Klebsiella

J Med Microbiol, 1986 May, 21(3), 225 - 31
Adherence of multiresistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae to cerebrospinal fluid shunts: correlation with plasmid content; Denoya CD et al.; A nosocomial multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain (KMD01) isolated from a patient with an infected ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt was found to contain three plasmids of mol . wts (10(6)) c . 85, 50 and 2.4 . A derivative isogenic strain (KMD11) carrying only the plasmids of mol . wts (10(6)) 50 and 2.4 was obtained spontaneously by plating the parent strain . The absence of the plasmid of mol . wt 85 X 10(6) in strain KMD11 correlated with an increased adherence to V-P catheters and glass surfaces, as well as autoagglutination in minimal medium . Bacterial cells containing the whole set of plasmids (strain KMD01) also showed the incorporation into the outer membrane of a new polypeptide (mol . wt, c . 41 X 10(3)), when grown in minimal medium . The presence of this polypeptide correlated with absence of autoagglutination, as shown by strain KMD01 under these cultural conditions . These data suggest that the cell-surface characteristics in K . pneumoniae may be affected by the plasmid content of the strain . Since nosocomial strains of K . pneumoniae usually contain one or more plasmids, and strains easily exchange these extrachromosomal elements, it seems reasonable to speculate that new variants with higher V-P shunt colonisation effectiveness, like the one described in this work, may also evolve in nature.

J Bacteriol, 1986 May, 166(2), 545 - 51
Deletion analysis of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase promoter: importance of spacing between conserved sequences around positions -12 and -24 for activation by the nifA and ntrC (glnG) products; Buck M; The nitrogen fixation promoters of Klebsiella pneumoniae are atypical procaryotic promoters lacking the usual -10 and -35 elements, requiring instead conserved sequences around -12 and -24 for transcriptional activation . By constructing a set of five deletions between the -12 and -24 elements in the nifH promoter, the spacing between the conserved GC and GG motifs at -12 and -24, respectively, has been reduced from the wild-type 10 bases to 9, 8, 6, 5, and 4 bases . The deletion of a single nonconserved nucleotide was sufficient to eliminate transcriptional activation by either nifA or ntrC (glnG) . All deletions relieved the multicopy inhibition of chromosomal nif expression normally shown by the nifH promoter . These results demonstrate a stringent requirement for the 10-base spacing found in ntr-activated promoters . In addition, specific sequences around the invariant GG at -24 were shown to be necessary for activation by either nifA or ntrC, with a minimal requirement for nucleotides through to position -27 for this activation.

Ann Acad Med Singapore, 1986 Apr, 15(2), 176 - 81
Liver abscess--a clinical study; Teh LB et al.; Forty consecutive cases of liver abscess from the Department of Medicine III, Singapore General Hospital, from 1978 to July 1983 were reviewed . Nineteen (47.5%) were amoebic, 15 (37.5%) pyogenic and 6 (15%) of unknown aetiology . Of the first 20 cases from 1978 to 1980, amoebic abscesses (60%) predominated . An increased incidence of pyogenic abscess constituting 50% was seen in the next 20 cases . Though all racial groups were affected, a predilection among Indians was seen . Males outnumbered females (4:1), and peak incidence occurred in the 40 to 70 age group (62.5%) . Fifty percent presented early (less than one week of symptoms) to hospital . Common physical signs were fever (97.5%) and hepatomegaly (92.5%) . Investigations showed leucocytosis in excess of 10,000 WBCs/cmm (87.5%), an ESR of 80 mm/hr (80%) and an elevated alkaline phosphatase of at least twice normal (73.6%) . Single abscesses (72.5%) located in the right lobe were more likely to be amoebic . Where abscesses were multiple, they were more likely to be pyogenic (63.6%) . Two-thirds of the pyogenic abscesses were due to either Klebsiella species or E . coli . Medical treatment consisted of broad spectrum antibiotics, usually in combination with metronidazole . Aspiration or drainage (open or closed) was employed when indicated . These were carried out more often for pyogenic than amoebic abscesses . Amoebic abscesses responded faster to treatment compared to pyogenic abscesses . Mortality in the first 20 cases prior to 1981 was 30%, being mainly confined to pyogenic abscesses . However, after 1981, there has been no mortality in the ensuing 20 cases.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Apr, 132 ( Pt 4), 1051 - 4
Purification and characterization of a bacteriocin from Klebsiella pneumoniae 158; Chhibber S et al.; Klebocin, a bacteriocin produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae 158, was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulphate fractionation and sequential DEAE-Sephacel and Sephadex G-150 column chromatography . The purified preparation had an Mr of approximately 40 000 on SDS-PAGE . Chemical analysis of the purified preparation showed it to be a protein, and it was sensitive to digestion by various proteolytic enzymes.

Ann Acad Med Singapore, 1986 Apr, 15(2), 172 - 5
Acute cholangitis in Singapore; Chew RK et al.; 115 cases of acute calculous cholangitis were analysed for their presentations, treatment and complications . There were slightly more Chinese males than females (1.4:1) and the mean age was 62 years old . Though pain was the commonest symptom (95.7%), only 35.7% of patients had complete Charcot's triad . 21.7% presented in septicaemic shock . E . Coli and Klebsiella were the commonest organisms isolated . All patients had cholecystectomy and exploration of common bile ducts . Twenty patients had additional choledochontrostomy performed . 50.4% of patients developed complications and the overall mortality was 16.5% . Patients over 60 presented in shock carried a significantly higher mortality (40%).

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Apr, 23(4), 687 - 90
Seroepidemiology of Klebsiella bacteremic isolates and implications for vaccine development; Cryz SJ Jr et al.; The frequencies of capsular serotypes among 703 Klebsiella strains isolated from the blood of hospitalized patients were determined . More than 90% of the isolates were typeable, with 69 of the 77 known serotypes being identified . Serotypes 2, 21, and 55, representing 8.9, 7.8, and 4.8% of all the isolates, respectively, were observed at a frequency significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than that for other capsular serotypes . Approximately 43% of the serotypes appeared at a frequency of less than 0.5% . Differences were found when the seroepidemiology of North American and European isolates was compared . The current findings indicate that a capsular polysaccharide-based vaccine against Klebsiella organisms is feasible and should be multivalent, eliciting antibodies directed against the 25 serotypes which make up approximately 70% of all the bacteremic isolates.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Apr, 166(1), 353 - 6
Oxygen sensitivity of the nifLA promoter of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kong QT et al.; Oxygen sensitivity of the nifLA promoter of Klebsiella pneumoniae has been demonstrated . Studies on the oxygen regulation of nifB-lacZ and nifH-lacZ fusions in the presence of the nifLA operon, which contains either an intact or a deleted nifL gene, indicate that possibly both the nifL promoter and the nifL product are responsible for nif repression by oxygen.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Apr 1, 156(1), 157 - 62
Kinetic analysis of the reaction mechanism of oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes; Dimroth P et al.; The mechanism of oxaloacetate decarboxylase of Klebsiella aerogenes was investigated by enzyme kinetic methods . The activity of the decarboxylase was strictly dependent on the presence of Na+ or Li+ ions . For Li+ the Km was about 17 times higher and the Vmax about 4 times lower than for Na+ . No activity was detectable at Na+ concentrations less than 5 microM . The curve for initial velocity versus Na+ concentration was hyperbolic . Initial velocity patterns with oxaloacetate or Na+ as the varied substrate at various fixed concentrations of the cosubstrate produced a pattern of parallel lines which is characteristic for a ping-pong mechanism . Product inhibition by pyruvate was competitive versus oxaloacetate and noncompetitive versus Na+ . Oxalate, a dead-end inhibitor, was competitive versus oxaloacetate and uncompetitive versus Na+ . The inhibition patterns are not consistent with a ping-pong mechanism comprising a single catalytic site but are analogous to kinetic patterns observed with the related biotin enzyme transcarboxylase, for which a catalytic mechanism at two different and independent sites has been demonstrated . The kinetic and other data support an oxaloacetate decarboxylase mechanism at two different sites of the enzyme with the intermediate formation of a carboxybiotin-enzyme complex . The first site is the carboxyltransferase which is localized on the alpha chain and the second site is the carboxybiotin-enzyme decarboxylase which is probably localized on the beta and/or gamma subunit . Binding studies with oxalate indicated that this is bound with high affinity to the alpha chain . The affinity was not affected by Na+ or by complex formation with the beta and gamma subunits . Oxalate protected the decarboxylase from heat inactivation but not from tryptic hydrolysis . The carboxybiotin-enzyme intermediate prepared from oxaloacetate decarboxylase with high specific activity was rapidly decarboxylated in the presence of Na+ ions alone . The effect of pyruvate on this reaction, noted previously, probably results from inhomogeneity of the enzyme preparation used which contained a considerable amount of free alpha subunits.

Mol Gen Genet, 1986 Apr, 203(1), 101 - 9
Transcription termination within the Escherichia coli origin of DNA replication, oriC; Junker DE Jr et al.; Initiation of DNA replication from the Escherichia coli origin, oriC, is dependent on an RNA polymerase-mediated transcription event . The function of this RNA synthetic event in initiation, however, remains obscure . Since control of the synthesis of this RNA could serve a key role in the overall initiation process, transcription regulatory sites within and near oriC were identified using the galK fusion vector system . Our results confirm the existence of a transcription termination signal within oriC, first identified by Hansen et al . (1981), for the 16 kd transcript that is transcribed counterclockwise towards oriC . Termination is shown to be 92% efficient . A similar approach led to the detection of transcription termination within the chromosomal replication origin of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Approximately 50% of the E . coli 16 kd transcripts appear to terminate before reaching oriC between the XhoI (+416 bp) and the HindIII (+243 bp) sites . The predominant 3' ends of RNA that enter oriC, as determined by SI nuclease mapping, were located at positions +20 +/- 2, +23 +/- 2, +37, +39, +52, +66, +92, and +107 . These termination sites, which map cl to RNA . DNA junctions identified by Kohara et al . (1985), appear as triplets and quadruplets . The E . coli oriC Pori-L promoter described in in vitro transcription studies by Lother and Messer (1981) was not detected in this study in either wildtype cells or isogenic dnaA mutants at the nonpermissive temperature . A new promoter activity, Pori-R1, was identified within the E . coli origin in the clockwise direction.

Biochemistry, 1986 Mar 11, 25(5), 1083 - 8
N2O as a substrate and as a competitive inhibitor of nitrogenase; Jensen BB et al.; We have investigated the inhibitory effect of N2O on NH3 formation by purified component proteins from Klebsiella pneumoniae and have confirmed that the inhibition is competitive with respect to N2 and that N2O is reduced to N2, which in turn is further reduced to NH3 . In addition, we have shown that N2O is unable to support HD formation from D2 and H2O . N2-supported HD formation from D2 and H2O was found to be inhibited by N2O . In contrast to N2, N2O was found to suppress nitrogenase-mediated H2 evolution completely at infinitely high pN2O . H2 was found to inhibit N2O-supported NH3 production but not N2O-supported N2 production . The steady-state kinetics of N2O reduction showed a good fit to Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Km for N2O of 5 mM at 30 degrees C, corresponding to 24 kPa of N2O . A model is proposed that fits the observed results.

Vaccine, 1986 Mar, 4(1), 15 - 20
Safety and immunogenicity of a polyvalent Klebsiella capsular polysaccharide vaccine in humans; Cryz SJ Jr et al.; A polyvalent Klebsiella vaccine composed of six serotypes of capsular polysaccharides (K2, K3, K10, K21, K30, and K55) was developed and its safety and immunogenicity evaluated in humans . Highly purified capsular antigens were treated in 0.1 N NaOH in 95% ethanol to detoxify trace amounts of contaminating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . The vaccine was nontoxic and nonpyrogenic for animals . A total of 40 individuals received either 25 or 50 micrograms of each represented antigen subcutaneously . Reactions to vaccination, where noted, were transient and mild in nature . An immunizing dose of 50 micrograms of each antigen (300 micrograms total) elicited a fourfold or greater immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to all vaccine antigens in greater than 80% of vaccinees . Generally, the serospecificity of the antibody response was limited to those capsular antigens included in the vaccine . IgG isolated from the serum of vaccinees was found to be highly protective against fatal experimental Klebsiella K2 burn wound sepsis indicating that the functional antibody is elicited following vaccination.

Biochem J, 1986 Mar 1, 234(2), 343 - 7
Structural and kinetic studies on beta-lactamase K1 from Klebsiella aerogenes; Emanuel EL et al.; beta-Lactamase K1 from Klebsiella aerogenes 1082E hydrolyses both penicillins and cephalosporins comparably and is inhibited by mercurials but not by cloxacillin . These properties distinguish it from those other beta-lactamases that have been allotted to classes on the basis of their amino sequences . beta-Lactamase K1 has been isolated by affinity chromatography; its composition shows resemblances to class A beta-lactamases . Moreover, the N-terminal sequence is similar to those of class A beta-lactamases: there is about 30% identity over the first 32 residues . Furthermore, a putative active-site octapeptide has been isolated and its sequence is similar to the region around the active-site serine residue in class A beta-lactamases . There is one thiol group in beta-lactamase K1; it is not essential for activity . The pH-dependence of kcat . and kcat./Km for the hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin by beta-lactamase K1 were closely similar, suggesting that the rate-determining step is cleavage of the beta-lactam ring.

Prostaglandins Leukot Med, 1986 Mar, 21(3), 279 - 97
Regulation of prostaglandin E2 and plasminogen activator by various immunomodulators in human monocytes; Homo-Delarche F et al.; Mononuclear phagocyte populations and monocytes are able to produce, among numerous substances, a neutral protease, i.e . plasminogen activator (PA) and prostaglandins . Since it has been shown that prostaglandins (PGs) and particularly PGE2 could exert an inhibitory effect on PA production by macrophages, we have measured the in vitro production of PA and PGE2 by monocytes isolated from healthy donors . These monocytes were cultured either in the absence or the presence of various immunomodulators: lipopolysaccharide from E . coli, concanavalin A and RU 41740 or Biostim a broad spectrum immunostimulating agent isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae (Cassenne Laboratories, France) . The production of PGE2 was proportional to the number of monocytes per incubation, and at a given cell concentration varied greatly from one subject to another . When considering PGE2 productions, the type of the response to the different immunomodulators varied from subject to subject and ranged from stimulation to no effect, or even inhibition . Moreover, a statistically significant, inverse relationship exists between the spontaneous production of PGE2 and the effect of each immunomodulator . For a given subject, all agents always acted in the same way and there was an inverse relationship between the effects of the immunomodulators on plasminogen activator and PGE2 production.

J Med Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 21(2), 133 - 7
The role of K antigens as virulence factors in Klebsiella; Simoons-Smit AM et al.; The importance of K antigen of Klebsiella as a virulence factor was studied in nine pairs of K+ and K- strains, each pair isogenic apart from the presence of K antigen . Loss of K antigen by nine K+ strains resulted in the reduced virulence of their K- variants in a mouse-skin model . This reduced virulence of K- strains for mice may be explained in all strains by a higher degree of phagocytosis as measured by chemiluminescence response of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and in most strains by enhanced killing by either human PMNL or human serum or both . Although the protective role of the K antigen in serum-induced killing and killing by PMNL was generally evident, our results also suggested that other virulence factors were sometimes involved.

Infect Immun, 1986 Mar, 51(3), 901 - 8
Mimicry of human histocompatibility HLA-B27 antigens by Klebsiella pneumoniae; Ogasawara M et al.; Anti-HLA-B27 monoclonal antibody M2, which was relatively specific for human histocompatibility antigen HLA-B27, was used to test several bacteria, some of which could potentially induce chronic arthritis in HLA-B27-positive individuals . Using the Western blot procedure, we observed positive reactions with 80,000- and 60,000-dalton antigens with one strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Reactivity was not observed with five other monoclonal antibodies which were not reactive with HLA-B27 antigens, nor was reactivity observed with seven other gram-negative bacteria, irrespective of their arthritis-causing potential . To test the validity of our observation, the 80,000-dalton Klebsiella cross-reactive antigen was isolated and used to generate an immune guinea pig serum . We found that the reactivity of this guinea pig serum with Klebsiella envelopes in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adversely affected by absorption with HLA-B27-positive cells . Our results support the existence of mimicry between HLA-B27 antigens and bacteria.

Infect Immun, 1986 Mar, 51(3), 723 - 30
Effect of iron compounds on antibacterial function of human polymorphs and plasma; Ward CG et al.; Human plasma was bactericidal for small numbers of Klebsiella pneumoniae, but larger numbers grew slowly over a period of 24 h . Human polymorphs in a clot of autologous plasma had a bacteriostatic effect on relatively large numbers of bacteria for up to 24 h and were much more effective than plasma alone . The bactericidal effect of plasma could be abolished by saturating the plasma albumin and hemopexin with hematin, the haptoglobin with hemoglobin, and the transferrin with Fe3+ . Stimulation of bacterial growth in the presence of polymorphs depended on the degree of saturation of the plasma proteins which bind the Fe3+ or heme compounds . Hematin bound to albumin appeared to be readily available to K . pneumoniae . Free hemoglobin stimulated bacterial growth but the organism could not utilize the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex . In the presence of polymorphs the addition of Fe3+ to give 60% saturation of the transferrin with iron led to rapid growth after a long delay (19 h) . Progressive increases in saturation above 60% gave correspondingly quicker growth, suggesting that the higher the saturation of transferrin, the easier it is for the bacteria to acquire iron . The antibacterial effect of the plasma appears to be critically dependent on the availability of iron for the bacteria, and this in turn affects the ability of the polymorphs to control bacterial growth.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1986 Mar, 45(3), 190 - 7
Ankylosing spondylitis, HLA-B27, and Klebsiella: a study of lymphocyte reactivity of anti-Klebsiella sera; Singh B et al.; Twenty three anti-Klebsiella antisera were tested for their cytotoxic activity and four for their binding capacity for peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with HLA-B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis (AS+B27+) and from B27 positive (AS-B27+) and B27 negative (AS-B27-) healthy individuals . None of the antisera showed specific activity against PBL from any particular group . The antisera tested included two anti-Klebsiella K43 sera provided by an Australian group, who have reported them to be specifically cytotoxic for AS+B27+ PBL, four antisera raised against a Klebsiella K43 strain provided by this group, and an antiserum from another group, who have reported it as having increased binding capacity for AS+B27+ and AS-B27+ PBL compared with AS-B27- PBL . The results of other workers who have attempted to reproduce the results of either group are reviewed and the possible reasons for the repeated failure to confirm the reported findings are discussed.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1986 Mar, 83(6), 1636 - 40
In vitro synthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase; Shah VK et al.; Molybdate- and ATP-dependent in vitro synthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase requires the protein products of at least the nifB, nifN, and nifE genes . Extracts of FeMo-co-negative mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Azotobacter vinelandii with lesions in different genes can be complemented for FeMo-co synthesis . Both K . pneumoniae and A . vinelandii dinitrogenase (component I) deficient in FeMo-co can be activated by FeMo-co synthesized in vitro . Properties of the partially purified dinitrogenase activated by FeMo-co synthesized in vitro were comparable to those of dinitrogenase from the wild-type organism; e.g., ratios of acetylene- to nitrogen-reduction activities, as well as those of acetylene reduction activities to EPR spectrum peak height at g = 3.65, were very similar . A . vinelandii mutants UW45 and CA30 have mutations in a gene functionally equivalent to nifB of K . pneumoniae.

Arthritis Rheum, 1986 Mar, 29(3), 358 - 62
Normal anti-Klebsiella lymphocytotoxicity in ankylosing spondylitis; Kinsella TD et al.; We compared in vitro lymphocytotoxicity (LCT) of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), obtained from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and normal controls (NC) . Assays were performed with antibacterial antisera prepared from AS- and NC-derived Klebsiella and coliforms Escherichia coli . LCT assessed by eosin staining was not significantly different in PBL of 12 AS patients and 28 controls when reacted with 3 Klebsiella and 1 E coli antisera . LCT assessed by 51Cr release was not significantly different for PBL of 20 age- and sex-matched pairs of AS patients and NC when reacted with 3 Klebsiella and 1 E coli antisera . Similarly, LCT-51Cr of PBL of 15 matched AS and NC pairs was not significantly different for anti-K21, a serotype putatively implicated in Klebsiella-HLA-B27 antigenic cross-reactivity . Our results do not support the notion of molecular mimicry between Klebsiella and B27 in the pathogenesis of primary AS.

J Med Microbiol, 1986 Mar, 21(2), 125 - 32
The influence of the O and K antigens of Klebsiella aerogenes on surface hydrophobicity and susceptibility to phagocytosis and antimicrobial agents; Williams P et al.; The surface hydrophobicity of Klebsiella aerogenes is influenced by the presence of capsular (K) and lipopolysaccharide (O) antigens . Loss of both K and O antigens (K-O-), but not the K antigen alone (K-O+), increased surface hydrophobicity and susceptibility to phagocytosis . Unheated serum (i.e., containing complement) increased the surface hydrophobicity and phagocytosis of the K-O+ and K-O- strains, but not of the K+O+ encapsulated parent strain . Despite the altered susceptibility to phagocytosis caused by the presence or absence of the K and O antigens, their loss did not influence sensitivity to a range of hydrophilic, hydrophobic or cationic antimicrobial agents.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Feb, 29(2), 315 - 9
Plasmid-encoded amikacin resistance in multiresistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from neonates with meningitis; Woloj M et al.; Two multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of human neonates were analyzed for their plasmid content . Two of the plasmids harbored by these strains, pJHCMW1 (11 kilobase pairs) and pJHCMW4 (75 kilobase pairs), carried genetic determinants for amikacin resistance . These plasmids also encoded resistance to kanamycin, tobramycin, and ampicillin which could be transferred to Escherichia coli by conjugation . Extracts from transconjugant derivatives carrying pJHCMW4 produced an acetyltransferase activity that acetylated all three aminoglycosides . Transconjugant derivatives carrying pJHCMW1 encoded both acetylating and phosphorylating activities . Southern blot hybridization analysis indicated considerable DNA homology between these two plasmids.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1986 Feb, 70(2), 85 - 8
IgG and IgA immune response against klebsiella in HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis; Kijlstra A et al.; Enteric infections with Gram-negative bacteria are thought to play an important part in HLA-B27-associated disease such as Reiter's syndrome and reactive arthritis . But the role of bacterial infections in HLA-B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and acute anterior uveitis (AU) is still controversial . A special interest has recently been devoted to the role of klebsiella infection in HLA-B27-associated disease . We studied the humoral immune response against a 'cross-reactive' strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae in 62 patients with anterior uveitis and 33 healthy controls . The anterior uveitis patients were subdivided into 25 HLA-B27-negative patients without AS (B27- AU+ AS-), 17 HLA-B27-positive patients without ankylosing spondylitis (B27+ AU+ AS-), and 19 HLA-B27-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (B27+ AU+ AS+) . Total serum IgA was higher in patients than in controls in both the B27+ AU+ AS+ and B27+ AU+ AS- patients but not in the B27- AU+ AS- group . No abnormalities were observed in the total serum IgG levels . The level of both the IgG and IgA klebsiella antibodies did not differ in the various patient groups tested as compared with the controls . Comparisons between the patient groups showed that the IgG anti-klebsiella response was higher in B27-positive patients patients without AS than in those with AS . These results suggest that stimulation of mucosal surfaces may play a role in HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis . Whether klebsiella organisms are involved in this stimulation remains unclear.

Br J Exp Pathol, 1986 Feb, 67(1), 25 - 32
Passive immunization of mice against Klebsiella aerogenes; Roe EA et al.; Klebsiella vaccines were isolated by mild diafiltration techniques from culture filtrates of nine capsular types of K . aerogenes (K1, K2, K3, K15, K20, K35, K36, K44 & K63) . The bacteria were grown in a chemically defined medium in standardized conditions in a fermenter . The vaccines had a molecular weight of more than 20 000, a carbohydrate content of 40-89%, a protein content of between less than 1 and 16% and small amounts (0.6-1.2%) of lipopolysaccharide . Antisera raised in rabbits to the nine klebsiella vaccines were standardized by passive haemagglutination, immunoglobulin G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by autologous passive protection tests . Each rabbit antiserum when passively transferred to mice showed a variable capacity to passively protect mice against lethal infections by a panel of ten capsular types of K . aerogenes (K1-K10) . Seven of the rabbit antisera protected mice against more than half of the challenge strains . A pool of six rabbit antisera (anti-K1, K2, K3, K20, K35 & K44) passively protected mice against lethal infections from strains of bacteria representing each of 77 capsular types of K . aerogenes.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Feb, 5(1), 13 - 7
Release of endotoxin from bacteria exposed to ciprofloxacin and its prevention with polymyxin B; Cohen J et al.; An in vitro system for studying the phenomenon of antibiotic-induced release of endotoxin from gram-negative bacteria is described . Endotoxin was measured by a quantitative limulus lysate microassay . Using a strain of Escherichia coli, ciprofloxacin was shown to cause an immediate and sustained increase in endotoxin release compared to control cultures whereas gentamicin did not, despite an equally rapid bactericidal effect . The potential value of the anti-endotoxin effect of polymyxin B was examined using a polymyxin B resistant strain of Klebsiella aerogenes . Ciprofloxacin alone caused endotoxin release, but when given with polymyxin B significantly less endotoxin was detected . These results indicate that in antibiotic-induced endotoxin release, the rate of cell death is less important than the site of antibiotic effect, and suggest that ciprofloxacin may act directly on the cell wall as well as on DNA gyrase . It is possible that polymyxin B could be used to reduce the extent of endotoxin release, and that this would be of clinical benefit.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Feb, 165(2), 353 - 6
Influence of growth rate and iron limitation on the expression of outer membrane proteins and enterobactin by Klebsiella pneumoniae grown in continuous culture; Lodge JM et al.; The influence of the growth rate on outer membrane protein composition and enterobactin production was studied with Klebsiella pneumoniae grown under conditions of iron limitation in chemostats . More enterobactin was produced at fast (D = 0.4 h-1) and slow (D = 0.1 h-1) growth rates in continuous cultures than in either logarithmic- or stationary-phase batch cultures . When the growth rate was controlled under conditions of carbon limitation and the iron level was reduced to 0.5 microM, the iron-regulated outer membrane proteins and enterobactin were induced at the fast growth rate . At the slow growth rate, although the iron-regulated outer membrane proteins were barely visible, a significant level of enterobactin was still produced . These results suggest that under conditions of either carbon or iron limitation, the growth rate can influence the induction of the high-affinity iron uptake system of K . pneumoniae . Other outer membrane proteins, including a 39-kilodalton peptidoglycan-associated protein, were found to vary with the growth rate and nutrient limitation.

EMBO J, 1986 Feb, 5(2), 399 - 407
Regulation of nitrogen metabolism in Azotobacter vinelandii: isolation of ntr and glnA genes and construction of ntr mutants; Toukdarian A et al.; The ntrA, ntrB and ntrC products are responsible for regulating the transcription of many genes involved in the assimilation of poor nitrogen sources in enteric bacteria . The presence of a similar system in the non-enteric bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii is reported here . Genes analogous to ntrA and ntrC were isolated from an A . vinelandii gene library by complementation of Escherichia coli mutants . The gene encoding glutamine synthetase, glnA, was also isolated and found to be adjacent to ntrC but distant from ntrA, as it is in enteric organisms . The cloned Azotobacter genes also complemented Klebsiella pneumoniae mutants and hybridized to K . pneumoniae ntrA, ntrC and glnA gene probes . The role of ntrA and ntrC in A . vinelandii was established by using Tn5 insertions in the cloned genes to construct mutants by marker exchange . These mutants show that both ntrA and ntrC are required for the utilization of nitrate as a nitrogen source . However, ntrC is not required for nitrogen fixation by A . vinelandii, in contrast with K . pneumoniae where both ntrA and ntrC are essential.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Jan 15, 261(2), 772 - 8
Klebsiella pneumoniae nifM gene product is required for stabilization and activation of nitrogenase iron protein in Escherichia coli; Howard KS et al.; A series of plasmids encoding various Klebsiella pneumoniae nif (nitrogen fixation) genes were constructed to determine which were required to produce active iron (Fe) protein in Escherichia coli, a species which does not normally fix nitrogen . The greatest success was achieved with binary plasmid systems that produced nifA regulatory protein under the control of a tac promoter on one plasmid, which then induced synthesis of nifH and nifM proteins from their native promoter sites on a second plasmid . nifH protein, the monomeric subunit of Fe protein, produced in the presence of nifM constituted nearly 10% of the whole cell protein and exhibited the corresponding amount of C2H2-reducing activity in nitrogenase assays conducted in vitro . nifH protein formed in the absence of nifM constituted 4.7% of the whole cell protein and exhibited no detectable activity in assays of whole cell extracts . The plasmid-encoded Fe protein was purified to homogeneity and was found to be indistinguishable from that isolated from derepressed wild type K . pneumoniae, having a similar specific activity, approximately 4 Fe/dimer of 68 kDa, and similar epr features . Although these experiments do not exclude the participation of other E . coli gene products in the maturation of nifH protein, they limit the nif-specific genes required for active Fe protein production to nifA, nifH, and nifM . Since nifA is thought to be the required activator protein involved in nif operon transcription, the simplest explanation for these observations is that nifH codes for the peptide of the Fe protein, while nifM acts to convert this nifH peptide to the functioning Fe protein of nitrogenase . In the absence of nifM, only an inactive nifH polypeptide is produced.

Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(6), 553 - 9
Microbial adjuvant and autoimmunity . IV . The induction of thyroid lesions in syngeneic X-irradiated mice by the transfer of spleen cells from mice immunized with thyroid extract and Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide; Yokochi T et al.; The role of humoral and cellular immune responses in the initiation and maintenance of autoimmune thyroiditis was investigated in mice immunized with syngeneic thyroid extract and Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) as an adjuvant . The transfer of spleen cells from hyperimmunized mice to 400R-irradiated syngeneic mice produced definite lesions in the thyroid glands, whereas the transfer of immune sera failed to do so . No lesions were induced in normal intact mice by the same transfer of sera and spleen cells from hyperimmunized mice . It was suggested that the induction of thyroiditis by immunization using KO3 LPS adjuvant is primarily due to cell-mediated immunity and that pretreatment of mice by X-irradiation is essential for production of the lesions . The role of X-irradiation in the induction of thyroiditis was discussed.

Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(1), 25 - 33
Stability of the hexagonal lattice structure formed by an R-form lipopolysaccharide of Klebsiella: study of long-range stability; Kato N et al.; The R-form lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Klebsiella strain LEN-111 (O3-:K1-) forms a hexagonal lattice structure with a lattice constant of 14 to 15 nm when it is precipitated by addition of two volumes of 10 mM MgCl2-ethanol . The stability of this hexagonal lattice structure in long-term incubation at 4 C was investigated . The hexagonal lattice structure was stable for at least 220 days when the LPS was suspended in distilled water, but it had been disintegrated into a rough mesh-like structure when the LPS was suspended in 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) buffer, pH 8.5, at 4 C for 60 days . Half of the Mg bound to the LPS was released when the LPS was suspended in Tris buffer for 60 days, whereas Mg was not released when it was suspended in distilled water even for 220 days . By contrast, it was stable for at least 220 days in Tris buffer containing 5 mM MgCl2 . The LPS suspended in Tris buffer for 60 days, at which time the structure had been disintegrated, could be restored to the original hexagonal lattice structure within 24 hr by addition of 5 mM MgCl2 . From these results it is concluded that the hexagonal lattice structure of the LPS retains long-range stability if Mg bound to the LPS is not released from the LPS.

Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(1), 13 - 23
Stability of the hexagonal lattice structure formed by an R-form lipopolysaccharide of Klebsiella: decrease in the stability by electrodialysis and recovery by addition of the magnesium; Kato N et al.; The R-form lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Klebsiella strain LEN-111 (O3-:K1-) forms a hexagonal lattice structure with a lattice constant of 14 to 15 nm when it is precipitated by addition of two volumes of 10 mM MgCl2-ethanol . When the LPS was suspended in various buffers (50 mM) at pH 2 to 12 for 24 hr at 4 C, at pH 2 and 3 pits of the hexagonal lattice structure markedly disappeared, at pH 4 to 8.5 the lattice structure was stable, and at pH 9 to 12 it tended to loosen somewhat . The LPS from which cations were removed by electrodialysis retained the ability of hexagonal assembly, although the lattice constant of the hexagonal lattice of the electrodialyzed LPS was large . The lattice structure of the electrodialyzed LPS was much more labile than that of the non-electrodialyzed LPS at alkaline pH levels and the former was completely disintegrated into ribbon-like structures when the LPS was suspended in 50 mM Tris buffer at pH 7.7 or higher . However, the electrodialyzed LPS formed a hexagonal lattice structure in Tris buffer at pH 8.5 containing 0.1 to 100 mM MgCl2 . The lattice constants of the hexagonal lattice formed by the electrodialyzed LPS at 10 or 100 mM MgCl2 were very similar to that of the lattice of the non-electrodialyzed LPS . From these results it is concluded that the lability of the hexagonal lattice structure of the electrodialyzed LPS at alkaline conditions is due to removal of Mg2+ by electrodialysis.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(6), 589 - 92
Immunostimulation of blood monocyte function by RU 41.740 (Biostim) in patients with chronic bronchitis; Nielsen H et al.; RU 41.740 (Biostim), a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae, which is effective in heightening resistance to experimental infections in animals, was examined with regard to influence on human blood monocyte function in vitro after administration to patients with chronic bronchitis in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial . Twelve patients were given Biostim orally (seven patients received 8 mg daily and five patients received 2 mg daily) while eight patients received placebo . In the Biostim group monocyte phagocytosis increased from 1.4 yeast cells per monocyte before therapy to 3.1 yeast cells per monocyte after 1 month (P less than 0.05) with no further increase after 3 months . Monocyte candidacidal activity increased in the Biostim group from 51% before therapy to 69% after 1 month (P less than 0.05) with a decrease to 57% after 3 months . As expected, placebo had no significant effect on monocyte functions . There was no difference between the improvement in the high dose vs the low dose group . These results suggest that Biostim exerts part of its immunostimulatory property by stimulating blood monocyte antimicrobial function.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(7), 687 - 90
Enhancement of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity by oral administration of RU 41740 (Biostim) in lymphoma patients--a randomized double blind multicentric trial; Lang JM et al.; RU 41740 (Biostim) is a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae with immunostimulating properties in animal studies and in in vitro assays of human leukocyte functions . The present randomized double blind phase II trial showed that RU 41740 significantly (P less than 0.05, Mann & Whitney test) enhanced delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to seven recall antigens (Multitest system) in lymphoma patients in unmaintained complete remission when given orally for 14 days at a daily dose of 8 mg, and compared to placebo . Daily doses of 2 and 32 mg were uneffective.

Gene, 1986, 45(1), 59 - 65
Identification and cloning of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans structural nif genes in Escherichia coli; Pretorius IM et al.; The presence of nucleotide sequences which are homologous to the nifHDK genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae was demonstrated in total DNA preparations from five different iron-oxidizing Thiobacillus ferrooxidans strains . A non-iron-oxidizing Thiobacillus novellus strain and a heterotrophic Acidiphilium strain, which occurs in close association with T . ferrooxidans, did not contain DNA homologous to the nifHDK genes . The T . ferrooxidans ATCC33020 nifHDK genes were cloned and their arrangement was characterized on a 6.7-kb insert in pIMP16.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Jan, 29(1), 165 - 7
Mechanism of resistance to silver ions in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kaur P et al.; The uptake of silver by an experimentally derived silver-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain was three to four times lower than the uptake by a susceptible strain . Spheroplasts of the two strains showed no difference in uptake . AgNO3 at a concentration of 40 micrograms/ml decreased the succinate dehydrogenase activity in susceptible and resistant strains by 100 and 18%, respectively . More than one resistance mechanism may be involved.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1986, 8(2), 147 - 54
Modulation of murine hemopoiesis by repeated injections of a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Andreux JP et al.; RU 41740, an immunomodulating agent extracted from the cell wall of Klebsiella pneumoniae, was tested for its ability to modulate hemopoiesis in mice treated intraperitoneally for ten days . In such conditions, a moderate anemia could be observed, which was rapidly reversible after the end of treatment . This anemia may partly result from a decrease of bone marrow erythroid colony forming units (CFU-E), this being incompletely compensated by the intrasplenic erythropoiesis . Moreover, the amount of granulocytes and their progenitors, i.e . granulocyte/macrophage colony forming cells (GM-CFC), increased both in the bone marrow and spleen . It is proposed that this effect of RU 41740 on granulopoiesis, which could explain the better resistance to infections in treated animals as observed elsewhere, is partly related to an increase of colony stimulating activity (CSA).

Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1986, 141(1), 3 - 9
{Occurrence of gentamicin-resistant coliforms in river water samples}; Stelzer W et al.; In river water samples 0.006...0.3% of total coliforms were detected as gentamicin resistant . Among gentamicin resistant coliforms most strains (86.5%) could be identified as Klebsiella . Most frequently a Gm-plasmid of about 150 Md was isolated harboring in Klebsiella oxytoca, K . pneumoniae and E . coli strains . All gentamicin resistant wild strains transferred the resistance to E . coli K-12 . Most Klebsiella strains harbored several plasmids, R-plasmids and others . There were not any differences in plasmid profiles between sensitive and resistant strains.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Jan, 165(1), 175 - 80
Transcriptional analysis of promoter mutations in the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifHDKY operon; Lers A et al.; Previously isolated promoter mutations that allow expression of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifHDKY operon in the absence of nifA (R . Bitoun, J . Berman, A . Zilberstein, D . Holland, J.B . Cohen, D . Givol, and A . Zamir, Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . USA, 80:5812-5816, 1983) were further characterized . pRB1 and pRB5, containing, respectively, point and duplication mutations in the nifHDKY regulatory region, were transformed into Escherichia coli and K . pneumoniae hosts with different nifA and ntrA backgrounds . nif transcription start sites were determined by nuclease S1 mapping . The results indicated that nifA-independent expression from both mutants did not require ntrA . Transcription from pBR5 started 3 base pairs (bp) upstream of the start site of nif-regulated transcription and could stem from a canonical promoter sequence generated at the junction between the two copies of the duplicated sequence . In the presence of nifA-ntrA, transcription from pRB5 started predominantly at the site characteristic of the nif-regulated promoter . The site of constitutive transcription initiation in pRB1 was located 33 bp upstream of the point mutation and 40 bp upstream of the start of nifA-ntrA-activated transcription . Low-level transcription from the upstream site was also evident, in the absence of nifA or nifA or both, with the plasmid containing the wild-type nifHDKY regulatory region . However, when nifA and ntrA were present to activate transcription from the major nif promoter, no activity was evident from the upstream site in either pRB1 or the parental plasmid . Thus, the mutation enhanced the activity of a pre-existing constitutive promoter, the activity of which was repressed on nifA-ntrA activation of the major nif promoter.

Gene, 1986, 45(3), 281 - 8
Deletion loop mutagenesis of the nifL promoter from Klebsiella pneumoniae: role of the -26 to -12 region in promoter function; Khan H et al.; Nine single C-to-T transitions were introduced into the -26 to -12 region of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifL promoter by bisulphite mutagenesis of M13 heteroduplexes containing a 15 nucleotide single-stranded loop . Mutant promoter fragments were inserted into translational lac fusion vectors to utilise beta-galactosidase activity as a measure of promoter efficiency . Mutations in invariant nucleotides found in the consensus sequence for nif promoters gave a strong 'down' promoter phenotype with respect to transcriptional activation . Mutations in semi-conserved residues had a much weaker down phenotype, whereas a mutation which increased homology to the consensus sequence enhanced promoter strength . One mutant showed increased activation by ntrC and decreased activation by nifA.

Med Pediatr Oncol, 1986, 14(5), 255 - 61
Infections in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with intensive induction chemotherapy; Fuks JZ et al.; The records of 65 consecutive patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with intensive induction chemotherapy were reviewed to study the infectious complications during therapy and to analyze the relationship of the frequency of infections to various predisposing factors . A total of 44 infectious episodes were observed among 30 of the 65 patients . Of the 44 infections, 18 were microbiologically documented and 19 clinically . Seven (16%) infections were without microbiological or clinical documentation and were categorized as "possible" infections . Among the 18 microbiologically documented infections, fifteen (83%) were caused by bacteria and three by fungi . The most frequent bacteria identified in 11 (61%) of the 18 infections were gram-negative organisms, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequent . Eight of the 44 infections were associated with bacteremia and three with microbiologically documented pneumonias . There were three drug-related infectious deaths, two associated with bacteremia and one with possible infections . All 44 infectious episodes presented with WBC counts of less than 1,000/microliter, and 34 (79%) had WBC counts of less than 500/microliter . We observed that during therapy, patients with poor performance status (less than 80%) are at a much higher risk to develop infectious complications than those with good performance status (greater than 80%; p less than .001) . Although encouraging responses with intensive chemotherapy have been reported for NSCLC in several studies, a major impact of chemotherapy on the survival of patients with this disease has yet not been established . Thus, intensive chemotherapy for NSCLC should remain an experimental treatment modality and should be offered only to patients with good prognostic factors such as those defined by pretreatment performance status.

Microbiol Immunol, 1986, 30(8), 761 - 76
Modification of susceptibility to Klebsiella pneumoniae during murine cytomegalovirus infection; Leung WC et al.; The effect of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection on susceptibility to bacterial infection was studied in mice by a combination of intraperitoneal (ip) inoculation of a sublethal dose of MCMV with subsequent ip challenge of 2 X 10(3) cfu of a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) . When given alone, KP produced a mortality of 30-40% . Mortality was increased when KP was given 1 to 7 days after MCMV injection with the peak increase at the 4th to 5th day when 100% mortality occurred . Virus levels in various organs of mice infected with MCMV alone, or superinfected with KP did not differ . Bacterial counts on the other hand, showed that increased mortality in mixed MCMV and KP infected mice was due to an uncontrolled growth of bacteria at the site of primary lodgment, i.e., the peritoneum, and severe systemic infection . Neutrophil response to growth of KP during the first 3 days of bacterial infection was defective in MCMV infected mice . While the initial clearance of KP from the blood was more efficient in MCMV infected mice, probably due to activated reticuloendothelial function, it did not protect the mice against KP infection . Using the in vivo model, it was shown that poor neutrophil response and possibly other defective neutrophil functions were responsible for increased mortality to KP infection in MCMV infected mice.

Infection, 1986, 14 Suppl 1, S36 - 9
Chemotherapeutic effects of ofloxacin (HOE 280) and other quinolone-carboxylic derivates in the treatment of experimental lung infections due to Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice; Klesel N et al.; The chemotherapeutic activity of ofloxacin (HOE 280), a new pyridone-carboxylic acid derivative, was compared with that of other drugs in the same group, including norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and in some cases pipemidic acid and nalidixic acid . The test model used was experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice . In the treatment of pneumonic mice, ofloxacin was 4 to 18 times more effective than norfloxacin and enoxacin and in most cases slightly more effective than ciprofloxacin . Pipemidic acid and nalidixic acid showed only low activity or proved to be inactive . In studies on the bactericidal activity of the compounds in vivo, ofloxacin produced a more pronounced effect than ciprofloxacin . With norfloxacin and enoxacin, a bactericidal effect in the infected tissue of the animals was only observed during the first hours after treatment.

Tokai J Exp Clin Med, 1986, 11 Suppl, 59 - 63
Experimental analysis of concurrent viral and bacterial infection in the mouse; Hashimoto K; The roles of both microorganisms in combined murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infection in the mouse, and host response to the infection were investigated . Increased mortality in mixed MCMV and KP infected mice was observed, and this was due to uncontrolled growth of bacteria in the peritoneal cavity, and severe generalized infection . Neutrophil response to growth of KP was defective in MCMV infected mice . While the initial clearance of KP from the blood was more efficient in MCMV-infected mice, it did not protect the mice against KP infection . In the in vitro experiments, the neutrophil chemotaxis of MCMV-infected mice to KP was found to be lowered . Tissue extract and serum of MCMV-infected mice exhibited chemotactic activity for neutrophils, and, at the same time contained some factor(s) which reduced chemotaxis of normal neutrophils to KP.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Dec 15, 145(1), 67 - 80
Structural investigation of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K35; Dutton GG et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide (K antigen) of Klebsiella K35 has been established as having the pentasaccharide repeating unit shown ("four plus one" type) . The structural investigation utilized the techniques of methylation, beta-elimination, Smith degradation, and partial hydrolysis . N.m.r . spectroscopy (1H and 13C) was used extensively to establish the configurations of the anomeric linkages and to delineate the sequence of the sugars in the structure of the polysaccharide . (Formula: see text).

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Dec 15, 145(1), 59 - 66
Structural studies of the O-antigen polysaccharides of Klebsiella O5 and Escherichia coli O8; Jansson PE et al.; The O-antigen polysaccharides of Klebsiella serotype O5 and Escherichia coli serotype O8 are serologically very similar or identical . The structures of these two polysaccharides have now been re-investigated . N.m.r . spectroscopy, chromium trioxide oxidation, hydrolysis with a specific phage enzyme, and f.a.b . mass spectrometry were the principal methods used . It is concluded that the O-antigen has the following structure, in which D-Man3Me is 3-O-methyl-D-mannose and n is approximately 10 . (Formula: see text) Biosynthetic studies indicate that these antigens are synthesised by addition of D-mannopyranosyl groups to the "non-reducing" end of the mannan chain, and it seems possible that addition of a 3-O-methyl-D-mannopyranosyl group involves termination.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Dec 13, 843(3), 214 - 29
Regulation of glutamine synthetase, aspartokinase, and total protein turnover in Klebsiella aerogenes; Fulks RM et al.; When suspensions of Klebsiella aerogenes are incubated in a nitrogen-free medium there is a gradual decrease in the levels of acid-precipitable protein and of aspartokinase III (lysine-sensitive) and aspartokinase I (threonine-sensitive) activities . In contrast, the level of glutamine synthetase increases slightly and then remains constant . Under these conditions, the glutamine synthetase and other proteins continue to be synthesized as judged by the incorporation of {14C}leucine into the acid-precipitable protein fraction and into protein precipitated by anti-glutamine synthetase antibodies, by the fact that growth-inhibiting concentrations of chloramphenicol also inhibit the incorporation of {14C}leucine into protein and into protein precipitated by anti-glutamine synthetase antibody, and by the fact that chloramphenicol leads to acceleration in the loss of aspartokinases I and III and promotes a net decrease in the level of glutamine synthetase and its cross-reactive protein . The loss of aspartokinases I and III in cell suspensions is stimulated by glucose and is inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol . Glucose also stimulates the loss of aspartokinases and glutamine synthetase in the presence of chloramphenicol . Cell-free extracts of K . aerogenes catalyze rapid inactivation of endogenous glutamine synthetase as well as exogenously added pure glutamine synthetase . This loss of glutamine synthetase is not associated with a loss of protein that cross-reacts with anti-glutamine synthetase antibodies . The inactivation of glutamine synthetase in extracts is not due to adenylylation . It is partially prevented by sulfhydryl reagents, Mn2+, antimycin A, 2,4-dinitrophenol, EDTA, anaerobiosis and by dialysis . Following 18 h dialysis, the capacity of extracts to catalyze inactivation of glutamine synthetase is lost but can be restored by the addition of Fe2+ (or Ni2+) together with ATP (or other nucleoside di- and triphosphates . After 40-60 h dialysis Fe3+ together with NADH (but not ATP) are required for glutamine synthetase inactivation . The results suggest that accelerated protein degradation in cells exposed to nitrogen-limited conditions reflects the differential destruction of some proteins, including aspartokinases I and III, in order to sustain the biosynthesis of others such as glutamine synthetase . The loss of glutamine synthetase activity in cell-free extracts is likely mediated in part by mixed-function oxidation systems and could represent a 'marking' step in protein turnover.

S Afr Med J, 1985 Dec 7, 68(12), 858 - 63
Factors associated with fatal cases of measles . A retrospective autopsy study; Beckford AP et al.; Clinical and laboratory records at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, for the period 1976-1982 were reviewed to determine factors associated with fatal cases of measles . Pneumonia was found to be the commonest lethal complication of measles . Supervening infections by both viral (especially adenovirus and herpesvirus) and bacterial (especially Klebsiella species and Pseudomonas) agents played a prominent role in causing the deaths of children who had recently been infected with measles . Severe malnutrition was present with almost equal frequency among those dying of measles and those dying from other causes, but was significantly (P less than 0,02) less common in measles patients who survived . Peripheral lymphopenia and depletion of T-cell zones in the lymph nodes and spleen were more common in those who died from measles than in others.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Dec, 16(6), 727 - 34
The therapeutic efficacy of AC-1370 against experimental infections in mice; Obana Y et al.; The therapeutic efficacy of AC-1370, a new cephalosporin, was compared with that of cefoperazone in experimental infections in mice . For intraperitoneal infections caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, the efficacy of AC-1370 was inferior to that of cefoperazone . On the other hand, AC-1370 was more potent than cefoperazone against pseudomonal infections . The MICs of AC-1370 against the test strains, however, were inferior or equivalent to those of cefoperazone . Serum and peritoneal exudate levels of AC-1370 in infected mice were more durable than those of cefoperazone . The relationship between AC-1370 and neutrophils was investigated . The efficacy of AC-1370 was more dependent on neutrophils than that of cefoperazone . AC-1370 did not enhance the neutrophil functions of migration and phagocytosis to any significant extent.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Dec 1, 144(2), 263 - 76
Structure of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K79; Dutton GG et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K79 was determined by the techniques of methylation, periodate oxidation, beta-elimination, chromic acid oxidation, and partial hydrolysis . N.m.r . spectroscopy (1H and 13C) was used extensively to establish the nature of the anomeric linkages of the polysaccharide and of oligosaccharides derived through degradative procedures . The polysaccharide was found to have the heptasaccharide, "5 + 2" repeating unit: (Formula: see text).

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Dec 1, 144(2), 251 - 61
Novel oligosaccharides obtained by bacteriophage degradation of the polysaccharide from Klebsiella serotype K26; Di Fabio JL et al.; Bacteriophage phi 26 was used to depolymerize the polysaccharide of Klebsiella K26, yielding three oligosaccharides . The major product was the heptasaccharide repeating unit, with one of the minor products being the fourteen-sugar oligosaccharide corresponding to two repeating units . The other minor product was unusual since it was a hexasaccharide devoid of the terminal, pyruvate-containing galactose unit present in the side chain of the normal repeating unit . Phage phi 26 was shown to act as a beta-galactosidase, and hence it may have the ability to remove the terminal beta-galactose residue in the side chain.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1985 Dec, 93(6), 233 - 43
NK-cell stimulating properties of a membrane proteoglycane from non-capsulated Klebsiella pneumoniae biotype a; Normier G et al.; Upon testing the individual fractions of a composite bacterial vaccine for biological activities, a potent immuno-stimulatory capacity could be demonstrated within a crude membrane proteoglycan preparation from Klebsiella pneumoniae . One of its characteristic features was the capacity to induce alpha-type interferon and increased NK activity in vivo in mice, following intraperitoneal or oral administration . A highly purified fraction from the crude preparation was obtained using alkaline hydrolysis, delipidation and size fractionation . This fraction was shown to be a very potent inducer of NK cells in vivo or in vitro, where in the latter systems concentrations as low as 0.1 microgramme per ml were highly efficient.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 50(6), 1444 - 50
Optimizing aerobic conversion of glycerol to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde; Slininger PJ et al.; When cells of Klebsiella pneumoniae NRRL B-199 (ATCC 8724) were grown aerobically on a rich glycerol medium and then suspended in buffer supplemented with semicarbazide and glycerol, aerobic conversion of glycerol to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) ensued . Depending on conditions, 0.38 to 0.67 g of 3-HPA were formed per gram of glycerol consumed . This means that up to 83.8% of the carbon invested as glycerol could potentially be recovered as the target product, 3-HPA . Production of 3-HPA was sensitive to the age of cells harvested for resuspension and was nonexistent if cells were cultivated on glucose instead of glycerol as the sole carbon source . Compared with 24- and 72-h cells, 48-h cells produced 3-HPA at the highest rate and with the greatest yield . The cell biomass concentration present during the fermentation was never particularly critical to the 3-HPA yield, but initial fermentation rates and 3-HPA accumulation displayed a linear dependence on biomass concentration that faded when biomass exceeded 3 g/liter . Fermentation performance was a function of temperature, and an optimum initial specific 3-HPA productivity occurred at 32 degrees C, although the overall 3-HPA yield increased continuously within the 25 to 37 degrees C range studied . The pH optimum based on fermentation rate was different from that based on overall yield; 8 versus 7, respectively . Initial glycerol concentrations in the 20 to 50 g/liter range optimized initial 3-HPA productivity and yield.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Dec, 164(3), 1081 - 7
Biosynthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor and the molybdenum cofactor in Klebsiella pneumoniae: effect of sulfur source; Ugalde RA et al.; NifQ- and Mol- mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae show an elevated molybdenum requirement for nitrogen fixation . Substitution of cystine for sulfate as the sulfur source in the medium reduced the molybdenum requirement of these mutants to levels required by the wild type . Cystine also increased the intracellular molybdenum accumulation of NifQ- and Mol- mutants . Cystine did not affect the molybdenum requirement or accumulation in wild-type K . pneumoniae . Sulfate transport and metabolism in K . pneumoniae were repressed by cystine . However, the effect of cystine on the molybdenum requirement could not be explained by an interaction between sulfate and molybdate at the transport level . Cystine increased the molybdenum requirement of Mol- mutants for nitrate reductase activity by at least 100-fold . Cystine had the same effect on the molybdenum requirement for nitrate reductase activity in Escherichia coli ChlD- mutants . This shows that cystine does not have a generalized effect on molybdenum metabolism . Millimolar concentrations of molybdate inhibited nitrogenase and nitrate reductase derepression with sulfate as the sulfur source, but not with cystine . The inhibition was the result of a specific antagonism of sulfate metabolism by molybdate . The effects of nifQ and mol mutations on nitrogenase could be suppressed either by the addition of cystine or by high concentrations of molybdate . This suggests that a sulfur donor and molybdenum interact at an early step in the biosynthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor . This interaction might occur nonenzymatically when the levels of the reactants are high.

Infect Immun, 1985 Dec, 50(3), 787 - 95
Importance of a lipopolysaccharide-containing extracellular toxic complex in infections produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae; Straus DC et al.; A Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 2 strain was examined for its ability to produce extracellular toxic material . The organism was grown to the stationary phase in a defined medium, and the toxic material was isolated by ultrafiltration-ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel and gel filtration chromatography on Sepharose 4B or 2B . It was found to be comprised of 63% capsular polysaccharide, 30% lipopolysaccharide, and 7% protein and possessed a 50% lethal dose (when injected intraperitoneally into mice) of 393 +/- 45 micrograms . The toxicity appeared to be associated with the endotoxin portion of the compound, because boiling for 15 min and exposure to proteolytic enzymes had no effect on the toxicity . However, saponification destroyed the toxicity of the compound . Studies employing radial immunodiffusion examining the sera of mice infected with this organism demonstrated in vivo production of the complex at levels sufficiently high to produce death . When sublethal amounts of this complex were placed in the lungs of specific-pathogen-free mice, the lung pathology observed after 24, 48, and 72 h was similar to the damage caused by an active K . pneumoniae lobar pneumonia . These data indicate that this extracellular toxic compound produced by K . pneumoniae may be responsible for the lethality and lung tissue destruction normally associated with an active lobar pneumonia caused by this organism.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Dec, 62(3), 672 - 7
The modification of HLA-B27-positive lymphocytes by the culture filtrate of Klebsiella K43 BTS 1 is a metabolically active process; Sullivan JS et al.; The culture filtrate of some bacteria contains a modifying factor which specifically interacts with the cells of HLA-B27-positive normal individuals (BS+ AS-); this modification results in a serologically detectable change similar to that seen on the cells of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (B27+ AS+) . Puromycin, 5-azacytidine, actinomycin D, cyclosporin A, dexamethasone, indomethacin, colchicine, quinacrine, chlorpromazine but not tunicamycin can effectively inhibit the in vitro modification of HLA-B27-positive lymphocytes from normal individuals . These studies suggest that a number of different metabolic pathways may be involved in the modification of B27+ AS- lymphocytes by certain enteric antigens.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Dec, 62(3), 662 - 71
A reinvestigation of the cross-reactivity between Klebsiella and HLA-B27 in the aetiology of ankylosing spondylitis; Georgopoulos K et al.; The existence of cross-reactivity between Klebsiella antigens and cells from donors who are HLA-B27 positive and exhibit ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been reinvestigated . Cells and antisera from different laboratories have been tested together using simultaneously microcytoxicity, chromium release and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) . No reproducible interaction has been found . Mitogenic stimulation did not induce cross-reactivity and 'transformation' of B27+AS- cells by Klebsiella culture supernatants failed . Two transformed cell lines from B27+ AS+ donors exhibited specific cross reaction with two anti-Klebsiella antisera but only by chromium release . Immunoprecipitation with these cells and antisera showed the absence of any AS+ -specific antigen . It is concluded that the involvement of Klebsiella in ankylosing spondylitis through simple immunological cross-reactivity or through interaction with HLA-B27 is unlikely.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Dec, 164(3), 1386 - 9
Cloning and expression of the Thiobacillus ferrooxidans glutamine synthetase gene in Escherichia coli; Barros ME et al.; The glutamine synthetase (GS) gene glnA of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was cloned on recombinant plasmid pMEB100 which enabled Escherichia coli glnA deletion mutants to utilize (NH4)2SO4 as the sole source of nitrogen . High levels of GS-specific activity were obtained in the E . coli glnA deletion mutants containing the T . ferrooxidans GS gene . The cloned T . ferrooxidans DNA fragment containing the glnA gene activated histidase activity in an E . coli glnA glnL glnG deletion mutant containing the Klebsiella aerogenes hut operon . Plasmid pMEB100 also enabled the E . coli glnA glnL glnG deletion mutant to utilize arginine or low levels of glutamine as the sole source of nitrogen . There was no detectable DNA homology between the T . ferrooxidans glnA gene and the E . coli glnA gene.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1985 Nov 11, 13(21), 7621 - 38
Site-directed mutagenesis of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifL and nifH promoters and in vivo analysis of promoter activity; Buck M et al.; The role of conserved nucleotides in nitrogen-fixation promoter function has been examined using both oligonucleotide and chemical mutagenesis to introduce base changes in the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifL and nifH promoters . Among ten mutations analysed, including six spontaneous mutations, base changes at -12, -13, -14, and -26, located in previously identified conserved sequences, perturbed the activity of the promoters, demonstrating that these sequences are required for transcription . Not all base changes produced similar strong promoter down phenotypes when the nifL and nifH promoters were compared: activation of the nifH promoter by the nifA gene product was less sensitive to base changes in conserved nucleotides than was activation of the equivalently altered nifL promoter by the nifA or ntrC products . We have found that the nifH promoter can be weakly activated by the ntrC product; this activation shows the same down response to base changes seen with ntrC activation of the nifL promoter . We present evidence that the efficient activation of the nifH promoter by nifA (but not ntrC) can be attributed to specific upstream sequences present in the nifH promoter.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1985 Nov 11, 13(21), 7607 - 20
The nucleotide sequence of the nitrogen-regulation gene ntrA of Klebsiella pneumoniae and comparison with conserved features in bacterial RNA polymerase sigma factors; Merrick MJ et al.; The nucleotide sequence of the Klebsiella pneumoniae ntrA gene has been determined . NtrA encodes a 53,926 Dalton acidic polypeptide; a calculated molecular weight which is significantly lower than that determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel analysis . NtrA is followed by another open-reading frame (orf) of at least 75 amino acids . In the spacer region between ntrA and orf there are no apparent transcription termination or promoter sequences and therefore orf may be co-transcribed with ntrA . Previous authors have proposed that NtrA could act as an RNA polymerase sigma factor but the NtrA amino acid sequence does not show a high level of homology to any known sigma factor . However analysis of sequences of five sigma factors from E . coli and B . subtilis has identified two conserved sequences at the C-terminal end of all these polypeptides . These sequences resemble those found in known site-specific DNA-binding domains and may be involved in recognition of conserved -35 and -10 promoter sequences . A similar pair of sequences is present at the C-terminus of NtrA and could play a role in recognition of ntr-activatable promoters.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 50(5), 1262 - 7
Detoxification of mercury, cadmium, and lead in Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 growing in continuous culture; Aiking H et al.; Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 growing in the presence of cadmium under glucose-, sulfate-, or phosphate-limited conditions in continuous culture exhibited sulfide formation and Pi accumulation as the only demonstrable detoxification mechanisms . In the presence of mercury under similar conditions only HgS formation could be confirmed, by an increased sensitivity to mercury under sulfate-limited conditions, among others . The fact that the cells were most sensitive to cadmium under conditions of phosphate limitation and most sensitive to mercury under conditions of sulfate limitation led to the hypothesis that these inorganic detoxification mechanisms generally depended on a kind of "facilitated precipitation" . The process was coined thus because heavy metals were probably accumulated and precipitated near the cell perimeter due to the relatively high local concentrations of sulfide and phosphate there . Depending on the growth-limiting nutrient, mercury proved to be 25-fold (phosphate limitation), 75-fold (glycerol limitation), or 150-fold (sulfate limitation) more toxic than cadmium to this organism . In the presence of lead, PbS formation was suggested . Since no other detoxification mechanisms were detected, for example, rendering heavy metal ions innocuous as metallo-organic compounds, it was concluded that formation of heavy metal precipitates is crucially important to this organism . In addition, it was observed that several components of a defined mineral medium were able to reduce mercuric ions to elemental mercury . This abiotic mercury volatilization was studied in detail, and its general and environmental implications are discussed.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Nov, 28(5), 654 - 9
Relevance of serum protein binding of cefoxitin and cefazolin to their activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats; Bakker-Woudenberg IA et al.; An experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats was used to study the effect of protein binding of cefoxitin and cefazolin on their therapeutic activity . Both cephalosporins were similar with respect to their antimicrobial activity against the K . pneumoniae in vitro, but they differed in their degree of protein binding, being 34% for cefoxitin and 89 to 93% for cefazolin in uninfected rats and 24 and 71 to 83%, respectively, in infected rats . Various doses of these agents were administered by continuous infusion, which started 5 h after bacterial inoculation and continued for 65 h . Antimicrobial response was evaluated with respect to the numbers of bacteria recovered from lung and blood at the end of treatment . An inhibitory effect of protein binding on the in vivo antimicrobial activity was demonstrated . Cefoxitin was therapeutically effective at a constant plasma level that reached the MIC . To obtain a similar effect with cefazolin the plasma level of that drug had to be increased to a concentration more than three times the MIC.

