Afr Dent J, 1995, 9, 15 - 9 In-vitro antibacterial effects of extracts of Nigerian tooth-cleaning sticks on periodontopathic bacteria; Sote EO et al.; Aqueous extracts from 8 plants used for tooth-cleaning in Nigeria were tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of five periodontopathic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Eikenella corrodens and Campylobacter rectus . Extracts of all the plants except that of Massularia acuminata exhibited varying growth inhibitory potentials on the microorganisms . Extract of Terminalia glaucescens showed the widest spectrum of activity, inhibiting the growth of all the tested bacteria except P . gingivalis . These findings corroborate other studies that the plants possess antiplaque properties and suggest that they may be useful tools in preventive dentistry in poor developing countries . However, the bioavailability of the active ingredients of the plants and their long term effects in vivo need to be investigated. Microbios, 1997, 92(371), 91 - 5 Effect of haemin on the enterotoxin production of Campylobacter jejuni; Suzuki S et al.; When Campylobacter jejuni was exposed to iron compounds, alterations in enterotoxin production were monitored by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting . By ELISA, treatment with 10 microM haemin increased the ganglioside binding activity of the toxin in the extracellular fraction but not in the intracellular fraction . By Western blotting, a 68 kD subunit of the enterotoxin was observed to increase in concentration . The results suggest that haemin may have a positive regulation effect on enterotoxin maturation when released from bacterial cells. J Endod, 1997 Jul, 23(7), 419 - 22 Oral bone loss is increased in ovariectomized rats; Gilles JA et al.; Alveolar bone loss associated with periodontal disease occurs frequently in postmenopausal females, the same group that is predisposed to osteoporosis . To determine if the estrogen-deficient state enhances oral bone loss, we studied ovariectomized rats administered the potent bone-resorbing cytokine interleukin-1 or the periodontal pathogen Campylobacter rectus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Distal root canals of first mandibular molars were instrumented with endodontic files, and bone resorbing factors were deposited and sealed into the root canal . Radiographs of periapical bone loss were evaluated using computer assisted image analysis to determine lesion size . Both interleukin-1 and C . rectus LPS caused a significant increase in lesion area in both ovariectomized and normal rats when compared with controls and a significant increase in ovariectomized animals compared to nonovariectomized animals receiving LPS . Using this endodontic model, we have demonstrated that estrogen deficiency results in increased oral bone loss in rats. Carbohydr Res, 1997 Dec, 305(2), 223 - 32 Lipo-oligosaccharides of Campylobacter jejuni serotype O:10 . Structures of core oligosaccharide regions from a bacterial isolate from a patient with the Miller-Fisher syndrome and from the serotype reference strain; Shin JE et al.; Lipo-oligosaccharide (LOSa) was obtained by phenol-water extraction of bacterial cells of an isolate PG 836, identified as Campylobacter jejuni serotype O:10, from a patient who subsequently developed the Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) . The product was separated into a water-insoluble gel of low Mr and a water-soluble component of high Mr . The structure of the core oligosaccharide region in LOSa is reported herein for comparison with LOSb from the C . jejuni O:10 reference strain, and is based on investigations carried out on: (1) O-deacylated LOSa; (2) the core oligosaccharide (OS 1a) liberated on acetic acid hydrolysis of the ketosidic linkages to lipid A, with accompanying loss of N-acetylneuraminic acid residues; (3) the product of the removal of phosphate residues from OS 1a to give OS 2a; and (4) the Smith degradation of OS 2a to yield a mixture of Os 3a and OS 4a . The results revealed that the core oligosaccharide region in LOSa from the MFS bacterial isolate had chains (1a), of which some were terminated by an N-acetylneuraminobiose {Neu5Ac(alpha 2-8)Neu5Ac} unit in a GD3 {Neu5Ac-Neu5Ac-Gal} epitope, and the inner regions of which were different from those of other C . jejuni serotypes . Similar experiments on LOSb from bacterial cells of the C . jejuni O:10 reference strain showed that the core oligosaccharide unit {1a, R = P (phosphoric monoester)} of LOSa from the MFS isolate was more uniformly complete than that of the O:10 reference strain {1b, R = AEP (2-aminoethylphosphate)} differing in the nature of the phosphate substituent at the inner heptose residue . The close structural relationship of LOSa from the MFS associated bacterium to LOSb from the O:10 reference strain runs parallel to that of the previously studied Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) associated bacterium typed as C . jejuni O:19 in comparison with the lipo-oligosaccharide from the reference strain . Preliminary studies on the high Mr components showed that those from the O:10 strains were indistinguishable from each other, but were structurally unrelated to those from the GBS associated C . jejuni serotype O:19 isolates and the O:19 reference strain {G.O . Aspinall, A.G . McDonald, and H . Pang, Biochemistry, 33 (1994) 250-255}. Microbiol Immunol, 1998, 42(3), 223 - 6 Increased resistance to quinolones in Campylobacter jejuni: a genetic analysis of gyrA gene mutations in quinolone-resistant clinical isolates; Ruiz J et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is a frequent cause of enteritis and sometimes it requires antimicrobial therapy . We have studied the evolution of resistance to nine antibiotics from 1990 to 1994 and investigated how frequently gyrA mutations are involved in the acquisition of quinolone resistance . The percentage of chloramphenicol-, clindamycin-, tetracycline- and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid-resistant strains has remained practically unchanged and erythromycin and gentamicin resistance has decreased, whereas the percentage of ampicillin-, nalidixic acid- or ciprofloxacin-resistant strains has almost doubled in the follow-up period, from 56 to 76% for ampicillin- and from 47.5 to 88% for quinolone-resistant strains . This study clearly shows that a mutation in Thr-86 to Ile or Lys is a frequent mechanism associated with the acquisition of a high level of resistance to quinolones in clinical isolates of C . jejuni. Jpn J Antibiot, 1997 Mar, 50(3), 265 - 71 {Clinical evaluation of a new macrolide antibiotic, azithromycin, in the pediatric field}; Meguro H et al.; Azithromycin (AZM) preparations in fine granules and capsules were evaluated in 36 pediatric patients with various infections . In patients with pneumonia caused by Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae, bronchitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, whooping cough, or campylobacter enteritis, AZM was found effective in 94.4% (34/36) . As for the bacteriological efficacy of AZM, all of 12 strains identified were found eradicated by the treatment . Plasma T 1/2(24 approximately 48 hrs.) of AZM in fine granules, given two patients at 10 mg/kg body weight once daily for 3 days, were 41.5 and 51.4 hours, while AUC0 approximately infinity was 7.45 and 13.44 mg.hr/ml . The rates of AZM recovered in the urine samples from two pediatrics patients in the first 81 hours of treatment, when it is given in fine granules at 10 mg/kg body weight once daily for 3 days, were 6.27% and 11.0% . Data from 43 patients were included for drug safety evaluation . Neither adverse reactions nor abnormal laboratory changes were observed . In conclusion, AZM was found useful in treatment of pediatric infections. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1998 Feb, 13(1), 30 - 5 Identification of bacterial species on or in crevicular epithelial cells from healthy and periodontally diseased patients using DNA-DNA hybridization; Dibart S et al.; The purpose of this investigation was to identify bacterial species present on or in crevicular epithelial cells in healthy and diseased sites using DNA probes . In order to achieve this aim, further improvements were made in the separation of unattached bacteria from those adherent to epithelial cells isolated from the human gingival crevice or periodontal pocket . Then the DNA probes were used to determine the prevalence of detectable DNA from 15 microbial species on or in crevicular epithelial cells . One sample was taken from a single subgingival site in each of 51 individuals ranging in age from 19 to 45 years . Samples were taken from 27 sites of clinically healthy subjects and 24 samples were taken from subjects having periodontally diseased sites . DNA-DNA hybridization indicated that a majority of epithelial cells from healthy sites (63%) were in contact with or harbored Streptococcus oralis . On the other hand, species such as Bacteroides forsythus, Prevotella intermedia, Capnocytophaga ochracea and Campylobacter rectus were more frequently detected in elevated numbers in periodontally diseased sites . Cluster analysis of the microbial profiles generally aggregated subjects with and without periodontitis into separate cluster groups . The cluster patterns suggest the possibility that microbial complexes will be, in part, determined by the receptors available on the epithelial cells. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1998 Feb, 13(1), 1 - 10 Subgingival microbiota of shallow periodontal pockets in individuals after head and neck irradiation; Leung WK et al.; This study aimed at investigating the subgingival plaque microorganisms of shallow pockets (< or = 5 mm) in subjects who previously received irradiation in the head and neck region for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma . Direct microscopy and anaerobic culture were used . Subgingival paper point samples were taken from 6 tooth-sites (one/sextant) per subject for direct microscopy (n = 108) . Another set of paper points was taken from the deepest of the previously selected sites (one per subject) with: group A) no bleeding on probing to the sulcus depth (n = 9) and group B) bleeding on probing to the sulcus depth (n = 6) for microscopic and anaerobic culture study . Under the microscope, the microflora was found to be a complex mixture comprising gram-positive and gram-negative cocci, rods and filaments, fusiforms, curved rods and spirochetes . Low level of fungi were observed and mycelia were occasionally detected . There was no significant variation in the plaque bacterial morphotypes observable according to sites of isolation and no significant difference between group A and group B in morphotypes of the different microflora . The predominant cultivable microflora comprised several species of facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria: Gemella, Peptostreptococcus, Staphylococcus, Stomatococcus, Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Eubacterium, Lactobacillus, Propionibacterium, Neisseria, Veillonella, Bacteroides, Campylobacter, Capnocytophaga, Fusobacterium, Kingella, Porphyromonas and Prevotella species . There was no difference between the two groups except the significantly higher proportion of Kingella dentrificans isolated from group B sites . However, colonization of the gingival sulcus in these individuals by microbes that are normal flora of: skin (Peptostreptococcus prevotii and Propionibacterium granulosum) and gut (Eubacterium aerofaciens, Fusobacterium mortiferum and Fusobacterium varium) was detected . These findings appear to suggest that the major components of the subgingival microflora of shallow sites in previously head- and neck-irradiated individuals are similar to that of gingivitis sites in the normal population although they may contain bacterial or fungal species uncommon in normal subjects. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1998 Apr, 13(2), 106 - 12 Effect of red blood cells on the growth of Porphyromonas endodontalis and microbial community development; Zerr MA et al.; Establishment of a microbial community in the root canal system depends on numerous factors, of which nutrient availability may be one of the most important . We hypothesized that the presence of red blood cells or hemoglobin in this environment could cause shifts in microbial composition of communities, resulting in organisms such as Porphyromonas endodontalis becoming more dominant . An in vitro model system using mixed, batch cultures was performed with the bacteria P . endodontalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus micros and Campylobacter rectus . Bacteria were cultured in media with or without the addition of washed red blood cells, hemoglobin, or serum . Cyclic growth studies revealed that P . endodontalis was lost from the community of organisms after three cycles . However, inclusion of red blood cells resulted in establishment of this organism . Moreover, red blood cells added to pure cultures of P . endodontalis substantially enhanced growth and protected the organisms from oxygen . We conclude that the presence of red blood cells could result in shifts of microbial communities of organisms within the root canal system. Infect Immun, 1998 May, 66(5), 1934 - 40 Campylobacter jejuni cytolethal distending toxin causes a G2-phase cell cycle block; Whitehouse CA et al.; Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) from the diarrheagenic bacterium Campylobacter jejuni was shown to cause a rapid and specific cell cycle arrest in HeLa and Caco-2 cells . Within 24 h of treatment, CDT caused HeLa cells to arrest with a 4N DNA content, indicative of cells in G2 or early M phase . Immunofluorescence studies indicated that the arrested cells had not entered M phase, since no evidence of tubulin reorganization or chromatin condensation was visible . CDT treatment was also shown to cause HeLa cells to accumulate the inactive, tyrosine-phosphorylated form of CDC2 . These results indicated that CDT treatment results in a failure to activate CDC2, which leads to cell cycle arrest in G2 . This mechanism of action is novel for a bacterial toxin and provides a model for the generation of diarrheal disease by C . jejuni and other diarrheagenic bacteria that produce CDT. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1998 May, 64(5), 1816 - 21 Evidence of genomic instability in Campylobacter jejuni isolated from poultry; Wassenaar TM et al.; Poultry isolates of Campylobacter jejuni derived from a survey of meat processing batches were genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of chromosomal DNA to establish the clonal relationships between single-colony isolates . In the majority of batches studied, one or two genotype patterns predominated . However, in one batch (batch A), 21 single-colony isolates gave 14 different PFGE genotypes . The banding patterns obtained with SmaI were sufficiently different to distinguish between genotypes, although the patterns also produced many common bands . The question of whether these isolates represented different clones or had a common clonal ancestry was addressed by additional genotypic and phenotypic methods . Restriction length polymorphism of PCR products obtained from the flagellin genes showed an identical flagellin genotype for all of these isolates . In contrast, unrelated control isolates resulted in different flagellin genotypes . Moreover, all 14 different PFGE genotypes of batch A had identical Penner serotypes and identical or similar biotypes and phage types . It was concluded that the isolates were of clonal origin and that the diversity in the PFGE banding patterns had most likely originated from genomic rearrangements . However, the PFGE genotypes were shown to be stable upon subculturing in vitro and after in vivo passage in chickens, and natural transformation between isogenic mutants carrying antibiotic markers did not occur in vivo in a chick colonization model . The possible mechanisms for the hypothesized genomic recombinations and the conditions that allow, induce, or select for such events are discussed. Microbiol Immunol, 1998, 42(3), 241 - 3 Intervening sequences in 16S rRNA genes of Campylobacter sp.: diversity of nucleotide sequences and uniformity of location; Etoh Y et al.; We found and sequenced intervening sequences (IVSs) in the PCR-amplicons of 16S rRNA genes of 3 strains of Campylobacter rectus, 2 strains of C . curvus and 2 strains of C . sputorum . The lengths of the IVSs were 140 to 233 bp . The IVSs of C . rectus were identical and had a sequence homology of 55 to 79% against those of C . curvus and C . helveticus . The IVSs of C . sputorum were 97.9-100% homologous but poorly homologous to the other IVSs . In spite of the diversities of the lengths and the nucleotide sequences, all of the IVSs were located at the same position in the 16S rRNA genes. Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Mar, 26(3), 179 - 82 Subtyping of Campylobacter jejuni Penner serotypes 9, 38 and 63 from human infections, animals and water by pulsed field gel electrophoresis and flagellin gene analysis; Lorenz E et al.; Pulsed field gel electrophoresis and PCR-RFLP flagellin gene profiling were used to discriminate 44 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni Penner heat stable (HS) serotypes 9, 38 and 63 from sporadic human infections and other sources . Genomic similarities between HS9 and HS38 strains were demonstrated . HS63 and HS1 strains of Camp . jejuni ssp . jejuni were similar but were genomically distinct from Camp . jejuni ssp . doylei HS63 . The molecular analyses provided a basis for assessing associations between cross-agglutinating strains of Camp . jejuni and for subtyping within those serogroups. Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Feb, 26(2), 145 - 8 A blood-free enrichment medium for growing Campylobacter spp . under aerobic conditions; Tran TT; Detection limits for Campylobacter jejuni strains JH93 and ATCC 29428 in a new blood-free enrichment broth (BFEB) were investigated under aerobic conditions . Cultures of Camp . jejuni were inoculated into 50 ml BFEB containing 10% food homogenate in 50 ml screw-cap tubes . After 24 h enrichment under aerobic conditions, Camp . jejuni were isolated on four selective agar media . The least squares means of the detection limit 50% endpoint (DL50) values were 0.4 (plain BFEB), 0.9 (crabmeat), 1.7 (mushroom), 1.7 (raw milk) and 2.1 (oyster) colony forming units (cfu) 5 g-1 food . The efficiency of the BFEB was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by food type and bacterial strain . Overall, the BFEB enrichment compared favourably with the existing US Food and Drug Administration method under modified atmosphere . In addition, the BFEB method did not require the use of blood, special equipment or Oxyrase to reduce oxygen tensions. Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Feb, 26(2), 118 - 22 Antimicrobial properties of plant essential oils and essences against five important food-borne pathogens; Smith-Palmer A et al.; The antimicrobial properties of 21 plant essential oils and two essences were investigated against five important food-borne pathogens, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes . The oils of bay, cinnamon, clove and thyme were the most inhibitory, each having a bacteriostatic concentration of 0.075% or less against all five pathogens . In general, Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oils than the Gram-negative bacteria . Campylobacter jejuni was the most resistant of the bacteria investigated to plant essential oils, with only the oils of bay and thyme having a bacteriocidal concentration of less than 1% . At 35 degrees C, L . monocytogenes was extremely sensitive to the oil of nutmeg . A concentration of less than 0.01% was bacteriostatic and 0.05% was bacteriocidal, but when the temperature was reduced to 4 degrees, the bacteriostatic concentration was increased to 0.5% and the bacteriocidal concentration to greater than 1%. Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Feb, 26(2), 113 - 7 Molecular characterization of a strain-specific sequence in Campylobacter jejuni; Richardson PT et al.; Campylobacter jejuni strains 81116 and NCTC 11392 were shown to contain a region of DNA that was not present in other strains . This region was cloned from the chromosome of strain 81116 and the nucleotide sequence determined . It was found to contain an insert of 742 bp which was flanked by direct repeats of 45 bp . Although the nature of this sequence is unknown at present, it is clear that it only presents in certain strains of Camp . jejuni and it may therefore be useful as an epidemiological tool. J Med Microbiol, 1998 Apr, 47(4), 353 - 7 Subtyping of Campylobacter jejuni Penner heat-stable (HS) serotype 11 isolates from human infections; Slater E et al.; High resolution molecular subtyping was applied to Campylobacter jejuni Penner heat-stable (HS) 11 isolates from human infections and other sources . Strains were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis involving PCR-based flagellin gene (flaA) profiling with HinfI and DdeI, and pulsed-field gel electrophoretic (PFGE) profiling with SmaI and KpnI . Fla-genes of the strains were highly conserved as most (95%) had the same fla-profile . PFGE analysis of SmaI digests was more discriminatory with 15 profile subtypes identified, although 36% of isolates had a common profile . The study showed that strains of C . jejuni HS11, unlike those of HS1 and the HS4 complex, were relatively homogeneous at the genomic level and that high resolution molecular techniques were essential for detailed epidemiological subtyping. Int J Syst Bacteriol, 1998 Jan, 48 Pt 1, 195 - 206 Emended description of Campylobacter sputorum and revision of its infrasubspecific (biovar) divisions, including C . sputorum biovar paraureolyticus, a urease-producing variant from cattle and humans; On SL et al.; A polyphasic taxonomic study of 15 bovine and human strains assigned to the catalase-negative, urease-positive campylobacter (CNUPC) group identified these bacteria as a novel, ureolytic biovar of Campylobacter sputorum for which we propose the name C . sputorum bv . paraureolyticus: suitable reference strains are LMG 11764 (human isolate) and LMG 17590 (= CCUG 37579, bovine isolate) . The present study confirmed previous findings showing that the salient biochemical tests used to differentiate C . sputorum bv . sputorum from C . sputorum bv . bubulus are not reproducible; and that the absolute validity of source-specific biovars of the species is questionable . A correlation between the results of numerical analysis of protein profiles and the reaction of strains in certain enzyme tests was, however, noted . Therefore, it is proposed that the infrasubspecific (biovar) divisions of C . sputorum should be revised to include bv . sputorum for catalase-negative strains; bv . fecalis for catalase-positive strains; and bv . paraureolyticus for urease-positive strains . Strains classified previously as bv . bubulus should be reclassified as bv . sputorum . The species description of C . sputorum is revised accordingly. Immunobiology, 1998 Feb, 198(4), 385 - 95 Inadequate anti-polysaccharide antibody responses in the chicken; Jeurissen SH et al.; Chickens are notorious for the fact that they carry bacteria such as Salmonellae and Campylobacter, which can cause zoonoses by contamination of the end product, without hampering growth and development of the chicken itself . This carrier status can only been explained by the inability of the chickens immune system to eliminate the pathogen, this in turn being due to insufficient humoral responses towards the polysaccharides of the bacterial capsule . In a previous study, we demonstrated that in chickens a model thymus-independent type 2 (TI-2) polysaccharide antigen, trinitrophenylated Ficoll (TNP-Ficoll), hardly evokes a humoral immune response . Furthermore this TI-2 antigen was shown to exhibit a very specific initial localization pattern after intravenous injection, i.e . in the periellipsoidal lymphocyte sheaths (PELS) and the surrounding ring of macrophages . The functional equivalent of these macrophages in mammals, the marginal zone macrophages, were shown to suppress the humoral responses against TI-2 antigens . Therefore we investigated whether other standard TI-2 antigen models also induce low antibody responses, whether this low response is dose-dependent, and whether macrophages are responsible for this low response . It was found that other TI-2 antigens, such as hydroxyethyl starch and detoxified lipopolysaccharides, also induced very low IgM and IgG responses, indicating a general phenomenon that could not be overcome by using a higher dose of antigen . In addition, selective depletion of splenic macrophages with liposomes containing dichloromethylene diphosphonate prior to immunization increased the specific humoral response to TD and TI-1 antigens, but failed to do so for TI-2 antigen . This result indicates that the low humoral responses are not (only) due to a macrophage suppressive activity but also to other yet unknown mechanisms, for example the lack of responsive B cells in the splenic PELS. Acta Vet Hung, 1997, 45(4), 457 - 79 Zoonoses in the meat industry: a review; Corry JE et al.; Zoonoses are diseases, the infections of which can be transmitted between man and animals . Only a few are of importance with respect to poultry meat and meat from cattle, sheep, horses and goats . Advances in the control of diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis and trichinosis in animals have reduced the hazards posed to workers in the meat industry and to consumers of meat . However, inspection of animals ante- and post-mortem cannot detect all infectious agents present . This applies particularly to bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, verotoxigenic and other pathogenic Escherichia coli and Yersinia . Protection of meat workers from infection depends upon taking normal hygienic precautions, which also protect the meat from contamination from the workers . Consumers are exposed to a smaller range of zoonoses than meat workers because they encounter only meat that has passed inspection . In addition, heavily contaminated parts of the animal, such as the hide, feathers and viscera have been removed . Further advances in making meat safer are likely to result from the introduction of Integrated Quality Assurance systems . These involve identifying, monitoring and keeping records of the disease status and treatment of each animal (or poultry flock) so that its history is known when it reaches the abattoir . They should also include programmes aimed at minimising colonisation by zoonotic bacteria such as camplyobacters, salmonellas and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli. No To Hattatsu, 1998 Mar, 30(2), 115 - 20 {Pathophysiology and therapeutic approach in inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy--recent advances}; Sobue G; Recent advances on pathogenetic mechanism and therapeutic approach for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD) were briefly reviewed . As for GBS, an axonal form has been recognized as a clinicopathological variant, in which Campylobacter jejuni infection and elevated anti-GM1 antibody tires are frequently observed . Other anti-glycolipid antibodies to GQ1b, GD1b and GM2 would also be significant as a determinant factor for a clinical phenotype . Beneficial effects of IVIg therapy and plasmapheresis have been established . Although CIDP has also been considered to be demyelinating neuropathy, axonal pathology is frequently noted, and in such cases, a