Corynebacterium

Infect Control, 1986 Oct, 7(10), 495 - 500
The nosocomial colonization of T . Bear; Hughes WT et al.; A national effort to reduce nosocomial infections includes a program developed at the National Institutes of Health to encourage handwashing in hospitals and day care centers . The program promotes a symbolic teddy bear (T . Bear) with slogans to remind hospital personnel and patients to practice handwashing . One of the items used is a stuffed toy T . Bear to be dispensed to the hospitalized child . Considering the manner in which children handle stuffed toys, we suspected the T . Bear might serve as a "fomite" for transmission of nosocomial microbes . A prospective study of 39 sterilized T . Bears revealed that all became colonized with bacteria, fungi, or both within 1 week of hospitalization . Hospital acquired organisms cultured from the T . Bear included Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, alpha streptococci, Corynebacterium acnes, Micrococcus sp, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp, and species of Candida, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon, Aspergillus and others . Concomitant cultures of the patients revealed similar isolates . Although the T . Bear handwashing campaign should not be discredited, the promotional toy may pose an unnecessary expense and hazard and should not be used in hospitals or day care centers.

J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Oct, 40(4), 347 - 54
The ontogeny of pulmonary alveolar macrophages in parabiotic mice; Sawyer RT; A bilateral distribution of labeled blood monocytes was achieved by unilaterally labeling donor members of surgically parabiosed B6D2F1/J mice with tritiated thymidine (3HTdR) . Labeled pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) were found in lung lavage fluid of donors . By contrast, no labeled PAM were found in lung lavage fluid from unstimulated recipients, even 12 days after labeling . Contralateral 3HTdR flash labeling showed that in recipients 3%, or about 10(4), PAM were in S phase of the cell cycle . Contralateral intratracheal challenge of recipient members with either Corynebacterium parvum vaccine or with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide induced the emigration of labeled blood monocytes of donor origin into recipient alveoli . These data show that in parabiotic mice, blood monocytes do not regularly enter the alveolar compartment . It may be concluded that monocytes are not needed on a daily basis to sustain PAM populations.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Oct, 47(10), 2147 - 50
Identification of Brucella abortus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of cows, goats, and mice with an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunoenzymatic staining technique; Meador VP et al.; An avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunoenzymatic staining technique was evaluated for light microscopic detection of Brucella organisms in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues . Tissues from cows, goats, and mice inoculated with B abortus strain 2308 were examined, using rabbit antiserum to Brucella cell surface protein as primary antibody . Stained organisms were identified histologically in tissue sections containing B abortus, as detected by bacteriologic examination of duplicate nonprocessed tissue samples . Bacillus sp, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pasteurella haemolytica, P multocida, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus sp, and Streptococcus sp did not stain with this system, using anti-Brucella cell surface protein primary antibody, thus indicating specificity for Brucella organisms.

Scand J Immunol, 1986 Oct, 24(4), 429 - 36
The role of superoxide anion and lysosomal enzymes in anti-listerial activity of elicited peritoneal macrophages; Hashimoto S et al.; The in vitro effect of superoxide anion and lysosomal enzyme activity on the killing of Listeria monocytogenes EGD (listeria) by peritoneal macrophages (PM) was investigated . Generation of superoxide anion by PM stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was significantly increased by intraperitoneal injection of Lactobacillus casei YIT 9018 (LC9018) or Corynebacterium parvum (CP), but not by injection of peptone . However, superoxide anion generation by LC9018-elicited PM stimulated with listeria was not increased any more than that by peptone-elicited PM, and generation of superoxide anion by the PM was affected by the difference in stimuli . The killing of listeria by LC9018- or CP-elicited PM in vitro was significantly less than that by peptone-elicited PM or resident PM . Significant correlation was observed between the anti-listerial activity of PM and the intracellular killing of listeria by PM . On the other hand, beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase activities of LC9018-elicited, CP-elicited, or resident PM were significantly weaker than those of peptone-elicited PM, and no significant correlation was observed between the increase in beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase activities and the increase in anti-listerial activity . These results suggest that increase in the activity of lysosomal enzymes such as beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase is not correlated with the anti-listerial activity of PM, and that superoxide anion has very little effect on the anti-listerial activity of PM in vitro.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1986 Oct, 77(4), 899 - 908
Relationship of success in classical immunotherapy to the relative immunorejective strength of the tumor; Reif AE; Six tumors of varying immunorejective strengths were used to compare the response of their isogenic hosts to standardized regimens of immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy . The tumors were generated spontaneously or induced chemically {with 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (CAS: 57-97-6)}, virally (with murine leukemia virus), or radiogenically (with strontium-90) . The hosts were C57BL/6J or BALB/cByJ mice . Immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy were performed with isogenic irradiated tumor cells, with Corynebacterium parvum, or with both . The results of challenge experiments were quantified as the doses of viable tumor cells that produced 50% tumor deaths for immunized and for control mice . The results for these quantitative "classical" immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy experiments were consistent with two theses: that only immunorejective tumors give positive results with classical immunotherapy and that classical immunoprophylaxis is more effective than classical immunotherapy when identical materials are used for immunizations . These results have important consequences for the clinical use of classical immunotherapy.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Oct, 168(1), 103 - 8
Detection of homology to the beta bacteriophage integration site in a wide variety of Corynebacterium spp; Cianciotto N et al.; In toxigenic conversion of Corynebacterium diphtheriae C7, beta bacteriophage DNA integrates into either of two chromosomal attachment sites, attB1 or attB2 . These attB sites share a 96-base-pair sequence with the attP sites of beta-related phages . The distribution of attB-related sites in other species of Corynebacterium was assessed by hybridization with a DNA probe containing both attB sites of the C7 strain and a second DNA probe containing the attP site of a beta-related phage . All but one of the 15 C . diphtheriae strains tested, regardless of origin or colonial type, contained at least two BamHI fragments that hybridized strongly to both of these probes under conditions of high stringency . Strains of C . ulcerans and C . pseudotuberculosis, species in which conversion to toxinogeny has also been demonstrated, also had one or two hybridizing BamHI fragments . The functionality of these sites as integration sites was demonstrated by isolating lysogens of all three species following single infection with one or more beta-related phages . As predicted, following lysogenization one of the DNA fragments that had exhibited homology with the attB1-attB2 probe was replaced by two hybridizing fragments . Other species of Corynebacterium, including pathogens and nonpathogens from animals, plant pathogens, and soil isolates also carried at least one BamHI fragment that hybridized with the attB1-attB2 and attP probes . The data indicate that sequences homologous to the beta phage integration sites in C . diphtheriae have been conserved in members of the genus Corynebacterium.

Vet Rec, 1986 Sep 13, 119(11), 261 - 4
Review of Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi lung abscesses in foals: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment; Hillidge CJ; Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi is becoming increasingly significant as a cause of bronchopneumonia and lung abscessation in foals . The organism can survive within macrophages and may thus escape normal pulmonary defence mechanisms, particularly in immunocompromised animals . The disease has hitherto been associated with mortality rates as high as 80 per cent, partly as a result of inappropriate therapy . The selection of lipid-soluble antibiotics capable of intracellular penetration is critical for the successful treatment of C equi lung abscesses . A combination of two such antibiotics, erythromycin (25 mg/kg three times daily) and rifampicin (5 mg/kg twice daily) has been used on foals since 1981 . Most of these animals had radiographic evidence of extensive lung abscessation, and in all cases the presence of C equi was confirmed on culture of tracheal aspirates . The duration of therapy ranged from four to nine weeks . Mild gastritis and diarrhoea were occasionally noted, but never such as to require termination of the therapy . No other adverse side effects were encountered . The success rate, as judged by a return to normal of chest radiographs and plasma fibrinogen concentrations, has exceeded 80 per cent.

N Z Med J, 1986 Sep 10, 99(809), 659 - 62
Corynebacterium ovis (pseudo-tuberculosis) lymphadenitis in a sheep farmer: a new occupational disease in New Zealand; House RW et al.; Corynebacterium ovis lymphadenitis is a common disease in high country sheep in New Zealand and has previously been reported in humans overseas . The first human case is reported in New Zealand with a sheep confirmed as the infection source.

Immun Infekt, 1986 Sep, 14(5), 178 - 82
{The significance of "nonpathogenic" Corynebacteria as a cause of opportunistic infections}; Wirsing von Konig CH et al.; A lot of corynebacterial species, summarized as "diphtheroids" has its normal habitat on the human skin . Consequently, these bacteria are often isolated from various clinical materials and mostly regarded as indeginous flora . The same bacteria, however, can cause serious infections, when the balance between host and microorganisms is impaired . Multiresistant corynebacteria group JK are used as an example to describe the development of such infections . Central venous catheters and other plastic devices can facilitate the entry of the bacteria . Simultaneously, resistant strains of corynebacteria benefit from a concurrently administered antimicrobial chemotherapy . Subsequently, these bacteria can be found as a cause of septicemia, endocarditis, wound infection, osteomyelitis, peritonitis and meningitis . The antimicrobial chemotherapy is hampered by the extreme resistance and vancomycin is the only antibiotic of choice . Colonization or infection of the single patient can be differentiated by clinical criteria only . According to the individual risk, a microbiological monitoring can be helpful in the early detection of colonization and infection.

J Urol, 1986 Sep, 136(3), 701 - 5
Superiority of intralesional immunotherapy with Corynebacterium parvum and Allium sativum in control of murine transitional cell carcinoma; Lau BH et al.; Immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), Corynebacterium parvum (CP), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and an extract of Allium sativum (AS) was studied in a transitional cell carcinoma (MBT-2) in mice . Comparison was made between intraperitoneal (IP) versus intralesional (IL) administration of these agents . C3H/He mice were transplanted subcutaneously in the hind limb with 5 X 10(4) tumor cells . After transplantation, mice were randomized into groups to receive either IP or IL treatments with BCG (2 X 10(6) CFU), CP (250 micrograms.), KLH (50 micrograms.) or AS (25 mg.) . At weekly intervals the tumor volume was determined . To assess the local cellular events following these treatments, histopathological studies were performed 10 days after tumor transplant with tissues removed from the injected sites . IL route was much more effective than IP route in inhibiting tumor growth . CP and AS exhibited more significant therapeutic effect than BCG or KLH . No tumor developed in mice which received five IL treatments of CP or AS . The data indicate that CP or AS may serve as effective biological response modifiers in controlling transitional cell carcinoma . The study further emphasizes that route and frequency of administration are crucial variables determining efficacy of immunotherapy.

Gynecol Oncol, 1986 Sep, 25(1), 26 - 36
Therapy of stage III (optimal) epithelial carcinoma of the ovary with melphalan or melphalan plus Corynebacterium parvum (a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study); Gall S et al.; A randomized prospective therapy trial in patients with stage III optimal epithelial carcinoma of the ovary was accomplished by the Gynecologic Oncology Group . Therapy with melphalan or melphalan plus immuno-adjuvant, Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum), was utilized as adjuvant treatment following surgical therapy . One hundred eight-five patients were eligible for evaluation with 87 patients in the melphalan group and 98 patients in the melphalan plus C . parvum group . The comparison of the treatment regimens showed no differences with respect to either progression-free interval or survival . However, it should be noted that a 50% 3-year survival was obtained . A group was identified, using four prognostic factors that had 80% survival at 3 years . Maximum size of the residual tumor, as well as performance status, was not prognostically significant . This study demonstrates a lack of efficacy of the addition of C . parvum to melphalan for this patient population.

J Infect, 1986 Sep, 13(2), 151 - 6
Relapsing peritonitis in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis due to Corynebacterium aquaticum; Morris AJ et al.; Corynebacterium aquaticum was the cause of peritonitis in a 33-year-old diabetic woman on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . This case represents the first reported instance of CAPD peritonitis due to this organism . Moreover, the organism was recovered from fibrin clots removed from dialysate bags when the patient was on antibiotic therapy . Routine cultural methods failed to reveal the organism at that time . The organism is described and key points differentiating it from similar organisms are emphasised . The world literature on C . aquaticum infections is reviewed.

Vopr Virusol, 1986 Sep-Oct, 31(5), 577 - 84
{Biological and physicochemical properties of Corynebacterium diphtheriae B (Freeman) phages phi 984 and phi 9}; Kovgan AA et al.; A scheme for preparative isolation of corynephages and their DNA is described . Study of host specificity, toxigenicity, and of cytotoxic effect induced by the phages BF, phi 9, and phi 984 has shown that phage BF has tox- phenotype, and phages phi 9 and phi 984, tox+ phenotype . These phages differ in host specificity and plaque morphology . Electron-microscopic examination of virions showed similarity of phages BF and phi 984 structures, whereas phage phi 9 was markedly different in the size of its head and tail.

J Comp Pathol, 1986 Sep, 96(5), 565 - 73
The effect of in vivo modulation of macrophage activities on Mycobacterium lepraemurium infection; Ha DK et al.; During the early stage of Mycobacterium lepraemurium (MLM) infection in mice, the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) was activated non-specifically as demonstrated by enhanced listericidal activity . Such listericidal activity could be further increased by Corynebacterium parvum treatment, indicating that MLM was not a good MPS stimulant . Corynebacterium parvum treatment conferred only marginal protection upon mice during MLM infection, as shown by the slight but significant prolongation of survival time and decreased bacillary load . In contrast, mice could not control splenic Listeria growth in the later stage of infection regardless of C . parvum treatment . Adoptive transfer of Listeria-immune spleen lymphocytes, however, did significantly suppress splenic Listeria growth . The significance of these findings is discussed.

Eur J Respir Dis, 1986 Sep, 69(3), 204 - 6
Corynebacterium parvum in malignant pleural effusion . A randomized prospective study; Hillerdal G et al.; In a randomized trial, pleurodesis was attempted with Corynebacterium parvum in one group and bleomycin in another . Patients with malignant pleural effusion which required repeated drainage were treated with instillation of one of these agents after complete drainage of the pleural effusion . There were 32 patients who could be evaluated . Sixty-five per cent of the patients treated with C . parvum had no recurrence after one treatment and another 29% after two treatments . In the bleomycin group, two patients needed only one treatment while the remainder - 13 out of 15 patients - needed further drainage treatments even after two instillations of the drug . The difference was highly significant (p less than 0.001).

Int J Cancer, 1986 Aug 15, 38(2), 259 - 64
Aspartate-assisted immune stimulation: its importance in antitumor and antiviral protection; Chany C et al.; Immune stimulators such as Corynebacterium parvum (CP) are useful for antitumoral and antiviral therapy . However, the immune trigger cannot be reactivated without adversely affecting the disease . We have tried to amplify the results yielded by a single injection of CP by using either interleukin-2 (IL2) or aspartate salts (ASP) . In the present report, we show that IL2 has no detectable clinical effect . In contrast, the addition of an ASP salt increases the antiviral and antitumoral protection afforded by the CP-induced trigger . Moreover, treatment using only ASP slightly protects against tumor development and significantly increases antiviral resistance during experimental encephalomyocarditis (EMC) infection . This ASP-assisted CP immune stimulation improves antitumoral resistance even when ascitic tumors have already developed . In the latter case, tumor regression can even be detected . Since ASP increases T-cell cytotoxicity in vitro and aggravates spontaneous T-cell lymphomas in AKR mice, the involvement of T-cell-mediated immunity may explain antitumoral and antiviral effects . We propose the use of this therapeutic model for human cancer therapy, and possibly for treating AIDS.

Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol, 1986 Aug, 22(8), 1009 - 14
Corynebacterium parvum followed by chemotherapy (actinomycin D and DTIC) compared with chemotherapy alone for metastatic malignant melanoma; Thatcher N et al.; Seventy-nine patients with Stage III widely metastatic melanoma were prospectively randomised to a 'no treatment' control group who received on tumour progression DTIC (250 mg/m2 i.v . daily X 5) and Actinomycin D 1.5 mg/m2 on Day 1 . A total of six courses at 3-week intervals was given . Chemotherapy was only given on progression of disease . The other group received initially Corynebacterium parvum (2 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for a maximum of eight courses and then the same chemotherapy on evidence of progressive disease . Minimum follow up time is 3 yr . The chemotherapy response rate (control 37%, C . parvum 24%) was not statistically different nor was the effect of chemotherapy on the site of individual metastases . Radiotherapy responses for irradiated soft tissue disease again were not significantly different, between the two patient groups . No significant differences in survival (control group median, 4 months, range 1-46; C . parvum median 3 months range 1-35) were observed and only one patient is alive at 35 months . The pattern of relapse was also similar in both groups . Reduction in haematological toxicity consequent on chemotherapy was not observed in the C . parvum-treated patients . No additional benefit was observed when C . parvum was followed by DTIC and Actinomycin D chemotherapy compared with the results from the chemotherapy given alone, although C . parvum on this schedule had minimal toxicity.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Aug, (8), 28 - 32
{Staphylococci in skin microbiocenosis of the breasts in healthy women}; Sytnik SI; The autoflora of different anatomical regions of the mammary glands in 120 healthy nulliparous women aged 18-24 years was studied by P . Williamson and A . M . Kligler's methods of smears and washings . From the nipple, the areola, and the adjacent region of the skin 2,248 strains of anaerobic microorganisms were isolated; of these, 63.83% were staphylococci and micrococci, 6.01% were streptococci, 1.91% were Neisseria, 17.79% were Corynebacterium, 3.87% were bacilli, 2.8% were enterobacteria, and 3.79% were fungi . Coagulase-positive staphylococci occurred in 1.56% of cases . Out of 11 coagulase-negative species of this genus, S . epidermidis occurred most frequently on the skin of the mammary glands . The nipple was found to have the highest bacterial contamination (0.55 X 10(6) +/- 0.7 X 10(5) cells/sq . cm for the right mamma and 0.59 X 10(6) +/- 0.7 X 10(5) cells/sq . cm for the left mamma) and the skin adjacent the areola, the lowest bacterial contamination (0.14 X 10(4) +/- 0.2 X 10(3) cells/sq . cm for the right mamma and 0.25 X 10(4) +/- 0.3 X 10(3) cells/sq . cm for the left mamma) . P . Williams and A . M . Kligman's method of washings, more accurate and informative, was found to be preferable for the study of the quantitative characteristics of the dermal microbiocenosis of the mammary glands.

J Surg Res, 1986 Aug, 41(2), 209 - 14
Inhibition of wound healing by Corynebacterium parvum; Greenhalgh D et al.; Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum), an immunostimulant, was examined for its effects on wound healing in mice . Animals injected intraperitoneally with C . parvum, 1400 micrograms 48 hr prior to wounding had significantly decreased wound strength at 5, 7, 11, 14, and 21 days after wounding compared to saline-injected controls (P less than 0.05-P less than 0.001) . Mice injected with C . parvum at 48 or 2 hr before wounding, synchronous with wounding and 2 or 48 hr after wounding had significantly decreased wound disruption strength of 11-day-old wounds (P less than 0.01-P less than 0.001) . Formalin fixations of wound strips from C . parvum-treated animals were consistently weaker than similarly treated wound strips from controls (P less than 0.05-P less than 0.01) . Histologic analysis of wounds from C . parvum-treated animals revealed decreased amounts of wound collagen and increased inflammatory reaction compared to saline-injected animals . While C . parvum can improve survival following injury or septic challenge, the potential for marked alterations in wound healing may limit its clinical application in surgical and trauma patients.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Aug, 167(2), 695 - 702
Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum pheA gene; Follettie MT et al.; The pheA gene of Corynebacterium glutamicum encoding prephenate dehydratase was isolated from a gene bank constructed in C . glutamicum . The specific activity of prephenate dehydratase was increased six-fold in strains harboring the cloned gene . Genetic and structural evidence is presented which indicates that prephenate dehydratase and chorismate mutase were catalyzed by separate enzymes in this species . The C . glutamicum pheA gene, subcloned in both orientations with respect to the Escherichia coli vector pUC8, was able to complement an E . coli pheA auxotroph . The nucleotide sequence of the C . glutamicum pheA gene predicts a 315-residue protein product with a molecular weight of 33,740 . The deduced protein product demonstrated sequence homology to the C-terminal two-thirds of the bifunctional E . coli enzyme chorismate mutase-P-prephenate dehydratase.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1986 Aug, 77(2), 549 - 53
Release of a cytotoxic factor by macrophages stimulated with adjuvant-active peptidoglycans; Vacheron F et al.; Bacterial peptidoglycans (PG) possess various immunomodulating activities, including the ability to inhibit the growth of some experimental tumors . We report here that PG induce the release by mouse (DBA/2 and C3H/HeJ) peritoneal macrophages of a cytotoxic factor (CF) that is active on L-929 cells and a 3-methylcholanthrene-induced tumor cell line but inactive on normal fibroblasts . Only the adjuvant-active PG (extracted from Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus) were good inducers of the CF, whereas the adjuvant inactive PG (extracted from Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Corynebacterium poinsettiae) exhibited only weak activity . The CF was released within 2 hours of contact with PG either in serum-free or serum-containing media . The CF was inhibited neither by serum nor by the protease inhibitors that have been tested . It was stable for 30 minutes at 56 degrees C but inactivated after being heated for 10 minutes at 80 degrees C . After gel filtration, a single peak of activity at 80-90 kilodaltons was found . Chromatofocusing showed that the isoelectric point of the CF was 4.8.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Aug, 24(2), 177 - 80
Rapid identification of group JK and other corynebacteria with the Minitek system; Slifkin M et al.; Forty primary clinical isolates and 50 stock cultures of corynebacteria and coryneform bacteria were tested with the Minitek system (BBL Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.) . The Minitek correctly identified all of these organisms, including JK group isolates, within 12 to 18 h of incubation . The method does not require serum supplements for testing carbohydrate utilization by the bacteria . The Minitek system is an extremely simple and rapid way to identify the JK group, as well as many other corynebacteria, by established identification schemata for these bacteria.

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1986 Aug, 13(8), 2653 - 7
{Effects of krestin (PSK) on drug-metabolizing enzymes with special reference to the activation of FT-207}; Fujita H et al.; The effects of PSK on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes were investigated using Sarcoma 180-bearing and non-tumor-bearing ICR mice . PSK, an immunomodulator, has been commonly used in combination with tegafur for post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy . Tegafur is a typical masked compound transformed into 5-FU by the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme P-450 . It has been reported that immunostimulants such as BCG and anaerobic Corynebacterium suppress the drug metabolism . PSK and Propionibacterium acnes were administered to mice inoculated s.c . with Sarcoma 180 . It was demonstrated that Propionibacterium acnes had an effect of inhibiting these enzymatic activities, especially the amount of P-450 and cytochrome b5 and aminopyrine demethylation . On the other hand, PSK had no influence on the drug-metabolizing enzymes . Propionibacterium acnes was shown to decrease the 5-FU level in organs and sera of mice given FT-207 orally . By contrast, PSK showed no difference in 5-FU level compared to controls, indicating that PSK had no inhibitory effect on the activation of FT-207 by hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Can J Microbiol, 1986 Aug, 32(8), 617 - 22
Characterization of a plasmid in isolates of Corynebacterium sepedonicum; Clark MC et al.; Lysis of mid-log phase cells of the Gram-positive bacterium, Corynebacterium sepedonicum, by a combination of lysozyme treatment and incubation with alkaline sodium dodecyl sulfate at 56 degrees C led to the recovery of a single plasmid . The plasmid was purified in CsCl density gradients, and its molecular weight estimated to be 31 megadaltons (46 kilobases), as determined from its relative mobility in agarose gels, from its contour dimensions in electron micrographs, and from the size of the fragments generated when it was cleaved with various restriction endonucleases . Thirteen widely divergent isolates of C . sepedonicum were screened for the presence of plasmid, and of these, 11 were shown to harbour a single plasmid at a level of about 30 copies per cell . Cleavage of the plasmid with PstI gave an identical banding pattern in agarose gels for the fragments from all of the plasmid-carrying isolates . The relevance of plasmid incidence and distribution in C . sepedonicum is discussed in relation to the possibility of developing a test for the detection of bacterial ring rot by using plasmid DNA as a hybridization probe.

Cell Immunol, 1986 Aug, 101(1), 62 - 71
Soluble amoebicidal factors mediate cytolysis of Naegleria fowleri by activated macrophages; Cleary SF et al.; Murine peritoneal macrophages activated in vivo with Corynebacterium parvum or bacille Calmette-Guerin, in contrast to resident macrophages, demonstrated significant cytolysis of the amoeba, Naegleria fowleri . Catalase and superoxide dismutase, both alone and in combination, failed to inhibit cytolysis of amoebae . N . fowleri amoebae demonstrated significant resistance to exogenously added hydrogen peroxide . The hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol, thiourea, and dimethyl sulfoxide, as well as anaerobic conditions, failed to inhibit the amoebicidal activity of activated macrophages . Actinomycin D, cycloheximide, and puromycin blocked macrophage amoebicidal activity . Conditioned medium (CM) from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated, but not unstimulated, cultures of activated macrophages was capable of mediating cytolysis of N . fowleri amoebae . Cytolytic activity was recovered by ammonium sulfate precipitation of CM . Heat treatment of the CM inactivated cytolytic activity . Results indicate soluble proteins of activated macrophage origin to be responsible for the amoebicidal activity.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Jul, 132 ( Pt 7), 1911 - 5
Characterization of Corynebacterium group JK by whole-cell protein patterns; Jackman PJ et al.; A total of 102 strains received as Corynebacterium 'group JK' were characterized by SDS-PAGE of their whole-cell proteins . Numerical taxonomy based on the protein pattern absorbance profiles indicated that 91 of the strains formed a cluster . Seventy strains isolated in the UK were identified as group JK, indicating the increasing detection of this group as opportunistic pathogens . Fine differences between strain patterns were visible but it was not possible to associate these with any particular clinical source.

Vet Microbiol, 1986 Jul, 12(2), 169 - 77
Ecology of Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi in soil on a horse-breeding farm; Takai S et al.; The ecology of Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi in soil was studied on a horse-breeding farm . R . equi was cultured from soil at a depth of 0, 10, and 20 cm on the six sites of the farm at monthly intervals for 10 months from March to December of 1983 . The highest numbers of R . equi were found in the surface soil . The mean number of bacteria in soil samples at every depth increased remarkably from 0 or 10(2) to 10(4) colony-forming units (CFU) g-1 of soil in the middle of April, and later decreased gradually . R . equi inoculated into six soil exudate broths prepared from surface soils at separate sites yielded suspensions with different optical densities, indicating differences in growth . The distribution of serotypes in the soil was similar to that in the horses on the farm . These findings indicated that R . equi could multiply in the soil and flourish in the cycle existing between horses and their soil environment.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Jul, 47(7), 1461 - 3
Serodiagnosis of inapparent caseous lymphadenitis in goats and sheep, using the synergistic hemolysis-inhibition test; Brown CC et al.; The synergistic hemolysis-inhibition (SHI) test, a serologic test for the detection of infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, was applied to serum samples from 196 goats and 76 sheep, including animals both with and without C pseudotuberculosis abscesses . Fifty-one of 52 (98%) goats and 27 of 28 (96%) sheep with abscesses caused by C pseudotuberculosis had seropositive titers . Seropositivity continued on subsequent samplings, even after superficial lesions were completely healed . The SHI test may detect subclinically infected animals, as well as animals with clinically recognizable lesions . Of the animals without abscesses, 53 of 186 (28%) goats and 4 of 41 (10%) sheep were seropositive . Either the SHI test is lacking in specificity or these titers are a reflection of a past or a current infection without any grossly visible abscesses.

J Infect, 1986 Jul, 13(1), 41 - 4
Infections due to a 'Group JK' corynebacterium; Allen KD et al.; We report the case of a patient who developed bacteraemia with a 'Group JK' corynebacterium following multiple injuries sustained in a road traffic accident, and that of another patient whose cerebrospinal fluid shunt became colonised with a similar organism for over a year.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 Jul, 52(1), 33 - 6
Avirulent isolates of Corynebacterium fascians that are unable to utilize agmatine and proline; Sabart PR et al.; Growth of a highly virulent strain of the phytopathogen Corynebacterium fascians on rich media at 37 degrees C resulted in a loss of virulence in a majority of the population within 10 generations . Strains retained virulence during cultivation at 30 degrees C on a minimal medium with ammonia as a nitrogen source . Populations of avirulent strains on the surfaces of pea seedlings decreased, whereas the number of cells of the virulent strain increased 1,000-fold during a 3-week period . All avirulent mutants isolated by growth on rich media at 37 degrees C were unable to grow on media containing agmatine or proline as sole sources of nitrogen . The ability of the mutants to grow on pea seedlings and cause fasciation disease appeared to be related to their ability to utilize nitrogen sources available on plant surfaces.

Radiology, 1986 Jul, 160(1), 83 - 4
Opportunistic lung infection caused by Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi; MacGregor JH et al.; Rhodococcus (formerly Corynebacterium) equi, a common animal pathogen, can cause a slowly evolving pneumonia in humans, particularly immunocompromised people . The authors describe two patients; one with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome . On chest radiographs, R . equi produces chronic, localized pulmonary opacities that can cavitate . The main differential diagnoses are tuberculosis and fungal infection.

J Infect Dis, 1986 Jul, 154(1), 95 - 9
Molecular epidemiology of group JK Corynebacterium on a cancer ward: lack of evidence for patient-to-patient transmission; Khabbaz RF et al.; Plasmid profiles of 27 clinical isolates of group JK Corynebacterium, mostly from one cancer ward, revealed that only two strains harbored a 20-kilobase plasmid . These plasmid-bearing isolates had the same antimicrobial resistance pattern as non-plasmid-containing isolates: All were resistant to penicillin G, methicillin, cephalothin, clindamycin, and gentamicin . Restriction endonuclease analysis of chromosomal DNA was done on 18 clinical isolates of group JK Corynebacterium . Identical restriction patterns were seen when multiple isolates were from the same patient over several months of apparent colonization; in contrast, restriction patterns of isolates from patients from two clusters were all heterogeneous and suggested that patient-to-patient transmission of group JK Corynebacterium did not occur . Restriction endonuclease analysis of chromosomal DNA, but not plasmid profiling, appears to be a very sensitive typing tool for group JK Corynebacterium.

Immunobiology, 1986 Jul, 171(4-5), 320 - 8
Production of tumor necrosis factor in unprimed mice: mechanism of endotoxin-mediated tumor necrosis; Flick DA et al.; Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was detected in the sera of normal mice, unprimed by reticuloendothelial system (RES) stimulators, when such mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Amounts of TNF were approximately 200-fold less than those found in Corynebacterium parvum-primed mice . No TNF activity was detected in the sera of mice not administered LPS . TNF induction in unprimed mice was refractory to repeated administration of endotoxin, thus exhibiting a tolerance phenomenon . TNF produced in unprimed mice eluted similarly to Mycobacterium bovis, strain BCG-primed TNF on Sephacryl S-200 and DEAE Sephacel columns and was neutralized by rabbit antisera raised to partially purified BCG-primed TNF . When BALB/c mice having 7-day old subcutaneous Meth A tumor implants were administered TNF antiserum, endotoxin-induced hemorrhagic necrosis was largely prevented . These findings strongly suggest that endotoxin-induced hemorrhagic necrosis of tumors is mediated through TNF production and action.

J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Jul, 40(1), 87 - 95
BCG, in contrast to C . parvum, does not induce increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of indomethacin in mice; Hart DA; Treatment of mice with killed Corynebacterium parvum (also designated Propionibacterium acnes, P . acnes) or Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) leads to modification of several of the same host systems . However, BCG, in contrast to C . parvum, did not induce increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of indomethacin in BALB/c or C57B1/6 mice . In addition, treatment of mice with BCG did not interfere with the induction of sensitivity by C . parvum . Therefore C . parvum must uniquely induce changes in host systems which alter the sensitivity to this anti-inflammatory drug . Additional experiments with splenectomized animals revealed that the presence of this organ, which undergoes hypertrophy following C . parvum treatment, was not necessary for the induction of indomethacin sensitivity . Presentation of C . parvum via the subcutaneous route versus the intraperitoneal route revealed that the two routes were equally efficient in inducing sensitivity in C57B1/6 mice but the former route was less effective (50% deaths) than the intraperitoneal route (95% deaths) in BALB/c mice . These results indicate that host related factors (genetic) may be important in the generation of enhanced sensitivity to the toxic effects of indomethacin.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1986 Jul, 77(1), 187 - 93
Role of T-cell subsets in the destruction of established metastases of 13762A rat mammary adenocarcinoma; Howell LE et al.; The 13762A rat mammary adenocarcinoma metastasizes with high frequency to regional lymph nodes and lungs . The intratumoral injection of Corynebacterium parvum on day 7 followed by primary tumor excision on day 20 significantly prolonged survival and cured 10-40% of syngeneic F344 rats . Established metastases were destroyed by the treatment, and strong and specific tumor rejection immunity was induced . The purpose of the present study was to determine if T-cells were required for the C . parvum treatment to be effective and to identify the subsets of T-lymphocytes that might participate in the response . The results indicated that rats depleted by either neonatal thymectomy or a combination of adult thymectomy, 900 rad, and bone marrow reconstitution did not inhibit tumor growth after C . parvum treatment . Restoration of depleted rats with lymph node cells permitted effective treatment . The lymph node cells that were responsible for restoration expressed both W3/13 (pan-T-cell) and W3/25 (helper T-cell) membrane-associated differentiation antigens . T-cells that bore the MRC OX8 (cytotoxic-suppressor T-cell) antigen did not restore the response to C . parvum treatment . The effect of lymph node restoration was markedly potentiated by simultaneous administration of thymocytes, a T-cell population that expresses both W3/25 and MRC OX8 antigens . In conclusion, the cytotoxic-suppressor T-cells were ineffective in the restoration of T-cell-depleted, tumor-bearing rats to benefit from C . parvum but helper T-cells were highly effective, and their activity was strongly potentiated by administration of thymocyte amplifier cells.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jul, 30(1), 69 - 72
Mapping and cloning of Corynebacterium diphtheriae plasmid pNG2 and characterization of its relatedness to plasmids from skin coryneforms; Serwold-Davis TM et al.; The relationship of plasmid pNG2, isolated from an erythromycin-resistant strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, to plasmids isolated from skin coryneforms was examined . The extent of homology between plasmids from erythromycin-resistant and -susceptible skin coryneforms and pNG2 varied, but in aggregate homology was observed with all six BstEII fragments of pNG2 . The data support the hypothesis that pNG2 originated in skin coryneforms . Intact plasmid pNG2 and some of its restriction fragments were cloned into Escherichia coli JM109 . The erythromycin resistance phenotype was expressed in clones carrying intact pNG2 as well as in some of its fragments and appeared to depend on a C . diphtheriae promoter for expression . A 2.5-megadalton EcoRI fragment, the smallest expressing resistance, contained the 1.2-megadalton region of pNG2 which is deleted when the erythromycin-resistant strain of C . diphtheriae reverts spontaneously to the susceptible state.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Jul, (7), 40 - 4
{Improved culture of Corynebacterium diphtheriae for obtaining toxin-anatoxin}; Il'nitskaia IIu et al.; The work deals with the optimization of the cultivation of C . diphtheriae with a view to obtaining diphtheria toxin--toxoid on the basis of the study of the kinetics of microbial growth and toxin formation . The combined cultivation process consisting of 3 cycles has been experimentally developed and realized under industrial conditions . The use of this cultivation method has made it possible to obtain more balanced cultures and to standardize the biological properties of the biomass and toxin thus obtained . The characteristic features of the toxoid preparations obtained on the basis of this method are a high degree of purification, good immunogenic properties and constant fractional composition; their degree of homogeneity approximates the molecular homogeneous state.

