Klebsiella

C R Acad Sci III, 1984, 298(6), 135 - 8
{Activation of murine B lymphocytes by RU 41740, a glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae}; Guenounou M et al.; RU 41740, a glycoprotein extract from K . pneumoniae K2O1 strain, is an immune modulating compound which has been shown to reduce infectious episodes in deficient patients . Data from experimental designs suggest that RU 41740 could affect several target cells, such as T cells, B cells or macrophages . In the present report we show that RU 41740 is a selective B cell activator . It induces blast transformation in normal and nude mouse spleen cells and does not activate mouse T lymphocytes to proliferate . Activation of mouse spleen cells by RU 41740 is not affected by removal of adherent cells . RU 41740 also activates immunoglobulin secretion by murine B lymphocytes . Incubating spleen cells from C3H/HeJ mice with RU 41740 results in cell proliferation and activation of antibody forming cells . This suggests that B cell activation is not due to LPS contamination.

Exp Clin Immunogenet, 1984, 1(3), 140 - 4
Klebsiella plasmid K21 is not involved in the aetiology of ankylosing spondylitis; Ngo KY et al.; The possibility that a plasmid carried by Klebsiella pneumoniae plays a role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis was explored . K . pneumoniae K21 contains a congruent to 25-kb plasmid, but this plasmid is not present in lymphocyte DNAs of ankylosing spondylitis HLA-B27 patients, as demonstrated by molecular hybridization experiments.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1984, 50(4), 397 - 404
Expression and loss of the pBR322 plasmid in Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418, grown in chemostat culture; Sterkenburg A et al.; Klebsiella aerogenes harbouring the plasmid pBR322 was grown in continuous culture at various growth rates under glucose, phosphate or ammonia limitation . With tetracycline in the medium, the maximum culture beta-lactamase activity was found at the higher growth rates . When tetracycline was absent, loss of resistance to the drug occurred . Concomitant with the occurrence of drug-sensitive cells, the culture beta-lactamase activity decreased . At the higher growth rates the enzyme activity decreased at a slightly higher rate than did the resistance to tetracycline . From this it was concluded that the beta-lactamase activity per mg cellular dry weight of the drug-resistant fraction of the population was still decreasing during the appearance of drug-sensitive cells . At the higher growth rates, this decrease was independent of the nutrient that was growth-limiting.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 197(2), 318 - 27
Cloning and organisation of some genes for nitrogen fixation from Azotobacter chroococcum and their expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Jones R et al.; By DNA hybridisation, restriction fragments of genomic DNA from Azotobacter chroococcum and A . vinelandii bearing sequences homologous to Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase structural genes were detected . These were different in the two species and inconsistent with the arrangement of the homologous sequences as a contiguous cluster of unique genes . The use of a DNA probe specific for nifH showed that in A . chroococcum two nifH-like sequences were present in the genome . From gene libraries for A . chroococcum, several recombinant cosmid clones bearing nif genes were identified and physically mapped . One copy of the nifH-like sequences was closely linked to nifD and K, the order of genes being as for K . pneumoniae . This cluster was sub-cloned into the broad host-range vector pKT230 . The resultant plasmid complemented for C2H2-reduction but not growth in N2 several Nif- mutants of A . vinelandii and K . pneumoniae and also abolished growth in N2 in Nif+ parents . The inhibition was ascribed to a short region adjacent to nifH, which probably corresponds to the promoter as its inhibitory affects were alleviated by provision of K . pneumoniae nifA in multiple copies . 3 sizes of transcripts are produced from the region containing nifH and nifD of A . chroococcum in cultures derepressing for nif . A region bearing homology to a fragment of the K . pneumoniae nif cluster bearing nifV was identified 15 Kb away from nifHDK in A . chroococcum however the order of genes is probably similar to that of K . pneumoniae.

Microbiol Immunol, 1984, 28(6), 659 - 66
Adjuvant activity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide: comparative study using defined uniform salt forms; Kato N et al.; Previously we showed that Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) is much more potent than other kinds of LPS including Escherichia coli O127 LPS (EO127 LPS) in adjuvant activity in augmenting antibody response and delayed-type hypersensitivity to protein antigens and in the ability to enlarge the regional lymph node . Various defined uniform salt forms, the triethylamine, sodium, potassium, ammonium, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, and calcium salt forms, of KO3 LPS and EO127 LPS were prepared by removing basic materials present in LPS preparations by electrodialysis and neutralizing the electrodialyzed LPS preparations with various kinds of alkali . The triethylamine salt form showed the best solubility and consisted of the smallest granules and, on the other hand, the calcium salt form showed the lowest solubility, compared with the natural form and the other uniform salt forms . Even if the natural forms of KO3 LPS and EO127 LPS were converted to the defined uniform salt forms, adjuvanticity of KO3 LPS and EO127 LPS in augmenting delayed-type hypersensitivity to ovalbumin and the ability to enlarge the regional lymph node did not significantly differ from those of the respective natural forms . From these results it is concluded that the difference in strength of the adjuvanticity between KO3 LPS and EO127 LPS is not due to the difference in their salt forms, solubility or physical state . Moreover, there were no significant differences in lethal toxicity for mice by the intraperitoneal route among the natural form and all the uniform salt forms of KO3 LPS tested.

Dermatologica, 1984, 169(2), 88 - 90
Toxic epidermal necrolysis probably due to Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis; de Groot R et al.; We describe a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis probably caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae septicaemia . The clinical and histological findings of this patient were typical for toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Am J Med Sci, 1984 Jan-Feb, 287(1), 58 - 60
Myocardial abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae complicating acute infarction; Maslow MJ et al.; A case is described in which Klebsiella pneumoniae urosepsis associated with acute myocardial infarction resulted in myocardial abscess and papillary muscle rupture . The diagnosis was made during surgery for mitral valve replacement . The patient improved after therapy with cefotaxime; however, cardiac rupture occurred on the sixth postoperative day . The pathogenesis of myocardial abscess and the use of non-invasive techniques for diagnosis are discussed.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1984, 16(1), 29 - 35
Nosocomial Klebsiella pneumoniae infection: clinical and hygienic measures in a neonatal intensive care unit; Svenningsen NW et al.; An outbreak in a neonatal intensive care nursery of severe infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae type K-17 has been studied . Over a 9-month period 20 epidemiologically linked cases of severe septicemia, meningitis and pneumonia were diagnosed . The specific epidemic strain could be identified . After introduction of a policy of hygienic measures the nosocomial infection could be eradicated although colonization still occurred . Thorough handwashing before and after the nursing care of each infant, individual gowning and disposable gloves in the care of infants below 1 500 g were important . The changing bacterial ecology of a neonatal unit should be followed closely by weekly routine throat cultures as well as by cultures of incubators and ventilation equipment . The present investigation has shown the importance of this procedure, which is mandatory for appropriate choice of antimicrobial agents when treating infections in critically ill or very low birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit . Prophylactic antimicrobial treatment is not indicated . Control of K . pneumoniae nosocomial infections can only be achieved by maintaining a high standard of hygiene in the neonatal care.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 193(1), 99 - 103
Genetic and physical maps of Klebsiella aerogenes genes for histidine utilization (hut); Boylan SA et al.; Deletion derivatives of the hut-containing plasmid pCB101 were tested against point mutants defective in individual genes of the histidine utilization (hut) operons using a complementation/recombination assay . Location of the genes of the right operon, hutU and hutH, was confirmed by direct assay of the gene products, urocanase and histidase; location of the repressor gene was identified by measuring the ability of the plasmid-carried genes to repress the formation of histidase from a chromosomal location . The analysis of eight deletion plasmids unambiguously confirms the map order of the hut genes as hutI-G-C-U-H, and demonstrates that, in Klebsiella aerogenes, the hutU and hutH genes are transcribed from their own promoter . In addition, the genetic map of hut can be aligned with the restriction map of the hut DNA in plasmid pCB101 . One of the deletion plasmids studied apparently encodes a defective histidase subunit that is trans-dominant to active histidase . Another deletion, which completely removes the left operon, hutIG, allows high level expression of the hutUH operon and thus overproduction of a toxic intermediate.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Jan, 157(1), 39 - 45
L-Sorbose metabolism in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Sor+ derivatives of Escherichia coli K-12 and chemotaxis toward sorbose; Sprenger GA et al.; L-Sorbose degradation in Klebsiella pneumoniae was shown to follow the pathway L-sorbose leads to L-sorbose-1-phosphate leads to D-glucitol-6-phosphate leads to D-fructose-6-phosphate . Transport and phosphorylation of L-sorbose was catalyzed by membrane-bound enzyme IIsor of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent carbohydrate:phosphotransferase system, specific for and regulated by this ketose and different from all other enzymes II described thus far . Two soluble enzymes, an L-sorbose-1-phosphate reductase and a D-glucitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were involved in the conversion of L-sorbose-1-phosphate to D-fructose-6-phosphate . This dehydrogenase was temperature sensitive, preventing growth of wild-type strains of K . pneumoniae at temperatures above 35 degrees C in the presence of L-sorbose . The enzyme was distinct from a second D-glucitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase involved in the metabolism of D-glucitol . The sor genes were transferred from the chromosome of nonmotile strains of K . pneumoniae by means of a new R'sor+ plasmid to motile strains of Escherichia coli K-12 . Such derivatives not only showed the temperature-sensitive Sor+ phenotype characteristic for K . pneumoniae or Sor+ wild-type strains of E . coli, but also reacted positively to sorbose in chemotaxis tests.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Jan, 157(1), 143 - 7
Mutations affecting regulation of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifH (nitrogenase reductase) promotor; Brown SE et al.; Starting with plasmid pSA30 which contains an intact nifHDKY operon, we selected mutants that no longer inhibited nitrogen fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae . Three categories of mutants were found among eight mutant plasmids examined in detail . Three mutant plasmids carried a single-base-pair (bp) change at position -12 or -14 relative to the nifH transcription start site . These mutations were located in a previously described consensus sequence found in the -10 to -15 region of nif promoters . Four of the mutant plasmids contain lesions considerably upstream from the start point of transcription . Two of these upstream mutations are identical 112-bp deletions of nucleotides -72 to -184, and two others are a single-bp change at position -136 . The final plasmid does not contain a mutation within a 525-bp region which includes 289 bp upstream from the nifH ATG initiation codon and which extends 69 codons into the nifH gene . All eight of the mutant pSA30 plasmids failed to complement a chromosomal nifH mutation, suggesting that the mutations that block inhibition of nif expression also prevent transcription of the nifHDKY operon.

