Staphylococcus aureus

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 non-linear relaxation . The dependence of the pore formation rate and the extent of permeabilization on the toxin/vesicle ratio indicates that aggregation of 4-10 preinserted toxin monomers underlies channel assembly . The pH dependence of permeabilization suggests that protonation of an acidic group of the toxin is a prerequisite to channel formation . Inclusion of cholesterol in the target vesicles potentiates alpha-toxin effects, in a dose-dependent way, possibly by facilitating its protonation . The location of the proton-binding site on the two adjacent aspartic acid residues in positions 127 and 128 of the toxin monomer is proposed.

J Biol Chem, 1989 May 15, 264(14), 8345 - 55
Sequential expression of smooth muscle and sarcomeric alpha-actin isoforms during BC3H1 cell differentiation; Strauch AR et al.; High cell density and cell cycle withdrawal stimulate the differentiation of BC3H1 smooth muscle-like cells . The differentiation process is accompanied by extensive changes in cell shape and the increased expression of a variety of muscle-specific proteins including the vascular smooth muscle-specific isoform of the contractile protein, alpha-actin . Results of actin peptide map analyses described in this report now indicate that a second, sarcomeric muscle-specific alpha-actin isoform is expressed in serum-deprived BC3H1 myocytes and that the induction of this actin isoform occurs late in differentiation well after the observed upregulation of vascular alpha-actin synthesis . The sarcomeric alpha-actin was identified in myocytes on the basis of the unique electrophoretic mobility of its NH2-terminal tryptic peptide, the distribution of cleavage products that were obtained when the NH2-terminal tryptic peptide was subjected to secondary proteolytic cleavage with thermolysin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and the presence of an additional cysteine residue at the NH2 terminus of the biosynthetic precursor of this novel alpha-actin . While expression of vascular alpha-actin was stimulated when myoblasts reached confluence, a 6-day post-confluent treatment with serum-free medium was required to induce maximal expression of the sarcomeric alpha-actin . Blot hybridization analysis of total BC3H1 myocyte RNA using actin gene-specific cDNA probes indicated that the sarcomeric alpha-actin corresponds to the skeletal muscle-specific isoform . This is the first report describing dual expression of smooth muscle and sarcomeric muscle alpha-actins in a clonal myogenic cell line . The results indicate the potential usefulness of the BC3H1 cell line for studying relationships between divergent muscle alpha-actin gene sequences and transcriptional and translational controls during myogenesis.

J Immunol Methods, 1989 May 12, 119(2), 189 - 96
Evaluation of a fluorochrome assay for assessing the bactericidal activity of neutrophils in human phagocyte dysfunctions; Bellinati-Pires R et al.; We evaluated a method for the assessment of the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of human peripheral neutrophils against Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I, which is a modified version of the acridine orange staining technique originally described by Smith and Rommel (1977) . The modification consisted of the use of free leukocyte suspensions rather than coverglass adhered leukocytes in order to avoid two main problems: the inefficient neutrophil adherence to glass that can be observed in specimens from patients with certain functional phagocyte defects, and the risk of selecting among neutrophils . An additional advantage of the modified procedure is that it permits a uniform bacteria: phagocyte ratio in different cell samples . The method was tested on 25 healthy adults and on four children with functional phagocytic defects (chronic granulomatous disease of infancy, Chediak-Higashi syndrome, and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome associated to persistent neutropenia and low chemotactic response) . The neutrophils of all four patients showed a low bactericidal activity, with percent values of intracellular killed bacteria below the mean +/- 2 SD range observed in the healthy population at all incubation times tested (5, 15 and 30 min) . A significant reduction in phagocytosis index and in % killed unopsonized S . aureus was observed in relation to bacteria treated with a pool of normal human serum . These results demonstrate the high sensitivity of the method, which could be used to determine intrinsic and extrinsic functional alterations in human neutrophils.

Biochemistry, 1989 May 2, 28(9), 4020 - 7
Calcium affects the spontaneous degradation of aspartyl/asparaginyl residues in calmodulin; Ota IM et al.; We have previously shown that the D-aspartyl/L-isoaspartyl protein carboxyl methyltransferase recognizes two major sites in affinity-purified preparations of bovine brain calmodulin that arise from spontaneous degradation reactions . These sites are derived from aspartyl residues at positions 2 and 78, which are located in apparently flexible regions of calmodulin . We postulated that this flexibility was an important factor in the nonenzymatic formation and enzymatic recognition of D-aspartyl and/or L-isoaspartyl residues . Because removal of Ca2+ ions from this protein may also lead to increased flexibility in the four Ca2+ binding regions, we have now characterized the sites of methylation that occur when calmodulin is incubated in buffers with or without the calcium chelator ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,-N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) . Calmodulin was treated at pH 7.4 for 13 days at 37 degrees C under these conditions and was then methylated with erythrocyte D-aspartyl/L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase isozyme I and S-adenosyl-L-{methyl-3H}methionine . The 3H-methylated calmodulin product was purified by reverse-phase HPLC and digested with various proteases including trypsin, chymotrypsin, endoproteinase Lys-C, clostripain, and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and the resulting peptides were separated by reverse-phase HPLC . Peptides containing Asp-2 and Asp-78, as well as calcium binding sites II, III, and IV, were found to be associated with radiolabel under these conditions . When calmodulin was incubated under the same conditions in the presence of calcium, methylation at residues in the Ca2+ binding regions was not observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Taiwan Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi, 1989 May, 88(5), 488 - 92
Effects of antibiotic combinations on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro; Chang SC et al.; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has become an important infectious disease problem . Vancomycin is the only antimicrobial agent documented to be effective in the treatment of MRSA infection . Under vancomycin treatment there is still a moderate percentage of treatment failures, especially in severe MRSA infections . In searching for better treatment regimens, we evaluated the effects of several antibiotics in combination with vancomycin or fosfomycin against MRSA isolates by the checkerboard titration method . We found that the combinations of vancomycin with imipenem and fosfomycin with cefazolin had a synergistic effect against 97.1% and 94.3% of 70 tested strains, respectively . Rifampicin, gentamicin, cefazolin, or cefamandole in combination with vancomycin, and cefmetazole in combination with fosfomycin did not have such good results . They were synergistic against far fewer of the tested strains, 0%, 3.3%, 50.0%, 30.0% and 64.3%, respectively . For confirmation, further studies in vivo of the effectiveness are advisable . It is likely that we can improve the treatment of severe MRSA infections by those combination regimens which are highly synergistic against MRSA.

Int Ophthalmol, 1989 May, 13(3), 181 - 5
Evaluation of liposome-encapsulated clindamycin in Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis; Rao VS et al.; We investigated the effects of liposome-encapsulated clindamycin in Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis induced in rabbits . Clindamycin was encapsulated into liposomes, and suspended in two concentrations: 1 mg/0.1 ml and 2 mg/0.1 ml of clindamycin phosphate . Seven eyes received an intravitreal injection (0.1 ml volume) containing 1 mg of liposome-encapsulated clindamycin and seven eyes received 2 mg . Three control rabbits (six eyes) received drug-free liposomes (three eyes) and no treatment (three eyes) . All but one eye treated with clindamycin recovered . All control eyes, including those treated with empty liposomes, were lost to infection.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 May-Jun, 12(3 Suppl), 93S - 95S
In vitro activity of lomefloxacin (NY-198 or SC 47111), ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin against 100 clinical Legionella strains; Edelstein PH et al.; Agar dilution minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of lomefloxacin (LO), ciprofloxacin (CI), and erythromycin (ER) were determined for 100 clinical isolates of Legionella using buffered charcoal yeast extract medium supplemented with alpha-ketoglutarate (BCYEa) . The Legionella strains tested included 84 L . pneumophila, 2 L . micdadei, 6 L . dumoffii, 4 L . longbeachae, and one each of L . bozemanii, L . hackeliae, L . wadsworthii, and L . maceachernii . Geometric mean MICs microgram/ml were 0.56 for LO, 0.50 for CI, and 0.25 for ER . Ninety percent MICs were 1.0 for LO and CI, and 0.5 for ER . All Legionella strains except one (L . hackeliae) were inhibited by 1.0 microgram/ml of LO or CI; this strain had an Er MIC of 1.0 microgram/ml and was inhibited by 2.0 micrograms/ml of LO or CI . Control strains of Eschershia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also tested on both BCYEa and Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) to determine BCYEa-mediated inhibition of the antimicrobials . All three antimicrobials were inactivated in varying degrees by BCYEa . BCYEa:MHA MICs of the S . aureus control strain were 4:1 for LO and ER, and greater than 4:1 for CI . BCYEa: MHA MICs of the E . coli control strain were 4:1 for LO and CI, and unmeasurable for ER . Both LO and CI have good in vitro activity against legionella, probably greater than that measured in this study because of antimicrobial inactivation by BCYEa . Since LO is concentrated by phagocytic cells, like ER and CI, it is likely that it will be effective in the treatment of Legionnaires' disease.

Fundam Appl Toxicol, 1989 May, 12(4), 773 - 86
The broiler chicken as a model for immunotoxicity assessment . 1 . Standardization of in vitro immunological assays; Baecher-Steppan L et al.; The broiler chicken was developed as an alternative animal model to laboratory rodents for immunotoxicologic assessment . In vivo treatment with 100-200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CY) was used as a known immunosuppressive treatment to standardize the assay systems . Protocols for assessing specific immunological functions were developed in specific pathogen-free (SPF) broilers to measure lymphocyte blastogenesis to T-cell (concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin) and B-cell (Staphylococcus aureus cells) mitogens, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to tuberculin, natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and serum antibody titers to SRBC . CY was an effective immunosuppressant in the broiler system for assessment of lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogenic stimulation, DTH reactivity, and the antibody response to SRBC as assessed by PFC and serum antibody titers . NK cytotoxicity was not altered on a cellular level following treatment with CY at a dose that produced greater than 75% depletion of spleen cellularity . However, under these conditions, it must be assumed that the capacity of CY-treated birds to mediate NK effector functions would be reduced . These results demonstrate the applicability of the broiler chicken as an animal model for immunotoxicity testing.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1989 May, 48(5), 400 - 5
Spontaneously increased B cell growth factor and B cell differentiation factor activities in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis; Mulero J et al.; The presence of factors implicated in B cell proliferation and differentiation was studied in synovial fluid (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and traumatic joint injury . Culture with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I B cell blasts showed strong B cell growth factor (BCGF) activity in the SF from patients with RA . This BCGF activity was significantly greater than that found in SF from patients with traumatic joint injury and similar to that of patients with AS . The presence of B cell differentiation factor (BCDF) for IgM(mu) in the SF from patients with RA was also demonstrated and was significantly greater than that found in SF from patients with AS and traumatic joint injury . Moreover, a significantly increased BCDF for IgG(gamma) was also found in the SF from patients with RA compared with that observed in those patients with traumatic joint injury, which, however, was similar to that of patients with AS.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1989 May, 98(5 Pt 1), 323 - 5
Microbiology of wound infection after head and neck cancer surgery; Brook I et al.; Specimens of pus were obtained from 24 patients who developed postoperative wound infection after head and neck cancer surgery . Aerobic bacteria only were isolated in two instances (8%), anaerobic bacteria only in one (4%), and mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in 21 (88%) . A total of 146 isolates were recovered (66 aerobic and 80 anaerobic), an average of six isolates per specimen (2.7 aerobic and 3.3 anaerobic) . The most frequently recovered isolates were Peptostreptococcus sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides sp, Fusobacterium, and enteric gram-negative rods . Twenty-two isolates recovered from 17 wounds (71%) produced beta-lactamase . These included all five isolates of S aureus and nine of 17 (53%) of the Bacteroides melaninogenicus group . The polymicrobial aerobic/anaerobic nature of postoperative wound infections after head and neck cancer surgery and the presence of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria may have important implications for the management of these infections.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 May, 37(5), 375 - 7
{Comparison of the in vitro post-antibiotic effect of C14 macrolides (erythromycin and roxithromycin) and C16 macrolides (josamycin and spiramycin) against Staphylococcus aureus}; Rolin O et al.; In vitro post-antibiotic effect (PAE) induced by erythromycin, roxithromycin, josamycin and spiramycin has been compared on Staphylococcus aureus . Three MLSB sensitive and three MLSB inducible resistant S . aureus strains have been used . delta t was the time required for culture to increase by 1 log10 after drug removal in comparison with controls . For erythromycin and roxithromycin delta t ranged from 6 minutes at 1 x MIC to 48 minutes at 4 x MIC (average of the six strains at 4 x MIC: 33 minutes) . For josamycin and spiramycin, delta t ranged from 36 at 1/2 x MIC to 138 minutes at 4 x MIC (average at 4 x MIC: 101 minutes) . No difference was observed between MLSB sensitive and MLSB inducible resistant S . aureus strains . In our experimental conditions, PAEs observed with josamycin and spiramycin (16-membered-ring macrolides) were 2.5 to 3 times longer than those observed with erythromycin and roxithromycin (14-membered-ring macrolides) . These results added to biological differences previously observed between 14-membered-ring and 16-membered-ring macrolides.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 May, 37(5), 370 - 4
{Peptidoglycan modification of Staphylococcus aureus P18 strain after use of 6 active antibiotics on the bacterial wall}; Najioullah F et al.; Six antibiotics active on the cell-wall were tested against a methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus P18 strain at the start of exponential growth rate . The concentration was four-fold the MIC determined in a non-hypersaline liquid medium . The peptidoglycan amino-acid content of the various cell wall samples was determined . An antibiotic-free S . aureus P18 and the methicillin-sensitive Cowan I . S . aureus strain were used a controls . Beta lactam antibiotic treatment, oxacillin and cephalothin, induced an increase of alanine content which suggests that only secondary-transpeptidation did not occur . Similar results were obtained using vancomycin . Amino-acid content was not modified by bacitracin, which is in agreement with the results expected . The results obtained for fosfomycin and cefamandole were not easy to interpret.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1989 May, 37(5), 321 - 8
{Comparative bactericidal activity of fourteen antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus}; Thabaut A et al.; The bactericidal activity of LY 146032 (LY), Oxacillin (OXA), Cefamandole (CEF), Rifampin (RIF), Gentamicin (GEN) or Tobramycin (TOB), Pefloxacin (PEF), Vancomycin (VAN), Teicoplanin (TEI), Pristinamycin (PRI) was compared against 8 strains of S . aureus (4 Meth . sensitive, 4 Meth . resistant) . Kill Kinetics studies were done: bacteria were incubated with antibiotics at their MICs, 2 X MIC, 4 X MIC and at concentrations obtained in vivo with usual therapeutic doses . With 4 X MIC, a 3 Log reduction of the initial inoculum was observed only at 24 h with OXA, CEF (MSSA), RIF, PEF, VAN, at 30 h with TEI and PRI . With LY, GEN or TOB at 2 X MIC the 3 Log reduction was observed at 3 h or 4 h, a greater than or equal to 5 Log reduction at 24 h: LY and Aminoglycosides are the most bactericidal antibiotics against S . aureus.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1989 May, 43(3), 379 - 89
{The disposition and clearance of inhaled bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) in the lungs of piglets}; Kastner P et al.; Retention in the lungs of 24 piglets of bacteria inhaled following exposure to an aerosol (dv(50)4 micron) of Staphylococcus aureus (SG511 strain), with clearance periods of differentiated lengths, is reported in this paper . Aerosol inhalation led to heterogeneous deposition patterns in the lung . The highest germ count per gram of lung tissue could be re-isolated from the base lobe, while the lowest germ count was retained in the apical lobe . Germ retention in the other lung lobes was somewhere in between these findings . Such differentiation was detectable as early as 20 minutes from the onset of aerosol application and continued to be largely stable even after clearance periods of 2 and 6 hours.

Vopr Med Khim, 1989 May-Jun, 35(3), 136 - 9
{Preparation of a staphylococcal immunosorbent sensitized by antibodies to the M-subunit of LDH}; Rashkovetskii LG et al.; A simple and rapid immunochemical procedure is developed for estimation of the LDH1 activity which involved separation of LDH1 from other LDH isoenzymes using immunosorbent . The immunosorbent consisted of killed Staphylococcus aureus cells, membrane of which contained protein A with absorbed antibodies towards M-subunits of porcine LDH.

Arch Fr Pediatr, 1989 May, 46(5), 363 - 5
{Tinea capitis presenting as staphylococcal pyodermatitis of the scalp}; Bigel ML et al.; Two severe cases of pyoderma (staphylococcus aureus) of the scalp, resistant to appropriate antibiotic treatment, proved to be due to exotic dermatophytes (Trichophyton soudanense and Trichophyton violaceum) in two North African children living in France . Both cases exemplify the growing number of Tinea capitis due to anthropophilic species imported from Africa by immigrated populations, their sometimes atypical clinical presentation and their familial epidemiology . Fungal cultures and identification procedures are essential for the diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of such cases.

Nippon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 May, 80(5), 728 - 31
{A case report of septicemia caused by methicillin cephem resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)}; Arakawa S et al.; The frequency of MRSA (Methicillin cephem resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection has increased recently . A case of septicemia caused by MRSA is reported with discussion on its prophylaxis.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1989 May, 105(5), 847 - 53
Primary structure of hemorrhagic protein, HR2a, isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis; Miyata T et al.; The complete amino acid sequence and disulfide bridge location of HR2a, one of the hemorrhagic proteins isolated from the snake venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis, have been determined by analysis of peptides derived from digests with cyanogen bromide, lysyl endopeptidase, trypsin, and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . Peptides were purified by gel filtration followed by reversed-phase HPLC . HR2a has the amino-terminal sequence of less than Glu-Gln-Arg- and consists of a total of 202 residues with a calculated molecular weight of 23,015 . Sequence analysis indicates the presence of another isoform which lacks the amino-terminal residue, making 201 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 22,887 . Three disulfide bridges of HR2a link Cys-118 to Cys-197, Cys-159 to Cys-181, and Cys-161 to Cys-164 . HR2a contains a segment which is similar to the zinc-chelating sequences found in thermolysin and several mammalian metalloproteinases, suggesting that HR2a is a metalloproteinase with limited substrate specificity . However, there is no other significant sequence homology with thermolysin except for the zinc-ligand region.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1989 May, 66(5), 379 - 84
A highly selective two-stage isolation method for the enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus in foods; Isigidi BK et al.; A plate method for enumerating Staphylococcus aureus is described which combines a 1-h recovery period for stressed cells on a relatively non-selective Baird-Parker agar base followed by a 24-h growth phase in a highly selective, supplemented Baird-Parker medium added as an overlay . Tests with pure cultures showed satisfactory recovery of stressed Staph . aureus and other bacteria . Similar results were obtained with the conventional Baird-Parker procedure and with the two-stage isolation method for shrimps and poultry neck skins, but for raw minced meat, recoveries were higher with the combined method than with the conventional medium . All colonies visible after 24 h on the two-stage medium can be counted as Staph . aureus, whereas longer incubation times and confirmatory tests are necessary to differentiate it from other organisms on conventional Baird-Parker medium.