Biochem J, 1985 Nov 1, 231(3), 743 - 53
Electron transfer to nitrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae . nifF gene cloned and the gene product, a flavodoxin, purified; Deistung J et al.; The nifF gene of Klebsiella pneumoniae was cloned into a multicopy plasmid in order to construct a strain that synthesizes and retains an elevated concentration of the gene product relative to the wild-type strain . Characterization of the isolated flavodoxin, which serves as an electron donor to nitrogenase, shows unambiguously that it is the product of the nifF gene.

Arch Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 143(2), 163 - 8
The functional significance of glucose dehydrogenase in Klebsiella aerogenes; Hommes RW et al.; In order to assess the functional significance of the quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase recently found to be present in K+ -limited Klebsiella aerogenes, a broad study was made of the influence of specific environmental conditions on the cellular content of this enzyme . Whereas high activities were manifest in cells from glucose containing chemostat cultures that were either potassium- or phosphate-limited, only low activities were apparent in cells from similar cultures that were either glucose-, sulphate- or ammonia-limited . With these latter two cultures, a marked increase in glucose dehydrogenase activity was observed when 2,4-dinitrophenol (1 mM end concentration) was added to the growth medium . These results suggested that the synthesis of glucose dehydrogenase is not regulated by the level of glucose in the growth medium, but possibly by conditions that imposed an energetic stress upon the cells . This conclusion was further supported by a subsequent finding that K+ -limited cells that were growing on glycerol also synthesized substantial amounts of glucose dehydrogenase . The enzyme was found to be membrane associated, and preliminary evidence has been obtained that it is located on the periplasmic side of the cytoplasmic membrane and functionally linked to the respiratory chain . This structural and functional orientation is consistent with glucose dehydrogenase serving as a low impedance energy generating system.

South Med J, 1985 Nov, 78(11), 1396 - 8
Progressive destruction of the hip joint due to Klebsiella osteomyelitis; Rawlings CE 3rd et al.; We have described a 52-year-old diabetic man with Klebsiella osteomyelitis of the femoral head and acetabulum . This case illustrates an unusual location of the infection, an absence of a preceding infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae, and a chronic and progressive course of the process over a six-month period.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Nov, 164(2), 639 - 45
Structure of two divergent promoters located in front of the gene encoding pullulanase in Klebsiella pneumoniae and positively regulated by the malT product; Chapon C et al.; Pullulanase is an extracellular starch-debranching enzyme produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae . When its structural gene, pulA, is introduced into Escherichia coli, it is controlled by malT, the positive regulator gene of the maltose regulon . Characterization of the region 5' to pulA and of the beginning of the gene described herein demonstrate that (i) pullulanase is probably a lipoprotein; (ii) an additional malT-controlled promoter (the malX promoter) lies adjacent to the pulA promoter and is oriented in the opposite direction; (iii) in common with the three previously described malT-controlled promoters, the pulA and malX promoters have a conserved hexanucleotide (consensus sequence, 5'-GGATGGA) 35 base pairs upstream from the transcription initiation site; and (iv) upstream from this conserved hexanucleotide the pulA and malX promoters differ from the other mal promoters in that they lack any detectable binding site for the cyclic AMP-binding protein.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Nov, 164(2), 633 - 8
Characterization and expression of the structural gene for pullulanase, a maltose-inducible secreted protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Michaelis S et al.; Some strains of Klebsiella pneumonia secrete pullulanase, a debranching enzyme which produces linear molecules (maltodextrins, amylose) from amylopectin and glycogen . pulA, the structural gene for pullulanase, was introduced into Escherichia coli, either on a multiple-copy-number plasmid or as a single copy in the chromosome . When in E . coli, pulA was controlled by malT, the positive regulatory gene of the maltose regulon . Indeed, pulA expression was undetectable in a malT-negative mutant and constitutive in a malTc strain . Furthermore, the plasmid carrying pulA titrated the MalT protein . When produced in E . coli, pullulanase was not localized in the same way as in K . pneumoniae . In the latter case it was first exported to the outer membrane, with which it remained loosely associated, and was then released into the growth medium . In E . coli the enzyme was distributed both in the inner and the outer membranes and was never released into the growth medium.

Immunology, 1985 Nov, 56(3), 571 - 3
Adjuvant actions of linear mannan-possessing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice; Ohta M et al.; Immunopotentiation has been demonstrated when Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS), which possesses a linear mannan as the O-specific side chain, was injected subcutaneously into endotoxin resistant C3H/HeJ mice together with soluble protein antigens . The LPS exhibited significantly positive adjuvant effects on antibody responses in vivo after secondary antigen challenge and on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions against protein antigens . However, KO3 LPS was not a polyclonal B cell activator (PBA) in C3H/HeJ mice nor mitogenic in cultures of spleen cells of C3H/HeJ . Thus, the activity of the LPS in C3H/HeJ mice is confined to the potentiation of T-dependent immune responses . The contribution of the mannan O side chain to the adjuvant action of KO3 LPS was suggested.

Cell Immunol, 1985 Oct 15, 95(2), 330 - 9
Depression of afferent arc of the in vivo cytotoxic T-cell immunity by bacterial lipopolysaccharides; Mizoguchi K et al.; The afferent arc of the in vivo cytotoxic T-cell immunity assessed by second set rejection of ascitic allogeneic tumors was shown to be depressed by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that was administered simultaneously with or 1 day before injection of allogeneic spleen cells as stimulators . Two different LPSs from Escherichia coli O55 and Klebsiella O3 displayed similar activities whereas dextran sulfate, concanavalin A, or poly A:U was not effective . Stimulator activities of allogeneic cells was not directly modified by LPS . Any definite suppressor activity on afferent or efferent arc of the T-cell response was not demonstrable in mice receiving LPS and allogeneic cells . Further, the LPS effect for immune depression was not diminished by whole body X-ray irradiation to the recipient at 300 R, which ablated the B-cell reactivity to LPS for polyclonal activation, or by treatment of the recipient with carrageenan, a known toxic agent to macrophages . It was suggested from these results that LPS suppresses the cytotoxic T-cell immunity by modulating responder T cells to be temporarily refractory to the allogeneic stimulus rather than by activating suppressor cells such as radiation-sensitive lymphocytes and carrageenan-sensitive macrophages.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Oct 1, 142(1), 85 - 92
Structural investigation of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype K 49; Joseleau JP; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella type K 49 was investigated by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r . spectroscopy of the original, carboxyl-reduced, and Smith-degraded polysaccharides . Methylation of the original K 49 and derivatives showed that the polysaccharide consists of a tetrasaccharide repeating-unit having D-galacturonic as a single lateral substituent . All of the sugars have the alpha-D-configuration . This conclusion is in agreement with measurements of spin-lattice relaxation-times for the anomeric proton . O-Acetyl groups are located on galacturonic acid, but do not occupy a unique position . (Formula: see text).

J Hyg (Lond), 1985 Oct, 95(2), 265 - 76
Biochemical and serological investigations on clinical isolates of klebsiella; Simoons-Smit AM et al.; A series of 925 clinical isolates of klebsiella was examined by serological and biochemical typing . To perform serological typing (capsular swelling) 77 capsular antisera were prepared, tested against the type strains and grouped in 13 pools . With this serotyping method 80% of the cultures were typable and 63 distinct types could be recognized . All strains were typable biochemically by means of the numerical coding system of the API-20E system supplemented by digits derived from 15 additional conventional biochemical tests . With the API-20E system 24 different biotypes could be distinguished whereas the combination of API-20E and the 15 additional tests produced 93 biotypes . Maximum discrimination of strains was achieved by the combination of serological and biochemical typing (256 bioserotypes) . The reproducibility, typability and discriminating power of the biotyping system was not inferior to serotyping . For epidemiological purposes biotyping can replace serotyping of Klebsiella species, especially in laboratories less well equipped.

Infect Immun, 1985 Oct, 50(1), 225 - 30
Purification and vaccine potential of Klebsiella capsular polysaccharides; Cryz SJ Jr et al.; Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) from 18 Klebsiella strains of different capsular types was isolated and characterized . Purified CPSs were composed primarily of carbohydrate with trace quantities of protein, nucleic acids, and lipopolysaccharide . All CPSs were of a high molecular weight, possessing a Kd of 0.01 to 0.11 as determined by gel filtration over Sepharose CL-4B . Low levels of lipopolysaccharide present in all preparations were responsible for the highly pyrogenic nature of one-half of the CPS preparations . Treatment of capsular material with dilute NaOH in 95% ethanol markedly reduced the pyrogenicity of all preparations and had a negligible effect on their molecular weight . The immunogenicity of the various native CPSs for mice varied considerably from serotype to serotype, but all evoked an anticapsular immunoglobulin G response . Five of 18 NaOH-treated polysaccharides were significantly (P less than 0.05) less immunogenic than their native counterparts . Human immunoglobulin G prepared from volunteers immunized with either native or NaOH-treated KP1-0 capsular polysaccharide was equally effective at preventing experimental fatal Klebsiella pneumoniae burn wound sepsis in mice.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Oct, 50(4), 924 - 9
Butanediol production from cellulose and hemicellulose by Klebsiella pneumoniae grown in sequential coculture with Trichoderma harzianum; Yu EK et al.; The bioconversion of cellulose and hemicellulose substrates to 2,3-butanediol by a sequential coculture approach was investigated with the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma harzianum E58 and the fermentative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae . Vogel medium optimal for the production of the cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes of the fungus was found to be inhibitory to butanediol fermentation . This inhibition appeared to be due to a synergistic effect of various ingredients, particularly the salts, present in the fungal medium . The removal or replacement of such ingredients from Vogel medium led to the relief of fermentation inhibition, but the treatments also resulted in a significant decrease in fungal enzyme production . Resting cells of K . pneumoniae could be used for butanediol production in the fungal medium, indicating that the inhibitory effect on solvent production under such conditions was due to the indirect result of growth inhibition of the bacterial cells . The resting-cell approach could be combined with a fed-batch system for the direct conversion of 8 to 10% (wt/vol) of Solka-Floc or aspenwood xylan to butanediol at over 30% of the theoretical conversion efficiencies.

Biochem J, 1985 Oct 1, 231(1), 25 - 30
Ring cleavage and degradative pathway of cyanuric acid in bacteria; Cook AM et al.; The degradative pathway of cyanuric acid {1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione} was examined in Pseudomonas sp . strain D . The bacterium grew with cyanuric acid, biuret, urea or NH4+ as sole source of nitrogen, and each substrate was entirely metabolized concomitantly with growth . Enzymes from strain D were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and three reactions were examined . Cyanuric acid (1 mol) was converted stoichiometrically into 1.0 mol of CO2 and 1.1 mol of biuret, which was conclusively identified . Biuret (1 mol) was converted stoichiometrically into 1.1 mol of NH4+, about 1 mol of CO2 and 1.0 mol of urea, which was conclusively identified . Urea (1 mol) was converted into 1.9 mol of NH4+ and 1.0 mol of CO2 . The reactions proceeded under aerobic or anoxic conditions and were presumed to be hydrolytic . Data indicate that the same pathway occurred in another pseudomonad and a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Biochem Pharmacol, 1985 Oct 1, 34(19), 3433 - 8
Diclofenac sodium, a negative chemokinetic factor for neutrophil locomotion; Perianin A et al.; Diclofenac sodium, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, was studied for its influence on the locomotion of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), in an attempt to define the mechanism governing the drug's anti-inflammatory properties . PMN locomotion was measured by the agarose technique under two conditions of stimulation of cell migration: in the presence of a gradient of stimuli (chemotaxis) and in the presence of various amounts of stimuli incorporated in the gel (chemokinesis) . At concentrations below 10 micrograms/ml, diclofenac in the gel reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the directed locomotion of PMN induced by a gradient of C5a-activated serum, peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or Klebsiella pneumoniae culture supernatant (KPCS) . Diclofenac also inhibited the random locomotion of unstimulated PMN, as well as the PMN chemokinetic activity induced by various amounts of FMLP or activated serum . Inhibition of PMN locomotion by diclofenac decreased when the concentration of the stimulant was raised; this inhibition was inversely related to the concentration of heat-inactivated fetal calf serum in the medium . The directed locomotion and chemokinesis of PMN, induced by FMLP were also reduced in PMN preincubated with diclofenac before migration, suggesting a direct cellular effect of diclofenac . On the other hand, diclofenac did not affect the changes in shape induced in floating PMN by FMLP or activated serum . The observation that diclofenac did not alter the ingestion rate of bacteria by PMN indicates that this drug is not cytotoxic for PMN . Consequently, diclofenac reduces PMN locomotion by interfering with the PMN chemokinetic activity . Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory drug possessing the original property of acting as a negative chemokinetic agent, for migration of both stimulated and unstimulated PMN . It should therefore be a useful tool for analyzing the elements controlling PMN locomotion speed.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Oct, 164(1), 479 - 83
Inactivation of glycerol dehydrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae and the role of divalent cations; Johnson EA et al.; Anaerobically induced NAD-linked glycerol dehydrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae for fermentative glycerol utilization was reported previously to be inactivated in the cell during oxidative metabolism . In vitro inactivation was observed in this study by incubating the purified enzyme in the presence of O2, Fe2+, and ascorbate or dihydroxyfumarate . It appears that O2 and the reducing agent formed H2O2 and that H2O2 reacted with Fe2+ to generate an activated species of oxygen which attacked the enzyme . The in vitro-oxidized enzyme, like the in vivo-inactivated enzyme, showed an increased Km for NAD (but not glycerol) and could no longer be activated by Mn2+ which increased the Vmax of the native enzyme but decreased its apparent affinity for NAD . Ethanol dehydrogenase and 1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase, two enzymes with anaerobic function, also lost activity when the cells were incubated aerobically with glucose . However, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-linked), isocitrate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase, expected to function both aerobically and anaerobically, were not inactivated . Thus, oxidative modification of proteins in vivo might provide a mechanism for regulating the activities of some anaerobic enzymes.

FEBS Lett, 1985 Sep 23, 189(2), 250 - 4
A novel S = 3/2 EPR signal associated with native Fe-proteins of nitrogenase; Hagen WR et al.; In addition to their g = 1.94 EPR signal, nitrogenase Fe-proteins from Azotobacter vinelandii, Azotobacter chroococcum and Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibit a weak EPR signal with g approximately equal to 5 . Temperature dependence of the signal was consistent with an S = 3/2 system with negative zero-field splitting, D = -5 +/- 0.7 cm-1 . The ms = +/- 3/2 ground state doublet gives rise to a transition with geff = 5.90 and the transition within the excited ms = +/- 1/2 doublet has a split geff = 4.8, 3.4 . Quantitation gave 0.6 to 0.8 spin . mol-1 which summed with the spin intensity of the S = 1/2 g = 1.94 line to roughly 1 spin/mol . MgATP and MgADP decreased the intensity of the S = 3/2 signal with no concomitant changes in intensity of the S = 1/2 signal.

Biochem J, 1985 Sep 15, 230(3), 569 - 78
Ribitol dehydrogenase of Klebsiella aerogenes . Sequence and properties of wild-type and mutant strains; Dothie JM et al.; Evidence is presented for the sequence of 249 amino acids in ribitol dehydrogenase-A from Klebsiella aerogenes . Continuous culture on xylitol yields strains that superproduce 'wild-type' enzyme but mutations appear to have arisen in this process . Other strains selected by such continuous culture produce enzymes with increased specific activity for xylitol but without loss of ribitol activity . One such enzyme, ribitol dehydrogenase-D, has Pro-196 for Gly-196 . Another, ribitol dehydrogenase-B, has a different mutation.

Biochem J, 1985 Sep 15, 230(3), 579 - 85
Ribitol dehydrogenase of Klebsiella aerogenes . Sequence of the structural gene; Loviny T et al.; The ribitol dehydrogenase gene was cloned from wild-type Klebsiella aerogenes and also from a transducing phage lambda prbt which expresses the rbt operon constitutively . The coding sequence for 249 amino acids is separated from the following D-ribulokinase gene by 31 base pairs containing three stop codons, one of which overlaps the ribosome binding site for D-ribulokinase . Three residues in the amino acid sequence differ from that predicted from the DNA sequence: Asp-212 for Asn-212 is probably a protein sequencing error, but -Ala-Val- for -Ser-Ser- at 146-147 appears to be a 'neutral mutation' that may have arisen during prolonged chemostat selection of a strain that superproduces the enzyme from which the protein sequence was determined.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Sep, 131 ( Pt 9), 2313 - 8
Three immunity types of klebicins which use the cloacin DF13 receptor of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Cooper PC et al.; We have investigated a group of bacteriocinogenic strains used in the epidemiological investigation of Klebsiella infections . Transfer of plasmids from these strains to laboratory strains allowed the identification of three klebicins which use the cloacin DF13 receptor in Klebsiella, but are of three distinct immunity types . These klebicins use the ferric-aerobactin receptor determined by ColV-K30 in Escherichia coli, which is also used by cloacin DF13 . We propose to call them group A klebicins, of immunity types A1, A2 and A3 . On the basis of immunity, cloacin DF13 also belongs to the klebicin A1 group.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 858 - 62
Regulatory region of the divergent Klebsiella pneumoniae lac operon; Buvinger WE et al.; The chromosomal DNA that lies between the lacI and lacZ genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae constitutes a 196-base pair intercistronic region that contains regulatory sequences for both genes . The probable locations of specific regulatory elements for both lacI and lacZ genes were determined by analogy with the corresponding Escherichia coli sequences . A recombinational event in ancestral DNA evidently has inverted the transcriptional direction of lacI in K . pneumoniae relative to the transcriptional direction of lacI in E . coli . One end of the inversion was located within a 19-base pair sequence in the K . pneumoniae regulatory region . Sequences partially homologous to these 19 base pairs were found in two locations on either side of the E . coli lacI gene . The nucleotide sequence of the lac regulatory region in K . pneumoniae exhibits more than one possibility for folded tertiary structures . The spatial relationships of transcriptional binding sites differ in two possible structures . Associations of regulatory and transcriptional proteins with the DNA might affect conformation of the regulatory sequences and, as a consequence, transcription of the lac genes.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 850 - 7
Nucleotide sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae lac genes; Buvinger WE et al.; The nucleotide sequences of the Klebsiella pneumoniae lacI and lacZ genes and part of the lacY gene were determined, and these genes were located and oriented relative to one another . The K . pneumoniae lac operon is divergent in that the lacI and lacZ genes are oriented head to head, and complementary strands are transcribed . Besides base substitutions, the lacZ genes of K . pneumoniae and Escherichia coli have suffered short distance shifts of reading frame caused by additions or deletions or both during evolutionary divergence from a common ancestral gene . Relative to corresponding E . coli sequences, the nucleotide sequences of the lacZ and lacY genes are 61 and 67% conserved, and the lacI genes are 49% conserved . A comparison of both nucleotide and amino acid sequences revealed that the K . pneumoniae and E . coli lacI genes and lac repressor proteins each are related to the galR gene and gal repressor of E . coli to about the same extent . In terms of evolutionary relationships, the divergence of the forerunner of the galR gene from an ancestral lac repressor gene preceded separation and differentiation of the K . pneumoniae and E . coli lac repressor genes.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 1285 - 7
Mol- mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae requiring high levels of molybdate for nitrogenase activity; Imperial J et al.; Mol- mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae requiring high levels of molybdate for nitrogenase and nitrate reductase activity were characterized . The effects of mol mutations on nitrogenase activity were very similar to those caused by nifQ mutations . Mol- mutants of K . pneumoniae appear to be equivalent to ChlD- mutants of Escherichia coli.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 1296 - 9
Regions on plasmid pCU1 required for the killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Thatte V et al.; Plasmid pCU1 was Kik+ (promotes killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae) . All Tn5 insertions within the tra region of pCU1 were Kik- . Two other regions, kikA and kikB, were needed . They may be separated on different plasmids, but both must be mobilized into Klebsiella pneumoniae . Establishment of one kik region in K . pneumoniae followed by receipt of the second did not lead to killing . Kik was therefore intracellular and required concerted and transient action of both regions.

FEBS Lett, 1985 Aug 5, 187(2), 237 - 9
Energy expenditure for cyclic retention of NH3/NH4+ during N2 fixation by Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kleiner D; The permeability coefficient for NH3 through bacterial membranes was determined to be around 2 X 10(-3) cm X s-1 . This value was used to calculate the outward diffusion of NH3 from intracellular pools and the energy costs for reabsorption as NH4+ . For an N2-fixing continuous culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae an energy expenditure of around 4 ATP per NH3 produced was calculated, thus increasing significantly the energy requirement for N2 fixation in vivo.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Aug, 38(8), 2313 - 37
{Fundamental and clinical study on cefpiramide in obstetrics and gynecology . Obstetrics and Gynecology Study Group for Cefpiramide}; Takase Z et al.; Fundamental and clinical studies on a new cephalosporin antibiotic, cefpiramide (CPM), was carried out under a joint study program, in order to evaluate the usefulness of the drug in treating infection of the female genital organs . The results obtained were as follows: CPM was readily transported to female genital organ tissues, and the concentrations of the drug exceeded 35 micrograms/g in various organ tissues in about 1 hour, following intravenous injection of 1 g . A level of more than 2 micrograms/g was maintained even 14 hours after the injection . The transport of CPM to various tissues was also studied following intravenous drip infusion of 1 g for 1 hour . The concentrations in tissues were slightly low but similar to those following intravenous injection . The peak concentration of the drug in the dead space exudate was 3.1-20.4 micrograms/ml, following intravenous injection and intravenous drip infusion of 1 g . The MIC80 of CPM were 3.13-12.5 micrograms/ml against S . aureus, Klebsiella sp., P . mirabilis and P . aeruginosa . Clinical effects of CPM were analyzed in 158 patients, including 56 cases with intrauterine infection, 37 cases with intrapelvic infection, 22 cases with external genital infection, 31 cases with adnexitis, 6 cases with postoperative wound infection and 6 cases with other infections . Excellent response was seen in 28 cases (17.7%), good response in 120 (75.9%) poor response in 10 (6.3%) . The rate of response was calculated as 93.7% . Safety of the drug was analyzed in 258 patients, and side effects occurred in 4 (1.6%) . Of these 4 patients, rash was in 1 patient, heat sensation in 1 patient, nausea in 1 patient and rash accompanying edema in 1 patient . Abnormal values in clinical laboratory findings were seen in 7 patients . Elevations of transaminase were seen in 5 patients and decrease of platelet was seen in a patient, and then elevations of transaminase with decrease of platelet was seen in a patient, and no other changes of particular note appeared.

Jpn J Pharmacol, 1985 Aug, 38(4), 355 - 60
Comparative studies on antitumor activity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide and its polysaccharide fraction in mice; Hasegawa T et al.; The antitumor activity of the polysaccharide fraction (OPS) obtained by the acid hydrolysis of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) isolated from the culture supernatant of the decapsulated mutant strain LEN-1 (03: K1-) against both allogeneic tumor and syngeneic tumor systems in mice was compared with that of KO3 LPS . OPS prolonged the life span of MM2-bearing C3H/He mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) pre- and post-treatment at the doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg . However, large amounts of OPS were needed to show the antitumor activity as compared with KO3 LPS . OPS showed no growth inhibitory activity against Meth-A sarcoma in BALB/c mice by i.p., intravenous (i.v.) or intratumoral (i.t.) administration . When 1000 mg/kg of OPS was i.p . administered once a day for 10 days, OPS significantly inhibited the tumor growth of Sarcoma-180 solid type tumor . On the other hand, KO3 LPS significantly suppressed the growth of Meth-A tumor by i.t . administration at the doses of 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg and showed complete regression in 8 and 9 out of 10 mice, respectively . In MM2 tumor, KO3 LPS also showed complete regression in all mice post-treated by i.p . administration at the dose of 1.0 mg/kg . These results suggest that OPS has antitumor activity on the tumors used in this study, but the activity was less than that of KO3 LPS.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Aug, 28(2), 195 - 9
Protein antigens of encapsulated Klebsiella pneumoniae surface exposed after growth in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of cephalosporins; Kadurugamuwa JL et al.; It recently has been reported by us that cephalosporins, at a concentration below that influencing growth rate, reduced the production of enterochelin and capsule formation of iron-depleted Klebsiella pneumoniae . We now report on the antigenicity of the outer membrane components and surface-exposed protein antigens of iron-depleted cells grown in the presence or absence of cephalosporins . All major outer membrane proteins, including iron-regulated membrane proteins, were immunogenic . Encapsulated K . pneumoniae grown in antibiotic-free media had three protein antigens (60, 35.5, and 32.5 kilodaltons) exposed on the surface that were accessible to antibodies . Growth of the same cultures in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of cephalosporins resulted in the exposure of a greater number of protein antigenic determinants, including iron-regulated membrane proteins, which become readily accessible to antibodies . It was also found that immunoblotting was generally more sensitive than conventional staining of the acrylamide gel with Coomassie blue in the detection of proteins.

Chemioterapia, 1985 Aug, 4(4), 324 - 8
Immunopotentiation in infectious disease, II . Effect of bestatin on experimental infection; Ormrod DJ et al.; A two-stage protocol designed to evaluate putative immunomodulators for use in infectious disease has been proposed . In this report the effect of bestatin on a series of clinically relevant, and sub-lethal infections is described . Pyelonephritis, peritonitis and bacteremia were induced with Escherichia coli, while Klebsiella pneumoniae was used to produce a lung infection . Bestatin had no effect on the course of these infections . In a further experiment we assessed the effect of combined bestatin/antibiotic therapy on the course of renal infection . Again no effect was observed . These findings are consistent with the known immunomodulatory properties of bestatin . This methodology will be used to evaluate selected agents for their potential in infectious disease and should lead to useful clinical protocols.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Aug, 152(2), 373 - 8
Therapeutic efficacy of continuous versus intermittent administration of ceftazidime in an experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats; Roosendaal R et al.; An experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats was used to study the influence of continuous or of intermittent (8-hr intervals) administration of ceftazidime on therapeutic efficacy . Antimicrobial response was evaluated with respect to the calculated total daily dose that protected 50% of the animals from death (PD50) until 16 days after termination of a four-day treatment . When antibiotic treatment was started 5 hr after bacterial inoculation, the PD50 values after continuous and after intermittent administration of ceftazidime were 0.36 and 1.42 mg/kg per day, respectively (P less than .001) . With a delay in the administration of the antibiotic to 34 hr after inoculation, the respective PD50 values were 1.08 and 13.06 mg of ceftazidime/kg per day (P less than .001) . These studies show an improved therapeutic efficacy that increased with a delay in treatment when ceftazidime was administered by continuous infusion as compared with administration at 8-hr intervals . Continuous administration of PD50 doses of ceftazidime resulted in serum levels that were constantly below the MIC of the infecting Klebsiella strain.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Aug, 28(2), 302 - 7
Evolution of plasmid-coded resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins; Kliebe C et al.; A clinical isolate of Klebsiella ozaenae with transferable resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins produces a beta-lactamase determined by plasmid pBP60 . The beta-lactamase had the same isoelectric point as SHV-1 (7.6) . From heteroduplex analysis, an extensive homology between the two bla genes could be deduced; therefore, the new beta-lactamase was designated SHV-2 . Enzymatic studies revealed that SHV-2 was able to hydrolyze broad-spectrum cephalosporins due to an increased affinity of these compounds for the enzyme . The assumption that SHV-2 is a natural mutant of SHV-1 was strongly supported by the isolation of a laboratory mutant of SHV-1 that showed activities similar to those of SHV-2.

Infect Control, 1985 Aug, 6(8), 310 - 3
Klebsiella oxytoca isolates in a general hospital; Alvarez S et al.; Primary infections caused by Klebsiella species are uncommon, but the organism is an important nosocomial pathogen . We report the predisposing factors, clinical features and outcome of 44 hospitalized patients in whom Klebsiella oxytoca was isolated . Twenty-one (48%) isolates were community-acquired and 23 (52%) were considered nosocomial in origin . Most of the patients were elderly males with serious underlying diseases . There were significant differences between those patients who acquired Klebsiella oxytoca in the hospital and in the community . Nosocomially acquired organisms were associated with a higher mortality (52% vs . 24%) (p less than 0.05), a higher incidence of infection vs . colonization (83% vs . 57%) (p less than 0.05), and a higher percentage of cases of pneumonia (43% vs . 19%) (p less than 0.05) . The clinical features, the hospital service and the patients' underlying diseases were similar when patients who died and those who survived were compared . Patients who died were exposed to antibiotics more often prior to the positive culture with K . oxytoca (p less than 0.05) . K . oxytoca is a significant pathogen in hospitalized elderly patients . It is likely to cause infections, especially pneumonia, and carry a high mortality . The organism can become endemic within the hospital setting with continued carriage and nosocomial spread.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Jul 15, 140(2), 263 - 75
A structural investigation of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella K14; Dutton GG et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide isolated from Klebsiella serotype K14 has been investigated employing a combination of chemical and spectroscopic methods . The repeating structure is shown to be of the "4 + 1 + 1" type, and it carries a 1-carboxyethylidene acetal substituent at positions 4 and 6 of a terminal glucose residue . The polysaccharide is one of a group of only three Klebsiella polysaccharides that have been found to contain a galactofuranose residue in the repeating unit . The repeating unit has the following structure: (Formula: see text).

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1985 Jul, 38(7), 941 - 7
Therapeutic efficacy of beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics on experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae B-54 in diabetic mice; Obana Y et al.; The therapeutic efficacy of six beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics were compared in diabetic mice with experimentally induced Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia . beta-Lactams caused a reduction in the numbers of bacteria, with clearance of bacteria from the lungs of diabetic and normal mice . The effect in diabetic mice, however, was very poor . In contrast thereto, no remarkable difference was seen between diabetic and normal mice when treated with aminoglycosides . The concentration of the test antibiotics to the lungs in diabetic mice was lower than in normal mice . The aminoglycosides were more effective than the beta-lactams . These data suggest that in treating acute and more chronic forms of pulmonary infection caused by K . pneumoniae in diabetic mice aminoglycoside antibiotics are particularly valuable, whereas beta-lactams must be given in large quantities using multiple administrations.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 50(1), 163 - 8
Microbial incidence in upper respiratory tracts of workers in the paper industry; Niemela SI et al.; The incidence of microbes in the nasal cavities of workers in three paper and board mills was investigated . A total of 234 persons exposed to microbial aerosols and splashes from paper machine wires and debarker drums formed the exposed group . The control group consisted of 294 workers from the dry working areas: the winding and packing sections . Chi-square analysis was used to test the differences in the frequency of microbial incidence and various symptoms between the exposed and control groups . The nasal cavities of many workers, particularly workers in the debarkers, proved to be contaminated by Klebsiella pneumoniae, other coliforms, yeasts, and molds; usually only one microbe was involved, but sometimes two or several species were found . Nasal bacteria and yeasts were largely derived from the mill and debarker air; the microbes in the air came mainly from process waters . Lack of association of nasopharyngeal symptoms with either exposure to aerosols or nasal microbial contamination was interpreted as an indication of host defenses that were adequate to protect workers from harmful microbial colonization in paper mill environments.