Infect Immun, 1984 Jan, 43(1), 440 - 1
Experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae burn wound sepsis: role of capsular polysaccharide; Cryz SJ Jr et al.; The role of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide in relation to virulence in a murine burn wound sepsis model was investigated . Burn trauma markedly predisposed mice to lethal K . pneumoniae sepsis . A highly encapsulated variant (KP1-O) derived from K . pneumoniae KP1 was found to be extremely virulent for burned mice (50% lethal dose less than 10 organisms), whereas another variant (KP1-T), which possessed a much smaller capsule, was comparatively nonvirulent (50% lethal dose greater than 10(6) organisms) . Production of large quantities of capsular material by KP1-O allowed for its rapid growth in vivo and persistence in the blood and liver . These traits were not demonstrated by KP1-T, which was effectively cleared after challenge.

Infection, 1984 Jan-Feb, 12(1), 46 - 50
Antibacterial activity and kill kinetics of ampicillin/sulbactam (CP-45899) combinations against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes; Fuglesang JE et al.; Combinations of ampicillin and sulbactam (CP-45899) were tested against 11 strains of Escherichia coli and five strains of Klebsiella aerogenes . With the exception of one E . coli, strain, the strains were all highly resistant to ampicillin . Synergy was demonstrated by agar dilution in six of the ten resistant E . coli strains and in three of the five K . aerogenes strains . At simulated in vivo conditions with constantly decreasing concentrations mimicking in vivo pharmacokinetics, synergy was detected against the beta-lactamase-producing strains tested, although the activity against the more resistant K . aerogenes strains was low . The correlation between antibacterial activity as determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations and the bacterial kill kinetics exhibited in the in vivo simulation model was acceptable for E . coli . The relationship was less predictable for K . aerogenes, however.

Biochem J, 1984 Jan 1, 217(1), 317 - 21
Nitrogenase from nifV mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae contains an altered form of the iron-molybdenum cofactor; Hawkes TR et al.; When the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) was extracted from the MoFe protein of nitrogenase from a nifV mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae and combined with the FeMoco-deficient MoFe protein from a nifB mutant, the resultant MoFe protein exhibited the NifV phenotype, i.e . in combination with wild-type Fe protein it exhibited poor N2-fixation activity and its H2-evolution activity was inhibited by CO . These data provide strong evidence that FeMoco contains the active site of nitrogenase . The metal contents and e.p.r . properties of FeMoco from wild-type and nifV mutants of K . pneumoniae are very similar.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 193(1), 92 - 8
A restriction enzyme cleavage map of the histidine utilization (hut) genes of Klebsiella aerogenes and deletions lacking regions of hut DNA; Boylan SA et al.; The histidine utilization (hut) operons of Klebsiella aerogenes were cloned into pBR322 . The hut genes are wholly contained on a 7.9 kilobase pair fragment bounded by HindIII restriction sites and expression of hut is independent of the orientation of the fragment with respect to pBR322 . A restriction map locating the 27 cleavage sites within hut for the enzymes, HindIII, PvuII, SalI, BglII, KpnI, PstI, SmaI, AvaI, and BamHI was deduced . Several of the cleavage sites for the enzymes HaeIII and HinfI were also mapped . A set of deletion plasmids was isolated by removing various restriction fragments from the original plasmid . These deletions were characterized and were used to assist in mapping restriction sites . This physical characterization of hut DNA opens the way for genetic and molecular analysis of the regulation of hut gene expression in vitro as well as in vivo.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1984, 434, 70 - 7
The production of alpha-cyclodextrin by enzymatic degradation of starch; Flaschel E et al.; The maximum concentration of alpha-cyclodextrin for the enzymatic degradation of starch is limited to about 13.5 g X 1(-1) . By addition of decanol, the equilibrium of the reaction system can be shifted towards an alpha-cyclodextrin yield of 50% even at high substrate concentrations . The main variables of the decanol process--pH, temperature, substrate quality, substrate, and enzyme concentration--have been studied . The cyclodextrin-glycosyltransferase from Klebsiella pneumoniae M5 al can preferentially be employed at pH 6 to 8, temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees C and a decanol concentration of 0.1 kg-1 starch . The dextrose equivalent of starch is important with respect to the maximum achievable starch concentration, but not with respect to the reaction . Under process conditions, the rate of alpha-cyclodextrin evolution is limited by the enzymatic reaction and not by mass transfer of decanol into the aqueous phase.

Microbiol Immunol, 1984, 28(5), 545 - 57
Ultrastructure of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide isolated from culture supernatant: comparison with other lipopolysaccharides; Kato N et al.; Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) isolated from the culture supernatant, which was found to exhibit a very strong adjuvant activity in augmenting antibody response and delayed-type hypersensitivity to protein antigens in mice, was examined by electron microscopy . When negatively stained with uranyl acetate or ammonium molybdate, the KO3 LPS was found to consist principally of flat ribbon-like structures branching freely (average width 16 nm and average thickness 7 nm) and to contain a small proportion of spheres (diameter 20-50 nm), both structures covered with fine hairy structures (average length approximately 10 nm) . When the polysaccharide of KO3 LPS was stained by the periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate procedure, silver granules were deposited on the ribbon-like structures and around the spheres, suggesting that the polysaccharide moiety is located on their surface and that the fine hairy structures consist of the polysaccharide moiety . Comparison by means of preparations stained with uranyl acetate or ammonium molybdate showed that KO3 LPS isolated from the culture supernatant has structural features in common with KO3 LPS isolated from bacterial cells, Escherichia coli O9 LPS isolated from the culture supernatant, and E . coli O127 LPS isolated from bacterial cells . On the basis of the present results, schematic representations of the common physical structure of LPS were drawn; the fine hairy structures attach to the wide surface of the flat ribbon-like structures along their lateral margin.

Mol Gen Genet, 1984, 197(1), 109 - 19
Evolutionary relationship between Tn21-like elements and pBP201, a plasmid from Klebsiella pneumoniae mediating resistance to gentamicin and eight other drugs; Schmidt F et al.; We have characterized pBP201 one of the plasmids from a collection of 46 strains producing adenylyltransferase ANT(2") (Schmidt 1984) . It confers resistance to sulphonamides and produces aminoglycoside adenylyltransferases AAD(3") and ANT(2") and beta-lactamase TEM-1 . Plasmid pBP201 has a size of 24.8 kilobases (kb) and contains TnA and a Tn21-related element, Tn4000 delta, with deletions in mer and the termini and a substitution at tnpR . In complementation assays with transposition-deficient mutants of Tn21 the element in pBP201 appears to be TnpA+ but TnpR- . It represents a naturally occurring defective transposon . The sequence organization of pBP201 has been compared with that of Tn21-related elements such as Tn2410, Tn2603, Tn2424, Tn1696, and Tn4000 . In these transposons the integration sites of resistance genes cat, bla, aacA, aacC or aadB have been identified at two preferential locations; these are at the termini of the streptomycin resistance gene aadA . Two additional sites have been localized in the Tn21 backbone to the right of the mer operon and at res (internal resolution site) and are probably involved in the evolution of these elements . Based on these results a model for the possible genealogy of class II transposons is presented.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1984, 6(5), 503 - 7
In vitro effect of a ribosomal extract of Klebsiella pneumoniae on normal human polymorphonuclear neutrophil functions; Laharrague PF et al.; The in vitro effect of a ribosomal extract of Klebsiella pneumoniae on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from 22 healthy subjects was assessed . With the concentrations used (2, 4 and 6 micrograms/10(6) cells), no significant modification of the superoxide anion production was observed . While random migration was only slightly reduced, the chemotactic response of PMNs toward zymosan activated serum was significantly decreased with the three concentrations of the ribosomal extract . The inhibitory effect observed in the chemotactic activity was not due to an alteration of the viability of PMNs, but could have been caused by the presence of endotoxins not removed during the ribosomal extract preparation . It is suggested that the beneficial effect of this ribosomal preparation on defense mechanisms is not related to a direct action of the drug on normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1983 Dec 30, 59(12), 1995 - 2001
{Pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis: relation between HLA-B 27 and Klebsiella aerogenes}; Giordano N et al.; The Authors attested the evidence of a cross-reactivity among some Klebsiella antigens and HLA B 27 positive lymphocytes, suggesting the hypothesis that Klebsiella may be an initiating agent in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) . The Authors determined also serum antibody response against Klebsiella antigens in AS patients . The results obtained are discussed.

Antibiotiki, 1983 Dec, 28(12), 902 - 4
{Effect of the cell wall permeability of Klebsiella spp . on beta-lactam antibiotic resistance}; Prokopenko VM et al.; Relationship between the resistance of Klebsiella spp . to beta-lactam antibiotics and the capacity of ampicillin and cephaloridin for penetration through the cell wall of this organism was studied . It was shown that Klebsiella sp . 182 and 600 were more sensitive to cephaloridin and more resistant to ampicillin than Klebsiella sp . D 535 . Estimation of the cryptic index showed that the resistance of Klebsiella sp . 182 and 600 was mainly connected with permeability of their cell walls . In Klebsiella sp . D 535 ampicillin freely penetrated through the cell wall . In the strains tested, the levels of the resistance to oxacillin, benzylpenicillin and dicloxacillin correlated with the values of the cryptic index characterizing barrier function of the cell wall.

