Infect Immun, 1979 Jul, 25(1), 117 - 20 Induction of Listeria monocytogenes infection by the consumption of ponderosa pine needles; Adams CJ et al.; An infectious microorganism, identified as Listeria monocytogenes, has been isolated from the bloodstream of pregnant mice fed a diet containing Pinus ponderosa needles . When the isolate was injected into pregnant mice, reproductive dysfunction and other changes, including speckled livers, spleen atrophy, and hemorrhagic intestines, appeared to mimic the signs of the disease in pregnant mice fed pine needles . Moreover, these pathological changes are similar to those observed in cattle and other mammals experiencing abortions or toxemia, or both, attributed to the ingestion of P . ponderosa needles, suggesting that L . monocytogenes may be a part of the etiology of "pine needle abortion." Hum Pathol, 1979 Jul, 10(4), 469 - 72 Myocarditis with microabscess formation caused by Listeria monocytogenes associated with myocardial infarct; McCue MJ et al.; Myocardial infarction complicated by bacterial infection is rare . The present case is an instance in which the infecting organism, Listeria monocytogenes, is also rare--an instance not previously reported . The clinical findings were fever without localized infection, severe atherosclerotic heart disease, a myocardial infarct of indeterminate age, and a left ventricular aneurysm . Additional electrocardiographic findings include left bundle branch block, intraventricular conduction defect, and multiple episodes of ventricular tachycardia, all of which may be associated with myocardial infarction and none of which is specific for suppurative myocarditis . Myocardial enzyme abnormalities were absent . Listeria monocytogenes was identified from blood cultures on the day following the patient's death . This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosing suppurative myocarditis complicating myocardial infarction and the dire consequence of such infection . A review of the literature is included. Immun Infekt, 1979 Jun, 7(3), 83 - 8 {Determination of the bactericidal activity of peritoneal macrophages: a new method (author's transl)}; Linke T et al.; A new method to estimate the bactericidal activity of peritoneal macrophages is described . This method allows to calculate with great accuracy the number of phagocytised bacteria per macrophage . In serial experiments different degrees of activation of macrophages in respect to their bactericidal activity against listeria monocytogenes has been shown. Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1979 Jun, 15(2), 189 - 95 {Determination of umbilical cord blood Ig and its correlation with prenatal infections (author's transl)}; Foca A et al.; IgG, IgM and IgA were measured in 120 funicular blood samples . At the same time, these determinations were assayed in the mothers . In the serum samples of the newborn, IgA and IgM were found to have levels over 20 mg/100 ml . Antibodies against rubella virus, cytomegalus virus, Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii were measured in order to investigate a possible intrauterine infection . All Ig determinations were performed through the radial immunodiffusion method. J Infect Dis, 1979 Jun, 139(6), 641 - 52 Activation of reticuloendothelial cells following infection with murine cytomegalovirus; Schleupner CJ et al.; Macrophage and reticuloendothelial system function was investigated in adult, female C3H mice during the course of a nonlethal infection with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) . Peritoneal macrophages harvested from mice infected three to 21 days previously were tumoricidal in vitro for a syngeneic mammary tumor cell line and showed antiviral activity by suppressing replication of vaccinia virus in a fibroblast monolayer . In addition, macrophages harvested from animals on days 7 and 14 after MCMV infection manifested augmented phagocytosis of yeast particles in vitro . Furthermore, enhanced levels of chemiluminescence were emitted during phagocytosis of zymosan particles by macrophages harvested on days 3 and 7 after MCMV infection . Finally, enhanced protection against Listeria monocytogenes was demonstrated in mice on days 7, 14, and 21 after MCMV infection . These findings support the concept of activation of the reticuloendothelial system during viral infection. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Jun, 243(4), 547 - 8 A case of hematometra infected by Listeria monocytogenes; Guevara JM; A case of Listeria infection is reported of a 10 year old girl with symptoms of the first menstruation but without the discharge of blood because of the absence of the vaginal duct . The blood retained in the uterus obtained by puncture through the rectum contained Listeria monocytogenes 4b . The infection was possibly acquired from a household pet. Can J Microbiol, 1979 Jun, 25(6), 706 - 12 Immunological properties of partially purified material with monocytosis-producing activity from Listeria monocytogenes; Otokunefor TV et al.; A fraction rich in a monocytosis-producing activity (MPA) has been obtained by a two-stage chromatographic separation from a saline extract (SE) of Listeria monocytogenes . Like SE, the purified material elicits monocytosis and decreases the halftime of circulating monocytes . The purification of MPA eliminates the following found in SE: the in vitro mitogenic activity, the in vitro adjuvant activity, the immunosuppressive activity, and the granulocytosis-promoting and the lymphopenia-inducing activities. Can J Microbiol, 1979 Jun, 25(6), 698 - 705 Stimulation of monocyte precursors in vivo by an extract from Listeria monocytogenes; Shum DT et al.; A water-soluble monocytosis-producing activity (MPA) extracted from Listeria monocytogenes was found to stimulate proliferation of promonocytes in vivo . Mice were pulse-labelled for 2 h with tritiated thymidine ({3H}TdR) at various times after intraperitoneal injection of MPA . Autoradiography of bone marrow cells revealed an increased labelling index of promonocytes of MPA-treated mice which was maximum 8 h after the MPA injection . Mice labelled with {3H}TdR 8 h after MPA injection developed a monocytosis at the expected time (peak at 48 h) and the blood monocytes were found to be highly labelled . Both the generation time of monocyte precursors and the halftime of blood monocytes were found to be shorter than the corresponding values in control mice. Infect Immun, 1979 Jun, 24(3), 667 - 72 Suppressive effect of bacterial endotoxin on the expression of cell-mediated anti-Listeria immunity; Newborg MF et al.; Intravenous injection of bacterial endotoxin into mice at any time during ongoing infection with Listeria monocytogenes resulted in a markedly increased multiplication of this organism in the liver and spleen . Experiments designed to investigate the basis of this infection-enhancing effect revealed that endotoxin was also capable of inhibiting the expression of adoptive T-cell-mediated anti-Listeria immunity if given to normal recipient mice up to 48 h before they were infused with protective T-cells . On the other hand, endotoxin had only a marginal effect on the expression of adoptive immunity if given to donor mice before their spleen cells were harvested for adoptive transfer . Taken together, these results indicate that endotoxin probably interferes with the antibacterial function of macrophages rather than with mediator lymphocytes . The additional finding that the infection-enhancing action of endotoxin could be greatly reduced by making mice "tolerant" to endotoxin suggests that the acquisition of tolerance to this effect of endotoxin may be an important adaptive mechanism in acquired resistance to infection with gram-negative bacteria. J Immunol, 1979 Jun, 122(6), 2395 - 404 Macrophage-T cell interactions involving Listeria monocytogenes--role of the H-2 gene complex; Farr AG et al.; This study reports on the in vitro interactions between T cells from Listeria-immunized mice, macrophages from normal mice, and heat-killed Listeria organisms . This interaction was assayed either by determing the amount of thymocyte mitogen in culture fluids after 24 hr, or by estimating the degree of T cell proliferation after 96 hr . Each assay depended on critical concentrations of macrophages, T cells, and heat-killed Listeria, points that were evaluated in a number of experiments . Both assays required specific Listeria-immune T cells . For an effective interaction, the T cells and the macrophages had to share the I-A region of the H-2 gene complex . Macrophages bearing Ia, which represented a minor population of macrophages, were essential for the proliferative response to macrophage-associated Listeria . Also, Ia-bearing macrophages were an important component in the interactions leading to increased secretion of mitogen . The immunogenic moiety associated with Listeria was short-lived, disappearing 24 hr after uptake of Listeria by macrophages . The interactions were not blocked by anti-Listeria antibodies but were partially sensitive to trypsinization. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1979 May 31, 320, 535 - 50 Hexachlorobenzene-induced stimulation of the humoral immune response in rats; Vos JG et al.; Rats were fed diets containing 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg HCB/kg during a 3-week period . Marked weight increases of spleen, popliteal and mesenteric lymph nodes and of the liver were found . Histologically, the white pulp in the spleen was enlarged because of an increase in size of marginal zones and follicles . In addition, there was an increase of extramedullary hemopoiesis . In the lymph nodes, the number of high endothelial venules was increased at all dose levels . The number of neutrophils, basophils and monocytes in the peripheral blood was significantly increased, whereas peripheral lymphocyte counts were slightly higher . Total serum IgM levels were markedly increased, but IgG concentrations were unaltered . On the basis of this experiment, the 1000 mg HCB/kg diet level was chosen for the different function studies that were carried out after a 3-weeks dietary regimen . Regarding the humoral immunity, IgM antibodies to LPS were unaltered, whereas primary and secondary IgM and IgG antibody titers to tetanus toxoid were increased approximately three-fold . HCB did not significantly alter the cell-mediated immunity, as shown by the following parameters: resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection, rejection of skin transplants, and delayed-type hypersensitivity to tuberculin . The phagocytizing capacity of macrophages was studied by measuring the blood clearance of carbon particles . HCB did slightly depress the phagocytic index, but the difference with control animals was statistically not significant . The in vitro responsiveness of thymus cells to the mitogens PHA, Con A, and PWM was not changed by in vivo HCB-treatment . On a cell-for-cell basis, the responsiveness of spleen cells was increased when cultured in the presence of LPS . On a whole organ basis, the response to PHA, Con A, PWM, and LPS was markedly enhanced because of an increase in the number of nucleated spleen cells . Regarding peripheral lymphocytes, only the response to the mitogen Con A was higher . On the basis of these studies it is concluded that HCB stimulates the humoral immune response in the rat, enhances the in vitro responsiveness of spleen cells to the different mitogens mainly as a result of an increase in the number of splenic lymphocytes, but does not alter the cell-mediated immunity as shown with in vivo tests . This result contrasts with data in the literature that show that HCB suppresses the humoral and cell-mediated immunity in mice . Finally, HCB pretreatment only marginally increased the susceptibility of rats to endotoxin, whereas mice have been shown to be 20-fold more susceptible to the lethal effects of bacterial endotoxin. Med Clin (Barc), 1979 May 10, 72(9), 381 - 3 {Two cases of meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes (author's transl)}; Llucian Rambla M et al.; Two cases of meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a 73-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman are described . Both patients were admitted to an Emergency Department in acute state, probably caused by cerebral stroke . Neither presented clinical symptoms of meningitis . No other concomitant conditions which might weaken the patient's general state were known to be present . The first patient died after 16 hours, the second after 5 . The analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid gave the following information: Case 1: 1,500 cells, 80 percent of which were polynuclear neutrophils; Pandy's reaction was positive; albumin 1.5 g/l and glucose 0.65 g/l . Case 2: 197 cells/mm3, 90 percent of which were polynuclear neutrophils; Pandy's reaction was positive; albumin and glucose were 0.60 and 0.10 g/l respectively . Samples of the cerebrospinal fluid were cultured in various media and pure cultures of Listeria monocytogenes, subtype 4b, were isolated . The source of the infection could not be determined in either of the two cases. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique, 1979 Apr 26, 26(6), 451 - 67 {Epidemic of listeriosis in Western France (1975--1976)}; Carbonnelle B et al.; Cases of human listeriosis have recently increased in Western France (Maine-et-Loire and Mayenne); until 1974, there were only 15 documented cases yearly where as in 1975, there were 113 cases, and in 1976, 54 documented cases at the hospitals of Angers and Laval . Included amongst the clinical manifestations observed, were 126 cases of materno-fetal infections and 41 cases of either septicemia or meningo-encephalitis . The bacteriological study revealed a certain variability of biological characteristics examined, the overwhelming frequence of bacteria of the strain 4 b and the predictable sensitivity of this strain to antibiotics commonly employed in cases of listeriosis . The human cases were notably more frequent between January and June but their geographical distribution was not related to cases of either animal disease nor listeria that was isolated from corn silage . In this report, we propose an etio-pathological explanation for this epidemic. Infect Immun, 1979 Apr, 24(1), 59 - 64 Effects of BCG infection on the susceptibility of mouse macrophages to endotoxin; Peavy DL et al.; Mice infected intravenously with Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) are 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive to the lethal effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) . Since BCG infection results in macrophage activation and LPS may cause pathophysiological effects through interaction with this cell type, it was of interest to determine whether macrophages from BCG-infected animals were more susceptible to the toxic effects of LPS in vitro . When LPS-susceptible, C57BL/6 mice were infected with BCG, a significant reduction in the 50% lethal dose of LPS was first observed after 7 days and persisted for several weeks . Macrophages from these animals had greatly increased susceptibility to LPS in vitro, which correlated with the development of acquired cellular resistance as determined by their ability to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes . In contrast, BCG infection of C3H/HeJ mice, a strain resistant to LPS, did not alter the 50% lethal dose of LPS for these animals or increase the sensitivity of their peritoneal macrophages to LPS in vitro . These results indicate that susceptibility of BCG-infected mice to the lethal effects of LPS parallels the susceptibility of their macrophages in vitro; release of vasoactive substances from LPS-susceptible activated macrophages in vivo may be, in part, responsible for lethality. Can J Comp Med, 1979 Apr, 43(2), 223 - 8 Long-term culture of canine peripheral blood monocytes in vitro; Ho CK et al.; Various cultural conditions were assessed for their ability to maintain canine peripheral blood monocytes in vitro . Approximately ten days after incubation of peripheral blood leukocytes in Earle's minimum essential medium supplemented with homologous red cell lysates and normal horse serum, virtually a pure macrophage culture was obtained which could then be maintained for about two months . This culture was judged to be pure by surface marker analysis and their phagocytic activity . The number of monocytes could be increased by injecting the dogs with a chloroform extract from Listeria monocytogenes prior to collection of the blood. J Clin Lab Immunol, 1979 Apr, 2(1), 55 - 8 Augmented resistance to Listeria monocytogenes in mice at an early stage of aging; Matsumoto T et al.; Protective mechanisms against Listeria monocytogenes were studied in young (3-month-old) and old (15-month-old) mice of C3H/He strain . Cumulative mortality rates of old mice were lower than those of young mice after intravenous inoculation of the same doses of bacteria . The numbers of bacteria in the liver and spleen on days 1 and 3 were larger in young than old mice . Bacterial growth at this stage of infection is suppressed by accumulation of non-immune macrophages . On day 7, however, the numbers of bacteria in the liver were smaller in young than old mice . Bacterial elimination at this stage depends upon immune macrophages . These results suggest that the enhanced resistance to lethal effects of bacteria in old mice may be ascribed to activation of non-immune macrophages in the presence of depressed capacities to raise cell-mediated immunity. Sem Hop, 1979 Mar 8-15, 55(9-10), 506 - 10 {Listeriosis : evaluation of twenty years of inquires at Rouen (France) (author's transl)}; Morel A et al.; The laboratory of bacteriology of the CHU of Rouen has isolated in twenty years 297 strains of Listeria monocytogenes which are corresponding to 249 cases, 48 new-borns being infected by the same germ as their mother . The listeriosis frequency is increasing ; the disease is recurrent, with a periodicity of four years, but the number of the cases which are observed every year is larger than that which has been observed four years before . The disease seems to affect mainly the women ; in reality, both sexes are sensitive, but some conditions, especially the pregnancy, are favouring the disease burst . Five pregnant women per one thousand incur the risk to catch a listeriosis during their pregnancy ; for want of early diagnosis and treatment, they will not be able to carry their pregnancy through, and will generally give birth to shortly condemned children. Infect Immun, 1979 Mar, 23(3), 670 - 4 Effects of cannabinoids on host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes and herpes simplex virus; Morahan PS et al.; Previous investigations from our laboratories have demonstrated that cannabinoids possess immunosuppressive properties . The present studies were designed to determine whether these agents decrease host resistance to infections with Listeria monocytogenes and herpes simplex virus type 2 . Host resistance was measured by changes in the 50% lethal dose of the pathogen in cannabinoid-treated and control mice . The effect of cannabinoids on resistance to L . monocytogens was dose dependent . Delta-9-tetrhydrocannabinol at doses of 38, 75, and 150 mg/kg suppressed resistance to infection by 10-, 17-, and 657-fold, respectively . Marijuana extract was less active but significantly reduced resistance to L . moncytogenes at all tested doses . Resistance to systemic herpes simplex virus type 2 infection was decreased 96-fold by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, although marijuana extract was inactive . The doses and regimen of treatment with cannabinoids that produced significant decreases in host resistance were similar to those which caused suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity to sheep erythrocytes . The possible mechanisms and public health aspects of the decreased host resistance produced by marijuana extract and its cannabinoids are discussed. Infect Immun, 1979 Mar, 23(3), 633 - 43 Role of complement in the expression of delayed-type hypersensitivity in rats: studies with cobra venom factor; Jungi TW et al.; The hypothesis was tested that delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to the complement-activating bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is initiated by complement-derived mediators that attract sensitized lymphocytes to reaction sites . To this end DTH and acquired resistance to L . monocytogenes were measured in rats injected with cobra venom factor, a potent inactivator of C3 . Treatment with cobra venom factor reduced the hemolytic power of serum to less than 0.5% of the control value . Such decomplemented animals expressed both DTH and antimicrobial resistance, although expression of DTH was reduced (ca . 50%) when compared with complement-sufficient controls . The observed depression of DTH in cobra venom factor-treated rats was associated with a reduction in the number of recently activated lymphocytes (lymphoblasts) and macrophages that accumulated in DTH reaction sites . The above findings are explained, in part, by inhibition of inflammation during the early postinduction period . Supporting evidence came from measurements of labeled lymphoblast sequestration in saline injection sites and the slower accumulation of macrophages in nitrocellulose filters that were implanted subcutaneously in complement-depleted rats . The ability of cobra venom factor-treated rats to express DTH and protect themselves against a Listeria challenge seems to exclude C3-dependent factors as essential mediators in the attraction of antigen-reactive lymphocytes to reaction sites. Infect Immun, 1979 Mar, 23(3), 863 - 72 Relationship between superoxide dismutase and pathogenic mechanisms of Listeria monocytogenes; Welch DF et al.; Listeria monocytogenes was examined for superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity . Two catalase-negative strains possessed at least twofold greater SOD activities than the catalase-positive L . monocytogenes strains examined . Growth conditions such as aeration and iron concentration influenced the specific activity of SOD obtained from cells cultured in defined media . L . monocytogenes SOD from crude extracts and after partial purification was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Iron was associated with the single band of SOD activity detected in the gels . SOD activity appeared to be primarily extracytoplasmic . Survival of organisms in a superoxide-generating medium was studied, with photoactivation of riboflavin used as the source of free radical formation . Virulent, catalase-positive L . monocytogenes strains were relatively resistant to killing in a pH 7 superoxide-containing medium . An intact-cell assay for SOD was developed, which used the superoxide-generating system and employed the superoxide-dependent oxidation of sulfite, added to the medium, and inhibition of this oxidation by SOD . Maximal SOD activites of intact cells were observed when 100 to 400 micrograms (dry weight) of viable Listeria cells per ml was added to the medium . A possible role for SOD in the pathogenesis of listeric infection is discussed. Infect Immun, 1979 Mar, 23(3), 845 - 57 Isolation, characterization, and biological properties of an endotoxin-like material from the gram-positive organism Listeria monocytogenes; Wexler H et al.; The bacterial component responsible for the induction of transient cold agglutinin syndrome in rabbits after intravenous injection of heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes type 4B has been purified and biologically and chemically characterized . A purified immunoglobulin M cold agglutinin was prepared from high-titer sera resulting from the immunization of rabbits with heat-killed L . monocytogenes type 4B and was subsequently used to monitor the purification of the bacterial component responsible for its induction . The bacterial component was isolated from a hot phenol-water extract of lyophilized L . monocytogenes type 4B by multiple molecular sieve chromatography . Upon chemical analysis the purified material was found to be strikingly similar in chemical composition to gram-negative lipopolysaccharide endotoxins . The material contained 15% total fatty acid (of which 50% was beta-hydroxymyristic acid), 40 to 45% neutral sugar (glucose, galactose, and rhamnose), 11.5% amino sugar, 12% uronic acid, 2.5% 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid, 2% heptose, 0.87% phosphorus, and 1.6% amino acid, thereby accounting for 85 to 90% of the weight of the component . Electron micrographs of the purified material were similar to those of lipopolysaccharide preparations from gram-negative organisms . The purified material exist in aqueous solutions as large aggregates, but can be dissociated into a single smaller subunit (3.1S) by dialysis against sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer . The listerial component was toxic and pyrogenic to rabbits, producing symptoms typical of gram-negative endotoxins . Activity in the limulus lysate gelation assay and in the carbocyanine dye assay provides a further link of this material with classical gram-negative endotoxins. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Mar, 243(1), 74 - 81 Low temperature virulence of Listeria monocytogenes in the avian embryo; Wood LV et al.; The chick embryo was used to investigate the pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes when inoculated into the air sac . One strain (NCTC 5214) of L . monocytogenes was found to be more virulent for chick embryos when grown at low temperatures, while another strain (NCTC 5105) did not produce this effect . This method was found to be reliable and reproducible and the chick embryo was found to be a more sensitive in vivo assay for virulence than the mouse. Tropenmed Parasitol, 1979 Mar, 30(1), 59 - 61 Human listeriosis in Peru; Guevara JM et al.; In a survey on listeriosis in Peru a study was made of 653 stool samples; material from 8 cases of perinatal death, in which a macroscopic diagnosis of listeriosis had been made at autopsy; 1 sample of vaginal secretion from a woman with abortion due to listeriosis; and 1 case of abscess which turned out to be an hematometra . The following results have been obtained: 1 . From the faeces 7 isolates of Listeria (1.07%) were obtained: 3 belonged to L . monocytogenes serovar 4ab, 3 to L . innocua (the former "4g"--nownow serovar 6b) and 1 to L . monocytogenes serovar 4a . 2 . The 8 strains of autopsy materials belonged to L . monocytogenes: 6 serovar 4b and 2 serovar 4d . 3 . From the vaginal secretion L . monocytogenes serovar 4b was cultured . 4 . The strain from the hematometra was identified as L . monocytogenes serovar 4b . The serovars 4a, 4ab and 4d are at this time the only ones identified in Peru as cause of human listeriosis . The serovars of serogroup 1/2 frequent in Western and primarily in Central Europe, were so far never cultivated. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1979 Feb 15, 133(4), 405 - 10 Perinatal listeriosis--a review of twelve patients; Halliday HL et al.; From July, 1974 to February, 1978, we managed 12 infants with listeriosis . This infection presented in two distinct forms: an early-onset type (nine patients), often representing a congenital infection following maternal illness, and a late-onset type in which the patient presented with meningitis (three patients) . Of our nine infants with early-onset disease, three died, three developed permanent sequelae, and only three were normal at follow-up . Appropriate early management in the perinatal period may improve the outlook in this condition . Affected infants were often premature and had pneumonia, rash, and hepatosplenomegaly at birth . Prenatal clues to the diagnosis included maternal fever, abdominal pains, and leukocytosis with meconium staining of the preterm amniotic fluid . Examination of gastric aspirate at birth showed gram-positive coccobacilli . Antibiotic therapy should be started prenatally and continue for three weeks after birth to prevent recurrences of the late-onset type . This late-onset disease presented as meningitis after the second week of life and responded well to antibiotics . Our three patients recovered without sequelae. J Infect Dis, 1979 Feb, 139(2), 228 - 31 Resistance to Listeria monocytogenes in mice: genetic control by genes that are not linked to the H-2 complex; Skamene E et al.; After mice of several inbred strains were injected with Listeria monoyctogenes, two parameters of resistance, the 50% lethal dose and the suppression of bacterial proliferation in spleen, were determined . The strains of mice tested could be segregated into two groups: the resistant C57BL/10Sn mice and the sensitive A/J and DBA/2J mice . Congenic resistant strains of mice were used because they would express the H-2 haplotype of the sensitive strains (H-2a or H-2d) on the background of a resistant strain, C57BL/10Sn . Both the B10.A/SgSn (H-2a) and the B10.D2/Sn (H-2d) mice were as resistant as mice from their background strain and were significantly more resistant than the strains that donated their H-2 locus (A/J or DBA/2J) . Therefore, the resistance of mice to Listeria, although genetically controlled, is not controlled by gene (s) linked to the H-2 haplotype . On the other hand, the level of specific immunity to listeria antigens (as indicated by the footpad reaction) was higher in the C57BL/10Sn (H-2b) mice than in either the A/J and B10.A/SgSn (H-2a) mice or the DBA/2J and B10.D2/Sn (H-2d) mice . This observation suggests an H-2 linkage of specific immunity to Listeria. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1979 Feb-Mar, 130(2), 189 - 93 {Specific soluble antigens and Listeria monocytogenes typing by electrosyneresis (author's transl)}; Rigal P et al.; Listeria monocytogenes releases its antigens during the exponential phase . Electrosyneresis on agarose allows detection of these antigens in the supernatant of broth culture following a 3 h incubation of the strains . This serotyping method seems to be easy, rapid and reproductible . The authors have investigated 83 strains of different origines and find no difference with agglutination . However, during the stationary phase, L . monocytogenes releases other antigens which gave precipitation lines with all commercial sera tested. Obstet Gynecol, 1979 Jan, 53(1), 124 - 7 Listeria monocytogenes . Macroabscesses of placenta; Steele PE et al.; Macroabscesses of placenta caused by Listeria monocytogenes were observed in a 37-year-old febrile primigravida . She was prematurely delivered of a depressed 2310-g infant, who was resuscitated and promptly treated with antibiotics . Mother and child are well at 10-year followup . Although perinatal listeriosis with placentitis is not rare, its presentation as macroabscesses of the placenta has until now gone unreported in the English language literature. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1979, 8(8), 737 - 8 {Listeria infection of a twin pregnancy (author's transl)}; Guillermin R et al.; A Listeria infection of a twin pregnancy had induced a partus immaturus at 23 weeks . One foetus died in utero of a widespread foeto-placental granulomatosis, while the other one, dying sub-partu, showed only retroplacental abcesses . The unequal extent of the infection in the two placentas -- of diamniotic, dichorionic type -- is interpreted as different stages of the same disease; it could be due to a different resistance to the germ between the two dizygotic foetuses. Drug Chem Toxicol, 1979, 2(1-2), 77 - 98 The effect of perinatal exposure to tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the immune response of young mice; Thomas PT et al.; The immunocompetence of 5 week old offspring from mice fed control chow or chow containing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was evaluated . The 5 ppb maternal feeding level was the only level that produced symptoms of intoxication in the offspring (i.e., facial alopecia and periorbital edema) . Mice from mothers fed either 2.5 or 5 ppb of TCDD demonstrated thymus cortex atrophy and a significantly reduced spleen anti-SRBC plaque forming cell (PFC) response, but had normal serum anti-SRBC antibody levels following primary and secondary immunization . Contact sensitivity response to DNFB was significantly reduced only in offspring from mothers fed 5 ppb of TCDD . The blastogenic response of splenic T- and B-lymphocytes to concanavalin-A and E . coli lipopolysaccharide was unaffected by perinatal TCDD exposure . This correlated with the normal appearance of the T- and B-cell dependent areas of the spleens from these animals . There was no significant difference in the differential white blood cell counts between control and TCDD-exposed offspring . Offspring from mothers fed up to 5 ppb of TCDD withstood a live Listeria challenge as well as controls . However, maternal feeding levels as low as 1 ppb of TCDD rendered offspring more sensitive to an endotoxin challenge. G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1979 Jan-Jun, 71(1-6), 95 - 9 {Case of L . monocytogenes meningitis in the non-neonatal period}; Caramello S et al.; A case of Listeria monocytogenes meningitidis in a little girl of Envie (Cuneo) is reported . The epidemiologic study has shown the presence of significatively high antibodies titers also in the sera of other members of the family. Infection, 1979, 7(2), 54 - 6 Outcome of Listeria monocytogenes infection in compromised and non-compromised adults; a comparative study of seventy-two cases; Iwarson S et al.; The mortality in listeric meningitis and septicaemia, the two main clinical manifestations of the infection, is generally considered to be high . However, co-existing disorders rather than the listeric infection itself seem to determine the outcome . In the present study of 72 listeric infections among non-pregnant adults, 28 patients without co-existing disease had a fatality rate of 10.7% as compared to 57.9% among 19 immunocompromised individuals . Finally, in a third group of listeric patients, including alcoholics and people with heart disease or diabetes mellitus, the fatality rate was 24.0%. Scand J Infect Dis, 1979, 11(1), 55 - 8 Correlations between clinical and postmortem findings in listeriosis; Larsson S et al.; Clinical data were correlated with postmortem findings in 14 cases of fatal listeriosis in adults and 23 cases of listeriosis during pregnancy and the neonatal period . Most children born with congenital listeriosis showed the typical morphological picture of granulomatosis infantiseptica . Occasionally no pathological changes were demonstrable . In adult patients the morphological lesions were those of non-specific purulent meningoencephalitis or septicemia . Sometimes encephalitis with abscesses in the brain was found. Scand J Infect Dis, 1979, 11(1), 47 - 54 Epidemiology of listeriosis in Sweden 1958--1974; Larsson S; In 1958--1974 altogether 110 cases of listeriosis were diagnosed in Sweden by culture . 64 cases were seen in children and adults . Of these, 52 had manifestations of meningoencephalitis and 10 of septicemia . Another 46 cases were seen in pregnant women and/or their neonates . Pregnancy ended in abortions in 8 cases and in stillborns in 3 . Out of 37 neonates born alive, 22 had "early disease", mostly granulomatosis infantiseptica, and 8 had "late disease" with meningoencephalitis . The reported frequency of listeriosis in humans showed no correlation with that in animals . With the exception of pregnant women the incidence and mortality showed no difference with sex . Serotypes 1 and 4b prevailed and were equally common . The serotype did not vary with the clinical diagnosis or the outcome . There was no seasonal variation . Cases of all serotypes were uniformly distributed over the country in proportion to the density of its population . Occupational contact with animals was less common . Only in a few cases was there reason to suspect infection from animals . Co-existing disorders predisposed for the disease and often determined its outcome . Neonates with early onset of disease were infected by their mothers, while neonates with late onset of disease were infected from other and often nosocomial sources. Parasite Immunol, 1979 Summer, 1(2), 111 - 23 The relevance to protection of three forms of delayed skin-test response evoked by m . leprae and other mycobacteria in mice . Correlation with the classical work in the guinea-pig; Rook GA et al.; The controversy surrounding the protective role of 'delayed hypersensitivity' in tuberculous guinea-pigs has never been resolved . This controversy has arisen because the term 'delayed hypersensitivity' is used indiscriminately to describe both a type of necrotic skin-test reactivity which does not appear until 4-6 weeks after infection, and also non-necrotic reactions which can be elicited within a few days . Responses closely analogous to both have been characterized in mice immunized with mycobacteria . Simple criteria are described which allow these responses to be distinguished from one another, and from the Jones-Mote phenomenon . The relevance of each type to protection, susceptibility and immunopathology in leprosy, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis and listeriosis is discussed. Neurology, 1979 Jan, 29(1), 86 - 90 Listeria monocytogenes: brain abscess or meningoencephalitis? Lechtenberg R, Sierra MF, Pringle GF, Shucart WA, Butt KM. A brain abscess caused by Listeria monocytogenes developed in an immunosuppressed renal transplant patient . Meningitis and meningoencephalitis from this organism were encountered in three other renal transplant recipients at this medical center during the past 4 years . Focal neurologic deficits occurred in patients with either Listeria abscess or meningoencephalitis . Computerized tomography was a rapid aid to the diagnosis of abscess . Immunosuppression has increased the incidence of central nervous system Listeria infections, but ampicillin still provides effective treatment, even when immunosuppressive therapy is continued . Limited experience with Listeria brain abscess suggests that surgical intervention improves the prognosis. Arch Ophthalmol, 1979 Jan, 97(1), 101 - 2 Listeria endophthalmitis; Ballen PH et al.; Listeria endophthalmitis developed in a patient who was being treated for extensive metastases of carcinoma of the breast . At the time of admission she was receiving cobalt therapy, chemotherapy, and high doses of oral steroids . The early identification of organisms with an immediate paracentesis and the early institution of broad-spectrum antibiotics is recommended. J Immunopharmacol, 1979, 1(2), 247 - 67 Immunopotentiation and anabolism induced by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate; Renoux G et al.; Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, DTC, enhances over a large range of doses macrophage listericidal capacity and T cell activities in terms of increased IgG-antibody forming spleen cells and delayed hypersensitivity levels . Such immunopotentiation is not associated with splenomegalia or increase in lymphocyte counts . Immunopotentiation requires a preexisting link between carbon disulfide and diethylamine, since both moieties were inactive if administered alone or on separate body sites . DTC demonstrates also an anabolic effect on mice emanciated by administering a B . melitensis cell-wall fraction . The role of DTC on hormonal production is discussed in relation to hormone-mediated action on T cell induction. Vet Med Nauki, 1979, 16(3), 57 - 62 {Listeria enzootic in newborn lambs}; Belchev L; Epizootological, clinical and pathomorphological studies were made of a meningo-encephalitic form of listeriotic enzooty in new born lambs . The clinical symptoms as well as the patho-anatomical and patho-histological changes in the brain and in the inner organs of dead lambs were described . Arisal of enzooty was connected with the inclusion of silage in the daily ration of ewes . It was assumed also that infection of suckling lambs possible by the milk of diseased mother-ewes also and in the prenatal period too . The meningo-encephalitic form of listeriotic enzooty established in new born lambs with symptoms of suppurative meningo-encephalitis was similar to that observed in sheep . L . monocytogenes was isolated from a suspension of various brain tissue parts of dead lambs. Scand J Immunol, 1979, 10(1), 1 - 9 Use of a macrophage