subsequent to oxygen challenge . However, this experimental approach has severe limitations and does not lend itself to a clear-cut delineation of the events that occur during the process of mitochondriogenesis.

Ann Surg, 1975 May, 181(5), 705 - 15
Incidence and significance of intraperitoneal anaerobic bacteria; Stone HH et al.; To amplify recent interest in anaerobic infections following abdominal disease, trauma, or surgery, 512 consecutive patients subjected to emergency celiotomy had both aerobic and anaerobic cultures taken of peritoneal fluid as well as all complicating wound and intra-abdominal infections . Average time between peritoneal entry of abscess drainage and specimen incubating under anaerobic conditions was less than two minutes . During 4 of the seven study months, patients had antibiotic therapy randomized, with clindaymcin or cephalothin being sole parenteral agents and given intravenously prior to operation and for 5 days thereafter . Results demonstrated that anaerobes uniformly contaminate the peritoneal cavity whenever distal or obstructed intestine has been perforated, irrespective of the cause . Although all but one of the 123 complicating wound and intra-abdominal infections were due solely or at least in part to aerobic pathogens, 2/3 of such infections also contained one or more different anaerobic species acting in synergism with the aerobes . No significant difference in incidence of postoperative infection or in infecting bacteria could be found with respect to antibiotic administered or etiology of perforation . Indeed, duration of bacterial exposure to atmospheric oxygen was the most critical factor influencing culture recoverability of anaerobic organisms, likelihood of ensuing wound or peritoneal sepsis participated in by an anaerobe, and success in control of established infections harboring anaerobes.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 May, 29(5), 710 - 1
Improved culture flask for obligate anaerobes; Daniels L et al.; An improved flask system for the growth of extremely oxygen-sensitive bacteria in liquid culture is described . The improvement described utilizes an all-glass, neoprene-stoppered flask designed for growth of 50- to 1,000-ml cultures of bacteria with continuous gassing.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 May, 29(5), 610 - 4
Growth curves of anaerobic bacteria in solid media; Casciato DA et al.; Simple pour plate and spectrophotometric techniques for the evaluation of growth curves of several anaerobic bacteria on solid media are described . Three basic patterns of anaerobic growth were observed . The curves obtained were very reproducible when studied on separate occasions . The curves obtained by spectrophotometric measurement were comparable to those obtained by the pour plate method, especially when a large bacterial inoculum was used . Limitations in the interpretation of the results are discussed . The methods and principles reported could provide the basis for the determination of bacterial growth on solid media using other organisms and different experimental conditions.

Ann Ophthalmol, 1975 May, 7(5), 677 - 80, 682-4
A new diagnostic unit for corneal ulcers; Harrison SM; A self-contained microbiologic unit has been presented as an expedient to facilitate the diagnosis of corneal ulcers in an office or emergency room . In addition, rationale for its contents are indicated . Although the commonly isolated bacteria and fungi, as well as many of the rare forms, can be cultured on the intact media included in this unit, growth of strict anaerobes may not be supported without additional processing of the media.

Arch Intern Med, 1975 May, 135(5), 711 - 4
Bacteriologic flora of aspiration-induced pulmonary infections; Cesar L et al.; The role of anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms in the genesis of pneumonia or lung abscess in patients with historical, clinical, and radiologic findings suggestive of aspiration was compared to their role in similar patients without these findings . Bacterial specimens were obtained by transtracheal aspiration or thoracentesis . Anaerobes were isolated in 100% of the patients who were aspiration-prone as contrasted with only 20% of those who were not . Isolation of a single species or no growth was more common in the nonaspiration group, whereas multiple isolates were more common in the aspiration group . Patients with lung abscesses were treated with penicillin and all of them responded clinically, despite occasional recovery from the culture specimen of penicillin-resistant organisms . This suggests that lung abscess may be the result of a synergistic bacterial infection.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1975 Apr 15, 121(8), 1038 - 45
Guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis in gynecology; Ledger WJ et al.; Using a random table of numbers, 100 premenopausal women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy were assigned to a short-term or long-term antibiotic prophylaxis regimen . The short-term regimen patients received a total of 3 Gm . of cephaloridine in divided doses on the day of operation, while the long-term regimen patients also received oral cephalexin postoperatively . The preoperative profiles of the two study groups were similar, and the postoperative results were not significantly different . A quantitative evaluation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria recovered from the surface of the vagina was done, and cephaloridine content of vaginal washings, serum, and vaginal tissue was determined . This information was utilized to suggest guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis in gynecology.