South Med J, 1985 Jul, 78(7), 869 - 71
Failure of chloramphenicol and cefotaxime therapy in Klebsiella meningitis: possible role of antibiotic antagonism; Brown TH et al.; We have described a patient with Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis who was treated with cefotaxime and chloramphenicol concomitantly, and whose slow initial resolution and subsequent relapse plus in vitro evidence of antagonism of cefotaxime appear to indicate that chloramphenicol interfered with the activity of the cephalosporin . Thus, concomitant use of chloramphenicol should probably be avoided or used advisedly in adults with gram-negative bacillary meningitis susceptible to a third generation cephalosporin.

J Immunol, 1985 Jul, 135(1), 131 - 6
Influence of RU 41.740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae, on the murine system . II . RU 41.740 facilitates the response to Con A in otherwise unresponsive T-enriched cells; Wood CD et al.; RU 41.740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae, is a polyclonal B cell activator in the thymus-independent category, and both RU 41.740 and its fraction F1 induce the production of interleukin 1 (IL 1) . RU 41.740 alone appears to have no direct effect on T-enriched cells . However, we show here that when given in conjunction with concanavalin A (Con A), RU 41.740 enabled nylon wool-passed T cells, which had been accessory cell depleted and lost responsiveness to Con A, to proliferate in response to Con A . Analysis of this observation indicated that RU 41.740 probably acted via a residual accessory cell population and that contact of this cell with the T cell was necessary for Con A activation of the T cell . Because both lectin/antigen and a source of IL 1 are required to stimulate accessory cell-depleted T cells, the mechanism of action of RU 41.740 in this system may be by induction of IL 1 from residual accessory cells in the nylon wool-passed, T-enriched cell population . However, two other agents that stimulate IL 1 production, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and F1, do not enable T-enriched cells to respond to Con A in this system.

Cell Immunol, 1985 Jul, 93(2), 431 - 7
Adjuvant actions of polyclonal lymphocyte activators . V . Proliferation of macrophage colony-forming cells in the draining lymph node; Yokochi T et al.; We investigated the action of various polyclonal lymphocyte activators (PLA) on the proliferation of macrophage colony-forming cells in vivo at the local site . As PLA, Klebsiella pneumoniae 03 lipopolysaccharide (K03 LPS), Escherichia coli 0111 lipopolysaccharide (E . coli LPS), dextran sulfate (DS), concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemaggulutinin (PHA), polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (poly(A:U}, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C}, and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were used . All PLA tested acted to proliferate macrophage colony-forming cells in the draining lymph node at a late stage after subcutaneous injection . The order of strength of this action of PLA was K03 LPS greater than E . coli LPS greater than Con A greater than DS greater than PHA, PWM, poly(I:C), and poly(A:U), which corresponded to the order of strength of their adjuvant action in initiating helper-T-cell response to subcutaneous injection of aggregate-free bovine gamma-globulin . The detailed relationship between the proliferation of macrophage colony-forming cells and the adjuvant action of PLA is discussed.

J Med Microbiol, 1985 Jun, 19(3), 333 - 8
Chemiluminescence of human leukocytes stimulated by clinical isolates of Klebsiella; Simoons-Smit AM et al.; Chemiluminescence (CL) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was determined after stimulation with 89 clinical isolates of Klebsiella which differed in serotype and in their virulence for mice . With K1, K2, K4 and K5 strains, a significantly lower CL response was observed than with K3, K6 and K greater than 6 strains . These results correlated well with virulence: greater virulence could be explained by greater resistance to phagocytosis.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Jun, 162(3), 1142 - 50
Formation of a hexagonal lattice structure by an R-form lipopolysaccharide of Klebsiella sp; Kato N et al.; We extracted an R-form lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by the phenol-water method from Klebsiella sp . strain LEN-111 (O3-:KI-) and followed the changes in ultrastructure of the LPS during the extraction procedure . When the LPS was obtained from the water phase of an extract by addition of 2 volumes of 10 mM MgCI2-ethanol, it consisted of membrane pieces with a hexagonal lattice structure with a lattice constant of 14 to 15 nm . The lattice structure of the LPS was disrupted into short rods with sodium dodecyl sulfate, but the same hexagonal lattice structure was again formed by precipitation with 2 volumes of 10 mM MgCI2-ethanol . The LPS preparation after two cycles of treatment by the phenol-water method, which contained no detectable amounts of proteins, kept an unaltered ability to form the hexagonal lattice structure . Extensive treatment with pronase and extraction with chloroform did not impair the ability of the LPS preparation to form the lattice structure . When the other salts, NaCI, CaCI2 or Zn(CH3COO)2, were used for precipitation of the LPS with ethanol in place of MgCI2, the LPS did not form the hexagonal lattice structure . However, if the LPS precipitated with NaCI-ethanol was converted to the magnesium salt form after it was electrodialyzed, it formed the same hexagonal lattice structure as the LPS precipitated with MgCI2-ethanol . From these results, it was concluded that the R-form LPS has the ability of in vitro self-assembly into a hexagonal lattice structure in the presence of Mg2+ without the help of other components such as proteins and free lipids from outer membrane.

J Exp Med, 1985 Jun 1, 161(6), 1525 - 38
Immunochemical similarities between monoclonal antibacterial Waldenstrom's macroglobulins and monoclonal anti-DNA lupus autoantibodies; Naparstek Y et al.; Six monoclonal IgM from patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia that react with Klebsiella polysaccharides were tested for their ability to bind to nucleic acid antigens . One of the macroglobulins bound to the polynucleotide poly(G), and one bound to poly(G), poly(I), and single-stranded DNA . The reaction with the polynucleotides was specifically inhibited by the Klebsiella polysaccharide K30 . A monoclonal lupus anti-DNA antibody (16/6) was found to react weakly with the Klebsiella polysaccharides K30 and K21 . Five of the Waldenstrom macroglobulins shared an idiotypic determinant with the 16/6 anti-DNA antibody . The reaction between the macroglobulins and the antiidiotype serum was specifically inhibited by Klebsiella polysaccharides, an indication that the idiotypic marker was in the antigen-binding site of the macroglobulins . These results indicate the existence of widely dispersed conserved variable region genes that encode idiotypically related immunoglobulins with the capacity to bind to both bacterial polysaccharides and nucleic acids . Such genes can be expressed by patients with either Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia or systemic lupus erythematosus.

EMBO J, 1985 Jun, 4(6), 1599 - 603
Cloning and expression of Klebsiella pneumoniae genes coding for citrate transport and fermentation; Schwarz E et al.; Three Escherichia coli clones (DH1/Cit1, DH1/Cit2 and DH1/Cit3) capable of utilizing citrate as a sole carbon source were isolated from a cosmid bank of Klebsiella pneumoniae wild-type DNA . Two of these clones (DH1/Cit1 and DH1/Cit2) only grew aerobically on citrate minimal medium, the third clone (DH1/Cit3) could also be cultured under fermentative conditions . The aerobic as well as the anaerobic generation times of the three clones were from 4.5 to 7 h . Whereas clone DH1/Cit3 showed a pronounced lag phase on citrate when the cells were pre-grown in medium without citrate, clone DH1/Cit1 immediately started growth, while with clone DH1/Cit2 a short lag phase could be observed upon transfer to citrate minimal medium . Restriction analyses of the three plasmids showed that no common fragments had been cloned . The length of the inserts were 13 and 6 kb for the aerobic Cit+ clones and 27 kb (10 kb) for the anaerobic one . Cultures of the anaerobic Cit+ clone were analyzed by immunoblotting techniques and shown to contain oxaloacetate decarboxylase, which confers citrate utilization under anaerobic conditions to K . pneumoniae . Enzyme assays demonstrated the active state of this biotin-containing membrane protein . The specific activity in vesicle preparations from the E . coli clone was 30% of the wild-type K . pneumoniae vesicles . Citrate acts as an inducer of enzyme protein synthesis in the E . coli clone as it does in K . pneumoniae.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Jun, 162(3), 1276 - 9
Lipopolysaccharide-specific bacteriophage for Klebsiella pneumoniae C3; Tomas JM et al.; Bacteriophage FC3-1 is one of several specific bacteriophages of Klebsiella pneumoniae C3 isolated in our laboratory . Unlike receptors for other Klebsiella phages, the bacteriophage FC3-1 receptor was shown to be lipopolysaccharide, specifically the polysaccharide fraction (O-antigen and core region) . We concluded that capsular polysaccharide, outer membrane proteins, and lipid A were not involved in phage binding . Mutants resistant to this phage were isolated and were found to be devoid of lipopolysaccharide O-antigen by several criteria but to contain capsular material serologically identical to that of the wild type . The polysaccharide fraction was concluded to be the primary phage receptor, indicating that it is available to the phage.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Jun, 162(3), 1186 - 90
Control of Klebsiella pneumoniae nif mRNA synthesis; Collins JJ et al.; Four probes, each specific for a single nif transcript, were used for an analysis of the regulation of nif mRNA synthesis . Transcription of the nifLA operon was repressed by NH4+ but not by amino acids, O2, or temperatures above 37 degrees C . The nifA gene product was required for the activation of transcription of the other nif operons but not nifLA . Synthesis of the other nif transcripts was rapidly turned off by the addition of O2, NH4+, serine, or glutamine . These regulatory effects required the nifL product . However, the nifL product was not required for the cessation of synthesis of these transcripts at elevated temperatures.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 May 15, 138(2), 277 - 91
Bacteriophage degradation of Klebsiella K44 polysaccharide: an n.m.r . study and chemical proof of the position of the acetate group; Dutton GG et al.; Bacteriophages (phi) have been used to degrade polysaccharides into oligosaccharides containing one or more of their repeating units . The capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K44 contains an acetate group, and n.m.r . spectroscopy and chemical methods have been employed to prove its linkage to O-6 of the 4-linked glucose residue . Phage phi 44 was shown to be an alpha-glucosidase not influenced by the acetate moiety and thus able to depolymerize the polysaccharide into pentasaccharide repeating units, some of which contained acetate on O-6 of the reducing glucose residue . The two oligosaccharides were studied by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r . spectroscopy, and their spectra were compared with those of the native and the deacetylated polysaccharide . 13C-n.m.r . was a useful tool for locating the 6-linked acetate, the position of which was confirmed by the method of temporary protection using methyl vinyl ether . The importance of using bacteriophages to obtain oligosaccharides is highlighted by the better results obtained with the oligosaccharide in comparison to the polysaccharide, both in n.m.r . spectroscopy and the temporary protection method.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 May 15, 138(2), 293 - 303
Chemical and structural analysis of the capsular polysaccharide from Escherichia coli O9:K28(A):H- (K28 antigen); Altman E et al.; The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Escherichia coli O9:K28(A):H- (K28 antigen) has been determined by using the techniques of methylation, periodate oxidation, and partial hydrolysis . N.m.r . spectroscopy (1H and 13C) was used to establish the nature of the anomeric linkages . O-Acetyl groups were determined spectrophotometrically and were located using methyl vinyl ether as a protective reagent . The polysaccharide is comprised of repeating units of the tetrasaccharide shown (three-plus-one type) with 70% of the fucosyl residues carrying an O-acetyl substituent . (formula; see text) This structure resembles that of E . coli K27 and has the structural pattern of Klebsiella K54 polysaccharide.

Cell Immunol, 1985 May, 92(2), 328 - 37
Inhibition by succinyl concanavalin A of strong adjuvant activity of lipopolysaccharides which possess mannans as the O-specific polysaccharide chains; Kido N et al.; It has been reported that lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Klebsiella O3 and O5 and Escherichia coli O8 and O9 exhibit extraordinarily strong adjuvant activity in augmenting antibody responses against protein antigens in mice as compared with other kinds of LPS . These four kinds of LPS all possess homopolysaccharides consisting of mannose (mannans) as the O-specific side chains . When these kinds of LPS were mixed in vitro with succinyl concanavalin A (Con A) which is known to bind specifically to alpha-mannoside and alpha-glucoside, their strong adjuvant activity was inhibited . Degree of the inhibition of the adjuvant activity of Klebsiella O3 LPS by succinyl Con A was dependent upon the dose of succinyl Con A . However, phytohemagglutinin, which is known to bind specifically to N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, did not inhibit the adjuvant activity of Klebsiella O3 LPS and O5 LPS . When Klebsiella O3 LPS was mixed with succinyl Con A in the presence of excess amounts of alpha-methyl mannoside or the polysaccharide fraction isolated from Klebsiella O3 LPS, the inhibitory effect of succinyl Con A on the adjuvant activity of Klebsiella O3 LPS was blocked . By contrast, the activity of Klebsiella O3 LPS as a polyclonal B-cell activator was not affected by treatment with succinyl Con A . From these results it is concluded that the mannans, as the O-specific polysaccharide chains of the LPS, significantly contribute to expression of their strong adjuvant activity.

Microbiol Sci, 1985 May, 2(5), 148 - 51
Phenotypic variations in cell envelope proteins of Klebsiella aerogenes; Sterkenburg A et al.; The structure and functioning of the cell envelope of Klebsiella aerogenes vary phenotypically with changes in the culture environment . These variations involve, in particular, the proteinaceous components . This contribution discusses results obtained in recent studies directed towards analysing the influence of growth conditions on membrane protein composition in this organism.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 May, 38(5), 1198 - 202
{Transfer of cefminox to tissues in the field of obstetrics and gynecology}; Shimizu T et al.; Cefminox (CMNX, MT-141), a new cephamycin, was studied of its transfer into the serum and tissues with following results: After an intravenous injection of 1 g of CMNX, the serum concentration of the drug achieved in the uterine artery was almost equal to that in the elbow vein, showing good transfer of the drug . After an intravenous injection of 1 g of CMNX, favorable results were also obtained for concentrations achieved in all of the adnexal and uterine tissues studied . From the results obtained, it is expected that CMNX is highly effective in particular for infections caused by E . coli, Klebsiella sp . and B . fragilis.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 May, 38(5), 1165 - 77
{Clinical study of cefminox in respiratory tract infections}; Odagiri S et al.; A new cephem cefminox (CMNX, MT-141) was used in the treatment of 22 cases of respiratory tract infections without taking into account background factors of patients . The dosage was 2 to 4 g/day in 2 divided doses and the treatment was continued for a period 2 to 17 days . The breakdown of the diseases treated was; pneumonia in 7 cases, secondary lung abscess (rS3)+middle lobe syndrome in 1 case, chronic bronchitis in 3 cases, bronchiectasis in 10 cases and intrapulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa (suspected) in 1 case . The clinical results were rated as excellent in 7 cases, good in 11 cases, fair in 1 case and unknown in 3 cases, with an excellent rate of 36.8% and excellent+good rate of 94.7% . The causative organisms were identified in 10 cases and included H . influenzae for 8 cases, Klebsiella sp . for 1 case and S . aureus for 1 case . The analysis of bacteriological study revealed disappearance of all of these organisms . However, in 3 out of 8 cases where H . influenzae was isolated and in 1 case where Klebsiella sp . was isolated the changes of organisms to P . aeruginosa were observed . As the adverse reactions, rashes developed in 1 case and moreover laboratory test results revealed elevation in transaminase in 3 cases . All of these symptoms were mild in nature and none of our cases experienced serious adverse reactions attributable to CMNX . From these results, we believe that CMNX is one of the useful drugs for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.

Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1985 May, 30(5), 369 - 75
{Methods of evaluating the efficacy of combinations of aminoglycosides with penicillins and their value for the possibility of predicting the therapeutic effect in patients}; Pozdniakova VP et al.; The efficacy of the combinations of aminoglycosides and penicillin with respect to Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Escherichia strains was estimated with the methods of two-fold serial dilutions of aminoglycosides and constant concentrations of penicillin and the "chess board" method . Correlation between the synergistic effect and sensitivity of the strains to separate components of the combinations was observed . For prediction of the combination efficacy these methods are not useful, since they are labour-intensive and their results are very variable . In this connection a simple informative test is recommended . With the use of this test it is possible to judge the chemotherapeutic efficacy of antibiotics and their combinations by the value of the serum antibacterial activity (titer) against the infection causative agent . The blood serum titer of at least 1:8 is accompanied by a pronounced effect . The test also indirectly provides information on the sensitivity of isolated pathogens and adequacy of the drug blood levels after administration of the chosen dose.

EMBO J, 1985 May, 4(5), 1339 - 44
Structure of wild-type and mutant repressors and of the control region of the rbt operon of Klebsiella aerogenes; Wu J et al.; Pentitol metabolism in Klebsiella aerogenes is encoded by continuous ribitol (rbt) and D-arabitol (dal) operons transcribed in bipolar fashion and sandwiched between long stretches of homologous DNA . The operons are separated by a central control region (2.2 kb) which encodes both the repressors and all the control sequences . The rbt repressor (270 amino acids) shows homology to the Escherichia coli lac repressor and other DNA-binding proteins . It is transcribed from the strand opposite the rbt operon and the intervening control region (254-bp) contains features which reflect the complex regulation . A rbt-constitutive mutant strain used in previous studies of experimental enzyme evolution encodes a truncated rbt-peptide of 133 residues due to a frameshift mutation.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 May, 31(5), 472 - 8
Extracellular polysaccharide production by Klebsiella pneumoniae and its relationship to virulence; Domenico P et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 1 and serotype 2 and their capsular variants were examined for production of cell-associated capsular polysaccharides and extracellular capsular polysaccharides . The virulence of these organisms in experimental animals was examined via intraperitoneal injection in mice and transtracheal inoculation into the lungs of rats . It was found that the production of either polysaccharide component correlated with the observed virulence . The extracellular polysaccharides were purified by ethanol precipitation, electrodialysis, extraction with quaternary ammonium salts, and gel filtration . These purification steps allowed for the separation and purification of both the extracellular lipopolysaccharide and the extracellular capsular polysaccharide . Purified extracellular capsular polysaccharide and extracellular lipopolysaccharide were co-injected with K . pneumoniae intraperitoneally into mice to determine if either of these substances would produce an effect on the natural course of infection in these animals . These studies showed that only purified extracellular lipopolysaccharide enhanced the virulence of K . pneumoniae when co-injected into mice, and this virulence enhancement correlated with the content of extracellular lipopolysaccharide, but not extracellular capsular polysaccharide in mixtures of these polysaccharides . Saponification of K . pneumoniae serotype 1 extracellular polysaccharides significantly decreased their virulence-enhancing capabilities in mice, further suggesting that extracellular lipopolysaccharide may play a role in these infections.

Infect Immun, 1985 May, 48(2), 287 - 91
Effects of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis on peritoneal host defenses; Dunn DL et al.; Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis are common copathogens in clinical intra-abdominal sepsis, yet it is unclear how they interact synergistically in vivo . We sought to determine whether E . coli and B . fragilis, in combination but not alone, could exert a detrimental effect on the peritoneal host defenses of translymphatic absorption and bacterial phagocytosis . Our data indicated that nonviable E . coli (O18ab:K56/K7:- and O111:B4), Klebsiella pneumoniae, B . fragilis, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron were handled in a similar fashion by both host defenses of the peritoneal cavity . The use of 2 X 10(8) nonviable radiolabeled E . coli as a tracer and either 2 X 10(9) B . fragilis or 2 X 10(9) E . coli (either viable or nonviable) as a competing agent to inhibit host defenses demonstrated that although clearance and phagocytosis could be inhibited, the inhibition occurred to a similar degree with either E . coli or B . fragilis . Thus, B . fragilis did not compete to any greater extent than E . coli did for peritoneal clearance or opsonization and phagocytosis in vivo . These data indicate that bacterial synergy probably does not occur on the basis of reduced peritoneal clearance or by a reduction in the opsonization and phagocytosis of either organism by the copathogen . These results provide indirect support for the hypothesis that in bacterial synergy, one organism directly stimulates the growth of the other, perhaps by providing a growth factor.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Apr 10, 260(7), 3891 - 4
Inhibition of iron-molybdenum cofactor binding to component I of nitrogenase; Shah VK et al.; Tetrathiomolybdate inhibits iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo cofactor) binding to component I of nitrogenase . Molybdenum-iron cluster (a subcomponent of FeMo cofactor) and tetrathiomolybdate inhibited FeMo cofactor activation of inactive nitrogenase component I in extracts of Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumoniae mutant strains defective in the biosynthesis of FeMo cofactor . Addition of tetrathiotungstate, the tungsten analog of tetrathiomolybdate, to the mutant extracts had no significant inhibitory effect on subsequent activation by FeMo cofactor.

Ann Acad Med Singapore, 1985 Apr, 14(2), 261 - 5
Pyogenic hepatic abscess and diabetes mellitus--a probable association; Chew SK et al.; Four patients with pyogenic hepatic abscesses are reported . There were three females and one male with an age range of 36-75 years . In all the cases, diabetes mellitus was associated . Confirmation of the abscesses was obtained by liver scanning or ultrasonography, or both . In one patient, the clinical course was complicated by sympathetic pericardial effusion with right heart failure . Two patients had percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the abscesses under fluoroscopy . All four patients eventually required laparotomy and open drainage of the abscesses . Diabetic control was achieved with insulin therapy . The common causative organism in all instances was the Klebsiella species . Three patients recovered . The remaining one developed hypotension post-operatively and died of brain-stem infarction and the hepato-renal syndrome.

Anaesthesist, 1985 Apr, 34(4), 203 - 7
{Pathogenic flora in the gastric juice and bronchial secretion of long-term ventilated intensive-care patients}; Mauritz W et al.; Nosocomial pneumonia is a major risk for long term ventilated ICU patients . The infection route may be hematogenic or via inhalation or aspiration of microorganisms . The source of aspiration is the oropharynx . This prospective study intended to study the role of the stomach as a reservoir of bacteria in ICU patients treated with cimetidine . Gastric juice and bronchial secretion from 34 patients ventilated for more than 4 days were examined bacteriologically . 72,8% of the gastric (G) and 79,1% of the bronchial aspirates (B) revealed significant bacterial growth (more than 10(4) microorganism/ml) . Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Candida spp . were found in 56,7% (B) and 51,8% (G) of the positive cultures as an effect of selection caused by antibiotics . Organisms of intestinal origin were found in 17,8% (B) und 15,5% (G), respectively . In 32,5%, identical organisms or patterns of organisms were found in the gastric and bronchial aspirates . 7 of the 34 patients (20,6%) developed pneumonia; in 6 of these 7 cases, the same organisms could be identified at the same and/or at the last examination before developing pneumonia in gastric content and bronchial secretion . The pH-value of the sterile aspirates was lower than of the colonized aspirates (5,39 vs 5,99) . During enteral nutrition, 31,4% of the aspirates were sterile, whereas during parenteral nutrition only 24,3% of the gastric aspirates were sterile . Therefore, enteral nutrition should be started as soon as possible, the pH-value should be checked frequently and should not exceed 4 in order to reduce bacterial overgrowth in the stomach . A further consequence is to use as few antibiotics as possible.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Apr, 151(4), 658 - 64
Induction of increased antibody responses to pneumococcal type 19F polysaccharide by Klebsiella polysaccharide; Lee CJ et al.; The level of antibody to pneumococcal 19F polysaccharide (PS) was studied in the serum of mice inoculated with klebsiella K2 PS or pneumococcal 19F PS or both . The serum antibody levels and the IgM plaque-forming-cell (PFC) response after immunization were higher in mice given both K2 PS and 19F PS than in mice of a control group given 19F PS alone . This immune response was also higher than the sum of PFC production in mice given 19F PS or K2 PS separately . Thus, K2 PS produced the cross-reactive antibody to 19F PS and also enhanced the magnitude of the antibody response to 19F PS . This response appeared to be specific for the 19F PS . The resulting high levels of antibody to pneumococcal 19F persisted for eight weeks after the administration of K2 PS and 19F PS . Animals immunized with both type 3 PS and K2 PS did not show an increased antibody response to pneumococcal type 3 PS . Klebsiella K-O3 antigen also stimulated the immune response to 19F PS . Higher immunologic responses to 19F PS were also induced in nude mice injected with the cross-reacting K2 PS or K47 PS and 19F PS . The ability to stimulate an antibody response to 19F PS by administering both K2 PS and 19F PS could not be transferred with spleen cells obtained from mice given both K2 PS and 19F PS.

J Clin Invest, 1985 Apr, 75(4), 1138 - 43
Homology of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the heavy and light chains of human monoclonal lupus autoantibodies containing the dominant 16/6 idiotype; Atkinson PM et al.; The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences have been determined by automated Edman degradation for the heavy and light chains of five monoclonal IgM anti-DNA autoantibodies that were produced by human-human hybridomas derived from lymphocytes of two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus . Four of the antibodies were closely related to the idiotype system 16/6, whereas the fifth antibody was unrelated idiotypically . The light chains of the 16/6 idiotype-positive autoantibodies (HF2-1/13b, HF2-1/17, HF2-18/2, and HF3-16/6) had identical amino acid sequences from residues 1 to 40 . Their framework structures were characteristic of VKI light chains . The light chain of the 16/6 idiotype-negative autoantibody HF6-21/28 was characteristic of the VKII subgroup . The heavy chains of the 16/6 idiotype-positive autoantibodies had nearly identical amino acid sequences from residues 1 to 40 . The framework structures were characteristic of the VHIII subgroup . In contrast, the GM4672 fusion partner of the hybridoma produced small quantities of an IgG with a VHI heavy chain and a VKI light chain . The heavy chains of the lupus autoantibodies and the light chains of those autoantibodies that were idiotypically related to the 16/6 system had marked sequence homology with WEA, a Waldenstrom IgM that binds to Klebsiella polysaccharides and expresses the 16/6 idiotype . These results indicate a striking homology in the amino termini of the heavy and light chains of the lupus autoantibodies studied and suggest that the V regions of the heavy and light chains of the 16/6 idiotype-positive DNA-binding lupus auto-antibodies are each encoded by a single germ line gene.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 49(4), 1022 - 4
Selective medium for the isolation and enumeration of Klebsiella spp; Wong SH et al.; A highly selective medium for the enumeration and isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca was developed in which the typical colonies were convex and 1 to 2 mm in diameter . Their pigment was either a mucoid pink-red color or a more watery pale red with a dark red center . Relatively little colonial growth occurred for any other bacterial genera, and where such colonies did grow, they could be easily differentiated since the form was atypical . The medium already appears to have potential value as a means of assessing the efficiency of treating sewage and monitoring the microbiological quality of vegetables.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Apr, 162(1), 98 - 101
In vivo synthesis of histidine by a cloned histidine ammonia-lyase in Escherichia coli; Fuchs RL et al.; Histidine ammonia-lyase catalyzes the first step in histidine catabolism, the deamination of histidine to urocanate and ammonia . In vitro experiments have shown that histidine ammonia-lyase also can catalyze the reverse (amination) reaction, histidine synthesis, relatively efficiently under extreme reaction conditions (4 M NH4OH, pH 10) . An Escherichia coli hisB deletion strain was transformed with a pBR322 derivative plasmid (pCB101) containing the entire Klebsiella aerogenes histidine utilization (hut) operon to determine whether the catabolic histidine ammonia-lyase could function biosynthetically in vivo to satisfy the histidine auxotrophy . Although the initial construct did not grow on media containing urocanate and ammonia as a source of histidine, spontaneous mutants possessing this ability were isolated . Four mutants characterized grew at doubling times of 4 h compared with 1 h when histidine was present, suggesting that histidine synthesis, although unequivocally present, remained growth limiting . Each mutant contained a plasmid-encoded mutation which eliminated urocanase activity, the second enzyme in the Hut catabolic pathway . This genetic block led to the accumulation of high intracellular levels of urocanate, which was subsequently converted to histidine via histidine ammonia-lyase, thus satisfying the histidine auxotrophic requirement.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Apr, 162(1), 21 - 8
Molecular cloning of nif DNA from Azotobacter vinelandii; Bishop PE et al.; Two clones which contained nif DNA were isolated from a clone bank of total EcoRI-digested Azotobacter vinelandii DNA . The clones carrying the recombinant plasmids were identified by use of the 32P-labeled 6.2-kilobase (kb) nif insert from pSA30 (which contains the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifK, nifD, and nifH genes) as a hybridization probe . Hybridization analysis with fragments derived from the nif insert of pSA30 showed that the 2.6-kb insert from one of the plasmids (pLB1) contains nifK whereas the 1.4-kb insert from the other plasmid (pLB3) contains nifD . Marker rescue tests using genetic transformation indicated that the 2.6-kb A . vinelandii nif fragment contains the wild-type alleles for the nif-6 and nif-38 mutations carried by Nif- strains UW6 and UW38 . The 1.4-kb insert contains the wild-type allele for the nif-10 mutation carried by Nif- strain UW10.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Apr, 151(4), 665 - 71
Safety and immunogenicity of Klebsiella pneumoniae K1 capsular polysaccharide vaccine in humans; Cryz SJ Jr et al.; The safety and immunogenicity of two Klebsiella pneumoniae K1 capsular polysaccharide (CPS) vaccines were evaluated in humans . Trace quantities of lipopolysaccharide present in vaccine preparations were detoxified by treatment of K1 CPS in a 95% ethanol-0.1 N NaOH solution . This procedure greatly reduced the pyrogenicity of K1 CPS but did not markedly alter its antigenicity, molecular size, or immunogenicity for animals . Volunteers received either 25 or 50 micrograms of untreated or NaOH-treated K1 CPS vaccine subcutaneously . Systemic reactions on primary vaccination were infrequent with both vaccine preparations . However, the frequency and severity of local reactions were substantially reduced after immunization with NaOH-treated vaccine as compared with untreated K1 CPS . All vaccinees responded with a fourfold or greater rise in IgG and IgM titers . IgG antibody to K1 CPS isolated from immune sera was highly effective in preventing fatal experimental burn wound sepsis due to K . pneumoniae K1 in mice.