cytotoxicity system to show macrophage activation by Listeria monocytogenes cell wall fraction; Campbell PA et al.; Experiments were conducted to determine whether a partially purified listeria cell wall fraction could stimulate macrophages to high levels of activation . To detect activation of macrophages, a macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity system were established . The data demonstrate that listeria cell wall components are capable of activating thioglycollate-induced adherent peritoneal exudate cells to be cytotoxic for 51Cr-labelled target tumour cells, and that the listeria fraction is as effective as bacterial lipopolysaccharide in inducing cytotoxicity . The listeria fraction can also induce peritoneal exudate cells from congenitally thymusless nude mice to become cytotoxic, suggesting that mature T cells are not required . Furthermore, thioglycollate-induced adherent peritoneal exudate cells from mice hyperimmunized to live Listeria organisms are already stimulated to be cytotoxic for tumour cells, and do not need to be activated in vitro . Additional data are presented which characterize the system . These data demonstrate that a critical concentration of adherent peritoneal cells is required for in vitro activation . Moreover, only peritoneal cells induced with aged batches of thioglycollate, and not uniduced peritoneal cells or those induced with fresh thioglycollate or with protease peptone can be activated in vitro to kill tumour cells . Evidence is presented which suggests that the cytotoxic cell is a macrophage. Infect Immun, 1979 Jan, 23(1), 54 - 60 Antitumor activity of Listeria monocytogenes on a guinea pig fibrosarcoma; Dustoor MM et al.; Listeria monocytogenes-mediated tumor inhibition was studied in strain 13 guinea pigs by using a methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma (MCA-1) . Mixtures of Listeria and tumor cells in ratios of 1:100, 1:200, or 1:400 (Listeria:MCA-1 cells) led to significant suppression of tumor growth . Intralesional injection of tumors on day 6 posttransplantation led to the regression of a highly significant number of tumors . Animals receiving injections of Listeria, either in a mixture with tumor cells or intralesionally, displayed enhanced skin test reactivity to a tumor extract . Tumor regressors were resistant for at least 2 to 3 months after the initial transplant to rechallenge with MCA-1 cells . Thus, with this particular tumor-host system, Listeria was successfully employed as an antitumor agent with no visibly detrimental side effects to the host. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1979, 45(1), 41 - 8 Regulation of the immune response by macrophages; Willers JM et al.; Regulation of the immune response by macrophages was studied with cellular resistance to Listeria monocytogenes as parameter . The use of agents which suppress macrophage activity during the induction-phase of immunity enabled the induction of protective immunity with killed listeria . Fractionation of the cell content of listeria yielded an RNA'se sensitive fraction which in a dose of 300 ng and in combination with the cationic surfactant dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide induced protective immunity against listeria. Infect Immun, 1979 Jan, 23(1), 34 - 40 Correlation between in vivo and in vitro functional tests for activated macrophages; Rhodes JM et al.; Mice undergoing graft-versus-host reaction, skin grafting, and inoculation with tumor cells were tested for nonspecific resistance by intravenous challenge with Listeria monocytogenes . Peritoneal exudate macrophages from mice treated in a similar manner were tested in vitro for increased degradation of {1-14C}glucose, ability to degrade antigen/antibody complexes, ability to inhibit intracellular growth of listeria, and staining for beta-galactosidase . There was good correlation between in vivo resistance towards L . monocytogenes and in vitro inhibition of intracellular growth . There was also good correlation between increase in beta-galactosidase and in vivo resistance in mice undergoing a graft-versus-host-reaction. Infect Immun, 1978 Dec, 22(3), 746 - 51 Listeria pneumonitis: induction of immunity after airborne infection with Listeria monocytogenes; Lefford MJ et al.; After implantation of approximately 10(3) Listeria monocytogenes organisms into the lungs, mice develop an acute pneumonitis with dissemination of infection to a mediastinal lymph node (MedLN), liver, and spleen . The infections in a MedLN and spleen resolve in approximately 7 days, but the lung infection persists for a few days longer . Pneumonitis is accompanied by a lymphoproliferative response in a MedLN and spleen, and immunity to Listeria is conferred adoptively with MedLN and spleen cells but not with mesenteric lymph node cells . Although the spleen appears to be the major repository of sensitized lymphocytes, splenectomized mice combat Listeria pneumonitis as effectively as normal mice . It is concluded that the induction of immunity to lung infection with L . monocytogenes is efficient and that the cause for the rather protracted pneumonitis is due to a defect in the expression of the cell-mediated immunity effector mechanism. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1978 Dec, 46(6), 781 - 5 Oral mucosal white lesions associated with excessive use of Listerine mouthwash . Report of two cases; Bernstein ML; Two patients were observed to have asymptomatic, diffuse, filmy white lesions involving large portions of the oral mucosa . Both patients admitted to the topical use of Listerine mouthwash in excess of recommended doses . Other considerations in the differential diagnosis were eliminated by history . The lesions showed complete regression in 2 weeks following discontinuance of the lavage. Lancet, 1978 Nov 11, 2(8098), 1039 - 40 Hospital outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes septicaemia: a problem of cross infection? Green HT, Macaulay MB. A 74-year-old man was admitted to hospital with septicaemia and meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes . Subsequently 3 inpatients developed listeria septicaemia . Case-to-case transmission of the infection seems possible, although the method of transmission remains obscure. Cancer Treat Rep, 1978 Nov, 62(11), 1931 - 5 Activation of reticuloendothelial system macrophages and enhancement of host resistance to a transplantable osteogenic sarcoma in mice by an extract of Brucella abortus; Glasgow LA et al.; An aqueous-ether extract of Brucella abortus, Bru-Pel, enhanced resistance of mice to a transplantable osteogenic sarcoma (OGS) . The results presented in this report suggest that Bru-Pel is an effective immunomodulator and that one mechanism through which it enhances host resistance is activation of phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system . Peritoneal macrophages from mice inoculated with Bru-Pel 14 days previously were cytotoxic for OGS cells in vitro, limited the multiplication of vaccinia virus in cell cultures, and demonstrated increased chemiluminescence during phagocytosis . Furthermore, Bru-Pel enhanced host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes, in addition to viral infections and a transplantable tumor . These results support the hypothesis that Bru-Pel shares a number of characteristics with other recognized immunomodulating agents and suggest that further studies are warranted to better define the potential of Bru-Pel for immunotherapeutic regimens in man. Clin Exp Immunol, 1978 Nov, 34(2), 193 - 8 Stimulation of human B lymphocytes by Listeria cell wall fraction; Ivanyi L; Cell wall fraction of Listeria monocytogenes (LCWF), a B cell mitogen for mouse spleen cells, is also mitogenic for human adult and cord peripheral blood lymphocytes . Purified B-cell suspensions responded to LCWF in vitro proliferation, to a similar extent as the unfractionated suspensions . Furthermore, LCWF-induced B cell differentiation into IgM-containing cells and their percentage correlated significantly with the extent of lymphocyte proliferation. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Nov, 242(1), 72 - 8 {Studies about monocines (author's transl)}; Ortel S; By means of mitomycin induction monocine preparations were made from 162 Listeria monocytogenes strains . From tested strains of different serovars and antigen combinations altogether 76% were monocinogenic . Examination of efficiency was performed against 15 indicator strains of Listeria monocytogenes . Concluding from spectra of reaction 6 groups of monocines (A-F) could be differentiated . Serovar 5 (Ivanov) proved as an indicator strain particularly sensitive for all monocines. Am J Ophthalmol, 1978 Nov, 86(5), 715 - 9 Listeria monocytogenes endophthalmitis with a black hypopyon; Abbott RL et al.; A 68-year-old woman had a marked decrease in visual acuity, increased intraocular pressure, and acute iridocyclitis . She developed a pigmented hypopyon simulating an occult intraocular melanoma . Two anterior chamber paracenteses showed growth of Listeria monocytogenes . The patient received systemic intravenous penicillin, topical fortified gentamicin sulfate drops, and intraocular injections of cephaloridine . On discharge from the hospital after a two-week stay, visual acuity had improved and intraocular pressure had decreased. Cancer Treat Rep, 1978 Nov, 62(11), 1981 - 5 Effects of isoprinosine, levamisole, muramyl dipeptide, and SM1213 on lymphocyte and macrophage function in vitro; Hadden JW; Four immunopotentiators, levamisole, isoprinosine, muramyl dipeptide, and SM1213, were analyzed in vitro for their effect on phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine-induced macrophage proliferation and activation to kill Listeria monocytogenes . Isoprinosine augmented all three functions . Levamisole augmented lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine-induced macrophage activation . Muramyl dipeptide and SM1213 induced macrophage activation directly . The effects of these agents on these cells at concentrations relevant to in vivo therapy support their immunopharmacologic application to modify cellular immunity. Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol, 1978 Oct-Dec, 23(4), 213 - 20 {Induction of macrophage activation with bacterial products for potentiation of resistance to some chronic infections}; Oprescu CC et al.; Adult mice of the consanguine A2G strain received two intraperitoneal inoculations of 0.5 mg Listeria monocytogenes phospholipid extract at 30 days interval . In the treated animals and the controls, the capacity to develop a humoral immune response was tested 24 hours after the second inoculation, following antigenic stimulus with sheep red blood cells; phagocytizing in vitro of labelled germs by peritoneal macrophages and the response of lymphocytes to mitogenic and allogenic stimuli were likewise tested . The bacterial phospholipid extract activated the phagocytic function of the macrophages and the reactivity of the allogenically stimulated lymphocytes. S Afr Med J, 1978 Sep 2, 54(10), 389 - 92 Epidemic listeriosis . Report of 14 cases detected in 9 months; Jacobs MR et al.; During the period August 1977 to April 1978, 14 Black patients in Johannesburg area had systemic infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes . Nine of these patients were neonates who presented with septicaemia (5 cases) or septicaemia and meningitis (4 cases) and 5 were adults, all of whom had meningitis . The mortality rate was 43% (6/14), with 4 neonatal and 2 adult deaths . All isolates of L . monocytogenes were type 4b . Only sporadic cases of human listeriosis have previously been reported in South Africa, and the cases reported here constitute the first epidemic in this country. J Exp Med, 1978 Sep 1, 148(3), 746 - 58 Alteration of some functional and metabolic characteristics of resident mouse peritoneal macrophages by lymphocyte mediators; Lazdins JK et al.; Resident mouse peritoneal macrophages were incubated in Sephadex G-100 fractions of supernates from concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes . A significant effect of the lymphocyte supernatant fractions containing mediators on macrophage 5'-nucleotidase, glucose-1 14C oxidation, cell maintenance, and migration is reported . The 5'-nucleotidase was depressed to an extent similar to that seen in activated macrophages obtained from Listeria-infected mice . On the other hand, glucose-1-14C oxidation was enhanced, but not to the same degree as seen in the counterparts in vivo . Whereas migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and cell adherence-augmenting activity were found in a number of adjacent fractions, the metabolic effects were found predominantly in a single fraction . Resident peritoneal macrophages or those elicited by the injection of a lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor were more responsive with respect to the biochemical changes than caseinate-elicited macrophages . On the other hand, caseinate-elicited macrophages appeared to be more sensitive with respect to the effects of mediator(s) on cell retention . A possible dissociation between MIF and cell-adherence augmenting activity, on the one hand, and the entities that stimulate glucose-1-14C oxidation is reported, based on fractionation studies, and loss of the latter activity upon storage of lymphocyte supernates. J Immunol, 1978 Aug, 121(2), 449 - 55 Allogeneic restriction of acquired antimicrobial resistance in the rat; Jungi TW et