Mol Cell Endocrinol, 1989 May, 63(1-2), 175 - 87
Phosphorylation of proteins in rat ovarian plasma membranes by {gamma-32P}GTP: evidence for the formation of a high energy phosphoprotein; Amir-Zaltsman Y et al.; Incubation of rat ovarian plasma membranes with {gamma-32P}guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) in the presence of an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-trapping system results in the labeling of a single protein, Mr 33,000 +/- 3000 designated 'a' (Amir-Zaltsman, Y., Ezra, E., Walker, M., Lindner, H . R . and Salomon, Y . (1980) FEBS Lett . 122, 166-170) . Based on competition with other nucleotides it is concluded that protein 'a' is preferentially phosphorylated by {gamma-32P}GTP (Km = 0.28 microM) . Phosphorylation of protein 'a' does not occur at pH less than 5 and progressively increases to plateau levels at pH 7-9 . Phosphorylation of protein 'a' is absolutely dependent on the presence of divalent cations 1 mM Mg2+, Ca2+, or Cd2+ . At higher concentrations, 5-20 mM, Mg2+ or in the presence of 1 mM Mn2+ ions other proteins are also phosphorylated . While vanadate ions selectively prevent the labeling of protein 'a', molybdate ions were found to inhibit phosphorylation of all the membrane proteins including protein 'a' . In contrast to molybdate ions, vanadate ions were found to accelerate the dephosphorylation of phosphoprotein 'a' . We suggest that phosphoprotein 'a' is a high energy protein intermediate in which the phosphate is present as a phosphoramidate for the following reasons: (i) Guanosine diphosphate (GDP) but not guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) selectively accelerated the dephosphorylation of phosphoprotein 'a' but only in the presence of Mg2+ ions . (ii) The phosphoprotein intermediate is hydrolyzed in the presence of hydroxylamine . (iii) Phosphoprotein 'a' is labile in the presence of 1 N HCl but stable in 1 N NaOH at 37 degrees C . (iv) Phosphoprotein 'a' is heat labile . Phosphoprotein 'a' is readily digested by several proteolytic enzymes and a single cleavage peptide is generated upon treatment with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease . The properties of protein 'a' were compared and found different from another phosphoprotein Mr 90,000 +/- 1000, designated 'b' that was selected arbitrarily . We propose that protein 'a' is a GTP requiring enzyme intermediate, of yet unidentified function.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1989 May, 42(5), 1208 - 15
In vitro and in vivo effects of combinations of cefotaxime or other beta-lactams with rolitetracycline on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Kobayashi S et al.; Combinations of cefotaxime (CTX) or other five beta-lactams with rolitetracycline (RTC) were examined using the checkerboard method for their synergistic effects against 27 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and the combination of CTX and RTC was further evaluated for its synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo against 1 or 2 strains . Synergy occurred against 44% of the strains when RTC was combined with CTX, 22 to 30% with cefazolin, methicillin, and ceftizoxime, and 4 to 11% with latamoxef and cefmetazole . No antagonism was found with any combinations tested . Killing curve studies also showed that CTX/RTC was synergistic between 3 and 24 hours after the beginning of exposure, and the synergy was especially strong at 24 hours and potencies of combined bactericidal effect determined at 24 hours were in the following order: the 2 antibiotics given simultaneously, CTX given 2 hours before RTC, and CTX given 2 hours after RTC . In addition, the 2 drugs in combination synergistically inhibited (a) mortality in mice infected intraperitoneally with MRSA and (b) formation of subcutaneous abscess induced by MRSA in mice . The results of our study indicate that beta-lactams, especially CTX, had synergistic effects in vitro when combined with RTC against MRSA and that the combination of CTX and RTC was also synergistic in vivo.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1989 May, 42(5), 1194 - 8
{Microbiological and pharmacokinetic studies on flomoxef in ophthalmologic field}; Ooishi M et al.; Microbiological and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out on flomoxef (FMOX, 6315-S), a new oxacephem parenteral antibiotic, in the ophthalmologic field . The results obtained are summarized as follows . FMOX has a broad antimicrobial activity spectrum against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . The MIC distribution against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical cases was less than or equal to 0.20 - greater than or equal to 100 micrograms/ml with the peak value of 0.39 micrograms/ml . Concentrations of FMOX in aqueous humor and ocular tissues were determined after intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg to rabbits . FMOX showed a peak level of 2.2 micrograms/ml in the aqueous humor at 1/2 hour after administration with the ratio to serum level of 3.4% . Levels of FMOX in external and internal ocular tissues were 12.7 - 76.5 micrograms/g, less than 0.8 - 34.4 micrograms/g (ml) at 1/2 hour after administration, respectively . From these results, we concluded that FMOX may be expected to be a useful and valuable agent against infections in the ophthalmologic field.

J Okla State Med Assoc, 1989 May, 82(5), 209 - 12
An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a prison population; Archer PW et al.; Overcrowded conditions in a closed setting may contribute to the occurrence of disease outbreaks among the population.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 May, 27(5), 989 - 93
Direct testing of blood culture for detection of the serotype 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides of Staphylococcus aureus; Boutonnier A et al.; Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reactive with serotype 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides of Staphylococcus aureus have been used to test, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), blood culture fluids for the presence of S . aureus . A total of 748 blood cultures from 665 patients yielding 706 bacterial isolates belonging to more than 26 bacterial species were studied . All blood cultures containing bacterial strains belonging to species other than S . aureus were negative in ELISA . All 23 blood cultures containing serotype 5 S . aureus were positive in ELISA with the corresponding MAb . Out of 20 blood cultures containing serotype 8 S . aureus, 19 were positive with the corresponding MAb . All 5 blood cultures containing nontypeable S . aureus were negative in ELISA with both MAbs . This method provides reliable identification of serotype 5 or serotype 8 S . aureus by direct testing of blood culture fluids with ELISA.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 May, 27(5), 1122 - 4
Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to lysostaphin; Huber MM et al.; One hundred and eleven isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus recovered from patients at the Olin E . Teague Veterans Center from March 1983 to April 1987 were as susceptible to lysis by lysostaphin as methicillin-susceptible S . aureus controls were.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 May, 27(5), 1031 - 5
Rapid purification of staphylococcal enterotoxin B by high-pressure liquid chromatography; Strickler MP et al.; The Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins represent a group of proteins that cause emesis and diarrhea in humans and other primates . We have developed a rapid two-step high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure for purification of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) . Sterile filtrates (2.5 liters) of strain 10-275 were adsorbed directly onto a reversed-phase column (50 mm by 30 cm Delta Pak; 300 A {30 nm}, 15 microns, C18) . SEB was obtained by using a unique sequential gradient system . First, an aqueous ammonium acetate to acetonitrile gradient followed by an aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) wash was used to remove contaminants . A subsequent TFA to acetonitrile-TFA gradient eluted the bound SEB . Further purification was obtained by rechromatography on a cation-exchange column . From 35 to 45% of the SEB in starting filtrates was recovered . Analysis by immunoblotting of samples separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels indicated that HPLC-purified SEB exhibited immunological and biochemical properties similar to those of the SEB standard . Induction of an emetic response in rhesus monkeys showed that the HPLC-purified toxin also retained biological activity.

Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1989 May 1, 102(5), 149 - 51
{The usefulness of three rapid commercially-available tests for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from animals}; Weber A et al.; 3 commercially available tests STAPHYSLIDE (api bio Merieux), STAPHYLASE (Oxoid) and STAPHAUREX-D (Welcome) for identification of Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated by 110 coagulase-positive S . aureus strains and 40 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus strains, isolated from various materials of different animal species . STAPHYSLIDE showed a sensitivity of 53.6% and a specificity of 97.5%, STAPHAUREX-D 56.4% respectively 85% and STAPHYLASE 32.7% respectively 100% . The possible reasons for the weak results of these 3 tests well established in bacteriology of human medicine by use in veterinary bacteriology are discussed.

Public Health, 1989 May, 103(3), 153 - 9
Food hygiene behaviour among hospital food handlers; Oteri T et al.; One hundred and sixty one food handlers in two hospital settings were evaluated for their knowledge and practice of certain aspects of food hygiene . They were also screened for nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus as well as for enteric pathogens and parasites . Positive responses to selected food hygiene behaviours such as handwashing before handling food and daily change of clothes were very high and encouraging . However, only a very small proportion (28.6%) were observed to have actually washed their hands especially between handling cooked and uncooked foods . The nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus was 24% . The significance of the isolation of the different enteropathogens is discussed . From an epidemiologic perspective, the foodhandlers were individuals from the lower socioeconomic class with low level of education . Because of their unique role in the hospital community, there is a need for continuous medical surveillance of this group of employees . Also a periodic in-service programme of health education on food safety and hygiene should be introduced to alert them of their responsibilities.

Clin Nephrol, 1989 May, 31(5), 264 - 8
Staphylococcus aureus skin carriage and development of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Sesso R et al.; We conducted a 15-month prospective study to investigate the skin carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and the development of peritonitis in 43 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . Sixteen of 43 patients (37%) were chronic carriers of S . aureus in the anterior nares and/or in the exit-site of the catheter; 12 patients (28%) were intermittent carriers, and 15 (35%) were noncarriers . Fifty episodes of peritonitis occurred during a total of 422 patient-months of observation . S . aureus was responsible for 16 episodes of peritonitis diagnosed in 15 patients . All episodes of S . aureus peritonitis occurred in chronic and intermittent carriers . Phage typing was performed on isolates from 8 patients with S . aureus peritonitis, and they were found to have the same phage type as that previously carried in the skin . We conclude that CAPD patients who are chronic or intermittent carriers of S . aureus are at higher risk of development of peritonitis than noncarriers.

APMIS, 1989 May, 97(5), 419 - 24
The antibacterial activity of a siderophore . 1 . In vitro activity of deferoxamine alone and in combination with ascorbic acid on Staphylococcus aureus; Hartzen SH et al.; The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the siderophore, deferoxamine, alone and in combination with ascorbic acid, was investigated against 10 clinical isolates of S . aureus employing the broth dilution test and the time-kill method . By the broth dilution test neither activity of deferoxamine and ascorbic acid was demonstrated . In the time-kill study the combination of deferoxamine and ascorbic acid showed a growth inhibiting effect of 3-6 log units at 6 hours . The growth inhibition demonstrated at 6 hours was overcome at 24 hours but could either partially or completely be maintained when repeated addition of the combination of deferoxamine and ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid alone was performed . The antimicrobial effect of deferoxamine could be abolished by adding ferric citrate in ample amounts to saturate deferoxamine with iron.

Ann Allergy, 1989 May, 62(5), 445 - 8
The ability of granulocytes to engulf latex particles and Staphylococcus aureus in healthy children of parents with atopic asthma; Matusiewicz R et al.; The test of engulfing of neutral latex particles and Staphylococcus aureus by peripheral blood granulocytes was carried out in 37 healthy children who had at least one parent with asthma and in 14 children, both of whose parents had asthma . A defect of engulfing neutral latex particles and S . aureus by granulocytes was demonstrated in children who had both parents with asthma.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 May, 86(9), 3389 - 93
Saposin A: second cerebrosidase activator protein; Morimoto S et al.; Saposin A, a heat-stable 16-kDa glycoprotein, was isolated from Gaucher disease spleen and purified to homogeneity . Chemical sequencing from its amino terminus and of peptides obtained by digestion with protease from Staphylococcus aureus strain V-8 demonstrated that saposin A is derived from proteolytic processing of domain 1 of its precursor protein, prosaposin . Processing of prosaposin (70 kDa) also generates three other previously reported saposin proteins, B, C, and D, from its second, third, and fourth domains . Similar to saposin C, saposin A stimulates the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-glucoside and glucocerebroside by beta-glucosylceramidase and of galactocerebroside by beta-galactosylceramidase, mainly by increasing the maximal velocity of both reactions . Saposin A is as active as saposin C in these reactions . Saposin A has no significant effect on other sphingolipid and 4-methylumbelliferyl glycoside hydrolases tested . Saposin A has two potential glycosylation sites that appear to be glycosylated . After deglycosylation, saposin A had a subunit molecular mass of 10 kDa and was as active as native saposin A . However, reduction and alkylation abolished the activation . A three-dimensional model comparing saposins A and C reveals significant sequence homology between them, especially preservation of conserved acidic and basic residues in their middle regions . Each appears to possess a conformationally rigid hydrophobic pocket stabilized by three internal disulfide bridges, with amphipathic helical regions interrupted by helix breakers.

J Bacteriol, 1989 May, 171(5), 2882 - 5
Expression and inducibility in Staphylococcus aureus of the mecA gene, which encodes a methicillin-resistant S . aureus-specific penicillin-binding protein; Ubukata K et al.; A beta-lactam-sensitive strain of Staphylococcus aureus could be converted to methicillin resistance by the introduction of a plasmid carrying the 4.3-kilobase HindIII chromosomal DNA fragment which encoded the mecA gene from a methicillin-resistant S . aureus . Transformant cells produced methicillin-resistant S . aureus-specific penicillin-binding protein constitutively, and additional insertion of an inducible penicillinase plasmid caused production of the pencillin-binding protein to become inducible.

Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1989 May, 142(5), 26 - 8
{Rapid determination of microbial sensitivity to antibiotics by using laser spectroscopy}; Lytkin MI et al.; A method of express-determination of the susceptibility of microbes to antibiotics is presented based upon the registration by the method of laser spectroscopy of changes of optic properties of cultures at early terms of their incubation in liquid nutrient media with addition of antibiotics . The method was elaborated in 13 standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with antibiotics of different classes, tested on the microflora of pus of patients with sepsis, verified by the method of serial dilutions of the antibiotic . The method makes it possible to obtain the minimum inhibiting concentration of antimicrobial preparations 1 h after the moment of obtaining the native material.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 May-Jun, 12(3), 199 - 203
Neutrophil killing of single microorganisms as measured by a new method; Dugger KO et al.; A new method of measuring polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) microbicidal activity was developed in which single colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in microtiter wells with or without PMN, centrifuged, and incubated overnight . The percentage of bacteria killed was determined by comparing the number of PMN-containing wells showing bacterial growth to PMN-free controls . This percentage was positively correlated with the number of PMN in each well and was reduced if plates were not centrifuged or if cytochalasin B was added . Killing of either S . aureus or Escherichia coli was enhanced using fresh serum activated by prior exposure to large numbers of E . coli . There was no enhancement using heated serum that had been exposed to E . coli, nor was there enhancement when S . aureus was preopsonized by exposure to fresh serum . This assay circumvents problems in assessing microbicidal activity where aggregation of organisms might otherwise be an issue.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1989 May, (5), 77 - 80
{Staphylococcal antigens cross-reacting with mammalian tissues and their role in inducing immunopathological processes}; Romanov VA et al.; In the reaction of cross adsorption of immune sera to white mouse skin and staphylococcus with the corresponding antigens, the presence of an antigen related to white mouse skin and kidney antigens has been established in Staphylococcus aureus strain Wood-46 (not producing protein A) by means of the complement fixation test and the passive hemagglutination test . The capacity of staphylococcal antibodies and their fluorochrome-labeled fragments to specifically stain the cells of the epidermis and the renal tubules of mammals has been demonstrated . Staphylococcus epidermidis has proved to be unrelated to mammalian tissues . The significance of the data obtained in this investigation for the practice of the transplantation of organs and tissues, for more accurate determination of the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections and for the development of immunologically safe vaccines in discussed.

Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1989 May, 271(1), 11 - 21
Crystal violet binding, cell surface properties and extracellular enzyme profiles of Staphylococcus aureus producing toxic shock syndrome toxin-1; Naidu AS et al.; Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinically diagnosed cases of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) showed susceptibility to phage types belonging to both I and III groups (90.5%) . Phage typing patterns showed a wide diversity among 87 toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) positive strains isolated from different non TSS clinical sources . Toxin producing strains isolated from both TSS and non TSS showed a remarkable ability to bind to crystal violet (pattern C/D, 97.2%) incorporated into brain heart infusion agar media at subinhibitory concentrations and these isolates were traced to biotype var . hominis . The cellular fatty acid compositions of TSS and non-TSS strains belonging to the three biotypes S . aureus var . hominis, S . aureus var . bovis and S . aureus var . canis did not differ . TSST-1 producing strains demonstrated a high salt aggregation test value (above 1.5) indicating a low cell surface hydrophobicity . Both TSS and non TSS strains demonstrated a high lipolytic activity . TSST-1 positive strains in general, showed significantly higher lipase activity than strains isolated from septicemia (p less than 0.0001) and superficial (p less than 0.0001) infections . The proteolytic activity is higher among TSS (median value 0.075 U/ml) than to non TSS (median value 0.045 U/ml) strains . There was no correlation with the quantity of toxin production in vitro and to the properties described.

Z Naturforsch {C}, 1989 May-Jun, 44(5-6), 444 - 9
{125I}azido-ioxynil labels Val249 of the photosystem II D-1 reaction center protein; Oettmeier W et al.; Azido-ioxynil (3.5-diiodo-2-azido-4-hydroxy-benzonitrile) is a potent photosystem II inhibitor (pI50-value 7.38) and as effective as the parent compound ioxynil itself . {125I}azido-ioxynil exhibits specific binding to isolated thylakoids with a binding constant Kb = 7.14 . Upon UV-illumination it binds covalently to thylakoids or photosystem II particles . It labels predominantly the 32 kDa D-1 photosystem II reaction center protein . A 41 kDa protein is only tagged in trace amounts . After proteolytic treatment of labeled D-1 protein with Staphylococcus aureus V8-protease two major and two minor fragments are obtained . Automated gas phase sequencing of a 7 kDa cleavage peptide revealed that Val249 is the primary target of azido-ioxynil binding . Compared to urea type herbicides, this places the ioxynil binding site in a different environment of the D-1 photosystem II protein.

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 1989 May, 33(4), 339 - 42
Effects of thiopental on granulocyte oxidative microbicidal capacity; Salo M et al.; Some anaesthetics are known to depress granulocyte chemiluminescence responses in the phagocytosis of zymosan as a measure of their oxidative microbicidal capacity . In this study the effects of thiopental were measured on chemiluminescence responses in the phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which are the commonest bacteria causing postoperative infections . Granulocytes from 14 healthy volunteers (mean age 35 +/- 9 (s.d.) years) were tested in vitro in the presence of clinical thiopental concentrations 0, 5, 10 and 25 micrograms/ml (0, 18, 36 and 91 mumol/l, respectively) . During a 60-min exposure period, decreased chemiluminescence responses occurred to Staph . aureus at 5 micrograms/ml (P less than 0.01) and higher thiopental concentrations and to E . coli at 10 micrograms/ml (P less than 0.01) and higher concentrations, as a sign of depressed oxidative microbicidal activity.

Chest, 1989 May, 95(5), 1153 - 4
Postinfluenza toxic shock syndrome; Prechter GC et al.; Postinfluenza toxic shock syndrome is a recently described entity that results from a respiratory tract infection with toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus following an episode of influenza or influenzalike illness . This report describes a 19-year-old man who developed an influenza B respiratory infection complicated by staphylococcal pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome . The patient improved rapidly with specific antibiotic therapy, emphasizing the importance of considering this otherwise highly lethal syndrome in any individual who becomes critically ill after an initial influenzalike illness.

Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo, 1989 May-Jun, 44(3), 100 - 3
{Peritonitis in intermittent peritoneal dialysis: microbiological aspects and the antibiogram}; Romao Junior JE et al.; Peritonitis is the most frequent complication in patients on peritoneal dialysis and bacteria are the major causative agents . Initial antibiotic therapy may be "blind" but the antimicrobial agent used should be related to the infecting organism and its sensitivities . This study was initiated in order to evaluate the microbiological characteristics and sensitivity of bacteria isolated from pre and post peritoneal dialysis effluents . Positive growth of microorganisms was observed in 52 out of 503 cultures . Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were identified most frequently (29 per cent each) . Antibiograms showed high sensitivity to aminoglycosides (netilmicin and amikacin) and to second and third generation cephalosporin . Vancomycin and netilmicin were the best choices for Staphylococcal infection . A high bacterial resistance to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, cephalothin and gentamicin was verified . Characteristics of organisms causing peritonitis in patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis is very important, for selection of the initial antibiotic therapy.

Indian Pediatr, 1989 May, 26(5), 455 - 9
Bacterial flora in mothers and babies with reference to causative agent in neonatal septicemia; Bhatia BD et al.; One hundred newborns and their mothers were subjected to aerobic bacterial cultures and sensitivity study from different sites . Out of 36 clinically suspected neonatal septicemia cases, the blood culture was positive for bacterial growth in 24 neonates . The incidence of septicemia in PT-AGA, FT-AGA, FT-SFD and postterm-AGA babies was found to be 50.0, 13.5, 28.1 and 50.0%, respectively . The incidence of septicemia in LBW and FT-AGA babies was found to be 45.3 and 13.5%, respectively . The single major isolate in the positive blood culture was Staphylococcus aureus . In Gram positive septicemia the commonest site for colonization of the same organism in newborn was found to be umbilicus followed by nose, throat and external auditory canal, while in Gram negative septicemia rectum and umbilicus were the commonest sites.

Srp Arh Celok Lek, 1989 May-Jun, 117(5-6), 335 - 40
{Staphylococcus and skin diseases--incidence and antibiotic sensitivity}; Paravina M et al.; Bacterial flora of the skin is influenced by several factors (moisture, occlusion, desquamation, microbial antagonism, etc) . Changed conditions on diseased skin result in changes of bacterial flora . Bacterial flora was qualitatively determined both in patients with Psoriasis vulgaris, Tinea Pedis, ulcerovarice syndrome, and in the control group . Special attention was paid to Staphylococcus and its sensitivity to antibiotics . The result was as follows: the largest percentage (48%), ob: pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus was found in ulcus cruris then in psoriasis (32%), in enterdigitas areas of legs in patients with mycosis (25%) and in 5% of healthy skin of the control group . High resistance to antibiotics use for a long time (penicillin, ampicillin) . and high sensitivity to new antibiotics (Visiren, Abactal), was established . It is concluded that inflamed skin offers good condition for development of Staphylococcus, and that the incidence of this bacteria depends on aetiopathogenesis of the present dermatosis and factors which regulate bacterial flora.