Aust N Z J Surg, 1985 Apr, 55(2), 213 - 5
A case of pancreatitis associated with gastrinoma; Danne PD et al.; A case is presented of a 56 year old man with a history of idiopathic pancreatitis and multiple admissions for Klebsiella sepsis from an intra-abdominal focus, who in February 1980, developed spontaneous jejunal perforations on two occasions due to multiple ulcers in the small intestine associated with multiple hepatic metastases from a gastrin-secreting islet-cell tumor (gastrinoma) of the pancreas . On searching the literature, no other record could be found of an association between pancreatitis and a gastrinoma, although in this patient the two disease processes appear to be inextricably related.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Apr, 27(4), 666 - 9
Microcin E492, a low-molecular-weight peptide antibiotic which causes depolarization of the Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membrane; de Lorenzo V et al.; Microcin E492 is a 5,000- to 7,000-molecular-weight peptide antibiotic which depolarizes the cytoplasmic membrane of sensitive Escherichia coli K-12 cells . The microcin has many features in common with colicin V but is distinguished from it by the absence of microcin E472 immunity in ColV+ strains and by the fact that colicin V-insensitive Cir mutants of E . coli K-12 are microcin sensitive . Neither of the two plasmids detected in the producing strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae appear to carry the determinants for microcin E492 production or immunity, which is in contrast to the situation found hitherto with other microcins and colicins.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1985 Mar, 38(3), 340 - 5
Factors affecting microcin E492 production; de Lorenzo V; The production of the antibiotic polypeptide microcin E492 by Klebsiella pneumoniae RYC492 has been studied in respect to the composition of the culture medium . The nature of both the carbon and nitrogen sources had a dramatic effect on the levels of the microcin detected in the supernants of the liquid cultures . Gluconeogenic precursors such as lactate or citrate led to microcin titers 10 to 100 fold higher than those obtained with glucose . However, neither glycerol nor cAMP stimulated the production, ruling out a typical type of catabolic repression by glucose . Limitation of growth by phosphate or nitrogen led to a marked decrease in production . Treatment with mitomycin C did not result in an enhancement of microcin levels.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Mar, 38(3), 859 - 68
{Fundamental and clinical studies of a sustained release preparation of cefaclor in the surgical field}; Yura J et al.; Fundamental and clinical studies of S6472 (sustained release preparation of cefaclor (CCL} were conducted in the surgical field and it was confirmed that the preparation is a useful drug . The following is the summary of the results from the fundamental and clinical studies: In vitro antibacterial activity . CCL showed MICs of 0.78 to 6.25 micrograms/ml against almost strains of S . aureus, E . coli and Klebsiella isolated from surgical wound regions, and the antibacterial activities were stronger than those of cephalexin (CEX) . Clinical efficacy . S6472 was orally administered to 33 patients with skin and soft tissue infections in 2 divided doses . As a result, excellent clinical response was observed in 13 patients, good response observed in 14 patients, fair in 4 and poor in 1 . The clinical efficacy in 1 of the 33 patients was unknown . Overall clinical effective rate was 84.4% . Adverse reaction . In 2 patients, mild gastrointestinal symptoms were observed.

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1985 Mar, 16(1), 98 - 103
Biochemical characterization of E . coli transconjugants with plasmids derived from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Bow H; Sixty-three strains of E . coli transconjugants derived from E . coli K12 J62-1 containing plasmids derived from Klebsiella pneumoniae, were examined for the presence of phenotypic markers other than antibiotic resistance . This investigation was carried out using API 50CHE and API ZYM tests . Beta-glucosidase was found in 63/63 J62-1 transconjugants . Dulcitol dehydrogenase was present in 92.1% while beta-galactosidase was present in 70% of transconjugants . None of the three enzymes were present in the recipient . Dulcitol dehydrogenase was present only in the transconjugants and is absent from the donors and recipient . The transconjugants, cured of their antibiotic resistant plasmids retained dulcitol dehydrogenase activity . The Klebsiella donors were not cured of antibiotic resistance by the curing process.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Mar, 31(3), 297 - 300
A thiol-activated hemolysin in gram-negative bacteria; Albesa I et al.; An investigation of Klebsiella pneumoniae hemolytic activity was carried out . Strains isolated from different infected specimens were hemolytic in tryptic soy agar with rabbit blood; incubation at 4 degrees C enhanced the hemolysis . There was no evident red blood cell lysis in plates with human, sheep, mouse, and chicken erythrocytes . The culture in tryptic soy broth, its supernatant and bacterial lysate did produce evident hemolysis of rabbit red blood cells when they were preincubated with 2-mercaptoethanol . Klebsiella pneumoniae hemolysin showed the Arrhenius effect, while temperatures over 60 degrees C for 10 min reduced the activity of crude hemolysin to zero; purified hemolysin, however, was heat stable . Two hemolysins active on rabbit red blood cells were purified and both shared several properties . This work represents the initial description of a thiol-activated hemolysin in Gram-negative bacteria.

Pediatr Dermatol, 1985 Mar, 2(3), 197 - 200
Toxic epidermal necrolysis in a 6-week-old infant; Hawk RJ et al.; Toxic epidermal necrolysis was documented in a 6-week-old infant with Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis who received many medications . We inoculated infant mice with the K . pneumoniae isolate but were unable to produce histologic changes resembling those seen in our patient . This condition should be included in the differential diagnosis of severe drug reactions in very young infants with clinical scalded-skin syndromes.

Am J Hematol, 1985 Mar, 18(3), 329 - 32
Spurious elevated platelet counts associated with bacteremia; Gloster ES et al.; Spuriously elevated automated platelet counts secondary to in vivo bacteremia have not been reported previously . Two patients are described with blood cultures positive for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively, and bacteria present on peripheral blood smear . Those bacteria caused falsely elevated platelet counts to be generated by the Ortho ELT-8 . These cases illustrate an unusual artifact and demonstrate that spurious counts can be generated by laser optical blood cell counters.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Mar, 161(3), 868 - 74
Mutational analysis of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase promoter: sequences essential for positive control by nifA and ntrC (glnG) products; Ow DW et al.; ntr (nitrogen regulated) and nif (nitrogen fixation) promoters are structurally similar to each other but bear no resemblance to canonic Escherichia coli promoters . ntr promoters are normally activated by the ntrC (glnG) product, but they can also be activated by the ntrC-related Klebsiella pneumoniae nifA product . In contrast, nif promoters of K . pneumoniae such as the nitrogenase (nifH) promoter can only be nifA activated . In this paper, we report the isolation and characterization of 28 mutants of the K . pneumoniae nifH promoter . Class A mutants no longer respond to nifA-mediated transcription, and class B mutants can now respond to ntrC-mediated activation . These two classes of mutants define sequences important to nifA- and ntrC-mediated transcription . Most surprising is that a single base change is sufficient to convert a nifA-activated promoter into an ntrC-activated one.

Eur J Epidemiol, 1985 Mar, 1(1), 48 - 53
Plasmid-specified aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Facinelli B et al.; In 106 clinical isolates of multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, we found that aminoglycoside-resistance was due mostly to two adenylating enzymes: AAD (2") (56.6%), that modifies gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin and sissomicin, and AAD (3") 9 (56.6% + 19.8%) that modifies streptomycin and spectinomycin . The identification of these enzymes was possible by MICs determination against a set of aminoglycosides antibiotics . AAD (2") + AAD (3")9 were coded by conjugative plasmid of about 120 Md.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1985 Mar, 44(3), 169 - 75
Klebsiella 'modifying factor': binding studies with HLA-B27+ and B27- lymphocytes; Trapani JA et al.; On the basis that extracts of some klebsiella organisms bind selectively to the lymphocytes of HLA-B27+ individuals and induce the appearance of new antigens, attempts were made to detect the binding of klebsiella products to HLA-B27+ and B27- lymphocytes by a number of different techniques . Firstly, blocking of the binding of two different HLA-B27 specific monoclonal antibodies to HLA-B27+ lymphocytes has been examined following exposure of the lymphocytes to a cell-free culture filtrate from K . pneumoniae K21 and K43 . There was no reduction in the cytotoxicity of either antibody, suggesting that neither of the epitopes detected by the anti-HLA-B27 monoclonal antibodies is a binding site for klebsiella products . Secondly, we have studied the binding of partially purified, radiolabelled klebsiella products to healthy HLA-B27+ and B27- lymphocytes . There was no significant difference either in terms of numerical counts bound or by comparing, by SDS-PAGE analysis, the molecules bound to each cell type . At the level of sensitivities of these techniques we can detect no difference in binding of klebsiella products to the lymphocytes of healthy HLA-B27+ and B27- individuals.

Can J Microbiol, 1985 Feb, 31(2), 176 - 80
The role of encapsulation in the pathogenesis of anaerobic gram-positive cocci; Brook I et al.; The pathogenicity of 22 anaerobic and facultative Gram-positive cocci (AFGPC) was investigated by inoculating them into mice and determining their ability to cause subcutaneous abscesses . Only 11 heavily encapsulated isolates (greater than 50% of the cells were encapsulated) induced abscesses . However, when the other 11 isolates were injected with Bacteroides sp . or facultative and aerobic bacteria, abscesses were formed in 8 of the 11 combinations . The AFGPC recovered from the mixed infections contained many encapsulated cells . Encapsulation also occurred in cocci injected with capsular material or with Formalin-killed cells of Klebsiella pneumoniae or capsule-positive Bacteroides sp . After acquisition of capsules, these strains could induce abscesses on reinoculation in mice.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Feb, 49(2), 294 - 8
Cloning of the pullulanase gene and overproduction of pullulanase in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes; Takizawa N et al.; The pullulanase gene (pul) of Klebsiella aerogenes was cloned into a pBR322 vector in Escherichia coli . Deletion analysis of the recombinant plasmid showed that the pul coding sequence, probably with the regulator gene, was located entirely within a 4.2-kilobase segment derived from the chromosomal DNA of K . aerogenes . E . coli cells carrying the recombinant plasmids produced about three- to sevenfold more pullulanase than did the wild-type strain of K . aerogenes W70 . When the cloned cells of E . coli were grown with pullulan or maltose, most pullulanase was produced intracellularly, whereas K . aerogenes produced pullulanase extracellularly . Transfer of the plasmid containing the pul gene into K . aerogenes W70 resulted in about a 20- to 40-fold increase in total production of pullulanase, and the intracellular enzyme level was about 100- to 150-fold higher than that of the parent strain W70 . The high level of pullulanase activity in K . aerogenes cells carrying the recombinant plasmid was maintained for at least 2 weeks.

Infect Control, 1985 Feb, 6(2), 64 - 7
Resistance to antibiotics in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae; O'Brien TF et al.; The antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from 12 medical centers worldwide, over a 1- to 6-year period, were tested . Clinical isolates of K . pneumoniae were resistant to ampicillin and carbenicillin . Resistance to other antibiotics was less frequent with isolates of K . pneumoniae from 5 of 6 US centers than with those from 6 centers outside the US . In nearly all of the centers, resistance to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, gentamicin, tobramycin, or chloramphenicol was more frequent in isolates of K . pneumoniae than in those of Escherichia coli, while the reverse was true for resistance to tetracycline . Resistance to multiple antibiotics declined gradually in isolates of K . pneumoniae at one center, but rose abruptly again with dissemination of a new plasmid.

Infect Control, 1985 Feb, 6(2), 59 - 63
Klebsiella marker systems; Rubin SJ; Klebsiella marker systems include determination of susceptibility patterns, serotype, bacteriocin susceptibility, bacteriophage susceptibility, biotype, and plasmid content, size and endonuclease fragment size . Susceptibility patterns are useful only if unusual patterns (ie, aminoglycoside resistance) occur . Serotypes are stable, reproducible markers . Over 90% of isolates can be serotyped and epidemiologically unrelated strains are widely distributed among the 72 standard types . Antisera are not available commercially except to types 1 to 6 and serotyping is expensive and time-consuming . Bacteriocin susceptibility typing is easier and cheaper but reproducibility is sometimes poor . Depending on the producer strains used, between 67% and 96% of strains are typable . As a single typing method, bacteriophage typing is not very sensitive . Only 70% of strains are typable and 20% are of a single type . There are two major problems with most biotyping systems: poor reproducibility and poor sensitivity . A high percent of strains is the same type . Plasmid analysis is technically the most complicated but is important if strains are aminoglycoside resistant . No one method is ideal, and characterization of isolates from an outbreak is best done by using several different marker systems.

Infect Control, 1985 Feb, 6(2), 52 - 8
Habitat association of Klebsiella species; Bagley ST; The genus Klebsiella is seemingly ubiquitous in terms of its habitat associations . Klebsiella is a common opportunistic pathogen for humans and other animals, as well as being resident or transient flora (particularly in the gastrointestinal tract) . Other habitats include sewage, drinking water, soils, surface waters, industrial effluents, and vegetation . Until recently, almost all these Klebsiella have been identified as one species, ie, K . pneumoniae . However, phenotypic and genotypic studies have shown that "K . pneumoniae" actually consists of at least four species, all with distinct characteristics and habitats . General habitat associations of Klebsiella species are as follows: K . pneumoniae--humans, animals, sewage, and polluted waters and soils; K . oxytoca--frequent association with most habitats; K . terrigena--unpolluted surface waters and soils, drinking water, and vegetation; K . planticola--sewage, polluted surface waters, soils, and vegetation; and K . ozaenae/K . rhinoscleromatis--infrequently detected (primarily with humans).

Infect Immun, 1985 Feb, 47(2), 421 - 8
Immunogenic properties of octasaccharide-protein conjugates derived from Klebsiella serotype 11 capsular polysaccharide; Zigterman JW et al.; The tetrasaccharide repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella serotype 11, K11PS, comprises the following sequence: {----3)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1----3)-alpha-D-Galp-(1----3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1 ----} with a 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl residue linked to O-4 of the glucuronic acid residue . Octasaccharide (OS) derived from K11PS by bacteriophage phi 11-associated glycanase, was coupled to bovine serum albumin and to keyhole limpet hemocyanin . The immunogenicity of various antigens after intraperitoneal immunization was studied by measuring the levels of circulating antibodies . Injection of BALB/c mice with K11PS resulted in induction of 2-mercaptoethanol-sensitive immunoglobulin M antibodies . The responses observed in BALB/c nu/nu mice and in male (CBA/N X C3H/HeN)F1 mice indicate that K11PS is a thymus-independent type 2 antigen . Immunization of BALB/c mice with either OS-bovine serum albumin or OS-keyhole limpet hemocyanin resulted in the induction of circulating 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant immunoglobulin G antibodies . Results in BALB/c nu/nu mice indicate that the OS-protein conjugates are thymus-dependent antigens . Since the OS-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate induced antibodies in both (CBA/N X C3H/HeN)F1 females and males, we propose to refer to this kind of antigen as a thymus-dependent type 1 antigen, whereas OS-bovine serum albumin, which evoked immunoglobulins in (CBA/N X C3H/HeN)F1 females only, can be referred to as a thymus-dependent type 2 antigen.

Immunology, 1985 Feb, 54(2), 317 - 24
Comparative studies on adjuvanticity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide and its lipid A and polysaccharide fractions; Kato N et al.; Previously, we found that Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) exhibits very strong adjuvant activity in augmenting the delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody responses to protein antigens, and also strong ability to enlarge the regional lymph node in mice . By hydrolysis in 1% acetic acid at 100 degrees for 1 hr, KO3 LPS was dissociated into 54-60% polysaccharide fraction and 25-27% lipid A fraction . The lipid A fraction thus prepared retained lethal toxicity for mice, whereas the polysaccharide fraction was essentially non-toxic . However, neither the lipid A fraction nor the polysaccharide fraction could reproduce the strong adjuvanticity of KO3 LPS, and a simple mixture of these two fractions also failed to do so . It is therefore concluded that, for expression of the strong adjuvanticity of KO3 LPS, both the lipid A and polysaccharide moieties are indispensable and must be combined in the form of LPS . By contrast, administration of relatively large amounts of the lipid A fraction alone could elicit enlargement of the regional lymph node to the same degree as that attained by KO3 LPS . The regional lymph node-enlarging activity of the lipid A fraction in lesser amounts was enhanced by addition of the polysaccharide fraction . It is therefore likely that there is no direct correlation between adjuvant activity of the LPS or its derivatives, and their regional lymph node-enlarging activity.

Cell Immunol, 1985 Feb, 90(2), 569 - 76
Immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G secretion by human B cells exposed to RU 41.740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Martinez-Maza O et al.; RU 41.740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae, was seen to activate human B cells to immunoglobulin secretion in vitro . The effects of RU 41.740 on human B cells were compared to those induced by pokeweed mitogen, a T-cell-dependent polyclonal B-cell activator, and Epstein-Barr virus, a T-cell-independent polyclonal B-cell activator . Exposure of human B cells to all of these agents resulted in increased immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) secretion . IgM and IgG secretion induced by RU 41.740 appeared to be T cell dependent when B cells were isolated from human peripheral blood . However, this activity may have been T cell independent when B cells were isolated from human spleen . RU 41.740-induced IgM secretion by peripheral blood B cells was seen to peak after 6 days in culture; IgG secretion peaked after 7 days in culture . The optimal concentration of RU 41.740 for the induction of IgM and IgG secretion by human B cells in vitro was seen to be 200 micrograms/ml.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Feb, 27(2), 220 - 3
Effect of subinhibitory concentrations of cephalosporins on surface properties and siderophore production in iron-depleted Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kadurugamuwa JL et al.; Subinhibitory MICs (sub-MICs) of several cephalosporins significantly reduced the enterochelin production of Klebsiella pneumoniae 327 grown under iron-depleted conditions and also reduced capsule formation regardless of iron availability . The surface hydrophobicity of K . pneumoniae 327 increased significantly when the bacteria were grown in either iron-sufficient or iron-depleted media in the presence of sub-MICs of all the cephalosporins used in this study . Antisera raised against a non-encapsulated K . pneumoniae strain caused rapid agglutination of K . pneumoniae 327 grown in the presence of sub-MICs of the cephalosporins but no agglutination of the same strain grown in drug-free media . The results indicated that the cephalosporins reduced enterochelin production and also capsule formation to the extent that noncapsular surface antigens were exposed, with possible significant consequences in vivo.

Infect Control, 1985 Feb, 6(2), 75 - 7
Klebsiella pneumoniae: selected virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity; Highsmith AK et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae infections occur in humans of all ages, however the highest risk groups appear to be infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised . One or more virulence factors may contribute to pathogenicity in humans . In this article we review three factors that may mediate virulence: cell wall receptors, capsular polysaccharide, and endotoxin . First, the presence of cell wall receptors enables K . pneumoniae to attach to the host cell, thereby altering the bacterial surface so that phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages is impaired and invasion of the non-phagocytic host cell is facilitated . Second, invasion of the host cell is also facilitated by the large polysaccharide capsule surrounding the bacterial cell; in addition this capsule acts as a barrier and protects the bacteria from phagocytosis . Third, K . pneumoniae produces an endotoxin that appears to be independent of factors that determine receptors and capsular characteristics . Marked interspecies differences in endotoxin production may correlate with virulence . Although some or all of these factors may ultimately determine virulence, the interaction of these factors in vivo has made it difficult to assess the relative contribution of any one of these virulence factors . The pathogenic mechanisms of K . pneumoniae that ultimately determine virulence remain unclear and will require further study.

Hinyokika Kiyo, 1985 Feb, 31(2), 273 - 9
{Study on the prostatic tissue levels of cefmenoxime (CMX)}; Kataoka K et al.; The concentrations of Cefmenoxime (CMX) were examined in the serum and prostatic tissue of 25 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and of 1 patient with prostatic carcinoma . The CMX levels were measured at scheduled intervals after 2 g CMX administration by one hour drip infusion prior to prostatectomy . Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed based on the two compartment open model theory . 1) Maximum serum level of CMX was 124 micrograms/ml at the end of drip infusion and the biological half-life was 1.07 hrs . 2) CMX concentration in prostatic tissue reached a maximum level of 35.7 cg/g at 1.16 hrs after the start of CMX administration . Ratio of prostatic tissue to serum level in the area under curve (AUC) was 33% and biological half-life was 1.07 hrs . These results suggested that the CMX concentration in the prostatic tissue was higher than the MIC80 against pathogenic bacteria, particularly E.coli and Klebsiella sp . for a relatively long time . For this reason CMX is one of the more preferred drugs for treatment of chronic prostatitis and post-operative infection of prostate.

Carbohydr Res, 1985 Jan 15, 135(2), 291 - 302
Studies of the inhibition by malto-oligosaccharides of the cyclisation reaction catalysed by the cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Klebsiella pneumoniae M 5 al with glycogen; Bender H; The substrate qualities of malto-oligosaccharides for the disproportionation reaction catalysed by the cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase {(1----4)-alpha-D-glucan:{(1----4)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl}transferase (cyclising) EC 2.4.1.19} from Klebsiella pneumoniae M 5 al have been re-investigated . Maltose failed to be homologised with measurable velocity . The initial rates of disproportionation and the affinities of the enzyme increased with the chain lengths of the substrates . Maltopentaose was the smallest saccharide which, by disproportionation, yielded longer chains being cyclised initially . D-Glucose did not affect the initial cyclisation from glycogen, but served as acceptor for the "chain-shortening" reaction . Maltose inhibited the initial cyclisation reaction in a linearly competitive manner . Maltotriose and maltotetraose inhibited the cyclisation reaction competitively, the inhibition kinetics pointing to the binding of two effector-molecules to the enzyme . Competitive inhibition was also found with malto-pentaose, -hexaose, and -heptaose . The degrees of inhibition increased from maltose to maltotetraose, and decreased with the larger saccharides; maltotriose and maltotetraose were the most effective inhibitors of the initial cyclisation . Some possibilities for the subsite-mechanisms are discussed.

Microbiol Immunol, 1985, 29(11), 1059 - 68
Formation of a hexagonal lattice structure by an R-form lipopolysaccharide of Klebsiella: relationship between lattice formation and uniform salt forms; Kato N et al.; Various uniform salt forms of an R-form lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from Klebsiella strain LEN-111 (O3-:K1-) were prepared and their ultrastructure was examined . The LPS, which was extracted by the phenol-water method, freed from contamination with RNA by treatment with RNase, and precipitated by addition of two volumes of 10 mM MgCl2-ethanol, was used as the original preparation for uniform salt forms . The original LPS preparation formed a hexagonal lattice structure with a lattice constant of 14.9 +/- 0.2 nm . The LPS after electrodialysis retained the ability to form a hexagonal lattice structure, although its lattice constant was large (18.7 +/- 0.5 nm) and the lattice structure of the electrodialyzed LPS was labile at pH 8.0 in contrast to that of the original LPS preparation . The magnesium salt form of the LPS formed essentially the same ordered hexagonal lattice structure (lattice constant of 15.0 +/- 0.2 nm) as that of the original LPS preparation . The calcium and ammonium salt forms formed a hexagonal lattice structure, but the lattice constants of the calcium and ammonium salt forms were larger (18.6 +/- 0.6 nm and 19.3 +/- 0.4 nm, respectively) than that of the magnesium salt form . The sodium and potassium salt forms consisted of freely branching ribbon-like structures with an average width of 13 nm and an average thickness of 9 nm . The triethylamine salt form consisted principally of short rods (10 nm X 9-13 nm).

Microbiol Immunol, 1985, 29(11), 1051 - 7
Formation of a hexagonal lattice structure by an R-form lipopolysaccharide of Klebsiella: comparative study of preparations extracted by the phenol-water and the phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether methods; Kato N et al.; An R-form lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from Klebsiella strain LEN-111 (O3-:K1-) by the phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether method was compared with that extracted by the phenol-water method in the ability to form a hexagonal assembly . The LPS which was extracted by the phenol-water method and dialyzed against tap water to remove phenol showed ribbon-like structures, and it formed a hexagonal lattice structure with a lattice constant of 14.5 +/- 0.3 nm when it was precipitated by addition of two volumes of 10 mM MgCl2-ethanol . The LPS which was extracted by the phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether method and lyophilized consisted of ribbon-like structures and their fragments and it often formed small pieces of a hexagonal lattice, although the LPS before lyophilization did not form such a lattice . When the LPS extracted by the phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether method was precipitated by addition of two volumes of 10 mM MgCl2-ethanol, it formed essentially the same hexagonal lattice structure as that formed by the LPS extracted by the phenol-water method . From these results it is concluded that the ability of the LPS to form a hexagonal lattice structure does not depend upon the method of its extraction from bacterial cells.

Microbiol Immunol, 1985, 29(3), 205 - 11
Adjuvant activity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide: inhibition of the adjuvant activity by concanavalin A; Kato N et al.; Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) was found to exhibit extraordinarily strong adjuvant activity in augmenting antibody responses and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to protein antigens in mice . The O-specific polysaccharide chain of KO3 LPS consists of alpha-mannoside . We investigated the effect of concanavalin A (Con A) or succinyl Con A, which is known to bind to alpha-mannoside, on the adjuvant activity of KO3 LPS in augmenting DTH to ovalbumin . When KO3 LPS was mixed with Con A prior to injection, the strong adjuvant activity of KO3 LPS in augmenting DTH was inhibited and the degree of inhibition depended upon the dose of Con A . An equal amount of Con A elicited nearly complete inhibition of the adjuvant activity of KO3 LPS, Con A at 1/10 the amount of LPS elicited partial inhibition, and Con A at 1/100 the amount of LPS showed no inhibition . An equal amount of succinyl Con A, which induced less marked aggregation of KO3 LPS than Con A, elicited inhibition of the adjuvant activity of KO3 LPS to an extent similar to that by Con A . On the other hand, Con A or succinyl Con A bound to KO3 LPS did not impair in any way the lethal toxicity of KO3 LPS for mice which is known to be due to the lipid A moiety . From these findings it is concluded that the strong adjuvant activity of KO3 LPS does not solely depend upon the lipid A moiety but the O-specific polysaccharide moiety plays an important role in expression of the adjuvant activity.

J Gen Virol, 1985 Jan, 66 ( Pt 1), 181 - 6
On the evolution of the terminal redundancies of Klebsiella phage No . 11 and of coliphages T3 and T7; Dietz A et al.; The phylogenetic relationship between Klebsiella phage No . 11 and the classical coliphages T7 and T3, postulated in a previous study, was investigated at the nucleotide level by sequencing the termini of phage No . 11 DNA . This DNA was found to have a terminal redundancy of 181 base pairs . Comparison of the terminal sequences of T7, T3 and No . 11 DNA suggests that the terminal redundancies of the three phages contain different expansions and variations of the short 'founder sequence' 5' TTAACCTTGGG 3' of a common ancestor.

C R Acad Sci III, 1985, 300(17), 619 - 22
{Demonstration of 2-5A synthetase in human circulating mononuclear cells after oral administration of an interferon inducer isolated from a fraction of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae}; Merlin G et al.; Evaluation of the activity of an enzyme activated by interferon (2'-5' oligo-isoadenylate synthetase or 2-5A synthetase) has been used to determine, in man, the interferon inducing capacity of a fraction isolated from Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, SL04, an immunomodulating agent administrated per os . An increase of the activity of this enzyme has been shown in four out of five volunteers following a single oral administration of 100 mg of SL04 . This activation demonstrated in humans confirms the pharmacological results of the interferon induction obtained with SL04 in vivo in mice and in vitro in human cell cultures.

Microbios, 1985, 44(179-180), 201 - 16
Microcalorimetry studies of energy changes during the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes in simple salts/glucose media: inhibition by nalidixic acid; Bowden CP et al.; The addition of nalidixic acid (NA) to exponentially growing cells of Klebsiella aerogenes in simple salts/glucose media has a marked effect on the thermal and other growth parameters of the cells . Mass and energy balances have been established for normal and inhibited growth . The decrease, with increasing NA concentration, of energy allocated to biomass and the increase in that wasted is discussed in terms of the energy stored in macromolecular species by the cells under conditions of stress . The enthalpy of production of cellular material, and the enthalpy of metabolism of glucose become more negative with increasing inhibition . A dual-dose response of NA was observed; at low concentrations the potency was greater than at high concentrations.

Br J Surg, 1985 Jan, 72(1), 52 - 5
Catheter-related sepsis in patients on intravenous nutrition: a prospective study of quantitative catheter cultures and guidewire changes for suspected sepsis; Pettigrew RA et al.; One hundred and ninety-five central venous catheters used for intravenous nutrition in 113 patients were studied prospectively . Catheter-related sepsis (CRS), defined by recovery of the same organism from the catheter tip and peripheral blood cultures, occurred with only 3.3 per cent of catheters or 2.3 per 1000 days of therapy . In contrast, CRS was suspected with 30 per cent of catheters and catheter contamination occurred in 37 per cent . Contamination was defined by a positive catheter tip culture without recovery of the same organism from the blood . CRS was present in 4 of 12 cases (33 per cent) with greater than 1000 colony forming units on the catheter tip but in only 2 of 54 (4 per cent) with fewer organisms . Thirty-eight cases suspected of having CRS were randomized to have catheter removal and later replacement, or replacement over a guidewire . There were no significant differences in the catheter contamination rate but there were significantly fewer problems of insertion in the guidewire group . However, transfer of Klebsiella sp., during the guidewire procedure, resulted in subsequent sepsis in one case . It is concluded that replacement of catheters over a guidewire is a safe and convenient way of establishing whether sepsis is catheter-related . Because organisms may be transferred, the procedure is not an appropriate treatment for catheter-related sepsis.

Rev Argent Microbiol, 1985, 17(1), 33 - 9
{A new oxygen-labile hemolysin in Klebsiella pneumoniae}; Albesa I et al.; The hemolytic activity of sixty K . pneumoniae strains was investigated in tryptic soy agar with rabbit, dog, sheep, human, chicken and mouse blood . All of them were lytic only for rabbit red cells . In liquid medium it was necessary a 2 mercaptoethanol treatment to detect a good degree of hemolysis . Cultures in tryptic soy broth gave 100% hemolysis in assays with rabbit erythrocytes and only when hemolysin was concentrated by purification was it active on dog and sheep but in a lesser degree (7.5% hemolysis) . Supernatants of cultures were precipitated at different saline concentrations; the fraction obtained with 30-50% (NH4)2SO4 had hemolytic activity after dialysis and 2 mercaptoethanol treatment . Then this fraction was eluted in a Sephadex G-100 column, but electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel showed that the hemolytic molecules obtained by gel filtration were contaminated with protein structures which had different electrophoretic migration . Ion-exchange chromatography showed best purification index and the recovery of activity was over 100%, it was possible to explain this good recovery once an inhibitor was detected . Two rabbit red cell lysins were purified, both shared several properties: SH-activation, pH optimum, thermolability, selectivity for rabbit red cells, mechanism of action, inhibition by cholesterol and divalent cations.

Microbios, 1985, 44(178), 75 - 85
Microcalorimetry studies of energy changes during the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes in simple salts/glucose media: growth in phosphate-limited medium; Bowden CP et al.; The power-time traces for cells of Klebsiella aerogenes grown in phosphate-limited media were unlike those for cells grown in phosphate-sufficient media . At a phosphate concentration of 18 mumol dm-3 three phases of growth were recognized: the exponential growth phase during which phosphate became exhausted; a slower growth phase to the exhaustion of glucose, and a period of minimal growth when acetate, formed as secondary metabolite, was metabolized . At a concentration of 40 mumol dm-3 only two phases were identified . From the measured values of biomass, carbon dioxide output, glucose and acetate, mass and energy balances were established for each phase of growth and for overall growth . The results are discussed in terms of the energy stored as biomass, that wasted as heat and that required for maintenance and biosynthetic processes when the cells are grown under normal and stressful conditions.

Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 201(3), 492 - 8
Interaction of purified NtrC protein with nitrogen regulated promoters from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Hawkes T et al.; The product of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogen regulatory gene ntrC has been purified and shown to be a dimeric protein of subunit molecular weight 54Kd, designated NtrC . In an in vitro coupled transcription-translation system NtrC inhibited expression from both the ntrBC and glnA promoters . NtrC bound to both of these ntr repressible promoters with equal affinity, but did not bind to the activatable nitrogen fixation promoters nifF or nifLA . NtrC makes contact with nucleotides flanking the -10 region of the glnA (RNA2) promoter at sequences homologous with the proposed consensus binding site.