al.; Allogeneic restriction of acquired antimicrobial resistance was demonstrated by infusing Listeria-immune thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) into syngeneic, semisyngeneic, or allogeneic recipients that had been infected i.v . with Listeria monocytogenes (LM) . Syngeneic and semisyngeneic recipients enjoyed a high level of protection (3 to 5 log10 reduction in viable organisms within 64 hr, whereas allogeneic recipients were poorly protected (0.5 to 2.5 log10 reduction) . Sharing one haplotype between TDL-donors and challenged recipients resulted in a 4- to 8-fold increase in the level of resistance transferred . Histoincompatibility reactions could be excluded as a cause of the observed allogeneic restriction . Therefore, it is likely that LM-immune TDL are unable to respond efficiently to the antigens of this organism in an allogeneic environment . But allogeneic immune TDL do confer a low level of protection that cannot be ascribed to B cell activity nor to GvH and/or HvG reactions . Evidence is provided that the modest protection afforded by allogeneic lymphocytes is conveyed by the same T cell subset that operates with much higher efficiency in genetically related rats. J Immunol, 1978 Aug, 121(2), 456 - 63 Allogeneic restriction of the delayed inflammatory reaction in the rat; Jungi TW et al.; Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to Listeria monocytogenes was measured in rats that were recipients of syngeneic, semisyngeneic, and allogeneic immune thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) . DTH could be transferred only to recipients that shared at least one haplotype with the TDL donors . The restriction was expressed in an inability of sensitized lymphoblasts to localize efficiently at antigen injection sites in the pinna of the ear and peritoneal cavity . Failure of allogeneic lymphoblasts to extravasate in more than trace numbers into Listeria-antigen-induced exudates was reflected in an absence of other lymphocyte-mediated expressions of DTH . Thus, lymphocyte-dependent MCA was not detected in Listeria-antigen-induced peritoneal exudates borne by recipients of allogeneic immune TDL and blood monocytes were not recruited in increased numbers into such exudates as they were in exudates borne by syngeneic rats . But allogeneic restriction of the delayed inflammatory response to Listeria antigen was overcome, at least in part, when antigen-presenting macrophages of the same MHC type as the immune TDL donors were implanted in the peritoneal cavity . The results encourage the belief that the observed failure of immune TDL to transfer DTH to allogeneic recipients is related to the inability of sensitized donor T cells to recognize antigen displayed by allogeneic macrophages. Immunology, 1978 Jul, 35(1), 69 - 76 Polyadenylic acid-polyuridylic acid (poly A : U) and experimental murine brucellosis . I . Effect of single and double-stranded polynucleotides on Brucella abortus in vivo and in vitro; Madraso ED et al.; The double stranded polynucleotide, poly A : U, when administered intraperitoneally at the same time as intravenous infection with Brucella abortus, suppressed the growth of that organism in the spleen and liver of mice . Single stranded poly A or poly U were not effective . On the other hand both the single and double stranded forms enhanced the growth of Br . abortus in broth culture . Poly A : U did not enhance the blood clearance of intravenously administered Br . abortus . Indeed its suppressive effect was not apparent until 2 days after administration . When mice given Br . abortus and poly A : U were given a second infection 2 days later, with either Br . abortus or Listeria monocytogens, the second infection was exacerbated, indicating a biphasic effect of poly A : U and antigen. Infect Immun, 1978 Jul, 21(1), 10 - 6 Acquired cellular resistance, delayed hypersensitivity, and altered macrophage migration in Listeria monocytogenes-infected guinea pigs; Dustoor MM et al.; A Listeria monocytogenes infection in guinea pigs was used to study the interrelationship between antigen-induced macrophage migration inhibition, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and acquired cellular resistance . Early after infection (at 2 and 7 days), very significant enhancement of macrophage migration was observed . Migration inhibition was detected beginning on day 14 and was uniformly observed only on day 21 of the infection, after which a shift again to enhancement was seen . The early detection (by day 2) of migration enhancement suggested that this assay may be more sensitive than assessment of delayed type hypersensitivity in vivo, which in this system was first detectable only on day 4 . Acquired cellular resistance, as measured by enhanced survival following a high dose challenge with Listeria, was present from day 7 after infection until at least day 60 . By splenic clearance studies, however, acquired cellular resistance was present only until day 14 after infection, suggesting that in this system splenic clearance was not a very reliable criterion for measuring acquired cellular resistance. J Infect Dis, 1978 Jul, 138(1), 17 - 23 Listeria monocytogenes infection in neonates: Investigation of an epidemic; Filice GA et al.; From March 10 through October 29, 1975, Listeria monocytogenes infection occurred in seven neonates born at a 401-bed general hospital in Greenville, S.C . In the preceding 19 months, there had been only one case . Six of the seven isolates from the infected infants were of serotype JB . Risk of listeriosis in neonates was associated with being born to mothers of low socioeconomic status and being born to mothers who had had vaginitis during pregnancy . Nosocomial transmission of L . monocytogenes appeared unlikely, but the source of the infection is unknown . Of the media used in this study for isolation of L . monocytogenes from mixed cultures, McBride's agar and McBride's agar with nalidixic acid were most useful. Infect Immun, 1978 Jun, 20(3), 692 - 7 Specific and nonspecific resistance in mice immunized with irradiated Myobacterium leprae; Patel PJ et al.; Following subcutaneous inoculation of irradiated Mycobacterium leprae (I-ML) into the left hind footpad of mice, there was increased resistance to Listeria monocytogenes, indicative of macrophage activation, at the immunization site . In spite of the high level of localized macrophage activation which was proportioned to the immunizing dose of I-ML, no such activity could be demonstrated systemically in these mice, as evidenced by the absence of increased resistance to an intravenous challenge with L . monocytogenes . Under these conditions, I-ML-immunized mice were nonetheless resistant to intravenous infection with either M . tuberculosis or M . bovis BCG, and this immunity was transferred to normal recipients using spleen or lymph node cells . Neonatal thymectomy completely abolished the development of antimycobacterial immunity after vaccination with I-ML, but immunity was restored by an intraperitoneal infusion of syngeneic thymocytes . Systemic nonspecific resistance could be generated in I-ML-immunized mice by an intravenous injection of disrupted I-ML . This study reveals that, after subcutaneous vaccination with I-ML, there is local accumulation of activated macrophages at the inoculation site and a widespread distribution of lymphocytes which are sensitized to mycobacterial antigens . Nonspecific resistance is mediated by the former cells and specific antimycobacterial immunity by the latter. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1978 May 31, 57(2), 121 - 7 {Further observations on human infection by Listeria monocytogenes}; Gatti M et al.; Two cases of isolation of Listeria monocytogenes type 1 from vaginal mucus of two pregnant women who underwent premature deliveries with death of foetuses are described. Can J Microbiol, 1978 May, 24(5), 598 - 9 Further characterization of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 5; Cooper RF et al.; Fifteen strains of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 5 were characteriized for carbohydrate utilization, enzymic reactions, and other differential criteria . Hemolytic patterns were tested on ovine, bovine, equine, human and lapine blood agars . Results were compared with those of previously reported strains of L . monocytogens serotype 5. Am J Vet Res, 1978 May, 39(5), 887 - 92 Light and electron microscopic study of the livers of pregnant mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes; Siddique IH et al.; Listeria monocytogenes cells were observed in the hepatic cell cytoplasm or in the phagosome at 24 and 48 hours but not at 72 hours after inoculation in pregnant mice . The presence of bacteria initially in a membrane-bound vesicle indicates that the bacteria enter the hepatic cells by endocytosis, resulting in eventual destruction of hepatic cells . Characteristic lesions of the liver at 24 and 48 hours after inoculation consist of multiple focal areas of necrosis . The initial neutrophilic reaction seems to give way to a mononuclear reaction (listeriomas) at 72 hours after inoculation . Dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and release of many of the bound ribosomes with a relative increase in the number of free ribosomes was observed . Hepatic lesions were not observed in control (nonpregnant) mice. Immunology, 1978 May, 34(5), 901 - 7 Increased phagocytic activity of splenectomized mice challenged with Listeria monocytogenes; Skamene E et al.; Adult splenectomized mice exhibit increased resistance to infection with Listeria monocytogenes . Phagocytosis, by reticulo-endothelial cells, of test particles (51Cr-labelled sheep erythrocytes) is the same in splenectomized and control mice . However, 24 h exposure to Listeria, which fails to influence phagocytic activity of normal mice, greatly enhances the blood clearance and liver uptake of the test particles in splenectomized mice . The presence of a cell population and/or product in the spleen which modulates macrophage activation upon the exposure to appropriate stimuli is postulated. Nouv Presse Med, 1978 Apr 22, 7(16), 1363 - 8 {Acute duodenal ulcers complicating Listeria meningitis (author's transl)}; Hay JM et al.; The authors report 3 cases of acute complicated duodenal ulcers occurring during the course of Listeria meningitis . These three adults (2 females and 1 male) suffered from localised neurological involvement and, in 2 cases neurovegatative disorders an altered level of consciousness . The ulcers were situated in the duodenal cap, and in each case there were at least 2 large excavated ulcers . These ulcers were the site of late complications on the 13th and 15th days after the onset of neurological disease . In two cases the major symptom was haemorrhage, whilst in the third it subsided leaving a syndrome of peritonitis due to perforation . Treatment in all three cases consisted of vagotomy with pyloroplasty (the ulcers being excised or sutured) . All the patients recovered from their digestive complications without relapse despite the persistence 6 and 10 months later of the same neurological problems in two of them . All these facts would be in favour of a neurogenic aetiopathogenesis, via the vagal nerve . Thus acute late duodenal ulcers in patients with neurological disease from a separate enity within the context of stress lesions. Jpn J Exp Med, 1978 Apr, 48(2), 143 - 8 Chorio-meningo-encephalitis due to Listeria monocytogenes after renal transplantation; Yamauchi J et al.; A 35-year-old man, who underwent renal transplantation, died of meningo-encephalitis with symptoms of meningitis for only 8 days . The autopsy revealed marked chorio-meningo-encephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes . This report on listeriosis in renal transplant patients is the second in our country, where adult cases of listeriosis are rare . Recent knowledge about listeriosis in renal transplants is reviewed and discussed. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1978 Apr, 8(2), 103 - 4 A case of listeriosis in pregnancy with fetal survival; Solomon F et al.; Listeriosis during pregnancy is generally considered to result in an intrauterine infection which affects the fetus before birth or in the perinatal period . A case of listeriosis in a 38-yr-old diabetic woman with an influenza-like disease in her 32nd wk of pregnancy is presented . Two successive blood cultures were positive for Listeria monocytogenes type 4b and her serum showed a rising titer for agglutinins to this organism . After antibiotic treatment of the patient she gave birth to a healthy child. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Apr, 240(2), 208 - 14 {Influence of killed Bordetella pertussis cells on the resistance against infection with Listeria monocytogenes (author's transl)}; Hof H et al.; The influence of killed Bordetella pertussis cells (B.p.) on the cell-mediated resistance of mice against infection with virulent germs of Listeria monocytogenes has been studied . Resistance of mice was decreased, when 3 X 10(9) B.p . were injected 1 day before, simultaneously with or 1 day after infection, resulting in augmented amounts of viable Listeriae recovered from the spleens 3 days after infection (figure 1) . The LD50 was strongly reduced (Table 1) . Transfer of immune spleen cells to recipient mice, which had been treated 1 day previously with 3 X 10(9)B.p., did not support resistance definitely (Table 2) . Therefore, it can be concluded that probably the macrophage system was impaired just after B.p . injection . When, however, B.p . were given several days before infection, resistance was increased . A maximum of resistance enhancement was seen 7-14 days after B.p . treatment . Thereafter, this beneficial effect gradually decreased but persisted for at least 67 days (figure 1) . This resistance enhancing effect of B.p . was surely not due to adjuvant effect of B.p . on the T-lymphocyte-mediated immune reaction to Listeriae, since in B.p.