Campylobacter

Infect Immun, 1999 Aug, 67(8), 4171 - 82
Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 associates with microtubules and dynein during invasion of human intestinal cells; Hu L et al.; Campylobacter jejuni uptake into cultured INT407 cells was analyzed kinetically over a wide range of starting multiplicities of infection (MOI; from 0.02 to 20,000 bacteria/epithelial cell) . The efficiency of internalization was the highest at MOI of 0.02 and decreased steadily at higher MOIs, presumably due to reported C . jejuni autoagglutination at higher densities . Total internalized Campylobacter CFU increased gradually from an MOI of 0.02 to a peak at an MOI of 200 (reaching an average of two bacteria internalized per epithelial cell) and decreased at higher MOIs . The invasion process was apparently saturated within 2 h at an MOI of 200, indicating stringent host cell limitations on this entry process . Furthermore, whereas control Salmonella typhi invaded all monolayer cells within 1 h, only two-thirds of monolayer cells were infected after 2 h with C . jejuni at MOIs of 200 to 2,000 . The percentage of Campylobacter-infected host cells gradually increased to 85% after 7 h of infection, suggesting that C . jejuni entry may be host cell cycle dependent . Direct evidence of the involvement of microtubules in C . jejuni internalization, suggested previously by biochemical inhibitor studies, was obtained by time course immunofluorescence microscopic analyses . Bacteria initially bound to the tips of host cell membrane extensions containing microtubules, then aligned in parallel with microtubules during entry, colocalized specifically with microtubules and dynein but not with microfilaments, and moved over 4 h, presumably via microtubules to the perinuclear region of host cells . Orthovanadate, which inhibits dynein activity, specifically reduced C . jejuni 81-176 entry, suggesting that this molecular motor is involved in entry and endosome trafficking during this novel bacterial internalization process . Collectively, these data suggest that C . jejuni enters host cells in a targeted and tightly controlled process leading to uptake into an endosomal vacuole which apparently moves intracellularly along microtubules via the molecular motor, dynein, to the perinuclear region.

Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1999 Jun, 46(5), 311 - 21
Health status of bulls used for natural breeding on farms in south west Scotland; McGowan AC et al.; One hundred and nine breeding bulls were examined during the period November 1992 to June 1993 on farms in south west Scotland for evidence of infectious diseases associated with breeding . Preputial washings were collected to screen for Campylobacter fetus venerialis, together with serial blood samples to assess their seroprevalence to Bovine Virus Diarrhoea virus (BVDv), Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BHV-1), Leptospira hardjo and Bovine Herpes Virus-4 (BHV-4) . The possible impact of natural mating on the epidemiology of these diseases is described . Evidence of infections with Campylobacter fetus and BVH-4 were not found in this sample . The overall seroprevalence to BVDv was 78%, for BHV-1 49%, and L . hardjo 27% at titres of > or = 1/400 . This study shows that bulls may be responsible for the introduction and dissemination of these diseases when moved from farm to farm as part of normal cattle breeding in this area . Young unproven bulls may be particularly susceptible to endemic diseases associated with lowered reproductive performance.

Am Fam Physician, 1999 Jul, 60(1), 119 - 24, 135-6
Prevention and treatment of traveler's diarrhea; Juckett G; Common pathogens in traveler's diarrhea include enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia and many other species . Viruses and protozoa are the cause in many cases . Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea can usually be avoided by carefully selecting foods and beverages . Although drug prophylaxis is now discouraged, treatment with loperamide (in the absence of dysentery) and a fluoroquinolone, such as ciprofloxacin (500 mg twice daily for one to three days), is usually safe and effective in adults with traveler's diarrhea . Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline are alternatives, but resistance increasingly limits their usefulness . Antibiotic treatment is best reserved for cases that fail to quickly respond to loperamide . Antibiotic resistance is now widespread . Nonabsorbable antibiotics, immunoprophylaxis with vaccines and biotherapeutic microbes that inhibit pathogen infection may eventually supplant antibiotic treatment . In the meantime, azithromycin and new fluoroquinolones show promise as possible replacements for the older agents . Ultimately, the best solution is improvements in sanitary engineering and the development of safe water supplies.

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1999 Aug, 67(2), 180 - 4
Hyperreflexia in Guillain-Barré syndrome: relation with acute motor axonal neuropathy and anti-GM1 antibody; Kuwabara S et al.; OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of hyperreflexia in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and its relation with electrodiagnosis of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), antiganglioside GM1 antibody, and Campylobacter jejuni infection . It was reported that patients with AMAN in northern China often had hyperreflexia in the recovery phase . METHODS: In 54 consecutive Japanese patients with GBS, sequential findings of tendon reflexes were reviewed . By electrodiagnostic criteria, patients were classified as having AMAN or acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) . Anti-GM1 and anti-C jejuni antibodies were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays . RESULTS: Seven (13%) patients developed hyperreflexia with the spread of the myotatic reflex to other segments in the early recovery phase, one of whom already had hyperreflexia in the acute progressive phase . Of the seven patients, six had AMAN and all seven had anti-GM1 antibodies, whereas only two had anti-C jejuni antibodies . Hyperreflexia was more often found in patients with AMAN than AIDP (6/23 v 1/18, p=0 . 002), and in patients with anti-GM1 antibodies than without them (7/26 v 0/28, p=0.01) . Hyperreflexic patients had milder peak disabilities than patients without hyperreflexia (p=0.03) . Increased motor neuron excitability in the hyperreflexic patients was supported by increased soleus H-reflex amplitudes and the appearance of H-reflexes in the small hand or foot muscles . CONCLUSIONS: Hyperreflexia often occurs in patients with GBS especially with AMAN, anti-GM1 antibodies, and milder disease . Increased motor neuron excitability further characterises the subgroup of patients with GBS with AMAN and anti-GM1 antibodies.

J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl, 1999 May 28, 728(2), 273 - 7
High-performance liquid chromatography determination of residue levels on chicken carcasses treated with cetylpyridinium chloride; Zhou X et al.; Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) has been found to be effective in reducing contamination of chicken carcasses from a variety of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni, Aeromonas hydrophila, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus . A procedure has been developed to determine residue levels on chicken carcasses after CPC treatment . For the analysis, chicken carcasses were extracted with 95% ethanol . The CPC concentration in the extract was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection using dodecylpyridinium chloride (DPC) as an internal standard . The method was validated in the concentration range of 3-200 microg/ml CPC in ethanolic extract . This assay is rapid, precise, and accurate.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Aug, 37(8), 2656 - 62
Disseminated zygomycosis due to Rhizopus schipperae after heatstroke; Anstead GM et al.; A 21-year-old woman suffered heatstroke and developed diarrhea while trekking across south Texas . The heatstroke was complicated by seizures, rhabdomyolysis, pneumonia, renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation . The patient's stool and blood cultures grew Campylobacter jejuni . The patient subsequently developed paranasal and gastrointestinal zygomycosis and required surgical debridement and a prolonged course of amphotericin B . The zygomycete cultured was Rhizopus schipperae . This is only the second isolate of R . schipperae that has been described . R . schipperae is characterized by the production of clusters of up to 10 sporangiophores arising from simple but well-developed rhizoids . These asexual reproductive propagules are produced on Czapek Dox agar but are absent on routine mycology media, where only chlamydospores are observed . Despite multiorgan failure, bacteremia, and disseminated zygomycosis, the patient survived and had a good neurological outcome . Heatstroke has not been previously described as a risk factor for the development of disseminated zygomycosis.

J Med Microbiol, 1999 Jul, 48(7), 617 - 21
Comparison of a commercial test for serotyping heat-stable antigens of Campylobacter jejuni with genotyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; Rautelin H et al.; A new commercial serotyping set based on heat-stable Penner's antigens was compared with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with SmaI and SacII restriction endonucleases . Among 50 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from Finnish patients, which represented predominant PFGE patterns selected from isolates from sporadic cases and isolates associated with small outbreaks, 11 different serotypes were demonstrated from 43 typable isolates . Several PFGE patterns could be found within one serotype; on the other hand, several serotypes could be demonstrated within one PFGE type . Most isolates originated from sporadic cases; however, some isolates were epidemiologically associated and showed identical serotypes and PFGE patterns . Although the new serotyping set would have been useful in the few epidemic cases studied, several isolates (14%) representing the major PFGE patterns remained untypable or gave weakly positive agglutination reactions only suggesting a plausible serotype (18%) . This might restrict the use of the novel serotyping set, at least in Finland.

Arthritis Rheum, 1999 Jul, 42(7), 1386 - 96
No benefit of long-term ciprofloxacin treatment in patients with reactive arthritis and undifferentiated oligoarthritis: a three-month, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study; Sieper J et al.; OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of long-term antibiotic treatment in patients with reactive arthritis (ReA) and undifferentiated oligoarthritis . METHODS: One hundred twenty-six patients were treated with ciprofloxacin (500 mg twice a day) or placebo for 3 months, in a double-blind, randomized study . Of these patients, 104 (48 treated with ciprofloxacin and 56 treated with placebo) were valid for clinical evaluation: 55 were diagnosed as having ReA with a preceding symptomatic urogenic or enteric infection and 49 as having undifferentiated oligoarthritis . These 2 groups were randomized separately . The triggering bacterium was sought by serology and/or culture . The percentage of patients in remission after 3 months of treatment was chosen as the primary efficacy parameter . RESULTS: A triggering bacterium could be identified in 52 patients (50%): Chlamydia trachomatis in 13, Yersinia in 14, and Salmonella in 25 . No patient was positive for Campylobacter jejuni or for Shigella . No difference in outcome was found between treatment with ciprofloxacin or placebo in the whole group or in subgroups of patients with ReA or undifferentiated oligoarthritis . No difference was seen in patients with a disease duration <3 months . Ciprofloxacin was not effective in Yersinia- or Salmonella-induced arthritis but seemed to be better than placebo in Chlamydia-induced arthritis . This difference was not significant, however, which might be due to the small sample size . CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment of ReA with ciprofloxacin is not effective; however, it might be useful in the subgroup of patients who have Chlamydia-induced arthritis . This has to be proven in a bigger study focusing on patients with Chlamydia-induced arthritis.

Commun Dis Public Health, 1999 Jun, 2(2), 114 - 8
Microbiological investigation of halal butchery products and butchers' premises; Little C et al.; Halal butchers' premises were investigated as they had not been represented in a recent study of butchery products and butchers' premises conducted by the Local Authorities Coordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards and the PHLS . This study examined 183 raw prepared meats and 212 environmental samples from 105 halal butcher premises . Only raw meats were prepared on 97 of the premises visited; and the types of meat prepared on the remaining eight premises was not specified . Four halal butchers sold cooked meats prepared elsewhere . Salmonella spp . and Campylobacter spp . were detected in 12 (7%) and 52 (28%) of the 183 raw meat products, respectively . Five raw prepared meats (3%) contained both salmonella and campylobacter . Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli O157 was isolated from a raw meat product that also contained campylobacter . No cooked meat products were available for collection . The physical separation of raw and unwrapped cooked meat products in premises that prepared raw and sold cooked meats was not recorded . Apron cloths were the most heavily contaminated environmental samples examined; hygiene indicator microorganisms indicated an increased risk of cross contamination . Managers in 85 premises had received no food hygiene training and 88 premises had no hazard analysis system in place . Improvements are needed to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

Commun Dis Public Health, 1999 Jun, 2(2), 108 - 13
A study of infectious intestinal disease in England: microbiological findings in cases and controls; Tompkins DS et al.; A study was undertaken to identify the microorganisms and toxins in stool specimens associated with infectious intestinal disease (IID) among cases in the community and presenting to general practitioners (GPs) and in asymptomatic controls . Population based cohorts were recruited from practice lists in 70 practices and followed for 26 weeks (cohort component) . Seven hundred and sixty-one cases of IID identified from the cohorts, 2893 cases who presented to GPs in 34 of the practices (GP component), and age/sex matched control subjects (555 and 2264, respectively) submitted stool specimens by post for comprehensive microbiological examination . Campylobacter spp (12.2% of stools tested), rotavirus group A (7.7%), and small round structured virus (SRSV) (6.5%) were the organisms most commonly detected in the GP component . SRSV was identified in 7.0% of cases in the community cohort . No target microorganisms or toxins were identified in 45.1% and 63.1% of cases in the two components . Aeromonas spp, Yersinia spp, and some enterovirulent groups of Escherichia coli were detected as frequently in controls as in cases . The higher frequency of detection of campylobacter, salmonella, and rotavirus among cases who presented to GPs than among those in the community suggests that those pathogens cause more severe illness . No enteropathogens were detected from a large proportion of cases although comprehensive standard methods were used to seek them.

J Neurol Sci, 1999 Apr 1, 164(2), 134 - 8
Autoantibodies to GM1b and GalNAc-GD1a: relationship to Campylobacter jejuni infection and acute motor axonal neuropathy in China; Yuki N et al.; IgG antibodies to the minor gangliosides GM1b and GalNAc-GD1a frequently are present in sera of Japanese patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome . The relationship between these autoantibodies and Campylobacter jejuni infection, the type of disease (acute motor axonal neuropathy {AMAN}, or acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy {AIDP}) has yet to be established . Sera samples were obtained from 55 Chinese patients with clinically defined Guillain-Barre syndrome . An electrophysiology study showed nine AIDP, 28 had AMAN, and 18 unclassified . C . jejuni serology was positively correlated with anti-GM1b and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies (respective P values, 0.007 and 0.02) . The frequencies of positive anti-GM1b and anti-GalNAc-GD1a serology were greater in AMAN (32 and 21%) than in AIDP (11 and 0%), but the differences were not significant . Infection by C . jejuni may induce IgG anti-GM1b antibody in some patients and IgG anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody in others . A larger population of patients must be studied to show whether there is a definite correlation.

Avian Dis, 1999 Apr-Jun, 43(2), 245 - 50
Inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium in the chicken intestinal tract by a transformed avirulent avian Escherichia coli; Wooley RE et al.; An avirulent, wild-type avian Escherichia coli (E . coli Av) was electrotransformed with a plasmid coding for the production of microcin 24 (pGOB18) and was designated E . coli AvGOB18 . The transformant inhibited the growth of seven serotypes of Salmonella commonly associated with colonization and contamination of poultry products and seven strains of E . coli O157:H7 in the in vitro colicin/microcin assay . The transformant did not inhibit the replication of multiple isolates of Listeria monocytogenes or Campylobacter jejuni in similar assays . The transformant is nonconjugative, indicating that the plasmid would not be transmitted to other intestinal microflora in the environment . The transformant also survived in sterile tap and deionized water incubated at 25 C and 37 C in the laboratory for 30 days and was recovered from drinkers and birds in in vivo floor pen studies . In in vivo studies, E . coli AvGOB18 did not colonize the intestinal tract of broiler chicks when given as a single or multiple dose and did not reduce the Salmonella load in the broilers . But Salmonella typhimurium was reduced significantly in the intestinal tracts of broiler chickens when E . coli AvGOB18 was administered continually in the water supply.

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 24(2), 189 - 92
Susceptibility in vitro of Helicobacter pylori to cetylpyridinium chloride; Bereswill S et al.; The antimicrobial agent cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) which is used in therapy of oro-pharyngeal infections and for antiseptic treatment of the oral cavity is active against different bacterial species . Determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the agar dilution technique revealed that the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori in vitro is highly susceptible to CPC as indicated by an MIC of 10 microM (3.4 microg ml(-1)) which was significantly lower than the MIC of CPC against other bacterial species, which were analyzed in comparison to H . pylori . Bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, various Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli showed higher MICs ranging from 100 microM to 2 mM . In summary, this finding renders CPC-containing drugs candidates possibly useful for eradication or for the prevention of transmission of the gastric pathogen.

Rinsho Shinkeigaku, 1999 Jan, 39(1), 17 - 8
{Campylobacter jejuni enteritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome}; Yuki N; Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis . Sera from patients with GBS following Campylobacter jejuni infection frequently have autoantibody to GM 1 ganglioside in the acute phase of the illness . We revealed that the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of C . jejuni that was isolated from a GBS patient has the oligosaccharide structure {Gal beta 1-3 GalNAc beta 1-4 (NeuAc alpha 2-3) Gal beta 1-}, which is identical to the terminal tetrasaccharide of GM 1 ganglioside . (1) Infection by C . jejuni that bears the GM 1-like lipopolysaccharide associated with the serotypic determinant of PEN 19 induces high production of IgG 1 and IgG 3 anti-GM 1 antibodies with help of T cells . (2) IgG anti-GM 1 antibody binds to motor nerve terminal axons, inhibits motoneuron excitability, and produces the development of GBS.

Infect Immun, 1999 Jul, 67(7), 3698 - 701
Human monoclonal immunoglobulin M antibodies to ganglioside GM1 show diverse cross-reactivities with lipopolysaccharides of Campylobacter jejuni strains associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome; Prendergast MM et al.; We examined the reactivity of a panel of anti-GM1 immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) cloned from multifocal motor neuropathy patients with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Campylobacter jejuni strains, including serotype O:41 strains associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome . The MAbs reacted with ganglioside GM1 to different degrees, and these differences in fine specificities for GM1 were reflected in the different degrees of reactivity with each of the C . jejuni LPSs tested . Antibodies could also be discriminated by the varying patterns of inhibition by cholera toxin (a GM1 ligand) in LPS binding studies . These results indicate that there is a substantial heterogeneity among C . jejuni O:41 strains in their expression of GM1-like epitopes and among the fine specificities of different neuropathy-associated anti-GM1 antibodies.

Res Microbiol, 1999 May, 150(4), 247 - 55
Campylobacter coli strains with enlarged flagellin genes isolated from river water; Linton D et al.; A group of campylobacters isolated from river water were found to possess unusually large flagellin genes . Both phenotype and serology were consistent with identification as Campylobacter coli . Phylogenetic analysis of small (16S, rrs) and large subunit (23S, rrl) rRNA genes of a representative strain, NCTC 13006, demonstrated high levels of relatedness with C . jejuni and C . coli (99.1 and 98.3% similarity for 16S; 99.3 and 99.4% similarity for 23S) . Large flagellin proteins were demonstrated by SDS-PAGE analysis . The flaA and flaB genes were sequenced and aligned with known campylobacter flagellin amino acid sequences . The encoded FlaA protein of the new group exhibited a high degree of divergence from other Campylobacter species . Within the central variable region of FlaA, a further hypervariable domain was identified containing characteristic repeated motifs . Separate pairwise alignments performed for the variable regions of the polypeptide indicated these large fla genes were more closely related to those of C . upsaliensis than to those of C . coli or C . jejuni.

Rheumatology (Oxford), 1999 May, 38(5), 411 - 4
Chlamydia pneumoniae as a triggering infection in reactive arthritis; Hannu T et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae as a triggering infection in reactive arthritis (ReA) . METHODS: Sixty patients with acute arthritis were screened for the evidence of triggering infections . In all patients, bacterial stool cultures, culture of Chlamydia trachomatis in urethra/cervix, and/or bacterial serology were studied . Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies were measured by specific microimmunofluorescence test . RESULTS: Thirty-five of 60 patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for ReA . Thirty-one patients had microbial/serological evidence of preceding infection due to Salmonella, Yersinia, Campylobacter or Chlamydia trachomatis, or they had enteritis or urethritis prior to arthritis . Four additional patients had high antibody titre for C . pneumoniae . Three of these four patients had preceding lower respiratory symptoms, and were positive for HLA-B27 . The clinical picture of C . pneumoniae-positive ReA patients was similar to that of ReA patients with other definite aetiology . CONCLUSION: Chlamydia pneumoniae is a triggering factor in approximately 10% of patients with acute ReA.

J Bacteriol, 1999 Jun, 181(12), 3857 - 9
Fused and overlapping rpoB and rpoC genes in Helicobacters, Campylobacters, and related bacteria; Zakharova N et al.; The genes coding for the beta (rpoB) and beta' (rpoC) subunits of RNA polymerase are fused in the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori but separate in other taxonomic groups . To better understand how the unique fused structure evolved, we determined DNA sequences at and around the rpoB-rpoC junction in 10 gastric and nongastric species of Helicobacter and in members of the related genera Wolinella, Arcobacter, Sulfurospirillum, and Campylobacter . We found the fusion to be specific to Helicobacter and Wolinella genera; rpoB and rpoC overlap in the other genera . The fusion may have arisen by a frameshift mutation at the site of rpoB and rpoC overlap . Loss of good Shine-Dalgarno sequences might then have fixed the fusion in the Helicobacteraceae, even if fusion itself did not confer a selective advantage.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Jul, 37(7), 2376 - 7
Evaluation of the AnaeroPack Campylo system for growth of microaerophilic bacteria; Van Horn K et al.; Growth of microaerophilic bacteria in the AnaeroPack Campylo (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America, Inc., New York, N.Y.) atmosphere generation system was compared to growth in the CampyPak Plus jar and CampyPak pouch (Becton-Dickinson Microbiology Systems {BDMS}, Cockeysville, Md.) . Growth in the AnaeroPack Campylo system was considered equivalent to or better than growth obtained in the CampyPak Plus and CampyPak pouch systems for 48 of the 50 Helicobacter pylori strains and for all 28 Campylobacter species tested . All of the 78 organisms tested were recovered in each system in equivalent colony counts . Two strains of H . pylori grown in the AnaeroPack Campylo system were observed to have colony morphology growth discrepancies when compared to growth in the two BDMS systems . Atmosphere failure with the AnaeroPack Campylo was not detected with Campylobacter jejuni ATCC 33291 used as a growth control . The AnaeroPack Campylo system is easy to use and supports the growth of campylobacters and H . pylori.

Mol Microbiol, 1999 May, 32(4), 691 - 701
Bacterial secreted proteins are required for the internaliztion of Campylobacter jejuni into cultured mammalian cells; Konkel ME et al.; Presented here is the first evidence that Campylobacter jejuni secrete proteins upon co-cultivation with host cells and in INT 407 cell-conditioned medium . A C . jejuni gene designated ciaB for Campylobacter invasion antigen B was identified, using a differential screening technique, which is required for this secretion process and the efficient entry of this bacterium into a host cell . The C . jejuni ciaB gene encodes a protein of 610 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 73 154 Da . The deduced amino acid sequence of the CiaB protein shares similarity with type III secreted proteins associated with the invasion of host cells from other more extensively characterized bacterial pathogens . In vitro binding and internalization assays revealed that the binding of C . jejuni ciaB null mutants was indistinguishable from that of the parental isolate, whereas a significant reduction was noted in internalization . Confocal microscopic examination of C . jejuni-infected cells revealed that CiaB was translocated into the cytoplasm of the host cells . Culturing C . jejuni with INT 407 cells or in INT 407-conditioned medium resulted in the secretion of at least eight proteins, ranging in size from 12.8 to 108 kDa, into the culture medium . C . jejuni ciaB null mutants were deficient in the secretion of all eight proteins, indicating that CiaB is required for the secretion process . The identification of the C . jejuni ciaB gene represents a significant advance in understanding the molecular mechanism of C . jejuni internalization and the pathogenesis of C . jejuni-mediated enteritis.

Mol Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 32(5), 1022 - 30
Evidence for a system of general protein glycosylation in Campylobacter jejuni; Szymanski CM et al.; A genetic locus from Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 (O:23, 36) has been characterized that appears to be involved in glycosylation of multiple proteins, including flagellin . The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core of Escherichia coli DH5alpha containing some of these genes is modified such that it becomes immunoreactive with O:23 and O:36 antisera and loses reactivity with the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) . Site-specific mutation of one of these genes in the E . coli host causes loss of O:23 and O:36 antibody reactivity and restores reactivity with WGA . However, site-specific mutation of each of the seven genes in 81-176 failed to show any detectable changes in LPS . Multiple proteins from various cellular fractions of each mutant showed altered reactivity by Western blot analyses using O:23 and O:36 antisera . The changes in protein antigenicity could be restored in one of the mutants by the presence of the corresponding wild-type allele in trans on a shuttle vector . Flagellin, which is known to be a glycoprotein, was one of the proteins that showed altered reactivity with O:23 and O:36 antiserum in the mutants . Chemical deglycosylation of protein fractions from the 81-176 wild type suggests that the other proteins with altered antigenicity in the mutants are also glycosylated.

Curr Opin Biotechnol, 1999 Jun, 10(3), 273 - 8
Novel detection techniques for human pathogens that contaminate poultry; Mandrell RE et al.; Poultry products are presumed to be a major contributor to human foodborne illness due to their high frequency of contamination with pathogens Salmonella spp . and Campylobacter spp . This has stimulated the development of more sensitive and rapid methods for identifying pathogens present in poultry . These new methods include immunomagnetic separation of pathogen, PCR amplification of pathogen-specific sequences, pathogen-specific DNA and RNA probes, and identification of pathogen-specific ions by mass spectrometry.

Ann Neurol, 1999 Jun, 45(6), 758 - 68
Anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome with a predominantly distal weakness without cranial nerve impairment and sensory disturbance; Hao Q et al.; The serum antibodies to N-acetylgalactosaminyl GD1a (GalNAc-GD1a) and other gangliosides as well as to Campylobacter jejuni were determined in 147 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . We found a distinctive clinical pattern in patients with anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies compared with those without the antibodies, that is, lack of cranial nerve involvement (87% versus 38%), distal-dominant weakness (80% versus 25%), and no sensory disturbance (73% versus 22%) . The frequency of distal-dominant weakness was significantly higher in patients with both C . jejuni infection and anti-GalNAc-GD1a positivity (100%) than in C . jejuni-negative/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-positive (25%), C . jejuni-positive/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-negative (32%) and C . jejuni-negative/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-negative patients (20%) . Lack of cranial nerve involvement and sensory disturbance were found in most C . jejuni-positive/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-positive and C . jejuni-negative/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-positive patients, but not in C . jejuni-positive/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-negative and C . jejuni-negative/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-negative patients . Although the anti-GM1-positive/anti-GalNAc-GD1a-negative patients mostly (75%) lacked cranial nerve involvement, distal-dominant weakness (38%) and lack of sensory disturbance (13%) were infrequent . These results may indicate that (1) the combination of C . jejuni infection and anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies, but not anti-GalNAc-GD1a, anti-GM1, or C . jejuni infection alone, is associated with a predominantly distal weakness, (2) the presence of anti-GalNAc-GD1a, rather than C . jejuni infection or anti-GM1 antibody, is associated with a lack of sensory disturbance, (3) both anti-GalNAc-GD1a and anti-GM1 antibodies are independently associated with a lack of cranial nerve impairment.

J Med Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 48(6), 601 - 3
Fatal Campylobacter jejuni bacteraemia in patients with AIDS; Manfredi R et al.; Two fatal cases of Campylobacter jejuni septicaemia in patients with AIDS were characterised by severe HIV-related immunodeficiency, negative stool cultures and presentation during hospitalisation, developing a clinical picture of fulminant septic shock despite therapy with appropriate antibiotics . Campylobacter spp . are important opportunist pathogens in HIV disease and may cause a septicaemic illness in the absence of enteric disease.

J Med Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 48(6), 523 - 6
Significance of Cryptosporidium in acute diarrhoea in North-Eastern India; Nath G et al.; In a hospital-based study, stool samples from 2095 patients of all ages were examined for different fungal, protozoal and bacterial enteropathogens over a period of 2 years (July 1994-June 1996) . Cryptosporidium was detected in 151 specimens (7.2%) and was the third commonest pathogen found . The highest prevalence of this organism was in the group aged 16-45 years and during the rainy months (July-Oct.) . Diarrhoea caused by the protozoon was of mild to moderate severity and features of dysentery were absent . Amongst other enteropathogens, Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated, followed by enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis (lamblia), Shigella spp., Vibrio cholerae and Aeromonas spp.

Microbiol Res, 1999 May, 154(1), 23 - 6
Identification of bacteria using two degenerate 16S rDNA sequencing primers; Boye K et al.; Two degenerate 16S rDNA primers have been designed for broad-range identification of eubacteria by PCR and automated sequencing . Using a simple method, the primers have proven useful in identification of proteobacteria (Campylobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Helicobacter, Klebsiella), gram-positive bacteria (Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus) and spirochetes (Borrelia) derived from clinical samples . In several cases, the samples could be identified at the species level.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1999 Jun, 34(2), 99 - 102
Comparative antimicrobial activity of gatifloxacin tested against Campylobacter jejuni including fluoroquinolone-resistant clinical isolates; Hayward CL et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is an important pathogen that causes gastroenteritis, as well as other disease states such as meningitis and septic arthritis . In this study, the Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) results were compared to a reference agar dilution method using gatifloxacin, a new 8-methoxyfluoroquinolone . A total of 53 strains of C . jejuni initially isolated from patients in California and Mexico were tested . Results demonstrated a high correlation (r = 0.88) between the two utilized in vitro dilution methods . In addition, gatifloxacin activity was compared to that of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole using the Etest . Gatifloxacin (MIC90, 4 micrograms/ml) was approximately eight- to 16-fold more potent than ciprofloxacin (Mic90, > 32 micrograms/ml), a commonly used fluoroquinolone for Campylobacter infections . Eight strains highly resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC90, > 32 micrograms/ml) were tested for cross resistance against the newer fluoroquinolones (gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, trovafloxacin) and the rank order of potency was: gatifloxacin (MIC50, 16 micrograms/ml) > trovafloxacin = levofloxacin (MIC50, > 32 micrograms/mL) . However, only 25% ciprofloxacin-resistant strains were inhibited by < or = 1 microgram/mL of gatifloxacin or trovafloxacin . These results for gatifloxacin against C . jejuni strains must be further assessed in the context of in vivo trials before the clinical role of this new fluoroquinolone can be determined . The Etest appears to be a simple and precise susceptibility test method for testing C . jejuni isolates against fluoroquinolones and other alternative therapeutic agents.

Pediatrics, 1999 Jun, 103(6 Pt 1), 1189 - 92
Impact of simple screening criteria on utilization of low-yield bacterial stool cultures in a Children's Hospital; Zaidi AK et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine diagnostic yield of stool cultures for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (SSCYE) among hospitalized children and to develop guidelines for appropriate use of these tests . Setting . Tertiary care pediatric hospital . DESIGN: Computerized records from the Microbiology Laboratory from January 1992 to December 1996 were reviewed retrospectively to collect data on the number of stool cultures performed in inpatients and outpatients, the length of hospital stay at the time cultures were sent, and diagnostic yield of cultures in hospitalized patients . A detailed review of medical records of all patients with a stool pathogen isolated after 3 days of hospitalization was also undertaken . The results from this retrospective analysis were used to develop guidelines to reduce unwarranted stool cultures and to educate medical care providers in the appropriate use of these tests . The impact of these guidelines on reduction in the volume of stool cultures performed on hospitalized patients was measured prospectively from January 1998 to June 1998 . RESULTS: A total of 27 110 stool cultures for SSCYE were performed in the 5-year study period . Of the 14 125 cultures from inpatients, 174 (1.2%) were positive . Among the cultures from inpatients, 9378 (66%) were from patients hospitalized for >3 days . Only 13 (.14%) were positive . Of these 13 cultures, 4 represented nosocomial infections, whereas the remaining 9 cultures either were sent to document clearance from a patient known previously to be infected with an enteric pathogen (7), or were attributed to delayed testing in individuals admitted with a diarrheal illness (2) . Introduction of guidelines to reject all SSCYE cultures from patients hospitalized for >3 days who did not meet specified criteria was associated with an overall reduction of 689 (43%) in the volume of tests performed in the 6-month period evaluated . This included 497 fewer cultures ordered and 192 cultures that were ordered but rejected because screening criteria were not met . Only 11 (5.4%) of 203 cultures sent >3 days after admission were processed because they met clinical criteria for testing . None were positive . Estimated cost savings were $50 163/year . CONCLUSIONS: Stool cultures for SSCYE among hospitalized patients have very low diagnostic yield and are extremely overutilized . Simple guidelines, such as rejecting (with few exceptions) cultures from patients hospitalized for >3 days, can reduce substantially such unnecessary testing.

Can J Microbiol, 1999 Jan, 45(1), 23 - 30
Isolation and purification of a Campylobacter upsaliensis autolysin; Santiwatanakul S et al.; Autolytic activity in the soluble and sediment fractions of sonicates of the spiral and the coccoid form of Campylobacter upsaliensis could not be demonstrated by native (nondenaturing) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) . Autolysins were detected, however, by using denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE gels containing either purified Escherichia coli peptidoglycan or whole cells of Micrococcus luteus (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) as the turbid substrate, with subsequent renaturation by treatment with Triton X-100 buffer . In renaturing gels that contained Escherichia coli peptidoglycan, 14 putative autolytic bands ranging from 200 to 12 kDa were detected . In similar gels containing whole cells of M . luteus, only a single band appeared with a molecular mass of 34 kDa . This band corresponded to one of the bands present in the gels containing Escherichia coli peptidoglycan . This common autolysin was isolated by adsorbing it from Campylobacter upsaliensis soluble fractions onto M . luteus cells and then subjecting these cells to renaturing SDS-PAGE in gels containing Escherichia coli peptidoglycan . The 34-kDa autolysin differed from a single 51-kDa autolysin unique to the M . luteus cells, and when isolated from an SDS-PAGE gel, was pure when tested by isoelectric focusing . The N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis showed the first 15 amino acids of the 34-kDa autolysin to have 67% identity to a part of antigenic protein PEB4 of Campylobacter jejuni . The purified autolysin was used to immunize rabbits and the antibodies produced precipitated autolytic activity from cell lysates . The specificity of the antibodies was shown by Western blotting: only a single specific band occurred, with a molecular mass of 34 kDa, and thus it seems unlikely that the 34-kDa autolysin was derived from any of the other autolysins that were detected.

J Med Liban, 1998 Nov-Dec, 46(6), 310 - 6
Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characterization of Campylobacter isolates recovered from humans and poultry in Lebanon; Talhouk RS et al.; Recovery of Campylobacter was attempted from 281 consecutive non selected out-patients diarrheic stools, 150 individual ceca collected from meat chicken breeder farms and 31 slaughtered marketed chicken obtained from shops in Lebanon . Campylobacter isolates were recovered from 2 (0.7%) human stool specimens, 34 (22.7%) chicken ceca and 3 (9.7%) raw chicken carcasses . Speciation of these isolates revealed 2 C . jejuni from humans diarrheic stools, 16 C . coli, 10 C . jejuni, 3 C . fetus, 2 C . fennelliae (Helicobacter fennelliae, new taxon), 2 C . upsaliensis, 1 C . cryaerophila (Archobacter cryaerophilus, new taxon) from chicken ceca and 2 C . coli and 1 C . fennelliae (H . fennelliae) from raw chicken carcasses . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the different isolates against 9 antimicrobial agents was performed using the E-test . Overall, most isolates showed high to moderate susceptibility to gentamicin (97%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (95%), clindamycin (77%), chloramphenicol (77%), and ampicillin (69%) . Lower susceptibility were observed against tetracycline (49%), erythromycin (47%), ciprofloxacin (39%), and norfloxacin (36%) . This overall susceptibility profile generally applied to C . coli and C . jejuni, as well, although C . coli mostly showed higher susceptibility than C . jejuni . beta-lactamase production was detected in 59% of all the isolates, being higher in C . coli (72%) than C . jejuni (33%) . Whole cell protein profile analysis of 18 C . coli and 12 C . jejuni by SDS-PAGE revealed 6 different patterns . In both species, major variations existed in the region between mol wt 45-60 and all protein profiles were dominated by the presence of 5 major bands of mol wt: 61 (doublet), 45, 31 and an approximate 24 . Differences in banding patterns within and between both species indicated diversity and heterogeneity of strains . This study shows that despite high prevalence and diversity of strains in chicken, Campylobacter in Lebanon is rare in human diarrheic stools compared to Salmonella (3.2%) and Shigella (1.4%).

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 65(6), 2540 - 6
Generation of a superoxide dismutase (SOD)-deficient mutant of Campylobacter coli: evidence for the significance of SOD in Campylobacter survival and colonization; Purdy D et al.; The microaerophilic nature of Campylobacter species implies an inherent sensitivity towards oxygen and its reduction products, particularly the superoxide anion . The deleterious effects of exposure to superoxide radicals are counteracted by the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) . We have shown previously that Campylobacter coli possesses an iron cofactored SOD . The sodB gene of C . coli UA585 was insertionally inactivated by the site-specific insertion of a tetO cassette . Organisms harboring the inactivated gene failed to produce a biologically functional form of the enzyme . While the ability of this mutant to grow in aerobic conditions was unchanged relative to the parental strain, its survival was severely compromised when nongrowing cells were exposed to air . Accordingly, the SOD-deficient mutant was unable to survive for prolonged periods in model foods . Furthermore, inactivation of the sodB gene decreased the colonization potential in an experimental infection of 1-day-old chicks . In contrast, strain CK100, which is deficient in catalase activity, showed the same survival and colonization characteristics as the parental strain . These results indicate that SOD, but not catalase, is an important determinant in the ability of C . coli to survive aerobically and for optimal colonization within the chicken gut.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 65(6), 2369 - 75
High-resolution genotyping of Campylobacter strains isolated from poultry and humans with amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting; Duim B et al.; For epidemiological studies of Campylobacter infections, molecular typing methods that can differentiate campylobacters at the strain level are needed . In this study we used a recently developed genotyping method, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), which is based on selective amplification of restriction fragments of chromosomal DNA, for genetic typing of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains derived from humans and poultry . We developed an automated AFLP fingerprinting method in which restriction endonucleases HindIII and HhaI were used in combination with one set of selective PCR primers . This method resulted in evenly distributed band patterns for amplified fragments ranging from 50 to 500 bp long . The discriminatory power of AFLP was assessed with a C . jejuni strain, an isogenic flagellin mutant, and distinct C . jejuni strains having known pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and fla PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotypes . Unrelated C . jejuni strains produced heterogeneous patterns, whereas genetically related strains produced similar AFLP patterns . Twenty-five Campylobacter strains obtained from poultry farms in The Netherlands grouped in three C . jejuni clusters that were separate from a C . coli cluster . The band patterns of 10 C . jejuni strains isolated from humans were heterogeneous, and most of these strains grouped with poultry strains . Our results show that AFLP analysis can distinguish genetically unrelated strains from genetically related strains of Campylobacter species . However, desirable genetically related strains can be differentiated by using other genotyping methods . We concluded that automated AFLP analysis is an attractive tool which can be used as a primary method for subtyping large numbers of Campylobacter strains and is extremely useful for epidemiological investigations.