substantial motor neuron loss is present . Clinical recovery in the cases with high anti-MAG and anti-SGPG titers is not necessarily favorable . Corticosteroid therapy, plasmapheresis and IVIg have been all established as therapies beneficial for CIDP. Clin Exp Rheumatol, 1998 Mar-Apr, 16(2), 161 - 4 Enterobacterial antibodies in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis; Chou CT et al.; OBJECTIVE: To study the role of microbial infection in rheumatic diseases . METHODS: Sera from 39 Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 52 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 51 healthy subjects (HS) were examined for IgG, IgA, and IgM class antibodies against Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella typhimurium and enteritidis, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsular serotypes 31 and 43), using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . RESULTS: In patients with RA, IgA class antibodies against all bacterial strains used as the antigen were increased when compared to healthy controls . In patients with AS, significantly elevated IgA levels were observed against Campylobacter and Klebsiella K43 . IgM class antibodies were less frequently elevated in RA and in AS than IgA class antibodies . In RA patients, IgG antibodies against Klebsiella K43 and Proteus were significantly increased . No differences were observed in IgG class antibodies between AS patients and healthy controls . CONCLUSION: Increases in serum bacterial antibodies in RA and AS suggest that in both diseases stimulation of the intestinal immune system by enterobacteria may have a role . However, the question whether this phenomenon is due to increased intestinal permeability and/or represents cross reactions between different enterobacteria remains open. J Infect Dis, 1998 Apr, 177(4), 951 - 4 Development of quinolone-resistant Campylobacter fetus bacteremia in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients; Meier PA et al.; Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus has been recognized as a cause of systemic illness in immunocompromised hosts, including relapsing bacteremia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients . Acquired resistance to quinolone therapy, while reported for a variety of bacteria, including Campylobacter jejuni, has not been previously documented for C . fetus . Two cases of quinolone-resistant C . fetus bacteremia were detected in HIV-infected patients . Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the C . fetus gyrA gene in the 2 resistant isolates demonstrated a G-to-T change that led to an Asp-to-Tyr amino acid substitution at a critical residue frequently associated with quinolone resistance . In addition, comparison of the pre- and posttreatment isolates from 1 patient documented outer membrane protein changes temporally linked with the development of resistance . Relapsing C . fetus infections in quinolone-treated HIV-infected patients may be associated with the acquisition of resistance to these agents, and this resistance may be multifactorial. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract, 1998 Mar, 14(1), 31 - 40 Microbial food borne pathogens . Campylobacter jejuni; Altekruse SF et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is the most common food borne bacterial pathogen and leading cause of food borne disease in humans in the United States and other industrialized nations . Approximately four million cases of human campylobacteriosis occur each year in the United States . Although the majority of cases consist of limited diarrheal illness, severe sequelae can affect a small portion of patients with campylobacteriosis that may include reactive arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome . Animal reservoirs primarily include poultry (C . jejuni) and swine (C . coli) . Pathogen reduction during poultry processing and safe handling of raw poultry in the kitchen are needed to prevent illness. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1998 Feb, 200(5-6), 542 - 52 {Campylobacter spp . in the surroundings of poultry meat production-- incidence and chinolone resistance}; Atanassova V et al.; The incidence of Campylobacter in poultry meat production and in poultry meat gives cause for increasing concern in this field . Results of studies about clinical cases of Campylobacter in humans show a growing tendency . With poultry and foal mainly C . jejuni and C . coli are isolated, while C . jejuni has been identified as one of the most frequent bacterial pathogens of enteritis in humans also . Of altogether 509 samples from poultry herds, 209 isolates (41.1%) were Campylobacter positive . Tests in slaughter-houses showed that there are various factors that influence the contamination of the carcass during the process of slaughtering . The number of positive cases with chicken carcass is about 45.9% which is higher than with the animals, flocks . Of 52 pheasants 25.9% were Campylobacter positive . During the last 3 years Campylobacter isolates showed a growing Chinolone resistance (19.14% in butchered roast chicken and 28.5% in pheasants. Infect Immun, 1998 Apr, 66(4), 1521 - 6 A new member of the S-layer protein family: characterization of the crs gene from Campylobacter rectus; Wang B et al.; Strains of the periodontal pathogen Campylobacter rectus express a 150- to 166-kDa protein on their cell surface . This protein forms a paracrystalline lattice, called the surface layer (S-layer), on the outer membrane of this gram-negative bacterium . To initiate a genetic analysis of the function of the S-layer in the pathogenesis of C . rectus, we have cloned and characterized its gene . The S-layer gene (crs) from C . rectus 314 encodes a cell surface protein which does not have a cleaved signal peptide at its amino terminus . Although the amino acid sequence deduced from the crs gene has 50% identity with the amino-terminal 30 amino acids of the four S-layer proteins from Campylobacter fetus, the similarity decreases to less than 16% over the rest of the protein . Thus, the crs gene from C . rectus encodes a novel S-layer protein whose precise role in pathogenesis may differ from that of S-layer proteins from other organisms . Southern and Northern blot analyses with probes from different segments of the crs gene indicate that the S-layer gene is a single-copy, monocistronic gene in C . rectus . RNA end mapping and sequence analyses were used to define the crs promoter; there is an exact match to the Escherichia coli -10 promoter consensus sequence but only a weak match to the -35 consensus element . Southern blots of DNA from another strain of C . rectus, ATCC 33238, demonstrated that the crs gene is also present in that strain but that there are numerous restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the second half of the gene . This finding suggests that the carboxy halves of the S-layer proteins from strains 314 and 33238 differ . It remains to be determined whether the diversities in sequence are reflected in functional or antigenic differences important for the pathogenesis of different C . rectus isolates. Z Naturforsch {C}, 1998 Jan-Feb, 53(1-2), 65 - 8 Ribosomal RNA gene restriction fragment diversity amongst Penner serotypes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli; Smith SI et al.; Diversity based on ribosomal RNA gene-restriction endonuclease digest patterns was detected amongst forty-seven strains of Campylobacter made up of 38 strains of Campylobacter jejuni and 9 strains of Campylobacter coli . Restriction digests of chromosomal DNA prepared by treating with Hae III were probed with an oligonucleotide specific for Campylobacter 16S ribosomal RNA genes . Seventeen distinct hybridization patterns, each indicating the presence of 2-4 copies of the 16S rRNA gene are encoded in Campylobacter DNA . Differences in fragment patterns were observed not only between members of two species, but also between individual strains of the same species . Ribopattern fragments of 8.71, 7.56, 2.81 and 1.0 kb were characteristic of the majority of C . jejuni, whereas 7.59 and 4.68 kb fragments were commonly present in C . coli . In conclusion, Hae III ribotyping was even more discriminatory than the Penner serotyping of C . jejuni and C . coli, as strains of the same serotype were distinguished. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi, 1995 Jan-Jun, 99(1-2), 139 - 43 Enrichment medium for isolation of Campylobacter jejuni-Campylobacter coli; Sicinschi LA; A kaseini-broth enrichment medium (KBEM) for the isolation improvement of Campylobacter jejuni-Campylobacter coli from stool samples is described . Isolation of Campylobacters from stool specimens by direct inoculation onto solid selective medium was compared with isolation after twenty-four hours enrichment at 37 degrees C in KBEM, followed by subculture onto the same solid selective medium . Of 156 examined stool samples from diarrhoeal children positive results were obtained from 17 patients altogether: 11 by direct inoculation on selective media and 6 only owing to enrichment . Thus, an increase of 35.3% in the isolation rate was obtained by using the enrichment medium . The same medium allows the preservation of isolates of Campylobacter jejuni-Campylobacter coli for 2 months and longer at 37 degrees C. J Neuroimmunol, 1998 Jan, 81(1-2), 138 - 43 Close association of IgA anti-ganglioside antibodies with antecedent Campylobacter jejuni infection in Guillain-Barré and Fisher's syndromes; Koga M et al.; IgA has an important function in the gastrointestinal immune system . We investigated IgA anti-ganglioside antibodies in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and Fisher's syndrome (FS) subsequent to Campylobacter jejuni enteritis . In previous studies, serological diagnosis of C . jejuni infection was based on the detection of IgG, IgA, and IgM anti-C . jejuni antibodies . Our study, however, showed that the detection of IgG anti-C . jejuni antibody alone was sufficient for the serological diagnosis of antecedent C . jejuni enteritis in GBS and FS, when the cut-off level was defined for results of sera from C . jejuni-isolated patients . Serological evidence of C . jejuni infection was found in 62 (31%) of 201 GBS patients and 12 (18%) of 65 FS patients . IgA anti-GMI antibody was detected in sera from 33 (16%) of the GBS patients, 1 (2%) of the FS patients, and none of the 46 normal control subjects . IgA anti-GM1 antibody titers were significantly higher in the GBS patients with positive C . jejuni serology than in those with negative serology (P < 0.0001) or the FS patients with positive C . jejuni serology (P = 0.007) . IgA anti-GQ1b antibody was detected in sera from 18 (28%) of the FS patients, 9 (4%) of the GBS patients, and none of the normal control subjects . FS patients with positive C . jejuni serology had significantly higher titers of IgA anti-GQ1b antibody than those with negative serology (P = 0.01) or the GBS patients with positive C . jejuni serology (P < 0.0001) . We conclude that anti-GM1 and anti-GQ1b IgA antibodies are closely associated with antecedent C . jejuni enteritis in GBS and FS, respectively. J Neuroimmunol, 1998 Jan, 81(1-2), 116 - 26 Antibodies to gangliosides and galactocerebroside in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with preceding Campylobacter jejuni and other identified infections; Hao Q et al.; The relationship between preceding infections and antibodies to glycolipids was investigated in 205 Japanese patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . Serological evidence of recent Campylobacter jejuni (C . jejuni) infection was found in 45% of the patients, compared with 1% in healthy controls . In contrast, recent infection of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M . pneumoniae) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was detected in only 5%, 2% and none of the patients, respectively . C . jejuni-associated GBS was more frequent in early spring than in other seasons . All stool specimens positive for C . jejuni isolation were obtained within 10 days after the onset of GBS symptoms . Of 13 C . jejuni isolates from GBS patients, 10 (77%) belonged to Penner serotype 19 (heat-stable, HS-19) . Elevated titers of anti-GM1 antibody were found in 8 (80%) of 10 GBS patients whose C . jejuni isolates belonged to HS-19 and in none of those infected with non-HS-19 C . jejuni (P = 0.04), and in 49% of 92 patients with C . jejuni infection and 25% of patients without infection of C . jejuni, CMV, EBV, or M . pneumoniae (P = 0.0007) . The frequencies of elevated antibody titers to GD1a, GD1b and GQ1b were also significantly higher in GBS patients associated with C . jejuni than those not associated with C . jejuni, CMV, EBV, and M . pneumoniae . GBS in Japan seems to be associated more frequently with C . jejuni and less frequently with CMV than in Europe and North America. Poult Sci, 1998 Mar, 77(3), 405 - 10 Effect of yeast-supplemented feed on Salmonella and Campylobacter populations in broilers; Line JE et al.; The effect of the yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, on experimental cecal colonization of broilers with Salmonella typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni was investigated . Duplicate pens of broiler chicks were given ad libitum access to a standard feed supplemented with no yeast (control), or 1 g (1x), or 100 g (100x) dried S . boulardii/kg feed . All chicks except negative controls were challenged on Day 4 with 3.2 x 10(8) cfu S . typhimurium and 6.5 x 10(8) cfu C . jejuni by oral gavage . After 3 wk, the broilers were euthanatized and ceca were aseptically removed and analyzed for Salmonella and Campylobacter . Frequency of Salmonella colonization was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced due to yeast treatment . Of the positive control birds, 70% were colonized with