Can J Microbiol, 1986 Jul, 32(7), 585 - 90
NADP+ production using thermostable NAD+ kinase of corynebacterium flaccumfaciens AHU-1622; Matsushita H et al.; A sonicate of Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens AHU-1622 had the highest NAD+ kinase activity (1.22 mU/mL culture broth) of the strains of bacteria we investigated . This enzyme was thermostable, with activity maintained at 50 degrees C for 1 h . This treatment inactivated phosphatase activity . Resting cells of the bacterium also had NAD+ kinase activity when treated at 60 degrees C for 30 min with 0.2% Triton X-100 . NADP+ production was achieved using 8 mumol NAD+, 8 mumol ATP, 16 mumol MgCl2, 1.6 mumol NaN3, and 12 mU NAD+ kinase (0.1 g of permeabilized wet cells) in 2 mL of 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5 . The conversion ratio of NADP+ from NAD+ was 75% after 10 h of incubation at 50 degrees C, and the amount of accumulated NADP+ was 3 mumol/mL of reaction mixture . The NAD+ kinase activity of the permeabilized cells was stable and did not decrease after repeated use.

Gastroenterology, 1986 Jul, 91(1), 174 - 81
Corynebacterium parvum-elicited hepatic macrophages demonstrate enhanced respiratory burst activity compared with resident Kupffer cells in the rat; Arthur MJ et al.; We have recently demonstrated that release of oxygen-derived free radicals by activated hepatic macrophages may be involved in the pathogenesis of a rat model of liver injury induced by Corynebacterium parvum and endotoxin . In the present study we have compared the respiratory burst activity of isolated normal rat Kupffer cells with that of hepatic macrophages elicited by C . parvum . Superoxide production (O2-.) and glucose oxidation via the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMPS) were low in normal Kupffer cells, but were significantly increased (O2- . 2.1-fold, HMPS 1.7-fold) by phorbol myristate acetate, a stimulant of the respiratory burst . Corynebacterium parvum-elicited hepatic macrophages demonstrated significantly enhanced superoxide production and HMPS activity compared with normal Kupffer cells, both in the absence of specific stimuli (O2- . 3.3-fold, HMPS 5.3-fold) and after exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (O2- . 4.5-fold, HMPS 5.3-fold) . These results demonstrate that normal Kupffer cells are capable of exhibiting respiratory burst activity, but this is markedly increased for hepatic macrophages elicited by an inflammatory stimulus.

Cancer Res, 1986 Jul, 46(7), 3426 - 30
Differences in the effects of host suppression on the adoptive immunotherapy of subcutaneous and visceral tumors; Chang AE et al.; A syngeneic transplantable sarcoma induced in C57BL/6 mice, MCA 105, was used in studies to examine host suppression on the adoptive immunotherapy of established intradermal and experimentally induced pulmonary and hepatic metastases . Fresh immune splenocytes were generated from mice immunized to the MCA 105 tumor by a mixture of viable tumor cells and Corynebacterium parvum . The adoptive immunotherapy of intradermal MCA 105 tumor with immune cells required prior immunosuppression of the recipient by sublethal irradiation with 500 R or T-cell depletion . The effect of whole-body sublethal irradiation appeared to eliminate a systemic host suppression mechanism, since partialbody irradiation involving the tumor-bearing area did not permit successful immunotherapy . Host irradiation was not required to achieve successful immunotherapy of experimentally induced pulmonary or hepatic metastases . In nonirradiated recipients bearing both intradermal and pulmonary tumors, host suppression did not affect the function of transferred immune cells to induce regression of pulmonary metastases . Thus, suppression of adoptive immunotherapy appears to be relevant to tumors confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue but not to tumor in visceral sites, such as the lung and liver.

Immunology, 1986 Jul, 58(3), 397 - 403
Relationship between the tuberculin-type and Jones-Mote-type hypersensitivities: suppression of basophil infiltration by mycobacterial adjuvant; Nakamura S et al.; Guinea-pigs immunized with bovine gammaglobulin (BGG) in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) showed the typical Jones-Mote-type hypersensitivity (JMH) reaction when tested 5 days later . This is characterized by prominent basophil infiltration . After pretreatment with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) 16 days before immunization with BGG in IFA, the lesions resembled the JMH reaction macroscopically in their evolution over time and in the absence of a positive macrophage migration inhibition (MIT) test . However, histologically, the lesions resembled classical tuberculin-type hypersensitivity with prominent mononuclear cell infiltration without any basophils . The pretreated animals, which failed to show basophil infiltration, were able to transfer JMH reactions with basophil infiltration into normal animals . In contrast, pretreatment of recipients with CFA or Corynebacterium parvum prevented the passive transfer of the characteristic effect on the JMH reaction when given shortly before skin testing . We postulate that macrophages activated by CFA may play an important role in regulating basophil infiltration in the effector phase of the delayed hypersensitivity reaction.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1986 Jun 28, 116(26), 880 - 4
{Antibiotic-resistant Corynebacteria--a new problem of infection in immunosuppressed patients}; Osterwalder B et al.; Corynebacterium species can normally be found on the skin and mucous membranes but rarely cause infections . They are sensitive to most antibiotics . Two patients with severe aplastic anemia undergoing antilymphocyte globulin therapy developed septicemia with a highly antibiotic-resistant corynebacterium (JK-group) only sensitive to vancomycin . Both patients had prolonged severe neutropenia, defects of the mucocutaneous barrier and intensive antibiotic treatment for gram negative infections . In both cases surveillance cultures already revealed the causative microorganism before fever started . One patient was even colonized with corynebacterium for several months before . If this strain is detected in the blood when new fever develops during prolonged neutropenia and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, it indicates serious infection in these highly compromised patients . Both cases illustrate that regular microbial surveillance can help to reveal colonization of high risk patients with multiple antibiotic-resistant corynebacterium strains and thus allow early initiation of treatment with vancomycin, which is the only effective antibiotic.

Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1986 Jun, 64 ( Pt 3), 237 - 49
Aspects of pathogenesis in a mouse model of infection by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis; Batey RG; A new medium, nutrient tween 80 broth (NTB) was utilised to achieve improved cultivation of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis . Twenty four hour NTB cultures were used for cutaneous and intraperitoneal infection of mice . The intraperitoneal administration of heterologous protein, liquid paraffin or thioglycollate prior to intraperitoneal challenge caused enhanced multiplication of the organism although this could be prevented by modifying host response . Pretreatment of skin with thioglycollate enabled cutaneous infection to be consistently achieved . The progress of lesions in skin and viscera is described . Immunisation of the mice was effected by both intraperitoneal and cutaneous routes of inoculation, the latter being particularly useful because it did not lead to residual lesions of viscera . Immunity was expressed by a failure of organisms to localise at secondary sites although infection of primary sites in skin or peritoneal cavity occurred, apparently at a reduced level . The relevance of these findings to the natural disease of sheep is discussed.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Jun, 69(6), 1693 - 8
Evaluation of .5% and 1% iodophor teat dips on commercial dairies; Nickerson SC et al.; Two postmilking teat dips containing .5 and 1% iodine were evaluated for approximately 8 mo under conditions of natural exposure to mastitis pathogens on four commercial dairy farms . In the two herds using .5% iodophor, incidence of intramammary infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae was reduced 68.3 and 46.2%, respectively . When numbers of new infections with both pathogens were combined, efficacy for the .5% iodophor was 62.3% . In the two herds using 1% iodophor, incidence of intramammary infection with Staph . aureus and Strep . agalactiae was reduced 52.4 and 70.7%, respectively . When numbers of new infections with both pathogens were combined, efficacy for the 1% iodophor was 64.3% . Efficacy of teat dips was variable against coagulase-negative staphylococci and Corynebacterium bovis.

Lab Anim Sci, 1986 Jun, 36(3), 291 - 3
Characterization of a Haemophilus sp . isolated from a rabbit with conjunctivitis; Srivastava KK et al.; A case of conjunctivitis in a rabbit caused by a Haemophilus sp . is described . This was the only organism that was isolated in large numbers from the infected eye . The uninfected eye of the same rabbit contained Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium kutscheri, Proteus mirabilis and a Neisseria sp . Effects of infection with live Haemophilus sp . isolated from the subject rabbit was studied in the eyes of rabbits and mice . Swabbing live organisms in the normal rabbit eye produced blepharitis within 48 hours . Signs of blepharitis started to disappear after 10 days without treatment . No reaction was noted in the control eye (swabbed with sterile saline) of the rabbit . Swabbing live organisms or sterile saline in the normal mouse eye failed to produce visible lesions up to 4 weeks . Evidence suggests that the Haemophilus sp . was pathogenic for rabbits but not for mice.

J Am Acad Dermatol, 1986 Jun, 14(6), 982 - 93
Genital white piedra: epidemiology, microbiology, and therapy; Kalter DC et al.; The epidemiology of genital white piedra was investigated in 166 young men with a variety of genital complaints . Trichosporon beigelii was isolated from sixty-six (40%) of the cultured scrotal hairs . Infection was more common among black patients--54% of those examined, compared to 16% of white patients and 30% of "others" (p less than 0.001) . There was no relationship between infection and foreign travel . White piedra was also found in young women, but less frequently than in young men (14% vs 40%, respectively) . Transmission rarely occurred from person to person . Occasionally multiple body sites were simultaneously infected . A relationship may exist between T . beigelii and Corynebacterium concurrently infecting genital hair shafts . Eradication of infection was extremely difficult, despite in vitro sensitivity to antifungal agents . Spontaneous remissions occurred, however, in some patients.

Environ Res, 1986 Jun, 40(1), 58 - 67
Characteristics of Hg-resistant bacteria isolated from Minamata Bay sediment; Nakamura K et al.; Seventy-two strains of Hg-resistant bacteria (Pseudomonas) were isolated on agar plates containing 40 micrograms/ml of HgCl2 from Minamata Bay sediment, which was heavily polluted with mercury (45.8 micrograms/g) . The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of mercurial compounds were determined for the Hg-resistant pseudomonads and 65 strains (Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Vibrio sp., and Corynebacterium sp.) isolated from Sendai Bay sediment (1 microgram/g of mercury) as control . The MICs to HgCl2, CH3HgCl, C2H5HgCl, C3H7HgCl, and C6H5HgOCOCH3 for the Hg-resistant pseudomonads from Minamata Bay were significantly higher than those of strains from Sendai Bay . The volatilization from liquid culture containing 20 micrograms/ml of HgCl2 was observed in all of the Hg-resistant pseudomonads from Minamata Bay (70 strains) . The mean loss of mercury from liquid culture was 60.4 +/- 17.3% . Further study is warranted to determine what role the Hg-resistant bacteria, particularly the Pseudomonas species, play in the mercury cycle in Minamata Bay.

Cell Immunol, 1986 Jun, 100(1), 280 - 7
Interferon-mediated protection of B16 melanoma cells from cytotoxicity by activated macrophages; Sarzotti M et al.; Corynebacterium parvum-activated macrophages (M phi), purified by adherence, were cytotoxic for B16 melanoma cells maintained in vitro . Pretreatment of the melanoma cells for 18 hr with interferon-alpha/beta or -gamma (IFN-alpha/beta or -gamma) caused a reduced susceptibility of the B16 cells to M phi-mediated cytotoxicity . The IFN-induced protective effect of B16 cells from cytotoxic M phi was found to be dose dependent . In addition, IFN-gamma was more protective than IFN-alpha/beta . The protective effect observed with partially purified IFN was reproduced by using highly purified IFN-alpha/beta or recombinant IFN-gamma . Monoclonal antibodies to IFN-gamma neutralized the protective effect provided by IFN-gamma . These results show that the susceptibility of a tumor cell line to killing by activated M phi can be altered by IFN pretreatment.

FEBS Lett, 1986 May 12, 200(2), 283 - 6
The effect of iron and agar on production of hydrogen peroxide by stimulated and activated mouse peritoneal macrophages; Thompson HL et al.; The effect of iron on H2O2 production by mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to opsonised zymosan has been investigated . Macrophages elicited with thioglycollate broth produced less H2O2 than macrophages activated by Corynebacterium parvum, and levels were not affected by prior incubation of the cells with 0.1 mM iron nitrilotriacetate . However, preincubation with the iron chelator desferrioxamine (1 mM) reduced H2O2 production by both types of macrophages . Incubation of macrophages with agar, a component of thioglycollate broth, also reduced H2O2 production, particularly by C . parvum-activated macrophages . The results indicate that although iron appears to be necessary for H2O2 production by macrophages, the low level of production by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages is not due to an inadequate level of metabolically utilisable iron, but may be a result of prior ingestion of agar present in the broth.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 May-Jun, 8(3), 374 - 96
Bacteremia in narcotic addicts at the Detroit Medical Center . II . Infectious endocarditis: a prospective comparative study; Levine DP et al.; For one year all narcotic addicts admitted to the Detroit Medical Center with infectious endocarditis (74 cases) were compared with a control group of bacteremic addicts who had other infections (106 cases) . Endocarditis was caused by Staphylococcus aureus (60.8% of cases), streptococci (16.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.5%), mixed bacteria (8.1%), and Corynebacterium JK (1.4%) . S . aureus endocarditis most frequently involved the tricuspid valve; streptococci infected left-sided valves significantly more often than other organisms (P = .001) . Biventricular and multiple-valve infections were commonest in patients with pseudomonas endocarditis (P = .05) . Two-dimensional echocardiography, when combined with an abnormal chest roentgenogram, was highly predictive of endocarditis . Bacteremia in the absence of endocarditis was associated with primary skin and soft tissue infection, mycotic aneurysm at the site of narcotic injection, septic arthritis, septic thrombophlebitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, mediastinal abscess, and unclassified infection . Polymicrobial bacteremia in the nonendocarditis group was associated with markedly increased morbidity . Mild hyponatremia occurred in 41% of all patients and was also associated with significantly increased morbidity . Analysis of the two groups disclosed similarities and differences with implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of addicts with bacteremic infection.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1986 May, 39(5), 660 - 8
Antibacterial activity of roxithromycin: a laboratory evaluation; Chantot JF et al.; Roxithromycin, formerly known as RU 28965 (9-{O {(2-methoxyethoxy)methyl}oxime}-erythromycin), is a novel 14 atom-membered semisynthetic macrolide with an antibacterial spectrum directed towards Gram-positive cocci and bacilli, Gram-negative cocci and some Parvobacteriaceae . The in vitro antibacterial activity of roxithromycin was compared with those of erythromycin and spiramycin against 275 clinical isolates by using 2-fold broth macro-dilution tests . The antibacterial spectrum of roxithromycin and erythromycin were qualitatively comparable (including the bacteriostatic type of activity and the profile of resistance), but minimal inhibitory concentrations of erythromycin were generally one half those of roxithromycin, except for Corynebacterium sp . and Bacteroides fragilis against which the new macrolide was more active . On the other hand, roxithromycin exhibited a superior in vivo antibacterial activity in laboratory animals, being up to six times more potent than erythromycin in curing experimentally infected mice . Roxithromycin showed high blood levels and long half-lives of elimination in rodents after oral administration, and its bioavailability amounted to 72% in mice and 85% in rats, compared to less than 10% for erythromycin . Roxithromycin was widely distributed throughout the body with a high degree of penetration into all tissues, particularly in the lungs.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 May, 47(5), 1116 - 9
Use of a toxoid vaccine to protect goats against intradermal challenge exposure to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis; Brown CC et al.; Two groups of male, 9-week-old goats (5 goats/group) were vaccinated subcutaneously with formalized exotoxin of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, with Freund's incomplete adjuvant . Each goat was given 2 vaccinations, 2 weeks apart . At each vaccination, each group 1 goat was given 0.5 ml of toxoid, and each group 2 goat was given 1 ml of toxoid . Twenty days after the 2nd vaccination, vaccinated goats and 5 nonvaccinated 12-week-old goats (controls) were inoculated intradermally (challenge exposed) with live C pseudotuberculosis, monitored for 13 weeks, and euthanatized . At necropsy, 5 of the 10 vaccinated goats did not have C pseudotuberculosis lesions, 3 had abscesses limited to the inoculation site and draining lymph node, and 2 had disseminated bacterial lesions . Of the 5 nonvaccinated controls, 4 had disseminated abscesses and 1 had a single abscess in an internal node . Serologically, 9 of the 10 vaccinated goats developed positive (greater than or equal to 1:8) antibody titers against the exotoxin within 1 week after inoculation; the 10th goat seroconverted 2 weeks after inoculation, whereas control goats required 3 weeks to develop a positive antibody response . Therefore, early during an infection with C pseudotuberculosis, antibodies against the exotoxin may protect a goat against spread of the organism . All goats were injected intradermally before challenge exposure, 10 days after challenge exposure, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after challenge exposure with a skin-test reagent composed of fragmented bacterial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 May, 23(5), 943 - 7
Immunoglobulin and specific antibody responses to Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi infection in foals as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Takai S et al.; Humoral immune response to intestinal Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi in horses was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Anti-R . equi immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA antibodies were demonstrated in the healthy horse population . Adult horse levels of anti-R . equi IgM and IgG antibodies were reached by 5 to 9 weeks of age in two healthy newborn foals . R . equi was recovered from the foals in the range of 10(3) to 10(4) per g of intestinal contents . A 1-week-old foal was infected with R . equi by mouth daily for 9 weeks . The foal did not show any clinical signs of illness . Anti-R . equi IgM antibody values in the foal increased about 5 to 8 weeks after initial inoculation, similar to the naturally occurring immune response to intestinal R . equi . There were differences among the antibody responses to R . equi in healthy horses, foals with suspected infection, and infected foals . These results suggest that exposure to R . equi is widespread in the horse population and that intestinal R . equi is the most important source of antigenic stimulation for a naturally occurring immune response in horses.

Transplantation, 1986 May, 41(5), 611 - 5
The effects of cyclosporine on Toxoplasma gondii in vivo and in vitro; McCabe RE et al.; We examined the effect of cyclosporine on Toxoplasma infection in vivo and in vitro . Administration to mice of 150 mg/kg/day cyclosporine variably affected mortality in four separate experiments . IgG (Sabin-Feldman dye test) and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody titers were significantly depressed in mice treated with cyclosporine . These results suggested the possibility that cyclosporine possesses anti-Toxoplasma activity . Thus, macrophages were incubated with cyclosporine before and after infection with Toxoplasma . Treatment with 0.5, 1, and 5 micrograms cyclosporine/ml during or after challenge of macrophage monolayers with Toxoplasma inhibited replication of Toxoplasma (and resulted in killing of Toxoplasma) . The effect of cyclosporine on development of activated macrophages was studied . Cyclosporine administered to mice at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day neither accelerated nor delayed activation of macrophages (assessed by inhibition of Toxoplasma replication in vitro) by i.v . injection of either Corynebacterium parvum or Toxoplasma . Cyclosporine affects mortality variably in murine toxoplasmosis, depresses synthesis of IgG and IgM Toxoplasma antibody in vivo, does not prevent activation of macrophages in vivo, and possesses anti-Toxoplasma activity in vitro and perhaps in vivo . Cyclosporine may be the preferred immunosuppressive agent for recipients of an organ transplant who are at high risk for toxoplasmosis (e.g., seronegative recipients who have received organ from seropositive donors).

Infect Immun, 1986 May, 52(2), 534 - 7
Lack of biological significance of in vitro Brugia malayi microfilarial cytotoxicity mediated by Propionibacterium acnes ("Corynebacterium parvum")-and Mycobacterium bovis BCG-activated macrophages; Fanning MM et al.; The effect of nonspecific activation of host macrophages by Propionibacterium acnes ("Corynebacterium parvum") or Mycobacterium bovis BCG on Brugia malayi microfilariae was determined by in vitro and in vivo studies . Intraperitoneal injection of C . parvum or BCG stimulated peritoneal exudate cells, which were toxic to microfilariae . Microfilariae were equally susceptible to damage by C57BL/6J or BALB/cJ peritoneal exudate cells . Furthermore, inhibitors of oxidative metabolism and arginine supplementation did not prevent this toxicity, suggesting that the mechanism of microfilarial damage differs from that seen with another multicellular helminth, Schistosoma mansoni . In vivo studies with both BCG and C parvum, however, did not confirm the importance of nonspecific immunity in resistance to B . malayi microfilaremia . Despite the lack of biologic relevance of this phenomenon, in vitro studies may yield important knowledge about the mechanisms of microfilarial damage.

Gastroenterology, 1986 May, 90(5 Pt 1), 1286 - 9
Whipple's disease with unusual clinical, bacteriologic, and immunologic findings; Gupta S et al.; A middle-aged man was found to have Whipple's disease after episodes of nephritis and arthralgia . While on antibiotic therapy, and in the absence of worsening of the histologic appearances of the jejunum, aortic valve endocarditis developed, presumably due to Whipple's disease . Observations during the course of his illness included the isolation of Corynebacterium bovis from an inguinal lymph node, and detection of circulating antibodies against material within the characteristic abnormal macrophages present in the gastrointestinal mucosa . This antigen-antibody reaction was specifically blocked by the monosaccharide rhamnose, a component of the polysaccharide surface coat of many bacteria, including C . bovis.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1986 Apr 29, 886(2), 214 - 22
The relationship between iron release, ferritin synthesis and intracellular iron distribution in mouse peritoneal macrophages . Evidence for a reduced level of metabolically available iron in elicited macrophages; Alvarez-Hernandez X et al.; The rate of iron release from thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages pulsed with 59Fe-labelled transferrin-antitransferrin immune complexes was lower than that from resident or Corynebacterium parvum-activated macrophages . Anaerobic conditions increased the rate of iron release by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages but had no effect on resident or C . parvum-activated macrophages . Thioglycollate-elicited macrophages also contained less ferritin and were deficient in their ability to synthesis ferritin . Incubation of these cells in medium containing 100 microM iron caused some increase in ferritin synthesis, but the response to iron was much less pronounced than that by resident or C . parvum-activated macrophages . In the thioglycollate-elicited macrophages, relatively less iron was incorporated into ferritin, and more into other soluble macromolecules and insoluble haemosiderin-like compounds than in the other types of macrophages . It is proposed that thioglycollate-elicited macrophages tend to divert iron to a relatively inert intracellular pool, and that this could account for their reduced ability to release iron . Such a mechanism might help to explain the reduced release of iron by liver and spleen macrophages occurring during inflammation.

J Immunol, 1986 Apr 15, 136(8), 3124 - 31
Origin and differentiation of natural killer cells . II . Functional and morphologic studies of purified NK-1.1+ cells; Hackett J Jr et al.; Cells bearing the NK-specific marker NK-1.1 were purified from mouse spleens by utilizing a monoclonal anti-NK-1.1 antibody and cell sorting . In normal adult mice, all of the splenic NK activity against YAC-1 cells was found in the NK-1.1+ fraction, whereas NK-1.1- cells were depleted of NK activity . The NK activity of sorted NK-1.1+ cells was enriched 15- to 30-fold over unfractionated spleen cells . Light and electron microscopic studies of purified NK-1.1+ cells showed a homogeneous population of cells, each containing one to four cytoplasmic granules . Mice whose bone marrow has been destroyed by chronic exposure to 17-beta-estradiol have very low NK activity . However, spleen cells of estradiol-treated mice contained a normal frequency of NK-1.1+ cells which bound to YAC-1 cells, but failed to lyse them even after purification and subsequent exposure to interferon-alpha/beta in vitro . It appears, therefore, that in the absence of intact bone marrow, NK-1.1+ cells may be arrested in a nonlytic and interferon-unresponsive state . Spleens of neonatal mice which have low NK activity were analyzed to ascertain whether immature NK-1.1+ cells, similar to those found in estradiol-treated mice, could be demonstrated . Spleens of 8- to 9-day-old mice also contained NK-1.1+ cells which had very low NK activity even after purification . Sorted NK-1.1+ cells were examined for cytotoxicity in mice whose NK activity was suppressed by pretreatment with Corynebacterium parvum (-15 days) . In contrast to cells from estradiol-treated and neonatal mice, NK-1.1+ from mice treated with C . parvum had normal functional activity . Similarly, although NK activity of unfractionated bone marrow cells is low, sorted NK-1.1+ cells were greatly enriched for lytic activity . Thus, we conclude that cell sorting with monoclonal anti-NK-1.1 antibody provides a powerful tool for examining the mechanisms underlying various states of low NK activity, and there exist NK-1.1+, nonlytic, interferon-unresponsive cells which apparently require an intact marrow microenvironment for differentiation into mature, lytic NK cells.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Apr, 47(4), 713 - 5
Survival of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in axenic purulent exudate on common barnyard fomites; Augustine JL et al.; Several inanimate surfaces (eg, plastic, wood, and steel) and particulate fomites (eg, wood shavings, hay, straw, and feces), common to the environment of confined small ruminants, were inoculated with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in axenic purulent exudate that had been surgically removed from a naturally occurring case of caprine caseous lymphadenitis . Each inoculated fomite was incubated at 37, 22, and 4 C, and the length of time that C pseudotuberculosis survived was determined by isolation of bacteria from the fomite . The organism remained viable longer when caseous lymphadenitis abscess contents were mixed with particulate fomites than when spread on surfaces . Incubation at lower temperatures generally extended the survival potential of C pseudotuberculosis . Depending on the particulate fomite and the incubation temperature, viable C pseudotuberculosis organisms were isolated for mean periods ranging from 7 to 55 days, whereas recovery of bacteria from surfaces varied from 1 to 8 days.

Am J Med, 1986 Apr, 80(4), 685 - 8
Lung abscess due to Corynebacterium equi . Report of the first case in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Samies JH et al.; A lung abscess and persistent bacteremia due to Corynebacterium equi are described in a bisexual man with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) . Eleven of the 12 previously reported cases have occurred in immunocompromised humans . The occurrence of this infection in a patient with AIDS has not been previously described . Development of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics was noted following initial therapy . Because this organism resembles nonpathogenic organisms, it may easily be overlooked despite its ability to cause serious infection and persist even with aggressive antimicrobial and surgical therapy.

J Steroid Biochem, 1986 Apr, 24(4), 887 - 92
Testosterone metabolism by isolated human axillary Corynebacterium spp.: a gas-chromatographic mass-spectrometric study; Nixon A et al.; Transformations of {4-14C}testosterone have been studied in Corynebacterium spp . isolated from the axillae of men . Metabolites have been separated by TLC and capillary gas chromatography and have been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) . The introduction of a clean-up step using Florisil columns, prior to TLC, removed Tween-80 which co-extracted from the medium with the metabolites . This procedure greatly improved TLC resolution . Testosterone was converted enzymically to 5 alpha- and 5 beta-DHT, identification being assisted by the inclusion of {3,4-13C}testosterone in some incubations . Other metabolites formed enzymically were 4-androstene-3,17-dione, 5 beta-androstane-3,17-dione, 3 beta-hydroxy-5 beta-androstan-17-one and 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha .17 alpha-diol . Some spontaneous breakdown of {14C}testosterone occurred giving rise to 5 alpha (beta)-DHT, androstanediol and a monohydroxy-diketo-androstene, the latter being reduced enzymically to 2 monohydroxy-diketo-androstanes . Under the conditions used, no clear evidence has been obtained for the formation of 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3-one, an odorous steroid that occurs in the axillae of men; the possible reasons why we were unable to prove the biosynthesis of this compound are discussed.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 Apr, 261(2), 133 - 9
Isolation and characterization of a peptidase from an oral strain of Corynebacterium matruchotii; Fujimura S et al.; From the cell extract of Corynebacterium matruchotii strain ATCC 14266, a peptidase could be isolated and purified, increasing the specific activity 267 times . This enzyme with a molecular weight of 60,000 was completely inactivated by heating at 50 degrees C for 20 min, its optimum pH was found to be pH 7.5 and the isoelectric point was 4.1 . The peptidase was inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, chymostatin and urea . Among various synthetic substrates tested, only benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide and benzoyl-L-arginine ethylester were found to be hydrolyzed by this enzyme . Several proteins investigated were not hydrolyzed, but the enzyme inactivated a peptidic staphylococcal bacteriocin.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Apr, 23(4), 691 - 4
In vitro and in vivo study of stone formation by Corynebacterium group D2 (Corynebacterium urealyticum); Soriano F et al.; Corynebacterium group D2 inoculated into normal human urine formed struvite crystals and an increase in pH and ammonium concentration after 24 h of incubation . Zinc disks dipped into a broth culture of this microorganism and inserted into the bladders of rats produced stones with a mean weight of 12.5 mg (ranging from 1 to 57.7 mg) after 12 days . Analysis of the infrared spectrum determined the stones to be composed of struvite . From these results its seems that stone formation by Corynebacterium group D2 may be possible both in vitro and in vivo, which may confirm a previous report involving these bacteria in human clinical encrusted cystitis.

J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Apr, 39(4), 435 - 46
Kinetics of macrophage recruitment and turnover in peritoneal inflammatory exudates induced by Salmonella or thioglycollate broth; Hopper KE; Kinetics of peritoneal macrophage turnover during infection of mice with Salmonella enteritidis or following injection with thioglycollate broth or other peritoneal stimulants has been studied . Single intravenous injections of tritiated thymidine were given and the cells were examined by autoradiography . Maximum labelling of small adherent peritoneal macrophages occurred when 3H-thymidine was given 1 d after Salmonella and the cells were harvested 1 d later . Labelled cells decreased at later times despite maintenance of high numbers of macrophages in the exudates . Results from experiments in which labelled peritoneal cells were reinjected indicated that small, monocyte-enriched, labelled cells were not the major source of the large macrophages . Similar labelling at 2 d was observed using heat-killed Corynebacterium parvum or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as ip stimulants . Following injection of thioglycollate broth, labelled peritoneal macrophages were only detectable if 3H-thymidine was given before the stimulant . These labelled cells remained longer in the peritoneal cavity . Labelling of and numbers of blood monocytes were consistent with the promotion of monocytopoiesis by Salmonella but not by thioglycollate . The response to thioglycollate but not Salmonella was dependent on the age of the mice . Animals injected with thioglycollate 1 d before Salmonella also had decreased resistance to bacteria and low numbers of labelled peritoneal macrophages . We propose that thioglycollate may recruit from a subset of preformed monocytes and temporarily block monocytopoiesis or macrophage bactericidal activity.

Aust N Z J Med, 1986 Apr, 16(2), 211 - 5
Complications associated with indwelling venous Hickman catheters in patients with hematological disorders; Harvey MP et al.; During a 28 month period, 77 Hickman catheters were inserted in 66 patients with hematological disorders . Complete follow-up was possible for 72 catheter insertions . Catheters remained in situ for a median period of 77 days (range 5-474 days) . Fourteen (19%) catheters required removal because of complications which included sepsis, blockage, or displacement . Catheter-related infection was the major complication and Staphylococcus epidermidis and diphtheroids (Corynebacterium species) were the organisms most commonly isolated.

Infect Immun, 1986 Apr, 52(1), 156 - 60
Enhancement of hematopoietic response of mice by subcutaneous administration of Lactobacillus casei; Yokokura T et al.; Mice that had received heat-killed Lactobacillus casei (LC 9018) subcutaneously (s.c.) showed enhanced resistance to systemic (i.e., intravenous) infection with Listeria monocytogenes, but the antilisterial resistance of mice was less augmented by s.c . administration of Propionibacterium acnes ("Corynebacterium parvum") . Though there was little change in the total number of splenic leukocytes after s.c . administration of LC 9018, the monocyte-macrophage ratio increased after treatment, reaching its peak on day 5 to 7 after injection . The number of progenitor cells that form macrophage colonies under the stimulus of L-cell-conditioned medium in a semisolid agar culture system increased in the spleens of mice pretreated s.c . with LC 9018, showing a peak response on day 5 after injection . The increase corresponded to the increase in the dose administered, and increased numbers were detected even 10 days after treatment . The number of macrophage colonies in the femurs of mice pretreated s.c . with LC 9018 showed a temporary increase on day 3 after injection but then a decrease until day 10 . Colony-stimulating activity was detected in the sera of mice administered LC 9018 s.c . 18 h previously, and the colonies produced were of three types: granulocyte (8%), macrophage (56%), and granulocyte-macrophage (36%) . Administration of C . parvum s.c . had little effect on these hematopoietic responses of mice.