Microbios, 1985, 43(173), 93 - 105
Microcalorimetry studies of energy changes during the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes in simple salts/glucose media; correlation of specific power and size of the ATP pool; Bowden CP et al.; A parallel study has been made of the variation of the ATP pool and the specific power of cells of Klebsiella aerogenes during aerobic growth in glucose-limited medium under carefully defined conditions of growth and test . During the early part of exponential growth there was a marked increase in both the ATP pool and the specific power to near constant values during the later stages of growth; oscillations about the mean values were observed for each parameter . With the exhaustion of glucose and the cessation of growth both and ATP pool and the specific power decreased rapidly, the ATP pool to a low constant value and the specific power to zero . Changes in the values of these parameters during growth are discussed and it is concluded that the specific power is more dependent on the rate of catabolism rather than on the degree of coupling while the opposite is true for the ATP pool . Both parameters are, however, indicators of similar metabolic processes.

Infection, 1985, 13 Suppl 2, S236 - 40
In vitro investigations on the antibacterial action and the influence on the phagocytic chemiluminescence of tetrachlorodecaoxide--a new, non-metallic oxygen complex; Ullmann U et al.; The first non-metallic oxygen carrier, tetrachlorodecaoxide (TCDO), showed in vitro antibacterial activity among aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . The lethal dose for Escherichia coli, for example, was 150 micrograms/ml whereas 15 micrograms/ml reduced the bacterial amount after a latent period of two hours, but regrowth started after four hours . The bactericidal effect of TCDO, however, was dose-dependent and species-specific . This suggests that some aerobic bacterial species might not be able to produce sufficient amounts of protecting enzymes like catalase or superoxide dismutase . The computer controlled measurement of chemiluminescence was used as a model for the phagocytic activity . With isolated human granulocytes and opsonized zymosan as antigen no increase in peak counts per minute was observed compared with controls without TCDO . However, with human whole blood, positive effects were seen using TCDO together with zymosan as well as specific and non-specific opsonized Klebsiella pneumoniae K 17 . It seems that whole blood possesses additional, but as yet unknown biocatalysers to split TCDO into oxygen and chloride.

Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1985, 140(4), 283 - 91
{Occurrence of antibiotic-resistant klebsiellas in waste water}; Stelzer W et al.; The investigated oxidation pond treatment plant reduces the Klebsiellae content in average from 2.5 X 10(4)/ml in raw waste water to less than 10/ml in effluent . Most frequently K . pneumoniae was isolated (92.8%) . From the raw waste water multiple resistant Klebsiellae were isolated continuously, including gentamicin and trimethoprim resistant strains which transfer their antibiotic resistance in 74.4% of all cases to E . coli K-12 . In sterile raw waste water transfer frequencies were found ranging from 10(5) to 10(-7) . In Klebsiella wild strains frequently several plasmids could be detected.

Gene, 1985, 35(3), 297 - 303
Studies on the regulation and function of the Klebsiella pneumoniae ntrA gene; Merrick MJ et al.; The ntrA gene from Klebsiella pneumoniae has been cloned and the product identified as a 76-kDal acidic polypeptide . An ntrA::lacZ fusion was used to demonstrate that expression of ntrA is not controlled by the nitrogen regulation (ntr) system and is independent of the nitrogen status of the cell . Studies with multicopy plasmids carrying ntrA and rpoD suggest that the ntrA product competes with the rpoD product (sigma 70 of RNA polymerase) in mediating transcription initiation by RNA polymerase at ntrA-dependent promoters . No significant homology between ntrA and rpoD was detected by Southern blotting.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1985, 30(3), 247 - 57
Antibacterial immunity of lower airways: local or localized?
Franek J, Libich J, Malina J.
Clearance of bacteria in the bronchoalveolar lavage, the level and functional activity of IgA and changes in the cellular composition of BAL were examined in mice after supralaryngeal immunization and subsequent challenge with Klebsiella pneumoniae . More than 60% of the bacterial inoculum was removed by nonspecific mechanisms within 90 min after inoculation; within the time interval 1.5-3.5 h, clearance was significantly accelerated in locally immunized mice . The enhancement of clearance effectiveness is specific and increases proportionally with the length of immunization (1 less than 2 less than 4 weeks); it is of short duration and towards the end of the 3rd week after immunization, in 73% of immunized animals, the clearance values did not differ from values found in controls . The local immunization did not influence the total level of IgA in BAL, the formation of specific IgA antibody was minimal, in vivo binding of IgA to klebsiella could not be demonstrated . In immunized mice, a significant increase in the numbers of PMN and lymphocytes, as well as an increased activity of phagocytic cell (PMN, MP) was found in BAL . The time interval of 1.5-3.5 h after challenge bounds the space for mechanisms, activated by local immunization in lower airways . The actual participation of individual factors in the accelerated elimination of bacteria from the lumen of airways, remains unclear so far.

Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1985 Jan-Feb, 136A(1), 85 - 9
Interactions between lateral wall elongation and septum formation during cell cycle in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Satta G et al.; In this study, we evaluated the effect of three different beta-lactams on peptidoglycan synthesis and cell division of synchronously growing rods of the pH conditional morphology mutant MirM7 and its parental strain MirA12 . We have found that mecillinam, when added at varying times to synchronous MirM7 rods during the first 30 min of the cell cycle, inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis but has no effect when added afterwards while cells form septa and divide . Addition to the above cells of piperacillin for 30 min from the very beginning of the cell cycle did not cause any delay in cell division . On the contrary, when this antibiotic was added to synchronous cells for 15 min, starting 35 min after the beginning of the cell cycle, cell division occurred with an approximate 15-min delay . Addition of cefaloridine to synchronous cells at varying times during the cell cycle invariably caused a delay in cell division equal to the time during which the antibiotic was maintained in the culture . These findings are interpreted as supporting a previous hypothesis for shape regulation in bacterial rods and are discussed in terms of the interaction between lateral wall elongation and septum formation during the cell cycle.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Jan, 38(1), 18 - 26
{Studies on minimum antibiotic concentration of cephapirin against clinically isolated strain SMK-101 of Klebsiella pneumoniae}; Takahashi M et al.; Using strain SMK-101 of K . pneumoniae its nephelometric absorbencies, viable cell numbers and morphological changes were studied during the time course cultured in a broth medium containing cephapirin (CEPR), and following results were obtained . After 1 to 3 hours culture in the presence of varying concentration of the antibiotic, the absorbency increased in spite of without change in the viable cell number . Morphologically, elongation and swelling of central portion of the cells were observed though differences of the degree of these findings varied depending upon the concentration of the antibiotic . At the concentration higher than 1/4 MIC, indistinct structure was shown in cytoplasm . After 6 hours culture, 3 directions of absorbence curves, ascending, descending and no change, and 2 directions of viable cell numbers, decreasing and increasing were shown . As the morphological changes of the cells, filamentation, leaking of intracellular components were shown in rather upper concentration of the antibiotic . Fission was demonstrated around the end of cells cultured in rather lower concentration of the antibiotic . After 9 hours culture, absorbency and viable cell number were parallel . In this period, structural findings of cytoplasm became clear and fission was also demonstrated by light microscope except for the cells cultured in more than 1 MIC of the antibiotic . After 24 hours culture, both absorbency and viable cell number increased again and fission was observed in the cell which showed filamentation in 1 MIC of the antibiotic.

Infection, 1985 Jan-Feb, 13(1), 29 - 34
Experimental Klebsiella septicemia in mice: treatment with specific antibodies from the rabbit alone and in combination with gentamicin; Trautmann M et al.; Using a model of an experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae septicemia in mice, we examined the therapeutic effect of passively administered specific antibacterial antibodies from rabbits . Both specific IgM and IgG antibody proved to be therapeutically effective . However, the effect of IgG was markedly superior to that of IgM with regard both to the degree of protection and the time interval allowing efficient therapy after infection . The effect of IgG was due to a marked enhancement of in vivo phagocytosis, as demonstrated by monitoring bacterial numbers in the liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys . In mice immunocompromised with cyclophosphamide, treatment with IgG still exerted protection against low challenge inocula . When higher inocula were used, treatment with IgG ceased to influence the final mortality rates but delayed the course of the disease for several days by transient reduction of bacterial numbers in the parenchymal organs . In both normal and immunocompromised mice, concomitant treatment with gentamicin resulted in a marked synergistic enhancement of survival.

Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 198(2), 198 - 206
A molecular genetic study of nif expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae at the level of transcription, translation and nitrogenase activity; Cannon M et al.; A comprehensive study of nif expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae at the level of transcription, translation and nitrogenase activity during derepression and repression by NH+4 and O2 revealed that (1) transcription and translation rates remained coupled under all conditions; (2) these rates reached a peak during derepression and then decreased to a low level; (3) the transcription profile of nifLA had two peaks; the first was at 1 h before and the second coincided with that of the other operons; and (4) the peaks of nif transcription coincided with a trough in the profile of stringent regulation of RNA synthesis . Our results provide strong evidence that nif-specific repression by NH+4 and O2 occurs exclusively by transcription inhibition and that repression by O2 is independent of transcriptional regulation of the nifLA operon . We have also found evidence which together with the results of previous work shows that O2 repression of nifA mediated transcription involves the nifL gene product.

J Dairy Sci, 1985 Jan, 68(1), 158 - 62
Germicidal persistence of teat dips by modified excised teat procedure; Schmidt AL et al.; An excised teat protocol was modified to evaluate persistence of germicidal activity of teat dips over 8 h . Five teat dip formulations, iodophor (1%), chlorhexidine gluconate (.55%), linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (1.94%), sodium chlorite-lactic acid in a water base, and sodium chlorite-lactic acid in a gel base were tested against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella oxytoca . Iodophor and chlorhexidine had high germicidal activity throughout 8 h, whereas dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid had little activity . Germicidal activity of both sodium chlorite-lactic acid teat dips was high initially but declined with time . The gel base dip, however, remained more germicidal than the water base dip . Results were similar for either organism for most teat dips . However, chlorhexidine was less effective and the gel base dip more effective against Klebsiella oxytoca than Escherichia coli . Standard errors often appeared higher for Klebsiella oxytoca than for Escherichia coli . These assays may prove useful for laboratory screening of teat dips to determine germicidal persistence over time.

Microbiologica, 1985 Jan, 8(1), 67 - 71
Degradation of human fibronectin by strains of E . coli K12 carrying R factors from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Mignatti P et al.; We studied the ability to degrade human fibronectin by strains of E . coli K12 carrying R factors from Klebsiella pneumoniae, previously shown to possess a caseinolytic activity . The preliminary data obtained showed that at least two of these R+ strains are able to degrade fibronectin to small peptides retaining the gelatin-binding site of the molecule . We also found indications of non-fibronectin gelatin-binding polypeptides secreted by the strains tested into the culture broth . The possible significance of this bacterial property as a factor of pathogenicity is discussed.

Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 199(1), 141 - 5
The Klebsiella aerogenes glutamate dehydrogenase (gdhA) gene: cloning, high-level expression and hybrid enzyme formation in Escherichia coli; Mountain A et al.; The NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase gene of Klebsiella aerogenes was cloned in E . coli in the expression plasmid pRK9 . The cloned gene shows a high level of expression in E . coli in the hybrid plasmid pKG3 and such expression is independent of the vector promoter, as shown by experiments in which the promoter was deleted . Active hybrid GDH hexamers were shown in cell-free extracts of an E . coli strain carrying cloned gdhA genes of both E . coli and K . aerogenes . The nucleotide sequence of the N-terminal coding region of the K . aerogenes gdhA gene was determined and found to be strongly homologous with that of E . coli.

Immunol Lett, 1985, 10(3-4), 213 - 6
T-cell influence on the B-cell differentiation process induced by Klebsiella; Gross WL et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae K43 cell membrane preparations (Klebs M) have been characterized previously as a human polyclonal B cell activator (PBA) that stimulates purified B cells to differentiate into immunoglobulin (Ig) secreting cells with negligible prior or parallel proliferation and in the absence of T cells . The aim of the present study was to define the cellular interactions in the regulation of Klebs M induced B-cell differentiation . For this purpose OKT4+ and OKT8+ cell populations were negatively selected with reasonable purity by means of a panning technique or by complement-mediated cytolysis using monoclonal OKT4 and OKT8 antibodies . The resulting cell populations were added to purified autologous B cells exposed to Klebs M or, as a control, pokeweed mitogen (PWM) . In the Klebs M system both the OKT4+ and the OKT8+ cell subsets markedly enhanced IgM production; however, the helper effect of the OKT4+ cell subset was much more intense than that of the OKT8+ subset . In the PWM system only the OKT4+ cells provided help for B-cell differentiation . The OKT8+ subset demonstrated suppressor activity in the presence of an adequate helper cell (OKT4+ subset) function . These results indicate that Klebs M behaves like a "relatively T cell-independent PBA".

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1985, 7(4), 525 - 31
Enhanced resistance of mice against influenza virus infection after local administration of glycoprotein extracts from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Rudent A et al.; RU . 41 740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae O1K2 strain was tested for its ability to enhance resistance of mice against influenza virus infection . Local (aerosol) and systemic (IP) routes of RU . 41 740 administration were compared for their effectiveness in protecting mice . When RU . 41 740 was administered prophylactically (10 mg/kg) via aerosol route (5 consecutive days before challenge), significant protection (P less than 0.0001) was conferred against lethal aerosol inoculation of influenza virus . Treated mice exhibited a reduced mortality, a decreased lung-to-body weight ratio and lower intrapulmonary virus titers . The main glycoprotein soluble fraction (RU . 41 821) was as active as the total glycoprotein extract (P less than 0.0001) . Whereas the local (aerosol) route of administration was effective, the systemic (intraperitoneal) route of administration did not confer significant protection against an aerosol inoculum of virus . This finding suggests the important role of local immunity . The levels of interferon in the lavage fluids of immunized and infected mice suggest that interferon is not the main protective mechanism . The enhanced protection observed could be related to an augmented humoral or cell-mediated response within the lung.

J Immunopharmacol, 1985, 7(1), 43 - 52
SLO4, a new interferon inducer isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli; Stefanos S et al.; A product isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, coded SLO4, has been shown to be effective in endogenous interferon induction in vivo in mouse when administered IP or IV, and in vitro with human leukocyte cultures . In these two systems induced interferon was defined . The inducer has not yet been characterized but seems not to belong to any components known to be interferon inducers such as viral particles, nucleic acids or endotoxins . An analytical study will be carried out to specify the constitution of this interferon inducer.

Am J Med, 1984 Dec 21, 77(6A), 21 - 4
Influence of cefmenoxime, ceftriaxone, latamoxef, and ceftazidime on the lysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae: a light and electron microscopic study; Ullmann U et al.; The influence of antibiotics on the morphologic alterations of the cell wall of Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype K 17 has been studied by electron microscopy as well as by phase-contrast microscopy . Ceftazidime, cefmenoxime, ceftriaxone, and latamoxef were the antibiotics used . The effect of each concentration between 0.03 and 1,024 mg/liter was investigated on 5 X 10(7) bacteria per milliliter . Two different reactions could be detected: ceftazidime and latamoxef produced at first long forms and suddenly lysis; cefmenoxime and ceftriaxone produced at first long forms, later spherical forms, and then gradually lysis.

Eur J Biochem, 1984 Dec 17, 145(3), 677 - 82
Immunostimulating hexapeptide from human casein: amino acid sequence, synthesis and biological properties; Parker F et al.; A hexapeptide obtained from human casein by enzymatic digestion has been purified, sequenced and synthesized; its structure is: Val-Glu-Pro-Ile-Pro-Tyr . In vitro this hexapeptide stimulates the phagocytosis of opsonized sheep red blood cells by murine peritoneal macrophages . Administered intravenously to adult mice, it enhances the resistance to infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Biochem J, 1984 Dec 15, 224(3), 903 - 9
The mechanism of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase action . Simulation of the dependences of H2-evolution rate on component-protein concentration and ratio and sodium dithionite concentration; Thorneley RN et al.; The rate constants from Table 1 and Scheme 2 of Lowe & Thorneley {(1984) Biochem . J . 224, 877-886} were used to simulate the rate of H2 evolution, under various conditions, from nitrogenase isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae . These rates depend on both the ratio and concentrations of the MoFe protein and Fe protein that comprise nitrogenase . The simulations explain the shapes of 'protein titration' and 'dilution effect' curves . The concept of an apparent Km for the reductant Na2S2O4 is shown to be invalid, since the dependence of H2-evolution rate on the square root of S2O4(2-) concentration is not hyperbolic and depends on the ratio and absolute concentrations of the MoFe protein and Fe protein.

Biochem J, 1984 Dec 15, 224(3), 895 - 901
The mechanism of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase action . The determination of rate constants required for the simulation of the kinetics of N2 reduction and H2 evolution; Lowe DJ et al.; Kinetic data for Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase were used to determine the values of nine of the 17 rate constants that define the scheme for nitrogenase action described by Lowe & Thorneley {(1984) Biochem . J . 224, 877-886} . Stopped-flow spectrophotometric monitoring of the MgATP-induced oxidation of the Fe protein (Kp2) by the MoFe protein (Kp1) was used to determine the rates of association (k+1) and dissociation (k-1) of reduced Kp2(MgATP)2 with Kp1 . The dependences of the apparent KNm2 on Fe protein/MoFe protein ratio and H2 partial pressure were used to determine the mutual displacement rates of N2 and H2 (k+10, k-10, k+11 and k-11) . These data also allowed the rate constants for H2 evolution from progressively more reduced forms of Kp1 to be determined (k+7, k+8 and k+9) . A mechanism for N2-dependent catalysis of 1H2H formation from 2H2 that requires H2 to be a competitive inhibitor of N2 reduction is also presented.

Biochem J, 1984 Dec 15, 224(3), 887 - 94
The mechanism of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase action . Pre-steady-state kinetics of an enzyme-bound intermediate in N2 reduction and of NH3 formation; Thorneley RN et al.; The reduction of N2 to 2NH3 by Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase was studied by a rapid-quench technique . The pre-steady-state time course for N2H4, formed on quenching by the acid-induced hydrolysis of an enzyme-bound intermediate in N2 reduction, showed a 230 ms lag followed by a damped oscillatory approach to a constant concentration in the steady state . The pre-steady-state time course for NH3 formation exhibited a lag of 500 ms and a burst phase that was essentially complete at 1.5s, before a steady-state rate was achieved . These time courses have been simulated by using a previously described kinetic model for the mechanism of nitrogenase action {Lowe & Thorneley (1984) Biochem . J . 224, 877-886} . A hydrazido(2-) structure (=N-NH2) is favoured for the intermediate that yields N2H4 on quenching . The NH3-formation data indicate enzyme-bound metallo-nitrido (identical to N) or -imido (=NH) intermediates formed after N-N bond cleavage to produce the first molecule of NH3 and which subsequently give the second molecule of NH3 by hydrolysis on quenching . The simulations require stoichiometric reduction of one N2 molecule at each Mo and the displacement of one H2 when N2 binds to the MoFe protein . Inhibition by H2 of N2-reduction activity occurs before the formation of the proposed hydrazido(2-) species, and is explained by H2 displacement of N2 at the active site.

Biochem J, 1984 Dec 15, 224(3), 877 - 86
The mechanism of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase action . Pre-steady-state kinetics of H2 formation; Lowe DJ et al.; A comprehensive model for the mechanism of nitrogenase action is used to simulate pre-steady-state kinetic data for H2 evolution in the presence and in the absence of N2, obtained by using a rapid-quench technique with nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae . These simulations use independently determined rate constants that define the model in terms of the following partial reactions: component protein association and dissociation, electron transfer from Fe protein to MoFe protein coupled to the hydrolysis of MgATP, reduction of oxidized Fe protein by Na2S2O4, reversible N2 binding by H2 displacement and H2 evolution . Two rate-limiting dissociations of oxidized Fe protein from reduced MoFe protein precede H2 evolution, which occurs from the free MoFe protein . Thus Fe protein suppresses H2 evolution by binding to the MoFe protein . This is a necessary condition for efficient N2 binding to reduced MoFe protein.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Dec, 26(6), 870 - 5
Single-drug versus combination empirical therapy for gram-negative bacillary infections in febrile cancer patients with and without granulocytopenia; Piccart M et al.; Empirical therapy with cefoperazone was compared with cefoperazone plus amikacin in granulocytopenic and nongranulocytopenic febrile patients . In nonneutropenic patients the overall response rate to cefoperazone was 88%; 10 of 12 gram-negative bacteremic patients were cured . Cefoperazone plus amikacin resulted in an 88% overall response rate and cured 14 of 15 patients with bacteremia . In neutropenic patients the overall response rate was 77% with cefoperazone alone and 73% with cefoperazone plus amikacin; the cure rates for gram-negative bacteremias were 8 of 11 and 6 of 12 patients, respectively . Our findings support the concept of single-drug empirical therapy with cefoperazone in febrile cancer patients, whether granulocytopenic or not, especially when gram-negative bacteremias are predominantly caused by Escherichia coli or Klebsiella species . The issue of Pseudomonas spp . and other more resistant pathogens needs further assessment with a larger number of patients.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 130 ( Pt 12), 3063 - 9
Nitrogenase synthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae: enhanced nif expression without accumulation of guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate; Nair MB et al.; Derepression of nitrogen fixation (nif) genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae following transfer from NH+4-sufficiency to N-free medium was preceded by rapid expansion of the guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) pool . When derepressed in N-free medium supplemented with glutamine (600 micrograms ml-1), expression from the nifH and nifL promoters, determined as beta-galactosidase activity in nif::lac merodiploid strains, was stimulated 7-fold and nitrogenase activity 26-fold; ppGpp did not accumulate, remaining at the levels found in NH+4-repressed populations . The relaxed mutant K . pneumoniae relA40, which accumulates only very low levels of ppGpp, showed partial derepression of nitrogenase activity in the presence of glutamine, thus ppGpp is unlikely to be an effector of nif expression . ATP and GTP levels were elevated under conditions where nif expression was enhanced, consistent with previous data suggesting that maintenance of ATP levels is a prerequisite for the expression of nif genes in K . pneumoniae.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1984 Dec, 68(12), 866 - 8
Klebsiella and acute anterior uveitis; Beckingsale AB et al.; Samples of the faeces of 153 consecutive patients presenting with acute anterior uveitis (AAU), and of 47 controls were examined for the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae . No increase in the carriage rate of klebsiella was found in the AAU patients as compared with the controls . Furthermore no increase was found in any group of patients whether subdivided by HLA-B27 status, sex, or presence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) . No difference was found between patients having their first attack of AAU and those with recurrences.

J Med Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 18(3), 413 - 21
Vaccination against 77 capsular types of Klebsiella aerogenes with polyvalent Klebsiella vaccines; Jones RJ et al.; A method is described for producing monovalent and polyvalent vaccines from culture filtrates of Klebsiella aerogenes . With a single injection, each monovalent vaccine protected mice against lethal intraperitoneal challenge by more than 30 capsular types; and polyvalent vaccines containing 2-12 monovalent components protected against 46-61 of the 77 capsular types of K . aerogenes . One vaccine with 12 components, administered in two doses, induced full protection against 71 types and protected half of the mice challenged with the other six types.

J Infect Dis, 1984 Dec, 150(6), 817 - 22
Prevention of fatal experimental burn-wound sepsis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae KP1-O by immunization with homologous capsular polysaccharide; Cryz SJ Jr et al.; The immunogenicity and protective capacity of highly purified Klebsiella pneumoniae KP1-O capsular polysaccharide was evaluated . Polysaccharide antigen from K . pneumoniae KP1-O was isolated, purified, and characterized . The final preparation consisted primarily of carbohydrate and was of high molecular weight (greater than or equal to 5 X 10(6} . The polysaccharide antigen was found to be immunogenic in mice in a dose-dependent fashion, as determined by ELISA . Prior immunization of mice with low doses of K . pneumoniae KP1-O polysaccharide provided highly significant protection (P less than .01) against fatal burn wound sepsis with the homologous strain . The level of protection correlated with IgG ELISA titers and was dependent upon prevention of bacteremia following challenge.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Dec, 37(12), 1712 - 8
Cefodizime, an aminothiazolyl cephalosporin . III . Therapeutic activity against experimentally induced pneumonia in mice; Klesel N et al.; The activity of the aminothiazolyliminomethoxy cephalosporin cefodizime (HR 221) was compared to that of cefotaxime, cefuroxime and cefazolin in experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in mice . Cefodizime exhibited high and long-acting levels in the blood and lung homogenates of infected mice; the blood and tissue concentrations obtained with the other cephalosporins tested were low by comparison . In the treatment of experimental Klebsiella pneumonia, cefodizime was superior to cefotaxime and cefuroxime . Counts of the number of viable bacteria present in the infected tissue showed that cefodizime exerted a more marked bactericidal effect than cefotaxime or cefuroxime . Hardly any therapeutic activity was seen with cefazolin.

J Hosp Infect, 1984 Dec, 5(4), 377 - 85
Klebsiella infection in a neonatal intensive care unit: role of bacteriological surveillance; Morgan ME et al.; An outbreak of 12 cases of infection occurred over a 9-month period in a Regional Referral Neonatal Intensive Care Unit . The pathogen was a gentamicin- and multiply-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca (K55), of high virulence . Seven of 10 neonates with septicaemia died, the majority within 24 h of the onset of infection . Screening for the resistant klebsiella revealed that 64 (39 per cent) of 164 neonates became carriers and remained so throughout their stay . Hand carriage appeared to be a mode of cross-contamination and infection . Cohorting colonized neonates together with rigorous cross-infection control measures eliminated this organism from the unit after 29 weeks . There is evidence to suggest that in one case the infecting organism was acquired from a contaminated blood gas analyser . It is necessary to use incompatibility grouping and restriction endonuclease digestion for complete characterization of plasmids and their molecular weights . However, the finding that each isolate examined carried the same five plasmids as judged by co-electrophoresis on agarose gels, and expressed the same extent and degree of transferable antibiotic resistance provides evidence to suggest that this outbreak was due to spread of a resistant clone of K . oxytoca (K55).

Am J Vet Res, 1984 Nov, 45(11), 2451 - 4
Biochemical and serologic characterization of Klebsiella strains from bovine mastitis and the environment of the dairy cow; Nonnecke BJ et al.; Klebsiella strains isolated from the cow and its environment were biochemically and serologically characterized and evaluated for their susceptibility to normal bovine serum . Thirty-one different biotypes of Klebsiella were identified among 288 cattle and environmental strains . Of these, 56.2% were indole-positive, a greater percentage than expected for Klebsiella . Biotypes 1/1/1 and 5/1/1, most frequently isolated and constituting about 37% of the total isolates, would be considered K pneumoniae by standard biochemical typing procedures . Of 65 cattle and environmental strains studied serologically, 11 serotypes, 14 biotypes, and 29 bioserotypes were identified, indicating the diversity of Klebsiella strains present in the herd . When strains from mastitic milk (n = 19) and the environment (n = 22) were compared, no bioserotype distinction or grouping that related to isolation source was obvious . The predominant bioserotype from both sources was 5/1/1-K35 (21.0% and 22.7% of the strains from mastitic milk and the environment, respectively) . The growth inhibition by bovine serum of strains isolated from mastitic milk, the environment, and udder skin was similar . However, strains isolated from the mouth and rectum of the cow were significantly (P less than 0.05) more inhibited by serum.

Microbiol Sci, 1984 Nov, 1(8), 194 - 9
Organization and regulation of nitrogen fixation genes of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata; Haselkorn R; The nitrogen fixation (nif) genes of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata appear to be much more widely dispersed than those of the well-studied Klebsiella pneumoniae . In both organisms the genes coding for the structural components of the nitrogenase complex, nifHDK, comprise a single unit of transcription . Only in the photosynthetic bacterium, however, are there multiple copies of these genes . The extra copies are normally silent but they can be activated by mutation, detected as nif+ pseudorevertants of nif- deletions of the expressed nifHDK genes . Glutamine is required for the repression of nif gene transcription in R . capsulata.

Biochem J, 1984 Nov 1, 223(3), 783 - 92
The inactive MoFe protein (NifB-Kp1) of the nitrogenase from nifB mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Its interaction with FeMo-cofactor and the properties of the active MoFe protein formed; Hawkes TR et al.; The inactive MoFe protein (NifB-Kp1) of nitrogenase from nifB mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae may be activated by addition of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) extracted from active MoFe protein (Kp1) . However, when apparently saturated with FeMoco, our preparations of NifB-Kp1 yielded activated protein, Kp1-asm, with a specific activity that was at best only 40% of that expected . This was not due to degradation of Kp1-asm, NifB-Kp1 or FeMoco during the activation reaction . Nor could activation be enhanced by addition of other nif-gene products or other proteins . Whereas fully active Kp1 contains 2 FeMoco/molecule, apparent saturation of our NifB-Kp1 preparations required the binding of only 0.4-0.65 FeMoco/molecule . By using chromatography Kp1-asm could be largely resolved from NifB-Kp1 that had not been activated . However, we were unable to isolate fully active MoFe protein (i.e . Kp1-asm containing 2 FeMoco/molecule) from solutions of NifB-Kp1 activated with FeMoco . The maximum activity/ng-atom of total Mo obtained for our purified Kp1-asm was approximately half the maximum activity for FeMoco . Since all NifB-Kp1 preparations contained some Mo, we suggest that FeMoco activated only those NifB-Kp1 molecules already containing one atom of (non-FeMoco) Mo, thus forming Kp1-asm with 2 Mo but only 1 FeMoco/molecule . Kp1-asm was identical with normal Kp1 in terms of its Mr, stability, e.p.r . signals, pattern of substrate reductions, CO inhibition and ATP/2e ratio . In addition, for preparations of differing specific activity, there was a constant and identical relationship between the e.p.r . signal intensity (from FeMoco) and the activity of both Kp1 and Kp1-asm . Assuming the above hypothesis on the structure of Kp1-asm, these data demonstrate that the two FeMoco sites in wild-type Kp1 operate independently.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1984 Oct 25, 12(20), 7811 - 30
Tandem promoters determine regulation of the Klebsiella pneumoniae glutamine synthetase (glnA) gene; Dixon R; Transcription of the structural gene for glutamine synthetase (glnA) in Klebsiella pneumoniae is controlled by the nitrogen regulatory genes ntrA, ntrB and ntrC . The nucleotide sequence of the regulatory region upstream of the glnA gene is reported here . High resolution S1 mapping of in vivo transcripts indicates that the regulatory region contains tandem promoters separated by 100 nucleotides . Measurements of beta-galactosidase activities determined in vivo from glnA-lac fusions suggest that the upstream promoter (for RNA2) is negatively regulated by the ntrBC gene products whereas transcription from the downstream promoter (for RNA1) is positively activated by the ntrA gene product in the presence of either the ntrBC or the nifA genes . The nucleotide sequence of the upstream promoter resembles the consensus sequence for E . coli promoters, whereas the downstream promoter shows homology with the nitrogen fixation (nif) promoters of K . pneumoniae.

Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr, 1984 Oct, 52(10), 352 - 7
{Effect of immunoglobulins on the course of therapy-resistant Klebsiella meningitis}; Greulich W et al.; The case of a 28-year-old patient with refractory Klebsiella meningitis after surgical removal of an angioblastoma in the left cerebellar hemisphere (Lindau's tumour) as described in this article, shows the significance of immunoglobulin therapy in view of the synergistic efficacy increase of antibiotics and immunoglobulin . There were 4 meningitis relapses in a period of 8 months, each time 4 days after discontinuation of antibiotics, the therapy consisting of antibiotics only (penicillin G, gentamycin, lamoxactam, cefotaxim and chloramphenicol) . These antibiotics, which were applied in accordance with the antibiogram, were discontinued each 16-32 days after the patient had become afebrile and CSF was free from bacteria . In spite of this, further meningitis relapses followed even when the CSF cell count dropped from 12000/3 to 32/3 cells . An attempt to apply gentamycin suboccipitally failed, since diplopia, nystagmus and headache occurred after a single application . The combination of chloramphenicol orally and immunoglobulin intravenously resulted for the first time in complete freedom from bacteria in the CSF . A single intrathecal application of 1 g immunoglobulin caused a temporary increase in CSF cells to 1200/3 and an anal temperature increase from 37% to 38% C . Urticaria exanthema was observed twice as a side effect of immunoglobulin therapy.

Radiologe, 1984 Oct, 24(10), 475 - 7
{Abscess-forming pneumonia in esophageal cancer . A case contribution}; Billmann P et al.; A 46-year-old male patient with rapidly progressive Klebsiella pneumonia and abscess formation is presented . The infection resulted from a mediastinal-pulmonary fistula that developed during irradiation of a widespread carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Scott Med J, 1984 Oct, 29(4), 218 - 21
Klebsiella infection in a neonatal intensive care unit; Laing IA et al.; Fourteen infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit became colonized with Klebsiella pneumoniae . Ten developed septicaemia . All infants survived the acute infection . Details are given of clinical observations and the control measures that were taken.

Arch Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 139(2-3), 245 - 7
Some properties of a Klebsiella pneumoniae ammonium transport negative mutant (Amt-); Castorph H et al.; The main property of an Amt- (ammonium transport negative) mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae is its inability to accumulate NH4+ intracellularly . When growing on nitrogen sources other than NH4+, the mutant constantly looses NH3 by diffusion . This loss results in poor growth . The NH3 excretion suggests the existence of a futile cycle (NH3 loss/NH4+ reabsorption) in the wild type and possibly other bacterial strains, which do not constantly excrete NH3.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1984 Oct, 92(5), 293 - 9
Role of the polysaccharide and of the lipopolysaccharide in the immunoprotective capacity of Klebsiella pneumoniae ribosomes; Robert D et al.; Ribosomes, ribosomal RNA (r-RNA), capsular polysaccharide (PS-K) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were isolated and purified from Klebsiella pneumoniae, type I . The protective capacity of these different fractions was investigated in function of their analytical composition . The results show that ribosomes, and in particular, ribosomal RNA have the greatest protective activity at the lowest concentrations . The role of PS-K in the specific immune response to ribosomes was also investigated . Even at very high levels PS-K failed to afford any significant protection . LPS gave no protection . A stable r-RNA/PS-K complex was isolated by means of affinity chromatography . This complex was uncontaminated by LPS and its existence indicated strong bonding between surface polysaccharide antigens and r-RNA . The r-RNA/PS-K complex was not antigenic in itself but conferred good protection when combined with an adjuvant.

J Hyg (Lond), 1984 Oct, 93(2), 355 - 63
Vaccination against Klebsiella aerogenes; Roe EA et al.; Klebsiella vaccine was prepared from strains of Klebsiella aerogenes with capsular types K1, K36, K44 and K Cross (a type which cross-reacts in vitro with sera from many klebsiella capsular types) . The vaccine was extracted by dialysis and ultrafiltration from capsular material released during growth of the bacteria in a five-day batch culture . Mice given one dose of vaccine from K1a (1.0 microgram/mouse) survived lethal intraperitoneal challenge of 11/11 homologous klebsiella strains four days after vaccination; 14 days after vaccination protection against the same challenge strains had declined to 5/11 strains . Vaccines from K1a, b, c, K36, K44 and K Cross induced homologous protection and protected mice against different ranges of heterologous klebsiella capsular types . The protective response of the mice was greatly enhanced by administering three doses of the vaccines . Vaccines from K1, K36, K44 and K Cross protected mice against 14/20, 11/20, 10/20 and 9/20 homologous and heterologous klebsiella challenge strains respectively . None of the klebsiella vaccines was toxic for mice at the immunizing dose (1.0 microgram/mouse) . Vaccine from K36 was the most lethal, killing mice at 10(3) immunizing doses . The least toxic vaccine was from K44, which killed mice at 10(4) immunizing doses.

J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 20(4), 701 - 5
Comparative assessment of in vitro inactivation of gentamicin in the presence of carbenicillin by three different gentamicin assay methods; Ebert SC et al.; Inactivation of gentamicin (G) is known to occur secondarily to the formation of complexes with certain beta-lactam antibiotics . However, aminoglycosides in the presence of aminoglycoside-beta-lactam complexes may not be recognized uniformly by all assay methods . We tested this hypothesis by using mixtures of G plus carbenicillin (C), with and without the addition of penicillinase, in pooled sera under several in vitro conditions: at 25 and 35 degrees C and at low and high C concentrations . Samples were assayed for G with the EMIT and TDx systems, and a microbiological assay was performed with a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to C . In the presence of C (500 micrograms/ml) at 35 degrees C, the initial G concentration of 5 micrograms/ml decreased markedly over 48 h as assessed by all three assay methods . However, significantly greater degradation was noted when samples were measured by microbiological assay and TDx than by EMIT . Differences between assays were less marked when mixtures were studied at a lower temperature and with a lower G to C ratio (5 micrograms of G plus 100 micrograms of C per ml) . The addition of penicillinase to the antibiotic mixtures prevented the degradation of G over time when measured by all three assay systems . We concluded (i) that EMIT measures higher serum concentrations of G than do TDx or microbiological assays when complexes of G and C are present and (ii) that the addition of penicillinase to serum samples containing C and G would be effective in preventing G degradation during prolonged (greater than 24-h) periods between the time of sampling and assay.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1984 Oct, 258(1), 94 - 103
Enteropathogenicity of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from stools of diarrhoeal patients and other clinical specimens: an experimental study; Raychaudhury A et al.; In recent years strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae have been implicated as intestinal pathogen . Sixty three strains isolated from faeces of children with or without diarrhoea and other specimens of extraintestinal infections were tested for their enteropathogenicity in biological models . Thirty nine of them isolated from different sources caused accumulation of fluid in rabbit ileal loops comparable to that caused by toxigenic V . cholerae 569B . Ten strains, however, required 1-3 serial passages in rabbit gut before giving a positive loop reaction . Culture filtrates of these 39 strains also caused fluid accumulation comparable to that caused by live cells indicating elaboration of enterotoxic substance(s) in the medium . The enterotoxic factor was found to be heat-stable . However, the pattern of time course of fluid accumulation in ileal loops indicated elaboration of an additional heat labile factor . Most of the strains produced cytoxic factor as well . The mode of action of the toxin/s in secretion of fluid in experimental model possibly involve cAMP and prostaglandin . However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the exact mode of action of the enterotoxins . None of the strains tested was found to be enteroinvasive.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Oct, 160(1), 55 - 60
Purification and properties of dihydroxyacetone kinase from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Johnson EA et al.; Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) kinase of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a gene product of the dha regulon responsible for fermentative dissimilation of glycerol and DHA, was purified 120-fold to a final specific activity of 10 mumol X min-1 X mg of protein-1 at 30 degrees C . The enzyme, a dimer of a 53,000 +/- 5,000-dalton polypeptide, is highly specific for DHA (Km, ca.4 microM) . Glycerol is not a substrate at 1 mM and is not an inhibitor even at 100 mM . The enzyme is not inhibited by 5 mM fructose-1,6-diphosphate . Ca2+ gives a higher enzyme activity than Mg2+ as a cationic cofactor . Escherichia coli glycerol kinase acts on both glycerol and DHA and is allosterically inhibited by fructose-1,6-diphosphate . Antibodies raised against E . coli glycerol kinase cross-reacted with K . pneumoniae glycerol kinase but not with K . pneumoniae DHA kinase.

Eur J Biochem, 1984 Sep 3, 143(2), 351 - 7
5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase of Klebsiella pneumoniae 2 . Inhibition by glyphosate {N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine}; Steinrucken HC et al.; The broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicide glyphosate {N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine} is a potent inhibitor of highly purified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase (3-phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyltransferase, EC 2.5.1.19) of Klebsiella pneumoniae . The inhibition is competitive with phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) with Ki = 1 microM at pH 6.8 and non-competitive with shikimate 3-phosphate, EPSP, and inorganic phosphate . Non-herbicidal analogues of glyphosate, such as aminomethylphosphonic acid, bis-N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine and iminodiacetic acid, do not inhibit the enzyme . Inhibition of EPSP synthase by glyphosate strongly increases with increasing pH . Glyphosate protects the enzyme against inactivation by phenylglyoxal, 3-bromopyruvate, and N-ethylmaleimide . It is proposed that glyphosate binds to the PEP-binding site of EPSP synthase as a transition-state analogue of PEP . Other PEP-utilizing enzymes were not found to be subject to inhibition by glyphosate.

Eur J Biochem, 1984 Sep 3, 143(2), 341 - 9
5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase of Klebsiella pneumoniae . 1 . Purification and properties; Steinrucken HC et al.; The shikimate pathway enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase (3-phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyltransferase, EC 2.5.1.19) has been purified to apparent homogeneity from Aerobacter aerogenes, strain 62-1 (= Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 25306) . A 3300-fold purification of the enzyme was achieved by ammonium sulfate fractionation, heat precipitation, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-75, and cellulose phosphate, and chromatofocusing as the final step . The recovery was 49% . An apparent relative molecular mass of 32400 was determined by calibrated gel filtration, while a single peptide chain of Mr = 42900 was found by sodium dodecyl sulfate/acrylamide gel electrophoresis . The isoelectric point was determined to be at pH 4.6 . Two distinct pH optima (pH 5.4 and 6.8) were observed for the enzyme-catalyzed formation of EPSP from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and shikimate 3-phosphate(S3P) . For the reverse reaction, the pH optima were 5.6 and 7.6 . No evidence for a metal cofactor was found . While the temperature optimum was at 60 degrees C, the activation energies were calculated to be 54.2 kJ/mol for the forward, and 64.1 kJ/mol for the reverse reaction . At low PEP and S3P concentrations, anions acted as activators of EPSP synthase at low concentrations, and as inhibitors at high concentrations . Non-linear Lineweaver-Burk plots were interpreted to result from the activation of EPSP synthase by its anionic substrates . The following dissociation constants were determined for the respective enzyme-substrate complexes: forward reaction: 43 microM (PEP) and 22 microM (S3P); reverse reaction: 1.3 microM (EPSP) and 2.6 mM (Pi) . The kinetic patterns indicate a random sequential mechanism for the forward reaction.

Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1984 Sep, 85(9), 1138 - 42
{Infections following gastrointestinal surgery and prophylactic antibiotics}; Kinoshita H; Of the 1,396 patients who underwent gastroenterological surgery at our department in the past seven years, 132 (9.5%) developed surgical wound infections . The incidence of such infections varied greatly depending on the location and method of the operation . The causative organisms isolated from these infections were often the same as the normal bacterial flora in the organ that was the object of the surgery . Frequent factors of intra-abdominal infection, of which there were 62 cases, were leakage and intra-abdominal bleeding after extended operations in a compromised host . Antibiotics are not substitutes for careful surgical technique . For Escherichia coli and Klebsiella isolated from clinical specimens, we found that the antibiotics Cephalothin and Cefazolin did have satisfactory antibacterial activity . The first and second generation cephems seem suitable for use as prophylactic antibiotics against surgical wound infection . The best time to start giving prophylactic antibiotics was during the operation . Useful indicators of postoperative infection are the fever index, leucocytosis, CRP, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Jpn J Pharmacol, 1984 Sep, 36(1), 51 - 7
Antitumor activity of Klebsiella 03 lipopolysaccharide in mice; Miyamoto K et al.; The antitumor activity of Klebsiella 03 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) isolated from the culture supernatant against S180 sarcoma, Ehrlich carcinoma, MM2 mammary carcinoma and Meth A fibrosarcoma in mice was investigated . KO3 LPS significantly prolonged the lifespan of S180-bearing ddY mice and MM2-bearing C3H/He mice by intraperitoneal pre- or postmedication at doses ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg . The LPS also inhibited the growth of subcutaneously inoculated Ehrlich carcinoma in ddY mice and Meth A sarcoma in BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal, intravenous or intratumoral administration . The intratumoral injection of KO3 LPS was most effective and results by the intravenous and the intraperitoneal administrations followed in effectiveness, but the administration through the subcutaneous route was hardly effective . Thus, KO3 LPS was shown to have antitumor activity on both allogeneic tumors and syngeneic tumors . It was also indicated in this study that the lifeprolonging effect of KO3 LPS on S180 ascites type tumor-bearing mice was significantly minimized by pretreatment of cyclophosphamide and that the LPS did not influence the cell viability of HeLa cells, Ehrlich cells and MM2 cells in vitro . These results suggest that the antitumor activity of KO3 LPS is provided by host-mediated actions.

Sci Total Environ, 1984 Sep, 38, 55 - 62
Natural and acquired resistance of mice to infection by airborne Klebsiella pneumoniae after subchronic intoxication by cadmium administered orally; Bouley G et al.; Mice daily ingested about 22 mg of cadmium per kg of body weight in drinking water for 30 days . On the 30th day, the liver and kidneys of the mice contained about 18 micrograms of Cd2+ per g of fresh organ . A group of these mice was immunized against Klebsiella pneumoniae using two injections of vaccine, the first on the 7th day and the second on the 14th day of intoxication . On the 28th day, the non-immunized and the immunized mice were infected via a respiratory route by one lethal dose 50% of K . pneumoniae (the LD50 for the immunized mice was 2.4 times higher than the LD50 for the non-immunized mice) . Comparison with the non-intoxicated control mice showed that the ingestion of Cd2+ did not significantly modify the natural resistance or the acquired resistance of the mice to the infection by airborne K . pneumoniae.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Sep, 130 ( Pt 9), 2347 - 55
Influence of nutrient limitation and growth rate on the outer membrane proteins of Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418; Sterkenburg A et al.; Four major proteins with molecular weights of 78 000, 37 000, 34 000 and 20 000 were present in the envelope of Klebsiella aerogenes when cultured at a high specific growth rate . However, at lower growth rates, the protein content and composition of the envelope depended on the imposed nutrient limitation . Under potassium-, carbon-, sulphur- and phosphorus-limited conditions, derepression of synthesis of limitation-specific proteins was observed, their apparent molecular weights being 90 000, 48 000, 41 000 and 36 000, respectively . Nitrogen-limited cells had no additional proteins . For a particular limiting nutrient, expression of the limitation-specific proteins was independent of the chemical or physical form in which the nutrient was supplied . Under potassium or sulphur limitation the specific proteins were present maximally at the lowest imposed growth rate, whereas under carbon limitation a maximum expression of these proteins was found at moderate growth rates . It is concluded that limitation-specific proteins which are associated with the outer membrane function in the uptake of limiting nutrients or, possibly, limitation-releasing compounds.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Sep, 159(3), 888 - 93
Biosynthesis of iron-molybdenum cofactor in the absence of nitrogenase; Ugalde RA et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae accumulates molybdenum during nitrogenase derepression . The molybdenum is primarily in nitrogenase component I in the form of iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) . Mutations in any of three genes (nifB, nifN, and nifE) involved in the biosynthesis of FeMo-co resulted in very low molybdenum accumulation and in a molybdenum-free nitrogenase component I . A mutant lacking both subunits of nitrogenase component I accumulated 60% of the amount of molybdenum present in the wild type . The molybdenum was in protein-bound form and behaved differently than that in the wild type with respect to electrophoretic mobility, size, and extractability by organic solvents . Two forms of molybdenum could be extracted from the protein fraction of the mutant; one of them was not detected in the wild type, and the other behaved like FeMo-co in nonaqueous gel filtration chromatography . Crude extracts of this mutant were able to complement in vitro K . pneumoniae or Azotobacter vinelandii mutants unable to produce FeMo-co . These data show that biosynthesis of FeMo-co does not require the presence of nitrogenase component I . In its absence, FeMo-co is accumulated on a different protein, presumably an intermediate in the normal FeMo-co biosynthetic pathway.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Sep, 130 ( Pt 9), 2357 - 65
Effect of iron deprivation on the production of siderophores and outer membrane proteins in Klebsiella aerogenes; Williams P et al.; The outer membrane (OM) protein profile of Klebsiella aerogenes grown in an iron rich chemically defined medium (Fe + CDM) showed three major proteins of 32.5, 35.5 and 39.0 kDal . The 35.5 and 39.0 kDal proteins were non-covalently associated with peptidoglycan . At least six new iron regulated outer membrane proteins (IRMP) of 69, 70, 73, 75, 78 and 83 kDal, which were not peptidoglycan associated, were apparent in the OM of K . aerogenes grown in iron restricted (serum) or iron deficient (Fe-CDM) media . An 18.5 kDal protein was also present in the OM of stationary phase K . aerogenes following growth in Fe + CDM, in iron saturated serum and in citrate supplemented CDM but was repressed in Fe-CDM or in serum . Enterochelin but not aerobactin was detected in the spent supernates of iron deficient K . aerogenes . Inoculation of iron replete K . aerogenes into low iron CDM (less than 17 X 10(-7) M-Fe3+) produced IRMP and enterochelin within two generations, and several generations before the end of exponential phase . Inoculation of iron depleted cells into Fe + CDM resulted in dilution rather than active excretion from the OM of the IRMP, 1.5 generations being required for the initial level to decrease by one-half and 4 generations for it to return to that observed after growth to stationary phase in Fe + CDM . The appearance of the IRMP of K . aerogenes grown under iron depletion was unaffected by prior growth of the inoculum in a gross excess of iron which suggested that whether or not K . aerogenes was capable of storing iron, it rapidly responded to the extracellular iron concentration.

J Hosp Infect, 1984 Sep, 5(3), 253 - 9
Klebsiella pneumoniae in a nephrological department; Kolmos HJ; The repeated isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae biotypes 16 and 17 from haemodialysis fluid in concentrations exceeding 10(4) cfu/ml led to an investigation of strains isolated from routine specimens of nephrological patients to elucidate whether the dialysate strains could be a source of infection . A total of 118 patient-isolates were identified over a 4-year period . Biotypes 16 and 17 accounted for only nine patient-isolates . The distribution pattern of biotypes among haemodialysis patients and other nephrological patients during a 2-year period, when K . pneumoniae colonized the dialysate, and during a succeeding 2-year period, when it had been eradicated from the dialysate, indicated that there was no epidemiological connection . The patient-isolates comprised 21 different biotypes . Biotype 36 (indole-positive) remained the predominant strain throughout the whole period studied.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1984 Sep, 14 Suppl B, 103 - 8
Bactericidal activity of continuously changing cefotaxime concentrations in human blood; Shah PM; Activity of cefotaxime against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was investigated in a model producing in-vitro simulation of pharmacokinetic parameters . Bacteria were suspended in fresh human blood in which the cefotaxime concentration rose slowly from zero to a mean peak of 9.62 mg/l (+/- 1.95) at a mean of 2.8 h (+/- 0.44) and dropped to below detection level of less than 1 mg/l at 12 h . Under these conditions cefotaxime was rapidly bactericidal . Only one out of the six strains tested had recovered from the toxic effect of cefotaxime after 24 h.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1984 Sep, 2(4), 309 - 16
Diagnostic microbiology laboratory susceptibility test results discriminate distinctive antibiotic resistance plasmids; Kishi H et al.; The sizes of the zones of inhibition around routinely tested antibiotic disks classified gentamicin-resistant isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae from one hospital into four major antibiotype classes . From each isolate of the prevalent class (A1), two plasmids could be transferred conjugally . One carried genes for resistance to tetracycline, sulfonamides, and chloramphenicol, and for the SHV beta lactamase . The other carried genes for two aminoglycoside-inactivating enzymes, APH (3')-I and AAC (3)-III, for the TEM 1 beta lactamase, and for resistance to sulfonamides . Transconjugants of either plasmid from any A1 isolate yielded the same DNA fragments after restriction endonuclease digestion, but the two plasmids had no fragments in common . Fragments or genes from either plasmid were variously combined or lacking in plasmids from variant isolates (A2, A3, and A4) . Plasmids transferable from isolates of classes B and C shared no common DNA restriction fragments with each other or with either plasmid from Class A . Fragments and genes of the plasmids from C isolates, however, were identical with those of a plasmid endemic in a nearby hospital . Routine monitoring by diagnostic microbiology laboratories of distinctive antibiotypes and of the plasmids that produce them would aid infection control and antibiotic usage policy.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Sep, 159(3), 934 - 9
Regulation of hutUH operon expression by the catabolite gene activator protein-cyclic AMP complex in Klebsiella aerogenes; Nieuwkoop AJ et al.; RNA polymerase transcribed the hutUH operon of Klebsiella aerogenes if the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) were present or if the DNA template was derived from a promoter mutant in which hutUH expression was independent of the need for positive effectors . In the absence of CAP or cAMP, not only was hutUH transcription absent, but transcription in the opposite direction (toward hutC) was initiated at a site (pC) ca . 70 base pairs from the site (pUH) of hutUH mRNA initiation . When the pC promoter was cloned in front of a promoterless galK gene, active expression of galK was observed . Thus, the pC promoter is active in vivo as well as in vitro . Transcription from pUH and pC may be mutually exclusive, with the major effect of CAP and cAMP being to prevent transcription from pC, thus relieving the antagonistic effect on transcription from pUH . This "double-negative" control by CAP-cAMP is supported by two observations: (i) CAP-cAMP was unable to activate transcription from pUH if RNA polymerase had been previously bound to pC and (ii) a mutation that allowed transcription from pUH in the absence of positive effectors simultaneously eliminated the activity of pC . An alternative model, in which CAP-cAMP is required for pUH expression and RNA polymerase binding at pC serves to modulate this control in some unknown way, is also considered . The physiological role of the transcript from pC other than regulation of pUH is unknown.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1984 Aug, 81(16), 5247 - 9
Cross-reactions of polysaccharides of fungi, molds, and yeasts in anti-pneumococcal and other antisera; Heidelberger M et al.; Cross-reactions of a number of glycans and polysaccharides isolated from fungi, molds, and yeasts in anti-pneumococcal and other antisera are tabulated and discussed insofar as possible with relation to the chemical structures of the cross-precipitating substances and the polysaccharidic antigens giving rise to the reactive antibodies . For example, the slime of Physarum polycephalum precipitated antisera to pneumococcal type 4 and Klebsiella type K1 . The polysaccharides of type 4 and K1 contain pyruvic acid in acetal linkage on hydroxyls 2 and 3 of sugars . Therefore, pyruvic acid was looked for and found in Physarum slime . Numerous other relations between chemical structure and immunological specificity are given.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Aug, (8), 80 - 3
{Protective activity of a cell-free Klebsiella vaccine in relation to different Klebsiella pneumoniae serovars}; Kurbatova EA et al.; The capacity of dried Klebsiella cell-free vaccine, obtained from strain No . 204 by the disintegration of microbial cells with hydroxylamine, for protecting mice from Klebsiella septic infection caused by the homologous serovar and 9 heterologous serovars of K . pneumoniae was studied . The newly developed preparation was found capable of stimulating immunity not only to the homologous K . pneumoniae serovar, but also to other K . pneumoniae heterologous serovars: K1, K9, K11, K16, K20, K61 . The protective capacity of the preparation with respect to these serovars was not inferior to that of the vaccines prepared by the same method from the corresponding homologous strains . The capacity of the vaccine to protect mice from Klebsiella sepsis was manifested irrespective of the virulence of the strains used for challenge.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Aug, 159(2), 730 - 5
Directed evolution of a second xylitol catabolic pathway in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Doten RC et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae PRL-R3 has inducible catabolic pathways for the degradation of ribitol and D-arabitol but cannot utilize xylitol as a growth substrate . A mutation in the rbtB regulatory gene of the ribitol operon permits the constitutive synthesis of the ribitol catabolic enzymes and allows growth on xylitol . The evolved xylitol catabolic pathway consists of an induced D-arabitol permease system that also transports xylitol, a constitutively synthesized ribitol dehydrogenase that oxidizes xylitol at the C-2 position to produce D-xylulose, and an induced D-xylulokinase from either the D-arabitol or D-xylose catabolic pathway . To investigate the potential of K . pneumoniae to evolve a different xylitol catabolic pathway, strains were constructed which were unable to synthesize ribitol dehydrogenase or either type of D-xylulokinase but constitutively synthesized the D-arabitol permease system . These strains had an inducible L-xylulokinase; therefore, the evolution of an enzyme which oxidized xylitol at the C-4 position to L-xylulose would establish a new xylitol catabolic pathway . Four independent xylitol-utilizing mutants were isolated, each of which had evolved a xylitol-4-dehydrogenase activity . The four dehydrogenases appeared to be identical because they comigrated during nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . This novel xylitol dehydrogenase was constitutively synthesized, whereas L-xylulokinase remained inducible . Transductional analysis showed that the evolved dehydrogenase was not an altered ribitol or D-arabitol dehydrogenase and that the evolved dehydrogenase structural gene was not linked to the pentitol gene cluster . This evolved dehydrogenase had the highest activity with xylitol as a substrate, a Km for xylitol of 1.4 M, and a molecular weight of 43,000.

Ann Immunol (Paris), 1984 Jul-Aug, 135D(1), 59 - 69
Immunological activities of RU-41740, a glycoproteic extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae . I.--Activation of murine B cells and induction of interleukin-1 production by macrophages; Guenounou M et al.; RU-41740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae K2O1 strain, is an immunomodulating compound which has been shown to reduce infectious episodes in immunodeficient patients . Data from preliminary experimental designs suggested that RU-41740 could affect several target cells, such as T cells, B cells and macrophages . In the present report, we show that RU-41740 is a selective B-lymphocyte activator . It induces blast transformation in Nude mouse spleen cell cultures and in B-cell-enriched fractions obtained from normal mice . It does not activate T lymphocytes to proliferate . Activation of mouse B lymphocytes by RU-41740 is not affected by removal of adherent cells . RU-41740 also activates immunoglobulin secretion by murine B lymphocytes . Incubating spleen cells from C3H/HeJ mice with RU-41740 results in cell proliferation and activation of antibody-forming cells . This suggests that B-cell activation is not due to LPS contamination . Other experiments show that RU-41740 can also trigger mouse macrophages to produce interleukin-1 activity . Indeed, supernatants from peritoneal adherent cells incubated in the presence of RU-41740 can stimulate blastogenesis in thymocytes from C3H/HeJ mice . Thus, B-cell activation and IL-1 production by macrophages could constitute two additive mechanisms involved in immunomodulation induced by RU-41740.

Infect Immun, 1984 Jul, 45(1), 139 - 42
Protection against fatal Klebsiella pneumoniae burn wound sepsis by passive transfer of anticapsular polysaccharide; Cryz SJ Jr et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae KP1-0 capsular polysaccharide (PS) was isolated from culture supernatants by coprecipitation with N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide . PS was composed primarily of carbohydrate and contained less than 1% (wt/wt) protein and nucleic acids . The protective capacity of passively transferred anti-PS was evaluated in a murine burn wound sepsis model . Anti-PS antibody was found to offer high levels of protection (P less than or equal to 0.02) against a low challenge dose of K . pneumoniae KP1-0 . The 50% lethal dose for mice which received anti-PS antibody was increased from 10- to 40-fold over that for mice which received normal rabbit serum . Anti-PS antibody was found to be most effective at reducing mortality when administered before the challenge . In experiments designed to monitor the course of the infection, anti-PS was found to both delay the onset of bacteremia and reduce bacterial counts in the blood . Optimal protection against fatal burn wound sepsis was obtained by the use of a combined antibiotic and passive antibody therapy regimen.

Immunology, 1984 Jun, 52(2), 385 - 7
A factor in the culture filtrate of some Klebsiella isolates specifically modifies the fibroblasts of HLA-B27-positive normal individuals; Rayment C et al.; Cultured skin fibroblasts of HLA-B27-positive clinically normal individuals specifically bind, and are modified by, a factor in the culture filtrate of some Klebsiella isolates . These modified fibroblasts are serologically similar to the cells (lymphocytes and fibroblasts) of B27-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (B27+AS+) . By contrast, B27+AS+ cells fail to bind the factor, presumably because a receptor present on B27+AS- cells has already been blocked or modified by a Klebsiella antigen in vivo.

Can J Microbiol, 1984 Jun, 30(6), 830 - 6
P1 bacteriophage and tellurite sensitivity in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli; Tomas J et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli respond inversely toward P1 bacteriophage or TeO3(-2) . Klebsiella pneumoniae is resistant to both antagonists and E . coli is sensitive . However, P1 cmts lysogens (P1 cmts resistant) of K . pneumoniae became sensitive to tellurite and when cured from P1 cmts regained resistance . Escherichia coli spontaneous mutants selected for resistance to either P1 or TeO3(-2) were collaterally resistant to the other . As well, TeO3(-3) enhanced the adsorption of P1 vir to both E . coli and K . pneumoniae . Several outer membrane proteins were enhanced in the K . pneumoniae lysogens and were reduced in E . coli lysogens; one of which was the same molecular weight (77 000) in both bacteria . When partially purified it enhanced the plaque efficiency of P1 vir . Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E . coli C600 inactivated P1 vir, but neither the P1 lysogens nor LPS derived from the lysogens inactivated P1 vir . Escherichia coli P1 lysogens produced only heptose-deficient LPS . It is suggested that both LPS and outer membrane protein(s) comprise the P1 receptor . TeO3(-2) may interact with one or both components.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Jun, 3(3), 207 - 9
Pathogenicity of piliated and encapsulated Bacteroides fragilis; Brook I et al.; Of 20 isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group, only three were encapsulated (C+) and these induced abscesses in mice . After coinoculation with live, formalized or capsular material from other bacteria seven other isolates formed abscesses . The Bacteroides recovered from these abscesses were C+; those that had been inoculated with Klebsiella had pili-like and bacteriophage-like structures . Once encapsulated, the Bacteroides isolates induced abscesses when injected alone.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1984 May 31, 63(2), 111 - 7
A hospital epidemic caused by a multiple antibiotic resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: implication of a conjugative R plasmid; Facinelli B et al.; A R-plasmid of about 65 X 10(6) Md was found in several Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, responsible for an outbreak at the Lancisi Cardiological Hospital in Ancona . This plasmid was self-transferable and carried a "core" of resistance markers to ampicillin, carbenicillin and streptomycin; to this "core" the resistance markers to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, kanamycin and gentamicin can individually link, without appreciable changes in the molecular weight . We think that these Klebsiella pneumoniae strains are a potential reservoir of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance.