Salmonella; whereas only 20 and 5% of the 1x and 100x yeast-treated birds were colonized . Mean number of Salmonella per gram of ceca and contents were log 1.64, 0.35, and 0.15, respectively, for the control, 1x, and 100x yeast-treated birds . Campylobacter colonization was not significantly affected by yeast treatment . Similar results were obtained from a second trial conducted in larger isolation floor pens. J Epidemiol Community Health, 1997 Dec, 51(6), 686 - 91 Campylobacteriosis in New Zealand: results of a case-control study; Eberhart-Phillips J et al.; STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify and assess the contributions of major risk factors for campylobacteriosis in New Zealand . DESIGN: Case-control study . Home interviews were conducted over nine months using a standardised questionnaire to assess recent food consumption and other exposures . SETTING: Four centres in New Zealand with high notification rates of campylobacter infections--Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch . PARTICIPANTS: Case patients were 621 people notified between 1 June 1994 and 28 February 1995 as having campylobacter infection . Control subjects were selected randomly from telephone directories, and were matched 1:1 with case patients in relation to sex, age group, and home telephone prefix . RESULTS: Risk of campylobacteriosis was strongly associated with recent consumption of raw or undercooked chicken (matched odds ratio 4.52, 95% confidence interval 2.88, 7.10) . There was also an increased risk with chicken eaten in restaurants (matched odds ratio 3.85; 2.52, 5.88) . Recent consumption of baked or roasted chicken seemed to be protective . Campylobacteriosis was also associated with recent overseas travel, rainwater as a source of water at home, consumption of raw dairy products, and contact with puppies and cattle, particularly calves . CONCLUSIONS: Improperly cooked chicken seems to be associated with a large proportion of campylobacteriosis in New Zealand . Thorough cooking of chicken in homes and restaurants could reduce considerably the incidence of this disease. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1997, 46(4), 409 - 12 Campylobacter jejuni in coccoid form does not reverse into spiral form in chicken guts; Korsak D et al.; The incubation of Campylobacter jejuni suspension in aerobic conditions results in the conversion of spiral cells into coccoid form . The present paper shows that such forms introduced into the alimentary tract of two-day-old chicks are not able to convert back into cultivable, infectious spiral forms, as has been suggested by some authors . Technical problems connected with this type of experiment are also discussed. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1998 Jan, 20(1), 1 - 9 Clinical, microbiological and epidemiological aspects of Escherichia coli O157 infection; Coia JE; In the last decade infections caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other verocytotoxigenic E . coli (VTEC) have emerged as a major public health concern in North America and in Europe, and increasingly in other areas of the world . Although absolute numbers of infections are low in comparison with other enteric pathogens such as Salmonella or Campylobacter, it is well-recognised that E . coli O157 can produce severe, potentially life-threatening, illness . As a consequence of this awareness, there has been a rapid expansion of our knowledge about these organisms and the diseases which they cause . In this article, the clinical, microbiological and epidemiological features of VTEC O157 infection are reviewed. Br Poult Sci, 1997 Dec, 38(5), 489 - 98 Effects of AvGard treatment on the microbiological flora of poultry carcases; Salvat G et al.; 1 . The efficiency of the AvGard (or Assur-Rince in the USA) trisodium phosphate poultry carcase decontamination process was evaluated during both manual and industrial trials against total aerobic mesophilic count (TAMC), thermotolerant coliforms, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella . 2 . The TSP treatment proved to have significant effects on the bacterial decontamination of poultry neck skin, lowering the contamination by a factor of about 10 for TAMC and of 100 for Coliform and Pseudomonas . 3 . Numeration of Salmonella with an innovative miniaturised most probable number method has proved that the effect upon these micro-organisms was also close to 2 log10 reduction . 4 . The effect of TSP treatment on the ecological balance of psychrotrophic bacterial flora was also investigated to study the origin of the shelf-life flora of treated carcases (Pseudomonas being reduced to the limit of detection) and to ascertain whether L . monocytogenes might gain a competitive advantage . In fact AvGard reduced the number of L . monocytogenes on poultry carcases . 5 . As a consequence of the virtual elimination of the Pseudomonas usually present, Brochothrix thermosphacta became the main species responsible for putrefaction . 6 . Because the growth rate of Brochothrix thermosphacta was greater than that of L . monocytogenes at refrigeration temperature, it was considered that putrefaction would occur before the emergence of large numbers of L . monocytogenes. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1998 Feb 15, 159(2), 193 - 200 Cloning and characterization of the fur gene from Helicobacter pylori; Bereswill S et al.; The fur homologue of Helicobacter pylori was isolated by screening a plasmid-based, genomic DNA library using the Fur titration assay (FURTA) . The analysis of the DNA sequence revealed significant homology with Fur proteins from various other bacterial species . The highest degree of homology was observed for the Fur protein from Campylobacter jejuni . The H . pylori fur gene on a plasmid could partially complement the fur mutation in Escherichia coli strain H1681 . The repressor activity depended on addition of iron to the medium indicating that iron acts as a co-repressor for the H . pylori protein similar to Fur from other bacteria . Comparison of Fur from H . pylori strain NCTC11638 with the recently published genomic DNA sequence of another strain (26695) confirmed the identity of the fur homologue and revealed that the fur locus is highly conserved in both strains. Clin Infect Dis, 1998 Feb, 26(2), 341 - 5 Trends in antibiotic resistance among diarrheal pathogens isolated in Thailand over 15 years; Hoge CW et al.; Antibiotic resistance trends were examined for Shigella species, nontyphoidal Salmonella species, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and Campylobacter species isolates from indigenous persons and travelers in Thailand for up to 15 years . Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was found in >90% of Shigella and 40% of ETEC and nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates . Resistance to nalidixic acid was found in 97%-100% of Shigella dysenteriae 1 strains isolated between 1992 and 1995 . Ciprofloxacin resistance was detected in 1% of ETEC isolates in 1994 and 1995 and in one of 349 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates in 1995 . Ciprofloxacin resistance among Campylobacter species increased from zero before 1991 to 84% in 1995 (P < .0001) . Azithromycin resistance was found in 7%-15% of Campylobacter isolates in 1994 and 1995, as well as 15% of ETEC and 3% of Salmonella isolates in 1995 . Enteric pathogens in Thailand have developed resistance to virtually all antibiotics routinely used in the treatment of diarrhea, as well as the newer fluoroquinolone and macrolide classes of drugs. Rev Sci Tech, 1997 Aug, 16(2), 525 - 41 Strategies to control Salmonella and Campylobacter in raw poultry products; White PL et al.; Foodborne illness is a major public health concern . The largest number of foodborne illness cases attributed to poultry and poultry products are caused by paratyphoid serotypes of Salmonella and by Campylobacter jejuni . The effective prevention of foodborne disease requires an understanding that contamination can be introduced into foods at numerous points along the food chain . Since multiple entry points exist for foodborne pathogens, multifaceted intervention approaches are required to successfully control contamination of poultry during the various phases of the growth period and processing procedure of broiler chickens . Strategies during the grow-out period (the period during which day-old chicks are raised to six- to seven-week-old broiler chickens) include sanitation, biosecurity, vaccine and drug therapy, and biological control procedures, such as those aimed at preventing colonisation . There are also many critical control points identified in the processing plant which reduce contamination . These include temperature controls (washer and product), chemical interventions, water replacements and counter-flow technology in the scalder and chiller, and equipment maintenance . Transportation and food handling at retail outlets and by the consumer (i.e., storage at the proper temperature and adequate cooking) are the final critical control points in the farm-to-table continuum . It is important to apply risk reduction strategies throughout the food chain . These include: easing the development and implementation of voluntary animal production 'best management practices', implementing in-plant hazard analysis and critical control point systems, developing effective transportation and refrigeration standards, working to facilitate adoption of the model Food Code in all States and providing educational materials and support for public health activities nationwide. Rev Sci Tech, 1997 Aug, 16(2), 513 - 24 Public health and pork and pork products: regional perspectives of Denmark; Nielsen B et al.; An ambitious programme to eliminate pork as an important source of human salmonellosis was initiated in Denmark in 1993 by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries . The programme comprises control of feedmills, breeding and multiplying herds, slaughter herds and slaughter plants, as well as the final product, fresh pork . As a consequence, the level of occurrence of Salmonella spp . in fresh pork produced in Denmark is approximately 1% . Yersinia enterocolitica 0:3 infections are common in slaughter pig herds in Denmark, and pork is considered to be the only source of human infection in the country . The incidence of pork-related occurrences of human salmonellosis and yersiniosis in 1996 was approximately nine cases per 100,000 inhabitants for both diseases . All swine in Denmark are screened for Trichinella spp . infection, although no positive results have been obtained since 1930 . Swine are not considered to be a source for Campylobacter jejuni or enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli in Denmark . Listeria monocytogenes can be detected in relatively high rates in pork: however, the incidence of human listeriosis is only 0.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants . Toxoplasma gondii antibodies have been demonstrated in 3% of slaughter pigs, though the importance of pork as a source of infection is probably very low . Denmark is officially free from Brucella abortus, B . melitensis and Mycobacterium bovis. Rev Sci Tech, 1997 Aug, 16(2), 415 - 25 Public health hazards from small ruminant meat products in Europe; Pepin M et al.; Foodborne diseases, in particular those related to meat and meat products, have recently become a matter of great public concern . Sheep and goat meat can transmit infections and diseases either through handling during preparation procedures or as a result of ingestion by the consumer . The authors highlight the second route of contamination in relation to meat and meat products from small ruminants in European countries . Among the most important diseases transmitted by mutton and goat meat, toxoplasmosis remains the greatest threat, particularly in immuno-compromised people and in pregnant women . Other pathogens which may be associated with the consumption of meat from small ruminants include: Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium parvum and Campylobacter jejuni . As with other ruminant species, Escherichia coli O157:H7 can be considered as an emerging pathogen, for which control efforts must be made . The classical zoonoses (brucellosis, Q fever, hydatidosis) are also presented here, although the major source of contamination for these diseases remains contact with infected animals or the handling of carcasses . The fact that the association of foodborne diseases with mutton and goat meat is less frequent than with the meat of other animal species should be noted, for the following reasons: a) lower levels of production; b) less intensive production, leading to a weaker microbial contamination; c) mutton and goat meat are subjected to processing less often than other meats; d) the usual boiling or cooking processes. Rev Sci Tech, 1997 Aug, 16(2), 405 - 14 Meat from dairy cows: possible microbiological hazards and risks; Troutt HF et al.; The authors provide an overview of the circumstances associated with culling of dairy cattle in the United States of America (USA) and focus on the possible significant microbiological hazards associated with meat from cull dairy cows . Cull dairy cows are an important source of food in the USA, accounting for at least approximately 17% of ground beef . The potential microbiological hazards for foodborne illness from cull dairy cows discussed here include Salmonella (with special attention to S . Typhimurium DT104), Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus . Possible sources and means of contamination are pointed out, as are the potential foodborne risks from Bacillus cereus and Aeromonas spp . In conclusion, widespread microbiological studies are needed to determine the prevalence and risk of foodborne pathogens in cull dairy cattle. Rev Sci Tech, 1997 Aug, 16(2), 369 - 81 {Sanitary