J Food Prot, 1999 May, 62(5), 456 - 62
Development of a new medium for the isolation of Arcobacter spp; Johnson LG et al.; Arcobacter, the newly reclassified Campylobacter species, has been shown to cause diarrhea in both humans and animals . Few studies have been conducted regarding its occurrence in foods because of the lack of effective isolation and identification methods . The purpose of this study was to develop a plating medium that would be selective for the three most commonly found Arcobacter species . The effect of common components used in media intended for the isolation of Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and other gram-negative rods was examined . These components were divided into five distinct groups: (1) basic growth nutrients, (2) reducing and growth-promoting agents, (3) detoxifying agents, (4) antibiotics, and (5) color-enhancing compounds . Components from each of these groups were tested for their ability to recover Arcobacter on a solid medium when incubated aerobically at 30 degrees C for up to 72 h . Growth was evaluated by the ecometric technique, colony size, and differential colony morphology after incubation . After initial evaluations, five formulas showing the best results were selected and tested in detail and compared with brucella agar . A medium containing a basal nutrient mix along with 0.05% thioglycolic acid, 0.05% sodium pyruvate, and 5% sheep's blood (pH 6.9+/-0.2) was found to be the most effective for the growth of A . butzleri, A . cryaerophilus, and A . nitrofigilis . In addition to superior growth characteristics, a deep red color around the colonies also was observed with this formulation.

J Neuroimmunol, 1999 May 3, 96(2), 245 - 50
Subclass distribution and the secretory component of serum IgA anti-ganglioside antibodies in Guillain-Barré syndrome after Campylobacter jejuni enteritis; Koga M et al.; Previously, we reported that IgA anti-GM1 antibody is more closely associated with preceding Campylobacter jejuni enteritis in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) than are IgG and IgM antibodies . However, the mechanism of the induction of IgA anti-ganglioside antibodies is not clear . In this study, serum IgA antibodies against GM1, GM1b, and GD1a, and GalNAc-GD1a were examined in 152 GBS patients . In GBS, antecedent C . jejuni infection is closely associated with IgA antibodies, other than GM1, against GM1b . The IgA subclass distribution is completely restricted to IgA1, no secretory IgA anti-ganglioside antibody being detected . This result does not support the hypothesis that the serum IgA antibodies present in GBS after C . jejuni enteritis originate at mucosal sites, such as the gut mucosal immune system . Seventeen (85%) of 20 patients with IgA anti-ganglioside antibodies had serological evidence of C . jejuni infection and/or a history of antecedent diarrhea . Moreover, a motor nerve conduction study showed that patients with IgA antibodies frequently had axonal neuropathy, whereas none had demyelinating neuropathy . This may support the previous report that IgA isotype anti-GM1 antibodies are more closely associated with poor outcome than are the IgG or IgM isotypes . The induction mechanism of IgA anti-ganglioside antibodies must be clarified by determining whether concentrations of cytokines, which increase the IgA class switch, are elevated in patients with GBS after C . jejuni enteritis.

Microbiol Immunol, 1999, 43(3), 241 - 4
Serum antibody level against GroEL type heat-shock protein of Campylobacter jejuni in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome; Fujimoto S et al.; Recently there has been an increase in the number of cases reported of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) developed after Campylobacter jejuni infection . To investigate the role of a C.jejuni GroEL-type heat-shock protein (CjHsp60) in the infection and induction of GBS, we examined the antibody level against CjHsp60 in 27 human sera, including GBS and non-GBS patients, by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Sera from patients with C . jejuni infection, despite the development of GBS, had a higher titer of anti-CjHsp60 antibody than those of patients without the infection and healthy control subjects . The patients with C . jejuni infection followed by GBS had slightly higher levels of this antibody than did the patients with infection who did not develop GBS, but there was no statistical significance . In conclusion, CjHsp60 is found to be one of the major immunogenic antigens in actual C . jejuni infection, but no evidence that supports the direct relationship between this protein and C . jejuni-associated GBS was found in this study.

Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1999 Apr, 46(3), 181 - 8
Antibodies against Helicobacter felis in sera of cats and dogs; Seidel KE et al.; Serum samples from 61 dogs and 49 cats were screened for circulating antibodies against Helicobacter felis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using sonicated bacteria as an antigen . To improve the specificity of the ELISA, sera were absorbed with Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni H . pylori as well as H . felis . Sera from 26 dogs (43%) and 19 cats (39%) revealed clear positive absorbance readings determined as an optical density (OD) that was statistically significant above the OD mean value {P < 0.025 (one-tailed); log10} . The absorbance pattern of ELISA-positive sera corresponded to results obtained with bovine and human reference sera . Furthermore, a correlation between the immune response and results from histopathological examination of gastric specimens from 22 dogs was demonstrated . It could be shown that antibodies against H . felis in sera of cats and dogs can easily be detected using an ELISA . The diagnostic value of this test must be evaluated in further investigations.

Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1999 Apr, 46(3), 163 - 71
Biotin-streptavidin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni and C . coli in chickens; Haas B et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in a homologous system with bacterial ultrasonic-treated proteins as the antigen and antisera from chickens infected orally and subcutaneously with the strain Campylobacter jejuni serovar 6 (CJ 6) . The cut-off level was determined using antisera from non-infected specific-pathogen-free chickens up to the age of 10 weeks . The suitability of the ELISA system was verified using antisera taken from chickens orally infected at the age of 4 weeks with CJ 1, 6, 28 or 36 or with Campylobacter coli serovar 28 (CC 28) . The development of antibodies was monitored up to 6 weeks post-infection (p.i.) . Sera from chickens infected with CJ 1, 6, 36 or CC 28 contained specific antibodies to Campylobacter, whereas in those infected with CJ 28 no specific antibodies were found . Distinct cross-reactions were observed between CJ 6, 28 and CC 28 antigens and their antisera 6 weeks p.i., while poor cross-reactions were found with antisera to CJ 1 and 28 . Antibodies to strains of all heterologous serovars were successfully detected with an antigen pool comprised of CJ 1, 6 and 36 antigens . In 11 out of the 12 field sera obtained from 5- and 9-week-old broiler chickens suffering from campylobacteriosis, high specific antibody titres to Campylobacter jejuni were found.

N Engl J Med, 1999 May 20, 340(20), 1525 - 32
Quinolone-resistant Campylobacter jejuni infections in Minnesota, 1992-1998 . Investigation Team; Smith KE et al.; BACKGROUND: Increasing resistance to quinolones among campylobacter isolates from humans has been reported in Europe and Asia, but not in the United States . We evaluated resistance to quinolones among campylobacter isolates from Minnesota residents during the period from 1992 through 1998 . METHODS: All 4953 campylobacter isolates from humans received by the Minnesota Department of Health were tested for resistance to nalidixic acid . Resistant isolates and selected sensitive isolates were tested for resistance to ciprofloxacin . We conducted a case-comparison study of patients with ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter jejuni isolated during 1996 and 1997 . Domestic chicken was evaluated as a potential source of quinolone-resistant campylobacter . RESULTS: The proportion of quinolone-resistant C . jejuni isolates from humans increased from 1.3 percent in 1992 to 10.2 percent in 1998 (P<0.001) . During 1996 and 1997, infection with quinolone-resistant C . jejuni was associated with foreign travel and with the use of a quinolone before the collection of stool specimens . However, quinolone use could account for no more than 15 percent of the cases from 1996 through 1998 . The number of quinolone-resistant infections that were acquired domestically also increased during the period from 1996 through 1998 . Ciprofloxacin-resistant C . jejuni was isolated from 14 percent of 91 domestic chicken products obtained from retail markets in 1997 . Molecular subtyping showed an association between resistant C . jejuni strains from chicken products and domestically acquired infections in Minnesota residents . CONCLUSIONS: The increase in quinolone-resistant C . jejuni infections in Minnesota is largely due to infections acquired during foreign travel . However, the number of quinolone-resistant infections acquired domestically has also increased, largely because of the acquisition of resistant strains from poultry . The use of fluoroquinolones in poultry, which began in the United States in 1995, has created a reservoir of resistant C . jejuni.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 37(6), 2084 - 6
Septic shock due to Helicobacter fennelliae in a non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected heterosexual patient; Hsueh PR et al.; Helicobacter fennelliae (formerly Campylobacter fennelliae) has been reported to cause bacteremia in homosexual men with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection . We report here a 48-year-old, non-HIV-infected, heterosexual man with diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis of the liver who developed bacteremia and septic shock due to H . fennelliae . The patient was treated successfully initially with intravenous ampicillin-sulbactam and ceftazidime, followed by ampicillin-sulbactam only . These agents were active in vitro against the isolate by E-test results . To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of septic shock due to H . fennelliae in a non-HIV-infected, heterosexual, immunocompromised patient.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 37(6), 1790 - 6
Rapid identification of thermotolerant Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari, and Campylobacter upsaliensis from various geographic locations by a GTPase-based PCR-reverse hybridization assay; van Doorn LJ et al.; Recently, a gene from Campylobacter jejuni encoding a putative GTPase was identified . Based on two semiconserved GTP-binding sites encoded within this gene, PCR primers were selected that allow amplification of a 153-bp fragment from C . jejuni, C . coli, C . lari, and C . upsaliensis . Sequence analysis of these PCR products revealed consistent interspecies variation, which allowed the definition of species-specific probes for each of the four thermotolerant Campylobacter species . Multiple probes were used to develop a line probe assay (LiPA) that permits analysis of PCR products by a single reverse hybridization step . A total of 320 reference strains and clinical isolates from various geographic origins were tested by the GTP-based PCR-LiPA . The PCR-LiPA is highly specific in comparison with conventional identification methods, including biochemical and whole-cell protein analyses . In conclusion, a simple method has been developed for rapid and highly specific identification of thermotolerant Campylobacter species.

J Bacteriol, 1999 May, 181(10), 3298 - 302
A novel Campylobacter jejuni two-component regulatory system important for temperature-dependent growth and colonization; Br inverted question markas AM et al.; Campylobacter jejuni colonizes the intestines of domestic and wild animals and is a common cause of human diarrheal disease . We identified a two-component regulatory system, designated the RacR-RacS (reduced ability to colonize) system, that is involved in a temperature-dependent signalling pathway . A mutation of the response regulator gene racR reduced the organism's ability to colonize the chicken intestinal tract and resulted in temperature-dependent changes in its protein profile and growth characteristics.

Poult Sci, 1999 Apr, 78(4), 536 - 45
Natural and experimental infections of Arcobacter in poultry; Wesley IV et al.; Arcobacter butzleri causes human enteritis and is frequently recovered from poultry carcasses . The purpose of this study was to determine 1) the natural distribution of A . butzleri in poultry and 2) its relative pathogenicity in experimentally infected poultry . Cloacal samples (n = 407) were collected on four occasions from three flocks of chickens . Overall, Arcobacter spp . were recovered from 15% of the birds; A . butzleri was identified in 1% of cloacal samples . Three experimental trials were conducted to determine the susceptibility of birds . In Trial 1, 3-d-old chicks (n = 62) were divided into three groups and infected per os with 1) A . butzleri American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 49616, 2) a suspension of four field strains of A . butzleri isolated from retail purchased chicken, and 3) Campylobacter jejuni (positive control) . Arcobacter was not detected in cloacal swabs or in cecal samples of chicks through Day 5 postinfection; C . jejuni was detected in cloacal swabs of all positive control birds . In Trial 2, 5-d-old outbred turkey poults (n = 88) were infected as described above with the addition of a group infected with a suspension of four field strains of A . butzleri from turkey meat . Arcobacter butzleri was recovered from either cloacal swabs or cecal contents of only 6.0% of birds (4 of 67); C . jejuni was recovered from 100% of the positive control birds (n = 21) . In Trial 3, 3-d-old turkey poults of the highly inbred Beltsville White strain (n = 141) were experimentally inoculated . In contrast to earlier trials, A . butzleri was recovered overall from the cloacal swabs or tissues of 65% of the turkeys.

Res Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 150(3), 213 - 9
Study of the presence of Campylobacter jejuni and C . coli in sand samples from four Swiss chicken farms; Studer E et al.; Chicken farms are frequently infected with Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli . The objective of the present study was to investigate environmental samples from chicken farms for the presence of C . jejuni and C . coli . Every week between July and November 1997, three sand samples from the runs of four chicken farms were analyzed by culture and directly by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) . These two detection methods were compared to each other . A total of 231 samples were tested . Eleven samples (4%) were found to contain Campylobacter cells by culture, whereas 157 samples (68%) were positive by PCR . All samples which were positive by culture were also positive by PCR . All direct PCR products were further typed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) . Three different RFLP types and mixtures of these types were observed . Direct PCR products of one chicken farm were further typed by direct sequencing and two temporally separated sequence types could be distinguished . Campylobacter strains isolated by culture were also typed by RFLP and direct sequencing revealing close accordance with the corresponding direct PCR products.

J Med Microbiol, 1999 May, 48(5), 461 - 9
Different invasion phenotypes of Campylobacter isolates in Caco-2 cell monolayers; Harvey P et al.; The pathogenesis of campylobacter enteritis is not well understood, but invasion into and translocation across intestinal epithelial cells may be involved in the disease process, as demonstrated for a number of other enteric pathogens . However, the mechanisms involved in these processes are not clearly defined for campylobacters . In this study, isolates were compared quantitatively in established assays with the enterocyte-like cell line, Caco-2, to determine the extent to which intracellular invasion contributes to translocation across epithelial cell monolayers, and whether isolates vary in this respect . Ten fresh Campylobacter isolates were compared and shown to differ in invasiveness by a factor of 10-fold by following their recovery from gentamicin-treated Caco-2 cells grown on nonpermeable tissue-culture wells . Four of these isolates with contrasting invasive ability were also shown to vary in their ability to translocate across Caco-2 cells grown on semipermeable Transwell inserts by a factor >10 . However, translocation did not quantitatively correlate with the intracellular invasiveness of these isolates . Isolate no . 9752 was poorly invasive but had modest translocation ability, isolate no . 10392 was very invasive but did not translocate significantly and remained within the monolayer, isolate no . 9519 both translocated and invaded well, whereas, isolate no . 235 translocated very efficiently but was poorly invasive . Isolate no . 9519 also uniquely caused a transitory flattening of the Caco-2 cells and a possible drop in trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the Transwell monolayers, whereas isolate no . 235 did not show these effects . Together these data demonstrate that there are significantly different 'invasion' phenotypes among Campylobacter strains involving different degrees of intracellular invasion, and either different rates of transcellular trafficking or, alternatively, paracellular trafficking.

Infect Immun, 1999 May, 67(5), 2433 - 40
Identification of virulence genes of Helicobacter pylori by random insertion mutagenesis; Bijlsma JJ et al.; The complete genome of the gram-negative bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori, an important etiological agent of gastroduodenal disease in humans, has recently been published . This sequence revealed that the putative products of roughly one-third of the open reading frames (ORFs) have no significant homology to any known proteins . To be able to analyze the functions of all ORFs, we constructed an integration plasmid for H . pylori and used it to generate a random mutant library in this organism . This integration plasmid, designated pBCalpha3, integrated randomly into the chromosome of H . pylori . To test the capacity of this library to identify virulence genes, subsets of this library were screened for urease-negative mutants and for nonmotile mutants . Three urease-negative mutants in a subset of 1,251 mutants (0.25%) and 5 nonmotile mutants in a subset of 180 mutants (2.7%) were identified . Analysis of the disrupted ORFs in the urease-negative mutants revealed that two had disruptions of genes of the urease locus, ureB and ureI, and the third had a disruption of a unrelated gene; a homologue of deaD, which encodes an RNA helicase . Analysis of the disrupted ORFs in the nonmotile mutants revealed one ORF encoding a homologue of the paralyzed flagellar protein, previously shown to be involved in motility in Campylobacter jejuni . The other four ORFs have not been implicated in motility before . Based on these data, we concluded that we have generated a random insertion library in H . pylori that allows for the functional identification of genes in H . pylori.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 May, 65(5), 2272 - 5
Stability of related human and chicken Campylobacter jejuni genotypes after passage through chick intestine studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; Hanninen ML et al.; The genomic stability of 12 Campylobacter jejuni strains consisting of two groups of human and chicken isolates was studied by analysis of their PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) patterns after passage through newly hatched chicks' intestines . The patterns of SmaI, SalI, and SacII digests remained stable after intestinal passage, except for those of two strains . One originally human strain, FB 6371, changed its genotype from II/A (SmaI/SacII) to I/B . Another strain, BTI, originally isolated from a chicken, changed its genotype from I/B to a new genotype . The genomic instability of the strains was further confirmed by SalI digestion and ribotyping of the HaeIII digests . In addition, heat-stable serotype 57 of strain FB 6371 changed to serotype 27 in all isolates with new genotypes but remained unchanged in an isolate with the original genotype . Serotype 27 of strain BTI remained stable . Our study suggests that during intestinal colonization, genomic rearrangement, as demonstrated by changed PFGE and ribopatterns, may occur.

J Neurol Sci, 1999 Feb 1, 163(1), 53 - 7
Are Campylobacter curvus and Campylobacter upsaliensis antecedent infectious agents in Guillain-Barré and Fisher's syndromes?
Koga M, Yuki N, Takahashi M, Saito K, Hirata K.
Campylobacter curvus and Campylobacter upsaliensis were isolated from stools of patients with Guillain-Barre (GBS) or Fisher's (FS) syndromes . Whether these microorganisms are pathogens of antecedent diarrhea in GBS and FS is not clear, therefore, we made a serological examination . There were no differences in antibody titer to these organisms among the patients with GBS, FS, and the controls . Some patients had elevated antibodies to the bacteria, but most also had serological evidence of C . jejuni infection . Moreover, the patients from whom C . curvus had been isolated did not have antibodies to the bacterium, indicative that they were healthy carriers of C . curvus or that the isolates were the product of contamination . We conclude that neither C . curvus nor C . upsaliensis is the major agent of antecedent diarrhea in GBS and FS.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1999 Apr 1, 173(1), 77 - 84
High-resolution genomic fingerprinting of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli by analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms; Kokotovic B et al.; A method for high-resolution genomic fingerprinting of the enteric pathogens Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, based on the determination of amplified fragment length polymorphism, is described . The potential of this method for molecular epidemiological studies of these species is evaluated with 50 type, reference, and well-characterised field strains . Amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprints comprised over 60 bands detected in the size range 35-500 bp . Groups of outbreak strains, replicate subcultures, and 'genetically identical' strains from humans, poultry and cattle, proved indistinguishable by amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting, but were differentiated from unrelated isolates . Previously unknown relationships between three hippurate-negative C . jejuni strains, and two C . coli var . hyoilei strains, were identified . These relationships corresponded to available epidemiological data . We conclude that this amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting method may be a highly effective tool for molecular epidemiological studies of Campylobacter spp.

Mol Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 32(1), 131 - 8
Helicobacter pylori with separate beta- and beta'-subunits of RNA polymerase is viable and can colonize conventional mice; Raudonikiene A et al.; The genes encoding the beta- and beta'-subunits of RNA polymerase (rpoB and rpoC respectively) are fused as one continuous open reading frame in Helicobacter pylori and in other members of this genus, but are separate in other bacterial taxonomic groups, including the closely related genus Campylobacter . To test whether this beta-beta' tethering is essential, we used polymerase chain reaction-based cloning to separate the rpoB and rpoC moieties of the H . pylori rpoB-rpoC fusion gene with a non-polar chloramphenicol resistance cassette containing a new translational start, and introduced this construct into H . pylori by electro-transformation . H . pylori containing these separated rpoB and rpoC genes in place of the native fusion gene produced non-tethered beta and beta' RNAP subunits, grew well in culture and colonized and proliferated well in conventional C57BL/6 mice . Thus, the extraordinary beta-beta' tethering is not essential for H . pylori viability and gastric colonization.

Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1999 Mar, 46(2), 141 - 4
Survival times of Campylobacter coli in sterilized buffalo milk; Tresierra-Ayala A et al.; The survival level of five Campylobacter coli strains isolated from bovine faeces was studied in sterilized buffalo milk kept at 4 degrees C under aerobic conditions . All strains died between 21 and 30 h of storage.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 28(4), 285 - 90
The use of hipO, encoding benzoylglycine amidohydrolase (hippuricase), as a reporter of gene expression in Campylobacter coli; Park SF; A novel integrative promoter probe vector which utilizes the Campylobacter jejuni hipO gene as a reporter of gene expression was developed as a genetic tool in Campylobacter coli . The utility of the system was demonstrated by coupling expression of the hipO reporter to the promoters of flaA, flaB and katA . Subsequently, expression of these genes could be monitored accurately from chromosomally-borne transcriptional fusions using a simple non-destructive colorimetric assay . The system should serve as a useful tool for studying the response of Camp . coli to environmental stresses.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 1999 Mar 12, 48(9), 189 - 94
Incidence of foodborne illnesses: preliminary data from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)--United States, 1998; Differentiation of Campylobacter coli and C . jejuni by length and DNA sequence of the 16S-23S rRNA internal spacer region; Department of Veterinary Microbiology and The Danish Centre for Advanced Food Studies, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 1870 Frederiksberg C . kvlhc@unidph.uni-c.dk

The internal spacer region (ISR) between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes of Campylobacter was investigated by PCR fragment length typing and DNA sequencing of clinical and chicken wild-type isolates . PCR fragment length typing showed one fragment of 859 nt in length for the 12 strains of Campylobacter coli investigated . Thirty-six of the Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni strains possessed one fragment, which varied in size between 727 and 802 nt . Three strains showed two fragments between 501 and 923 nt . Strains of C . jejuni subsp . doylei, Campylobacter lari and Campylobacter upsaliensis possessed one or two fragments with lengths different from those of C . coli and C . jejuni subsp . jejuni . DNA sequences were obtained from 54 nt downstream of rrs up to rrl of four strains of C . coli, eight strains of C . jejuni subsp . jejuni, and one strain each of C . jejuni subsp . doylei and C . lari, selected to represent the different biotypes of Campylobacter . ISR lengths determined by PCR fragment length typing and DNA sequencing corresponded for 12 strains . For two strains of C . coli, PCR fragment length typing underestimated ISR lengths by 159 and 193 nt, probably related to incomplete resolution of the distal helical structures, which were not fully denatured during PAGE . For the 14 strains and the published C . jejuni subsp . jejuni sequence, the first 206-211 nt were conserved and included the two tRNA genes in the characteristic tRNA(Ala) to tRNA(Ile) order separated by a short 8-9 nt spacer region . Within the region downstream of tRNA(Ile) conserved regions were identified which allowed a separation of C . lari from C . coli and C . jejuni but not separation of C . coli from C . jejuni . The 69-282 nt longer variable regions in C . coli strains allowed separation of this species from C . jejuni, confirming results obtained by PCR typing . Certain nucleic acid positions in variable regions were related to the Lior biotypes . Sequence information from ISRs of more strains is needed to ascertain if separation of species and biotypes will be possible for diagnostic purposes.

Microbiology, 1999 Jan, 145 ( Pt 1), 89 - 98
Cloning, sequencing and molecular analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni groESL bicistronic operon; Thies FL et al.; The groESL bicistronic operon from the enteric pathogen Campylobacter jejuni was cloned and sequenced . It consists of two ORFs encoding proteins with molecular masses of 9.5 and 57.9 kDa, which showed a high degree of homology to other bacterial GroES and GroEL proteins . Northern blot analysis suggested that the groESL operon is transcribed as a bicistronic mRNA, and its steady-state level was markedly increased after temperature upshift . By primer extension assay, one potential transcription start point preceding the groESL genes could be demonstrated, and a putative promoter region compatible with both Escherichia coli and C . jejuni sigma70 consensus sequences was identified . A conserved inverted repeat, which is believed to be involved in the regulation of the groESL genes, was found between the -10 promoter box and the groES translation start site . The complete coding region of groEL was fused with pET-22b(+) and expressed in E . coli as a His6-tagged recombinant protein (rCjHsp60-His) . After purification, the protein was recognized by an anti-HSP60 monoclonal antibody . ELISA and Western immunoblotting experiments showed that IgG and IgA antibody responses against rCjHsp60-His were not significantly increased in sera from 24 patients with sporadic Campylobacter infection when compared to sera from 16 healthy controls.

BMJ, 1999 Apr 17, 318(7190), 1046 - 50
Study of infectious intestinal disease in England: rates in the community, presenting to general practice, and reported to national surveillance . The Infectious Intestinal Disease Study Executive; Wheeler JG et al.; OBJECTIVE: To establish the incidence and aetiology of infectious intestinal disease in the community and presenting to general practitioners . Comparison with incidence and aetiology of cases reaching national laboratory based surveillance . DESIGN: Population based community cohort incidence study, general practice based incidence studies, and case linkage to national laboratory surveillance . SETTING: 70 general practices throughout England . PARTICIPANTS: 459 975 patients served by the practices . Community surveillance of 9776 randomly selected patients . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of infectious intestinal disease in community and reported to general practice . RESULTS: 781 cases were identified in the community cohort, giving an incidence of 19.4/100 person years (95% confidence interval 18.1 to 20.8) . 8770 cases presented to general practice (3.3/100 person years (2.94 to 3.75)) . One case was reported to national surveillance for every 1.4 laboratory identifications, 6.2 stools sent for laboratory investigation, 23 cases presenting to general practice, and 136 community cases . The ratio of cases in the community to cases reaching national surveillance was lower for bacterial pathogens (salmonella 3.2:1, campylobacter 7.6:1) than for viruses (rotavirus 35:1, small round structured viruses 1562:1) . There were many cases for which no organism was identified . CONCLUSIONS: Infectious intestinal disease occurs in 1 in 5 people each year, of whom 1 in 6 presents to a general practitioner . The proportion of cases not recorded by national laboratory surveillance is large and varies widely by microorganism . Ways of supplementing the national laboratory surveillance system for infectious intestinal diseases should be considered.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 May, 37(5), 1646 - 50
Cytolethal distending toxin genes in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates: detection and analysis by PCR; Eyigor A et al.; Campylobacter jejuni produces a toxin called cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) . Knowledge of the prevalence and homogeneity of Campylobacter sp . cdt genes is incomplete . In this work, we identified four PCR primer pairs that collectively amplified cdt genes in all of the C . jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains tested . Restriction analyses of the cdt PCR products showed clear differences between the cdt genes of these two species, yet there were few heterogeneities noted between members of the same species . Consequently, it may be possible to speciate C . jejuni and C . coli isolates on the basis of restriction patterns within their cdt genes.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 May, 37(5), 1319 - 23
Recurrent "Flexispira rappini" bacteremia in an adult patient undergoing hemodialysis: case report; Sorlin P et al.; A blood culture from a 65-year-old febrile man undergoing hemodialysis revealed, 5 days after inoculation, an unusual gram-negative fusiform rod with darting motility . During another episode of fever 21 days later, this Campylobacter-like organism was again recovered from three blood cultures and subcultured under an H2-enriched microaerobic atmosphere . The organism was catalase negative and oxidase positive and hydrolyzed urea rapidly . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of whole-cell proteins was indistinguishable from that of "Flexispira rappini" LMG 8738 described by Archer et al . in 1988 (J . R . Archer, S . Romero, A . E . Ritchier, M . E . Hamacher, B . M . Steiner, J . H . Bryner, and R . F . Schell, J . Clin . Microbiol . 26:101-105, 1988) . The analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence revealed a similarity of 99.3% between the two strains . The patient recovered completely after a 4-week course of meropenem therapy . This is the first reported case of a recurrent "F . rappini" bacteremia in an adult patient, which confirms that this organism may be an invasive pathogen in immunocompromised patients, like other newly described Helicobacter species.

J Immunol, 1999 Apr 15, 162(8), 4773 - 80
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans immunosuppressive protein is a member of the family of cytolethal distending toxins capable of causing a G2 arrest in human T cells; Shenker BJ et al.; We have previously shown that Actinobacillus actinomycetecomitans produces an immunosuppressive factor (ISF) capable of impairing human lymphocyte function by perturbing cell cycle progression . We now report that ISF is the product of the cdtB gene, one of three genes encoding the family of cytolethal distending toxins (Cdt) . The ISF polypeptide exhibits >/=95% identity with Hemophilus ducreyi CdtB protein and </=60% homology with Escherichia coli or Campylobacter jejuni CdtB . Pretreatment of PHA-activated lymphocytes with 5-25 ng ISF results in G2 arrest of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells . Similarly, treatment of HeLa cells results in G2 arrest and cell elongation and distension . However, lymphocytes are at least 5 times more sensitive to ISF than HeLa cells and do not undergo the elongation and distension that characterizes interactions of Cdts with cell lines . ISF-treated lymphocytes express normal cyclin A and B1 levels, but contain reduced levels of cell cycle-dependent kinase-1 (Cdk1) . Additionally, the majority of Cdk1 is in the hyperphosphorylated, inactive, form . In contrast, PHA-induced G2 cells contain elevated levels of the hypophosphorylated, active Cdk1 . Failure of ISF-treated cells to dephosphorylate Cdk1 is not associated with decreased availability of Cdc25 . These studies suggest that the CdtB protein alone is capable of inducing G2 arrest in lymphocytes and cell cycle arrest, elongation, and distension of HeLa cells . Our studies also suggest that lymphocytes may be primary targets for A . actinomycetemcomitans CdtB (ISF) and possibly for other Cdt family members as well . Thus, Cdts may function to impair host immunity and contribute to the pathogenesis of disease associated with Cdt-producing organisms.

J Bacteriol, 1999 Apr, 181(8), 2501 - 6
Cloning and characterization of two bistructural S-layer-RTX proteins from Campylobacter rectus; Braun M et al.; Campylobacter rectus is an important periodontal pathogen in humans . A surface-layer (S-layer) protein and a cytotoxic activity have been characterized and are thought to be its major virulence factors . The cytotoxic activity was suggested to be due to a pore-forming protein toxin belonging to the RTX (repeats in the structural toxins) family . In the present work, two closely related genes, csxA and csxB (for C . rectus S-layer and RTX protein) were cloned from C . rectus and characterized . The Csx proteins appear to be bifunctional and possess two structurally different domains . The N-terminal part shows similarity with S-layer protein, especially SapA and SapB of C . fetus and Crs of C . rectus . The C-terminal part comprising most of CsxA and CsxB is a domain with 48 and 59 glycine-rich canonical nonapeptide repeats, respectively, arranged in three blocks . Purified recombinant Csx peptides bind Ca2+ . These are characteristic traits of RTX toxin proteins . The S-layer and RTX domains of Csx are separated by a proline-rich stretch of 48 amino acids . All C . rectus isolates studied contained copies of either the csxA or csxB gene or both; csx genes were absent from all other Campylobacter and Helicobacter species examined . Serum of a patient with acute gingivitis showed a strong reaction to recombinant Csx protein on immunoblots.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1999 Mar, 28(3), 233 - 7
Identification of a gene encoding an immuno-reactive membrane protein from Campylobacter jejuni; Connerton PL et al.; A gene encoding a putative membrane protein has been identified from Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 following an immuno-screen of a lambda ZAP II genomic DNA library with antiserum raised against glycine-extractable proteins . The nucleotide sequence of the entire genomic insert revealed six open reading frames, all but one of which have sequence homologues in the complete genome sequence of Helicobacter pylori . The gene encoding the immuno-reactive protein was further identified by independent expression of these reading frames in Escherichia coli . The gene encodes an integral membrane protein, expression of which in E . coli results in a profound filamentous phenotype.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1999 Mar, 28(3), 194 - 8
Morphological changes of synchronized Campylobacter jejuni populations during growth in single phase liquid culture; Thomas C et al.; Campylobacter jejuni strains demonstrate a variety of growth phase-linked distinct morphological forms when grown in liquid culture . The typical spiral form of the organism, evident during logarithmic phase, undergoes elongation during stationary phase before becoming coccoid via the formation of membrane blebs and budded forms in decline phase . Cellular elongation and coccoid formation occurred despite the inhibition of protein synthesis and without a detectable change in the protein components of the inner and outer cell membranes.

Gene, 1999 Apr 1, 230(1), 61 - 7
The ClpB protein from Campylobacter jejuni: molecular characterization of the encoding gene and antigenicity of the recombinant protein; Thies FL et al.; The ClpB heat-shock protein is necessary for the survival of Escherichia coli cells upon sudden increase of temperature . Using a PCR-based genomic walking method, the nucleotide sequence of a clpB homolog from Campylobacter jejuni was determined . The clpB gene encodes a protein of 857 amino acid (aa) residues, with a predicted molecular mass of 95.3kDa . Alignment of the deduced aa sequence with other known bacterial ClpB proteins revealed overall identity from 47% (E . coli) to 61% (Helicobacter pylori) . Within the clpB promoter region, as indicated by primer extension analysis, we identified a sequence identical to the E . coli sigma70 consensus promoter . Northern blot analysis confirmed that clpB is heat-inducible in C . jejuni . The ClpB protein, fused to a 6xHis tag, was synthesized in E . coli and purified by metal-affinity and size exclusion chromatography . In ELISA studies, IgA levels reactive to recombinant ClpB were significantly higher in sera of patients with prior C . jejuni infections than in sera obtained from healthy control persons.

J Infect Dis, 1999 May, 179(5), 1183 - 9
Ganglioside GM1 mimicry in Campylobacter strains from sporadic infections in the United States; Nachamkin I et al.; To determine whether GM1-like epitopes in Campylobacter species are specific to O serotypes associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) or whether they are frequent among random Campylobacter isolates causing enteritis, 275 random enteritis-associated isolates of Campylobacter jejuni were analyzed . To determine whether GM1-like epitopes in Campylobacter species are specific to O serotypes associated with Guillan-Barre syndrome (GBS) or whether they are frequent among random Campylobacter isolates causing enteritis, 275 enteritis-associated isolates, randomly collected in the United States, were analyzed using a cholera-toxin binding assay {corrected} . Overall, 26.2% of the isolates were positive for the GM1-like epitope . Of the 36 different O serotypes in the sample, 21 (58.3%) contained no strains positive for GM1, whereas in 6 serotypes (16.7%), >50% of isolates were positive for GM1 . GBS-associated serotypes were more likely to contain strains positive for GM1 than were non-GBS-associated serotypes (37.8% vs . 15.1%, P=.0116) . The results suggest that humans are frequently exposed to strains exhibiting GM1-like mimicry and, while certain serotypes may be more likely to possess GM1-like epitopes, the presence of GM1-like epitopes on Campylobacter strains does not itself trigger GBS.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 65(4), 1636 - 43
Detection of small numbers of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli cells in environmental water, sewage, and food samples by a seminested PCR assay; Waage AS et al.; A rapid and sensitive assay was developed for detection of small numbers of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli cells in environmental water, sewage, and food samples . Water and sewage samples were filtered, and the filters were enriched overnight in a nonselective medium . The enrichment cultures were prepared for PCR by a rapid and simple procedure consisting of centrifugation, proteinase K treatment, and boiling . A seminested PCR based on specific amplification of the intergenic sequence between the two Campylobacter flagellin genes, flaA and flaB, was performed, and the PCR products were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis . The assay allowed us to detect 3 to 15 CFU of C . jejuni per 100 ml in water samples containing a background flora consisting of up to 8, 700 heterotrophic organisms per ml and 10,000 CFU of coliform bacteria per 100 ml . Dilution of the enriched cultures 1:10 with sterile broth prior to the PCR was sometimes necessary to obtain positive results . The assay was also conducted with food samples analyzed with or without overnight enrichment . As few as </=3 CFU per g of food could be detected with samples subjected to overnight enrichment, while variable results were obtained for samples analyzed without prior enrichment . This rapid and sensitive nested PCR assay provides a useful tool for specific detection of C . jejuni or C . coli in drinking water, as well as environmental water, sewage, and food samples containing high levels of background organisms.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 65(4), 1501 - 5
Detection of cytolethal distending toxin activity and cdt genes in Campylobacter spp . isolated from chicken carcasses; Eyigor A et al.; This study was designed to determine whether isolates from chicken carcasses, the primary source of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in human infections, commonly carry the cdt genes and also whether active cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is produced by these isolates . Campylobacter spp . were isolated from all 91 fresh chicken carcasses purchased from local supermarkets . Campylobacter spp . were identified on the basis of both biochemical and PCR tests . Of the 105 isolates, 70 (67%) were identified as C . jejuni, and 35 (33%) were identified as C . coli . PCR tests amplified portions of the cdt genes from all 105 isolates . Restriction analysis of PCR products indicated that there appeared to be species-specific differences between the C . jejuni and C . coli cdt genes, but that the restriction patterns of the cdt genes within strains of the same species were almost invariant . Quantitation of active CDT levels produced by the isolates indicated that all C . jejuni strains except four (94%) had mean CDT titers greater than 100 . Only one C . jejuni strain appeared to produce no active CDT . C . coli isolates produced little or no toxin . These results confirm the high rate of Campylobacter sp . contamination of fresh chicken carcasses and indicate that cdt genes may be universally present in C . jejuni and C . coli isolates from chicken carcasses.