Biochem J, 1975 Apr, 148(1), 1 - 10
The metabolism of benzoate by Moraxella species through anaerobic nitrate respiration . Evidence for a reductive pathway; Williams RJ et al.; Moraxella sp . isolated from soil grows anaerobically on benzoate by nitrate respiration; nitrate or nitrite are obligatory electron acceptors, being reduced to molecular N2 during the catabolism of the substrate . This bacterium also grows aerobically on benzoate . 2 . Aerobically, benzoate is metabolized by ortho cleavage of catechol followed by the beta-oxoadipate pathway . 3 . Cells of Moraxella grown anaerobically on benzoate are devoid of ortho and meta cleavage enzymes; cyclohexanecarboxylate and 2-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate were detected in the anaerobic culture fluid . 4 . {ring-U-14C}Benzoate, incubated anaerobically with cells in nitrate-phosphate buffer, gave rise to labelled 2-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate and adipate . When {carboxy-14C}benzoate was used, 2-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate was radioactive but the adipate was not labelled . A decarboxylation reaction intervenes at some stage between these two metabolites . 5 . The anaerobic metabolism of benzoate by Moraxella sp . through nitrate respiration takes place by the reductive pathway (Dutton & Evans, 1969) . Hydrogenation of the aromatic ring probably occurs via cyclohexa-2,5-dienecarboxylate and cyclohex-1-enecarboxylate to give cyclohexanecarboxylate . The biochemistry of this reductive process remains unclear . 6 . CoA thiol esterification of cyclohexanecarboxylate followed by beta-oxidation via the unsaturated and hydroxy esters, would afford 2-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate . Subsequent events in the Moraxella culture differ from those occurring with Rhodopseudomonas palustris; decarboxylation precedes hydrolytic cleavage of the alicyclic ring to produce adipate in the former, whereas in the latter the keto ester undergoes direct hydrolytic fission to pimelate.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Apr, 29(4), 480 - 3
H2 production by Selenomonas ruminantium in the absence and presence of methanogenic bacteria; Scheifinger CC et al.; Selenomonas ruminantium is a nonsporeforming anaerobe that ferments carbohydrates primarily to lactate, propionate, acetate and CO2 . H2 production by this species has not been previously reported . We found, however, that some strains produce trace amounts of H2 which can be detected by sensitive gas chromatographic procedures . H2 production is increased markedly, in some cases almost 100-fold, when the selenomonads are co-cultured with methane-producing bacteria . Growth of the methane-producing bacteria depends on H2 production by the selenomonads and the subsequent use of H2 for the reduction of CO2 to CH4 . Although no free H2 accumulates in the mixed cultures, the amount of H2 formed by the selenomonads can be calculated from the amount of methane produced . These studies indicate that the conventional methods for measuring H2 production by pure cultures do not provide an adequate estimate of an organism's potential for forming H2 in an anaerobic ecosystem when H2 is rapidly used, e.g., for formation of CH4.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 29(3), 374 - 81
Quantitative method for the gas chromatographic analysis of short-chain monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids in fermentation media; Salanitro JP et al.; A method for the preparation and gas chromatographic analysis of the butyl esters of volatile (C-1-C-7) and nonvolatile (lactic, succinic, and fumaric) acids in microbial fermentation media is presented . Butyl esters were prepared from the dry salts of the acids . The esters were separated by temperature programming on a column of Chromosorb W coated with Dexsil 300 GC liquid phase and analyzed with a flame ionization detector . Apparent recoveries with butanol-HCl or butanol-H2SO4 as butylating agents were 80 to 90% for most acids . Chromatographic profiles of the butyl esters demonstrated that both volatile and nonvolatile acids can be detected and separated in 24 min on a single column . Standard calibration curves (peak area versus concentration) of the butyl esters were linear in the range of 5 to 40 mumol of acid per ml . The advantages of using an internal standard (heptanoic acid) for quantitating fatty acids in a mixture are given . Chromatograms of butylated fermentation media in which rumen anaerobic bacteria were grown illustrated that this method is useful for determining short-chain volatile and nonvolatile acids of toxonomic significance.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 1(3), 302 - 8
Laboratory experience with a radiometric method for detecting bacteremia; Thiemke WA et al.; Two bacteriologic systems for detecting bacteria in blood were compared; the automated radiometric BACTEC and the conventional method used in our laboratory for many years . BACTEC consisted of two bottles with 30 ml and the conventional method with 50 ml of media for aerobes and anaerobes . The BACTEC bottles were inoculated with 2 to 3 ml and the conventional with 4 to 5 ml of blood at the patient's bedside . Out of the 3,045 blood specimens cultured (804 patients), 262 (117 patients) were positive by one or both methods . The conventional system detected 5more cultures . The explanation of the differences is discussed . Positive blood cultures were detected by the BACTEC procedure as early as 6 h after the blood collection . In the first 24 h, on the average, 77% of aerobic organisms were detected by the BACTEC as compared to 48% by the conventional system . All anaerobic BACTEC cultures were positive within 4 days, whereas the conventional system detected at that time 74% . At day 4, 67% of fungi were detected by the BACTEC and only 27% by the conventional system . Of the 3,045 blood cultures examined by the BACTEC, 208 were recorded as false positive with growth index readings ranging from 30 to 59.

Can J Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 21(3), 362 - 76
A morphological study of anaerobic bacteria from the hypolimnia of two Michigan lakes; Caldwell DE et al.; Dense populations of anaerobic bacteria were found sequentially layered below the thermocline in two eutrophic lakes in southwest Michigan . Phase and electron microscopy of whole cells and thin sections were used to reveal the in situ morphology of the dominant members of the community . The predominant chlorophyll-containing bacteria were identified on the basis of their morphology to be members of the genera Pelodictyon, Prosthecochloris, Clathrochloris, Chlorochromatium, Pelochromatium, Thiopedia, Thiocystis, Thiospirillum, and Chromatium . The natural morphology of these organisms is described and compared with the morphology of reported isolates, the morphology of unisolated genera was compared with previous descriptions of natural samples . Most of the organisms near the sediment-water interface and two from the upper hypolimnion have not been previously described . They have been divided into six distinct groups based on morphology; the morphological features of each group are presented . This approach, based on the morphological uniqueness of the procaryotes present, provides a satisfactory method for grouping members of the hypolimnetic community for ecological studies.

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