Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S342 - 6 Response to antimicrobial therapy for shigellosis in Thailand; Lolekha S et al.; Shigella species have been one of the most common causes of acute diarrhea in Bangkok, Thailand . The incidence of shigellosis increased steadily from 1984 to 1988 . The majority of Shigella species isolated from specimens from patients with acute diarrhea in Bangkok in 1988 were resistant to both ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) . Shigella flexneri was the most commonly isolated organism and had the highest rate of resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, TMP-SMZ, and tetracycline . The antimicrobial agents of choice for the treatment of shigellosis have been changed from ampicillin to TMP-SMZ and recently to the fluoroquinolones . We conducted a controlled study of norfloxacin that revealed its efficacy for eradication of Shigella species from the stool of both adults and children . The fluoroquinolones shorten the course of diarrhea, reduce the shedding of the organism, and prevent the spread of infection . No short-term adverse effects of the quinolones were observed in this study; however, its use among children should be restricted to treatment of severe shigellosis and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S332 - 41 Antimicrobial therapy for shigellosis; Salam MA et al.; In controlled clinical trials, which were first performed with use of the sulfonamides, antimicrobial agents have been shown to shorten the duration of symptoms and lessen the excretion of pathogens during episodes of shigellosis . Not all antimicrobial agents that are active in vitro against Shigella are effective in vivo, and efficacy of an agent can only be assessed by properly conducted clinical trials . Resistance to both ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, the drugs of choice for the treatment of shigellosis, is now common among Shigella dysenteriae type I isolates in Africa and Asia and is increasing among isolates of other Shigella species, including Shigella sonnei in the United States . Nalidixic acid, the newer quinolones, and amnidocillin pivoxil are additional agents that have been found to be effective in controlled clinical trials . There is a need, however, for more data on the safety of the quinolones before they can be routinely administered to children . Newer agents that deserve evaluation include the orally administered to children . Newer agents that deserve evaluation include the orally administered second- and third-generation cephalosporins, which are highly active in vitro against most strains of Shigella. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S314 - 8 Morphology of rectal mucosa of patients with shigellosis; Mathan MM et al.; Biopsy specimens of rectal mucosa from 46 consecutive patients with dysentery, from whom shigellae were isolated, were examined . On examination it appeared that the specialized epithelial cells overlying lymphoid follicles were the first to be damaged, and subsequently a vascular lesion led to detachment of epithelial cells . The vascular lesion was widespread in the lamina propria mucosae . Extensive ulceration was associated with invasion of epithelial cells by the organism . There was marked depletion of mucus and an increase in mitotic activity in the crypts . Abscesses of the crypts were rare . The only difference between patients from whom the Shiga bacillus was isolated and patients from whom other shigellae were isolated was a higher prevalence of epithelial cell detachment and luminal exudate . In patients who had been ill for greater than 1 week, cell damage of the crypts was associated with cell-mediated cytolysis, a release of cytotoxic substances from eosinophils and mast cells, and relative vascular insufficiency, all of which may contribute to persistence of dysentery. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S311 - 3 Intestinal manifestations of invasive diarrheas and their diagnosis; Mathan VI et al.; Data from studies of 916 children with diarrhea, including 122 from whom shigellae were isolated, and data on patients affected in an epidemic due to Shigella dysenteriae type I were analyzed to determine whether a diagnostic clinical profile of shigellosis could be identified . Blood and/or mucus in stool, increased frequency of stool, abdominal pain, rectal tenesmus, and fever were noted more frequently in patients with shigellosis . The diagnostic confirmation of shigellosis depends on the isolation of the organism, but in the clinical situation early initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy can be based on clinical judgment that utilizes local perceptions regarding dysentery. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S298 - 303 Digalactosyl-containing glycolipids as cell surface receptors for shiga toxin of Shigella dysenteriae 1 and related cytotoxins of Escherichia coli; Brown JE et al.; Purified glycolipids containing galactose-alpha(1-4)galactose bind with Shiga toxin of Shigella dysenteriae 1 and Shiga-like toxins of Escherichia coli with high specificity in both thin-layer chromatograms and glycolipid-coated microtiter plates . These glycolipids appear to be the natural cell surface receptors for this class of bacterial toxins since artificial glycoconjugates block cytotoxicity as well as binding of 125I-labeled toxin . Cell lines lacking these glycolipids are refractory to toxin action . Assays in which synthetic glycoconjugates and purified glycolipids are used as capture reagents have been developed for the detection of the toxins. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S293 - 7 Shiga toxin: purification, structure, and function; Donohue-Rolfe A et al.; Shiga toxin is a potent toxin produced by Shigella dysenteriae type 1 strains . The toxin has three biologic activities--cytotoxicity, enterotoxicity, and neurotoxicity--and one known biochemical effect: inhibition of protein synthesis . It consists of two polypeptide chains, an A chain (molecular weight, 32,225) and a B chain (molecular weight, 7,691) . These two peptides associate with a stoichiometry of one A and five B subunits to form the holotoxin . The A chain is responsible for the biochemical effect of the holotoxin: cleavage of the N-glycosidic bond of adenine at nucleotide position 4324 in the 28S rRNA of the 60S ribosomal subunit . The B chain mediates binding of toxin to cell surface receptors . Shiga toxin is the prototype of a family of toxin molecules that have been termed Shiga-like in terms of both structural and functional analysis. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S285 - 92 Genetic and molecular basis of epithelial cell invasion by Shigella species; Sansonetti PJ; Bacteria that belong to the four species of the genus Shigella cause a dysenteric syndrome by means of their unique capacity to invade the human colonic mucosa . The various steps of invasion of epithelial cells are controlled by a 220-kilobase plasmid . Plasmid genes that encode for entry into cells through bacterium-directed phagocytosis have been identified . Among these, ipa genes encode four highly immunogenic polypeptides . The ability of intracellular bacteria to multiply subsequently in an efficient manner is attributable to their capacity to lyse phagocytic membrane with a plasmid-encoded contact hemolysin that also determines bacterial entry capacity . In a further step, bacteria that lie free within the cytosol spread intracellularly and infect adjacent cells by inducing rapid polymerization of actin or accumulation of actin . Another plasmid gene, icsA (virG), that encodes a 120-kDa outer-membrane protein accounts for this phenotype . Finally, intracellular shigellae kill host cells rapidly by means of an unknown mechanism that does not seem to involve production of Shiga toxin or Shiga-like toxin . The invasion genes are controlled by both positive and negative regulatory systems. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S272 - 8 Social and behavioral factors in transmission and response to shigellosis; Kunstadter P; Biomedical approaches to shigellosis tend to emphasize unique etiologic and clinical features of the disease, e.g., those related to the development of vaccines or case management . The biologic characteristics of the organism and sociocultural responses to it imply that it is unlikely that a purely technologic solution (vaccine) to shigellosis will be found soon . Infrastructural development (protected water supply and sanitary disposal of feces) may be too expensive to be feasible due to the economic, environmental, and demographic conditions in developing countries . Behavioral change to reduce the risk of transmission may be a more effective preventive strategy . Case management in developing countries will require prompt, appropriate action when symptoms of shigellosis occur . A general model of health-seeking behavior suggests patients' parents or guardians (anyone responsible for care of the child and for overseeing the child's health, e.g., older siblings or grandparents) will take no action if the symptoms are not recognized or are perceived as normal or if the condition is not evaluated as serious or treatable . It is not necessary for patients' parents or guardians to learn about etiologic models from medical practitioners to behave in ways that will reduce the risk of infection or to seek effective treatment . For example, hand washing may be promoted on the basis of symbolism . Agreement between potential patients or their guardians and health care providers on signs of potentially severe disease may be enough to bring them into effective contact. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S245 - 51 Mortality due to shigellosis: community and hospital data; Bennish ML et al.; Almost all fatal cases of shigellosis occur in developing countries, and data on mortality are generally compiled from three sources: investigations of epidemics caused by Shigella dysenteriae type 1, surveillance of endemic diarrheal disease, and reports from hospitals . Attack rates during epidemics of dysentery due to infection with S . dysenteriae type 1 have ranged from 1% to 33%, and case-fatality rates have ranged from 1% to 7% . In Matlab, a rural district in Bangladesh, most diarrhea-related deaths and approximately 25% of all deaths among children 1 through 4 years of age are attributable to dysentery . In 1984, an epidemic of dysentery was associated with a 42% increase in the death rate in that age group . At the Dhaka Treatment Centre of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, the fatality rate for 970 inpatients with shigellosis was 11% in 1988, with most deaths occurring among malnourished children who were infected with Shigella flexneri . Control of mortality from shigellosis will require prevention of epidemic S . dysenteriae type 1 disease and endemic S . flexneri infections in children who live in countries with a high prevalence of malnutrition. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S238 - 44 The epidemiologic importance of dysentery in communities; Henry FJ; This paper explores the epidemiologic importance of dysentery with use of several community studies that demonstrate its prevalence and incidence as well as its association with pathogens, nutritional status, persistent diarrhea, and death . Results of these studies showed that while watery diarrhea was most prevalent in children aged 6-11 months, the prevalence of dysentery peaked between 18 and 23 months of age . Severely stunted children were found to have significantly prolonged episodes of dysentery . Shigella and persistent diarrhea were more frequent in children with dysentery than in those with nonbloody diarrhea . A striking feature was that watery diarrhea, dysentery, persistent diarrhea, and malnutrition each account for less than 5% of all deaths among children aged less than 5 years . However, persistent diarrhea in association with malnutrition causes 13% of deaths in children aged 0-4 years and 27% of deaths in those aged 1-4 years . These data suggest that a more balanced strategy for diarrheal control is required simply because most diarrheal deaths occur among malnourished children with prolonged diarrhea, which is mainly due to dysentery . Results of the studies also suggest that methods to control dysentery in the community should focus on improved hygiene and antimicrobial treatment with use of appropriate algorithms . Recognition of the synergism between dysentery and persistent diarrhea accompanied by malnutrition is crucial in formulating effective programs for control of diarrhea. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13(2), 248 - 53 Four decades of shigellosis in Israel: epidemiology of a growing public health problem; Green MS et al.; Despite the improved standard of living in Israel, shigellosis remains a common disease . Examination of trends in the incidence of shigellosis in Israel between 1951 and 1987 showed a period of declining rates followed by an increase in the reported incidence beginning around 1969 . This increase was mainly due to Shigella sonnei; rates of infection with Shigella flexneri remained relatively constant . Trends showed marked differences between age groups and between ethnic groups . In comparison, the rates in the United States--much lower than those in Israel--began to decline in the early 1950s and have remained low . The incidence in Israel is now about 20 times higher than that in the United States . Thus shigellosis remains a major and growing public health problem in Israel, a country that has enjoyed a dramatic improvement in basic sanitary services and infrastructure over the past few decades . This disturbing finding lends urgency to efforts to control the disease. J Appl Bacteriol, 1991 Mar, 70(3), 203 - 10 Antimicrobial effect of fermented Ghanaian maize dough; Mensah P et al.; Unhygienic conditions of a typical rural community in a developing country were simulated in the laboratory by inoculating fermented maize dough porridge with Shigella flexneri and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) . The antimicrobial effects of the different processes involved in the preparation of fermented maize dough porridge were assessed . The soaking process reduced the pH but no antimicrobial effect against shigella and ETEC was noted . Unfermented maize dough did not inhibit any of the test strains . When the fermentation process had become established, half of the strains tested were inhibited by the fermented maize dough when examined 8 h after inoculation . Cooking the fermented maize dough into porridge reduced the antimicrobial effect but there was still significant inhibition of pathogens . This suggests that the antimicrobial effect of fermented maize dough is not due to pH per se . Fermentation of maize dough appears to be a useful strategy for reducing contamination of weaning foods by Sh . flexneri and ETEC . The possible nature of the antimicrobial agent(s) produced during the fermentation of maize dough is discussed. Md Med J, 1991 Mar, 40(3), 199 - 203 Enteric vaccines; Edelman R et al.; Considerable progress has been made in the past decade in developing vaccines against the most important bacterial and viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract . Members of the Division of Geographic Medicine in the Center for Vaccine Development have played a prominent role in the laboratory development and clinical testing of these vaccines . A new oral typhoid vaccine, Ty21a, has been licensed in the United States . A genetically engineered live oral cholera vaccine developed in the CVD is undergoing clinical trials in cholera-endemic areas . Multiple vaccine candidates against Shigella, enterotoxigenic E . coli, and rotavirus are in clinical trial in the United States or overseas . Rapid advances in molecular biology, together with new knowledge of mucosal and cellular immunity, will produce more vaccine candidates in the future . The CVD intends to be in the forefront of these developments. Infect Immun, 1991 Mar, 59(3), 792 - 9 Virulence plasmids of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri integrate into a specific site on the host chromosome: integration greatly reduces expression of plasmid-carried virulence genes; Zagaglia C et al.; The ability of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri to cause disease depends on the presence of a large virulence plasmid (pINV) . In this report we show that pHN280, the pINV of the O135:K-:H- enteroivasive strain E . coli HN280, and pWR100, the pINV of S . flexneri serotype 5 strain M90T, are able to integrate into a specific site on the host chromosome . pINV-integrated HN280 and M90T strains required methionine (Met-) to grow in minimal medium, were noninvasive, did not produce contact-mediated hemolysin, and had lost the ability to bind Congo red (Crb-) at 37 degrees C . Immunoblots of whole bacterial extracts from pHN280-integrated HN280 derivatives revealed that integration severely reduced the expression of ipa and virG (icsA) plasmid genes . Met- HN280 and M90T derivative strains spontaneously generated Met+ revertants that either contained excised forms of pINV or had lost pINV . Restriction analysis of excised pINVs showed that they either were virtually identical to parental pINVs (precise excision) or had suffered some deletion (imprecise excision) . Precisely excised pINVs expressed the full pattern of virulence, whereas imprecisely excised pINVs were always Crb- and noninvasive . The revertion to Met+ was shown to be recA dependent, indicating that homologous plasmid and chromosomal DNA sequences are involved in the integration-excision process . The maintainance of pINV through integration and downregulation of its virulence genes may represent an advantageous mechanism for enteroinvasive bacteria, particularly when they are outside host cells and/or have to face adverse environmental conditions. J Med Chem, 1991 Mar, 34(3), 968 - 78 Synthesis and siderophore and antibacterial activity of N5-acetyl-N5-hydroxy-L-ornithine-derived siderophore-beta-lactam conjugates: iron-transport-mediated drug delivery; Dolence EK et al.; N5-Acetyl-N5-hydroxy-L-ornithyl-N5-acetyl-N5-hydroxy-L-ornithyl-N5-acety l- N5-hydroxy-L-ornithine, the functionally instrumental component of the albomycins and ferrichromes, has been incorporated as a "carrier" substructure into both carbacephalosporin and oxamazin type beta-lactam antibiotics . The previously synthesized protected version of this tripeptide (14) was coupled with various beta-lactam analogues 17, 19, 24, and 25 to give protected conjugates 21, 22, 26, and 27 . Final deprotection by hydrogenolysis provided the deprotected siderophore-beta-lactam antibiotic conjugates 1-4 . The growth-promoting ability of each has been evaluated using either the siderophore-deficient mutant Shigella flexneri SA 100 or S . flexneri SA240 (SA 100 iucD:Tn5) . Measurement of the growth-promoting activity using two isogenic Escherichia coli strains differing only in the presence or absence of fhuA (hydroxamate ferrichrome receptor) suggests uptake by the hydroxamate iron-transport system . The antibacterial activity of these conjugates has been investigated, and the potential for use of the ferrichrome iron-transport system as a means of drug delivery is discussed. J Med Chem, 1991 Mar, 34(3), 956 - 68 Synthesis and siderophore activity of albomycin-like peptides derived from N5-acetyl-N5-hydroxy-L-ornithine; Dolence EK et al.; N5-Acetyl-N5-hydroxy-L-ornithine (1), the key constituent of several microbial siderophores, has been synthesized in 23% yield overall from N-Cbz-L-glutamic acid 1-tert-butyl ester (6) derived from L-glutamic acid . Reduction of 6 to 7 and treatment with N-{(trichloroethoxy)carbonyl}-O-benzylhydroxylamine (8), and diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine followed by deprotection produced the protected N5-acetyl-N5-hydroxy-L-ornithine derivatives 11 and 12 in large quantities (10-20 g) . Following alpha-amino and alpha-carboxyl deprotections of 11 and 12, EEDQ {2-ethoxy-N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,2-dihydroquinoline} mediated peptide coupling and final deprotection provided amino acid 1 and six albomycin-like peptides (20, 23, 25, 28, 35, and 36) . The growth-promoting ability of each was evaluated with the siderophore biosynthesis mutant Shigella flexneri SA240 (SA 100 iucD:Tn5) . These results indicate that substantial modification of the framework of peptide-based siderophores can be tolerated by microbial iron-transport systems. Rev Infect Dis, 1991 Mar-Apr, 13 Suppl 4, S279 - 84 The lipopolysaccharide of Shigella bacteria as a virulence factor; Lindberg AA et al.; The virulence factors of the lipopolysaccharide of Shigella species bacteria include the endotoxic activities of the lipid A component of the molecule and the ability of the polysaccharide chain--the core and the O-antigenic polysaccharide--to provide the bacterium with resistance to host defense mechanisms such as opsonization, phagocytosis, and intracellular killing . Structural features of the lipopolysaccharides of four Shigella species-S . dysenteriae, S . flexneri, S . boydii, and S . sonnei--are described. J Infect Dis, 1991 Mar, 163(3), 503 - 6 Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation with Developing Countries . Prospects for public health benefits in developing countries from new vaccines against enteric infections; Sack DA et al.; The symposium participants concluded that vaccines with even moderate efficacy can be highly useful to prevent large numbers of severe illness episodes and deaths and that the decision of whether to initiate a vaccine program should be based on measures or estimates of public health effectiveness rather than only on protective efficacy . Studies of protective efficacy are of course critical to establish the vaccine's biologic activity, but additional aspects of public health effectiveness are also crucial in making these decisions . First-generation vaccines are available against typhoid, cholera, and soon rotavirus diarrhea, and vaccines against enterotoxigenic E . coli diarrhea and shigellosis are under development . The problems related to enteric diseases are enormous; the vaccines may soon be produced at low cost and promise to be relatively more easy to distribute than most previous vaccines . The number of illnesses and deaths averted from vaccine programs are potentially great . Pilot programs using the new vaccines should urgently be considered in areas where the disease burden is high, and steps should be taken to monitor effectiveness of the intervention in these programs . Such studies of vaccine effectiveness and costs in a "real world" situation are an essential step of the research process and should be used to guide the organization of larger-scale programs . Finally, many of the necessary research and development activities relevant to public health vaccinology must address country-specific problems . Developing countries should consider the role of vaccine-related research among the priorities for their essential national health research and build the necessary capabilities in applied and basic medical sciences and in the social sciences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1991 Feb, 65(2), 181 - 4 {A provisional serovar of Shigella dysenteriae isolated in Japan from travellers' diarrhea}; Hiruta N et al.; A bacterial strain was isolated that possessed the biochemical characteristics of Shigella dysenteriae but did not belong to any of the established S . dysenteriae serovars, from the feces of a diarrheal case who had travelled to Turkey, Pakistan, India and Thailand for about a month . This strain was invasive to tissue culture cells and gave a positive Sereny test . Preparing antiserum against this strain and examining the antigenic relationship with the established O antigens of Shigella and Escherichia coli O1-O170, we found that the strain had O antigen identical to that of the E . coli O serogroups 150 . The results indicated that this strain could be a provisional serovar of S . dysenteriae . Although our strain could probably be the same serotype as that of the strains reported in Israel, this may be the first report of isolation in Japan. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh), 1991 Feb, 69(1), 33 - 8 The lysosomal enzymes of the iris-ciliary body are retained in their organelles and exhibit increased activities during acute uveal inflammation; Phylactos AC; Acute uveal inflammation, characterised by conjunctival hyperaemia, limbal vascular injection, iritis and aqueous flare, was induced in the rabbit eye by a single intravitreal injection of 10 micrograms of Shigella endotoxin . Twenty-four, 48 and 72 h after endotoxin administration, lysosomal-rich fractions and cytosolic supernatants were prepared from iris-ciliary bodies and the enzymatic activities of some lysosomal hydrolases in these fractions were assayed . Acid phosphatase, aryl sulphatase and N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase exhibited increased activities in the lysosomal preparations from inflamed iris-ciliary bodies, relative to the activities of the same enzymes in lysosomal fractions from normal iris-ciliary bodies . No significant differences in activities were obtained for these enzymes in cytosolic supernatants from normal and inflamed iris-ciliary bodies . The results suggest that during acute ocular inflammation the lysosomal hydrolases are retained in their organelles at an elevated state of activity. J Bacteriol, 1991 Feb, 173(3), 1151 - 60 Identification of three amino acid residues in the B subunit of Shiga toxin and Shiga-like toxin type II that are essential for holotoxin activity; Perera LP et al.; Shiga toxin of Shigella dysenteriae type I and Shiga-like toxins I and II (SLT-I and SLT-II, respectively) of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli are functionally similar protein cytotoxins . These toxin molecules have a bipartite molecular structure which consists of an enzymatically active A subunit that inhibits protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells and an oligomeric B subunit that binds to globotriaosylceramide glycolipid receptors on eukaryotic cells . Regionally directed chemical mutagenesis of the B subunit of SLT-II was used to identify amino acids in the B subunit that are critical for SLT-II holotoxin cytotoxic activity . Three noncytotoxic mutants were isolated, and their mutations were mapped . The substitutions of arginine with cysteine at codon 32, alanine with threonine at codon 42, and glycine with aspartic acid at codon 59 in the 70-amino-acid mature SLT-II B polypeptide resulted in the complete abolition of cytotoxicity . The analogous arginine, alanine, and glycine residues were conserved at codons 33, 43, and 60 in the 69-amino-acid mature B polypeptide of Shiga toxin . Comparable mutations induced in the B-subunit gene of Shiga toxin by oligonucleotide-directed, site-specific mutagenesis resulted in drastically decreased cytotoxicity (10(3)- to 10(6)-fold) as compared with that of wild-type Shiga toxin . The mutant SLT-II and Shiga toxin B subunits were characterized for stability, receptor binding, immunoreactivity, and ability to be assembled into holotoxin. Semin Cell Biol, 1991 Feb, 2(1), 7 - 14 Bacterial protein toxins acting on intracellular targets; Olsnes S et al.; A number of bacterial toxins act on targets located in the cytosol . Diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A and shigella toxin inhibit protein synthesis by enzymatic inactivation of elongation factor 2 or the 60 S ribosomal subunit . These toxins enter the cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis, followed by translocation across the membranes of intracellular organelles . Also a number or toxins that are not cytocidal act on targets in the cytosol . A number of nontoxic bacterial proteins are able to modify enzymatically intracellular molecules . Some of these proteins could be considered for targeting to special cells followed by translocation to obtain defined physiological effects. Vaccine, 1991 Feb, 9(2), 106 - 10 New trends in the use of Al(OH)3-conjugated endotoxins and their subunits from the S- and R-forms of Shigella dysenteriae serovar 1 for model vaccination purposes; Sourek J et al.; The lipopolysaccharides, lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes and their lipids A, isolated from Shigella dysenteriae 1, exhibited lethal toxicity (LD50 300-400 micrograms per mouse), pyrogenicity (0.01-1.0 microgram), activity in the Limulus test (10(-3)-10(-12) mg ml-1) and produced a positive local Shwartzman reaction . It was found that these substances bound to Al(OH)3 were capable of successfully protecting mice from challenge with both homologous and heterologous infections (up to 90% of mice survived a challenge with LD100), whereas immunization with substances with no biological carrier exhibited very low or zero protective effects . Furthermore, the positive cross-reactivity of lipids A in the agar immunodiffusion test confirms the wide applicability for vaccination purposes. Mol Microbiol, 1991 Feb, 5(2), 317 - 25 An O antigen can interfere with the function of the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis invasin protein; Voorhis DL et al.; Escherichia coli strains harbouring the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis inv gene are able to enter cultured mammalial cells . We show here that this property is not shared by all enteric bacteria, since Shigella flexneri 2a cured of its virulence-associated plasmid and harbouring the inv gene is unable to enter mammalian cells efficiently . Mapping studies showed that the region of the chromosome responsible for this phenotype includes rfaB, a locus involved in the production of O antigen . S . flexneri 2a strains that express O antigen were unable to enter mammalian cells, even though invasin was efficiently expressed and localized, showing that this structure interferes with invasin activity . The O antigen either masks invasin or sterically hinders the ability of the mammalian cell receptor to bind this protein. J Clin Microbiol, 1991 Feb, 29(2), 386 - 9 Prospective study of the association between serum antibodies to lipopolysaccharide O antigen and the attack rate of shigellosis; Cohen D et al.; A means for determining immune status against shigellosis would significantly improve the design and evaluation of interventional and other epidemiologic studies . Previous case-control studies have indicated the potential role of humoral antilipopolysaccharide antibodies . To test this proposition, 190 soldiers serving in a field unit were monitored prospectively for 2.5 months for shigellosis . Blood samples were taken at the beginning of the follow-up period and tested for serological evidence of prior exposure to Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri . The risk for acquiring S . sonnei shigellosis was 3.7 times higher for individuals lacking homologous antibodies (P less than 0.02) . The risk for acquiring S . flexneri shigellosis was 2.4 times higher for individuals lacking antibodies, although a low attack rate for S . flexneri resulted in numbers too small to achieve statistical significance . While the importance of the serum antilipopolysaccharide antibodies in protection against the disease remains unclear, these findings demonstrate that they are strong markers of acquired immunity . Serological markers should be incorporated in epidemiologic studies of shigellosis and in the design and evaluation of future trials of potential anti-Shigella vaccines. J Infect Dis, 1991 Feb, 163(2), 406 - 9 Molecular epidemiologic techniques in analysis of epidemic and endemic Shigella dysenteriae type 1 strains; Strockbine NA et al.; During 1988 the number of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 infections reported in the United States increased fivefold . To determine if recent isolates from Mexico were related to those that caused epidemics of dysentery worldwide, Southern hybridization analysis was done with Shiga toxin and ribosomal RNA gene probes . Western hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere strains differed by the size of a single EcoRI fragment carrying the Shiga toxin genes . Three ribosomal DNA (rDNA) patterns were observed, which correlated with the strain's continental origin for 81 of 83 isolates tested . Together the Shiga toxin and rDNA probe results indicated that recent Mexican isolates were chromosomally similar to earlier Central American isolates and distinct from Asian and African strains . This suggests there has been no significant exchange of organisms between continents in recent decades and that the 1988 outbreak in Mexico was caused by strains present in Central America since at least 1962. Mikrobiol Zh, 1991 Jan-Feb, 53(1), 22 - 8 {The possible mechanisms of the adaptation of microbial populations to low positive temperatures}; Varvashevich TN et al.; Biologically low temperature was studied for its effect on the survival of populations and their biochemical and molecular-genetical state . The research was carried out on Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Shigella sonnei models . It is established that the process of low-temperature adaptation of the populations may occur either at the level of the whole population with participation of inducible cold isoenzymes or at the level of a part of population, the temperature being a selection factor of the adapted cells. Indian J Med Res, 1991 Jan, 93, 33 - 6 Efficacy of aqueous extract of garlic & allicin in experimental shigellosis in rabbits; Chowdhury AK et al.; The aqueous extract of garlic (Allium sativum) and allicin both showed significant in vitro antibacterial activity against isolates of multiple drug-resistant Shigella dysenteriae 1, Sh . flexneri Y, Sh . sonnei and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli . The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the aqueous extract and allicin against Sh . flexneri Y were 5 and 0.4 microliters/ml, respectively . The two agents also showed promising in vivo antibacterial activity against Sh . flexneri Y when tested in the rabbit model of experimental shigellosis, fully curing the infected rabbits within 3 days . On the contrary, 4 of the 5 rabbits in the control group died within 48 h . The rectal swab of rabbits of the experimental groups became free of the challenge bacteria on the second day of treatment . The antibacterial activity against the challenge strain was observed in the sera of the treated rabbits with 30-60 min of administration of the agents . The LD50 values of the aqueous extract and allicin in mice were 173.78 ml/kg and 204.17 microliters/kg of body weight, respectively . At the therapeutic dose, the two agents did not show any adverse effects on the standard biochemical profile of blood. Can J Microbiol, 1991 Jan, 37(1), 59 - 63 Unusual association of a plasmid with nalidixic acid resistance in an epidemic strain of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 from Asia; Ashraf MM et al.; The association of a 20-MDa plasmid with nalidixic acid resistant (Nalr) strains of Shigella dysenteriae 1 has been examined . The plasmid, which is readily transferable, does not itself code for nalidixic acid resistance but offers a survival advantage to its host under nalidixic acid stress . The plasmid-containing cultures of S . dynsenteriae 1 produced Nalr mutants in vitro at a frequency 1000-fold higher than their plasmidless parent strains, after two exposures to nalidixic acid . Using a similar procedure, mutants resistant to other antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, tetracycline, or ciprofloxacin could not be isolated . The genome of S . dysenteriae 1 appears to carry a heavy load of the insertion sequence IS1 . The propensity of the plasmid-containing strains to readily mutate to nalidixic acid resistance and its possible relevance to the observed association of the plasmid with Nalr clinical isolates is discussed. Int J Food Microbiol, 1991 Jan, 12(1), 103 - 13 Pathogenic Escherichia coli found in food; Olsvik O et al.; The bacteria constituting the species Escherichia coli are commonly found in the intestinal flora of man and animals, and were until late 1950s recognized as non-pathogenic normal cohabitants . However, certain strains might induce disease, and E . coli should therefore be regarded as a potential pathogenic organism . The pathogenic strains can cause distinct disease syndrome as different diarrheal diseases, wound infections, meningitis, septicemia, artherosclerosis, hemolytic uremic syndrome and immunological diseases such as reactive and rheumatoid arthritis . Several different groups of diarrhea-inducing strains are known . The enterotoxigenic E . coli (ETEC) strains produce one or more of toxins from the heat-labile and the heat-stable enterotoxin families . These strains possess specific adhesion fimbria for intestinal attachment and colonization . Some enteropathogenic E . coli strains (EPEC) produce one or more of the cytotoxins, but adhere also to intestinal cells interfering with the electrolyte transport system . The group of strains possessing invasive properties are designated enteroinvasive E . coli (EIEC) . Recently, the enterohemorrhagic E . coli (EHEC) strains have been identified and shown to produce one or more of the cytotoxins (vero-cytotoxins, shiga-like toxins) . Food originating from warm-blooded animals may be contaminated with E . coli, but contamination from human sources are more common for food involved in outbreak of disease . In general, strains causing disease in animals do possess other colonization factors than those found on human pathogenic strains . EIEC strains are, like Shigella, only known to induce disease in man . However, both healthy and sick cattle are suspected to be a major reservoir for EHEC strains, and several outbreaks have been associated with consumption of meat or meat products . Cheeses have been the source of outbreaks of both ETEC and EIEC in Europe and the USA, while water seems to be a major source for the different diarrheic E . coli strains affecting children and tourists in the 3rd world . Strains causing non-enteric disease are less known as being transmitted to humans with food as a vector, but the importance of some of these diseases, should implicate further research on what role food plays in spreading these organisms . The recipient of the potential pathogenic E . coli through food, the humans, are also of different risk of contracting diseases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Mol Microbiol, 1991 Jan, 5(1), 71 - 5 Molecular characterization of the O-acetyl transferase gene of converting bacteriophage SF6 that adds group antigen 6 to Shigella flexneri; Verma NK et al.; Bacteriophage SF6 antigenically converts Shigella flexneri serotype Y strains (-;3,4) to type 3b carrying group antigen 6,3,4 by means of an O-acetylation of the O-antigenic polysaccharide chain . The gene for O-acetyl transferase of bacteriophage SF6 has been cloned, identified and sequenced . The predicted O-acetyl transferase protein encoded by this gene was found to consist of 333 amino acids, (37,185 daltons) and to have some similarity with the galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase protein of Escherichia coli . The gene has been shown to function in a live vaccine strain of S . flexneri Y type (delta aroD), making it a 3b type . The converted type 3b strain, SFL1104, was found to elicit significant protection against challenge by both wild-type serotypes 3b and Y in a guinea-pig keratoconjunctivitis model. Vaccine, 1991 Jan, 9(1), 6 - 9 Construction of aromatic dependent Shigella flexneri 2a live vaccine candidate strains: deletion mutations in the aroA and the aroD genes; Verma NK et al.; Live Shigella flexneri 2a vaccine candidate strains with deletion mutations in the aro genes were constructed . Tn10-generated auxotrophic mutations were transduced from Escherichia coli to S . flexneri 2a with bacteriophage P1CmCts . The tetracycline-sensitive derivatives of Tn10 mutants obtained were selected on Bochner's medium and checked by DNA-DNA hybridization using aroA and aroD gene specific probes . The vaccine candidate strains were tested to assess the efficacy of protection in guinea-pig conjunctival epithelia (Sereny test) . The strains did not cause keratoconjunctivitis and exhibited significant protection in the challenge experiments . A candidate vaccine strain (delta aroD) showed 100% protection against 10(7) c.f.u . of wild type strain in the immunized guinea-pigs. J Clin Microbiol, 1991 Jan, 29(1), 148 - 53 Laboratory investigations on the low pathogenic potential of Plesiomonas shigelloides; Abbott SL et al.; The pathogenic properties of 16 Plesiomonas shigelloides strains recovered from humans with extraintestinal and intestinal illnesses, infected animals, and environmental sources were investigated . Most strains possessed a high cell charge and low surface hydrophobicity analogous to those of Shigella spp.; additionally, serogroup O:17 strains reacted with Shigella group D antisera . However, unlike the shigellae, P . shigelloides strains did not universally bind Congo red, were noninvasive in HEp-2 cell assays, and did not produce a Shiga-like toxin on Vero cells . On HEp-2, Y1, and possibly Vero cells, a low-level cytolysin was consistently produced by all 16 P . shigelloides strains when grown in either Evan Casamino Acids-yeast