Am J Obstet Gynecol . 1989 Jul;161(1):120. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal mastitis; Kalstone C; A postpartum patient had a unilateral breast infection that responded to cephalosporin treatment . During therapy, the contralateral breast developed a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection . The patient was hospitalized and treated successfully with intravenous vancomycin . Obstetricians should be alert to this possibility when treating patients with postpartum mastitis. J Clin Invest, 1989 Jul, 84(1), 236 - 43 Production of lymphotoxin by isolated human tonsillar B lymphocytes and B lymphocyte cell lines; Sung SS et al.; The expression of lymphotoxin (LT) mRNA and cytokine in human tonsillar B cells and B cell lines was examined by Northern blots and cytotoxicity assays, respectively . In tonsillar B cells, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan l (SAC) alone induced low levels of LT mRNA accumulation . However, SAC and anti-mu were strongly synergistic with PMA in this induction . Peak LT mRNA expression in tonsillar B cells stimulated by PMA plus SAC occurred between 48 and 72 h and was approximately half as much as that in PMA plus anti-CD3-stimulated T cells . Cyclosporine A was not effective in inhibiting LT mRNA accumulation by stimulated tonsillar B cells . A number of B cell lines could also be stimulated by PMA to express LT mRNA . Peak accumulation of LT mRNA in the cell line RPMI 1788 stimulated with PMA peaked about 8 h . A23187 in combination with PMA caused this accumulation to increase slightly and to peak earlier . The cytotoxic effects in the supernatants of stimulated B cells were contributed mostly by LT . The results indicate that tonsillar B cells are important in LT production and that there are important differences in the stimulation requirements for LT production and in LT mRNA expression kinetics between tonsillar B cells and B cell lines. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1989 Jul, 106(1), 55 - 9 Amino acid sequence of porcine cardiac muscle troponin C; Kobayashi T et al.; Troponin C is the Ca2+-receptive protein located on the thin filament of striated and cardiac muscle . We have determined the amino acid sequence of troponin C obtained from porcine cardiac muscle by sequencing and aligning the lysyl endopeptidase and Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease peptides . It was composed of 161 amino acid residues with a blocked N-terminus . The sequence of porcine cardiac troponin C was identical with that of bovine cardiac troponin C. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1989 Jul, 106(1), 151 - 7 Primary structure of H2-proteinase, a non-hemorrhagic metalloproteinase, isolated from the venom of the habu snake, Trimeresurus flavoviridis; Takeya H et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of and the locations of disulfide bridges in H2-proteinase, a major non-hemorrhagic proteinase isolated from the venom of the habu Trimeresurus flavoviridis, have been determined and compared with those of HR2a, one of the hemorrhagic metalloproteinases in this venom . The strategy involved consisted of structural analysis of peptides in digests with cyanogen bromide, lysyl endopeptidase, trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and thermolysin . Peptides were purified by gel filtration followed by reversed-phase HPLC . H2-proteinase is a non-glycosylated single chain polypeptide consisting of 201 amino acids with an amino-terminal pyroglutamic acid, a calculated molecular weight of 22,991 and a net charge of +14 at neutral pH . There was no evidence of heterogeneity of the sequence . H2-proteinase has a typical zinc-chelating sequence and its overall sequence identity with HR2a is 73.6% . The 3 disulfide bridges in H2-proteinase link Cys-117 to Cys-196, Cys-158 to Cys-180, and Cys-160 to Cys-163, in the same manner as in the case of HR2a . In striking contrast to HR2a, it contains en extra free cysteine residue at position 94 which becomes reactive to a sulfhydryl reagent in the presence of a denaturant. Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Jul-Aug, 11(4), 578 - 85 Infected false aneurysms of the femoral artery in intravenous drug addicts; McIlroy MA et al.; The evaluation and treatment of 60 intravenous drug addicts with infected false aneurysms of the femoral artery seen at Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) from 1977 to 1988 were retrospectively reviewed . The most common presenting signs and symptoms were groin swelling and/or mass in 56 (93%) of the patients and pain and/or tenderness in 48 (80%) of the patients . Digital subtraction angiography and standard arteriography showed sensitivities of 92% and 96%, respectively, in the detection of aneurysms . Twenty-three (39%) of the 60 patients had polymicrobial infections . Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 50 (83%) of 60 cases; 21 (42%) of the isolates were beta-lactam-resistant strains . Anaerobes and aerobic gram-negative bacilli were observed in 12 (20%) and seven (12%) of 60 patients, respectively . Thirty-six (60%) of the patients were bacteremic . All patients received parenteral antibiotics and had surgical resection of their false aneurysm(s) . Bacteriologic treatment failures occurred in five of 13 patients who received less than or equal to 15 days of parenteral antibiotics following surgical ligation, as compared with one of 47 who received longer courses (P = .002) . Six of 12 grafting procedures were successful, and six of the 60 patients required amputations . There were no deaths . Previously reported cases from the United States medical and surgical literature are reviewed. J Membr Biol, 1989 Jul, 109(2), 95 - 103 Reconstitution of the lipid matrix of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria as asymmetric planar bilayer; Seydel U et al.; This paper is a report on the reconstitution of the lipid matrix of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria as an asymmetric planar bilayer . This is the first time that a planar membrane is described, which consists on one side of a phospholipid (PL) mixture and on the other side of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Therefore, strong emphasis is placed on a physical characterization of this membrane via its electrical properties . The membranes were prepared from spread monolayers or from vesicle-derived monolayers . Contrary to observations for symmetric phospholipid membranes, specific capacitances of (0.67 +/- 0.02) mu F.cm-2, breakdown voltages between 200 and 400 mV and specific conductances between 10(-8) and 2 x 10(-7) S.cm-2 were obtained independent of the preparation method . The LPS-containing membranes were stable up to 3 hr if they were formed and kept at temperatures above the hydrocarbon chain melting temperature of the LPS . For the specific capacitance, a dependence on the aperture radius was observed . This is explained by assuming a toroidal transition zone at the rim of the aperture . First results on the action of the pore-forming alpha-toxin from Staphylococcus aureus on bilayers of different composition demonstrate particular characteristics of this asymmetric bilayer system . The pore-formation rate is highest in symmetric phospholipid bilayers, considerably lower in asymmetric PL/LPS systems and fully inhibited in LPS/LPS systems. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jul, 27(7), 1682 - 3 Characteristic bacteriolytic activities of Staphylococcus hyicus; Lammler C; Staphylococcus hyicus demonstrated characteristic bacteriolytic activities towards a Micrococcus luteus reference strain . This lytic activity was demonstrated on medium containing M . luteus cells as large zones of transparency around the culture streak . Smaller zones of transparency were observed with Staphylococcus intermedius, Staphylococcus chromogenes, and some strains of Staphylococcus aureus but not with other coagulase-negative staphylococcal species . The distribution and extent of the bacteriolytic activity could be useful as additional criteria for differentiation of S . hyicus. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jul, 27(7), 1496 - 501 Quantitative determination of staphylococcal enterotoxin A by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a combination of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and biotin-streptavidin interaction; Edwin C; A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) was developed by using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to SEA as primary capture antibodies . The antigen was detected with purified rabbit anti-SEA antibody as the secondary antibody . The secondary antibody was identified by direct conjugation with biotin or via biotinylated sheep F(ab')2 fragments to rabbit antibody . The biotin was then reacted with avidin-alkaline phosphatase (AP) conjugate, avidin-biotin-AP conjugated complex, or streptavidin-AP conjugate . The enzyme was identified by using p-nitrophenylphosphate . The incorporation of the avidin-biotin-AP conjugated complex or streptavidin-AP conjugate augmented the sensitivity 32-fold over that of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay without these reagents . Controls were run by substitution of the anti-SEA MAb with unrelated MAb of the same isotype . Sample values were considered positive when the A405 exceeded those of the negative controls by 3 standard deviations (greater than 99% confidence interval) . The toxin could be quantitated with purified SEA standards through linear regression analysis with lower detection limits of 4 ng/ml (r = 0.99) and 0.25 ng/ml (r greater than or equal to 0.98) . Concentrations of protein A up to 10 micrograms/ml did not cause interference . Analyses of crude growth extracts of SEA-secreting strains of Staphylococcus aureus were reproducible and were expressed in terms of 95% confidence intervals . Lack of cross-reactivity was seen with extracts of other toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains of S . aureus . The assay can be completed in one working day, provided that MAb-coated plates are available. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jul, 27(7), 1471 - 6 Staff carriage of epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Cookson B et al.; Twenty-six nurses were repeatedly screened for carriage of epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (EMRSA) immediately before and after duty periods in which they solely attended six patients widely colonized with two EMRSA strains distinguishable by plasmid analysis . EMRSA carriage was detected in 13 nurses . Three EMRSA carriage patterns emerged: transient carriage in 12 nurses, when the EMRSA was isolated from noses or fingers of nurses after duty but was gone before their next day's duty; short-term nasal carriage, seen on occasion in 4 of these 12 nurses, when EMRSA carriage was detected on two consecutive screens; and persistent nasal carriage, seen in 1 nurse only, when the EMRSA was seen on more than two consecutive occasions . All but one of these incidents of carriage could be explained by close patient, rather than environmental, exposure and occurred despite an intensive control programme . Transient or short-term carriage in nurses probably resulted in transfer of the EMRSA between patients . Staff decontamination should be considered following a period of cohort nursing of EMRSA patients, especially if staff members are shortly to nurse unaffected patients . Our findings may explain some of the difficulties in controlling EMRSA. Biomaterials, 1989 Jul, 10(5), 325 - 8 In vitro and in vivo comparative colonization of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis on orthopaedic implant materials; Barth E et al.; Clinically, Staphylococcus aureus appears to be the dominant organism associated with infected metal implants, whereas coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains are more frequently isolated from infected polymer implants . We reproduced this trend experimentally in vitro and in vivo . Discs of a titanium alloy, poly(methyl methacrylate) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene were exposed to a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus or either of two strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis . Within 1 h Staphylococcus aureus was always the most rapid colonizer regardless of biomaterial . However, after 8 to 24 h, Staphylococcus aureus was present in higher numbers on metal and Staphylococcus epidermidis on polymers . Moreover, the exopolysaccharide produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis appeared to offer an effective protection against host defences in vivo. Ann Plast Surg, 1989 Jul, 23(1), 35 - 8 The effect of endogenous skin bacteria on burn wound infection; Phillips LG et al.; Burn wound sepsis can be due to exogenous or endogenous bacteria . When rare organisms cause infection, exogenous sources are implicated . This sets into motion hospital infection control team searches, which are both exhausting and harassing to patients and staff . This study examines the skin bacteria present at admission and the frequency of endogenous infection in burn patients . Sixty-two patients with burns up to 92% of the total body surface area underwent unburned skin bacterial surveillance on admission and at weekly intervals using RODAC contact plates . Burn wounds were biopsied for quantitative and qualitative analyses . Morphologically dissimilar colonies were isolated and identified using standard gram-positive and gram-negative identification strips (Analytab Products, Inc . {API}) . On admission, the patients harbored Staphylococcus species, many of which were burn wound sepsis were infected with the same organisms cultured from their unburned skin on admission . A subset of patients (14) grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from their wounds or other sites . A comparison with admission isolates showed identical susceptibilities . These data suggest skin is an endogenous source of infection in the burned patient. Lab Anim, 1989 Jul, 23(3), 229 - 33 Ear tag induced Staphylococcus infection in mice; Cover CE et al.; Mice used in a 2-year oral toxicity study developed a progressive, moist dermatitis . The initial lesions were seen around the ears in which metal identification tags had been placed and usually