Mycopathologia, 1983 Dec 1, 84(1), 31 - 9
Correlations among culture times, sugar composition and biological activities of Sporothrix schenckii antigens; Takata M et al.; Glycoproteins were isolated by ethanol precipitation, Con A-sepharose 4B and DEAE-sephadex A-50 chromatography from culture filtrates of Sporothrix schenckii ATCC 10268 at incubation periods of 2, 7, and 14 days, and their chemical and immunological properties investigated . Sugar composition of the isolated glycoproteins varied with time of culture, i.e . from mostly mannose on the 2nd day of culture to increasing amounts of rhamnose and small amounts of galactose in addition to mannose on the 7th and 14th day . The changes in sugar composition also were observed to be closely related to the growth morphology of the organisms . The isolated glycoproteins showed different serological reactivity in immunodiffusion tests against rabbit anti-S . schenckii antiserum . In addition, they showed varying degree of cross-reaction with rabbit anti-Klebsiella pneumoniae K47, anti-Cladosporium werneckii and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antisera . The immunodiffusion results correlate well with sugar composition and strongly suggest the possibility that rhamnose, galactose and mannose determinants participate in the serological reaction of S . schenckii . In delayed hypersensitivity skin tests in guinea pigs immunized with S . schenckii, only Con A-binding glycoproteins were reactive . These fractions also resembled each other in amino acid content . The results from the present work indicate that the immunochemical properties of S . schenckii glycoproteins vary with incubation period, and suggest the need for standardization of sporotrichin test antigens.

Eur J Biochem, 1983 Dec 1, 137(1-2), 107 - 12
Subunit composition of oxaloacetate decarboxylase and characterization of the alpha chain as carboxyltransferase; Dimroth P et al.; Oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes was shown to be composed of three different subunits alpha, beta, gamma with Mr 65 000, 34 000 and 12 000, respectively . On dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gels the smallest of these subunits was heavily stained with silver but poorly with Coomassie brilliant blue . All three subunits were resolved and clearly detectable by high-performance liquid chromatography in a dodecylsulfate-containing buffer . Biotin was localized exclusively in the alpha chain . Freezing and thawing of the isolated membranes in the presence of 1 M LiCl released the alpha chain which was subsequently purified to near homogeniety by affinity chromatography on monomeric avidin-Sepharose . No beta or gamma chain were detectable in this alpha chain preparation and no oxaloacetate decarboxylation was catalyzed . The isolated alpha chain, however, was a catalytically active carboxyltransferase as evidenced from the isotopic exchange between {1-14C}pyruvate and oxaloacetate . The rate of this exchange reaction was about 9 U/mg protein and was completely independent of the presence of Na+ ions . The ease with which the alpha chain was released from the membrane characterize this subunit as a peripheral membrane protein . The beta and gamma chain, on the other hand, stick so firmly in the membrane that they are only released by detergents, thus indicating that these are integral membrane proteins . Limited tryptic digestion of oxaloacetate decarboxylase led to a rapid cleavage of the alpha chain, yielding a polypeptide of Mr 51 000 which was devoid of biotin . Degradation of the beta chain required prolonged incubation periods and was markedly influenced by Na+ ions which had a protective effect against proteolysis . A proton is required in the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate and CO2 arises as primary product . The other alternative, i.e . generation of HCO3- with H2O as substrate, has been excluded.

Aust N Z J Med, 1983 Dec, 13(6), 636 - 8
Outbreak of co-trimoxazole- and gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella aerogenes bacteremia in neutropenic patients receiving oral co-trimoxazole prophylaxis; Leahy MF et al.; Over a five-day period, three neutropenic patients developed bacteremia with an identical strain of Klebsiella aerogenes (serotype K16) resistant to co-trimoxazole and gentamicin . All three patients had received prophylaxis with oral co-trimoxazole before the onset of bacteremia . This report outlines some of the problems associated with co-trimoxazole prophylaxis.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Dec, 2(6), 523 - 8
Progress in immunization against Klebsiella infections; Cryz SJ; Nosocomial infections with Klebsiella spp . are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality . The ability of Klebsiella spp . readily to colonize hospitalized patients, complications in treatment of infections due to R-factor-acquired antibiotic resistance, and the high mortality rate in certain patient populations, point to the need for immunoprophylactic/immunotherapeutic agents for disease control . The potential for vaccination against Klebsiella spp . is discussed in light of recent developments concerning the pathogenesis of Klebsiella infections as relates to the identification of protective antigens as possible vaccine candidates.

J Hyg (Lond), 1983 Dec, 91(3), 521 - 8
Assessment of the remanent antibacterial effect of a 2% triclosan-detergent preparation on the skin; Bartzokas CA et al.; A method of quantifying the remanent antibacterial effect of a 2% triclosan preparation in detergent following three consecutive applications on the forearm of 20 volunteers over 2 h, is described with reference to its efficacy against a gentamicin- and multiply-resistant serotype of Klebsiella aerogenes . The relevance of the residual activity of triclosan and other skin antiseptics in surgical and hygienic hand disinfection are discussed.

Can Med Assoc J, 1983 Dec 1, 129(11), 1205 - 9
Opportunistic infections and acquired cellular immune deficiency among Haitian immigrants in Montreal; LeBlanc RP et al.; Eight Haitian immigrants (five with acquired immune deficiency syndrome {AIDS} and three with the signs and symptoms of AIDS but without opportunistic infections or malignant diseases) are described . All had malaise, weight loss, fever and generalized lymphadenopathy . All five of those with opportunistic infections died from the infections, which were multiple in four cases . Septic shock due to Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae developed in two patients . Evidence of immune deficiency in the AIDS patients included anergy, lymphocytopenia (in all but two), polyclonal hypergamma-globulinemia and abnormal sizes of the subsets of circulating T lymphocytes . Autopsies revealed no recognizable causes for immune deficiency; the lymph nodes showed follicular hyperplasia in four cases and lymphocyte depletion in one case . Except for the absence of opportunistic infections, the illness in the three patients not classed as having AIDS was indistinguishable from that in the other five, which suggests that this syndrome is AIDS-related, like the persistent generalized lymphadenopathy that occurs in homosexual men and patients with hemophilia.

FEBS Lett, 1983 Nov 28, 164(1), 121 - 3
Uptake of methionine sulfoximine by some N2 fixing bacteria, and its effect on ammonium transport; Kleiner D et al.; The N2 fixing bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae, Azospirillum brasilense, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and Rhodospirillum rubrum, but not Azotobacter vinelandii accumulate the glutamine analogue methionine sulfoximine in the cell . In the accumulating cells methionine sulfoximine inhibits ammonium transport . Accumulation and inhibition are prevented by glutamine.

Sem Hop, 1983 Nov 10, 59(41), 2855 - 6
{Atrophic rhinitis and Klebsiella ozaenae . Reflections apropos of a case}; Raoult D et al.; The authors report a case of atrophic rhinitis associated with Klebsiella ozaenae . The literature is reviewed . This pathogen could be involved in both respiratory tract infections and systemic diseases . The relationship between Klebsiella ozaenae and ozena is discussed.

Eur J Biochem, 1983 Nov 2, 136(2), 397 - 401
Structure of the Mo-Fe protein component of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase . Analytical ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy studies; Voordouw G et al.; The Mo-Fe protein of nitrogenase from both Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Av1 and Kp1, respectively) consists of four subunits of similar, but not identical, relative molecular mass . The hydrodynamic properties of Av1 (sedimentation and diffusion coefficient) and its total relative molecular mass are very similar to those of Kp1 and catalase from bovine liver, a tetramer of four identical subunits . By electron microscopy the Av1, Kp1 and catalase tetramers are seen as protein particles of diameter 9.0-10.0 nm; no details of the subunit structure can be observed . Av1 (but not Kp1) forms regular polymers of variable length at low ionic strength in the presence of MgCl2 . The structure of these polymers, of diameter 21.2 nm, is complex . Optical diffraction studies give a smallest repeating distance of 8.4 nm (corresponding to the diameter of the Av1 tetramer) and indicate a four-start helix . The latter structure is incompatible with a flat, square subunit arrangement of the Av1 tetramer as proposed by Stasny et al . {(1974) J . Cell . Biol . 60, 311-316} . We propose, therefore, that the subunit arrangement of the Av1 tetramer is of the tetrahedral type . This has also been proposed for the catalase tetramer from optical diffraction studies of electron micrographs of catalase tubes indicating a 222 symmetry {Kiselev, D . A., De Rosier, N . J . and Klug, A . (1968) J . Mol . Biol . 35, 561-566} . Our proposal is in agreement with the recent finding that Av1 protein crystals belong to the P2(1) space group {Weiniger, M . S . and Mortenson, L . E . (1982) Proc . Natl Acad Sci . USA, 79, 378-380}.

Isr J Med Sci, 1983 Nov, 19(11), 1006 - 8
Replacement of gentamicin by amikacin as a means of decreasing gentamicin resistance of gram-negative rods in a neonatal intensive care unit; Wielunsky E et al.; The emergence of resistance in bacteria that colonize infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is of great concern and a serious therapeutic problem . During the years 1980 to 1981, continuous surveillance of bacterial colonization was carried out on 499 infants admitted to the NICU of the Beilinson Medical Center . Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed on all organisms isolated . At the end of 1980 and the beginning of 1981, an increased number of gram-negative rods became gentamicin-resistant . It was assumed that the discontinuation of gentamicin usage and replacement with another aminoglycoside, amikacin, would bring about a reduction in gentamicin resistance . Replacement of gentamicin by amikacin resulted in a significant decrease in gentamicin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella within 3 to 6 months . The emergence of resistant strains can be detected by surveillance methods and overcome by a change in the antibiotic regimen.

Br J Rheumatol, 1983 Nov, 22(4 Suppl 2), 119 - 21
Elisa studies in ankylosing spondylitis; Panayi GS; Specific IgA antibodies were measured by ELISA against Klebsiella, E . coli and Candida antigens in five different groups: active ankylosing spondylitis (high ESR), inactive ankylosing spondylitis (normal ESR), healthy controls, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis . Elevated levels of IgA antibodies against Klebsiella were found only in active ankylosing spondylitis patients.