Infection, 1984 May-Jun, 12(3), 225 - 9
In vitro investigations on the antibacterial action and the influence on the phagocytic chemiluminescence of tetrachlorodecaoxide--a new, non-metallic oxygen complex; Ullmann U et al.; The first non-metallic oxygen carrier, tetrachlorodecaoxide (TCDO), showed in vitro antibacterial activity among aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . The lethal dose for Escherichia coli, for example, was 150 micrograms/ml whereas 15 micrograms/ml reduced the bacterial amount after a latent period of two hours, but regrowth started after four hours . The bactericidal effect of TCDO, however, was dose-dependent and species-specific . This suggests that some aerobic bacterial species might not be able to produce sufficient amounts of protecting enzymes like catalase or superoxide dismutase . The computer controlled measurement of chemiluminescence was used as a model for the phagocytic activity . With isolated human granulocytes and opsonized zymosan as antigen no increase in peak counts per minute was observed compared with controls without TCDO . However, with human whole blood, positive effects were seen using TCDO together with zymosan as well as specific and non-specific opsonized Klebsiella pneumoniae K 17 . It seems that whole blood possesses additional, but as yet unknown biocatalysers to split TCDO into oxygen and chloride.

Microbiol Sci, 1984 May, 1(2), 29 - 33
The nitrogen fixation genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae: a model system; Drummond MH; The genetics of nitrogen fixation and its regulation has been intensively studied in Klebsiella pneumoniae . The resulting model, whilst not complete, is proving very useful in understanding this process in other organisms.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 May, 130 ( Pt 5), 1061 - 7
Synthesis and activity of nitrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae exposed to low concentrations of oxygen; Hill S et al.; Effects of very low concentrations of dissolved O2 on nitrogenase activity in Klebsiella pneumoniae were studied in a stirred chamber system which enabled simultaneous measurements of steady-state O2 concentrations, O2 consumption and C2H2 reduction . A strain carrying a chromosomal nifH::lac fusion as well as the Nif+ plasmid pRD1, expressed nitrogenase activity with 80 nM-O2, a concentration known to inhibit nifH::lac expression by about 50% Thus nitrogenase activity in vivo was no more sensitive to O2 than expression of nifH::lac . When compared with anaerobic treatments, dissolved O2 near 30 nM apparently stimulated nitrogenase derepression and enhanced the activity of nitrogenase synthesized anaerobically . Thus, in this organism, N2 fixation occurs in microaerobic as well as anaerobic conditions.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 May, (5), 99 - 103
{Immunogenicity of inactivated Klebsiella ozaenae cultures in relation to the properties and methods of culturing and preserving the initial strains}; Molochko VA et al.; Experiments in the active protection of mice from generalized K . ozaenae infection have demonstrated that the heat-killed cultures of K . ozaenae capsular strains (antigens 02B : K4) possess pronounced and stable immunogenic properties, dependent on the presence and type of the capsular antigen and independent of the virulence and age of the initial strain, as well as the time and methods of its cultivation (the type of the culture medium: nutrient agar, glucose-mineral medium) and storage (the term of observation is 2 years) . This investigation has resulted in the determination of the strain (2211) with the highest and most stable protective properties and in the selection of the optimum conditions for the immunization of mice (by the subcutaneous injection of 250 microbial bodies per mouse) with its heat-killed culture.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 May, 25(5), 659 - 61
Deletions in Klebsiella pneumoniae R plasmids induced by growth in the presence of acridine orange at high temperature; Zorzopulos J et al.; The generation in vivo of plasmids deleted at specific sites in strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae containing R plasmids, by treatment with high concentrations of acridine orange (1.2 mg/ml) at 42 degrees C are reported . These deletions seem to be site specific because loss of specific restriction fragments after digestion with restriction enzymes was demonstrated.

Arch Neurol, 1984 May, 41(5), 545 - 6
Spinal cord dysfunction complicating bacterial meningitis; Seay AR; Cervical transverse myelopathy developed in an 8-month-old girl during the early stages of Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis . Spinal cord dysfunction is an uncommon complication of bacterial meningitis and has not been previously described in patients younger than 1 year old . A literature review of patients 2 years old or older with similar complications showed that young children have cervical cord lesions, whereas the majority of adolescents and adults have thoracic or lumbar lesions . In four of five previously reported cases of patients between 2 and 3 years old, a cardiorespiratory arrest probably played a critical role in the pathogenesis of cord dysfunction . The patient described herein, however, did not experience any cardiorespiratory insufficiency, and cord dysfunction was probably the direct result of local vascular changes and cord ischemia . On follow-up assessment, all patients had persistent neurologic deficits, regardless of age.

Cell Immunol, 1984 May, 85(2), 477 - 86
Correlation between strong adjuvanticity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide and its ability to induce interleukin-1 secretion; Kido N et al.; Adjuvant activity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) in augmenting antibody response and delayed-type hypersensitivity to protein antigens in SMA mice was much stronger than that of LPS from Escherichia coli O55 and O127 (EO55 LPS and EO127 LPS) . Relationship between strength of the adjuvant activity and that of the ability to induce interleukin-1 (IL-1) secretion by peritoneal macrophages from C3H/HeN or SMA mice was investigated using these three kinds of LPS . When supernatant samples of macrophages cultured at 37 degrees C for 24 hr in the presence of 5 micrograms/ml LPS were assayed by their mitogenic effect on thymocytes from C3H/HeJ mice, KO3 LPS induced the secretion of about four to six times greater amounts of IL-1 activity than did EO127 LPS . When concentration of LPS used for stimulation of macrophages was varied from 0.1 to 50 micrograms/ml, KO3 LPS induced the secretion of definitely greater amounts of IL-1 activity than did EO55 LPS and EO127 LPS throughout the LPS concentrations tested . Nearly the same amount of IL-1 activity as that produced by 10 micrograms/ml EO55 LPS or 50 micrograms/ml EO127 LPS could be produced by 1.0 microgram/ml or lower concentrations of KO3 LPS.

Biochem J, 1984 Apr 15, 219(2), 495 - 503
Low-temperature magnetic-circular-dichroism spectroscopy of the iron-molybdenum cofactor and the complementary cofactor-less MoFe protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase; Robinson AE et al.; The major metal clusters of the MoFe protein, Kpl , of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase were characterized separately by low-temperature magnetic-circular-dichroism spectroscopy . The spectra and magnetization curves of the extracted iron-molybdenum cofactor, FeMoco , and of 'P' clusters in NifB - Kpl , the inactive, FeMoco -less, MoFo protein from an nifB mutant, were measured and compared with those of the holoprotein . (When FeMoco and NifB - Kpl are combined, active Kpl is formed.) Reduced NifB - Kpl had a spectrum with a weak, paramagnetic, component superimposed on a diamagnetic background . The paramagnetic component was assigned to a contaminating, e.p.r.-active, species . Thionine-oxidized NifB - Kpl had a spectrum and magnetization properties very similar to those of thionine-oxidized Kpl , demonstrating that the 'P' clusters are not significantly affected by the absence of the FeMoco clusters . The spectra of reduced isolated FeMoco had similar magnetization curves but sharper features and higher intensities than those of this centre in dithionite-reduced Kpl . Furthermore, a shoulder near 580 nm in the Kpl spectrum was absent from that of FeMoco . This may be due to the loss of a ligand or to a change in symmetry of the FeMoco cluster on extraction.

Microbiologica, 1984 Apr, 7(2), 193 - 6
Positive selection of colicin cured cells by mitomycin C in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Debbia E et al.; A colicinogenic strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae (MirM7cx) was treated with chemical and physical agents in an attempt to cure it from colicin . Mitomycin C was the only agent able to eliminate the extrachromosomal element from the strain . A simple method to isolate colicin cured cells of K . pneumoniae is described.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Apr, 25(4), 405 - 7
Antagonism by chloramphenicol of broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics against Klebsiella pneumoniae; Brown TH et al.; Chloramphenicol combined with cefotaxime, moxalactam, cefoperazone, aztreonam, or imipenem was tested in vitro against clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae . By time-kill cultures (killing curves), chloramphenicol interfered with activity of all five beta-lactams . When chloramphenicol was added before the beta-lactams, the action of cefotaxime, moxalactam, or cefoperazone against all isolates was antagonized at all times tested . The action of aztreonam was antagonized against four of six isolates . With imipenem, antagonism occurred against half of the isolates at some time during 24 h when chloramphenicol was added simultaneously, provided that a sufficient inoculum of K . pneumoniae was employed . Generally, less antagonism resulted when chloramphenicol was added after the cephalosporins . Interference of bactericidal activity of three new cephalosporins by chloramphenicol has potential clinical relevance to the therapy of gram-negative bacillary meningitis . The lesser antagonism of aztreonam and imipenem by chloramphenicol is of uncertain clinical relevance but indicates that this in vitro phenomenon may apply to a wide range of beta-lactam antibiotics.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Apr, 158(1), 187 - 94
Role of the nifQ gene product in the incorporation of molybdenum into nitrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Imperial J et al.; NifQ- mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae are defective in nitrogen fixation due to an elevated requirement for molybdenum . When millimolar concentrations of molybdate were added to the medium, the effects of the nifQ mutations were suppressed . NifQ- mutants were not impaired in the uptake of molybdate, but molybdate accumulation was defective in these mutants . All of the nif-coded proteins were present in NifQ- cells derepressed in the absence of molybdenum . Molybdenum-activatable nitrogenase component I was found at the same level observed in the wild type . Molybdenum, thus, does not play a role in nif expression or in the short-term stability of nif-coded proteins . The defect in NifQ- mutants was in the incorporation of molybdenum into nitrogenase component I . The nifQ gene product acts together with the products of nifB, nifN, and nifE in the biosynthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase.

J Clin Pathol, 1984 Apr, 37(4), 471 - 4
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a patient with no known risk factors: a pathological study; Burt AD et al.; We present the pathological findings in a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a patient with no known risk factor . Postmortem examination showed klebsiella lung abscess, generalised cytomegalovirus infection, cerebral toxoplasmosis, and a primary cerebral lymphoma . An additional feature was the presence of dilatation of the intrahepatic large bile ducts in association with an atypical distribution of cytomegalovirus . The relation between this case and previously reported cases of AIDS is discussed.

Carbohydr Res, 1984 Mar 15, 126(2), 261 - 9
Preparation of a branched heptasaccharide by bacteriophage depolymerization of Klebsiella K60 capsular polysaccharide; Di Fabio JL et al.; Bacteriophage phi 60 possesses an endoglucosidase that depolymerizes the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella K60 into a heptasaccharide having two single beta-D-glucopyranosyl side-chains . This bulky oligosaccharide may be used as a probe to examine the combining sites of immunoglobulins . The 1H- and 13C-n.m.r.-spectral data of the oligosaccharide are reported.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1984 Mar, 79(3), 217 - 26
Continuing changing patterns of disease in pyogenic liver abscess: a study of 38 patients; Greenstein AJ et al.; Changes in the etiology, clinical features, methods of diagnosis, and treatment of pyogenic liver abscess have occurred slowly but continuously over the past century . The earlier changes are well documented in the literature, and continuing variations in the classic patterns of disease are now evident . These include 1) a recent increase in incidence reflecting more accurate diagnostic techniques; 2) changes in bacteriology with a high incidence of Klebsiella infection; 3) a reduction in mortality, reflecting earlier diagnosis and more refined therapeutic methods; and 4) changes in the population at risk namely a large population of terminal cancer patients . Thirty-eight patients treated at the Mount Sinai Hospital over the past 16 years, 1967-1982, have been divided into two groups, each of 8 years duration, reflecting an earlier era before routine use of scanning procedures, and a later period when technetium, gallium, sonographic, and more recently CT imaging procedures were regularly done . During the latter period there was a significant increase in both the total number of liver abscesses diagnosed and in the number estimated as a proportion of all hospital admissions . Mortality has continued to fall to more acceptable levels with a 25% reduction overall . In the early era, extrahepatic intra-abdominal infection caused all four deaths . In the past 8 years obstructing or metastatic cancer has caused four of the five deaths . Bacteremia occurred in six of the nine deaths, five of these being of biliary origin . The decrease in mortality may reflect earlier diagnosis, an increase in the number of solitary abscesses, and better therapy.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Mar, (3), 32 - 5
{Klebsiella pneumoniae adhesion to epithelioid cells in vitro}; Gosteva VV et al.; The adhesion of K . pneumoniae K24 capsular strain No . 6723 onto subcultured epithelioid human kidney cells RN was studied overtime by light microscopy and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy . To find out the bacterial capsule and glycocalyx of epithelioid cells, the method of staining the samples with ruthenium red was used, this stain producing the coloration of extracellular acidic mucopolusaccharides . The bacteria were found to attach to the qlycocalyx of epithelioid cells by means of protruding areas on the capsule which retained its form and size after both stabilization with ruthenium red and standard glutar -osmium fixation . Under the action of the bacteria epithelioid cells were found to round off, become longer and increase the number of processes . At the sites of contact with the bacteria specific short cytoplasmic processes serving for the attachment of K . pneumoniae cells were discovered.

Can J Microbiol, 1984 Mar, 30(3), 299 - 305
Osmoregulation in Klebsiella pneumoniae: enhancement of anaerobic growth and nitrogen fixation under stress by proline betaine, gamma-butyrobetaine, and other related compounds; Le Rudulier D et al.; Exogenous proline betaine ( stachydrine or N- dimethylproline ) or gamma-butyrobetaine (gamma-trimethylaminobutyrate), at a concentration as low as 1 mM, were found to stimulate the growth rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae, wild type M5A1 , in media of inhibitory osmotic strength (0.8 M NaC1) . Simultaneously, nitrogen fixation by whole cells, a process particularly sensitive to osmotic stress, was strongly enhanced by these compounds . However, in the absence of sodium chloride, both the growth and nitrogen fixation were not affected by the addition of the methylammonium derivatives in the medium . The sensitivity of the nitrogen fixation to osmotic stress was used as a bioassay to evaluate the potentiality of osmoprotective compound in relation to the number of methyl groups on the nitrogen atom of glycine, proline, and gamma-aminobutyrate . Experiments with sarcosine ( monomethylglycine ), dimethylglycine, and glycine betaine ( trimethylglycine ), or experiments with mono- and di- methylproline or gamma-mono-, gamma-di, gamma-tri- methylaminobutyrate , indicated that the greatest stress tolerance was always obtained with the more N-methylated compounds.

Acta Cytol, 1984 Mar-Apr, 28(2), 139 - 42
Cytologic diagnosis of rhinoscleroma; Zaharopoulos P et al.; The cytologic diagnosis of a case of rhinoscleroma was made on brushing specimens of a laryngeal lesion . The cytologic picture included aggregates of the characteristic Mikulicz cells, large, rounded histiocytes with an eccentric nucleus and vacuolar cytoplasm containing the short rods of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis . Although the diagnosis of this chronic infectious disease involving the upper respiratory tract is routinely made by tissue biopsy and bacteriologic study of the lesions, the present report indicates that cytology has a definite place in its diagnosis.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Mar, 157(3), 925 - 30
DNA hybridization analysis of the nif region of two methylotrophs and molecular cloning of nif-specific DNA; Toukdarian AE et al.; DNA isolated from two diazotrophic methylotrophs, the obligate methanotroph Methylosinus sp . strain 6 and the methanol autotroph Xanthobacter sp . H4-14, hybridized to DNA fragments encoding nitrogen fixation (nif) genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae . This interspecific nif homology was limited to DNA fragments encoding the nitrogenase structural proteins (nifH, nifD, and nifK) and specific methylotroph DNA sequences . The hybridization patterns obtained with the two methylotrophs were dissimilar, indicating that the nif region of methylotrophs is not physically conserved . By using the K . pneumoniae nif structural genes as a probe, a fragment of nif DNA from each methylotroph was cloned and characterized . The DNA fragment from Methylosinus sp . 6 encoded two polypeptides of 57,000 and 34,000 molecular weight.

Immun Infekt, 1984 Feb, 12(1), 56 - 60
{Therapeutic and opsonizing effect of specific antibacterial immunoglobulins in experimental Klebsiella septicemia in mice}; Trautmann M et al.; Intravenous infection of NMRI mice with a highly virulent strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae induced protracted septicemia with high lethality . Treatment of the animals with specific rabbit immunoglobulins was able to lower mortality significantly if the immunoglobulins were administered no later than 6 hours after infection . In cyclophosphamid-treated mice, even inocula as low as 10-20 organisms proved to be highly lethal . Immunoglobulins were similarly protective under these conditions and significantly lowered mortality even when injected as late as 8 hours after infection . When immunocompromised mice were infected with higher challenge inocula, the therapeutic effect decreased and the time interval allowing efficient therapy became shorter . However, even if immunoglobulin therapy was performed too late, it was able to delay mortality for several days.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Feb, 130 ( Pt 2), 391 - 400
Microcin-mediated interactions between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli strains; de Lorenzo V et al.; Amensal indirect interactions between a Klebsiella pneumoniae microcin-producing strain and several Escherichia coli strains, all of intestinal origin, were studied . Mixed batch cultures of both microcin-producing and microcin-sensitive strains showed that microcin production and excretion into the medium allowed the producer strain to prevail over sensitive strains, even when initial competition conditions were highly unfavourable for the producer . Mixed cultures also showed the production of a microcin-antagonist by the same microcin-producing strain when the nutrients in the medium had been depleted . The antagonist apparently promoted the viability of sensitive cells already damaged by microcin . These results have likely ecological implications.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Feb, 47(2), 374 - 7
Inorganic phosphate accumulation and cadmium detoxification in Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 growing in continuous culture; Aiking H et al.; Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418, growing in the presence of cadmium under glucose-, sulfate-, or phosphate-limited conditions in continuous culture, exhibits two different cadmium detoxifying mechanisms . In addition to sulfide formation, increased accumulation of Pi is demonstrated as a novel mechanism . Intracellular cadmium is always quantitatively counterbalanced by a concerted increase in both inorganic sulfide and Pi contents of the cells . This led to the conclusion that production of sulfide and accumulation of Pi are detoxification mechanisms present in K . aerogenes but that their relative importance is crucially dependent on the strain and the growth conditions employed.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Feb, (2), 19 - 23
{Klebsiella infection in oncological patients and K-serovars isolated with this causative agent}; Erastova EI et al.; The biochemical identification and serological typing of 104 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from oncological patients in cases of purulent septic complications were carried out with the use of agglutinating K-sera prepared at the All-Union Escherichia Center . According to the character of K-antigens contained in these strains they were found to belong to 27 serovars . 6 strains proved to be in the R-form, and the typing of 7 strains could not be carried out with the set of sera used in this investigation . In different kinds of pathological material definite K-serovars prevailed . The sensitivity of the isolated K . pneumoniae strains to 21 antibacterial preparations was studied; as a result, sensitivity to gentamicin was observed in 78%, to dioxydin, in 73% and to chloramphenicol, in 65.5% of these strains . Some specific features characteristic of the course of Klebsiella infection in oncological patients were revealed: in one patient K . pneumoniae cultures belonging to the same K-serovars could be isolated from different foci of infection, while those belonging to different K-serovars could be isolated from the same focus of infection . The analysis of different medical histories yielded results demonstrating that in oncological patients Klebsiella infection took a prolonged and severe course, frequently with fatal termination, thus bringing to naught successes achieved in specific antitumoral treatment.

South Med J, 1984 Feb, 77(2), 229 - 31
Klebsiella pneumoniae arthritis of the hip in a diabetic patient; Apple JS et al.; Chronic debilitating diseases may predispose to various joint infections, but early diagnosis of septic arthritis of the hip may be difficult . Klebsiella pneumoniae is an organism uncommonly found in joint infections . We have reviewed the literature on Klebsiella pneumoniae septic arthritis and described a case of a diabetic patient who had severe destruction of the hip joint over a six-month interval due to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.

Infect Control, 1984 Feb, 5(2), 79 - 84
An outbreak of gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: analysis of control measures; Saravolatz LD et al.; In April 1978, a strain of gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (GRK) was introduced into the neonatal intensive care unit of Henry Ford Hospital . An additional ten cases of GRK occurred over the subsequent 16 months and intestinal colonization occurred in up to 91% of admissions per month . All GRK were susceptible to amikacin and were capsular serotype 19 . Though hand contamination of hospital personnel with GRK was documented, increased handwashing practices did not reduce colonization rates of neonates with the epidemic strain . Intestinal carriage persisted for up to ten months and could not be eradicated by administering oral colistin sulfate . Discontinuation of gentamicin and utilization of amikacin were associated with a significant reduction in colonization with GRK (p less than 0.05) . However, the only control measure that prevented both new cases and colonization with the epidemic strain was the utilization of a strict cohort system.

Dig Dis Sci, 1984 Feb, 29(2), 109 - 15
Bacteriological study of transhepatically aspirated bile . Relation to cholangiographic findings in 295 patients; Suzuki Y et al.; The purpose of this study was to elucidate the frequency of bacterial infection of intrahepatic bile in relation to biliary tract pathology . Bile was aspirated during percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, with or without combined biliary tract drainage, and subjected to bacteriological investigations in 295 patients with various hepatobiliary diseases . Bile was infected in 89% of the 92 patients who had high fever and were on antibiotics at the time of study . Positive cultures were obtained in 39% of the patients who were not so ill as to require antibiotics . The overall incidence of biliary infection was 90% in bile duct stones, particularly high in patients with primary intrahepatic stones, regardless of the presence of stones in the common bile duct, and in patients who had dilation of the common bile duct, presumably due to obstructive involvement of the ampulla of Vater . E . coli and Klebsiella were the most frequent among the aerobic species isolated, and mixed infection involving these organisms was common . Anaerobes were much less frequent, always mixed with aerobes, but positive cultures would increase with more rigorous anaerobic conditions for culture . Duodenal fluid collected simultaneously did not always grow the same microorganisms, but showed a 86-87% coincidence with intrahepatic bile in terms of positive or negative cultures . It is recommended that bile be cultured at the time of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.

J Med Microbiol, 1984 Feb, 17(1), 67 - 77
Virulence of Klebsiella strains in experimentally induced skin lesions in the mouse; Simoons-Smit AM et al.; The virulence of 93 clinical isolates of Klebsiella was compared in a mouse model by subcutaneous injection . Skin pathogenicity was measured by estimating the number of viable bacteria in the lesions 24 h after infection with a dose of 10(7) bacteria . Strains of serotypes K1-6 were compared with strains of serotypes higher than K6 . All K1 and K5, and some K2 and K4 strains were more virulent for mice than strains with a serotype higher than K6 . The K3 strains were significantly less virulent than the strains with a serotype higher than K6 . The bacteriological findings were confirmed by histological examination with some strains . No differences in virulence were observed between strains of the same serotype isolated from patients with cystitis or from those with pyelonephritis, nor between strains of the same serotype isolated from the blood of patients with septicaemia or from other sites . The mouse model has been found satisfactory for observing differences in virulence between Klebsiella isolates.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Feb, 157(2), 460 - 4
Repression of nitrogen fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae at high temperature; Brooks SJ et al.; The effect of elevated growth temperature on nif mRNA synthesis, nif protein synthesis, and nitrogenase activity was investigated in wild-type and NifL- strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Nitrogenase activity is not affected at 41 degrees C; however, nitrogenase is not synthesized at that temperature . Transcription of three nif operons studied is repressed at 41 degrees C . We show that the nifL protein is not required for repression by high temperature and propose that repression of nif at 41 degrees C results from a reversible inactivation of the nifA gene product.

Br J Surg, 1984 Feb, 71(2), 151 - 3
Muramyl dipeptide increases tolerance to shock and bacterial challenge in mice; Ausobsky JR et al.; We measured the phagocytic capacity of the reticulo-endothelial system by assay of the clearance of colloidal carbon from the blood stream in both normal mice and mice in which shock had been induced by intraperitoneal injection of hypertonic glucose . The group of shocked mice was further subdivided into those pretreated with the immunoadjuvant, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), and those given placebo . Shock reduced reticulo-endothelial phagocytosis (P less than 0.01), whereas pretreatment of shocked mice with MDP led to a hyperphagocytic state (P less than 0.01) . In a second series of experiments we subjected shocked mice, pretreated with MDP or placebo, to a virulent Klebsiella pneumoniae infection . MDP significantly improved survival (P less than 0.01).

Jpn J Antibiot, 1984 Feb, 37(2), 209 - 18
{Laboratory and clinical studies of cefotiam in digestive diseases}; Kanoh H et al.; Experimental and clinical studies on cefotiam (CTM), a new synthetic cephalosporin, were performed in digestive diseases . Among the 7 cases of 'cholelithiasis and cholangitis', 6 cases (86%) showed better response than "effective" . Among the 9 cases of infections except 'cholelithiasis and cholangitis' which had no connection with cancers, 6 cases (67%) showed better response than "effective" . Among the 15 cases of 'infections following advanced cancers', 7 cases (47%) showed better response than "effective" . This inferior result was due to the relation to factors coming from cancers . CTM was effective in not only infections of the aged but that which resisted antibiotics of penicillins and the other cephems . Sensitivity of E . coli, Klebsiella and S . aureus was made a comparative study of by MIC and disc test . It was found as a result that CTM had the equal or superior antimicrobial activity to other antibiotics of cephems, penicillins and aminoglycosides.

J Immunol, 1984 Feb, 132(2), 616 - 21
Influence of RU 41.740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae, on the murine immune system . I . T-independent polyclonal B cell activation; Wood CD et al.; A glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae, RU 41.740, has been shown clinically to reduce infectious episodes in patients prone to frequent infections, and experimentally to reduce mortality in animals infected with various bacteria or viruses . The method of action of RU 41.740 in conferring protection from infection is as yet unknown, but in experimental animals, RU 41.740 appears to influence B and T cells as well as macrophages . We report here that RU 41.740 is a strong polyclonal B cell activator and that it activates B cells in a T-independent manner . RU 41.740 also activates spleen cells from the LPS-nonresponder mouse strains, C3H/HeJ and C57BL/10ScCr, which indicates that the polyclonal B cell activating ability of RU 41.740 is not due to contamination by LPS.

J Biol Chem, 1984 Jan 25, 259(2), 1018 - 26
Immunochemical studies on human monoclonal macroglobulins with specificities for 3,4-pyruvylated D-galactose and 4,6-pyruvylated D-glucose; Rao AS et al.; Four of six human monoclonal IgM proteins were found to react best with Klebsiella polysaccharides containing 3,4py beta DGal (pyruvic acetalated D-galactopyranose), one with Klebsiella polysaccharides with 4,6pyDGlc; the sixth is uncharacterized . The combining sites of two of these (IgMWEA and IgMNAE) were essentially indistinguishable by quantitative precipitin studies at varying pH and by quantitative precipitin inhibition assays, but the other two differed in specificity of their combining sites from these and from each other . These differences were detected by precipitin inhibition assays with 3,4py beta DGal-containing oligosaccharide alditols, the R and S isomers of methyl 4,6py alpha DGal, the R isomer of methyl 4,6py beta DGal, or the R and S isomers of methyl 4,6py alpha DGlc, and -beta DGlc . In all of these except the S isomer of methyl 4,6pyDGal and R isomer of methyl 4,6pyDGlc, the carboxyl group is axial to the plane of the acetal ring . Their specificity appears to be determined by the nonreducing ends of chains and is considered to be cavity-type.

Nature, 1984 Jan 19-25, 307(5948), 289 - 92
Activation of extra copies of genes coding for nitrogenase in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata; Scolnik PA et al.; Biological nitrogen fixation requires the nitrogenase enzyme complex, ATP, and a strong reductant . Klebsiella pneumoniae contains 15 linked nitrogen fixation (nif) genes, three of which, nifH, nifD and nifK have been sufficiently conserved in evolution that cloned K . pneumoniae nifHDK DNA will hybridize to DNA sequences from every nitrogen-fixing bacterium examined to date, including the purple, non-sulphur bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, in which one complete nifHDK operon has been mapped . Using cloned K . pneumoniae nifHDK DNA we report here that R . capsulata contains multiple copies of the genes for nitrogenase components . Two regions containing sequences homologous to all three nif structural genes have been identified, and mutations in one region produced a Nif- phenotype . Nif+ pseudorevertants were derived from these mutants, some of which retained the original mutation suggesting that some of the extra nif gene sequences can be functionally activated.

Microbiol Immunol, 1984, 28(5), 559 - 67
Ultrastructure of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide isolated from culture supernatant: structure of various uniform salt forms; Kato N et al.; Various uniform salt forms of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) isolated from culture supernatant were prepared as follows . Basic materials present in KO3 LPS were rigorously removed by electrodialysis and the electrodialyzed KO3 LPS was neutralized with NaOH, KOH, NH4OH, Ca(OH)2, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, or triethylamine . The ultrastructure of the uniform salt forms of KO3 LPS was examined using preparations stained with uranyl acetate . The sodium, potassium, ammonium, and trisaminomethane salt forms were structurally very similar to the natural form of KO3 LPS which consisted of a mixture of flat ribbon-like structures (average width of 16 nm and average thickness of 7 nm) and spheres with various diameters, both covered with fine hairy structures . When KO3 LPS was converted to the triethylamine salt form, the ribbon-like structures were disrupted into very small granules (7-9 nm X 9-15 nm) . The calcium salt form consisted of particles and rods of various sizes and ribbon-like structures which were markedly extended (maximum width of 50 nm) and presented irregular shapes . When converted to the calcium salt form, the ribbon-like structures were extended and eventually divided into particles and rods . For reasons still unknown, the sodium salt of KO3 LPS was mostly stained positively with uranyl acetate in contrast to the natural form and the other uniform salt forms which were always negatively stained . In the positively stained preparation of the sodium salt form, it was clearly shown that the ribbon-like structures consisted of a bilayer.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1984, 50(5-6), 461 - 72
Influence of metabolic end-products on the growth efficiency of Klebsiella aerogenes in anaerobic chemostat culture; Teixeira de Mattos MJ et al.; Progressively increasing the input concentration of growth-limiting nutrient (glucose, ammonia, K+) to anaerobic chemostat cultures of Klebsiella aerogenes (D = 0.38 h-1; 35 degrees C; pH 6.8) led to a non-linear increase in bacterial cell concentration . At modest population densities, residual growth-limiting substrate levels increased substantially, with increasing input concentration, and the culture bacterial dry weight tended to a constant value . With the glucose-limited culture, increasing the glucose input concentration above 20 g X 1(-1) led to accumulation of unused glucose and a change in the fermentation pattern . There was a concomitant lowering of the yield value with respect to glucose consumption, and the calculated YATP value similarly declined . Addition of extra essential (non-limiting) nutrients to the culture was without effect . Similarly, addition of individual fermentation products (acetate, ethanol, D-lactate, 2,3-butanediol, succinate) to the feed medium, in varying concentrations and in different combinations, failed to influence the fermentation pattern or the energetics of cell synthesis . However, a clear correlation was observed between the yield values (of both glucose- and K+-limited cultures) and the steady state concentration of CO2 in the effluent gas . Increasing the concentration CO2 either by increasing the population density or lowering the sparging rate of nitrogen gas through the culture, effected a lowering of the yield values . It is suggested that dissolved CO2 exerts an effect on both metabolism and the energetics of cell synthesis . A possible mechanism of energy dissipation (i.e., a futile cycle) involving carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions is proposed.

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