extract or Penassay broth . The median 50% lethal dose for all 16 P . shigelloides strains in outbred Swiss Webster mice was 3.5 x 10(8) CFU (range, 3.2 x 10(7) to greater than 1 x 10(9) CFU) . Animal pathogenicity did not correlate with cytolysin expression, possession of a greater than or equal to 120-MDa plasmid, protein profile, or resistance to complement-mediated lysis . No strain analyzed produced siderophores or a heat-stable enterotoxin . The results suggest that members of the genus Plesiomonas have an overall low pathogenic potential, irrespective of the site of isolation or phenotypic, serologic, or surface properties shared with other traditional enteropathogens. J Pediatr, 1991 Jan, 118(1), 34 - 8 Human milk secretory immunoglobulin A to Shigella virulence plasmid-coded antigens; Cleary TG et al.; Although antibodies to the lipopolysaccharide antigens of Shigella have been demonstrated in human milk, such antibodies do not explain the putative protective effect of breast-feeding against symptomatic Shigella infection . Shigella species do not share related lipopolysaccharides, but they do possess closely related virulence plasmids that code for the proteins essential for cell invasion . We therefore sought to determine the frequency, amount, and duration of excretion of human milk antibodies to these shared virulence plasmid-associated antigens in populations of different rates of Shigella infection frequency (Mexico City, high; Houston, low) . Such antibodies were present in the milk of virtually all the Mexican women but also were present in a large proportion of milk samples from the women living in Houston . The amounts of these antibodies were highest in colostrum but after 2 weeks of lactation fell to stable levels . The frequency and persistence of these antibodies in the milk of the women from Houston suggest that the memory and drive for secretion of these antibodies is extremely long lived. Acta Paediatr Scand Suppl, 1991, 374, 133 - 40 Would control of childhood infectious diseases reduce malnutrition? Black RE. Infectious diseases and especially diarrheal diseases have been noted to have an adverse effect on the growth of underprivileged children in developing countries . Diarrheal diseases have been estimated to account for 10-80% of growth retardation in the first few years of life, with the magnitude of effect possibly modified by other factors, such as the adequacy and source of dietary intake, treatment and feeding practices during and following illness and the opportunity for catch-up growth after illness . In the only study in which infectious diseases and routine dietary intake have been evaluated simultaneously, inadequate dietary intake rather than infectious diseases, was found to have the predominant role in growth faltering . Although reduction in infectious diseases is desirable for many reasons, the relative feasibility and cost of this approach to improve nutritional status must be compared with more direct nutrition interventionsPIP: An analysis of a group of prospective community bases studies has revealed that diarrhea has the most effect on slowing growth of children 0-24 months old . On the other hand, respiratory infections did not generally influence growth . 1 study in the Gambia, however, revealed that lower, but not upper, respiratory infections significantly affected growth . In these studies, diarrhea accounted for 10-80% of growth retardation . Indeed 1 study in The Gambia had the highest magnitude of growth retardation due to diarrhea (101 g of 122 g deficit/month) . In another study here, the magnitude was 50% . In a study in the Bangladesh, only enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Shigella species influenced growth while rotavirus and other enteropathogens did not . This review recognized that mitigating factors may have moderated the magnitude of diarrhea's effect on growth, however . For example, in 1 study in The Gambia, even the children with little to no diarrheal episodes gained almost no weight during the preharvest months of July and August . Moreover, high prevalence of diarrhea among the children in this study had little effect on growth . In a study in Bangladesh, researchers found that inadequate dietary intake played a more significant role in growth faltering than did infectious diseases . All the studies that looked at breast feeding showed that it did not adversely affect growth and/or reduced the severity and duration of diarrhea . Further, continued feeding during diarrhea and proper treatment including oral rehydration improved weight gain . In conclusion, nutritional interventions may be more cost effective than controlling infectious diseases . Other countries included Guatemala, Uganda, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Sudan . Microbiol Immunol, 1991, 35(4), 335 - 41 Localization of IpaB protein in Escherichia coli K-12 MC1061 strain carrying Shigella sonnei form I plasmid pSS120; Ito K et al.; We partially purified antigens which reacted with shigellosis convalescent-monkey antisera . Hybridomas, which were constructed from mice immunized by the antigens, produced monoclonal antibodies recognizing IpaB protein . Using the monoclonal antibody against IpaB, evidence indicating that IpaB proteins were localized on the cell surface of invasive bacteria (Escherichia coli K-12 MC1061 harboring pSS120 plasmid) was obtained by immunoelectron microscopy. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1991, 180(3), 143 - 7 140-MDa plasmids of Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri 5 do not influence phagocytosis; Meyer D et al.; Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) and Shigella flexneri possessing a 140-megadalton (MDa) plasmid are capable of invading intestinal epithelial cells and causing dysentery . To determine if this plasmid affected phagocytosis of the organisms by leukocytes, we studied the in vitro phagocytosis of isogenic pairs of EIEC and S . flexneri 5 which differed only in the presence or absence of the 140-MDa plasmid . In addition five EIEC strains containing 140-MDa plasmids as well as one non-enteroinvasive E . coli strain possessing a 120-MDa plasmid were studied . The 140-MDa plasmid did not affect phagocytosis of these bacteria by normal human blood neutrophils or monocytes. Medicina (B Aires), 1991, 51(1), 56 - 8 {Encephalopathy in an adult with Shigella}; Belnicoff SA et al.; A case of sporadic shigellosis is reported . A 30 year old woman, presented neurologic dysfunction, mild watery diarrhea and fever which had started one week before her admission . Abdominal tenderness, confusion, delirium, impairment of orientation and of recent memory were found . Abnormal motor activity with rigidity, tremors, myoclonus around the mouth also existed . There were neither focal signs nor signs of meningeal irritation . Computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance of the brain were normal . Laboratory analyses did not explain the anomalies . Several deep ulcers were disclosed by colonoscopy and a S . flexneri was isolated from the material extracted by endoscopy . Nonspecific colitis was informed by pathology . The patient was treated with 400 mg ciprofloxacin for 14 days, with improvement of the clinical picture . The most prominent aspect in this case was the clinical presentation with predominant neurologic symptoms creating the impression of a primary nervous system disease . Admission diagnosis was viral encephalitis . We believe that all of the anomalies present in our patient, the diarrhea and encephalopathy, were produced by the same etiologic agent, S . flexneri and by its toxins. Mil Med . 1991 Jan;156(1):43. Cellulitis and compartment syndrome due to Plesiomonas shigelloides: a case report; Gopal V et al.; We report a case of cellulitis, compartment syndrome, and septicemia associated with fish handling . The etiologic pathogen isolated from the wound and blood cultures was Plesiomonas shigelloides . The pathogen can cause serious illness in people handling fish. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1991, 35(1), 35 - 9 A case of shigellosis caused by Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and Shigella flexneri type 5B; Bratoeva M et al.; Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and Shigella flexneri type 5b strains were isolated as causative agents of bacterial dysentery in a patient having visited South-East Asia . Both strains are a rare finding for Bulgaria . S . dysenteriae 1 strains have not been isolated since 1962, and there were only single isolates of S . flexneri 5b . The strains were of the same antibiotic resistance patterns . Conjugation experiments showed that resistance is determined by transferrable R-plasmids having identical characteristics . It is assumed that in the patient's gut transfer of an R-plasmid occurs from E . coli of the normal flora to the pathogenic shigellae. Mol Microbiol, 1991 Jan, 5(1), 187 - 95 Virulence-associated chromosomal loci of Shigella flexneri identified by random Tn5 insertion mutagenesis; Okada N et al.; Shigellae are the causative agents of bacillary dysentery and are capable of invading epithelial cells, multiplying therein and spreading into adjacent cells . To identify genes on the chromosome associated with the virulence phenotype, 9114 independent Tn5 insertion mutants were isolated in a virulent strain of Shigella flexneri . By using an in vitro assay for intercellular spread or an animal infection model, the Sereny test, 50 chromosomal Tn5 mutants with reduced virulence were identified . The 50 mutants were characterized with respect to their virulence phenotypes, including three different mutations that affect invasion of epithelial cells, bacterial metabolism and structure of lipopolysaccharide . Mutants with reduced invasive ability were further characterized and it was found that two of them had decreased levels of IpaB, C and D antigens as well as the mRNA for the ipaBCD operon encoded by the large virulence plasmid, suggesting that positive regulatory elements for the ipaBCD operon are encoded by the chromosome . Assignment of the 50 Tn5 insertions of the mutants to the 19 NotI restriction fragments of the chromosomal DNA has permitted the identification of at least nine virulence-associated chromosomal loci. J Clin Microbiol, 1991 Jan, 29(1), 104 - 8 Molecular epidemiology of Shigella infections: plasmid profiles, serotype correlation, and restriction endonuclease analysis; Litwin CM et al.; Plasmid isolation was used to refine the epidemiologic analysis for 168 shigellosis cases in Pima County, Ariz . Plasmids of less than 20 kb were used for comparison of plasmid profiles . Plasmid patterns for each species were distinct . A total of 57 of 74 (77%) Shigella flexneri strains could be placed into seven plasmid patterns, 70 of 79 (89%) Shigella sonnei strains could be placed into seven patterns, 12 Shigella boydii strains could be placed into six patterns, and each of 3 Shigella dysenteriae strains differed . There was a correlation between plasmid patterns and serotypes for S . flexneri, and multiple plasmid patterns were found in serotypes 1, 2, and 6, offering a refinement beyond serotyping . In previous studies we found an association between Mexican travel and an S . sonnei 5.1-kb plasmid . When this plasmid was used as a probe, strong homology was seen with numerous small plasmids in all Shigella species: restriction endonuclease analysis revealed a 1.1-kb AvaI-AvaII fragment common to various plasmids of S . sonnei . S . flexneri, and S . boydii independent of species . Of 34 Pima County Shigella isolates from the mid-1970s . 8 showed plasmid patterns similar to those of the recent isolates . Some plasmids from S . sonnei, S . flexneri, and S . boydii strains isolated in the 1970s also contained the AvaI-AvaII fragment . The conservation of this specific fragment in our population for more than 12 years suggests that it may contain genes important in virulence or survival. J Bacteriol, 1991 Jan, 173(2), 816 - 25 Genetic analysis of the enterobactin gene cluster in Shigella flexneri; Schmitt MP et al.; The genes for transport and synthesis of the phenolate siderophore enterobactin are present on the chromosomes of both Ent+ and Ent- clinical isolates of Shigella flexneri . To determine why Ent- S . flexneri isolates fail to express a functional enterobactin system, the structure and expression of enterobactin genes were examined . Several alterations may be responsible for the inability of S . flexneri to express enterobactin . (i) The mRNA levels produced from the entC and fepB genes were not derepressed in low-iron media . (ii) DNA sequence analysis of the entC-fepB intergenic region revealed an 83-bp noncontiguous deletion in the putative fepB leader sequence . The deleted sequences are in a region which would be capable of forming extensive stem-and-loop structures . (iii) An amber codon in the 5' portion of the entC gene was also detected . (iv) An IS1 element, previously mapped to the Ent- S . flexneri enterobactin gene cluster, was found to lie within a potential transcriptional termination sequence in the entF-fepE intergenic region . (v) A mutation responsible for the inactivation of the entF gene was mapped to the entF coding region by using entF hybrid gene fusions . (vi) A comparison of outer membrane profiles from an E . coli strain harboring the cloned fepA gene from either an Ent+ or Ent- Shigella isolate revealed that the Ent- FepA protein is present in the outer membrane but at greatly reduced levels than that of the Ent+ FepA protein . This observation, along with additional studies, suggests that the Ent- FepA may be defective in translation and/or translocation. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1991 Jan, (1), 30 - 2 {The manifestations of the epidemic process in shigellosis and their theoretical interpretation}; Rakhmanov RS et al.; This work, based on the retrospective analysis of shigellosis morbidity among organized groups of adults, as well as the whole population of the city, demonstrates the manifestations of the epidemic process . Water supply was common in the city, while water consumption was autonomous . The organized groups of adults did not use the products of the local milk-processing factory . The following facts were established . The dynamics of morbidity in Flexner's dysentery showed the change of dominating variants of the infective agent, which reflected the action of internal mechanisms of the development of the epidemic process . The role of Sonne dysentery in the total structure of shigellosis morbidity did not correlate with the consumption of milk and milk products . The theory of the self-regulation of the parasitic system and the theory of correspondence served as the basis for the theoretical interpretation of the manifestations of the epidemic process of Shigella infections . To ascertain the real correspondence of individual Shigella species to concrete transmission factors, further investigation are necessary. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1991, 36(2), 127 - 35 Expression of virulence and antibiotic resistance in an Escherichia coli transconjugant carrying a large plasmid pCAT120 of Shigella dysenteriae type I and its spontaneous fragmentations; Biswas D et al.; The role of a 120-kb plasmid in relation to virulence and drug resistance factor in Shigella dysenteriae was studied . For characterization of plasmids, the mating system is a useful and efficient means of transferring both large and small plasmids to a new host . The conjugative transfer of a 120-kb (pCAT120) ampicillin-resistant plasmid of S . dysenteriae to E . coli K-12 was not successful . Introduction of an E . coli fertility factor plasmid F, did not help to mobilize the plasmid . Low transfer frequencies of antibiotic markers to E . coli were achieved by treatment of the donor S . dysenteriae with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine . The transconjugants showed resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and cadmium . A transconjugant carrying the 120-kb plasmid of S . dysenteriae produced keratoconjunctivitis in guinea pigs . Repeated subculture of Clmr transconjugant (pCAT120) on tryptic soya agar plates became Clms and showed four distinct DNA bands ranging from 3 to 10 kb in size on agarose gel electrophoresis . Utilization of organic acids, metal resistance (Cd), dye-binding properties (Crb+, Ebr+) and drug resistance (Amp, Tet) were identified on 10, 7, 4 and 3-kb plasmid DNA fragment of pCAT120 respectively . Crb+ 4-kb DNA fragment of pCAT120 was isolated, purified and transferred to an avirulent E . coli K12 by transformation . However, transformant (pET4) showed poor growth on solid media and its growth in liquid culture was only possible after supplementation of the unknown low-molar-mass thermolabile factor(s) secreted by the recipient strain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Ter Arkh, 1991, 63(11), 27 - 30 {The correction of disorders in the cytoenzymatic status of the immunocytes in Shigella infection by using taktivin}; Guliamov N et al.; Cytoenzymatic and morphological methods were used to reveal local and general immunity disorders in patients with lingering and chronic dysentery . In this connection the therapeutic effect of the immunomodulator T-activin was estimated . 51 patients with the above forms of dysentery were examined . The patients were distributed into basic groups given T-activin and control groups not on the drug . The function of immune cells was evaluated by the enzymic status--the ratio of the activity of the following enzymes: succinate and glycerophosphate dehydrogenases, NADP and acid phosphatase . One of the causes of chronic dysentery was functional deficiency of lymphoid and phagocytizing cells of the colonic mucosa, supported by the data on their enzymic status . Analogous deficiency was discovered in peripheral blood leukocytes . T-activin successfully corrects the revealed immune disorders, stimulates metabolic processes in the cells and reduces inflammation and ameliorates the repair of the intestinal mucosa as well. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1991, 310, 369 - 73 Milk secretory IgA related to Shigella virulence antigens; Cleary TG et al.; PIP: 20 Mexico City and 23 Houston, Texas colostrum samples, and 21 Mexican and 25 Houston mature milk samples were analyzed by ELISA and Western blot, respectively, for antibodies against the virulence plasmid of Shigella flexneri serotype 5 strain M9OT . The method involved comparing water extracts of milk in ELISA and Western blot determinations of antigens against shigella flexneri strain M9OT which is fully virulent, to those against M9OT A2 which lacks the virulence plasmid . While there are at least 37 know distinct lipopolysaccharide antigens on different strains of the 4 species of Shigella, all contain the same plasmid conferring virulence, the ability of the bacteria to invade mammalian cells . This provided a universal test for antigens to Shigella . Western blots showed antibodies in all 21 Mexican women and in 40% of 25 Houston women . Plasmid antibodies were detected by ELISA in all 20 Mexican colostrum samples and in 52% of 23 Houston colostrum samples . After 8 days of lactation, 93% of the Mexican and 46% of the Houston milk samples were positive . The actual protective factor in human milk against Shigella bacteria is unknown: these findings suggest a mechanism for protection against all serotypes of shigella . The high prevalence of antibodies against Shigella found in Houston women was attributed to infection in the distant past . Acta Microbiol Hung, 1991, 38(2), 121 - 6 Technological aspect of the production of live dysentery vaccines for oral administration; Denchev V et al.; An experimental technology for the production of live freeze-dried vaccines prepared from attenuated Shigella flexneri 2a and Shigella sonnei I strains was developed . It is based on the cultivation of bacterial strains in a fermentor under conditions which ensure high yields . The strains grow in S-form, their antigenic structure is preserved and they remain non-virulent . The attenuating markers are stable . The freeze-dried vaccines retain good immunogenicity when applied intra-intestinally to rats. Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol, 1991 Jan-Mar, 50(1), 45 - 52 Correlation between Congo red binding as virulence marker in Shigella species and Sereny test; Meitert T et al.; Six variants of nutrient agar were tested in order to chose the suitable media for Congo red binding test . Trypto-soy Eiken, T.S.A - Cantacuzino Institute and B.T.S.D . (a medium prepared with Difco ingredients) are appropriate to distinguish between virulent Crb+ and avirulent Crb- strains . Congo red binding was compared with Sereny test using 25 Shigella strains . The strains were inoculated onto trypto-soy agar Eiken plates with 0.01% Congo red, incubated 24 hours at 37 degrees C . A number of each kind (Crb+ and Crb-) of colonies developed by every strain was subcultured on nutrient agar and Sereny test was performed with these cultures . As expected, all 84 Crb+ colonies in vivo tested, produced keratoconjunctivitis . In the case of Crb- colonies a proper correlation with Sereny negative test was observed in 57 out of 73 colonies (78.2%) to which 10.9% (8 out of 73) less virulent (evoking illness in only one of the two inoculated eyes) colonies may be added . As our results confirmed that loss of pigmentation was consistently accompanied by loss or diminishing of virulence, we consider that Congo red binding may be used as an alternative of in vivo test for establishing the virulence of Shigellae in the routine practice of microbiology laboratories which usually are not provided with cell cultures or animals . Its reduced cost is an important advantage, too. Microbiol Immunol, 1991, 35(11), 927 - 32 Distribution of Plesiomonas shigelloides in various components of pond ecosystems in Dhaka, Bangladesh; Islam MS et al.; Plesiomonas shigelloides is considered to be a waterborne agent of human gastroenteritis . An ecological study was carried out in five ponds in Dhaka city over a period of one year to elucidate the distribution and seasonality of this organism in various components of pond ecosystems . Samples were collected from hydrophytes, water, phytoplankton and sediment every 15 days over 12 months and cultured for P . shigelloides . P . shigelloides was isolated from a total of 120 samples including 25 (20.8%), 16 (13.3%), 22 (18.3%) and 35 (29.2%) of hydrophytes, water, phytoplankton and sediment samples, respectively . Distinct seasonal patterns of isolation of P . shigelloides were observed in the four components with two distinct peaks . The highest peaks were observed in hydrophytes and water samples in May and in phytoplankton and sediment in November . P . shigelloides was isolated from all components from all ponds during the study period . These results suggest that P . shigelloides is an autochthonous member in the freshwater pond ecosystems in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fortschr Ophthalmol, 1991, 88(5), 446 - 9 {Bilateral chorioretinitis after infection with Yersinia enterocolitica}; Osusky R et al.; We report a case of severe, bilateral panuveitis with disseminated chorioretinis . With systemic steroid therapy the inflammation resolved within 4 weeks, resulting in chorioretinal scarring . Because the agglutination titer against Yersinia enterocolitica type 3 was increased to 6 times over normal, we consider Yersinia to be the most probable cause of the panuveitis . Concomitantly, serology revealed evidence for recent infection with mumps and shigella . Both can cause anterior uveitis . Therefore, we cannot exclude interactions, which may influence the clinical picture . After reviewing the literature we describe for the first time a case of chorioretinits and panuveitis associated with infection by Yersinia. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1991, 40(1-2), 71 - 6 Enzymatic characterization of Vibrionaceae strains isolated from environment and cold-blooded animals; Kaznowski A et al.; Enzymatic profiles were determined by the API ZYM system for 15 strains of non 01 Vibrio cholerae, 4 strains of V . metschnikovii, 9 strains of V . anguillarum, 6 strains of Plesiomonas shigelloides and 115 strains motile Aeromonas sp . All of the tested strains produced alkaline phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase and did not possess alpha-fucosidase and alpha-mannosidase . Some differences in enzymatic activities among the tested Vibrionaceae strains were noted . The strains of non 01 V . cholerae, V . metschnikovii, V . anguillarum and P . shigelloides did not produce trypsin, whereas all of the tested Vibrio sp . strains appeared to be positive for this enzyme . Only the strains of P . shigelloides produced BI-Phospho-hydrolase . The lack of acid phosphatase activity was observed among the strains of V . anguillarum. Lab Delo, 1991, (11), 63 - 5 {Preparation of dried semiproduct in the manufacture of medicinal forms of bacteriophages}; Grishanova NG et al.; The authors have found the optimal regimen for dehydration by spraying the Staphylococcus and Shigella bacteriophage semiproducts . The semiproduct quality answers the requirements to such reagents . The spraying method is recommended for bacteriophage preservation in preparing some dosage forms (suppositoria, ointments). Bioorg Khim, 1991 Jan, 17(1), 111 - 20 {Antigenic polysaccharides of Shigella bacteria . Structure of the polysaccharide chain of the lipopolysaccharide from Shigella boydii, type 11}; L'vov VL et al.; On mild acid degradation of the Shigella boydii, type 11 lipopolysaccharide, the corresponding O-specific polysaccharide composed of D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetylamino-2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-ribose and L-rhamnose residues in the ratio 1:1:1:3 was obtained . Methylation, partial acid hydrolysis and 13C-NMR spectral data for the polysaccharide led to the structure of the oligosaccharide repeating unit as a branched hexasaccharide: {formula: see text} . Numerous O-acetyl groups attached non-stoichiometrically to the residues of D-glucuronic acid, L-rhamnose and 2-acetylamino-2-deoxy-D-glucose were located with the use of 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Bull World Health Organ, 1991, 69(6), 667 - 76 Research priorities for diarrhoeal disease vaccines: memorandum from a WHO meeting; Gene transfer in enteric bacteria through the formation of R-prime plasmids by an RP4: :mini-Mu element; International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, DhakaGene transfer in seven pathogenic enteric bacteria was studied using an RP4: :mini-Mu element, the plasmid pULB113 . From the E . coli K-12 host strain the plasmid could be efficiently transferred to these enteric bacteria, but its transfer back to E . coli K-12 was not as efficient, being detected only in Shigella dysenteriae 1, S . flexneri and the 'smooth' variant of S . sonnei . In these three species, transposition of chromosomal fragments into the plasmid to produce R-prime plasmid was also detected at a frequency of approximately 10(-5) . Transposition was random as suggested by the recovery at approximately the same frequency (10(-5) to 10(-6)) of R-primes involving 20 different auxotrophic markers from widely separated chromosomal locations . Formation of R-prime plasmids expressing toxicity in the E . coli K-12 recipient strain was also efficient in S . dysenteriae 1 but the toxin-activity was rapidly lost from these R-primes . In our experiments, the plasmid pULB113 incorporated relatively