J Med Chem, 1983 Nov, 26(11), 1577 - 82
Synthesis and substituent effects on antibacterial activity, alkaline hydrolysis rates, and infrared absorption frequencies of some cephem analogues related to latamoxef (moxalactam); Narisada M et al.; Relationships between intrinsic antibacterial activity and beta-lactam reactivity of 7 beta-{(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetyl}amino- and 7 beta-{(4-hydroxyphenyl)malonyl}amino derivatives of 1-oxa- and 1-thiacephems, with or without the 7 alpha-methoxy group (1-8), were investigated in order to clarify the enhanced antibacterial activity of latamoxef disodium (1) . Substituent effects of a carbon atom at the 1- and 7 alpha-positions were also investigated by using racemic 1-carbacephem 9 and 7 alpha-methyl-1-oxacephem 10 . Syntheses of 2-8 and 10 are also described . Acid chlorides derived from the O-benzyloxycarbonyl derivative of (4-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid and the p-methoxybenzyl derivative of (4-hydroxyphenyl)malonic acid smoothly effected the introduction of these side chains . Conjugate addition of lithium dimethylcuprate to the quinoid system in 16 proceeded stereospecifically, furnishing the 7 alpha-methyl group for the synthesis of 10 . Values of log (1/C) averaged for the sensitive Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli NIHJ JC-2 and Klebsiella pneumoniae SRL-1) were taken as an estimation of the intrinsic antibacterial activity . The chemical reactivity of the beta-lactam ring was estimated either by pseudo-first-order rate constants (k) of alkaline hydrolysis measured at pH 9.20 and 35.0 degrees C or by infrared stretching frequencies of the beta-lactam carbonyl measured in dimethyl sulfoxide . Substitution of an oxygen atom at the 1-position increases both the hydrolysis rates and the antibacterial activity by a factor of approximately 6.3, while substitution of a 7 alpha-methoxy group increases the antibacterial activity by a factor of approximately 3.2 without significant change in the hydrolysis rates . The effect of the 7 alpha-methoxy group on the transition state in alkaline hydrolysis is discussed . Substitutions at the 1-position with a methylene group and, especially, at the 7 alpha-position with a methyl group greatly diminished the antibacterial activity, whereas the hydrolysis rate remained high with the substitution of a methylene group . Substitution of an oxygen atom for the sulfur atom at the 1-position of 1-thiacephems increased the beta-lactam carbonyl frequencies by approximately 6 cm-1, whereas introduction of a 7 alpha-methoxy group in 1-thia- and 1-oxacephems reduced the frequencies by approximately 5 cm-1.

Br J Rheumatol, 1983 Nov, 22(4 Suppl 2), 29 - 32
Pathogenesis of seronegative arthritis; Wright V et al.; The concept of seronegative spondarthritis, linking several diseases around ankylosing spondylitis, has received considerable clinical and genetic support, especially through the discovery of a high frequency of HLA-B27 in these disorders . Exogenous factors would appear to be responsible for some manifestations of the disease, but the role of Klebsiella micro-organisms is equivocal, and dietary control does not affect clinical manifestations . Increased serum and salivary IgA antibodies in active ankylosing spondylitis patients tend to suggest that IgA may act as an acute-phase reactant.

Infection, 1983 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 329 - 35
Antibacterial activity and kill kinetics of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combinations against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes; Fuglesang JE et al.; Combinations of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid were tested against 11 Escherichia coli strains and five Klebsiella aerogenes strains . Apart from one E . coli, the strains were highly resistant to amoxicillin due to beta-lactamase production . Synergy was demonstrated in all strains by agar dilution . Synergy was detected against the beta-lactamase-producing strains under simulated in vivo conditions with constantly decreasing concentrations simulating in vivo pharmacokinetics . The correlation between antibacterial activity determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations and bacterial kill kinetics in the in vivo simulation model was acceptable . A higher bacterial kill rate was observed when the antibiotic dosage was increased beyond the minimum concentration where an antibacterial effect was seen; this was not demonstrable by traditional agar dilution tests . In combination, a greater relative amount of amoxicillin compared to clavulanic acid allows a reduction in the total amount of antimicrobial agents with the same degree of antibacterial activity.

Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic, 1983 Nov, 50(11), 763 - 9
{Ankylosing spondylarthritis, HLA B27 and the theory of crossed tolerance}; Ebringer A; The association between HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis could be explained by a theory of crossed tolerance, which proposes that Gram negative bacteria have antigens similar to HLA-B27 . Experimental studies with human sera with anti-HLA specificity and rabbit sera with anti-Klebsiella specificity demonstrate a partial crossed reactivity between HLA-B27 and Klebsiella . Clinical studies have shown that Klebsiella can be isolated from patients with ankylosing spondylitis during relapses or active phases of the disease . The theory of crossed tolerance proposes that ankylosing spondylitis is a reactive arthritis which develops after infection with Gram negative bacteria . The agent directly involved in causing the disease is an anti-bacterial antibody which binds to self antigens with partial crossed reactivity, such as HLA-B27, and the inflammation develops as a result of triggering of the complement cascade by the antigen-antibody complex.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Nov, 255(4), 472 - 8
Hemagglutinins of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca; Przondo Hessek A et al.; The occurrence and characteristics of hemagglutinins were investigated in 310 Klebsiella strains (195 K . pneumoniae- and 115 K . oxytoca-strains) . Mannose-sensitive (MS)-hemagglutinins as well as Mannose-resistant (MR/K)-hemagglutinins could be demonstrated, only 13 Klebsiella-strains were not able to hemagglutinate . MS-hemagglutinins were much more often found in K . pneumoniae- than in K . oxytoca-strains, whereas the MR/K-hemagglutinin-frequency was equally high . Features (resistance to formaldehyde, trypsin, pronase, glycosidases, sodium metaperiodate and heating) and pathogenic significance of these hemagglutinins (fimbriae) were discussed.

Br J Rheumatol, 1983 Nov, 22(4 Suppl 2), 50 - 2
Klebsiella-induced LIF response in Klebsiella infection and ankylosing spondylitis; Gross WL et al.; Lymphocyte transformation and leucocyte migration inhibition was studied in Klebsiella-sensitized patients, ankylosing spondylitis patients and healthy controls . The results show that mononuclear cells from ankylosing spondylitis patients respond more vigorously to Klebsiella, one of the 'trigger' bacteria, than do mononuclear cells from healthy persons, either with or without HLA-B27.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 838 - 41
Immunological properties of purified Klebsiella pneumoniae heat-stable enterotoxin; Klipstein FA et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae heat-stable enterotoxin was purified to apparent homogenicity by the same techniques used to purify Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin . The two toxins had the same potency in the suckling mouse assay and showed immunological cross-reactivity in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, neutralization of secretory activity by specific hyperimmune antisera, and protection against active challenge in rats immunized with a vaccine containing synthetically produced E . coli heat-stable enterotoxin.

Gene, 1983 Nov, 25(2-3), 355 - 60
Construction of a gene library from the nitrogen-fixing aerobe Azotobacter vinelandii; Medhora M et al.; We have cloned the DNA of Azotobacter vinelandii in the cosmid pHC79 . Recombinant cosmids that can transform Escherichia coli leuB- to a Leu+ phenotype, as well as those having sequence homology to the nitrogenase structural genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae have been selected from this library.

Gene, 1983 Nov, 25(2-3), 291 - 9
Identification of nitrogenase and carboxylase genes in the photosynthetic bacteria and cloning of a carboxylase gene from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides; Fornari CS et al.; The presumptive genes for the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit and for nitrogenase-specific components from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and several other photosynthetic bacteria were identified and located by interspecific probing . Restriction digests of R . sphaeroides genomic DNA were hybridized under stringent conditions to cloned DNA from Rhodospirillum rubrum (plasmid pRR2119 carrying the carboxylase gene) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (pSA30 carrying the nitrogenase genes) . The nitrogenase probe hybridized with different signal intensities to several distinct HindIII, BglII, EcoRI, BamHI and PvuII fragments of R . sphaeroides 2.4.1.DNA . The carboxylase probe hybridized to only single R . sphaeroides 2.4.1.DNA fragments produced with all five restriction enzymes . A 3000-bp EcoRI-BamHI R . sphaeroides 2.4.1.DNA fragment carrying the presumptive gene for the large subunit of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase was cloned into pBR322 and positively identified by probing with a 32P-labeled internal PstI fragment of the Rhodospirillum carboxylase gene.

Biochem J, 1983 Nov 1, 215(2), 393 - 403
Nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Kinetics of the dissociation of oxidized iron protein from molybdenum-iron protein: identification of the rate-limiting step for substrate reduction; Thorneley RN et al.; Stopped-flow spectrophotometry and e.p.r . spectroscopy were used to study the kinetics of reduction by dithionite of the oxidized Fe protein of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp2ox.) in the presence of MgADP at 23 degrees C at pH 7.4 . The active reductant, SO2.-, produced by the predissociation of S2O4(2-) in equilibrium 2SO2.-, reacts with Kp2ox . (MgADP)2, with k4 = 3.0 X 10(6) +/- 0.4 X 10(6) M-1 X s-1 . The inhibition of this reaction by the Mo-Fe protein (Kp1) has enabled the rate of dissociation of Kp2ox . (MgADP)2 from Kp1+ (the Kp2-binding site on Kp1) to be measured (k-3 = 6.4 +/- 0.8 s-1) . Comparison with the steady-state rate of substrate reduction shows that the dissociation (k-3) of the complex Kp2ox . (MgADP)2-Kp1+, which is formed after MgATP-induced electron transfer from Kp2 to Kp1+, is the rate-limiting step in the catalytic cycle for substrate reduction.