J Hosp Infect, 1989 May, 13(4), 355 - 65
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in two burn units: clinical significance and epidemiological control; Ransjo U et al.; Routine isolation adequately controlled MRSA strains in two burns units with a restrictive antibiotic policy . Ventilation control and more rigorous change of clothing offered no further advantage . No carriers among staff were found, but some suffered minor skin lesions that were the source of further MRSA spread . Spread of MRSA from the unit to other parts of the hospital was prevented by early identification of colonized patients and by restricting patient and staff movement.

J Gen Microbiol, 1989 May, 135 ( Pt 5), 1187 - 93
Role of myeloperoxidase in the killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human neutrophils: studies with the myeloperoxidase inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid; Humphreys JM et al.; We have used salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) to inhibit intraphagosomal myeloperoxidase activity in order to evaluate the role of this enzyme in the killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human neutrophils . 50 microM-SHAM reduced the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response stimulated during phagocytosis of unopsonized latex beads and opsonized S . aureus by over 80% and 60%, respectively . When opsonized S . aureus were incubated with neutrophils, 45% were killed within 15 min incubation and 60% by 1 h . However, in neutrophil suspensions incubated with 50 microM-SHAM, only 13% were killed by 15 min whilst 71% still remained viable after 1 h . This inhibitor had no effect upon the number of bacteria phagocytosed or upon degranulation . In a cell-free system, 2.5 microM-H2O2 alone killed 55% of the bacteria, whereas in the presence of myeloperoxidase (i.e . 10 mU myeloperoxidase and 2.5 microM-H2O2) virtually all of the bacteria were killed: the addition of 50 microM-SHAM abolished this myeloperoxidase-enhanced killing but did not affect the H2O2-dependent killing . We therefore conclude that in normal neutrophils whilst H2O2 is required for killing of this pathogen, both myeloperoxidase-dependent and -independent pathways exist.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 May, 33(5), 689 - 92
Comparative evaluation of daptomycin (LY146032) and vancomycin in the treatment of experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis in rabbits; Mader JT et al.; A rabbit model for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis was used to compare treatment with daptomycin, a new peptolide, and vancomycin . Daptomycin (4 mg/kg) and vancomycin (40 mg/kg) were injected subcutaneously every 12 and 6 h, respectively . After treatment, MRSA was found in bone cultures from 18 of 18 control rabbits, 10 of 17 animals treated with daptomycin, and 11 of 18 animals treated with vancomycin . Drug concentrations were measured in serum, uninfected bone, and infected bone 1 h after daptomycin or vancomycin was injected in a group of rabbits that had been infected for 3 to 4 weeks . Vancomycin was present at the highest concentrations in infected and uninfected bone . The results of this study suggest that daptomycin was similar to vancomycin in the eradication of MRSA from infected bone in an experimental model of osteomyelitis.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 May, 50(1-2), 107 - 11
Lower autolytic activity in a homogeneous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain compared to derived heterogeneous-resistant and susceptible strains; Gustafson JE et al.; It has been proposed that in addition to production of a penicillin-binding protein with low affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics, control of autolysin activity is involved in the mechanism of staphylococcal methicillin resistance . A homogeneous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (DU4916) had lower rates of unstimulated, NaCl- and Triton X-100-stimulated autolysis, and daptomycin (LY146032)-induced lysis than a heterogeneous methicillin-resistant strain (DU4916-K7) and a methicillin-susceptible strain (DU4916S) derived from DU4916.

J Neurochem, 1989 May, 52(5), 1481 - 6
Polyclonal antibodies to the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine; Phelan PP et al.; Polyclonal antibodies have been raised in rabbits against the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine, coupled through a 2-amino substituent to the antigenic protein key-hole limpet haemocyanin . Strychnine binding of the predominantly immunoglobulin G (IgG) class of antibodies was measured by incubation with {3H}strychnine, followed by adsorption of IgG onto Staphylococcus aureus cells and filtration through glass-fibre filters under vacuum . Only strychnine and structurally related alkaloids or derivatives were able to inhibit {3H}strychnine binding to the IgG . A significant rank correlation was found between the potencies of these compounds to inhibit {3H}strychnine binding to the antibodies and to the glycine receptor in mouse spinal cord membranes . In contrast, preincubation of strychnine antibodies with a variety of ligands at other neurotransmitter, drug, or hormone receptors in the CNS (at 10(-4) M) failed to inhibit binding significantly . The failure of glycine to inhibit strychnine antibody binding is consistent with previous suggestions that the recognition sites for this amino acid on the CNS receptor may be conformationally distinct from those for the antagonist alkaloid . Strychnine antibodies may now help in the identification and purification of possible endogenous ligands at this alkaloid binding site in the CNS.

Eur J Immunol, 1989 May, 19(5), 913 - 21
Interleukin 4 strongly augments or inhibits DNA synthesis and differentiation of B-type chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells depending on the co-stimulatory activation and progression signals; Carlsson M et al.; This study describes the opposing effects that interleukin (IL) 4 exerts on the B cell stimulatory factor (BSF-MP6) and IL 2-dependent proliferation and differentiation of cells of one selected B-type chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell clone (I83), which depend on the nature of the activation inducer . In I83 cells activated by a 1-h pulse of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, the BSF-MP6-dependent DNA synthesis was strongly enhanced by 50-100 U/ml of recombinant IL 4 . Recombinant IL 2 stimulation was necessary only when a suboptimal dose of BSF-MP6 was used . The differentiation was also markedly enhanced by IL 4 as measured by quantitation of IgM secretion both at the population (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses of the supernatant) and single-cell level (enzyme-linked immunospot technique), by morphological examination of the maturation stage and flow cytometric analysis of differentiation-associated surface antigens (CD11c, FMC7, PCA-1 and CD38) . No Ig isotype switch was found . In contrast, DNA synthesis and differentiation of I83 cells, activated by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I (SAC) and co-stimulated with BSF-MP6 plus IL 2, were strongly inhibited by IL 4, both when it was added simultaneously with SAC or after 2 days of SAC exposure . Analysis of the cell-cycle progression of SAC and BSF-MP6 plus IL 2 and IL 4-stimulated cells by acridine orange staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis demonstrated an arrest of a minor cell population in G0 and a block of the transition of G1 cells to S phase . Neither the enhancing nor the inhibitory effect of IL 4 on the proliferation and differentiation of I83 cells was an indirect effect via IL 4-induced activation of contaminating T cells, monocytes or natural killer cells, as shown by experiments where these cell types were depleted by FACS sorting . Furthermore the expression of CD23 and CD25 was not inhibited by IL 4 . The results thus demonstrate contrasting biological effects of IL 4 on clonal leukemic B cells depending on the nature of the activation and progression stimuli . This adds to the emerging picture of a very complex cytokine and cell-to-cell contact-mediated regulation of the activation and subsequent growth and/or differentiation of human B cells.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 May, 86(10), 3544 - 8
Cadmium resistance from Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258 cadA gene results from a cadmium-efflux ATPase; Nucifora G et al.; Cadmium resistance specified by the cadA determinant of Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258 results from the functioning of a cadmium-efflux system . In the nucleotide sequence of the DNA fragment containing the cadA determinant, two open reading frames were identified . The larger one, corresponding to a predicted polypeptide of 727 amino acid residues, is necessary and sufficient for expression of cadmium resistance . Comparison of the CadA amino acid sequence with known protein sequences suggested that CadA is a member of the E1E2 cation-translocating ATPases, similar to the K+-uptake ATPases of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . The sequence homology is lower but significant with other E1E2-type ATPases, including the H+-efflux ATPases of eukaryotic microbes and the Ca2+- and Na+/K+-ATPases of animals . A frame-shift mutation in the middle of the gene destroys the Cd2+-resistance phenotype . A detailed model for the putative CadA ATPase based on homologies to other E1E2 ATPases is presented and discussed.

J Immunol, 1989 May 1, 142(9), 3104 - 12
Role of IL-2 in the generation of CD4+ suppressors of human B cell responsiveness; Hirohata S et al.; The capacity of human T4 cells stimulated by immobilized monoclonal antibodies to the CD3 molecular complex (64.1 and OKT3) to induce and regulate B cell responsiveness was examined . T4 cells stimulated by low concentrations of immobilized 64.1 (3.0 ng/well) and all concentrations of immobilized OKT3 supported B cell proliferation and differentiation . High concentrations of immobilized 64.1 (200 ng/well) failed to stimulate help but rather induced suppression by T4 cells . Suppression was prevented by treating the T4 cells with mitomycin C . Suppression could not be accounted for by deprivation of IL-2 . In contrast, induction of suppressor T4 cell activity was closely related to the amount of IL-2 produced by anti-CD3 stimulated T4 cells . Moreover, IL 2 appeared to facilitate the generation of suppressor T4 cell activity . Suppressor cell activity could be generated from unseparated T4 cells as well as from highly purified T4 cell subsets, including Leu 8-, CD45R+, and CD45R- T4 cells, after stimulation with immobilized 64.1 . A primary action of suppressor T4 cells appeared to be the direct inhibition of B cell function, as evidenced by the finding that immobilized anti-CD3 activated T4 cells directly suppressed B cell responses stimulated by Staphylococcus aureus and IL-2 . Anti-CD3 activated T4 cells did not inhibit initial B cell activation, but suppressed the capacity of the activated B cells to differentiate into ISC . The suppressive influence of anti-CD3 activated T4 cells was reversible as evidenced by the finding that removal of the activated T4 cells from the culture permitted B cell differentiation to proceed . Moreover, anti-CD3-activated T4 cells were able to stimulate initial B cell activation that became apparent when the T cells and B cells were separated . Inhibition of B cell responsiveness by 64.1-activated T4 cells was the result of a block at the G1-S interphase of the cell cycle . The data indicate that anti-CD3-stimulated T4 cells directly and reversibly suppress human B cell function . Moreover, IL 2 appears to play an important role in the differentiation of functionally effective suppressor cells from activated T4 cells.

J Clin Invest, 1989 May, 83(5), 1676 - 81
Characterization of polymorphic forms of Fc receptor III on human neutrophils; Ory PA et al.; We characterized Fc receptor III (FcR III) on human neutrophils and found it to be heavily glycosylated and polymorphic . In some individuals, FcR III that had been digested with N-glycanase appeared after SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions as two bands with apparent molecular masses of 33 and 29 kD . In other individuals, N-glycanase-treated FcR III appeared as a single band with an Mr of either 33 or 29 kD . After SDS-PAGE of N-glycanase-treated FcR III under nonreducing conditions, the apparent Mr of each structural type was decreased, suggesting the presence of intramolecular disulfide bonds . Digestion of the 33-kD band and the 29-kD band with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease yielded similar, but not identical, peptide maps . Thus, at least two polymorphic forms of FcR III are expressed on human neutrophils . The structural polymorphism of neutrophil FcR III correlated with previously described antigenic polymorphisms detected by monoclonal antibody Gran 11 and by alloantisera which recognize epitopes of the biallelic, neutrophil antigen (NA) system . Individuals whose neutrophils expressed the two-band structural type of FcR III were NA1NA2 heterozygotes . Individuals whose neutrophils expressed the single 33-kD band structural type were NA2NA2 homozygotes, and individuals whose neutrophils expressed the single 29-kD band structural type were NA1NA1 homozygotes . These findings indicate that antigenic and structural polymorphisms of human neutrophil FcR III are related and can be accounted for by differences at the level of primary protein structure.

Reg Immunol, 1989 May-Jun, 2(3), 136 - 48
Interferon-gamma, Staphylococcus aureus, and lipopolysaccharide/silica enhance interleukin-1 beta production by human corneal cells; Shams NB et al.; Cultures derived from human corneo-scleral rims remaining after a central corneal button had been removed for transplantation, revealed two types of cells on light microscopy: One with typical epithelial morphology and the other resembling fibroblasts . Both cell types contained keratin filaments in early passage and were therefore considered epithelial in nature . The fibroblast-like cells were designated fibroblast-like epithelial cells (FLE) while the typical epithelial cells were referred to as E-type . Both E and FLE cells constitutively produced an IL-1-like factor as determined by thymocyte proliferation assay and IL-2 induction in EL-4 lymphoma cells . Moreover, the supernatants from these cells potentiated concanavalin A (Con A)-primed mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in thymocytes, as indicated by the tetrazolium salt reduction assay (MTT) and this effect was significantly neutralized with monoclonal anti-IL-1 beta . The release of biologically active IL-1 beta by the FLE cells is another characteristic (in addition to the presence of keratin) distinguishing these cells from fibroblasts which do not release biologically active IL-1 beta . Using an ELISA, specific for IL-1 beta, there was clear cut evidence for increased production of this cytokine by FLE cells in response to human recombinant gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma), Staphylococcus aureus, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in combination with silica (LPS/silica) . Time studies with IFN-gamma and LPS/silica demonstrated that enhanced production was time dependent and that IL-1 beta was primarily cell associated . The results indicate that human corneal E- and FLE-type cells can produce and release IL-1 and that FLE cells can be induced by inflammatory mediators to increase production of IL-1 beta.

Z Naturforsch {C}, 1989 May-Jun, 44(5-6), 480 - 6
Localization and orientation of subunit delta of spinach chloroplast ATP-synthase within the CF0 CF1 complex . 2 . Identification of C-terminal residues of delta, exposed on the thylakoid membrane; Berzborn RJ et al.; The amino acid residues of spinach CF1 subunit delta are identified which are accessible and thus exposed within the quaternary structure of the ATP-synthase complex on the thylakoid membrane . Two types of antibodies in the monospecific polyclonal antiserum 306 against CF1 delta, described in the previous publication {Z . Naturforsch . 44c, 153-160 (1989)}, were separated by virtue of their different affinity to thylakoid membranes and used for specific analysis of the products of proteolytic digestion of delta in situ . Polypeptide delta in situ, i.e . within the CF0 CF1 complex on the membrane, is not susceptible to digestion by aminopeptidase M and trypsin, but is shortened by about 1 kDa by carboxypeptidase Y and digested at residues Glu173 and Glu179 by the Staphylococcus aureus protease V8 . The epitope on delta reacting with the agglutinating antibodies from serum 306 is lost after these proteolytical treatments and therefore situated on residues Met180-Val187 . Since trypsin destroys this epitope only after prolonged incubation and with at least 50 micrograms trypsin/mg Chl, residue Lys169 of delta probably is inaccessible in situ . We conclude that the C-terminal amphipathic alpha-helix of spinach CF1 subunit delta is exposed on the thylakoid membrane, with the hydrophilic face directed to the outside, and that CF1 delta starts to be shielded within the quaternary structure of the CF0 CF1 complex between Glu173 and Lys169 . The hydrophobic face of the c-terminal helix may be part of the binding surface towards CF0 . Antibodies from serum 306 inhibit the PMS mediated cyclic photophosphorylation by reacting with C-terminal residues of delta.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 May, 23(5), 711 - 20
The role of glycocalyx in surface phagocytosis of Bacteroides spp., in the presence and absence of clindamycin; Veringa EM et al.; The influence of isolated glycocalyx from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and B . fragilis on surface phagocytosis of clindamycin-treated and -untreated homologous and heterologous species was studied . When homologous or heterologous isolated glycocalyx was added to clindamycin-treated B . thetaiotaomicron or B . fragilis before incubation with PMNL, phagocytosis was reduced to levels observed in the untreated control bacteria, but addition of glycocalyx to untreated control strains showed no reduction of phagocytosis . When isolated bacteroides-glycocalyx was added to Staphylococcus aureus or S . epidermidis, phagocytosis of both clindamycin-treated and -untreated bacteria was significantly reduced . The isolated glycocalyx preparations were analysed by thin layer and gas-liquid chromatography; these preparations were free of lipopolysaccharides . The isolated glycocalyx did not affect PMNL viability . Our findings suggest that the glycocalyx is an important virulence factor because it impairs phagocytosis of Bacteroides spp . by PMNL . Clindamycin may enhance opsonophagocytosis of bacteroides by altering the glycocalyx.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 1989 Apr 29, 133(17), 895 - 9
{Septic sacroiliitis}; Knockaert DC et al.; Three patients are described with septic sacroiliitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, two occurring spontaneously and a third following septic thrombophlebitis . The diagnosis and treatment of this rather rare disease are discussed based upon our findings and the literature data.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Apr 25, 264(12), 7009 - 16
Multiple distinct membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans in human lung fibroblasts; Lories V et al.; Heparitinase digestion of the hydrophobic membrane-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) of fetal human lung fibroblasts yields core proteins of various sizes: i.e . monomeric core proteins of 125, 90, 64, 48, and 35 kDa and a disulfide-linked dimeric core protein composed of approximately 35-kDa subunits . By immunizing BALB/c mice with liposome-incorporated HSPG, we have obtained a total of five anti-HSPG monoclonal antibodies (Mabs, i.e . Mabs S1, 1C7, 2E9, 6G12, and 10H4) with different specificities . Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 125I-labeled membrane HSPG immunoprecipitated with these Mabs revealed that Mabs 1C7 and 2E9 bind only membrane HSPG which yield a 125-kDa core protein after heparitinase digestion, whereas Mab S1-bound HSPG yield a 64-kDa core protein, and Mabs 6G12 and 10H4 retain membrane HSPG with a 48-kDa core protein . Western blotting of the heparitinase-digested proteoglycans and immunostaining with the Mabs confirmed this pattern of reactivity . However, in this assay, Mabs 6G12 and 10H4 also detected a minor approximately 90-kDa core protein in addition to the 48-kDa core protein . Except perhaps for the 10H4 epitope, the epitopes recognized by these Mabs appear to be part of the peptide moieties as they resisted complete deglycosylation of the HSPG with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid . Since these data were inconsistent with a direct relationship between the major core proteins, the 48-, 64-, and 125-kDa core proteins were immunopurified and further compared by peptide mapping with Staphylococcus aureus protease V8, trypsin, and CNBr cleavage . Clearly distinct peptide patterns were obtained for the three different core proteins . These results imply that the 48-, 64-, and the 125-kDa membrane HSPG core proteins of human lung fibroblasts are derived from distinct proteoglycans.

Pol Tyg Lek, 1989 Apr 24, 44(17), 387 - 9
{Effect of cefoperazone on the activity of selected parameters of cellular immunity in mice with experimental viral-bacterial infection}; Denys A et al.; We applied mixed, viral-bacterial infections of mice (with influenza virus to the respiratory tract and Staphylococcus aureus) intereperitoneally . We used Sodium Cefoperazone subcutaneously in the dose of 30 mg/kg body weight 24, 48 and 72 hours after the infection . We evaluated phagocytic activity of the granulocytes isolated from animals and bactericidal activity of these cells expressed as their chemiluminescent activity . We studied it on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and the 14th day after the infection . Phagocytic activity of cells taken from infected mice and treated with the preparation expressed as phagocytic index was the following: 0.38, 0.19; 0.88; 0.99 respectively . In the comparative studies, concerning the effect of preincubation of cells with antibiotic (at the concentration produced in blood serum by therapeutic doses) we found the increase in chemiluminescent process by 57% on the average . Analyzing the preliminary data form the experimental studies on the influence of Cefoperazone on mixed, viral-bacterial infections in mice we found the positive effect of the antibiotic evaluated in some immunological test . Intracellular killing of bacteria is stimulated . Preincubation of granulocytes with the antibiotic gives higher chemiluminescent activity of cells . However, chemotactic and phagocytic activity of cells are not changed.