small amounts of chromosomal DNA as determined by restriction endonuclease digestion . For a Thy+ R-prime that we analyzed, the amount of cloned DNA was approximately 15 kb. Bull World Health Organ, 1991, 69(5), 549 - 55 Etiology of acute diarrhoea among children in developing countries: a multicentre study in five countries; Huilan S et al.; A 2-year etiological survey of acute diarrhoea in children aged 0-35 months who were attending treatment facilities was carried out using a standardized protocol in five hospitals in China, India, Mexico, Myanmar, and Pakistan . A total of 3640 cases of diarrhoea and 3279 age- and sex-matched controls were studied; about 60% of the patients were aged less than 1 year and 60% were male . An enteric pathogen was detected in 68% of the cases and in 30% of the controls . In all the study centres, the pathogens most strongly associated with disease were rotavirus (16% of cases, 2% of controls), Shigella spp . (11% of cases, 1% of controls) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (16% of cases, 5% of controls) . Rotavirus was commonest among 6-11-month-olds, accounting for 20% of all cases in this age group; 71% of all rotavirus episodes occurred during the first year of life . Shigella spp . were commonest among those aged 12-23 months and 24-35 months, accounting for 22% and 27% of the cases, respectively . The proportion of cases that yielded no pathogen was inversely related to age, being highest (41%) among infants below 6 months of age and lowest (19%) among those aged 24-35 months . These results suggest that microbe-specific intervention strategies for the control of childhood diarrhoeal diseases in developing countries should focus on rotavirus, Shigella spp . and enterotoxigenic E . coli. Med Arh, 1991, 45(3-4), 105 - 7 {Effects of nifuroxazide (Ercefuryl), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and bactisubtil in acute diarrhea}; Bulbulovic-Telalbasic S; The clinical effects of Nifuroxasid (N), Trimetoprim sulphametoxasol (TS) and Bactisubtil (B) on bacillar dysentery and alimentary toxicoinfections in the patients treated at the Clinic from January 1984 to the end of December 1989 have been analysed . According to the clinical signs, patients have been divided in ten categories of light, mild and heavy forms . In total, 329 cases of bacillar dysentery and 89 cases of alimentary toxicoinfections have been analysed . The following was established: A . Bacilar dysentery: the fastest normalization of the stool was achieved with N in every clinical form (averages 2.2, 3.5 and 4.05 days) . With TS the effects were slower (3.0, 3.9 and 4.4 days), but the slowest normalization was recorded with B (3.4, 4.6 and 5.4 days) . However, with TS, some Shigella strains showed resistance (in 23 out of 94 antibiograms), which diminished the effects . B . Alimentary toxicoinfections were treated only with N and B, since these forms of diarrhea caused by toxigenic factors were milder . Better results were achieved with N in this case as well. J Trop Med Hyg, 1990 Dec, 93(6), 408 - 12 Survey of enteropathogenic agents in children with and without diarrhoea in Ghana; Nakano T et al.; A survey was carried out over 1 year in a rural area of Ghana on the isolation, detection and/or identification of enteric pathogens from children under 5 years of age with and without diarrhoea . The isolation and detection rate of Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Giardia lamblia and Rotavirus were higher in children with diarrhoea than in controls . Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not isolated during the period of this survey . The incidence of other enteropathogenic bacteria and parasites identified in the diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal children was calculated and is discussed in this study. J Infect Dis, 1990 Dec, 162(6), 1324 - 8 A large outbreak of antibiotic-resistant shigellosis at a mass gathering; Wharton M et al.; In July 1987, a large outbreak of shigellosis occurred among attendees at a mass gathering in a national forest, the annual Rainbow Family Gathering . Sanitation in the campsite was poor, allowing widespread transmission of disease, probably by food, water, and person-to-person spread . The attack rate may have been greater than 50% among the estimated 12,700 attendees . The outbreak was caused by Shigella sonnei, resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; the organism was of colicin type 9 and contained a 90-kilobase plasmid not found in non-outbreak-related strains . The dispersal of the group resulted in nationwide dissemination of the organism, and outbreaks in three states were linked to transmission from attendees at the Gathering . This outbreak demonstrates the potential for rapid dissemination of disease in such a setting and the necessity for careful planning of mass gatherings. Afr J Med Med Sci, 1990 Dec, 19(4), 303 - 6 Plasmid screening amongst Aeromonas species and Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from subjects with diarrhoea in Lagos, Nigeria; Alabi SA et al.; Fifty-three Aeromonas strains and 16 Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from subjects with diarrhoea in Lagos were screened for the presence of plasmids . Nine (17%) of the Aeromonas strains and one (6.3%) of the P . shigelloides harboured one or more plasmids, ranging in size from 2.4 to 16.8 MDa . As has been documented in other enteropathogens, the possibilities are that these plasmids code for some factors to enhance the virulence of their hosts. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Dec, (12), 15 - 8 {The lytic activity of Yersinia pestis phage P 3d serovar}; Novosel'tsev NN et al.; The lytic activity of plague phage II, serovar 3, with respect to 1,800 bacterial strains has been studied: 760 Yersinia pestis strains, 262 Y . pseudotuberculosis strains, 252 Y . enterocolitica strains, 166 Escherichia coli strains, 90 Shigella strains and 270 strains of other species . The phage has been found to lyse 81.8% of Y . pestis strains, 1 Y . pseudotuberculosis strain and 1 Y . enterocolitica strain . The representatives of other 19 bacterial species have proved to be resistant to the phage . Though having a wide range of action within Y . pestis, the phage does not lyse most of the strains of the causative agent of plague, isolated in certain natural foci . This fact offers promise for using the phage for the differentiation of Y . pestis. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am, 1990 Dec, 17(4), 789 - 99 Avoiding sexually transmitted diseases; Stone KM; As the spectrum of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has broadened to include many infections that are not readily cured, prevention of STDs has become more important than ever . Primary prevention methods include abstinence, careful selection of sexual partners, condoms, vaginal spermicides, and a vaccine for hepatitis B . Condoms will protect against STDs only if they are used consistently and correctly; vaginal spermicides may also reduce risk of certain STDs . Health care providers should routinely counsel women on methods to reduce risk of STDsPIP: This overview provides a discussion of the special concerns of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) for women, particularly because of its asymptomatic character; screening; primary prevention; e.g., abstinence, selection of sexual partners restriction of sexual activities, use of barriers (condoms, vaginal spermicides, diaphragm in conjunction with spermicides), and vaccines; and the role of the gynecologist in StD prevention . Gonorrhea and chlamydial infection are usually asymptomatic STD infections in women; long term sequelae are pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pregnancy complications . There is an increased risk of cervical cancer . Infection is lifelong for herpes simplex virus (HSV) and HIV and malingering for chronic hepatitis B (HPB) . Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) and HSV infections cannot be identified serologically . The fetus can be fatally or severely affected by STDs . Abstinence is the only effective prevention for STDs . Likelihood of infection may be reduced by limiting partners, but how partners are chosen and knowledge of infection is a more important determinant . Partners need to be asked about current symptoms, history of STDs, multiple partners, and history of known STD partners, as well as past history of homosexual activity, intravenous drug use, hemophilia, and previous exposure to high-risk persons for STDs . Visible genital warts or lesions, wartlike growths, ulcers, or rash need explanations . Avoidance of oral anal and digital anal activity reduces transmission of hepatitis A, giardiasis, amebiasis, and shigellosis . Any mechanical barrier that remains intact should reduce the risk of STD; barriers specifically covering the cervix are excellent . Condom use is effective when used as follows: 1) at the onset of sexual activity, 2) without petroleum jelly or baby oil on latex, 3) with care of fingernails which may tear holes, 4) with complete withdrawal of the penis before complete detumescence, and 5) with a withdrawal hold at the base of the penis . Spermicides, such as nonoxynol 9, are effective against STDs . Diaphragm use with spermicide may be effective because of the spermicide . There is a reduced risk of transmission of HSV or HPV to a partner . Vaccines are only available for hepatitis B . Obstetrics and gynecology residency training in STDs in unavailable in 4 out of 5 medical schools, and gynecologists are ethically obligated to accurately inform about STD diagnosis, treatment, and diagnosis . Klin Med (Mosk), 1990 Dec, 68(12), 49 - 51 {Clinico-morphological comparisons in different types of dysentery}; Shuvalova EP et al.; Clinical evidence and morphological picture of rectal biopsy specimens were analysed for 125 dysentery patients . As compared to a light course, moderately severe and severe dysentery presented enhanced microbial adherence and an elevated level of large lymphocytes in the external epithelium of the rectum, deeper penetration of Shigella into crypts . On day 9-15 of the disease in attenuation of the clinical symptoms in severe and moderately dysentery morphological shifts persisted whereas the light run was associated with a marked decline of microbial invasion and cellular infiltration of the epithelium . In the protracted condition elimination of the microbes with desquamative colonocytes appeared inhibited permitting prognosis of the protraction as early as day 2-4 of the disease. Indian J Med Res, 1990 Dec, 92, 404 - 8 Acute renal failure in north Indian children; Srivastava RN et al.; The spectrum and outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) were studied in 205 children aged between 1 month and 12 yr . There were 145 boys and 60 girls; 23 per cent were below 1 yr and 49 per cent between 1 and 4 yr . The main causes of ARF were haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in 36 per cent, serious infections in 19 per cent, acute gastroenteritis and dysentery in 17 per cent, glomerulonephritis (GN) in 13 per cent and intravascular haemolysis (IVH) in 6 per cent . Most patients with HUS, serious infections and gastroenteritis were below 5 yr, whereas GN and IVH occurred in older children . HUS was mostly associated with dysentery; Shigella and several other pathogens were isolated from stools in 35 per cent . In most patients with HUS disseminated intravascular coagulation and renal cortical necrosis were present, with a high mortality . The outcome was also poor in infants with serious infections . IVH occurred in patients with G-6-PD deficiency . In such patients and in those with post-streptococcal GN the prognosis was good . Crescentic GN had a poor outcome . Our observations highlight the common and serious nature of ARF in India . However, most of the underlying causes are preventable. J Infect Dis, 1990 Nov, 162(5), 1195 - 8 Differentiation of Shiga toxin and Vero cytotoxin type 1 genes by polymerase chain reaction; Pollard DR et al.; Two sets of synthetic oligonucleotide primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction technique to distinguish genes for Shiga toxin in Shigella dysenteriae 1 and type 1 Vero cytotoxin (VT1) in Escherichia coli . VT1a and VT1b primers directed at a common 130-base-pair (bp) fragment of the stx and sltI genes detected template nucleic acid in both Shiga toxin-positive S . dysenteriae 1 and VT1-producing E . coli strains . VT1c and VT1d primers, targeting a 140-bp fragment of the promoter region of the sltIA gene, were negative in the polymerase chain reaction with S . dysenteriae 1 nucleic acid and positive with nucleic acids from all strains found to produce VT1 in toxin-specific neutralization tests . Primer specificity was determined in the polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acid extracted from 49 strains of representative enteric pathogens defined in terms of their toxigenicity. J Infect Dis, 1990 Nov, 162(5), 1107 - 11 Antimicrobial resistance of Shigella isolates in the USA: the importance of international travelers; Tauxe RV et al.; A nationwide sample of Shigella isolates was collected and tested for resistance to 12 antimicrobial agents to assess the prevalence and epidemiologic correlates of antimicrobial resistance in Shigella . Of the isolates, 32% were resistant to ampicillin, 7% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 0.4% to nalidixic acid . Fifty (20%) of 252 isolates were associated with foreign travel . The best predictor of clinically important resistance was a history of foreign travel: 20% of isolates from foreign travelers showed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance, compared with only 4% of isolates from those without such a history . Quinolone resistance was not identified in