Biochemistry, 1983 Oct 25, 22(22), 5111 - 22
Inhibition of nitrogenase-catalyzed NH3 formation by H2; Guth JH et al.; We have investigated the inhibition by H2 (D2) of NH3 formation by nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae and have confirmed that the inhibition is competitive vs . N2 . D2 inhibits NH3 formation by diverting nitrogenase from production of NH3 to production of HD (one electron per HD) . By careful exclusion of N2 from the reaction mixture, we have been able to place an upper limit on N2-independent HD formation by nitrogenase, under 1 atm of D2, at 1% of the total electron flux . Formation of NH3 and formation of HD were inhibited identically by CO . We observed that as the ratio of dinitrogenase to dinitrogenase reductase is increased, the ratio of HD formed to NH3 formed rises, and D2 becomes a stronger inhibitor of N2 reduction . This may be caused in part by an accompanying increase that is observed in the Km of nitrogenase for N2 . We propose a model for D2 inhibition of NH3 formation in which D2 and N2 complete for the same form of nitrogenase . According to our proposal, when N2 reacts with nitrogenase, either N2 reduction proceeds to completion if H2 (D2) is absent or, if D2 already is bound to nitrogenase, N2 reduction is aborted and two molecules of HD are produced at the net expense of one electron per HD . Key consequences of the model are that it predicts that H2 (D2) is a competitive inhibitor of NH3 formation and that the apparent Km (N2) for formation of HD and NH3 may differ.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Oct 10, 258(19), 12064 - 8
Electron transport to nitrogenase . Purification and characterization of pyruvate:flavodoxin oxidoreductase . The nifJ gene product; Shah VK et al.; Pyruvate:flavodoxin oxidoreductase, the nifJ gene product of Klebsiella pneumoniae, was purified to homogeneity . Pyruvate:flavodoxin oxidoreductase, flavodoxin, and nitrogenase components I and II are the only proteins required for pyruvate-coupled nitrogenase activity . The physiological source of electrons to nitrogenase in K . pneumoniae is pyruvate . Flavodoxin from Azotobacter vinelandii was only one-third as effective as K . pneumoniae flavodoxin in transferring electrons from pyruvate:flavodoxin oxidoreductase to Azotobacter and Klebsiella nitrogenases . Ferredoxins from aerobic, anaerobic and photosynthetic nitrogen-fixing organisms, as well as benzyl viologen and methyl viologen, were ineffective in coupling pyruvate oxidation to nitrogenase activity . One mol each of acetyl-CoA, CO2, and ethylene are formed by pyruvate-supported acetylene reduction . The enzyme contains 8.0 +/- 0.6 mol of iron and 6.6 +/- 0.2 mol of acid-labile sulfide per mol of protein (Mr = 240,000) . Pyruvate:flavodoxin oxidoreductase is irreversibly inactivated by air.

J Neurosurg, 1983 Oct, 59(4), 634 - 41
Gram-negative bacillary meningitis in neurosurgical patients; Mombelli G et al.; The authors report 34 cases of Gram-negative bacillary meningitis related to traumatic cranial lesions or neurosurgery observed between 1973 and 1980 at two neurosurgical units (Institut J . Bordet, Brussels, and Inselspital, Bern) . As a typical nosocomial infection, meningitis developed after prolonged hospitalization in most patients, and was mainly due to highly resistant organisms, such as P . aeruginosa and Klebsiella sp . At least 65% of the patients were colonized with the pathogen responsible for the meningitis before the onset of the infection . Ventriculitis, including four cases of ventricular empyema, complicated meningitis in all the 17 patients in whom a ventricular tap was performed . The results of treatment were unsatisfactory . Fifty percent of the patients were cured of their infection, but only 30% survived; 15% of the patients died within 48 hours following diagnosis . The optimum treatment of postsurgical Gram-negative meningitis remains in doubt . The choice of initial antibiotics should take into account the sensitivity patterns of colonizing microorganisms . Chloramphenicol is ineffective against most pathogens commonly involved in this infection . Intrathecal aminoglycosides may fail in the presence of ventriculitis . Intraventricular aminoglycosides are probably justified in critically ill patients . The role of the newer cephalosporins and of co-trimoxazole remains to be defined.

Lab Anim, 1983 Oct, 17(4), 270 - 9
A survey of the pathology of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) derived from a marmoset breeding unit; Chalmers DT et al.; The results of a survey of the major pathological conditions encountered in an established breeding colony of common cotton-eared marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) is presented . 265 home-bred and 70 imported wild-caught marmosets were examined . A Heinz body haemolytic anaemia and skeletal muscle myopathy were the most common pathological findings and were considered to be a result of a complex nutritional deficiency involving vitamin E, selenium and protein . Inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract was also a major feature . Chronic colitis was particularly common in older marmosets . Pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis and brain abscesses were important pathological findings in home-bred marmosets and were commonly associated with bacterial infections, particularly Bordetella bronchiseptica and Klebsiella species . Trichospirura leptostoma within pancreatic ducts of wild-caught marmosets was the only significant parasitic disease encountered . Mycotic infections of the upper alimentary tract with Candida species were occasional findings in debilitated animals . No pathological features suggesting viral diseases were found.

Vet Med (Praha), 1983 Oct, 28(10), 585 - 90
{Virulence of stable strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the white mouse}; Mraz O; In 65 stable strains of K . pneumoniae, nine of which originated from acute parenchymatous mastitis of cattle and 56 from milk, nasal mucus, skin from the udder base and from the rectal contents of clinically healthy dairy cows, the virulence for white mice was studied . The achieved results were as follows: (1) At 1 ml dose of the 24-hr . broth culture i . p., 51 strains (78.4%) were virulent, at 2 ml dose 56 strains (86.1%) . The percentage of the strains from milk and from the rectal contents of the clinically healthy dairy cows was approximately the same, whereas the strains from acute parenchymatous mastitis and skin were virulent in the full extent . (2) The influence of the growth phase and of the presence of microbial capsule was not marked because both in the capsuled and in the uncapsuled strains the lethal doses amounted to 0.2 to 2.0 ml, however, in both groups also the completely harmless strains were detected . In a detailed evaluation it is necessary to take into consideration that in the capsuled strains (49) the lethal doses amounted to 0.5 ml (50% of all cases) and in the uncapsuled to 1 ml (43.7% of all cases) . (3) Necrotoxin test showed that 18 strains (27.7%) caused local skin inflammation in the rabbit, lasting 3 to 6 days and characterized by skin reddening and swelling (diameter 1.5 to 2.0 cm) . This finding is in direct correlation with the death of experimental mice but not with the lethal doses and time of exitus; in both cases 0.2 to 2.0 ml doses were applied and the animals died one to three days after inoculation.

Gene, 1983 Oct, 24(2-3), 341 - 5
Cloning chromosomal lac genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae; MacDonald C et al.; The chromosomal gene for beta-galactosidase from Klebsiella pneumoniae strain T17R1 and associated regulatory genes have been cloned as a 5-kb HindIII fragment in the pBR322 plasmid vector . The beta-galactoside permease gene is not present in a functional form in the 5-kb fragment . The K . pneumoniae genes are expressed in an Escherichia coli host . The synthesis of beta-galactosidase is inducible by isopropyl-beta-D-galactosidase (IPTG) and is sensitive to catabolite repression . There appears to be greater homology between the K . pneumoniae and E . coli structural genes for beta-galactosidase than there is between the respective repressor genes.

Can J Microbiol, 1983 Oct, 29(10), 1247 - 52
Collaborative study of the MPN, Anderson-Baird-Parker direct plating, and hydrophobic grid-membrane filter methods for the enumeration of Escherichia coli biotype I in foods; Sharpe AN et al.; Five Health Protection Branch laboratories compared two membrane filter methods (the Anderson-Baird-Parker direct plating, and a hydrophobic grid-membrane filter method) against the most probable number procedure (MPN) for enumerating Escherichia coli biotype I in foods . Results were available in 24 h by both membrane filter methods, compared with 10-14 days by the MPN procedure . For ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and cut green beans, the hydrophobic grid method generally gave the highest recovery, although the two membrane filter methods were not significantly different . Both these methods gave significantly higher recoveries than the MPN procedure, and for most foods, either method would be preferable . Further work is required before either membrane filter method can be recommended for bean and alfalfa sprouts, which may contain very high levels of Klebsiella spp.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Oct, 156(1), 444 - 6
Nitrogen regulation system of Klebsiella aerogenes: the nac gene; Bender RA et al.; In Klebsiella aerogenes, the product of a his-linked gene, nac, appears to play a crucial role in tying the synthesis of enzymes activated or repressed by ammonia deprivation, such as histidase and glutamate dehydrogenase, to the known regulators of nitrogen assimilation, the products of glnG and glnF.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Oct, 156(1), 251 - 6
Genetic and physical map of the structural genes (nifH,D,K) coding for the nitrogenase complex of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata; Avtges P et al.; Functional genes coding for the structural components of the nitrogenase complex (nifH,D,K) have been cloned on an 11.8-kilobase-pair HindIII fragment of DNA from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata . The genes were physically mapped by hybridization of individual cloned nif genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Anabaena sp . strain 7120 to Southern blots of HindIII digests of the cloned R . capsulata fragment, after introduction of HindIII sites into the latter at specified locations by insertion of Tn5 . Plasmids with the 11.8-kilobase-pair HindIII fragment containing the Tn5 insertions were also used for complementation tests with chromosomal Nif- mutations and for the generation of subfragments to locate those mutations by marker rescue . The R . capsulata nifH,D,K genes comprise a single unit of expression, with the same organization and polarity as found in K . pneumoniae . However, the R . capsulata nifH,D,K fragment did not complement Nif- point mutations in the corresponding Klebsiella genes, and the Klebsiella nif genes did not function in R . capsulata.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 Oct, 80(19), 5812 - 6
Promoter mutations that allow nifA-independent expression of the nitrogen fixation nifHDKY operon; Bitoun R et al.; The nifHDKY operon of Klebsiella pneumoniae encodes for structural polypeptides of nitrogenase and requires the nifA gene product for transcription . Mutations that allow transcription of the nifHDKY operon in absence of the nifA gene product were characterized in plasmids containing the regulatory region of nifHDKY and nifH fused in phase to lacZ . beta-Galactosidase activity served as a measure for nifH expression . Most mutations were located in the nif regulatory region and included insertion sequence 2 (IS2) insertions, a sequence duplication, and a base substitution . In Escherichia coli, beta-galactosidase activity expressed from the mutant plasmids in the absence of nifA was 6-30% of the nifA-activated, parental level . Expression from most mutant plasmids was further increased by nifA . In K . pneumoniae, IS2-containing plasmids expressed low levels of beta-galactosidase and responded poorly, if at all, to activation by nifA, whereas expression from other mutant types was similar to that observed in E . coli . Nucleotide sequence analysis of two mutants indicated that sequences within 41 base pairs upstream to the nifH coding sequence were involved in nif-specific regulation . The results suggest that an inverted repeat element in this region, which could theoretically form a cruciform structure in the DNA, is involved in the transcriptional control of the nifHDKY operon.