Biochemistry, 1989 Apr 18, 28(8), 3448 - 55
Isolation of a proteolytically derived domain of the insulin receptor containing the major site of cross-linking/binding; Waugh SM et al.; Radiolabeled insulin was affinity cross-linked to purified insulin receptor with six separate bifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of different lengths . Results were qualitatively identical for each cross-linker in that insulin was predominantly cross-linked through its B chain to the receptor's alpha subunit . The maximum efficiencies of cross-linking were 10-15% for the most effective reagents, and this value was dependent upon the concentration and length of the cross-linker . In an effort to locate the cross-linking site, monoiodoinsulin was cross-linked to affinity-purified insulin receptor with disuccinimidyl suberate . Limited proteolysis of the hormone/receptor adduct with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, chymotrypsin, or thermolysin in an SDS-containing buffer rapidly generated a 55-kDa, insulin-labeled fragment as shown by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . We reported earlier that the 55-kDa chymotryptic fragment contained multiple internal disulfide bonds as evidenced by its shifting mobility on an SDS gel after dithiothreitol treatment {Boni-Schnetzler et al . (1987) J . Biol . Chem . 262, 8395-8401} . Here we show that the 55-kDa fragment is also formed by proteolysis of the receptor in the absence of prior insulin cross-linking . This fragment was prepared in amounts sufficient for sequence analysis and was purified by passage successively over gel permeation and reverse-phase HPLC columns . The sequence of the fragment's amino terminus corresponds to that of the amino terminus of the receptor's alpha subunit . This fragment also reacts with an antibody raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 242-253 of the receptor's alpha subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Immunol, 1989 Apr 15, 142(8), 2855 - 63
Induction of murine hemopoietic growth factors by toxic shock syndrome toxin-1; Galelli A et al.; Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), an extra-cellular 22 kDa single chain protein produced by most Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), induces modifications of blood cell values similar to those observed during TSS . We therefore analyzed the effects of TSST-1 on the proliferation and differentiation of murine granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-culture) and the eventual role of endotoxin in this response . TSST-1 had no direct effect on the proliferation of CFU-culture and was unable to influence the CSF-induced proliferation and differentiation of these progenitors . In contrast, TSST-1 was a potent inducer in spleen cell cultures of a factor with an ability to induce both colony formation by bone marrow cells and proliferation of an IL-3-dependent cell line . Nanogram amounts of TSST-1 were able to induce the release of CSF activity in spleen cell cultures from both normal and LPS-hyporesponsive mice . Cells from C3H/HeJ mice were as responsive as cells from C3H/He Pas mice . Furthermore, in spleen cell cultures from normal mice, TSST-1 and LPS did not act synergistically to induce CSF activity . Nanogram amounts of TSST-1 were also able to induce CSF activity in vivo but failed to induce IL-3 activity in the serum and organ-conditioned media from TSST-1-treated mice.

Cell Immunol, 1989 Apr 15, 120(1), 92 - 101
T lymphocyte activation by staphylococcal enterotoxins: role of class II molecules and T cell surface structures; Fleischer B et al.; The enterotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (SE) are the most potent mitogens known . Triggering of proliferation or cytotoxicity by SE requires the presence of MHC class II molecules on accessory or target cells . In this study we have investigated the role of HLA class II molecules in the activation of human T cells by SE and the nature of the target structure on the responding T lymphocyte for SE . This dependence on class II molecules is not due to an immunological "recognition" of SE since there is no restriction by polymorphic determinants of HLA molecules and since even xenogeneic class II molecules can reconstitute the human T cell response to SE . Furthermore, HLA class II-positive but not -negative cells absorb the mitogenic activity from SE solutions and significant binding of 125I-labeled SE can be demonstrated to class II-positive but not to class II-negative cells . Enterotoxin molecules react directly with T cells since they cause an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration similar to anti-CD3 mAb . This increase is abrogated by prior modulation of the TCR/CD3 complex . Antibodies to CD2, CD3 and the TCR that block antigen-specific activation also block T cell activation by SE . Moreover, preincubation of purified resting accessory cell-free T cells with SE leads to modulation of the TCR/CD3 complex . Taken together these data indicate that SE interact selectively with HLA class II molecules on accessory or target cells and with a TCR-associated structure on the T cell.

Cell Immunol, 1989 Apr 15, 120(1), 270 - 6
Natural killer cells can enhance the proliferative responses of B lymphocytes; Katz P et al.; In addition to lytic activity against malignant and virally transformed target cells, recent evidence has suggested that natural killer (NK) cells can modulate immune activities such as the suppression of B cell responses through noncytotoxic means . Using human B cells and highly purified autologous NK cells, we have demonstrated that NK cells can substantially augment the proliferative responses of B cells stimulated with the surface immunoglobulin crosslinking agents anti-IgM or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I (SAC) . This "enhancer" activity of NK cells was quite potent and was observed at an NK:B cell ratio as low as 0.05 . Peak blastogenic responses of B cells cocultured with NK cells in the presence of B cell activators were observed at 2-3 days, similar to the responses of B cells in the absence of NK cells . Using the inhibitor of DNA synthesis mitomycin C, we determined that B cells and not NK cells were proliferating in cocultures of these lymphocytes stimulated with SAC . Activated B cells neither prevented the lysis of the isotope-labeled NK-sensitive target cell line K562 nor formed conjugates with NK cells, suggesting that cell contact was not a prerequisite for the effect . These studies have further expanded the functional repertoire of NK cells to include enhancer as well as suppressor and lytic activities.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1989 Apr 6, 995(2), 187 - 94
The sites of phosphorylation of rabbit brain phosphofructo-1-kinase by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase; Valaitis AP et al.; The three isozymic subunits of phosphofructo-1-kinase present in rabbit brain and designated A, B and C were phosphorylated in vitro by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase with 32P-labeled ATP . Limited digestion of the labeled enzymes with trypsin or with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase led to the solubilization of radiolabeled peptides derived from the three isozymic subunits . Limited digestion by V8 proteinase was accompanied by a slight reduction in the apparent sizes of the subunits, indicating that the phosphorylated sites are located near either the amino or carboxyl termini of the protein . V8 proteinase digestion led to no change in the maximal activity of the enzyme but did abolish sensitivity to ATP inhibition . The phosphopeptides of the tryptic and the V8 digests were purified by chromatography and their amino acid sequences were determined and compared to the previously established sequence from rabbit muscle isozyme A . PFK-A E H I S R K R S G E A T V PFK-B H V T R R S L S M A K G F PFK-C V S A S P R G S Y R K F L In each instance, the phosphorylated serine, underlined in the above sequences, was found to be one or two residues toward the C-terminus of one or more basic residues . No other similarities in structure were noted.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Apr 5, 264(10), 5468 - 73
The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-binding site of chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase . Evidence for alteration of the redox potential of the flavin by NAD binding or modification of the NAD-binding site and isolation of a modified peptide; Nishino T et al.; Affinity labeling of the NAD-binding site of chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase by 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (5'-FSBA) caused spectral perturbation around 450 nm in the same way as NAD . Reductive titration with xanthine of native xanthine dehydrogenase in the presence of NAD showed that redox potentials of the FAD/FADH . and FADH./FADH2 couples were shifted positive by NAD binding to the enzyme . The redox potentials of these couples were also shifted to some extent by modification of the NAD-binding site with 5'-FSBA . These results provide further evidence that binding of NAD to chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase modulates the reactivity of the enzyme by shifting the redox potential of FAD . Proteolytic cleavage of the {14C}-5'-FSBA-modified enzyme yielded several domain peptides, only one of which contained radioactivity . The isolated radioactive peptide was further digested with Staphylococcus aureus protease and the 14C-labeled peptide was purified by two steps of high performance liquid chromatography . The amino acid sequence of the peptide was determined, and a reactive tyrosine residue was identified.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Apr 5, 264(10), 5339 - 42
Receptor-coupled, permeabilized smooth muscle . Role of the phosphatidylinositol cascade, G-proteins, and modulation of the contractile response to Ca2+; Kitazawa T et al.; alpha-Adrenergic (phenylephrine) and muscarinic (carbachol) agonists and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate caused calcium release and contractions in smooth muscle strips permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin . The responses to phenylephrine and carbachol required or were potentiated by added GTP and could be inhibited by GDP beta S . GTP and phenylephrine also increased the contractile response of permeabilized portal vein smooth muscle to cytoplasmic Ca2+ . We conclude that while the G-protein-coupled phosphatidylinositol cascade, through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release, is a major mechanism of pharmacomechanical coupling, a second G-protein-mediated pathway that modulates the calcium sensitivity of the regulatory contractile proteins also exists.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1989 Apr 3, 1002(2), 231 - 7
The primary structure of human apolipoprotein A-IV; Yang CY et al.; Human apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV was purified from chylous ascites fluid . Proteolytic peptides produced by trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase digestions were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and sequenced . Human apoA-IV contains 376 amino acid residues . The peptide-derived sequence generally matches two previously reported DNA-derived amino acid sequences except for discrepancies in five positions . In order to examine these discrepancies further, one complete apoA-IV cDNA clone and another partial clone were sequenced . Comparison of all the available information indicates that the peptide-derived sequence reported here is accurate . Sequencing errors probably account for some of the discrepancies between the two primary sequences predicted by earlier nucleotide analyses . In certain positions, however, bona fide sequence heterogeneity or cloning artifact cannot be excluded.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1989 Apr, 270(1), 126 - 36
Hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance studies of staphylococcal nuclease variant H124L: pH dependence of histidines and tyrosines; Chinami M et al.; The pH dependence of the 1H NMR spectrum of staphylococcal nuclease H124L was investigated as a function of the binding of Ca2+, the ion required for enzymatic activity, and deoxythymidine-3',5'-diphosphate (pdTp), a competitive inhibitor . The protein studied was the product of a cloned gene expressed in Escherichia coli which yields a protein having a sequence identical to that of the nuclease isolated from the V8 strain of Staphylococcus aureus . Of the observable ring protons of the three histidine residues, only the C delta 1H of His46 shows a large chemical shift perturbation on formation of the ternary complex, (nuclease H124L).pdTp.Ca2+ . The pKa of His46 is lowered by 0.2 pH unit in the binary complex . All seven tyrosines titrate with normal pKa values between 9 and 11 in the unligated nuclease . In the ternary complex, however, the pKa values of Tyr85 and Tyr93 increase above pH 11.0 . The chemical shift perturbations of the ring protons of the Tyr27, Tyr85, Tyr113, and Tyr115 were observed between pH 4 and 6; these spectral perturbations are attributed to interactions with carboxylate groups . Binding Ca2+ alone acted opposite to the perturbation in Tyr113 and Tyr115 . Ca2+ binding leads to deshielding the ring protons of Tyr113, but this effect is removed in the ternary complex . Binding of pdTp and Ca2+ stabilizes the protein against high pH denaturation up to pH 11.5.

J Neuroimmunol, 1989 Apr, 22(2), 135 - 42
Extended repertoire of specific antibodies in CSF of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis compared to those with multiple sclerosis: anti-bacterial antibodies are also increased; Persson MA et al.; Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from eight patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), 21 with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 16 controls were analyzed for IgG subclass pattern of anti-viral and anti-bacterial antibodies . In CSF of SSPE and MS patients IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to measles and IgG1 to mumps were increased compared to the controls . In addition, the SSPE patients had elevated levels of IgG1 to PPD, teichoic acid, and to dextran in CSF . The group of MS patients had decreased levels of IgG1 antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin.

Infect Immun, 1989 Apr, 57(4), 1113 - 8
Protective efficacy of protein A-specific antibody against bacteremic infection due to Staphylococcus aureus in an infant rat model; Greenberg DP et al.; Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) is a potent antiphagocytic component of the cell wall of most pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus strains . We studied the in vitro opsonophagocytic and in vivo protective activities of rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to purified SpA obtained from two unencapsulated S . aureus strains (Cowan I and 17A) . Postimmune serum contained high titers of specific IgG to SpA, as measured by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that blocked nonspecific binding of IgG to SpA . In vitro, both S . aureus strains were efficiently phagocytosed and killed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of nonimmune sera and complement . With one strain (Cowan I), opsonophagocytosis was significantly enhanced in the presence of SpA antibody, but with the other strain (17A), killing was significantly decreased with immune serum . We then evaluated the potential protective benefit of SpA antibody in preventing S . aureus bacteremia in infant rats . Two-day-old rats received saline or various doses of SpA antiserum and were challenged subcutaneously 1 day later, but even the highest levels of antibody did not significantly reduce mortality, bacteremia or metastatic infection to lungs or liver (frequency or magnitude) . This lack of protective efficacy was not related to a failure of SpA F(ab')2 to bind to cell surface-exposed epitopes, since F(ab')2 fragments prepared from hyperimmune serum bound avidly to the whole organism in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Pathology, 1989 Apr, 21(2), 71 - 8
Histopathology and etiology of childhood pneumonia: an autopsy study of 93 patients in Bangladesh; Tomashefski JF Jr et al.; The causes and pathogenesis of severe childhood pneumonia in a developing country were studied in lungs removed at autopsy from 119 Bangladeshi children who presented with pneumonia and/or diarrhea . Pneumonia was observed in 93 patients . Morphologic features included acute alveolar exudate in 51% (of the 93 patients), necrotizing pneumonia in 31%, interstitial pneumonia in 22%, and caseating granulomas in 4%, while a mixed pattern occurred in 16% of patients . Causes of pneumonia were Gram-negative bacteria in 27%, pneumococcus in 8%, cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 8%, Pneumocystis carinii (PC) in 4%, mycobacteria in 3%, aspergillus in 3%, mixed anaerobes in 3%, viral (not CMV) in 2%, Staphylococcus aureus in 1% and ascaris in 1% . Two causative agents were identified in 7% of patients . In 46% of the cases, no etiologic agent was identified . Our data suggest that most pneumonias had a bacterial etiology; however, viruses, including CMV, and other opportunistic organisms such as PC, were also important pathogens . Gram-negative pneumonia was partially attributed to concomitant intestinal infections . Opportunistic infections resulted from malnutrition and debilitated host defenses during prolonged fatal illnesses.

Med Trop (Mars), 1989 Apr-Jun, 49(2), 187 - 8
{Apropos of the article: "Antibiotic sensitivity of strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Lomé"}; Manon M; The author is discussing the conclusions of C . de Souza et al on the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin got by studying the in vitro sensitivity to different antibiotic disks . Oxacillin appears to be rather subject to ageing, temperature and humidity variations, transport and storage . Utilization of Sensitabs pellets manages to gain more reliable results than with the usual oxacillin disks, and, a better rationalization in the antibiotic prescription to cure Staphylococcus aureus infections in Africa.

Taiwan Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi, 1989 Apr, 88(4), 352 - 9
Opsonophagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by diabetics' sera and monocytes; Chou MY et al.; The ingestion and the intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by monocytes from patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) under good control (mean 2-h postprandial blood glucose less than 150 mg/dl in the past 6 months) or under poor control (mean 2-h postprandial blood glucose greater than 200 mg/dl in the past 6 months) were investigated . The ingestion was expressed as a phagocytic index which was a percentage of the total bacteria added in the reaction mixtures, while the intracellular killing was expressed as the percentage of ingested bacteria which were destroyed . The phagocytic index (mean +/- S.E.) of healthy subjects (HS), diabetics under good control (DGC) and diabetics under poor control (DPC) were 45.1 +/- 3.5, 38.2 +/- 2.2, and 32.1 +/- 3.4%, respectively . This showed that monocytes from diabetics ingested S . aureus more poorly than did those from HS (p less than 0.001) and monocytes from DPC ingested more poorly than did those from DGC (p less than 0.001) . There was no difference in intracellular killing between HS and DGC, but a marked difference was noted between DGC and DPC . Specific antibodies (IgG) as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence assay had little effect on ingestion but could enhance complement activation and then increase ingestion whether the serum was from HS, DGC, or DPC . On the other hand, the significant effect of complement activity in the presence of specific antibodies on intracellular killing was only observed on HS and DGC, suggesting that antibody-dependent complement activation could be a crucial mechanism for efficient intracellular killing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Apr, 41(4), 449 - 53
{Drug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in the field of obstetrics and gynecology}; Nozue J; Clinical isolates of bacteria from Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology were collected and their microbiological properties were investigated . The isolation frequencies of bacteria from this Department were almost similar to those from other hospitals, indicating the high isolation frequencies of gram-positive cocci . The drug resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents of Staphylococcus aureus including beta-lactam antibiotics was studied . It should be noted that the bacteria resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics were most often isolated and the resistance was due to the production of penicillinase . Methicillin-resistant strains of S . aureus were isolated from this Department at a high frequency . It was found that these strains are also resistant to many penicillins and cephems including methicillin . Methicillin resistance of these strains was found to be not due to the production of penicillinase . Examination of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) revealed that a new PBP-2' was produced in a large amount, suggesting that the mechanism of methicillin-resistance was due to the production of the new PBP-2' as reported previously, not to the production of beta-lactamase . The increased isolation of methicillin-resistant strains may be due to the introduction and the overuse of beta-lactamase resistant antibiotics.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1989 Apr, 48(4), 331 - 2
Toxic shock syndrome associated arthropathy . Staphylococcus aureus: a further triggering event in reactive arthritis?
Foley-Nolan D, Coughlan RJ, Sugrue D.
An HLA-B27 positive 24 year old woman is described with a Staphylococcus aureus induced toxic shock syndrome precipitating a reactive arthritis.

Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Apr, 90(4), 517 - 23
{Experiences of postoperative staphylococcal enteritis caused by methicillin-cephem resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the state of the isolation of MRSA}; Takahashi M et al.; During the last 12 months, three cases of postoperative staphylococcal enteritis were experienced in our surgical ward . Kanamycin, Clindamycin and Latamoxef were given prophylactically in all cases . They developed dehydration with severe diarrhea and paralytic ileus in three to ten days after abdominal surgery . MRSA was cultured from the intestinal fluid or feces and Minocycline, sensitive anti-microbial agent to the organism, was administered intravenously and their conditions improved dramatically . Since the nosocomial infections of MRSA are believed to be the cause of these cases, following items were investigated; 1) the frequency of MRSA among Staphylococcus aureus clinically isolated from patients in surgical ward, 2) the state of nasal carriage of MRSA in medical staffs and inpatients without infections in surgical ward, 3) drug sensitivity of MRSA to ten kinds of antibiotics . The results were as follows; 1) the frequency of MRSA was 83% of all the strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 2) the nasal carrier status was 2 in 46 medical staffs and 4 in 17 inpatients, 3) 124 strains of MRSA, 114 isolated from patients and 10 from nasal carriers, showed the identical drug sensitivity, that is, MRSA is sensitive to Minocycline and resistant to every other antibiotics . It is believed that these three cases were due to nosocomial infections of MRSA, and early diagnosis of MRSA enteritis should lead to early antibiotic therapy and to a cure of this serious postoperative complication.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1989 Apr, 66(4), 319 - 29
Amino acid requirements for the growth and production of some exocellular products of Staphylococcus aureus; Taylor D et al.; A simple, defined synthetic medium has been developed for the growth of a toxic-shock-syndrome-associated Staphylococcus aureus strain (FRI 1187) in continuous culture, which gives a high growth yield and assayable amounts of acid phosphatase, haemolytic activity, hyaluronate lyase and toxic-shock-syndrome toxin-1 . It consists of multiple ions, ammonium sulphate, glucose, cystine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, glycine, proline, nicotinic acid and thiamine.

Int Surg, 1989 Apr-Jun, 74(2), 126 - 8
Retroperitoneal infectious myositis; Badellino F et al.; A case of retroperitoneal infectious myositis is described . The symptoms of infectious myositis may be confused with those of other more frequent soft tissue pathologies (haematoma and sarcomata) . This infection is more frequent in countries with a tropical climate . The most frequent aetiological agent is Staphylococcus aureus . This paper reports on the diagnostic and therapeutic problems of this disease as recently observed at the Division of Surgical Oncology of the National Cancer Institute in Genoa.

Arch Dis Child, 1989 Apr, 64(4), 530 - 4
Opsonic activity in serum from septic infants treated with intravenous immunoglobulin; Marodi L et al.; Thirteen infants with staphylococcal sepsis and reduced opsonic activity received infusions of acid treated immunoglobulin together with antibiotics . Opsonic activity (using Staphylococcus aureus (type 42D) as the test organism), haemolytic activity of complement, and concentrations of complement C3 and IgG were measured in serum prepared before and after three days of treatment with immunoglobulin at a dose of 250-300 mg/kg/day . There was increased ingestion of S aureus by normal human granulocytes in the presence of fresh serum prepared after infusion of immunoglobulin and significantly increased opsonic activity of heat inactivated serum after treatment with immunoglobulin . The haemolytic activity of complement and concentrations of complement C3 were not influenced, and serum concentrations of IgG increased as the result of receiving a total of 800-900 mg/kg immunoglobulin over a period of three days . This study shows that administration of acid treated IgG to septic infants leads to functionally increased opsonisation.