travel-related isolates, and quinolones may be more appropriate for initial therapy of travel-related shigellosis than is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. J Bacteriol, 1990 Nov, 172(11), 6274 - 81 The two-component regulatory system ompR-envZ controls the virulence of Shigella flexneri; Bernardini ML et al.; In Shigella flexneri, the ompB locus (containing the ompR and envZ genes) was found to modulate expression of the vir genes, which are responsible for invasion of epithelial cells . vir gene expression was markedly enhanced under conditions of high osmolarity (300 mosM), similar to that encountered in tissues both extra- and intracellularly . Two ompB mutants were constructed and tested for virulence and for osmotic regulation of vir genes . An envZ::Tn10 mutant remained invasive, although its virulence was significantly decreased as a result of its inability to survive intracellularly . By using a vir::lac operon fusion, this mutation was shown to decrease beta-galactosidase expression both in low- and high-osmolarity conditions but did not affect vir expression in response to changes in osmolarity . A delta ompB deletion mutant was also constructed via allelic exchange with an in vitro-mutagenized ompB locus of Escherichia coli . This mutation severely impaired virulence and abolished expression of the vir::lac fusion in both low- and high-osmolarity conditions . Therefore, a two-component regulatory system modulates virulence according to environmental conditions . In addition, the mutation affecting a spontaneous avirulent variant of S . flexneri serotype 5, M90T, has been mapped at the ompB locus and was complemented by the cloned E . coli ompB locus . Introduction of the vir::lac fusion into this mutant did not result in the expression of beta-galactosidase (Lac-). Res Microbiol, 1990 Nov-Dec, 141(9), 1163 - 72 Molecular analysis of strains of Shigella boydii isolated in northern and southern Italy; Nastasi A et al.; In the years 1981-1988, Shigella boydii played a very limited role in the aetiology of diarrhoeal disease in Italy . However, between September and November, 1985, 19 isolates of serotype 2 were recovered in northern Italy from a dysentery outbreak which occurred in a geriatrics hospital in Abbiategrasso (Milan, Lombardy) and seven were identified in southern Italy during the period January-July, 1986 from apparently unrelated infection cases occurring in Brindisi (Apulia) . These isolates were compared by molecular methods to seven strains of S . boydii of serotype 2 isolated since 1981 from the same geographic areas . Plasmid DNA analysis showed a large variety of patterns, whereas hybridization of chromosomal DNA with E . coli rRNA identified only two different profiles, one of which was exclusively found in all isolates from the hospital outbreak . No differences were detected among rDNA patterns of the remaining strains of S . boydii, irrespective of their geographic origin . These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the infrequent cases of infection from S . boydii of serotype 2 which occurred during the years under study could probably be attributed to two different bacterial clones . Hybridization procedure and detection of hybrids were simplified by replacement of radioactive labelling of rRNA by the use of photobiotin. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Nov, 60(3), 315 - 22 Specific detection of Escherichia coli and Shigella species using fragments of genes coding for beta-glucuronidase; Cleuziat P et al.; The occurrence of beta-glucuronidase activity, a main characteristic of Escherichia coli and the presence of the uid chromosomal region of E . coli, coding for this enzyme, were tested on representative members of enteric bacteria . DNA hybridization techniques using uid probes and amplification experiments of uidA gene by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the specificity of uid genes for E . coli and Shigella spp . (i.e., S . boydii, S . dysenteriae, S . flexneri and S . sonnei), independent of the beta-glucuronidase phenotype of bacterial strains . This specificity seemed to be conserved when studies were extended to a wide range of bacteria . It was not possible to distinguish E . coli from Shigella spp . The detection sensitivity using double stranded DNA radiolabeled probes was 3 x 10(4) bacteria and could be brought down to 8 bacteria by PCR . Thus, the uid genes appeared to be ideal candidates for DNA probes technology to detect E . coli-Shigella species. Yakugaku Zasshi, 1990 Nov, 110(11), 839 - 48 {Identification and characterization of the two promoters of plasmid pKYM}; Hase T et al.; Plasmid pKYM is a multicopy plasmid isolated from Shigella sonnei and multiples stably in Escherichia coli . The plasmid encodes Rep protein which is essential for its multiplication and synthesizes cop ribonucleic acid (RNA) which is a short RNA complementary to the 5' region of rep m-RNA . This RNA controls the copy number and the incompatibility of the plasmid . The previous analysis located the promoters of rep m-RNA RNA (PR) and cop RNA (PL) in the inc region . This report confirmed the presence of these promoters by analyzing the RNAs isolated from the cells carrying pKYM and those synthesized in vitro . The initiation sites of these transcriptions were also determined . Analysis of in vivo RNA suggested that the quantity of cop RNA whose size was about 90 nucleotides was larger than that of rep m-RNA and these RNAs easily formed RNA-RNA hybrid . The analysis also suggested that the synthesis of rep m-RNA was repressed by cop RNA and Rep protein itself. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Nov, 28(11), 2580 - 4 Characterization of Shigella dysenteriae serotypes 11, 12, and 13; Wathen-Grady HG et al.; We conducted serologic and biochemical studies on strains of three provisional Shigella serotypes . Included were 19 strains of serotype 3873-50 from three countries (1 from Mexico, 1 from Netherlands Antilles, and 17 from the United States), 13 strains of serotype 3341-55 from three countries (1 from Canada, 1 from Bulgaria, and 11 from the United States), and 19 strains of serotype 19809-73 from two countries (16 from Israel and 3 from the United States) . Reactions of these strains with homologous and heterologous Shigella antisera showed that serotypes 3873-50 and 19809-73 were unique . Strains of serotype 3341-55 shared an identical antigen with Shigella boydii 18; however, they were distinguished from S . boydii 18 biochemically and with absorbed sera . Strains of the three serotypes were biochemically most similar to Shigella dysenteriae . Like other shigellae, strains from each serotype were invasive in the Sereny assay . Although biochemically similar to S . dysenteriae, none of the provisional serotypes produced Shiga toxin or the biologically related toxin, Shiga-like toxin II, produced by some strains of Escherichia coli . On the basis of these results and other published findings, we support earlier proposals to add the three provisional serotypes 3873-50, 3341-55, and 19809-73 to the Shigella schema and will include them as S . dysenteriae 11, 12, and 13, respectively. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1990 Oct, 24(4), 352 - 6 {Convulsions in childhood Shigella gastroenteritis . An evaluation of risk factors}; Secmeer G et al.; Fifty-five patients with the diagnosis of shigella gastroenteritis were studied, 29 (52.7%) of whom had convulsions . Various symptoms and signs were compared between patients with and without convulsions to define risk factors for the development of seizures . To have a younger age and high body temperature were important predisposing factors . Hyponatremia and type of shigella organism were not contributing factors in the development of seizures. Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Oct, 35(10), 29 - 31 {Dynamic of use of chemotherapeutic preparations: quantity, nomenclature, main trends and the problems in medical practice}; Mamontova TN et al.; Data on the amounts, nomenclature and trends in the dynamics of the use of chemotherapeutic drugs in medicine and agriculture in the RSFSR in 1971-1983 were examined . It was shown that the amounts of their use for these purposes permanently increased . The levels of the use of antibacterial drugs in agriculture markedly exceeded (1.5 to 9 times in different years) those in medicine . On the whole tetracyclines, penicillins and nitrofurans were the drugs most widely used in both medicine and agriculture . The proportions of their use amounted to 39.7-61.2, 9.8-28.1 and 8.3-17.9 per cent, respectively . The use of chloramphenicol and aminoglycosides was somewhat lower, i.e . 10.6-15.8 and 6.5-9.2 per cent, respectively . The proportion of the use of the drugs of other groups did not exceed 2.1 per cent . It was stated that the chemotherapeutic drugs used in medicine for treatment of patients were widely used for nonmedical purposes . Among them are tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, aminoglycosides and lately nitrofurans . The levels of the use of some chemotherapeutic drugs and variability in their MICs for the Shigella populations tested were compared . It was concluded that the level of the drug use was not the only factor influencing development of the resistance in Shigella spp. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1990 Oct, 64(10), 1337 - 44 {Evaluation of recovery methods of Shigella species from fresh marine fish and shellfishes}; Shimotori S et al.; Recovery experiments of Shigella strains from fresh marine fish and shellfishes, including fresh sea urchin, which have been artificially contaminated with the strains, were performed using the improved Shigella broth-enrichment method and the culture method reported by Mehlman et al . All of the 43 Shigella stock cultures strains tested were recovered easily by the enrichment method from sea urchin individuals inoculated with a small number of viable cells of each strain . That is, a total of 24 strains (56%) were recovered from sea urchin individuals inoculated with less than 10 viable cells per one individual, and the other 19 strains were also recovered when 10 to 1,000 cells of each strain were inoculated . Recovery of Shigella strains from fish and shellfishes by the enrichment method was hardly affected by the number of contaminated bacteria (SPC, standard plate counts) in these materials . In order to confirm reliability of the enrichment method, similar experiments were performed using S . flexneri strain B as the inoculum and more fish and shellfishes as the samples (24 specimens of fresh sea urchins, 11 specimens of fresh oysters and 5 other specimens including prawns) . Except for one oyster specimen which showed an especially high SPC value, the inoculum was able to be recovered from most of the materials inoculated with less than 10 viable cells, and all of the tested samples became Shigella positive when they were inoculated with up to 1,000 viable cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Med Microbiol, 1990 Oct, 33(2), 101 - 6 Plasmid profiles of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 isolates from Ethiopia with special reference to R-plasmids; Gebre-Yohannes A et al.; Plasmid profiles of 80 Shigella dysenteriae type 1 (Shiga's bacillus) strains, collected between 1974 and 1985 in Ethiopia, were examined . Strains with the dominant antibiotic-resistance (R-) type--resistance to ampicillin (A), chloramphenicol (C), streptomycin (S), sulphadiazine (Su) and tetracycline (T)--showed two distinct plasmid profiles (PP) . Six plasmid bands were demonstrated in "Ethiopian strains" with PP-1A isolated between 1974 and 1982 . In mating experiments with these strains, Escherichia coli K12 recipients showed plasmids pYH10a (72 Mda, atypical Inc FIme, coding for ACSSuT resistance) . Eight plasmid bands were demonstrated in strains with PP-2A . These strains were first isolated in 1980 and carried plasmid pYH11a (40 Mda, Inc X, coding for ACT resistance) . Strains with PP-2A were identical with a "Zairian strain" described elsewhere . Strains with R-type ACT were "Zairian strains" lacking the 5.1- and 4.2-Mda plasmids . Those with R-type CSSuT were temporally clustered in 1978-1980 and carried plasmid pYH12 (58 Mda, Inc B, coding for the same R-type) . A trimethoprim-resistant strain (Gimira strain) had a pattern of small plasmids similar to those of the "Zairian strain" and is probably a subclone of the latter . The fact that a limited number of plasmid profiles have remained constant over many years shows the limitation of plasmid profile analysis as an epidemiological tool . However, when the usual profile is known for a given area, identification of a distinctly different pattern becomes easy and epidemiologically useful. J Clin Invest, 1990 Oct, 86(4), 1193 - 203 Autoantibodies to the HLA-B27 sequence cross-react with the hypothetical peptide from the arthritis-associated Shigella plasmid; Tsuchiya N et al.; We previously reported elevated serum antibody levels to a peptide representing the HLA-B27 polymorphic region (B27 peptide) in HLA-B27(+) ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients . A plasmid (pHS-2) isolated from arthritogenic Shigella flexneri strains had been shown to encode an amino acid sequence homologous to HLA-B27 . Rabbit antibody to this sequence (pHS-2 peptide) strongly cross-reacted with B27 peptide and, to a much lesser extent, with Klebsiella nitrogenase peptide . Serum antibody levels to pHS-2 peptide were studied in 160 spondylarthropathy patients . 12 of 115 (10.4%) AS patients, 2 of 45 (4.4%) patients with Reiter's syndrome or reactive arthritis as well as 6 of 147 (4.1%) normal controls were shown to have elevated anti-pHS-2 peptide antibodies . Antibody levels to B27 and pHS-2 peptides were significantly correlated in 134 HLA-B27(+) patients (r = 0.333, P less than 0.001) . 