Carbohydr Res, 1983 Sep 16, 121, 205 - 9
Isolation and characterization of 4-O-{3,4-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl}erythritol from Klebsiella K33 polysaccharide; Rao AS et al.; The tetrasaccharide-alditol, RL 0.8, from one stage of Smith degradation of Klebsiella K33, was subjected to Smith degradation to yield a disaccharide-alditol . The purified disaccharide-alditol was characterized by sugar analysis, methylation analysis, and mass spectrometry . The following structure was found . (formula see text)

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1983 Sep, 14(3), 336 - 40
Conjugal transfer of multiple antibiotic resistance from hospital isolates of Klebsiella to Escherichia coli; Koh CL et al.; Six independent isolates of Klebsiella from hospital environmental sources in Malaysia were found to be resistant to at least ampicillin, carbenicillin, cefoperazone, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and tetracycline . On the basis of their antibiograms, they were divided into four antibiogroups . They transferred all or part of their multiple antibiotic resistance traits to E . coli by conjugation . The results suggest that these Klebsiella strains harbour self-transmissible R plasmids . The significance of these findings are discussed.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Sep, 46(3), 630 - 5
Fed-batch approach to production of 2,3-butanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae grown on high substrate concentrations; Yu EK et al.; The bioconversion of sugars present in wood hemicellulose to 2,3-butanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae grown on high sugar concentrations was investigated . When K . pneumoniae was grown under finite air conditions in the presence of added acetic acid, 50 g of D-glucose and D-xylose per liter could be converted to 25 and 27 g of butanediol per liter, respectively . The efficiency of bioconversion decreased with increasing sugar substrate concentrations (up to 200 g/liter) . Butanediol production at low sugar substrate concentrations was less efficient when the organism was grown under aerobic conditions; however, final butanediol values were higher for cultures grown on an initial sugar concentration of 150 g/liter, particularly when the inoculum was first acclimatized to high sugar levels . When a double fed-batch approach (daily additions of sugars together with yeast extract) was used under aerobic conditions, up to 88 and 113 g of combined butanediol and acetyl methyl carbinol per liter could be obtained from the utilization of 190 g of D-xylose and 226 g of D-glucose per liter, respectively.

Cell, 1983 Sep, 34(2), 665 - 71
The nif promoters of Klebsiella pneumoniae have a characteristic primary structure; Beynon J et al.; We have determined the precise point of transcription initiation for five nif (nitrogen fixation) operons of Klebsiella pneumoniae and sequenced the promoters . Our results show that nifF is transcribed in the opposite direction to that previously proposed for nif genes, that nifM is transcribed from two promoters, and that there is a promoter preceding nifU but not nifX, and we present a revised map of nif transcripts . The nif promoters have a characteristic structure of 26 bp located between positions--1 and --26 upstream of the site of transcription initiation: CTGG..8bp...TTGCA...9bp...Py(+1) . This structure, which has two regions of conserved sequence, shows no homology to the "consensus promoter" of enteric bacteria . Our results suggest that the--10 homology is equivalent to a "Pribnow box" for promoters expressed under nitrogen-starved conditions and that the--23 homology confers activator specificity on the nif promoters.

Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1983 Aug 30, 59(8), 1142 - 8
{Synthesis of RNA and DNA in isolated nuclei of Colpoda cucullus (Protozoi Ciliati)}; Chessa MG et al.; The ciliated protozoan Colpoda cucullus has been cultivated at 27 degrees C with gentle shaking in a baked lettuce infusion supplemented with Klebsiella suspensions . Under these conditions cells had a mean generation time of about 7 hours and could attain densities up to 20,000/ml and 45,000/ml in the log and stationary phase of growth, respectively . Nuclear preparations obtained from exponentially growing cells by the gum arabic-octanol method showed a satisfactory degree of purity and integrity . They consisted primarily of the large macronuclei attached to which the small micronuclei were sometimes visible . Upon incubation at 27 degrees C in conventional reaction mixtures nuclear preparations actively incorporated 3H-UTP and 3H-dTTP into acid-insoluble material . alpha-amanitin caused a 50% inhibition of RNA synthesis whereas aphidicolin did not affect at all DNA synthesis.