Arch Dis Child, 1989 Apr, 64(4), 525 - 9
Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infants: a prospective study; Preece PM et al.; In a prospective study of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnancy, 198 mothers positive for chlamydial antigen were identified; the infants of 174 were followed for up to six months and C trachomatis was recovered in cell culture from 43 infants (25%) . Conjunctivitis occurred in significantly more infants who were positive for C trachomatis (20 of 43, 47%) than in those who were negative (18 of 131, 14%) . There were also significantly more lower respiratory tract infections among infants with positive cultures (six of 43, 14%, compared with three of 131, 2%) . The chlamydial antigen enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was positive in 61 of 131 infants from whom C trachomatis was not recovered in cell culture . False positive results were usually associated with the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from samples of pharyngeal aspirate . Our results confirm that C trachomatis infection is a common cause of neonatal conjunctivitis, and respiratory infection in the first few months of life, with an incidence of 8.2/1000 live births . Because the infection is easily treated by oral erythromycin, however, screening during pregnancy is not warranted.

Microbiologica, 1989 Apr, 12(2), 139 - 42
Effects of serine proteinase from Staphylococcus aureus V8 cells on Con A stimulation of human lymphocytes; Porwit-Bobr Z et al.; The combined effect of serum and Staphylococcus aureus serine proteinase on human lymphocyte Con A stimulation was assayed . Serum was found to protect the proteinase-treated lymphocytes . It is suggested that not only the immunogenicity of proteinase itself, but also proteinase modified serum and lymphocyte-derived components affect lymphoproliferative response.

J Dairy Sci, 1989 Apr, 72(4), 1052 - 6
Prolonged in vitro exposure of Staphylococcus aureus to germicidal teat dips; Hogan JS et al.; Eight strains of Staphylococcus aureus were tested to determine if prolonged exposure to commercial teat dips could enhance bacterial tolerance to teat dips in vitro . All strains of S . aureus were serially plated 15 times on chemically defined agar medium containing sublethal concentrations of linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, and iodophor teat dips . Growth responses of S . aureus to chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, and iodophor were not affected by prolonged exposure to these teat dips . Isolates subcultured on agar containing .1% linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid teat dip subsequently had a greater mean growth response to .1% solution of the germicide than did controls subcultured on basal medium . Hemolytic patterns, tube coagulase, clumping factor, and protein A reactions of S . aureus were not altered by exposure to any of the teat dips tested . In general, prolonged exposure to commercial teat dips did not alter germicidal susceptibility of S . aureus.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Apr, 49(2-3), 209 - 15
The nucleotide sequence of a small cryptic plasmid found in Staphylococcus aureus and its relationship to other plasmids; Dyke KG et al.; The nucleotide sequence of a small (1273 bp) plasmid (pOX1000) of Staphylococcus aureus has been determined and compared with similar plasmids . The sequence includes a single open reading frame; two large palindromes and a 22 bp palindrome that is contiguously repeated three times upstream of the open reading frame . Composite plasmids of pE194ts and pOX1000 were constructed with pUC18 separately inserted into five different sites on pOX1000 and used to analyse the replication functions of the cryptic plasmid.

J Med Assoc Thai, 1989 Apr, 72(4), 218 - 22
Ceftriaxone prophylaxis in cardiovascular surgery in children; Sueblinvong V et al.; Fifty patients undergoing closed and open heart surgery were prospectively studied for the effectiveness of peri-operative prophylaxis with Ceftriaxone . Twenty-four patients (Gr I) that underwent closed heart surgery received 50 mg/kg single dose of Ceftriaxone given intravenously at the start of anesthesia . Twenty-six patients (Gr II) that underwent open heart surgery received 50 mg/kg . Ceftriaxone given intravenously at the start of anesthesia followed by another 50 mg/kg 24 hours later . The mean duration of surgery in Gr I was 1.7 hours and Gr II was 4.2 hours . The duration of post-operative fever in Gr I ranged from 0-4 days (mean 2.4) and Gr II ranged from 1-13 days (mean 6) . The duration of post-operative hospitalization in Gr I ranged from 5-18 days (mean 9) and Gr II ranged from 7-71 days (mean 19) . Early and late infectious complications were not found in Gr I . Late infectious complications were not found in Gr I . Late infectious complications in Gr II consisted of 2 cases of pneumonitis, 5 pleural effusions and 1 staphylococcus aureus would infection (36.8%) . We concluded that a single dose of Ceftriaxone should provide adequate prophylaxis for closed heart surgery . An additional 2-3 days of daily dose Ceftriaxone may be needed when associated with tissue hypoxia, longer duration of intravenous lines and drainage tubes in open heart surgery.

Burns, 1989 Apr, 15(2), 77 - 81
Neutrophil dysfunction after thermal injury: alteration of phagolysosomal acidification in patients with large burns; Bjerknes R et al.; The neutrophil phagolysosomal acidification during phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus was examined in six patients with large burns, using a flow cytometric technique allowing the simultaneous measurement of phagocytosis and phagolysosomal pH . The kinetics of neutrophil phagolysosomal acidification were altered during the first 20 days following injury, as the initial alkalinization of the phagolysosomes documented in control neutrophils could not be demonstrated in patient cells . Only at discharge and follow-up were the kinetics of phagolysosomal acidification normal . In addition, measurements of neutrophil maximal phagolysosomal acidification showed a lower pH in patient phagolysosomes than in the controls during the first 5 days of hospitalization . The changes of phagolysosomal acidification did not correlate with the alterations of neutrophil maturity or phagocytic capacity . The results demonstrate alterations of an oxygen-independent microbicidal mechanism in neutrophils from patients with large burns, which may contribute to the reduced capacity of neutrophil intracellular killing following thermal injury.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1989 Apr, (4), 77 - 80
{A study of the subcellular structure of the rabbit liver during the development of a bacterial infection}; Korinteli VI et al.; Lysosomal, microsomal and peroxisomal fractions have been isolated from the liver cells of rabbits infected with Staphylococcus aureus pathogenic strain 274 by differential centrifugation in the density gradient of sucrose . The study of the fractions of cell organelles by electron-cytochemical and biochemical methods in the dynamics of the development of infection has revealed changes in the activity of marker enzymes, which is indicative of structural and functional shifts occurring in subcellular structures.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Apr, 33(4), 593 - 4
Widespread quinolone resistance among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in a general hospital; Shalit I et al.; Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin resistance (MIC, greater than 4 micrograms/ml) was encountered in 45 of 50 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . None of 20 methicillin-susceptible strains was resistant to the quinolones (P less than 10(-6) . Quinolone-susceptible and -resistant isolates did not differ with respect to culture source or bacteriophage type . The future usefulness of quinolones for S . aureus infection may be limited.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Apr, 33(4), 424 - 8
Low-level methicillin resistance in strains of Staphylococcus aureus; Chambers HF et al.; Two strains of Staphylococcus aureus expressing borderline or low-level methicillin resistance by one or more in vitro test methods were examined for resistance in vivo and for biochemical and genetic markers of methicillin resistance . In vivo, nafcillin was equally effective against experimental aortic valve endocarditis in rabbits, regardless of whether they were infected by a fully susceptible or a low-level-resistant strain . Resistance did not emerge during therapy . For the more resistant of the two low-level-resistant strains, methicillin was as effective as nafcillin . Nafcillin was ineffective against endocarditis caused by a truly methicillin-resistant strain, and resistance emerged on therapy . The low-level-resistant strains did not produce the low-affinity penicillin-binding protein 2a that is associated with methicillin resistance and did not contain DNA that hybridized with probes that recognized the methicillin resistance determinant . Low-level resistance in S . aureus is a phenomenon that is biochemically and genetically distinct from true methicillin resistance . These strains actually are susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics . The clinical problem posed by these strains is not a therapeutic one but, instead, one of how to differentiate them from those that are truly methicillin resistant.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Apr, 23 Suppl D, 13 - 9
Interaction of cephalosporins with penicillin-binding proteins of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Truesdell SE et al.; The binding affinity of cefmetazole for penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was compared with the affinities of cefazolin, cefotetan, and cefoxitin for these same sites . Overall, cefmetazole was found to have comparable or higher affinity for PBP1, PBP2, and PBP3 than cefoxitin or cefotetan; its affinity for these PBPs is lower than that of cefazolin . Interestingly, the antibiotic showed a somewhat greater affinity for PBP2' (PBP2a) than cefazolin, cefotetan, and cefoxitin . These results suggest that the somewhat lower MICs detected with cefmetazole for MRSA may be a consequence of the interaction of the antibiotic with PBP2'.

Arch Intern Med, 1989 Apr, 149(4), 953 - 4
Staphylococcal pericarditis . An atypical presentation; Tsai J et al.; Purulent pericarditis is typically an acute and often catastrophic illness . The case presented herein has unusual manifestations of pericarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus . The clinical course was indolent and prolonged, and unlike the usual case, no primary source could be found.

Ann Emerg Med, 1989 Apr, 18(4), 410 - 3
Staphylococcus intermedius: clinical presentation of a new human dog bite pathogen; Talan DA et al.; Staphylococcus intermedius is a Gram-positive, coagulase-positive coccus that can be distinguished from Staphylococcus aureus by routine microbiological testing . Whereas S intermedius is recognized as flora and pathogen of dogs, it has never been isolated from human infections . We hypothesized that S intermedius may cause human dog bite wound infections and that it has been previously misidentified as S aureus . Fourteen isolates from clinically infected dog bite wounds that were originally identified as S aureus were subjected to further testing; three (22%) were found to be S intermedius . The clinical and microbiological characteristics of these three S intermedius cases are described . All three patients were nonimmunocompromised persons seen within 24 hours for bites on the upper extremity . All patients developed cellulitis within one to three days . All S intermedius isolates were distinguished from S aureus by the lack of acetoin production and by the presence of beta-galactosidase activity . S intermedius was susceptible to a wide range of antibiotics; one isolate was resistant to penicillin . Two patients were treated with penicillin, one with amoxicillin-clavulanate, and all were clinically cured . These are the first three reported human infections involving S intermedius . Further study is necessary to define its clinical importance as a potential human pathogen.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Apr, 171(4), 1841 - 5
Mobilization of the relaxable Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pC221 by the conjugative plasmid pGO1 involves three pC221 loci; Projan SJ et al.; The Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pC221, a 4.6-kilobase multicopy chloramphenicol resistance plasmid that forms plasmid-protein relaxation complexes, was mobilized for transfer by the conjugative plasmid pGO1 . Two open reading frames on the pC221 genome, now designated mobA and mobB, as well as a cis-acting locus, the putative oriT, were shown to be in involved in pC221 mobilization . The mobA (but not mobB) and oriT loci were required for pC221 relaxation, and relaxation was necessary but not sufficient for pC221 mobilization by pGO1 . oriT was cloned onto a pE194 derivative and complemented in trans for both relaxation and mobilization . Mobilization of relaxable plasmids in S . aureus appears to be analogous to mobilization by donation observed in gram-negative bacteria.

J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 135 ( Pt 4), 1001 - 15
Cloning and sequence determination of six Staphylococcus aureus beta-lactamases and their expression in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; East AK et al.; The plasmid-encoded beta-lactamase genes of six strains of Staphylococcus aureus were cloned and shown to be expressed in Escherichia coli . The cloned genes were re-introduced into S . aureus via a shuttle vector, and expressed beta-lactamase . However, clones containing only the small amount of DNA found necessary for expression of ampicillin resistance in E . coli did not express beta-lactamase in S . aureus . Much larger pieces of DNA from the original plasmid were necessary to obtain expression in S . aureus . Some of the six strains of S . aureus synthesized beta-lactamase constitutively and some released only a small proportion of the enzyme into the medium . Both these characteristics were maintained in the clones so it is concluded that they are features either of the gene itself or of the surrounding DNA . The cloned genes were sequenced and the putative amino acid sequences of the beta-lactamases were compared . There are several differences between the sequences and in particular one change in the N-terminal region, at a position believed to be especially important for export of proteins from the cell, is thought to have a key effect on whether or not the enzyme is found in the medium.

Vrach Delo, 1989 Apr, (4), 119 - 20
{Immunoenzyme analysis in the diagnosis of chronic nonspecific lung diseases in children}; Tarasishin LA et al.; Immunoenzyme assay (non-direct ELISA) was used for analysis of sera from children (age: 4-14 years) with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases . Antibodies to adenoviruses were revealed in 46% of sera as well as a 3-5 time increase of specific antibodies in 50% of cases . Peroxidase-labelled protein A staphylococcus aureus was effective for detection of immune complexes.

Biochem Soc Trans, 1989 Apr, 17(2), 340 - 1
Secretion of recombinant proteins into the culture medium by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; Uhlen M et al.; The ability of staphylococcal protein A (SPA) to bind to the Fc part of IgG has been used for the purification of a number of heterologous gene products as fusion proteins . Both the SPA promoter and signal sequence function in Escherichia coli, as well as in a number of Gram-positive bacteria, which facilitates comparisons of the expressed specific products in different hosts . The expression system developed for E . coli yields excretion of the fusion protein to the growth medium, which makes E . coli a competitive alternative to Gram-positive bacteria for the expression of secreted products . The human peptide hormones insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II were expressed using the protein A system in E . coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Despite a high degree of structural homology, large differences in the yields were observed in the two hosts . This underlines the importance of investigating different bacterial hosts for a particular protein product.

Bioorg Khim, 1989 Apr, 15(4), 499 - 507
{Synthesis and expression of an artificial gene of an IgG-binding fragment of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus}; Efimov VA et al.; The chemical-enzymatic synthesis of a gene for IgG-binding fragment of the staphylococcal protein A has been carried out . The design of the gene, which consists of signal peptide and modified E and B domains, and strategy of the synthesis provided possibility of various degrees of polymerization of the gene fragment coding for B domain and of the whole gene . Several protein A-like polypeptides composed of the leader sequence, E domain and 1 to 4 copies of B domain were produced in E . coli cells under the lac promoter control.

Microbiologica, 1989 Apr, 12(2), 147 - 50
Comparison of an enzyme immunoassay (IDEIA) with tissue culture isolation for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis using a single swab; Krech T et al.; We directly compared a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay (IDEIA) with isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis in cell culture (Buffalo Green Monkey cells) by changing the transport medium used for the IDEIA test so as to allow use of a single swab for both tests of the two techniques . We also modified the IDEIA test to exclude any possibility of false positive results caused by non-specific interference by Staphylococcus aureus . The observed sensitivity of the IDEIA compared to cell culture was rather low, 80.3% (57/71) . However the IDEIA test's specificity was excellent, 99.7% (566/564) giving a positive predictive value of 96.6% and a negative predictive value of 97.9% (isolation rate by cell culture = 11%).

Semin Hematol, 1989 Apr, 26(2 Suppl 1), 19 - 24
Protein A immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer: an update; Messerschmidt GL et al.; Protein A, a naturally occurring Staphylococcus aureus cell surface protein, has the unusual property of binding circulating immune complexes and immunoglobulin G with high avidity . CIC have played a major role in cancer-associated immunosuppression . Thus, removal of the immunosuppressive agents, ie, the CIC, may lead to a modulation of the immunosuppression and a liberation of the immune system to perform an antitumor effect . In animal studies, protein A has been used in extracorporeal immunoadsorption columns and treatments have resulted in tumor shrinkage and antiviral responses . Our group developed a multicenter clinical trial to assess toxicity and antitumor responses with this biologic response modifier alone . This is an update of our original trial . We have now treated 142 patients for a total of 1,306 treatments . The patients consisted of 74 males and 68 females . Their age ranged from 7 to 83 years, with a mean of 50 years . The Karnofsky performance index values ranged from 40 to 95, with a mean of 80 . Patients who received seven or more treatments were considered eligible for tumor response assessment, and all patients with one or more treatments were eligible for toxicity assessment . Thus, there were 101 patients eligible for tumor response and 142 eligible for toxicity response . The total response rate was 22 patients or 21.8% (partial remission {PR}, 12 patients, 12%; less than PR, 10 patients, 10%) . Response rates were similar in the 13 treatment centers . Toxicity was assessed in 142 patients . One thousand three hundred six treatments were assessed for treatment toxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1989 Apr, 270(1), 92 - 8
Complete amino acid sequence of chicken liver acyl carrier protein derived from the fatty acid synthase; Huang WY et al.; The acyl carrier protein domain of the chicken liver fatty acid synthase has been isolated after tryptic treatment of the synthase . The isolated domain functions as an acceptor of acetyl and malonyl moieties in the synthase-catalyzed transfer of these groups from their coenzyme A esters and therefore indicates that the acyl carrier protein domain exists in the complex as a discrete entity . The amino acid sequence of the acyl carrier protein was derived from analyses of peptide fragments produced by cyanogen bromide cleavage and trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestions of the molecule . The isolated acyl carrier protein domain consists of 89 amino acid residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 10,127 . The protein contains the phosphopantetheine group attached to the serine residue at position 38 . The isolated acyl carrier protein peptide shows some sequence homology with the acyl carrier protein of Escherichia coli, particularly in the vicinity of the site of phosphopantetheine attachment, and shows extensive sequence homology with the acyl carrier protein from the uropygial gland of goose.

Nippon Hifuka Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Apr, 99(4), 507 - 10
{Outburst of fusidic acid resistant Staphylococcus aureus}; Kanazaki H et al.; Fusidic acid (FA) resistance (MIC greater than or equal to 12.5) was found in only five of 123 strains of S . aureus isolated during the period from January, 1987, to March, 1988; the FA resistance rate soared up to 42 of 81 strains isolated during the period from April, 1988, to October, 1988 . In contrast, all strains of S . aureus isolated in Kochi prefecture during the period from September, 1987, to September, 1988, were susceptible to FA . Our data clearly demonstrate an explosive increase of FA resistant S . aureus in Japan . However, regional differences currently exist in the emergence rate of FA resistant S . aureus.

Eur J Immunol, 1989 Apr, 19(4), 667 - 73
Longitudinal study of leukocyte functions in homosexual men seroconverted for HIV: rapid and persistent loss of B cell function after HIV infection; Terpstra FG et al.; The early effects of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were investigated in homosexual men who had seroconverted for anti-HIV antibodies . Leukocyte functional activities were determined in longitudinally collected peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples . During the first 10 months following seroconversion, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-induced T cell proliferation, monocyte accessory function and T helper activity on B cell differentiation in a pokeweed mitogen-driven system were not affected . In contrast, from the moment of seroconversion on, B cells of seroconverted men failed to produce immunoglobulin in the pokeweed mitogen-driven system . This defect was not restored by addition of normal CD4+ T cells . Immunoglobulin synthesis induced by Staphylococcus aureus and interleukin 2 decreased gradually, until it was completely lost 10 months after seroconversion . In addition, proliferation in response to anti-IgM or Staphylococcus aureus by B cells from HIV seroconverted men was decreased . The lack of inducible in vitro B cell activity was not accompanied by elevated spontaneous Ig synthesis by B cells of the seroconverted men . In the second group of men studied during the 2nd year following seroconversion, T helper activity on normal B cell differentiation significantly decreased, whereas anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation and monocyte accessory function were not significantly affected . Our results demonstrate that in almost all HIV-infected individuals B cell functional defects are the first leukocyte abnormalities observed preceding defects in T helper activity.