Cancer Res, 1986 Apr, 46(4 Pt 1), 1805 - 12
Tumor-specific suppressor T-cells which inhibit the in vitro generation of cytolytic T-cells from immune and early tumor-bearing host spleens; Bear HD; Spleen cells from DBA/2 mice, after immunization with syngeneic P815 mastocytoma cells and Corynebacterium parvum, respond to P815 in vitro with a brisk, secondary-type generation of cytotoxic cells . This cytotoxicity is mediated by antigen-specific T-lymphocytes and correlates with resistance to in vivo challenge . This model confirms the observations of previous investigators made in semisyngeneic hosts using an in vivo transfer model . Spleen cells from "early" tumor-bearing hosts (TBHs), 7-12 days after intradermal (i.d.) inoculation of 10(6) P815 cells alone, made a similar, but generally higher, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response in vitro . Spleen cells from "late" TBHs (18-28 days) completely suppressed the in vitro CTL response of immune cells (e.g., from 71% specific release in controls down to 8% at an effector: target ratio of 40:1) . Early i.d . TBH spleen cells, because of their higher level response, appeared to be resistant to this suppression (85% release for controls and 84% when suppressor cells were added at 40:1) . By testing early TBH CTL at lower effector: target ratios, however, suppression by late TBH spleen cells could be readily demonstrated . When TBHs were inoculated s.c . instead of i.d . or with lower doses of tumor cells, responses were lower and susceptibility of splenic CTLs to suppression was increased . At intermediate times after tumor inoculation (14-20 days), spleen cells from TBHs still can respond in vitro, but they are completely suppressed by spleen cells from late TBHs . The suppressor cells are antigen-specific, radiation-sensitive, Thy1+ cells.

Cell Immunol, 1986 Mar, 98(1), 125 - 36
Activated macrophages demonstrate direct cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and enhanced binding of Naegleria fowleri amoebae; Cleary SF et al.; Macrophages activated in vivo by injection of Corynebacterium parvum or bacillus Calmette-Guerin caused direct cytolysis of the pathogenic free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, in vitro . Amoebicidal activity was time and cell density-dependent but was not dependent on the presence of specific antibody . Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity for amoebae was also expressed by activated macrophages . Resident and thioglycolate-elicited macrophages demonstrated low cytolytic activity under all conditions tested . From scanning electron microscopy it appears that the degree of target cell binding is directly related to the degree of cytolysis expressed by the macrophage populations . Cell-cell contact was required for cytolysis of amoebae by activated macrophages since cytolysis did not occur when contact was blocked by a porous filter . For each macrophage population, the levels of amoebicidal activity and tumoricidal activity were comparable.

Equine Vet J, 1986 Mar, 18(2), 113 - 6
Gentamicin dosage in foals aged one month and three months; Baggot JD et al.; The absorption and disposition kinetics of gentamicin were compared at two dosage levels (2 and 4 mg/kg bodyweight {bwt}) in one- and three-month-old foals . Following intramuscular (im) injection of single 2 mg/kg bwt doses, the drug was absorbed rapidly and produced peak serum concentration (18.2 mu 5.3 +/- g/ml, n = 8) at 30 mins . Much wider variations were associated with the amount of drug absorbed and the serum gentamicin concentrations after administration at the higher dosage level . The half-life of gentamicin was similar in the one-month-old (3.7 +/- 1.7 h, n = 8) and three-month-old (3.3 +/- 0.8 h, n = 8) foals, and was independent of the dose . One-month-old foals did not appear to have a deficiency in renal excretion of gentamicin . The minimum inhibitory concentration of gentamicin for Corynebacterium equi and certain other equine bacterial isolates was less than 0.195 microgram/ml . It was concluded that 2 mg/kg bwt administered by im injection at 8 to 12 h intervals, depending on the severity of the infection, could be recommended as the dose rate for treatment of systemic infections caused by microorganisms that are susceptible to gentamicin.

Infect Immun, 1986 Mar, 51(3), 744 - 9
Effect of macrophage activation on phagocyte-Plasmodium interaction; Brown KM et al.; We investigated the effect of both immune and normal sera on the binding of free Plasmodium berghei by resident and activated macrophages . Resident macrophages bound plasmodia to a greater extent than did activated macrophages, regardless of treatment . Resident macrophages bound free plasmodia, predominantly trophozoites, in the presence of normal serum by a mechanism inhibited by N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmannosamine . Macrophages activated through treatment with Propionibacterium acnes ("Corynebacterium parvum"), on the other hand, did not bind free plasmodia in the presence of normal serum through systems inhibited by N-acetylmannosamine or N-acetylglucosamine . The binding of free plasmodia by activated macrophages was greatest in the presence of immune serum and could be inhibited by immune complexes but not by N-acetylmannosamine or N-acetylglucosamine . These results suggest that a receptor for a carbohydrate component of a normal serum opsonin mediates initial adherence of plasmodial antigen onto resident macrophages, triggering both the immunological cascade and macrophage activation . After activation, the macrophages no longer have the carbohydrate-specific receptor but do have functional Fc receptors which mediate the adherence of immune-serum-opsonized plasmodia.

Arch Intern Med, 1986 Mar, 146(3), 569 - 71
Infectious complications of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy; Low DE et al.; We prospectively assessed the infectious complications of esophageal injection sclerotherapy (EIS) in 38 patients who underwent 104 procedures . Blood cultures were taken prior to and five and ten minutes after injection of the sclerosing agent in all procedures in an attempt to determine the frequency of positive blood cultures . Surveillance cultures were obtained from each patient's pharynx and from the biopsy channel of the endoscope to identify potential sources of bacteremia . The rate of blood culture positivity before injection was not significantly different from that after injection (1.9% vs 4.3%) . In only one procedure was the same organism isolated five and ten minutes after sclerotherapy . The isolate in both samples was a Corynebacterium species . Endoscope surveillance cultures were positive prior to 42 of 102 procedures, although none of those organisms subsequently were isolated in the blood cultures . Since the rate of positive blood cultures following EIS is no greater than that before the procedure, the use of prophylactic antibiotics is unnecessary.

Blut, 1986 Mar, 52(3), 185 - 90
Deficient IFN alpha production in hairy cell leukemia; Porzsolt F et al.; Since the application of low doses of IFN-alpha is necessary to maintain remissions in Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) it is of interest whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) of HCL patients can be induced in vitro to produce IFN-alpha . 9 patients suffering from advanced HCL were included in the study . The diagnoses were confirmed by characteristic findings in peripheral blood and bone marrow biopsies . For IFN treatment we initially used natural IFN-alpha (Bioferon) and switched later to recombinant IFN-alpha2 (Boehringer) . MNC of 5 patients before IFN therapy and of 6 patients during IFN therapy (2-47 weeks) were induced by phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Corynebacterium parvum (C.p.), and sendai virus (SV) . PHA is known to induce IFN-gamma . Both, C.p . and SV induced IFN-alpha but no IFN-gamma in MNC of healthy controls and of IFN treated breast cancer patients . In HCL patients normal antiviral activities could be induced by PHA . Zero or only low antiviral activities could be induced in MNC from 9 patients tested on 22 occasions . It is concluded that MNC from patients with advanced HCL can be induced to produce IFN-gamma but no IFN-alpha . Since IFN-alpha but not IFN-gamma is produced by monocytes it is likely that reduced numbers of monocytes which were found in our HCL patients before and during IFN treatment account for the described deficiency of IFN-alpha production.

J Dairy Sci, 1986 Mar, 69(3), 843 - 9
Prevalence of minor udder pathogens after intramammary dry treatment; Harmon RJ et al.; A total of 156 dairy cows was randomly assigned to one of four groups at drying off over an 18-mo period: untreated control or intramammary treatment of each mammary quarter with either 400 mg novobiocin, 300 mg cephapirin, or 1 g dihydrostreptomycin with 1 million units penicillin . Quarter foremilk samples were aseptically collected from each cow within 1 mo of drying off and within 1 mo after parturition for bacteriological analysis . Prior to drying off, 28.7% of quarters were positive of which 46.7% were Corynebacterium bovis and 45.5% were coagulase-negative staphylococci . Reductions in infection prevalence from drying off to postpartum samplings for control, novobiocin, cephapirin, and streptomycin-penicillin groups were 13.6, 60.5, 74.4, and 35.3% of quarters . Recovery rates for C . bovis infections were 47.6, 100, 100, and 94.1%; for coagulase-negative staphylococci infections they were 72.7, 86.4, 80.0, and 100% . The cephapirin group showed the lowest new infection rate (1.3%) with coagulase-negative staphylococci compared with control (6.9%) . There were no significant differences in lactation milk production among groups following dry period therapy . Results suggest that dry treatment reduces the prevalence of infections by the minor mastitis pathogens.

J Immunol, 1986 Feb 15, 136(4), 1393 - 9
Molecular basis of macrophage activation . Expression of the low potential cytochrome b and its reduction upon cell stimulation in activated macrophages; Berton G et al.; The expression of the novel b-type cytochrome, which is part of the superoxide anion (O2-)-generating system in phagocytes, has been investigated in population of mouse peritoneal macrophages heterogeneous in their capability to produce O2-) . Reduced minus oxidized difference spectra of intact cells showed the appearance of a b-type cytochrome with major peaks in the alpha region at 558 to 559 nm and in the gamma region at 426 to 428 nm . Resident peritoneal macrophages, as well as thioglycollate broth-elicited and Corynebacterium Parvum-activated macrophages and neutrophils expressed about 50 pmol cytochrome b/10(7) cells . In intact macrophages and neutrophils, Na-dithionite reduced greater than 75% of the cytochrome b measurable in disrupted cells . No correlation was found between capability to produce O2-) by different population of macrophages and their content of cytochrome b . When stimulated in strictly anaerobic conditions with phorbol myristic acetate, macrophages activated in vivo by i.p . injection of Corynebacterium Parvum reduced approximately 40% of their total cytochrome b . In resident peritoneal macrophages that produced five times lower amounts of O2-, cytochrome b reduction was instead undetectable . Potentiometric properties of cytochrome b was investigated in macrophage subcellular particles . Both resident and Corynebacterium Parvum-activated macrophages revealed the presence of b chromophores with very low potentials of -255 and -244 mV, respectively, whose content was not different in the two populations . These results show that resident and activated macrophages express the same amount of cytochrome b, but upon stimulation with PMA, activated macrophages recruit a higher number of cytochrome b molecules in parallel with an enhanced production of O2-.

Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh), 1986 Feb, 64(1), 67 - 71
The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine as an disinfectant in eye surgery; Klie F et al.; 105 patients admitted for cataract surgery were treated pre-operatively with polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) as a disinfectant, and consecutive bacterial cultures were obtained before initiating surgery and at the end of the operation . A control group (n = 99) only had a standard disinfection procedure of the eye (including instillation of Terramycin cum polymyxin B cream in the conjunctival sac the evening before surgery) . The cultures obtained from the conjunctival sac of the control group principally showed growth of Staph . albus and Staph . aureus, and to a minor degree diphtheroids (Corynebacterium species) . Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and micrococci . There was a significant quantitative diminished growth (P less than 0.05) of bacteria in the group of patients treated with PVP-I compared to the control group . Concerning the growth of Staph . albus, this was reduced to almost one third and other bacteria were almost eliminated in the group receiving PVP-I . As we disclosed no toxic or allergic reaction post-operatively which could be related to the use of PVP-I as a disinfectant, this agent seems to constitute an effective pre-operative antimicrobial treatment, taking into consideration the broad antimicrobial spectrum of PVP-I shown by other authors.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 Feb, 4(2), 165 - 71
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum pneumonia in an immunologically intact host; Miller RA et al.; Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, a gram-positive bacillus commonly found in the human oropharynx, has been reported as a rare cause of infection in compromised hosts . We report herein a case of lower respiratory tract infection with Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum in a previously healthy 29-yr-old trauma victim . The organism was the predominant bacterial isolate from two endotracheal aspirates and a specific humoral response was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Feb, 47(2), 438 - 40
In vitro bactericidal efficacy of equine polymorphonuclear leukocytes against Corynebacterium equi; Yager JA et al.; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes from adult horses were separated from whole blood, using a 2-step Percoll gradient, and were tested for bactericidal function against Corynebacterium equi . Staphylococcus aureus, an organism against which equine neutrophils have proved efficacy, was a positive control . The percentage of uptake after a 15-minute preincubation of the neutrophils and bacteria in the presence of normal horse serum was also calculated . The results indicated that equine neutrophils effectively phagocytosed and killed C equi and S aureus . The percentage of uptake for S aureus (95% +/- 3%) was greater than that for C equi (85% +/- 6%) (P less than 0.001), but the bactericidal efficacy was equivalent . More than 90% of the ingested or attached bacteria were destroyed during the 3-hour incubation period (mean percentage of C equi killed = 96 +/- 2%; mean percentage of S aureus killed = 91 +/- 8%) . These results indicated that a failure of bacterial killing by neutrophils is unlikely to be important in the pathogenesis of C equi pneumonia in the horse.

Vet Microbiol, 1986 Feb, 11(1-2), 145 - 52
Factors affecting the yield of viable cells of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in a liquid medium; Batey RG; Growth of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in an undefined liquid medium was studied with the aim of obtaining uniform, single-cell suspensions of the organism suitable for experimental infection . Adequate yields of viable cells were shown to be dependent on a fermentable substrate and a buffering system in a medium containing Tween 80 . The development of Nutrient Tween 80 Broth for the culture of C . pseudotuberculosis is considered to be a significant advance particularly for studies involving animal inoculation.

Br J Surg, 1986 Feb, 73(2), 111 - 5
Randomized study of Corynebacterium parvum adjuvant therapy following surgery for (stage II) malignant melanoma; Thatcher N et al.; One hundred and fifteen patients with histologically proven primary cutaneous melanoma were entered into a randomized prospective study following surgical removal of clinically obvious regional metastases . The study started in 1977 and was completed in June 1982 . Fifty-eight patients (10 with regional skin metastases and 48 with regional node metastases) were in the control group and 57 (15 regional skin, and 42 regional node metastases) received adjuvant C . parvum . Other clinical features were well balanced for each group . C . parvum, 2 mg/m2 IV was repeated eight times at three weekly intervals . The schedule was based on previous work which indicated significant increase in killer cell activity . There was no serious toxicity and 22 patients exhibited tachyphylaxis . Seventeen patients in the control group (11 tumour free) are alive at 24-80 months, and 20 patients in the C . parvum group (12 tumour free) are alive 24-76 months from randomization . No statistically significant difference (P greater than 0.05) was observed between the two patient groups for overall survival (median 26 months) or relapse free survival (median 8 months) from the date of randomization . Nor was the overall survival from the date of primary surgery (median 52 months, range 4-237) or the relapse free survival, median 28 months, range 2-225, significantly different between the two groups of patients . The relapse pattern in the two groups, and survival after relapse were no different though the response rate to actinomycin D and DTIC chemotherapy was significantly higher in the control (48 per cent) than in the C . parvum (23 per cent) group . Toxicity to chemotherapy was not significantly affected by previous C . parvum treatment . Although there were trends for better survival, in the C . parvum patient group, statistically significant activity has not been noted in this study.

Microb Pathog, 1986 Feb, 1(1), 33 - 41
Independence of macrophage activation and expression of the alleles of the Ity (immunity to typhimurium) locus; Briles DE et al.; These studies demonstrate that alleles at the Ity locus do not affect T cell-dependent activation of macrophages by Corynebacterium parvum . Using a genetic analysis involving mice expressing various combinations of the Ityr, Itys, Lpsd, and Lpsn alleles we also show that the expression of the Ity alleles is not dependent on the ability of LPS to active macrophages . Since macrophage activation is though to be important in the killing of salmonella, these findings favor a mechanism of action of the Ity locus that does not involve bacterial killing.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Feb, 23(2), 375 - 6
Isolation of Corynebacterium aquaticum from spinal fluid of an infant with meningitis; Beckwith DG et al.; A 4-week-old female was hospitalized because of vomiting, irritability, and nuchal rigidity . A spinal fluid culture yielded Corynebacterium aquaticum . The diagnosis of C . aquaticum meningitis in this infant was supported by the following cerebrospinal fluid findings: Gram stain, elevated protein, hypoglycorrhachia, positive C-reactive protein, and polymorphonuclear leukocytosis . Antigen studies for common bacterial causes of meningitis were negative . C . aquaticum is a rare cause of human disease and may be initially confused with Listeria monocytogenes, which is a more common gram-positive, motile rod associated with meningitis in infants.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Feb, 5(1), 23 - 8
Synergy of ciprofloxacin and azlocillin in vitro and in a neutropenic mouse model of infection; Chin NX et al.; Combinations of ciprofloxacin with azlocillin, piperacillin and ticarcillin were tested in vitro against clinical isolates . Azlocillin plus ciprofloxacin showed synergy against 30% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates; it was either synergistic or additive against 78% of all isolates tested even those resistant to the beta-lactam . Synergism was rarely noted for Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp . or Branhamella spp . isolates . Minimum inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin plus azlocillin, plus piperacillin and plus ticarcillin against Pseudomonas spp . were reduced 4 or 2 fold, respectively . However, the combination azlocillin plus ciprofloxacin showed primarily indifference against gram-positive strains . Neutropenic mice infected with a lethal challenge of Pseudomonas spp . were protected by a combination of azlocillin and ciprofloxacin . Its additive and/or synergistic effects and expanded spectrum of activity against streptococci, methicillin-resistant staphylococci and JK corynebacteria may provide an alternative to traditional therapy.

Vet Q, 1986 Jan, 8(1), 61 - 7
An outbreak of caseous lymphadenitis in dairy goats: first report of the disease in the Netherlands; Schreuder BE et al.; An outbreak of caseous lymphadenitis in which three herds of goats were involved is described . Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was shown to be the causative organism . The outbreak was associated with imported goats . As this first report of C . pseudotuberculosis causing caseous lymphadenitis as a clinical entity in small ruminants in the Netherlands, clinical and epizootiological aspects as well as possible methods of control are discussed.

Int J Pediatr Nephrol, 1986 Jan-Mar, 7(1), 17 - 20
Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Corynebacterium diphtheria infection; Sheth KJ et al.; Although hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is usually idiopathic, it follows a number of infections . The pathogenesis of post-infectious HUS is endothelial cell damage by either circulating endotoxin or exotoxin . Diphtheria exotoxin has never been implicated in HUS . We report HUS following diphtheria infection in a 9 yr old un-immunized white female admitted with a short history of sorethroat and thrombocytopenia . There were hemorrhages in sclera, gums and left tonsillar area and a grayish exudate on right tonsil . Laboratory values revealed Hgb 14.4 g/dl, decreasing to 7.6 g/dl, WBC/26,900 mm3, platelet count 7,000/mm3 . Bone marrow examination revealed normal megakaryocytes . She was oliguric with BUN 214 mg/dl, serum creatinine 12.4 mg/dl and serum uric acid 19.2 mg/dl . Despite peritoneal dialysis, red cell and platelet transfusions and exchange transfusion she expired . A postmortem examination was refused . A throat culture done on admission grew corynebacterium species which was later confirmed to be toxigenic C . diphtheriae . Diphtheria exotoxin inactivates an enzyme in cytoplasm which is necessary for peptide chain elongation . This may have interfered with prostacyclin synthesis thereby allowing the development of HUS.

Clin Orthop, 1986 Jan, (202), 227 - 9
Corynebacterium JK (Johnson-Kay strain) infection of a Küntscher-nailed tibial fracture; Claeys G et al.; A slow-growing Corynebacterium was isolated in pure culture from pus of a Kuntscher-nailed tibial fracture . The strain was identified as Johnson-Kay strain or corynebacterium JK (CJK) . This bacterium has been discovered recently and recognized as the cause of serious infections, especially in immunocompromized patients, polytraumatized patients, and patients with cardiac valve replacement . Superficial wounds can be colonized and hemocultures contaminated with CJK . Nosocomial spreading can occur . This microorganism is usually highly resistant to antimicrobial agents and requires therapy with vancomycin . This case was different from classic infections with "CJK" in several aspects . The infection occurred in a patient without underlying disease and the strain was sensitive to the antibiotic . The patient responded well to cephazolin treatment . Being part of the normal skin flora, Corynebacteria are often discarded as contaminants . A critical review of all clinical and laboratory data is necessary for the recognition of the infections and is important especially when a resistant strain is encountered.

Pediatr Pulmonol, 1986 Jan-Feb, 2(1), 65 - 9
Diagnostic implications and treatment of massive spontaneous atelectasis in childhood; Muller W et al.; During a 5-month period five children were treated for spontaneously occurring massive lung atelectasis . In three patients the underlying disease was bronchial asthma; in one patient idiopathic plastic bronchitis; and in another patient, infection with anaerobic Corynebacteria may have been a contributing factor . Types I and III hypersensitivity reactions were not considered to be likely causal factors . The clinical manifestations and management of this relatively rare event are described.

J Lab Clin Med, 1986 Jan, 107(1), 15 - 22
Immune response to moxalactam in rabbits and in humans; Branch DR et al.; Three of 23 New Zealand white rabbits immunized with moxalactam or bovine serum albumin (BSA)-moxalactam conjugates produced specific antimoxalactam antibodies . Rabbits that produced antimoxalactam had been immunized, by a novel approach, with heat-aggregated BSA-moxalactam conjugates containing Corynebacterium parvum as adjuvant . Use of liposomes to augment antibody response in the rabbits was successful for the production of anti-BSA antibodies, but failed to result in production of antimoxalactam . One antimoxalactam was chosen for further study, was specifically inhibited with moxalactam (10(-5) mol/L), and did not cross-react with any of the 11 other cephalosporins or eight penicillins tested (in concentrations of 10(-2) mol/L) . In addition, the antibody did not demonstrate any carrier specificity . One of eight humans receiving intravenous moxalactam therapy developed a low titer, low avidity antimoxalactam . This patient was a "good responder," inasmuch as he also produced three transfusion-stimulated alloantibodies to red cell antigens during the study . Although the patient developed the antimoxalactam antibody while the drug was being administered, there was no evident adverse clinical reaction . This is the first report of antimoxalactam produced either in experimental animals or in humans . Our data indicate that moxalactam may be a relatively poor immunogen in rabbits requiring special immunization protocols . The one antibody studied does not cross-react with other structurally related antibiotics . Although human antimoxalactam may be produced, no adverse effects were detected in the one case observed.

Clin Ther, 1986, 9(1), 106 - 18
In vitro activity of CI-934 and other antimicrobial agents against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria; Smith RP et al.; The activity of CI-934, a new carboxy-quinolone antibiotic, against gram-positive cocci and bacilli and gram-negative bacilli was compared with that of reference antibiotics . CI-934 demonstrated excellent activity against gram-positive organisms, including Corynebacterium sp . In addition, although the activity of CI-934 against gram-negative bacilli was less than that reported for similar agents, it was comparable to that of aminoglycosidic aminocyclitol antibiotics.

Vet Med Nauki, 1986, 23(9), 51 - 6
{Etiology and chemotherapy of suppurative surgical infection in horses and cattle}; Dinev D et al.; A total of 24 horses and 42 cattle with a variety of local suppurative processes (wounds, abscesses, phlegmons, tendovaginitis, etc.) were studied under conditions of the clinic with regard to the most commonly found microbial species and the opportunity to work out antibioticogrammes in terms of the effectiveness of 11 of the chemotherapeutic agents widely used in the practice . It was found that prevailing in horses were staphylococci and streptococci . In cattle Corynebacterium pyogenes was predominantly established . Besides, there was a rising trend in the part played by representative agents of the occasionally pathogenic microflora (Ps . aeruginosa, Pr . vulgaris, Escherichia coli) as the causative species of local suppurative processes . These organisms were fairly often isolated in association with other species, while they were more rarely found as the only acting ones in a particular case . Best effects of the antibiotics tested could be expectedly produced by gentamycin (82.5 per cent), carbenimycin (74.2 per cent), oxacyllin (72.7 per cent), ampicillin (68.2 per cent), and canamycin (61.8 per cent) . At the same time, the effectiveness produced by some of the antibiotics widely employed in the practice, such as chloramphenicol, tetracycline, streptomycin, and penicillin was below 50 per cent.

Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot, 1986, 72(4), 311 - 6
{Osteitis due to anaerobic Corynebacteria in children . Apropos of 4 cases}; Griffet J et al.; The authors have seen four instances in children of osteitis due to a mycobacterium . The disease was subacute and situated in the tibia, the lumbar spine, the talus and the femur . In two cases the diagnosis was eventually mistakenly oriented towards tuberculosis or a malignant tumour . The correct diagnosis was obtained after a bone biopsy which demonstrated a granulomatous osteitis . In such cases there is an indication for a full biopsy and bacteriological examination with culture in aerobic and anaerobic media . Treatment based on pristinamycin resulted in healing.

Cancer Invest, 1986, 4(5), 397 - 402
Canine oral melanoma: comparison of surgery versus surgery plus Corynebacterium parvum; MacEwen EG et al.; Eighty-nine dogs with malignant oral melanoma were selected for study . All dogs were clinically staged and treated with either surgical excision alone or surgery plus C . parvum immunotherapy . There was no difference in survival time between the two treatment groups . However, in dogs with advanced disease (Stages II, III) there was a statistical difference between surgery alone versus surgery plus C . parvum (p = 0.01) . Dogs with Stage I disease (tumor less than 2 cm diameter) had a statistically improved survival (p = 0.02) regardless of the therapy given . These results suggest that C . parvum, when combined with surgery, may have antitumor activity in the canine melanoma model.

Hybridoma, 1986 Fall, 5(3), 231 - 5
Monoclonal antibodies specific for Corynebacterium sepedonicum, the causative agent of potato ring rot; Magee WE et al.; BALB/c mice were immunized with Corynebacterium sepedonicum, and spleen cells from the immunized animals were fused with cells of the mouse myeloma line P3-X63-Ag8.653 . Several hybridoma cell cultures were selected for further study . Monoclonal CS-B-5 was specific for C . sepedonicum and did not react significantly with other closely related phytopathogenic corynebacteria in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . As few as 10(3) organisms could be detected . This approach should prove useful for developing improved diagnostic procedures for a number of bacterial plant pathogens.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1986, 18(3), 235 - 9
Antitoxin antibody levels and the outcome of illness during an outbreak of diphtheria among alcoholics; Bjorkholm B et al.; During an outbreak of diphtheria among alcoholics in Goteborg, Sweden, a study was made of the diphtheria-antitoxin antibodies in serum samples from 8 clinical cases and 36 carriers of toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae . 33/36 carriers were antibody-positive and had antitoxin titres greater than 0.01 IU/ml, a level which is regarded as relative protective, while only 1/8 clinical cases had such a titre . This patient presented a mild illness with no complications . The results of the study of this outbreak stress the importance of maintaining adequate antibody levels against diphtheria in highly developed societies.

Leuk Res, 1986, 10(7), 803 - 8
Natural killer cells in leukemogenesis; Seidel HJ et al.; In order to relate a reduced natural killer (NK) cell function to leukemogenesis, NK cells in the spleen and peritoneal exudate cells, with and without stimulation by Corynebacterium parvum, were tested in mice of various strains after split dose irradiation and after leukemogenic treatment with butyl- and methylnitrosourea . The investigations included also mice submitted to non-leukemogenic irradiation (1 X 1.5 and 1 X 4.5 Gy) and mice submitted to an additional treatment with hydrocortisone, which delays leukemia development after methylnitrosourea . There was, indeed, a NK-cell depression, but no major differences were seen between mice prone to leukemia development and those after cytotoxic, but nonleukemogenic, treatment.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1986, 52(2), 129 - 40
Glutamicin CBII, a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum; Patek M et al.; Corynebacterium glutamicum CBII, in the stationary phase of growth, was found to produce spontaneously a substance resembling bacteriocins by its bactericidal properties . This substance designated glutamicin CBII was observed to exhibit bactericidal activity against coryneform bacteria (12 species tested) but not against unrelated gram-positive (3) and gram-negative (3) bacteria, while its action on bacteria with no quite known relatedness to the coryneform group (14) was found to be variable . Glutamicin CBII was partially purified by precipitation with ammonium sulphate (70% saturation), selective heat precipitation and gel chromatography on Sephadex G-50 . The antibacterial substance diffused through cellophane membrane with an approximate cut-off of 10,000 dalton and its sedimentation coefficient was determined to be 1.1 S by ultracentrifugation . Heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min had no effect on its activity . Glutamicin CBII was proved to be resistant to chloroform, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pronase, and subtilisin . According to its staining behaviour and 1H NMR spectra it probably represents a glycoprotein containing only a minor protein component.

G Ital Cardiol, 1986 Jan, 16(1), 30 - 7
{Clinico-epidemiological aspects of infectious endocarditis in a present-day Italian population}; Rossi L et al.; This study has been carried out with the aim of assessing the incidence and other features of Infective Endocarditis in the region Veneto (Italy) in the years 1975-84, with particular regard to the patients admitted to the hospitals in Verona . Of the 692 patients admitted in hospitals of Veneto, 629 were resident in the region (an incidence equal to 1.6/100,000 inhabitants per year) . The age range was from 8 to 72 (55 +/- 9) . All social classes were affected, although retired, disabled and unemployed subjects were in the majority . The average stay in hospitals was 27.6 days . In 7.6% of the cases surgical therapy was required; the over-all mortality rate was 10% . Of the 80 patients admitted to the hospitals in Verona, 79% were suffering from pre-existing cardiopathy (40% rheumatic heart disease, 25% valvular prosthesis, 7.5% congenital heart disease, 5% prolapsing mitral valve, 1.2% obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy); 54% of the cases had been exposed to bacteriological infections in the preceding months: bronchopulmonary, oropharyngeal, genitourinary or gall bladder infections processes or oral surgery or heart surgery or drug addiction . Only in 19% of these cases a correct antibiotic prophylaxis had been carried out . The responsible germ was identified in 50 patients (67% of the cases in which blood cultures had been performed): Streptococcus in 22%, Staphylococcus in 20%, Gram-negative in 12%, Corynebacterium in 4%, polymicrobial associations in 9% of the cases . These data stress the need for an improvement in antibiotic drug regimen (both in prophylaxis and treatment) and the diffusion of norms of hygiene aimed to the reduction of skin and mucous sources of bacteremia and interpersonal transmission of infections disease.

Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol, 1986, 13(1-2), 34 - 42
Epidemiological data, cytology and colposcopy in IUD (intrauterine device), E-P (estro-progestogens) and diaphragm users . Study of cytological changes of endometrium IUD related; Fiore N; The author compares the epidemiological, cytological and colposcopical data found in IUD users, with a control population of estro-progestogens and condom users . The age, parity and clinical symptomatology, mainly leukorrhea, was higher in IUD users . At the colposcopic examination a normal pattern was found in condom users more frequently, but the suspect colposcopic signs were frequently associated with the use of the IUD . The oncologic evaluation of smears showed a slight dysplasia in 17.65% and 10.53% in IUD users and estro-progestogen users respectively . The only case of carcinoma in situ was found in the IUD users group . The bacteriological diagnosis on the smears did not reveal a quantitative difference in the three groups, while a qualitative difference was found, particularly with a high frequency of Trichomonas vaginalis and Corynebacterium vaginalis, and one case of Actinomyces in IUD users . The cytological study of the endometrium obtained by mono-use devices, revealed an aspect of aspecific non plasmacellular endometritis in 75% of the cases; a dysfunctional hormonal cytological aspect in 32.50%, and the oncological evaluation in 60% of the cases revealed atypical endometrial cells IUD related . No neoplastic lesion was found . The author concludes that the use of IUD must be prudent and accurate follow up must be carried out.

Oncology, 1986, 43(3), 192 - 7
Failure to boost the increased clearance of embolic tumor cells from the lung with dose scheduling: Corynebacterium parvum studies; Proctor JW et al.; Initial suboptimal, optimal and supraoptimal doses of intraperitoneal corynebacterium parvum were followed by 'booster' doses injected intraperitoneally 5, 10 and 25 days later . Mice were challenged intravenously 4-6 days after the booster doses with {125I}IUrd-labeled B16 tumor cells and the extent of clearance of these cells from the lungs analyzed 4 h later . In a second experiment, mice were given booster doses of C . parvum on days 4, 7 and 10 and then challenged on day 14 with labeled B16 tumor cells . In each experiment, the peak response, in the form of tumor cell clearance, to C . parvum occurred between day 5 and day 10 . In no instance was a peak response to any of the initial injections of C . parvum increased by a booster dose . Instead, in some instances, the peak response was abrogated . By day 25 but not day 10, it was possible to restore the response to its peak level with a second optimal dose of C . parvum, but not to increase it.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Jan, 23(1), 182 - 5
High-performance liquid chromatography of mycolic acids as a tool in the identification of Corynebacterium, Nocardia, Rhodococcus, and Mycobacterium species; Butler WR et al.; High-performance liquid chromatography of bromophenacyl esters of mycolic acid was used as an aid to assign a particular organism to one of four mycolic acid-containing genera . A gradient elution system, with methanol and chloroform, was used to distinguish representative mycolic acid patterns for the genera Corynebacterium, Rhodococcus, Nocardia, and Mycobacterium.