J Periodontol, 1999 Feb, 70(2), 131 - 8
Microbiota of successful osseointegrated dental implants; Lee KH et al.; BACKGROUND: The long-term survival of dental implants depends, in part, on control of bacterial infection in the peri-implant region . Periodontal pathogens colonized implants symptomatic through infection, whereas the microbiota of successful implants was similar to that of periodontal health . This study examined the impact on the peri-implant microbiota of crown restorations; implant type; length of time of loading; history of implant or periodontal infections; and whether implants replaced single or multiple teeth . It was of particular interest to evaluate implant colonization by species in a newly described red complex of periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus . METHODS: This study sampled 43 partially edentulous subjects with successfully osseointegrated titanium root-form dental implants . Eighty-one (81) non-submerged and 20 submerged asymptomatic implants, 83 crowned, and 36 uncrowned teeth were sampled from peri-implant or subgingival sites . The microbiota of samples was evaluated using whole genomic DNA probes in a checkerboard assay to 23 subgingival species . RESULTS: Implants were colonized principally by oral streptococci, capnocytophagae, Veillonella parvula, Peptostreptococcus micros, and Fusobacterium nucleatum . The periodontal species, P . gingivalis, B . forsythus, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, and Campylobacter rectus were detected in a few subjects . The microbiota around crowned implants and crowned teeth was similar . Streptococcus oralis, P . intermedia, and Selenomonas noxia were elevated in samples from uncrowned teeth compared to crowned teeth and implants . Microbial complexity increased as loading time increased, but colonization by periodontal pathogens, including red complex species, was higher in subjects with previous periodontal disease . No differences were observed in the microbiota of 1- and 2-stage implants, or between implants supporting single or multiple restorations . CONCLUSIONS: While presence of crowns had only a minor impact on the peri-implant microbiota, microbial changes were observed the longer the implants had been in function and in those patients with a history of periodontal or peri-implant infections . A history of periodontitis had a greater impact on the peri-implant microbiota than implant loading time . The major influence on the peri-implant microbiota was, however, the microbiota on remaining teeth . P . gingivalis and B . forsythus, red complex periodontal pathogens, colonized several implants, although all implants were successfully osseointegrated.

Spine, 1999 Mar 15, 24(6), 582 - 4
Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus . A case report; Yamashita K et al.; STUDY DESIGN: Clinical observation of a patient . OBJECTIVES: To present the clinical features of an unusual infection of the spine caused by Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus and to suggest treatment . SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: This is only the second reported case of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus . METHODS: A 66-year-old man had pain of the left lower extremity . Radiologic examination revealed an epidural mass associated with destruction of the L5-S1 vertebral bodies . RESULTS: Biopsy of the epidural mass was performed, and culture yielded Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus . After intravenous antibiotics, oral doxycycline and erythromycin were given for 5 months . At 9 months after antibiotic treatment was completed, the patient's condition was stable . CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged oral administration of doxycycline and erythromycin was curative in this patient.

Cent Afr J Med, 1998 Sep, 44(9), 223 - 9
Distributional patterns of bacterial diarrhoeagenic agents and antibiograms of isolates from diarrhoeaic and non-diarrhoeaic patients in urban and rural areas of Nigeria; Obi CL et al.; OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of bacteria that could cause diarrhoea in stool specimens of individuals with and without diarrhoea in both urban and rural areas of Nigeria . To ascertain the antibiotic susceptibilities of the bacterial diarrhoeagenic agents isolated . To document the predominant signs and symptoms associated with the various bacterial agents of diarrhoea . DESIGN: Prospective study . SETTING: Patients/individuals attending government and private clinics in Lagos, Edo and Cross-River States of Nigeria . SUBJECTS: A total of 1,200 stool samples were collected from patients with diarrhoea . Another total of 1,200 stool specimens were obtained from controls . RESULTS: For diarrhoea cases in urban areas Campylobacter spp . were more predominant (28%) and were followed by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) (28%) whereas in rural areas, EPEC were the most commonly isolated bacteria (18%), closely followed by Salmonella spp . (16%) . Controls had a similar distribution pattern . Higher rates of isolation of these enteric bacteria were recorded among diarrhoea cases than in controls (p < 0.05) . Diarrhoea due to Vibrio, Yersinia, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas and EPEC was mainly watery whereas it mainly consisted of blood/mucus for Shigella and Salmonella . All were associated with abdominal pain and fever . Results presented also indicate that over 80% of Shigella species, Salmonella, EPEC and P . shigelloides were susceptible to nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoin . Virtually all the enteropathogens were resistant to commonly used antibiotics such ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracyclines and streptomycin . CONCLUSION: Results show that distributional patterns of bacterial agents of diarrhoea may vary in urban and rural areas and have revealed the effectiveness of nalidixic acid, gentamicin and nitrofurantoin, in that order, against these enteropathogens.

Epidemiol Infect, 1999 Feb, 122(1), 175 - 82
Clonality of Campylobacter sputorum bv . paraureolyticus determined by macrorestriction profiling and biotyping, and evidence for long-term persistent infection in cattle; On SL et al.; Eighteen strains of Campylobacter sputorum bv . paraureolyticus (isolated over a 12-month period from seven dairy cows contained in a single herd) were examined by resistotyping, and macrorestriction profiling using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) . The resistotypes of these strains were identical, although repeat testing indicated resistance to metronidazole was not a reliable trait for typing purposes . Five SmaI-derived genotypes were identified among the 18 strains . In 5 of 7 cows, isolates obtained from the same animal, but from different time periods, were genotypically indistinguishable, indicating persistence of infection . Macrorestriction profiles of 5 strains representing the 5 SmaI genotypes and 8 other strains of C . sputorum from various sources, were prepared using 4 endonucleases (SmaI, SalI, BamHI and KpnI) . The only other strain of C . sputorum bv . paraureolyticus examined (a Canadian isolate from human faeces), was found to have a SmaI macrorestriction profile identical with one of the five clones isolated from the cattle . Moreover, SalI and BamHI profiles of all bv . paraureolyticus strains were similar, while digestion with KpnI was not observed . By contrast, the seven strains of C . sputorum bv . sputorum yielded various macrorestriction profiles with all the enzymes used, and features distinguishing the two biovars studied could be identified . This study indicates that C . sputorum can persist in cattle for at least 12 months and exhibits a clonal population genetic structure.

Epidemiol Infect, 1999 Feb, 122(1), 15 - 7
The risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome following infection with Campylobacter jejuni; McCarthy N et al.; To estimate the incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) following Campylobacter jejuni infection (CI) we studied three populations where outbreaks of CI had occurred involving an estimated 8000 cases . No case of GBS was detected in the 6 months following the outbreaks in the local populations . The point estimate for the risk of GBS following CI estimated in this study was 0 in 8000 (95% confidence interval 0-3).

Commun Dis Intell, 1999 Jan 21, 23(1), 1 - 27
Australia's notifiable diseases status, 1997 . Annual report of the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System; O'Brien E et al.; In 1997 there were 89,579 notifications to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System . A notable feature of 1997 was the pertussis outbreak which peaked towards the end of the year and resulted in 10,668 cases being notified . The highest number of notifications received was for hepatitis C (unspecified) with 19,692 notifications; this is the first year for which data have been reported for New South Wales and South Australia for this disease category . The number of measles cases rose after the low number reported in 1996 but is still well below the number reported in the outbreak years of 1993 and 1994 . Rubella notifications continued to decline in 1997 . Notifications of Haemophilus influenzae type b appeared to have stabilised at a low rate, having declined markedly after introduction of the conjugated vaccine in 1992 . The number of cases of campylobacteriosis remained steady after having risen for several years . Notifications of hepatitis A cases rose considerably, much of this being due to one outbreak in New South Wales . The number of cases of salmonellosis rose while shigellosis numbers dropped slightly . Notifications for chlamydial infection and gonococcal infection continued to rise, whilst those for syphilis continued to fall.

J Commun Dis, 1998 Sep, 30(3), 159 - 62
Isolation of nalidixic acid resistant Campylobacters from cases of paediatric diarrhoea in Chennai; Ananthan S et al.; A short term investigation on the Campylobacter enteritis among children under 10 years of age was carried out in Chennai . The study revealed an isolation rate of 11 per cent in 100 patients suffering from acute diarrhoea comprising C . jejuni (8%) and C . coli . (3%) . Among the two culture methods used, the candle jar method was found to be superior to plastic bag incubation system in recovering campylobacters on charcoal cefeperazone deoxycholate agar . While all the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, all of them exhibited resistance to nalidixic acid.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1999 Mar, 33(3), 181 - 6
Spectrum and antimicrobial activity of alexomycin (PNU-82, 127), a peptide compound projected for use in animal health; Marshall SA et al.; Alexomycin (PNU-82, 127) is a thiopeptide antimicrobial complex intended for veterinary practice that belongs to a series of cyclic peptides produced by Streptomyces arginensis . MICs against selected routine and fastidious clinical isolates of animal and human origin were determined by broth microdilution or agar dilution reference methods . Alexomycin was active against Gram-positive pathogens such as oxacillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (260 strains; MIC90, 0.5 microgram/mL), as well as Enterococcus species (95 strains; MIC90, 0.25 to 0.5 microgram/mL), and generally inactive against Gram-negative aerobes . Alexomycin had more potent activity against Streptococcus bovis (MIC90, 0.12 microgram/mL), S . agalactiae (MIC90, 0.12 microgram/mL), Corynebacterium species (MIC90, 0.06-0.12 microgram/mL), and Listeria monocytogenes (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/mL) . Alexomycin activity was limited against Bacillus species (MIC90, 1 microgram/mL), Neisseria meningiditis (MIC90, 2 micrograms/mL), Haemophilus influenzae (MIC90, 8 micrograms/mL), Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC90, 16 micrograms/mL), and Campylobacter jejuni (MIC90, 32 micrograms/mL) . This thiopeptide complex was also found to be stable at low concentrations (0.015-32 micrograms/mL) in Mueller-Hinton broth for up to 24 h, possesses static antimicrobial activity and did not produce resistant mutants after multiple passages at subinhibitory drug concentrations . Alexomycin seems to have potential for use as a feed additive to increase feed efficiency and promote growth in poultry and swine as well as other applications against Gram-positive pathogens.

Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 1999 Jan, 55 ( Pt 1), 299 - 301 Epub 1999 Jan 01.
Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction results from Campylobacter jejuni ferritin; Clerte S et al.; The prokaryotic ferritin gene of Campylobacter jejuni was overexpressed in Escherichia coli under control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter and the protein (Cj-FTN) purified . Preliminary crystallization experiments have been performed using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with ammonium sulfate as the precipitant . Diffraction studies show the crystals belong to the I432 space group (a = 151.52 A) . Structure solution by molecular replacement is in progress while crystal quality improvement is carried out.

Plasmid, 1999 Mar, 41(2), 97 - 109
Molecular characterization and interstrain variability of pHPS1, a plasmid isolated from the Sydney strain (SS1) of Helicobacter pylori; De Ungria MC et al.; The 5846-bp circular plasmid pHPS1 of Helicobacter pylori Sydney strain, SS1, was cloned, sequenced, and structurally characterized . The SS1 strain is widely used in animal studies of H . pylori infection . The sequence of pHPS1 revealed three open reading frames (ORFs), all of which are transcribed . Two ORFs encode putative plasmid replication proteins, RepA and RepB, similar to replicases resident on theta plasmids . In contrast, the function of ORF2 remains cryptic due to the absence of sequence similarity with any known protein in sequence databases . In addition, species specificity of these three coding regions was shown using DNA dot blot hybridization in 57 diverse clinical H . pylori isolates and 32 Helicobacter and Campylobacter strains . RepA appears to be the predominant plasmid replication protein of H . pylori and the deduced amino acid sequence was highly conserved (76-96%) in 8 H . pylori isolates, including SS1 . RepB was detected in 3 H . pylori isolates examined in this study, 2 of which possess only the repB gene . Analysis of the protein sequences of these two replicases, together with previously characterized H . pylori plasmid replication proteins, supports the formation of a distinct class of H . pylori plasmid proteins . Moreover, comprehensive analysis of the whole genome sequence of H . pylori strain 26695, pHPS1, and other H . pylori plasmid sequences that are available revealed interesting insights as to the occurrence of plasmid-mediated recombination within H . pylori . Common regions between plasmids and chromosome sequences of H . pylori were identified in this study which could only have arisen by genetic recombination, thus providing the first line of evidence, albeit indirectly, of the contribution of H . pylori plasmids in generating an extensive genetic heterogeneity characteristic of this important gastroduodenal pathogen .

J Periodontal Res, 1999 Jan, 34(1), 25 - 33
Clinical and microbiological characteristics of smokers with early onset periodontitis; Kamma JJ et al.; Cigarette smoking is a potential risk factor which has recently been associated with periodontal disease progression . The objective of this study was to compare the microbial profile of smokers and non-smokers in a group of patients with early onset periodontitis . The study population consisted of 60 healthy individuals, 40 males and 20 females aged 22 to 35 yr, exhibiting early onset periodontitis . Thirty patients were smokers (30.9 cigarettes/d) and 30 non-smokers . Smokers had a higher proportion of deep pockets (PD >5 mm), especially in the maxilla anterior and premolar regions (p < 0.001) and presented a significantly greater mean probing depth and attachment loss (p <0.05) in diseased sites and a significantly greater alveolar bone loss (p <0.01) compared to non-smokers . Two pooled bacterial samples were obtained from each patient . Samples were collected from the deepest periodontal pockets of each quadrant . The samples were cultured anaerobically and in 10% CO2 plus air for bacterial isolation using selective and non-selective media . Isolates were characterized to species level by conventional biochemical tests and various identification kits . Smokers harboured a greater number of bacteria in total . Analysis of bacterial counts using the ANOVA (Mann-Whitney U-test) showed that Staphylococcus aureus, Peptostreptococcus micros, Campylobacter concisus, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides forsythus, C . gracilis, C . rectus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Selenomonas sputigena, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were found in significantly higher numbers and more frequently in smokers while Streptococcus intermedius, A . naeslundii, A . israelii and Eubacterium lentum were detected more frequently and in significantly higher proportions in non-smokers . The isolation of bacteria belonging to the exogenous flora such as E . coli, C . albicans, A . fumigatus and S . aureus in smokers' microbiota underscores the importance of the host that is adversely affected by cigarette smoking.

An Esp Pediatr, 1999 Jan, 50(1), 25 - 8
{Lumbar puncture in a pediatric emergency department: something more than a diagnostic technic}; Mintegui Raso S et al.; OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to know the incidence of serious bacterial infections (SBI) in children without sepsis or intracranial infection in which spinal puncture (LP) was performed in an Emergency Department . PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all 471 previously healthy children between 1 month and 14 years of age in which a lumbar puncture was performed between July 1995 and March 1997 in the Emergency Department of our hospital was performed . RESULTS: Two hundred and three children (43%) had sepsis, meningitis or encephalitis (aseptic meningitis 149, 31.6%; sepsis-bacterial meningitis 26, 5.5%; nonspecific meningitis 26, 5.5%; encephalitis 2, 0.4%) and 14 (5.2%) had pneumonia . Of the other 254 children, 36 (14.1%) had a SBI: 19 urinary tract infections (E . coli), 11 bacteremia (Streptococcus pneumoniae 8, Salmonella enteritidis 1, Proteus mirabilis 1, E . coli 1, the latter two also having a positive urine culture) and 6 bacterial gastroenteritis (salmonella 5, Campylobacter jejuni 1) . The incidence of SBI was significantly higher in the group of children younger than 5 years old (32/175, 18.2%) than in the older group (4/79, 5.0%, p = 0.009) . Two patients died (one with pneumococcal meningitis and one with meningococcal sepsis) . CONCLUSIONS: Children with fever and a normal result in the LP must be carefully examined and, especially in younger patients, urine, blood and stool (if stool abnormalities) cultures should be collected . These children must be closely observed in the hospital or at home and must be re-evaluated by their pediatrician in the following 24 hours.

Emerg Infect Dis, 1999 Jan-Feb, 5(1), 28 - 35
Campylobacter jejuni--an emerging foodborne pathogen; Altekruse SF et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is the most commonly reported bacterial cause of foodborne infection in the United States . Adding to the human and economic costs are chronic sequelae associated with C . jejuni infection--Guillian-Barre syndrome and reactive arthritis . In addition, an increasing proportion of human infections caused by C . jejuni are resistant to antimicrobial therapy . Mishandling of raw poultry and consumption of undercooked poultry are the major risk factors for human campylobacteriosis . Efforts to prevent human illness are needed throughout each link in the food chain.

Bull Soc Pathol Exot, 1998, 91(5 Pt 1-2), 452 - 5
{Principles and management of the ambulatory treatment of traveller's diarrhea}; Castelli F et al.; Traveller's Diarrhea (TD, turista) is the most common health disturbance in travellers, affecting 20-50% of two-week travellers depending on their origin, destination and eating habits . The etiological agents most frequently isolated from the stools are enterotoxinogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., but the rate of isolation of Campylobacter spp . and non cholera vibrios is also high in Asia . Preventive measures in eating habits should in principle be able to curb the incidence of TD but compliance of travellers is usually poor . Antibiotic chemoprophylaxis has proved effective, but economic, safety and microbiological (drug resistance) considerations discourage its widespread use . Any treatment strategy should consider that TD is usually a self-limiting, benign illness in most travellers, even though infants, elderly people or persons with severe baseline diseases (heart diseases, diabetes, immunocompromised hosts, etc...) may sometimes suffer severe consequences . Adequate rehydration is the cornerstone of treatment and intestinal motility inhibitors may be used in adults (not in children) with severe diarrhea during the first 24 hours if the suspicion of invasive pathogen has been ruled out . Routine antibiotic treatment of TD is controversial, due to the benign nature of the syndrome and to the impossibility to ascertain its causative agent . It should be limited to severe and disabling cases . Among the many antibiotics tested, quinolones are now considered first-choice treatment worldwide, even though disturbing reports of the increasing prevalence of quinolone-resistant Campylobacter spp . from Asia have been recently published . Cotrimoxazole is efficient in Central America . The role of non absorbed antibiotics and probiotics is still to be fully elucidated.

Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1999 Jan, 73(1), 86 - 9
{Campylobacter fetus bacteremia and thrombophlebitis in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia}; Ozaki M et al.; We report a 67-year-old male with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia who developed Campylobacter fetus subspesis fetus (C . fetus) bacteremia and thrombophlebitis . The patient developed a fever and pain in his left lower limb, and could not walk because of the pain . Radioisotopic venography showed thrombophlebitis in his left lower limb . His blood culture grew C . fetus . After starting intravenous PAPM/BP, his symptoms resolved promptly . In contrast to Campylobacter jejuni which is a common cause of infectious diarrhea, C . fetus infection has distinct clinical features showing systemic illness such as bacteremia and thrombophlebitis mainly occurring in immunocompromized patients . This organism should be considered as one of the possible pathogenes in the infectious complications of the immunocompromized patients.

J R Soc Health, 1998 Jun, 118(3), 176 - 81
Follow-up of sporadic cases of food-borne infection: comparison of a postal questionnaire with a personal visit; Devine MJ et al.; The aim of the study was to evaluate the follow-up of sporadic cases of suspected food-borne illness by either a postal questionnaire or a personal visit by environmental health staff . This was achieved by comparing the practice in two authority areas within the West Pennine Health Authority in the north west of England . We included all identified cases of suspected food poisoning, campylobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis, salmonellosis and dysentery occurring in the district between 1 July and 30 September 1996 . The main outcome measures were: (1) the proportion of all cases which were successfully followed-up by each method; (2) the timeliness of follow-ups; (3) qualitative estimation by environmental health staff of the data obtained . Visiting by environmental health staff was successful in obtaining information from 76.3% (106/139) of cases, while the postal questionnaires elicited a 52% (50/96) response rate . We found that 70.5% of visits occurred within one week of notification . Although 69.8% (67/96) of questionnaires were issued within one week of notification, only 16% of replies to the questionnaire were received within this period . The information provided on the returned questionnaires was found by environmental health staff to be generally as useful as that obtained by visiting.

Microbiology, 1999 Feb, 145 ( Pt 2), 379 - 88
Cloning, mutation and distribution of a putative lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis locus in Campylobacter jejuni; Wood AC et al.; A region encoding ORFs with homology to known lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis genes was isolated from two strains of Campylobacter jejuni . One of the strains produces LPS, but the second strain is reported to produce only lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and therefore lacks the O-chain . The two strains shared six predicted ORFs, but an additional ORF, orfE, of unknown function was identified in the LOS-producing strain . Mutation of the shared wbeE (rfbE) homologue (orfF) or deletion of five of the seven genes reduced core reactivity with specific antiserum without affecting O-chain production . Mutation of either the capD homologue (orfG) or the unique orfE had no detectable effect on LOS or LPS production . The presence or absence of orfE in 36 isolates of C . jejuni did not correlate with LOS/LPS phenotype or serotype . However, after insertion of orfE into a LPS-producing orfE-negative strain the O-chain ladder was no longer detectable on Western blots . We were not able to disrupt the wbaP (rfbP) homologue (orfC) in C jejuni.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 37(4), 944 - 9
Evaluation of accuracy and repeatability of identification of food-borne pathogens by automated bacterial identification systems; Odumeru JA et al.; The performances of five automated microbial identification systems, relative to that of a reference identification system, for their ability to accurately and repeatedly identify six common food-borne pathogens were assessed . The systems assessed were the MicroLog system (Biolog Inc., Hayward, Calif.), the Microbial Identification System (MIS; MIDI Inc., Newark, Del.), the VITEK system (bioMerieux Vitek, Hazelwood, Mo.), the MicroScan WalkAway 40 system (Dade-MicroScan International, West Sacramento, Calif.), and the Replianalyzer system (Oxoid Inc., Nepean, Ontario, Canada) . The sensitivities and specificities of these systems for the identification of food-borne isolates of Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli were determined with 40 reference positive isolates and 40 reference negative isolates for each pathogen . The sensitivities of these systems for the identification of these pathogens ranged from 42.5 to 100%, and the specificities of these systems for the identification of these pathogens ranged from 32.5 to 100% . Some of the systems had difficulty correctly identifying the reference isolates when the results were compared to those from the reference identification tests . The sensitivity of MIS for the identification of S . aureus, B . cereus, E . coli, and C . jejuni, for example, ranged from 47.5 to 72 . 5% . The sensitivity of the Microlog system for the identification of E . coli was 72.5%, and the sensitivity of the VITEK system for the identification of B . cereus was 42.5% . The specificities of four of the five systems for the identification of all of the species tested with the available databases were greater than or equal to 97.5%; the exception was MIS for the identification of C . jejuni, which displayed a specificity of 32.5% when it was tested with reference negative isolates including Campylobacter coli and other Campylobacter species . All systems had >80% sensitivities for the identification of Salmonella species and Listeria species at the genus level . The repeatability of these systems for the identification of test isolates ranged from 30 to 100% . Not all systems included all six pathogens in their databases; thus, some species could not be tested with all systems . The choice of automated microbial identification system for the identification of a food-borne pathogen would depend on the availability of identification libraries within the systems and the performance of the systems for the identification of the pathogen.

Curr Microbiol, 1999 Apr, 38(4), 244 - 9
Apoptotic effect of outer-membrane proteins from Campylobacter jejuni on chicken lymphocytes; Zhu J et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is a significant cause of food-borne diseases in humans . The bacterium is considered a commensal organism in chickens, and it can heavily colonize chickens without causing inflammation . Poultry may be the major reservoir for the human infection in developed countries . Here we show that an outer-membrane protein extract prepared from the bacteria caused apoptosis of chicken lymphocytes detected in vitro with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay that preferentially labels individual apoptotic cells . Blood- and spleen-lymphocytes from different-aged chickens displayed a significantly greater percentage of apoptotic cells after culture with the outer-membrane proteins from C . jejuni than controls treated with phosphate-buffered saline, chicken ovalbumin, or outer-membrane proteins prepared from E . coli strain BL21 . The C . jejuni extract also produced apoptosis of chicken lymphoblastoid tumor cell lines . Apoptosis was blocked by pretreating the extract with proteinase K or antiserum against outer-membrane proteins . The results suggest that C . jejuni may be capable of achieving immune avoidance in chickens by causing apoptosis of lymphocytes.

J Periodontol, 1999 Jan, 70(1), 57 - 62
Relationship of the subgingival microbiota to a chairside test for aspartate aminotransferase in gingival crevicular fluid; Wong MY et al.; BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the occurrence of certain specific periodontal pathogens and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) . METHODS: Thirty systemically healthy subjects with moderate to advanced periodontitis were selected . Within each subject, the AST contents of GCF from sites with probing depth between 5 mm and 7 mm were measured using a chairside colorimetric test . AST-positive site refers to one that had an AST level > or = 800 microIU . Subgingival plaque samples from one AST-positive and one negative site were collected for microbiological examination . One site with probing depth < or = 3 mm and no gingival inflammation was selected as a healthy control . Clinical parameters of the chosen sites, including the plaque index and gingival index scores, probing depth, and clinical attachment level were measured . Culture and immunofluorescence (IF) were used for detecting common periodontal pathogens, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Peptostreptococcus micros, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Capnocytophaga species, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella melaninogenica, and Porphyromonas gingivalis . Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between the AST test and certain specific pathogens . RESULTS: The GCF scores and total cultivable bacterial counts were higher in AST-positive sites than either AST-negative or healthy sites . The prevalence and proportions of specific periodontal pathogens such as C rectus, E . corrodens, F . nucleatum, Capnocytophaga species, P . intermedia, and P . gingivalis were significantly higher in positive than in negative sites . In analyzing the correlation of the proportion of 6 pathogens with the AST test by logistic regression, only P . gingivalis showed a significant positive correlation . The odds ratio of having a high proportion of P . gingivalis in the presence of a positive AST test was 1.21 . CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that at AST-positive sites, there is a higher prevalence and higher proportion of certain periodontal pathogens . Although only the correlation of P . gingivalis and AST values was statistically significant, the results imply that certain periodontal pathogens may be associated with elevation of AST levels in GCF.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Mar, 65(3), 1110 - 6
Physiological characterization of viable-but-nonculturable Campylobacter jejuni cells; Tholozan JL et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is a pathogenic, microaerophilic, gram-negative, mesophilic bacterium . Three strains isolated from humans with enteric campylobacteriosis were able to survive at high population levels (10(7) cells ml-1) as viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) forms in microcosm water . The VBNC forms of the three C . jejuni strains were enumerated and characterized by using 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride-4',6-diamino-2-phenylindole staining . Cellular volume, adenylate energy charge, internal pH, intracellular potassium concentration, and membrane potential values were determined in stationary-phase cell suspensions after 48 h of culture on Columbia agar and after 1 to 30 days of incubation in microcosm water and compared . A notable increase in cell volume was observed with the VBNC state; the average cell volumes were 1.73 microliter mg of protein-1 for the culturable form and 10.96 microliter mg of protein-1 after 30 days of incubation in microcosm water . Both the internal potassium content and the membrane potential were significantly lower in the VBNC state than in the culturable state . Culturable cells were able to maintain a difference of 0.6 to 0.9 pH unit between the internal and external pH values; with VBNC cells this difference decreased progressively with time of incubation in microcosm water . Measurements of the cellular adenylate nucleotide concentrations revealed that the cells had a low adenylate energy charge (0.66 to 0.26) after 1 day of incubation in microcosm water, and AMP was the only nucleotide detected in the three strains after 30 days of incubation in microcosm water.

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1999 Jan, 34(1), 110 - 2
Lymphocytic colitis: a clue to an infectious trigger; Perk G et al.; We present a 19-year-old patient who was admitted for evaluation of prolonged watery diarrhea . Previous study showed one stool culture positive for Campylobacter jejuni, which was treated with appropriate antibiotics with no response . She underwent colonoscopy with multiple biopsies, which led to a diagnosis of lymphocytic colitis . We believe that the patient's disease was due to the infectious process, which triggered an autoimmune response and caused the lymphocytic colitis.

Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1999 Feb, 18(2), 94 - 7
Etiology of outpatient pediatric nondysenteric diarrhea: a multicenter study in the United States; Caeiro JP et al.; BACKGROUND: Few data have been published recently on the etiology of outpatient pediatric diarrhea in the US . METHODS: We determined the etiology of acute, nondysenteric diarrhea among 147 children between 2 and 11 years old presenting to 9 outpatient clinics in various regions of the US between August, 1991, and August, 1993 . Enteropathogens were sought by conventional laboratory methods . The various diarrheagenic Escherichia coli were sought . RESULTS: A recognized etiologic agent was detected in the stools of 89 (60.5%) children and 15 (10) patients had multiple agents detected . Rotavirus was found in 43 (29.3%) of the children, with a spring and winter peak in occurrence . Giardia lamblia was identified in 22 (15%) cases with a spring peak . HEp-2 cell-adherent E . coli were found in 15 (10.2%) . Other agents found included: enteric adenovirus in 7 (4.8%); Salmonella in 5 (3.4%); enterohemorrhagic E . coli in 5 (3.4%); enteropathogenic E . coli in 2 (1.4%); enterotoxigenic E . coli in 2 (1.4%); Entamoeba histolytica in 1 (0.70%); and Campylobacter jejuni in 1 (0.7%) . CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the presence of conventional enteropathogens, diarrheagenic E . coli (HEp-2 cell-adherent E . coli, enterohemorrhagic E . coli, enteropathogenic E . coli and enterotoxigenic E . coli) were associated with endemic pediatric diarrhea in the US.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1999 Jan, 28(1), 31 - 5
Isolation of Arcobacter butzleri from ground water; Rice EW et al.; Arcobacter butzleri was isolated from a contaminated ground water source . These organisms, previously designated as aerotolerant Campylobacter, were capable of surviving in the ground water environment . Specific DNA probes were used to characterize the isolates in the initial identification and survival studies . Arcobacter butzleri was found to be sensitive to chlorine inactivation.

J Appl Microbiol, 1999 Jan, 86(1), 63 - 70
Campylobacter infections in fattening pigs; excretion pattern and genetic diversity; Weijtens MJ et al.; The excretion of campylobacter by eight individually housed fattening pigs was monitored during 15 weeks . Rectal faeces samples were collected six times from these pigs and twice from their mothers (seven sows) . Campylobacter was cultured from these samples on Preston medium . In some pigs, samples positive for campylobacter alternated with negative samples . Campylobacter was detected in at least four of the six samples collected per fattening pig . The average campylobacter count per sampling showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.001) . Of the seven sows, six were shown to excrete campylobacter . Campylobacter isolates of pigs and sows were typed using the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR); 28 different campylobacter types were distinguished . Up to five different types were isolated from single faeces samples . Individual porkers could harbour up to eight types during their fattening period . The three types most frequently isolated from the fattening pigs were also present in the sows.

Gesundheitswesen, 1998 Dec, 60(12), 749 - 54
{Swarms of starlings in Basel: a natural phenomenon, a nuisance or a health risk?}; Odermatt P et al.; A Natural Phenomenon, Molestation or a Health Risk? For the last two decades an avenue in the centre of Basel (Altrheinweg, Klybeckquartier) is known as site for overnight accommodation and assembly of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during autumn . The nightly visitors cause an immense contamination that directly affects a nursery and a primary school . The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the health risk for the population due to the starlings' droppings, particularly for the children from the nursery school . Between August and December of the years 1995 and 1996 the population of starlings was observed, the contamination of the area with faeces was quantified, the presence of microorganisms in the faeces was determined and the contamination of the soil from the Altrheinweg was compared with that from other avenues and parks . Furthermore, the children attending the nursery school were monitored for possible infections due to the birds' droppings . In mid-October, when the population of starlings reached their maximum of about 15,000 birds, 1053 defecations per night and square metre were counted on an average in 1995 and 1821 in 1996 . The microbiological analysis of the starlings' faeces showed a high contamination with Campylobacter spp . (1995: 95.5%; 1996: 100%), L . monocytogenes (1995: 36.5%; 1996: 26.7%) and C . psittaci (1995: 40.5%), a lower contamination with Salmonella spp . (1995: 1.0%), S . aureus (1995: 2.0%), Y . enterocolitica (1995: 1.5%) and Y . pseudotuberculosis (1995: 1.0%) . Mycotic and parasitic human pathogens were not found . The contamination of the soil from the Altrheinweg with Campylobacter spp . and L . monocytogenes was significantly greater than that of the other avenues and parks in Basel . However, the investigations conducted by the school medical service showed that no infections among the children attending the nursery school could be correlated to the presence of the starlings . Even if the heavy contamination of the area with droppings of starlings presents a potential health risk, a continuous or systematic transmission of infectious agents seems rather improbable due to the contamination-avoiding behaviour of the children, the characteristics of the microorganisms involved and the climatic conditions in autumn . This situation showed however not reduce our awareness of such a potential health risk.

Infect Immun, 1999 Mar, 67(3), 1194 - 200
Cloning and expression of the dnaK gene of Campylobacter jejuni and antigenicity of heat shock protein 70; Thies FL et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of infectious diarrhea throughout the world . In addition, there is growing evidence that Guillain-Barre syndrome, an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system, is frequently preceded by C . jejuni infection . In the present study, the hrcA-grpE-dnaK gene cluster of C . jejuni was cloned and sequenced . The dnaK gene consists of an open reading frame of 1,869 bp and encodes a protein with a high degree of homology to other bacterial 70-kDa heat shock proteins (HSPs) . The overall percentages of identity to the HSP70 proteins of Helicobacter pylori, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Bacillus subtilis were calculated to be 78.1, 60.5, 57.2, and 53 . 8%, respectively . Regions similar to the Escherichia coli sigma70 promoter consensus sequence and to a cis-acting regulatory element (CIRCE) are located upstream of the hrcA gene . Following heat shock, a rapid increase of dnaK mRNA was detectable, which reached its maximum after 20 to 30 min . A 6-His-tagged recombinant DnaK protein (rCjDnaK-His) was generated in E . coli, after cloning of the dnaK coding region into pET-22b(+), and purified by affinity and gel filtration chromatography . Antibody responses to rCjDnaK-His were significantly elevated, compared to those of healthy individuals, in about one-third of the serum specimens obtained from C . jejuni enteritis patients.

J Med Microbiol, 1999 Feb, 48(2), 139 - 48
Identification and characterisation of a cytotoxic porin-lipopolysaccharide complex from Campylobacter jejuni; Bacon DJ et al.; A clinical isolate of Campylobacter jejuni, previously found to produce a toxin active in cell culture assays, was used for identification and characterisation of a cytotoxic porin-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) complex . This cytotoxic complex was isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography of crude concentrated culture supernate and DEAE-anion exchange chromatography . The complex had a toxic activity of 20.1 tissue culture dose50 (TCD50)/microg of protein for HEp-2 cells, 7.49 TCD50/microg of protein for HeLa cells and 1.87 TCD50/microg of protein for Chinese hamster ovary cells . Analysis by SDS-PAGE revealed a single protein band of 45 kDa and a high mol . wt carbohydrate moiety . The complex gave a positive result in the Limulus amoebocyte lysate test, indicating that the co-purifying carbohydrate was LPS, and had specificity for the lectins Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, Maackia amurensis agglutinin and Datura stramonium agglutinin . The cytotoxic activity associated with the complex was heat-labile at 70 degrees C, resistant to inactivation with trypsin and retained activity after treatment with sodium metaperiodate and the glycosidases neuraminidase and N-glycosidase F . Sequencing of the N-terminus of the protein component of the complex revealed 97% homology with the major outer-membrane porin protein from C . jejuni . The cytotoxic activity of the complex was neutralised by a polyclonal, homologous antiserum, which reacted on Western blot with the 45-kDa protein, but not by polyclonal antisera raised against a number of other bacterial toxins.

Ann Neurol, 1999 Feb, 45(2), 168 - 73
Anti-GD1a antibody is associated with axonal but not demyelinating forms of Guillain-Barré syndrome; Ho TW et al.; Immunopathological studies suggest that the target of immune attack is different in the subtypes of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . In acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), the attack appears directed against the axolemma and nodes of Ranvier . In acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), the attack appears directed against a component of the Schwann cell . However, the nature of the antigenic targets is still not clear . We prospectively studied 138 Chinese GBS patients and found that IgG anti-GD1a antibodies were closely associated with AMAN but not AIDP . With a cutoff titer of greater than 1:100, 60% of AMAN versus 4% of AIDP patients had IgG anti-GD1a antibodies; with a cutoff titer of greater than 1:1,000, 24% of AMAN patients and none of the AIDP patients had IgG anti-GD1a antibodies . In contrast, low levels of IgG anti-GM1 antibodies (> 1:100) were detected in both the AMAN and the AIDP forms (57% vs 35%, NS) . High titers of IgG anti-GM1 (>1:1,000) were more common in the AMAN form (24% vs 8%, NS) . Serological evidence of recent Campylobacter infection was detected in 81% of AMAN and 50% of AIDP patients, and anti-ganglioside antibodies were common in both Campylobacter-infected and noninfected patients . Our results suggest that IgG anti-GD1a antibodies may be involved in the pathogenesis of AMAN.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Mar, 37(3), 510 - 7
Identification of the enteropathogens Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli based on the cadF virulence gene and its product; Konkel ME et al.; Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are common causes of gastroenteritis in humans . Infection with C . jejuni or C . coli is commonly acquired by eating undercooked chicken . The goal of this study was to develop specific detection assays for C . jejuni and C . coli isolates based on the cadF virulence gene and its product . The cadF gene from C . jejuni and C . coli encodes a 37-kDa outer membrane protein that promotes the binding of these pathogens to intestinal epithelial cells . A fragment of approximately 400 bp was amplified from 38 of 40 (95%) C . jejuni isolates and 5 of 6 (83.3%) C . coli isolates with primers designed to amplify an internal fragment of the cadF gene . PCR was then used to amplify Campylobacter DNA from store-bought chickens . A 400-bp band was amplified from 26 of the 27 chicken carcasses tested by the PCR-based assay . The CadF protein was detected in every C . jejuni and C . coli isolate tested, as judged by immunoblot analysis with a rabbit anti-C . jejuni 37-kDa serum . In addition, methanol-fixed samples of whole-cell C . jejuni and C . coli were detected with the rabbit anti-37-kDa serum by using an indirect-immunofluorescence microscopy assay . These findings indicate that the cadF gene and its product are conserved among C . jejuni and C . coli isolates and that a PCR assay based on the cadF gene may be useful for the detection of Campylobacter organisms in food products.