13 of 15 affinity-purified anti-B27 peptide antibodies from patients strongly cross-reacted with pHS-2 peptide, whereas only 3 weakly cross-reacted to nitrogenase peptide . Leucine appeared to be a critical residue for this cross-reaction . AS patients' anti-B27 peptide antibodies reacted with HLA-B27 transfected L cells . These results may suggest that pHS-2 peptide more efficiently "mimics" B27 peptide than does nitrogenase peptide . Involvement of pHS-2 in pathogenesis of spondylarthropathy through molecular mimicry mechanisms requires further study. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Oct, (10), 66 - 71 {The mechanism of the development of the epidemic process in Sonne dysentery}; Martynova EA et al.; An epidemic outbreak of Sonne dysentery has been studied . The data of epidemiological monitoring before and after the epidemic have been analyzed . The real prognostication value of controlling the biological properties of Shigella sonnei and the increase of their intrapopulation heterogeneity at the period of the activation of the epidemic process of Sonne dysentery has been established. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Oct, (10), 60 - 4 {The main characteristics of outbreaks of hospital infections in the USSR in 1986-1988}; Semina NA et al.; The analysis of 69 outbreaks of hospital infections in different regions of the USSR in 1986-1989 (the number of patients affected by these infections was 1,517) showed that most of these outbreaks (41) occurred at hospital wards for newborn infants . Acute enteric infections prevailed in the total structure of the outbreaks (73.7%) . Purulent septic infections among newborns constituted a quarter of all outbreaks . Opportunistic microbes, and mainly Klebsiella, were the dominating element in the etiology of outbreaks in hospital wards for newborn infants . In pediatric wards in among adult hospital patients the etiology of outbreaks was completely, or almost completely, determined by pathogenic microorganisms, mainly salmonellae and shigellae . Outbreaks among hospital patients of three above-mentioned groups were characterized by differences in sources, routes and factors of the transmission of infection. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Oct, (10), 3 - 7 {The drug resistance and DNA plasmid profiles of Shigella dysenteriae 1 in the USSR and abroad}; Solodovnikov IuP et al.; The medicinal resistance and plasmid profiles of 62 S . dysenteriae strains 1, isolated in the USSR in 1986-1988 from Soviet and foreign citizens (from Afghanistan, Vietnam) and 8 strains obtained from India in 1987 were studied . Pronounced similarity between the phenotypes of medicinal, including conjugative, resistance in the strains of Soviet and foreign origin was established . In the Soviet S . dysenteriae strains 1 the presence of two main types of plasmid DNA profiles (140, 6, 4, 2 MD and 140, 35, 6, 2 MD), similar to those in the strains of Afghan and Indian origin, was shown . In the Vietnamese strain the plasmid DNA profile was found to be quite different (70, 35, 6, 2 MD) . Similarity between the phenotypes of medicinal resistance and the plasmid DNA profiles in the Soviet, Afghan and Indian strains under study indicated that the intensive and permanent penetration of the infective agents of Grigor'ev-Shiga dysentery from Afghanistan to the territory of the USSR, especially to Uzbekistan, occurred during the period of the stay of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. Arch Invest Med (Mex), 1990 Oct-Dec, 21(4), 305 - 9 {In vitro model for the analysis of the interaction between Shigella flexneri and the intestinal epithelium}; Raygoza-Anaya M et al.; An in vitro study of the adhesion and invasion of Shigella flexneri was implemented, by means of incubation of laminary cuts of cecal mucosa of Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs in a suspension of Shigella flexneri, which was isolated from a patient with bacillary dysentery . The laminae were placed in plastic chambers for two hours at 37%C . After this the bacterial suspension was discarded so as to eliminate the bacilli which were not adhered . The epithelium was washed with saline and was processed for analysis with scanning electron microscope . The topology of the mucosa incubated with Shigella flexneri was similar to that of the witnesses . The bacteria which adhered to the mucosa were dispersed individually or in clumps of varied numbers . The main alteration observed upon the epithelial surface were depressions due to a lateral separation of the microvilli which may have originated the endocytic stomas containing bacterias . The results of this study allow the proposition of the use of explants, so as to study the interaction between Shigella flexneri and the intestinal epithelium, with the possibility of modifying different experimental variables. Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Sep, 35(9), 19 - 22 {Antibiotic sensitivity of Shigella isolated from patients from 1974-1985}; Garanin BA; Antibiotic sensitivity of 3524 Shigella cultures isolated from patients in 1974-1982 and 414 cultures isolated in 1983-1985 was assayed with standard paper disks . The isolates of 1974-1982 were mostly responsive to ampicillin, carbenicillin, kanamycin, gentamicin, monomycin, neomycin and chloramphenicol . Certain differences in the level of the antibiotic resistance were observed in the Shigella isolates belonging to diverse species . Polyresistant cultures of Shigella amounted to 96.5% and ranged from 88.5 to 99.4% in different years . The number of the cultures with multiple resistance among Shigella sonnei was somewhat higher than that among the Flexneri and Newcastle bacilli . The Shigella isolates of 1983-1985 were mostly responsive to gentamicin, carbenicillin, neomycin, kanamycin and monomycin . 55.5% of the Shigella isolates were responsive to chloramphenicol and only 3.1% to tetracycline . Almost all the causative agents of dysentery isolated within that period were polyresistant . Phenotypic characteristics of multiple resistance in the Shigella cultures were studied. Ann Neurol, 1990 Sep, 28(3), 393 - 5 Recurrent seizures in children with Shigella-associated convulsions; Lahat E et al.; Fifty-five children with Shigella-associated convulsions were followed prospectively to investigate their risk of subsequent febrile or nonfebrile seizures . The duration of the follow-up period was between 6.9 and 14.1 years (9.7 +/- 3.1 years) . No case of nonfebrile seizures and only 2 cases (3%) of subsequent febrile seizures were observed during this period . We conclude that although febrile and Shigella-associated convulsions share many clinical features, the natural history of these two conditions seems to be distinctly different . Shigella-related convulsions are not associated with an increased incidence of subsequent febrile or nonfebrile convulsions. Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Sep-Oct, 12(5), 813 - 6 Postoperative pancreatic abscess due to Plesiomonas shigelloides; Kennedy CA et al.; Plesiomonas shigelloides is being recognized with increasing frequency as a human pathogen . The organism is ubiquitous in fresh and brackish water, and clinical illness has been associated with foreign travel and ingestion of inadequately cooked seafood . We describe a 64-year-old Filipino woman who presented 2 weeks after elective cholecystectomy and pancreatic biopsy with left upper quadrant pain, abdominal distention, and fever . Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed an abscess in the tail of the pancreas with fluid accumulation in the lesser omental sac . Percutaneous aspiration yielded purulent material, and P . shigelloides was recovered in pure culture . To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pancreatic abscess due to P . shigelloides. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Sep, 28(9), 2122 - 4 Comparison of alkaline phosphatase-conjugated oligonucleotide DNA probe with the Sereny test for identification of Shigella strains; Panda CS et al.; We compared an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated oligonucleotide DNA probe with the Sereny test to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the probe in detecting virulent Shigella strains . The probe hybridized with all 52 Sereny-test-positive strains (sensitivity, 100%) and 4 of 21 Sereny-test-negative strains (specificity, 81%) . The probe did not hybridize with any of the Sereny-test-negative S . dysenteriae type 1 strains . This nonradioactive, synthetic probe provides a simple, rapid way to test a large number of strains simultaneously in a field setting, which will contribute to an improved understanding of the epidemiologic patterns of shigellosis in developing countries. J Infect Dis, 1990 Sep, 162(3), 711 - 6 Therapy for shigellosis . II . Randomized, double-blind comparison of ciprofloxacin and ampicillin; Bennish ML et al.; Ciprofloxacin, 500 mg every 12 h, was compared with ampicillin, 500 mg every 6 h, both given for 5 days, in the treatment of 121 adult males hospitalized with severe shigellosis . Treatment was randomized and double-blinded . At the completion of treatment, there was resolution or marked improvement in symptoms in 57 (95%) of 60 ciprofloxacin-treated patients, 23 (88%) of 26 ampicillin-treated patients infected with an ampicillin-susceptible strain of Shigella, and 15 (43%) of 35 ampicillin-treated patients infected with an ampicillin-resistant strain of Shigella (ampicillin-R group) (P less than .01, ciprofloxacin or ampicillin groups vs . ampicillin-R group) . Bacteriologic failure was less common (P less than .025) in the ciprofloxacin group (0/60) than in the ampicillin (3/26, 12%) or ampicillin-R groups (5/35, 14%) . Ciprofloxacin-treated patients had a mean of 29 stools during the study, compared with 46 for ampicillin-treated patients (P = .004) . Thus ciprofloxacin seems to be an effective, and perhaps superior, alternative to ampicillin in treating patients with shigellosis. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1990 Sep, 110(9), 259 - 61 {Neutralization of toxic action of endotoxins of gram-negative bacteria by unithiol and magnesium sulphate}; Grutman MI et al.; The experiments were carried out on mice of CBA strain . The animals received lysate of S . typhimurium in the dose of LD50 . The injection of lysate was followed by an increase in the level of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) suggesting the lipid peroxidation (LPO) activation in the liver . At the same time the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the liver and the lungs was decreasing, which was indicative of the decrease in the activity of prostaglandins . The injections of unithiol prevented both the activation of LPO and the decrease in the concentration of cAMP, that effect having been caused by the antioxidant action of unithiol . The repeated injection of unithiol protected the animals from death in intoxication by lysate of S . typhimurium and Shigella sonnei; the protection manifested itself in the 4.2 and 3.7-fold increase in LD50 respectively . Magnesium sulphate enhanced the protective action of unithiol. J Bacteriol, 1990 Sep, 172(9), 5307 - 11 Associations of Escherichia coli K-12 OmpF trimers with rough and smooth lipopolysaccharides; Diedrich DL et al.; The associations of both rough and smooth lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with the OmpF porin of Escherichia coli K-12 were examined in galE strains deleted for ompC . Transformation with pSS37 and growth with galactose conferred the ability to assemble a Shigella dysenteriae O antigen onto the core oligosaccharide of E . coli K-12 LPS . The association of LPS with OmpF trimers was assessed by staining, autoradiography of LPS specifically labeled with {1-14C}galactose, and Western immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody specific for OmpF trimers . These techniques revealed that the migration distances and multiple banding patterns of OmpF porin trimers in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels were dictated by the chemotype of associated LPS . Expression of smooth LPS caused almost all of the trimeric OmpF to run in gels with a slower mobility than trimers from rough strains . The LPS associated with trimers from a smooth strain differed from the bulk-phase LPS by consisting almost exclusively of molecules with O antigen. Res Microbiol, 1990 Sep-Oct, 141(7-8), 907 - 12 Construction and evaluation of live attenuated vaccine strains of Shigella flexneri and Shigella dysenteriae 1; Fontaine A et al.; Shigellosis is an invasive disease of the human colon which is particularly prevalent among children of the developing world . No proper vaccine is available to protect against this enteric disease . It is currently accepted that only live strains with attenuated virulence administered orally may elicit protective immunity at the level of the colonic mucosa, which is the exclusive site of multiplication of causative microorganisms such as Shigella flexneri and Shigella dysenteriae 1 . We have constructed such vaccine candidates based on the destruction of virulence genes responsible for selected steps of the infection process . In S . flexneri, a combination of two mutations impairing cell-to-cell spread (icsA) and aerobactin production and transport (iuc, iut) which support growth within tissues provide a well tolerated and protective vaccine prototype against shigellosis in macaque monkeys . In S . dysenteriae 1, similar mutations are currently being introduced, in addition to one which eliminates the catalytic activity of Shiga toxin . These mutants and others will be tested soon in human phase I trials. J Med Microbiol, 1990 Sep, 33(1), 1 - 9 Role of plasmids in virulence-associated attributes and in O-antigen expression in