Immunology, 1989 Apr, 66(4), 616 - 20
Linoleic acid-deficient rat neutrophils show decreased bactericidal capacity, superoxide formation and membrane depolarization; Gyllenhammar H et al.; Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) is associated with depressed inflammatory responses, e.g . neutrophil chemotaxis, which may be related to reduced generation of the arachidonate metabolite LTB4, a potent mediator for neutrophil activation . In this study we show that neutrophils from EFAD rats exhibited impairments of membrane depolarization and superoxide anion formation upon stimulation with a formylpeptide, FMLP, or when challenged with living Staphylococcus aureus (but not when activated with phorbol myristate acetate) . Likewise, bactericidal capacity for S . aureus was depressed . However, ionomycin and FMLP stimulated intracellular Ca2+ elevations, phagocytic capacity, and conformational alterations as well as spreading were similar to control neutrophils . Thus, EFAD confers discrete functional abberations in neutrophils likely to be due to perturbation of arachidonate metabolism and/or membrane function.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Apr, 8(4), 277 - 81
Effect of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid, alone and in combination, on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte function against Staphylococcus aureus; Pascual A et al.; The effect of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid on the interaction in vitro of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with Staphylococcus aureus was examined . The exposure of a non-penicillinase producing Staphylococcus aureus strain to one-fourth the MIC of amoxycillin or clavulanic acid alone significantly increased the uptake of both unopsonized and opsonized bacteria by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes . This effect was also observed when bacteria were exposed to one-fourth the MIC of different proportions of the combination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid (4/1, 1/1, 1/8 and 1/32) . When a penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aureus strain was used, only clavulanic acid significantly increased the uptake of unopsonized bacteria . The production of superoxide radicals by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was impaired only by the presence of high concentrations (100 mg/l) of both clavulanic acid or the combination amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (4/1) . At this high concentration, however, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (4/1) significantly increased the intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Apr, 86(7), 2128 - 32
Cloning of the mRNA for the protein that crosslinks to the egg peptide speract; Dangott LJ et al.; An apparent receptor for the egg peptide speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly) was identified by covalently coupling a radiolabeled speract analogue to intact spermatozoa and was then purified by DEAE-Sepharose chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis after solubilization with Lubrol PX . The purified, crosslinked protein was digested with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and a resultant peptide, purified from polyacrylamide slab gel slices, was shown to have the amino acid sequence Val-Ser-Ala-Pro-Phe-Asp-Leu-Glu-Ala-Pro-Phe-Ile-Ile-Asp-Gly-Ile . Polyclonal antiserum, generated against a synthetic peptide that corresponded to the above sequence, immunoprecipitated the radiolabeled crosslinked protein and reacted with a Mr 77,000 protein on immunoblots, demonstrating that the sequenced peptide originated from the apparent receptor . A clone containing a 2.5-kilobase insert was subsequently isolated from a sea urchin testis cDNA library that contained DNA sequences encoding an open reading frame of 532 amino acids that included the above peptide sequence . The deduced amino acid sequence suggests that the protein contains a 26-residue amino-terminal signal peptide, a large extracellular domain relatively rich in cysteine (5%) that includes a four-fold repeat of about 115 amino acids, a single membrane-spanning region, and only 12 amino acid residues extending into the cytoplasm . Analysis of total RNA from Strongylocentrotus purpuratus testis by Northern blot revealed a 2.5-kilobase RNA . Preliminary data show the presence of hybridizing RNA of the same apparent size in other sea urchin species, including Arbacia punctulata, which does not respond to speract.

J Immunol, 1989 Apr 1, 142(7), 2365 - 9
The 40-kDa Fc gamma receptor (FcRII) on human neutrophils is essential for the IgG-induced respiratory burst and IgG-induced phagocytosis; Huizinga TW et al.; Neutrophils express two types of receptor for the Fc region of IgG, FcRII and FcRIII . Per neutrophil, 10,000 to 20,000 molecules of FcRII (40 kDa) and 100,000 to 200,000 molecules of FcRIII (50 to 80 kDa) are expressed . Via these receptors, neutrophils bind IgG complexes that contain more than one IgG molecule . This binding activates functional processes, such as the respiratory burst and phagocytosis . We studied the contribution of FcRII and FcRIII in the activation of these processes, using well-defined complexes (both large and small) in combination with mAb against FcRII and FcRIII . Small (dimeric) IgG complexes appeared to bind via FcRIII . However, binding to FcRIII alone, when FcRII is blocked by an anti-FcRII mAb, did not induce a respiratory burst . Induction of the respiratory burst by a large immune complex, such as Staphylococcus aureus Wood opsonized with IgG antibodies, was mediated by binding to FcRII, because it was blocked by an anti-FcRII mAb but not by an anti-FcRIII mAb . This indicates that these IgG-opsonized bacteria can cross-link FcRII and activate the cells without the need to adhere to the FcRIII . The respiratory burst induced by IgG-latex was not inhibited by an anti-FcRII mAb, because the avidity for FcRII of IgG-latex, a particle of the same size as a Staphylococcus but with a two to three times higher IgG content, is increased by its simultaneous binding to FcRIII . This enhanced avidity results in removal of anti-FcRII mAb from the FcRII by IgG-latex . This increased avidity of large complexes for FcRII, created by concurrent binding to FcRIII, is not necessary for activation of human neutrophils, because neutrophils from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, with about 10% of the normal FcRIII expression, showed a normal metabolic response upon addition of IgG-latex . Phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized 14C-labeled S . aureus Wood was inhibited equally well by anti-FcRII mAb and by anti-FcRII in combination with anti-FcRIII mAb . Thus, FcRII is not only essential for the IgG-induced activation of the NADPH oxidase system, but also for the IgG-induced phagocytosis.

J Immunol, 1989 Apr 1, 142(7), 2343 - 51
Characterization of lymphokines mediating B cell growth and differentiation from monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated T cells; Sherris D et al.; Addition of anti-CD3 mAb 147 (IgG1), 446 (IgG1), or 454 (IgG2a) to cultures of T plus non-T cells can result in both B cell growth and differentiation . To determine whether lymphokines mediating these activities were similar to those described from conventional mitogen-induced T cell activation, normal peripheral blood T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 mAb for 48 h . The supernatants were assayed for factors inducing B cell growth or differentiation (BCDF) . A marked increase in Ig secretion was observed when either EBV-transformed B cell lines or normal B cells, pre-activated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain, were cultured in the presence of mAb 446 (anti-CD3) stimulated T cell supernatant whereas no significant increase in Ig secretion was noted with either mAb 454- or 147-induced T cell supernatant despite equivalent T cell proliferative responses to these antibodies . In contrast, IL-2 secretion was detectable in T cell supernatants from T cells stimulated with either mAb 454 or 147 but not 446 . Factors promoting B cell proliferation were detected in all antibody-stimulated T cell supernatants but, contrary to BCDF, appear to act only on non-activated B cells . To determine whether these effector activities were due to distinct lymphokines, supernatants were pooled and concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation . Superose 12 permeation chromatography revealed BCDF activity with an apparent Mr of approximately 30,000 Da . The growth factor activity eluted over a wider and higher molecular weight range which overlapped the differentiation factor activity . Fractions containing BCDF activity were pooled, dialyzed, applied to a Mono Q anion-exchange column, and eluted with a linear NaCl gradient . The growth factor activity came off in a single-peak while BCDF was found divided into two major areas . The growth factor eluted at an ionic strength between the two BCDF activities . BCDF has an apparent isoelectric point (pI) of 6, in contrast to the reported pI 5 for IL-6 and more acidic than the documented basic pI of IFN-gamma . Lastly, peaks with BCDF activity were not active in assays for either IL-2 or IL-4 . In addition, a rabbit anti-IL-6 heteroantiserum failed to inhibit the pI 6 BCDF, suggesting non-identity between IL-6 and anti-CD3 induced BCDF . Thus, anti-CD3 activated T cells generate both growth factor activity and BCDF as separate molecular entities distinct from IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and conventional IL-6.

Ric Clin Lab, 1989 Apr-Jun, 19(2), 129 - 38
The Fc epsilon R2/CD23 antigen: a hallmark of chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells; Almerigogna F et al.; The effect of different stimuli on the expression of the low-affinity receptor for the Fc fragment of IgE (Fc epsilon R2/CD23) on peripheral blood B cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was investigated . CLL B cells cultured for 3 days in medium alone showed a progressive decrease of the Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression, while the addition to the cell cultures of IgE or interleukin-4 had a slackening effect on the decrease of the Fc epsilon R2/CD23 . In contrast, in the presence of interferon-gamma the proportion of Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ cells was more rapidly reduced compared to CLL B cells cultured in medium alone . Stimulation of CLL B cells with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) bacteria, which are able to enhance the expression of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on normal B cells, induced a rapid loss of the Fc epsilon R2/CD23 from CLL B cells.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Apr, 23(4), 517 - 25
Comparative in-vitro activity of vancomycin, teicoplanin, ramoplanin (formerly A16686), paldimycin, DuP 721 and DuP 105 against methicillin and gentamicin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Maple PA et al.; The in-vitro activities of five anti-staphylococcal agents, teicoplanin, ramoplanin, paldimycin, DuP 721 and DuP 105 have been compared to vancomycin . Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) have been determined for a collection of methicillin and gentamicin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MGRSA), comprising 75 strains obtained from 22 centres . In terms of geometric mean MICs (inoculum size 10(5) cfu) paldimycin was the most active agent (0.4 mg/l) followed by ramoplanin (0.75 mg/l), teicoplanin (1.0 mg/l), DuP 721 and vancomycin (2.0 mg/l) and DuP 105 (6.8 mg/l) . Ramoplanin was bactericidal within six hours to all strains at a concentration of 1.0 mg/l . The MBC90s for vancomycin and teicoplanin were greater than 32 mg/l after 22 h exposure to antibiotic and 2.5 and 4.0 mg/l respectively after 26 h exposure . Paldimycin was bactericidal against only some strains, while DuP 721 and DuP 105 were not bactericidal . Ramoplanin is the most interesting of the new antibiotics, on account of its rapid and consistent bactericidal activity.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Apr, 33(4), 519 - 21
Efficacy of fleroxacin in experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis; Kaatz GW et al.; The efficacy of fleroxacin versus that of vancomycin was assessed by using the rabbit model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis . Animals were treated with fleroxacin (30 mg/kg of body weight every 8 h) or vancomycin (17.5 mg/kg every 6 h) for 4 days . These antimicrobial agents were equally effective in clearing bacteremia, reducing bacterial counts in vegetations and tissues, and curing endocarditis . However, resistance to fleroxacin at fivefold the MIC arose in the test strain of S . aureus in 8% of animals that received the drug . We conclude that fleroxacin is as efficacious as vancomycin in this model of a serious systemic S . aureus infection, but modest resistance to fleroxacin may develop during therapy.

J Surg Res, 1989 Apr, 46(4), 322 - 6
The effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma on neutrophil function; Livingston DH et al.; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) have been shown to regulate cell-mediated immunity and act as effective modifiers of immune function; however, their influence on neutrophil (PMN) function is not well defined . This study investigated the effect of these cytokines on PMN phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and complement receptor (C3b) expression . Human citrated whole blood was incubated with either phosphate-buffered saline (control), 20 micrograms Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TNF (1, 10, or 100 units), or IFN-gamma (1, 10, or 100 units) . Synergy was also assessed between TNF and IFN-gamma . Phagocytosis and respiratory burst were assayed by sequential incubation of blood with dichlorofluorescein diacetate followed by labeled Staphylococcus aureus . C3b receptor expression was assayed by labeled anti-CR3 monoclonal antibody . Measurements were expressed as the mean channel fluorescence of 2000 PMNs counted by flow cytometry . IFN-gamma alone at all doses had no effect on any of the parameters measured . TNF 1 unit/ml increased phagocytosis (666 +/- 47 vs 542 +/- 19), respiratory burst (326 +/- 33 vs 258 +/- 17), and C3b (374 +/- 42 vs 157 +/- 14; all P less than 0.05) over those of control . TNF also demonstrated dose-dependent PMN activation . The combination of TNF + IFN-gamma increased both respiratory burst and C3b compared to either agent alone . These data indicate that TNF enhances PMN function and cytokine interaction may be important in PMN activation.

Epidemiol Infect, 1989 Apr, 102(2), 261 - 70
Transmissible mupirocin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus; Rahman M et al.; The spread of two strains of Staphylococcus aureus with high level resistance to mupirocin is described . The resistance proved to be easily transferred to other S . aureus strains by filter mating experiments and on the skin of mice . No plasmid band corresponding to the resistance could be demonstrated by agarose gel electrophoresis or by caesium chloride gradient centrifugation but cleavage of 'chromosomal' DNA from resistant recipients showed bright bands of DNA absent from sensitive controls.

Agents Actions, 1989 Apr, 27(1-2), 107 - 9
Staphylococcus aureus and influenza A virus stimulate human bronchoalveolar cells to release histamine and leukotrienes; Clementsen P et al.; Mediator release was examined from superficially lying cells in the airway epithelium obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 13 non-atopic individuals . The BAL-cells were incubated (20 min, 37 degrees C) with Staphylococcus (Staph.) aureus or with human influenza A virus Staph . aureus was found to release histamine from cells from 7 of the 13 individuals and influenza A virus in 3 of 5 persons . Furthermore, Staph, aureus stimulated the BAL-cells to release leukotriene B4 in 7 of 11 subjects, whereas no release was found by influenza A virus in 7 examined persons . When cells from 4 persons were stimulated with Staph . aureus no release of leukotriene C4 was found . The mediator release caused by bacteria and virus might be of importance for the exacerbation of bronchial asthma in upper respiratory tract infections, since histamine is assumed to increase the epithelial permeability with entrance of allergens and other insulting particles, and leukotriene B4 facilitates airway inflammation.

J Med Microbiol, 1989 Apr, 28(4), 259 - 66
Establishment of an experimental model of a Staphylococcus aureus abscess in mice by use of dextran and gelatin microcarriers; Ford CW et al.; Staphylococcus aureus UC 9271 mixed with dextran or gelatin microcarrier beads and injected subcutaneously into mice resulted in the formation of reproducible, sustained abscesses with as few as 2 x 10(3) cfu . Without microcarrier beads, 4 x 10(7) cfu were required to produce an abscess . The abscesses that developed with microcarriers attained a diameter of up to 1.5 cm and persisted for several days before discharging through the skin . The pH of the abscesses fell from 7.1 to 6.6 within 24 h . Histological and microscopic examination of the abscesses revealed an influx of phagocytic cells, mostly polymorphonuclear leucocytes, within 1-2 h after injection . Cell debris accumulated and the abscess became encapsulated 24-48 h after infection . Enzymatic digestion of the abscess contents allowed analysis of the host and bacterial cell populations and treatment with lysostaphin permitted differentiation between phagocytosed and free bacterial populations of S . aureus . Phagocytosed but viable S . aureus comprised c . 50% of the total bacterial population after 24 h; however, by 96 h the phagocytosed population was only 1-5% of the total population, primarily because of an increase in extracellular bacterial numbers . Prevention of abscess formation by antibiotic treatment based upon the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic for S . aureus was not always predictable . Tetracycline did not prevent abscess formation even though it possessed a low MIC for S . aureus; methicillin had a borderline MIC value but was quite active . However, the MIC values were quite predictive of antibiotic cures in a systemic-lethal S . aureus infection in mice.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1989 Mar 31, 159(3), 1368 - 74
Co-localization of a glucose transporter and the insulin receptor in microsomes of insulin-treated rat adipocytes; Ezaki O et al.; Microsomal vesicles prepared from rat adipocytes were immuno-adsorbed to formaldehyde-fixed Staphylococcus aureus cells (Pansorbin) coated with anti-human-erythrocyte-glucose-transporter IgG . More than 75% of the glucose transporter detected was precipitated . The glucose transporter was about 10-fold enriched by the adsorption procedure . On insulin treatment, the insulin receptor in plasma membranes was internalized and the receptor in the microsome fraction increased 5-fold . Thirty-five % of the insulin receptor in the microsome fraction was recovered with the glucose-transporter-containing vesicles . These observations indicate that on insulin treatment a considerable portion of the microsome vesicles containing the insulin receptor fuses or becomes tightly associated with ones containing the glucose transporter.

Biochemistry, 1989 Mar 21, 28(6), 2477 - 84
Distribution of lipid-binding regions in human apolipoprotein B-100; Chen GC et al.; The distribution of lipid-binding regions of human apolipoprotein B-100 has been investigated by recombining proteolytic fragments of B-100 with lipids and characterizing the lipid-bound fragments by peptide mapping, amino acid sequencing, and immunoblotting . Fragments of B-100 were generated by digestion of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the presence of sodium decyl sulfate with either Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, pancreatic elastase, or chymotrypsin . Particles with electron microscopic appearance of native lipoproteins formed spontaneously when detergent was removed by dialysis from enzyme digests containing fragments of B-100 and endogenous lipids, or from incubation mixtures of delipidated B-100 fragments mixed with microemulsions of exogenous lipids (cholesteryl oleate and egg phosphatidylcholine) . Fractionation of the recombinant particles by isopycnic or density gradient ultracentrifugation yielded complexes similar to native LDL with respect to shape, diameter, electrophoretic mobility, and surface and core compositions . Circular dichroic spectra of these particles showed helicity similar to LDL but a somewhat decreased content of beta-structure . Most of the fragments of B-100 were capable of binding to lipids; 12 were identified by direct sequence analysis and 14 by reaction with antisera against specific sequences within B-100 . Our results indicate that lipid-binding regions of B-100 are widely distributed within the protein molecule and that proteolytic fragments derived from B-100 can reassociate in vitro with lipids to form LDL-like particles.

Changgeng Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1989 Mar 20, 12(1), 45 - 50
Pediatric burns--2 year survey of cases admitted to the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; Chen TH et al.; A total of 722 patients were admitted to the Burn Unit of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital over a 2-year period, of these 285 (39.5%) were under 15 years of age . The major cause of pediatric burns was scalding, 236 (82.8%) . Most of the patients under age of 15 years had total burn surface under 20% (199 patients, 70%), and were discharged from the hospital within one month (263 patients, 91%) . Treatments included debridement done in 98 patients (41.5%) and skin grafting in 81 patients (28%) . Oxacillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections were the most common complication (5.3%) . The mortality rate was 5.3%.

Presse Med, 1989 Mar 18, 18(11), 573 - 6
{Primary staphylococcal septicemia in adults . A retrospective study}; Perrotin D et al.; In this retrospective study, 100 cases of primary staphylococcal septicaemia collected in 5 hospitals over a 2-year period were reviewed . Out of 91 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated, 6 were methicillin-resistant, but all 6 came from the same hospital . The mortality rate was 36 per cent . The only prognostic factors elicited were chronic renal failure and septic shock . The 64 patients who survived stayed in hospital for a mean period of 42 days, and 42 recovered without sequelae . Staphylococcal infections remain serious and are not all hospital-acquired.

J Immunol, 1989 Mar 15, 142(6), 1950 - 5
Human recombinant IL-3 stimulates B cell differentiation; Tadmori W et al.; To investigate the role of human IL-3 in B cell differentiation, we examined its effect on IgG secretion from normal B cells and a B cell line, JDA . The effect of IL-3 was compared to that of IL-6 . IL-3 stimulated IgG secretion from tonsil B cells or peripheral blood-derived B cells activated by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain . This effect required the presence of IL-2 . Neither B cell growth factor (BCGF) nor IFN-gamma replaced IL-2 in this function . IL-6 stimulated similar IgG secretion from tonsil B cells and also required the presence of IL-2 . Moreover, the combination of IL-3 and IL-6 induced IgG secretion equivalent to that induced by either lymphokine . These data suggest that IL-3 and IL-6 might affect normal B cell differentiation by similar mechanism(s) . The IL-3 effect on B cells appears to be caused by direct interaction with B cells because IL-3 induced a dose-dependent stimulation of IgG secretion from the JDA cells . This stimulation did not require the presence of IL-2 . IL-6 displayed a similar effect on JDA cells and did not require IL-2 . However, when IL-3 was combined with IL-6 a synergistic IgG secretion was observed in JDA cultures . These data suggest that IL-3 may potentiate the human immune response via stimulation of B cell differentiation and that its effect is dependent on the target B cell population, its stage of activation and/or maturation.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Mar 15, 264(8), 4704 - 9
A high molecular weight topoisomerase I from Xenopus laevis ovaries; Richard RE et al.; DNA topoisomerase I has been purified from homogenates of mature Xenopus laevis ovaries . The initial stages in purification of the native enzyme employed a rapid series of three chromatographic steps, followed by gel filtration performed in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate . Polypeptides that might represent topoisomerase I were identified by specific labeling of the topoisomerase species with radioactive DNA . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of topoisomerase I radiolabeled with DNA identified three polypeptides with mobilities consistent with sizes of 165, 125, and 88 kDa . All three polypeptides were found to possess topoisomerase activity following elution from the gel and renaturation . Partial proteolytic digestion of the radiolabeled 165-, 125-, and 88-kDa polypeptides with Staphylococcus aureus V8 endoproteinase resulted in identical autoradiographic patterns . This suggests that the 125-kDa and 88-kDa polypeptides may be degradation products of the 165-kDa species . The 165-kDa topoisomerase I exhibited the same sensitivity to camptothecin as the total, native topoisomerase I fraction.