Gene, 1998 Dec 28, 225(1-2), 131 - 41
Expression of the flgFG operon of Campylobacter jejuni in Escherichia coli yields an extra fusion protein; Loong Chan V et al.; Two Campylobacter jejuni genes with homology to the Escherichia coli flgF and flgG genes encoding two of the basal body rod proteins were isolated, and the nucleotide sequence was determined and analyzed . These two C . jejuni genes were shown, by Northern hybridization analysis, to function as a single operon (flgFG) . Two transcriptional start sites were detected upstream of flgF, corresponding to the two RNA transcripts detected in the Northern blot . Western blot immunoassays using anti-FlgF and anti-FlgG antibodies demonstrated the synthesis of FlgF and FlgG proteins in C . jejuni and in Escherichia coli containing the C . jejuni flgF and flgG genes . Maxicell analysis and Western immunoblots using anti-FlgF antibodies to probe flgFG-encoded proteins in E . coli revealed the presence of a protein with a molecular mass of approximately the combined mass of the FlgF and FlgG proteins . Anti-FlgF antibodies detected in C . jejuni cell extracts the native FlgF protein and also a higher-molecular-weight protein that is likely encoded by the flgF and part of the flgG sequences.

Baillieres Clin Rheumatol, 1998 Nov, 12(4), 589 - 609
Aetiological agents: their molecular biology and phagocyte-host interaction; Koehler L et al.; Inflammatory joint disease can develop following an extra-articular infection . The term reactive arthritis was coined in order to differentiate this arthritis, which is often characterized by lack of culturable organisms in the joint, from septic arthritides . Bacteria known to trigger reactive arthritis include Campylobacter, Chlamydia, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia . Demonstration of bacteria or bacterial macromolecules in the joint has elicited the idea that reactive arthritis is a sterile process induced and maintained by antigenic material in the synovium . Continued synthesis of antigens to maintain synovial inflammation probably requires establishment of persistent bacterial infection in the joint, or at the primary site of infection . In the case of Chlamydia trachomatis, viable, metabolically-active organisms have been demonstrated to exist for extended periods in the joints of patients with reactive arthritis . In this chapter, we review the aetiological agents, and their molecular biology and phagocyte-host interactions, that are involved in reactive arthritis and spondylarthropathy.

Curr Med Chem, 1999 Feb, 6(2), 117 - 27
Human milk glycoconjugates that inhibit pathogens; Newburg DS; Breast-fed infants have lower incidence of diarrhea, respiratory disease, and otitis media . The protection by human milk has long been attributed to the presence of secretory IgA . However, human milk contains large numbers and amounts of complex carbohydrates, including glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosaminoglycans, mucins, and especially oligosaccharides . The oligosaccharides comprise the third most abundant solid constituent of human milk, and contain a myriad of structures . Complex carbohydrate moieties of glycoconjugates and oligosaccharides are synthesized by the many glycosyltransferases in the mammary gland; those with homology to cell surface glycoconjugate pathogen receptors may inhibit pathogen binding, thereby protecting the nursing infant . Several examples are reviewed: A fucosyloligosaccharide inhibits the diarrheagenic effect of stable toxin of Escherichia coli . A different fucosyloligosaccharide inhibits infection by Campylobacter jejuni . Binding of Streptococcus pneumoniae and of enteropathogenic E . coli to their respective receptors is inhibited by human milk oligosaccharides . The 46-kD glycoprotein, lactadherin, inhibits rotavirus binding and infectivity . Low levels of lactadherin in human milk are associated with a higher incidence of symptomatic rotavirus in breast-fed infants . A mannosylated glycopeptide inhibits binding by enterohemorrhagic E . coli . A glycosaminoglycan inhibits binding of gp120 to CD4, the first step in HIV infection . Human milk mucin inhibits binding by S-fimbriated E . coli . The ganglioside, GM1, reduces diarrhea production by cholera toxin and labile toxin of E . coli . The neutral glycosphingolipid, Gb3, binds to Shigatoxin . Thus, many complex carbohydrates of human milk may be novel antipathogenic agents, and the milk glycoconjugates and oligosaccharides may be a major source of protection for breastfeeding infants.

Acta Vet Scand, 1998, 39(4), 473 - 82
The gastrointestinal bacteria of mink (Mustela vison L): influence of age and diet; Williams C et al.; Total numbers of aerotolerant and anaerobic bacteria, and densities of Enterobacteriaceae, lactobacilli, staphylococci, salmonella and shigella, and campylobacteria were enumerated in the contents of the stomach, small intestine (and the associated mucosa), and colon of mink beginning at 2 weeks of age to adulthood, and in adults that were fed diets with different levels and types of fiber or food deprived . Highest densities of all bacterial groups were found in the colon at all ages (up to 10(8) cfu per g for total anaerobes), but were 2-4 orders of magnitude lower than those of other mammals . When all regions were pooled, significant age-related increases (p < 0.05) were detected for anaerobes, aerobes, and staphylococci, and these coincided with the dietary shift at weaning . Enterobacteriaceae did not vary with age . Lactobacilli were never common isolates, but were detected more often after weaning, particularly in adults fed diets containing the 2 sources of fiber . Campylobacteria were detected only at 2 weeks of age, and salmonella and shigella were not isolated from any of the experimental mink . Total bacterial densities, the relative proportions of the bacterial groups, and age- and diet-related effects differ from those known for other mammals, which may be related to the carnivorous diet and rapid movement of digesta through the GIT.

Res Microbiol, 1998 Nov-Dec, 149(10), 723 - 33
A putative adhesin gene cloned from Campylobacter jejuni; Kelle K et al.; Thirteen Campylobacter jejuni strains of human origin showed differing behaviours when analysed for their ability to bind the Caco-2 cell line in vitro, suggesting variations in genetic complements and/or regulation . We designed an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to a highly conserved part of adhesins from various Gram-negative bacteria . Among our laboratory collection, Southern hybridization has demonstrated that only a discrete number of strains harbour this sequence . The corresponding gene has been cloned from our prototype strain and sequence analysis has confirmed homology with Gram-negative bacterial adhesins . The ORF corresponded to 869 amino acids; we named this protein P95 . Protein sequence similarity assessment demonstrated that this gene product belongs to the family of proteins including the filamentous haemagglutinin of Bordetella pertussis and the high-molecular-weight surface-exposed adhesins of Haemophilus influenzae . Comparison of adhesion and hybridization results emphasized the involvement of this gene in an essential pathogenic process of Campylobacter.

Res Microbiol, 1998 Nov-Dec, 149(10), 703 - 10
Sequence comparison of outer membrane phospholipases A: implications for structure and for the catalytic mechanism; Brok RG et al.; In this study, the nucleotide sequence of the Enterobacter agglomerans pldA gene encoding outer membrane phospholipase A (OMPLA; EC 3.1.1.32) was determined . Five other OMPLA amino acid sequences have previously been described, and screening of data bases of whole genome sequencing projects revealed the presence of proteins with homology to OMPLA in Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia pestis, Neisseria menigitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae . Comparison of these eleven OMPLA amino acid sequences revealed that 30 amino acid residues are completely conserved . Implications of the sequence comparison for the catalytic mechanism of OMPLA are discussed . The presence of proteins homologous to OMPLA even in non-enterobacterial Gram-negative bacteria indicates an important physiological role of this enzyme.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1999 Jan 1, 170(1), 83 - 8
Ultrastructural characterization of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens and its differentiation from Campylobacter species; Wecke J et al.; The anaerobic spiral-shaped bacterium Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens was isolated from the blood of an AIDS patient for the first time in Europe . Electron-microscopical methods, especially negative staining, allowed rapid morphological classification and differentiation from Campylobacter species . While A . succiniciproducens revealed lophotriche flagellation all the investigated Campylobacter species showed monotriche flagellation . The cell diameter of A . succiniciproducens was at least double that of the investigated Campylobacter species . Other ultrastructural features, such as a ring-like structure underneath the flagellar area and fibrils arranged parallel along the axis, were also specific to A . succiniciproducens.

Neuroepidemiology, 1998, 17(6), 296 - 302
Campylobacter jejuni infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case-control study . Emilia-Romagna Study Group on Clinical and Epidemiological problems in neurology; Guarino M et al.; We performed a case-control study to investigate the association between Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) infection and Guillain-Barr| syndrome (GBS) or Miller-Fisher syndrome . We compared 60 cases with 109 hospital controls matched for age, gender, hospital and geographical location.To diagnose the CJ infection, we considered the association between serologic positivity for CJ and a previous diarrheal illness within 3 months of inclusion in the study . Fifteen percent of cases versus 5% of hospital controls had CJ infection (p < 0.003, OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 1.0817.85) . However, CJ infection was related to GBS only if it occurred during the previous month (p< 0.001, OR = 7.29, 95% CI: 1.4371.28) . No statistical differences were found between the cases who were positive for CJ infection and those who were negative for CJ infection when studied by stepwise multivariate logistic regression for age, gender, clinical and electrophysiological features and outcome . Recent CJ infection may be a risk factor for GBS.

Adv Microb Physiol, 1998, 40, 281 - 351
Iron storage in bacteria; Andrews SC; Iron is an essential nutrient for nearly all organisms but presents problems of toxicity, poor solubility and low availability . These problems are alleviated through the use of iron-storage proteins . Bacteria possess two types of iron-storage protein, the haem-containing bacterioferritins and the haem-free ferritins . These proteins are widespread in bacteria, with at least 39 examples known so far in eubacteria and archaebacteria . The bacterioferritins and ferritins are distantly related but retain similar structural and functional properties . Both are composed of 24 identical or similar subunits (approximately 19 kDa) that form a roughly spherical protein (approximately 450 kDa, approximately 120 A diameter) containing a large hollow centre (approximately 80 A diameter) . The hollow centre acts as an iron-storage cavity with the capacity to accommodate at least 2000 iron atoms in the form of a ferric-hydroxyphosphate core . Each subunit contains a four-helix bundle which carries the active site or ferroxidase centre of the protein . The ferroxidase centres endow ferrous-iron-oxidizing activity and are able to form a di-iron species that is an intermediate in the iron uptake, oxidation and core formation process . Bacterioferritins contain up to 12 protoporphyrin IX haem groups located at the two-fold interfaces between pairs of two-fold related subunits . The role of the haem is unknown, although it may be involved in mediating iron-core reduction and iron release . Some bacterioferritins are composed of two subunit types, one conferring haem-binding ability (alpha) and the other (beta) bestowing ferroxidase activity . Bacterioferritin genes are often adjacent to genes encoding a small {2Fe-2S}-ferredoxin (bacterioferritin-associated ferredoxin or Bfd) . Bfd may directly interact with bacterioferritin and could be involved in releasing iron from (or delivering iron to) bacterioferritin or other iron complexes . Some bacteria contain two bacterioferritin subunits, or two ferritin subunits, that in most cases co-assemble . Others possess both a bacterioferritin and a ferritin, while some appear to lack any type of iron-storage protein . The reason for these differences is not understood . Studies on ferritin mutants have shown that ferritin enhances growth during iron starvation and is also involved in iron accumulation in the stationary phase of growth . The ferritin of Campylobacter jejuni is involved in redox stress resistance, although this does not appear to be the case for Escherichia coli ferritin (FtnA) . No phenotype has been determined for E . coli bacterioferritin mutants and the precise role of bacterioferritin in E . coli remains uncertain.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Feb, 37(2), 433 - 5
PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection and identification of Campylobacter species: application to isolates and stool samples; Metherell LA et al.; We report a PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay which identifies Campylobacter species by capture hybridization of a single-stranded 16S rRNA gene amplicon with species-specific probes in a microtiter plate format . Specificities were confirmed for both reference and field strains, but the type strain of Campylobacter coli was atypical . The assay was rapid, informative, and usable with stool-extracted DNA.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1998 Dec, 59(6), 1008 - 14
Etiologies of acute, persistent, and dysenteric diarrheas in adults in Bangui, Central African Republic, in relation to human immunodeficiency virus serostatus; Germani Y et al.; A study of the etiologies of diarrhea in adults in relation to their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus and number of CD4+ cells was carried out in the Central African Republic . In cases and controls, multi-parasitism was observed . Salmonella spp . were identified mainly during acute diarrhea, with 50% of the S . enteritidis isolated during the study being responsible for septicemia and/or urinary tract infection in immunodeficient patients . Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC) were the most frequently identified agent in HIV+ patients with persistent diarrhea; 42.8% of the patients with EAggEC as sole pathogens had bloody diarrhea, and these strains were negative for the presence of a virulence plasmid . Coccidia were found in those with acute and persistent diarrhea . Blood was observed in 53.3% of infections involving coccidia as the sole pathogen . Microsporidium spp . and Blastocystis hominis were found only in HIV+ patients with persistent diarrhea . Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Entamoeba histolytica were found in HIV+ and HIV- dysenteric patients; bacteria resembling spirochetes that could not be cultivated were identified only in HIV+ cases with dysentery . Shiga-like toxin-producing E . coli O157:H- was isolated from two cases with hemolytic-uremic syndrome . Fungi were identified as the sole pathogen in 6.4% of the HIV+ patients with persistent diarrhea . Most of enteropathogenic bacteria identified were resistant to ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, remained susceptible to ampicillin plus clavulanic acid, and were susceptible to amikacin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin.

J Med Microbiol, 1998 Jun, 47(6), 521 - 6
Spirochaete-like swimming mode of Campylobacter jejuni in a viscous environment; Shigematsu M et al.; The swimming patterns of Campylobacter jejuni in environments of low and high viscosity were examined by a video tracking method . In media of low viscosity, C . jejuni swam with an average velocity of 39.3 microm/s with frequent changes in direction . The velocity of C . jejuni increased in a medium at a little higher viscosity than that of a low viscosity buffer . In addition to this, C . jejuni showed a second increase of velocity in media of a high viscosity of about 40 centipoise . The swimming patterns at these two velocity peaks were compared . In the second peak the wild-type C . jejuni exhibited repeated back and forth swimming patterns which were more like the swimming pattern of spirochaetes than that of monotrichous bacteria . Thus C . jejuni may presumably use a different swimming mode in media of high viscosity than the original swimming mode mediated by the propelling force of the flagella . The spiral shape of this bacterium like that of spirochaetes may strongly influence its swimming ability in media of high viscosity such as the mucous layer of the intestinal tract.

J Med Microbiol, 1998 Feb, 47(2), 123 - 8
Characterisation of 16 Campylobacter jejuni and C . coli typing bacteriophages; Sails AD et al.; Taxonomic classification of bacteriophages specific for Campylobacter jejuni and C . coli has not been reported previously . A set of 16 virulent phages, distinguishable by their lytic spectra, has been used extensively for epidemiological typing of C . jejuni and C . coli at Preston Public Health Laboratory . These phages were investigated by electron microscopy, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and restriction endonuclease analysis . All phages had icosahedral heads and long contractile tails . Accordingly, they were classified as members of the Myoviridae family . These phages could be subdivided into three groups according to genome size and head diameter: group I, two phages with head diameters of 140.6 and 143.8 nm and genome sizes of 320 kb; group II, five phages with average head diameters of 99 nm and average genome sizes of 184 kb; and group III, nine phages with average head sizes of 100 nm and average genome sizes of 138 kb . Phages NCTC12676 and NCTC12677 of group I had unusually large genomes of c . 320 kb which are two of the largest phage genomes to be described . Restriction endonuclease analysis demonstrated that DNA from the 16 phages was refractory to digestion by a number of restriction enzymes.

Avian Dis, 1998 Oct-Dec, 42(4), 802 - 6
Effect of feed withdrawal on Campylobacter in the crops of market-age broiler chickens; Byrd JA et al.; The presence of Campylobacter and Salmonella on poultry meat products remains a significant public health concern . Previous research has indicated that feed withdrawal may significantly increase Salmonella contamination of broiler crops and that crop contents may serve as an important source of Salmonella carcass contamination at commercial processing . The present study evaluated the effect of preslaughter feed withdrawal on the incidence of Campylobacter isolation in crops of market-age commercial broiler chickens prior to capture and transport to the processing plant . The incidence of Campylobacter isolation from the crop was determined immediately before and after feed withdrawal in 40 7-wk-old broiler chickens obtained from each of nine separate broiler houses . Ceca were collected from broilers in six of the same flocks for comparison with the crop samples . Feed withdrawal caused a significant (P < 0.025) increase in Campylobacter-positive crop samples in seven of the nine houses sampled . Furthermore, the total number of Campylobacter-positive crops increased significantly (P < 0.001) from 90/360 (25%) before feed removal to 224/359 (62.4%) after the feed withdrawal period . Alternatively, feed withdrawal did not significantly alter the Campylobacter isolation frequency from ceca . Similar to our previous studies with Salmonella, the present results suggest that preharvest feed withdrawal increases the frequency of Campylobacter crop contamination and, thus, provides a source of Campylobacter contamination of carcasses at commercial processing.

J Food Prot, 1998 Dec, 61(12), 1609 - 14
Survival and growth of Campylobacter jejuni after artificial inoculation onto chicken skin as a function of temperature and packaging conditions; Lee A et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is one of the major causes of food poisoning in humans . C . jejuni is also widespread in food animals, and meat and meat products derived from food animals are the most common vector of bacterial transmission to humans . To determine the role of packing and storage conditions on the replication of C . jejuni on chicken, the virulent strain C . jejuni 81116 was artificially inoculated onto chicken skin pieces (1 cm2) and stored at different temperatures and under various packaging conditions . C . jejuni 81116 remained viable at -20 and -70 degrees C and was able to replicate at 4 degrees C and at ambient room temperature . C . jejuni 81116 was also inoculated onto chicken skin and subjected to repeated freeze thawing and the viability of the inoculum was quantified . C . jejuni 81116 could withstand repeated freeze thawing similar to that which may occur in the domestic home . Under all freezing conditions, C . jejuni 81116 retained a high level of viability and quickly replicated to levels which exceeded Australian food authorities' permitted bacteria level on raw food products after the sample was thawed.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Jan, 65(1), 260 - 3
Molecular epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni in broiler flocks using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR and 23S rRNA-PCR and role of litter in its transmission; Payne RE et al.; Poultry has long been cited as a reservoir for Campylobacter spp., and litter has been implicated as a vehicle in their transmission . Chicks were raised on litter removed from a broiler house positive for Campylobacter jejuni . Litter was removed from the house on days 0, 3, and 9 after birds were removed for slaughter . Chicks were raised on these three litters under controlled conditions in flocks of 25 . None of these birds yielded C . jejuni in their cecal droppings through 7 weeks . Two successive flocks from the same Campylobacter-positive broiler house were monitored for Campylobacter colonization . Campylobacter jejuni prevalence rates were determined for each flock . Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR and 23S rRNA-PCR typing methods were used to group isolates . A high prevalence (60%) of C . jejuni in flock 1 coincided with the presence of an RAPD profile not appearing in flock 2, which had a lower rate of prevalence (28%) . A 23S rRNA-PCR typing method was used to determine if strains with different RAPD profiles and different prevalence rates contained different 23S sequences . RAPD profiles detected with higher prevalence rates contained a spacer in the 23S rRNA region 100% of the time, while RAPD profiles found with lower prevalence rates contained an intervening sequence less than 2% of the time . Data suggest varying colonizing potentials of different RAPD profiles and a source other than previously used litter as a means of transmission of C . jejuni . These molecular typing methods demonstrate their usefulness, when used together, in this epidemiologic investigation.

Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol, 1998 Nov, 107(5), 303 - 16
Acute and chronic neuropathies: new aspects of Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, an overview and an update; Trojaborg W; During the last 15 years new information about clinical, electrophysiological, immunological and histopathological features of acute and chronic inflammatory neuropathies have emerged . Thus, the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is no longer considered a simple entity . Subtypes of the disorder besides the typical predominant motor manifestation, are recognized, i.e . a cranial nerve variant with ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia, an immune-mediated primary motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), and a motor-sensory syndrome (AMSAN) . Also, the clinical pattern of GBS is related to preceding viral or bacterial infections . Two types of acute motor paralysis have been described, one with slow and incomplete recovery, another with recovery times identical with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) . Histologically, the first is characterized by Wallerian degeneration of motor roots and peripheral motor nerve fibres . In the latter anti-GM antibodies bind to the nodes of Ranvier producing a failure of impulse transmission . Motor-point biopsies have shown denervated neuromuscular junctions and a reduced number of intramuscular nerve fibres . Molecular mimicry has been postulated as a possible mechanism triggering GBS . Thus, in the cranial variant antibodies to ganglioside GQ1b recognizes similar epitopes on Campylobacter jejuni strains and similar observations apply to anti-GM1 antibodies . Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) also has several different clinical presentations such as a pure motor syndrome, a sensory ataxic variant, a mononeuritis multiplex pattern, relapsing GBS, and a paraparetic subtype . Each of the acute and the subtypes have different, more or less distinct, electrophysiologic and pathological findings . Instructive patient stories are presented together with there electrophysiologic and biopsy findings.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Dec, 27(6), 341 - 4
Aerobic growth and survival of Campylobacter jejuni in food and stream water; Chynoweth RW et al.; When 40 Campylobacter jejuni isolates from human clinical cases, raw chicken and water were tested, 29 (72.5%) could be adapted to grow on nutrient agar under aerobic conditions . Once adapted, these isolates could grow on repeated aerobic subculture . An aerobically-grown Camp . jejuni isolate survived almost as well as the same isolate grown microaerophilically in sterile chicken mince at 5 degrees C, and survival of a cocktail of Camp . jejuni isolates under both atmospheres was comparable at 25 degrees C . However, at 37 degrees C, the decline in numbers of the aerobically-grown cells was greater . Survival of cells on chicken nuggets was poorer than in chicken mince . In filter-sterilized stream water incubated aerobically at 5 degrees C, survival of inocula grown under different atmospheres was again similar, but slightly better with the microaerophically-grown cells . Adaptation to aerobic growth was not found to enhance survival under aerobic conditions.

Transpl Int, 1998, 11(6), 439 - 42
Campylobacter jejuni bacteremia and Guillain-Barré syndrome in a renal transplant recipient; Maccario M et al.; In patients who have not undergone transplantation, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is typically preceded by an acute infection often sustained by Campylobacter jejuni . Thus far, in renal transplant recipients, only eight cases of GBS have been reported . In seven patients GBS was attributed to cytomegalovirus infection and in the eighth patient to cyclosporin A neurotoxicity . We report here the case of a GBS in a renal transplant recipient following C . jejuni bacteremia . The infection quickly disappeared after erythromycin and methronidazole therapy . GBS progressively evolved into a paraparesis within 1 week . After reaching a plateau phase, the clinical status improved and the patient was able to walk unassisted after 3 weeks . At this last check-up, 54 months later, the patient was doing well with a functioning graft and only minimal weakness of the lower limbs.

Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp, 1998 Oct, 49(7), 561 - 8
{Bilateral peripheral facial paralysis and Guillain-Barré syndrome}; Garcia Callejo FJ et al.; The Guillain-Barre syndrome is a polyneuropathy of acute onset that initially tends to produce motor damage of the lower limbs, albumin-cytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiological findings suggestive of demyelination . This entity produces a wide variety of symptoms, including damage to the facial nerve in as many as half of all episodes, which means that this syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial palsy, particularly bilateral and synchronous cases . In a review of six cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome in which bilateral facial palsy occurred at some point, a history of immediate infection was confirmed in five, mainly related to Herpesvirinae and Campylobacter . One case began with bilateral palsy, whereas palsy appeared almost simultaneously with the rest of the symptoms in the other cases . High protein levels without cells in cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiological patterns of slow facial nerve conduction were confirmed in every patient . Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins resolved all episodes in less than six months . We conclude by reiterating the need for awareness of this syndrome in every case of peripheral VIIth nerve palsy, especially bilateral cases, although the associated symptoms were not very useful, if at all useful.

Infect Immun, 1999 Jan, 67(1), 88 - 93
Campylobacter jejuni-stimulated secretion of interleukin-8 by INT407 cells; Hickey TE et al.; Incubation of INT407 cells with various clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni resulted in secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8) at levels ranging from 96 to 554 pg/ml at 24 h . The strains which produced the highest levels of IL-8 secretion were 81-176 and BT44 . Induction of IL-8 secretion required live cells of 81-176 and was dependent on de novo protein synthesis . Site-specific mutants of 81-176, which were previously shown to be defective in adherence and invasion, resulted in reduced levels of secretion of IL-8, and cheY mutants of strains 81-176 and 749, which are hyperadherent and hyperinvasive, resulted in higher levels of IL-8 secretion . Another mutant of 81-176, which adheres at about 43% of the wild-type levels but is noninvasive, also showed marked reduction in IL-8 levels, suggesting that invasion is necessary for high levels of IL-8 secretion . When gentamicin was added to INT407 cells at 2 h after infection with 81-176, IL-8 secretion 22 h later was equivalent to that of controls without gentamicin, suggesting that the events which trigger induction and release of IL-8 occur early in the interactions of bacteria and eukaryotic cells.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1998, 16 Suppl 1, 61 - 6
{Other infections (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Nocardia asteroides, Rhodococcus equi and Bartonella spp.)}; Santin M et al.; People infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk for bacterial infections due to HIV-associated immunologic defects . Bacterial infections were found to be, both a predictor of progression to AIDS and a substantial cause of mortality in pre-AIDS stages . Most bacterial infections are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Salmonella spp . and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Rhodococcus equi, Nocardia spp., Campylobacter spp . and Bartonella spp . are less common . Data derived from two AIDS Clinical Trials Group studies showed that the most common bacterial infections were sinusitis (8.5 per 100 episodes per person years {py}), bacterial pneumonia (5.0 per 100 py), bronchitis (4.1 per 100 py) and soft tissue infections (3.5 per 100 py) . In this review clinical characteristics and treatment recommendations according to data available in the literature for these infections are summarized.

J Clin Microbiol, 1999 Jan, 37(1), 171 - 4
Proficiencies of three anaerobic culture systems for recovering periodontal pathogenic bacteria; Doan N et al.; Anaerobic culture is employed routinely in the primary isolation of periodontal pathogenic bacteria . However, little or no data exist on the relative abilities of the Coy anaerobic chamber (Coy Laboratory Products, Grass Lake, Mich.), the GasPak (Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.), and the AnaeroPack (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America, Inc., New York, N.Y.) systems to grow important periodontal species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens, Bacteroides forsythus, Eubacterium species, Campylobacter species, Fusobacterium species, and Peptostreptococcus micros . A total of 78 specimens from advanced periodontitis lesions were collected anaerobically, plated on enriched blood agar medium, and incubated at 35 degrees C for 5 to 7 days in each anaerobic culture system . The three culture systems were equally efficient in isolating Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens . The Coy anaerobic chamber yielded the highest proportional recoveries of Campylobacter (P = 0.0001; nonparametric analysis of variance) and Eubacterium (P = 0.009) . The Coy anaerobic chamber and the GasPak system demonstrated higher proportional recoveries of Bacteroides forsythus (P = 0.0006) and Peptostreptococcus micros (P = 0.0001) than the AnaeroPack system . The AnaeroPack system was most efficient in growing Fusobacterium species (P = 0.0001) . Overall, the Coy anaerobic chamber and the GasPak system showed the highest proportional recoveries of putative periodontal pathogens, but the recoveries by the various anaerobic test systems varied considerably from sample to sample.

J Bacteriol, 1998 Dec, 180(24), 6450 - 8
Campylobacter fetus surface layer proteins are transported by a type I secretion system; Thompson SA et al.; The virulence of Campylobacter fetus, a bacterial pathogen of ungulates and humans, is mediated in part by the presence of a paracrystalline surface layer (S-layer) that confers serum resistance . The subunits of the S-layer are S-layer proteins (SLPs) that are secreted in the absence of an N-terminal signal sequence and attach to either type A or B C . fetus lipopolysaccharide in a serospecific manner . Antigenic variation of multiple SLPs (encoded by sapA homologs) of type A strain 23D occurs by inversion of a promoter-containing DNA element flanked by two sapA homologs . Cloning and sequencing of the entire 6.2-kb invertible region from C . fetus 23D revealed a probable 5.6-kb operon of four overlapping genes (sapCDEF, with sizes of 1,035, 1,752, 1,284, and 1,302 bp, respectively) transcribed in the opposite direction from sapA . The four genes also were present in the invertible region of type B strain 84-107 and were virtually identical to their counterparts in the type A strain . Although SapC had no database homologies, SapD, SapE, and SapF had predicted amino acid homologies with type I protein secretion systems (typified by Escherichia coli HlyBD/TolC or Erwinia chrysanthemi PrtDEF) that utilize C-terminal secretion signals to mediate the secretion of hemolysins, leukotoxins, or proteases from other bacterial species . Analysis of the C termini of four C . fetus SLPs revealed conserved structures that are potential secretion signals . A C . fetus sapD mutant neither produced nor secreted SLPs . E . coli expressing C . fetus sapA and sapCDEF secreted SapA, indicating that the sapCDEF genes are sufficient for SLP secretion . C . fetus SLPs therefore are transported to the cell surface by a type I secretion system.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1998 Nov 10, 44(3), 189 - 204
Irradiation as a method for decontaminating food . A review; Farkas J; Despite substantial efforts in avoidance of contamination, an upward trend in the number of outbreaks of foodborne illnesses caused by nonsporeforming pathogenic bacteria are reported in many countries . Good hygienic practices can reduce the level of contamination but the most important pathogens cannot presently be eliminated from most farms nor is it possible to eliminate them by primary processing, particularly from those foods which are sold raw . Several decontamination methods exist but the most versatile treatment among them is the processing with ionizing radiation . Decontamination of food by ionizing radiation is a safe, efficient, environmentally clean and energy efficient process . Irradiation is particularly valuable as an endproduct decontamination procedure . Radiation treatment at doses of 2-7 kGy--depending on condition of irradiation and the food--can effectively eliminate potentially pathogenic nonsporeforming bacteria including both long-time recognized pathogens such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus as well as emerging or "new" pathogens such as Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes or Escherichia coli O157:H7 from suspected food products without affecting sensory, nutritional and technical qualities . Candidates of radiation decontamination are mainly poultry and red meat, egg products, and fishery products . It is a unique feature of radiation decontamination that it can also be performed when the food is in a frozen state . With today's demand for high-quality convenience foods, irradiation in combination with other processes holds a promise for enhancing the safety of many minimally processed foods . Radiation decontamination of dry ingredients, herbs and enzyme preparations with doses of 3-10 kGy proved to be a viable alternative to fumigation with microbicidal gases . Radiation treatment at doses of 0.15-0.7 kGy under specific conditions appears to be feasible also for control of many foodborne parasites, thereby making infested foods safe for human consumption . Microorganisms surviving low- and medium-dose radiation treatment are more sensitive to environmental stresses or subsequent food processing treatments than the microflora of unirradiated products . Radiation treatment is an emerging technology in an increasing number of countries and more-and-more clearances on radiation decontaminated foods are issued or expected to be granted in the near future.

Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1998 Nov, 17(11), 1040 - 4
Low yield of bacterial stool culture in children with nosocomial diarrhea; Craven D et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether bacterial stool cultures (BSC) are useful in initial evaluation of children with symptoms of nosocomial diarrhea . To answer this question we performed a retrospective record review to determine the yield of BSC in children who developed diarrhea after the third hospital day (HD-3) . METHODS: The hospital computer record keeping system was utilized to compile the result of BSC collected from children and adolescents ages 0 to 20 years between January 1, 1988, and October 31, 1996 . All specimens were analyzed for Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia and Campylobacter . We reviewed hospital charts of all children who developed a positive BSC beyond HD-3 to determine the time of onset of diarrhea and clinical circumstances . RESULTS: A total of 11 516 BSCs were submitted from 9262 children during the 8 1/2-year period . Five hundred sixty-eight (6.6%) of 9262 children had at least 1 positive BSC . Two thousand five hundred seventy-two children had the first BSC submitted after HD-3 and 13 (0.5%) of these children had a positive result . Chart review of these 13 children demonstrated that 6 had onset of diarrhea during the first 3 hospital days . Therefore only 7 children met our criteria for having nosocomially acquired diarrhea caused by a bacterial pathogen . Children whose first BSC was submitted after HD-3 accounted for 3767 (46%) of the total 8126 inpatient BSCs and in excess of $21000 annually in patient billing charges . CONCLUSION: In the absence of a known exposure the isolation of a bacterial pathogen from the stool of children with onset of diarrhea beyond HD-3 is a rare event . Under most circumstances BSC should not be part of the initial evaluation of children with symptoms of nosocomial diarrhea.

Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1998 Oct, 72(10), 1017 - 26
{Evaluation of a new method for susceptibility testing against fastidious and unusual bacteria}; Kawakami S et al.; The susceptibilities of 154 clinical isolates of fastidious and unusual bacteria were determined by the Etest, and were compared with the MICs for these strains obtained by the agar dilution method . Antimicrobial agents; benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, imipenem, erythromycin, clindamycin and minocycline were used in this study . In general, the Etest MICs were rapidly and easily interpreted . The Etest MICs agreed within +/- 1 log2 and +/- 2 log2 dilution, 87.6% and 98.2% respectively in all strains tested . MICs of vancomycin with the Etest for S . pneumoniae and other Streptococci tended to be 1 to 2 log2 dilution higher than those of the agar dilution method . MICs of erythromycin for the other Streptococci also tended to be 1 to 2 log2 dilution higher . However, there were no significant differences for H . influenzae, Campylobacter spp., H . pylori, Capnocytophaga spp., E . corrodens, M . catarrhalis, N . gonorrhoeae, Corynebacterium spp., L . monocytogenes and Anaerobic bacteria . As mentioned above, the Etest represent a potential method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these fastidious and unusual bacteria.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1998 Dec, 64(12), 4643 - 9
Effect of low-osmolality nutrient media on growth and culturability of Campylobacter species; Reezal A et al.; The growth and culturability of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11351 and other campylobacters were examined in media having different osmolalities at a range of temperatures (4, 25, and 42 degreesC) . The medium osmolalities used ranged from the osmolality of full-strength nutrient medium (modified campylobacter broth having an osmolality of around 254 mosmol) down to 96 mosmol . The following two methods were used to produce media having different osmolalities: dilution of the nutrient medium with distilled water and reformulation of the medium such that the concentrations of various osmolytes were altered while the nutrient content of the medium was unchanged . The results obtained with the two experimental methods were similar, indicating that there was an osmotic threshold effect, such that none of the campylobacters examined (C . jejuni NCTC 11351 and ATCC 33291, Campylobacter lari, and Campylobacter coli) grew in media having osmolalities around 130 mosmol and at temperatures below at 42 degreesC . Conversely, growth occurred in media having osmolalities of around 175 mosmol and above . Osmolar concentrations can be expressed in terms of osmolarity or osmolality . Osmolality is easier to evaluate, is the more commonly used term, and was used in the current study . In nutrient media having low osmolalities (i.e., 130 mosmol and below), the number of CFUs per milliliter declined rapidly regardless of the temperature, and no cells were recovered after 24 h . However, at nongrowth temperatures (25 and 4 degreesC) in higher-osmolality media (175 mosmol and above) a significant population was recovered throughout the experiment (up to 96 h) . In low-osmolality nutrient media, the cellular morphology was principally coccoid, while in the early stages of growth in full-strength media the morphology was predominantly rodlike . We propose that the formation of coccoid cells in these experiments was the result of osmotic stress in low-osmolality media . This osmotic effect was apparent regardless of the osmolyte used to reformulate the medium (NaCl, KCl, Na2SO4, NH4Cl, and glucose were used).

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1998 Dec, 42(12), 3276 - 8
Rapid emergence of high-level resistance to quinolones in Campylobacter jejuni associated with mutational changes in gyrA and parC; Gibreel A et al.; Quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni in Sweden increased more than 20-fold at the beginning of the 1990s . Resistance to 125 microgram of ciprofloxacin per ml in clinical isolates was associated with chromosomal mutations in C . jejuni leading to a Thr-86-Ile substitution in the gyrA product and a Arg-139-Gln substitution in the parC product.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1998 Dec, 42(12), 3059 - 64
High-level resistance to trimethoprim in clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni by acquisition of foreign genes (dfr1 and dfr9) expressing drug-insensitive dihydrofolate reductases; Gibreel A et al.; The pathogenic bacterium Campylobacter jejuni has been regarded as endogenously resistant to trimethoprim . The genetic basis of this resistance was characterized in two collections of clinical isolates of C . jejuni obtained from two different parts of Sweden . The majority of these isolates were found to carry foreign dfr genes coding for resistant variants of the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, the target of trimethoprim . The resistance genes, found on the chromosome, were dfr1 and dfr9 . In about 10% of the strains, the dfr1 and dfr9 genes occurred simultaneously . About 10% of the examined isolates were found to be negative for these dfr genes and showed a markedly lower trimethoprim resistance level than the other isolates . The dfr9 and dfr1 genes were located in the context of remnants of a transposon and an integron, respectively . Two different surroundings for the dfr9 gene were characterized . One was identical to the right-hand end of the transposon Tn5393, and in the other, the dfr9 gene was flanked by only a few nucleotides of a Tn5393 sequence . The insertion of the dfr9 gene into the C . jejuni chromosome could have been mediated by Tn5393 . The frequent occurrence of high-level trimethoprim resistance in clinical isolates of C . jejuni could be related to the heavy exposure of food animals to antibacterial drugs, which could lead to the acquisition of foreign resistance genes in naturally transformable strains of C . jejuni.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1998 Nov 15, 168(2), 209 - 12
Discrimination of Helicobacter pullorum and Campylobacter lari by analysis of whole cell fatty acid extracts; Steinbrueckner B et al.; Helicobacter pullorum and Campylobacter lari are rarely isolated from humans with acute enteritis . Hitherto the two species could only be identified by genotypic techniques . Gas liquid chromatography of whole cell fatty acid extracts is described as the first phenotypic method for discrimination of the two species . Cholesteryl glucoside, a characteristic feature of the genus Helicobacter, but seldom found in other bacteria, could not be detected in Helicobacter pullorum . Therefore, rapid determination of this glycolipid may serve as a discrimination marker for Helicobacter pullorum from most other Helicobacter species.

