Eur J Pediatr, 1986 Apr, 145(1-2), 60 - 2 Listeria monocytogenes neonatal meningitis in The Netherlands; Mulder CJ et al.; As part of a collaborative study of the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis, the bacteriological data and some clinical features concerning neonates with Listeria monocytogenes meningitis were analysed for the period 1976-1982 . In this group of 12 patients the case mortality rate was 17% . Seventeen per cent of the children weighed less than 2500 g at birth . Sixty-seven % of the cases occurred in the absence of any known risk factor . Listeria monocytogenes type IV B was isolated in 75% of the cases. Immun Infekt, 1986 Apr, 14(2), 76 - 80 {Pathogenicity of Listeria}; Knorz W et al.; 20 different Listeria strains which hitherto have been all classed with the same serovar 3 of L . monocytogenes because of common surface markers, differ markedly in respect to their pathogenic capacities . Some strains are virulent, because they are able to multiply within a normal, adult mouse . Others show only weak virulence, since they survive within the host for several days . Multiplication, however, does not occur . Still other strains are rapidly eliminated and thus avirulent . These characteristics are still more pronounced in the compromised host . The avirulent strains are even not able to multiply in mice deprived of macrophage function, in T-lymphocyte-deficient mice or in newborn mice . These avirulent strains have to be classified into the new species of L . innuocua because of biochemical markers, whereby the absence of hemolysin production is crucial . Whereas priming of protective immunity is only possible by strains of high and intermediate virulence of L . monocytogenes, boosting of pre-existing immunity could also be achieved by the avirulent strain of L . innocua. Am J Vet Res, 1986 Apr, 47(4), 856 - 9 Enhanced resistance to listeriosis induced in mice by preinoculation treatment with T-2 mycotoxin; Corrier DE et al.; The effect of T-2 toxin on cell-mediated resistance to bacterial infection was evaluated in mice challenge exposed with Listeria monocytogenes . Mice were treated orally on days -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, +1, and +3 with 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, or 0 mg of T-2 toxin/kg of body weight and were exposed to 10(6) (LD100) or 10(5) (LD50) L monocytogenes by intraperitoneal injection on day 0 . Necrosis and depletion of lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen, decrease in thymus weight, reductions in the number of circulating total leukocytes and lymphocytes, and necrotizing gastroenteritis occurred in the toxin-treated mice . Although the cytotoxic effect of T-2 toxin on lymphoid tissue was marked, enhanced resistance to Listeria infection was revealed by significant (P less than 0.01) decreases in mortality caused by listeriosis in the toxin-treated mice . Mortality decreased from 100% to 64% in the mice exposed to 10(6) Listeria and from 50% to 20% in the mice exposed to 10(5) Listeria . Percentage of mortality after Listeria challenge exposure was dependent on the T-2 toxin dose and was progressively decreased in the mice given 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg of toxin/kg. Immunology, 1986 Apr, 57(4), 505 - 13 Monoclonal antibody analysis of Listeria monocytogenes-induced cytotoxic lymphocytes; Chen-Woan M et al.; An immunizing infection with Listeria monocytogenes provides a potent stimulus for the formation of prekiller lymphocytes . Their cytolytic potential is revealed when the cells are restimulated in vitro by Listeria antigens . Listeria monocytogenes-induced cytotoxic lymphocytes and the prekiller cells from which they are derived were characterized in respect to their surface antigenic markers . Using monoclonal antibodies, B-cell depleted lymphocytes from the thoracic duct of Listeria immune rats were fractionated into subsets by a combination of panning and sorting techniques . Listeria monocytogenes-induced cytotoxic lymphocytes and their prekiller cell precursors were demonstrated to have the phenotype W3/25-, OX8+, OX4+, W3/13+ (high density), OX19+ (low density), RT6.1- . The OX8+, RT6.1- subset, which contained prekiller cells, constituted approximately 6% of lymph-borne T cells . The data indicate that these microbial antigen-induced cytotoxic lymphocytes belong to a minor subset of peripheral T cells whose surface antigenic properties distinguish them from natural killer cells. J Immunol, 1986 Mar 15, 136(6), 2195 - 201 Specific binding sites for muramyl peptides on murine macrophages; Silverman DH et al.; Two radiolabeled (125I) muramyl peptide derivatives of high specific activity were prepared: a tripeptide with an iodinated C-terminal tyrosine methyl ester (Ligand I), and a muramyl tripeptide with a C-terminal lysine derivatized with Bolton-Hunter reagent (Ligand II) . These were used to characterize binding of muramyl peptides to monolayers of murine macrophages . Saturable high-affinity binding to resident, caseinate-elicited, and Listeria-activated peritoneal cells was observed with both radioligands . Binding affinities varied with the state of activation of the macrophages, and KD values ranged from 48 +/- 33 pM (for resident macrophages, Ligand I) to 1020 +/- 90 pM (for activated macrophages, Ligand II) . Specific binding sites were also found on a macrophage-derived cell line . The ability of several unlabeled muramyl peptides to compete with Ligands I and II for their binding sites was tested . Competition was stereospecific and correlated with known biological activities of these compounds (i.e., immunoadjuvanticity, pyrogenicity, and somnogenicity) . The sites identified here for Ligands I and II may mediate some of the effects that muramyl peptides have previously been demonstrated to have on macrophages. Arch Intern Med, 1986 Mar, 146(3), 520 - 4 An outbreak of type 4b Listeria monocytogenes infection involving patients from eight Boston hospitals; Ho JL et al.; During September and October 1979, 23 patients admitted to hospitals in the Boston area had systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection . Twenty (87%) of these isolates were L monocytogenes type 4b, whereas only nine (33%) of the isolates serotyped during the preceding 26 months had been 4b . Patients with type 4b Listeria infection during the epidemic period (case patients) differed from patients with sporadic Listeria infection in the preceding two years in that more of the case patients had hospital-acquired infection (15/20 vs 4/18), had received antacids or cimetidine before the onset of listeriosis (12/20 vs 3/18), and had gastrointestinal tract symptoms that began at the same time as fever (17/20 vs 4/18) . In addition, more case patients took antacids or cimetidine compared with patients matched for age, sex, and date of hospitalization (12/20 vs 10/40) . Three foods were preferred by case patients more frequently than by control patients: tuna fish, chicken salad, and cheese . However, the only common feature appeared to be the serving of these foods with raw celery, tomatoes, and lettuce . The raw vegetables may have been contaminated with Listeria, which was able to survive ingestion because of gastric acid neutralization and subsequently to cause enteritis, bacteremia, and meningitis in susceptible hosts . However, we cannot exclude pasteurized milk as a source of this outbreak. Pediatrie, 1986 Mar, 41(2), 169 - 73 {Principles for choosing the antibiotic in neonatology}; Borderon JC; After having decided to treat a neonate with antibiotics, two important topics are knowledge of its nature and surveillance of treatment . Infections of mother origin remain sensitive to the association ampicillin-aminoglycoside, except if the mother had received ampicillin . Nosocomial infections are due to more resistant agents; the nature of antibiotics to treat them depends upon local immunological status . It is necessary to associate an aminoglycoside to ampicillin against E . coli; this association permits a faster bactericidal effect than ampicillin alone, therefore seems better in the beginning of treatment . New antibiotics have improved our therapeutic possibilities; however it is obvious that new cephalosporins are inactive against Listeria . Antimicrobial therapy must be adapted both qualitatively and quantitatively, to obtain a treatment with low toxicity and good efficiency. Immunobiology, 1986 Mar, 171(1-2), 67 - 76 Macrophage Ia expression in athymic nude versus neonatally thymectomized mice; Koga T et al.; The requirement of the thymus for the production of Ia-inducing lymphokine was studied in athymic nude, neonatally thymectomized (NTx), and sham-operated (Sham) mice . The peritoneal macrophages from NTx mice immunized with viable Listeria monocytogenes 14 days previously contained as high a proportion of Ia-bearing macrophages as those from Sham mice, while those from athymic nude mice contained only a small proportion . Intraperitoneal injection of a culture supernatant derived from immune spleen cells of NTx mice induced Ia-rich exudates in recipient normal mice just as well as did a corresponding supernatant from cells of Sham mice, but that from cells of athymic nude did not . The production of Ia-inducing lymphokine in culture supernatants of immune spleen cells from both NTx and Sham mice was abolished by pretreatment of cells with anti-Thy-1.2 antibody plus complement . These results suggest that a T cell subset responsible for the production of Ia-inducing lymphokine requires the presence of the thymus for just a short period in the ontogenic development. Vet Rec, 1986 Mar 1, 118(9), 240 - 2 Rapid quantitative assessment of the distribution of Listeria in silage implicated in a suspected outbreak of listeriosis in calves; Fenlon DR; A silage clamp was sampled for the presence of Listeria species . Even though covered by a heavy duty black plastic sheet the top few centimetres of silage were heavily contaminated with Listeria species . In the areas nearest the edges of the sheet the pathogenic species Listeria monocytogenes was found in numbers in excess of 12,000 organisms/g silage . Using the methods of isolation described, pathogenic species of Listeria could be differentiated from non-pathogenic species in three to four days. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1986 Feb 22, 116(8), 248 - 51 {Acute purulent Listeria seelingeri meningitis in an immunocompetent adult}; Rocourt J et al.; Within the genus Listeria, the species L . monocytogenes most frequently causes disease in animals and humans . L . Seeligeri, a species recently described, has been considered experimentally nonpathogenic so far . The authors report the first case of human infection in a previously healthy adult presenting with acute purulent meningitis due to L . seeligeri . The patient recovered promptly after a course of ampicillin and gentamicin, but developed severe neurological sequelae (epilepsy, hydrocephalus) one year after the acute episode . The pathogenic properties of this isolate were investigated in two experimental animal models and the results were as follows . The clinical isolate of L . seeligeri was able to colonize the spleens of adult mice without bacterial multiplication, in contrast to the type strain of L . seeligeri (no colonization) and to a L . monocytogenes strain (colonization and multiplication) . Previous infection of adult mice with the clinical L . seeligeri isolate protected moderately against spleen colonization and bacterial multiplication after challenge with L . monocytogenes . No lethal effect was observed after inoculation of suckling mice with the clinical L . seeligeri isolate, in contrast to L . monocytogenes strains . Thus, L . seeligeri, previously described as experimentally nonpathogenic for mice, may in fact be a heterogeneous species regarding its pathogenicity, and include strains that may cause life-threatening diseases in humans. Cell Immunol, 1986 Feb, 97(2), 446 - 53 Macrophage suppression by a low-molecular-weight fraction of murine spleen cell culture supernatant; Abbott GG et al.; Macrophage suppression has been reported to be mediated by a component of murine serum . The present investigation involves in vitro production of this macrophage modulator (suppressor) by concanavalin A-stimulated murine spleen cells . Spleen cell culture supernatant containing this suppressor, which has been called macrophage suppressor factor (MSF), caused a significant decrease in in vitro phagocytosis of Listeria monocytogenes by resident murine peritoneal macrophages . The molecular weight of MSF was determined by ultrafiltration to be less than 10,000, and the suppressor activity of MSF was not altered by heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min or storage at -70 degrees C for 6 months . MSF is resistant to treatment with Pronase E, but is, however, sensitive to acid hydrolysis . Activity of MSF in spleen cell culture supernatants from normal mice does not differ from that in supernatants from mice immunized with L . monocytogenes . It was determined that MSF is not affected by antigenic stimulation and is apparently produced constitutively. Cell Immunol, 1986 Feb, 97(2), 227 - 37 Colony-forming cells and colony-stimulating activity during listeriosis in genetically resistant or susceptible mice; Young AM et al.; Serum colony-forming activity (CSA) and colony-forming cells (CFC) of resistant (C57BL/10 ScSn) and susceptible (BALB/cJ) mice were studied during Listeria monocytogenes infection . Key findings were also checked in susceptible CBA/H mice . Prompt, bacterial dose-dependent increases in serum CSA were observed in all mice following infection . In response to the same challenge dose, serum CSA increased more in susceptible mice, possibly because rapid bacterial proliferation lead to high bacterial numbers . Thus CSA is not a limiting factor which accounts for the differences in Listeria resistance, but is produced in response to bacterial load . In uninfected mice, there were higher numbers of colony-forming cells in the bone marrow and spleen of resistant mice than in susceptible mice . By 24 hr postinfection there was a sharp drop in total cell numbers including CFC, in the bone marrow of resistant C57BL/10 ScSn mice . This coincides with the time when monocytes have been first observed in the blood of infected mice and when differences in bacterial growth between the mouse strains were first observable . Since the superior resistance of C57BL/10 mice has been shown to be radiosensitive, it is probable that this larger, readily mobilized reserve of monocyte/granulocyte precursors in the resistant mice plays an important role in early control of infection . The significance of this is discussed. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 289 - 93 In vitro and in vivo studies of imipenem-cilastatin alone and in combination with gentamicin against Listeria monocytogenes; Kim KS; Imipenem was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo activities alone and in combination with gentamicin against a clinical isolate of Listeria monocytogenes, and the results were compared with the activities of ampicillin with and without gentamicin . In vitro, the MBC of imipenem was fourfold less than that of ampicillin . Checkerboard determinations of the MBCs exhibited a synergistic response for imipenem-gentamicin but an indifferent response for ampicillin-gentamicin . In vivo studies with experimental bacteremia and meningitis due to L . monocytogenes in newborn rats revealed that both imipenem-cilastatin and ampicillin at a dose of 50 mg/kg produced excellent bactericidal titers in serum . Overall mortality rates were not significantly different among four groups of animals receiving imipenem-cilastatin, imipenem-cilastatin-gentamicin, ampicillin or ampicillin-gentamicin . However, imipenem-cilastatin alone or in combination with gentamicin was significantly less effective than ampicillin-gentamicin, as judged by the rapidity of clearance of bacteria from blood, liver, and spleen . These findings suggest that imipenem-cilastatin and imipenem-cilastatin-gentamicin may not be suitable alternatives for the treatment of listeriosis. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1986 Feb, 99(2), 315 - 27 Structural studies on teichoic acids in cell walls of several serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes; Uchikawa K et al.; Structural studies were carried out on the teichoic acids in cell walls of Listeria monocytogenes serotypes 3a, 4b, 4f, 6, and 7 . The structure of the dephosphorylated repeating units, obtained by treatment with 46% hydrogen fluoride or alkaline hydrolysis, was examined by methylation analysis, acetolysis, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy . The results of Smith degradation of the teichoic acids and 13C-NMR spectroscopy led to the following most likely structures of the repeating units of the teichoic acids:----1-{N-acetylglucosaminyl(alpha 1----4)}ribitol-5-phosphate----for serotype 3a,----4-{galactosyl(alpha 1----6)}{glucosyl(beta 1----3)}N -acetylglucosaminyl(beta 1----2)ribitol-5-phosphate----for serotype 4b,----4-{galactosyl(alpha 1----6)}{N -acetylglucosaminyl(alpha 1----3)}N-acetylglucosaminyl(beta 1----2)ribitol -5-phosphate----for serotype 4f,----4-N-acetylglucosaminyl(beta 1----4)ribitol -5-phosphate----for serotype 6, and----1-ribitol-5-phosphate----for serotype 7 . About 40% of the repeating units of the teichoic acid from serotype 4f were not substituted at C-3 of beta-N-acetylglucosaminyl residues. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 Feb, 51(2), 438 - 40 Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from raw milk; Hayes PS et al.; During a recent outbreak of listeriosis, we examined 121 raw milk samples and 14 milk socks (filters) . Listeria monocytogenes was recovered from 15 (12%) of 121 milk specimens and 2 (14%) of 14 milk socks . The optimal processing method consisted of cold enriching diluted milk for 1 month with culture to selective broth, followed by plating. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1986 Feb, 133(2), 238 - 44 Opsonic receptor function is reduced on the surface of newborn alveolar macrophages; Kradin RL et al.; Neonates have an increased susceptibility to infections . Because optimal phagocytosis of offending organisms by alveolar macrophages (AM) requires recognition and attachment of opsonized organisms to the AM cell membrane, the expression of opsonic receptors on the surface of newborn and adult rat AM was investigated using immunologic techniques, cell culture, and flow cytometry . We investigated the expression of Fc, C3b, fibronectin, and lectin receptors on newborn (1 to 5 wk) AM and compared them with those of adult AM . The expression of Fc receptors (FcR) was significantly less on the surface of newborn AM, particularly during the first week of life, as determined by their binding of aggregated IgG, E(IgG), and opsonized 125I-Listeria monocytogenes . A similar depressed receptor function was observed for C3b, fibronectin, and some lectins . The possible effect of cell size on receptor expression was examined by morphometry and flow cytometry . The results indicated that, while mean AM size was approximately 12% smaller during the first week of life, it attained adult levels by the second week . Thus, a difference in size did not account for either the magnitude of decreased receptor expression or the diminished intensity of staining for surface-aggregated IgG that was detectable for up to 5 wk . Binding of a variety of lectins to the AM surface was decreased during the first week after birth, but approximated adult levels by 4 wk . By contrast, soybean and peanut agglutinin, lectins that bind to D-GaINAC moieties, showed a transient increase in binding to AM during the second and third weeks of life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Arkh Patol, 1986, 48(1), 65 - 9 {Neuroseptic form of listeriosis in a 19-year-old man}; Preobrazhenskaia TM; Information on the spread of listeriosis, enzymatic and immunological properties of the genus Listeria are given . Morphology and clinical course of the neuro-septic form of listeriosis in a man of 19, is described . The disease developed rapidly and resulted in the patient's death due to destructive encephalitis in the region of paraventricular parts of the brain and cerebellum destruction . Acute monocytic (histiocytic) granulomas are found in the internal organs. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique, 1986, 34(3), 191 - 5 {Epidemiologic study of human listeriosis in France, 1984}; Goulet V et al.; To estimate the incidence rate of listeriosis in France during one year, a census of all the isolates of Listeria monocytogenes was made in 1984 by the microbiologists of 78% of the French hospitals . 630 cases of listeriosis were registered giving a yearly incidence rate of 11.3 cases for 1 million inhabitants . 353 cases (56%) were perinatal listeriosis (positive cultures for L . monocytogenes from the mother, the child or the placenta) . Compared with earlier data, listeriosis seems to be more frequent in France now than ten years ago . A higher incidence rate in and around the Ile de France region and a seasonal increase in October were observed in 1984. Vet Med Nauki, 1986, 23(6), 19 - 25 {Clinical picture and pathomorphology of acute coenuriasis in sheep}; Angelov AK et al.; Clinical and morphological investigations were carried out in the case of two enzootics of coenurosis in weaned lambs . The disease was established in two flocks of 180 and 160 animals, respectively . Outbreaks were recorded two weeks after they were put on premises where dogs untreated for worms had been kept . Instable gait and incoordinated movements of the head and limbs were observed along with circling movements of the body, loss of herd instinct, and lay ill for a long time . Morphologically, hyperemia was seen in the meninges, hemispheres, cerebellum, and the basal portions of the brain, with swelling of the tissue, numerous oncospheres, and purulent and necrotic foci . Histopathologically, there were in the acute stages great numbers of parasite passages with detritus mass, hemorrhages, purulent-and-necrotic meningoencephalitis, and higher counts of neutrophile and eosinophile granulocytes . Besides, in the subacute cases there were histiocytes and lymphoid and gigantic alien cells . Differential diagnosis should take into consideration listeriosis, cerebrocortical necrosis, estrosis monesiosis, and enterotoxemia. Tierarztl Prax, 1986, 14(3), 325 - 31 {Rabies in cattle}; Stadtfeld H et al.; Diagnostic results of the post mortem examinations of the brains of 99 rabies-suspected--but actually not infected--cattle are reported . In 19 cases listeria encephalitis was stated . Furthermore non-purulent encephalitis 9 X, including 1 X malignant catarrhal fever of cattle and 2 X mucosal disease; purulent encephalitis 1 X; corticocerebral necrosis 1 X and arterial sclerosis 1 X were diagnosed . 68 cases proved to be no cerebral disease . By means of the presented diagnostic results and literature, peculiarities of rabies in cattle are discussed in view of differential diagnosis, and practical hints are given. AIDS Res, 1986 Summer, 2(3), 231 - 4 Listeria monocytogenes: a rare cause of opportunistic infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a new cause of meningitis in AIDS . A case report; Gould IA et al.; A forty-two year-old male homosexual with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed Listeria monocytogenes septicemia and meningitis . The gastrointestinal tract was the likely portal of entry . The patient was treated with intravenous ampicillin with complete and permanent resolution of his listerial infection . Although L . monocytogenes infection has been reported as an uncommon complications of AIDS, we are unaware of Listeria meningitis being previously reported in an AIDS patient . It is hoped that this case report will alert health care workers to the possibility of Listeria infection in AIDS patients, particularly since this infection responds well to readily-available antibiotic therapy . The microbiology, epidemiology, clinical, and neurologic aspects of listerial infection and general aspects of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are discussed. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1986, 65(2), 108 - 11 {Isolation of Listeria from the water of the Po River}; Luppi A et al.; Bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria were isolated from samples of water of the river Po, using the following methods: enrichment: 1000 ml of water were filtered through 0.45 micron membrane filters, which were in turn immersed in a tube containing 50 ml of tryptose phosphate broth and subsequently incubated at 4 degrees C up to 60 days . isolation: 1 ml from the above enrichment was subcultured fortnightly in 9 ml of nutrient broth supplemented with potassium thiocyanate (3.75% w/v) and nalidixic acid (100 mg/l) . After a 48 h incubation at 37 degrees C, a loopful of this culture, diluted 1:10 with saline, was streaked on to a tryptose agar plate, which was then incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h . Colonies showing a blue-green iridescence when observed with oblique transillumination were submitted to the usual identification tests . Organisms which proved to belong to the genus Listeria were sent to the Centre of Bacterial Ecology of the Pasteur Institute (Paris) and, in some cases, to the Institute of Hygiene, University of Wurzburg, GFR, for further characterization (species, phagovar, serovar) . This technique allowed us to isolate Listeria strains from 11 out of 50 water samples (22%) . The organisms were distributed among the following species: L . monocytogenes (1 strain), L . innocua (7 strains), L . seeligeri (2 strains), L . welshimeri (1 strain) . In spite of the limited number of isolates, the great variety of species identified has to be pointed out . Furthermore, one strain belonged to L . welshimeri, a new species which is, to our knowledge, rarely found in Europe, while it seems more common in U.S.A. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1986, 15(3), 305 - 13 {Listeriosis in obstetrical environment . Report on 10-year experience in a maternity hospital in Paris}; Tessier F et al.; Thirty six cases of listeriosis were seen in the hospital between 1975 and 1984 . Ten aborted before the 28th week of pregnancy while 26 passed the 28th week of pregnancy . The incidence was about 1 per 1,000 deliveries . The bacteriological diagnosis depends on isolating the germ either from blood cultures or from multiple swabs from the child at birth, or from liquor amnii or from the placenta . The clinical events that occur in pregnancy were analysed in order to trace out the evolution of maternal listeriosis better and to work out from it a good preventive therapeutic approach . Twenty one out of the 26 women found in the month preceding delivery lassitude, often accompanied by a febrile illness which suggested a primary infection with the listeria . The blood cultures from four of them showed L . monocytogenes and treating these ladies with antibiotics enabled the pregnancy to go to term . Thirteen of the infants that were affected developed favourably but 8 died . Four of these died in utero and two (twins) died after being born healthy . The seriousness of the illness in the fetus seems to have a direct relationship to the time between the primary infection and the delivery . Blood cultures make it possible to diagnose the condition at the first sign of infection whatever the clinical features of the case are. J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(1), 59 - 73 Low molecular weight immunosuppressive factors found in elevated amounts in cancer ascitic fluids of mice . 