Am J Med, 1983 Aug 29, 75(2A), 30 - 41
Morphologic changes produced by amdinocillin alone and in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics: in vitro and in vivo; Kramer MJ et al.; Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphologic effects of amdinocillin (mecillinam) when combined with several beta-lactam antibiotics in vitro (Escherichia coli, three isolates; Klebsiella pneumoniae, one isolate) and also in vivo (E . coli, one isolate) . Ovoid forms were found in the cultures of E . coli and K . pneumoniae following in vitro exposure to amdinocillin . This characteristic in vitro effect was also produced in the amdinocillin-treated E . coli-infected mouse . Varying degrees of filament formation were seen both in vitro and in vivo with the other beta-lactam antibiotics tested . The in vitro combination of amdinocillin with the beta-lactam antibiotics produced morphologic effects on E . coli and K . pneumoniae (enhanced cell distortion and lysis) not seen with the individual agents at the doses tested . Amdinocillin was synergistic with ampicillin, carbenicillin, and cephalothin in mice challenged with E . coli 736; scanning electron microscopy of bacteria from peritoneal lavages of mice treated with these synergistic combinations indicated that the organisms were more enlarged and distorted than those from animals receiving the individual agents . The enhanced morphologic effect observed in vivo was in agreement with the in vitro effect . Viable counts of bacteria recovered from mice treated with ampicillin plus amdinocillin were appreciably less than those from mice treated with each agent alone . The morphologic results from the scanning electron microscopy study point to a synergistic or enhanced effect of amdinocillin in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics and are in accord with prior reports of the synergistic effects of amdinocillin.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 Aug, 80(15), 4837 - 41
Amino acid sequence of the Fv region of a human monoclonal IgM (protein WEA) with antibody activity against 3,4-pyruvylated galactose in Klebsiella polysaccharides K30 and K33; Goni F et al.; We have determined the amino acid sequence of the Fv {variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL)} region of a human monoclonal IgM-kappa with antibody activity against 3,4-pyruvylated galactose, isolated from the plasma of patient WEA with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia . The VH region has 114 residues, belongs to subgroup III, and has a very short third complementarity-determining region (CDR3), probably due to a small D segment/or an unusual D-J rearrangement (D, diversity; J, joining) . The VL region has 108 residues and belongs to subgroup V kappa I . Compared to other members of the human VHIII and V kappa I families, WEA Fv does not appear to have significant differences within the framework residues but has unique CDRs that might be responsible for the particular antibody activity . Another IgM-kappa (GAL), which has an as-yet-undetermined antibody activity, shares a striking homology in V kappa with WEA, including an identical CDR1.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Aug, 155(2), 454 - 8
Production of nitrous oxide from nitrite in Klebsiella pneumoniae: mutants altered in nitrogen metabolism; Satoh T et al.; Under anaerobic conditions, Klebsiella pneumoniae reduced nitrite (NO2-), yielding nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonium ions (NH4+) as products . Nitrous oxide formation accounted for about 5% of the total NO2- reduced, and NH4+ production accounted for the remainder . Glucose and pyruvate were the electron donors for NO2- reduction to N2O by whole cells, whereas glucose, NADH, and NADPH were found to be the electron donors when cell extracts were used . On the one hand, formate failed to serve as an electron donor for NO2- reduction to N2O and NH4+, whereas on the other hand, formate was the best electron donor for nitrate reduction in either whole cells or cell extracts . Mutants that are defective in the reduction of NO2- to NH4+ were isolated, and these strains were found to produce N2O at rates comparable to that of the parent strain . These results suggest that the nitrite reductase producing N2O is distinct from that producing NH4+ . Nitrous oxide production from nitric oxide (NO) occurred in all mutants tested, at rates comparable to that of the parent strain . This result suggests that NO reduction to N2O, which also uses NADH as the electron donor, is independent of the protein(s) catalyzing the reduction of NO2- to N2O.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Aug, 155(2), 704 - 13
Conditionally replicating plasmid vectors that can integrate into the Klebsiella pneumoniae chromosome via bacteriophage P4 site-specific recombination; Ow DW et al.; P4 is a satellite phage of P2 and is dependent on phage P2 gene products for virion assembly and cell lysis . Previously, we showed that a virulent mutant of phage P4 (P4 vir1) could be used as a multicopy, autonomously replicating plasmid vector in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the absence of the P2 helper . In addition to establishing lysogeny as a self-replicating plasmid, it has been shown that P4 can also lysogenize E . coli via site-specific integration into the host chromosome . In this study, we show that P4 also integrates into the K . pneumoniae chromosome at a specific site . In contrast to that in E . coli, however, site-specific integration in K . pneumoniae does not require the int gene of P4 . We utilized the alternative modes of P4 lysogenization (plasmid replication or integration) to construct cloning vectors derived from P4 vir1 that could exist in either lysogenic mode, depending on the host strain used . These vectors carry an amber mutation in the DNA primase gene alpha, which blocks DNA replication in an Su- host and allows the selection of lysogenic strains with integrated prophages . In contrast, these vectors can be propagated as plasmids in an Su+ host where replication is allowed . To demonstrate the utility of this type of vector, we show that certain nitrogen fixation (nif) genes of K . pneumoniae, which otherwise inhibit nif gene expression when present on multicopy plasmids, do not exhibit inhibitory effects when introduced as merodiploids via P4 site-specific integration.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1983 Aug, 55(1), 165 - 72
A new mannose-resistant haemagglutinin in Klebsiella; Old DC et al.; Strains of Klebsiella of the species (or 'patho-bio-sero-geogroups') Kl . atlantae, Kl . edwardsii and Kl . rhinoscleromatis produced neither haemagglutinins (HAs) nor fimbriae; strains of Kl . ozaenae were HA- but some produced type-6 fimbriae; and strains of Kl . pneumoniae (sensu stricto) and Kl . aerogenes that produced the mannose-sensitive HA (MS-HA) formed type-1 fimbriae . Most strains of Kl . aerogenes produced, in addition, one or both of the mannose-resistant HAs, MR/K-HA or MR/P-HA . The former, associated with type-3 fimbriae, was produced by 95%, and the latter by 57%, of the Kl . aerogenes strains . Some of the properties of the MR/P-HA, apparently a non-fimbrial HA not previously recognised in Klebsiella, are described.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Jul 25, 258(14), 8745 - 50
Discoidin-binding polysaccharide from Dictyostelium discoideum; Cooper DN et al.; Extracts of Dictyostelium discoideum grown axenically in a chemically defined medium were evaluated for binding to discoidin I and discoidin II, endogenous lectins of this slime mold . Binding activity was measured by competitive inhibition of 125I-lactosyl-bovine serum albumin binding to the immobilized lectins . With the solubilization procedure used extracts of vegetative cells and of early aggregates had no significant inhibitory activity, but an abundant discoidin-binding substance was detected in late aggregates and fruiting bodies . This material was purified by ethanol and acid precipitation followed by precipitation with discoidin . It is a polysaccharide composed of 77% galactose, 15% N-acetylgalactosamine, 5% glucose, and 3% N-acetylglucosamine and may be a biologically functional ligand for the slime mold lectins, in particular discoidin II . Use of axenic cells was critical in these experiments, since extracts of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes, commonly used as food for D . discoideum, were found to contain substances that react with discoidin . This would complicate isolation of endogenous discoidin ligands from cells raised on bacteria.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Jul 18, 114(1), 310 - 7
S-acylated residues of the acyl-carrier protein subunit of Klebsiella aerogenes citrate lyase; Basu A et al.; Oxidation of the isolated deacetyl acyl-carrier protein subunit of citrate lyase from Klebsiella aerogenes with Cu2+-o-phenanthroline complex leads exclusively to intrapeptide disulfide bridge formation indicating that the cysteamine and the cysteine residues are located in close proximity . The S-acetylation of the cysteine residue in deacetyl acyl-carrier protein subunit is catalysed by a citrate lyase ligase preparation in presence of acetate and ATP . Reaction-inactivation of citrate lyase results in deacetylation of the S-acetyl cysteamine residue of the prosthetic group but not of the S-acylated cysteine residue in the acyl-carrier protein.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Jul, 254(4), 469 - 79
Cephalosporin resistance in strains of Klebsiella oxytoca isolated during antibiotic therapy; Then RL et al.; In the course of multiple antibiotic treatment of a seriously ill patient, a high level of resistance to cefamandole, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone was found among consecutive isolates of Klebsiella oxytoca, other species isolated remaining susceptible . Susceptibility to cefotaxime was less affected, and the activity of cefoxitin and moxalactam was unchanged . Resistant K . oxytoca strains synthesized a large amount of a broad-spectrum beta-lactamase, able to hydrolyze ceftriaxone, cefuroxime and cefotaxime . The enzyme level as well as the ability to hydrolyze different cephalosporins with different rates explained the in vitro susceptibilities observed reasonably well . The initially susceptible K . oxytoca strain easily converted in vitro to variants producing a high level of beta-lactamase after exposure to ceftriaxone, without concomitant acquisition of high-level resistance to this antibiotic, suggesting that additional and at present unknown factors also contributed to resistance of the clinical isolates.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Jul, 12 Suppl A, 147 - 52
Ceftazidime: a new approach in the treatment of moderate and severe infections; Abbas AM et al.; Ninety patients with serious infections, including 61 with septicaemia, pneumonia, peritonitis or meningitis, were treated with ceftazidime . Of these patients, 85.6% were clinically cured (73.3%) or improved (12.2%) by the antibiotic . In this study, 57.7% had infections due to Escherichia coli (24.7%), Klebsiella sp . (14.5%) and Pseudomonas sp . (18.5%) . Two children with cystic fibrosis and Pseudomonas pneumonia and an adult with Legionella pneumonia responded well to ceftazidime treatment . Seventy patients had fever before treatment and most of them became apyrexial in less than 2 to 3 days . Ceftazidime was given either intramuscularly (42 patients) or intravenously (48 patients), in a dose of 1 g tds in 71 patients or 2 g tds in severe infections in 11 patients, or reduced to suit the renal function (7 patients) or in paediatric doses (2 children) . Blood ceftazidime levels were measured in eight patients with normal renal function . The average level one hour post dosing was 45.2 mg/l and the average trough level was 8.1 mg/l . Six patients were suffering from variable degrees of renal insufficiency (serum creatinine 149 to 668 mmol/l) . Their average blood level 1 h post-dosing was 68.8 mg/l . In a patient with meningitis, the CSF level was 2.4 mg/l 2 h after a 1 g dose . These levels are several times the ceftazidime MIC values for most clinical bacterial isolates . Ceftazidime is a valuable and safe alternative to aminoglycoside therapy.

J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Jul, 129 (Pt 7), 2181 - 91
The role of the O and K antigens in determining the resistance of Klebsiella aerogenes to serum killing and phagocytosis; Williams P et al.; The presence of both K and O antigens of Klebsiella aerogenes was found necessary to protect the organism from either complement-mediated serum killing or phagocytosis in the absence of specific antisera . Optimal phagocytic ingestion of K . aerogenes NCTC 5055 could be achieved in the presence of either anti-K or anti-O sera or to a much smaller extent in antisera raised against a rough unencapsulated mutant (M10B) derived from NCTC 5055 . Anti-O sera failed to opsonize a clinical klebsiella isolate (DL1) possessing immunologically identical lipopolysaccharide, but did so when the amount of capsule was physically reduced . The serum sensitivity of the encapsulated strains was unaffected by the addition of specific antisera . Fresh serum was bacteriostatic for an unencapsulated smooth mutant (M10) derived from NCTC 5055 . This bacteriostatic effect was reduced by heat-inactivation of the serum or by the addition of anti-O serum . M10 was rendered sensitive to the bactericidal action of serum in the presence of antisera raised against M10B or after chelation with MgEGTA to isolate alternative complement pathway activity . The rough unencapsulated mutant (M10B) was rapidly killed by fresh serum, an effect which could be delayed by chelation with MgEGTA . The serum sensitivity of M10B was unaffected by the presence of anti-M10B sera . Thus, the O antigen, unlike the K antigen, of these klebsiella strains is not antiphagocytic but it does confer some protection against the rapid bactericidal activity of serum complement.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1983 Jul, 53(1), 10 - 6
A factor shed by lymphoblastoid cell lines of HLA-B27 positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis, specifically modifies the cells of HLA-B27 positive normal individuals; Orban P et al.; Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines from HLA-B27 positive individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (B27+AS+) release, into the culture medium, a factor capable of specifically modifying the HLA-B27 positive lymphocytes of normal individuals (B27+AS-); this modification results in a phenotypic change similar to that seen on B27+AS+ lymphocytes . This lymphoblastoid cell line derived factor appears to be physically and functionally similar to a factor present in the culture filtrate of certain Klebsiella isolates . Biogel P-100 chromatography of the material released from the cell line indicated a mol.wt of 25,000-30,000, similar to that of the Klebsiella derived factor . Chromatofocusing on a PBE 94 column revealed that cell line derived factor had an isoelectric point of 5.5 (cf . pI 5.4 for the Klebsiella derived factor) . Immunoadsorption experiments suggest that the factor from the B27+AS+ cell line shares antigenic determinants with a cell surface component present on certain Klebsiella isolates . These results will form the basis for future studies on the nature of the interaction between HLA-B27 and certain enteric organisms and their products . A better understanding of this association should elucidate some of the early events in the pathogenesis of the seronegative arthropathies.

Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1983 Jul, 107(7), 377 - 83
Scleroma (Rhinoscleroma) . A histologic immunohistochemical study with bacteriologic correlates; Meyer PR et al.; Scleroma was diagnosed in nine of 30 Spanish-surnamed patients who had inflammatory lesions of the nose, pharynx, and larynx during the two-year period from Jan 1, 1978, through Dec 31, 1979 . A total of 19 biopsy specimens were taken from these nine patients . In six of the 19 specimens, a histologic diagnosis of scleroma was not possible . Seventeen of the specimens with characteristic histologic findings stained with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for detection of Klebsiella capsular antigen III, although in 11 of these specimens, simultaneous cultures failed to reveal the characteristic Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis . These specimens showed the features of one of the three histopathologic forms of scleroma: ozena, granuloma, or scleroma . A range of tissue reactions was identified: histiocyte and plasma cell nodules, vasculitis, acute inflammation, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, ulceration, and submucosal keratin cyst . Comparison with histochemical bacterial stains revealed that the PAS and Hotchkiss-McManus stains gave unequivocal positive results less frequently than the immunoperoxidase method, and were less specific . Methenamine silver, Giemsa, Deiterle, Brown and Brenn, and Brown and Hopps were unreliable for the detection of the organism . The immunoperoxidase method can be appropriately used when the spectrum of histopathologic findings suggests a differential diagnosis of scleroma.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1983 Jun 25, 11(12), 4241 - 50
An open reading frame upstream from the nifH gene of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Shen SC et al.; An open reading frame upstream from nifHDK operon of Klebsiella pneumoniae had been described . The orientation of this open reading frame is opposite to that of nifHDK and sequence homology was found between the open reading frame promoter and the promoter of nifHDK operon . A recombinant plasmid carrying the promoter region of the open reading frame fused to the beta-galactosidase gene was constructed . Strains of E.coli were transformed with the plasmid containing this open reading frame promoter-lacZ fusion or co-transformed with it and a plasmid carrying the nifA gene . An appreciable activity of beta-galactosidase was found in strains which received both plasmids, indicating that the promoter of the open reading frame can be activated by the product of nifA gene . Thus, the open reading frame found between nifHDK operon and nifJ behaves just like other nif genes of K.pneumoniae in requiring the product of nifA as the positive effector for expression.