J Indian Med Assoc, 1998 Jun, 96(6), 177 - 8
Absence of Helicobacter pylori in oral mucosal lesions; Singh K et al.; A prospective study was conducted in 26 patients with benign oral ulcers and oral carcinoma and 26 age and sex matched controls to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in oral mucosal biopsies . Oral mucosal biopsies were subjected to rapid urease test, campylobacter like organism (CLO) test, histopathological examination and bacteriological culture for demonstration of H pylori . Urease test was positive for H pylori in 3 (11.4%) out of 26 cases and CLO test in 2 (14%) out of 14 cases . On histology, H pylori was identified in 4 (15.38%) out of 26 cases . The spiral organism was universally absent in culture of both patients and controls . These pilot data negate the casual association of H pylori in oral mucosal lesions.

Pediatr Nurs, 1998 Sep-Oct, 24(5), 433 - 4, 437-46
Macrolide antibiotics; Farrington E; Macrolide antibiotics are considered the drug of choice for many clinically significant infections in children, including mycoplasma pneumonia, chlamydial infections, pertussis, and campylobacter enteritis . In addition, they are frequently the first alternative in patients allergic to penicillin . Therefore, they are medications with which pediatric nurses should be familiar . Although effective antibiotics, some of the macrolide antibiotics have an extensive drug interaction profile . It is imperative that pediatric nurses be familiar with these drug interactions to safely treat their patients.

Gene, 1998 Nov 19, 222(2), 177 - 85
Cloning, sequencing, and characterization of the lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic enzyme heptosyltransferase I gene (waaC) from Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli; Klena JD et al.; Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are common causes of gastrointestinal disease and a proportion of C . jejuni infections have been shown to be associated with the Guillain-Barre syndrome . The waaC gene from Campylobacter coli, involved in lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis, was cloned by complementation of a heptose-deficient strain of Salmonella typhimurium, as judged by novobiocin sensitivity, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific phage sensitivity, and polyacrylamide-resolved lipopolysaccharide profiles . The C . jejuni waaC gene was subsequently cloned using the waaC gene isolated from C . coli as a probe . The C . jejuni and C . coli waaC genes are capable of encoding proteins of 342 amino acids with calculated molecular masses of 39381Da and 39317Da, respectively . Sequence and in-vitro analyses suggested that the C . coli waaC gene may be transcribed from its own promoter . Translation of the C . coli waaC gene in a cell-free system yielded a protein with a Mr of 39000 . The waaC gene was detected in every C . jejuni and C . coli isolate tested as judged by dot-blot hybridization analysis . Southern hybridization analysis indicated that both Campylobacter species contain a single copy of the waaC gene . Unlike Escherichia coli and S . typhimurium isolates, the waaC gene in C . jejuni and C . coli isolates does not appear to be linked to the waaF (rfaF) gene.

Rev Med Chil, 1998 Aug, 126(8), 919 - 23
{The relationship of Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni enterotoxigenicity and the increase of cAMP and electrolyte changes in the rat intestine}; Fernandez H et al.; BACKGROUND: Small intestine alterations produced by the enterotoxigenic capacity of Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni are similar to the hydric, electrolytic and pathological changes caused by choleraic and thermolabile Escherichia coli toxins . AIM: To study the enterotoxigenic capacity of 4 strains of Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni using the intestinal loop model . MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rat intestinal loops were inoculated with culture filtrates of the four strains . Enterotoxigenicity was assessed by fluid accumulation, the increase in Na+ and Cl- in the loop fluid, and cAMP increase in loop tissues . An enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil strain and sterile Brucella both were used as positive and negative controls, respectively . RESULTS: The filtrates of two strains produced fluid accumulation in the loops, significantly increased Na+ and Cl- secretion to the intestinal lumen and increased tissue cAMP levels . CONCLUSIONS: Some strains of Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni are able to show enterotoxigenicity in vivo, increasing cAMP levels in the intestinal cells and altering electrolyte exchange mechanisms.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Nov, 27(5), 247 - 50
High frequency of metronidazole resistance among strains of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from birds; Stanley KN et al.; A total of 2157 strains of the enteropathogen Campylobacter jejuni were examined for resistance to metronidazole (5 mg l-1) . High rates of metronidazole resistance, between 82 and 100%, were observed amongst strains of avian origin, including commercially reared broiler chickens (90.1%, n = 314) and turkeys (92%, n = 100), as well as wild birds sampled from farms and coastal environments, such as starlings (82%, n = 50), and gulls (100%, n = 20) . In comparison, isolates from bovine and ovine ruminants were mostly susceptible to metronidazole, including beef cattle (17.3%, n = 653), dairy cows (19.5%, n = 251), grazing sheep (9.0%, n = 55) and lambs at slaughter (5.5%, n = 615) . A moderate number of clinical isolates were resistant (62.8%, n = 99) . Avian isolates had a higher average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (15 mg l-1) than cattle, lambs and clinical isolates (3 mg l-1) . A June peak was observed in the percentage of metronidazole resistant strains isolated from beef cattle at slaughter . The induction of growth under aerobic and anaerobic conditions did not affect ability to grow in the presence of metronidazole among four test strains . The observations noted in this study indicate a host-phenotype relationship for which resistance to metronidazole may be a useful epidemiological marker.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Nov, 85(5), 829 - 38
Development of a multiplex PCR gene fingerprinting method using gyrA and pflA polymorphisms to identify genotypic relatedness within Campylobacter jejuni species; Ragimbeau C et al.; The two genes gyrA and pflA, whose sequence variability had been previously described, were evaluated separately for their potential value in discriminating strains of Campylobacter jejuni . A single method was then developed by which the two loci were simultaneously amplified using a multiplex PCR procedure, and banding patterns were generated using a pre-selected set of restriction endonuclease enzymes . The method was applied to 18 strains of Camp . jejuni from different poultry sources varying in geographical origin and year of isolation . Results were combined and compared by means of numerical analysis with the classification obtained by flaA-typing and macrorestriction SmaI and KpnI . The usefulness of PCR fingerprinting of the gyrA/pflA genes for rapid ordering of strains by genotypic relatedness and providing additional information for estimating the degree of linkage between strains was demonstrated.

J Food Prot, 1998 Nov, 61(11), 1571 - 8
Tolerance limits and methodology: effect on international trade; Lupien JR et al.; Microbiological contamination of foods with Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and other pathogens and toxins and chemical and environmental contaminants can cause serious health and trade problems in the international trade of foods . Consequently, a system of monitoring and surveillance of the quality and safety of imported foods can have a significant impact on food trade between two or more countries . The World Trade Organization (WTO) provides a framework for ensuring fair trade and harmonizing standards and import requirements on foods traded, through the Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade . Countries are required to base their standards on science, to base programs on risk analysis methodologies, and to develop ways of achieving equivalence between methods of inspection, analysis, and certification between trading countries . To facilitate the harmonization of standards the WTO recommends the use of standards, guidelines, and recommendations developed by the Codex Alimentarius . Other international cooperative measures with the objective of assisting trade include the accreditation of laboratories that conform to international standards and the work of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification on equivalency and harmonization.

J Clin Pathol, 1998 Aug, 51(8), 623 - 8
Measurement of motility of Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, and Escherichia coli by real time computer tracking using the Hobson BacTracker; Karim QN et al.; AIMS: (1) To make precise measurements and comparisons of various aspects of motility of three gastrointestinal pathogens, Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, and Escherichia coli, in log phase growth; (2) to provide background information on motility data to study the influence of pH, viscosity, and chemotactic factors, thereby gaining a better understanding of bacterial pathogenesis . METHODS: Computer image processing technology and phase contrast microscopy (Hobson BacTracker) were used to measure several indices of bacterial motility in real time . Ten clinical isolates of each species in log phase liquid culture were studied . RESULTS: C jejuni moved fastest, with a median curvilinear velocity (CLV) of 38.76 microns/s (range 29.08 to 52.82) . Next was H pylori, median CLV 25.02 microns/s (range 12.07 to 29.07) . E coli was the slowest, median CLV 12.73 microns/s (range 8.20 to 18.04) . The straight line velocities showed similar trends . Measurement of track linearity (TL) showed that C jejuni moved the straightest (TL 60.3%), H pylori moved in wide circles (TL 28.7%), and E coli showed spinning movement without much linear displacement (TL 18.3%) . There were significant differences in these three variables between the species studied, but no significant differences in measurements of time and frequency of halts between movement runs . CONCLUSIONS: The BacTracker provides a useful technical aid for measuring several indices of bacterial motility objectively, reproducibly, and precisely, which is difficult to achieve without computer assistance . Accurate quantification of motility provides a basis for studying the factors which influence bacterial motility . It can provide phenotypic measurements of the effect of flagellar gene depletion.

Epidemiol Infect, 1998 Oct, 121(2), 275 - 9
A campylobacter outbreak associated with stir-fried food; Evans MR et al.; An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness affecting 12 of 29 customers of a 'Hawaiian' theme restaurant specializing in stir-fried food occurred in Cardiff, Wales in February 1997 . Campylobacter jejuni serotype HS50 phage type 49 (PT49) was isolated from 5 cases . A total of 47 isolates of C . jejuni HS50 PT49 were identified from Wales during 1997, of which 11 were isolated in late February or early March and from the Cardiff area . In the outbreak, illness was associated with eating stir-fried chicken pieces (relative risk 4.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-30.44, P=0.03) and a dose-response relationship between risk of illness and amount of chicken consumed was observed (chi2-test for linear trend 3.96, P=0.047) . Undercooking of chicken was probably due to a combination of inadequate cooking time and use of large chicken pieces . This is the first time that stir-fried food has been associated with a campylobacter outbreak . The incident also illustrates the value of routine campylobacter subtyping in supporting outbreak investigation.

J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Dec, 36(12), 3567 - 73
Differentiation of Campylobacter jejuni serotype O19 strains from non-O19 strains by PCR; Misawa N et al.; Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a neurologic disease characterized by acute paralysis, is frequently preceded by Campylobacter jejuni infection . Serotype O19 strains are overrepresented among GBS-associated C . jejuni isolates . We previously showed that all O19 strains tested were closely related to one another by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses . RAPD analysis demonstrated a 1.4-kb band in all O19 strains tested but in no non-O19 strains . We cloned this O19-specific band; nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a truncated open reading frame with significant homology to DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB) of Helicobacter pylori . PCR using the random primer and a primer specific for gyrB showed that in non-O19 strains, the random primer did not recognize the downstream gyrB binding site . The regions flanking each of the random primer binding sites were amplified by degenerate PCR for further sequencing . Although the random primer had several mismatches with the downstream gyrB binding site, a single nucleotide polymorphism 6 bp upstream from the 3' terminus was found to distinguish O19 and non-O19 strains . PCR using 3'-mismatched primers based on this polymorphism was designed to differentiate O19 strains from non-O19 strains . When a total of 42 (18 O19 and 24 non-O19) strains from five different countries were examined, O19 strains were distinguishable from non-O19 strains in each case . This PCR method should permit identification of O19 C . jejuni strains.

Ann Neurol, 1998 Nov, 44(5), 815 - 8
Genetic contribution of the tumor necrosis factor region in Guillain-Barré syndrome; Ma JJ et al.; We studied genetic polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) region in 81 Japanese patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and 85 controls . A significantly higher frequency of the 100-base pair (bp) (TNFa2) allele of the TNFa microsatellite marker, which is associated with high TNF alpha production, existed in Campylobacter jejuni-positive (Cj+) GBS patients than in controls, suggesting the involvement of a genetic predisposition to high TNF alpha secretion in the development of C . jejuni-related GBS.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1998 Oct 10, 128(41), 1553 - 8
{Toxic megacolon as a complication of Campylobacter jejuni enterocolitis}; Kummer AF et al.; We report the case of a previously healthy 53-year-old white male who developed an extraordinary complication of acute Campylobacter jejuni colitis . Toxic megacolon occurred while the patient was treated with a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and glucocorticoids, which were given for endoscopically suspected Crohn's colitis . During the course of the disease no cause of colitis was found other than C . jejuni . Despite the extreme dilatation, the patient was treated conservatively with parenteral nutrition and repeated decompression colonoscopies and made a full, though slow, and uneventful recovery . Follow-up colonoscopies for up to 4 years showed persistent scarring of the transverse colon, probably due to the extreme dilatation, and mild unspecific inflammation of the terminal ileum without histological evidence of inflammatory bowel disease . A comparison with the 6 previously published cases leads to the following conclusions: in most cases the transverse colon is most severely affected . Treatment with either antimotility agents or systemic glucocorticoids does not seem to promote colonic dilatation . The complication has affected patients of both sexes (4 women, 3 men), in the age range of 21 to 83 years, most of them without an underlying disease . The interval between the start of diarrhea and development of the megacolon ranged widely from 3 to 33 days, as did recovery time (2 days to several months) . Three of the 7 patients underwent colectomy for imminent or actual colonic perforation . The delayed recovery of our patient was partly attributed to colonic damage caused by extreme dilatation, leading to ischaemia and subsequent scarring of the mucosa, which persisted . Histologically no Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis could be found at any stage . A rapid increase in resistance of C . species against fluoroquinolone antibodies has been observed in recent years, due to use of the antibiotics in farming . Our patient's severe illness may partly have resulted from delayed effective antibiotic treatment due to resistance . Antibiotic resistance to common enteropathogens should be considered in the case of unusually prolonged or severe enterocolitis . The level of suspicion for either infection or inflammatory bowel disease should remain high as it may be impossible to distinguish between them on the basis of clinical or endoscopic criteria alone.

J Travel Med, 1997 Dec 1, 4(4), 167 - 170
Probiotics against Campylobacter Pathogens; Sorokulova IB et al.; Background: The subject matter of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the immediate-preventive effect of probiotics, composed of bacillus species, in a murine model of Campylobacter infection . Methods: An established model of Campylobacter infection in mice with a defined LD50 was utilized to assess the protective effect of probiotics . Results: The results obtained demonstrate that the level of animal protection, after a single administration of the new probiotics biosporin and subalin, reached 90-100% at LD50 and 80% at LD100 . Conclusions: Such efficacy of probiotics is considered to be due to their high antagonistic activity against those pathogens registered in vitro . Antagonistic activity of other tested probiotics (bactisubtil and cereobiogen) to different cultures of Campylobacter was not manifested.

J Travel Med, 1996 Jun 1, 3(2), 77 - 79
Diarrhea Among Expatriate Residents in Thailand: Correlation Between Reduced Campylobacter Prevalence and Longer Duration of Stay; Gaudio PA et al.; Background: The etiology of diarrhea among expatriates in Thailand was investigated . Methods: One hundred and five stool specimens were collected from Americans and Europeans who had developed diarrhea while residing in Thailand . These stools were analyzed for bacterial enteric pathogens . Results: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was isolated from 18 (17%) persons and Campylobacter from 10 (10%) . Shigella and Salmonella were each isolated from 8 (8%) persons . Vibrio sp., enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli were found in rare cases . Conclusions: Bacterial pathogens, particularly Campylobacter, were isolated significantly less often in patients who had lived in Thailand for more than 1 year, compared with those who had lived there less than 1 year (relative risk: 0.62, 95% confidence interval: 0.40-0.97, p=.03).

J Travel Med, 1995 Jun 1, 2(2), 77 - 84
Risk Behavior for Travelers' Diarrhea Among Finnish Travelers; Mattila L et al.; Background: Contaminated food and drink are the primary sources of traveler's diarrhea (TD) . Identification of the characteristics that make a traveler more prone to TD is needed to improve prevention and therapy of this illness . Methods: We evaluated, by questionnaire, the association of dietary errors with TD among 933 adult Finnish tourists vacationing in Morocco . A stool specimen was obtained from patients in the group that developed TD at the onset of the diarrheal episode, and from all participants in the study on their return to Finland . Results: Only 5% of the 933 subjects who responded to the questionnaire, and who gave a stool sample, had adhered strictly to generally accepted recommendations . About 45% made five or more dietary errors during the trip; of these, 75% consumed raw vegetables, 65% salads, 33% puddings, 32% mayonnaise or other cold dressings, 31% consumed food bought from street vendors, 29% consumed cold meat, 18% cold sandwiches, 4% drank tap water, and 2% consumed raw meat . The age of the subjects did not correlate with the number of dietary errors . Subjects who had been abroad during the preceding 12 months committed more dietary errors than those who had not (mean 3.9 versus 4.5; p <.001) . Also, subjects who spent 2 weeks in Morocco committed more dietary errors than those who spent only 1 week (mean 4.0 versus 4.8; p <.001) . However, no association between TD and the number of dietary errors was observed . Differences with respect to eating habits were not observed between subjects, with or without TD or with or without an identified pathogen in stool specimens . There was no correlation between eating habits and the presence, or absence, of a specific pathogen in the stool sample; this is with the exception of Campylobacter spp: subjects with this pathogen consumed steak tartar or salad more often than did other subjects . Conclusions: Etiologic agents are so ubiquitous in this high-risk area that instructions to avoid certain foodstuffs commonly thought to be contaminated may be to some extent without value . Moreover, dietary self restraint proved to be impossible in the real situation . (J Travel Med 2:77-84, 1995)

J Travel Med, 1995 Mar 1, 2(1), 6 - 10
Epidemiologic Observations on Diarrhea Developing in U.S . and Mexican Students Living in Guadalajara, Mexico; Ericsson CD et al.; Background: A previous study suggested that U.S . students who lived in Mexico for 1 year had a risk of diarrhea intermediate between the rate for newly arrived U.S . students and Mexican students; however, the study was not controlled for changes of risky behavior over time . Methods: An analysis of acute diarrhea occurring among U.S . and Mexican student groups living in Guadalajara, Mexico was conducted to explore the association of diarrhea developing during selected 28-day periods with length of residence, season, and risk factors such as locations of food consumption, consumption of tap water, unsafe ice, alcohol, and antibiotics . Results: Compared to U.S . and Mexican student groups, newly arrived U.S . college students in July had the highest rate of diarrhea (55%), highest enteropathogen isolation rate (46%), and most consumption of alcohol and antibiotics; they also ate most frequently at restaurants and in Mexican family homes . Compared to a 34% rate of diarrhea among newly arrived U.S . medical students in August, the rate was only 6% among established medical students in January . This drop in attack rate was attended by less tap water and unsafe ice consumption by established students in January compared to the habits of newly arrived students in January or August when risky behavior was otherwise similar among these groups . The role of tap water and unsafe ice in the acquisition of wintertime diarrhea is further supported by the relatively high 29% rate of diarrhea among U.S . medical students newly arrived in January, who also consumed more tap water and ice than established students in January . Enterotoxigenic E . coli disease was observed only during the summer months; whereas, Campylobacter jejuni disease and disease associated with no detected pathogen were more common in winter . Conclusions: These data imply that wintertime diarrhea in Guadalajara is more likely than summertime diarrhea to be waterborne and to be caused by agents such as viruses or previously unrecognized enteropathogens that were not assessed in this study . Among Mexican students who had the highest frequency of tap water consumption and eating from vendors, the low rates of diarrhea in summer (3%) and winter (5%) imply that they enjoy a substantial degree of immunity . Further study will be necessary to understand the role that immunity (or its loss during summer vacation back in the United States) might play in additionally accounting for observed differences in attack rates between newly arrived students and those who had lived for a period of time in Mexico . (J Travel Med 2:6-10, 1995)

J Travel Med, 1994 Jun 1, 1(2), 63 - 67
Bacterial Enteric Pathogens in Uncooked Foods in Thai Markets; Echeverria P et al.; In developing countries, the morbidity and mortality rates of gastrointestinal tract infections from food borne bacteria have been difficult to establish . Most studies have only been able to gather data prospectively from isolated geographic sources, rather than from large point-source epidemics . This study investigates the types of bacterial enteric pathogens found in food that was collected in a community in Western Thailand, where sporadic cases of hemolytic uremia syndrome and cholera have been reported . Samples of six different uncooked foods were collected from markets in two villages and in the hills in an area near Bangkok and were tested at a district hospital laboratory within 2 hours of collection . From the 820 food samples collected, enteric pathogens were isolated from approximately 12% . These included nontyphoidal salmonella; Vibrio parahemolyticus; attaching and effacing Escherichia coli of nonenteropathogenic E . coli serogroups; Campylobacter jejuni; enterotoxigenic E . coli; Shigella; and V . cholerae . Travelers in developing countries should be made aware by diarrheal disease programs that food obtained in markets may contain bacterial enteric pathogens and, therefore, the hygienic preparation of such foods is important in the prevention of gastrointestinal disease.

Physiol Behav, 1998 Aug, 65(1), 63 - 8
Anxiogenic effect of subclinical bacterial infection in mice in the absence of overt immune activation; Lyte M et al.; Challenge of animals with infectious microorganisms is well documented to affect a number of behavioral measures through activation of immune-neural mechanisms . In the present study, the ability of an infectious microorganism to directly alter behavioral responses in the absence of an overt immunologic response was examined . Eight-week-old CF-1 male mice were infected orally with the Gram-negative pathogen Campylobacter jejuni in order to establish a subclinical infection that did not result in immune activation . Microbiological examination of cecal contents revealed the presence of C . jejuni in all infected, but not control, animals 1 and 2 days post-oral challenge . Measurement of interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and peripheral blood leukocyte populations did not reveal the activation of an overt immune response in 1 or 2 day infected animals as compared to controls . Infected mice demonstrated altered levels of anxiety-like behaviors on the elevated plus-maze as compared to controls on Day 2, but not Day 1, as reflected by a significant decrease in exploratory and an increase in nonexploratory behaviors . The anxiogenic effect of a subclinical infection in the absence of an overt immunologic response suggests that the direct activation of neural pathways by microorganisms may play a role in behavior.

Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1998 Oct, 288(2), 225 - 36
Formation of cytotoxins by enteric Campylobacter in humans and animals; Schulze F et al.; Campylobacter (C.) jejuni from persons suffering from diarrhoea, from organs of poultry, C . jejuni and C . fetus ssp . fetus from the gastrointestinal tract of calves and adult cattle as well as a number of reference strains were examined for cytotoxin formation in a CHO-K1 cell culture test . During evaluation, three morphologically different pictures were observed . The first cytotoxin caused a formation of strikingly large, rounded or polymorphic and elongated cells which was associated with reduced growth . The progressive morphological changes corresponded to those described for the Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CLDT) and were assigned to it . The second cytotoxin produced a rounding of cells without a change in their size while at the same time, growth was reduced . In analogy to CLDT, this toxin was termed Cytolethal Rounding Toxin (CLRT) . A third morphological picture consisted of cell changes characterized by enlarged polymorphic as well as by small rounded cells . These cell changes were considered as being distinct from the above mentioned ones and referred to as CLTD/CLRT effect . In none of the 39 Campylobacter strains isolated from humans and calves with diarrhoea, a noteworthy cytotonic activity could be detected that would indicate the presence of an enterotoxin.

J Clin Periodontol, 1998 Oct, 25(10), 786 - 93
Subgingival temperature and microbiota in initial periodontitis; Maiden MF et al.; The association between subgingival temperature, other clinical characteristics, and the subgingival microbiota was examined in adult subjects with initial periodontitis and differing levels of gingival inflammation . 43 subjects were measured at 6 sites per tooth for pocket depth, attachment level, presence of plaque, gingival redness, bleeding on probing and subgingival temperature at 3-month intervals for 1 year . Subgingival plaque was sampled from 15 initial active periodontitis sites (10 subjects), 121 gingivitis, sites (20 subjects) and 202 healthy sites (13 subjects), and included the 5 hottest and 5 coldest sites in each subject . Plaque samples were analyzed for 13 subgingival species using whole-genomic DNA probes . The major influences on the subgingival microbiota were the clinical status of sites, pocket depth, and the presence of supragingival plaque . No significant association between species and site temperature was observed . Initial active sites were associated with Bacteroides forsythus and Campylobacter rectus, and had a higher mean subgingival temperature and deeper mean pocket depth than inactive sites . A weak association between pocket depth and site temperature was noted . The major influence on subgingival temperature of sites was the anterior to posterior anatomical temperature gradient in the mandible and maxilla.

Can Vet J, 1998 Oct, 39(10), 638 - 41
The effects of Tritrichomonas foetus and nutritional status on the fertility of cows on a community pasture in Saskatchewan; Stewart RJ et al.; A prospective observational study of a breeding season in a Saskatchewan community pasture was carried out to determine the cause or causes of a chronic infertility problem . There were 774 cows, from 27 herds, divided into 4 breeding groups (A,B,C,D) on the pasture . Cows entering the pasture in May were weighed, had their body condition scored and height measured . All bulls received breeding soundness examinations and a preputial wash, which was cultured for Tritrichomonas foetus and Campylobacter foetus subsp . venerealis . In July, cows were also weighed and had their body condition scored and again when they left the pasture . In addition, cows were pregnancy checked when they left the pasture . Bulls were tested again for Tritrichomonas foetus at the end of the grazing season . Two breeding groups had T . foetus-positive bulls and an average pregnancy of 84%, which was significantly lower than that of the two T . foetus negative groups (93.5%) (P = 0.0001) . A cow was 2.97 times less likely to be pregnant if she had been exposed to T . foetus-positive bulls . Cows with average daily gains above the mean for the pasture were 2.12 times more likely to be pregnant . Body condition score upon entering and leaving the pasture, height, age, and breeding group were significant predictors of average daily gain.

No To Shinkei, 1998 Sep, 50(9), 849 - 53
{Clinical utility of measurement for anti-GM1 and anti-GQ1b antibodies}; Tagawa Y et al.; Gangliosides, important constituents of the plasma membrane, are particularly abundant in the nervous system . Some patients develop Guillain-Barre syndrome after the administration of bovine brain gangliosides . We previously showed existence of molecular mimicry between GM1 ganglioside and lipopolysaccharide of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from the patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome, and that between GQ1b and C . jejuni isolated from Fisher's syndrome patients . Moreover, the anti-ganglioside antibody can cause motor nerve dysfunction in vitro . These support the pathogenic significance of anti-ganglioside antibodies . To clarify clinical utility of measurement for anti-GM1 and anti-GQ1b antibodies, we investigated sera from 429 patients with immunoneurological diseases included Fisher's syndrome, Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis, acute ophthalmoparesis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, and controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . We found very high titers of IgM anti-GM1 antibody in serum from a patient who had been diagnosed as having motor neuron disease . By further electrophysiological study, the patient was diagnosed as having multifocal motor neuropathy . Presence of high IgG anti-GM1 antibody titers was useful for supporting diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome, IgG anti-GQ1b antibody was detected in patients who had paresis of extraocular muscles in Fisher's syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis, and acute ophthalmoparesis . This study showed that the measurement for anti-GM1 and anti-GQ1b antibodies are very useful.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1998 Oct 1, 167(1), 1 - 6
The GroEL-like protein from Campylobacter rectus: immunological characterization and interleukin-6 and -8 induction in human gingival fibroblast; Hinode D et al.; The native GroEL-like protein was purified from Campylobacter rectus, a putative periodontal pathogen, by affinity chromatography on ATP-agarose followed by high performance liquid chromatography on Superose 6 . The purified 64-kDa protein (denatured form of GroEL-like protein) was immunoreactive by SDS-PAGE and Western immunoblotting with the monoclonal antibody directed against heat shock protein 60 of human origin . The native GroEL-like protein stimulated both interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 secretion by a confluent monolayer of human gingival fibroblast in their culture supernatant . During the 22-h incubation, the amounts of IL-6 and IL-8 were increased by 5.4- and 3.5-fold, respectively . These data suggested that the GroEL-like protein might be considered to be a virulence factor of C . rectus in periodontal disease.

Commun Dis Public Health, 1998 Sep, 1(3), 161 - 4
Is food poisoning a clinical or a laboratory diagnosis? A survey of local authority practices in the south Thames region; Atkinson P et al.; An audit of South Thames infectious disease surveillance systems in 1995 revealed large inconsistencies between the numbers of food poisoning records held on local databases and the numbers of food poisoning notifications reported to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), then called the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys . In March 1996 a questionnaire sent to each local authority in South Thames asked what action was usually taken when a laboratory report of cryptosporidium, campylobacter, salmonella, or giardia was received unsupported by a notification of food poisoning . All 51 local authorities responded to the questionnaire . Forty-eight reported salmonella to ONS, 38 reported cryptosporidium, 38 campylobacter, and 37 giardia . Some local authorities considered whether a food or water source was evident or suspected before reporting . Patterns of notification varied between geographical areas . Differences between local authorities' interpretations of the requirement to report to ONS the isolations of food poisoning organisms from patients make it difficult to analyse food poisoning statistics . We would recommend the adoption of a simple approach, in which laboratory reports and notifications are reconciled locally . A case should be reported to ONS only if the doctor who notified or arranged for an examination of stool suspected food or waterborne transmission initially.

Neurology, 1998 Oct, 51(4), 1110 - 5
The spectrum of antecedent infections in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case-control study; Jacobs BC et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine which antecedent infections are specifically associated with the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . BACKGROUND: Infections with many agents have been reported preceding GBS . Some infections are related to specific clinical and immunologic subgroups in GBS . Most agents were reported in case reports and uncontrolled small series of GBS patients only, and their relation to GBS and its subgroups remains unclear . METHOD: A serologic study for 16 infectious agents in 154 GBS patients and 154 sex- and age-matched controls with other neurologic diseases . Acute phase, pretreatment samples were used from clinically well-defined GBS patients . The seasonal distribution of serum sampling in the GBS and control group was the same . RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that in GBS patients, infections with Campylobacter jejuni (32%), cytomegalovirus (13%), and Epstein-Barr virus (10%) were significantly more frequent than in controls . Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections occurred more often in GBS patients (5%) than in controls in univariate analysis . Infections with Haemophilus influenzae (1%), parainfluenza 1 virus (1%), influenza A virus (1%), influenza B virus (1%), adenovirus (1%), herpes simplex virus (1%), and varicella zoster virus (1%) were also demonstrated in GBS patients, but not more frequently than in controls . C . jejuni infections were associated with antibodies to the gangliosides GM1 and GD1b and with a severe pure motor form of GBS . Cytomegalovirus infections were associated with antibodies to the ganglioside GM2 and with severe motor sensory deficits . Other infections were not related to specific antiganglioside antibodies and neurologic patterns . CONCLUSIONS: Recent infections with C . jejuni, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and M . pneumoniae are specifically related to GBS . The variety of infections may contribute to the clinical and immunologic heterogeneity of GBS.

Nippon Saikingaku Zasshi, 1998 Aug, 53(3), 519 - 29
{RAPD typing of Campylobacter jejuni and comparison with Lior's or Penner's serotyping system}; Ono K et al.; Campylobacter jejuni were isolated from 7 epidemic outbreaks (121 isolates), 15 patients with gastroenteritis, chicken meats (47 isolates) and chicken cecal contents (70 isolates) . The isolates and one standard strain of C . jejuni JCM2013 were analysed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method (RAPD) . Total of 254 C . jejuni isolates were divided 68 different RAPD types which included strains that did not to divided by Lior's or Penner's serotyping system . To compare the similarities of RAPD patterns among the isolates, the amplification patterns of DNA were estimated by means of the Dice coefficient, and clustering of strains was based on the unweighted average pair group method (UPGMA) to facilitate the plotting of a dendrogram . It suggests that amplification band patterns of human isolates were different from those of chicken ones . Thus additional information given from RAPD profiles serves for epidemiological investigation and RAPD analysis is recommended as rapid and effective typing method.

Ann Neurol, 1998 Oct, 44(4), 686 - 8
Antibodies against Helicobacter pylori were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid obtained from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome; Chiba S et al.; We examined the antibodies against Helicobacter pylori proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 7 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . Crude H . pylori antigens, fractionated heat shock protein (HSP), and urease B (UB) from H . pylori antigens were separated by SDS-PAGE . With Western blot analysis, four of seven CSF samples had several IgG antibodies against H . pylori proteins, including HSP and UB . No cross reactivity against Campylobacter jejuni was observed . These antibodies may be involved in the immune responses of patients with GBS.

J Travel Med, 1998 Jun, 5(2), 65 - 72
Diarrhea in returning Austrian tourists: epidemiology, etiology, and cost-analyses; Reinthaler FF et al.; BACKGROUND: Between 1995 and 1997, stool samples of 322 Austrian tourists returning from abroad with diarrhea were examined for bacteria, parasites and viruses . METHODS: Epidemiologic data were collected from information furnished by physicians and hospitals and from questionnaires . Moreover, testing expenses and additional cost for treated cases were evaluated . RESULTS: In 97 of 322 patients examined (30%), one or more pathogens were detected in the stool . Bacteria were found in 38 patients (39%), parasites in 33 patients (34%) and viruses in 26 patients (27%) . In 6 patients, mixed infections with parasites and viruses were detected and in 5 patients with bacteria and viruses . Among bacteria, Campylobacter jejuni was most frequent; among parasitic infections, Giardia lamblia . Significant correlations were established between the country of destination, age, travel style and length of stay . Forty-four percent of all patients visited Asia (including Turkey), 27% Africa, 18% Latin America, and only 10% southern Europe . The group between 20 and 29 years of age was most frequently affected (p<.001), the group between 0 and 19 years of age least . Fifty-seven percent stayed in a hotel without frequent changes of location; 43% undertook a trekking trip; and of those, 75% belonged to the group aged between 20 and 39 . In terms of the correlation between travel style and pathogen, it was found that 74% of patients with bacterial infections stayed in a hotel (avg . 57.9%; p<.05) whereas 64% of all patients with parasitic infections undertook a trekking trip (avg . 42%; p<.001) . Thirty-six percent of all patients with parasitic infections spent their vacation in India (avg . 13%; p<.001) . The length of stay of patients with bacterial infections was shorter than average (72% spent between 1 and 2 weeks abroad, avg . 49.8%) . Patients with parasitic infections spent significantly more time abroad than average (42% more than 2 months; avg . 17.7%; p<.001) . Average cost of specific antimicrobial therapy was U.S.$31 whereas the average cost of identifying a patient needing such treatment was almost U.S.$580 . CONCLUSION: Optimal detection rate and cost reduction for the diagnosis require precise history, adequate collection of samples using adequate transport media, and rapid transfer to the laboratory.

J Travel Med, 1998 Mar, 5(1), 23 - 6
Campylobacter jejuni as a cause of traveler's diarrhea: clinical features and antimicrobial susceptibility; Gallardo F et al.; Traveler's diarrhea is the most common health problem of international travelers . Although enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli seems to be the most frequent cause of traveler's diarrhea, many other microorganisms, such as Campylobacter jejuni, may cause this infectious disease . Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as a leading cause of enteritis in humans both in developing and in developed countries . However, a few reports on the incidence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp . as a cause of traveler's diarrhea have been published . The limited data on the treatment of C . jejuni infections suggest that ciprofloxacin may shorten the duration of symptoms . However, treatment failure associated with the emergence of quinolone-resistant strains of C . jejuni has been documented . The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of C . jejuni associated with traveler's diarrhea and to analyze the geographic distribution as well as the clinical features and susceptibility to antibiotics.

Ugeskr Laeger, 1998 Sep 21, 160(39), 5662 - 3
{Perinatal Campylobacter jejuni infection after Cesarean section}; Norskov-Lauritsen N et al.; A 23 year old woman was admitted for delivery after having experienced a few episodes of loose stools . Following an unsuccessful vacuum-extraction, a Caesarean section was performed 12 hours after the membranes had ruptured . Thirty-six hours after the operation, the woman developed fever, and Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from her blood . Subsequently, Campylobacter was also recovered from the faeces of both mother and child . Though it is likely, that the Campylobacter was introduced to the uterus after rupture of the membranes, a transplacental infection can not be ruled out.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1998 Sep 15, 166(2), 275 - 81
The S-layer protein from Campylobacter rectus: sequence determination and function of the recombinant protein; Miyamoto M et al.; The gene encoding the crystalline surface layer (S-layer) protein from Campylobacter rectus, designated slp, was sequenced and the recombinant gene product was expressed in Escherichia coli . The gene consisted of 4086 nucleotides encoding a protein with 1361 amino acids . The N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed that Slp did not contain a signal sequence, but that the initial methionine residue was processed . The deduced amino acid sequence displayed some common characteristic features of S-layer proteins previously reported . A homology search showed a high similarity to the Campylobacter fetus S-layer proteins, especially in their N-terminus . The C-terminal third of Slp exhibited homology with the RTX toxins from Gram-negative bacteria via the region including the glycine-rich repeats . The Slp protein had the same N-terminal sequence as a 104-kDa cytotoxin isolated from the culture supernatants of C . rectus . However, neither native nor recombinant Slp showed cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells or human peripheral white blood cells . These data support the idea that the N-terminus acts as an anchor to the cell surface components and that the C-terminus is involved in the assembly and/or transport of the protein.