2 . 1-Methyladenosine isolated from cancer ascitic fluids enhances Listeria infection in mice; Takano S et al.; The low molecular weight fraction (mol wt less than 1,000) of Ehrlich cancer ascitic fluid has been known to enhance Listeria infection in mice . Chemical characterization of the entities in this fraction revealed four purine and pyrimidine analogues, i.e . uric acid, uracil, pseudouridine and 1-methyladenosine (m1Ado) . When the effect of each of these components was studied on Listeria infection in mice, only m1Ado markedly enhanced the infection and killed the mice within a short period . The optimal enhancement was obtained when m1Ado was given intravenously to mice 3-6 days before the infection at a concentration of between 1 and 100 micrograms/mouse . On the other hand, uric acid, uracil and pseudouridine failed to show such an enhancing effect . m1Ado inhibited macrophage accumulation in the peritoneal cavity of mice after an intraperitoneal injection of phytohemagglutinin . Although m1Ado did not show any inhibitory effect on the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of macrophages in vitro, peritoneal macrophages obtained from mice which received m1Ado 3 days ahead revealed impaired bactericidal activity, suggesting the migration of different cell populations from the bone marrow of m1Ado-receiving mice . The results may suggest that m1Ado is a major factor in tumor ascites causing, in small doses, an impairment of macrophage functioning as can be detected in tumor-bearing hosts. Dev Biol Stand, 1986, 58 ( Pt A), 379 - 87 Enhancement of immunostimulating and immunotherapeutic effect of BCG vaccines using listerial endotoxin-like substances; Mara M et al.; On the basis of experience with the immunomodulating effect of the endotoxin-like component of Listeria monocytogenes, designated factor Ei, the time parameters concerning the onset and duration of hypersensitivity induced by listeriae, mycobacteria and their components were compared . Their differences, just like different mechanism of their effect, following their simultaneous and repeated administration, furnish means of significantly enhancing the anti-tuberculosis and anti-tumor effect of strong BCG vaccines in animal experiments . This enhancement of effect makes it possible to lower the number of BCG doses otherwise required to produce the same or similar results. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(5-6), 489 - 97 Immunomodulatory effect of Listeria monocytogenes infection . III . Expression of Fc receptor and antibody-mediated cytotoxicity in infected mice; Goscicka T et al.; The level of cells expressing Fc receptor and their ability to antibody mediated cytotoxicity was determined in this study . The adherent cells fraction isolated from blood leukocytes, splenocytes and peritoneal cells of Listeria monocytogenes infected Balb/c mice were rosetted with Ab-SRBC or SRBC . Moreover, blood leukocytes, splenocytes and peritoneal cells were incubated with Ab-51Cr SRBC and 51Cr SRBC as target cells and their cytotoxic activity was assessed by the per cent of specific 51Cr release . The results indicate that in the Listeria infected organisms the level of cells rosetting with Ab-SRBC is greatly increased particularly in peritoneal cells between the 3rd and 7th day of infection i.e . in the period of intensive production of macrophages . Only peritoneal cells exhibit the antibody dependent cytotoxicity . However, the intensity of this cytotoxicity does not correlate with the level of cells expressing Fc receptor. Clin Exp Immunol, 1986 Jan, 63(1), 118 - 26 Effects of suramin on the in vivo antimicrobial resistance against Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) in mice; Brandely M et al.; Following one intraperitoneal injection of Suramin (400 mg/kg) in mice, biphasic alterations of the resistance to Listeria monocytogenes were observed, depending on the timing of the drug administration in relation to the intravenous challenge . Treatment with suramin, concomitantly or 1 day before, enhanced markedly the bacterial growth in spleen and liver, detected as early as 3 to 6 h after the challenge, the maximum being observed at 48 h in the liver . In contrast, an increased resistance was observed when suramin was given 8 days before the challenge . This late effect was associated with a stimulation of the mononuclear phagocyte system as measured by the increase of the spleen index and accumulation of histiocytic cells in the lymphoid organs, such as peripheral nodes . Intraperitoneal inoculation of suramin (100 mg/kg), before, during and after an intravenous injection of low dose (2 X 10(4)/mouse) of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) in C57BL/6 and CH3 mice were followed, in both strains, by a similar increase of the mycobacterial growth in spleen and liver during the first 2 weeks . This indicates that suramin was acting on a different non specific mechanism of resistance than the one being expressed by the Bcg gene controlling the natural resistance as described recently . However, when the same schedule of suramin treatment was given to these two strains, during subcutaneous immunization with 1 X 10(7) viable BCG, a significant decrease of 48 h delayed-type hypersensitivity to tuberculin was noted 21 days later only in C57BL/6 but not in C3H mice, in which such a reaction was also of low magnitude in the infected control . The decrease of this cell-mediated immunity parameter in C57BL/6 suramin treated mice was also correlated with a higher number of viable BCG found at the challenge site and in the draining nodes. J Pediatr, 1986 Jan, 108(1), 1 - 12 Immunologic basis for increased susceptibility of the neonate to infection; Wilson CB; Neonatal infection with the GBS occurs in a small fraction of exposed infants who lack specific antibody . Diminished influx of PMNs to sites of infection as a result of abnormalities in chemotaxis, bone marrow exhaustion, and to a lesser degree relative complement deficiency and decreased microbicidal activity of PMNs may be additional predisposing factors . Infection with HSV occurs more often in infants born to mothers with primary rather than secondary infection; the lack of passively acquired antibody in such infants is a possible but unproved susceptibility factor . The failure of neonates to control HSV may also be related to decreased production of or response to interferon or to decreased activity of nonimmune and immune cellular cytotoxic mechanisms . Similarly, infection with Toxoplasma and intracellular bacterial pathogens, such as Listeria, may be more severe because of the decreased generation of lymphokines and interleukins, which attract macrophages to the site of infection and enable them to kill these organisms . Much of this analysis based on in vitro and animal studies summarizes current information in a rapidly changing field rather than stating established fact . The precise age at which most of the immune functions discussed reach maturity is unknown . However, the risk of severe infection with these pathogens appears to wane by 2 to 3 months of age . Although this may partly reflect decreased exposure, we might hypothesize that immune functions that are mature by this age are those most critical for protection . Future studies focusing on changes in immune function during the first months of life may provide useful insights into the immunobiology of these diseases and direct attention to the most fruitful areas for immunologic intervention. Rev Argent Microbiol, 1986, 18(1), 21 - 7 {Obtaining dicloxacillin-resistant mutants in Listeria monocytogenes}; Mollerach ME et al.; We obtained ten Dicloxacillin resistant mutants from Listeria monocytogenes ATCC: 15313 (29-CCM-A: 454) . None of the mutants could be differentiated from the parental strain (except for their increased resistance) neither using conventional biochemical assays nor by analysis of the electrophoretic pattern of their detergent-soluble proteins (Figure 1) . The wild type strain and some of these mutants were tolerant for Dicloxacillin and/or Penicillin G, but no rigorous correlation with each decrease in their susceptibility was observed (Table 1) . Morphological studies showed that some of the resistant strains (growing at subinhibitory concentrations of Dicloxacillin) presented differences, including the formation of helical structures (Figures 2-5). Pol Arch Weter, 1986, 26(1-2), 149 - 61 {Causes of lamb losses with special reference to listeriosis on a large-scale farm}; Dobrowolski W; Epizootiological studies on lamb losses on a large scale farm (4.5 thousand mothers) were carried out . The results of the studies denied the direct effect of maize silage on the genesis of enzootia of listeriosis . The earlier reports were confirmed, i.e . that the direct cause of enzootia of listeriosis is the weakening of an animal organism due to other microbiological, zoohigienical, nutritional factors (e.g . not proper content of mineral compounds) . Maize silage has a destructive effect on the health of lambs as well as other fodders with unsuitable biochemical composition . The results of the studies were prepared in Basic language using Hellwig's method "Determination of the maximum capacity of data carrier", to enable the automation of statistical data . Verification of the above mentioned method was done on the basis of the results of the studies performed on a sheep farm . Essential influence of the content of magnesium and iron as well as statistically known interdependencies between the indices studied were revealed and confirmed . "Listing" of the programme; data and result printout, to be used widely, was enclosed. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(5-6), 479 - 88 Immunomodulatory effect of Listeria monocytogenes infection . II . Natural cell cytotoxicity in infected mice; Goscicka T et al.; The natural cell cytotoxicity of blood leukocytes, splenocytes and peritoneal cells derived from Balb/c mice being on day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 of listeriosis to allogeneic fibroblast L 929 was examined . The intensity of cytotoxic reaction was assessed by the per cent of specific 51Cr release from target cells . To check if this reaction correlates with the level of monocyte-macrophage lineage cells present in the effector cells of if it depends on the development of delayed type hypersensitivity to Listeria antigen, Balb/c mice were infected with Listeria monocytogenes and simultaneously treated with ATS . It was found that Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice enhanced the natural cell cytotoxicity of tested effectors cells, particularly of peritoneal cells in animals being on the 5th-7th day of listeriosis . The treatment of mice with ATS which is known to inhibit the development of delayed type hypersensitivity to Listeria antigen, completely suppressed the stimulatory effect of this infection on the natural cell cytotoxicity to allogeneic fibroblasts . This finding suggests that the enhancement of natural cytotoxic activity of tested effector cells results from the action of activated macrophages cooperating with Listeria sensitized T lymphocytes. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(5-6), 471 - 8 Immunomodulatory effect of Listeria monocytogenes infection . I . Allotransplantation reaction in infected mice; Goscicka T et al.; The rejection reaction of skin graft in Listeria monocytogenes infected mice was examined in the allogeneic system: recipient Balb/c mice (haplotype H-2d) and donor G3H mice (haplotype H-2k) . It was observed that this reaction was significantly potentiated when skin allograft was transplanted in the period of the highest monocytosis and the strongest delayed type hypersensitivity to Listeria monocytogenes antigen in the infected recipients . This finding suggests that the allotransplantation reaction in Listeria monocytogenes infected organism may be intensified by the activated monocyte-macrophage lineage cells cooperating with the lymphocytes sensitized to Listeria antigen. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1986, 34(1), 65 - 72 Stimulation of the mouse monocytes by Listeria monocytogenes; Dlugonska H; The bacteria of Wellshimer's strain L . monocytogenes and their extract (LMA) showed in vitro the mitogenic activity which was demonstrated by increased proliferation of normal bone marrow cells and blood monocytes of the mouse strains resistant (C57Bl/6) and susceptible (DBA/2) to listeriosis . In the same experimental conditions the proliferation of spleen macrophages and resident peritoneal macrophages was not influenced . Besides, C57Bl/6 bone marrow cells, activated by live or killed L . monocytogenes, produced some growth factor for secondary bone marrow cell cultures. Ann Rech Vet, 1986, 17(1), 37 - 42 Vaccination against Listeria infection in mice with a mutant strain of reduced virulence; Fensterbank R; Killed Listeria monocytogenes (L.m.) or living Listeria innocua, being unable to afford noticeable immunity against L.m . challenge in mice, the efficacy of a living strain of L.m . of reduced virulence was studied . This strain was obtained from a field strain of low virulence by successive mutations for streptomycin dependence, reversion to independence and resistance to erythromycin . Its protective immunity was checked in mice against IV, SC and intra-gastric challenges . Vaccinated mice were protected against a IV challenge, lethal for controls, and they were rid of infection in a much shorter time than controls after SC or intra-gastric challenges . They were also protected against abortion when the challenge was done by SC, but not by IV route . The level of immunity was shown to be dose-dependent . Appearing very early after vaccination, immunity remained stable for at least four months, then decreased slowly afterwards, but could be restored and even enhanced by a recall . The protection was equally effective against L.m . serovars 1 or 4 challenges. Ann Rech Vet, 1986, 17(1), 29 - 36 Selection and characterization of a Listeria monocytogenes vaccinal strain of reduced virulence for mice; Fensterbank R; In an attempt to reproduce resistance to Listeria monocytogenes induced by primo-infection, a vaccinal strain of low virulence capable of affording a good immunity was looked for . After a double mutation in regard to streptomycin, i.e . dependence then reversion to independence, nine strains were obtained from a Listeria monocytogenes field strain of low virulence . In addition, five of these reverse strains were made resistant to erythromycin . Measure of virulence of the resulting 14 strains was performed on mice by spleen counts three days after subcutaneous inoculation of 10(5) bacteria . A general decrease of virulence after the mutations was observed . Immunogenicity was estimated by spleen counts, three days after a challenge with parent strain on mice vaccinated one month previously with 10(6) organisms of each strain . A strain, resistant to erythromycin, was selected as potential vaccine, as having good immunogenicity, sufficiently reduced virulence, good growth ability and evident marker . This strain was shown resistant to 16 micrograms/ml of streptomycin and to 1000 micrograms/ml of erythromycin when respective values for parent strain were 4 micrograms/ml and 0.25 microgram/ml . Its metabolic activity in regard to glucids did not differ from that of parent strain but requirements in aminoacids increased at each step of the mutations leading from parent to selected strain . These characters were recognized as stable after two independent series of 10 passages on mice. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1986, 175(5), 271 - 80 Chronic zinc deficiency and listeriosis in rats: acquired cellular resistance and response to vaccination; Carlomagno MA et al.; The functional significance of zinc deficiency on primary and secondary host responses to infection with a facultative intracellular pathogen was studied in specific pathogen free rats . Groups of female rats fed either a low zinc or normal diet for 8 or 10 weeks were infected with Listeria monocytogenes five days prior to sacrifice . Zinc-deficient rats demonstrated thymic atrophy, reduced delayed hypersensitivity responses to listeria antigen, and impaired lymphocyte response of spleen cells to phytohemagglutinin, but not to Concanavalin A . Separate groups of zinc-deficient or control rats were vaccinated with viable L . monocytogenes 10 days prior to respiratory challenge . Vaccination resulted in successful control of bacteria in both dietary groups. J Toxicol Environ Health, 1986, 19(2), 279 - 98 Effect of ammonium metavanadate on the murine immune response; Cohen MD et al.; Female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to ammonium metavanadate (NH4VO3) by intraperitoneal injection every 3 d at 2.5, 5.0, or 10 mg V/kg for 3, 6, or 9 w and were then assayed for alterations in immunoresponsiveness . Resistance to Escherichia coli endotoxin lethality increased in a dose-dependent manner up to 6 w of exposure, while resistance to viable gram-positive Listeria lethality was depressed in a dose-dependent manner . Comparison of LD20 values indicated a 250-fold decrease in resistance to Listeria at the lowest vanadium exposure and a 40% increase in resistance to endotoxin after the highest vanadium exposure . Peritoneal macrophage phagocytic capacities were decreased in a dose-dependent manner, but viabilities remained unaffected . Rosetting capacity of splenic lymphocytes was increased following vanadium exposure . Liver and splenic enlargement was observed, and examination of splenic tissue indicated enhanced formation of megakaryocytes and red blood cell precursors . Subchronic exposure to vanadium may thus disrupt the normal function of the immune system. Acta Microbiol Hung, 1986, 33(1), 19 - 26 Alteration of phage- and biotypes of Listeria strains; Ralovich B et al.; Ethyl-methyl-sulphonate mutants of Listeria monocytogenes might be different from the parent strain in phage type and in splitting of lactose, maltose, melezitose, sucrose and trehalose . Differences were observed in repeated control studies in phage type and carbohydrate-decomposition of 550 Listeria strains isolated from a variety of sources (patients, healthy and dead animals) . It has been concluded that certain carbohydrate tests are unsuitable for distinguishing biotypes of Listeria . An improvement of the evaluation of phage typing results is recommended. Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(2), 165 - 76 Impairment of T cell-mediated immunity to Listeria monocytogenes in pregnant mice; Sano M et al.; In order to study pregnancy-induced changes in cell-mediated immunity to Listeria monocytogenes, acquired resistance and T cell functions in pregnant mice were compared with those in nonpregnant mice after immunization with viable listerial cells . Impaired generation of acquired resistance was evident in pregnant mice from the impaired elimination of bacteria and poor survival after secondary challenge . Delayed footpad reactivity to listerial antigen was also lower in the pregnant mice . When immune spleen cells were examined for their ability to produce macrophage activating factor in vitro, culture supernatants from pregnant-mouse spleen cells with listerial antigen showed far less ability to render macrophages cytostatic for P815 mastocytoma cells . To elucidate further the impairment of listeria-immune T cell generation in pregnant mice, a local transfer experiment was carried out . When a given number of immune spleen cells was transferred locally into the footpads of naive mice, both delayed footpad reaction and local protection were much lower in the pregnant mice . This local transferability of the reactions was abrogated after treatment of cells with anti-Thy 1 antibody plus complement . These findings indicate that pregnancy impairs the generation of specific T cells capable of contributing to acquired resistance to L . monocytogenes . Possible mechanisms for this impairment and the relationship to macrophage functions are discussed. Int J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(2), 189 - 98 Immunosuppression following 7,12-dimethylbenz{a}anthracene exposure in B6C3F1 mice--II . Altered cell-mediated immunity and tumor resistance; Dean JH et al.; We have previously demonstrated that the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo{a}pyrene (B{a}P) and 7,12-dimethylbenz{a}anthracene (DMBA) produce a marked decrease in spleen weight, spleen and bone marrow cellularity and the number of IgM plaque forming cells generated in response to a T-dependent antigen . Exposure to DMBA, but not B{a}P, increased susceptibility to challenge with PYB6 tumor cells and Listeria monocytogenes suggesting that DMBA produces immune impairment involving cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and tumor resistance mechanisms . In this study, female B6C3F1 mice received total doses of 5, 50 and 100 micrograms DMBA/g of body weight in ten subcutaneous injections of 0.5, 5, or 10 micrograms/g over a 2 week period and CMI and tumoricidal functions were examined 3-5 days following the final injection of DMBA . DMBA exposed mice exhibited suppressed splenic cellularity (decreased 62%) and decreased numbers of resident peritoneal cells (down to 47% of control), although the proportion of T cell and T cell subsets, B cells and macrophages in spleens from exposed mice was not altered . Lymphocyte blastogenesis in response to mitogens was suppressed up to 49% with PHA, 48% with Con A and 76% with LPS . The response to alloantigens in unidirectional mixed lymphocyte culture was depressed as much as 73% following exposure to DMBA . Tumor cytolysis mediated by cytotoxic T cells (CTL) was impaired at doses of 50 and 100 micrograms DMBA/g body weight (88-95% suppressed respectively) as was natural killer cell (NK)-mediated tumor cytolysis (24% and 55% suppressed) . Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity was significantly depressed in the highest exposure group . Peritoneal macrophage accumulation was decreased in DMBA-treated mice, but the macrophages present were pushed towards activation . The ability of DMBA-exposed mice to eliminate intravenously injected B16F10 tumor cells from the lungs was not impaired . Since NK- and M phi-mediated tumor cytotoxicity are thought to be primarily responsible for pulmonary elimination of B16F10 melanoma cells, the extent of NK suppression observed following DMBA exposure appeared to be insufficient to alter in vivo B16F10 pulmonary elimination . In contrast, the loss of the CTL tumoricidal response correlated with an increased frequency of tumors following challenge with PYB6 tumor cells. Infect Immun, 1986 Jan, 51(1), 314 - 9 Production of listeriolysin by beta-hemolytic strains of Listeria monocytogenes; Parrisius J et al.; Listeriolysin was isolated from target rabbit erythrocyte membranes after lysis of the cells with partially purified toxin derived from a culture supernatant of Listeria ivanovii . The membrane form of the toxin exhibited properties similar to those previously found for streptolysin O . Detergent-solubilized, delipidated listeriolysin was found to comprise a heterogeneous population of partially and fully circularized, amphiphilic oligomers whose embedment within the lipid bilayer generated large transmembrane pores . The molecular weight of the toxin monomer was estimated to be 55,000 to 60,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Immunological cross-reactions between the toxin and streptolysin O were demonstrable by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting . An immunoblot assay for detecting listeriolysin in agar-incorporated, lysed erythrocyte membranes was developed, and 28 defined, clinical isolates of Listeria monocytogenes were examined for toxin production . These isolates caused beta-hemolysis on the agar plates and had previously been regarded as listeriolysin producers . However, we found that only two isolates produced genuine listeriolysin, since the sensitive immunoblot assay entirely failed to detect the toxin in all other cases . We excluded that this finding derived from proteolytic degradation of membrane-bound toxin . Thus, the great majority of human pathogenic Listeria strains appear to produce one or several hemolysins that are immunologically and, by inference, molecularly distinct from the streptolysin O-related listeriolysin . We propose that the streptolysin O-related toxin be designated alpha-listeriolysin and that the other hemolysin(s) be termed beta-listeriolysin. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1986, 52(1), 75 - 84 Dissociation between enhanced resistance and delayed hypersensitivity induced with subcellular preparations from Listeria monocytogenes and the adjuvant dimethyl-dioctadecyl-ammonium bromide; Antonissen AC et al.; In this study we investigated the relation between enhanced resistance and delayed hypersensitivity (DH) induced with subcellular preparations from Listeria monocytogenes and the adjuvant dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) . Ribosomal RNA as well as cell envelope fragments (fraction I) protected mice against lethal Listeria infection . However, only fraction I induced DH against killed Listeria . For the induction of protection with fraction I or RNA as well as for the induction of DH with fraction I, preparations had to be administered in combination with DDA . Fraction I elicited a DH response in mice immunized with viable Listeria, but RNA did not . These observations pointed to a dissociation between DH and enhanced resistance induced with RNA, and to a dissociation between fraction I and RNA with respect to their ability to induce or elicit DH . Also DH and enhanced resistance induced with fraction I could be dissociated . Intracutaneous administration of fraction I induced high levels of DH without concomitant induction of protection against lethal challenge with Listeria . On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of fraction I fully protected mice against lethal infection, but only induced a moderate DH response . DH induced with fraction I was largely specific, whereas enhance resistance induced with this preparation was nonspecific . Finally, proteinase K-sensitive proteins were found to be essential for the induction of DH but not for the induction of protection with fraction I. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1985 Dec, 181(6), 563 - 5 The occurrence of different Listeria species in municipal waste water; Geuenich HH et al.; 214 Listeria strains were isolated from purified municipal waste water . The differentiation was performed taking into account the newly described species within the genus Listeria, 92.5 per cent of isolated Listeria strains belonged to L . monocytogenes, 4.2 per cent to L . innocua, and 3.3 per cent to L . seeligeri. Immunology, 1985 Dec, 56(4), 707 - 16 Resistance to listeriosis in two lines of mice genetically selected for high and low antibody production; Berche PA; Infection by the intracellular parasite Listeria monocytogenes was studied in two inbred lines of mice genetically selected for high and low antibody production against xenogeneic red blood cells . It was revealed that, during the early non-specific phase of infection, bacterial growth in tissues was significantly enhanced in high responder (HR) mice, as opposed to low responder (LR) mice . This is interpreted as the in vivo expression of a genetic impairment of the bactericidal activity of resident macrophages in this line of mice . After Day 2 of infection, the kinetics of bacterial growth in the spleen and the liver was almost identical in the two lines, indicating that mice from both lines generated efficient anti-Listeria immunity . This was confirmed by the fact that no interline difference could be detected in the expression of T-cell mediated immunity, as estimated by the production of protective T cells and delayed sensitivity T cells, and by the level of immunological memory . The genetic impairment in the bactericidal activity of resident macrophages resulted in a significant increase of anti-Listeria antibody production in HR mice and did not prevent T-dependent activation of effector macrophages mobilized in infectious sites . This explains that the overall resistance to listeriosis was similar in LR and HR mice, as shown by the LD50 values respectively estimated as 2.2 X 10(5) and 3.8 X 10(5) bacteria per mouse . This natural resistance was expressed at the same level as that of C57BL/6 mice. Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Dec, 62(3), 491 - 8 Effects of cyclosporin A on experimental infection with Listeria monocytogenes; Strauss R et al.; The effects of cyclosporin A on primary and secondary infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes was studied both at the microbiological and the histomorphological level . This drug, when given in a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, was found to inhibit the development of protective immunity after primary infection as well as the expression of acquired immunity to challenge infection as determined by counting of bacterial numbers in the spleen . The manifestation of delayed type hypersensitivity was also impaired . When the cellular immune system was functionally intact, the formation of granulomas composed of macrophages and lymphocytes enabled the animals to overcome the Listeria infection . In mice treated with cyclosporin A protective granulomatous reaction during secondary infection did not occur . Instead numerous necropurulent lesions developed in the reticuloendothelial organs, such as spleen and liver, of animals unable to control the lethal infection. J Immunol, 1985 Dec, 135(6), 3735 - 43 Immune complex effects on murine macrophages . I . Immune complexes suppress interferon-gamma induction of Ia expression; Virgin HW 4th et al.; We have studied the effects of immune complexes on the expression of macrophage surface proteins in vitro . Increased expression of the H-2 molecules I-A, I-E, and K on the macrophage membrane was induced by in vitro culture with crude lymphokine or interferon-gamma . Expression of all three of the molecules was additionally increased by stimulating the cultures with heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes . Addition of soluble immune complexes to the cultures did not have any effect on macrophage expression of these proteins . However, significant inhibition of lymphokine or interferon-gamma induction of I-A, I-E, and H-2K was observed when macrophages were cultured on plates to which immune complexes had been bound . This inhibition was dose dependent, required an immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule with an intact Fc portion, did not require the presence of T cells, and occurred in the presence of indomethacin . Complexes containing IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgE, but not IgM or IgA, antibodies mediated the inhibitory effect. Infect Immun, 1985 Dec, 50(3), 877 - 80 Induction of alpha/beta interferon and gamma interferon in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes during pregnancy; Nakane A et al.; Alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) was induced in the bloodstream of mice 48 h after intravenous infection with Listeria monocytogenes, whereas IFN-gamma was induced in the bloodstream 6 h after stimulation with specific antigen on day 5 of infection in virgin mice . In contrast, no IFN-alpha/beta or IFN-gamma was produced in the bloodstream of pregnant mice after L . monocytogenes infection . However, unusual acid-labile IFN-alpha/beta instead of IFN-gamma was produced in some of the pregnant mice in response to specific antigen . The bacterial growth in the organs of pregnant mice in the early stage of infection was normal, but resulted in the delay of T-cell-dependent elimination of bacteria from the organs of pregnant animals in the late stage, and numerous bacteria were detected in both the placenta and the fetus . The significance of the IFN system induced by L . monocytogenes infection in pregnant mice is discussed. J Immunol, 1985 Dec, 135(6), 3744 - 9 Immune complex effects on murine macrophages . II . Immune complex effects on activated macrophages cytotoxicity, membrane IL 1, and antigen presentation; Virgin HW 4th et al.; We investigated the effects of immune complexes on macrophage functions in vitro . Immune complexes inhibit lymphokine induction of both I-Ak expression and cytotoxic activity by fetal calf serum elicited macrophages during long-term (7 days) culture . In addition, induction of antigen presentation was significantly inhibited by immune complexes . Expression of membrane interleukin 1 (IL-1) (a membrane-bound bound form of the T cell mitogen required for antigen presentation by fixed cells) was minimally inhibited by immune complexes . Therefore, inhibition of antigen presentation was primarily due to effects on Ia expression rather than membrane IL 1 expression . The inhibitory effect of immune complexes was not found during short-term culture (4 to 48 hr) when activated macrophages (bearing high levels of Ia) from mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes were examined . Immune complexes maintained or even increased levels of both I-Ak and cytotoxicity in activated macrophages . The implications of these findings for immune complex modulation of the immune response are discussed. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Dec, 260(4), 423 - 7 {Morphology of new Listeria phages}; Ortel S et al.; Seventeen Listeria phages have isometric heads and long, noncontractile tails . Twelve of them belong to three already known phage species . Five phages represent a new species, named H387. Pediatrie, 1985 Dec, 40(8), 659 - 63 {Neonatal listeriosis and postnatal contamination . A new case}; Velin P et al.; Four cases of neonatal listeriosis issued from the same maternity during the period of ten days are reported in this paper . Three newborns suffered from a delayed listeriosis meningitic form with complete recovery . The fourth newborn suffered from early septicemic form and died . This is a new observation of post-natal cross infection with listeria monocytogenes in the same maternity . The reported cases remain rare up to now, although this is a classic notion. Arch Intern Med, 1985 Nov, 145(11), 1982 - 5 Fatal nonmeningitic Listeria rhombencephalitis . Report of two cases; Brun-Buisson CJ et al.; Two cases of rapidly fatal Listeria rhombencephalitis with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings occurred in previously healthy adults . The infection presented with nausea and headache followed by fever and signs of lower cranial nerve dysfunction, without associated meningismus, and progressed to death within four and six days of hospitalization . Because of normal CSF findings (including ventricular fluid in one patient) and negative culture results of both blood and CSF, the diagnosis was not suspected . Listeriosis should be considered early in any febrile patient presenting with signs of brain-stem dysfunction, even if CSF findings are normal. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Nov, 82(21), 7404 - 8 Requirement of endogenous interferon-gamma production for resolution of Listeria monocytogenes infection; Buchmeier NA et al.; Peritoneal exudate cells and splenic cells of mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes show increased production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) after antigen or mitogen stimulation . When an IFN-gamma-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used, increased production was first observed 2 days after infection in peritoneal cells and 4 to 6 days after infection in splenic cells . The increased production of IFN-gamma correlated with the clearance of Listeria from the peritoneal cavity and spleen . Macrophages derived from mice at these times were activated as evidenced by expression of nonspecific tumoricidal activity against 111In-labeled P815 mastocytoma cells . Injection of neutralizing monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma into 1-day-infected mice completely inhibited the generation of activated macrophages . Normal hamster IgG had no effect . In vivo, the monoclonal antibody also abrogated clearance of bacteria from the spleen and peritoneal cavity . Six days after injection of a sublethal dose of Listeria, the peritoneal cavity of control mice treated with normal hamster IgG was devoid of bacteria and the spleen contained less than 10(3) colony-forming units . However, mice treated with anti-IFN-gamma carried more than 8 X 10(6) colony-forming units in either anatomical site at day 6 and exhibited a higher mortality rate . These results indicate that IFN-gamma production is required for the in vivo generation of activated macrophages and the clearance of bacteria during Listeria infection. Infect Immun, 1985 Nov, 50(2), 425 - 30 Phagocytes from flora-defined and germfree athymic nude mice do not demonstrate enhanced antibacterial activity; Czuprynski CJ et al.; In this study we directly compared the in vitro antibacterial activities of resident and inflammatory phagocytes obtained from athymic (nu/nu) and euthymic (nu/+) mice . Resident peritoneal macrophages obtained from flora-defined nu/nu and nu/+ mice both demonstrated little ability to restrict the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in vitro . Inflammatory peritoneal neutrophils and macrophages obtained from flora-defined nu/nu and nu/+ mice did not differ in their ability to kill L . monocytogenes in vitro . Likewise, inflammatory peritoneal neutrophils obtained from germfree nu/nu and nu/+ mice killed equivalent numbers of listeria . In marked contrast, however, inflammatory macrophages obtained from germfree nu/nu and nu/+ mice demonstrated very limited antilisteria activity in vitro . The reduced antilisteria activity of macrophages from germfree nu/nu and nu/+ mice was associated neither with reduced phagocytosis of L . monocytogenes nor with an inability to generate an oxidative response . Unlike those of previous reports, these data suggest that resident and inflammatory phagocytes obtained from athymic mice that were maintained under conditions such that they were not subjected to underlying infections are not constitutively activated for enhanced antibacterial activity . Furthermore, these data suggest that stimulation of macrophages by products of the bacterial flora is required for the expression of macrophage antibacterial activity. Infect Immun, 1985 Nov, 50(2), 343 - 53 Suppression of immune response to Listeria monocytogenes: mechanism(s) of immune complex suppression; Virgin HW 4th et al.; We have investigated possible mechanisms underlying immune complex suppression of resistance to Listeria monocytogenes . Inhibition of resistance was found when immune complexes were formed in vivo in immune mice or in nonimmune mice adoptively transferred with specific antibody . Suppression was also found when nonimmune mice were injected with immune complexes preformed in vitro . We investigated the role of complement by decomplementing mice with cobra venom factor purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography . Complete depletion of serum C3 did not eliminate immune complex suppression of resistance to L . monocytogenes, suggesting that complement activation is not required for immune complex suppression . Infection-induced changes in the surface phenotype and functional properties of macrophages from normal and immune complex-suppressed mice were also investigated . Macrophage expression of both H-2K and Ia molecules increased during the response of normal mice to L . monocytogenes . However, these changes were not found in immune complex-suppressed mice . In contrast, membrane interleukin 1 expression was increased in macrophages from suppressed mice compared with macrophages from normal mice . Macrophages from L . monocytogenes-infected normal and immune complex-suppressed mice expressed cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro . We conclude that immune complexes do not inhibit resistance to L . monocytogenes