conditions for the production of beef cattle in Argentina}; Lasta JA et al.; Meat production is extremely important for the economy of Argentina, and represents 35%-40% of all national agricultural production . Cattle are distributed throughout the country, with the highest density in the Pampa region, which hosts 66% of the national herd and produces 80% of the total meat production in Argentina . This region has a long tradition of livestock rearing, and the practice of rotation between agriculture and animal husbandry ensures an ecological equilibrium . Meat production in Argentina is based on the exploitation of natural resources, with traditional extensive grazing, which offers advantages when compared with other countries . The composition of meat depends on factors such as breed and age, and on the diet of the animals . The authors demonstrate that meat produced under extensive grazing conditions in Argentina has less intramuscular fat and cholesterol than that produced in intensive systems which have a grain-rich diet . The authors analyse the situation of the country with regard to diseases which can be transmitted by meat and which might affect public health, particularly bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), brucellosis, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, colibacillosis and taeniosis . The fact that Argentina is free from BSE is emphasised, and the prevention programmes which have been implemented to control other diseases are described . In addition, the authors discuss tests which are conducted to detect the presence of residues of chemical contaminants in meat . Emphasis is given to the quality of infrastructure, equipment and operation of the mechanised meat-processing plants, which guarantee the hygienic safety of the products . The authors conclude that meat and meat products from Argentina offer a high level of safety for consumers. Int J Food Microbiol, 1997 Sep 16, 38(2-3), 201 - 9 Comparison of the productivity of cefoperazone amphotericin teicoplanin (CAT) agar and modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate (mCCD) agar for various strains of Campylobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter pullorum; Corry JE et al.; Cefoperazone amphotericin teicoplanin (CAT) agar was developed from cefoperazone deoxycholate (mCCD) agar by modification of the selective antibiotics in order to permit growth of strains of Campylobacter upsaliensis . In this study, 35 strains of Campylobacter and Arcobacter were tested for their ability to grow on CAT and mCCD media using the ecometric method . Six of these strains were also tested using the modified Miles-Misra method . Overall, nineteen strains out of the 35 tested grew better on CAT than on mCCD agar, although for eight strains, the difference was slight . These differences could not be attributed solely to poorer growth of C . upsaliensis on mCCD agar . No strain grew better on mCCD than CAT agar . Eight of the 35 strains tested did not grow on mCCD agar at all, however, only one strain failed to grow on CAT medium . The two methods of testing gave similar results, although the Miles-Misra method was found to be more sensitive and less prone to subjective interpretation . All four CNUPC (catalase negative, urease positive campylobacter-like) strains, one strain of C . sputorum biovar, fecalis, one of two Arcobacter cryaerophilus strains (incubated at 30 degrees C, aerobically) could be detected only using CAT agar . In addition, for some strains of A . butzleri, C . upsaliensis and C . hyointestinalis, CAT medium gave better growth scores than mCCD agar . The level of cefoperazone in mCCDA is inhibitory to some campylobacter strains, but suboptimal growth of Arcobacter strains is more probably due to synergistic interaction between deoxycholate and cefoperazone . CAT agar supports the growth of a wider variety of Campylobacter and Arcobacter species than mCCD agar. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 1998 Feb 27, 47(7), 129 - 31 Outbreak of Campylobacter enteritis associated with cross-contamination of food--Oklahoma, 1996; Unusual species of campylobacters isolated in the Siena Tuscany area et al.; Dipartimento di Biologia Molecolare, Universita degli Studi, Siena, ItalyFrom January 1989 to December 1990, stool samples from 288 children with enteritis were examined for the presence of unusual campylobacters which represented about 20% of all campylobacteria isolated when the filtration technique was used . The isolation percentage was the following: C . jejuni ss . jejuni 6.9%; C . coli 2%; C . jejuni ss . doylei, C . upsaliensis and C . concisus each 0.7% . The atypical Campylobacter isolates were examined for their virulence characteristics . Toxin profiles based on cytotonic, cytotoxic and cytolethal distending factors were determined after analysis responses in Vero, CHO and HeLa cells . Adhesivity and invasivity tests were performed on Intestine 407 cells . No strain was cytotoxic . C . jejuni ss . doylei and C . concisus induced an elongation of CHO cells (a cytotonic-like effect) . C . upsaliensis strains provoked a cytolethal distending effect . No strain adhered to cells in vitro . Our results suggest that the filtration technique is excellent for the isolation of atypical campylobacters and indicate that the unusual Campylobacter isolates could be potentially virulent. J Clin Periodontol, 1998 Feb, 25(2), 134 - 44 Microbial complexes in subgingival plaque; Socransky SS et al.; It has been recognized for some time that bacterial species exist in complexes in subgingival plaque . The purpose of the present investigation was to attempt to define such communities using data from large numbers of plaque samples and different clustering and ordination techniques . Subgingival plaque samples were taken from the mesial aspect of each tooth in 185 subjects (mean age 51 +/- 16 years) with (n = 160) or without (n = 25) periodontitis . The presence and levels of 40 subgingival taxa were determined in 13,261 plaque samples using whole genomic DNA probes and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization . Clinical assessments were made at 6 sites per tooth at each visit . Similarities between pairs of species were computed using phi coefficients and species clustered using an averaged unweighted linkage sort . Community ordination was performed using principal components analysis and correspondence analysis . 5 major complexes were consistently observed using any of the analytical methods . One complex consisted of the tightly related group: Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola . The 2nd complex consisted of a tightly related core group including members of the Fusobacterium nucleatum/periodonticum subspecies, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens and Peptostreptococcus micros . Species associated with this group included: Eubacterium nodatum, Campylobacter rectus, Campylobacter showae, Streptococcus constellatus and Campylobacter gracilis . The 3rd complex consisted of Streptococcus sanguis, S . oralis, S . mitis, S . gordonii and S . intermedius . The 4th complex was comprised of 3 Capnocytophaga species, Campylobacter concisus, Eikenella corrodens and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype a . The 5th complex consisted of Veillonella parvula and Actinomyces odontolyticus . A . actinomycetemcomitans serotype b, Selenomonas noxia and Actinomyces naeslundii genospecies 2 (A . viscosus) were outliers with little relation to each other and the 5 major complexes . The 1st complex related strikingly to clinical measures of periodontal disease particularly pocket depth and bleeding on probing. J Clin Periodontol, 1998 Feb, 25(2), 85 - 98 Microbiota of health, gingivitis, and initial periodontitis; Tanner A et al.; This study compared the subgingival microbiota in periodontal health, gingivitis and initial periodontitis using predominant culture and a DNA probe, checkerboard hybridization method . 56 healthy adult subjects with minimal periodontal attachment loss were clinically monitored at 3-month intervals for 12 months . More sites demonstrated small increments of attachment loss than attachment gain over the monitoring period . Sites, from 17 subjects, showing > or = 1.5 mm periodontal attachment loss during monitoring were sampled as active lesions for microbial analysis . Twelve subjects demonstrated interproximal lesions, and 5 subjects had attachment loss at buccal sites (recession) . Cultural studies identified Bacteroides forsythus, Campylobacter rectus, and Selenomonas noxia as the predominant species associated with active interproximal lesions (9 subjects), whereas Actinomyces naeslundii, and Streptococcus oralis, were the dominant species colonizing buccal active sites . A . naeslundii, Campylobacter gracilis, and B . forsythus (at lower levels than active sites) were the dominant species cultured from gingivitis (10 subjects) . Health-associated species (10 subjects) included Streptococcus oralis, A . naeslundii, and Actinomyces gerencseriae . DNA probe data identified higher mean levels of B . forsythus and C . rectus with active (7 subjects) compared to inactive periodontitis sites . Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were detected infrequently . Cluster analysis of the cultural microbiota grouped 8/9 active interproximal lesions in one subcluster characterized by a mostly gram-negative microbiota, including B . forsythus and C . rectus . The data suggest that B . forsythus C . rectus and S . noxia were major species characterizing sites converting from periodontal health to disease . The differences in location and microbiota of interproximal and buccal active sites suggested that different mechanisms may be involved in increased attachment loss. Infect Dis Clin North Am, 1998 Mar, 12(1), 199 - 216 Foodborne diseases . Emerging pathogens and trends; Slutsker L et al.; The epidemiology of foodborne diseases is rapidly changing . In the past 15 years, new foodborne pathogens, such as Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli O157:H7, have emerged as important public health problems . Well-recognized pathogens, such as Salmonella serotype Enteritidis, have increased in prevalence or become associated with new vehicles, and pathogens such as C . jejuni and S . Typhimurium are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents . Evolving trends in foodborne diseases are being driven by the same factors that have led to the emergence of other infectious diseases: changes in demographic characteristics of the population, human behavior, industry, and technology and the shift toward a global economy, microbial adaptation, and breakdown in the public health infrastructure . Addressing emerging foodborne disease will require more sensitive and timely surveillance, enhanced methods of laboratory identification and subtyping, and identification of effective prevention and control strategies. Infect Dis Clin North Am, 1998 Mar, 12(1), 173 - 84 Campylobacter jejuni infection as a cause of the Guillain-Barré syndrome; Allos BM; A previously unrecognized sequelum of infection with Campylobacter jejuni, a common cause of gastroenteritis, is Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . GBS is the most common cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis; 30% to 40% of cases are preceded by C . jejuni infection . Both patient and bacterial characteristics likely play a role in the pathogenesis of C . jejuni-induced GBS . Molecular mimicry between the LPS of some campylobacters and structures present on the gangliosides of the peripheral nerve may explain how this acute infectious diarrheal illness triggers GBS. Microbiology, 1998 Feb, 144 ( Pt 2), 503 - 8 An improved physical and genetic map of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 (UA580); Karlyshev AV et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as the major cause of food-borne gastrointestinal disease in the developed world . To facilitate the molecular genetic analysis of this pathogen, an approximately 18-fold redundant Tropist3 cosmid library was constructed from C . jejuni NCTC 11168 genomic DNA . The cosmid library was partially ordered by hybridization to 15 pulsed-field electrophoresis (PFGE) restriction fragments . This analysis confirmed the estimated size of the genome to be 1730 kb, but suggested discrepancies in some regions of the published physical map . The precise locations of two of the three rRNA gene clusters were mapped using a combination of restriction fingerprinting, sample sequencing and riboprobing . Additionally, 15 further genes were located on the revised map . A more detailed physical and genetic map of C . jejuni NCTC 11168 is presented. Lett Appl Microbiol, 1998 Jan, 26(1), 69 - 76 Campylobacter jejuni 72Dz/92 cjaC gene coding 28 kDa immunopositive protein, a homologue of the solute-binding components of the ABC transport system; Pawelec D et al.; Screening of the Campylobacter jejuni 72Dz/92 cosmid gene bank enabled identification of the cjaC (Camp . jejuni antigen C) gene encoding a highly immunogenic protein of apparent molecular mass 28 kDa . Gene bank searches indicated significant overall homology of the cjaC gene product, mainly to the Gram-negative periplasmic solute-binding proteins of the ABC transport system which recognize polar amino acids and opines . CjaC protein contains the motif LVAC at the end of the putative 19 amino acid signal sequence, which suggests that it might be a lipoprotein . In the 5' flanking region of the cjaC gene, two potential promoter regions were observed . The cjaC gene is conserved among some isolates of three serotypes commonly isolated from humans (HL serotypes 1,4,71). Infect Immun, 1998 Mar, 66(3), 938 - 43 Mutation in the peb1A locus of Campylobacter jejuni reduces interactions with epithelial cells and intestinal colonization of mice; Pei Z et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading causes of bacterial diarrhea throughout the world . We previously found that PEB1 is a homolog of cluster 3 binding proteins of bacterial ABC transporters and that a C . jejuni adhesin, cell-binding factor 1 (CBF1), if not identical to, contains PEB1 . A single protein migrating at approximately 27 to 28 kDa was recognized by anti-CBF1 and anti-PEB1 . To determine the role that the operon encoding PEB1 plays in C . jejuni adherence, peb1A, the gene encoding PEB1, was disrupted in strain 81-176 by insertion of a kanamycin resistance gene through homologous recombination . Inactivation of this operon completely abolished expression of CBF1, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting . In comparison to the wild-type strain, the mutant strain showed 50- to 100-fold less adherence to and 15-fold less invasion of epithelial cells in culture . Mouse challenge studies showed that the rate and duration of intestinal colonization by the mutant were significantly lower and shorter than with the wild-type strain . In summary, PEB1 is identical to a previously identified cell-binding factor, CBF1, in C . jejuni, and the peb1A locus plays an important role in epithelial cell interactions and in intestinal colonization in a mouse model. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung, 1997, 44(3), 197 - 221 Problems of microbial zoonoses in Hungary . (A review); Ralovich B; Hungarian data of 36 zoonotic diseases are summarized . These illnesses cause problems not only for health, public health and veterinary health services but for the society and their importance has increased . Changing character of an old pathogen (Salmonella enteritidis PT4) resulted in new epidemiological situation . The number of cases of food-borne zoonotic diseases has rapidly grown . The number of pets has elevated and in consequence the possibility of an infection of owners, breaders, sellers and other persons has also grown . Growing number of HIV positive patients as well as ill persons treated with immunosuppressive drugs increases the importance of opportunistic zoonotic pathogens (Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma) . The most effective and less expensive way to prevent an exposed population is the active immunization (BCG, tetanus, tick-borne encephalitis) . Active immunization of animals can also reduce probability of human infections and economic losses (leptospirosis, rabies) . In special cases it is advised to perform eradication programmes to get pathogenic-free domestic animals (brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis) . Permanent surveillance is obligatory to recognize changing nature of pathogens, alteration of epidemiological situation and to identify areas for further research . Continuous education of population in general and special teaching of risky groups are very important for an effective prevention. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1997 Aug, 12(4), 204 - 11 Characteristics of systemic antibody responses of nonhuman primates to cell envelope and cell wall antigens from periodontal pathogens; Cox SE et al.; The immune response of the primate, Macaca fascicularis, to cell envelope (CEA) or cell wall (CWA) antigens of several periodontal pathogens was examined to develop a strategy to interfere with ligature-induced periodontitis . Animals were parenterally immunized with CEA of either Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia or a combination of CEA/CWA of Campylobacter rectus, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Actinomyces viscosus . Serum samples were taken every 2-4 weeks over a 4-month period, which included a 13-week interval with molar teeth ligated . All of the nonhuman primates in the study exhibited baseline levels of IgG, IgM and IgA antibody to formalinized whole cells of the bacteria . These levels increased significantly following immunization and were elevated above baseline throughout the remainder of the experiment . The largest change in antibody responses was seen in IgA antibody levels of P . gingivalis and C . rectus (42-fold above baseline), IgM antibody to P . intermedia, (41-fold increase) and IgG antibody to F . nucleatum and A . viscosus (32 and 63-fold increases) . Moreover, the nonhuman primates exhibited differences in isotype response levels to whole microorganisms compared with the cell envelope antigens . These findings demonstrate the capacity of these nonhuman primates to produce an active immune response to microorganisms chronically colonizing the subgingival microbiota . Additionally, it appears that the bacteria may exhibit some unique differences in their immunogenicity as detected by the nonhuman primate and may contribute to the ability of the immune responses to effectively interact with these pathogens. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1997 Aug, 12(4), 193 - 203 Evidence for serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses in Macaca fascicularis identified by monoclonal antibodies to human IgG subclasses; Ebersole JL et al.; This investigation determined the capacity of murine monoclonal antibodies directed to human immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses to identify molecules with conserved epitopes in the serum of the nonhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis . We subsequently utilized this cross-reactivity to document the characteristics of IgG subclass antibody responses in M . fascicularis to parenteral immunization with intact oral microorganisms, antigens from oral microorganisms, and finally a defined protein toxin, tetanus toxoid . The IgG response in nonhuman primates immunized with tetanus toxoid showed a 40-fold and 110-fold increase after primary and secondary immunizations, respectively . The major IgG subclass responses were IgG1 and IgG3, with little, though significant, responses in the IgG4 and IgG2 subclasses . Seventy-five to 94% of the natural IgG antibody in nonhuman primate sera to Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Campylobacter rectus was IgG1 . IgG2 and IgG3 predominated to Bacteroides fragilis, IgG4 to Actinomyces viscosus and an equal distribution among the subclasses was noted in response to Fusobacterium nucleatum . Parenteral immunization of nonhuman primates with intact P . gingivalis elicited primarily IgG3 and IgG4, while the post-immunization IgG response to P . intermedia was largely IgG1 . Nonhuman primates were also parenterally immunized with cell envelope antigens of P . gingivalis, P . intermedia, or a combination of cell envelope antigen from C . rectus and F . nucleatum and cell wall antigens of A . viscosus . The greatest IgG antibody response seen post-immunization was reactive with anti-human IgG1 for all of these antigens except to C . rectus which bound nonhuman primate antibody reactive with anti-human IgG2 . It appears that the bacteria and their products exhibit unique differences in their induction of serum IgG subclass antibody responses . The characteristics of their immunogenicity as detected by the nonhuman primate may contribute to the ability of the immune responses to effectively interact with these pathogens. Oral Dis, 1997 Jun, 3(2), 113 - 20 Role for the S-layer of Campylobacter rectus ATCC33238 in complement mediated killing and phagocytic killing by leukocytes from guinea pig and human peripheral blood; Okuda K et al.; OBJECTIVE: The role of the S-layer of Campylobacter rectus ATCC 33238 in complement-mediated killing and interaction with leukocytes of the intraperitoneal cavity from guinea pigs and human peripheral blood was studied in vitro . MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbit polyclonal anti-serum to whole C . rectus cells, a monoclonal antibody which recognizes 150 KDa S-layer protein antigen and a monoclonal antibody against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were prepared . Sensitivities of C . rectus cells against complement mediated killing and phagocytic killing by peritoneal leukocytes of guinea pig and human peripheral leukocytes were examined in the presence or absence of a specific antibody . RESULTS: C . rectus ATCC 33238 cells were moderately sensitive to complement mediated killing in the presence of rabbit polyclonal antibody against whole cells, and slightly sensitive in the presence of monoclonal antibody against S-layer . Ingestion and phagocytic killing of C . rectus cells by leukocytes were enhanced by the rabbit anti-serum and monoclonal antibody against S-layer, but not by the monoclonal antibody against LPS, pre-immune rabbit serum or control ascites . Viability of leukocytes was dependent on the number of ingested C . rectus cells . CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that S-layer possessing C . rectus cells are resistant to complement mediated killing and phagocytic killing by leukocytes in the absence of specific antibody. J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Feb, 36(2), 335 - 9 Serotyping scheme for Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli based on direct agglutination of heat-stable antigens; Frost JA et al.; Campylobacter is now the most frequently reported cause of gastrointestinal disease in England and Wales, yet few isolates are characterized beyond the genus level . The majority of isolates are Campylobacter jejuni (90%), with most of the remainder being Campylobacter coli . We describe an adaptation of the Penner serotyping scheme in which passive hemagglutination has been replaced by detection of heat-stable antigens by direct bacterial agglutination; absorbed antisera are used where appropriate . This scheme has been used to type 2,407 C . jejuni samples and 182 C . coli samples isolated in Wales between April 1996 and March 1997 . Forty-seven C . jejuni serotypes were identified, with the 10 most prevalent serotypes accounting for 53% of the isolates tested; 19% of the isolates were untypeable . Only fifteen C . coli serotypes were identified, with three serotypes accounting for 69% of the isolates . This scheme provides a baseline for epidemiological studies of C . jejuni and C . coli. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1998 Feb, 64(2), 581 - 7 Effect of low temperatures on growth, structure, and metabolism of Campylobacter coli SP10; Holler C et al.; The effect of low temperatures on the survival, structure, and metabolism of Campylobacter coli SP10, a virulent strain, was investigated . C . coli became nonculturable rapidly at 20 and 10 degree C and slightly later at 4 degrees C . Incubation in a microaerobic atmosphere improved survival, but after day 8, campylobacters were detectable by direct-count procedures only . The increase in the number of coccoid cells was most pronounced at 37 degrees C but also was noticeable at 20 and 10 degrees C . Two forms of coccoid cells were seen electron microscopically, but only one (20 and 10 degrees C) seemed to be a degenerative form . The flagella were shorter at 20 and 10 degrees C, a result which correlates well with the observed slight changes in the 62-kDa protein band . The fatty acid composition of bacterial cells was influenced significantly by low temperatures . An increase in the short-chain and unsaturated acids was noted; above all, a drastic increase in C19:0 cyc at 20 degrees C with a concomitant decrease in C18:1 trans9,cis11 was seen . The concentrations of excreted metabolites were analyzed to obtain information on metabolic activity . Depending on the magnitude of the temperature downshift, the production of organic acids decreased, but it was always observable after a temperature-specific lag phase and regardless of ability to be cultured . Under optimal conditions, succinate, lactate, and acetate were the main metabolites, other acids being of less importance . The pattern changed significantly at lower temperatures . Succinate was never detected at 20 degrees C and was only occasionally detected at 10 and 4 degrees C . At the same time, fumarate concentrations, which are normally not detectable at 37 degrees C, were highest at 20 degrees C and reduced at 10 and 4 degrees C . Inactivation of fumarate reductase was considered to be a possible explanation. Ugeskr Laeger, 1998 Jan 19, 160(4), 429 - 33 {Bacterial gastroenteritis in hospitalized patients in Roskilde county 1991-1993}; Petersen AM et al.; Denmark has in recent years experienced a rise in the number of bacterial gastrointestinal infections . We have reviewed patients hospitalized with culture confirmed bacterial gastroenteritis in Roskilde County during 1991-1993 . Two hundred and seven patients were included, 68 were children (< 15 years) . The microorganism isolated was Salmonella in 61% of the cases . Campylobacter in 20% and Yersinia enterocolitica in 13% . Ninety-three percent of the patients had diarrhoea, 74% had fever (> 38 degrees C), and 66% abdominal pain . Blood in the stools was most frequent in patients infected with Campylobacter . Leucocytosis was rare . Twenty-four patients had bacteraemia . Reactive arthritis occurred in 4.8% . Three patients died, all infected with zoonotic Salmonella types . Three stool cultures were made for 115 patients, and all three cultures were positive in 73% of these patients . Bacterial gastroenteritis requiring hospitalization in Roskilde County, 1991-1993 affected mainly children and young adults . Infections due to zoonotic Salmonella types were more severe than Campylobacter and Yersinia enterocolitica gastroenteritis . It seems necessary to collect at least three stool cultures to secure a bacteriological diagnosis. J Clin Microbiol, 1998 Jan, 36(1), 133 - 8 Etiology of acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized children in Melbourne, Australia, from April 1980 to March 1993; Barnes GL et al.; Acute infectious diarrhea is common in children . Control requires knowledge of causes . Few