progressed to include the skin of the neck and shoulder . Clinically, the mice were pruritic, lost weight, had rough coats, and became moribund . The predominant finding at necropsy was pale brown kidneys with irregular granular surfaces . Histologically, there was inflammation and focal-to-diffuse necrosis in the visceral organs and affected skin . The predominant organism isolated from the skin, kidneys and heart blood was Staphylococcus aureus . This bacterium is a common inhabitant of the skin of conventionally housed mice and its isolation from the kidneys and blood suggested that the portal of entry was the wound caused by the insertion of the metal ear tag. Blood, 1989 Jul, 74(1), 517 - 25 Use of 8-methoxypsoralen and long-wavelength ultraviolet radiation for decontamination of platelet concentrates; Lin L et al.; Transmission of viral diseases through blood products remains an unsolved problem in transfusion medicine . We have developed a psoralen photochemical system for decontamination of platelet concentrates in which platelets are treated with long wavelength ultraviolet radiation (UVA, 320-400 nm) in the presence of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) . Bacteria, RNA viruses, and DNA viruses ranging in genome size from 1.2 x 10(6) daltons, encompassing the size range of human pathogens, were inoculated into platelet concentrates and subjected to treatment . This system inactivated 25 to 30 logs/h of bacteria Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus, 6 logs/h of bacteriophage fd, 0.9 log/h of bacteriophage R17 and 1.1 logs/h of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in platelet concentrates maintained in standard storage bags . Platelet integrity and in vitro function before, immediately following photochemical treatment, and during prolonged storage after treatment, were evaluated by measuring: (1) extracellular pH; (2) platelet yields; (3) extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels; (4) platelet morphology; (5) platelet aggregation responsiveness; (6) thromboxane beta-2 (TXB-2) production; (7) dense body secretion; and (8) alpha granule secretion . These assays demonstrated that this photochemical inactivation system inactivated bacteria and viruses in platelet concentrates with minimal adverse effects on the in vitro function of platelets in comparison to untreated control concentrates maintained under current, standard blood bank conditions. Am J Dis Child, 1989 Jul, 143(7), 848 - 9 Toxic shock syndrome caused by a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that produces enterotoxin C but not toxic shock syndrome toxin-1; Rizkallah MF et al.; An 8-month-old infant presented with pneumonia and pleural effusion associated with clinical manifestation of toxic shock syndrome . A Staphylococcus aureus strain isolated from the pleural fluid produced enterotoxin C, but not toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 or other enterotoxins . Acute and convalescent sera showed an antibody rise to enterotoxin C but not to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 . These findings support the possibility that enterotoxin C was the primary toxin associated with this infant's illness. J Leukoc Biol, 1989 Jul, 46(1), 11 - 4 Downregulation of tumor necrosis factor expression in the human Mono-Mac-6 cell line by lipopolysaccharide; Haas JG et al.; Mono-Mac-6 cells, but not U937 cells, can be induced to rapidly express tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mRNA and protein when triggered with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 1 microgram/ml . Preincubation of the cells for 3 d with low amounts of LPS (10 ng/ml) results in nearly complete suppression of TNF secretion . This downregulation appears to occur at the pretranslational level since specific mRNA is virtually undetectable under these conditions . By contrast, the same preincubation with 10 ng/ml LPS results in enhanced phagocytosis (28.6-67.2% for Staphylococcus aureus), demonstrating that not all monocyte functions are suppressed . While these results show that only stringent exclusion of LPS from culture media allows for induction of TNF in the Mono-Mac-6 cell line, the pronounced effect of LPS preincubation may also provide a suitable model with which to study the mechanisms of LPS-induced desensitization. J Pediatr Orthop, 1989 Jul-Aug, 9(4), 447 - 56 Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis: a model with trauma as an etiology; Morrissy RT et al.; The etiology of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) remains unknown, and the disease has no laboratory model . We describe an AHO model in the rabbit which resembles the human disease . The model was developed on the premise that previous attempts had omitted an essential etiologic factor other than the bacteria . Six-week-old white New Zealand rabbits were divided into three different groups . Group I received an injury to the proximal tibial physeal plate, group II received a standardized bacteremia with Staphylococcus aureus, and group III received both the fracture and the bacteremia . The physeal plate injuries healed within 7 days . The animals with bacteremia only had occasional small foci of osteomyelitis identified histologically . The animals with fracture and bacteremia developed significant osteomyelitis in almost all cases. Minerva Pediatr, 1989 Jul, 41(7), 389 - 92 {The SSS syndrome . Description of a case and review of the literature}; Calvani M Jr et al.; A 1-month-old infant with an extensive dermatitis with flaccid bullae, without mucous membrane involvement is described . Staphylococcus aureus was recovered from blood, conjunctiva, skin and nasopharynx . A classification of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS), as well as etiology and therapeutic modalities, is briefly discussed. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Jul, 33(7), 1067 - 71 Mode of action of the dual-action cephalosporin Ro 23-9424; Georgopapadakou NH et al.; Ro 23-9424 is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent composed of a cephalosporin and a quinolone moiety . Its biological properties were compared with those of its two components and structurally related cephalosporins and quinolones . Like ceftriaxone and cefotaxime but unlike its decomposition product, desacetyl cefotaxime, Ro 23-9424 bound at less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml to the essential penicillin-binding proteins 1b and 3 of Escherichia coli and 1, 2, and 3 of Staphylococcus aureus . In E . coli, Ro 23-9424 produced filaments exclusively and decreased cell growth; cefotaxime produced both filaments and lysis . Like its decomposition product fleroxacin but unlike quinolone esters, Ro 23-9424 also inhibited replicative DNA biosynthesis in E . coli . In an E . coli strain lacking OmpF, growth continued after addition of Ro 23-9424, decreased after addition of cefotaxime, and stopped immediately after addition of fleroxacin . The results, together with the chemical stability of Ro 23-9424 (half-life, approximately 3 h at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C), suggest that in E . coli the compound acts initially as a cephalosporin with intrinsic activity comparable to that of cefotaxime but with poorer penetration . Subsequent to the decomposition of Ro 23-9424 to fleroxacin and desacetyl cefotaxime, quinolone activity appears . The in vitro antibacterial activity reflects both mechanisms of action. Immunol Lett, 1989 Jul, 22(1), 17 - 21 Efficient radioiodination and immunopurification of surface proteins from small numbers of cells; Pearse MJ et al.; This report describes a method for the cell surface radioiodination and immunoprecipitation of the T cell receptor from as few as 7.5 x 10(4) lymphoid cells . The membranes of cells were labelled using the lactoperoxidase/H2O2 method . In order to minimize the loss of labelled cells after iodination, T cell receptor-negative 'filler' cells were added to the washes and the washing volume was kept small . Before immunoprecipitation, the solid-phase Staphylococcus aureus was precoated with the specific monoclonal antibody to ensure optimal recovery of antibody-antigen complexes . These simple modifications greatly increased the efficiency of the iodination and immunoprecipitation procedures, thus enabling direct analysis of membrane proteins from small numbers of cells. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jul, 27(7), 1631 - 5 Staphylococcus aureus exopolysaccharide in vivo demonstrated by immunomagnetic separation and electron microscopy; Johne B et al.; Staphylococcus aureus strains were separated from mastitis milk samples without cultivation by using monodisperse magnetic polymer particles coated with polyclonal antiserum against an encapsulated S . aureus strain . Exopolysaccharide was verified by transmission electron microscopy and the serum soft-agar culture technique . Capsular polysaccharide was found on virtually all clinical isolates . Surface protein A and S . aureus-specific cell wall components were masked when the strains were cultured on an exopolysaccharide-promoting medium . Masking of surface determinants was dependent on their concentration on the bacterial surface as well as on exopolysaccharide abundance . The polysaccharide layer on in vivo bacteria was reduced markedly after just one transfer from milk to blood agar plates but was reexpressed after culturing was done on a capsule-generating medium. Hum Immunol, 1989 Jul, 25(3), 181 - 93 Characterization of B cells in severe combined immunodeficiency disease; Small TN et al.; The circulating lymphoid cells of eight consecutive untreated infants with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) with B cells were analyzed for surface marker expression and function . The B cells of these children expressed sIg, HLA-DR, CD19 (B4), CD20 (B1), CD21 (B2), Leu-8, and lacked expression of CD10 (CALLA), as do normal peripheral blood B lymphocytes . SCID B cells also expressed antigens that are normally absent or present on only a minor subset of circulating adult B lymphocytes, including CD1c (M241), CD38 (OKT10), CD23 (PL13), with or without concomitant CD5 (Leu-1) expression . The B cells of these children were capable of proliferating in vitro when stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I . However, in the presence of pokeweed mitogen, S . aureus Cowan I, and normal T cells, the sIg+ cells of these children produced only IgM . Studies performed on normal B cells obtained from cord blood, young children, and adults reveal that whereas cord blood B cells are predominantly CD1c, CD38, and CD23 positive, B-cell expression of these antigens decreases with age . Cord blood B cells, similar to SCID B cells, produce only IgM when stimulated in vitro with pokeweed mitogen and S . aureus Cowan I . Based on these observations, we hypothesize that SCID B cells represent a population of B cells present during normal B-cell ontogeny which becomes a minor subset when an individual develops full immunologic competence. Hautarzt, 1989 Jul, 40(7), 411 - 7 {Physiology of the skin of the vulva: new aspects}; Elsner P et al.; Using noninvasive bioengineering skin technology, the vulvar skin has been partially characterized as having unique properties . The reduction in stratum corneum barrier function and the increase in basal blood flow in the vulvar skin may explain the high rate of percutaneous absorption and the increased reactivity to irritants . The vulvar microbial flora represents a unique combination of contaminants from the vagina and the perianal area and a resident flora that is typical for intertriginous skin, together with a high carrier rate of Staphylococcus aureus . The long-term goal of vulvar physiology is to understand better how this more specialized skin differs from less specialized areas in the hope of using this information clinically. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1989 Jul, 8(7), 441 - 4 Timentin therapy for Staphylococcus aureus infections in children: results of a multicenter trial; Jacobs RF et al.; Multicenter trials of ticarcillin/potassium clavulanate (Timentin) for bone, joint, skin and soft tissue infections in children were performed from 1983 to 1986 . Fifty children with culture-confirmed Staphylococcus aureus infections were identified . Sixteen children (ages 6.2 +/- 3.9 years) with bone and joint infections received Timentin for 8.7 +/- 2.4 days with 11 of 16 cures, 5 of 16 improved, 11 of 11 bacteriologic cures and 3.9 +/- 3.5 days of fever . Thirty-two children (ages 5.7 +/- 3.5 years) with skin and soft tissue infections received Timentin for 5.3 +/- 1.6 days with 22 of 32 cures, 10 of 32 improved, 32 of 32 bacteriologic cures and 1.4 +/- 1.3 days of fever . Three patients had S . aureus bacteremia; all were clinical and bacteriologic cures . All S . aureus isolates were susceptible to Timentin, 18 of 23 isolates tested produced beta-lactamase and 21 of 44 isolates tested were resistant to ticarcillin . The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical efficacy of Timentin in treating these types of S . aureus infections in children. Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1989 Jul, 28(7), 332 - 4 Spinal epidural abscess . An infectious emergency . Case report and review; Rockney R et al.; Spinal epidural abscess is an unusual disease in the pediatric age group, requires early diagnosis and prompt surgical drainage to insure a good clinical outcome . Back pain and fever are usually the only presenting symptoms occurring before precipitous neurologic deterioration . The causative organism is most often Staphylococcus aureus, which presumably is spread to the epidural space hematogenously . Diagnosis is facilitated by computed tomography (CT) scan, but the entire spine must be imaged by either myelography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess for skip lesions. Rev Paul Med, 1989 Jul-Dec, 107(4-6), 219 - 22 {Sensitivity profile of 147 strains of S . aureus isolated from patients in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis}; Leme IL et al.; Staphylococcus aureus is reported to be the most common organism to cause peritonitis in continuous ambulatorial peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . Staphylococcal nasal carriage is frequently seen in these patients . The authors studied the sensitivity of S . aureus strains isolated from CAPD patients and some close family contacts . Susceptibility of 147 strains of S . aureus to 23 antimicrobial agents were determined based on 348 samples . All strains tested were susceptible to vancomycin . Penicillin resistance was found in nearly all strains . Resistance to rifampicin was seen in just 5% of the strains . A high rate of resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and also to cotrimoxazole, gentamicin, and tobramycin were observed . Cephalosporins and some aminoglycosides (amicacin and netilmicin) have a good in vitro bactericidal activity anti-S . aureus . Knowledge of the susceptibility profile of bacteria frequently isolated at a given hospital ward will provide the basis for a more effective empirical antibiotic treatment in such ward. Zhonghua Min Guo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi, 1989 Jul-Aug, 30(4), 248 - 53 Mastitis neonatorum; Tzen KT et al.; Eleven cases of neonatal mastitis diagnosed at National Taipei College of Nursing Health Center, since 1983, have been reviewed by chart retrospectively . All 11 cases occurred in full-term infants 1-4 weeks postnatally . Female predominated with male: female ratio of 1: 1.75 . The mastitis of these cases were confined to unilateral side and did not spread systemically . Gram stain smear of the purulent material got from aspiration, incision or spontaneous rupture of abscess were attempted in ten cases and Gram positive cocci were observed in nine of whom pus culture yield staphylococcus aureus later in eight . We feel Gram stain is one of the rapid and useful diagnostic method . Treatment was given by appropriate antibiotics parenterally followed by surgical incision or drainage when fluctuation was present . The prognosis of neonatal mastitis is excellent . In general, these our clinical observation are similar to those described in the literatures since 1950s. Wiad Lek, 1989 Jul 1-15, 42(13-15), 858 - 61 {Pleural complications of pneumonia in children}; Szlachetka R et al.; Four-year experiences are reported concerning the treatment in tropical climate of 37 children with pneumonia complicated with pleural empyema . Most children were aged below 3 years . Among clinical manifestations dysponoea, fever and toxaemia were in the foreground . The pathogen most frequently demonstrated in blood and pleural exudate was Staphylococcus aureus . In all cases antibiotics were given, hydration and diet with high protein content were given, pleurocentesis was done for decompression . Despite intensive hospital treatment every 7th child died. Rev Clin Esp, 1989 Jul-Aug, 185(3), 123 - 7 {Endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in drug addicts and non-addicts: the same microbe in 2 diseases}; Verdejo C et al.; 46 Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis episodes diagnosed with strict criteria in non drug addict patients, and 25 episodes in drug addict patients have been comparatively analyzed . Infection was found in the left side of the heart in 87% of the non addict patients and in 16% of the addicts . On the contrary, 84% of the addicts had endocarditis of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves while only 13% of the non addicts had right heart involvement . The right side endocarditis in the non addicts was always due to intracardiac catheters . 54% of the endocarditis episodes in the non addicts were fatal . Only two addicts, both when had left side endocarditis, died . Mortality was conditioned by infection of the left side of the heart as well as by the existence of heart failure . No significant differences were found between the evolution of patients treated with only one agent or of those treated with a beta-lactam antibiotic plus gentamicin . The emergency valve replacement significantly improved the prognosis of patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Jul, 135 ( Pt 7), 1799 - 807 Physical and genetic mapping of the protein A gene in the chromosome of Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4; Patel AH et al.; The gene coding for protein A (spa) has been mapped close to nov on the genetic map of the chromosome of Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4 . A rapid mapping procedure has been developed which first allowed the region of the chromosome carrying the spa gene to be identified by blot +hybridization of large DNA fragments which had been separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis . Restriction endonuclease SmaI fragment G was shown to carry the spa gene . An insertion mutation in spa was constructed by in vitro insertion of a fragment of DNA expressing resistance to kanamycin and neomycin . A spa::Kan(r)Neo(r) mutation was isolated in S . aureus 8325-4 by allele replacement . This provided a selectable marker which allowed the spa gene to be mapped by transformation analysis. Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1989 Jul, 63(7), 701 - 7 {Postoperative enterocolitis and current status of MRSA enterocolitis--the result of a questionnaire survey in Japan}; Hori K et al.; There is a trend of increase in the number of Staphylococcus aureus infection recently, and postoperative enterocolitis due to methicillin resistant strains is appearing . Because of this, a nation wide questionnaire survey on postoperative enterocolitis was conducted to clarify the status since 1980 . Of the 875 major surgical institutes to which we sent the questionnaire, 370 (42.3%) replied and 67 case reports were obtained from 25 institutes . Twenty published reports were added to this and a total of 87 cases were evaluable . The number of postoperative enterocolitis increased after the year 1985, and those resulting from MRSA infection were more frequent in the northern half of Japan including the Kanto area . It was more frequent in males and the mean age was 57.9 . Their onset was sudden, beginning with diarrhea and/or fever between the second and fifth postoperative days . In most of the cases, the cephalosporin group of antibiotics, especially of the third generation, were administered preceding the enterocolitis . Six of cases (24%) did not survive, and in some of the institutes they were considered to be hospital infections, as they appeared consecutively between a short period of time. J Hosp Infect, 1989 Jul, 14(1), 63 - 8 Five days versus one day of penicillin as prophylaxis in elective neurosurgical operations; Cartmill TD et al.; Of 423 patients undergoing elective cranial and spinal operations, infections due to Staphylococcus aureus occurred in 3 of 217 (1.4%) receiving penicillin for 1 day, in none of 206 receiving penicillin for 5 days . There was no significant difference in rates of infection between the two groups receiving penicillin . It is concluded that penicillin for 1 day is as effective as penicillin for 5 days, in the prevention of wound infections due to S . aureus. J Hosp Infect, 1989 Jul, 14(1), 55 - 61 The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in an Israeli hospital; Finkelstein R et al.; Between July 1984 and August 1985, 200 cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) occurred in a large, tertiary care, medical school-affiliated hospital . During this period, a limited outbreak, causing serious infections, was identified in the Intensive Care Unit and was contained by appropriate infection control measures . Bacteriophage typing and surveillance cultures failed to identify a common or single source of dissemination of these strains . It appears that MRSA strains have emerged in Israel as endemic pathogens in hospitals, capable of causing serious nosocomial outbreaks. Int J Radiat Biol, 1989 Jul, 56(1), 75 - 82 Treatment of wound sepsis in irradiated mice; Brook I et al.; Infections in the immunocompromised host are difficult to treat . The local and systemic effect of penicillin therapy, supplemented by immunoglobulins, and pentoxifylline on wounds infected by Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated in mice irradiated with 6.5 Gy 60Co gamma-rays . Three days after irradiation a suspension of S . aureus was inoculated subcutaneously over the gluteus muscle of anesthetized mice . The skin and the muscle were incised at the site of the inoculation . Treatment with 62.5 mg/kg penicillin-G was administered for 10 days . Numbers of bacteria per mg muscle and presence of organisms in spleens and livers were determined . Numbers of bacteria were significantly reduced from 7.3 (+/- 0.3) to 5.3 (+/- 0.4) log10 CFU/mg (+/- SEM) muscle in treated animals . Administration of immunoglobulin G i.v . or pentoxifylline i.p . alone, or in addition to penicillin-G, did not further reduce the number of bacteria . Increase in the dose of penicillin to 250 mg/kg decreased the number of bacteria more than 62.5 mg/kg . Bacteria were recovered from spleens and/or livers of all 13 untreated mice, and only in six of the 13 penicillin-treated mice (P less than 0.05) . Penicillin therapy reduced the systemic spread of S . aureus . The model provides a means to evaluate regimens for treatment of bacterial wound infections in irradiated animals . The data illustrated the ability of antimicrobial agents to contain but not cure the infection in the immunocompromised host, and the lack of efficacy of immunoglobulins in neutropenic mice. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Jul-Aug, 12(4 Suppl), 147S - 152S The in vitro effect of sulbactam on polymorphonuclear leukocyte function; Santos JI et al.; The effects of sulbactam on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis, respiratory burst, and microbicidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated in vitro . PMNs from normal adult volunteers were incubated with 0.5, 2, 5, 10, and 20 micrograms/ml of sulbactam for 30 min each . At concentrations of 5 and 10 micrograms/ml, sulbactam was found to enhance PMN bactericidal activity . No inhibitory effects on PMN function were noted at the concentrations of sulbactam that were tested . In addition, the in vitro inhibitory effect of ampicillin on PMN chemiluminescence was partially abrogated by the presence of sulbactam . These findings suggest that the microbicidal phagocytic response of human PMNs against S . aureus may be improved in vitro using concentrations of sulbactam that may be readily achieved with therapeutic doses of sulbactam/ampicillin. Avian Dis, 1989 Jul-Sep, 33(3), 401 - 10 Comparative microscopic lesions in reoviral and staphylococcal tenosynovitis; Hill JE et al.; Experimental inoculation of 1-day-old male broiler chickens with avian reo-virus or Staphylococcus aureus caused tenosynovitis of the gastrocnemius and digital flexor tendons . Reovirus inoculation by either the oral or footpad route initiated a diffuse lymphocytic infiltration in the peritendineum, synovial membrane, and epitenon from 1 to 5 weeks postinoculation (PI) . Heterophils were not a predominant feature of the inflammatory response, but when present they were localized with fibrin in and around synovial spaces . The prevalence of microscopic tendon lesions was less common with staphylococcal infection than with reovirus infection . With staphylococcus, lesions were localized to the synovial space and membranes and were characterized by heterophils and fibrin but few lymphocytes . Synovial cell hyperplasia and bursal atrophy were common in both groups . From 10 to 20 weeks PI, both groups developed progressive tendon fibrosis . These results indicate that tenosynovitis due to inoculation with reovirus or staphylococcus may be differentiated histologically from 1 through 5 weeks PI . After 10 weeks, this may not be possible, because diffuse fibrosis was the major lesion with both . Perhaps fibrosis predisposes older, heavier broilers to tendon failure and rupture. J Pediatr Surg, 1989 Jul, 24(7), 668 - 73 Inflammatory cell function in young rodents with experimental cholestasis: investigations of functional deficits, their etiology, and their reversibility; Roughneen PT et al.; Children with cholestasis are susceptible to infective complications . This may be attributable to impaired host defense . We postulated that cholestasis affects systemic polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function by impeding chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and superoxide release, which are all critical in eliciting an adequate immune response . Sprague Dawley rats (225 g) were assigned to three groups: bile duct ligated (BDL), sham (SH), and normal control (NC) . On day 21 after operation, PMN and sera were isolated . Chemotactic response to C5a and FMLP (formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine), superoxide release, and phagocytic uptake of 14C-labeled Staphylococcus aureus were performed on pooled PMN samples . Results were expressed as mean +/- SD . Serum bilirubin at day 21 was 6.3 +/- 2.9 v 0.1 +/- 0.1 and 0.1 +/- 0 mg/dL (P less than .01) in BDL, SH, and NC groups, respectively . Kinetic studies of PMN phagocytosis demonstrated impaired 14C S aureus uptake by BDL neutrophils at 60 (P less than .05), 90 (P less than .05), and 120 minutes (P less than .05) compared with SH and NC groups . No differences in PMN chemotactic response to C5a and FMLP was observed in BDL, SH and NC groups (43 +/- 14 v 40 +/- 12 and 33 +/- 1, and 43 +/- 20 v 43 +/- 14 and 28 +/- 1 cell per field, respectively) . Zymosan stimulated superoxide release did not differ between groups (14.3 +/- 3.6 (BDL) v 15.1 +/- 8.7 (SH) and 12 +/- 2.0 (NC) nmol/30 min/mg cell protein, respectively . Thus, cholestasis impairs neutrophil phagocytosis in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Bacteriol, 1989 Jul, 171(7), 3968 - 72 Genetic analysis of Staphylococcus aureus with Tn4001; Mahairas GG et al.; Tn4001, a 4.5-kilobase composite transposon with IS256 ends that confers resistance to gentamicin (Gmr), tobramycin, and kanamycin in Staphylococcus aureus, can transpose to diverse chromosomal sites in S . aureus . Chromosomal insertions of Tn4001 were isolated either after UV irradiation of transducing lysates carrying pII147::Tn4001 or by selection for thermoresistant Gmr isolates with strains containing thermosensitive derivatives of plasmids pI258 and pII147 carrying Tn4001 . Frequent integration of the entire delivery plasmid occurred under these selective conditions in recombination-proficient hosts . When selection for thermoresistant Gmr isolates was done with these plasmids in recombination-deficient hosts, 99% or more of the Gmr isolates resulted from transposition of Tn4001 in the absence of plasmid integration . Efficient isolation of Tn4001 insertions near markers of interest and the isolation of insertional auxotrophs were achieved . Reversion frequencies of insertional auxotrophs were between 10(-6) and 10(-7) (higher than those observed with Tn551 and Tn917) . About 50% of the prototrophic revertants were Gms, and these are attributed to precise excision of Tn4001 . The Gmr prototrophic revertants were due to intergenic suppression. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1989 Jul, 106(1), 17 - 22 Deglycosylation and proteolysis of photolabeled D2 dopamine receptors of the porcine anterior pituitary; Jarvie KR et al.; Dopamine D2 receptor binding subunits of the porcine anterior pituitary were visualized by autoradiography following photoaffinity labeling with {125I}N-azidophenethylspiperone and sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The ligand binding subunit comprising the pituitary D2 dopamine receptor migrated as two distinct bands of apparent Mr approximately equal to 150,000 and 118,000, substantially higher than neuronal D2 receptor subunits from porcine or canine brain . The glycoprotein nature of pituitary D2 receptor binding subunits was investigated by the use of exo- and endo-glycosidase treatments and peptide mapping experiments . Photoaffinity labeled polypeptides of the anterior pituitary were susceptible to both neuraminidase and alpha-mannosidase digestion as indexed by their increased electrophoretic mobility on sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gels, and suggests the presence of both complex type and terminal mannose carbohydrate residues . Moreover, the additive effects of sequential treatment with these enzymes suggests that both types of carbohydrate chains are present on each receptor peptide . N-linked deglycosylation of pituitary D2 photolabeled receptors with glycopeptidase-F produced a further increase in the mobility of the labeled protein to apparent Mr approximately equal to 44,000, similar to that of deglycosylated D2 binding subunits of porcine and canine brain . Peptide mapping experiments following limited proteolysis with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase and papain demonstrated that deglycosylated D2 dopamine receptors (Mr = 44,000), in different tissues and species, were homologous . Taken together, these data suggest that despite the differences in the overall molecular weight and tissue specific glycosylation pattern of pituitary D2 dopamine receptors, the primary structure of mammalian D2 receptors appears to be conserved. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 1989 Jul-Sep, 84(3), 409 - 16 {Evaluation of immunoglobin isotype specific to Leishmania in tegumentary American leishmaniasis}; Labrada M et al.; Leishmania-specific immunoglobulin subclass response was evaluated in 133 patients infected with Leishmania braziliensis . The indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was employed with amastigotes of L . mexicana amazonensis as antigen . Among the 133 sera obtained at consultation for diagnosis of active lesions, IgM was detected in 54 following absorption with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I, and in 5 sera prior to absorption . IgM reactive with Leishmania antigen was only found in sera from patients whose lesions had evolved over the past two months or less . Leishmania-specific IgG was detected in all sera prior to absorption . Sera obtained at the time of recurrence or after complete healing of lesions presented only specific IgG . The combined use of the Montenegro skin test and specific IgM increased the sensitivity of immunodiagnostic methods in patients with lesions of less than 2 months duration . Normal control volunteers were negative for specific IgM and unreactive to Montenegro skin testing . Among 16 patients with non-leishmanial lesions, 3 with sporotrichosis showed IgG reactive with Leishmania; none, including 4 with lesions of less than two months duration, showed specific IgM . We conclude that in patients infected with L . braziliensis the presence of specific IgG and IgM is associated with the time of lesion evolution and the primary or recurrent nature of the lesions . In addition, the combined use of IgM titer and Montenegro reactivity is of potential utility in the diagnosis of early lesions. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 1989 Jul-Aug, 9(4), 343 - 9 Histopathological study of rat mammary adenocarcinoma after protein A administration; Bansal MR et al.; Protein A was purified from Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and administered subcutaneously for a period of six weeks to a 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha)anthracene-induced rat mammary adenocarcinoma model, which resulted in a significant reduction in tumor volume . Considerable fibrosis, inflammatory reactions, cellular debris, and edema were the hallmarks of tumor necrosis caused by administration of protein A . Calcification, which may be the replacement of earlier necrosis, also was observed . Thick eosinophilic secretions were observed in the lumina of the breast tubules . The results suggest that inflammatory mechanisms may be activated, accounting for the tumoricidal effects observed following treatment with protein A. Haematologica, 1989 Jul-Aug, 74(4), 359 - 63 Functional analysis of lymphocytes from two patients affected by common variable immunodeficiency (CVI); Iudicone P et al.; Two patients affected by severe hypogammaglobulinemia classified as CVI were studied . Both patients showed an increase in peripheral T cells and a normal or elevated number of surface immunoglobulin-bearing cells (sIg+); the T cell subsets showed a decrease of CD4 and an increment of CD8 cells with an inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio . Patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) did not proliferate after Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) activation . Moreover, patient PBMC were not able to differentiate into plaque - forming cells (PFC) either spontaneously or after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation . The immunoglobulin synthesis from patient PBMC stimulated in vitro by PWM was very little as compared to controls . When isolated patient B cells were cultured in the presence of exogenous B cell growth factor (BCGF) and BCGF plus anti-mu and anti-delta antibodies, no proliferation was observed . Taken together the results concerning B cell function of our CVI patients indicate the presence of an intrinsic defect of B cells . These cells are normal in number, but they are not able to leave the resting state, enter the activation state, proliferate and differentiate into Ig secreting cells . Moreover the alteration of the T cell subset proportions seems to suggest an impaired cooperation between B and T cells. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Jul, 8(7), 622 - 4 Ciprofloxacin resistance in methicillin- and gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Maple P et al.; A total of 112 Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to methicillin and gentamicin were collected from 31 centres in 22 countries worldwide . Many strains were multi-resistant . In tests to determine the susceptibility of the organisms to ciprofloxacin 16 strains (14.3%), originating from France, the FRG, Israel and Italy, were shown to be resistant to this agent . To limit ciprofloxacin resistance, a reappraisal is necessary of fluoroquinolone usage against methicillin- and gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Rheumatol, 1989 Jul, 16(7), 936 - 9 B cell suppressing and CD8+ T cell enhancing effects of photosensitive dye platonin in humans; Kondo N et al.; Platonin is one of the photosensitive dyes of trithiazole pentamethine cyanine . It is used as an effective medicine for rheumatoid arthritis . In our study, platonin suppressed the immunoglobulin (Ig) production of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) stimulated by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM) . It also suppressed the PWM induced Ig production of B cells when T cells and/or B cells were pretreated with platonin, respectively . The percentage of CD8+ T cells was increased by platonin . Our results suggest that platonin suppresses Ig production through suppressing B cells and enhancing CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells. Eur J Biochem, 1989 Jul 1, 182(3), 577 - 84 Reaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate with an ATP-binding site on the phosphorylase kinase alpha subunit; Zaman N et al.; Phosphorylase kinase can be labeled specifically on the alpha subunit with fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate (FITC) which concomitantly inactivates the enzyme (T . G . Sotiroudis and S . Nikolaropoulus (1984) FEBS Lett . 176, 421-425) . Labeled peptides have been purified and their primary structure has been determined . The amino acid sequence of the fluorescein-labeled tryptic peptide is Lys-Met-Gln-Asp-Gly-Tyr-Phe-Gly-Gly-Ala-Arg . The environment of this fluorescein-labeled lysine has been determined by sequencing peptides isolated from a Staphylococcus aureus V8 digest and two further cyanogen bromide fragments of the purified {14C}carboxymethylated alpha subunit . The partial sequences obtained have then been localized in the primary structure of the alpha subunit {Zander et al . (1988) Proc . Natl Acad . Sci . USA 85, 2929-2933} . Both the incorporation of the fluorescent label and enzymatic inactivation are inhibited by ATP only at pH 7.0; ADP and AMP do not protect . Kinetic analysis reveals a competition between ATP and FITC; a Ki for ATP of 728 +/- 100 microM has been determined. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1989 Jul, 140(1), 62 - 7 The radiographic appearances of infection and acute rejection of the lung after heart-lung transplantation; Millet B et al.; Thirty-two patients underwent combined heart and lung transplantation at Papworth Hospital between 1984 and 1987 . The clinical and physiologic observations made at the time of episodes of infection and rejection together with the histopathology of lung tissue obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy were compared with pre- and postepisode chest radiographs . There were 45 episodes of rejection in 20 patients: 23 episodes during the first month after transplantation, and 22 after 1 month . Twenty-six episodes of infection occurred in 15 patients . The causative organisms included Aspergillus fumigatus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex, Pneumocystis carinii, and Staphylococcus aureus . When an abnormal chest radiograph is common during the first month after transplantation during acute rejection (74%), it may alternatively be due to lung infection (most commonly CMV pneumonitis) . The chest radiograph during this period provides a useful indication for transbronchial biopsy and bronchial lavage . The chest radiograph is abnormal in the minority (23%) of episodes of rejection occurring later than 1 month after transplantation . Pulmonary function tests (FEV1 and VC) offered a more useful indication for transbronchial biopsy during this period. J Dermatol Surg Oncol, 1989 Jul, 15(7), 703 - 5 Laser vaporization: a novel treatment of botryomycosis; Leffell DJ et al.; Botryomycosis is an uncommon, chronic infection of the skin most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus . It has been successfully treated using carbon dioxide laser vaporization in a case in which antibiotic therapy failed, and surgical excision was not feasible. An Med Interna, 1989 Jul, 6(7), 366 - 8 {Respiratory distress in an addict on parenteral drugs with tricuspid endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus and with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia}; Salavert M et al.; A case of a female, intravenous (I.V.) drug user with respiratory distress syndrome as first manifestation 24 hours after admission, is presented . The clinical suspicion of tricuspid valve endocarditis associated to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia arose because this patient was a member of a high-risk AIDS group . An empiric treatment was applied and the diagnosis was made posterior to this . We comment on the unusual coincidence of both pathologic states, highlighting the early diagnosis and treatment. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1989 Jul, 23(3), 246 - 50 {Antibacterial sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical specimens}; Ozsan M et al.; In this study we evaluated the susceptibility of Staph . aureus to antibacterials in vitro by disk diffusion technique . 