by activation of complement or decreasing macrophage cytotoxic activity . Rather, defects in Ia expression by macrophages from suppressed mice might be one component responsible for immune complex suppression of resistance to L . monocytogenes. J Immunol, 1985 Nov, 135(5), 3479 - 86 Effect of aging on antimicrobial immunity: old mice display a normal capacity for generating protective T cells and immunologic memory in response to infection with Listeria monocytogenes; Lovik M et al.; Old (19 to 30 mo) and young adult (11 to 16 wk) AB6F1 mice of both sexes were compared in terms of their capacity to resist infection with Listeria monocytogenes . The LD50 was found to be two to four times higher for old than for young mice, and the time to death was longer for old mice . Enumeration of bacteria in the livers and spleens showed that old mice restricted growth of Listeria more effectively than young mice during the preimmune phase of infection, the difference being detectable as early as 12 to 24 hr after bacterial inoculation . Therefore, to ensure a similar level of infection in old and young mice, old mice had to be given a larger inoculum . Indeed, it was found that, provided the size of the bacterial inoculum was adjusted to make the level of immunizing infection the same, old mice generated similar levels of anti-Listeria immunity as young mice, as measured by their ability to generate splenic T cells capable of adoptively immunizing young recipients against lethal challenge infection . Furthermore, the level of memory immunity to reinfection 28 to 117 days after immunizing infection was similar in old and young mice . The results indicate, therefore, that old mice have no defect in their capacity to generate T cell-mediated anti-Listeria immunity. Cell Immunol, 1985 Nov, 96(1), 113 - 25 Induction by immunomodulatory agents of a macrophage antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 158.2 and correlation with macrophage function; Koestler TP et al.; MA158.2, a rat monoclonal antibody with binding specificity for cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage, reacts with an antigen (158.2) whose expression is enhanced on mononuclear cells activated to the tumoricidal phenotype by treatment with lymphokine supernatant containing macrophage activating factor (MAF) . The functional relevance of enhanced expression of this antigen has been examined in mouse peritoneal macrophages treated with a variety of immunomodulatory agents and assayed for augmented macrophage-mediated defense reactions, including O-2 production, microbicidal, and tumoricidal activity . An interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) preparation produced by recombinant DNA technology induced a dose-dependent increase in expression of the 158.2 antigen in inflammatory macrophages which was accompanied by acquisition of microbicidal activity against Listeria monocytogenes . However, these cells did not express tumoricidal activity and induction of this property required concomitant exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Similar results were obtained using macrophages elicited with pyran copolymer . Exposure to LPS alone induced enhanced expression of antigen 158.2 but did not elicit microbicidal activity . Macrophages challenged with IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, MDP, and bestatin did not exhibit increased 158.2 and also failed to acquire tumoricidal activity when treated concomitantly with LPS . Collectively, these data indicate that the MA 158.2 antibody recognizes an antigen expressed by macrophage populations displaying the so-called primed phenotype in which microbicidal activity is expressed but in which induction of tumoricidal activity requires the addition of a second signal such as LPS. Cell Immunol, 1985 Nov, 96(1), 210 - 22 Listeria monocytogenes infection in Biozzi mouse lines with high or low antibody responses, or with high (Hi/PHA) or low (Lo/PHA) responses to phytohemagglutinin; LaGrange PH et al.; Dependent and independent variables influencing natural and acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes in Biozzi mouse lines, genetically selected for their antibody responses, were analyzed . Variations in interline (IL) difference were shown to depend upon the inoculum dose, age, and sex of the mice used . Further, when IL differences were measured using the growth curves of L . monocytogenes, it appeared that LL mice were more resistant than HL mice, while the opposite was observed when IL differences were appreciated using the mortality rate . Attempts to analyze such apparently contradictory results showed that the predominant mechanism in LL mice was a higher natural bactericidal capacity of resident macrophages, which might be compensated for in HL mice by a higher ability to recruit blood-borne monocytes during the secondary, nonspecific phase of resistance, being reinforced and associated with a higher DTH reaction to L . monocytogenes antigen . A similar, higher antilisterial resistance was also observed in other Biozzi lines, genetically selected for their high in vitro CMI response to PHA as compared with the Lo/PHA line. J Infect Dis, 1985 Nov, 152(5), 1057 - 63 Antigen recognition by effector T cells in antileishmanial defense; Sypek JP et al.; We have observed that T cells (Ly1+2-) from draining lymph nodes of mice that have footpad infections with Leishmania major activate macrophages for antileishmanial effects in vitro in an apparently contact-dependent, noncytotoxic manner . The nature of antigenic specificity in this system was investigated . Whereas lymphocytes sensitized to L . major induced antileishmanial effects in macrophages infected with L . major, lymphocytes sensitized to Listeria monocytogenes were ineffective . When macrophages infected with L . major were primed with listerial antigens, however, the lymphocytes sensitized to Listeria induced antiparasitic effects in an apparently lymphokine-independent manner . Furthermore, lymphocytes sensitized to one Leishmania spp . activated macrophages for in vitro defense against both homologous and heterologous Leishmania spp . These findings suggest that antigen recognition in macrophage activation for antileishmanial defense is critical and is restricted to the initial interaction of effector lymphocytes and macrophages . Recognition of genus-conserved antigens apparently can serve to trigger effector T cells to activate antileishmanial defense in macrophages. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Oct, 260(2), 221 - 31 {Biochemical characterization of species in the genus Listeria}; Rocourt J et al.; Seventy Listeria strains, including L . monocytogenes (30 strains), L . ivanovii (9), L . innocua (11), L . welshimeri (6), L . seeligeri (10), L . grayi (2) and L . murrayi (2) were subjected to biochemical characterization . The biochemical tests selected comprised: Api 50CH, Api 20E and Api Zym strips, hydrolysis of DNA and tween 20, 40, 60, 80, egg yolk agar reaction, growth in the presence of 7,5 and 10% NaCl, growth at 42 degrees C and 45 degrees C, and susceptibility to antibiotics and trypaflavin . No further marker in addition to previously described ones, allowing to distinguish L . monocytogenes, L . ivanovii, L . innocua, L . welshimeri and L . seeligeri could be detected . L . grayi and L . murrayi differed from the other Listeria species by gluconate fermentation, lack of phosphoamidase and acid phosphatase and susceptibility to trypaflavin. Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Oct, 62(1), 31 - 8 Cellular immune response to Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) in genetically-susceptible and resistant congenic mouse strains; Bourassa D et al.; Congenic Bcgr (C.D2, resistant) and Bcgs (BALB/c, susceptible) mice were infected intravenously with Mycobacterium bovis (BCG, strain Montreal) in order to establish the relationship between different indicators of the cell-mediated immune response and the bacterial load attained in the host . There was a correlation between the bacterial burden and the splenomegaly response, granuloma formation in the liver and cross-protection against an heterologous pathogen (Listeria monocytogenes) in Bcgr and Bcgs mice . No relationship was found between bacterial load or granuloma formation and the development of specific acquired protection against an homologous organism (BCG or M . tuberculosis, H37Rv) as assessed by the level of resistance attained in BCG-primed mice challenged with virulent H37Rv or by the adoptive immunity conferred by BCG-primed spleen cells transferred to naive irradiated recipients challenged with BCG. Infect Immun, 1985 Oct, 50(1), 91 - 6 Influence of estrogen on host resistance: increased susceptibility of mice to Listeria monocytogenes correlates with depressed production of interleukin 2; Pung OJ et al.; Mice given pharmacological levels of the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol demonstrated a marked increase in susceptibility to infection with Listeria monocytogenes . Experiments were performed in an effort to determine the mechanism(s) by which estrogen treatment increases the susceptibility of mice to L . monocytogenes infection . Estrogen exposure depressed the in vivo proliferative response of splenic lymphocytes to L . monocytogenes, which correlated with the decreased in vitro response of these cells to phytohemagglutinin . Interleukin 2 (IL 2) production by splenic lymphocytes from estrogen-treated mice was decreased, although these cells were capable of proliferating normally in response to exogenous IL 2 . Interleukin 1 production by peritoneal macrophages was not depressed by estrogen exposure . The number of bacteria observed in the spleens of estrogen-exposed mice challenged with L . monocytogenes was reduced by IL 2 administration . Thus, estrogens may decrease host resistance to L . monocytogenes by inhibiting IL 2 production and the subsequent proliferation of antigen-sensitized T lymphocytes required for recovery. J Immunol, 1985 Oct, 135(4), 2754 - 61 Immunosuppressive effects of benzidine in mice: evidence of alterations in arachidonic acid metabolism; Luster MI et al.; Benzidine (4,4'-diaminobiphenyl), a known human bladder carcinogen used in the synthesis of dyes, was immunosuppressive in mice after subchronic exposure . Suppression, particularly of cell-mediated immunity, occurred at dose levels previously found to be subtumorigenic in mice, as evidenced by suppressed lymphoproliferative and delayed hypersensitivity responses . In addition, benzidine exposure was found to decrease host resistance, including resistance to the growth of transplantable tumor cells and infection with Listeria . These data suggest that the development of neoplastic disease may be facilitated by the ability of benzidine to alter the immune response . The mechanism(s) responsible for immunosuppression by benzidine, however, is probably not the same as that responsible for its direct carcinogenicity . The addition of benzidine in vitro to mitogen-activated lymphocytes mimicked the suppression of lymphocyte responsiveness in vivo . In vitro studies suggested that alterations in metabolites of the arachidonic acid/lipoxygenase pathway were responsible for the immune alterations . Benzidine and the lipoxygenase inhibitor NDGA inhibited arachidonic acid metabolism and the mitogen response in lymphocytes, whereas the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin was ineffective . Addition of 8brcGMP partially restored benzidine-suppressed responses, whereas arachidonic acid potentiated the suppression . These data are consistent with the hypothesis that alterations in lymphocyte functions may occur as a result of quantitative changes or depletion of conversion products in the arachidonate/lipoxygenase pathway induced by the addition of compounds that serve as co-oxidative substrates for hydroperoxidases, the prototype being benzidine. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1985 Sep 30, 80(3), 502 - 10 Modulation of the immune response to Listeria monocytogenes by benzene inhalation; Rosenthal GJ et al.; Benzene is a potent bone marrow toxicant . While all blood cell types are targets for benzene poisoning, lymphocytes are particularly sensitive . The immunotoxic consequences of benzene or its metabolites have been demonstrated in a number of in vitro studies; however, little data exist regarding the effects of benzene on host resistance to infectious agents . This investigation examined the effects of benzene on murine resistance to an infectious agent, Listeria monocytogenes . Four concentrations of benzene were employed, 10, 30, 100, and 300 ppm . To determine recovery from the effects of benzene, two exposure regimens were employed: 5 days prior to infection (preexposure), or 5 days prior to and 7 days during infection (continuous exposure) . Appropriate air controls were maintained . Splenic bacterial counts and immune responsive cell populations were determined from mice killed at Days 1, 4, and 7 of infection . Preexposure to benzene produced increased bacterial numbers at Day 4 of the infection only at the highest benzene concentration (300 ppm) . In contrast, continuous exposure produced increased bacterial numbers at Day 4 of infection at all but the lowest benzene concentration (10 ppm) . Bacteria counts were not increased in any benzene-treated group at Day 1 or Day 7 of infection . The increased bacterial numbers at Day 4 suggest an effect on cell-mediated immune responses . Both T and B lymphocytes were particularly sensitive to benzene exhibiting reductions at all concentrations greater than or equal to 30 ppm for both exposure regimens . Esterase-positive cells, however, were relatively resistant to benzenes effects . The results point to a benzene-induced delay in the immune response to L . monocytogenes. Am J Med, 1985 Sep, 79(3), 397 - 400 Listeriosis in patients with long-term hemodialysis and transfusional iron overload; Mossey RT et al.; Over a four-year interval, four cases of Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia were observed among a population of 127 patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis . None had an underlying malignancy or were recently receiving immunosuppressive medications . A search for a predisposing factor suggested a relationship to transfusional iron overload . Although still a rare infection, the possibility of listeriosis must be kept in mind by physicians caring for patients undergoing hemodialysis, particularly those requiring blood transfusions. Am J Dis Child, 1985 Sep, 139(9), 903 - 5 Transmission of neonatal listeriosis in a delivery room; Nelson KE et al.; Two cases of neonatal listeriosis occurred in a hospital within a two-week period . Both infants were infected with the same organism, Listeria monocytogenes, type 1a, bacteriophage type 6 (lysotype 1652) . Both infants were born in the same delivery room, 17 hours apart . The index patient became septic shortly after birth and died after 48 hours despite antibiotic therapy . The mother of the index patient was febrile and had chorioamnionitis . The second infant became ill with meningitis at 13 days of age . Neither infants nor mothers were attended by the same medical or nursing staff nor were they in the same labor or postpartum areas or nurseries . However, both infants were resuscitated in the same delivery room after birth by means of laryngoscope, suction catheter, and emergency resuscitation (Ambu) bag . Although it was hospital policy to clean and sterilize resuscitation equipment after use, the equipment had only been wiped with alcohol between patients in this instance, since sterile replacement equipment was not available during the early-morning hours when the index birth occurred . Therefore, we believe the contaminated resuscitation equipment was the source of infection in the second infant . This episode emphasizes the importance of appropriate disinfection of respiratory resuscitation equipment to prevent nosocomial infection due to L monocytogenes, an unusual but important pathogen in neonates. Infect Immun, 1985 Sep, 49(3), 685 - 91 An in vitro system to study listericidal capacity of macrophages from separate mice: resident macrophages exhibit different activation patterns; Ottendorfer D et al.; An in vitro system with macrophages from individual mice was established to study their listericidal capacity . Because no antibiotics were used, bacterial killing was really due to macrophages in short-term culture . To restrict the extracellular growth of bacteria, cell culture medium was changed at 1-h intervals . We demonstrated that intracellular growth of listeria in macrophage pools from untreated animals varies considerably . Obviously, preactivated macrophages are constantly present, so that the common procedure of using macrophage pools from several animals is no longer acceptable . In addition, we demonstrated that in vitro mixtures of listeria-immune macrophages of one animal with cells from untreated animals at different ratios exhibit enhanced bacterial killing above a mere additive effect . Consequently, by using macrophages from individual untreated mice, we found that cells of different animals exhibited various activation stages, although unstimulated, inbred specific-pathogen-free mice of the same age, weight, and sex were used . When equal numbers of macrophages from untreated separate animals were mixed in vitro, intracellular growth of listeria was only moderate; that is, the number of preactivated macrophages of the individual animals determined listerial growth in the pooled preparation . Furthermore, we showed that identical doses of phorbol myristate acetate exerted different effects on the listericidal activities of macrophages as a function of their preactivation states . These experiments clearly demonstrate the advantage of using macrophages from individual mice for in vitro studies of macrophage activation. Obstet Gynecol, 1985 Sep, 66(3 Suppl), 52S - 53S Successful treatment of maternal septicemia due to Listeria monocytogenes at 26 weeks' gestation; Fleming AD et al.; A case of successful therapy with ampicillin of maternal septicemia due to Listeria monocytogenes at 26 weeks' gestation with resultant delivery at term of a normal neonate is reported . The ability to positively influence the outcome of hematogenously acquired maternal-fetal infection is stressed. Ann Inst Pasteur Immunol, 1985 Sep-Oct, 136D(2), 151 - 62 Vaccines against mycobacteria and other intracellular multiplying bacteria; Lagrange PH et al.; As the prototype of a vaccine against mycobacterial infection, the BCG (bacille bilie Calmette et Guerin) has been used against tuberculosis for more than 60 years . It is the only live attenuated vaccine used on humans in more than 182 countries or territories in the world, and very few changes have been made in its fabrication and distribution, except for the production of lyophilized seed-lots . However, its history is marked with controversies concerning its innocuity and efficacy . While BCG safety is no longer a matter of debate, the question of its effectiveness is still pertinent, and results in several controlled trials have shown great variability (from 0 to 80%) . The studies of different variables involved in such results have shown statistical bias, and numerous factors are involved in the highly complex interrelationships between the host, the pathogen and environmental factors . World-wide research is now being conducted under the auspices of the World Health Organisation, in order to gain further knowledge of the immunology of tuberculosis and leprosy . Such results are aimed at understanding variations in BCG efficacy and producing strategies for developing new vaccines and alternative methods for prophylaxis and diagnosis . Concerning human infections due to other facultative intracellular multiplying bacteria, there are relatively few vaccines which are able to give long-lasting and efficient protection . Some controversy remains as to the live attenuated mutant GalE S . typhi Ty21a, and there is hope for the new insoluble phenol extract from Brucella abortis, strain B19 . Further research is necessary on the others, for instance, Listeria monocytogenes, Chlamydia trachomatis and Legionella sp. J Clin Periodontol, 1985 Sep, 12(8), 697 - 704 Efficacy of Listerine antiseptic in inhibiting the development of plaque and gingivitis; Gordon JM et al.; A 9-month double-blind controlled clinical study was conducted on adult subjects using either Listerine antiseptic, its vehicle control, or a water control in order to determine the efficacy of the antiseptic mouthrinse in inhibiting the development of plaque and gingivitis . Following screening examinations for minimal entry levels of plaque and gingivitis, all subjects received a complete prophylaxis . Subjects then continued their usual oral hygiene habits for a 3-week normalization period and were examined for soft tissue abnormalities and baseline measurements of plaque, gingivitis, and tooth stain . 2 additional prophylaxes were then performed, followed by a second baseline gingival examination . Zero plaque was re-established by rubber cup polishing and twice daily rinsing was begun . Soft tissue, plaque, gingivitis, and extrinsic tooth stain were evaluated after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months of rinsing with the randomly assigned mouthrinses . Results demonstrated that Listerine antiseptic significantly reduced the development of plaque at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months and the development of gingivitis at 9 months, as compared to its vehicle control or water control. J Clin Periodontol, 1985 Sep, 12(8), 660 - 6 The effect of rinsing with Listerine antiseptic on the properties of developing dental plaque; Fine DH et al.; Plaque was collected from a group of volunteers who used either Listerine antiseptic (LA), its vehicle control (V), or a water control (C) twice daily in addition to their normal toothbrushing in a double-blind controlled clinical experiment . Following the 9-month clinical study, plaque collected from the supragingival surfaces of 20 teeth from each of 78 subjects was weighed wet, freeze dried, reweighed, resuspended, sonicated and estimated for protein . In addition, endotoxin activity was evaluated by means of the limulus lysate assay . A 52.6% reduction in wet weight was found LA versus C (p = 0.04); LA versus V showed a 55.1% reduction (p = 0.03) . A 59.0% reduction in dry weight was found LA versus C (p = 0.01); LA versus V showed a 59.6% reduction (p = 0.01) . A 59.7% reduction in plaque protein was seen LA versus C (p = 0.01); LA versus V showed a 59.2% decrease (p = 0.02) . A 75.8% reduction in limulus lysate activity was found LA versus C (p = 0.01); LA versus V showed a decrease of 77.9% (p = 0.01) . Our results demonstrate that LA has a dramatic effect on plaque toxic activity, as measured by a decrease in limulus lysate assay, as well as on its biomass. Immunology, 1985 Sep, 56(1), 33 - 42 T-cell co-operation in the mediation of acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes; Chen-Woan M et al.; Monoclonal antibodies were used to select T-cell subsets that mediate delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and acquired cellular resistance (CRI) in rats infected with Listeria monocytogenes . The mediators of DTH were identified as W3/25+ OX8- T cells . The latter comprised a subset distinct from that which could protect recipient rats against a Listeria challenge . The protective T cells had a W3/25- OX8+ phenotype . The T-cell mediators of cellular resistance to infection (TCRI) failed to augment the expression of DTH; however, the mediators of DTH (TDTH) significantly enhanced the protective capacity of TCRI . This property of TDTH correlated with the ability of the cells to promote the focal deployment of TCRI and macrophages at sites of soluble Listeria antigen injection in skin, and in peritoneal exudates induced by killed L . monocytogenes . These findings illustrate the co-operative interaction of activated T cells in acquired resistance to L . monocytogenes, and imply that DTH has a purposeful role in the host defence against infection. Infect Immun, 1985 Sep, 49(3), 841 - 3 Increased local complement levels upon intraperitoneal injection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes and regulation by polyanions; Klerx JP et al.; Alternative complement pathway activity in mouse peritoneal fluid was determined by a sensitive microtiter assay with rabbit erythrocytes as target cells and cobra venom factor as the inducer of bystander hemolysis . The intra- and interstrain variations in five mouse strains were 30% and, maximally, 64%, respectively . No activity was detected in genetically C5-deficient mice . In C5-sufficient mice, intraperitoneal injection of heat-inactivated Listeria monocytogenes resulted in a 250% increase in local complement activity within 30 min . This effect was reversed by simultaneous injection of dextran sulfate but not heparin . These results are discussed in relation to the ability of listeriae to activate the mouse alternative complement pathway in vitro and the effectiveness of dextran sulfate and the failure of heparin in functioning as an adjuvant in the induction of a protective response in mice by a heat-inactivated listeria vaccine. Exp Eye Res, 1985 Aug, 41(2), 145 - 57 Intra-ocular and CNS listeriosis following systemic infection in Wistar rats with chronic serum sickness; Peress NS et al.; The relationship of immune complex deposits and cell-mediated immunity to the occurrence of ocular and brain listeriosis following a low (0.007-0.03 LD50) intraperitoneal challenge was investigated in 68 Wistar rats with chronic experimental serum sickness and 68 normally resistant controls . The induction of chronic serum sickness involved long continued immunization with bovine serum albumin which resulted in a high level of immune complex entrapment in both the ciliary processes (92%) and choroid plexus (74%) of eye and brain . The extensive immune deposits were associated with a high (23%) incidence of CNS listeriosis and a much lower rate (5.9%) of ocular listeriosis . The difference in incidence could not be related to impaired cell-mediated immunity based on cultural data in liver and spleen . The results seem to indicate that the eye is less vulnerable to systemic listerial infection in chronic immune complex disease despite comparable immune complex entrapment in the ciliary processes and choroid plexus . The findings reflect biologically significant differences between eye and brain that influence their respective vulnerability to systemic Listeria, an opportunistic bacterium, of clinical importance in patients with chronic immunological disorders. Infect Immun, 1985 Aug, 49(2), 325 - 8 Effect of Listeria monocytogenes infection on serum levels of colony-stimulating factor and number of progenitor cells in immune and nonimmune mice; Wing EJ et al.; Studies were performed to determine changes in serum macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels and the number of macrophage progenitor cells in bone marrow and spleens of nonimmune and immune mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes . Immunity in mice was established by infecting mice 6 weeks before use with a sublethal dose of L . monocytogenes . When challenged with 10(4) L . monocytogenes organisms, immune mice had an early (12 h) peak in M-CSF serum concentrations . Levels remained elevated for 24 h but fell towards normal by 48 h . By contrast, M-CSF levels in nonimmune mice did not rise until 24 h after challenge, remained elevated for 7 days, and returned to normal by 14 days . The number of macrophage progenitor cells in the bone marrow of immune mice rose slightly during infection, whereas the number in nonimmune mice fell significantly by days 4 and 7 . Progenitor cells in spleens of immune mice more than doubled during infection; in nonimmune mice, a sixfold increase was noted . These results indicate that important parameters of monocyte production differ in immune and nonimmune mice during listeria infection and suggest a possible mechanism for differences in resistance to infection. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1985 Aug, 109(8), 735 - 8 Immediate causes of death in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Moskowitz L et al.; We evaluated the immediate causes of death in 54 adults who underwent an autopsy and were diagnosed as having died of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome between April 1980 and October 1983 . The study group included 25 Haitians, 19 homosexual men, five intravenous drug abusers, two hemophiliacs (type A), and three with no known risk . Fourteen died of central nervous system diseases: 11 of Toxoplasma encephalitis, one of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, one of viral encephalitis, and one of intracerebral hemorrhage . Thirty died of respiratory failure; 16 of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, ten of cytomegalovirus pneumonia, one of multiple infections, one of interstitial pneumonia, and two of bacterial pneumonia . Two died of overwhelming generalized infections: one of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare and one of listeriosis . Six died of disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma, while the remaining two persons died of Toxoplasma myocarditis (one) and one of shock resulting from a percutaneous liver biopsy, respectively . There were differences in the immediate causes of death between Haitians and homosexuals as follows: 63% of homosexual men died of either P carinii pneumonia or Kaposi's sarcoma vs 20% of Haitians . In contrast, 72% of Haitians died of other opportunistic infections as compared with 21% of homosexuals . There has not been an increase in the proportion of cases diagnosed premortem since 1982 and overall, only 32 (58%) were diagnosed premortem; the rest were diagnosed only at autopsy . This study provided evidence that 42% died of currently untreatable diseases. Immunology, 1985 Aug, 55(4), 609 - 19 Killed Listeria-induced suppressor T cells involved in suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity and protection against Listeria infection; Yamamoto K et al.; Pretreatment of mice by intravenous injection with killed Listeria provided neither delayed-type hypersensitivity to Listeria protoplasm nor protection against Listeria infection . Assuming that this suppression is due to suppressor cells, we attempted to clarify their induction and characterization . Pretreatment with killed BCG instead of killed Listeria suppressed the induction of DTH and protection in subsequent Listeria-immunized mice . Conversely, pretreatment with killed Listeria suppressed subsequent induction of DTH to PPD or protection from tuberculosis . Thus, these suppressions were induced antigen nonspecifically . Transfer of splenic non-adherent cells from killed Listeria-injected mice which had been treated with anti-BA theta serum plus complement, or had been passed through Sephadex G-10 columns, resulted in both afferent and efferent DTH suppression, suggesting that the DTH suppression is closely associated with suppressor T cells . Moreover, the splenic nonadherent cells from killed Listeria-injected mice showed suppression in vitro of listericidal activity of PEC from Listeria-immune mice in the presence of Listeria protoplasm. Immunology, 1985 Jul, 55(3), 511 - 8 Genetically determined resistance to listeriosis is associated with increased accumulation of inflammatory neutrophils and macrophages which have enhanced listericidal activity; Czuprynski CJ et al.; The C57BL/6 and A/J inbred strains of mice differ markedly in their resistance to the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes . One possible explanation for this genetically determined resistance is that phagocytes from Listeria-resistant strains of mice can kill L . monocytogenes more effectively than phagocytes from Listeria-susceptible strains of mice . We report here that inflammatory neutrophils and macrophages from Listeria-resistant mice (C57BL/6) exhibit a slight but significantly enhanced ability to kill L . monocytogenes in vitro as compared to inflammatory phagocytes from Listeria-susceptible mice (A/J) . More importantly, however, Listeria-resistant mice recruited more inflammatory neutrophils and macrophages to the peritoneal cavity in response to i.p . injection of heat-killed Listeria than did Listeria-susceptible mice . These data suggest that genetically determined resistance to listeriosis is dependent on the enhanced inflammatory responsiveness of Listeria-resistant mice . Further support for this hypothesis was provided by experiments in which the passive transfer to A/J mice (C5-deficient) of plasma from C57BL/6 mice (C5-sufficient) enhanced the ability of the recipient A/J mice both to recruit inflammatory neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity in response to i.p . injection of heat-killed Listeria, and to clear L . monocytogenes from the spleen after a sublethal challenge of viable Listeria. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Jul, 259(4), 489 - 97 A multi-centre study on the phage typing of Listeria monocytogenes; Rocourt J et al.; The aim of this multicenter study was to determine and to standardize methods in order to have common basis for comparing results of phage typing of Listeria monocytogenes . Using a common set of Listeria strains, a standardized method, including media, bacterial growth conditions, application of viruses and reading of lytic reactions, was established . 29 bacteriophages were selected according to their host range . This phage typing system allowed phagovar determination of 54% of the serogroup 1/2 strains and 77% of the serogroup 4 strains of L . monocytogenes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Jul, 28(1), 12 - 4 Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from 1958 to 1982 in Sweden; Larsson S et al.; Antibiotic susceptibility was studied in 175 clinical isolates of Listeria monocytogenes . There were no major changes in the susceptibility of strains between 1958 and 1982 . Benzylpenicillin and ampicillin had MICs for 90% of the strains (MIC90) of 0.5 micrograms/ml . Gentamicin also had good activity against L . monocytogenes, with an MIC90 of 1.0 microgram/ml . All the new beta-lactamase-stable cephalosporins tested had relatively poor activity against L . monocytogenes . Of the bacteriostatic antibiotics, trimethoprim had by far the lowest MIC90 (0.06 microgram/ml), and in combination with sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole), it had an MIC90 of 0.5 microgram/ml . Both erythromycin and doxycycline had low MIC90s (0.25 microgram/ml). Infect Immun, 1985 Jul, 49(1), 190 - 6 Mycobacterium lepraemurium infection of nude athymic (nu/nu) mice; Lefford MJ; Nude athymic (nu/nu) mice on a BALB/c background and their heterozygous euthymic litter mates (nu/+) were infected with either 10(8) or 10(6) Mycobacterium lepraemurium organisms intravenously or in the left hind footpad (LHF) . After LHF infection with 10(8) M . lepraemurium organisms, nu/+ mice slowly developed a response that consisted of LHF swelling and local resistance to Listeria monocytogenes . The lower inoculum induced a proportionately lower response in nu/+ mice, but the nu/nu mice developed neither LHF swelling nor resistance to L . monocytogenes in response to either dose of M . lepraemurium . Counts of M . lepraemurium in the LHF revealed no difference between the nu/+ mice and nu/nu mice . After intravenous infection the nu/+ mice developed splenomegaly, but did not otherwise differ from nu/nu mice with respect to resistance to intravenous challenge with L . monocytogenes or growth of M . lepraemurium in the spleen . In light of the poor responsiveness of nu/+ mice in this experiment, they were then compared with CB6 and B6D2 mice, which are genetically susceptible and resistant to M . lepraemurium, respectively . These mice were infected with either 10(8) or 10(6) M . lepraemurium cells or 10(6) Mycobacterium bovis BCG cells in the LHF . Once again the nu/+ mice responded poorly to M . lepraemurium, the CB6 mice responded very strongly, and the B6D2 mice gave an intermediate response with respect to LHF swelling and resistance to L . monocytogenes . However, M . lepraemurium grew to higher numbers in the LHF of nu/+ and CB6 mice than in B6D2 mice, revealing, in CB6 mice, a dissociation between resistance to L . monocytogenes and M . lepraemurium . All three mouse strains responded strongly to M . bovis BCG, but there was a suggestion that nu/+ mice might be more susceptible to this agent than the other two strains . I concluded that the failure of nu/+ mice to restrict the growth of M . lepraemurium more than nu/nu mice was due to the intrinsic genetic susceptibility of both types of mice . In effect, the nu/+ mice behaved like nu/nu mice, as if they too were deficient in T lymphocytes that were responsive to M . lepraemurium. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1985 Jun, 93(3), 111 - 6 Effect of human leukocyte and other tissue dialysates on Listeria resistance and phagocytosis in mice; Karhumaki E et al.; The effect of dialyzable transfer factor (TFd) on Listeria resistance was measured by survival studies and by assessing phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages . Unfractionated dialysates from human leukocytes (DLE), bovine liver, porcine spleen and kidney as well as saline were injected i.p . into NMRI mice 72 h before the i.p . injection of 1-3 x 10(6) Listeria organisms . The results show that DLE, porcine spleen and bovine liver dialysate increased the LD50 5-20 times . Porcine kidney dialysate had no effect on the survival of the mice . After the fractionation of porcine spleen dialysate on Sephadex G-10 column, a significant activity was found in two fractions, II and IX . When active fractions were given together (II + IX) i.p . three days prior to the infection with listeria organisms, the survival of mice increased significantly, whereas no effect was seen when the fractions were given i.v . and the bacteria i.p . Also the treatment with active fractions increased significantly the phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages . Taken together, our results suggest that the Listeria protective substances seem to operate via monocyte activation. J Exp Med, 1985 Jun 1, 161(6), 1503 - 12 Liver macrophages in murine listeriosis . Cell-mediated immunity is correlated with an influx of macrophages capable of generating reactive oxygen intermediates; Lepay DA et al.; Sublethal infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes was accompanied by an influx of immigrant macrophages into the liver and the generation of substantial H2O2 by isolated liver macrophages . H2O2 production paralleled the course of infection and, after resolution of granulomata, returned to the low levels seen in normal livers . To assess the activation status of Kupffer cells and immigrant macrophages in listeriosis, a separation protocol was developed based on the differential adherence properties of the two macrophage populations . As in the steady state, Kupffer cells in listeriosis failed to generate significant levels of H2O2 and did support the replication of internalized toxoplasmas . Immigrant macrophages produced substantial levels of H2O2 and could quantitatively account for H2O2 production by total liver macrophages . Our findings suggest distinct functions for Kupffer cells and immigrant macrophages. Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 763 - 8 Ontogeny of macrophage-mediated protection against Listeria monocytogenes; Ohara R et al.; We investigated the ontogenic development of macrophage functions which are important in the expression of host defense against infection by Listeria monocytogenes . Macrophage functions, including accumulation in response to local stimuli, chemotaxis in vitro, and intracellular killing, as well as number of macrophages, were examined by using mice 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks old . The number of peritoneal macrophages was extremely low in younger mice even when their body weights were taken into consideration . Macrophage accumulation in response to infectious stimulus with viable listeria was poor in younger mice and showed an age-dependent development . In younger groups, chemotaxis in vitro was as immature as chemotaxis in vivo . In 1- and 2-week-old mice, macrophages did not show any intracellular killing activity against L . monocytogenes, but killing was observed in mice over 3 weeks of age . These functions developed in an age-dependent manner and reached the 8-week-old adult level after the mice were 4 weeks of