Cytobios, 1986, 46(186-187), 167 - 79
A sequential study of hepatic structural damage following the intravenous injection of Corynebacterium parvum; Johnston PW et al.; Sequential histological and fine structural changes were studied in liver from 4.5 min to 21 days after a single intravenous injection of Corynebacterium parvum in the rat . A previously unreported effect of the micro-organism, the formation of eosinophilic inclusion bodies within hepatocytes, was observed between 15 min and 24 h of injection . These structures were most common in periportal hepatocytes at 2 h . The structural, enzyme- and immunohistochemical features of these bodies suggest that they represent a consequence of sub-lethal cell injury, affecting the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus; resolution occurred within 24 h . The ingestion of C . parvum by phagocytes and the deposition of fibrin within sinusoids preceded the development of acute and chronic parenchymal and portal tract inflammation, leading to self-limiting granulomatous hepatitis . Lethal cell injury was represented by the presence of single-cell and confluent hepatocyte necrosis . Intravenous C . parvum causes sublethal and lethal hepatocyte damage, seen as the formation of cytoplasmic bodies and hepatocyte necrosis, respectively . Disseminated intravascular coagulation may mediate these changes via local hypoxia . This model could prove useful in the study of granulomatous hepatitis and in the evaluation of anti-inflammatory agents.

Vet Med Nauki, 1986, 23(1), 42 - 7
{Action of fenitrothion (Agria 1050) on the development of a surgical infection with Corynebacterium pyogenes in sheep}; Simeonov SP et al.; Investigations were carried out on twelve Starozagorska breed sheep divided into two groups of 6 animals each . All sheep were treated with phenitrothion (Agria-50) at the rate of 300 mg per kg body mass, singly, by means of a stomach tube . At the first hour of treatment the sheep of the second group were injected with 3 cm3 broth culture of Corynebacterium pyogenes . The general condition, the manifestation of signs of toxicity, and some paraclinical indices were followed up . The animals of the first group exhibited symptoms of toxicity and changes in the paraclinical indices, which was characteristic of the weak form of the infection course . Those of the second group developed the disease at a rapid course, with affection of the general state, atony of the forestomach, substantial changes in the hemopoiesis, the enzyme activity, the glycogenesis process, and the blood picture (erythropenia, drop of the hemoglobin content, higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, strong drop of plasmal and serum cholinesterase, hyperglycaemia) . Results pointed to the fact that Agria-1050 intoxication aggravated the course of the supurative surgical infection.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Jan-Feb, 8(1), 42 - 9
Corynebacterium JK: a cause of nosocomial device-related infection; Riebel W et al.; Ten cases of serious infection due to antibiotic-resistant Corynebacterium JK are reported . Five infections occurred in patients with hematologic malignancy and granulocytopenia, an association previously reported . Five additional nosocomial infections occurred in patients without underlying disease previously reported to be associated with JK . Nine of the 10 infections were nosocomial in origin and were associated with plastic devices that had been inserted into the patients . JK organisms were isolated from a variety of sources from an additional 40 uninfected patients . Although the majority of clinical isolates of Corynebacterium JK were contaminants, our experience suggests that as many as 20% of isolations are associated with serious nosocomial infections . Isolation of Corynebacterium JK--particularly in blood cultures--from patients with indwelling catheters or other devices is highly suggestive of the presence of a serious nosocomial infection.

J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(4), 561 - 88
Accumulation of immature B and null lymphocytes in the periphery after intraperitoneal administration of traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to); Kawakita T et al.; Accumulation of lymphocytes after an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of a traditional Chinese herb medicine, XIAO-CHAI-HU-TANG (Japanese name: shosaiko-to), was investigated . Shosaiko-to induced marked accumulation of lymphocytes rather than macrophages in the peritoneal cavity of ICR mice, whereas various kinds of irritants, e.g . proteose-pepton, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), OK-432 and Corynebacterium parvum, induced preferential accumulation of macrophages rather than lymphocytes . By means of analysis using two-color fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), it was revealed that the increased lymphocyte subpopulations not only in the peritoneal cavity but also in the spleen of C3H/He mice by the injection of shosaiko-to were comprised of both immature B (IgM+ and IgD-) and null (thyl- and Ig-) cells . This effect of shosaiko-to was observed in other C5 normal strains, C3H/HeJ (LPS-nonresponder), C57BL/6, BALB/c and athymic nu/nu (ICR background) mice, but not in C5 deficient strains, AKR/J, A/J and DBA/2 mice, indicating that the accumulation of immature B and null cells in the periphery induced by shosaiko-to is closely related to the complement system.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1986, 23(2), 130 - 6
Incidence and growth of methylcholanthrene-induced tumors in mice with altered immunological status; Trutin-Ostovic C et al.; BALB/c mice were treated s.c . with 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), and tumor incidence and growth were followed for 9 months . Immunological status of mice was altered by various treatments . Thymectomized, lethally irradiated, bone marrow reconstituted mice served as T-cell deficient recipients . In order to suppress natural killer (NK)-cell/macrophage functions some mice were injected with silica particles; to enhance these functions some mice were given Corynebacterium parvum (CP) . Silica and CP were given simultaneously with MCA to test their influence on the presumed function of surveillance of tumor incidence, and also 2 months after MCA to test their influence on the growth of greater numbers of transformed host cells . Almost all mice developed tumors at the inoculation site and at the end of the observation period there was no difference in tumor incidence among 9 experimental groups . However, in T-cell deficient mice we observed shorter tumor duration and earlier death than in normal mice . Silica particles appeared to enhance tumor growth but the differences compared to normal controls were not significant . A single injection of CP simultaneously with MCA caused earlier tumor appearance but also slowed its growth . In contrast, CP given 2 months after MCA significantly delayed the appearance of the tumors . In regard to the tumor growth immunosuppression had stronger effects in males than in females; the opposite was true for immunostimulation treatments . We concluded that immunological status does not influence long-term tumor incidence, but that both T-cell and NK-cell/macrophage compartments strongly influence the parameters of growth of chemically induced tumors, i.e., the immune and natural resistance mechanisms do not influence the frequency of de novo arising tumors but both can slow down tumor growth.

Infection, 1986, 14 Suppl 4, S233 - 6
Comparative activity of ofloxacin and seven other antimicrobials against urea-splitting microorganisms; Torres A et al.; Urinary tract infections caused by urea-splitting bacteria are severe clinical conditions and very difficult to treat due to their association with calculi, and because such bacteria form ammonium hydroxide raising the urinary pH and thereby creating an unfavourable condition for the action of most antimicrobials . We tested ofloxacin, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole and nitrofurantoin against 143 gram-negative and 99 gram-positive bacteria, all urea-splitting, isolated from patients with urinary tract infections . All drugs were tested using media at two different pHs (pH 7.4 and PH 8.5) and two inoculum sizes (10(4) and 10(6) cfu) . Although ofloxacin and norfloxacin had a similar spectrum of activity, ofloxacin had somewhat greater intrinsic activity against gram-positive organisms . MICs of ofloxacin for 90% of Proteus mirabilis, indole-positive Proteus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci and the Corynebacterium group D2 were greater than or equal to 4 mg/l . The activity of the other drugs varied, but there were many strains resistant to these antimicrobials . The pH and inoculum size did not significantly affect the activity of ofloxacin so that this drug should be useful for the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by the commonest urea-splitting bacteria involved in such infections.

J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Jan, 39(1), 49 - 62
Studies of macrophage function in murine systemic lupus erythematosus . 3 . The nature, anatomical location, and reversibility of the phagocytic defect; Russell PJ et al.; The defect in phagocytosis and binding of antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes (EA) by peritoneal macrophages of (NZB X NZW)F1 or B/W mice is not intrinsic, but is related to the development of the autoimmune disease process . The defect appears to be confined to peritoneal macrophages, since bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophages have normal to elevated activities in vitro . The peritoneal macrophage defect is not due to blockade of Fc receptors in vivo, as shown by long-term culture or recovery of phagocytic and binding activities after removal of Fc receptors by pronase, but represents a reduced number of receptors with slightly delayed turnover . The defect can be reversed by elicitation of activated macrophages with Corynebacterium parvum, thioglycollate, or proteose peptone in vivo . Normal Fc-mediated phagocytosis and binding by BM-derived macrophages cultured from untreated autoimmune mice is enhanced by pretreatment of mice with C . parvum, thioglycollate, or proteose peptone . The cause of the defect in Fc-mediated phagocytosis by resident peritoneal macrophages of autoimmune mice was not ascertained; it may be due to abnormal macrophage kinetics or to the local effects of lymphokines released as a result of other autoimmune changes.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1986, 80(4), 553 - 6
Bacteriology of sickle cell leg ulcers; MacFarlane DE et al.; The bacteria isolated on aerobic and anaerobic culture were compared in 80 unilateral ulcers in patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease, 62 superficial skin lesions, and in 30 diabetic ulcers . In SS disease, the bacterial flora was predominantly aerobic and polymicrobial with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and beta-haemolytic streptococci being the major isolates . Repeat sampling of 26 ulcers over a period of 23 weeks indicated the persistence of these three organisms, either singly or in combination in 21 ulcers . Although a variety of Enterobacteriaceae were recovered no single genus predominated and these organisms did not normally persist on follow-up . Simultaneous swabs from bilateral ulcers revealed similar if not identical flora in most cases, indicating good predictive value of a single swab in patients with multiple ulcers . Corynebacterium diphtheriae was recovered from eight ulcers and four of these strains were toxigenic . By contrast, the superficial skin lesions grew mainly S . aureus and beta 6-haemolytic streptococci, and the diabetic ulcers yielded a mixed growth of streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae and anaerobes . The recovery of known skin pathogens from most sickle cell leg ulcers, the persistence of these organisms, and the presence of associated lymphadenopathy, indicates that infection may be a significant factor in the pathology of these lesions.

Braz J Med Biol Res, 1986, 19(1), 75 - 7
Agglutination of sheep erythrocytes by Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Mattos-Guaraldi AL et al.; The hemagglutinating activity of 26 strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated from the upper respiratory tract and from skin lesions was determined using both a macro and a micro-technique . Six of the 26 strains tested were unable to agglutinate sheep erythrocytes . Furthermore there was a considerable variation in the hemagglutinating activity of the positive strains.

Physiol Behav, 1986, 37(4), 555 - 8
Modification of the antitumor action of Corynebacterium parvum by stress; Turney TH et al.; Social grouping and isolation of mice, in the presence of an acute stressor, were found to differentially affect the antitumor action of the immunological adjuvant Corynebacterium parvum . Socially grouped DBA/2j mice were injected intradermally with P815 mastocytoma ascites cells . Half the mice had a threshold dose of C . parvum admixed with the P815 cells . Half the mice in each of those conditions were given acute, inescapable electric footshock . In a second experiment, the stressed mice were socially isolated prior to the acute stress . Tumor growth itself was not affected by the stress procedures . C . parvum inhibited tumor growth in non-stressed and socially isolated, stressed mice . However, social grouping selectively negated the C . parvum effect resulting in tumor growth and mortality equivalent to mice not given the adjuvant . Psychological factors may be important to the development of concomitant immunity and the efficacy of immunotherapies.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1986 Jan-Feb, 22(1), 96 - 101
{Characteristics of lysine transport in a wild type strain and lysine-producing mutant of Corynebacterium glutamicum}; Lunts MG et al.; An active transport system high specific for 1-lysine was found in the cells of the wild strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum, Km being about 10 microM . Accumulation of lysine was higher, if the cells were cultivated on a medium containing glucose . The cells of the homoserine-deficient lysine producer have no alterations in the lysine transport . The lysine transport was also studied in three lysine producing analog resistant mutants (two mutants are resistant to aminoethylcysteine and one to lysine hydroxamate) . The key enzyme of the lysine biosynthesis, aspartate kinase, is insensitive to the feedback inhibition by the mixture of lysine and threonine in all the mutant studied; at the same time the cells of these mutants grown on a glucose-containing medium above mentioned alterations are suggested to provide the resistance to the lysine analog.

Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 1986 Winter, 8(4), 334 - 7
Hepatocellular carcinoma in an 11-year-old girl with Fanconi's anemia . Report of a case and review of the literature; Abbondanzo SL et al.; An 11-year-old girl with Fanconi's anemia, who died of Corynebacterium septicemia, was found at autopsy to have a solitary, previously undiagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) . Although the association between Fanconi's anemia and malignancies such as leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma is well documented, its relationship to HCC remains controversial and obscure . Anabolic steroid therapy for Fanconi's anemia has also been considered a promoter for hepatocellular neoplasms . This report documents the youngest known patient with Fanconi's anemia to develop HCC and discusses the association between these conditions.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1986, 23(3), 214 - 6
The effect of Kupffer cell stimulation or depression on the development of liver metastases in the rat; Pearson HJ et al.; Tumour cells from a squamous carcinoma (approximately 2.5 X 10(5)) were injected intraportally into a syngeneic strain of rats to produce liver metastases 14 days later . Kupffer cells were stimulated by Corynebacterium parvum (7 mg or 1 mg i.v.) and zymosan (10 mg intraportally) . Kupffer cell activity was depressed by the administration of silica, gadolinium chloride or human red cells . The animals in each group were sacrificed at 14 days, the livers removed and the number of visible surface metastases counted and compared . (Mann-Whitney U-test) . Kupffer cell stimulation significantly reduced the number of surface liver metastases in all animals (P 0.0048) . In contrast depression of Kupffer cell activity significantly increased the number of metastases in all animals (P 0.0045), suggesting that the activity of these cells has an important effect on the development of liver metastases.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1986, 22(1), 56 - 61
Distribution of intrapleural and intravenous Corynebacterium parvum in humans; 99mTc-, and 131I-labeled bacteria; Kaufmann M et al.; The distribution of Corynebacterium parvum labeled with 131iodine or 99mtechnetium was studied in 17 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma . The labeled bacteria were given intravenously or intrapleurally and monitored by whole-body gamma tracking and samples of blood and urine . Even though the rate of physical decay is quite different for 131iodine and 99mtechnetium, the tracking time of labeled bacteria was limited to 24 h after injection for both radioactive isotopes . Technetium labeling was preferred because of greater imaging resolution and less radiation dose to the patient . Following intravenous administration, labeled C . parvum was found predominantly in the liver and spleen, and in a lesser amount in the lung . Radioactivity was confined to the pleural cavity after intrapleural injection . These results suggest the combined intravenous and intrapleural route of adjuvant immunosupportive agents such as C . parvum for operable lung cancer patients.

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986, 9(1), 23 - 8
Microbial pathogens from goat mastitis and phage-typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates; Al-Graibawi MA et al.; Examination of milk from goats yielded 41 strains from 40 clinically affected halves; 15 were Staphylococcus aureus, 6 Staph . epidermis, 1 Streptococcus agalactiae, 2 Strept . dysgalactiae, 5 Strept . uberis, 2 Corynebacterium pyogenes, 3 Escherichia coli, 3 Pasteurella spp . and 4 Mycoplasma spp . One half had dual infection of Staph . aureus and Strept . dysgalactiae . Twenty two of the 297 milk samples from apparently normal halves also harboured pathogens comprising of 9 Staph . aureus, 1 Strept . agalactiae, 2 E . coli, 2 Pasteurella spp., 2 Candida albicans and 6 Mycoplasma spp . Most of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to many broad spectrum antibiotics . Twenty of the 24 Staph . aureus isolates were phase typable by a set of 23 human Staphylococcal International Phages suggesting the utility of these phages for the typing of goat strains . The isolates were grouped into 15 phage-types, many of which have been reported from human infections in Iraq . This indicates the possibility of association of human strains of Staph . aureus in caprine mastitis . No definite correlation could be noted between antibiogram and phage types of Staph . aureus strains.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1986, 22(1), 49 - 55
Splenocytes from tumor-bearing Corynebacterium parvum treated mice maintain interleukin-2 and -3 activity; Roberson AM et al.; Systemic and local administration of the bacterium Corynebacterium parvum (more accurately known as Propionibacterium acnes) is reported to exert antitumor action via activated macrophages or short-lived cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), respectively . This study examined the effect of C . parvum treatment on resulting in vitro interleukin levels, which are components in the sequence of events leading to the development of effective CTL . C . parvum administration prevented palpable fibrosarcoma development . This was concomitant with restoration and maintenance of normal interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) levels and prevention of suppressor cell development in mice injected with both tumor cells and vaccine . Our finding of C . parvum-induced maintenance of IL-2 and IL-3 levels and apparent lack of suppressor cell formation lends support to the idea of local C . parvum antitumor action possibly being mediated by CTL arising via the interleukin cascade.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1986, 21(1), 51 - 7
Suppression of murine NK activity induced by Corynebacterium parvum: further characterization and abrogation of suppressor cells; Milisauskas VK et al.; Formalin-killed Corynebacterium parvum (CP), given at a dose of 0.4-0.7 mg/mouse IV or IP, induced suppressor cells for NK activity in B6C3F1 mice . The suppressor cells belong to at least two different populations, plastic adherent and nonadherent, and were not depleted by antibodies specific for Thy-1.2, Iak, or NK-1.2 surface markers . Administration of p-I:C, an interferon-inducer, to animals 18 h before the assay did not affect the suppressor activity . Hypotonic shock treatment of splenocytes abrogated the in vitro suppressive activity, and subsequent reconstitution of the shock-treated cells with RBC failed to restore the suppressive activity . SJL/J mice, which have low NK activity, exhibited suppressor activity comparable to B6C3F1 mice following CP treatment, whereas CP-treated BALB/c athymic and euthymic mice showed a lower ability to generate suppressors for NK as compared to B6C3F1 mice.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1986, 23(1), 1 - 4
Intrapleural and intravenous Corynebacterium parvum in patients with resected stage I and II non-small cell carcinoma of the lung . The Ludwig Lung Cancer Study Group; Prolongation of survival of mice bearing the Eb and ESb lymphoma by treatment with interferon inducers alone or in combination with Corynebacterium parvum; The objective of this study was to evaluate if pretreatment with Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum) augments the effects of interferon (IFN) inducers on survival of DBA/2 mice transplanted with two syngeneic lymphoma variants, the low metastatic Eb and the high metastatic ESb tumor . The involvement of IFN in the treatment effects was investigated . As inducers of IFN-alpha/beta Newcastle disease virus (NDV), polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:polyC), and 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone (CMA) were injected i.p . at the site of tumor transplantation . The Eb tumor was found to be sensitive to the antiproliferative action of IFN-alpha/beta in vitro . In vivo single injections of each of the inducers retarded growth of the Eb tumor . In C . parvum-pretreated mice the effects of the inducers on survival were markedly increased . There was a correlation between prolonged survival and local IFN levels in response to polyI:polyC or CMA but not upon NDV . Injections of each of the inducers increased cytotoxicity of peritoneal exudate cells against the Eb tumor cells in vitro especially when mice were pretreated with C . parvum . Although other mechanisms cannot be excluded IFN-mediated activation of host defence and also direct antiproliferative effects of endogenously produced IFN seem to be involved in the antitumor effects by these IFN inducers in the Eb model . In the ESb tumor model irrespective of additional pretreatment with C . parvum survival was only slightly prolonged by the treatments and endogenous IFN induction did not result in any real benefit for the animals . When compared with Eb cells the ESb cells were less sensitive to the antiproliferative action of IFN-alpha/beta in vitro and less sensitive to in vitro cytotoxicity by the host cells . Although other mechanisms may additionally be active in vivo the different susceptibility of the Eb and ESb tumor cells to the direct and indirect actions of IFN seems to contribute to the different responsiveness of these tumor cell lines to the treatments with IFN inducers.

Dtsch Z Verdau Stoffwechselkr, 1986, 46(1), 53 - 61
{Microbial pathogenesis of Whipple's disease}; Bernhardt H et al.; In a case of Whipple's disease with electron microscopic demonstration of rod-shaped bacteria we could isolate Propionibacterium acnes (former name: Corynebacterium anaerobium), Actinomyces, and Lactobacillus from duodenal biopsies by the aid of modern anaerobic culture technique . Simultaneously we found a dysbiosis (increase of anaerobic coca and anaerobes) in du odenal juice . After antibiotic treatment Propionibacterium and Lactobacillus disappeared and an other type of dysbiosis (appearance of Bacteroides) was to be seen . In discussion is a change of immunologic state and following disturbed regulation of microbial colonization in the small bowel of patients with Whipple's disease.

Infect Immun, 1986 Jan, 51(1), 87 - 93
Antimicrobial activity of various immunomodulators: independence from normal levels of circulating monocytes and natural killer cells; Morahan PS et al.; The effects of 89Sr treatment on the natural host resistance of CD-1 mice and the enhancement of resistance by immunomodulators to infection with Listeria monocytogenes or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) were determined . In the CD-1 mouse, single-dose treatment with 89Sr caused a profound decrease in the number of circulating monocytes (Mo), lymphocytes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) within 1 week . There was also marked functional impairment of the Mo inflammatory response, as well as markedly decreased spontaneous and activatable cytotoxicity by splenic natural killer (NK) cells . Despite this profound cellular suppression, there was no significant change in natural resistance of CD-1 mice to L . monocytogenes or HSV-2 infection . Furthermore, prophylactic treatment of mice with the biologic immunomodulator Corynebacterium parvum or the synthetic immunomodulators maleic anhydride-divinyl ether or avridine in liposomes resulted in comparable enhancement of resistance in 89Sr-treated and normal mice . These data indicate that natural and immunomodulator-enhanced resistance of CD-1 mice to microbial infections do not depend on normal levels of Mo, PMN, or NK cells . The resistance enhancement may rely on activated tissue macrophages (M phi) . In contrast to the early changes in circulating leukocytes, the resident peritoneal cell populations were not markedly altered until after day 30 . There then was a distinct decline in lymphocytes and a gradual decline in M phi; the change in M phi was apparently due to the lack of an age-related increase in the peritoneal M phi population in 89Sr-treated mice in comparison with a slight increase in resident M phi in normal mice . After CD-1 mice were treated with 89Sr, the number of PMN and the function of NK cells generally recovered by about day 50 and was followed by partial recovery of circulating Mo, unless a second dose of 89Sr was administered.

J Dairy Sci, 1985 Dec, 68(12), 3329 - 36
Effects of natural intramammary Corynebacterium bovis infection on milk yield and composition; LeVan PL et al.; The objective was to assess effect of Corynebacterium bovis infection of the bovine mammary gland on milk yield and composition . Yield and composition of milk from 53 Corynebacterium bovis-infected quarters of 44 cows at four consecutive milkings were compared with those of the contralateral uninfected quarters . Differences between infected and uninfected quarters in milk, fat, and protein yield and in fat and protein content were small and statistically nonsignificant . Numbers of somatic cells were moderately but significantly higher (119,000 vs . 79,000 cells/ml) in infected than in uninfected quarters.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Dec, 28(6), 845 - 6
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Corynebacterium group D2; Santamaria M et al.; The in vitro susceptibility of 30 Corynebacterium group D2 strains to nine antimicrobial agents was determined . Vancomycin and norfloxacin were the most active agents tested . All strains were resistant to ampicillin and cephalothin, all except one were resistant to gentamicin, and the activity of erythromycin, novobiocin, tetracycline, and rifampin varied.

J Immunol, 1985 Dec, 135(6), 3905 - 10
The effect of hemopoietic microenvironment on splenic suppressor macrophages in congenitally anemic mice of genotype Sl/Sld; Shibata Y et al.; Mechanisms underlying mononuclear phagocyte specialization are being probed by studying suppressor macrophages (M phi) as a reference population in mouse models with impaired blood monocyte formation . Splenic suppressor M phi, defined by PGE-mediated inhibition of Con A-induced T lymphocyte proliferation are induced by the i.p . administration of Corynebacterium parvum (CP) . Mice severely depleted of bone marrow and blood monocytes by treatment with 89Sr fail to show this suppressor M phi response to CP, although M phi-forming stem cells, assessed as splenic M-CFC in vitro, are increased 20-fold . These observations suggest that radiosensitive bone marrow stem cells are necessary for the generation of both suppressor M phi and monocytes and that one such stem cell may be common to both types of mononuclear phagocytes . This notion was explored further by employing congenitally anemic mice of the genotype S1/S1d in which the hemopoietic microenvironment is genetically defective and thus unable to support the proliferation, differentiation, and function of stem cells . The congenital defect was found to be additionally expressed in the S1/S1d mouse by a monocytopenia of less than 10% of the values in normal congenic littermate controls and by the failure of splenic M-CFC to increase in response to CP . PGE-producing suppressor M phi expressing Fc gamma 2b receptors, however, were induced by CP in S1/S1d mice with no significant diminution of suppressor activity . These data establish the fact that significant impairment of the formation of monocytes is part of the overall hemopoietic defect in S1/S1d mice . PGE-producing suppressor M phi, however, were inducible at normal functional levels in the presence of a profound monocytopenia, and therefore appear to be independent of the mechanisms that regulate blood monocyte formation . Ablation of the bone marrow with 89Sr resulted in failure of CP to induce suppressor M phi in the spleens of the S1/S1d mice as in the littermate controls . Other observations in the present study, when taken with data from the 89Sr model, show the additional independence of these suppressor M phi from splenic M-CFC . In aggregate, these findings delineate three functionally definable populations of mononuclear phagocytes that appear to be independently regulated.

Infect Immun, 1985 Dec, 50(3), 678 - 81
Bacterial flora in spontaneously occurring aural cholesteatomas in Mongolian gerbils; Fulghum RS et al.; Bacteria were isolated from 29 Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, with spontaneous aural cholesteatomas . We identified 148 cultures, 44 from the middle ear surface of cholesteatomas and 104 from cholesteatoma contents . We could only identify 63 cultures to the genus level, although we identified 85 cultures as belonging to 21 different species . We found on the surfaces of cholesteatomas representatives of 9 genera, from which 8 species could be identified, and representatives of 19 genera within the cholesteatoma sac, from which 21 species could be identified . The most common bacterial genera isolated were Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Corynebacterium among the aerobic genera, and Bacteroides and Peptococcus among the anaerobic genera . The bacterial flora of gerbilline cholesteatomas was found to be diverse, resembling the flora found to be associated with human cholesteatomas . The flora also resembled the organisms found transitorily within the normal middle ear cavity of gerbils, except for a higher incidence of pseudomonads.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Dec 1, 187(11), 1166 - 9
Disease patterns in the Detroit Zoo: a study of the mammalian population from 1973 through 1983; Kaneene JB et al.; A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate disease patterns in the mammals at the Detroit Zoo from 1973 through 1983 . The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), common eland (Taurotragus oryx), rednecked Wallaby (Protemnodon rufogrisea), sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii), and kangaroo (Macropus spp)- were the most frequently affected mammalian species . Parasitic agents (80% of which were internal parasites) caused morbidity in 60.2% of the mammals evaluated (n = 2,475) and microbial agents caused morbidity in 20.8% of the animals . Strongyloides spp, Trichostrongylus spp, coccidian species, Diphyllobothrium spp, and Trichuris spp were the internal parasites most frequently found . Overall annual mortality rate was 14% to 34%, with microbiological agents causing the highest mortality (26.5%) . Pasteurella spp, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp, pathogenic Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium spp, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequent microbial causes of death . Cause of mortality could not be determined in 21.5% of the animals evaluated . The percentage of animals successfully treated increased from 1973 through 1983 . Generally, however, the percentage of successfully treated animals was low (21% to 39%).

J Leukoc Biol, 1985 Dec, 38(6), 659 - 69
Selectively eliminated blood monocytes and splenic suppressor macrophages in mice depleted of bone marrow by strontium 89; Shibata Y et al.; The contribution of specific activity to the effects of the bone-seeking isotope, strontium 89 on radiosensitive components of mononuclear phagocyte populations was investigated in mice . CBA/J mice received a fixed dose of 2 microCi/g body weight of 89Sr with three different specific activities, 6 Ci, 100 microCi and 20 microCi per mg Sr . The estimated radioactivity located in the bone surface was 4,200, 3,000 and 2,400 cpm/mg bone when measured 2 days after the administration of 89Sr, and was lost with an estimated biological half-life of 27, 25, and 23 days, respectively . Bone marrow suppression was assessed by quantitation of the depletion of macrophage-colony forming cells (M-CFC) grown in vitro in the presence of macrophage growth factor . The decline in M-CFC closely paralleled the level of radioactivity in the bone . These effects were clearly reflected by the depletion of monocytes in the blood, which were reduced to 14%, 14%, and 21% of control levels corresponding to SA's of 6 Ci/mg, 100 microCi/mg and 20 microCi/mg when counted on day 10 . By day 30 the respective monocyte levels were 15%, 31%, and 77% . Furthermore, the induction of prostaglandin E producing suppressor macrophages (M phi) by Corynebacterium parvum administration was found to vary inversely with the effects of radioactivity in the bone, with initial impairment followed by quantitative recovery . Resident-type M phi in peritoneal cavity, however, appear to be unaffected by 89Sr-treatment . These data suggest, as before, that the monocytes and suppressor M phi are dependent on radiosensitive marrow cells . The observations also lead to the conclusion that the specific activity of 89Sr preparations is an important determinant of the degree of suppression and of the rate of recovery of bone marrow from the effects of irradiation that follow the administration of this isotope.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 131 ( Pt 12), 3179 - 83
Transfection of Corynebacterium lilium protoplasts; Yeh P et al.; A protoplast transfection system has been developed for a lysine-producing bacterium, Corynebacterium lilium, using the DNA of phage CL31 . Phage CL31 is lytic and specific to C . lilium and has a genome of approximately 48 kb . The transfection procedure involves a polyethylene-glycol-mediated introduction of the DNA into lysozyme-treated cells and has a maximum efficiency of 3 X 10(4) transfectants per microgram DNA.

J Immunol, 1985 Dec, 135(6), 3897 - 904
The effect of bone marrow depletion on prostaglandin E-producing suppressor macrophages in mouse spleen; Shibata Y et al.; The i.p . injection of Corynebacterium parvum (CP) into CBA/J mice effected increases in macrophage colony-forming cells (M-CFC) when spleen cells were cultured with L cell culture filtrate as a source of colony-stimulating factor . Significant increases in phagocytic macrophages (M phi) with Fc receptors for IgG2a and IgG2b immune complexes were additionally noted among the spleen cells in these mice . These M phi effectively inhibited Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation, probably reflecting a 10-fold increase above normal controls in prostaglandin E to 47 ng/3 X 10(6) spleen cells/ml . To determine whether the suppressor M phi are immediate derivatives of splenic M-CFC, we tried to induce suppressor M phi by the injection of CP into mice depleted of bone marrow M-CFC by the earlier administration of the bone-seeking isotope, 89Sr . This procedure reduced M-CFC in the bone marrow to less than 1% of normal for more than 30 days . Monocytes in the blood fell to 5% of normal by day 10 and were 30% on day 30 . Levels of resident peritoneal M phi showed relatively little change in this period . By contrast, splenic M-CFC increased to 20-fold higher than the "cold" 88Sr controls . CP-induced suppressor M phi activity, however, was sharply reduced in 89Sr marrow-depleted mice on day 10, despite the striking increase in M-CFC . There was a threefold increase in the number of phagocytic M phi binding IgG2a immune complexes, with no significant increase in IgG2b binding M phi . The kinetics of recovery of suppressor M phi activity showed that on days 20, 30, and 50 after 89Sr injection the activities reached 20%, 30%, and 70% of the "cold" control, respectively, and correlated with the recovery of significant levels of M-CFC in the bone marrow . Taken together, these observations suggest that splenic M-CFC are not an immediate source of PGE-suppressor M phi in vivo . It appears more likely that the CP-inducible suppressor M phi, in particular, originate from radiosensitive bone marrow cells or require for differentiation a microenvironment provided by bone marrow cells . The data also suggest that the expression of the Fc gamma 2b receptor and of suppressor activity by CP-induced splenic M phi are related phenomena.

J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1985 Dec, 56(4), 191 - 4
Comparison of the effect of antibiotic dry cow teat canal and intramammary dry cow therapy of dairy cows on the prevalence of teat canal and intramammary infections at calving; du Preez JH et al.; The specific therapy of bacterial colonization of the teat canals of dried-off dairy cows by means of small amounts (33 mg/0.25 ml and 14 mg/0.1 ml) of a procain benzyl penicillin-dihydrostreptomycin sulphate combination has been investigated . Of 36 teat canals treated with 0.25 ml antibiotic preparation each, 24 (66.6%) were infected at the beginning of the dry period, whereas at its termination only 7 (19.4%) showed bacteriologically positive swab cultures . By treating a further 43 quarters with 0.1 ml quantities of an antibiotic preparation each, the prevalence of infection dropped from 32.5% to 14% . Untreated controls (20 quarters) showed no significant change . Cultures of teat canal swabs were generally twice as sensitive for indicating the presence of bacteria compared to foremilk sample cultures . Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated organism, followed by Streptococcus agalactiae, Corynebacterium bovis and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 31(11), 1068 - 70
Deoxyribonucleic acids of Corynebacterium genitalium and Corynebacterium pseudogenitalium: their genome molecular weights, base ratios, and DNA relatedness with other corynebacteria involved in urinary tract infections; Imaeda T et al.; Chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acids of Corynebacterium genitalium and Corynebacterium pseudogenitalium were isolated and analysed spectrophotometrically . Their genome molecular weights ranged from 1.1 X 10(9) to 1.6 X 10(9) . The guanine-plus-cytosine content of C . genitalium ranged from 60.0 to 63.3%, whereas that of C . pseudogenitalium ranged from 56.1 to 58.7% . Five strains of C . genitalium showed relatively low levels of DNA relatedness to each other ranging from 35 to 64% . In contrast, most strains of C . pseudogenitalium showed high levels of DNA relatedness to each other ranging from 71 to 89% . Selected strains of C . genitalium and C . pseudogenitalium showed low levels of DNA relatedness (49 to 60%) to other corynebacterial species involved in urinary tract infection . Data obtained in this study indicate that all strains of C . genitalium consist of genetically divergent organisms while the most strains of C . pseudogenitalium belong to a single species.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Nov, 46(11), 2322 - 6
Serologic response and lesions in goats experimentally infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis of caprine and equine origins; Brown CC et al.; Fifteen goat kids were experimentally inoculated with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis . Five were given a strain of caprine origin (nitrate-negative biotype) intradermally, 5 were given a strain of equine origin (nitrate-positive biotype) intradermally, and 5 were inoculated intranasally with the caprine-origin strain . Animals were monitored for 127 days . The goats given the inocula intradermally developed abscesses; those given caprine-origin strain had multiple lesions both peripherally and in visceral locations (primarily endothoracic abscesses), whereas those given the equine-origin strain had abscesses only at injection sites and draining nodes . The difference in extent of lesions could be due to biotypic bacterial differences or to the individual strains used . Intranasally inoculated goats did not develop abscesses and were essentially no different from controls . The cranial part of the respiratory tract may not be an important portal of entry for C pseudotuberculosis . Serum samples obtained monthly from all animals were subjected to the synergistic hemolysis-inhibition test, which measures antibodies to the exotoxin of C pseudotuberculosis . Animals with abscesses developed titers within 1 month of inoculation . Animals without abscesses remained seronegative . The synergistic hemolysis-inhibition test may be a reliable diagnostic assay for caseous lymphadenitis in goats.