FEBS Lett, 1989 Mar 13, 245(1-2), 194 - 200
Crosslinking of elongation factor Tu to tRNA(Phe) by trans-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) . Characterization of two crosslinking sites on EF-Tu; Metz-Boutigue MH et al.; In a preceding paper {(1987) Nucleic Acids Res . 15, 5787-5801}, we have used trans-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) to induce reversible RNA-protein crosslinks within the ternary EF-Tu/GTP/Phe-tRNA(Phe) complex and have identified two crosslinking sites on the tRNA . The aim of the present paper is to determine the crosslinking sites on EF-Tu . Two tryptic peptides located in domain I could be identified, a major one (residues 45-74) and a minor one (residues 117-154) . The use of Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease led to the isolation of two major peptides (residues 56-68 and 64-68) and one minor peptide (118-124) . These results are discussed in the light of the current knowledge of the topography of the EF-Tu/tRNA complex.

Lancet, 1989 Mar 11, 1(8637), 537 - 40
World-wide antibiotic resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Maple PA et al.; Antibiotic resistance patterns were determined for 106 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from 21 countries . Resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin, amikacin, streptomycin, or erthromycin was recorded in more than 90% of strains . Resistance to the other compounds tested was as follows: tetracycline 86%, minocycline 76%, trimethoprim 69%, clindamycin 66%, neomycin 59%, chloramphenicol 39%, rifampicin 26%, fosfomycin 22%, ciprofloxacin 17%, fusidic acid 12%, bacitracin 2%, and novobiocin 1% . All the stains were sensitive to mupirocin, pristinamycin, ramoplanin, teicoplanin, and vancomycin . There were geographical patterns of resistance: MRSA from the UK and Australia were predominantly resistant to trimethoprim, whereas many strains from centres in Europe and the USA were sensitive . MRSA that were resistant to ciprofloxacin were of French and German origin . 15 strains, 12 of which came from France, Turkey, or Brazil, were resistant either to thirteen or to fourteen agents.

S Afr Med J, 1989 Mar 4, 75(5), 217 - 9
Methicillin resistance and beta-lactamase production in Staphylococcus aureus; de Villiers FJ et al.; Staphylococcus aureus isolates were either sensitive, resistant or partially resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration 90 of 4 micrograms/ml) to methicillin . Low-level methicillin resistance was shown to be due to beta-lactamase production . The clinical significance of this beta-lactamase-mediated resistance is still unclear, so it is recommended that these strains should, at present, be regarded as methicillin-resistant.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1989 Mar-Apr, 107(3-4), 225 - 34
Tympanic membrane structure during a Staphylococcus aureus-induced middle ear infection . A study in the rat middle ear; Grote JJ et al.; In response to a Staphylococcus aureus-induced middle ear infection the tympanic membrane showed infiltration of polymorphonuclear granulocytes, lymphocytes, and macrophages and increased areas covered by ciliary and secretory epithelium . These reactions, which were comparable to the cellular and mucociliary responses seen in the middle ear mucosa during infection, were restricted to the pars flaccida and to predominantly the annular and manubrial regions of the pars tensa . This showed that the greater part of the tympanic membrane, where the lamina propria is composed of collagenous bundles and only very thin layers of loose connective tissue, is hardly affected by or barely responds to the inflammatory stimulus.

J Med Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 28(3), 163 - 72
Enterotoxin production by Staphylococcus aureus isolates from cases of septicaemia and from healthy carriers; Humphreys H et al.; In a prospective study, 52 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from individual patients with septicaemia and 27 nasal strains from separate, healthy carriers were compared for production of a range of extracellular proteins and toxins . Whereas there was no difference (p greater than 0.05) between septicaemic and nasal isolates with respect to incidence of alpha, beta, gamma and delta haemolysins, toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 or staphylokinase production, the incidence of enterotoxin A, B, and C production was higher among isolates from septicaemia (p less than 0.01) . Of the isolates from septicaemia, 33 (63%) produced enterotoxins A, B, C or D alone or in combination . Only three (11%) of the nasal isolates produced a single enterotoxin, enterotoxin D . Of the isolates from septicaemia, 67% were hospital-acquired and greater than 25% of these were endemic, methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains . All MRSA strains produced either enterotoxin A, or enterotoxin B, or both . These findings suggest a possible role for enterotoxins in the pathogenesis of S . aureus disease other than food poisoning.

J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1989 Mar, 71(3), 427 - 30
The use of bacitracin irrigation to prevent infection in postoperative skeletal wounds . An experimental study; Rosenstein BD et al.; In dogs, irrigation of contaminated osseous wounds with bacitracin eliminated clinical evidence of infection and significantly reduced the number of positive cultures and pathological evidence of infection when compared with dogs that received no treatment or irrigation with normal saline solution . The inocula contained more organisms than are introduced into a wound during an elective orthopaedic operation . The use of bacitracin in the prevention of postoperative Staphylococcus aureus infection of bone in humans may be justified.

Hum Immunol, 1989 Mar, 24(3), 207 - 18
Mitogen-induced human IgG subclass expression . II . IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses are preferentially stimulated by a combination of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and pokeweed mitogen; Butch AW et al.; Mitogens generally stimulate human IgG subclass production in amounts proportional to their abundance in serum (IgG1 greater than IgG2 greater than IgG3 greater than IgG4) . We report here that a combination of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I and pokeweed mitogen consistently stimulates human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro to preferentially produce more IgG1 and IgG3 than IgG2 . This preferential stimulation can be measured by increases in the number of immunoblasts (cells with detectable cytoplasmic immunoglobulin) as well as in secreted immunoglobulin . The preferential stimulation pattern is established by the fourth day of culture and is maintained at least until the tenth day . Removal of T cells and subsequent stimulation of B cells with S . aureus Cowan I and interleukin 1 (IL-1) interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) failed to enhance any IgG subclass production, indicating the requirement for multiple lymphokines in IgG subclass production . The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to B-cell regulatory molecules and the coordinate expression of IgG subclasses.

Can J Surg, 1989 Mar, 32(2), 128 - 30
Failure of preoperative cultures to predict development of Staphylococcus aureus wound infections after cardiac surgery; Taylor G et al.; To assess the predictive value of preoperative surveillance cultures for the postoperative development of Staphylococcus aureus wound infection, the findings in 563 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery were evaluated . One hundred and forty-seven (26%) were found to be S . aureus carriers preoperatively . Postoperatively, 11 S . aureus wound infections developed, 4 in patients whose cultures were positive preoperatively and 7 in patients whose cultures were negative preoperatively . The patient's endogenous flora appears to be the source of only a minority of such postoperative infections . The authors conclude that preoperative surveillance cultures are not of value in predicting patients at risk for wound infection after elective cardiac surgery.

Arch Intern Med, 1989 Mar, 149(3), 533 - 6
Short-course therapy for catheter-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia; Ehni WF et al.; To determine the efficacy of "short-course" therapy (less than 17 days) for Staphylococcus aureus catheter-associated bacteremia, 13 patients were prospectively followed up for at least three months after completion of therapy . A single patient relapsed after 28 days with endocarditis . No clinical or microbiological predictors of relapse could be identified, and coexistent medical conditions associated with some degree of immunosuppression did not appear to predispose to relapse . The results of this study and a review of the literature indicate that short-course therapy for uncomplicated S aureus catheter-associated bacteremia has a relapse rate of only 5% to 10% and, therefore, is reasonable therapy for this condition . The majority of relapses are endocarditis and occur within ten weeks after completion of therapy . Close follow-up during this period is essential.

J Med Chem, 1989 Mar, 32(3), 537 - 42
Fluoronaphthyridines and quinolones as antibacterial agents . 1 . Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of new 1-substituted derivatives; Bouzard D et al.; A series of novel 7-piperazinyl-1-substituted-6-fluoroquinolones and naphthyridines have been prepared and their antibacterial activities evaluated . These derivatives are characterized by having alkyl, alkenyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkenyl groups at the 1-position . As a result of this study, derivatives 7 and 26, which are substituted with tert-butyl groups at N-1, were found to possess excellent in vitro and in vivo potency, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, comparable to that of norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin . Structure-activity relationships of N-1 substituted alkyls and cycloalkyls are also discussed.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Mar, 33(3), 331 - 5
In vitro effects of beta-lactams combined with beta-lactamase inhibitors against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Kobayashi S et al.; The effects of combinations of beta-lactams with two beta-lactamase inhibitors, sulbactam and clavulanic acid, were determined in vitro against 22 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Combinations of cefpirome, cefotaxime, and cefazolin with sulbactam (10 micrograms/ml) showed synergistic effects against more than 70% of the strains . Combinations of methicillin and penicillin G with sulbactam also showed synergistic effects against 50 and 68% of the strains, respectively, while cefotiam, moxalactam, flomoxef, and cefmetazole in combination with sulbactam showed such effects against only 40% or fewer . Clavulanic acid was synergistic only when combined with penicillin G, the effect probably being due to the beta-lactamase inhibition by the inhibitor . Sulbactam did not improve the antimicrobial activities of the beta-lactams against methicillin-susceptible S . aureus strains . At 42 degrees C the MICs of cefotaxime, methicillin, and flomoxef alone were markedly decreased from the values at 35 degrees C, and no synergy between these beta-lactams and sulbactam appeared . The resistance to penicillin G was not inhibited by incubation at 42 degrees C, and combinations of penicillin G with sulbactam and clavulanic acid showed synergy . The amounts of beta-lactamase produced were not related to the decreases in the MICs of the beta-lactams, except for penicillin G combined with sulbactam . Clavulanic acid showed slightly stronger beta-lactamase-inhibiting activity than sulbactam did . These results suggest that the synergy between sulbactam and the beta-lactams, except for penicillin G, may not be due to beta-lactamase inhibition but to suppression of the methicillin-resistant S . aureus-specific resistance based on other factors.

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus, 1989 Mar-Apr, 26(2), 69 - 71
Good visual outcome after endophthalmitis in an eye previously treated successfully for amblyopia; Kushner BJ et al.; A child with an extensive periorbital hemangioma developed an endophthalmitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus after her second strabismus surgical procedure . Treatment with vitrectomy and intraocular antibiotics and steroid resulted in preservation of her eye . Despite previous successful treatment for amblyopia in that eye, her visual acuity improved from hand motion during the acute episode of endophthalmitis to 20/40 -2.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1989 Mar, 75(3), 421 - 6
The role of interleukin 2 in the regulation of proliferation and IgM synthesis of human newborn mononuclear cells; Punnonen J; The effect of interleukin 2 (IL-2) on cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) was studied, with special reference to B cell function . The study shows that CBMCs proliferate in response to recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) without in-vitro preactivation . The response was also detected when whole blood cultures were used . CBMCs not preactivated in vitro proliferated in response to rIL-2 even after T cell and monocyte depletion . Thus, rIL-2 affects both non-T cells and T cells of newborns without preactivation in vitro . IL-2 receptors on unstimulated CBMCs appear to be distinct from Tac antigen, as the mean number of Tac antigen-positive cells among CBMCs was only 0.8% . Furthermore, rIL-2 inhibited PWM-induced proliferation and the response was more prominent in newborns than in adults . Thus, rIL-2 seems to cause a higher increase of suppressor cell function in CBMCs than in adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells . Neither rIL-2 nor Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC) stimulated any IgM synthesis, but a dose-dependent IgM synthesis was obtained by combining SAC and rIL-2 . Alone, however, rIL-2 appears to be an insufficient factor to induce differentiation of SAC-activated cord blood B cells, as no IgM production in response to rIL-2 occurred in T cell and monocyte-depleted cell populations . The results of this study suggest both increased suppressor cell function and intrinsic B cell deficiency as causes of a weak humoral immune response in newborns.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1989 Mar, 43(2), 191 - 8
{Microbiologic studies of the lung clearance of rats after aerogenous long term exposure to ammonia}; Kastner P et al.; The effects of aerogenic long-time exposure of 1,990 female Wistar rats to 30, 50, 100 and 150 nl/l of NH3 for 3, 14, 28 and 42 days on clearance of inhaled bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, SG 511 strain) were studied together with effects on the clinical condition and behaviour of these test animals . For concentrations below 100 nl/l, action upon pulmonary clearance was found to depend above all on the length of exposure, whereas effects of 150 nl/l proved to depend more strongly on concentration . All concentrations tested tended to act on pulmonary clearance in the form of increased numbers of bacteria which remained in the lungs of the experimental animals . Clinical symptoms attributable to NH3 action were not recordable.

Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Mar, 93(3), 322 - 8
{Effects of vancomycin and ofloxacin on rabbit ERG in vivo}; Mochizuki K et al.; The retinal toxicity of vancomycin and ofloxacin was studied by electroretinogram (ERG) before and after intravitreal injection in rabbits . Vancomycin is known to be effective on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . A dose of 1mg vancomycin caused no ERG change for at least eight weeks after injection . The feature that ERG became non-recordable during one to four weeks after an intravitreal injection of 10mg vancomycin, with recovery of only the c-wave was conspicuous . A dose of 200 micrograms ofloxacin did not cause deterioration of the b-wave, the c-wave or the oscillatory potentials throughout the follow-up period up to eight weeks . Judging from the susceptibility of each ERG component to antimicrobials and taking into account the difference of vitreous volume between rabbits and humans, clinical doses of intravitreal single-shot injection should be less than 1mg for vancomycin and 200 micrograms for ofloxacin.

Mikrobiol Zh, 1989 Mar-Apr, 51(2), 86 - 91
{The effect of salvin on the growth and ultrastructure of Staphylococcus aureus 209P}; Pavlenko LV et al.; Antibiotic salvin obtained from Salvia officinalis has been studied for its effect on the growth and ultrastructure of Staphylococcus aureus 209P . The antibiotic in the sub-bacteriostatic concentration considerably elongates the lag-phase (up to 11-12 h) exerting no significant effect on the growth rate of the staphylococcus population as well as it prolongs duration of the exponential phase . The analysis of electronograms of staphylococcus cells subjected to the action of salvin in the concentrations similar to the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), has revealed the cell thinning, inhibition and destruction of the division . The introduction of 5MIC antibiotic into the exponentially grown culture made a cell wall considerably thinner, destructing its external layer; the number of lyzed cells sharply increased . The appearance of bodies not described previously with a membrane envelope and ribosomes as well as of mesosomal structures was observed.

Gaoxiong Yi Xue Ke Xue Za Zhi, 1989 Mar, 5(3), 172 - 9
{Antibiotic resistance and plasmids analysis in Staphylococcus aureus}; Chang LL et al.; A total of 62 clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus collected from Kaohsiung Medical College were examined for susceptibility of several antimicrobial agents and underwent plasmid analysis . The results of the antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that 33.9% were resistant to methicillin and 9.7% were resistant to gentamicin, whereas, resistance to heavy metal ions such as arsenic and cadmium were as high as 95% and 76% respectively . Antibiotic multiresistant isolates of S . aureus were also found . Multiresistance to nalidixic acid-tetracycline, ampicillin-nalidixic acid-tetracycline, and ampicillin-chloramphenicol-kanamycin-streptomycin- tetracycline were most frequently encountered . The phage typing results indicated that type 52 was predominant in 27%, followed by 11% of 52/83A and most strains fell into group I and a mixed group of I & III . In addition, these types expressed were highly correlated with a resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, kanamycin and methicillin . Plasmid DNA profiles from these isolates exhibited different patterns . The plasmid of mol wt . 27 x 10(6) was associated with resistant to ampicillin and kanamycin, whereas, a plasmid of mol wt . 30 x 10(6) effected resistance to ampicillin, kanamycin and streptomycin . The determinant which conferred resistance to chloramphenicol was carried by a plasmid of mol wt . 3 x 10(6), and tetracycline resistance was encoded on a plasmid of mol wt . 2.8 x 10(6) or 28 x 10(6) in different isolated strains . Analysis of plasmids by HindIII digestion showed that plasmids of different molecular weight but with similar phenotypic characteristics often share common fragments.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Mar, 23 Suppl C, 59 - 64
Activity of FCE 22101 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and affinity for penicillin binding proteins; Piddock LJ et al.; The susceptibility of 47 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to FCE 22101, imipenem and methicillin was determined with Iso-Sensitest media, with or without NaCl and with incubation at 30 degrees and 37 degrees C and for 24 and 48 h . All strains had a MIC 8 mg/l of methicillin under at least one of the culture conditions . The MIC90 of FCE 22101 was 1 mg/l, and that of imipenem 16 mg/l . The affinity of FCE 22101 for the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of five clinical isolates of MRSA and S . aureus 13136 p-m+ was examined in envelope preparations and whole cell assay under the growth conditions listed above . PBP 2' was detected in all MRSA, and the clinical isolates had an I50 of 4 mg/l FCE 22101 . These in-vitro data suggest that FCE 22101 may be active against MRSA in clinical use.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Mar, 23(3), 347 - 52
In-vitro activity of ciprofloxacin combined with either fusidic acid or rifampicin against Staphylococcus aureus; Roder BL et al.; Killing kinetic experiments were performed with ciprofloxacin, fusidic acid and rifampicin alone and with ciprofloxacin combined with either fusidic acid or rifampicin against ten strains of Staphylococcus aureus . The strains were all clinical isolates and two strains were methicillin-resistant . The antibiotic concentrations tested were in the range obtainable in the serum with recommended doses . The early bactericidal effect of ciprofloxacin alone was substantially greater than that of fusidic acid or rifampicin; thus the extent of killing after 6 h exposure to these antibiotics was 3.4 log10, 0.8 log10 and 0.6 log10, respectively . Fusidic acid as well as rifampicin antagonized the bactericidal activity of ciprofloxacin . Each combination killed 2 log10 cfu less than ciprofloxacin alone . For each combination the mean decrease in the number of organisms was comparable to that achieved with fusidic acid or rifampicin used alone.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Mar, 23(3), 327 - 34
Chromosomally-encoded gentamicin resistance in 'epidemic' methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: detection with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe; Jordens JZ et al.; A 30 base synthetic oligonucleotide probe to the AAC(6') coding region of the gentamicin resistance transposon Tn4001 was constructed . This was used to probe plasmid extracts and restriction endonuclease (RE) digests of total DNA from epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (EMRSA) isolates . Hybridization occurred to plasmid bands of gentamicin-resistant EMRSA which carry a gentamicin resistance plasmid, but not to DNA of gentamicin-sensitive EMRSA . Hybridization also occurred to RE digestion fragments of total DNA from recently-isolated, plasmid-free gentamicin-resistant EMRSA isolates . This confirmed the presence of the gentamicin-resistance gene in the chromosomal DNA of the 'new' EMRSA isolates.

APMIS, 1989 Mar, 97(3), 207 - 11
In vitro activity of dicloxacillin against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus-aureus; Frimodt-Moller N et al.; A total of 54 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 37 methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and 17 methicillin-resistant (MRSA), were investigated for their susceptibility to dicloxacillin as compared to methicillin and oxacillin by agar plate dilution at two different temperatures of incubation (30 degrees C and 37 degrees C) . Against MSSA strains we found a slight but significant increase (0-2 dilution steps) in minimal inhibitor concentrations (MICs) for all three antibiotics with decrease in incubation temperature . Against MRSA strains methicillin and oxacillin showed a 3-6 fold increase in median MIC with decrease incubation temperature . For dicloxacillin, in contrast, there were no significant differences in median MICs (i.e . 0.4 mg/l) against MSSA strains at 30 degrees C or MRSA strains at either incubation temperature . Population-analysis of the MRSA strains revealed, however, that a highly dicloxacillin-resistant subpopulation appeared with a frequency of 10(-6) to 10(-7) . Such heterogenous resistance of MRSA strains to dicloxacillin probably prohibits the use of dicloxacillin against serious infections caused by these pathogens.