comprehensive long-term studies of etiology have been undertaken in developed countries . This report is of a 13-year survey of 4,637 children from 0 to 14 years of age, admitted to a large children's hospital for treatment of gastroenteritis, in which viruses, bacteria, and parasites were sought . A recognized enteric pathogen was identified in 56.6% of children . Group A rotaviruses occurred in 39.6% of children overall and in 55% of children 12 to 23 months of age . They were a frequent cause (18.7%) of acute gastroenteritis in children under 6 months and in those aged 5 to 13 years (16%) . Rotaviruses were almost entirely responsible for winter admission peaks . Enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 (6% overall) were more frequent in children under 12 months (9.4%) . Salmonella spp . (5.8%) and Campylobacter jejuni (3.4%) were more common in children over 5 years (13.1% and 6.7%, respectively) . The 43.5% of cases (60% in children under 6 months) where no enteric pathogen was identified are cause for concern . The involvement of small viruses (including caliciviruses and astroviruses) may be clarified when molecular biology techniques are utilized to address this gap in our knowledge . This comprehensive 13-year study of the cause of acute infectious diarrhea in children in developed countries reinforces the importance of rotavirus and highlights a large group for whom the etiology remains unknown, an issue of particular concern with babies under 6 months of age . New techniques have the potential to identify old and new pathogens causing disease in these vulnerable infants. Nippon Kyobu Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1997 Nov, 45(11), 1844 - 7 {A case of isolated tricuspid valve endocarditis caused by Campylobacter fetus}; Sasaki Y et al.; We reported a rare case of isolated tricuspid valve endocarditis in a non-addict with no underlying cardiac disease . A 48-year-old man was presented with high fever and newly developed leg edema . The diagnosis of tricuspid endocarditis was established following detection of a large vegetation (3.0 cm) on the tricuspid valve on echocardiography . One blood culture showed positive for Campylobacter fetus . At operation, a large and a small vegetation were found attached to the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve, and the septal leaflet was also found to be involved by the infective endocarditis . These leaflets were therefore removed and the tricuspid valve was replaced with CarboMedics valve . He has remained free of endocarditis for nineteen months after surgery. Eur J Epidemiol, 1997 Oct, 13(7), 837 - 40 Subtypes of Campylobacter jejuni from sporadic cases of diarrhoeal disease at different locations in England are highly diverse; Owen RJ et al.; Serotyping (heat stable antigens) was performed on 398 strains of Campylobacter jejuni from faeces of human enteritis cases in England . Strains isolated over 12 months at three locations were heterogeneous with 33 HS serotypes represented . HS1 and HS4 complex were the predominant types (34% of all strains) . The monthly strain frequency distributions were similar at the three locations . The late spring peak appeared to be associated with a rise in miscellaneous serotypes rather than with the emergence of any characteristic predominant serotype . PFGE DNA restriction profiling provided evidence of a high degree of genomic diversity within the common HS1 and HS4 complex serotypes, irrespective of the geographical source, yet some subtypes were common to more than one location . The study showed that C . jejuni strain subtypes from human enteric infections in England were highly diverse, and that HS serotyping must be combined with a more discriminatory subtyping method such as PFGE DNA profiling to provide an accurate basis for epidemiological surveillance. Eur J Epidemiol, 1997 Oct, 13(7), 831 - 6 Bacterial pathogens associated with diarrhoea on the island of Crete; Samonis G et al.; Stool specimens from 3,600 diarrhoeal patients from the island of Crete, Greece, were examined for bacterial pathogens, during a three-year period (1992-1994) . One or more pathogens were identified in 826 patients (22.9%), more often from children . Salmonella spp . were the most frequently isolated organisms in 13.6% of the patients, followed by Campylobacter in 4.7%, and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in 3.9% . Yersinia enterocolitica was found in 0.7%, Shigella spp . in 0.7% and Aeromonas hydrophila in 0.05% . Vibrio spp . and enterohaemorragic E . coli were not identified in the stools tested . Resistance to ampicillin was observed in 36% of the Salmonella, 62% of the Shigella, and 27% of the EPEC isolates . Cotrimoxazole resistance was observed in 42% of the Shigella and 12% of the EPEC isolates, while tetracycline and the quinolones were inactive against almost half and erythromycin against 20% of the Campylobacter isolates . This is the first study investigating bacterial pathogens associated with diarrhoea on the island of Crete. J Bacteriol, 1998 Feb, 180(3), 594 - 9 Identification of Campylobacter jejuni promoter sequences; Wosten MM et al.; A promoterless lacZ shuttle vector, which allowed screening of promoters by beta-galactosidase activity in Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli, was developed . Chromosomal DNA fragments from C . jejuni were cloned into this vector; 125 of 1,824 clones displayed promoter activity in C . jejuni . Eleven clones with strong promoter activity in C . jejuni were further characterized . Their nucleotide sequences were determined, and the transcriptional start sites of the putative promoters in C . jejuni were determined by primer extension . Only 6 of these 11 promoters were functional in E . coli . The 11 newly characterized and 10 previously characterized C . jejuni promoters were used to establish a consensus sequence for C . jejuni promoters . The 21 promoters were found to be very similar . They contain three conserved regions, located approximately 10, 16, and 35 bp upstream of the transcriptional start point . The -10 region resembles that of a typical sigma70 E . coli promoter, but the -35 region is completely different . In addition a -16 region typical for gram-positive bacteria was identified. Oral Dis, 1997 May, 3 Suppl 1, S153 - 5 Prevalence of six periodontal pathogens detected by DNA probe method in HIV vs non-HIV periodontitis; Tenenbaum H et al.; OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of selected periodontal pathogens associated with HIV and non-HIV related periodontal lesions . METHODS: Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from both HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative patients affected with periodontal disease . DNA probes were used to detect Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus, Eikenella corrodens and Campylobacter rectus . RESULTS: A actinomycetemcomitans, P . intermedia and B . forsythus (P < 0.05) were more prevalent in HIV-seronegative patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis . Only C . rectus was slightly more prevalent in HIV-seropositive subjects with periodontal diseases, but this was not significant. J Neurol Sci, 1997 Dec 9, 153(1), 91 - 9 Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome; Nishimura M et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is a major pathogen preceding Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and most C . jejuni isolates from GBS patients belong to Penner serotype 19 (heat-stable; HS-19) . We analyzed sixteen independent clinical isolates from GBS patients, twelve of which belonged to HS-19, three to HS-2, and one to HS-4, using PCR-based RFLP analysis of a flagellin-A (flaA) gene . Two isolates from patients with Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), and 27 from patients with uncomplicated enteritis were also examined . All HS-19 isolates, regardless of GBS, showed an identical pattern (Cj-1) by RFLP typing and were distinguishable from those of the other Penner serogroups . In contrast, HS-2 and HS-4 isolates were divided into several different RFLP groups, suggesting HS-19 strains are genetically distinctive among C . jejuni isolates . A DNA fingerprinting method also failed to detect any specific band pattern for GBS-related C . jejuni isolates . We examined relationships among anti-GM1 antibody titres in the sera of GBS patients, clinical forms of GBS, serotype of C . jejuni, and the presence of GM1-like structures in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) components from C . jejuni isolates by immunoblotting . HS-19 related GBS was significantly associated with elevated anti-GM1 antibody titers in the sera of the patients, but not associated with any clinical pattern of GBS . No significant correlations were found between anti-GM1 antibody and the pattern of disease, or between GBS-related C . jejuni strains and the presence of GM1-like structures . HS-19 strains seem to be unique among C . jejuni isolates, and HS-19-related GBS may provide an excellent model for clarification of the pathogenesis of GBS. Clin Infect Dis, 1998 Jan, 26(1), 91 - 6 Campylobacter jejuni bacteremia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and non-HIV-infected patients: comparison of clinical features and review; Tee W et al.; Clinical and bacteriologic features and clinical outcomes of culture-confirmed campylobacter bacteremia in 21 patients (including nine human immunodeficiency virus {HIV}-infected subjects and 12 non-HIV-infected subjects) were retrospectively evaluated and compared . This study highlights differences between HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected individuals . Campylobacter jejuni bacteremia in HIV-infected patients was found to often be a severe, debilitating febrile illness requiring multiple and prolonged courses of antibiotic therapy . Extraintestinal features, particularly pulmonary involvement, were often observed . Cellulitis occurred in one patient . By contrast, in non-HIV-infected patients, the illness was generally an acute onset of fever associated with self-limiting enteritis, with fever resolving rapidly with antibiotic treatment . Travel history (42% of cases) appeared to be a common risk factor in the latter group . Two of these patients had cutaneous manifestations, thus suggesting that some strains may be more invasive . This study suggests that campylobacter bacteremia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals; the overall mortality rate among HIV-infected patients with bacteremia in this study was 33% . This is not the case for immunocompetent patients, in whom death rarely occurs. Avian Dis, 1997 Oct-Dec, 41(4), 899 - 905 Flagellin A gene restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of Campylobacter spp . isolates from broiler production sources; Stern NJ et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine the potential reservoirs for Campylobacter spp . that provide the initial sources involved with broiler chicken colonization during poultry production . We characterized the flagellin A gene (flaA) of the organism by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for 59 isolates of the bacterium provided during an epidemiological study . Isolates were obtained from three broiler production houses existing at separate locations . They were cultured and isolated from other (nonbroiler) domestic farm animals, wild birds, rodents, feed, farmers' boots, chicken feathers, and chicken intestinal materials . Eight distinctive flaA types were found in two of the houses . In one house, at least five flaA types (4, 6, 8, 15, and 21) were characterized from the poultry production environment, with three types isolated and identified from the chicken intestinal tract . flaA type 15 was found in flies, on boots, and in chicken intestinal samples . In another house, a distinctive diversity of flaA types existed (4, 7, 43, and 53) . At least three flaA types found in samples from chicken intestinal tracts were also found in warm-blooded animals outside of the poultry house (domesticated animals, wild birds, and vermin). Avian Dis, 1997 Oct-Dec, 41(4), 890 - 8 Epidemiological study of Campylobacter spp . in broilers: source, time of colonization, and prevalence; Gregory E et al.; From October 1993 to August 1994, broiler chickens in four grow-out houses, two previously used (houses 1 and 2) and two newly constructed (houses 3 and 4), were used in a study to determine the source, time of infection, and prevalence of Campylobacter spp . Cecal droppings and cecal samples were obtained from the broilers . Samples were also obtained from water, feed, litter, soil, fans, and workers' boots . Samples were obtained from domestic animals and wildlife species (rectal swabs), including insects, on or near the premises . Broilers in houses 2, 3, and 4 became infected in the second or third week and were fully colonized by day 42 . Campylobacter appeared in house 1 during week 2 in a low percentage of the birds, disappearing by the fourth week . Isolates were also recovered from domestic pigs and water on this farm . In house 3, the organism was isolated from workers' boots and a wild bird prior to isolation from the broilers . Following isolation from cecal droppings, the organism was isolated from water, feed, litter, feathers, flies, cattle, feces, and wild animals . In house 2, Campylobacter was isolated from cattle feces and wild birds prior to week 5, when the broilers first became infected, and thereafter from water, feed, insect, and wildlife, and cecal droppings . It was subsequently isolated from workers' boots, cattle feces, feathers, insects, and other wildlife . All ceca taken from 20 birds each from houses 2 and 3 were positive at time of slaughter (day 49) . All ceca from house 1 were negative . No ceca were collected from birds originating in house 4 . No specific source