Presse Med, 1998 Feb 28, 27(8), 357 - 8
{Campylobacter fetus endocarditis manifested by a popliteal mycotic aneurysm}; Baty V et al.; BACKGROUND: Campylobacter fetus endocarditis is uncommon and may be life-threatening . CASE REPORT: A 91-year-old patient with rectal villous adenocarcinoma was admitted with fever and recent complaints of popliteal pain . The definite diagnosis of endocarditis and mycotic aneurysm related to C . fetus infection were accepted on the basis of clinical, radiological and microbiological data . Cure was achieved with antibiotics and surgery of the aneurysm without valvular replacement . DISCUSSION: C . fetus endocarditis was probably secondary to the iterative laser treatment of the rectal tumor that had been performed during the past weeks without antibiotic prophylaxis.

J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl, 1998 Sep 4, 714(2), 325 - 33
Characterization of a Helicobacter pylori vaccine candidate by proteome techniques; McAtee CP et al.; In a previous two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoretic study of protein antigens of the gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori recognized by human sera, one of the highly and consistently reactive antigens, a protein with Mr of approximately 30,000 (Spot 15) seemed to be of special interest because of low yields on N-terminal protein sequencing . This suggested possible N-terminal modification, as the N-terminal sequence analysis of this 30,000 protein (Spot 15) did not provide a definitive match within the H . pylori genomic database . This protein was isolated by 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and found to consist of two related species of approximately 28,100 and 26,500 . In parallel, the proteins within this spot were digested in situ with the endoprotease Lys-C . Analysis of the Lys-C digest by matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry, peptide mapping, and sequence analysis was conducted . Comparison of the mass and sequence of the Lys-C peptides with those derived from a H . pylori genomic library identified an open reading frame of approximately 300 base pairs as the source of the Spot 15 protein . This corresponded to HP0175 in the recently reported H . pylori genome sequence, an open reading frame with some homology to Campylobacter jejeuni cell binding protein 2 . Mass spectral and sequence analysis indicated that Spot 15 was a processed product generated by proteolytic cleavage at both the carboxy and amino termini of the 34 open reading frame precursor.

Res Microbiol, 1998 Feb, 149(2), 95 - 107
Characterization and gene sequencing of a 19-kDa periplasmic protein of Campylobacter jejuni/coli; Janvier B et al.; In order to study a 19-kDa protein (p19) of Campylobacter jejuni, we purified this protein to homogeneity from C . jejuni strain 81,176 by anion exchange chromatography . The molecular weight of the native protein is 19,000 daltons . P19 was found to be acidic with an isoelectric point of 4.8 and was located in the periplasmic space of the bacteria . The 20 N-terminal amino acids were sequenced and no significant similarities with known proteins were shown . A monoclonal antibody showed that p19 is conserved in the 2 species C . jejuni and C . coli . Analysis of sera from 23 patients with a Campylobacter-related infection indicated that p19 is not immunogenic during natural infection in man . The gene encoding p19 was cloned and no strong homologies with known sequences were identified . The preparation of a knockout mutant in p19 will enable the investigation of the function of this cell wall component of Campylobacter.

J Food Prot, 1998 Sep, 61(9), 1229 - 39
Foodborne illness in the elderly; Smith JL; The elderly (> or = 65 years of age) are more susceptible to morbidity and mortality from foodborne-induced gastroenteritis than younger individuals . Several factors contribute to the increased susceptibility to foodborne infections as well as other infections in elderly populations . These include an age-associated decrease in humoral and cellular immunity, age-related changes in the gastrointestinal tract (decreased production of gastric acid and decreased intestinal motility), malnutrition, lack of exercise, entry into nursing homes, and excessive use of antibiotics . Data from foodborne outbreaks associated with nursing homes indicate that the elderly are more likely to die from foodborne Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus infections than the general population . Infections by Salmonella species are the most common cause of illness and death in nursing homes with Salmonella enteritidis as the major cause of both morbidity and mortality . While it is impossible to turn back the clock, practicing a healthy life-style with regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, receiving regular health care, paying attention to personal hygiene, and monitoring food preparation and handling should lead to a reduced incidence of foodborne and other infections in the elderly.

J Bacteriol, 1998 Oct, 180(20), 5291 - 8
Iron-responsive gene regulation in a campylobacter jejuni fur mutant; van Vliet AH et al.; The expression of iron-regulated systems in gram-negative bacteria is generally controlled by the Fur protein, which represses the transcription of iron-regulated promoters by using Fe2+ as a cofactor . Mutational analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni fur gene was carried out by generation of a set of mutant copies of fur which had a kanamycin or chloramphenicol resistance gene introduced into the regions encoding the N and C termini of the Fur protein . The mutated genes were recombined into the C . jejuni NCTC 11168 chromosome, and putative mutants were confirmed by Southern hybridization . C . jejuni mutants were obtained only when the resistance genes were transcribed in the same orientation as the fur gene . The C . jejuni fur mutant grew slower than the parental strain . Comparison of protein profiles of fractionated C . jejuni cells grown in low- or high-iron medium indicated derepressed expression of three iron-regulated outer membrane proteins with molecular masses of 70, 75, and 80 kDa . Characterization by N-terminal amino acid sequencing showed the 75-kDa protein to be identical to CfrA, a Campylobacter coli siderophore receptor homologue, whereas the 70-kDa protein was identified as a new siderophore receptor homologue . Periplasmic fractions contained four derepressed proteins with molecular masses of 19, 29, 32, and 36 kDa . The 19-kDa protein has been previously identified, but its function is unknown . The cytoplasmic fraction contained two iron-repressed and two iron-induced proteins with molecular masses of 26, 55, 31, and 40 kDa, respectively . The two iron-repressed proteins have been previously identified as the oxidative stress defense proteins catalase (KatA) and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) . AhpC and KatA were still iron regulated in the fur mutant, suggesting the presence of Fur-independent iron regulation . Further analysis of the C . jejuni iron and Fur regulons by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated the total number of iron- and Fur-regulated proteins to be lower than for other bacterial pathogens.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1998 Jul, 17(7), 489 - 92
Use of a selective medium and a membrane filter method for isolation of Campylobacter species from Spanish paediatric patients; Lopez L et al.; A study was conducted to assess the value of a combination of two culture methods for isolation of Campylobacter spp . from Spanish children . Seven hundred twenty-nine diarrhoeal stool specimens from 599 patients were examined for Campylobacter spp . by culturing them on charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar and on blood agar with a membrane filter . One hundred sixteen Campylobacter strains were isolated from a total of 108 specimens; 75 (64.6%) were Campylobacter jejuni, 32 (27.5%) were Campylobacter coli, 8 (6.8%) were non-typeable, and one (0.9%) was Campylobacter upsaliensis . Campylobacters were isolated from 99 positive samples using charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar alone . The filtration technique alone yielded only 86 positive samples . Seven specimens yielded different Campylobacter spp . with different media . The only catalase-negative strain was recovered using the filter method . The combination of the selective medium with the filter method increased the isolation rate of Campylobacter strains by 14.1% . Isolation rates of campylobacters using the filter method were similar to those reported in European studies, in which a similar frequency of Campylobacter upsaliensis was observed . The addition of a filter method for routine laboratory isolation of campylobacters should be considered in selected age groups (in children < 10 years of age) or in areas where catalase-negative or weakly-positive Campylobacter strains may be of epidemiological significance.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1998 Oct, 64(10), 3917 - 22
Physiological activity of Campylobacter jejuni far below the minimal growth temperature; Hazeleger WC et al.; The behavior of Campylobacter jejuni at environmental temperatures was examined by determining the physiological activities of this human pathogen . The minimal growth temperatures were found to be 32 and 31 degrees C for strains 104 and ATCC 33560, respectively . Both strains exhibited a sudden decrease in growth rate from the maximum to zero within a few degrees not only near the maximal growth temperature but also near the minimal growth temperature . This could be an indication that a temperature-dependent transition in the structure of a key enzyme(s) or regulatory compound(s) determines the minimal growth temperature . Oxygen consumption, catalase activity, ATP generation, and protein synthesis were observed at temperatures as low as 4 degrees C, indicating that vital cellular processes were still functioning . PCR analysis showed that cold shock protein genes, which play a role in low-temperature adaptation in many bacteria, are not present in C . jejuni . The fact that chemotaxis and aerotaxis could be observed at all temperatures shows that the pathogen is able to move to favorable places at environmental temperatures, which may have significant implications for the survival of C . jejuni in the environment.

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1998 Aug, 21(4), 269 - 81
Cloning of a sapB homologue (sapB2) encoding a putative 112-kDa Campylobacter fetus S-layer protein and its use for identification and molecular genotyping; Casademont I et al.; A sap gene encoding a surface layer protein was isolated from a Campylobacter fetus ssp . fetus CIP 53.96T cosmid library . This sap gene, which shows significant homology with the sapB conserved region, was named sapB2 . The complete ORF of 3339 nucleotides encodes a 1112-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 112 kDa . High homology with the sapB gene was found in a region beginning 67 bp before the ORF and proceeding 546 bp into the ORF . Similarly, 98% homology with the sapA2 gene was observed in a 2038-bp region beginning 540 bp after the initiation codon . In the present study, we show that this sapB2 gene has two main interesting features: the 5' end of the region which presents high homology with the sapA2 homologue was found to be present in every C . fetus strain, and the fragment (IG01) comprising the region which presents homology with the sapB conserved region and the 5' end of the sapA2 homologue region, when used as a probe, can reveal genomic polymorphism among C . fetus strains . We exploited these features to develop a PCR assay for the specific detection of C . fetus and to set up a method for typing C . fetus isolates . The PCR assay was found to be species-specific . Oligonucleotide primers derived from the 5' end of sapA2 homologue region were used in a polymerase chain reaction test on genomic DNA extracted from 101 Campylobacter fetus, 18 Campylobacter non-fetus and seven non-Campylobacter strains . A 220-bp fragment was amplified only when C . fetus DNA was used as a target . In Southern blot analysis, the IG01 probe was found to hybridize only with DNA extracted from C . fetus strains . Moreover, IG01 hybridized with several fragments of HindIII-digested DNA, giving a specific pattern for each strain.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 1998 Jun 27, 142(26), 1493 - 500
{Clinical decision making in family practice . A patient with abdominal pain and chills}; Schippers EF et al.; An 82-year-old man was admitted because of abdominal pain and a shaking chill . His medical history revealed ileocecal resection because of ileitis associated with a Yersinia infection 3 years before admission . One year later he was readmitted because of bowel obstruction due to recurrent ileitis . He was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for two weeks because of positive serological tests for Yersinia and made a full recovery except for chronic diarrhoea . On the current admission, stool cultures yielded Campylobacter upsaliensis . Further analysis showed severe non-specific ulcerative ileitis without colitis . A diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made . The patient was treated with prednisone and mesalazine and made a full recovery . The chronic diarrhoea disappeared . The course was complicated by a cerebro-vascular thrombosis and severe thrombocytosis due to polycythaemia vera . Treatment with hydroxyurea was effective in lowering the thrombocyte count.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Sep, 27(3), 163 - 7
Polymerase chain reaction for rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni in artificially contaminated foods; Winters DK et al.; Campylobacter jejuni was inoculated into a range of raw and ready-to-eat foods . These food samples were used as a test source for detection of this bacterium by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) . Specific detection of Camp . jejuni, as indicated by a PCR product of 159 bp, was possible with all pre-cooked deli-sliced and raw poultry products tested . All vegetables tested were compatible with the PCR assay . Cantaloupe, kiwi and pineapple tested positive while strawberries, watermelon, grapes and apples tested negative . By using a nested PCR assay that yields a single band at 122 bp, positive results were obtained with watermelon and grapes while the apple and strawberries continued to give a negative reaction . These rapid and specific assays for Camp . jejuni are compatible with most foods in insuring the safety of the food product.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Aug, 85(2), 398 - 404
Analysis of coccal cell formation by Campylobacter jejuni using continuous culture techniques, and the importance of oxidative stress; Harvey P et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is an important human gastrointestinal pathogen . In hostile environments it may adapt its physiology to prolong survival, potentially including the adoption of a viable, non-culturable form and a change to coccal cell morphology . By independently controlling the individual parameters of continuous cultures of Camp . jejuni (e.g . pH, nutrient limitation, growth rate, etc.), coccal cell formation was shown to be elicited only be high oxygen tension in conjunction with reduced carbon concentration . Electron microscopy revealed degradative changes in these cells . This occurred as a transient response over 48 h coincident with a large reduction in maximum growth rate and viable count . Kinetic analysis of the biomass reduction of the cultures demonstrated that significant underlying growth was maintained, with the subsequent selection of a more oxygen-resistant population of cells and reversion to spiral morphology . Coccal cells appear to be predominantly a degenerate form of Camp . jejuni resulting from oxidative damage . While some of these coccal cells may recover, the more interesting population of cells is probably that which retains, or regains, spiral morphology during adaptation to oxidative stress.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Aug, 85(2), 317 - 26
Identification of a gene encoding a methyl-accepting chemotaxis-like protein form Campylobacter coli and its use in a molecular typing scheme for campylobacters; Gonzalez I et al.; Using PCR amplification with degenerate primers, a gene (tlpA) form Campylobacter coli encoding a putative 63x0 kDa polypeptide which exhibited significant identity with bacterial methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) was identified . A mutant containing an inactivated copy of the tlpA A gene showed a wild-type chemotactic response to all of the chemo-attractants tested . A DNA probe based on the Highly Conserved Domain (HCD) of TlpA revealed the presence of multiple copies of genes encoding MCP-like proteins in both Camp . coli and Camp . jejuni . The arrangement of restriction sites within, and proximal to, genes with homology to the HCD probe varied among strains, resulting in a high degree of polymorphism . It is demonstrated here that a DNA probe compromising the HCD region of MCP-like proteins can be used, in Southern hybridization-based assays, to provide novel information which allows the discrimination of individual strains of Camp . coli and Camp . jejuni.

Epidemiol Infect, 1998 Aug, 121(1), 57 - 66
Reduction of campylobacter infections in broiler flocks by application of hygiene measures; van de Giessen AW et al.; Transmission routes of Campylobacter spp . in broilers and possibilities for prevention of infections were studied on two Dutch broiler farms . The occurrence of Campylobacter spp . was studied in successive broiler flocks, in the environment of the farms and in some of the parent flocks involved . Isolates of Campylobacter spp . were typed by using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis . The results indicate that broiler flocks become infected from environmental sources . The typing results suggest that on one farm transmission of Campylobacter spp . occurred from cattle to broilers via the farmer's footwear . After several campylobacter positive broiler cycles hygiene measures, including thorough cleaning and disinfection procedures, change of footwear at the entrance of each broiler house, control of vermin and other hygienic precautions, were introduced on both farms in order to prevent transmission of Campylobacter spp . from the farm environment to the broilers . The results indicate that the application of hygiene measures significantly reduced campylobacter infections of broiler flocks on both farms.

Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1994 May, 27(2), 59 - 69
Identification and analyses of periodontal pathogens in Taiwan by microbiological tests; Chan Y et al.; The purpose of this study was to use microbiological tests for diagnosis of periodontal diseases in Taiwan . Anaerobic culture, direct microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence (IF), and biochemical tests were used to examine 336 samples for the specific microorganisms in subgingival plaque . The results indicated that gram-negative species and motile bacteria were less frequently detected, and in lower proportion, in samples from healthy sites . The bacteria found frequently in healthy group were the coccal forms . However, Bacteroides forsythus detected by IF showed a close association with periodontal inflammation . Porphyromonas gingivalis was found with about 53% frequency in the periodontitis group; in more than half the samples the proportion was above 5% . Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was recovered with 48% frequency of periodontitis group . Other cultivable species including Campylobacter rectus, Capnocytophaga species, Centipeda periodontii, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Selenomonas species, and the Spirochetes were detected in a significantly higher proportion in periodontitis group . The results strongly support the use of microbiological tests as adjuncts to diagnosis, and for assessment of the importance of microbiota in periodontal disease.

Lancet, 1998 Aug 22, 352(9128), 635 - 41
Guillain-Barré syndrome; Hahn AF; Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is viewed as a reactive, self-limited, autoimmune disease triggered by a preceding bacterial or viral infection . Campylobacter jejuni, a major cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, is the most frequent antecedent pathogen . It is likely that immune responses directed towards the infecting organisms are involved in the pathogenesis of GBS by cross-reaction with neural tissues . The infecting organism induces humoral and cellular immune responses that, because of the sharing of homologous epitopes (molecular mimicry), cross-react with ganglioside surface components of peripheral nerves . Immune reactions against target epitopes in Schwann-cell surface membrane or myelin result in acute inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (85% of cases); reactions against epitopes contained in the axonal membrane cause the acute axonal forms of GBS (15% of cases) . Care for such patients may be challenging, yet the prognosis overall is favourable . Optimal supportive care and anticipation and prevention of complications are the mainstay of therapy . Admission to the intensive-care unit is necessary in 33% of patients who require intubation and assisted ventilation . Immunomodulation with infusions of IgG or plasma exchange treatments foreshorten the disease course.

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei), 1998 Aug, 61(8), 448 - 55
New one-week, low-dose triple therapy for the treatment of duodenal ulcer with Helicobacter pylori infection; Huang WH et al.; BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial therapy is the recommended treatment for duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori infection . The eradication of bismuth-based triple therapy with bismuth subcitrate, metronidazole and amoxicillin is limited by low compliance, drug resistance and side-effects . Two-week proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy has a higher eradication rate but is costly . This study was designed to compare the efficacy, patient compliance and cost of short-term PPI-based triple therapy with those of bismuth-based triple therapy . METHODS: Ninety patients with active duodenal ulcer disease and H pylori infection, proven with the 13C-urea breath test and CLO test (Campylobacter-like organism test) were treated randomly in three therapeutic groups: Group A, DeNol 120 mg, amoxicillin 500 mg and metronidazole 250 mg four times a day orally for 14 days; Group B, omeprazole 20 mg plus clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day and amoxicillin 500 mg four times a day for 14 days; Group C, omeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 250 mg and metronidazole 500 mg twice a day for seven days . Nizatidine 150 mg twice a day was given continuously following the end of anti-H pylori therapy for each group . Two months later, endoscopy, the CLO test and 13C-urea breath test were repeated to assess the eradication rate of H pylori and the ulcer-healing rate . Drug tolerance was evaluated by patients themselves by daily recording of any side-effects . RESULTS: Eighty-four patients completed the entire course of therapy and evaluation for H pylori infection . The H pylori eradication rates in Groups A, B and C were 75% (21/28), 93% (26/28) and 89% (25/28), respectively (p = 0.466) . The ulcer healing rate was 86% (24/28) in Group A and 89% (25/28) in Groups B and C (p = 0.764) . A total of 74 patients (88%) were free from symptoms at the end of the triple therapy . Symptom relief was faster in patients with PPI-based triple therapy (Groups B and C) (days 3 and 4) than for patients with bismuth-based triple therapy (day 5) . The cost of Group C therapy was lower than that for Groups A and B . There were no major side-effects in any of the patients . CONCLUSIONS: One-week triple therapy with omeprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole is highly effected for the eradication of H pylori . A therapeutic regime of one week's duration with lower cost, good compliance and mild side-effects may offer a good choice for treatment of duodenal ulcer associated with H pylori infection in clinical practice.

J Immunol Methods, 1998 Jun 1, 215(1-2), 135 - 44
The usefulness of Diffusion-In-Gel-ELISA in clinical practice as illustrated by a Campylobacter jejuni outbreak; Gunnarsson H et al.; In this study, the DIG-ELISA (Diffusion-In-Gel Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is presented as a tool for the determination of antibodies with improved quantitation over other solid phase assays . The method combines the diffusion of antibodies in agar with the EIA concept in Petri dishes . Diffusion of native, undiluted sera results in (1) a concentration gradient in the effort to reach equilibrium, i.e., an end point titration; (2) a separation of serum components of different sizes; (3) unlimited possibilities for migrating antibodies to bind antigenic epitopes because of the constant antigen excess . Low affinity antibodies can bind divalently and are more readily detected; and (4) elimination of dilution errors . The combination of undiluted sera and Petri dishes as solid phase also permits a large number of samples to be tested with less effort and simplifies the practical handling of EIAs, including easy coating and washing procedures, reuse of antigen and quantitation by zone areas without instrumentation . Plates can be stored for months and are available for re-examination, demonstration and transport . The whole procedure can be conducted in a closed system, i.e., when testing highly contaminated samples . The usefulness of the procedure is demonstrated by a food-borne outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni . The outbreak involved 86 persons of whom 20% were culture positive in contrast to a seropositivity of 74% with DIG-ELISA . A diffusion time of 24 h was used for diagnostic purposes . Extended diffusion times of 48 h and 72 h were utilized when consecutive series of sera showed identical values after 24 h, indicating high antibody content that resulted in a peak serum (end point) . For infectious diseases with a rapid course, this assay could be used as an acute test . With the diffusion step prepared in advance, DIG-ELISA is a ready-to-use test . When frequent sampling of sera is performed in the very early phase of the disease, DIG-ELISA reveals that all Ig-classes can be present at high titer and the diagnostic potential of the immune response is better utilized . The DIG-ELISA has the methodological flexibility and the physical qualities to be an effective, inexpensive technique for quantitation of antibodies at any laboratory.

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 1998 Aug, 10(8), 683 - 7
Detection and typing of the virulence determinants cagA and vacA of Helicobacter pylori directly from biopsy DNA: are in vitro strains representative of in vivo strains?
Gunn MC, Stephens JC, Stewart JD, Rathbone BJ.
BACKGROUND: The relationship of Helicobacter pylori genotypes to gastrointestinal disease has relied on cultured isolates . This assumes that cultured strains are representative of in vivo strains . OBJECTIVE: To detect and type the cagA status and the vacA genotypes directly from biopsy DNA without the need for culture, and to further define the relationship between H . pylori genotypes and gastroduodenal pathology . METHODS: Fifty-two Caucasian patients undergoing routine endoscopy for dyspepsia had additional biopsies taken from four gastric sites and one duodenal site for biopsy DNA preparation . An antral sample was taken for biopsy culture . All recruited patients were H . pylori-positive on rapid urease test for Campylobacter-like organisms (CLO test) and/or histology . By polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the cagA status and the vacA s and m types were detected directly from biopsy DNA . RESULTS: H . pylori isolates were cultured from 28/52 patients in whom infection was detected by PCR . Two isolate types differed from biopsy types . Fifty of the 52 patients, strains were typable from all four gastric sites and in 51/52 the same strain predominated throughout . The cancer strains were all cagA-positive/vacA s1 type . There was a correlation between cagA positivity and vacA s1 (41/43) . There was no difference between the cagA-positive/vacA s1 strains and the presence or absence of ulcers . There were only 5/52 vacA s2 m2 and four were in the non-ulcer dyspeptic group . CONCLUSION: cagA status and the vacA genotyping was successful with tissue samples taken directly from gastric and duodenal biopsies . Discrepancies between isolate and biopsy strain types stress the need for caution when interpreting in vitro strain types and suggest that direct PCR of biopsies is the preferred typing technique . The cagA status and the s1 vacA allele are unreliable as single markers in determining the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1998 Aug 15, 165(2), 341 - 6
In vitro genotypic variation of Campylobacter coli documented by pulsed-field gel electrophoretic DNA profiling: implications for epidemiological studies; On SL; Six isolates of Campylobacter coli from different pig herds were subcultured up to 50 times over a 6-month period and DNA samples suitable for pulsed-field gel electrophoretic (PFGE) profiling prepared at regular (1, 20, 40 and 50 passages) intervals . In 5/6 strains, changes in the banding patterns of Sma1, Sal1 and/or BamH1 digests were observed . In one such strain the differences were considered artifactual . However, significant alterations in PFGE profiles between subcultures of four strains were seen, irrespective of the restriction enzyme used . Spontaneous intramolecular genomic rearrangements were considered the most likely mechanism for the changes observed . A numerical analysis based upon the combined distribution of Sma1- and sal1-derived fragments clustered most strain subcultures together, with the exception of those from one isolate which were divided into two clusters . The effect of spontaneous genetic change on PFGE profiles must be considered when evaluating strain relationships . Numerical techniques may aid data interpretation but results must be evaluated cautiously.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1998 Aug 15, 165(2), 329 - 34
Cloning and expression of the Campylobacter jejuni lon gene detected by RNA arbitrarily primed PCR; Thies FL et al.; Fingerprinting of RNA by arbitrarily primed PCR was used to identify a heat-inducible gene in Campylobacter jejuni . Comparing RNA fingerprints from C . jejuni cells before and after 20 min of heat shock at 48 degrees C, a differentially amplified PCR product was identified which displayed a high degree of homology to bacterial lon genes . By screening C . jejuni genomic libraries, the entire lon gene was cloned and sequenced . It encodes a protein of 791 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 90.2 kDa . Alignment of the Lon amino acid sequence with that of other bacterial species revealed an overall identity of up to 56.6% (Helicobacter pylori) . Northern and RNA dot blot experiments confirmed heat induction of the C . jejuni lon gene, revealing a maximum 6-8-fold increase in the level of specific mRNA.

J Med Microbiol, 1998 Sep, 47(9), 799 - 809
Experimental campylobacter infection and diarrhoea in immunodeficient mice; Hodgson AE et al.; The responses of previously untested immunodeficient mouse strains to campylobacter infection are described . Three strains of adult immunodeficient mice (SCID-Beige, C.B-17-SCID-Beige and RAG-2) were inoculated intragastrically with Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 . All mice became heavily colonised, but none developed clinical signs of disease . Immunocompetent BALB/c mice inoculated similarly had much lower colonisation levels . The co-administration of iron dextran had no effect on colonisation levels nor the development of clinical signs of disease . In contrast, C.B-17-SCID-Beige mice, when inoculated with one of a series of 10 clinical isolates of C . jejuni, were more heavily colonised for extended periods (up to 5 months) and approximately 10-20% of the mice became ill with diarrhoea . C . jejuni was detected in mouse faeces throughout at levels of 10(7)-10(9) cfu/g . All mice killed whilst ill with diarrhoea displayed histopathological lesions typical of human campylobacteriosis . Severe pathology was limited to the large intestine and was suggestive of an acute, bacteria-induced inflammation . Although blood was detected in the diarrhoeal stools, no evidence of mucosal epithelial cell invasion was found by immunohistology . No pathology was detected in tissue sections from any of the animals that had not developed signs of disease following C . jejuni inoculation . These immunodeficient mouse strains are readily, and heavily, colonised as adults by C . jejuni . The diarrhoea, although sporadic, was reproducibly produced, and could provide the basis for pathogenicity studies.

Poult Sci, 1998 Sep, 77(9), 1303 - 5
Incidence of Campylobacter in crops of preharvest market-age broiler chickens; Byrd JA et al.; Previous research has identified cecal and intestinal contents as sources for Campylobacter contamination of broiler carcasses in the processing plant . During the present study, we evaluated the crop contents of preharvest market-age broilers as a potential reservoir of field-derived Campylobacter in the processing plant . Crops were collected aseptically from 40 randomly selected market-age broilers in each of nine commercial broiler flocks . Ceca were collected from broilers in six of the same flocks for comparison with the crop samples . The presence of Campylobacter in the crops and ceca was determined by enrichment culture in Bolton broth followed by culture on Campy-Ceflex plates . Campylobacter was isolated from the crop contents of broilers in seven of the nine flocks and from the cecal contents in three of six flocks . The incidence of Campylobacter-positive crop samples among all birds evaluated (224/359; 62%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the number of positive cecal samples (9/240; 4%) . The results indicate that the incidence of Campylobacter contamination of crop contents may exceed that of the cecal contents by as much as 37-fold in some broiler flocks, and may represent a critical preprocessing control point in reducing Campylobacter entry into the processing plant.

Arch Microbiol, 1998 Oct, 170(4), 279 - 84
Metronidazole resistance and microaerophily in Campylobacter species; Smith MA et al.; Metronidazole is active against most anaerobic organisms and is also used in the treatment of the microaerophilic bacterium Helicobacter pylori . Resistance to metronidazole is uncommon in most anaerobic organisms, but it is increasingly prevalent in H . pylori . Previously we have suggested that metronidazole resistance in H . pylori is inherent in the microaerophilic nature of the organism and therefore would be present in other microaerophiles such as Campylobacter . Short periods of anaerobiosis caused metronidazole-resistant (MtrR) strains of Campylobacter spp . to become sensitive to metronidazole . Under microaerophilic conditions, cultures of the MtrR mutant Campylobacter coli R1 at bacterial cell densities of greater than 10(8) cfu/ml lost viability, whereas no loss in viability was observed in cultures at cell densities of less than 10(8) . The MtrS C . coli strain lost viability at all cell densities . Comparisons of NAD(P)H oxidase activity between MtrS and MtrR strains indicated that the MtrS C . coli strain contained fourfold higher NADH oxidase activity and twofold higher NADPH oxidase activity than did the MtrR Campylobacter strains . These results show that MtrR Campylobacter spp . display resistance characteristics similar to those of H . pylori, suggesting that the resistance mechanism is a phenomenon of the microaerophilic nature of these bacteria.

Immunol Invest, 1998 Jul-Sep, 27(4-5), 257 - 65
Specificity of monoclonal antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharide antigens; Brooks BW et al.; Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were produced to the lipopolysaccharide antigens of Campylobacter jejuni strain 1249 (Penner serotype O:2/63) . A polymyxin-cloth based enzyme immunoassay (pCEIA) was used for initial screening and for evaluating the specificity of these antibodies . Seven Mabs reacted with at least 11 and as many as 14 of 15 C . jejuni strains (representing 8 different Penner serotypes) . These seven Mabs did not cross-react with any of 16 non-Campylobacter bacteria commonly encountered in food, with only two exceptions . Several combinations of these Mabs in pairs reacted with all 15 C . jejuni strains . These results suggest that pCEIA employing two of these Mabs in combination is potentially useful for detection of Campylobacter jejuni in foods and other samples.

Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1998 Jul, 288(1), 131 - 43
Detection and characterization of two cytotoxins produced by Campylobacter jejuni strains; Hanel I et al.; Campylobacter jejuni strains are able to produce at least two different cytotoxins called "cytolethal distending toxin" (CLDT) and "cytolethal rounding toxin" (CLRT) . In this study, we investigated the corresponding changes in CHO-K1 cells using the cell counter and analyzer system CASY 1 . Determination of the cell volume after toxin treatment of the cells is a useful criterion for differentiation between the cytotoxic activities produced by Campylobacter strains . Incubation of the cells with crude CLDT resulted in a decrease in the cell count combined with a dramatic increase of the mean cell volume in comparison to the control culture . A decrease in the cell count was also seen as a response to CLRT preparations, while this toxin had no effect on the mean cell volume determined . It was shown that only CLDT caused histone-associated DNA fragments in the cytoplasm of CHO-K1 cells indicating an apoptotic pathway of cell death . In addition, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to screen Campylobacter strains for the presence of the cdtB gene sequence, which was detectable in all strains investigated.

Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1998 Jul, 288(1), 67 - 73
Biochemical characteristics, serogroup distribution, antibiotic susceptibility and age-related significance of Campylobacter strains causing diarrhoea in humans in Hungary; Varga J et al.; During August and September 1995, 111 thermopilic campylobacters from stool samples of patients suffering from diarrhoea were cultured and f1amined . Biochemical characteristics, serological distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of the strains were examined and the age distribution of the patients affected was recorded . Most of the strains, i.e . 101 isolates (91%) proved to be Campylobacter (C.) jejuni, whereas 10 strains (9%) were C . coli . On the basis of their heat-stable antigens, 66 strains (65.3%) of C . jejuni could be assigned to 17 serogroups, of which serogroups 2 (15 strains, 14.8%) and 8 (10 strains, 9.9%) occurred most frequently . All isolates examined were susceptible to erythromycin whereas susceptibility to other antibiotics varied greatly . Children under five years of age (59 cases = 53.1%) were most frequently affected . During 1995, altogether 11,976 human Campylobacter cases were recorded in Hungary which means a prevalence of 114/100,000 . The results suggest that the great majority of cases of Campylobacter diarrhoea is caused by C . jejuni strains while C . coli strains have much less significance . The serotype distribution of C . jejuni strains causing diarrhoea is very wide . If treatment is needed the best choice at present seems to be erythromycin.

Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 1995 Oct, 38(4), 349 - 54
A comparative study between rapid urease (modified), CLO test, culture and histopathological examination for Helicobacter pylori in patients with acid peptic diseases; Yoosuf HM et al.; A modified Rapid urease test developed by us was evaluated as a screening test for Helicobacter pylori (H . pylori) during and endoscopy survey on patients with Acid Peptic Diseases (APD) and Non Ulcer Dyspepsia (NUD) . This was compared with commercially available CLO (Campylobacter Like Organism) test, culture and histopathological examination . The modified Rapid urease test gave a sensitivity of 89.83% and a specificity of 100%, when compared to 95% sensitivity and specificity for commercially available CLO test . Our modified Rapid urease test is simple, economical and a quick test in identifying H . pylori in routine screening of patients with APD and NUD.

Ann Periodontol, 1998 Jul, 3(1), 370 - 80
Early-onset periodontitis associated with Down's syndrome--clinical interventional study; Cichon P et al.; Individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) have an increased prevalence of periodontal disease compared with otherwise normal, age-matched control groups and other mentally handicapped patients of similar age distribution . The exaggerated immune-inflammatory response of the tissues cannot be explained by poor oral hygiene alone and might be the result of an impaired cell-mediated and humoral immunity and a deficient phagocytic system . As far as the progression and severity of destruction, the oral manifestations of DS patients are consistent with the juvenile periodontitis (JP) disease pattern . The purpose of the present study was 1) to assess the periodontal clinical and microbiological status of 10 DS patients aged 20 to 31 years (mean: 26.3 years) relative to that of 11 patients with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 23 to 53 years (mean: 36 years) without defective immunological functions, and 2) to determine the effect of supragingival plaque control and oral hygiene instruction in these patient groups . Subsequent to the initial examination and a professional tooth cleaning program, clinical and microbiological parameters were monitored over a period of 12 weeks . The clinical examination included the recording of plaque index (P1), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) . Subgingival plaque samples were always obtained from the same pocket with the highest disease activity (deepest bleeding site at baseline examination) in each subject for a morphotype analysis by dark field microscopy and for identification and quantitation of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Eikenella corrodens, Bacteroides forsythus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola, and Campylobacter rectus by DNA probes . The results of the baseline examinations demonstrated that DS patients and patients with cerebral palsy had inflamed gingiva associated with a high amount of plaque . The mean probing depth and percentage of sites with probing depth> 4 mm corresponded to age and poor oral hygiene in CP patients . Deep pockets in DS patients demonstrated a high prevalence of periodontal disease compared with age-matched children with mental retardation and non-handicapped patients . Regarding the young age of onset, the severe destruction of periodontal tissues and pathogenesis of periodontitis in DS patients are consistent with the juvenile periodontitis disease pattern . The missing clinical benefit and alteration of the subgingival flora following supragingival plaque control in DS patients underlined the alteration in the immunological response.

J Clin Periodontol, 1998 Aug, 25(8), 677 - 86
Oral microbiota in smokers and non-smokers in natural and experimentally-induced gingivitis; Lie MA et al.; The present study primarily aimed at investigating the oral microbiota in smokers and non-smokers with established gingivitis and monitoring its composition during experimental gingivitis . Secondly, it aimed at examining whether the composition of the microbiota is associated with different levels of gingival inflammation during this experimental gingivitis trial . For this purpose, 25 non-dental university students with gingivitis were recruited . 11 subjects were smokers and 14 were non-smokers . After achieving gingival health, they entered a 14-day experimental gingivitis trial . Plaque and bleeding were assessed before entering into the study (intake), at day 0, day 5 and at day 14 of the experiment . Microbiological samples from mucosal sites and dental plaque (taken at intake, day 0, and day 14) were analysed for the presence of Actinomyces species, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides forsythus, Campylobacter rectus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus micros, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Streptococcus species . At day 14 of the experimental period, the level of plaque formation was not different between smokers and non-smokers, but bleeding scores were lower in smokers than in non-smokers (15% and 30% respectively, p=0.01) . The change from natural gingivitis to a state of gingival health and a subsequent change from gingival health to experimentally induced gingivitis was accompanied by quantitative alterations in the cultivable microbiota in both groups . Changes were most prominent in the transition from gingival health to experimental gingivitis and were found in dental plaque for Actinomyces species, C . rectus, F . nucleatum, and P . intermedia . Within the group of non-smokers, a distinction was made between subjects with a 'weak' or 'strong' inflammatory response . No relationship with a single bacterial species could be established which would likely explain the differences in levels of inflammation . It is concluded that differences in response to experimental gingivitis are not caused by major differences in the composition of the oral microbiota.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Jul, 85(1), 177 - 86
The microbiological examination of butchery products and butchers' premises in the United Kingdom; Little CL et al.; In a study of 1400 manufacturing butchers' premises, 2330 raw prepared meats, 2192 cooked meats and 4635 environmental samples were examined . Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157 VTEC) was isolated from five of 1400 (0.4%) premises . Three raw meat products contained O157 VTEC, and two raw meat preparation areas and two items of equipment used exclusively for cooked meats were contaminated with O157 VTEC . Salmonella spp . and Campylobacter spp . were detected in 84 of 2330 (4%) and 15 of 2330 (0.6%) raw meat products, respectively . Of the cooked meats examined, seven of 2192 (0.3%) samples were of unacceptable microbiological quality and a further 352 (16%) were of unsatisfactory quality . Of the unacceptable samples, two contained Salmonella spp . (Salm . typhimurium DT193, Salm . typhimurium PT104), three contained Staphylococcus aureus in excess of 10(4) cfu g-1, and two contained E . coli in excess of 10(4) cfu g-1 . Neither Campylobacter spp . nor O157 VTEC were detected in cooked meats . In the majority of premises, raw and unwrapped cooked meat products were physically separated in displays (94%) and refrigerators (81%), and dedicated equipment/utensils (69-89%) were used for raw meat and unwrapped cooked meat products and other ready-to-eat foods . In approximately half (48%), there were separate serving counters and in 13%, separate staff for raw and cooked meats . Most managers (75%) had received some food hygiene training . However, in 29% of premises, one or more members of staff handled raw and then cooked or ready-to-eat foods without washing their hands, and in 11%, one or more staff members handled raw and cooked meats directly with bare hands . A documented hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system was present in 17% of premises and in a further 31%, an undocumented HACCP system was in place . The low incidence of food-borne pathogens in cooked meat products and in the environmental areas examined, together with a high level of physical separation of raw and cooked meats, indicate that most manufacturing butchers' premises have appropriate physical control measures in place . However, HACCP and hygienic practice are areas that require improvement to reduce the risk of cross-contamination with food-borne pathogens from raw to cooked meats.