Protein Eng, 1989 Mar, 2(6), 489 - 91
A novel dialysis procedure for the crystallization of proteins; Thomas DH et al.; Various dialysis methods are commonly employed for the crystallization of proteins . Typical procedures include the use of dialysis bags, dialysis buttons or Zeppezauer microdiffusion cells . The general principle involved is that the protein solution is gradually brought to a point of supersaturation by imposing a gradient of ionic strength or organic solvent concentration across the wall of the dialysis membrane . However, in some cases, the imposition of this gradient across the dialysis membrane can result in the formation of a large number of crystal nucleation sites, thereby giving rise to a reduction in the maximum size of the crystals which can be obtained . A novel 'double-dialysis' procedure which incorporates a second dialysis membrane, thus reducing the rate of equilibration in the crystallization experiment, has been developed in our laboratory . The system has been employed successfully on the delta toxin of Staphylococcus aureus resulting in a useful increase in crystal size . A more quantitative analysis of the technique has been carried out on rat liver malic enzyme . The results of a limited series of crystallization trials with this protein have shown that employment of the 'double-dialysis' technique allows a fine control of the rate of crystal nucleation and therefore provides a mechanism for the controlled growth of large crystals.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1989 Mar, 10(3), 106 - 10
Transmission and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a skilled nursing facility; Thomas JC et al.; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasingly frequent in both acute care facilities (ACFs) and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) . Admissions to SNFs from ACFs with endemic MRSA are one likely source of infection in SNFs . The occurrence of MRSA in SNFs and the relative roles of ACFs and SNFs in MRSA transmission have not been well characterized . We conducted an epidemiologic investigation in an SNF reporting a high incidence of MRSA cases and found that the prevalence of MRSA exceeded that reported in acute care settings . Fifteen (9.1%) of the 164 residents were colonized or infected with MRSA . Risk factors for MRSA identified through a prevalence case-control study were nasogastric intubation (odds ratio = 5.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.2, 26.4), antibiotic therapy (OR = 3.9; CI = 1.2, 13.0), and hospitalization in an acute care facility within the previous six months (OR = 2.9; CI = 0.9, 9.7) . During a three-month period, 6 of 100 new admissions were MRSA-positive; all positive patients were from ACFs . Five new cases also emerged from previously MRSA-negative residents . SNF residents are often discharged to ACFs . Transmission of MRSA within the SNF and the transfer of patients to ACFs increases the reservoir of potentially infective patients and the potential for MRSA infections in ACFs . Modest control measures, including targeted surveillance culturing and cohorting of colonized residents, may minimize MRSA transmission in the SNF and decrease the reservoir of MRSA in the community.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1989 Mar, 42(3), 431 - 9
The mode of action of cervinomycin in Staphylococcus aureus; Tanaka H et al.; The mode of action of cervinomycin, which is a new antibiotic active against Gram-positive bacteria including anaerobes, was studied in Staphylococcus aureus using triacetylcervinomycin A1 (ACVM), an acetyl derivative of cervinomycin A1 . ACVM inhibited strongly the growth of the organism when it was added to a culture at the time of inoculation at a concentration of 1.0 micrograms/ml, but did not inhibit when added to a logarithmic phase culture even at 10.0 micrograms/ml . The antibiotic also inhibited the incorporation of labeled precursors of cell wall peptidoglycan (N-acetylglucosamine), RNA (uridine), DNA (thymidine) and protein (L-leucine) into both whole cell and acid-insoluble macromolecular fractions . ACVM stimulated the leakage of UV260-absorbing materials, amino acids and potassium ions from resting cells and protoplasts . Phospholipids partially reversed the inhibitory activity of ACVM in a growing culture . These findings suggest that ACVM interact with phospholipids in the cytoplasmic membrane and then interfere with the membrane transport system.

Diabetes Care, 1989 Mar, 12(3), 189 - 92
NIDDM and prevalence of nasal Staphylococcus aureus colonization . San Luis Valley Diabetes Study; Boyko EJ et al.; Previous studies of hospitalized and ambulatory patients have found a higher prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in diabetic than nondiabetic subjects . We examined this association in a geographically based study among 551 residents of the San Luis Valley of Colorado and found no statistically significant increase in the relative risk of nasal S . aureus colonization in 188 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) versus 363 nondiabetic subjects (relative risk 1.3, 95% confidence limits 0.9-1.8) . Adjustment for confounding by age, sex, ethnicity, county of residence, and frequency of hospitalizations or physician visits in the previous year did not affect the results . Among the diabetic subjects, S . aureus colonization was not associated with type of treatment for diabetes, level of glucose control, clinical duration of diabetes, or frequency of hospitalizations or physician visits in the previous year . In this population-based study, diabetes mellitus did not increase S . aureus nasal colonization, suggesting that factors other than diabetes mellitus may have caused the higher colonization rate found in previous clinic-based studies.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1989 Mar, (3), 34 - 6
{Reliability and efficacy in differentiating microorganisms}; Nechmirev AB et al.; Knowledge of the reliability and effectiveness of differentiation may ensure the objective evaluation of investigation results, the choice of optimal tests . With the diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus carriage used as an example, the method for the calculation of mistakes in differentiation, characterizing its reliability and effectiveness is proposed . Calculations are carried out by simple computations with the use of formulae and nomograms.

Cesk Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol, 1989 Mar, 38(2), 89 - 95
{Use of the coagglutination test in the detection of thermolabile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli}; Hostacka A et al.; The authors examined 39 strains of E . coli isolated from patients with the clinical diagnosis of diarrhoea for the presence of thermolabile enterotoxin (LT-I) . For assessment of LT-I adaptation of the staphylococcal coagglutination technique was used . Suspension of a strain of staphylococcus aureus Cowan I, MAU, 55/64 was sensitized with a specific antibody against LT-I (not diluted and diluted) . 50 ng purified enterotoxin created with the thus sensitized staphylococcal suspension a still reproducible coagglutination . The above test revealed that none of the tested strains of E . coli produced the thermolabile LT-I enterotoxin.

Acta Paediatr Scand, 1989 Mar, 78(2), 222 - 7
Epidemiologic study of neonatal subcutaneous gangrene caused by multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Wu SX et al.; Forty-five cases of neonatal subcutaneous gangrene were admitted between Nov . 1985 and Feb . 1987, with a mortality of 6.6% . This paper presents the first epidemiologic study of 20 cases of this disease caused by multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Eight of 20 cases were caused by an epidemic strain belonging to phage 29 (group I) and carrying 2.8, 3.3, 4.2 and 28.5-34.0 kb plasmid DNA . The restriction endonuclease analysis confirmed that the plasmid DNA of approximately similar size in different isolates were identical or highly homologous . According to the results of an epidemiologic study the source of infection of one patient who died was her grandmother and the other one was her mother, so the family members can also be the source of neonatal infection caused by multi-resistant S . aureus.

J Clin Invest, 1989 Mar, 83(3), 937 - 44
Induction of excessive B cell proliferation and differentiation by an in vitro stimulus in culture in human systemic lupus erythematosus; Suzuki N et al.; B cell hyperactivity present in the body in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be detectable via almost any measure of B cell function . Nonetheless, the basis for the B cell hyperactivity is difficult to study in vitro . In this study, we have obtained the resting B cells from patients with entirely inactive SLE by collecting them sedimenting in a high density fraction on a Percoll density gradient . These resting SLE B cells proliferated in vitro at a higher rate than normal B cells when exposed to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) . In addition, significant proliferation was observed earlier in the course of culture in SLE patients than in normal controls . Moreover, the SLE resting B cells, once triggered by SAC produced abnormally high numbers of immunoglobulin-secreting cells in response to T cell-derived soluble factors . There was less frequency of circulating Leu 1+ B cells in the SLE patients than in normal controls . Moreover, not only Leu 1+ B cells but also Leu 1- B cells of SLE patients were more responsive to SAC than those of normal controls . The results indicate that the B cell hyperactivity in human SLE can be induced by in vitro stimuli, and may not be limited to the Leu 1+ B cell subset.

Laryngoscope, 1989 Mar, 99(3), 261 - 6
Bacteriology of tonsil surface and core in children; Surow JB et al.; The tonsils of 97 children undergoing tonsillectomy were studied to determine the correlation between surface culture swab and culture of tonsillar core . In many cases, pathogenic organisms were found in the tonsil core, despite the fact that surface cultures revealed only normal respiratory flora . The tonsil core cultures showed a high incidence of Hemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus, which was rarely reflected on surface culture . The study indicates that pharyngeal swab cultures do not reliably reflect the presence of pathogens in the tonsil core . The value of parameters such as history of recurrent bouts of tonsillitis and presence of erythema or cryptic debris on physical examination for predicting the differential bacteriology of the tonsil is studied . The implications for treatment of children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy are discussed.

Reg Immunol, 1989 Mar-Apr, 2(2), 83 - 90
Phagocytosis of particulate antigens by corneal epithelial cells stimulates interleukin-1 secretion and migration of Langerhans cells into the central cornea; Niederkorn JY et al.; Under normal physiological conditions, the central corneal epithelium is devoid of Ia+ Langerhans cells . However, a variety of stimuli can induce the migration of peripheral Langerhans cells into the central regions of the cornea . In the present study, Langerhans cell migration was induced by the instillation of either sterile latex beads or formalin-killed Staphylococcus aureus into shallow incisions in the central corneal epithelium . Langerhans cells could be detected in the central cornea as early as 24 hours following instillation of either latex beads or S . aureus and remained for at least 6 weeks . Phagocytosis of latex beads by corneal epithelial cells was demonstrated in vivo and in vitro . Moreover, phagocytosis of latex beads stimulated corneal epithelial cells to secrete increased amounts of interleukin-1 (21-83% increase) . The centripetal migration of peripheral corneal Langerhans cells in response to phagocytosis of latex beads could be mimicked by injecting as little as 0.001 units of human purified interleukin-1 (IL-1) into the central corneal epithelium . The IL-1 induced chemotaxis could be blocked by coinjection of anti-IL-1 antibody but not irrelevant antibody . The findings indicate that the exclusion of Langerhans cells from the central corneal epithelium is a dynamic process that can be regulated by the resident corneal epithelial cells themselves and raises the possibility that corneal epithelial cells and Langerhans cells collaborate in antigen processing within this organ.

Zhonghua Min Guo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi, 1989 Mar-Apr, 30(2), 123 - 8
{Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis with large vegetation and emboli: report of a case}; Hsu HS et al.; A 12-year-old boy with infective endocarditis caused by staphylococcus aureus is reported . The patient suffered from intermittent high fever for 10 days . Physical examination revealed a grade II/VI systolic murmur at apex, conjunctival petechiae, and Janeway lesions over palms and soles . Three sets of blood culture were done immediately, and staphylococcus aureus was grown from all . Echocardiograms showed an increased thickness of anterior mitral leaflet, and a vegetation with 2.2 cm in diameter was found in left atrium . Aortograms revealed total occlusion of abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery . Emergent operation of abdominal aorta was done, a bacterial embolus was taken out, measuring 5-6 cm in length . Seven days after operation, cerebral hemorrhage occurred, and the patient expired 8 more days later.

FEMS Microbiol Immunol, 1989 Mar, 1(4), 219 - 27
Binding of type-I and type-II collagens to Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients with toxic shock syndrome compared to other staphylococcal infections; Naidu AS et al.; Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from 18 patients with toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and from 56 patients with other diagnoses were compared for capacity to interact with various serum and connective tissue proteins . TSS associated isolates showed significantly stronger binding of Type-I collagen (Cn-I) and Cn-II than non-TSS strains, in a particle agglutination assay (PAA) as well as in 125I labelled Cn uptake experiments . 125I Cn-IV binding, was similar between the two groups, whereas in PAA, a stronger interaction was observed for non-TSS than TSS associated strains . The median binding of 125I Cn to TSS-associated strains were 52.2 (Cn-I), 30.6 (Cn-II) and 20.0 (Cn-IV) compared to 20.0 (Cn-I), 14.4 (Cn-II) and 24.4 (Cn-IV) values of non-TSS strains . A saturation with 125I Cn-I and Cn-II binding was established for TSS (30 min) and non-TSS (15 min) strains . 125I Cn-IV binding reached a saturation in 10 min and 90 min with TSS and non-TSS strains respectively . Finally, the binding profiles of TSS associated and non-TSS strains to fibronectin, fibrinogen, laminin and IgG did not differ in both PAA and radioisotope assays . In scanning electron microscopy, cells of TSS associated strains bound to the reprecipitated native Cn-I fibrils . In contrast, most cells of non-TSS strains were localized to the distal end or were trapped between the Cn fibrils.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Mar, 33(3), 277 - 82
In vitro and in vivo uptake of azithromycin (CP-62,993) by phagocytic cells: possible mechanism of delivery and release at sites of infection; Gladue RP et al.; Azithromycin, a novel azalide antibiotic, concentrated in human and mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), murine peritoneal macrophages, and mouse and rat alveolar macrophages, attaining intracellular concentrations up to 226 times the external concentration in vitro . In murine peritoneal macrophages, azithromycin achieved concentration gradients (internal to external) up to 26 times higher than erythromycin . The cellular uptake of azithromycin was dependent on temperature, viability, and pH and was decreased by 2,4-dinitrophenol . Azithromycin did not decrease phagocyte-mediated bactericidal activity or affect PMN or macrophage oxidative burst activity (H2O2 release or Nitro Blue Tetrazolium reduction, respectively) . Azithromycin remained in cells for several hours, even after extracellular drug was removed . However, its release was significantly enhanced by phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus (82 versus 23% by 1.5 h) . In vivo, 0.05 micrograms of azithromycin was found in peritoneal fluids of mice 20 h after oral treatment with a dose of 50 mg/kg . Following caseinate-induced PMN infiltration, there was a sixfold increase in peritoneal cavity azithromycin to 0.32 micrograms, most of which was intracellular . Therefore, the uptake, transport, and later release of azithromycin by these cells demonstrate that phagocytes may deliver active drug to sites of infection.

Eur J Biochem, 1989 Mar 1, 180(1), 143 - 8
Inhibitors of protein phosphatase-1 . Inhibitor-1 of bovine adipose tissue and a dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of bovine brain are identical; Stralfors P et al.; Protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 was purified from bovine adipose tissue . The protein had an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa by SDS/PAGE and a Stokes' radius of 3.4 nm . It was phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase on a threonyl residue; this phosphorylation was necessary for inhibition of protein phosphatase-1 . Bovine adipose tissue inhibitor-1 was compared directly with rabbit skeletal muscle inhibitor-1 and with a 32000-Mr, dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein from bovine brain (DARPP-32), also an inhibitor of protein phosphatase-1 . By the following biochemical and immunochemical criteria, bovine adipose tissue inhibitor-1 was found to be very similar and possibly identical to DARPP-32 and was clearly distinct from skeletal muscle inhibitor-1: molecular mass by SDS/PAGE; Stokes' radii; phosphorylation on threonine residues; Staphylococcus-aureus-V8-protease-generated peptide patterns analyzed by SDS/PAGE; tryptic phosphopeptide maps analysed by two-dimensional thin-layer electrophoresis/chromatography; elution on reverse-phase HPLC; chymotryptic peptide maps as analysed by reverse-phase HPLC; amino acid composition; antibody recognition by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting; effect of cyanogen bromide cleavage on protein phosphatase inhibitor activity . Based on these results we conclude that bovine brain and adipose tissue contain an identical phosphoprotein inhibitor of protein phosphatase-1 (DARPP-32), which is distinct from that of skeletal muscle (inhibitor-1).

J Leukoc Biol, 1989 Mar, 45(3), 239 - 48
Regulation of phagolysosome pH in bovine and human neutrophils: the role of NADPH oxidase activity and an Na+/H+ antiporter; Mayer SJ et al.; Fluorescein-labelled Staphylococcus aureus were used to follow changes in phagolysosome (PL) pH of bovine and human neutrophils following phagocytosis . Under aerobic conditions there was an alkalinisation of the PL followed by a slow decline . Under anaerobic conditions no alkalinisation of the PL was seen, and pharmacological inhibition of the NADPH oxidase with diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) resulted in a rapid acidification of the PL following phagocytosis . The inclusion of amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ antiporter activity, produced a more rapid alkalinisation phase following phagocytosis under aerobic conditions and reduced, but did not abolish, the acidification phases seen under anaerobic conditions or following treatment of neutrophils with DPI . The results suggest that PL pH is influenced by NADPH oxidase activity and to a lesser extent by a Na+/H+ antiporter . The antibacterial effectiveness of neutrophil granule proteins may be affected under conditions that influence the functioning of these two systems.

Br J Dermatol, 1989 Mar, 120(3), 359 - 62
Infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis and Pityrosporum ovale; Broberg A et al.; Twenty children (mean age 9 weeks) with infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis (ISD) were investigated with cultures for bacteria, Pityrosporum ovale and other fungi, and 20 healthy children served as controls . P . ovale and Staphylococcus aureus were the dominant organisms . P . ovale was cultured in 18 of 20 infants with ISD as compared to 4 of 20 controls . S . aureus was cultured in 14 of 20 infants with ISD as compared to 1 of 20 controls . The role of S . aureus in ISD is not known, but it could be a secondary invader as is supposed in atopic dermatitis (AD) . Even if P . ovale may be suspected as the aetiological agent of ISD further studies are needed to clarify the exact role of the organism in ISD.

Immunology, 1989 Mar, 66(3), 368 - 75
Influence of IL-2 and IL-4 on the IgE synthesis and the IgE-binding factor (sCD23) production by human lymphocytes in vitro; Knoller I et al.; The influence of IL-2 and IL-4 on the mitogen-induced immunoglobulin E and IgG production in vitro was analysed . Furthermore the expression of Fc epsilon RII (CD23 antigen), as well as the release of its soluble products, the isotype-specific IgE binding factors (IgE-BF), was determined . Recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) exerted opposite effects on the synthesis of IgE by human lymphocytes that were stimulated either by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) . rIL-2 induced a dose-dependent suppression of IgE and IgG synthesis in the presence of PWM . This effect was accompanied by a significant decrease of IgE-binding factor (BF), whereas the expression of Fc epsilon RII was not significantly modulated by rIL-2 . A marked increase of IgE production was observed when lymphocytes, prestimulated with SAC for 48 hr, were further incubated with increasing amounts of rIL-2 for 6 days . In contrast, IL-4 in concentrations ranging from 500 to 4.9 U/ml did not lead to an enhancement of IgE synthesis in lymphocytes that were prestimulated with SAC . However, SAC-induced IgG secretion was significantly enhanced by 2.3 U/ml of rIL-4 . A dose-dependent enhancement of IgE-BF was observed in SAC-prestimulated lymphocyte cultures in the presence of rIL-2 as well as rIL-4 . These results demonstrate that the mitogen used for lymphocyte activation, T-cell-derived lymphokines such as IL-2 and IL-4, and IgE-specific binding factors (soluble CD23), are responsible for the induction of human IgE antibody production in vitro.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1989 Mar, 33(3), 322 - 5
Effects of elfamycins on elongation factor Tu from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; Hall CC et al.; Six kirromycin analogs (elfamycins) were compared on the basis of their inhibition of Escherichia coli poly(U)-directed poly(Phe) synthesis and stimulation of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu)-associated GTPase activity . The elfamycins tested were kirromycin, aurodox, efrotomycin, phenelfamycin A, unphenelfamycin, and L-681,217 . The last three lack the pyridone ring present in the other elfamycins . All the elfamycins inhibited poly(U)-dependent poly(Phe) synthesis and stimulated EF-Tu-associated GTPase activity, suggesting that the pyridone ring is not essential for activity . The six elfamycins were also examined in a poly(U)-directed, poly(Phe)-synthesizing system derived from Staphylococcus aureus and had 50% inhibitory concentrations of greater than or equal to 1 mM . When S . aureus ribosomes and E . coli elongation factors were combined in a hybrid poly(Phe)-synthesizing system, aurodox produced essentially complete inhibition of poly(Phe) synthesis with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.13 microM . This suggests that the observed high MICs of kirromycin and its congeners in S . aureus reflect a kirromycin-resistant EF-Tu rather than permeability constraints.

APMIS, 1989 Mar, 97(3), 200 - 6
Interleukin 2 and interferon-gamma affect human B cells at different stages of activation; Punnonen J et al.; We studied the effects of recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL 2), interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha) and interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) on proliferation and IgM synthesis of highly purified tonsillar B cells either without in vitro preactivation or after activation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC) . Only rIL 2 affected tonsillar B cells not preactivated in vitro . It induced both proliferation and differentiation of B cells in a dose-dependent manner . rIL 2 induced proliferation of even Tac-negative B cells, but statistically significant responses were obtained only at high concentrations . The response was found also when no serum supplement was used in the culture medium . The finding suggests that tonsillar B cells express IL 2 receptors distinct from Tac antigen . When the cells were activated with SAC, significant proliferation was also found in response to rIFN-gamma . However, rIFN-gamma induced no IgM synthesis even after activation with SAC . rIFN-alpha affected neither B cell proliferation nor differentiation regardless of whether the cells were activated with SAC or not . Our results suggest that IL 2 can induce proliferation of activated B cells, but IFN-gamma only enhances proliferation of actively cycling B cells.

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