-pretreated mice the development of immunity during the primary infection to a secondary listeric infection has even been lacking (Table 3) . It is more likely that the macrophage system was stimulated at this time by B.p . In mice treated 7 days prior to infection the elimination of Listeriae from the spleens was supported from the very beginning of the infection (figure 2). Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Apr, 240(3), 339 - 346 {Resistance to infection with Listeria monocytogenes in normal and thymusless mice treated with ampicillin (author's transl)}; Emmerling P et al.; NMRI mice were infected intravenously with a sublethal dose of Listeria monocytogenes and divided into four groups . One group served as the control and the other three were treated with ampicillin beginning 4, 8 or 24 hours after infection . The animals were injected in the morning and in the evening each time with 4 mg ampicillin subcutaneously until a total dose of 48 mg was reached . As demonstrated by counting of the bacteria in the spleen, Listeria could multiply in the ampicillin treated mice in comparison to the control group at best delayed but the infection continued to persist for some days at a level of 10(3)-10(4) Listeriae per spleen independent from the starting point of the treatment . Eight days after the first infection all animals received a challenge dose of 10(4) Listeriae . Compared with the control animals the ampicillin treated mice had a clearly reduced immunity, even in the group in which ampicillin application had been started 24 hours after the primary infection . If the challenge infection was given at first after an intervall of six weeks between primary and secondary infection, only a reduced immunity was found . Furthermore, whereas spleen cells of mice 7 days after infection were able to transfer immunity to untreated recipients, spleen cells of ampicillin treated mice were unable to do so . Finally, an attempt was made to cure chronic listeric infection in thymusless nude mice by the application of high doses of ampicillin . The observation of a continuous infection in these animals showed that the T-cells played a primary importance in the elimination of the bacteria. S Afr Med J, 1978 Mar 25, 53(12), 463 - 4 Neonatal Listeria monocytogenes meningitis . A case report; Adams H et al.; The clinical presentation, bacteriological results, treatment, and outcome of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in a newborn infant are described . The neonatal listeriosis was of the late-onset variety, and the infant survived the infection, but hydrocephalus, which necessitated operative relief, developed . Although 2 cases of Listeria meningitis have previously been described in South Africa, and opportunistic listeriosis is known to occur here, this is apparently the first documented case of neonatal listeriosis in this country. Infect Immun, 1978 Mar, 19(3), 950 - 60 Reversion of dextran sulfate-induced loss of antibacterial resistance by Bordetella pertussis; Finger H et al.; Parenteral injection of dextran sulfate 500 (DS 500; 50 mg/kg of body weight) into mice caused a complete loss of resistance to a sublethal (2 X 10(3) to 5 X 10(3)) infection with Listeria monocytogenes . Such loss could be prevented by pretreatment of animals with 3 X 10(9) heat-killed Bordetella pertussis organisms (PO) 5 to 30 days before the administration of DS 500 . The increased phagocytic capcity induced by PO was only exhausted when a fourfold dose of DS 500, effecting complete loss of antibacterial resistance (50 mg/kg ob body weight), was administered . Listeriosis in mice treated with DS 500 is characterized by rapid-progressive necro-purulent inflammation of liver and spleen, lack of mononuclear phagocyte response, and 100% lethality within 72 h after infection . In contrast, the time course, extent, and morphological characteristics of listeriosis in animals pretreated with PO before the DS 500 application were not significantly different from those of nonpretreated controls . Evidence is presented that the protective effect of PO is due to activation of the mononuclear phagocyte system, which without such treatment is blocked by the DS 500 administration . The data presented indicate that the protective effect of PO is due only in part to the endotoxic moiety of these bacteria . Differences in the course and morphology of listeriosis in animals with dysfunction of the mononuclear phagocyte system and in animals with deficiency of the cellular immune system are discussed. J Immunol, 1978 Mar, 120(3), 716 - 25 Enumeration and ultrastructure of C4-producing free alveolar cells from guinea pig lung; Barber TA et al.; Free alveolar cells from guinea pig lung producing the fourth emoponent of C (C4) were identified, enumerated, and characterized by using anti-C4 Fab-peroxidase conjugates in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy . The C4-producing cell population consisted of: 1) alveolar macrophages (AM); 2) less well differentiated phagocytes similar in morphology to exudate macrophages; and 3) weakly phagocytic secretory cells with numerous profiles of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) . Internal immunolabeling allowed the visualization of C4 in the ER, perinuclear space, and Golgi complex of producer cells and its release at cell surfaces; synthesis of C4 in vitro was sensitive to inhibitors both of protein synthesis and messenger RNA function . The percentage of free alveolar cells from normal animals competent for C4 production as indicated by cell surface immunolabeling was approximately 1% of the total cells obtained by lavage . Transnasal infection with Listeria monocytogenes, generation of a pulmonary granulomatous reaction by i.v . injection of heat-killed BCG, and aerosol infection of nonvaccinated animals with Myco-bacterium tuberculsois each resulted in an increase in numbers of AM and exudate macrophage-like free alveolar cells competent for C4-production. Infect Immun, 1978 Mar, 19(3), 763 - 70 Resistance and susceptibility of mice to bacterial infection: course of listeriosis in resistant or susceptible mice; Cheers C et al.; Resistance and susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes in mice was found to be related to (i) the innate ability of the nonimmune macrophages to kill or inhibit the growth of the organism during the first 24 to 48 h after infection, and (ii) the time of onset of acquired cell-mediated resistance . Resistant C57Bl/6 mice were 10 times more efficient than susceptible BALB/c mice at suppressing the early growth of Listeria in the liver . Furthermore, the onset of acquired immunity occurred 24 to 48 h earlier in C57Bl/6 than in BALB/c mice . Acquired immunity was measured by (i) fall in bacterial numbers in spleen and livers of infected mice (ii) adoptive transfer of immunity to normal mice by using spleen cells from infected mice, (iii) delayed-type hypersensitivity skin testing, and (iv) uptake of tritiated thymidine by lymphocytes in the spleen. Infect Immun, 1978 Mar, 19(3), 755 - 62 Resistance and susceptibility of mice to bacterial infection: genetics of listeriosis; Cheers C et al.; A survey of various strains of mice showed distinct differences in resistance or susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes . C57B1, related sublines, NZB, and SJL were resistant to Listeria, whereas BALB/c, CBA, A, DBA/1, C3H, LP.RIII, 129, and WB were susceptible . The gene(s) responsible for resistance and susceptibility to Listeria were studied in detail . C57BL6/6, B10.D2, and B10.A mice were 100 times more resistant than were BALB/c, CBA, and A . Resistance of the (C57B1/6 X BALB/C)F1 was intermediate between the two parents, suggesting partial penetration of a dominant gene . Backcross studies in which the (C57B1/6 X BALB/c)F1 were crossed with the susceptible BALB/c parent suggested that a single gene or group of linked genes were the major determinant of resistance, although the possibility that other genes exerted a modifying influence was not excluded . By using the backcross and various congenic and recombinant mice, linkage of the genes involved to the H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, H-7, or H-8 loci, to the immunoglobulin allotype, to the Thy-1 gene, to the Hc gene specifying C5, or to coat color genes (B, c) was excluded . There was no difference in the response of males and females . In all studies, the powerful overriding influence of the C57B1 genome was evident. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1978 Feb 15, 103(4), 229 - 31 {Incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in the intestinal contents of broilers on different farms (author's transl)}; Dijkstra RG; The intestinal contents of 3,090 broilers, one day to five weeks of age, from 1,025 broiler houses, were examined for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes . L . monocytogenes was isolated in 243 cases, i.e . 23.7% of the broiler houses, 58.8% were of type 1, 35.5% of type 4b, 1.2% were of type 5 and 2.4% of the strains could not be typed . In spite of cleaning and disinfection after the chickens had been taken to the poultry slaughterhouse, reinfection occurred in the broiler houses in 16.9% of the cases; this occurred as many as eight times in succession . Various serotypes were isolated on one farm . Listeria organisms in the intestinal contents of healthy broilers do not affect the growth rate . Contaminated deep-litter (chips of white deal-wood) is a potential danger for man and animals, especially when used inn loose-housings on cattle farms. Am J Clin Pathol, 1978 Feb, 69(2), 186 - 7 Prosthetic-valve endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes; Breyer RH et al.; Clinical and necropsy observations in the case of a patient with prosthetic-valve endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes are presented . Although rare cases of L . monocytogenes infection of natural cardiac valves have been reported, this represents the first known case of infection of a prosthetic cardiac valve by this organism. Infect Immun, 1978 Feb, 19(2), 553 - 61 Impaired chemotactic responsiveness of macrophages from gnotobiotic rats; Jungi TW et al.; Peptone-induced macrophages obtained from gnotobiotic (GB) rats responded poorly to chemotactic stimuli that have a powerful, attractive influence upon the cells of conventional donors . Monocyte recruitment from the circulation into peptone-induced exudates also was impaired in GB subjects . Although relatively more resident cells are present in exudates borne by GB donors, their number cannot in itself account for the sluggish response of peptone-induced cells from GB rats . Neutrophil accumulation in the inflamed peritoneal cavities and their responsiveness in vitro were similar in GB and conventional rats . The levels of serum-derived chemotactic factors were similar in such animals . Furthermore, germ-free rats exhibited no obvious defects in their capacity to generate lymphocyte-dependent monocyte chemotactic activity in situ upon specific stimulation with Listeria monocytogenes . It is suggested that the diminished chemotactic responsiveness of exudate macrophages is related in some way to the level of cell activation . This state of affairs might account for the impairment of delayed-type hypersensitivity in GB animals and their inability to resist intracellular bacterial infections. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1978 Feb 1, 172(3), 363 - 6 Listeriosis in an Arabian foal with combined immunodeficiency; Clark EG et al.; A 1-month-old Arabian foal with signs of central nervous system disease was found to have combined (B- and T-lymphocyte) immunodeficiency . The foal died in spite of intensive antibiotic therapy . At necropsy, generalized lymphoid hypoplasia and acute necrotizing and granulomatous inflammation of the brain, heart, and adrenal glands were found . In addition, there were spinal meningitis and focal hepatic necrosis . Listeria monocytogenes was isolated on primary culture from the brain. Schweiz Arch Neurol Neurochir Psychiatr, 1978, 123(2), 179 - 85 {Internuclear ophthalmoplegia in infectious encephalitis: observation on a case of listeriosis}; Safran AB et al.; An internuclear ophthalmoplegia was diagnosed and recorded electro-oculographically in a patient with pontomedullary listeriosis . The etiological differential diagnosis in case of internuclear ophthalmoplegia is discussed . It is emphasized that listeria monocytogenes encephalitis should be considered because this pathology may be electively located in the pontomedullary area and because of the encreasing frequency of human listeriosis. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1978, 57(1), 74 - 81 Changes in host resistance caused by Nocardia brasiliensis in mice: cross-protection against Listeria monocytogenes; Melendro EI et al.; Listeria monocytogenes was used to study the rate of development, magnitude, and persistence of the antimicrobial resistance engendered by Nocardia brasiliensis infection in mice . The growth of Listeria in the liver and spleen was more effectively restricted in Nocardia-infected mice than in noninfected animals . The development of delayed-type hypersensitivity to the Nocardia antigen was closely correlated to the increased resistance to Listeria, suggesting that both properties are the consequence of a single immunological event . The antibacterial resistance was also demonstrated in vitro . The results of the foregoing studies indicate that the microbicidal ability of macrophages, very likely activated by cell-mediated immunity, in enhanced in mice infected with Nocardia. Tohoku J Exp Med, 1978 Jan, 124(1), 95 - 6 Listeria monocytogenes infection with brain abscess formation--the first case in Miyagi Prefecture; Umenai T et al.; A rare type of brain abscess formation caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes was observed in a 2-year-old boy . The patient did not respond to treatment with various antibiotics . The isolated organisms were found to be sero-type 4b . This is the first report of Listeria monocytogenes infection in Miyagi Prefecture. Postgrad Med J, 1978 Jan, 54(627), 55 - 7 Chronic active hepatitis, haemolytic anaemia and Listeria monocytogenes bacteraemia; Chadwick RG et al.; The association of chronic active hepatitis with haemolytic anaemia is well known . Both conditions may respond to steroid therapy which, in common with other causes of suppressed T-lymphocyte function, predispose to many types of infection . A case is described in which transient Listeria monocytogenes bacteraemia occurred and the patient recovered without antimicrobial therapy. Obstet Gynecol, 1978 Jan, 51(1 Suppl), 9s - 10s Bacterial endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a pregnant diabetic; Holshouser CA et al.; A case of bacterial endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a pregnant, Class D diabetic patient is presented . The importance of obtaining proper cultures and instituting appropriate antibiotic therapy promptly is emphasized . A favorable outcome was achieved in spite of the combined risk to the fetus of maternal diabetes and listeria endocarditis. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jan, 240(1), 76 - 85 In vitro susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes to some antibiotics and their combinations; Espaze EP et al.; The Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated during recent years in our hospital have been tested for in vitro susceptibility against eleven antibiotics . The following tests were used: antibiotics discs method on Mueller-Hinton agar, determination of MICs by agar dilution method, study of the bactericidal potency of antibiotics combinations . Antibiotic discs method gives some too optimistic results, not confirmed by the MICs determined with agar dilution method . Ther are a few antibiotics used alone which are bactericidal upon Listeria monocytogenes at the concentration reached with usual therapeutic doses, and none regularly bactericidal . Betalactam-aminoglycoside combinations are the most effective ones but the ones involving gentamicin are more bactericidal than the ones involving streptomycin . Pristinamycin-aminoglycoside combinations have interesting activities and might be used as an alternative to betalactam-aminoglycoside ones in some peculiar and restricted indications . The other tested combinations are antagonistic or without interest. Chemotherapy, 1978, 24(2), 104 - 11 Rifampicin against experimental listeriosis in the mouse; Vischer WA et al.; The activity of rifampicin was compared with that of tetracycline, ampicillin, penicillin G, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and sulphadiazine in vitro and in experiments on mice infected with various strains of Listeria monocytogenes . Although the minimum inhibitory concentration of rifampicin was not appreciably lower than that of ampicillin, penicillin G and gentamicin, rifampacin was very much more active in vivo than any of these antibiotics . One of the reasons for its greater efficacy may be that it inhibits or destroys intracellular Listeria . In addition, a synergistic effect was observed in vivo when rifampicin was administered in combination with ampicillin or tetracyline . The combined administration of rifampicin with either of these antibiotics should prevent the emergence of rifampicin-resistant Listeria. Pharmacol Ther Dent, 1978, 3(1), 25 - 9 Soft tissue responses to high frequency use of experimental and commercial mouthwashes; Rothenstein AS et al.; A recent study reported that regular use of commercial mouthwashes produced a significant incidence of oral reactions, including epithelial peeling, inflammation, ulceration and geographic tongue-like lesions . In view of the widespread use of these preparations, without apparent deleterious effects, an investigation of two commercial preparations (Scope, Listerine) and an experimental mouthwash containing cetyl pyridinium chloride was undertaken to assess the possible irritant effects on the oral soft tissue under stringent test conditions . A double blind design was used and soft tissue effects were measured over a two week period . Rinses were used full strength, 20 cc 3 times daily . Examinations were conducted by an oral pathologist at the start and conclusion of the test period, and a record was made of the occurrence of erythema, hyperemia/prominent vasculature, inflammation, petechia, keratosis, tongue coating, and ulceration . These observations did not reveal any soft tissue conditions beyond those which would be expected in the normal population. Arch Surg, 1978 Jan, 113(1), 90 - 4 Listeria infection in transplant patients . Five cases and a review of the literature; Ascher NL et al.; We report five cases of Listeria monocytogenes infection in renal transplant patients at the University of Minnesota and compare them to 15 additional patients reported on in the United States literature . All patients were noted to have fever, malaise, and nonspecific symptoms of infection . There were no consistent diagnostic laboratory findings except for positive bacteriologic studies . Successful treatment consisted of intravenous penicillin G potassium in most cases (ampicillin sodium was required in two patients) . Mortality was low, with only one patient of the 20 (and no Minnesota patients) dying of listeriosis . The time interval from transplant to infection was definitively longer in the Minnesota patients; this may be due to the routine use of sulfisoxazole following renal transplantation . Listeria infection, though mild itself, may herald other infectious processes in the immunoincompetent host. Arch Intern Med, 1978 Jan, 138(1), 83 - 7 Listeria cerebritis: relapse of infection in renal transplant patients; Watson GW et al.; In 3 cases of Listeria cerebritis, two of the patients had relapse with cerebritis after antimicrobial therapy for acute Listeria septicemia or meningitis . Each had received ten to 14 days of intravenous penicillin . Relapse occurred with fever and sudden focal cerebral dysfunction . Brain scans showed focal uptake; arteriograms and computerized tomography were normal . Cerebrospinal fluids were nondiagnostic; blood cultures yielded Listeria in two patients . Penicillin treatment for six weeks produced rapid clinical responses that were complete in one and minimal residual in two . Progress brain scans were normal . A relapse rate of 35% is reported in transplant patients with Listeria meningitis and/or bacteremia who are treated for less than three weeks; to our knowledge, cerebritis in such patients has not been reported previously . High-dose penicillin or ampicillin therapy for four to six weeks is recommended for Listeria infections in this select group. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1978, 22(4), 460 - 9 {Epidemiologic and serologic study of listeriosis in man and domestic and wild animals in Austria}; Sixl W et al.; In the framework of a study aimed to ascertain the possibilities of infection transmission from mother to child the athors examined serologically gravid women for toxoplasmosis and antibodies against listeriosis, using routine methods, in Austria in 1974, 1975 and 1975 . Almost all gynecologists of the region of Styria (Austrial), who systematically delivered data concerning abortions, premature births and stillbirths, were invited to take part in the study . At the same time data concerning domestic and wild animals examined for antibodies against listeriosis in Austria in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977, were compared. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1978, 26(1-6), 637 - 40 The effects of lipids from Listeria monocytogenes on bacterial and fungal infections in mice; Jakoniuk P et al.; Investigations were made on the influence of lipids from Listeria monocytogenes upon the course of infections induced by bacteria and fungi . Chloroform-methanol extract of the lipids was given to animals in various doses and at various intervals before and after infection . Mortality of mice and elimination rate of bacteria from the blood and organs were estimated . It was observed that the lipids markedly increased natural immunity of the animals against bacterial and fungal infections . The mortality rate of mice was decreased and the elimination of bacteria and fungi from the tissues was accelerated . Our suggestion is that the observed effect of lipids probably depends on the stimulation of mononuclear phagocyte system. Acta Med Scand, 1978, 204(6), 503 - 8 Clinical aspects on 64 cases of juvenile and adult listeriosis in Sweden; Larsson S et al.; In 1958-74 altogether 64 cases of bacteriologically verified infections of Listeria monocytogenes were diagnosed in Sweden in children, aged more than 27 days, and in adults . Immunosuppression predisposed to the disease . Thus, many patients had co-existing disorders, such as leukemia and alcoholism . Sixteen patients had been treated with corticosteroids, which were combined with cytostatic drugs in nine . Meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in 52 patients and was fatal in 16 . The clinical symptoms did not differ from those in purulent meningitis caused by other bacteria . In the cerebrospinal fluid the cellular response was dominated by polymorphonuclear cells in 29 patients and by mononuclear cells in 20 . Ten patients had septicemia, which was fatal in four . Clinical symptoms were dominated by chills, high fever and general prostration . One patient had pleurisy and one an abscess of the neck; both recovered . Serotypes 1 and 4b prevailed and were equally common . Many patients developed raised antibody titers in both the O-agglutination test and the complement fixation test . The titers were often not positive until after a month . Moderate granulocytosis was the rule and monocytosis was rarely seen . Ampicillin alone or combined with an aminoglycoside seemed to be the drug of choice in the treatment of listeriosis . An alternative drug was tetracycline . Most deaths occurred within six days of onset of the illness . Early diagnosis and treatment were imperative . Most patients recovered and serious sequelae were rare. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1978, 22(1), 17 - 22 An attempt at immunotherapy of murine virus erythroleukemia; Patocka F et al.; It was demonstrated that the nonvirulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from vegetable matter prolonged significantly the survival time of mice inoculated with murine virus erythroleukemia . The most significant survival time was recorded when live listeriae were administered on the same day but into another site than the leukemia virus was. C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1977 Dec 19, 285(16), 1589 - 92 {Increased resistance in mice to Listeria monocytogenes after treatment with a fraction from an inflammatory granuloma}; Fauve RM et al.; The multiplication of Listeria monocytogenes in the spleen was decreased between the 3rd and the 11th day following the inflammatory reaction induced in Mice by subcutaneous implantation of talc embedded in a calcium phosphate gel into the dorsal area . A similar activity was observed after injection of SO4 (NH4)2 fractionated extracts from granuloma . The major activities were found in the 33% saturation precipitate and in the 80% saturation supernatant. Infect Immun, 1977 Dec, 18(3), 636 - 45 Anomalous high native resistance to athymic mice to bacterial pathogens; Nickol AD et al.; Congenitally athymic (nude) mice exhibited an anomalous high resistance against infections with the facultative intracellular parasite Listeria monocytogenes and other bacterial pathogens . Protection against lethal infection was demonstrated to result from the presence of naturally occurring activated macrophages in the reticuloendothelial organs of the nude mice . This was exemplified after intravenous challenge by enhanced bacterial clearance from the blood and augmented bacterial killing in the spleens and livers of nude mice as compared with immunologically competent control mice . Resident peritoneal macrophages of nude mice were not activated in terms of phagocytic, bactericidal, or tumoricidal potential . The development of activated fixed tissue macrophages appears to arise as a result of the T-lymphocyte deficiency since thymus implantation abrogated the enhanced resistance of nude mice . Antibiotic elimination of intestinal bacteria also modified resistance to bacterial infection, indicating a role of environmental factors on macrophage activation . Several possible mechanisms leading to macrophage activation and heightened resistance to infection in nude mice are offered. Immunology, 1977 Dec, 33(6), 851 - 8 Enhanced resistance to Listeria monocytogenes in splenectomized mice; Skamene E et al.; Mice infected with live Listeria monocytogenes intravenously from 1 week to 3 months following splenectomy exhibit greatly enhanced antibacterial resistance to this micro-organism as compared to normal or sham-splenectomized mice . They survive a dose of Listeria 100 times higher than is the LD50 of this parasite for normal mice . Initially, the same number of viable micro-organisms lodge in the livers of splenectomized and normal hosts . However, within 24 h after infection, the number of viable Listeria which can be recovered from the livers of splenectomized animals is significantly reduced in comparison with control mice . This effect of splenectomy is transient and gradually disappears spontaneously within 3 months following splenectomy . Enhancement of anti-listerial resistance in splenectomized mice can be abrogated by the transfer of normal spleen cells . The presence of a normal splenic cell population that controls macrophage activation is postulated. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977 Nov, 239(3), 342 - 6 {New serovariants and/or antigen combinations of Listeria monocytogenes (author's transl)}; Ortel S; In 2111 samples of human faeces originating from 932 persons (midwives, pregnant women, slaughterhouse workers, laboratory workers, individuals with gastroenteritis and without specific symptoms) a total of 86 (9.22%) carriers of L . monocytogenes could be found . Serotyping revealed prevalence of serovar 1/2a (39%) which was characterized by beta-hemolysis and mouse pathogenicity; serovar 4b and 5, also showing beta-hemolysis and mouse pathogenicity, were met with in 11% and 2% of cases, respectively . The great proportion of non-hemolysing and apathogenic L . monocytogenes-strains (71 = 47.3%) was remarkable . They belonged to rare serovars (4a, 4ab, 4f, 4g) or, because of their O-antigen structure, could not be classified under the antigenic scheme by Donker-Voet and Seeliger . This was the case for 47 strains (approximately 31%) . In these strains, O-antigen combinations V, VI, IX, XV and V, VI, IX, XIV, XV were found more frequently . With regard to epidemiology and epizootology no significance can be attributed to such strains . The question is raised whether these apathogenic and non-hemolysing serovars still should be classified among the species Listeria or whether they should be separated from this species. J Immunol, 1977 Nov, 119(5), 1723 - 6 Chemotaxigenesis and complement fixation by Listeria monocytogenes cell wall fractions; Baker LA et al.; Data reported here show that a crude cell wall fraction of Listeria monocytogenes (LCWF) and its purified derivative (PF) induce chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of normal rabbit serum . In addition, both LCWF and PF can fix rabbit and guinea pig complement . The purified cell wall preparation is more active than LCWF in both chemotaxigenesis and complement fixation, indicating that these activities are due primarily to the nonprotein portion of LCWF . Complement fixation by PF was demonstrated in the presence of ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and in C4-deficient serum, which is evidence that PF activated complement by the alternative pathway . Therefore, chemotaxigenesis by PF and LCWF seems to involve fixation of complement via the alternative pathway. Postgrad Med J, 1977 Oct, 53(624), 618 - 22 Listeriosis; Robertson MH; The incidence, clinical picture, natural history, epidemiology and sequelae of perinatal listeriosis are discussed along with treatment and diagnosis. Arch Intern Med, 1977 Oct, 137(10), 1395 - 9 Listeria monocytogenes infection after renal transplantation; Schroter GP et al.; Listeria monocytogenes infection has been observed in 13 patients, of a group of more than 700 renal transplants, treated during the past 13 1/2 years . The infection usually was manifested as bacteremia or meningitis . Twelve of the 13 patients survived the infection; one died of brain-stem herniation due to increased intracranial pressure . The recommended treatment is intravenously given ampicillin sodium. Nord Vet Med, 1977 Oct, 29(10), 446 - 51 A new selective medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes; Gronstol H et al.; A new selective medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), is described . The medium contained propolis, nalidixic acid, polymyxin B and rivanol as selective substances . The new medium (propolis-agar) was compared with two other selective media and one nonselective medium . No inhibitory effect was found on the 6 strains of Lm tested, and Lm was easily isolated from a mixture of Lm and contaminating bacteria . The selective effect was better than for the two other selective media tested. J Immunol, 1977 Oct, 119(4), 1242 - 7 Cell-mediated immune response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis and vaccinia virus in rats; Zinkernagel RM et al.; The parameters of cell-mediated immune responses of rats to infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or vaccinia virus were assessed by measuring primary footpad swelling, increased weights of the local lymph nodes, increased numbers of lymphocytes per lymph node, and the course of virus-specific cytolytic activity by these lymphocytes . Except for lack of a defined swelling caused by vaccinia virus injected into the hind footpads of rats, the kinetics of all these responses correlated and were in accord with the usual time course of cellular immune responses . Starting 3 days after infection, peaking at 5 to 7 days, and disappearing after 10 to 12 days, the responses by rats to both viruses were comparable to those found in mice . The phagocytes of these infected rats inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in vivo, indicating activation of the macrophages by virus-specific cellular immunity . The rat cytotoxic lymphocytes were thymus derived as judged by various criteria: inactivation by an absorbed rabbit anti-rat brain antiserum plus C, susceptibility to anti Thy 1.1 plus C, restriction of the lytic activity within inbred strains and probably by the Ag-B locus, and the kinetics of the response . The cytotoxic T lymphocytes were virus specific since they killed only target cells infected with the same virus but not uninfected cells, or targets that were infected with an unrelated virus. Vet Pathol, 1977 Sep, 14(5), 429 - 34 Spontaneous listeric encephalitis in sheep . Electron microscopic studies; Charlton KM; The brainstems of four sheep with spontaneous listeric encephalitis had scattered small foci of inflammatory cells (neutrophils or macrophages, or both) with scattered fragments of degenerating nerve fibers and glial cells . In extensive areas of malacia in the pons and medulla oblongata, there was loss of parenchyma with massive accumulation of macrophages, a few neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells . In both types of lesions, phagocytes contained debris of myelin and axons, lipid vacuoles and occasionally bacteria . Neutrophils contained bacteria in phagocytic and digestive vacuoles . No bacteria were detected in macrophages but were detected in neurons and in one axon in tissue previously used for paraffin sections. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Sep, (9), 131 - 3 {Certain data on the protoplast ultrastructure}; Klazacheva LE et al.; A study was made of the structure of Bac . subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes protoplasts by the method of scanning electron microscopy . The mechanism of protoplast formation in Gram-positive bacteria and in spheroplasts of Gram-negative bacteria proved to differ . A loss of the rigid form of the cell, round protrusions on cell surface, and an escape of the cytoplasm through the ruptured cell wall in some one place was noted in case of protoplasts . Individual cells can coalesce with one another with the formation of shapeless masses . The formation of small spheroid bodies by budding, and also a division of protoplasts by constriction was described. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977 Sep, 239(1), 62 - 9 Immunofluorescent identification of Listeria monocytogenes; Khan MA et al.; A fluorescent antibody technique for the rapid diagnosis and identification of L . monocytogenes in smears, impression smears from tissues of animals dead from listeriosis, and in meat and milk is described . The technique could well be exploited for detecting L . monocytogenes in meat and meat products, animal tissues, and in milk provided that it is supplemented with adequate controls . The technique has been compared with conventional cultural technique and found to be superior as far as the time factor is concerned . The use of the technique also demonstrates the possibility of actually determining the serological type concurrently. Am J Ophthalmol, 1977 Sep, 84(3), 337 - 40 Listeria monocytogenes endophthalmitis; Snead JW et al.; A 62-year-old white man developed an acute anterior chamber inflammation in his left eye . Listeria monocytogenes was cultured from the vitreous aspirate . There was no evidence for ocular trauma or distant site of infection from which hematogenous spread of the organism occurred . No underlying state of immunocompromise was demonstrated . The endophthalmitis responded well to therapy. Infect Immun, 1977 Sep, 17(3), 535 - 40 Inability of spleen cells from chancre-immune rabbits to confer immunity to challenge with Treponema pallidum; Baughn RE et al.; Although several lines of evidence suggest that cellular immune mechanisms play a role in controlling infection due to Treponema pallidum, recent studies have shown that induction of acquired cellular resistance by antigenically unrelated organisms fails to protect rabbits against syphilitic infection, thereby casting doubt on this hypothesis . In the present paper we describe attempts to transfer immunity to syphilis by using spleen cells from chancre-immune rabbits . Intravenous infusion of 2 X 10(8) spleen lymphocytes was capable of transferring acquired cellular resistance to Listeria and delayed hypersensitivity to tuberculin . However, in eight separate experiments using outbred or inbred rabbits, 2 X 10(8) spleen cells from syphilis-immune animals failed to confer resistance to T . pallidum whether by intravenous or intradermal challenge . Mixing immune lymphocytes with treponemes immediately before intradermal inoculation also failed to confer resistance . Despite the fact that syphilitic infection stimulates cellular immune mechanisms and induces acquired cellular resistance to antigenically unrelated organisms, cellular immunity may not play an important role in immunity to syphilis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1977 Aug, 74(8), 3542 - 6 Secretion of mediators following T lymphocyte-macrophage interaction is regulated by the major histocompatibility complex; Farr AG et al.; In this study we show that T cells from mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes can interact in vitro with normal macrophages to produce a number of soluble mediators, including lymphostimulatory molecules . One of these molecules was a 15,000-dalton protein mitogenic for thymocytes . Generation of mitogenic activity was essentially completed by the first 24 hr of culture and did not require the addition of Listeria antigens . Production of mitogenic protein required contact between the lymphocytes and macrophages, because it did not occur when the two cells were separated by a cell-impermeable membrane . Optimal production of mitogenic protein occurred only when the lymphocytes and macrophages shared homologous I-A regions of the major histocompatibility complex . Once generated, the mitogenic protein did not display histocompatibility restriction and could stimulate allogeneic as well as syngeneic thymocytes . Strains of mice with the C57 background responded poorly to mitogenic protein even though those strains were capable of producing it . We conclude that an early stage in T cell immunity to Listeria involves an intimate association with macrophages regulated by the H-2 complex. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1977 Aug, 85C(4), 246 - 52 In vitro studies on normal, stimulated and immunologically activated mouse macrophages . III . Intracellular multiplication of Listeria monocytogenes; Bennedsen J et al.; The intracellular generation time of Listeria monocytogenes is increased in monolayers of PE macrophages from mice immunized with BCG, listeria and T.A.B . vaccine as compared with monolayers of PE macrophages from normal mice stimulated intraperitoneally with proteosepeptone . Thus non-specifically stimulated and immunologically activated macrophages, although sharing several other characteristics, differ in their capacity to control intracellular bacterial infection. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1977 Aug, 85C(4), 233 - 8 In vitro studies on normal, stimulated and immunologically activated mouse macrophages . I . Oxidation of 1-14C glucose by macrophages in monolayer cultures; Riisgaard S et al.; Oxidation of 1-14C glucose of BCG/listeria activated, proteose-peptone stimulated and typhoid-parathypoid vaccine (T.A.B.) stimulated peritoneal and spleen macrophages from C3H, CBA and C57Bl mice w