Cancer, 1985 Nov 1, 56(9), 2194 - 200
The serologic response of patients with stage II melanoma to allogeneic melanoma cell vaccines; Livingston PO et al.; Seventeen patients with Stage II malignant melanoma were treated with vaccines prepared from three allogeneic melanoma cell lines in an attempt to induce a humoral immune response against melanoma cell surface antigens . The patients were free of detectable melanoma at the time of vaccination . Vaccines were prepared from three melanoma cell lines that expressed highly restricted melanocyte differentiation antigens . One of these cell lines also expressed an antigen found only on this particular line . The antigens were initially identified by antibodies in autologous serum; they were thus known to be recognized by the human immune system . In addition, two of the cell lines expressed HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR antigens; no HLA antigens were detectable on the third line . The vaccines were administered sequentially by subcutaneous injection, mixed with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or Corynebacterium parvum . The patients' sera were tested for antibodies against cell surface antigens of the vaccine cells in protein A assays and immune adherence assays, and the specificity of observed reactions was defined by absorption tests . Antibodies against alloantigens of the vaccine cells developed in 16 patients and in 15 patients, against antigens related to fetal calf serum in the culture medium . The magnitude of the antibody response to alloantigens varied considerably, with no difference between patients who received BCG or C . parvum with their vaccines . Antibodies against the restricted melanocyte differentiation antigens or the unique melanoma antigen expressed by the vaccine cells were not detected.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 22(5), 761 - 7
Rapid and sensitive identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Knisley CV et al.; The fatty acid constituents of 14 species of Mycobacterium (14 isolates) and one isolate each of Corynebacterium xerosis, Nocardia asteroides, and Streptomyces albus were examined with the purpose of distinguishing Mycobacterium tuberculosis from other acid-fast bacilli . Combined thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of methyl mycolates and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of shorter-chain fatty acid esters provided an unequivocal identification of M . tuberculosis in a matter of 2 to 3 days . The methodology included rapid and simplified procedures for methanolysis and extraction of bacterial lipids with equally facilitated GLC and TLC analyses . These studies were performed with 0.5 to 1.0 mg of dry bacterial cells (approximately 2.5 X 10(7) CFU) . When applied to 100 unknown cultures, the methodology with combined TLC-GLC correctly identified all 49 of the M . tuberculosis-Mycobacterium bovis cultures and a variety of other mycobacterium taxa . It was also interesting to note that 28 of 39 (72%) of the nontuberculous mycobacteria were correctly identified . An additional five species were tentatively identified as belonging to either of two species (Mycobacterium malmoense, Mycobacterium terrae), but in all cases, the two species belonged to the same Runyon group . All six nonmycobacterial species were differentiated from the mycobacteria studied.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 31(11), 1011 - 8
Structural studies of the cell wall polysaccharide of Nocardia asteroides R 399; Voiland A et al.; As with other bacteria belonging to the corynebacteria, mycobacteria, and nocardia group, Nocardia possess in their cell walls a neutral polysaccharide . Structural analysis of the cell wall polysaccharide of Nocardia asteroides R 399 was undertaken . The carbohydrate polymer contained D-arabinose and D-galactose as in mycobacteria . Besides these two carbohydrates we pointed out the occurrence of two additional components: D-glucose and a polyol . This polyol, because of its small amount and its uneasy detection, had been for a long time ignored . It has been proven to be the 6-deoxy-D-altritol or 1-deoxy-D-talitol . The polymer consists of a main strand composed of----5 Araf 1----and----4Galp1----or----5Galf1----; oligoarabinosyl side chains were localized on C3 of an arabinosyl residue . Other shorter ramifications also occur on some galactosyl units . A characterization of the linkage between polysaccharide and peptidoglycan inside the cell wall has also been carried out . The two polymers are joined by a phosphodiester bond which involves 6-deoxyaltritol . As some corynebacteria previously analyzed were also shown to contain mannose (and sometimes glucose), we can conclude that the main skeleton of cell wall polysaccharides of the corynebacteria, mycobacteria, and nocardia group of bacteria is an arabinogalactan; however, individual structural features of the polysaccharide are varying according to the bacterial species . These results might be connected with variations that were observed in immunological analysis.

Eur J Pediatr, 1985 Nov, 144(4), 395 - 8
Diphtheritic septicaemia and probable endocarditis: a case report and review of the literature; Sirinavin S et al.; Corynebacterium diphtheriae usually produces an infection limited to the respiratory tract and the organisms rarely invade the blood stream . We report the case of a 6-year-old girl who, 2 months after an unsuccessful repair of a ventricular septal defect, developed septicaemia with non-toxigenic C . diphtheriae . The organism appeared resistant to penicillin in vitro and failed to respond to a course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole to which it was susceptible in the laboratory . A cure was finally achieved using cephalothin and gentamicin, followed by an additional course of ampicillin and amoxicillin . Twelve previously recorded cases of diphtheritic sepsis and endocarditis are reviewed.

Nord Vet Med, 1985 Nov-Dec, 37(6), 349 - 57
A study of tail tip necrosis in young fattening bulls on slatted floors; Madsen EB et al.; A questionnaire sent to 78 producers revealed that tail tip necrosis was seen only in units with fattening bulls housed on slatted floors . Out of 43 such units, 20 (46.5 per cent) reported that tail tip necrosis was a herd problem . All 43 herds were visited, owners were interviewed and housing and management data recorded . It is concluded that tail tip necrosis is a multifactorial disease . The initial lesion is caused by tramping, but the following factors are essential in the development and severity of the disease, i) slatted concrete floors, ii) close confinement, iii) hot season and iv) body weight above 200 kg . The stocking density (expressed as kg bodyweight per square meter pen) was significantly higher in problem herds (210 kg/m2) than in control herds (165 kg/m2) . There was a close relationship between high environmental temperature and tail tip necroses . The majority of incidents occurred during the warm season (May through September), very few cases were seen during the colder months . The general morbidity and mortality rates were significantly higher in problem herds than in control herds . Microbiology of affected tails revealed mixed infections in most cases, with Corynebacterium pyogenes and Bacteroides melaninogenicus as the most frequently isolated organisms . Principles of treatment and prevention are discussed . There is evidence to assume that a 10-20 per cent reduction in stocking density could be an efficient prophylactic measure.

Gastroenterology, 1985 Nov, 89(5), 1114 - 22
Oxygen-derived free radicals promote hepatic injury in the rat; Arthur MJ et al.; We have investigated the possible protective effect of superoxide dismutase and allopurinol in a rat model of mild and severe hepatic necrosis produced by Corynebacterium parvum with or without endotoxin . Histology showed a sinusoidal mononuclear cell infiltrate with multiple granulomata but variable degrees of hepatic necrosis . In the severe hepatic injury model there was a reduction in mortality, associated with a decrease in histologic and biochemical evidence of hepatic necrosis, after treatment with superoxide dismutase . This protective effect was not demonstrated with partially heat-inactivated superoxide dismutase . In the mild hepatic injury model similar trends in reduction of serum levels of hepatic enzymes were observed after treatment with both superoxide dismutase and allopurinol . These results indicate that oxygen-derived free radicals may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic injury in the rat.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Nov, (11), 30 - 3
{Adhesion in Corynebacterium diphtheriae}; Kostiukova NN et al.; The study of 8 C . diphtheriae strains of different origin revealed that these strains were capable of inducing the agglutination of trypsinized sheep red blood cells (SRBC) . Toxigenic strains gravis isolated from diphtheria patients were more active in their adhesion to SRBC than toxigenic strains gravis isolated from carriers . The latter were, in their turn, more active than nontoxigenic strains mitis . No fimbriae were detected on the cell surface by electron microscopy.

Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1985 Oct 1, 110(19), 776 - 9
{Disorders in slaughtering animals . V . Endocarditis in slaughtering pigs, sows and cattle}; Narucka U et al.; Bacteriological studies were done in 673 slaughtered animals (pigs, sows and cattle) in which post-mortem examination had revealed the presence of endocarditis . The studies were positive for the presence of bacteria in 453 cases . Lesions were not observed on ante-mortem inspection in 386 cases . Isolation of Corynebacterium pyogenes was extremely common in cattle, whereas beta-haemolytic streptococci and Erysipelothrix insidiosa were very frequently isolated in slaughtered pigs.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Oct, 4(5), 502 - 4
Group JK corynebacteria in skin flora of healthy persons and patients; Wichmann S et al.; The presence of group JK corynebacteria in the skin flora of the axilla and inguinal regions was monitored for several months in three groups comprising 45 oncological patients, 49 dialysis patients and 36 healthy staff members . Oncology patients were colonised significantly more often (51%) than dialysis patients and staff members (33% and 36% respectively) . The frequency of isolation did not differ between male patients and staff whereas female patients were colonised significantly more often than female staff members . The inguinal region was colonised more often than the axilla . Oncological patients had the highest proportion of antibiotic resistant group JK corynebacteria strains on their skin and staff members the lowest proportion.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Oct, 46(10), 2171 - 4
In vitro phagocytosis and killing of Corynebacterium equi by alveolar macrophages of foals; Zink MC et al.; Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 5 times, sequentially, on 3 healthy foals while each foal was 6 to 63 days of age . Phagocytosis and bactericidal assays were performed on recovered alveolar macrophages . Corynebacterium equi and alveolar macrophages at a ratio of 10:1 were incubated for 1 hour in medium containing 1% heat-inactivated rabbit anti-C equi serum . After incubation, greater than 90% of the alveolar macrophages contained at least 1 ingested bacterium and each alveolar macrophage contained 9.4 +/- 1.0 bacteria (mean +/- SE) . After alveolar macrophages and C equi were incubated for 1 hour in medium containing heat-inactivated pooled normal horse serum, approximately 24% of the alveolar macrophages contained at least 1 bacterium and each alveolar macrophage contained 0.8 +/- 0.7 bacteria . From 6 to 61 days of age, each foal had significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased phagocytic activity by alveolar macrophages, but a significant change in killing of C equi by alveolar macrophages was not found in the foals from 21 to 61 days of age . After incubating alveolar macrophages and C equi for 4 hours in vitro, approximately 75% of ingested C equi remained viable.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Oct, 46(10), 2166 - 70
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi infection in foals; Takai S et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to diagnose Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi infection in foals . In tests done with different antigen-extraction procedures (sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium deoxycholate, polyoxy-ethylene {9} p-tert-octylphenol, polyoxy-ethylene {9-10} p-tert-octylphenol, sonification, homogenization, and heat treatment at 121 C), Tween 20 was a satisfactory reactive antigen . Using hyperimmune rabbit sera or infected foal sera, we investigated the specificity and the sensitivity of the ELISA with the Tween 20 antigen of the different serotypes or of the isolates . Corynebacterium equi strain ATCC 6939 antigen had the best activity for detecting antibodies to C equi in foals . Sera from 218 healthy horses, 11 healthy foals, 17 healthy newborn foals, a foal with suspected C equi infection, and 5 infected foals were evaluated for antibodies to C equi, using ELISA . The optical density values of 206 healthy horses, 17 healthy newborn foals, and 9 healthy foals were less than 0.1 . Infected foal sera, except from foal 3, and serum from a foal with suspected C equi infection had higher optical density values . Using ELISA, specific antibodies against C equi were detected in a naturally infected 6-week-old foal after the foal had a rapid increase in the number of bacteria in the feces and after the initial development of clinical signs of illness at 5 weeks of age . Therefore, ELISA was useful for the early diagnosis of C equi infection in foals.

South Med J, 1985 Oct, 78(10), 1261 - 2
Corynebacterium hemolyticum endocarditis on a native valve; Worthington MG et al.; We have described a patient with fatal Corynebacterium hemolyticum endocarditis on a native bicuspid aortic valve . This is the first report of endocarditis and the first fatal infection of any kind caused by Corynebacterium hemolyticum . This organism and other nondiphtheria corynebacteria must be considered as potentially serious pathogens in man.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Oct, 152(4), 801 - 6
Pathogenic JK group corynebacteria and their similarity to human cutaneous lipophilic diphtheroids; McGinley KJ et al.; Aerobic diphtheroids from human skin (commonly referred to as lipophilic diphtheroids), pathogenic bacteria of the JK group, and classic species of the genus Corynebacterium were studied for their cellular fatty acids and mycolates, composition of their cell wall peptidoglycans, nutritional requirements, biochemical reactions, and antibiotic sensitivities . Lipophilic diphtheroids and JK strains were catalase positive and contained corynemycolic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid in their cell walls, a characteristic shared with all corynebacteria . The lipophilic diphtheroid and JK strains were found to have a strict nutritional requirement for lipid and a similar composition of cellular fatty acid, mycolic acid, and peptidoglycan; they differed only in the multiple antibiotic resistance of the JK strains . Results of the biochemical reactions were inconclusive and did not permit grouping of lipophilic diphtheroids or JK with any of the reference strains . The reference strains did not require lipid and contained cellular fatty acids that were clearly distinct from those of the JK strains or lipophilic diphtheroids . These results suggest that JK bacteria are Corynebacterium spp . and may represent resident lipophilic diphtheroids that have acquired antibiotic resistance.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Oct, 22(4), 475 - 7
Two similar but atypical strains of coryneform group A-4 isolated from patients with endophthalmitis; Coudron PE et al.; Corynebacterium species and other coryneform organisms isolated from clinical specimens are frequently considered contaminants . We isolated two strains of a gram-positive organism from the vitreous fluid of two patients with endophthalmitis who had previously received intraocular lens transplants . The biochemical characteristics and gas chromatographic patterns of both isolates were similar to those of coryneform group A-4 strains . Major differences included esculin hydrolysis, nitrate reduction, growth pigment, and lactic acid production . These two strains along with a limited number of strains collected at the Special Bacterial Pathogens Laboratory (Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga.) may represent a subgroup of coryneform group A-4 . Results of in vitro susceptibility testing performed with antimicrobial agents commonly used to treat patients with bacterial endophthalmitis underscore the importance of determining MBCs for slow-growing organisms . This report cautions microbiologists not to discard organisms frequently considered contaminants when isolated from body fluids that are normally sterile and from patients receiving local steroids.

J Invest Dermatol, 1985 Oct, 85(4), 374 - 7
Analysis of cellular components, biochemical reactions, and habitat of human cutaneous lipophilic diphtheroids; McGinley KJ et al.; The cutaneous distribution of lipophilic diphtheroids was determined in normal human volunteers . The organisms were found to be plentiful in moist regions (scalp, nares, axilla, groin, and toe web) and scarce in dry and purely oily regions . The lipid requirement, cellular fatty acids, mycolic acid and cell wall diaminopimelic acid content of these lipophilic diphtheroids was compared to those of strains of Corynebacterium bovis, C . xerosis, C . diphtheriae, and C . minutissimum . Only lipophilic diphtheroids and C . bovis strains were found to have a strict lipid requirement . Lipophilic diphtheroids were found to have meso-diaminopimelic acid and corynemycolic acid in their cell walls, consistent with membership in the genus Corynebacterium . Lipophilic diphtheroids were also found to comprise a homogeneous group which was distinct from the speciated strains on the basis of cellular fatty acids and mycolic acids.

Vet Parasitol, 1985 Oct, 18(3), 223 - 8
Carriage of Corynebacterium pyogenes by the cattle nuisance flies Hydrotaea irritans (Fallén) and Musca autumnalis (De Geer); Hillerton JE et al.; Two species of cattle-visiting Muscidae were experimentally contaminated with C . pyogenes, a pathogen involved in the aetiology of summer mastitis . Surface contamination persisted for at least 4 days . Since M . autumnalis would not feed on media containing C . pyogenes the bacterium did not persist internally . All C . pyogenes were eliminated from the gut of H . irritans in 4 days . H . irritans is thus more likely to transmit C . pyogenes than is M . autumnalis but only by mechanical transfer, and is not a true vector.

J Dairy Sci, 1985 Oct, 68(10), 2684 - 93
Effects of Corynebacterium bovis infection on susceptibility to major mastitis pathogens; Pankey JW et al.; Experimental challenge procedures were used to study infectivity and virulence of Corynebacterium bovis . Challenge procedures using Staphylococcus aureus (Newbould 305) and Streptococcus agalactiae (McDonald 44) were used to study effects of Corynebacterium bovis infections on superinfection with major pathogens . Rate of infection under experimental challenge conditions was significantly greater with Corynebacterium bovis than previously observed for Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus agalactiae . Principal location of Corynebacterium bovis colonization appeared to the teat canal region, although the organism was isolated from 75% of the teat cisterns by puncture technique . Quarters with Corynebacterium bovis infections were more resistant to infection by Staphylococcus aureus than bacteriologically negative quarters . Quarters infected with Corynebacterium bacterium bovis were approximately 8.5-fold more susceptible to Streptococcus agalactiae infection than negative quarters . Somatic cell counts were doubled in negative quarters that developed Corynebacterium bovis infections; the geometric mean was 2.4 X 10(5).

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Oct 1, 187(7), 725 - 8
Treatment of Corynebacterium equi pneumonia of foals: a review; Prescott JF et al.; Combined antimicrobial drug treatment was recommended for foals with Corynebacterium equi pneumonia . The preferred combination is orally administered erythromycin estolate (25 mg/kg of body weight, QID) plus rifampin (10 mg/kg, BID) . Erythromycin estolate also can be combined for synergistic effect with sodium benzyl penicillin given IV (100,000 IU/kg, QID) or with ampicillin given IV (11 to 15 mg/kg, QID) . A third choice is sodium benzyl penicillin IV with gentamicin IM (2.2 mg/kg, TID) or with kanamycin IM (10 mg/kg, QID) . Gentamicin should be combined with penicillin G or ampicillin and not used for longer than one week without monitoring for nephrotoxicosis . Rifampin should be used only in combination with erythromycin or penicillin . Erythromycin or rifampin and gentamicin give antagonistic interactions in vitro . Chloramphenicol or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may be effective if given in high doses but are not preferred drugs . Treatment response should be monitored clinically and radiographically and treatment should be continued for 2 weeks after the foal is clinically and radiographically normal.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1985 Oct, 75(4), 717 - 24
Immunologic control of a retrovirus-associated murine adenocarcinoma . VIII . Corynebacterium parvum-activated natural killer cells as potent antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity effectors; Weinhold KJ et al.; The antibody-dependent lytic activity of Corynebacterium parvum-induced peritoneal exudate cells was examined in vitro by utilizing AD755a tumor targets and a homologous anti-AD755a hyperimmune serum . Maximum antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytolysis (ADCC) of tumor targets was achieved within 4 hours of incubation . ADCC activity was found primarily in the plastic nonadherent cell population and was greatly enriched following removal of phagocytic cells by carbonyl iron . Phenotypically, the cells active in short-term ADCC were Qa-5+, ASGM-1+, Thy 1.2+, and NK 1.1+ and were unaffected by treatment with Lyt 1.2, Lyt 2.2, MAC-1, or I-Ab antibodies plus complement . Cells active in antibody-independent lysis of AD755a targets were phenotypically identical to antibody-dependent effectors . Although indicative of a natural killer (NK) cell phenotype, C . parvum-induced effectors differed from "spontaneous" splenic NK cells in their relative sensitivity to anti-Thy 1.2 as well as to anti-NK 1.1 treatment . Unlike the IgG2a-dependent lysis of AD755a-derived cells by inflammatory macrophages, all IgG isotypes of antiAD755a serum were equally effective in ADCC mediated by C . parvum NK cells . Finally, treatment of C . parvum-inoculated animals with anti-ASGM-1 serum eliminated in vitro NK activity and abrogated the in vivo therapeutic effects of hyperimmune serum . These findings, together with other correlations detailed herein, strongly suggested that C . parvum-activated NK cells appeared to represent a unique subset of NK cells that can serve as potent effectors in the antibody-dependent killing of AD755a tumor cells.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1985 Oct, 75(4), 703 - 8
Immunologic control of a retrovirus-associated murine adenocarcinoma . VI . Augmentation of antibody-dependent killing following quantitative and qualitative changes in host peritoneal cells; Matthews TJ et al.; Attempts were made to augment the antibody-dependent killing of the ascitic AD755a tumor in vivo to protect C57BL/6J mice against the outgrowth of larger tumor burdens . The lethal dose for this tumor is less than 100 cells, and antibodies contained in a hyperimmune antitumor serum (HIS) were found to suppress the outgrowth of a maximum of about 5 X 10(5) cells . Thioglycollate injected ip increased the number of peritoneal macrophages, potential effectors for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), by tenfold to fortyfold and raised the maximum treatable tumor challenge (MTTC) to about 4 X 10(6) cells . By comparison, ip injection of Corynebacterium parvum increased the total peritoneal cell population by only twofold but raised the MTTC to about 20 X 10(6) cells . Neither agent alone had an effect on long-term survival, even at very low tumor inocula (1 X 10(3) cells) . The protective HIS is known to contain tumor-binding antibodies in each of the IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B isotype fractions . Although the IgG2A fraction is far superior in vivo in the suppression of tumor outgrowth, the IgG2A fraction was also found to be most effective in combination with thioglycollate treatment in agreement with the observed preference of thioglycollate-elicited macrophages for this isotype in in vitro killing assays . In contrast following C . parvum treatment, all three isoptype fractions were equally suppressive to tumor outgrowth . A second major change following C . parvum treatment was that tumor cells precoated in vitro with antibodies were effectively eliminated in vivo . The same antibody-coated cells administered to thioglycollate-treated or unmanipulated animals were uniformly lethal even at much lower tumor doses . Taken together these results suggested a major qualitative change in the antibody-dependent tumor-killing process following C . parvum treatment . This change was most likely due to the C . parvum activation of highly lytic effector cells for ADCC, the identity of which was examined in an accompanying manuscript.

J Immunol, 1985 Oct, 135(4), 2895 - 903
Adoptive immunotherapy of a newly induced sarcoma: immunologic characteristics of effector cells; Shu S et al.; A newly induced syngeneic transplantable sarcoma, MCA 105, was used for studies of the biologic characteristics of fresh noncultured and secondarily in vitro sensitized (IVS) cells with antitumor reactivity . Fresh spleen cells harvested from mice immunized to the MCA 105 tumor by a mixture of viable tumor cells and Corynebacterium parvum exhibited no detectable cytotoxic activity to MCA 105 tumor targets in a 4-hr chromium-release assay, and adoptive transfer of these cells mediated the specific regression of established MCA 105 tumors . Phenotypic analysis of fresh, noncultured immune cells revealed that the therapeutically effective cells expressed both the Lyt-1 and the Lyt-2 T cell differentiation antigens . The therapeutic efficacy of fresh noncultured immune cells was not augmented by the concomitant administration of exogeneous interleukin 2 (IL 2) . Secondary IVS of fresh immune cells with irradiated MCA 105 tumor stimulator cells resulted in the generation of tumor-specific cytotoxic effector cells . The generation of cytotoxic effector cells required Lyt-1+, 2+ cytotoxic precursor cells . Effective adoptive immunotherapy with these IVS immune cells, unlike fresh noncultured immune cells, depended on the concomitant administration of IL 2 . Furthermore, the generation of therapeutically effective cells did not require the specific stimulation by MCA 105 tumor cells, because cultures of MCA 105 immune spleen cells with FBL-3 lymphoma cells in vitro also contained in vivo functional immune effector cells . These cells, however, possessed no detectable MCA 105 cytotoxic activity in vitro . Although this observation suggests that a noncytotoxic cell population is sufficient to initiate tumor regression in vivo, it does not exclude the possibility that cytolytic cells are generated in vivo after adoptive transfer of these cells . As a whole, our results indicate that secondary IVS functional immune effector cells are characteristically distinct from freshly harvested immune cells.

J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1985 Sep, 8(3), 246 - 53
Cefadroxil in the horse: pharmacokinetics and in vitro antibacterial activity; Wilson WD et al.; Sodium cefadroxil was administered as a single intravenous dose (25 mg/kg) to six healthy adult mares . Plasma samples were collected over a 24-h period and cefadroxil concentrations were measured by microbiological assay . The pharmacokinetic behavior of the drug was appropriately described in terms of a one-compartment open model . Values for the major pharmacokinetic terms were: extrapolated initial plasma concentration = 59.2 +/- 15.0 micrograms/ml; half-life = 46 +/- 20 min; apparent volume of distribution = 462 +/- 191 ml/kg; and body clearance = 7.0 +/- 0.6 ml/min.kg . In a subsequent study, a suspension of cefadroxil monohydrate was administered intragastrically (25 mg/kg) to the same six horses . Plasma concentrations of the drug peaked at 1-2 h but, in general, absorption was both poor and inconsistent . The data were unsuitable for determination of cefadroxil bioavailability from this oral dosage form . Ninety-nine isolates of eleven bacterial species obtained from clinically ill horses were tested for susceptibility to cefadroxil . All strains of Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, coagulase-positive staphylococci, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and five out of six strains of Actinobacillus suis were highly susceptible to the drug (MIC less than 4 micrograms/ml) . Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella sp . showed intermediate susceptibility (MIC 4-16 micrograms/ml), while all isolates of Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi, Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa proved to be highly resistant to cefadroxil (MIC greater than 128 micrograms/ml).

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Sep, 22(3), 409 - 15
Synergistic hemolysis exhibited by species of staphylococci; Hebert GA et al.; The synergistic hemolysis reactions of 61 reference strains and 189 clinical isolates representing 17 species of staphylococci were examined on plates of Trypticase soy blood agar (BBL Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.) . Some or all of the strains of Staphylococcus aureus, S . epidermidis, S . capitis, S . cohnii, S . haemolyticus, S . hyicus, S . simulans, S . warneri, and S . xylosus produced a delta-hemolysin that gave synergistic, complete hemolysis of washed human, sheep, and ox blood cells in an area of beta-lysin activity from strains of S . aureus and S . intermedius . Strains of the same nine species were positive with a commercial beta-lysin paper disk designed for presumptive identification of group B streptococci; most of these strains also gave synergistic, complete hemolysis with exotoxin from a strain of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis . None of the strains of S . auricularis, S . carnosus, S . caseolyticus, S . hominis, S . intermedius, S . saprophyticus, S . sciuri, or S . lentus were positive by any of these tests for synergistic hemolysis . These results indicate that a synergistic hemolysis test could prove very useful for differentiating these species; they also suggest that one role of some of these organisms in human infections could be that of a synergist . Further studies of synergism may clarify the clinical significance of these results.

J Invest Dermatol, 1985 Sep, 85(3), 207 - 11
Experimental photoallergy to systemic drugs; Giudici PA et al.; We have induced photoallergy in mice to systemically administered drugs, specifically sulfanilamide and chlorpromazine . Mice were photosensitized to systemic sulfanilamide or chlorpromazine by i.p . administration of drug followed by UVB and UVA irradiation of shaved flank skin, on two consecutive days . Control mice received i.p . drug with no irradiation . In some experiments cyclophosphamide pretreatment, or intradermal Corynebacterium parvum (Propionibacterium acnes), was administered as an immunoadjuvant . All animals were photochallenged on day 5 with i.p . drug followed by UVA irradiation of one ear . Mice that had been previously immunized with drug and UV radiation developed ear swelling and erythema, evident 24 h after photochallenge, but not at 4 h . Control animals showed no reactions . In a typical experiment of photosensitization to systemic sulfanilamide, the experimental group had a mean increase in ear thickness of 6.0 X 10(-2) mm 24 h after photochallenge, while unsensitized control animals showed a mean change of -0.8 X 10(-2) mm . The histopathology of the positive challenge reaction was characteristic of a delayed type hypersensitivity . Adoptive transfer of photoallergy to systemic sulfanilamide to naive recipients was accomplished by i.v . injection of lymph node cells (5 X 10(7) harvested from actively photosensitized donors . Clinical reports have suggested that exposure to systemic medications followed by sunlight can induce an eruption having a photoallergic basis . We now report the first experimental proof of that hypothesis . The murine model should facilitate exploration of photoallergic mechanisms and, in addition, it provides the basis for a prospective test of systemic drugs for their photoallergenicity.

Cell Immunol, 1985 Sep, 94(2), 521 - 35
Rejection of murine ovarian cancer following treatment with regional immunotherapy: correlations with a neutrophil-mediated activation of cytostatic macrophages; Lichtenstein A; Rejection of the murine ovarian teratocarcinoma (MOT) in C3HeB/FeJ mice, following intraperitoneal (ip) treatment with Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum), is abrogated by injections of silica . We, therefore, investigated whether C . parvum-elicited macrophages affect MOT targets in vitro . Tumor-cytostatic, but not cytolytic, macrophages were detected in normal and tumor-challenged mice treated with C . parvum . The dose responsiveness and kinetics of macrophage activation strongly correlated with tumor rejection . A pyridine extract of C . parvum, possessing greatly diminished tumor rejection properties, was significantly less effective in activating macrophages . Cytostatic macrophage activation and prevention of tumor outgrowth also followed treatment in C3H/HEJ mice, a strain with a known deficiency in cytolytic macrophage function . Peritoneal neutrophils, obtained 6 hr after treatment with C . parvum, were capable of activating cytostatic macrophages when reinjected ip into normal mice . These results indicate a critical role for tumor cytostatic macrophages in this immunotherapy model and suggest their activation is mediated by inflammatory neutrophils.

Cancer Res, 1985 Sep, 45(9), 4478 - 82
Humoral immune response of patients receiving specific active immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma; Miller GA et al.; The object of this study was to characterize the antigens evoking an immune response in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients receiving specific active immunotherapy with irradiated autologous tumor cells and Corynebacterium parvum as adjuvant . Seventy serum samples from 11 patients with RCC undergoing specific active immunotherapy were evaluated . Fifty of the 70 serum specimens (71%) had immunoglobulin G antibody directed to autologous tumor cells . Absorption studies were completed on 4 patients (S.E., M.M., R.N., S.V.) with 2 patients (S.V . and M.M.) demonstrating reactivity to a RCC-associated antigen present on their autologous tumor cells . One patient's serum (R.N.) was absorbed not only with autologous tumor cells but also with an allogeneic RCC cell line . The fourth patient's (S . E.) serum reactivity was able to be absorbed only with autologous tumor cells and several, but not all, of the clones of that autologous cell line . Patient S.E . serum binding by clones of RCC cell line RPMI-SE was seen to vary from no ability to bind RPMI-SE in some clones to double the parental binding in others . Consistent with this finding was the demonstration that high serum-binding clones could absorb Patient S.E . serum reactivity to autologous RCC cells, while low binding clones could not . These data suggest a measure of heterogeneity among the parental RCC cell line, as demonstrated by its clones . This study has shown that the autologous tumor vaccine with adjuvant used here was an immunogenic therapeutic agent . The response mounted by these patients was a response to a RCC-associated antigen with the level of reactivity changing with the number of immunizations and disease status . Also suggested by this work is the possible primary tumor heterogeneity, as demonstrated by the differential reactivity seen among clones of a RCC cell line established from such a primary tumor.

Cancer Res, 1985 Sep, 45(9), 4215 - 8
Synergistic effects of combination sequential immunotherapies in a murine ovarian cancer model; Berek JS et al.; The antitumor effects of Corynebacterium parvum in a murine ovarian teratocarcinoma model depend upon a sequential activation of neutrophils and macrophages within the peritoneal cavity . We studied the sequential administration of biological response modifiers that independently activate each phase of the response . Tumor-challenged mice treated by i.p . injection of a pyridine-extracted fraction of cell-free Propionibacterium acnes (PA-PE, 1400 micrograms) demonstrated prolonged survival in less than 20% of the cases . An i.p . injection of a detoxified Salmonella endotoxin (DSE) preparation (150 micrograms) had no effect on tumor outgrowth . However, i.p . treatment with PA-PE (1400 micrograms), followed by 150 micrograms of DSE 1 day later, resulted in long-term survival (greater than 100 days) in 40 to 60% of mice . This antitumor effect was only evident when PA-PE was administered first (before DSE) and optimal when DSE was administered 24 h after PA-PE . The synergistic antitumor effect could be duplicated when tumor-challenged mice were first treated i.p . with peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes, elicited by injection of PA-PE, and then treated with DSE 18 h later . These data indicate that appropriately timed injection of biological response modifiers with complementary effects can result in a synergistic prevention of tumor growth.