could be identified from the samples obtained, although apparently the organism permeates the environment and several potential sources are discussed in this paper. Vet Microbiol, 1997 Nov, 58(2-4), 215 - 27 Multiplex PCR for the identification of Arcobacter and differentiation of Arcobacter butzleri from other arcobacters; Harmon KM et al.; A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify Arcobacter isolates and to distinguish A . butzleri from other arcobacters is described . The test uses two primer sets . Set I targets a section of the 16S rRNA genes of Arcobacter spp . Set II amplifies a portion of the 23S rRNA genes unique to A . butzleri . Specificity of the primer sets was evaluated using ATCC reference strains of A . butzleri, A . cryaerophilus, A . skirrowii, Bacteroides spp., Campylobacter spp., Helicobacter spp . and Wolinella succinogenes . Upon PCR amplification, all of the Arcobacter isolates yielded a 1223 bp product, whereas A . butzleri ATCC 49616 exhibited both a 1223 bp and a 686 bp product . No PCR product was observed for other closely related ATCC strains (n = 37) . We next analyzed by multiplex PCR field strains of Arcobacter spp . (n = 108) which had been previously characterized to the species level by either DNA-DNA hybridization, dot blot hybridization, ribotyping or by serology . The 1223 bp multiplex PCR product identified all of the isolates as Arcobacter . The presence of both the 1223 and 686 bp amplicons identified 66 strains as A . butzleri . Speciation by multiplex PCR agreed with results obtained by the other methods . The multiplex PCR assay is specific, rapid and easy to interpret and, thus, will aid in elucidating the prevalence, epidemiology and zoonotic potential of Arcobacter. Eur J Biochem, 1997 Nov 15, 250(1), 19 - 29 Identification of a common structural motif in the disordered N-terminal region of bacterial flagellins--evidence for a new class of fibril-forming peptides; Hakalehto E et al.; Flagellin proteins lacking the N- or C-terminus form polymers of reduced filament stability and straight morphology, in contrast to the coiled native flagella . In the present study, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of flagellins of the anaerobic beer spoilage bacteria Pectinatus cerevisiiphilus and Pectinatus frisingiensis as well as Enterobacter aerogenes and Pseudomonas sp . were determined . Sequence similarity was revealed between these and the N-termini of all known eubacterial flagellins . Synthetic peptides corresponding to the first 15 amino acid residues of the flagellins of Pectinatus, Campylobacter jejuni, E . aerogenes or Proteus mirabilis flagellins had a spontaneous tendency under physiological conditions to form 4-6 nm broad, 1-2 microm long fibrillar structures that had a tendency to form clusters . In contrast, the Pectinatus peptide missing residues 1-3 did not form fibrils . The peptide missing residues 13-15 formed fibrils less easily, and the peptide missing residues 11-15 formed fibrils almost without clustering . In electron micrographs, the fibrillisation of the bacterial flagellar peptides resembled that of beta-amyloid and prion peptides . 1H-NMR and infrared spectroscopy studies with homology analysis indicate that although the flagellar N-terminal peptides are flexible with many conformational minima, they have a significant tendency to form beta-type structures and a loop in the middle of the peptide . The hydrophobic character of the N-terminus together with the property of forming a conserved beta-strand-loop-beta-strand motif may be related to a mechanism involved in attaining the proper morphology and stability of the flagellar filament, by providing a device for facilitating the attachment of the flagellin monomers to each other . The flagellar peptides represent a new class of fibril-forming peptides. Clin Infect Dis, 1997 Dec, 25(6), 1414 - 20 Bacteremia due to Campylobacter species: clinical findings and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns; Pigrau C et al.; From 1979 to 1996, 58 patients (mean age, 39.4 years) were treated for bacteremia due to Campylobacter species at the Hospitals Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, Spain . Bacteremia was considered to be hospital acquired in 30% of these patients . Almost all the patients (93%) had underlying conditions; liver cirrhosis was the most frequent (34% of patients), and neoplasia, immunosuppressive therapy, and human immunodeficiency virus disease were also common . Of the 58 Campylobacter strains isolated, 81% were C . jejuni, 10% were Campylobacter species, 7% were C . fetus, and one (2%) was C . coli . Resistance rates were: cephalothin, 82%; co-trimoxazole, 79%; quinolones, 54%; ampicillin, 20%; amoxicillin/clavulanate, 4%; erythromycin, 7%; gentamicin, 0; and tetracyclines, 0 . Even though the majority of patients were immunocompromised, mortality was low (10.5%), and only one patient relapsed . Because of the high level of resistance to the quinolones in Campylobacter species, these drugs should not be used as empirical treatment, at least in Spain . Although the macrolides remain the antibiotics of choice, amoxicillin/clavulanate may be an effective alternative therapy. Vet Microbiol, 1997 Oct 31, 58(1), 61 - 71 Specific identification of Campylobacter fetus by PCR targeting variable regions of the 16S rDNA; Oyarzabal OA et al.; Campylobacter fetus is recognized as a human and animal pathogen . The isolation and differentiation of C . fetus in diagnostic laboratories is hindered by its relatively slow growth and lack of distinguishing biochemical characteristics . We developed a fast, reliable PCR assay that specifically amplifies a 554-bp segment of the 16S rDNA from C . fetus . Fifty-two ATCC reference strains and 255 bacterial field isolates comprising the genera Campylobacter, Arcobacter, Helicobacter, Escherichia, Listeria, Salmonella, and Wolinella were evaluated using this PCR protocol . Only C . fetus strains were amplified . Sequence analysis of amplicons from ATCC and field strains of C . fetus confirmed the presence of the target DNA fragment . The detection limit of the technique was 5.9 x 10(3) CFU/ml . This PCR assay can yield reliable detection of C . fetus within 3 h after isolation of presumptive colonies on agar plates. J Appl Microbiol, 1997 Dec, 83(6), 693 - 8 The transmission of campylobacter in piggeries; an epidemiological study; Weijtens MJ et al.; The campylobacter infection of 10 sows and their piglets was monitored . These pigs were kept on two multiplier farms . Rectal faeces samples were taken from the sows shortly before littering and at different intervals after littering . Swab samples of rectal content were taken from six piglets per sow at different intervals after birth . Nine sows were shown to be infected with campylobacter before litter and all sows after litter, with an average colony count of 4.1 in log N g-1 of faeces . Half of the piglets became infected with campylobacter during the first week of life and 85%, after four weeks . Two genetic subtyping methods (ERIC-PCR and RFLP) were used to study the relationships between campylobacter isolates from sows and piglets . A large diversity of campylobacter subtypes was found . Nevertheless, piglets and their mothers often harboured campylobacter isolates with identical genetic subtyping profiles, suggesting that piglets become infected via their mothers . However, observed similarities in genetic subtyping profiles between campylobacters isolated on different farms made this difficult to prove. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1998 Jan, 42(1), 59 - 64 Host mutations (miaA and rpsL) reduce tetracycline resistance mediated by Tet(O) and Tet(M); Taylor DE et al.; The effects of mutations in host genes on tetracycline resistance mediated by the Tet(O) and Tet(M) ribosomal protection proteins, which originated in Campylobacter spp . and Streptococcus spp., respectively, were investigated by using mutants of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli . The miaA, miaB, and miaAB double mutants of S . typhimurium specify enzymes for tRNA modification at the adenosine at position 37, adjacent to the anticodon in tRNA . In S . typhimurium, this involves biosynthesis of N6-(4-hydroxyisopentenyl)-2-methylthio-adenosine (ms2io6A) . The miaA mutation reduced the level of tetracycline resistance mediated by both Tet(O) and Tet(M), but the latter showed a greater effect, which was ascribed to the isopentenyl (i6) group or to a combination of the methylthioadenosine (ms2) and i6 groups but not to the ms2 group alone (specified by miaB) . In addition, mutations in E . coli rpsL genes, generating both streptomycin-resistant and streptomycin-dependent strains, were also shown to reduce the level of tetracycline resistance mediated by Tet(O) and Tet(M) . The single-site amino acid substitutions present in the rpsL mutations were pleiotropic in their effects on tetracycline MICs . These mutants affect translational accuracy and kinetics and suggest that Tet(O) and Tet(M) binding to the ribosome may be reduced or slowed in the E . coli rpsL mutants in which the S12 protein is altered . Data from both the miaA and rpsL mutant studies indicate a possible link between stability of the aminoacyl-tRNA in the ribosomal acceptor site and tetracycline resistance mediated by the ribosomal protection proteins. Cent Afr J Med, 1997 Jun, 43(6), 172 - 5 Campylobacter enteritis in children in an urban community; Simango C et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter species as aetiologic agents of diarrhoea and its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern . DESIGN: This was a laboratory based cross sectional study on the cause of childhood diarrhoea . SETTING: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical School in Harare . SUBJECTS: Children less than five years old with diarrhoea presenting at primary level health centres in Harare . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient's age, culture results, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern . RESULTS: Campylobacter species had the highest isolation rate (9.3%) of all the bacterial and parasitic enteric pathogens which were sought in the stool specimens . Children less than three years old were those most frequently infected with Campylobacter species . Campylobacter jejuni was the commonest Campylobacter species isolated . All the Campylobacter isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol and norfloxacin . A significant number of the isolates (14.8%) showed multidrug resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline and gentamicin . CONCLUSIONS: Campylobacter species are important causative agents of childhood diarrhoea . The age group affected most in the urban area is older than the age group in rural areas . Campylobacter jejuni is more important in causing diarrhoea than other Campylobacter species . There is a high rate of multi-drug resistance by Campylobacter species. Eur J Med Res, 1996 Jan 19, 1(4), 189 - 98 When and how to eradicate Helicobacter pylori: role of histamine receptor antagonists; Gross M; Peptic ulcer is today frequently considered to be an infectious disease . The bacteria assumed to be the cause of gastric or duodenal ulcer was first called Campylobacter pyloridis and later C . pylori because of its structural similarity to other Campylobacter species . Later, unique characteristics were reported, and it was renamed Helicobacter pylori (Hp) . In retrospect, it was presumably first described in man in 1938 (Doenges 1938), although the clinical significance was not established until 1983 (Warren 1983, Warren and Marshall 1983) . It is a spiral-shaped, gram-negative bacteria with four to six flagella and dimensions of 0.5 x 3.0 micron . . With the help of these flagella, it moves into the mucous layer overlying the gastric epithelium where it colonizes at the interface of the mucous layer and the surface epithelial cells . It can be found in any part of the gastrointestinal tract demonstrating gastric epithelium, i.e . the stomach and metaplastic areas of the esophagus or the duodenum . One characteristic of this bacteria is the production of a urease enzyme that catalyzes urea to ammonium and bicarbonate . The production of ammonium causes the development of an alkaline microenvironment that protects it from the gastric acid . In the presence of urea, the organism will therefore replicate to a pH as low as 4.3 and survive without replication to a pH as low as 2.3 . In Western countries, an increase in the prevalence of Hp infection is observed in the population with progressing age . In childhood, infection before the age of 20 years is rare . At the age of 60 years or older, however, the prevalence rate is on the order of 40% to 60% (Dooley et al . 1989, Perez-Perez et al . 1988, Marshall 1994) . The seroconversion rate in adults is lower than 1% per year (Parsonnet et al . 1992) . The infection seems to be stable, probably persisting for many years or even a lifetime. J Periodontol, 1997 Dec, 68(12), 1210 - 4 Association of oral spirochetes from sites of periodontal health with development of periodontitis; Riviere GR et al.; The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the presence of disease-associated bacteria in health-associated plaque correlated with susceptibility to periodontitis over time . Sites of periodontal health were identified in 65 adults . Six months later (recall 1), plaque was collected from sites that remained in periodontal health, and specific bacteria were detected using monoclonal antibodies in a microscopic assay . The spirochete morphogroup was identified by phase contrast microscopy . The relationship between detection at recall 1 and development of periodontitis over two successive 6-month intervals (recalls 2 and 3) was evaluated by means of logistic regression using generali