Microbiology, 1998 Aug, 144 ( Pt 8), 2049 - 61
The lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis locus of Campylobacter jejuni 81116; Fry BN et al.; Most Campylobacter jejuni strains express lipo-oligosaccharides . Some strains also express lipopolysaccharides (LPS), with O-antigen-like carbohydrate repeats . C . jejuni 81116 expresses an LPS containing both lipo-oligosaccharides and O-antigen-like repeats, but nothing is known about the structure or sugar composition of these LPS species . A cosmid library of the genome of C . jejuni 81116 was constructed and probed with Campylobacter hyoilei genes involved in LPS synthesis . Five cosmids hybridized with the probe and two of these expressed C . jejuni 81116 LPS in Escherichia coli . By subcloning, a 16 kb DNA region was identified which contains the genetic information required to express C . jejuni LPS . DNA sequence analysis revealed 11 ORFs homologous to genes involved in LPS synthesis of other bacteria . They consisted of three homologues of sugar biosynthesis genes, two homologues of transport genes and six homologues of sugar transferases.

Microbiol Immunol, 1998, 42(7), 509 - 14
Utilization of proteinase K-treated cells as lipopolysaccharide antigens for the serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections; Amano K et al.; We have evaluated the use of proteinase K (PK)-treated cells isolated from Helicobacter pylori as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens in an immunoblot assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of H . pylori infection . The sera from patients with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer or gastric cancer, and from healthy adults with or without H . pylori infection were assayed with three commercial serodiagnostic kits (HM-CAP, Helico-G, and G.A.P . II) and novel methods relying on the use of PK-treated cells . The PK-treated cells used in these assays were selected on the basis of their possibility to possess a common epitope in the O-polysaccharides of H . pylori, which is known to be highly immunogenic in humans . Of the sera from these patients, 71-94% were positive with the commercial kits, 97% with immunoblot assay, and 90% with ELISA . On the other hand, of the healthy adults infected with H . pylori, 72-97% were positive with the commercial kits, 86% with immunoblot assay, and 72% with ELISA . PK-treated cells that did not contain the common epitope were unsuitable as an antigen for immunoblot assay or ELISA . Furthermore, the reactivity of these sera reacted specifically with H . pylori PK-treated cells but not with LPSs from other gram-negative bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Proteus, Bordetella, and Salmonella . These results demonstrate that the serological assays relying on the use of H . pylori PK-treated cells possessing a highly antigenic epitope are potentially useful as a serodiagnostic test for H . pylori infection.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Jun, 84(6), 1017 - 24
Identification of unusual Campylobacter-like isolates from poultry products as Helicobacter pullorum; Atabay HI et al.; Twenty-six unclassified Campylobacter-like strains previously isolated from 15 chicken carcasses and caecal contents, together with two more strains isolated from chicken faeces on a different occasion, were identified as Helicobacter pullorum using various phenotypic identification methods . API Campy identification kits and a 16-test identification scheme developed for campylobacters failed to identify these bacteria, or identified them as Campylobacter spp . Eighteen strains (including the two isolated on a different occasion) were chosen for examination using a more comprehensive probabilistic identification scheme . Using this method, 14 of the 18 strains were identified as H . pullorum with ID scores > 95%; two strains were also identified as H . pullorum with lower ID scores . Of the remaining two strains, one was not identified with this scheme and the other was misidentified to the H . acinonyx pylori complex . Whole cell protein profiling by SDS-PAGE confirmed the identity of these isolates as H . pullorum, affirming the value of a polyphasic approach for accurately identifying campylobacteria . The comparatively high prevalence of H . pullorum in poultry determined in this study (60%) suggests that routine isolation and identification methods should be amended to enable a thorough evaluation of its role in human gastroenteritis and avian hepatitis . Some phenotypic characters useful in identifying poultry campylobacteria are presented which could be utilized, along with other technique(s), for improved differentiation of the campylobacteria that are found in poultry.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Jun, 84(6), 1007 - 16
Diversity and prevalence of Arcobacter spp . in broiler chickens; Atabay HI et al.; Ninety-nine strains of Arcobacter spp., isolated from 10 chicken carcasses purchased from a supermarket and 15 chicken carcasses collected from a poultry abattoir, were speciated using a variety of phenotypic identification methods . All were tested using API Campy test strips and the 16-test (Preston) identification scheme developed for campylobacters . Fifty strains were selected for examination using a more comprehensive probabilistic identification scheme, and the identity of representative strains confirmed by protein profiling using SDS-PAGE . All 25 carcasses yielded Arcobacter butzleri . Three supermarket and 10 abattoir carcasses also carried A . cryaerophilus, and two abattoir carcasses carried A . skirrowii . The API Campy scheme proved unsatisfactory for identifying these strains: only 20 of 99 strains were accurately identified, all of which were A . cryaerophilus, the only Arcobacter sp . included in the database . Moreover, 76 of 99 strains were misidentified . The 16-test scheme identified all the arcobacter strains as A . cryaerophilus, since neither A . butzleri nor A . skirrowii had been described when the scheme was developed . The computer-assisted probabilistic scheme succeeded in identifying all but one strain, the identity of which was clarified by the use of SDS-PAGE . To our knowledge this is the first time that arcobacters other than A . butzleri have been reported in poultry meat or any other food of animal origin . Their high prevalence in poultry products may be of significance to public health.

Infect Immun, 1998 Sep, 66(9), 4158 - 62
Bone resorption caused by three periodontal pathogens in vivo in mice is mediated in part by prostaglandin; Zubery Y et al.; Gingival inflammation, bacterial infection, alveolar bone destruction, and subsequent tooth loss are characteristic features of periodontal disease, but the precise mechanisms of bone loss are poorly understood . Most animal models of the disease require injury to gingival tissues or teeth, and the effects of microorganisms are thus complicated by host responses to tissue destruction . To determine whether three putative periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Campylobacter rectus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, could cause localized bone resorption in vivo in the absence of tissue injury, we injected live or heat-killed preparations of these microorganisms into the subcutaneous tissues overlying the calvaria of normal mice once daily for 6 days and then examined the bones histologically . We found that all three microorganisms (both live and heat killed) stimulated bone resorption and that the strain of F . nucleatum used appeared to be the strongest inducer of osteoclast activity . Treatment of the mice concomitantly with indomethacin reduced but did not completely inhibit bone resorption by these microorganisms, suggesting that their effects were mediated, in part, by arachidonic acid metabolites (e.g., prostaglandins) . Our findings indicate that these potential pathogens can stimulate bone resorption locally when placed beside a bone surface in vivo in the absence of prior tissue injury and support a role for them in the pathogenesis of bone loss around teeth in periodontitis.

Vaccine, 1998 Oct, 16(16), 1563 - 74
Inactivated whole-cell bacterial vaccines: current status and novel strategies; Pace JL et al.; Inactivated bacterial whole-cell vaccines have been the most widely studied prophylactic treatment for infectious diseases . They offer an economical, and potentially safe, effective means of preventing disease . The disadvantages of these vaccines have been that parenteral administration, while effective in some instances, may have caused adverse reactions in vaccinees, while oral administration often required high doses and resulted in short-term immunity . More recent studies describing new approaches for improving antigenicity of inactivated whole-cell vaccines and the enhancement of immune responses to oral immunization offer great hope for improving the efficacy of these agents . Promising whole cell vaccines include those against Vibrio cholerae, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and more recently Campylobacter jejuni.

Neurology, 1998 Aug, 51(2), 379 - 84
HLA and T-cell receptor gene polymorphisms in Guillain-Barré syndrome; Ma JJ et al.; OBJECTIVE: We examined a possible involvement of genetic factors influencing the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . METHODS: We studied T-cell receptor (TCR), alpha-chain constant (AC), and beta-chain variable (BV) gene polymorphisms using microsatellite markers and serologic HLA class I antigens, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQB1 alleles in 81 Japanese patients with GBS and 87 controls . RESULTS: There were no significant differences in these genetic markers between GBS patients and controls . Subgrouping of GBS patients according to recent Campylobacter jejuni infection, the presence of anti-GM1 antibody in the sera, or their combinations also failed to reveal significant associations with these genetic markers . There was, however, a tendency for an increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*0803 in the C . jejuni + GM1 + GBS group, when compared with controls . CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the roles of TCRAC, T-cell receptor beta-chain variable (TCRBV), HLA class I or class II in the development of GBS are not critical, and further research is necessary to clarify other genes encoded within the HLA region for genetic susceptibility to GBS.

Neurology, 1998 Aug, 51(2), 371 - 8
Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharides in Guillain-Barré syndrome: molecular mimicry and host susceptibility; Sheikh KA et al.; OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine if the presence of specific ganglioside-like moieties in Campylobacter lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) is related to the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and to discover how frequently such moieties, including GM1, are present in these LPSs . METHODS: We studied Campylobacter isolates and sera from seven patients with GBS (five acute motor axonal neuropathy, one acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and one Fisher's syndrome), and compared them with similar specimens from patients with Campylobacter enteritis alone . RESULTS: All GBS patients had antiganglioside antibodies . Anti-GM1 and anti-GD1a titers were significantly elevated in post-Campylobacter GBS, both axonal and demyelinating, compared with normal control subjects or those with uncomplicated Campylobacter diarrhea . Campylobacter isolated from patients with GBS and with enteritis alone had similar ganglioside-like moieties . CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that patients who develop GBS respond differently to the ganglioside-like epitopes on Campylobacter than do non-GBS diarrhea patients . Our findings support a role for host susceptibility as a determinant for the outcome following Campylobacter infection . These findings have important implications for the development of vaccines against Campylobacter jejuni.

J Food Prot, 1998 May, 61(5), 535 - 41
An efficient sampling technique used to detect four foodborne pathogens on pork and beef carcasses in nine Belgian abattoirs; Korsak N et al.; The method presented in this paper should prove useful in assessing the effectiveness of HACCP plans developed in slaughterhouses . Samples were collected by swabbing well-defined areas of pork and beef carcasses with sterile gauze . Between 160 and 420 half-carcasses were swabbed in each of nine pork or beef slaughterhouses . Swabs from five carcasses were placed in the same sterile Stomacher bag, constituting a single composite sample . Standard or validated analytical methods were used to isolate and characterize four foodborne pathogens . Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., and verocytotoxin-producing E . coli were detected, respectively, in 27, 2, 2, and 14% of the pork samples and 0, 22, 10, and 5% of the beef samples . Of the 10 samples positive for E . coli O157, only one yielded an isolate confirmed to be enterohemorrhagic . Since Salmonella spp . appear as the main contaminant port (27%) and L . monocytogenes as the main containment of beef (22%), any slaughterhouse sampling plan should include testing for the former in the case of pork carcasses and for the latter in the case of beef carcasses . One should also test regularly for the presence of E . coli O157 and Campylobacter spp . in pork and beef abattoirs . The method presented here is an easy way to assess the contamination rate of carcasses at the end of the slaughtering process.

J Food Prot, 1998 Apr, 61(4), 437 - 43
Microbiological quality of Australian beef carcass meat and frozen bulk packed beef; Vanderlinde PB et al.; Two studies were undertaken to determine the microbiological of beef carcass meat and frozen boneless bulk packed beef produced in Australia . Samples were collected from 1,063 beef carcasses and from 929 cartons of frozen boneless bulk packed beef over a period of approximately 12 months . Samples were collected from works processing beef carcasses for the Australian domestic market and from works targeting export markets . On carcasses processed for export markets, where bacterial counts were obtained, the log10 mean of the APC (aerobic plate count) was 3.13 CFU/cm2, the geometric mean of the coliform count was 19 MPN/cm2, and the geometric mean of Escherichia coli was 13 MPN/cm2 . A small percentage (0.59%) of export samples were found positive for Listeria monocytogenes, 0.16% were positive of r coagulase-positive for Campylobacter jejuni/coli, 0.22% were positive for Salmonella spp., and 29% were positive for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp . Bacterial numbers were lower on carcasses processed for export markets and higher carcasses chilled for more than 24 h . Escherichia coli O157 was recovered from 4 of 893 export carcasses tested (0.45%) . Of the export frozen boneless bulk packed beef samples that tested positive, the log10 mean of the APC was 2.5 CFU/g, the geometric mean of the coliform count was 15 MPN/g, and the geometric mean number of e . coli was 15 MPN/g . Three of 787 export frozen samples (0.38%) tested positive for Salmonella spp., E . coli O157 was not isolated from any of the 685 export frozen samples tested for this bacteria . Export samples tested for this bacteria . Export samples on average had lower APCs than domestic samples . Results from both surveys are compared with data from similar studies in other countries.

J Food Prot, 1998 Jan, 61(1), 26 - 30
Enhanced survival of Campylobacter jejuni in association with wood; Boucher SN et al.; Campylobacter jejuni cells, when stressed by aeration of the liquid culture medium, were protected from death when a block of wood was present in the broth, especially at 30 degrees C . Sealing the wood inside a porous membrane showed that access to its physical structure was necessary for the protection of cells and that soluble free-radical scavengers from the wood were not responsible for the protection seen . Insoluble free-radical scavengers associated with the wood were not a significant factor since other porous materials offered protection when their pores were sufficiently small (around 16 micron); and the wood itself needed to be at least 4 mm thick for the effect to be evident . Deeply scored plastic blocks did not enhance the survival of cells in aerated broths . Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the size of the openings within the wood in relation to the size of the bacterial cells . Thus it was established that the physical structure of the wood, rather than its chemistry, was responsible for its protective effect . The consequences of this findings for the use of wooden cutting boards in food handling are discussed.

Gac Sanit, 1998 May-Jun, 12(3), 118 - 25
{Factors associated with sporadic cases of salmonellosis in 1- to 7-year-old children . Study of cases and controls}; Bellido Blasco JB et al.; BACKGROUND: Knowledge about salmonellosis risk factors mainly comes from foodborne outbreaks, and we know little about sporadic cases epidemiology . However most of the cases are sporadic, specially children . This study aims to find out some of determinants of these cases . METHODS: A case-control study with incident cases and controls from the same base population (laboratory diagnosed cases) . Cases were children 1-7 years old, affected by diarrhea with culture stools positive to Salmonella between december 1994 and december 1995 . Controls from the same source, but positive culture to Campylobacter or viruses . We study food and other environmental risk factors . Odds ratio (OR) are calculated adjusted for age, sex, and year period (cool and cold) by logistic regression . RESULTS: Eating minced meat during three days before symptoms, OR 4.07 (1.20-13.8) and OR 5.63 (1.34-23.6); pets, OR 8.27 (1.96-34.9), and antibiotics the week before symptoms, OR 4.75 (0.84-27.0) were epidemiologically associated with salmonellosis diarrhea . CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiology of salmonellosis sporadic cases in children seems different to the foodborne associated cases and is more complex . Minced meat tree days before symptoms, antibiotics the week before symptoms, and pets could be a risk for this kind of cases . Future studies must also take account of this factors.

Orv Hetil, 1998 Jul 12, 139(28), 1675 - 80
{Traveler's disease}; Ferencz A; The author expounds the reason of travellers' disease (bacterial-, viral-, parazitic infections) . the most recently recognized pathogens (yersinia, campylobacterium, Clostridium perfringens, B . cereus, Cryptosporidium, rotavirus etc.), as well as the newest data on the pathomechanism of enteric infections have been shown . These data enabled not only the enrichment of the knowledge in pathology but resulted also is favorable changes in the therapy . Detailed information is given on the specific prevention, the current status of vaccination . In order to give assistance to the everyday therapy, the treatment of enteric infections, the salt- and fluid substitution as well as an up-to-date aspect on antibiotic therapy have been dealt with.

J Infect Dis, 1998 Aug, 178(2), 334 - 9
Population-based prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic astrovirus infection in rural Mayan infants; Maldonado Y et al.; Symptomatic and asymptomatic astrovirus infection was prospectively determined in a 3-year birth cohort of Mayan infants . Stool samples from 271 infants and 268 older siblings were tested for astrovirus, adenovirus 40/41, rotavirus and Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter species . Concurrent diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or anorexia were noted . Astrovirus was detected in 164 infants (61%) and 20 siblings (7%) . Rotavirus (4%) and adenovirus 40/41 (13%) were isolated less frequently . Of all diarrheal episodes reported at a visit, 26% (78/305) were associated with astrovirus; 17% (78/452) of astrovirus infections were associated with diarrhea and 9% with other symptoms . Only diarrhea was associated with astrovirus infection (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.07-1.92; P = .01) . Of infants with astrovirus, 70% shed at multiple visits over a period of 2-17 weeks (median, 5) . The point prevalence of astrovirus infection was significantly higher among infants than siblings (relative risk, 6.18; 95% CI, 3.93-9.72; P < .0001, chi2) . Astrovirus was identified throughout the year, peaked in March and May, and decreased in September . In this population, astrovirus was the most common enteric pathogen isolated; symptomatic infection was prevalent among infants.

Epidemiol Infect, 1998 Jun, 120(3), 231 - 7
Validity of SmaI-defined genotypes of Campylobacter jejuni examined by SalI, KpnI, and BamHI polymorphisms: evidence of identical clones infecting humans, poultry, and cattle; On SL et al.; We describe here an examination of the validity of molecular types of Campylobacter jejuni as defined by separation of SmaI-digested DNA using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), recently suggested as part of a molecular subtyping scheme . Thirty-four Danish strains from humans, water, poultry and cattle were assigned to one of six SmaI 'profile groups' (PGs), with two additional strains included as genotypically distinct controls . The interstrain relationships were reexamined by PFGE of SalI, KpnI and BamHI-digested DNA, and also by serotyping with heat-stable antigens . All outbreak-related strains were indistinguishable by all criteria, as were two sets of two randomly-isolated human strains . Two groups of indistinguishable isolates contained randomly isolated strains from more than one source (poultry, humans and/or cattle), a finding with significant epidemiological connotations . All 'genetically identical' strains belonged to the same serotype, whereas genetic differences were detected between strains assigned to the same SmaI PG but differing in serotype . We conclude that PFGE-based genetic fingerprinting can yield invaluable data for epidemiological studies of sporadic C . jejuni infection, but that results based on one restriction site polymorphism must be checked with another enzyme.

Clin Lab Sci, 1998 Sep-Oct, 11(5), 305 - 8
The enteric Campylobacter: they are everywhere; Andrews GP; Although Campylobacter spp . are perhaps the most ubiquitous bacterial pathogens known to man, laboratory diagnosis of Campylobacter enteritis is not particularly problematic . The organism's ability to thrive at elevated temperatures facilitates its isolation directly from stool . Enteric infection with Campylobacter spp., despite its invasive nature, is usually self-limiting in the otherwise healthy individual . Management of enteric Campylobacter infection, therefore, is not complex and for most cases simply involves an appropriate rehydration strategy . In addition to the 'tried and true' approaches of good sanitation and thorough cooking of meats to prevent Campylobacter infection, recent advances in vaccine development appear promising.

J Neuroimmunol, 1998 Aug 1, 88(1-2), 62 - 6
Guillain-Barré and Fisher's syndromes subsequent to Campylobacter jejuni enteritis are associated with HLA-B54 and Cw1 independent of anti-ganglioside antibodies; Koga M et al.; The frequencies of human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-class I (A, B and Cw) were determined serologically and those of HLA-class II (DRB1 and DQB1) at the genomic level in 35 Japanese patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), 58 with Fisher's syndrome (FS), and 112 healthy controls . HLA-B54 and -Cw1 antigens were found in GBS and FS patients from whom Campylobacter jejuni had been isolated more often than found in the healthy controls . No HLA types were related to GBS or FS as a whole, except for the B54 antigen which often was significant in the entire GBS group . This relation, however, may depend on the high population of C . jejuni-isolate patients in our GBS group . There were no relationships between the frequencies of HLA types and the presence of serum IgG antibodies to GM1, GQ1b, GD1a, or GalNAc-GD1a . Our findings suggest that HLA types are associated with the onset of GBS and FS after C . jejuni enteritis and that the HLA types in distinct GBS and FS subgroups of a single etiological origin need to be examined.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1998 Aug, 42(8), 2106 - 8
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical strains of Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni isolated from 1985 to 1997 in Quebec, Canada; Gaudreau C et al.; The antimicrobial resistance of 158 Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from humans in Quebec, Canada, from 1995 to 1997 was compared to the resistance of 47 and 86 strains of C . jejuni isolated in 1985 and 1986 and in 1992 and 1993, respectively . Of the 291 C . jejuni strains tested, no strain was resistant to erythromycin . Compared to the C . jejuni strains isolated in 1985 and 1986, the C . jejuni strains isolated in 1992 and 1993 were more resistant to tetracycline (40.7 versus 19.1%, respectively; P = 0 . 01) but not to nalidixic acid or ciprofloxacin (P > 0.05) . Compared to the C . jejuni strains isolated in 1992 and 1993 and in 1985 and 1986, the C . jejuni strains isolated from 1995 to 1997 were more resistant to tetracycline (55.7% versus 40.7 and 19.1%, respectively; P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively) to nalidixic acid (13.9% versus 4.7 and 0%, respectively; P = 0.02 and P = 0.007, respectively), and to ciprofloxacin (12.7% versus 3.5 and 0%, respectively; P = 0.02 and P = 0.009, respectively).

Pediatr Neurol, 1998 Jul, 19(1), 55 - 7
Immunoadsorption therapy in Guillain-Barré syndrome; Hirai K et al.; A 12-year-old boy rapidly developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) after Campylobacter jejuni enteritis . Electrophysiologic studies suggested that demyelination was dominant, and serum anti-C . jejuni and both IgG and IgM anti-GM1 antibodies were significantly elevated . The patient was treated three times with immunoadsorption therapy using a tryptophan-immobilized column . The volume of treated plasma in each session was about 2 L . His blood pressure was maintained within normal range with the use of 5% albumin preparations and etilefrine hydrochloride . His clinical and electrophysiologic findings began to recover shortly after therapy, with a decrease in the levels of serum IgG and IgM anti-GM1 antibodies . This immunoadsorption therapy should be considered for anti-GM1 antibody-associated GBS.

Surg Today, 1998, 28(6), 661 - 4
Infected abdominal aortic aneurysm caused by Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus: report of a case; Mii S et al.; A 45-year old man with fever, abdominal pain, and a pulsating mass underwent an aneurysmectomy, with in situ reconstruction using a bifurcated knitted Dacron graft, for a saccular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) . A culture taken postoperatively grew Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus . The administration of antibiotics sensitive to this organism was continued for 3 months, and no infection has been encountered in the 1 year since his operation . This is only the 13th documented case of AAA infected by C . fetus subspecies fetus.

J Food Prot, 1998 Jul, 61(7), 839 - 43
Trisodium phosphate increases sensitivity of gram-negative bacteria to lysozyme and nisin; Carneiro de Melo AM et al.; Cell suspensions of Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Salmonella enteritidis exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.5 to 5 mM) of trisodium phosphate (TSP) for 10 min showed greatly increased susceptibility to lysozyme (10 micrograms ml-1) and/or nisin (1 microM) . Under optimal conditions at 37 degrees C, reductions in viable count after 30 min were up to six log cycles . At 4 degrees C, C . jejuni showed greater resistance than at 37 degrees C, and maximal cell kills (95%) were reduced by more than two log cycles . Cells dried on the surface of chicken skin were more resistant than suspended cells to TSP-lysozyme and TSP-nisin treatments; nevertheless, at 37 degrees C, kills varied from approximately 95% for S . enteritidis cells with nisin (30 microM) or lysozyme (100 micrograms ml-1) to > 99.9% for C . jejuni and E . coli cells with nisin . Under the experimental conditions used, nisin also reduced viable counts of skin-attached Staphylococcus aureus by > 99.9% . The results suggest that the high TSP concentrations (approximately 10% wt/vol, 0.25 M) needed for successful decontamination of gram-negative bacteria, on the surface of poultry and other foodstuffs, may be substantially reduced by following TSP treatment with exposure to low lysozyme or nisin concentrations.

J Biol Chem, 1998 Jul 31, 273(31), 19371 - 4
The largest subunits of RNA polymerase from gastric helicobacters are tethered; Zakharova N et al.; The rpoB and rpoC genes of eubacteria and archaea, coding respectively for the beta- and beta'-like subunits of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, are organized in an operon with rpoB always preceding rpoC . The genome sequence of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori (strain 26695) revealed homologs of two genes in one continuous open reading frame that potentially could encode one 2890-amino acid-long beta-beta' fusion protein . Here, we show that this open reading frame does in fact encode a fused beta-beta' polypeptide . In addition, we establish by DNA sequencing that rpoB and rpoC are also fused in each of four other unrelated strains of H . pylori, as well as in Helicobacter felis, another member of the same genus . In contrast, the rpoB and rpoC genes are separate in two members of the related genus Campylobacter (Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter fetus) and encode separate RNA polymerase subunits . The Campylobacter genes are also unusual in overlapping one another rather than being separated by a spacer as in other Gram-negative bacteria . We propose that the unique organization of rpoB and rpoC in H . pylori may contribute to its ability to colonize the human gastric mucosa.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 May, 84(5), 703 - 8
Frequency of occurrence of Campylobacter spp . in red meats and poultry in Northern Ireland and their subsequent subtyping using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and the random amplified polymorphic DNA method; Madden RH et al.; Sampling of lamb (n = 100) and beef (n = 100) carcasses in abattoirs in Northern Ireland produced no evidence of Campylobacter spp . contamination and when retail packs of beef (n = 50) and pork (n = 50) were sampled these were also apparently free of Campylobacter spp . However, 38% of retail packs of chicken pieces (n = 120), yielded Campylobacter spp . These packs were purchased over a period of 1 year and came from a single local producer . After the species of the isolates had been determined (Campylobacter jejuni and Camp . coli were found in approximately equal numbers) they were subtyped using both polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method of typing . All of the poultry isolates were successfully typed by these methods, in contrast to the results obtained with serotyping where several isolates were found to be untypable . PCR-RFLP typing showed that specific subtypes were isolated repeatedly over a period of 1 year in the output of the producer studied . The more discriminating RAPD confirmed this observation, but with fewer isolates . This appears to indicate recurrent infection of broilers whose source can now be investigated using the methodologies developed.

Infect Immun, 1998 Aug, 66(8), 3666 - 72
Characterization of the thermal stress response of Campylobacter jejuni; Konkel ME et al.; Campylobacter jejuni, a microaerophilic, gram-negative bacterium, is a common cause of gastrointestinal disease in humans . Heat shock proteins are a group of highly conserved, coregulated proteins that play important roles in enabling organisms to cope with physiological stresses . The primary aim of this study was to characterize the heat shock response of C . jejuni . Twenty-four proteins were preferentially synthesized by C . jejuni immediately following heat shock . Upon immunoscreening of Escherichia coli transformants harboring a Campylobacter genomic DNA library, one recombinant plasmid that encoded a heat shock protein was isolated . The recombinant plasmid, designated pMEK20, contained an open reading frame of 1,119 bp that was capable of encoding a protein of 372 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 41,436 Da . The deduced amino acid sequence of the open reading frame shared similarity with that of DnaJ, which belongs to the Hsp-40 family of molecular chaperones, from a number of bacteria . An E . coli dnaJ mutant was successfully complemented with the pMEK20 recombinant plasmid, as judged by the ability of bacteriophage lambda to form plaques, indicating that the C . jejuni gene encoding the 41-kDa protein is a functional homolog of the dnaJ gene from E . coli . The ability of each of two C . jejuni dnaJ mutants to form colonies at 46 degreesC was severely retarded, indicating that DnaJ plays an important role in C . jejuni thermotolerance . Experiments revealed that a C . jejuni DnaJ mutant was unable to colonize newly hatched Leghorn chickens, suggesting that heat shock proteins play a role in vivo.

Infect Immun, 1998 Aug, 66(8), 3649 - 55
Lipopolysaccharides from Campylobacter jejuni O:41 strains associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome exhibit mimicry of GM1 ganglioside; Prendergast MM et al.; Three Campylobacter jejuni, biotype 2, serotype O:41 strains that were isolated from patients who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and one C . jejuni isolate from a patient who developed enteritis only were examined . The aim of the study was to determine the structure of the core oligosaccharide (OS) of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of C . jejuni serotype O:41, a serotype rarely associated with the development of GBS, and to determine if the LPS shares similar epitopes with any of the major human gangliosides . Electrophoretic analysis with silver staining or immunoblotting demonstrated that the strains had LPS profiles characteristic of low-molecular-weight LPS . Colorimetric analysis detected N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid in the core OSs of all the strains . Thin-layer chromatography with immunostaining showed that antisera raised against the GBS strains reacted with the GM1 ganglioside, suggesting that C . jejuni serotype O:41 LPSs and the GM1 ganglioside have similar epitopes . Furthermore, polyclonal anti-GM1 and anti-asialoGM1 antibodies cross-reacted with each C . jejuni O:41 LPS tested, suggesting that the serotype O:41 core OS has a GM1- and asialoGM1-like structure . LPSs extracted from C . jejuni serostrains O:2, O:3, and O:19 were also used in the study . Cholera toxin (a GM1 ligand) and peanut agglutinin (a Galbeta1-3GalNAc ligand) recognized all serotype O:41 LPSs and the serostrain O:2 LPS . Immunoadsorption results confirmed GM1 relatedness . Moreover, the core OS was isolated from a GBS-associated C . jejuni O:41 LPS by gel permeation chromatography . An analysis by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), GLC-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance showed the core OS of one of the C . jejuni O:41 GBS isolates to have a tetrasaccharide structure consistent with GM1 mimicry.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1998, 30(1), 39 - 42
Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Campylobacter jejuni and coli by using E-test in Taiwan; Li CC et al.; To report the in vitro antibiotic susceptibility of Campylobacter species, we determined the MICs of 6 antibiotics by E-test for 93 human clinical strains and 35 chicken strains . The 6 antimicrobial agents tested were gentamicin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid . Isolates from humans were significantly more susceptible than chicken strains to erythromycin, clindamycin and ciprofloxacin . Nearly all of the human and chicken strains were susceptible to gentamicin . Among human isolates of C . jejuni, cross-resistance between nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin was found in 66% of the strains, but none of the nalidixic acid-susceptible strains was resistant to ciprofloxacin . The higher prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in this area may be attributable to the large amount use of quinolones in poultry . Because of the high resistance rates of chicken isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents, it is necessary to create innovative methods to limit the inappropriate use of antibiotics in poultry in order to prevent the spread of the drug-resistant strains to humans.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1998 Jun 19, 845, 353 - 62
Antiglycosphingolipid immune responses in neurology . The Vienna experience with isotypes, subclasses, and disease; Gatterbauer B et al.; IgM, IgG, IgA, and IgG subclass anti-GM1, anti-GQ1b, and anti-asialo-GM1 (anti-GA1) antibodies, respectively, were investigated by ELISA in serum from neurological and other patients . Increased anti-GM1 occurred mostly in approximately 15-35% of the cases without statistical differences; high percentages were found in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) preceded by gastrointestinal infection and multifocal motor neuropathy . Roughly, IgM anti-GM1 was most frequent; however, distinct IgG and IgA reactions were found i.a . in GBS . A particular IgM anti-mono- and disialoganglioside pattern occurred in a patient with sensorimotor neuropathy and paraproteinemia . Anti-GQ1b was elevated in all Miller-Fisher patients, with some prevalence of IgG2 among IgG subclasses . Cross-reactivity of anti-GQ1b was demonstrated with Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharides . Increased anti-GM1 and/or anti-GA1 was more frequent in systemic lupus erythematosus with central nervous system involvement than without . Incidence of anti-GM1 and anti-GA1 in X-adrenoleukodystrophy was relatively high . Although anti-GSL antibodies seem to have limited diagnostic value, studies of isotypes, subclass patterns, and cross-reactivities may lead to further insight into the origin of (auto) immune responses and their immunepathogenetic role in disease.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1998 Jun 19, 845, 341 - 52
The role of antiglycolipid antibodies in neurological disorders; Fredman P; Glycolipids have been shown to be antigens for circulating antibodies in autoimmune processes affecting the nervous system like neuropathy associated with IgM paraproteinemia, Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS), multifocal neuropathy, and variants thereof . The antibody titers, the Ig-classes, and the antibody specificity vary between studies and disease groups . The immunogens are in general unknown . However, GBS is often associated with an infection with Campylobacter jejuni, which expresses a lipopolysaccharide structure similar to the carbohydrate epitopes in sialic acid containing glycolipids and gangliosides and thus a potential primary antigen for antiganglioside antibodies . The antiglycolipid specificity will most likely reflect the primary antigen carbohydrate epitopes, which also determine the target cell or tissue structure and the pathology . These factors might add to the inconsistent results obtained and that have led to the question: Are antiglycolipid antibodies of any clinical significance?

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1998 Jun 19, 845, 330 - 40
Guillain-Barré syndrome and Fisher's syndrome following Campylobacter jejuni infection; Yuki N et al.; The patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) subsequent to Campylobacter jejuni enteritis showed axonal degeneration and had IgG anti-GM1 antibody . The most frequently isolated C . jejuni from the patients was specific serotype of Penner's 19 in Japan . In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C . jejuni of this serotype, the same oligosaccharide structure as GM1 ganglioside existed, suggesting the molecular mimicry between GM1 in nervous tissue and C . jejuni LPS . IgG anti-GM1 antibody may bind the nodes of Ranvier and axon terminals and causes degeneration of the motor axon . Some patients develop Fisher's syndrome following C . jejuni infection . C . jejuni strains from the patients who had IgG anti-GQ1b antibody in the acute phase had GQ1b epitope in their LPS, and the molecular mimicry between GQ1b in nervous tissue and an antecedent infectious agent was clarified.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1998 Jun 19, 845, 307 - 21
Molecular mimicry in Guillain-Barré syndrome; Sheikh KA et al.; Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is the commonest cause of acute flaccid paralysis worldwide . Recent pathological and electrodiagnostic studies indicated that there are different patterns within this syndrome . The demyelinating pattern predominates in North America and Europe, whereas axonal variants of GBS occur more frequently in Northern China . Infection with Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most frequently recognized antecedent events in all variants of GBS . The lipopolysaccharides of these organisms share ganglioside-like epitopes with peripheral nerves, and patients with GBS have antiganglioside antibodies . These observations have given rise to the hypothesis that "molecular mimicry" is the immunopathogenic mechanism of injury to peripheral nerve fibers . With this hypothesis in view, we summarize our experience of GBS as it occurs in Northern China . To explore the role of molecular mimicry in this cohort we sought evidence of preceding Campylobacter infection and correlated this with clinical characteristics and antiganglioside serology . Based on our results we propose a sequence of pathogenic events leading to peripheral nerve injury in GBS.

J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Aug, 36(8), 2223 - 8
Associations between heat-stable (O) and heat-labile (HL) serogroup antigens of Campylobacter jejuni: evidence for interstrain relationships within three O/HL serovars; Jackson CJ et al.; A comparative examination of the heat-stable (O) and heat-labile (HL) serogrouping results for 9,024 sporadic human isolates of Campylobacter jejuni revealed conserved associations between specific O and HL antigens (O/HL serovars) . Forty-nine percent of the isolates which grouped for both O and HL antigens belonged to one of three serovars: O 4 complex/HL 1 (17.9%), O 1/HL 2 (16.8%), or O 50/HL 7 (14.5%) . Other common serovars were O 2/HL 4 (8.3%), O 6/HL 6 (8.1%), O 53/HL 11 (4.5%), O 19/HL 17 (3.3%), O 5/HL 9 (3.3%), O 9/HL 9 (3.2%), and O 23/HL 5 (3.1%) . These 10 serovars accounted for 83.1% of the serogroupable isolates . A large number of strains (41.3%) could be typed by only one of the two methods or could not be serogrouped (11%) . Strains belonging to three serovars, O 2/HL 4, O 50/HL 7, and O 23/HL 5, were further characterized by combining data from expressed features (O/HL serogroups, phage groups, and biotypes) with restriction fragment length polymorphism genotypes . These polyphasic data demonstrated that within each serovar, individual isolates showed substantial conservation of both genomic and phenotypic characteristics . The essentially clonal nature of the three serovars confirmed the potential of combined O and HL serogrouping as a practical and phylogenetically valid method for investigating the epidemiology of sporadic C . jejuni infection.