J Immunol, 1985 Sep, 135(3), 2206 - 12
Cross-reactive cellular and humoral immunity to carcinogen-induced chicken fibrosarcomas . I . Protective cross-immunity between transplantable tumor lines; Edelman AS et al.; Dimethylbenz{a}anthracene (DMBA)-induced transplantable fibrosarcomas in B2 homozygous chickens (SC line) grow progressively in normal chickens, but are rejected by chickens immunized previously with irradiated tumor cells and Corynebacterium parvum . Tumor-immune chickens resist challenge by the immunizing tumor lines as well as by some, but not all, fibrosarcoma lines . The pattern of cross-reactivity between four DMBA-induced transplantable tumor lines was examined in detail . Ability to reject a tumor challenge correlated very well (p less than 0.001) with the presence of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to that tumor . Immunization with one of two of the DMBA-induced lines tested also caused rejection of transplantable tumors developed from methylcholanthrene-induced and benzo(a)pyrene-induced primary fibrosarcomas . Although immunization with tumor caused DTH to chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF), immunization with CEF failed to cause protective immunity or DTH to tumors . Presence of protective immunity, where tested, also correlated with the ability of spleen cells from immune donors to inhibit tumor growth in Winn tests . Humoral immunity exhibited even greater cross-reactivity than did cellular immunity . Distinct patterns of cross-reactivity were nevertheless observed with respect to the serum antibodies as detected in ELISA . Two of these patterns were also observed in several sera from primary tumor-bearing chickens, both including reactivity with CEF . Such reactivity was absent from normal chicken sera.

Infect Immun, 1985 Sep, 49(3), 679 - 84
DNA relationships among some tox-bearing corynebacteriophages; Buck GA et al.; The DNA genomes of a number of tox-bearing, temperate corynebacteriophages isolated from strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans were compared . With one exception, these phages displayed similarities in their restriction enzyme digest profiles and extensive homology with prototypic beta converting phage . The exception, phage delta, had a unique restriction profile and exhibited homology with beta over a limited portion of its genome . DNAs of phages from each host contained cohesive ends and integrated as prophage by a mechanism analogous to that employed by coliphage lambda . It is proposed that these tox-bearing phages belong to a common family, the beta family . The role of the beta family in the movement of the tox gene between strains of C . diphtheriae and C . ulcerans is discussed.

Eur J Epidemiol, 1985 Sep, 1(3), 202 - 31
Biological, chemical, immunological and staining properties of bacteria isolated from tissues of leprosy patients; Cocito C et al.; Two kinds of microorganisms are found in tissue of leprosy patients: Mycobacterium leprae (ML) and leprosy derived corynebacteria (LDC) . ML from untreated patients has an alcohol-acid-fastness, which is lost upon treatment with antibiotics and immune response (tuberculoid leprosy) . Vulnerable ML thus produced can be reversibly de-stained by organic solvent: in tissue sections from tuberculoid and treated patients, more bacteria are, thus, revealed by the Wade-Fite than by the Ziehl-Neelsen procedure . Organisms of genera Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium and Nocardia (CMN group), have DNA with %GC contents of 50-70, 69-72, and 68-70 respectively . GC values of DNA from ML and LDC are close to 56% . DNA from different LDC strains display high homology among them and low homology with reference corynebacteria . CMN cell wall consists of interconnected peptidoglycan and polysaccharide-mycolate complex . Peptidoglycan of LDC (and known CMN) has the polysaccharide backbone linked to a tetrapeptide of L-Ala, D-Glu, m-DAP (meso-diaminopimelate), D-Ala . In ML, L-Ala is replaced by glycine . Mycobacterial wall polysaccharides (that of ML is unknown) are branched arabinogalactans with end arabinoses linked to C70 to C90 mycolates . LDC peripheral polysaccharides are arabinogalactomannans with arabinose and mannose lateral strands . Mycolic acids of LDC are of corynomycolic type (C32, C34 and C36 with 1-4 double bonds) and those of ML are of mycobacterial type . Components of CMN wall and cytoplasm are immunologically active as antigens (polysaccharides, proteins), haptens (lipids) and adjuvants (peptidoglycans) . Strong intrageneric and weak intergenera crossreactions are observed among CMN bacteria: LDC preparations, however, crossreact strongly with ML and mycobacteria, and weakly with reference corynebacteria . LDC in leprosy tissues can, thus, be revealed as well by fluorescent anti-LDC antisera as by anti-ML antisera . The main crossreacting component is antigen M1 of LDC, which corresponds to antigens Ag 7 of ML and Ag60 of BCG, the active components of lepromin and tuberculin (known reagents for cutaneous tests) . Antigen M1 has a polysaccharide moiety crossreacting with the wall polysaccharide of LDC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 1114 - 9
Characterization of the diphtheria tox transcript in Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Escherichia coli; Leong D et al.; Transcription of the tox gene in lysogenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains C7(beta tox+), C7 (gamma tox) and the hypertoxigenic PW8 (omega tox+) was analyzed and compared with transcription of the C . diphtheriae tox gene in the recombinant strain Escherichia coli (pDT201) . In all cases S1 nuclease mapping localized the 5' terminus of the tox mRNA to a site 8 or 9 base pairs (bp) downstream of a region similar to the -10 consensus sequence of E . coli promoters . In C . diphtheriae the tox transcript was observed only in strains that were grown under iron-limiting conditions; in the presence of excess iron, transcription beyond bp 38 of the tox coding region was not observed . In contrast, in E . coli(pDT201) tox was expressed at equivalent levels in both iron-depleted and iron-supplemented media . The DNA insertion in the tox gene of the nontoxigenic corynephage gamma was found to occur at bp 54 of the tox coding region . The insertion event resulted in the duplication of a 7-bp target sequence, and the ends of the insert were found to constitute an imperfect inverted repeat of approximately 26 bp . Transcription from the tox promoter in C7(gamma tox) was found to initiate at the same nucleotides as in C7(beta tox+), PW8, and E . coli(pDT201) and remained sensitive to iron inhibition . These observations are discussed in relation to the mechanism of iron-mediated regulation of the tox gene.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1985 Aug 15, 152(8), 1003 - 10
Intraperitoneal immunotherapy of epithelial ovarian carcinoma with Corynebacterium parvum; Berek JS et al.; Corynebacterium parvum was administered intraperitoneally to 21 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer . Nineteen patients had surgically measurable disease and two received adjuvant therapy . Surgically confirmed responses were documented in six of 19 patients (31.6%), with two complete responses (10.5%) and four partial responses (21.1%) . Three patients (15.8%) had stable disease, and 10 patients (52.6%) had disease progression . The mean survival of the patients who had a complete response was 35.5 months; the four patients who had a partial response the mean survival was 26.6 months, and of the nonresponders the mean survival was 12.6 months (p less than 0.02) . The mean survival of the entire group was 18.2 months . Initial response and patient survival correlated with the amount of disease pretreatment . Thus six responding patients had less than or equal to 5 mm maximum diameter tumors, that is, minimal residual disease . Toxicity in the 86 courses of therapy included abdominal pain in 78% of cases, fever in 56%, nausea in 40%, and vomiting in 22% . Stimulation of cytotoxic lymphocytes resulted from the administration of C . parvum, which induced a significant increase of both intraperitoneal natural killer lymphocyte cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in six of nine patients tested; these two types of cytotoxicity correlated with response to therapy and may be partially responsible for the surgically documented tumor regression . While the clinical usefulness of intraperitoneal C . parvum is limited because of its toxicity, intraperitoneal immunotherapy may prove useful in patients with minimal residual ovarian cancer when more refined agents become available.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Aug 8, 818(1), 81 - 6
Ganglioside alterations in stimulated murine macrophages; Yohe HC et al.; A two-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic technique has been used to separate and display gangliosides from murine peritoneal macrophages in different functional states . Resident macrophages have a relatively simple ganglioside pattern with about 15 resorcinol-positive spots . Gangliosides from resident cells contained mostly (90%) N-glycolylneuraminic acid . Thioglycolate-elicited and Corynebacterium parvum-activated macrophages have much more complex patterns with about 40 resorcinol-positive spots . Although ganglioside sialic acid content of stimulated macrophages was only slightly higher than that of resident cells, it consisted of nearly equal amounts of N-acetyl- and N-glycolylneuraminic acid . The shift in the ganglioside sialic acid type and the expression of different gangliosides in macrophages upon stimulation may help explain some of the differences in function and responsiveness noted in these macrophage populations.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Aug, 260(1), 117 - 25
Cellular and humoral immune responses in sheep experimentally injected with killed and live Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis; Garg DN et al.; Both humoral and cellular immune responses have been found to be operative in sheep experimentally injected with killed and live Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis . However, immunity to sonicated C . pseudotuberculosis cells was primarily of humoral nature though cellular response was also noted . In contrast, live C . pseudotuberculosis cells evoked primarily a cellular response and the encountered humoral response was of lesser intensity . Challenge experiment revealed that humoral response alone was insufficient to protect, and the use of live cells to induce cellular response enhanced the immune status of sheep . It was also observed that nonvaccinated sheep in a herd can acquire immunity from their vaccinated counterparts suggesting a certain importance of 'herd immunity' in C . pseudotuberculosis vaccination.

Trop Anim Health Prod, 1985 Aug, 17(3), 173 - 9
Mastitis in Camelus dromedarius in Saudi Arabia; Barbour EK et al.; The correlation between camels' milk samples collected from abnormal inflamed udders and samples positive in the California Mastitis Test (CMT) was +0.803 (P less than 0.01) . The bacterial count ranges of milk samples differed significantly (P less than 0.05) for those with a negative CMT and those with a positive CMT . Infection with many but not all bacterial species was associated with positive CMT results . The highest percentage of camel milk samples was included in the bacterial count range of 3.0 x 10(2) to 3.0 x 10(3) cfu/ml rather than in the greater than 3.0 x 10(3) cfu/ml range for most of the bacterial species . The most predominant bacterial isolates were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp . and Corynebacterium spp . followed by eight other flora . Chloramphenicol was the most effective antimicrobial agent of six tested against 118 bacterial isolates . Preliminary observations are made on chemotherapy of mastitis cases in camels.

Lab Anim Sci, 1985 Aug, 35(4), 409 - 11
Spontaneous Pasteurella pneumonia in adult laboratory goats complicated by superinfection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Muellerius capillaris; Young JD Jr et al.; Three cases of Pasteurella pneumonia in laboratory goats were diagnosed during a 21 month period . Two goats died acutely and a third was euthanized after four weeks of unsuccessful therapy . Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the lung lesions of all three goats . Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Muellerius capillaris also were present in the lungs of the third goat . Pasteurella infections were associated with fibrino-hemorrhagic-necrotizing pleuritis and pneumonia, while lungs superinfected with Corynebacterium also contained microabcesses . The gross and histologic lesions are described and diagnosis, treatment and prevention are discussed.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Aug, (8), 26 - 30
{Chemical composition of a preparation of the cell walls of Corynebacterium diphtheriae}; Iarovaia LM et al.; The chemical characteristics of 6 batches of the preparation, obtained from the cell wall of C . diphtheriae grown in liquid and solid culture media, with respect to their content of nitrogen, hexoses, pentoses, total amino sugars, lipids and to the possible admixture of nucleic acids are presented . From the results of the chemical analysis of these batches their standardization according to the ratio of total amino sugars and pentoses to total nitrogen in C . diphtheriae cell-wall preparation is proposed.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Aug, 163(2), 640 - 7
Glutathione-independent isomerization of maleylpyruvate by Bacillus megaterium and other gram-positive bacteria; Hagedorn SR et al.; Maleylpyruvate, the ring fission product of gentisic acid, was found to be isomerized to fumarylpyruvate without a requirement for glutathione by an enzyme activity found in cell extracts of m-hydroxybenzoate-grown Bacillus megaterium 410 . The isomerization reaction was detected as a shift in the absorbance maximum from 330 nm, the maximum for maleylpyruvate, to 345 nm, the maximum for fumarylpyruvate, when assayed at pH 8.0 . Ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis of B . megaterium cell extracts resolved the isomerase activity from low-molecular-weight compounds such as glutathione but did not eliminate the isomerase activity . Iodoacetate and p-chloromercuribenzoate were potent inhibitors of the isomerase from B . megaterium . However, N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide did not significantly inhibit this activity . In addition, fumaric acid was demonstrated as a product of gentisate oxidation by dialyzed cell extracts of B . megaterium . Glutathione-independent maleylpyruvate isomerases with properties similar to the isomerase found in B . megaterium were also found in other genera of gram-positive organisms . Eleven different organisms representing the genera Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Nocardia, and Rhodococcus were all found to possess this novel type of glutathione-independent maleylpyruvate isomerase.

J Pharmacobiodyn, 1985 Aug, 8(8), 669 - 78
A sustained increase of microsomal heme oxygenase activity following treatment of rats with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and Corynebacterium parvum: its possible relation to the decrease of cytochrome P-450 content; Matsuura Y et al.; The alterations of various enzymes responsible for drug metabolism and heme metabolism were examined in the liver of female rats treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Corynebacterium parvum (CP) . Hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme activities and microsomal cytochrome P-450 and b5 content were significantly decreased for up to 15 and 10 d by a single i.v . administration of BCG and CP, respectively . In contrast, microsomal heme oxygenase activity was markedly increased after BCG and CP treatment and the increased enzyme activity was sustained in parallel with the decrease of drug metabolizing enzymes . Both BCG and CP also caused a significant decrease of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity shortly after their administrations . The decreased enzyme activity returned to normal levels by 12 h after the treatment of rats with BCG and CP . In addition, hepatosplenomegaly was observed in BCG and CP treated rats . Dose related changes of these microsomal enzymes were seen following the administration of BCG and CP . Additionally, there were sex differences in the effects of BCG and CP on the alteration of microsomal enzymes, female rats being more sensitive than male rats . These results suggest that the decrease of cytochrome P-450 and b5 content and drug metabolizing enzyme activities by BCG and CP could be related, at least in part, to the prolonged increase of heme oxygenase activity, that may lead to the increased breakdown of heme available for the synthesis of these hemoproteins.

Immunopharmacology, 1985 Aug, 10(1), 27 - 34
The restoration of impaired macrophage functions using as immunomodulator the Corynebacterium granulosum-derived P40 fraction; Mastroeni P et al.; Many microorganisms and compounds of microbial origin exhibit immunomodulatory activities and have been extensively used in immunotherapy of experimental animal tumors and in patients with neoplasia . In this paper we describe the effect of the C . granulosum-derived P40 fraction on the growth and metastatization of the transplantable epithelioma T8 of Guerin . Moreover, we evaluated the effect of P40 treatment on several depressed macrophage functions of tumor-bearing rats . In particular, the phagocytic and chemotactic activities of such cells were studied, as well as the antiviral intrinsic and extrinsic activities against HSV-1 and the anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity . All these functions were depressed in untreated tumor-bearing rats . Administration of a single intravenous injection of P40 fraction led to the restoration of all depressed macrophage activities to normal values . In particular, the possibility of restoring the antimicrobial activity of macrophages from tumor-bearing rats by treatment with this immunomodulator is of great concern when one considers the increasing incidence of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts . Results are discussed in terms of both the possible mechanism of action of P40 and of its possible target cells.

J Immunol Methods, 1985 Jul 16, 81(1), 95 - 106
Use of a self-generating percoll gradient and single cell cytotoxicity assay to identify tumor-lytic properties of inflammatory neutrophils; Lichtenstein A et al.; Within a murine model of regional immunotherapy, the cytolytic potential of peritoneal neutrophils could not be confirmed or quantified using routine techniques of cell separation and chromium release assays . We, therefore, developed procedures for the enrichment of neutrophils and estimation of the frequency of killer cells . Peritoneal exudate cells from mice injected with Corynebacterium parvum were fractionated on a self-generating Percoll gradient to enrich for neutrophils and deplete macrophages . A significant enrichment of neutrophils (greater than 90%) was obtained in a band corresponding to a density of 1.088 with a recovery of 35-50% of input . Neutrophil-enriched cell populations were then mixed with tumor cells to examine neutrophil-target interactions at the single cell level . Conjugates of neutrophils and tumor targets were obtained and the majority were lytic . With the aid of trypan blue staining and safranin counterstaining, it was possible to distinguish effector cells from targets and neutrophils from other host cells . The frequency of conjugates was dependent upon the effector to target cell ratio and was not affected by changes in temperature (range 4-30 degrees C) . The post-binding lytic events were initiated rapidly after conjugation and tumor lysis was completed within 30 min . The lytic events occurred optimally between 25 degrees and 37 degrees C . The present studies support the role of neutrophils in tumor lysis following administration of an immunoadjuvant . The techniques described are important to further study the role of neutrophils in disease states as well as the underlying mechanisms of neutrophil-mediated tumor cytotoxicity.

Thorax, 1985 Jul, 40(7), 515 - 8
Further experience of Corynebacterium parvum in malignant pleural effusion; McLeod DT et al.; The outcome of drug induced pleurodesis has been evaluated in a non-randomised retrospective study of 67 patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions treated during 1976-83 . Fourteen died within 30 days of treatment . Of the remaining 53 patients, 26 studied during 1976-80 were treated with intrapleural mustine hydrochloride, while 27 studied during 1978-83 were treated with intrapleural Corynebacterium parvum . There was no significant difference between the groups in age, sex, or tumour type, most tumours being secondary to bronchial neoplasms . Corynebacterium parvum successfully prevented reaccumulation of the effusion in 24 (92%) patients, while mustine was effective in only 17 (65%) (p less than 0.05) . Data on survival were obtained on 47 cases where a single agent was used to induce pleurodesis . In 25 patients treated with C parvum the mean survival was 251 (range 31-1143) days, compared with 119 (range 31-380) days for the 22 patients in whom mustine was used . Survival of the C parvum group was significantly greater (p less than 0.01) . The difference was principally due to the greater number of long term survivors in the C parvum group, nine of this group living for more than 180 days (mean 574, range 180-1143 days) compared with only four such survivors in the mustine group (mean 263, range 193-380 days) . This study confirms our initial impression that C parvum is highly effective in controlling recurrent malignant pleural effusions . The finding of unexpected long term survivors with C parvum treatment suggests that this treatment may have an additional effect on the progression of disease, a finding that merits further investigation.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1985 Jul, 3(4), 295 - 309
Evidence for the bacterial origin of Acholeplasma laidlawii A; Pachas WN et al.; L-forms from a Corynebacterium were induced in hyperosmolar media and gradually adapted to normal osmolarity over a period of two years . During this adaptation several morphologic L-form variants derived from the L-form cultures and were serologically identified as Acholeplasma laidlawii A . The possibility that the bacterial and L-form cultures were contaminated with acholeplasmas was carefully investigated; this was determined not to be the case . Membrane protein gel electrophoresis patterns of these L-form variants were identical to the ATCC A . laidlawii strain PG-8 . Acholeplasma phage MVL-1 displayed no affinity for these L-form variants . Phage MVL-2 showed low affinity, but after virus enhancement in the specific host, high plaquing efficiency ensued . DNA hybridization experiments showed a high level of nucleotide sequence homology (greater than 90%) between the L-form-derived variants and PG-8 . The homology between the diphtheroid L-forms and the PG-8 strain was 16.4% with te50 values of 86%; this indicates strong base pairing homology . These findings suggest that the L-form variants are acholeplasmas and that they are biologically and genetically related to the Corynebacterium L-forms.

Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1985 Jul-Aug, 136B(1), 93 - 7
{Digestive and cutaneous colonization of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Corynebacterium xerosis in germ-free hairless mice}; Bourlioux P et al.; Regardless of the method of germ-free HRS mouse contamination, the kinetics of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cutaneous colonization was parallel to the kinetics of intestinal colonization; Corynebacterium xerosis, however, was unable to colonize the skin or the gastrointestinal tract . There was little variability in intestinal and cutaneous colonization; this was quite different from observations in man and hairless holoxenic mice . It is possible to use these experimental models to standardize the measurement of antiseptic bactericidal activity in vivo.

Acta Psychiatr Scand, 1985 Jul, 72(1), 45 - 50
Decreased production of interferon alpha and interferon gamma in leucocyte cultures of schizophrenic patients; Moises HW et al.; In a first approach to measure the activity of the interferon system in schizophrenic patients, leucocyte cultures of schizophrenic patients and normal control individuals were set up using a whole blood assay . In this system both lymphoproliferation and the induction of interferon was tested . The lymphoproliferation (LP) test was performed with one bacterial recall antigen (PPD) and four different mitogens (phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and a novel mitogen derived from mycoplasma arthritidis - MAS) . For induction of interferon two inducers of interferon alpha (Corynebacterium parvum and Newcastle disease virus (NDV} and two inducers of interferon gamma (PHA and Con A) were tested . Leucocytes of the patients responded to C . parvum, NDV and Con A with significantly lower titers of interferon, whereas the responses to PHA were lower than those of normals, but this difference was not significant . Regarding the LP test, significantly lower responses of the patients were obtained with PHA and Con A, whereas there were no significant differences when the responses to MAS, PWM or PPD were compared . Although our data cannot rule out a role of the medications in the defects observed, they may be indicative of a defect in the interferon system of schizophrenic patients.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jul, 49(1), 32 - 5
A beta-related corynebacteriophage which lacks a tox allele but can acquire it by recombination with converting phage; Cianciotto N et al.; Corynebacteriophage 782, a phage highly related to the beta family of corynebacteriophages but lacking a tox allele, was isolated from a nontoxinogenic clinical isolate of Corynebacterium diphtheriae . Phage 782 exhibits beta immunity but has a wider host range than beta, forming plaques on strains of C . ulcerans and C . pseudotuberculosis as well as on C . diphtheriae . Phage 782 and beta differed in their DNA mass and in their restriction endonuclease digest patterns, but were similar in possessing cos (cohesive) and attP (phage attachment) sites . Moreover, all the BamHI fragments of 782 and beta except one hybridized with a DNA probe of the other . The exception in both cases was the attP-containing fragment, which in beta also carries the tox gene . Recombinants between phage 782 and pi phage, a tox+ beta-related phage, were isolated which contained ca . 70% of phage 782 DNA but carried the attP-tox-bearing fragment of pi and were thus now converting phages . The recombinants had lost the wide-host-range phenotype of 782 and had the narrower host range of pi . The significance of the tox-less, beta-related phages to the natural history of diphtheria is discussed.

J Immunol, 1985 Jul, 135(1), 544 - 7
Mouse chromosome 1 Ity locus regulates microbicidal activity of isolated peritoneal macrophages against a diverse group of intracellular and extracellular bacteria; Lissner CR et al.; The genotype of a mouse influences whether or not it will survive infection with the agent of murine typhoid, Salmonella typhimurium . The best-characterized murine salmonella response gene is a Chromosome 1 locus designated Ity . Inbred strains of mice that express the Itys allele are unable to contain the net growth of Salmonella typhimurium within their spleens and livers, and usually die early in the infection . By contrast, mice homozygous or heterozygous for the Ityr allele are able to control the net multiplication of Salmonella typhimurium within these organs . The Ity gene also appears to regulate the extent of replication within murine reticuloendothelial cell tissues of the obligate intracellular parasite Leishmania donovani, as well as the facultative intracellular bacteria Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium lepraemurium . Previous studies from our laboratory strongly suggested that Ityr mice are more resistant to S . typhimurium infection than are Itys mice, because resident Ityr macrophages kill salmonellae more efficiently than do Itys macrophages . In this study, we used an in vitro macrophage assay to assess the specificity of the enhanced killing capacity of Ityr macrophages . We found that Ityr macrophages were better able than Itys macrophages to kill both intracellular bacteria (Salmonella typhi) and extracellular bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae) . Thus, the diversity of organisms affected by Ity expression suggests that the product of this gene may play a key regulatory role in the initial interaction of mice with a variety of microbial agents.

J Clin Oncol, 1985 Jul, 3(7), 932 - 40
Comparison of CAF versus CMFP in metastatic breast cancer: analysis of prognostic factors; Cummings FJ et al.; One hundred fifty-five eligible women with metastatic breast cancer were randomly allocated to receive monthly cycles of either CMFP (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, prednisone) or CAF (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil), and 12 patients were studied to evaluate the effects of additional Corynebacterium parvum immunotherapy . Overall response rates of 53% were seen with CMFP and CAF . CAF was associated with significantly more complete responses than CMFP (17% v 5%) . However, CAF therapy was administered for eight months and CMFP for six months . Only 13% of the CAF patients had a complete response during the first six months of chemotherapy, and this was not significantly different from the complete response rate on CMFP . The median response durations (CMFP, 6.3 months; CAF, 11.0 months), times to treatment failure (CMFP, 5.7 months; CAF, 7.8 months), and survival times (CMFP, 15.8 months; CAF, 18.6 months) were not statistically different . Other investigators who have compared CAF to CMF-containing regimens have reported a large advantage in CAF therapy among patients with "good risk" sites of metastases (local-regional recurrence, bone, lung nodules) . Such a finding was not confirmed by our study: in multivariate analyses the groups associated with an advantage for CAF tended to have a poorer prognosis than the groups associated with an advantage for CMFP . There was significantly more nausea and vomiting after CAF treatment, and CMFP treatment was associated with significantly more edema, Cushingoid features, fever, and eye symptoms.

Ann Inst Pasteur Immunol, 1985 Jul-Aug, 136D(1), 19 - 27
{Antitumoral activity of various doses of corynebacterium parvum as a function of the age of mice}; Stiffel C et al.; The anti-tumor activity of Corynebacterium parvum against two different tumours, a mammary carcinoma grafted in C3H mice and a lymphosarcoma grafted in XVII mice, was lower in young and old mice, than in adult ones . In young mice (25 days) of both lines, low doses of C . parvum were more efficient than higher doses . In 12-month old XVII mice a higher survival rate was obtained by increasing the dose of C . parvum administered, whereas in old C3H mice, this phenomenon was not observed . Sublethal doses of X-irradiation abrogated the C . parvum-induced protection . Restoration of the protective effect occurred faster in 3-month old mice than in 8-month old mice . This restoration appeared earlier in XVII mice than in C3H mice.

Biochemistry, 1985 Jun 18, 24(13), 3189 - 94
Properties and catalytic function of the two nonequivalent flavins in sarcosine oxidase; Jorns MS; Sarcosine oxidase from Corynebacterium sp . U-96 contains 1 mol of noncovalently bound flavin and 1 mol of covalently bound flavin per mole of enzyme . Anaerobic titrations of the enzyme with either sarcosine or dithionite show that both flavins are reducible and that two electrons per flavin are required for complete reduction . Absorption increases in the 510-650-nm region, attributed to the formation of a blue neutral flavin radical, are observed during titration of the enzyme with dithionite or substrate, during photochemical reduction of the enzyme, and during reoxidation of substrate-reduced enzyme . Fifty percent of the enzyme flavin forms a reversible, covalent complex with sulfite (Kd = 1.1 X 10(-4) M), accompanied by a complete loss of catalytic activity . Sulfite does not prevent reduction of the sulfite-unreactive flavin by sarcosine but does interfere with the reoxidation of reduced enzyme by oxygen . The stability of the sulfite complex is unaffected by excess acetate (an inhibitor competitive with sarcosine) or by removal of the noncovalent flavin to form a semiapoprotein preparation where 75% of the flavin reacts with sulfite (Kd = 9.4 X 10(-5) M) while only 3% remains reducible with sarcosine . The results indicate that oxygen and sulfite react with the covalently bound flavin and suggest that sarcosine is oxidized by the noncovalently bound flavin.

Tex Heart Inst J, 1985 Jun, 12(2), 177 - 82
Pacemaker associated infection due to a corynebacterium species; Klima M et al.; Pacemaker associated infection (PAI) is a rare but often serious complication of permanent or temporary transvenous cardiac pacemakers . The major risk factor is recent or multiple pacemaker manipulations or surgical procedures . A PAI can occur at the time of insertion, from contiguous spread to the access site, or from transient bacteremia . We report a case of PAI of a retained pacemaker electrode from which a Corynebacterium species was isolated . Multiple preoperative cultures were sterile, but bacteria were isolated from tissue removed at surgery, and were seen around the wire deep inside a thrombus . The importance of cultures and special stains (including electron microscopy) of surgical materials is stressed, especially when dealing with microorganisms of ordinarily low virulence, or those that are commonly considered laboratory contaminants.

Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic, 1985 Jun, 52(6), 391 - 6
{Anterior thoracic and intervertebral erosive joint diseases associated with palmoplantar pustulosis}; Le Goff P et al.; The authors report three cases of palmo-plantar pustulosis associated with articular signs: erosive arthritis of the right first sternocostal joint in 2 cases (without hypertrophy of the clavicle or the sternum) and atlanto-occipital arthropathy with marked neck stiffness in another case . The HLA phenotype of one case was: A2 - A9 - B14 - X - DR3 - DR4 . A surgical sterno-costal biopsy revealed non-specific inflammatory lesions in 2 cases . In one of these cases, a Corynebacterium sp . was isolated . The clinical course was favourable in response to local antibiotic therapy in one case (follow-up of 8 years) and after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in 2 cases (follow-up of one to two years) . The skin biopsy revealed non-spongiform (and therefore non-psoriatic) unilocular pustulosis, distinguishing this non-bacterial pustulosis from pustular palmo-plantar psoriasis with which it is frequently confused . These cases are similar to the cases of "pustulotic arthro-osteitis" reported by Japanese authors (Sonozaki et al.), which appear to be rare in Europe . They seem to be an early form in a vast range of spondylo-arthropathies including rheumatism and acne conglobata . The aetio-pathogenesis of this syndrome is discussed; one of the cases is strongly suggestive of an infectious origin (Corynebacterium) . These lesions do not appear to be a form of reactive arthritis, as the presence of HLA B27 is rare in both the European and the Japanese cases.

Vet Microbiol, 1985 Jun, 10(4), 381 - 6
Survival of Corynebacterium renale, Corynebacterium pilosum and Corynebacterium cystitidis in soil; Hayashi A et al.; Survival of the causative agents of bovine pyelonephritis, Corynebacterium renale, C . pilosum and C . cystitidis, was examined at 30 degrees C in autoclaved soil . In the soil from a paddock, C . renale and C . cystitidis survived for 56 and 63 days, respectively, and C . pilosum for a longer period of at least 210 days . In soil from a pasture, sand from an athletic field and sea sand, the survival of these bacteria was of shorter duration.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 795 - 8
Corynebacterium parvum augments antibody production in splenectomized mice and mice with sham operations; Hebert JC et al.; The antibody response to a variety of antigens, including pneumococcal polysaccharides, is diminished in splenectomized (splx) mice . We investigated the capacity for the biological response modifier Corynebacterium parvum to augment antibody production in splx and sham-splx mice inoculated with pneumococcal polysaccharides and tetanus toxoid . As expected, antibody response to tetanus toxoid was similar in both splx mice and sham-splx mice . C . parvum augmented anti-tetanus toxoid antibody in both sham-splx (P less than 0.05) and splx mice (P less than 0.05) . Antibody against pneumococcal type 3 polysaccharides was decreased in splx mice compared with sham-splx mice (P less than 0.05) . Both groups treated coincidently with C . parvum and pneumococcal type 3 polysaccharides demonstrated a biphasic antibody response which was greater than that observed in saline-treated controls (sham-splx, P less than 0.001; splx, P less than 0.05) . Whereas the secondary peak response to pneumococcal type 3 polysaccharides after treatments with C . parvum appears to be due to persistent elevations of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M in sham-splx mice, it is primarily due to antibody of the immunoglobulin G class alone in the splx mice.

P N G Med J, 1985 Jun, 28(2), 93 - 103
The aerobic bacteriology of infected skin lesions in children of the Eastern Highlands Province; Montgomery J; Of 480 children studied, the relative frequency of skin infections divided into three categories were: score 266 (55%), infected scabies 164 (34%) and tropical ulcers 50 (10%) . Infected scabies was more prevalent in the less than 2 year age group and tropical ulcers were commonest in the 9-12 year age group and these differences were significant . The majority of lesions occurred on the lower extremities with the trunk the least commonly affected area . No significant differences were found in different age groups between males and females . Beta haemolytic streptococci (95%), Staphylococcus aureus (83%), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (72%) and Corynebacterium haemolyticum (35%) were the major bacteria isolated . Beta haemolytic streptococci were the most prevalent in infected scabies and least in tropical ulcers and these differences were significant . Three major Lancefield groups were isolated: group A (61%), group C (19%) and group G (19%) . The distribution of these groups were unequal with group A most common in infected scabies but rarely seen in tropical ulcers . Groups C and G were found more commonly in tropical ulcers than the other two groups of lesions and these differences were significant . Multiple populations of beta haemolytic streptococci in a single lesion were seen in 19% of children . Less than one third of Streptococcus pyogenes were M typable and of these 18% were known nephritogenic serotypes . Staphylococcus aureus was significantly more common in infected scabies and least common in tropical ulcers . The prevalence of Vincent's organisms in tropical ulcers (74%) was significantly higher than scores (9%) and infected scabies (1%) . The isolation rate of Corynebacterium diphtheriae was significantly higher in infected scabies than the other two groups . The most common biotype isolated was var mitis (72%) . Only 2% of isolates were toxigenic . Corynebacterium haemolyticum was isolated significantly more frequently in tropical ulcers than the other lesions . All major bacteria, excluding betalactamase-producing Straphylococcus aureus, were uniformly sensitive to penicillin . Methicillin resistance was found in 1% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates and is reported here for the first time in this country . These isolates were also multiply resistant to erythromycin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline.