393 staph . aureus strains isolated from various clinical samples at the Bacteriology laboratory of Ankara University Medical Faculty Microbiology Department . As a result, the most effectual antibacterials are in order: Cefotaxime, Cefuroxime, Cephalothin, Ceftazidime, Sulbactam, Erythromycin, Kanamycin, Tetracycline, Clindamycin, Vancomycin, Thiamphenicol, Methicillin, Penicillin G. Am J Vet Res, 1989 Jul, 50(7), 1131 - 7 Properties of monoclonal antibodies against Berne virus (Toroviridae); Kaeffer B et al.; Seven hybridomas that secreted monoclonal antibodies (MAB) against the peplomer protein and one that secreted MAB against the nucleocapsid protein of Berne virus (proposed family Toroviridae) were isolated . All MAB directed against the peplomer protein neutralized virus infectivity and, with the exception of MAB 6A7, inhibited each other's binding in competition assays . Neutralization of Berne virus infectivity was potentiated when some MAB were used in pairs . The antibodies have been used to localize toroviral proteins in infected cells; use of antipeplomer MAB 6B10 yielded a diffuse intracytoplasmic immunofluorescence, whereas the antinucleocapsid MAB 1F1 detected antigen in the intra- and perinuclear compartments . By use of radioimmune precipitation, protein A of Staphylococcus aureus was found to bind directly to the nucleocapsid polypeptide, without the requirement for specific antibody . Using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated protein A, the intranuclear accumulation of the nucleoprotein of Berne virus was confirmed by results of immunofluorescence. Biochemistry, 1989 Jun 27, 28(13), 5456 - 61 Semisynthetic hemoglobin A: reconstitution of functional tetramer from semisynthetic alpha-globin; Sahni G et al.; The optimal conditions for the semisynthesis of alpha-globin through Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease condensation of a synthetic fragment (alpha 1-30) with the complementary apo fragment (alpha 31-141) in the presence of structure-inducing organic cosolvents and the reconstitution of the functional tetramer from semisynthetic alpha-globin have been investigated . The protease-catalyzed ligation of the complementary apo fragments alpha 1-30 and alpha 31-141 proceeds with very high selectivity at pH 6.0 and 4 degrees C in the presence of 1-propanol as the organic cosolvent . A 30% 1-propanol solution was optimal for the semisynthetic reaction, and the synthetic reaction attained an equilibrium (approximately 50%) in 72 h . The synthetic reaction proceeds smoothly over a wide pH range (pH 5-8) . Besides, the semisynthetic system is flexible, and it also proceeded well if trifluoroethanol or 2-propanol was used instead of 1-propanol . However, glycerol, a versatile organic cosolvent used in all other proteosynthetic reactions reported in the literature, was not very efficient as an organic cosolvent in the present synthetic reaction . The semisynthetic alpha-globin prepared with 1-propanol as the organic cosolvent has been reconstituted into HbA . The semisynthetic HbA was then purified by CM-cellulose chromatography . The semisynthetic HbA is indistinguishable from native HbA, in terms of its structural and functional properties . The semisynthetic approach provides the flexibility in protein engineering studies for the incorporation of spectroscopic labels (13C- and/or 15N-labeled amino acids), noncoded amino acids, or unnatural bond functionalities, which at present is not possible with genetic approaches. Biochemistry, 1989 Jun 27, 28(13), 5421 - 8 Detection of intermediates in the unfolding transition of phosphoglycerate kinase using limited proteolysis; Betton JM et al.; The accessibility of peptide bonds to cleavage by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease bound on a Sepharose matrix was used as a conformational probe in the study of the unfolding-folding transition of phosphoglycerate kinase induced by guanidine hydrochloride . It was shown that the protein is resistant to proteolysis below a denaturant concentration of 0.4 M . The transition curve, determined by susceptibility toward proteolysis, was similar to that obtained following the enzyme activity {Betton et al . (1984) Biochemistry 23, 6654-6661} . Proteolysis under conditions where the folding intermediates are more populated, i.e., 0.7 M Gdn.HCl, gave two major fragments of Mr 25K and 11K, respectively . The 25K polypeptide fragment was identified as the carboxy-terminal domain . Its conformation was similar to that of a folding intermediate trapped at a critical concentration of denaturant, and in this form, it was not able to bind nucleotide substrates {Mitraki et al . (1987) Eur . J . Biochem . 163, 29-34} . From the present data and those previously reported, we concluded that the intermediate detected on the folding pathway of phosphoglycerate kinase has a partially folded carboxy-terminal domain and an unfolded amino-terminal domain. Vet Rec, 1989 Jun 17, 124(24), 630 - 4 Clinical trial of three therapeutic regimens for bovine mastitis; Jarp J et al.; An open, block randomised multi-centre clinical trial was performed in Norway during 1985 to 1987 to compare the therapeutic efficacy of three antibiotic regimens against clinical bovine mastitis caused by penicillin-sensitive bacteria . Two regimens consisted of procaine penicillin injected intramuscularly for either three or five days, and the third, the traditional Norwegian regimen, consisted of one intramuscular injection of a combination of procaine penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin followed by one intramammary treatment daily per infected quarter for four days . The study included 621 quarters with infectious mastitis from 439 cows . The most efficient regimen for all bacteria was five days systemic treatment (53.1 per cent cured), and the traditional regimen was second best (46.7 per cent cured) . The least efficient regimen consisted of systemic therapy with procaine penicillin for three days (36.9 per cent cured) . The difference between the therapeutic efficacies of the three regimens was reduced when the clinical mastitis was severe, and in severe mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus the difference was very small. J Biol Chem, 1989 Jun 15, 264(17), 9932 - 8 Identification of two distinct isoforms of stathmin and characterization of their respective phosphorylated forms; Beretta L et al.; Stathmin is a ubiquitous soluble protein (Mr approximately 19,000, pI approximately 6.2-5.5) whose phosphorylation is associated with the intracellular mechanisms involved in the regulations of cell differentiation and functions by extracellular effectors . Its purification from rat brain and the preparation of specific antibodies allowed us to identify a set of immunologically related unphosphorylated (N1, N2) and phosphorylated (P1, P2a, P2b, P3) proteins of decreasing isoelectric points . All these proteins yielded identical silver-stained or 32P-radioactive peptide maps with the protease V8 from Staphylococcus aureus, indicating that they are also structurally related . In vitro phosphorylation with the exogenous catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, as well as dephosphorylation with alkaline phosphatase, indicated that P1, P2, and P3 derived from N1 and N2 by progressive phosphorylation . Phosphorylation of individual proteins extracted from semi-preparative two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels demonstrated the existence of two distinct isoforms of stathmin, alpha and beta: N1 and N2 are their respective unphosphorylated forms (alpha O and beta O), whereas proteins P1-P3 could be resolved as at least three increasingly phosphorylated forms of both alpha and beta stathmin (alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha(3) and beta 1, beta 2, beta(3} . In intact pituitary GH4C1 cells, hormones like thyrotropin-releasing hormone and vasoactive intestinal peptide induced a similar conversion from N1 and N2 to P1, P2, and P3 . The phosphorylation of both alpha and beta isoforms of stathmin is therefore a physiologically significant response to specific extracellular regulatory agents . In conclusion, stathmin represents a family of at least two distinct protein isoforms, whose respective phosphorylation and expression might play a role in its likely function as an intracellular relay of various converging extracellular signals. J Immunol, 1989 Jun 15, 142(12), 4428 - 34 Antibacterial properties of eosinophil major basic protein and eosinophil cationic protein; Lehrer RI et al.; We examined the bactericidal activity of two proteins that are abundant in the cytoplasmic granules of human eosinophils, major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) . Unlike the human neutrophil's peptide defensins, both MBP and ECP killed stationary phase Staphylococcus aureus 502A in a simple nutrient-free buffer solution . Although MBP also killed Escherichia coli ML-35 with considerable efficacy under these experimental conditions, the in vitro activity of ECP against E . coli was considerably enhanced if mid-logarithmic phase bacteria replaced stationary phase organisms or if the assay medium was enriched with trypticase soy broth . The antibacterial activity of both eosinophil proteins was modulated by incubation time, protein concentration, temperature and pH . A pBR322-transformed derivative of E . coli ML-35 was used to examine the effects of ECP and MBP on integrity of the bacterial inner membrane (IM) and outer membrane . Although both MBP and ECP caused outer and inner membrane permeabilization when nutrients were present, only MBP was effective under nutrient-free conditions . Two proton ionophores (DNP and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone) protected E . coli from the bactericidal effects of ECP but not from MBP . These findings establish that MBP and ECP have bactericidal properties and suggest that these proteins kill E . coli by similar but nonidentical mechanisms marked by an attack on the target cell's membranes . In view of evidence that high concentrations of ECP and MBP exist in cytoplasmic granules whose contents are translocated to phagocytic vacuoles, we suggest that MBP and ECP contribute to the eosinophil's ability to kill ingested bacteria. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1989 Jun 13, 996(1-2), 125 - 31 Isolation and characterization of folded fragments released by Staphylococcal aureus proteinase from the non-histone chromosomal protein HMG-1; Abdul-Razzak KK et al.; HMG-1 was isolated from newborn calf thymus without exposure to overt denaturing conditions . The purified protein was digested under several solvent conditions with the proteinase (endoproteinase GluC) from Staphylococcus aureus strain V8 . We found that the preferred site of attack by the enzyme on HMG-1 was influenced markedly by ionic strength and temperature . In 0.35 M NaCl/50 mM Tris-phosphate (pH 7.8) at 37 degrees C, cleavage near the junction between the A and B domains is predominant, as previously reported by Carballo et al . (EMBO J . 2 (1983) 1759-1764) . However, in 50 mM Tris-phosphate (pH 7.8) lacking NaCl and at 0 degrees C, cleavage between the B and C domains strongly predominates . Three major products of the digestions were purified and characterized . The fragment consisting of domains B and C was found by circular dichroism to contain a substantial amount of helix . This re-emphasizes the importance of avoiding overt denaturing conditions when working with members of the HMG-1 family. Biochemistry, 1989 Jun 13, 28(12), 5250 - 6 Purification, characterization, and amino acid sequence of the mating pheromone Er-10 of the ciliate Euplotes raikovi; Raffioni S et al.; The mating pheromone Er-10 from mat-10 homozygous Euplotes raikovi was purified by a three-step purification procedure with an overall yield of 62% . It was identified as a protein of molecular weight 8000 having an isoelectic point of 3.9 . Its complete primary structure was determined by automated Edman degradation of the whole protein after performic acid oxidation and of peptides generated by cyanogen bromide and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . The proposed sequence is Asp1-Leu-Cys-Glu-Gln-Ser-Ala-Leu-Gln-Cys10-Asn-Glu-Gln-Gly-Cys-His -Asn-Phe-Cys- Ser20-Pro-Glu-Asp-Lys-Pro-Gly-Cys-Leu-Gly-Met30-Val-Trp-Asn- Pro-Glu-Leu-Cys- Pro38 . The calculated molecular weight of 4191.7, which is in good agreement with the value of m/z 4190.7 obtained by fission fragment ionization mass spectrometry, suggests that the native structure is a dimer with three intrachain disulfide bonds in each subunit . The amino acid sequence is 43% identical with that of the E . raikovi mating pheromone Er-1, with the identities concentrated in the amino-terminal half . The half-cystine locations are conserved, but Er-10 is two residues shorter than Er-1 . Prediction of the secondary structure suggests that Er-10 may also contain a helical structure at the amino terminus . These results indicate that the mating pheromones of E . raikovi form a homologous family. Nippon Kyobu Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Jun, 37(6), 1217 - 22 {A case report of infective endocarditis with acute pulmonary edema and renal dysfunction treated by emergent mitral valve replacement and postoperative extracorporeal ultrafiltration}; Sueda T et al.; A 40-year-old woman with staphylococcus aureus endocarditis of the mitral valve associated with acute pulmonary edema and renal dysfunction is presented . The patient was admitted to Hiroshima University Hospital with infective endocarditis . On the 14th day after admission, she suffered from severe cardiac failure and oligouria, then she was transferred ICU . Chest X-ray film showed pulmonary congestion and echocardiogram revealed 4th grade of mitral valve regurgitation . Emergent mitral valve replacement was performed and rupture of anterior mitral chorda was found as the cause of acute pulmonary edema . Postoperative care was difficult because of advanced renal failure and cardiac failure not responded to diuretics . Extracorporeal ultrafiltration method was effectively used on the 1st and the 2nd postoperative days and 3000 ml of water was filtered without hemodynamic change . Symptoms of renal and cardiac failure recovered promptly after ultrafiltration . Emergent operative and postoperative use of ultrafiltration method is effective in some cases of infective endocarditis complicated with cardiac and renal failure. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 Jun, 37(5 Pt 2), 578 - 81 {In vivo bactericidal effect of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus}; Tronel H et al.; The bactericidal activity of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, against methicillin sensitive S . aureus (2 different strains) was studied on a model of infected fibrin clots inserted subcutaneously in rabbit . The quinolones were delivered intravenously, as a single daily dose of 100 mg/kg/day . The bactericidal activity was evaluated by determining for various time points (1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after the infusion of the antibiotics), viable organisms in the dissolved clots . This study shows that: 1) No significant difference appears between the quinolones studied . 2) The in vivo early bactericidal activity of quinolones against S . aureus appears to be better than oxacillin but lesser than oxacillin-netilmicin combination. Korean J Ophthalmol, 1989 Jun, 3(1), 38 - 41 A study of microbial flora of conjunctival sac in newborns; Lee PW et al.; During the period from July to August 1987, the microbial flora in conjunctival sac of 93 newborns (186 eyes: normal vaginal delivery) and 19 newborns (38 eyes: cesarean section delivery) in nursery of Ewha Womans University Hospital were investigated for isolation and identification of bacteria on delivery day and on two days after birth . The results of the investigation are as follows: 1 . Of 186 eyes (normal vaginal delivery), bacterial growth of one species was shown in 40 eyes (21.5%) on delivery day and in 64 eyes (34.4%) on two days after birth . Bacterial growth of two species shown in 10 eyes (5.4%) on delivery day and in 10 eyes (5.4%) on two days after birth . 