J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Aug, 36(8), 2195 - 9
Etiological study of diarrheal patients in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Yamashiro T et al.; The etiological agents of diarrhea in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), were studied in the period from October 1996 to August 1997 . A total of 880 patients with diarrhea visiting medical facilities were examined for Shigella, Salmonella, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, vibrio, Aeromonas, Campylobacter, and rotavirus . Shigella spp., heat-stable enterotoxin (ST)-producing E . coli, and serogroup-based enteropathogenic E . coli were found to be the main organisms causing diarrhea in Vientiane, with frequencies of 16.8% (148 of 880), 17.2% (111 of 645), and 11.0% (97 of 880), respectively . Relatively low incidences were observed in the cases of Salmonella spp., (0.6%; 5 of 880), Campylobacter spp . (4.4%; 39 of 880), and rotavirus (6.1%; 9 of 148), and no isolates of V . cholerae O1 or O139 or Aeromonas were recovered . An analysis of the incidences of enteropathogens with respect to age and seasonal variations demonstrated that the frequencies of isolation of Shigella spp . and heat-labile enterotoxin-producing E . coli were significantly higher in those aged 1 to 5 years than in those younger than 1 year of age and those older than 5 years of age (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively) and that the frequencies of isolation of Shigella spp . and ST-producing E . coli were significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry season (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively) . Almost all strains of Shigella spp . tested were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin and were susceptible to cefdinir and ofloxacin . This is the first intensive and longitudinal study to define the etiologic agents of diarrheal diseases in Lao PDR.

Clin Microbiol Rev, 1998 Jul, 11(3), 555 - 67
Campylobacter species and Guillain-Barré syndrome; Nachamkin I et al.; Since the eradication of polio in most parts of the world, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) has become the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis . GBS is an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nervous system characterized by weakness, usually symmetrical, evolving over a period of several days or more . Since laboratories began to isolate Campylobacter species from stool specimens some 20 years ago, there have been many reports of GBS following Campylobacter infection . Only during the past few years has strong evidence supporting this association developed . Campylobacter infection is now known as the single most identifiable antecedent infection associated with the development of GBS . Campylobacter is thought to cause this autoimmune disease through a mechanism called molecular mimicry, whereby Campylobacter contains ganglioside-like epitopes in the lipopolysaccharide moiety that elicit autoantibodies reacting with peripheral nerve targets . Campylobacter is associated with several pathologic forms of GBS, including the demyelinating (acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) and axonal (acute motor axonal neuropathy) forms . Different strains of Campylobacter as well as host factors likely play an important role in determining who develops GBS as well as the nerve targets for the host immune attack of peripheral nerves . The purpose of this review is to summarize our current knowledge about the clinical, epidemiological, pathogenetic, and laboratory aspects of campylobacter-associated GBS.

Clin Microbiol Rev, 1998 Jul, 11(3), 440 - 9
Campylobacter upsaliensis: waiting in the wings; Bourke B et al.; Despite strong epidemiological evidence supporting an important role for Campylobacter upsaliensis as a human enteropathogen, it remains relatively unknown in the realm of clinical microbiology . Clinical studies indicate that infection with this organism usually is associated with benign self-limiting diarrhea . However, more serious illnesses, including spontaneous abortion and hemolytic-uremic syndrome, recently have been associated with human infections . Understanding of the virulence properties and molecular biology of C . upsaliensis is beginning to evolve . There is now a pressing need for controlled, prospective epidemiologic studies in addition to further in-depth investigation of the pathogenesis of this enteric campylobacter to more precisely define its role in human disease . Furthermore, since C . upsaliensis is sensitive to the antibiotics routinely used in Campylobacter selective media, widespread appreciation of the importance of this organism will rely on the development of widely applicable, effective techniques for its isolation.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1998 Mar, 17(3), 185 - 8
Purulent pleurisy caused by Campylobacter lari; Bruneau B et al.; An 80-year-old debilitated patient developed purulent pleurisy caused by a Campylobacter lari isolate . The patient underwent surgical drainage and received antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ofloxacin . Antibiotic susceptibility data showed that the isolate was fully sensitive to clarithromycin, tetracycline, aminoglycosides . and ciprofloxacin . Imipenem and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid were the most active beta-lactam agents.

Ophthalmology, 1998 Jul, 105(7), 1281 - 5
Fisher syndrome associated with IgG anti-GQ1b antibody following infection by a specific serotype of Campylobacter jejuni; Ohtsuka K et al.; OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to describe clinical and serologic features of Fisher syndrome associated with IgG anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibody following Campylobacter jejuni enteritis . DESIGN: A clinical trial . PARTICIPANTS: Four consecutive patients with Fisher syndrome were studied . INTERVENTION: Samples of sera from four patients were tested for reactivity to GQ1b ganglioside by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from samples of stool from three patients were serotyped by the method of Penner and Hennessy and that of Lior . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum IgG anti-GQ1b antibody titer and serotypes of C . jejuni . RESULTS: Diplopia occurred 8 to 14 days after the onset of diarrhea . Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from samples of stool from all of the patients . ELISA revealed a high serum IgG anti-GQ1b antibody titer for all four patients . Two patients had high serum titers of other antiganglioside antibodies frequently related to Guillain-Barre syndrome . These two patients developed limb weakness following the onset of ophthalmoplegia . The C . jejuni serotype was Penner's serotype 2 for all three of the patients tested . CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that C . jejuni, especially Penner's serotype 2, enteritis could trigger development of Fisher syndrome associated with IgG anti-GQ1b antibody.

Periodontal Clin Investig, 1998 Spring, 20(1), 6 - 11
Severity of localized juvenile periodontitis as related to polymorphonuclear chemotaxis and specific microbial isolates; Chinwalla J et al.; The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to determine if an association exists between severity of localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) and impairment of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis and/or colonization by specific microbial isolates; (b) to determine if the number of specific microbial isolates, i.e., Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Eikenella corrodens, and Campylobacter rectus correlates to clinical severity of sites with LJP . Thirty-six first molars in nine subjects with LJP were examined . A clinical severity score was computed based on attachment level and vertical bone loss . The mean score of the four sites was designated as the clinical severity score for each subject . A DNA probe was used to quantitate colonization by A . actinomycetemcomitans, P . gingivalis, P . intermedia, F . nucleatum, E . corrodens, and C . rectus . The chemotaxis of isolated peripheral blood PMNs was measured in Boyden chambers using the leading front technique . It was found that the clinical severity score ranged from 7.8 for mild involvement to 32.5 for severe LJP . The chemotaxis result for each patient (micron/90 min) was expressed as a percentage of the value for a paired healthy control and ranged from 40% to 104% . Four of the nine subjects had chemotaxis values less than 70% of control . Linear regression analysis showed: (a) no significant correlation between PMN chemotaxis and severity of LJP in subjects (r = .14); (b) a significant correlation (r = 0.43) between severe sites with LJP and number of specific microbial isolates . Sites with severe LJP had present at least five different microbial isolates as compared with non-severe sites (P < .05) . No particular trend of colonization by periodontopathogens was seen in non-severe sites . Further, severe sites of LJP displayed a statistically significant greater colonization by P . intermedia, E . corrodens, and C . rectus than did non-severe sites (P < .05) . It may be concluded that neither the degree of PMN chemotactic impairment nor A . actinomycetemcomitans is a reliable indicator of the severity of LJP.

J Diarrhoeal Dis Res, 1997 Dec, 15(4), 241 - 7
Enteric bacterial pathogens in stools of residents of urban and rural regions in Nigeria: a comparison of patients with and without diarrhoea and controls without diarrhoea; Obi CL et al.; A total of 2,400 stool samples comprising 1,200 from patients with diarrhoea (600 each from urban and rural area) and 1,200 similarly divided controls were obtained from school children and clinic attendants of government and private clinics around three designated study centres of Edo, Lagos and Cross River states, Nigeria . These were screened for the prevalence of bacteria that could cause diarrhoea . Diarrhoea cases in urban areas had a high prevalence rate for Campylobacter spp . (28%), followed by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (22%), Salmonella spp . (17%), Shigella spp . (14%), Aeromonas spp . (5%), and Yersinia enterocolitica (4%), whereas in rural areas E . coli was the most frequently encountered pathogen (18%), followed by Salmonella spp . (16%), Aeromonas spp . (15%), Shigella spp . (9%), Campylobacter spp . (8%), and Plesiomonas shigelloides (8%) . A similar distribution but with lower rates was noted for controls in both urban and rural areas, however, no P . shigelloides was isolated . Results highlight a possible difference between the prevalence of enteric bacteria in rural and urban areas and reveals the strong association of Aeromonas and Plesiomonas species with cases of diarrhoea in Nigeria.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1998 Jul, 42(7), 1847 - 9
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 59 strains of Campylobacter fetus subsp . fetus; Tremblay C et al.; The susceptibilities of 59 Campylobacter fetus subsp . fetus isolates to eight antibiotics were studied by the agar dilution, E-test, and disk diffusion methods . None of the isolates were beta-lactamase producers . All were susceptible to ampicillin, gentamicin, imipenem, and meropenem as determined by the three methods, with MICs at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited (MIC90s) (determined by agar dilution) of 2, 1, < or = 0.06, and 0.12 microgram/ml, respectively . Twenty-seven percent of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline, with complete agreement between the agar dilution and disk diffusion results . The MIC90s determined by agar dilution were 2 micrograms/ml for erythromycin, 1 microgram/ml for ciprofloxacin, and 8 micrograms/ml for cefotaxime.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1998 Jun, 58(6), 800 - 3
Occurrence and susceptibility to antibiotics of Shigella species in stools of hospitalized children with bloody diarrhea in Pakistan; Khalil K et al.; The aim of the present investigation was to study the frequency of Shigella spp . in patients with bloody diarrhea in Pakistan and the susceptibility of isolated Shigella to three antibiotics: ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and nalidixic acid . In addition, the frequency of Campylobacter and Salmonella was also determined . Stool samples (n = 152) were collected from 152 diarrheic children less than six years of age passing blood and mucus in their stools who were admitted to Paediatric Department of Mayo Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan from June to September 1990 . The samples were cultivated on standard media for Shigella, Campylobacter, and Salmonella . Susceptibility of Shigella isolates was tested by disk diffusion method . The frequency of isolation was 19.1% for Shigella spp., 7.9% for Campylobacter, and 4.6% for Salmonella . Shigella flexneri (7.9%) was the most frequently isolated species, followed by S . dysenteriae (6.6%), S . boydii, (3.3%) and S . sonnei (1.3%) . All Shigella isolates were susceptible to nalidixic acid (100%), while only a few were susceptible to cotrimoxazole (7.0%) and ampicillin (3.5%) . In Pakistan, self-medication and purchases of drugs without a prescription are commonly practiced . Thus, there is a greater possibility of development of resistant strains due to over use of antibiotics.

J Periodontol, 1998 Jun, 69(6), 664 - 9
Subgingival microflora associated with nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth; Nakou M et al.; The purpose of this study was to examine the composition of subgingival plaque of 140 periodontal lesions in 35 patients with cardiovascular disorders who were administered nifedipine and manifested nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth (GO) . Age was inversely associated with the GO . Plaque index and bleeding index showed a significant association with GO, while nifedipine dosage and duration of nifedipine therapy were not found to be significant predictors of GO . The gingival inflammation as expressed in the logistic regression model by the interaction term color x tone was found to be significantly associated with the GO . Statistically significant differences between the groups of comparable probing depth and different degrees of GO were detected for Propionibacterium acnes, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Bacteroides gracilis, Fusobacterium mortiferum, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Fusobacterium varium and Selenomonas sputigena in deep and enlarged lesions . Significantly more frequently isolated were the bacterial species Eubacterium alactolyticum, Campylobacter concisus, C . gingivalis, C . ochracea, C . sputigena, F . mortiferum, F . nucleatum, and F . varium from the more enlarged lesions (GO >3).

J Bacteriol, 1998 Jul, 180(14), 3711 - 4
The central, surface-exposed region of the flagellar hook protein FlgE of Campylobacter jejuni shows hypervariability among strains; Luneberg E et al.; In a previous study, we observed that monoclonal antibodies raised against the hook protein FlgE of Campylobacter jejuni LIO 36, isolate 5226, bound exclusively to this strain . The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular basis for these binding specificities . The hook protein-encoding gene flgE of C . jejuni was cloned in Escherichia coli and sequenced . The flgE genes of four additional C . jejuni strains were amplified by PCR and also sequenced . Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed a high degree of variability in the central parts of the FlgE proteins among the strains, including variable and hypervariable domains . These findings may indicate a selective pressure of C . jejuni hosts, forcing the bacteria to generate variations in surface-exposed antigenic determinants.

J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Jul, 36(7), 2043 - 5
Microtiter assay for detecting Campylobacter spp . and Helicobacter pylori with surface gangliosides which bind cholera toxin; Sack DA et al.; Campylobacter jejuni with Gm1 ganglioside in the core of its lipopolysaccharide has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome . Since this epitope may be of considerable pathophysiologic importance and since this ganglioside binds cholera toxin, a rapid screening assay to detect bacteria that bind cholera toxin as an indication of Gm1 on their surfaces was developed . In the assay, bacterial lawns were grown on agar plates, harvested with phosphate-buffered saline, boiled, and incubated with a standard concentration of cholera B subunit . Preparations from strains with Gm1 were observed to inhibit the binding of cholera B subunit to Gm1 in a microtiter enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . By using this assay with two groups of strains, 37 positive strains were detected among the 197 tested . Species with positive isolates included C . jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Helicobacter pylori . The assay is capable of testing large numbers of isolates and should prove useful in future clinical and epidemiological studies of bacteria with this epitope.

J Clin Periodontol, 1998 May, 25(5), 399 - 403
The effect of herbal extracts in an experimental mouthrinse on established plaque and gingivitis; Van der Weijden GA et al.; The purpose of the present study was to establish in vitro the inhibiting effect of a herbal extract mixture on a selected number of micro-organisms and to test in vivo the effect of a mouthwash containing 6.3 mg/ml herbal extract mixture on plaque and gingivitis as compared to a minus active control mouthrinse . The herbal extract was a mixture of: Juniperus communis (juniper), Urtica dioca (nettle), Achillaea millefolium (yarrow); 1:1:1 . In the study, in-vitro, the effect of pure herbal extract mixture on acid production of Streptococcus mutans was tested and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the following micro-organisms were tested: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Actynomyces viscosus, Actynomyces naeslundii, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Veillonella parvula . The MIC-values for A . viscosus and P . gingivalis were 100 mg/ml . The MIC-values for A . naeslundii and A . actinomycetemcomitans were considerably lower (10 mg/ml) . S . mitis was the most susceptible of the tested organisms to the extract with a MIC value of 1 mg/ml . S . mutans, C . rectus, V . parvula, and F . nucleatum were not influenced by the extracts . No inhibitory effect of the 6.3 mg/ml herbal extract mixture was observed on the acid production of S . mutans . For the study in-vivo, 45 volunteers were selected on the basis of having moderate gingival inflammation . As efficacy parameters the plaque index, modified gingival index and angulated bleeding index were assessed . The subjects were randomly divided among 3 experimental groups (2x test and 1 'minus active' control) . The participants were requested to rinse with 10 ml of mouthwash twice a day for a period of three months . After 6 weeks and 3 months, the same clinical indices as at baseline were recorded . The results show no difference between the two test groups and the control group . In conclusion, the results of the present study have shown that the mixture of the 3 herbal extracts, Juniperus communis, Urtica dioca and Achillaea millefolium when used in a mouthrinse has no effect on plaque growth and gingival health.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1998 Jul, 64(7), 2346 - 9
Epidemiological typing of Campylobacter isolates from meat processing plants by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, fatty acid profile typing, serotyping, and biotyping; Steele M et al.; Campylobacter spp . are a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis . Foods of animal origin, particularly under-cooked poultry, are common sources of Campylobacter species associated with disease in humans . A collection of 110 Campylobacter jejuni and 31 C . coli human and environmental isolates from different Ontario, Canada, abattoirs were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, fatty acid profile typing, and biotyping . Previously collected serotyping data for the same isolates were also analyzed in this study . Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was found to be the most discriminatory of the typing methods, followed by serotyping, fatty acid profile typing, and biotyping . A wide variety of typing profiles were observed within the isolates, suggesting that several different Campylobacter sp . strains were present within the abattoirs.

Vet Microbiol, 1998 Feb 28, 60(2-4), 239 - 49
Isolation and molecular analysis of colonising and non-colonising strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli following experimental infection of young chickens; Korolik V et al.; Fourteen-day-old chickens were inoculated with selected Campylobacter coli and C . jejuni strains . C . jejuni strains were of two subgroups based on a polymorphism detected using a DNA probe and represented the profiles typical for the majority of strains of either chicken or human origin . All C . coli strains previously isolated from humans colonised chickens, whereas from 4/7 C . jejuni strains of human origin, failed to colonise . Of 12 Campylobacter strains of chicken origin, 10 established a persistent colonisation in the chickens, and 2 strains colonised poorly or not at all . Four strains that failed to colonise chickens were each inoculated into groups of five birds . Three strains again did not colonise any of the chickens and the fourth strain colonised four out of the five chickens, but was poorly excreted . When infected chickens were placed in the same enclosure to facilitate interchange of strains, C . jejuni strain 331 was found to be dominant and colonised all 12 chickens by 21 days, displacing all other strains . C . jejuni strain 331, was then inoculated into groups of five birds with previously established colonisation by C . jejuni and C . coli strains . Strain 331 was able to replace the C . jejuni strain in all five birds but established co-colonisation with C . coli strain . Naturally occurring co-colonisation by two C . jejuni strains was detected in one chicken out of 200 tested . There was no obvious correlation between the type of DNA polymorphism in strains of chicken origin and their ability to colonise chickens.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Apr, 84(4), 559 - 67
The survival and growth of acid-adapted mesophilic pathogens that contaminate meat after lactic acid decontamination; Van Netten P et al.; Lactic acid decontamination (LAD) may adapt pathogens to lactic acid . Such organisms may have an increased resistance to acid and can contaminate meat after LAD . The survival and growth of acid adapted Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella typhimurium . Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus inoculated on skin surface of still warm pork belly cuts 2 h after LAD was examined during chilled (4 degrees C) storage and refrigeration abuse equivalent to 12.5 degrees C . Lactic acid decontamination included dipping in 1, 2 or 5% lactic acid solutions at 55 degrees C for 120 s . Lactic acid decontamination brought sharp reductions in meat surface pH, but these recovered with time after LAD at approximately 1-1.5 pH units below that of water-treated controls . A sharp decrease in the number of cfu of pathogens occurred on chilled 2-5% lactic acid treated pork belly cuts when the skin surface was less than pH 4.8-5.2 . The reductions ranged from 0.1-0.3 log10 cfu cm-2 for E . coli O157:H7 to over 1.7-2.4 log10 cfu cm-2 for Camp . jejuni, respectively . Increase in storage temperature from 4 to 12.5 degrees C reduced delayed decrease in numbers of all pathogens except Camp . jejuni by a factor of two . Deaths in Camp . jejuni at 12.5 degrees C slightly exceeded those at 4 degrees C . After the initial sharp decline, the number of cfu of mesophilic pathogens decreased gradually at a rate similar to that on water-treated controls . Growth of all mesophilic pathogens except Camp . jejuni on 2-5% LAD meat occurred during storage at 12.5 degrees C when the meat surface pH exceeded 4.8-5.2, and was slower than on water-treated controls . Low temperature and acid-adapted E . coli O157:H7, Salm . typhimurium and Staph . aureus, and acid adapted Camp . jejuni that contaminate skin surface after hot 2-5% LAD, did not cause an increased health hazard, although microbiota and intrinsic parameters (lactic acid content, pH) were created that could advantage their survival and growth.

J Appl Microbiol, 1998 Apr, 84(4), 545 - 50
Rapid identification of diverse Campylobacter lari strains isolated from mussels and oysters using a reverse hybridization line probe assay; Van Doorn LJ et al.; Campylobacters isolated from mussels and oysters in The Netherlands were analysed by a novel assay, based on DNA amplification with primers, based on semiconserved GTP-binding sites of a putative GTPase gene . Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was followed by a single step reverse hybridization line probe assay (PCR-LiPA) . This permits identification of Campylobacter jejuni, C . coli, C . lari and C . upsaliensis . Among a group of 44 isolates, three C . jejuni, one C . upsaliensis, one double infection with C . jejuni and C . coli, and 38 C . lari strains were identified . These results were in complete agreement with conventional identification methods and whole cell protein analysis . One C . hyointestinalis isolate was not identified by the PCR-LiPA, since the reverse hybridization assay does not comprise specific probes for this particular species . PCR products from 36 C . lari isolates were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two major C . lari subgroups: one comprised 11 highly homologous sequences, whereas the 25 sequences in the other subgroup were more heterogeneous . This confirmed earlier findings that C . lari isolates comprise a more heterogeneous group of isolates as compared with C . jejuni, C . coli and C . upsaliensis . Based on the sequence information, a novel PCR-LiPA was developed that permits specific and rapid detection of the different C . lari variants.

Vet Microbiol, 1998 Mar 31, 61(3), 183 - 90
An outbreak of infectious hepatitis in commercially reared ostriches associated with Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni; Stephens CP et al.; A disease causing high morbidity and mortality was observed in young ostriches from six properties in southeast Queensland, Australia . The disease affected birds from 2-8 weeks of age and was characterised clinically by bright-green urates and pathologically by severe necrotic hepatitis . The liver lesions resembled those of vibrionic hepatitis in other avian species . Campylobacter coli was isolated from the livers of affected ostriches from five of the six properties . Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni was isolated from birds from the remaining property . Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-based (PFGE) typing of representative isolates indicated that trade of infected birds between farms was an important factor in the spread of C . coli . Phenotypic and genotypic data suggest a clonal variant of the principal outbreak type may account for the remaining cases from which C . coli was found . Conventional biochemical test results and PFGE clearly distinguished the C . jejuni strain isolated from the geographically remote farm from the outbreak of C . coli type . We believe this to be the first definitive report of avian hepatitis associated with C . coli.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1998 May 5, 41(1), 53 - 8
Evaluation of a new arcobacter enrichment medium and comparison with two media developed for enrichment of Campylobacter spp; Atabay HI et al.; The productivity of an arcobacter enrichment medium (AM), newly developed by Oxoid was compared with two campylobacter enrichment media (Preston broth (Oxoid) and LabM broth), with arcobacter basal medium (ABM) as control . Twenty strains of Arcobacter and Campylobacter spp . were tested for growth, with target inocula of < 4 cfu per ml of medium . Incubation was carried out aerobically for 48 h with tightly closed caps at 25 degrees C for arcobacters and 37 degrees C for campylobacters . After incubation the numbers of cfu in the broths were counted by surface-plating on blood agar . None of the Campylobacter spp . grew in the complete AM, and only one grew (very poorly) in the arcobacter basal medium . However, AM supported good growth of all three species of Arcobacter (A . butzleri, A . skirrowii and A . cryaerophilus) which have been associated with human and animal disease . The one strain of A . nitrofigilis tested failed to grow in any of the media except poorly in ABM . None of the Arcobacter spp . grew in Preston Broth, but nine grew in LabM broth, although productivity was poor compared to AM . None of the Campylobacter spp . grew in AM and only one grew (very poorly) in ABM.

Poult Sci, 1998 Jun, 77(6), 808 - 11
Research notes: Prevalence of selected microbial pathogens in processed poultry waste used as dairy cattle feed; Jeffrey JS et al.; Processed poultry litter intended for dairy cattle feed was collected on 13 dairy ranches in the San Joaquin Valley of California and analyzed for the presence of significant bacterial pathogens associated with clinical disease in cattle or foodborne disease in humans . Litter samples were collected from the surface and interior of the litter piles upon arrival on the dairies and 2 to 4 wk later . Litter samples were cultured for Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and other bacteria . The temperature of the litter piles was obtained on the surface and interior at each sampling . Dry matter was determined for each sample . No Salmonella, E . coli O157, or Campylobacter was identified (n = 104) . Other E . coli strains were found in 8 out of 52 samples on arrival and 4 out of 52 samples at 2 to 4 wk after arrival . Although the surface and interior temperatures of the litter pile were different (23 C vs 50 C, respectively), the mean temperatures did not significantly change with time on the ranches . Average dry matter content did not differ between samples . In conclusion, the pathogens under investigation were not detected in processed poultry litter on these California dairy ranches upon arrival at the dairy or 2 to 4 wk later.

Emerg Infect Dis, 1998 Apr-Jun, 4(2), 263 - 8
Campylobacter jejuni strains from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome; Allos BM et al.; Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an acute demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, may be triggered by an acute infectious illness; infection with Campylobacter jejuni is the most frequently reported antecedent event . In Japan, O:19 is the most common serotype among GBS-associated C . jejuni strains . To determine whether serotype O:19 occurs among GBS-associated strains in the United States and Europe, we serotyped seven such strains and found that two (29%) of seven GBS-associated strains from patients in the United States and Germany were serotype O:19 . To determine whether GBS-associated strains may be resistant to killing by normal human serum (NHS), we studied the serum susceptibility of 17 GBS- and 27 enteritis-associated strains (including many O:19 and non-O:19 strains) using C . jejuni antibody positive (pool 1) or negative (pool 2) human serum . Using pool 1 serum we found that one (6%) of 18 serotype O:19 strains compared with 11 (42%) of 26 non-O:19 strains were killed; results using pool 2 serum were nearly identical . Finally, 8 O:19 and 8 non-O:19 strains were not significantly different in their ability to bind complement component C3 . Serotype O:19 C . jejuni strains were overrepresented among GBS-associated strains in the United States and Germany and were significantly more serum-resistant than non-O:19 strains . The mechanism of this resistance appears unrelated to C3 binding.

J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Jun, 36(6), 1787 - 9
Typing of human Campylobacter jejuni isolates in Finland by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; Hanninen ML et al.; A total of 69 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types were identified among 176 Campylobacter jejuni isolates from Finnish patients . In two geographic areas studied, five predominant PFGE types comprised over 40% of the isolates . One-third of the isolates had unique PFGE types . In small outbreaks, identical PFGE patterns were demonstrated, indicating a common source of infection.

J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Jun, 36(6), 1700 - 3
Proliferative enterocolitis associated with dual infection with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Lawsonia intracellularis in rabbits; Schauer DB et al.; Both enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and an obligate intracellular bacterium, previously referred to as an intracellular Campylobacter-like organism and now designated Lawsonia intracellularis, have been reported as causes of enterocolitis in rabbits . An outbreak of enterocolitis in a group of rabbits, characterized by an unusually high rate of mortality, was found to be associated with dual infection with EPEC and L . intracellularis . The EPEC strain was found to have eaeA gene homology but was negative for afrA homology . The absence of the afrA gene, which encodes the structural subunit for the AF/R1 pilus, indicates that this rabbit EPEC strain is distinct from the prototypic RDEC-1 strain . This finding suggests that rabbit EPEC strains widely reported in Western Europe, which lack AF/R1 pili, are also present in rabbits in the United States . Dual infection with these two pathogens in rabbits has not been previously reported and may have contributed to the unusually high mortality observed in this outbreak.

J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Jun, 36(6), 1674 - 8
CDC group O-3: phenotypic characteristics, fatty acid composition, isoprenoid quinone content, and in vitro antimicrobic susceptibilities of an unusual gram-negative bacterium isolated from clinical specimens; Daneshvar MI et al.; Between 1983 and 1994, 13 phenotypically similar unidentified clinical isolates were received by the Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . Sources included blood (four strains), lung (three strains), knee fluid and duodenal tissue (one strain each), bone, and lymph node tissue (two strains each) . All were aerobic glucose-oxidizing, slender, long, curved gram-negative rods that utilized xylose, sucrose, and maltose; did not grow on MacConkey agar in 1 to 2 days; were oxidase positive; hydrolyzed esculin; and grew on Campylobacter selective medium . All were negative for urease, indole, nitrate reduction, and gelatin hydrolysis . All were motile by means of a single polar flagellum with a noticeably short wavelength; however, motility was sometimes difficult to demonstrate . The cellular fatty acid compositions of these strains, as analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography, were unique, characterized by relatively large amounts of 16:1omega7c, 16:0, and 18:1omega7c with smaller amounts of 12:0, 3-OH-12:1, 14:0, 15:0, 18:0, Br-19:1, and 19:0cyc11-12 . High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry of the quinone extracts of three representative strains showed ubiquinone-10 as the major component . Based on the breakpoints for the family Enterobacteriaceae, all the strains were susceptible in vitro to aminoglycosides, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol but were resistant to most beta-lactams except imipenem . The MICs of amoxicillin-clavulanate and ciprofloxacin for these strains clustered around the breakpoints, which makes it difficult to predict the strains' response in vivo to these agents . This group has been designated CDC oxidizer group 3 (O-3).

Eur J Histochem, 1998, 42(1), 63 - 70
Lectin-binding sites in uterus and oviduct of normal and Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis-infected heifers; Cipolla AL et al.; This study was carried out to investigate the effect of infection with Campylobacter fetus subsp . venerealis (Cfv) on the pattern of lectin binding in the uterus and oviduct of heifers . Cfv persistence was demonstrated by bacterial isolation and immunofluorescence . Infected animals showed variations in the lectin binding pattern when compared with control animals . Cfv-infected heifers showed an increased expression of galactose and N-acetyl-galactosamine in the endometrial glands (PNA and SBA binding, respectively) . The oviductal epithelium of infected heifers was strongly positive for Con A, which indicated the presence of alpha-D-mannose and alpha-D-glucose . The results of this study showed that Cfv-infection modifies the lectin binding pattern in the reproductive system of heifers . Modifications in glycoconjugates may be involved in failures of fertility and/or implantation.

J Periodontol, 1998 Apr, 69(4), 496 - 501
Association of oral spirochetes from periodontally healthy sites with development of gingivitis; Riviere GR et al.; The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the presence of selected disease-associated bacteria in health-associated plaque correlated with future gingivitis . Sites of periodontal health were identified in 65 adults . Six months later (recall 1) plaque was collected from sites that remained in periodontal health, and 5 species of specific bacteria and pathogen-related oral spirochetes were detected using monoclonal antibodies in a microscopic assay . Members of the spirochete morphogroup were also identified by phase contrast microscopy . The relationship between site-specific detection of bacteria at recall 1 and development of gingivitis at recall 2 or 3 was evaluated by means of logistic regression using generalized estimating equations, from which odds ratios (OR) were estimated . Significance was conservatively defined as OR > 2.0 and P < 0.05 . We found that 488 of 1,424 healthy sites developed gingivitis over the 12-month interval between recall 1 and 3 . Only the spirochete morphogroup (OR =2.04; P=0.002) was significantly associated with the transition from health to gingivitis . The association of Treponema socranskii with future gingivitis was higher than expected (OR=2.27), but the relationship was not statistically significant (P=0.163) . Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and pathogen-related oral spirochetes did not correlate well with gingivitis (OR < 2.0) . Health-associated plaque from 5 sites contained Treponema denticola, and all 5 sites progressed to gingivitis . An OR could not be calculated because T . denticola was not detected in health-associated plaque from stable healthy sites . These findings indicated that the presence of T . denticola and unidentified spirochetes in health-associated plaque was associated with increased susceptibility to gingival inflammation . Future studies assessing a larger panel of dental plaque microorganisms, with shorter intervals between baseline and follow-up assessment, are necessary to more fully evaluate the association between detection of specific organisms at healthy sites and risk for gingivitis.

Can J Microbiol, 1998 Mar, 44(3), 244 - 50
The Campylobacter fetus S layer is not essential for initial interaction with HEp-2 cells; Graham LL et al.; In vitro adherence assays were used to determine whether the S layer mediated interactions between Campylobacter fetus subsp . venerealis strains and HEp-2 cells . At multiplicity of infection ratios ranging from 0.1:1 through 100:1, quantitation of bacterial adherence by light microscopy revealed that S layer deficient isogenic C . fetus 809K and C . fetus 810K were not less efficient in their attachment to HEp-2 cells; either S layer deficient C . fetus strains interacted with HEp-2 cells in greater numbers than the corresponding wild-type parent strains 809 and 810 or there was no significant difference in adherence levels between wild-type and mutant strains . Adherence of C . fetus strains to HEp-2 cells increased most during the first 2 h of a 22-h incubation period with only a slight increase in C . fetus cell numbers occurring subsequent to 2 h . At each assay point throughout this 22-h time period, equivalent numbers of wild-type and S layer deficient C . fetus strains were observed associated with HEp-2 cells . Prior to 2 h, adherence levels of all C . fetus strains exceeded those of Escherichia coli AB264 and Salmonella typhimurium SL1344 . And, unlike S . typhimurium, C . fetus did not undergo significant replication following initial adherence to HEp-2 cells . Campylobacter fetus did not adhere to HEp-2 cells in a localized or aggregative pattern but were randomly distributed over individual HEp-2 cells and at no time during the assay with C . fetus were changes in HEp-2 cell morphology apparent . These data suggest that the S layer is not essential for mediating initial interactions between C . fetus and HEp-2 cells.

Br Med Bull, 1998, 54(1), 17 - 30
Helicobacter--species classification and identification; Owen RJ; The genus Helicobacter was created in 1989 with H . pylori as the type species . Since then the genus has expanded to include about 18 species . Some species were reclassified from Campylobacter, but most were newly discovered microorganisms from gastric or intestinal sites in mammalian host animals . The essential property of almost all helicobacters is the presence of sheathed flagella . Most species possess strong ureolytic ability, particularly those associated with gastric mucosa, and exhibit considerable diversity in cell morphology with respect to cell length, number and location of flagella, and presence of periplasmic fibrils . H . pylori has a global distribution and infects human gastric mucosa exclusively but there is some evidence for infection in cats . Genomes of isolates from different individuals are unusual in their diversity in gene order and sequences within individual genes . 'H . heilmannii' is another gastric spiral shaped organism less frequently infecting humans but commonly found in cat and dog gastric tissue . H . felis is important in the mouse model of infection . A range of conventional phenotypic tests as well as some new PCR based assays are available for identifying isolates of Helicobacter from clinical specimens.

Br Med Bull, 1998, 54(1), 7 - 16
Helicobacter biology--discovery; Buckley MJ et al.; The presence of gastric spirochaetal organisms was first documented over a century ago . Though repeatedly reported in the medical literature, it was felt that these spiral bacteria were merely contaminants and the reports were generally ignored by the medical community . On 22 October 1982, at a meeting of the Royal Australian College of Physicians, successful culture of these 'Campylobacterlike organisms' from gastric biopsy specimens was reported for the first time . Moreover, it was shown that their presence was associated with gastritis and, possibly, with peptic ulceration . The subsequent discovery of the pivotal role of Helicobacter pylori in a wide range of conditions has revolutionised our understanding of gastroduodenal diseases . Improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic options, combined with the gradual acceptance of the aetiological role of an infective agent in peptic disease, have led to a remarkable change in the management of gastroduodenal conditions in the past decade.

Microb Pathog, 1998 Apr, 24(4), 263 - 8
Primary Campylobacter jejuni infection in different mice strains; Vuckovic D et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most frequent causes of diarrhoea in man . Extra-intestinal manifestations may also occur, particularly in immunocompromised individuals . However, because of the lack of appropriate animal models the pathophysiology and immunological response of the host to C . jejuni infection are still poorly understood . In our laboratory an experimental infection of adult BALB/c, C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice has been established . After intraperitoneal injection of 0.5-1x10(9) cfu of C . jejuni none of the infected mice showed clinical symptoms of illness, but bacterial spreading and tissue invasion were achieved . We have concentrated our studies on the duration of primary infection, recovery of bacteria from livers and spleens of infected animals and pathohistological changes of these organs . Our results showed differences in the course of systemic infection among the tested mice strains . BALB/c mice were most sensitive, resulting in the most pronounced pathohistological changes in the examined organs . The duration of the primary liver infection was the longest in BALB/c mice while the duration of the splenic infection also differed among the tested mice strains . Nevertheless, the experimental model used in this study can be efficiently used in further analysis of the pathogenesis of this bacterial infection . However, the strain differences should be taken into account depending on the parameters to be followed .

Rinsho Shinkeigaku, 1998 Jan, 38(1), 42 - 5
{A case of acute multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block after Campylobacter jejuni enteritis}; Sugie K et al.; The patient was a 25-year-old male with acute multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block (MMNCB) after Campylobacter jejuni enteritis . After having suffered from diarrhea for 3 days, he rapidly developed asymmetrical distal-dominant muscle weakness in all extremities . Sensory disturbance was unremarkable except for slight disturbance in deep sensation . Deep tendon reflexes were normal throughout the course of present illness . CSF analysis revealed increased protein up to 66 mg/dl without pleocytosis . In electrophysiological examinations, persistant multifocal conduction blocks in the motor nerves were predominantly noted in the distal part of the extremities . Serum titers of anti-Campylobacter jejuni antibody, anti-GM1 antibody and anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody were elevated . Muscle weakness resolved completely within 7 weeks . The sural nerve biopsy did not reveal either axonal degeneration, nor demyelination . These clinical and laboratory findings suggested that this case was most likely an acute type of MMNCB after Campylobacter jejuni enteritis.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1998 May 1, 162(1), 97 - 103
Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding the primary sigma-factor of Campylobacter jejuni; Wosten MM et al.; The rpoD gene encoding the primary sigma-factor of Campylobacter jejuni was amplified from genomic DNA with degenerate oligonucleotide primers . The complete gene encodes a polypeptide of 622 amino acids and has a deduced M(r) of 72.6 kDa . This polypeptide is 40% identical to the RpoD (sigma 70) protein of Escherichia coli and has 66% identity with the Helicobacter pylori RpoD protein . A C . jejuni sigma 70 promoter, not recognized by the E . coli sigma 70 factor, could be activated in this bacterium in the presence of the cloned C . jejuni RpoD protein.

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