Inflammation, 1985 Jun, 9(2), 139 - 47
Increased release of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion from asbestos-primed macrophages . Effect of hydrogen peroxide on the functional activity of alpha 1-protease inhibitor; Donaldson K et al.; The ability of asbestos-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages to release superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, following in vitro triggering, has been investigated . The asbestos-elicited macrophages produced increased levels of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide compared to control macrophages and similar levels to those produced by Corynebacterium parvum elicited macrophages . The supernatants from asbestos-elicited macrophages which had been triggered in vitro were capable of impairing the ability of alpha 1-protease inhibitor to inhibit elastase function . The catalase sensitivity of this effect showed it to be due to hydrogen peroxide.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1985 Jun, 89(6), 842 - 7
Adverse effect of intrapleural Corynebacterium parvum as adjuvant therapy in resected stage I and II non-small cell carcinoma of the lung . Ludwig Lung Cancer Study Group; Diphtheria toxin promoter function in Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Escherichia coli; The expression of the diphtheria tox228 gene encoding the nontoxic, serologically related CRM228 mutant diphtheria toxin has been analyzed in Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Escherichia coli . The diphtheria toxin promoter has been used to direct the expression of beta-galactosidase in E.coli, and the efficiency of promotion has been compared to that obtained with the lac promoter . Expression in C.diphtheriae is known to be dependent on the absence of iron, and we present for the first time direct evidence that this regulation occurs at the level of transcription . The 5' end of toxin mRNA maps at the same position in C.diphtheriae and E.coli, suggesting identical sequences to be recognized by C.diphtheriae and E.coli RNA polymerase . The diphtheria toxin promoter carries at position -34 a TTGATT sequence closely related to the E.coli -35 consensus sequence and in the -14 to -8 region a set of overlapping sequences with complete or partial homology to the E.coli -10 consensus sequence.

Science, 1985 May 3, 228(4699), 590 - 1
Comparative toxinology of Loxosceles reclusa and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis; Bernheimer AW et al.; In contrast to other kinds of phospholipases, phospholipases D that are toxic for humans and animals are not commonly encountered as constituents of venoms or as products of pathogenic microorganisms . Toxic phospholipases D are present, however, in the venom of the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) and in supernatants or filtrates of cultures of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis . Although the two enzyme toxins are derived from phylogenetically disparate entities, they are similar in molecular weight, charge, substrate specificity, and in several biological activities . They are immunologically distinguishable.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 May, 46(5), 1206 - 11
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis exotoxin: fatal hemolytic anemia induced in gnotobiotic neonatal small ruminants by parenteral administration of preparations containing exotoxin; Hsu TY et al.; Inoculation of live Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, culture supernatant, ammonium sulfate-fractionated crude exotoxin, or chromatographically purified exotoxin preparations into gnotobiotic small ruminants (n = 13) caused death of the ruminants within 48 hours . Characteristic changes observed in animals living greater than or equal to 2 hours after inoculation included hemorrhage and edema at the site of injection, severe hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria, dark red fluid in body cavities, lung edema, and icterus . The crude exotoxin preparation caused a syndrome of acute shock in 2 lambs that died within 15 minutes after inoculation . Clinical and pathologic responses of animals inoculated with culture supernatant and purified toxin were similar . Histopathologic evidence indicated that the exotoxin caused necrotic changes in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidneys . Inoculation with live organisms caused multiple foci of suppurative inflammation in skeletal muscle and adjacent adipose tissue, whereas such changes were not observed in animals administered exotoxin preparations . Although C pseudotuberculosis exotoxin induced a hemolytic anemia in the experimental animals, it did not lead to in vitro lysis of ovine, caprine, or bovine erythrocytes, unless they had been sensitized with Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi filtrate . The toxic sphingomyelin-specific phospholipase D from C pseudotuberculosis had a molecular weight of 31,000 daltons and an isoelectric point of approximately 9.6 . The elution profile of exotoxin on a carboxymethyl Sephadex column was studied and the majority of the enzymatic activity was eluted by a NaCl gradient (0.25M to 0.7M) with a maximum at 0.35M NaCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Trauma, 1985 May, 25(5), 405 - 9
The quantity and function of pulmonary alveolar macrophages after splenectomy and Corynebacterium parvum; Cioffi WG et al.; We have previously shown that Corynebacterium parvum (C . parvum), a nonspecific immunomodulator, partially protects splenectomized and nonsplenectomized mice when challenged with aerosolized pneumococci . We report here the effects of both splenectomy and C . parvum on the phagocytic function of the lavageable pulmonary alveolar macrophage (PAM) . Groups of young adult male Sprague Dawley rats underwent splenectomy or sham operation 3 weeks before injection of C . parvum 1.5 mg IP (or saline) per animal . One week postinjection PAM's were harvested . The in vitro phagocytic indices (PI) for PAM incubated with tritiated thymidine-labeled S . aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, type 14, opsonized with normal rat serum, were determined . Splenectomy had no effect on lung weights, PAM yield, or PAM phagocytic activity . C . parvum administration significantly increased spleen weight in sham-operated animals, but had no effect on lung weights, PAM yield, or phagocytic activity of either control or splenectomized animals . Splenectomy in the adult rat did not induce a phagocytic defect in the PAM and thus the lavageable PAM cannot be considered a significant site of the postsplenectomy defect . Since C . parvum protects animals from respiratory challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae but does not alter the number or activity of lavageable alveolar macrophages, we hypothesize that C . parvum protection is more likely related to our previous finding of an increased clearance of blood-borne bacteria by the expanded and enhanced reticuloendothelial system.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 May, 21(5), 803 - 7
Bacterial interactions in bovine respiratory and reproductive infections; Corbeil LB et al.; The ability of the aerobic bacterial flora from the normal bovine respiratory and reproductive tracts to enhance or inhibit the growth of Pasteurella haemolytica, P . multocida, and Haemophilus somnus was tested in vitro . Six strains of each of these pathogens were cross streaked with each isolate of bovine normal flora . Flora which enhanced the growth of these pathogenic bacteria outnumbered inhibitors four to one . An intermediate number of isolates produced no effect on pathogen growth . Most enhancers were gram positive (Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, or Rhodococcus isolates), although several isolates of Moraxella and Actinobacter were also good enhancers . For H . somnus, there were proportionally more organisms which produced marked enhancement among the preputial flora than among the nasal flora, which may account for the greater number of genital carriers than nasal carriers . Bacillus isolates were the most significant inhibitors among the nasal flora, whereas no genus or species from the reproductive tract was noted to produce appreciable inhibition . It is proposed that changes in ratios of inhibitors to enhancers may determine, in part, whether a carrier state or disease occurs . Also, suggestions are made for in vitro use of this phenomenon for diagnostic tests.

J Clin Microbiol, 1985 May, 21(5), 788 - 92
Corynebacterium group D2 as a cause of alkaline-encrusted cystitis: report of four cases and characterization of the organisms; Soriano F et al.; In four patients with alkaline-encrusted cystitis, Corynebacterium group D2 was isolated from consecutive urine cultures and stones . Encrusted cystitis occurred in bladders harboring inflammatory or tumorous lesions in patients with chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections appearing after surgery or instrumentation . The urease activity of Corynebacterium group D2 and the neutralization of this enzyme by acetohydroxamic acid are shown . Clinical improvement, disappearance of struvite crystals, and decrease of the urine pH were obtained when these bacteria were eliminated from urine samples . Corynebacterium group D2 strains were highly resistant to many antimicrobial agents but were highly susceptible to norfloxacin and vancomycin when tested at two pHs (7.4 and 8.5).

J Immunol, 1985 May, 134(5), 3420 - 5
Macrophage activation for microbicidal activity against Leishmania major: inhibition of lymphokine activation by phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine liposomes; Gilbreath MJ et al.; Resident peritoneal macrophages from untreated mice develop microbicidal activity against amastigotes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania tropica (current nomenclature = Leishmania major) after in vitro exposure to LK from antigen-stimulated leukocyte culture fluids . This LK-induced macrophage microbicidal activity was completely abrogated by addition of 7:3 phosphatidylcholine: phosphatidylserine liposomes . Liposome inhibition was not due to direct toxic effects against the parasite or macrophage effector cell; factors in LK that induce macrophage microbicidal activity were not adsorbed or destroyed by liposome treatment . Other phagocytic particles, such as latex beads, had no effect on microbicidal activity . Moreover, liposome inhibition of activated macrophage effector function was relatively selective: LK-induced macrophage tumoricidal activity was not affected by liposome treatment . Liposome inhibition was dependent upon liposome dose (5 nmoles/culture) and time of addition of leishmania-infected, LK-treated macrophage cultures . Addition of liposomes through the initial 8 hr of culture completely inhibited LK-induced macrophage microbicidal activity; liposomes added after 16 hr had no effect . Similarly, microbicidal activity by macrophages activated in vivo by BCG or Corynebacterium parvum was not affected by liposome treatment . Liposome treatment also did not affect the increased resistance to infection induced in macrophages by LK . These data suggest that liposomes interfere with one or more early events in the induction of activated macrophages (macrophage-LK interaction) and not with the cytotoxic mechanism itself (parasite-macrophage interaction) . These studies add to the growing body of data that implicate cell lipid in regulatory events controlling macrophage effector function.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1985 May, 58(5), 507 - 12
Analysis of cellular fatty acids by gas chromatography as a tool in the identification of medically important coryneform bacteria; Athalye M et al.; The fatty acid methyl esters of nineteen unidentified pathogenic coryneform bacteria were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography and the resulting profiles were compared with those of type or reference strains of possibly related species, namely Caseobacter polymorphus, Corynebacterium bovis, C . diphtheriae, C . xerosis and Rhodococcus equi . All of the strains had distinct fatty acid profiles but most of them conformed to a general pattern, with high levels of octadecanoic acids and only trace amounts of 10-methyl octadecanoic acid (tuberculostearic acid) . These profiles were very similar to those from C . diphtheriae and C . xerosis but could be differentiated from C . bovis, Cas . polymorphus, R . equi and two unidentified pathogenic strains which had significantly higher levels of tuberculostearic acid.

J Bacteriol, 1985 May, 162(2), 591 - 7
Cloning vector system for Corynebacterium glutamicum; Yoshihama M et al.; A protoplast transformation system has been developed for Corynebacterium glutamicum by using a C . glutamicum-Bacillus subtilis chimeric vector . The chimera was constructed by joining a 3.0-kilobase cryptic C . glutamicum plasmid and the B . subtilis plasmid pBD10 . The neomycin resistance gene on the chimera, pHY416, was expressed in C . glutamicum, although the chloramphenicol resistance gene was not . The various parameters in the transformation protocol were analyzed separately and optimized . The resulting transformation system is simple and routinely yields 10(4) transformants per microgram of plasmid DNA.

Infect Immun, 1985 May, 48(2), 480 - 5
Protective effect of Lactobacillus casei on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice; Miake S et al.; The protective effect of heat-killed Lactobacillus casei YIT9018 (LC 9018) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice was compared with that of Corynebacterium parvum . Survival of mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) infection with P . aeruginosa was augmented in mice that had been pretreated i.p . with LC 9018 5 days previously . Similar treatment of mice with C . parvum, however, was not effective at all . Moreover, mice became more susceptible to infection with P . aeruginosa after such treatment . Growth of P . aeruginosa in the peritoneal cavity and spleen was markedly inhibited in LC 9018-pretreated mice, whereas such inhibition of bacterial growth was not observed in C . parvum-treated mice . The protective effect of LC 9018 was observed in mice subjected to 800 rads of whole body irradiation but was abrogated when mice were treated with carrageenan . These results suggest that augmentation of the resistance of mice to P . aeruginosa was caused by the induction of activated macrophages . The number of macrophages detectable in the peritoneal cavity was almost the same in LC 9018- and C . parvum-treated mice . Growth of Listeria monocytogenes was inhibited by pretreatment with LC 9018 . Inhibition of L . monocytogenes was also observed after the same pretreatment with C . parvum . It was suggested that macrophages activated with LC 9018 were involved in the protective immunity to P . aeruginosa.

J Dairy Sci, 1985 May, 68(5), 1087 - 94
Physiological and pathological factors influencing bovine alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin concentrations in milk; Caffin JP et al.; Bovine alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin concentrations were determined by radial immunodiffusion in 354 milk samples from uninfected and 98 samples from infected quarters from 42 Holstein-Friesian cows taken at 30, 150, and 270 days of lactation . alpha-Lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin concentrations were not affected by quarter location . The alpha-lactalbumin decreased at the end of lactation and in samples collected beyond second lactation . The beta-lactoglobulin concentration increased with stage of lactation . There was a positive correlation between alpha-lactalbumin and beta lactoglobulin (r = .12) . Milk from uninfected quarters had mean alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin concentrations of 1.47 and 4.6 mg/ml, respectively . Milk from quarters infected by major pathogens or Corynebacterium bovis had less alpha-lactalbumin . Milk from quarters infected by minor pathogens had less beta-lactoglobulin . There was a negative correlation between alpha-lactalbumin concentration and somatic cell count (r = .31), which was amplified by infection status of quarters . No correlation was noted between somatic cell count and beta-lactoglobulin concentration when considered over the whole sampling period, but the correlation became negative in quarters infected by major pathogens.

Immunobiology, 1985 May, 169(4), 403 - 11
Attempts to correlate interferon induction and activation of natural killer cells by Corynebacterium parvum; Chmielarczyk W et al.; Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of Poly I:Poly C resulted in high interferon titers in the peritoneal wash fluid and in the serum of mice, which was maximal at 4 to 6 h after injection . In contrast, no interferon could be measured in the peritoneal fluid at various times after injection of C . parvum . Also, all attempts to induce serum interferon by C . parvum were unsuccessful . However, both Poly I:Poly C and C . parvum were causing the activation of Natural Killer (NK) cells in the cell population recovered from the peritoneal cavity . From adoptive transfer experiments, there was no indication that C . parvum induced a soluble mediator causing the activation of NK cells . There was also no indication that the interferon activity in the peritoneal cavity of C . parvum-treated mice might have been masked by the presence of an inhibitory molecule interfering with the antiviral effect of interferon in the assay . Our data may suggest activation of NK cells by C . parvum to be independent of interferon induction . Accordingly, we have observed that the injection of anti-interferon did not abolish NK cell activation by C . parvum . Thus, there is the interesting possibility of an interferon-independent mechanism of NK cell activation . However, we have additionally shown that doses of murine alpha/beta interferon as low as 1 IU per mouse caused a significant activation of NK cells in the peritoneal cavity upon i.p . injection . Thus, interferon itself is extremely potent in activating NK cells.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 49(4), 960 - 3
Oxidation of acyclic terpenoids by Corynebacterium sp; Yamada Y et al.; Squalene analogs such as lycopersene, geranylfarnesyl, digeranyl, and 2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrosqualene and terpene alcohol derivatives such as farnesyl benzyl ether, farnesyl pivalate, geranylgeranyl pivalate, geranyl pivalate, and geranyl benzyl ether were oxidized by Corynebacterium sp . strain SY-79, which was isolated from soil by using squalene as a carbon source . Lycopersene and geranylfarnesyl gave no major product . Digeranyl, geranyl benzyl ether, and geranyl pivalate gave terminal oxidation products, and 2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrosqualene, farnesyl benzyl ether, farnesyl pivalate, and geranylgeranyl pivalate were degraded to give lower molecular carboxylic acids . Strain SY-79 showed promising oxidative activities toward acyclic terpenes, although the metabolites obtained were variable, depending upon the structure of the substrate.

Vet Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 10(3), 287 - 92
Adhesion of Corynebacterium renale and Corynebacterium pilosum to the epithelial cells of various parts of the bovine urinary tract from the renal pelvis to vulva; Hayashi A et al.; The various parts of the bovine urinary tract, the renal pelvis, the ureter, the urinary bladder, the urethra, the vaginal vestibule and the vulva, were examined for the capacity of the epithelial cells to bind Corynebacterium renale and C . pilosum . C . renale adhered best to the epithelial cells of the vulva, and then to those of the ureter and renal pelvis . C . pilosum also adhered best to the epithelial cells of the vulva, followed by those of the vaginal vestibule . The results indicate that the most important target tissue for these bacteria may be the vulva, and the results correlate with the fact that C . renale frequently causes pyelonephritis and ureteritis, while C . pilosum causes the same diseases less frequently and behaves like normal flora of the vaginal vestibule.

Lab Anim Sci, 1985 Apr, 35(2), 135 - 8
Experimental Corynebacterium kutscheri infection in rats: bacteriology and serology; Brownstein DG et al.; In a preliminary study, hydrocortisone-treated rats developed pseudotuberculosis when challenged with 6.2 X 10(5) to 3.1 X 10(7) colony forming units of Corynebacterium kutscheri by intranasal, intragastric, or subcutaneous inoculation . Oronasal exposure was selected as a likely natural route to further study inapparent infection . In Study 1, 50 rats received 1.2 X 10(5) colony forming units and various tissues were cultured at intervals to 12 weeks post-inoculation . At each interval, C . kutscheri was regularly isolated from submaxillary lymph nodes, but isolation was sporadic from other sites . In Study 2, 17 out of 21 rats given 1.2 X 10(5) colony forming units and killed weekly for 6 weeks had 2.0 X 10(2) to 1.8 X 10(5) colony forming units of C . kutscheri in oral washes, and 16 rats had 2.0 X 10(2) to 1.0 X 10(5) colony forming units in submaxillary lymph nodes, Serum antibody to C . kutscheri using both microagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence was first detected in some rats by 2 weeks, and in all rats at subsequent intervals . There was a significant (P less than 0.001) positive correlation (r = 0.93) between serum antibody titers and the duration of infection.

Vet Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 10(3), 293 - 300
Two techniques for detection of antibodies against Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi in horse sera; Skalka B et al.; Two techniques were developed to detect antibodies against the exosubstance of C . equi called equi-factor . In the first technique serum samples are tested against native equi-factor produced by the growth of C . equi on agar medium . A positive result is manifested by the development of precipitation lines . The second test is based on neutralization of prepurified equi-factor by antibody, resulting in the inhibition of its hemolytic synergism with staphylococcal beta toxin . Sera (125 samples) from horses of different ages, kept in localities with a history of C . equi infections, were examined . The first technique detected 65.6%, and the second 40% of positive cases.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 131 ( Pt 4), 707 - 13
Purification and characterization of a Corynebacterium ulcerans bacteriocin (ulceracin 378); Abrehem K et al.; Corynebacterium ulcerans strain 378 produces a bacteriocin (ulceracin 378) and a toxin when grown on semi-solid medium . Ulceracin 378 was purified 360-fold by dialysis and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-200 . On the basis of Ultrogel AcA22 gel filtration its molecular weight was about 900 000 . It could be dissociated by 2-mercaptoethanol and sodium dodecyl sulphate into smaller subunits of 25 000 . The bactericidal activity was associated with this subunit which contained no carbohydrate or lipid . Ulceracin 378 was thermostable and stable over a wide pH range . Purified ulceracin 378 did not have a toxic effect (lethal) on guinea-pigs and rabbits and was immunologically distinct from the toxin.

Cancer Res, 1985 Apr, 45(4), 1657 - 62
Adoptive immunotherapy of newly induced murine sarcomas; Shu SY et al.; Two newly induced methylcholanthrene sarcomas of C57BL/6 mouse origin were selected for studies of the adoptive immunotherapy of established tumors . The MCA 105 and MCA 106 tumors, used during their first five transplant generations, possessed weakly immunogenic tumor-associated transplantation antigens as revealed by failure to elicit immunity to reject 10(6) tumor cells by tumor growth and excision . Specific immunity to reject a 10(6) tumor cell challenge could be elicited in less than 50% of mice by immunization with a mixture of viable tumor cells and Corynebacterium parvum . Adoptive transfer of spleen cells from properly immunized mice consistently mediated the regression of established MCA 105 and MCA 106 tumors . Following systemic administration of 10(8) immune cells into mice bearing palpable tumor, the tumor grew for at least 1 week and then completely regressed . The adoptive immunotherapy was immunologically specific for each of these tumors and was mediated by sensitized T-lymphocytes . Irradiation (1000 R) of the transferred cells abrogated their in vivo activity . With both tumors, successful therapy required prior immune suppression of the host . This latter finding suggested the existence of suppression mechanisms mediated by tumor-bearing mice although we have been unable to reconstitute this suppression by giving T-cell-depleted mice syngeneic spleen cells . The two new animal tumor models characterized in this study not only demonstrate the feasibility of adoptive immunotherapy to weakly immunogenic tumors but also provide unique opportunities for mechanistic studies of the specificity of adoptive immunotherapy.

J Comp Pathol, 1985 Apr, 95(2), 227 - 34
The pathogenesis of a high-virulence and a low-virulence strain of Corynebacterium bovis in the mammary gland of the mouse; Anderson JC et al.; A comparison was made of the pathogenesis of experimental mastitis in mice caused by a strain of Corynebacterium bovis (P3) isolated from clinical mastitis in the cow and a strain (NCDO 1930) isolated from the teat of a symptomless carrier cow . Strain NCDO 1930 elicited a neutrophil response which controlled the infection so that, after 6 to 8 days, 9 of 10 glands were sterile and one abscess was found . In contrast, the neutrophil response to strain P3 failed to control the infection and, by 6 to 8 days, 8 of 10 glands were infected and there were abscesses in 11 of 20 glands . The virulence of strain P3 was associated with its ability to colonize on and in milk fat globules, from which the organisms multiplied in the alveolar lumen irrespective of the neutrophil infiltration.

J Comp Pathol, 1985 Apr, 95(2), 167 - 73
Immunogenicity of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and the effect of adjuvants in mice; Brogden KA et al.; Intraperitoneal inoculation of CF1 mice with 100 micrograms, 200 micrograms, or 300 micrograms whole cell (WC) or 250 micrograms, 500 micrograms, or 1000 micrograms cell wall (CW) of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis induced varying degrees of protection after intravenous challenge of immunity with 7.2 X 10(4) CFU of C . pseudotuberculosis . Generally, the degree of protection increased with the dose of WC or CW . However, intraperitoneal inoculation of mice with 100 micrograms, 200 micrograms, or 300 micrograms heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis BCG; 50 micrograms, 150 micrograms, or 300 micrograms of either muramyl dipeptide (MDP) or trehalose dimycolate (TDM); or 350 micrograms, 700 micrograms or 1400 micrograms Corynebacterium parvum did not induce resistance to intravenous inoculation of 7.4 X 10(4) CFU of C . pseudotuberculosis . The protection induced by 500 micrograms CW was enhanced by adding 100 micrograms BCG, 150 micrograms MDP, or 350 micrograms C . parvum but protection induced in mice by 300 micrograms of WC was not enhanced by adding any adjuvants.

J Virol, 1985 Apr, 54(1), 194 - 8
Detection and physical map of a omega tox+-related defective prophage in Corynebacterium diphtheriae Belfanti 1030(-)tox-; Rappuoli R et al.; A library of chromosomal DNA from Corynebacterium diphtheriae Belfanti 1030(-)tox- was cloned in the lambda phage vector EMBL4 and screened for sequences homologous to corynephage omega tox+ and the attB1-attB2 region of the C7(-)tox- chromosome . Two portions of the 1030(-)tox- chromosome, 35 and 30.5 kilobases long which contain, respectively, the entire region homologous to corynephage omega tox+ and the attB1-attB2 sites, were mapped with the restriction endonucleases BamHI and EcoRI . Chromosomal DNA from 1030(-)tox- was shown to contain a 15.5-kilobase region that was homologous to ca . 42% of the corynephage omega tox+ genome . These sequences were found to hybridize to three regions of the phage genome and do not contain either the diphtheria tox operon or the attP site . These sequences are distant from the chromosomal region that contains the attB1-attB2 sites . Moreover, unlike other known defective prophages, the physical map of this prophage starts at the cos site and is colinear with the vegetative phage map . The 30.5-kilobase region of the 1030(-)tox- chromosome, which contains the attB1-attB2 sites, has a central core region that is almost identical to the corresponding region of the C7(-)tox- chromosome; however, the flanking sequences in these two strains of C . diphtheriae are different.

Immun Infekt, 1985 Apr, 13(2), 87 - 8
{Interferon production and lymphoproliferation in whole blood of schizophrenia patients}; Schindler L et al.; Using a whole blood assay the activity of the interferon system and mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation were tested in schizophrenic patients and normal individuals . Leucocytes of the patients produced significantly less interferon than controls after stimulation with the alpha interferon inducers Corynebacterium parvum (CP) or Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and with the gamma interferon inducers PHA and Con A . Differences in the lymphoproliferation test were also measured . Significantly lower responses of the patients were observed when using PHA and Con A as mitogens.

Morphol Embryol (Bucur), 1985 Apr-Jun, 31(2), 137 - 42
The involvement of omentum and its milky spots in the dynamics of peritoneal macrophages; Mandache E et al.; The investigation has been carried out on stimulated and unstimulated peritoneal cavities of rats . China ink and Corynebacterium parvum were injected i.p . both as peritoneal stimuli and markers . Omenta were picked up at time intervals beginning with 10 min and up to seven days after the i.p . injection . The light and electronmicroscopic investigation showed after 10-30 minutes labeled macrophages stuck as monolayers on some peritoneal areas corresponding to the milky spots which developed in size and number . Days after the i.p . injection the labeled macrophages were found deeper in the milky spots . After the fourth day they appeared in the regional lymph nodes . The milky spots contained also large lymphocytes and plasma cells . The results suggest that milky spots are not only places of resident macrophages development and release in the peritoneal cavity but also their exit pathways . Therefore the omentum leads the traffic of peritoneal macrophages . The developed milky spots play also the role of lymphoid structures providing grounds for macrophage-lymphocyte contacts.

Antiviral Res, 1985 Apr, 5(2), 117 - 23
Interferon inducibility in mice treated with Corynebacterium parvum; Storch E et al.; Mice were given single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of Corynebacterium parvum, followed, after different time intervals, by i.p . injections of the interferon inducers polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly-I:poly-C), 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone (CMA) or herpes simplex virus . With all three inducers production of interferon in the peritoneal cavity was enhanced in C . parvum-pretreated mice . Production of circulating interferon in C . parvum-pretreated mice was enhanced with CMA and depressed with poly-I:poly-C as inducers . This modulation of the interferon response was prominent for at least 10 weeks after C . parvum injection and then gradually reverted . The increased local interferon production seemed to be caused by macrophages still activated several weeks after treatment with C . parvum.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Mar 15, 186(6), 593 - 9
Clinical and radiographic findings in Corynebacterium equi pneumonia of foals; Falcon J et al.; Thirty-nine foals with pneumonia were admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis . Corynebacterium equi was recovered from each of them on bacteriologic culture of transtracheal aspiration specimens or lung specimens at necropsy . The foals were divided into 2 groups . Group I consisted of 20 foals that died because of C equi pneumonia and were subsequently necropsied . Group II consisted of 19 foals that were treated and discharged from the hospital . Radiography was performed on all foals . Clinical signs included increased respiratory rate, fever, cough, nasal discharge, increased bronchovesicular sounds over large airways, and wheezing over small airways . Highly significant differences were found in the mean respiratory rate (P less than 0.005) and temperature (P less than 0.001), recorded at admission, between the 2 groups; both factors were higher for group I . Hematology revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia, monocytosis, and high plasma fibrinogen content in all foals . Significant differences were recorded in the mean total leukocyte count (P less than 0.05), mean neutrophil count (P less than 0.05), mean monocyte count (P less than 0.005), and mean fibrinogen value (P less than 0.05) between the 2 groups; values from group I were higher than those from group II . Although C equi was isolated alone from 25 of the tracheal aspirates and lung specimens, 14 cultures yielded multiple pathogens . At the time of initial examination, all foals had radiographic evidence of pneumonia . Pulmonary consolidation indicative of bronchopneumonia was identified in 31 of the 39 foals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Can Med Assoc J, 1985 Mar 15, 132(6), 663 - 4
Fatal diphtheria in an older woman; Epp C et al.; A previously healthy 68-year-old woman presented with fever and sore throat . Her condition was initially diagnosed as necrotizing streptococcal tonsillitis and was treated with penicillin G, given intravenously . A swab of her throat taken for culture at the time of admission yielded Corynebacterium diphtheriae 48 hours later . At that time an electrocardiogram showed new T-wave inversion--evidence of diphtheritic myocarditis . She was immediately given 60 000 units of equine diphtheria antitoxin (following a test dose), but later that day she began choking, became apneic and died . The patient had not received any immunizing agents as a child, and no antitoxin was detected in a blood sample obtained prior to administration of the antitoxin . Her death re-emphasizes the seriousness of diphtheria, an infection to which many elderly people are susceptible.

Mol Immunol, 1985 Mar, 22(3), 291 - 4
Role of lipid A of endotoxin in the production of tumour necrosis factor; Ha DK et al.; Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) into serum of mice previously infected with Listeria monocytogenes or immunized with formalin-killed Corynebacterium parvum . This release is greatly reduced by neutralisation of lipid A of LPS with the antibiotic polymyxin B sulfate . The effect is dose-dependent . Base-hydrolysed LPS, which is devoid of lipid A, cannot induce TNF release . Crude lipid A still retains its ability to induce TNF release but is significantly less effective than native LPS molecules . LPS neutralised by polymyxin B also loses its ability to cause high mortality in C . parvum primed mice . These results suggest that lipid A of LPS molecule is important in causing lethality and TNF release in vivo while the polysaccharide portion may be involved in delivering the lipid A moiety to TNF-producing cells.

Cancer Lett, 1985 Mar, 26(2), 235 - 40
Enhanced thermal response of a rat sarcoma by Corynebacterium parvum; Shah SA; Corynebacterium parvum was investigated in the response of rat Mc7 sarcoma to local waterbath hyperthermia . Heat treatment of 1-1.5 cm3 foot tumors at 43 degrees C for 2 h resulted in complete regression of 71% of the tumors . The Mc7 cure was reduced to 31% when the tumors were heated at 43 degrees C for 1.5 h . C . parvum (700 micrograms, i.v.) when given 1-3 days before tumor heating at 43 degrees C for 1.5 h increased the host phagocytic activity, and the tumor regression from 31% to 65% (P less than 0.05) . C . parvum by itself had no curative effect on the tumor, and it did not enhance the thermal response of normal rat foot to hyperthermia . These findings suggest that host response to tumor heating may be 'non-specific' in nature involving phagocytes of the reticulo-endothelial system.

Am J Otolaryngol, 1985 Mar-Apr, 6(2), 111 - 4
Bacterial flora of airline headset devices; Brook I; External otitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus was observed in two patients after they wore airline headset devices . The bacterial flora of 40 headset devices was evaluated . Bacteria were recovered from all headsets, and the number of organisms ranged from 10 to 1,200 (mean 138 +/- 246 organisms per headset) . The predominant organisms recovered were S . aureus (in 12 headsets), Bacillus sp . and S . epidermidis (ten headsets each), alpha-hemolytic streptococci (in eight) and Corynebacterium sp . (in six) . The effect of wearing a sterile headset for an hour was investigated using 20 volunteers . After wearing the headsets, an increase of at least two log10 colony-forming units was observed in 11 (55 per cent) of the volunteers, a decrease was observed in one (5 per cent), and no significant change in the bacterial flora was noticed in eight (40 per cent) . The study demonstrates the presence of potential pathogens in headset devices and the increase in the number of endogenous flora in individuals who wear these devices.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1985 Mar, 74(3), 627 - 35
Stimulation of proliferation in mixed cultures of mouse tumor cells and nonimmune peritoneal cells . I . Occurrence of stimulation and cyclical variation in tumor cell activity; Nelson M et al.; Mixtures of mouse tumor cells and resident peritoneal cells (PC) from nonimmune mice frequently incorporated {methyl-3H}thymidine {( 3H}dThd) in culture to a far greater extent than did either cell population alone . With PC-to-tumor cell ratios of 10:1, stimulation indices of up to 21 were recorded . Syngeneic, semisyngeneic, and allogeneic mixtures were active . PC elicited by thioglycollate or proteose-peptone could participate in the reaction . PC from mice injected with Corynebacterium parvum also could do so, provided they were precultured for 48 hours . Normal mouse spleen cells and fibroblasts and human Chang cells were inactive . There was considerable variation between experiments in the extent of stimulation observed, even with the same tumor . When tumors were cloned in vitro, freshly isolated clones differed widely in the extent of stimulation . Individual clones studied over a period of time varied markedly and cyclically in the degree of stimulation they exhibited in mixed cultures . This variation appeared to be unrelated to the density of the cultures from which the clones were obtained, to the base-line incorporation of {3H}dThd by tumor cells alone, or to the frequency of passage in vitro . It is suggested that the cyclical variation may be related to the generation of variant cells, which could be important in tumor progression and metastasis.