2 . Of 38 eyes (cesarean section delivery), bacterial growth of one species was shown in 2 eyes (5.3%) on delivery day and in 20 eyes (52.6%) on two days after birth . Bacterial growth of two species was shown 2 eyes (5.3%) on two days after birth . 3 . Several kinds of bacterial species were isolated in normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section delivery . Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus were isolated. Jpn J Antibiot, 1989 Jun, 42(6), 1286 - 92 {Experimental study on transferability to cerebrospinal fluid of cefodizime in combination with ampicillin}; Okura K et al.; A study was done on cefodizime (THR-221, CDZM) in combination with ampicillin (ABPC) for its transferability to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of rabbits with experimental meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus . Blood and CSF were collected at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after intravenous administration of CDZM at 100 mg/kg to 6 rabbits, ABPC at 100 mg/kg to 4 rabbits and simultaneous administration of both drugs at 100 mg/kg each to 5 rabbits . Drug concentrations were assayed with an high performance liquid chromatography method, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated . The comparison revealed no significant difference in concentrations achieved among different groups . Therefore, the mutual transferability of these drugs to CSF was not considered to interact adversely due to the simultaneous administration of both drugs . Accordingly, CDZM may be a candidate of chemotherapeutics in the therapy of purulent meningitis, and it is worthy of further investigations. Jpn J Antibiot, 1989 Jun, 42(6), 1279 - 85 {Transferability of cefodizime to cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits with meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus}; Haruta T et al.; The transferability of cefodizime (THR-221, CDZM) to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was studied employing rabbits with experimental meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus . The mean blood concentration was 195 +/- 18.3 micrograms/ml using phosphate buffer solution (PBS) standard and 474 +/- 22.0 micrograms/ml using rabbit serum standard, respectively, at 15 minutes after intravenous administration of the drug at a dose level of 100 mg/kg . The mean concentration in CSF vs . PBS standard was maximum at 60 minutes after administration, and the mean maximum concentration was 8.74 +/- 2.16 micrograms/ml . Pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from those values were as follows, respectively, for PBS standard and rabbit serum standard; Cmax (CSF/serum): 4.48% and 1.84% . AUC (CSF/serum): 6.15% and 2.02% between 15 and 60 minutes, 10.6% and 3.00% between 15 and 120 minutes and 13.4% and 3.48% between 15 and 180 minutes . T 1/2 for CDZM in CSF: 141 minutes in both cases . T 1/2 (CSF/serum): 3.27 and 2.11 . Concentrations in CSF determined using an high performance liquid chromatography method in another rabbits were similar to those determined using the bioassay vs . rabbit serum standard . The bioassayed concentration of this drug (AUC (CSF/serum} vs . PBS standard ranked 9th among 23 other beta-lactam antibiotics tested . That is, the drug distributed favorably as compared to other antibiotics, and it may be worthwhile of running clinical trials on this drug in meningitis when antimicrobial potential against main pathogens of meningitis are considered. Biokhimiia, 1989 Jun, 54(6), 1009 - 14 {DNA-methylase Sau 3A: isolation and various properties}; Lebenka AIu et al.; DNA-methylase Sau 3A has been isolated for the first time from Staphylococcus aureus 3A cells and purified by column chromatography on phosphocellulose PII, heparin-Sepharose and blue Sepharose . The purified enzyme methylates the GATC sequence with the formation of GATm5C as can be evidenced from the protection of DNA from digestion with restrictases Sau 3A and Bam HI, the lack of the C3H3-group incorporation into Sau 3A DNA-restricts and the formation of a single methylated base m5C . Sau 3A methylase modifies only a two-filament (but not one-filament) DNA . Thus, methylase Sau 3A modifies the both DNA chains in the recognition site during a single binding act . The 5-azacytidine-containing DNA inhibits by 95% the activity of methylase Sau 3A . Ado-met is the single methyl group donor for methylase Sau 3A . The presence of m6A in the recognition site does not affect the activity of methylase Sau 3A . The practical recommendations for the use of M . Sau 3A, alongside with M . Eco dam, for the study of dam methylation by additional methylation of the DNA in vitro in the presence of {methyl-3H}-S-adenosyl-methionine are given. Int J Artif Organs, 1989 Jun, 12(6), 366 - 8 Climatic factors and peritonitis in CAPD patients; Chan MK et al.; From March 1983 to December 1987 the relation of the occurrence of all episodes of peritonitis in CAPD patients to climatic factors, such as temperature and relative humidity was examined . Altogether 389 episodes were recorded in 239 patients . Peritonitis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis, Gram-negative organisms and culture-negative episodes was most frequent during the hot months of the year, June to October . The occurrence of peritonitis due to Staphylococcus aureus was uniformly distributed throughout the year . Relative humidity did not seem to affect the frequency of peritonitis. Mol Gen Genet, 1989 Jun, 217(2-3), 481 - 7 Specificity of the interactions between the Rep proteins and the origins of replication of Staphylococcus aureus plasmids pT181 and pC221; Iordanescu S; pT181 and pC221 are closely related Staphylococcus aureus plasmids with the same genome organization, which is characterized by the overlapping of the origin of replication with the sequence encoding a protein, Rep, essential for plasmid replication . Former results have shown the lack of in vivo cross-complementation between these two plasmids, while in vitro studies have revealed the ability of both Rep proteins to act on either origin . One possible explanation for this difference was based on a previous analysis of the incompatibility expressed by the origin of replication of these plasmids, showing that the origin embedded in the rep gene competes for Rep utilization with the origin of a test plasmid and that changes in the sequence of the origin reduce its ability to compete . To avoid this problem, in the present work special hybrids were constructed in which the origin of replication overlapping the rep gene was mutationally inactivated, without changing the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein . The level of Rep expression by these hybrids could be varied by taking advantage of what is presently known about the control of Rep synthesis in plasmid pT181.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Biomed Environ Mass Spectrom, 1989 Jun, 18(6), 424 - 8 Rapid determination of sequence variations in actinidin isolated from Actinidia chinensis (var . Hayward) using fast atom bombardment mapping mass spectrometry and gas phase microsequencing; Naylor S et al.; A current limitation in the use of fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometric mapping of peptide mixtures, derived from enzymic digestion of proteins, is that most of the hydrophilic peptides are not observed . However, it has been demonstrated from previous work that esterification of the peptide mixture results in the detection of almost all peptides in FAB mass spectrometry . This strategy of FAB mapping was applied to the protein actinidin, isolated from an Italian variety of Actinidia chinensis . Two of the 12 tryptic peptides in FAB mass spectrometry did not exhibit molecular ions predicted from the known sequence of actinidin isolated from the New Zealand variety of A . chinensis . The two peptides were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography, subjected to Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestion and sequenced by gas-phase microsequencing . Nine changes in amino acid composition were detected using the rapid and powerful combination of FAB mass spectrometric mapping and gas-phase microsequencing. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 55(6), 1447 - 51 Production of enterotoxin A by supposedly nonenterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus strains; Gomez-Lucia E et al.; The production of staphylococcal enterotoxins A (SEA) and B (SEB) was studied by inoculating six well-defined staphylococcal collection strains into cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk (individually or as a 50% mixture of cow's + goat's or cow's + sheep's), into brain heart infusion, and into a medium generally used to enhance the synthesis of enterotoxins (3+3 medium) . Four of the strains used are considered to be SEB producers, another is considered an SEA producer, and the remaining strain is nonenterotoxigenic but produces large quantities of staphylococcal protein A . Staphylococcal protein A masked the results in most cases . Only one strain secreted exclusively SEB, while the other three SEB producers synthesized SEA in different amounts . We conclude that enterotoxin production depends on the natural substrate and may differ from the results obtained when the strain is grown on cellophane over agar to determine its toxigenicity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Jun, 33(6), 980 - 2 Influence of etoposide and cyclophosphamide on the efficacy of cloxacillin and erythromycin in an experimental staphylococcal infection; Calame W et al.; The effect of monocytopenia and granulocytopenia on the outgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus as well as on antibiotic efficacy was studied in an experimental thigh infection in mice . Pretreatment with etoposide reduced monocyte numbers in blood to 14% and those of granulocytes to 54% at the time of infection . Monocytopenia did not affect the proliferation of bacteria in the infected thigh or the reduction of bacterial numbers after treatment with cloxacillin or erythromycin . Pretreatment with cyclophosphamide reduced monocyte numbers to 15% and granulocyte numbers to 3% . This resulted in a marked increase in the number of bacteria at the site of infection and a decrease in the efficacy of antibiotic treatment. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Jun, 23(6), 891 - 8 Comparative study of clindamycin, imipenem, oxacillin and vancomycin in the infected granuloma pouch model; Brauner E et al.; In a rat granuloma pouch model, Staphylococcus aureus infection was treated with clindamycin, oxacillin or vancomycin and Bacteroides fragilis infection with clindamycin or imipenem . The model simulates a subcutaneous abscess and has the advantage of permitting frequent sampling of exudate for bacterial counts and antibiotic levels in the same animal . In staphylococcal infection all drugs reduced the bacterial counts in the infected pouch by 1-1.7 log, with a significant effect lasting for 3 h after the last injection . A 1.06-1.4 log reduction lasted for 24 h with clindamycin and oxacillin, but there was only an 0.3 log reduction at 24 h with vancomycin . The ratio of the drug concentration in the infected pouch to the MIC was highest with clindamycin (2.3) compared to oxacillin (1.6) and vancomycin (0.8) . With Bact . fragilis infection the bacterial counts dropped 1.5 log at 3 h after the last injection with clindamycin and imipenem . At 24 h the counts were reduced 1.0 log with clindamycin and 0.5 log with imipenem . The ratios of pouch fluid concentration to MIC was 7.6 and 4.08 for imipenem and clindamycin, respectively, at 3 h, and 1.0 and 2.3 for imipenem and clindamycin at 24 h. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Jun, 23(6), 877 - 83 Determination of serum and bone concentrations of cephradine and cefuroxime by HPLC in patients undergoing hip and knee joint replacement surgery; Leigh DA; Bone and serum concentrations of cephradine and cefuroxime were measured by HPLC in 21 patients undergoing hip and knee joint replacement surgery . An intravenous dose of 750 mg of each cephalosporin was given to patients at induction of anaesthesia . The serum and bone concentrations of both compounds were similar in individual patients although there was considerable interpatient variation . The mean concentrations in the femoral head bone supernatant in hip replacements were 7.2 mg/kg of cephradine and 8.0 mg/kg of cefuroxime . In knee replacement the femoral condyle bone concentrations were 5.1 mg/kg of cephradine and 4.2 mg/kg of cefuroxime, and for tibial bone 5.6 and 4.6 mg/kg respectively . Both cephradine and cefuroxime diffuse well into bone giving bone concentrations effective against common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and S . epidermidis. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Jun, 50(3), 265 - 8 Iron depletion alters surface-associated properties of Staphylococcus aureus and its association to human neutrophils in chemiluminescence; Domingue PA et al.; Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 was grown in iron-depleted tryptone soya broth (Fe-TSB) to approximate to in vivo conditions, and in iron-rich TSB (Fe + TSB) . Low iron effected a crucial decrease in surface hydrophobicity (SH) and a lack of supernatant Protein A (PrA) . Iron availability did not affect PrA detection in immunoblotting and it was identified as a 35.5 kDa antigen in this strain . Fe-phenotypes lacked 34, 48 and 52 kDa antigens . In chemiluminescence, Fe-phenotypes appeared least vulnerable to phagocytosis despite opsonisation. Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech, 1989 Jun, 56(3), 218 - 24 {Use of Septopal in the treatment of bone infections}; Foldyna K et al.; The authors evaluate a group of 29 patients where they used during treatment of a bone infection gentamicin pellets--Septopal Merck . The mean age of the patients was 46.6 years (9-75 years) the mean duration of the symptoms of inflammation before operation was 20 months . The prerequisite of successful application of Septopal is radical surgical treatment of the site of infection and provision of high standard soft tissue covering and assessment of the sensitivity of the aetiological agent to gentamicin . The most frequent causal agent of infection was Staphylococcus aureus in 48.3% and in combination with Gram-negative rods in 34.5% . In infections of total prostheses of joints one of the pathogenic agents was also Staphylococcus epidermidis . Healing per primam was recorded in 41% per secundam in 28%, in general, treatment was successful in 69% . By application of Septopal high local bactericide concentrations of gentamicin can be achieved for three months without threatening the patient with toxic side effects--local or general . The authors recommend, however, to remove it after cca 8 weeks. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 27(6), 1382 - 6 Morphologic study of Staphylococcus aureus L-form, reverting, and intermediate colonies in situ; Owens WE et al.; Staphylococcus aureus strains of bovine origin were induced to L-form by exposure to 100 U of penicillin in brain heart infusion broth supplemented with 5% NaCl, 5% sucrose, and 10% horse serum . L-forms were cultured on similarly supplemented brain heart infusion agar containing no antibiotic . Light and electron microscopic examination of plastic-embedded L-form colonies revealed a variety of morphologic types . The primary site of growth appeared to be the core area below the agar surface, consisting mainly of pleomorphic budding forms . At the surface, these forms gave rise to large spherules with a gradation from smaller to larger spherules toward the periphery of the colony . Some colonies progressed to reverting forms with the growth of bacterial cells containing cell wall . In addition to L-forms, intermediate colony forms were observed that lacked typical L-form morphology and progressed rapidly to the parent cell form on subculture to bovine blood agar . Description of these forms will be used in the search for similar morphologic types in vivo during antibiotic treatment of chronic S . aureus bovine mastitis. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 27(6), 1372 - 4 Staphylococcus aureus strains which are not identified by rapid agglutination methods are of capsular serotype 5; Fournier JM et al.; A total of 183 recent Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates were tested with three commercially available rapid agglutination methods . The capsular polysaccharide type and resistance to oxacillin of these isolates were also determined . Seven isolates were not identified correctly by agglutination methods . All isolates not identified by the rapid methods were of capsular serotype 5, and of these isolates, six were resistant to oxacillin . The results suggest that these agglutination kits can be improved by the use of antibodies reactive with S . aureus capsular polysaccharide. Am J Med, 1989 Jun, 86(6 Pt 2), 780 - 6 Infections associated with Hickman catheters in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Raviglione MC et al.; PURPOSE: Hickman catheters are frequently used as convenient long-term venous access in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . These patients seem to be at increased risk for bacterial infections of intravenous devices . The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of Hickman catheter infection in patients with AIDS as compared with that in other patients . PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 69 patients who underwent 71 consecutive Hickman catheter placements during a one-year study period . RESULTS: Forty-six Hickman catheters were inserted in 44 patients with AIDS, and 25 Hickman catheters were placed in 25 other patients . There were 18 infections: 16 occurred in patients with AIDS, and two developed in the control group (p less than 0.05) . The 16 infections in AIDS were as follows: five exit site, five septicemias, two tunnel, one septic phlebitis, and three probable Hickman catheter-related . Staphylococcus aureus was responsible for 14 cases (87%); Staphylococcus epidermidis was responsible for four cases (25%) . Mean onset of infection was 32 days, but seven patients were diagnosed in the first eight days after Hickman catheter insertion . Fever occurred in all patients with early infection, leukopenia was present only in three; infusion of parenteral nutrition did not increase the risk . Two early infections were fatal . The rate of Hickman catheter infection in patients with AIDS was 0.47 per 100 catheter days, as compared with 0.09 in the control group . CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the need for using Hickman catheters only when absolutely indicated in patients with AIDS, since the risk of serious infectious complications appears to be high. Endocrinol Jpn, 1989 Jun, 36(3), 335 - 42 Immunological abnormality of peripheral blood B cells in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease; Zeki K et al.; We investigated the response to immunoglobulin G-secreting cells (ISC) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNC) and purified B cells following stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC) or with B cell stimulatory factor 2 (interleukin 6: IL-6), using the reverse hemolytic plaque assay in an attempt to clarify the immunological functions of peripheral blood B cells in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) . ISC response by PB-MNC following stimulation with SAC was significantly decreased in patients in the hyperthyroid state of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis as compared with that of normal controls . The difference in SAC-response was not significant between patients with euthyroid state of Graves' disease and normal controls . ISC response by PB-MNC following stimulation with SAC exhibited a reciprocal relationship to TRAb in patients with Graves' disease . Using purified B cells, some spontaneous ISC response without SAC stimulation was observed in patients in the hyperthyroid state of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis . This spontaneous ISC response was further enhanced by IL-6 . These results suggest that in organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as AITD, immunological abnormalities exist in B cells and some B cells are nonspecifically activated in the immunologically active state. Eur J Pediatr, 1989 Jun, 148(7), 630 - 3 Administration of recombinant IL-2 augments the level of serum IgM in an IL-2 deficient patient; Doi S et al.; A patient with ataxia telangiectasia was treated with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and the resulting immunological effects evaluated . The patient lacked IL-2 production, and immunoglobulin synthesis was also impaired . Treatment with IL-2 selectively increased serum IgM without any significant side effects . Therapy also restored B-cell function in vitro . IgM production as well as the proliferative response to Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I . These results suggest that IL-2 treatment may correct both T-cell and B-cell defects. J Clin Invest, 1989 Jun, 83(6), 2041 - 9 Role of surface proteins in staphylococcal adherence to fibers in vitro; Cheung AL et al.; To study the role of surface proteins in the adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to fibers that are used in tampon and surgical gauze pad manufacture, we have developed an adherence assay with S . aureus cells and cotton and rayon fibers . Results suggest that staphylococcal adherence is dependent on both the substrate and the material used to coat these fibers . Scanning electron micrographs supported the adherence results and revealed more cells on the surface of cotton than rayon fibers . Treatment of staphylococcal cells with proteolytic enzymes significantly reduced binding to pure cotton and detergent-treated cotton fibers . Immunoblot analysis of cell wall proteins suggested that surface proteins in the mol wt range of 120-220 kD were involved in the adherence of S . aureus to cotton fibers . Although the adherence of S . aureus to cotton fibers alone appeared to be mediated through surface charge or hydrophobic interactions, bacterial binding to fibers which have been pretreated with defibrinated blood appeared to be more specific and independent of the surface constituents of the fibers . The results of these studies implicate staphylococcal surface proteins in the adherence of S . aureus to commercially available tampon fibers and surgical gauze pads. Arq Bras Cardiol, 1989 Jun, 52(6), 337 - 40 {Septic pulmonary embolism and endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in the tricuspid valve after infectious abortion . Report of 2 cases}; Pimentel M et al.; We report the cases of two patients with septic pulmonary embolism and respiratory failure after septic abortion . Hysterectomy was performed in both patients after unsuccessful uterine curettage and antibiotic therapy for treatment of the infection . The first patient (27 years-old) remained feverish . The blood cultures yielded Staphylococcus aureus . Tricuspid valve endocarditis was identified as the reason for persistent infection . Antibiotic treatment properly planned was administered and the patient was discharged . The second patient (23 years-old) apparently recovered after hysterectomy . Nevertheless, one month later, infection and septic pulmonary embolism recurred . The diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus tricuspid valve endocarditis was made . Persistent infection unresponsive to medical treatment led to surgical treatment . The patient died after valve replacement . Thus the persistence or recurrence of infection and septic abortion may be due to tricuspid valve endocarditis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Jun, 8(6), 562 - 3 Treatment of chronic experimental Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis with LY146032 and vancomycin; Luu QN et al.; LY146032 and vancomycin were compared as therapeutic agents in the treatment of chronic Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis in the rat . Quantitative cultures disclosed that one of 16, none of 16 and two of 17 tibiae were sterile from the control LY146032, and vancomycin groups, respectively . From positive cultures, geometric mean staphylococcal CFU per gram of bone were as follows: control, 5.13 +/- 1.58; LY146032, 5.36 +/- 0.43 (p = 0.57); and vancomycin, 4.33 +/- 1.73 (p = 0.078) . Mean gross pathology was decreased significantly in both treatment groups . LY146032 was no more effective than vancomycin in reducing bacterial counts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Jun, 86(11), 4210 - 4 Toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 binds to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules; Scholl P et al.; Toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) is a 22-kDa exotoxin produced by strains of Staphylococcus aureus and implicated in the pathogenesis of toxic shock syndrome . In common with other staphylococcal exotoxins, TSST-1 has diverse immunological effects . These include the induction of interleukin 2 receptor expression, interleukin 2 synthesis, proliferation of human T lymphocytes, and stimulation of interleukin 1 synthesis by human monocytes . In the present study, we demonstrate that TSST-1 binds with saturation kinetics and with a dissociation constant of 17-43 nM to a single class of binding sites on human mononuclear cells . There was a strong correlation between the number of TSST-1 binding sites and the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, and interferon-gamma induced the expression of class II molecules as well as TSST-1 binding sites on human skin-derived fibroblasts . Monoclonal antibodies to HLA-DR, but not to HLA-DP or HLA-DQ, strongly inhibited TSST-1 binding . Affinity chromatography of 125I-labeled cell membranes over TSST-1-agarose resulted in the recovery of two bands of 35 kDa and 31 kDa that comigrated, respectively, with the alpha and beta chains of HLA-DR and that could be immunoprecipitated with anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies . Binding of TSST-1 was demonstrated to HLA-DR and HLA-DQ L-cell transfectants . These results indicate that major histocompatibility complex class II molecules represent the major binding site for TSST-1 on human cells. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 135 ( Pt 6), 1679 - 97 Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophages mediating the simultaneous lysogenic conversion of beta-lysin, staphylokinase and enterotoxin A: molecular mechanism of triple conversion; Coleman DC et al.; A new group of serotype F bacteriophages of Staphylococcus aureus has been found which mediates the simultaneous triple-lysogenic conversion of enterotoxin A, staphylokinase and beta-lysin . The phages were recovered fro methicillin-resistant strains of S . aureus isolated in Irish hospitals between 1971 and 1988 and from strain PS42-D, which has been used as the propagating strain for the S . aureus typing phage 42D since before 1965 . The molecular mechanism of triple conversion mediated by three of these phages was determined by molecular cloning, restriction endonuclease site mapping and hybridization analysis, and compared with the mechanism of beta-lysin and staphylokinase conversion mediated by the serotype F, double-converting phase phi 13 . THe genetic determinants mediating expression of enterotoxin A (entA) and staphylokinase (sak) were cloned from the DNA of the triple-converting phage and expression of the cloned determinants detected in Escherichia coli and S . aureus . The entA and sak determinants were closely linked in the phage DNA adjacent to the phage attachment site (attP) in each case and furthermore, the sak determinant of phage phi 13 was also located near its attP . The restriction maps of the entA-, sak- and attP-containing DNA regions of the three triple-converting phages were very similar to each other and to the corresponding sak- and attP- containing DNA region of phage phi 13 . Hybridization analysis using a cloned beta-lysin determinant (hlb) and cloned attP-containing DNA fragments as probes demonstrated that beta-lysin conversion mediated by the triple-converting phages and phage phi 13 was caused by insertional inactivation of the chromosomally encoded hlb determinant by orientation-specific integration of phage DNA following lysogenization. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 Jun, 37(5 Pt 2), 595 - 9 {In vitro effects of combinations of teicoplanin and ceftriaxone against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus}; Thabaut A et al.; The in vitro activity of antibiotic combinations of teicoplanin (T) and ceftriaxone (C) was evaluated on 10 methicillin sensitive S . aureus (MSSA), 10 methicillin resistant S . aureus (MRSA), 4 Enterococcus and 2 E . coli . By the checkerboard method the combination T + C showed synergism against 9 MRSA, 2 MSSA, 4 Enterococcus, indifferent effect against the other strains . By the time-kill-curves method synergism was found for the combinations T + C at 1/2 CMI against MRSA, MSSA and Enterococcus, and indifference with the combinations at 1 X CMI, 2 X CMI, 4 X CMI against all the strains . Antagonistic effect was never found . These results suggest that teicoplanin in combination with ceftriaxone can be tested in in vivo study to demonstrate the possible benefits of the synergism particularly in the therapy of the nosocomial infections. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Jun, 23(6), 899 - 904 The efficacy of the combination of teicoplanin or flucloxacillin with netilmicin in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia; Degener JE et al.; Twenty one patients with serious Staphylococcus aureus infection and bacteraemia were randomized prospectively to receive either teicoplanin and netilmicin or flucloxacillin and netilmicin . After at least 48 h of treatment serum samples were collected for the determination of trough and peak antibiotic concentrations, the serum killing level and the serum bactericidal rate . With the help of a severity-of-disease scoring system (APACHE II) the clinical efficacy of antimicrobial therapy was assessed . Eighteen patients were evaluable . The clinical results and the results of the serum assays suggest that treatment with teicoplanin or flucloxacillin, combined with netilmicin, is a safe approach in patients with bacteraemia caused by S . aureus. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Jun, 23(6), 849 - 59 Cellular uptake, and intracellular bactericidal activity of teicoplanin in human macrophages; Carlone NA et al.; The effects of teicoplanin on human macrophage functions were evaluated by assays of antibiotic uptake, bacterial phagocytosis and intracellular killing . The results indicated that teicoplanin was efficiently concentrated by both resident and stimulated phagocytes, achieving intracellular concentrations higher than those in the surrounding extracellular medium . Comparison of the degree of antibiotic penetration into dead, resident and stimulated macrophages seemed to suggest that transfer across the macrophage membrane was of a passive nature, and was not related to the metabolic state of the cells . At concentrations of half its MIC for the bacteria, teicoplanin caused macrophages to ingest and kill Staphylococcus aureus at a greater rate than did macrophages without drug . Phagocytes harvested from mice receiving intravenous teicoplanin showed greater phagocytic activity than those from control mice, suggesting that potentiation of host defences can occur in vivo. J Pediatr Surg, 1989 Jun, 24(6), 519 - 21 Dura versus Gore-Tex as an abdominal wall prosthesis in an open and closed infected model; Smith S et al.; Occasionally, it is necessary to use prosthetic material to close large abdominal wall defects in infected, potentially infected, or open wounds . We compared the effectiveness of Gore-Tex (PTFE, W.L . Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) and dura for closing large, full thickness abdominal wall defects in terms of resistance to infection, patch separation, and intraperitoneal adhesion formation . Ninety guinea pigs had full thickness, 2 cm2, abdominal defects patched with either PTFE or dura . The skin was (A) left open (B) closed over the patch under aseptic conditions, or (C) closed after wound contamination with 10(5) CFU of staphylococcus aureus . Wounds were examined daily and the wound and peritoneal cavity examined at necropsy (day 45) . Patch separation, patch retention, and adhesions were similar in both open (A), and clean closed (B) wounds patched with PTFE or dura . In the infected closed wounds (C) of the PTFE animals, the incision remained intact significantly longer, the time of patch separation and overall patch retention were significantly increased, and bowel adhesions were significantly reduced compared to dura animals. J Spinal Disord, 1989 Jun, 2(2), 114 - 9 Intervertebral disc space infection and osteomyelitis due to Hemophilus species: report of two cases and review; Stephanian E et al.; Vertebral osteomyelitis and intervertebral disk space infections in adults are most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli . Despite an increasing number of cases caused by other gram-negative bacteria, documented spinal infections with Hemophilus species remain exceedingly rare . All prior cases have involved the lumbar spine between the L2 and L4 levels . None has required surgical decompression or stabilization . We report two adult patients with intervertebral disk space infections and osteomyelitis outside the lumbar region . One patient, who had a Hemophilus influenzae infection of the T9-T10 disk space, was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics and external bracing . Another patient, who had a Hemophilus aphrophilus infection that destroyed the C5-C6 disk space and adjacent vertebral bodies, required surgical debridement and stabilization in addition to antibiotic therapy and halovest immobilization . Neither patient had a significant underlying illness or extra-spinal source of infection . The clinical features and spinal levels affected in these two patients have expanded our knowledge of the spectrum of disease caused by Hemophilus species. Aust Vet J, 1989 Jun, 66(6), 163 - 7 A farming systems study of abortion in dairy cattle on the Atherton Tableland . 2 . The pattern of infectious diseases; Norton JH et al.; The role of infectious agents on dairy farms on the Atherton Tableland in tropical north Queensland was studied as part of a comprehensive investigation into the causes of bovine abortion . The prevalence of antibody in serums collected from 7 herds whose annual abortion rates ranged from 3% to 21% were as follows: Leptospira hardjo 49.9% (426/853), L . pomona 0.4% (3/851), bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) 33.7% (35/104) . Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR) 11.5% (12/105), Akabane virus 92.2% (95/103), Aino virus 62.1% (64/103), Chlamydia psittaci 3.1% (37/1004), Brucella abortus 0% (0/851), and Toxoplasma gondii 0% (0/105) . Testing of serums against a wide range of leptospiral serotypes indicated that reactions occurring in the Hebdomadis and Sejroe serogroups were probably cross reactions with L . hardjo . Infection with L . hardjo and Akabane virus occurred prior to first mating and contact with Aino virus occurred during first pregnancy . Infection with BVD and IBR viruses was sporadic . The pathology and microbiology of 32 aborted foetuses from 24 Tableland herds (10 from the group of 19 farms under more intense study) were performed . Lesions associated with a Sarcocystis-like agent were present in 6, leptospires in 1, suspected toxic hepatosis in 2 and purulent bronchopneumonia (Staphylococcus aureus) in 1 foetus . No diagnoses were made in the remaining 22 foetuses (69%) . Evidence for a common infectious cause of abortion in the population was inconclusive. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Jun, 23(6), 923 - 7 Adaptation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus during antibiotic therapy; Menzies RE et al.; Colonization of a patient by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of a single phage-type for over four years is described . During this period we observed the appearance and disappearance of resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, neomycin and mupirocin . We also saw stepwise increases in methicillin resistance and reversible changes in physical appearance and the colonizer pathogen role . Correlation of clinical observations, details of antibiotic therapy and laboratory studies demonstrated that adaptation of MRSA during antibiotic therapy favoured MRSA establishment and predominance. J Autoimmun, 1989 Jun, 2 Suppl, 233 - 41 'Fetal-type' B and T lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjögren's syndrome; Plater-Zyberk C et al.; B lymphocytes expressing CD5 (CD5+B cells) and T lymphocytes using the gamma and delta chains to form their antigen receptor (gamma delta +T cells) are major populations in developing fetuses, but become relatively minor in normal adults . However, both subsets are expanded in the peripheral blood of more than 50% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjogren's syndrome . We have examined the surface phenotype of these subsets using flow cytometry and have studied the frequency of IgM-producing lines after EBV-transformation of sorted CD5+B and CD5-B cells isolated from neonatal umbilical vein and RA peripheral blood . The intensity of CD5 expression on B cells was at least 10 times 'duller' than on T cells, CD5 'dull' cells were CD3 negative, and T cells bearing the gamma delta antigen receptor did not express either CD4 or CD8 on their surface . In vitro stimulation by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I or transformation by Epstein-Barr virus of CD5+B cells resulted in loss of CD5 antigen from the surface of B cells . EBV-transformation of sorted CD5+B and CD5-B lymphocytes from neonatal blood gave rise to IgM-secretion in 100% of the Ig-secreting lines . CD5+B fraction isolated from RA blood also generated 100% IgM-secreting lines, whereas 29% of the Ig-secreting lines obtained from RA CD5-B fraction did not secrete IgM . The function of these 'fetal-type' T and B lymphocytes is unknown, however their expansion in rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjogren's Syndrome suggests that they may play a role in autoimmune diseases. Gen Physiol Biophys, 1989 Jun, 8(3), 213 - 22 Ion transport through channels formed in lipid bilayers by Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin; Krasilnikov OV et al.; Staphylotoxin channel appears to be predominantly anion-selective with non-linear and asymmetric current-voltage characteristics (CVC) at neutral pH . Increased salt concentrations induce linearity and asymmetry of CVC and loss of selectivity . At lower pH both the channel conductivity and anion selectivity increase . Higher temperatures raise the channel conductivity in parallel with the changes in electrical conductivity of the salt solution, but do not change selectivity . Experimental dependences are described obtained by approximation of electrical diffusion and considering the interactions of penetrating ions with fixed charges at the entrances and the channel energy profile. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 27(6), 1286 - 91 Antibodies to staphylococcal peptidoglycan and its peptide epitopes, teichoic acid, and lipoteichoic acid in sera from blood donors and patients with staphylococcal infections; Wergeland HI et al.; Antibodies to the staphylococcal antigens peptidoglycan, beta-ribitol teichoic acid, and lipoteichoic acid, as well as to the peptidoglycan epitopes L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala, L-Lys-D-Ala, and pentaglycine, were found over a wide range of concentrations in sera from both blood donors and patients with verified or suspected staphylococcal infections . The patient group was heterogeneous with regard to both age and type of staphylococcal infections, being representative for sera sent to our laboratory . In single-antigen assays antibodies to pentaglycine had the highest predictive positive value (67%), although only 32% of the patients had elevated levels of such antibodies . Combinations of test antigens could yield positive predictive values as high as 100%, but then the fraction of positive sera was low . Indeed, the fraction of patient sera which was positive in multiple-antigen tests never exceeded 61% . The clinical usefulness of these seroassays for identifying Staphylococcus aureus as a causative agent was limited, owing to the considerable overlap in the range of antibody concentrations between patient and blood donor sera. FEBS Lett, 1989 May 22, 249(1), 89 - 94 Alpha B-crystallin is expressed in kidney epithelial cell lines and not in fibroblasts; Nagineni CN et al.; We have recently shown the presence of alpha B-crystallin in non-ocular tissues of diverse embryological origins such as the heart, brain, spinal cord, kidney, retina, etc . Using an alpha B-crystallin-specific antiserum and immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation and peptide mapping with Staphylococcus aureus protease, we demonstrate differential expression of alpha B-crystallin in epithelial and fibroblast cell lines . alpha B-Crystallin was detectable only in epithelial cell lines such as MDBK, MDCK, LLCPK1 and JTC-12, and was not observed in two kidney fibroblast cell lines, one skin fibroblast cell line, and one corneal fibroblast cell line . Differential expression of the alpha B-crystallin gene was also confirmed by Northern blot analysis of the RNAs isolated from these cell lines . These data suggest a cell-type-specific role for alpha B. Eur J Biochem, 1989 May 15, 181(3), 767 - 73 Staphylococcal alpha-toxin increases the permeability of lipid vesicles by cholesterol- and pH-dependent assembly of oligomeric channels; Forti S et al.; alpha-Toxin, a lethal hemolytic toxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus, forms ionic channels of large size in lipid membranes . To investigate the mechanism of channel assembly we have studied the kinetics of pore formation on small unilamellar vesicles . We have used two assays of vesicle permeabilization: one is the release of a fluorescent molecule trapped in their inner compartment; the other is the dissipation of an imposed potential . Both methods indicate that the kinetics are complex consisting of an initial delay followed by a