Eur J Biochem, 1985 Feb 15, 147(1), 97 - 104
Purification and properties of NADH/NADPH-dependent p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase from Corynebacterium cyclohexanicum; Fujii T et al.; Crude soluble extracts of Corynebacterium cyclohexanicum, grown on cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, were found to contain 4-hydroxybenzoate 3-hydroxylase which functions with NADH as well as NADPH . The purified enzyme preparation was electrophoretically homogeneous and contained FAD as prosthetic group . The relative molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be about 47000 by native and denaturated acrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that it is monomeric . The enzyme was stable at 60 degrees C for 10 min . The enzyme was highly specific for p-hydroxybenzoate . The activity was inhibited by several aromatic analogues of p-hydroxybenzoate such as p-aminobenzoate, p-fluorobenzoate, o-hydroxybenzoate, m-hydroxybenzoate, 2,4-dihydroxygenzoate, and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate . The Km value for NADH was fairly constant, about 45 microM, in the pH range 7.0-8.4, whereas the Km value for NADPH increased from 63 microM to 170 microM as the pH rose from 7.0 to 8.4 . V values in the same pH range, however, were approximately constant in both cases; about 30 mumol min-1 mg-1 for NADH, and 26 mumol min-1 mg-1 for NADPH . Mg2+ was required for full activity of the enzyme in low concentrations of phosphate buffer . The enzyme was inhibited by C1- which was non-competitive with respect to NADH, NADPH and p-hydroxybenzoate.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Feb, 46(2), 447 - 50
Susceptibility of equine bacterial isolates to antimicrobial agents; Adamson PJ et al.; In vitro antimicrobic susceptibility patterns of commonly isolated aerobic gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens of equine origin were determined, using the agar-plate dilution method . All organisms were recent clinical isolates and included Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, (coagulase positive) Staphylococcus sp, Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Actinobacillus sp, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella . In vitro susceptibility levels were outlined for 14 antimicrobics as follows: amikacin less than or equal to 4.0 micrograms/ml, ampicillin less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml, amoxicillin less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml, cefadroxil less than or equal to 8.0 micrograms/ml, chloramphenicol less than or equal to 8.0 micrograms/ml, erythromycin less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml, gentamicin less than or equal to 2.0 micrograms/ml, kanamycin less than or equal to 4.0 micrograms/ml, penicillin less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml, tetracycline less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml, sulfadimethoxine less than or equal to 10.0 micrograms/ml, ormetoprim/sulfadimethoxine less than or equal to 0.5/9.5 micrograms/ml, sulfadiazine less than or equal to 10.0 micrograms/ml, and trimethoprim/sulfadiazine less than or equal to 0.5/9.5 micrograms/ml.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Feb, 46(2), 409 - 11
Adhesion of Corynebacterium renale and Corynebacterium pilosum to epithelial cells of bovine vulva; Hayashi A et al.; Corynebacterium renale and C pilosum adhered effectively to the epithelial cells of the bovine vulva; the numbers of these organisms that adhered to the vulval epithelial cells were 50 and 30/cell, respectively, which were several times as many as those that adhered to the uroepithelial cells . Of the epithelial cells of the vulva, cornified cells lacking nuclei bound more bacteria than did those with indistinct nuclei, indicating that adhesion of bacteria was most effective to the most aged cells . The marked adhesion of C renale and C pilosum to the epithelial cells of the vulva may indicate that the vulva is an important portal of entry of these bacteria.

Trop Anim Health Prod, 1985 Feb, 17(1), 57 - 62
Abscesses and caseous lymphadenitis in goats in tropical semi-arid north-east Brazil; Unanian MM et al.; This study reports the incidence of abscesses in relation to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in goats in north-east Brazil . Among 656 goats examined periodically over almost two years 41.6% were found with superficially palpable abscesses . Most of the infected areas were in the anterior half of the body in front of the pre-scapular region; the inguinal region formed the other prominent area . Among 486 dead or slaughtered goats, 56 (11.5%) revealed abscesses in the internal organs . Lungs and epididymis were affected most, liver, spleen, udder and lateropharyngeal nodes were next in order and kidneys and mediastinal nodes were least affected . Thus the overall incidence of external and internal abscesses was 28.8%; of all the abscesses 27.7% were due to C . pseudotuberculosis and the rest due to infections of Corynebacterium pyogenes and several species of streptococci or staphylococci . The growth of C . pseudotuberculosis-infected and non-infected goats was of the same order and it seems that caseous lymphadenitis is not the cause of much financial loss in north-east Brazil but in view of its high incidence remedial measures should be considered necessary in regions where the goat meat industry is likely to become more intensive and important.

J Dairy Sci, 1985 Feb, 68(2), 424 - 32
Effect of automatic backflushing on number of new intramammary infections, bacteria on teatcup liners, and milk iodine; Smith TW et al.; Effect of an automatic iodine (15 ppm) backflushing system on incidence of new intramammary infections, teatcup liner bacterial populations, and milk iodine was tested in a herd free of Streptococcus agalactiae and with a low prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus . In an 11-mo trial, backflushing was applied to teatcups that milked the right half of the udder; the left half served as control . Clawpieces were divided into left and right halves with each having a milk outlet . Postmilking teat dipping was discontinued . All lactating cows in the University herd were used, averaging 154 with normal attrition and additions of new individuals as they calved . Backflushing reduced numbers of staphylococci recovered from liners by 98.5% and Gram-negative bacteria by 99.5% as compared with unflushed liners . Backflushing significantly reduced new infections caused by Corynebacterium bovis . However, there was no effect on incidence of new infections by staphylococci, streptococci, or coliforms . Iodine concentrations averaged 243 micrograms per liter in milk from control quarters and 486 micrograms from backflushed udder halves . Interior surface cracking was more severe in backflushed teatcup liners than in control liners . These results do not justify the use of backflushing in a herd with low prevalence of contagious pathogens.

J Reprod Immunol, 1985 Feb, 7(2), 163 - 9
Formulation of a potential antipregnancy vaccine based on the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) . III . Evaluation of various vehicles and adjuvants; Chang CC et al.; Rabbits were used to test the efficacy of several materials as supplementary adjuvants when administered as part of a vaccine formulation consisting of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin linked to tetanus toxoid (beta-hCG-TT) and adsorbed on Al(OH)3 . In the amounts used, Corynebacterium parvum, levamisole, thymic factor, and N,N-dioctadecyl-N',N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)propanediamine exhibited little adjuvant activity although the latter material elicited marginal increments when incorporated in liposomes . A Salmonella lipopolysaccharide preparation (SPLPS) and a streptococcal preparation (OK-432) each gave approximately 7-fold increments in titer . The SPLPS preparation was pyrogenic at the doses used . OK-432 was nonpyrogenic and did not cause other evident undesirable effects . It may therefore prove to be a useful adjuvant . It gave a nearly flat dose response curve over the range of 0.5 to 4.0 mg per rabbit . Incorporation of beta-hCG-TT on Al(OH)3 in a water-in-oil emulsion caused a moderate increase in titers . Incorporation into liposomes or an oil-in-water emulsion was not effective.

Arch Surg, 1985 Feb, 120(2), 180 - 6
Modulation of hepatocyte protein synthesis during co-cultivation with macrophage-rich peritoneal cells in vitro; Keller GA et al.; The etiology of hepatic failure associated with the multiple-system organ failure syndrome is poorly understood . Because of indirect evidence suggesting that macrophages or Kupffer's cells may play a role in this phenomenon, macrophage-rich peritoneal cells were co-cultured with isolated rat hepatocytes . Following co-culture, the rate of hepatocyte protein synthesis, quantitated by counts per minute of tritiated leucine incorporated into protein, was significantly diminished . This modulation of hepatocyte function was not enhanced by prestimulation of macrophage-rich peritoneal cells in vivo by casein, thioglycolate, or Corynebacterium parvum . Addition of the macrophage secretory product lysozyme did not alter hepatocyte protein synthesis . This cell-mediated effect on hepatocytes could not be recreated by a macrophage-rich peritoneal cells supernatant transfer . These results support the idea that cells of macrophage lineage could mediate changes in hepatocyte function that may, in turn, play a role in the etiology of hepatic malfunction associated with the multiple-system organ failure syndrome.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Feb, 259(1), 1 - 10
Immunodiffusion and lipid analyses in the classification of "Mycobacterium album" and the "aurantiaca" taxon; Ridell M et al.; Comparative immunodiffusion studies were performed on representative strains of "Mycobacterium album", the "aurantiaca" taxon and an "aurantiaca"-like group of actinomycetes, using reference systems representing 25 taxa assigned to the genera Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Kurthia, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces and the "aurantiaca" taxon . Thin-layer chromatographic analyses of whole-organism methanolysates were carried out on single strains of "Mycobacterium album" and the "aurantiaca"-like taxon . Both the distribution of precipitinogens and the type of mycolic acids determined showed that the "Mycobacterium album" and "aurantiaca" strains were closely related to one another, but not to the "aurantiaca"-like strains . The aggregate "aurantiaca" taxon, containing "Mycobacterium album" and the "aurantiaca" taxon, can be distinguished from the established mycolic-acid containing taxa, Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia and Rhodococcus, using both serological and lipid data . Further studies on additional strains are needed to determine whether the aggregate "aurantiaca" taxon merits generic status.

Aust Vet J, 1985 Feb, 62(2), 57 - 9
A microaerophilic coccus in pyogenic infections of ruminants; Slee KJ; Pyogenic infections of cattle, sheep and goats were examined for the presence of a Gram positive bacterium that has been designated "microaerophilic coccus" by other workers . The bacterium was found to be involved in a range of disease processes, including foot and soft tissue abscesses, mastitis, pericarditis and pyometra in cattle, joint and foot abscesses in sheep and foot abscesses in goats . The characteristic feature of the bacterium was its satellitic growth around colonies of other organisms . The microaerophilic coccus was usually part of a mixed flora, which included Corynebacterium pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Peptostreptococcus indolicus and Bacteroides sp.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Feb, 46(2), 401 - 3
Appearance of immunoglobulin classes and complement (C3) during Corynebacterium renale-induced experimental pyelonephritis in the rat; De Buysscher EV et al.; The local appearance of various immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes in the urinary tract during ascending pyelonephritis was studied in rats experimentally infected with Corynebacterium renale . The indirect fluorescent antibody assay was used to detect IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and C3 on C renale present in the urine of the experimental animals . Corynebacterium renale coated with IgM and IgG antibodies was found beginning on the 4th day after induced infection, with IgG being the more abundant isotype . Coating with IgA occurred as early as the 4th day, but was less dense than coating with IgG . The presence of C3 on C renale was concurrent with IgM and IgG coating . A significant quantity of IgE could not be identified on antibody-coated C renale . Thus, IgG is the major component of the humoral immune response in this model of ascending pyelonephritis . The IgM early during infection and IgA later during infection seem not to be a major component of the immune response in this model.

J Surg Oncol, 1985 Feb, 28(2), 137 - 45
Adjuvant Corynebacterium parvum immunotherapy for squamous cell epitheliomas of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx; Neifeld JP et al.; Patients with primary squamous cell epitheliomas of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx were stratified according to stage and site and randomized to receive either intratumoral immunotherapy with Corynebacterium parvum followed 2 weeks later by surgery and postoperative C parvum for 2 years or surgery alone . There were 209 patients entered into the trial and 176 were fully evaluable . All prognostic variables were similar between the two groups . There was no difference in disease-free survival or absolute survival between the two groups of patients . In addition, there was no difference noted for any stage and/or site . The only difference in sequential immunologic testing was that chemokinesis was increased following intratumoral C parvum, but neither this nor any other immunologic test correlated with ultimate recurrence or survival . These data demonstrate that immunotherapy using preoperative, intralesional C parvum and postoperative, subcutaneous C parvum is ineffective when used as an adjuvant to surgery for primary cancers arising in the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx.

Infect Immun, 1985 Feb, 47(2), 408 - 14
Increased sensitivity of Corynebacterium parvum-treated mice to toxic effects of indomethacin and lipopolysaccharide; Hart DA; Female BALB/c and C3H/HeJ mice develop increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of indomethacin after injection of nonviable Corynebacterium parvum . The increased sensitivity developed within 4 days of intraperitoneal injection of the organisms and started to resolve 14 days after injection . The development of increased sensitivity was dependent on the quantity of organisms injected and the concentration of indomethacin utilized . The effect was not observed when C . parvum-treated animals were injected with aspirin . C . parvum-treated BALB/c mice also developed increased sensitivity to E . coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Although increased sensitivity to LPS and indomethacin paralleled each other in BALB/c mice, the experiments with the LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice indicated that the two phenomena could be separated . The pyridine extract residue of C . parvum was as effective as C . parvum whole cells in inducing indomethacin and LPS sensitivity . Therefore, activation of the reticuloendothelial system is probably a critical element in the induction of sensitivity to these agents.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1985 Feb, 74(2), 349 - 55
Natural killer inhibitory substance produced by the peritoneal cells of patients with ovarian cancer; Lichtenstein AK et al.; Peritoneal cells obtained from 8 patients with minimal residual ovarian cancer produced a substance during in vitro culture that markedly inhibited the expression of natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis . Its molecular weight was less than 2,000, the same size as the NK-inhibiting substance (NK-IS), a similar NK-suppressive molecule produced by the peritoneal cells of rats . Human NK-IS suppressed the expression of antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity as well as NK lysis, but it had no effect on erythrocyte-rosette formation and was not cytotoxic to peripheral blood lymphocytes or cell fractions enriched for large granular lymphocytes . NK-IS inhibited lysis mediated by interferon-activated lymphocytes and completely prevented NK activation when used in a preincubation . During intraperitoneal immunotherapy with Corynebacterium parvum, an agent that can activate peritoneal cytotoxic effectors, the production of NK-IS by peritoneal cells decreased considerably . Human peritoneal cells produce an NK-IS similar to the peritoneal cells of rats, and this material may create an environment within the peritoneal cavity that is permissive to the growth of NK-sensitive tumor cells.

J Exp Med, 1985 Feb 1, 161(2), 306 - 22
Factor B, the complement alternative pathway serine proteinase, is a major constitutive protein synthesized and secreted by resident and elicited mouse macrophages; Sundsmo JS et al.; Factor B, the complement alternative pathway serine proteinase, a class III gene product of the major histocompatibility complex, is a major constitutive secretion product of mouse mononuclear phagocytes . This glycoprotein was synthesized and secreted by macrophages as a doublet of Mr 90,000 and 93,000 polypeptides that were immunoprecipitable with antibodies raised to human serum factor B, and that were indistinguishable from plasma factor B by immunoreactivity, peptide mapping, and molecular weight . Macrophage factor B was cleaved and activated to factor Bb- and Ba-like fragments by factor D and cobra venom factor . Some conversion of macrophage factor B to Bb-sized fragments occurred spontaneously in the conditioned culture medium after several hours . Factor B represented approximately 0.5% of newly synthesized protein and 4-6% of the secreted protein of resident peritoneal macrophages and macrophages elicited with thioglycollate broth, pyran copolymer, NaIO4, bacillus Calmette-Guerin, or Corynebacterium parvum . We detected synthesis of factor B immediately upon explanting these macrophages in culture; synthesis continued for several days in culture . The rate of secretion of factor B, as a proportion of total protein secretion in culture, remained constant with time . By radioimmunoassay, factor B antigens accumulated in the 24-h macrophage-conditioned culture medium at 2-10 nM, and was present in cell lysates at 4-8 nmol per 10(6) cells . We detected synthesis of factor B in bone marrow-derived macrophages as early as 5 d of culture . The P388D1 macrophage line synthesized factor B, but mouse L cells did not . In contrast, apolipoprotein E, another secreted protein of macrophages, was secreted by resident and thioglycollate-elicited macrophages but not by freshly harvested pyran copolymer-activated macrophages . Its synthesis was initiated at day 9 in culture of bone marrow-derived macrophages . These data support the classification of factor B as a constitutive biosynthetic and secreted protein of immature and mature macrophages in various states of activation . Production of factor B was modulated by treatment of macrophages in vivo or in culture with bacterial lipopolysaccharide endotoxin, which increased the synthesis, secretion, and accumulation of factor B up to 11-fold.

Infect Immun, 1985 Feb, 47(2), 575 - 8
Highly toxinogenic but avirulent Park-Williams 8 strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae does not produce siderophore; Russell LM et al.; The highly toxinogenic Park-Williams 8 strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae grows slowly in vitro and is avirulent . C . diphtheriae Park-Williams 8 is defective in iron uptake and does not produce the corynebacterial siderophore corynebactin . Addition of partially purified corynebactin stimulated iron uptake and growth of iron-deprived C . diphtheriae Park-Williams 8 cells.

J Biol Response Mod, 1985 Feb, 4(1), 46 - 59
In situ activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by cyclohexyl-1,3-dioxepin and 4-methyl-2-pentenoyl maleic anhydride copolymers; Kuus K et al.; Peritoneal macrophages (PM theta) from mice treated intraperitoneally with the unique polyanionic compounds cyclohexyl-1,3-dioxepin maleic anhydride copolymer (CDA-MA) and 4-methyl-2-pentenoyl maleic anhydride copolymer (MP-MA) had tumoricidal activity against Lewis lung tumor cells . 5'-Nucleotidase ectoenzyme activity, which had previously been associated only with nontumoricidal, resident PM theta, was elevated in tumoricidal PM theta elicited with CDA-MA and MP-MA . Cell counts and differentials performed on peripheral blood leukocytes and PM theta populations from CDA-MA- and MP-MA--treated mice more closely corresponded to those of normal mice than mice treated with the conventional PM theta-activating agents pyran and Corynebacterium parvum . In addition, the lysosomal peroxidase activity in PM theta after administration of CDA-MA and MP-MA remained at levels comparable with normal resident PM theta, while an influx of peroxidase-positive macrophages was observed after administration of pyran and C . parvum . Inoculation of CDA-MA and MP-MA into mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma showed a significant increase in median survival time compared with control mice, as well as an increase in the percentage of mice that survived greater than 90 days . Taken together, these data suggest that CDA-MA and MP-MA activated PM theta in situ and prolonged survival against primary transplanted Lewis lung carcinoma.

Immunology, 1985 Feb, 54(2), 371 - 9
Activation of mouse macrophages causes no change in expression and function of phorbol diesters' receptors, but is accompanied by alterations in the activity and kinetic parameters of NADPH oxidase; Berton G et al.; Mouse peritoneal macrophages activated in vivo by the injection of Corynebacterium parvum release larger amounts of superoxide anion (O2-) than macrophages from control mice when stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) . The biochemical bases for this enhanced response of activated macrophages have been investigated by studying the expression and function of receptors for the stimulant, and the activity of the enzyme NADPH oxidase which is responsible for the production of O2- in leucocytes . Studies of binding of phorbol dibutyrate, an agent closely related to PMA, showed that the affinity constants (Kds) and the number of binding sites were the same in resident and activated peritoneal macrophages . The activity of the NADPH oxidase was, however, different in the two macrophage populations which differ in their capacity to release O2- . NADPH oxidase activity was studied in macrophage monolayers after lysis with deoxycholate . The main features of this activity were as follows: stimulation of macrophages with PMA or zymosan caused an increase in NADPH-dependent O2- production; NADPH oxidase activity in the lysates followed the same dose-response curve for different concentrations of PMA as O2- release by intact macrophages; O2- release by intact macrophages could be fully accounted for by NADPH-dependent O2- production by macrophage lysates; activity was strictly substrate-specific, in that NADH could not substitute for NADPH; after stimulation with PMA or zymosan, NADPH oxidase activity was higher in lysates of C . parvum-activated macrophages than in lysates of resident macrophages; NADPH oxidase activities of activated and resident macrophages differed markedly in their kinetic parameters . The NADPH oxidase of macrophages activated by C . parvum or trehalose dimycolate of mycobacterial origin displayed a five to seven times lower Km compared to the enzyme in resident macrophages.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Feb, 46(2), 412 - 5
Adhesion of Corynebacterium pilosum by pili to epithelial cells of bovine vulva; Hayashi A et al.; Piliated (P+) and nonpiliated (P-) clones of Corynebacterium pilosum were selected, and their adhesion to the epithelial cells of the bovine vulva and vaginal vestibule was examined . The number of P+ bacteria of C pilosum that adhered to vulval epithelial cells was greater than that of P- bacteria . The adhesion of P+ bacteria, but not P- bacteria, to the epithelial cells was inhibited by the antipilus antiserum; therefore, the adhesion of C pilosum to the epithelial cells of the vulva was primarily dependent on the pili . The number of C pilosum that adhered to the epithelial cells of the bovine vulva and of the vaginal vestibule increased by decreasing the pH.

Virology, 1985 Jan 30, 140(2), 360 - 3
New bacteriophage-like particles in Corynebacterium glutamicum; Patek M et al.; Three new phage-like particles (CG1, CG2, and CGK1) were isolated from Corynebacterium glutamicum CBII . Particles CG1 and CG2 are DNA phages with long, noncontractile tails, CGK1 is a killer particle according to electron microscopy . A heat-stable low-molecular-weight bacteriocidal substance affecting various coryneform bacteria was observed to be joined to the killer particle CGK1.

Int J Cancer, 1985 Jan 15, 35(1), 121 - 7
Anti-tumor effect of inflammatory neutrophils: characteristics of in vivo generation and in vitro tumor cell lysis; Lichtenstein A et al.; Inflammatory neutrophils elicited by intraperitoneal injection of Corynebacterium parvum, thioglycollate or proteose peptone were capable of lysing different murine and human tumor targets in a short-term chromium-release assay . A single-cell cytotoxicity assay, which evaluated effector-target cell interactions at the single-cell level, confirmed a PMN-mediated tumor-lytic effect . Optimal lysis was achieved by PMNs obtained 6 hr after injection of C . parvum and 16 hr after injection of thioglycollate . In vitro, loss of tumor cell membrane integrity occurred extremely rapidly following conjugation with inflammatory PMNs (beginning within 15 min of the binding step) . By 45 min, the lytic event was completed . Addition of catalase or superoxide dismutase to the cytotoxicity assays prevented tumor lysis in a concentration-dependent fashion, indicating that hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, products of the PMN respiratory burst, are mediators of the lytic reaction.

J Basic Microbiol, 1985, 25(8), 527 - 36
Freeze-fracture observations of Corynebacterium glutamicum: the occurrence of an outer membrane-like structure and the influence of temperature on the cytoplasmic membrane; Richter W et al.; In order to elucidate temperature-dependent morphological changes in the cell envelope of the Gram-positive L-lysine-overproducing Corynebacterium glutamicum 9366 we carried out freeze-fracture investigations of native cells and studied their fatty acid composition . In addition to the cytoplasmic membrane C . glutamicum possesses at the periphery of the cell an additional fracture plane which is unusual in Gram-positive bacteria and is designated here as outer membrane-like structure . The fracture faces of this layer display a distinguishable appearance in several regions of the cell . Bacteria grown at various temperatures showed changes in the relation of the saturated to unsaturated fatty acids . We demonstrated that the cytoplasmic membrane was affected by these changes in the fatty acid composition.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1985, 136(2), 109 - 13
{Glomerulonephritis secondary to ventriculo-atrial shunts}; Morcamp D et al.; The authors report the case of a 45 year old man who had undergone a ventriculo-atrial CSF shunt procedure 5 years previously for normal pressure hydrocephalus and who had several unexplained episodes of infection over a 12 months period and has now developed a mixed nephrotic syndrome associated with a septicaemia . Corynebacterium commensale and Staphylococcus epidermis were isolated from the valve culture . Ablation of the valve resulted in clinical cure with minimal functional renal sequellae . The initial renal biopsy showed type I proliferative glomerulonephritis with subendothelial deposits of complement and immunoglobulins, which did not completely regress after 3 months' evolution . The serum complement fractions suggested activation of the alternate pathway and the possible pathogenic role of circulating immune complexes.

Oncology, 1985, 42(6), 391 - 8
Mouse neoplasia and immunity: effects of radiation, hyperthermia, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and Corynebacterium parvum; Gridley DS et al.; Radiation (XRT), hyperthermia, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), and Corynebacterium parvum were given in various combinations to BALB/c mice injected with herpes virus type 2-transformed (H238) cells . Addition of heat significantly increased the antitumor effects of XRT, and the combination of XRT + 2DG + heat resulted in the highest incidence of complete tumor regression . Enhanced activity of phytohemagglutinin-responsive T lymphocytes and natural killer cells capable of killing YAC-1 tumor cells was noted in some of the treatment groups while tumor volume was similar for all of the groups . This enhancement was most likely to be achieved when heat was included as part of the treatment protocol.

Nat Immun Cell Growth Regul, 1985, 4(4), 193 - 201
Leukemogenesis by methylnitrosourea in BDF1 mice . The origin of transplantable cells and the activity of the natural killer cells during the preleukemic period; Seidel HJ et al.; BDF1 mice injected with methylnitrosourea (MNU, 50 mg/kg) developed T cell leukemias within 9-35 weeks (median induction time 18 weeks) . Leukemic cells, determined by transplantation, were found 2-5 weeks before the death of the animals . Natural killer (NK) cell activity in the spleen and peritoneal exudate cells was studied using YAC-1 cells as targets . MNU-treated mice showed reduced lytic activity with or without stimulation by Corynebacterium parvum . NK activity was essentially the same in mice with and without transplantable leukemic cells . No correlation could be demonstrated between the degree of NK cell depression, as studied in the spleen after splenectomy, and the survival time of individual mice.

Biomed Pharmacother, 1985, 39(4), 173 - 6
{A case of septicemia by a Corynebacterium of the J . K . group}; Mathieu D et al.; We have reported a case of septicaemia caused by "Corynebacterium of group J . K." in a patient with acute myeloblastic leukaemia . Recent studies by Riley (1978) have shown that the corynebacteria, saprophytes of the skin and mucosa have a resistance to common antibiotics . Corynebacteria that are only sensitive to virginiamycin and vancomycin are a potential danger for immunosuppressed patients and patients with artificial heart valves, the appropriate choice of antibiotic can be difficult in these patients.

Invasion Metastasis, 1985, 5(5), 295 - 308
Repression of lymphatic metastasis by a second implant of the same tumor; Keller R; Previous work in the rat D-12 fibrosarcoma model has shown that the incidence of macroscopic metastasis, located primarily in regional lymph nodes, is markedly increased after surgical removal of a primary subcutaneous tumor implant, in all probability by facilitating the outgrowth of already established micrometastases . The present work shows that a second implant of live D-12 tumor cells into a remote site effectively represses the outgrowth of macroscopic metastases . For the manifestation of the repressive effect, both the time interval elapsing between surgery and reimplantation of tumor cells and the size of the inoculum appear critical . Implantation of heavily irradiated D-12 cells or the prolonged delivery of ascites fluid by osmotic mini-pumps had no such repressive effect on metastatic tumor growth . Corynebacterium parvum administered into the tumor-bearing limb a few days before its amputation, but not into a remote subcutaneous site, suppressed the outgrowth of macroscopic metastases . The occurrence and efficient operation of concomitant tumor resistance in the D-12 tumor model, in which metastasis is primarily via lymphatics and resistance appears to involve a substantial portion nonspecific reactivity, is further evidence for a basic role of tumor/tumor interrelations in determining the final outcome of the host/tumor interaction.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1985, 7(1), 1 - 6
Production of tumour necrosis factor in Listeria monocytogenes-infected animals; Ha DK et al.; Both mice and rabbits injected intravenously with viable Listeria monocytogenes and challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharide release tumour necrosis factor (TNF) into the blood . Optimal conditions for production of murine TNF using Listeria were established . The cell-kill efficacy of Listeria-TNF and of Corynebacterium parvum-TNF are comparable . Also, the two sera have similar spectra of activity; a wide variety of murine and human tumour cell lines are vulnerable while others are not affected . Among the cell lines tested, Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) cell was found to be most susceptible to the cytotoxic effect of TNF . The advantages of using Listeria for producing TNF and using EAT cells in studying the mechanism of action of TNF are discussed.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Jan, 31(1), 32 - 4
Evaluation of differential media for the identification of Corynebacterium genitalium and Corynebacterium pseudogenitalium (group JK corynebacteria); Coppola KM et al.; Tween purple agar containing 1% fructose (TFP agar) differentiated Corynebacterium genitalium from C . pseudogenitalium, which respectively formed colorless and yellow colonies after 72 h incubation at 37 degrees C aerobically or in 5-10% CO2 in air . Thus TFP agar is a differential medium . Corynebacteria-like colonies grown on nonspecific urethritis (NSU) chocolate agar from urogenital material were identified as C . genitalium, C . pseudogenitalium, or commensals when subcultured on TPF agar . TFP agar was unsuitable for their primary isolation since the commensals turned the medium yellow with 24 h incubation . Gentamicin cannot be employed as a selective agent in medium for the isolation of these corynebacteria . TFP agar containing 10 micrograms/mL entamicin inhibited most strains of C . pseudogenitalium and C . genitalium isolated from urogenital infections . It did not inhibit isolates of these corynebacteria from cancer patients or suppress the normal bacterial flora of the urogenital tract . Evidence that gentamicin-resistant strains are characteristic of nosocomial infections is presented.

Eur J Respir Dis, 1985 Jan, 66(1), 50 - 4
Treatment of malignant pleural effusions with intrapleural Corynebacterium parvum or tetracycline; Leahy BC et al.; Thirty two patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly allocated to treatment with intrapleural Corynebacterium parvum or tetracycline hydrochloride in an attempt to prevent symptomatic recurrence of pleural fluid . Success in preventing recurrence of fluid at one month, using up to 2 doses of each drug, was 14 of 16 cases for Corynebacterium parvum, 5 of 9 for tetracycline given via an intercostal needle, and 6 of 7 for tetracycline given through an intercostal tube . These difference were not statistically significant . Corynebacterium parvum was significantly more likely to produce pyrexia equal or greater than 38 degrees C (P less than 0.001) and pain requiring analgesia (P less than 0.05) than tetracycline hydrochloride . Corynebacterium parvum is a useful agent for the management of malignant pleural effusion, but is associated with more side effects than tetracycline.

Equine Vet J, 1985 Jan, 17(1), 30 - 4
Selection of an aminoglycoside antibiotic for administration to horses; Baggot JD et al.; The serum concentrations of the aminoglycosides neomycin, kanamycin and streptomycin were determined after intravenous (iv) and intramuscular (im) administration . These values were then related to the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of a number of equine pathogenic bacteria to determine the duration of therapeutic serum concentrations of the aminoglycosides in the horse . Pharmacokinetic analysis of the data using neomycin as the example revealed a mean (+/- sd) peak serum concentration of 23.2 +/- 10.2 micrograms/ml present at 30 mins, and at 8 h the serum concentration was 2.8 +/- 0.8 micrograms/ml . From the pharmacological analysis of concentration-time data it was shown that neomycin was very rapidly absorbed from the im injection site, with an absorption half-time of 0.16 +/- 0.05 and was well absorbed (systemic availability was 73.7 +/- 26.9 per cent) . A peak tissue level, which represented 40 per cent of the amount of drug in the body, was obtained at 32 mins after injection of the drug . At 8 h, the fractions of the dose in the central and peripheral compartments of the model were 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively, and 96 per cent was the cumulative amount eliminated up to that time . Based on the MIC values of the majority of isolates of Corynebacterium equi, and only a few isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Streptococcus equi, one would expect a serum concentration of more than 2 micrograms neomycin/ml up to 8 h following im dosage (10 mg/kg) to be therapeutically effective.

Cell Immunol, 1985 Jan, 90(1), 14 - 23
Effect of in vivo administration of different adjuvants on the in vitro candidacidal activity of mouse peritoneal cells; Hilgers LA et al.; The candidacidal activity (CA) of peritoneal cells (PC) in vitro was used as a measure of nonspecific microbicidal activity of phagocytes after intraperitoneal injection of mice with different adjuvants . Dilutions of PC were incubated with constant numbers of C . parapsilosis in a 96-well culture plate . The PC number causing 50% reduction of yeast colonies formed after 48 hr at 37 degrees C was called 1 CA50 unit . CA was expressed in CA50 units per 10(6) PC . Optimal reduction of the number of viable candida cells in vitro was established within 1.5 hr while 50% reduction was reached after 0.5 hr . In this test CA was, within limits, independent of the number of viable candida cells added per well (22 to 152 yeast cells), of the concentration of fetal calf serum (1-20%) and of the presence of heat-labile serum components . The CA of PC of individual mice was measured 6, 24, and 96 hr after injection of an adjuvant . In most instances optimal CA was observed 6 hr after administration of adjuvant and varied from 3.7 (methylamine) to 50 (Corynebacterium parvum strain 4982) units . With respect to the titer and duration of CA, the adjuvants were arranged in the following order of increasing efficacy: methylamine, heparin, polyol L 121, suramin, dextran sulfate, polyol L 101, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide, Liquoid, heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes, formalin-killed C . parvum strain 10387, and strain 4982 . The CA induced by the latter strain persisted at least till 96 hr after injection . The induction of CA was accompanied by recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells . The contribution of distinct phagocytic effector cells to CA and the correlation between modulation of the specific and nonspecific immunity are discussed.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Jan, 151(1), 170 - 8
Cross-reactivity of antigens from the cytoplasm and cell walls of some corynebacteria and mycobacteria; Abou-Zeid C et al.; Leprosy-derived corynebacteria (LDC) are non-acid-fast organisms isolated from leprosy lesions in humans . In this study 20 antigens of native LDC cytoplasm were identified by immunoelectrophoresis, and autoclaving yielded the M1 component, which strongly cross-reacted with antigen 60 of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) and antigen 7 of Mycobacterium leprae . The polysaccharide moiety of M1 was immunologically related to the LDC cell wall polysaccharide previously characterized as arabinogalactomannan . The latter polysaccharide competitively inhibited the formation of immune complexes by labeled M1 and antisera to the LDC cell wall; cytoplasm and wall polysaccharides from other bacteria produced lower-level inhibition . In a radioimmunoassay with 125I-labeled antigen 7 of M . leprae, sera from patients with leprosy and antisera to the LDC cell wall yielded overlapping curves . Sera from patients with tuberculoid leprosy and those from patients with lepromatous leprosy afforded different levels of inhibition in this radioimmunoassay; this result indicated a difference in antibody specificity in the two forms of leprosy . In conclusion, the cell wall polysaccharide of LDC corresponds to the main thermostable cytoplasmic antigen M1, which strongly crossreacts with sera from patients with leprosy and, more specifically, with antigen 7 of M . leprae.

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