Ann Plast Surg, 1983 Jun, 10(6), 488 - 91
Postirradiation flap infection about the oral cavity; Cabbabe EB et al.; Postirradiation alteration of oral flora is well documented in the literature . Infection as a complication leading to partial or complete loss of a flap used to reconstruct a defect in the oral cavity is a worrisome outcome . We describe how a flap that was judged clinically to be viable became overwhelmingly infected with the Klebsiella oxytoca, an oral cavity pathogen encountered in this patient following irradiation . Local and systemic changes led to detachment of the flap . This complication may be explained, in view of the absence of venous congestion or arterial ischemia both clinically and pathologically, by the proven contamination of the flap by the Klebsiella pathogen . Local factors resulted in lower resistance and subsequent overwhelming infection . Discussion of the case, review of pertinent literature, and proposed solutions are presented.

Biochem J, 1983 Jun 1, 211(3), 589 - 97
Nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae nifV mutants; McLean PA et al.; The MoFe protein of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae nifV mutants, NifV- Kp1 protein, in combination with the Fe protein from wild-type cells, catalysed CO-sensitive H2 evolution, in contrast with the CO-insensitive reaction catalysed by the wild-type enzyme . The decrease in H2 production was accompanied by a stoicheiometric decrease in dithionite (reductant) utilization, implying that CO was not reduced . However, CO did not affect the rate of phosphate release from ATP . Therefore the ATP/2e ratio increased, indicating futile cycling of electrons between the Fe protein and the MoFe protein . The inhibition of H2 evolution by CO was partial; it increased from 40% at pH6.3 to 82% at pH 8.6 . Inhibition at pH7.4 (maximum 73%) was half-maximal at 3.1 Pa (0.031 matm) CO . The pH optimum of the mutant enzyme was lower in the presence of CO . Steady-state kinetic analysis of acetylene reduction indicated that CO was a linear, intersecting, non-competitive inhibitor of acetylene reduction with Kii = 2.5 Pa and Kis = 9.5 Pa . This may indicate that a single high-affinity CO-binding site in the NifV- Kp1 protein can cause both partial inhibition of H2 evolution and total elimination of acetylene reduction . Various models to explain the data are discussed.

J Hyg (Lond), 1983 Jun, 90(3), 461 - 73
Comparison of different methods for bacteriocin typing of Klebsiella strains; Simoons-Smit AM et al.; Epidemiological analysis of Klebsiella strains from nosocomial infections needs a simple, stable and reproducible technique of typing . We have evaluated three bacteriocin typing methods for Klebsiella spp . by means of 15 bacteriocin-producing strains, with special reference to stability and reproducibility . With the three methods indicator strains and clinical strains were retyped on different days under constant test procedures . Stability of bacteriocins was tested by titration immediately after preparation and after 4 weeks of storage at -70 degrees C . Thereafter, reproducibility of typing was tested by means of these freshly prepared bacteriocin lysates and of portions of the same lysates stored at -70 degrees C . A moderate reproducibility was obtained with one method after two typing experiments: 79.2% and 61.3% for indicator strains and clinical strains respectively . The other two methods gave a much lower reproducibility of 38.5% and 32.5% for indicator strains and of 11.1% and 25.5% for clinical strains after two experiments . The reproducibility decreased after retyping three, four or five times . These methods are simple to perform but their usefulness for epidemiological studies is doubtful . Possible causes of the lack of reproducibility of the methods are discussed.

J Pediatr, 1983 Jun, 102(6), 825 - 30
Molecular epidemiology of sequential nursery epidemics caused by multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae; John JF Jr et al.; Multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae has been endemic among adult patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center since 1973 . Multiresistant K . pneumoniae was absent from pediatric wards until 1979, when it produced an epidemic in the intensive care nursery followed a year later by a second epidemic involving K . pneumoniae of the same serotype . The 105 megadalton (Md) conjugative resistance (R) plasmid (pCER7999) transferring multiple antibiotic resistance in the adult, endemic strain was found also in isolates from the first epidemic in the intensive care nursery . The mother of a child in the nursery harbored E . coli containing the same 105 Md R plasmid . The second epidemic also involved a 105 Md conjugative R plasmid, which, however, by molecular analysis was different from the first epidemic plasmid and also pCER7999 . Thus, the second epidemic resulted from the introduction of a new, unrelated multiresistant K . pneumoniae strain . Contemporary hospital epidemiology often requires the application of molecular techniques for an understanding of nosocomial infections.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Jun, 36(6), 1439 - 42
{Clinical observation on the transport of cefotiam into the bile and gall bladder tissue}; Tohyama K et al.; A clinical study was performed on concentration of cefotiam (CTM) in the gallbladder bile and the gallbladder tissue in benign diseases of the biliary tract . By an hour intravenous infusion the CTM concentration obtained 2 hours after the start of the infusion revealed that the level of the CTM in A bile was atmost same as that in B bile (3.1--46.0 micrograms/ml) . The concentration in gallbladder tissue was 5.7--116 micrograms/ml . In addition, the CTM level was higher enough than the MIC of CTM covering more than 80% of the strains of E . coli and Klebsiella obtained from the focus . From these results, it is concluded that CTM is clinically effective and useful in the case of biliary disease.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Jun, 154(3), 1117 - 25
Genetic localization and characterization of a pKM101-coded endonuclease; Winans SC et al.; The genetic and biochemical properties of an endonuclease mediated by the mutagenesis-enhancing plasmid pKM101 have been investigated . Taking advantage of the observation that this endonuclease, unlike host-coded DNases, is active in the presence of EDTA, we have developed an assay with nondenaturing acrylamide gels containing DNA . We have localized the plasmid DNA sufficient for nuclease expression to a 0.8-kilobase sequence that is near regions of DNA necessary for conjugal transfer, and we have determined that this gene is transcribed clockwise on the pKM101 map . The pKM101 gene mediating this activity codes for a 16,000-dalton protein, which is the same molecular mass as the nuclease monomer, leading us to conclude that this gene codes for the nuclease itself rather than for an activator of some host-coded enzyme . Cellular fractionation experiments have shown that the enzyme is localized in the periplasm . We have not been able to demonstrate any physiological role for the enzyme, but we have ruled out a direct involvement of the nuclease in any of the following known plasmid-associated phenotypes: (i) mutagenesis enhancement, (ii) conjugal transfer, (iii) entry exclusion, (iv) fertility inhibition of coresident P-group plasmids, (v) killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae used as conjugal recipients, and (vi) plasmid curing induced by treatment of cells with fluorodeoxyuridine . In addition, we have shown that the enzyme does not restrict bacteriophage or affect the ability of the host to utilize DNA as a source of thymine . Finally, we have shown that 11 of the 26 other plasmids tested also elaborated EDTA-resistant DNases.

Mol Immunol, 1983 May, 20(5), 563 - 6
Is a Klebsiella plasmid involved in the aetiology of Ankylosing Spondylitis in HLA-B27-positive individuals?
Cameron FH, Russell PJ, Sullivan J, Geczy AF.
The possibility that plasmid genes, carried by enteric organisms previously indirectly implicated as disease agents, play a role in the pathogenesis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) was explored . A particular Klebsiella isolate (K21) previously found to cross-react with cells from HLA-B27 positive (B27+) patients with AS, but not with cells from normal individuals, was found to contain a plasmid(s) . This coded for the organism's ability to produce a factor which could modify B27+ normal cells (AS-) rendering them lysable by the anti-Klebsiella serum . Curing of this isolate resulted in the loss of the plasmid concerned and a loss of ability of its culture filtrate to modify B27+ lymphocytes of clinically healthy subjects . When plasmids from K21 were transferred to a plasmid free laboratory strain, E . coli JP995, the recipient strain acquired the ability to elaborate modifying factor . These data suggest that plasmids, harboured by some enteric bacteria, and their products, may be implicated in modifying cells bearing certain Major Histocompatibility Complex genes, and that such modification may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including the seronegative arthropathies.

J Clin Microbiol, 1983 May, 17(5), 791 - 8
Relative substrate affinity index values: a method for identification of beta-lactamase enzymes and prediction of successful beta-lactam therapy; James R; Using a nitrocefin competition assay, I determined the relative substrate affinity index (RSAI) values of nine clinically significant beta-lactamase enzymes against a range of beta-lactams . Using selected beta-lactam substrates, I observed large differences in the RSAI values of the nine enzymes that were sufficient in many cases to positively identify specific enzymes . I made use of the unique RSAI values of SHV-1, TEM-1, and TEM-2 beta lactamases with cefoxitin to screen for the presence of these enzymes in Klebsiella aerogenes clinical isolates . The RSAI values also allow for the prediction of the outcome of beta-lactam therapy against specific beta-lactamase-producing isolates.

Toxicol Lett, 1983 May, 16(3-4), 281 - 4
Adverse influence of diazepam upon resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in mice; Laschi A et al.; Male and female mice, IOPS OF1 strain, received an i.p . injection of diazepam 1,2,4 or 8 mg/kg daily for 3 days prior to i.p . challenge with Klebsiella pneumoniae . Diazepam pretreatment increased mortality due to Klebsiella pneumoniae indicating that diazepam alters natural resistance to infection . The mechanism has not been elucidated but would appear to involve T cells and/or macrophages.

J Bacteriol, 1983 May, 154(2), 1027 - 31
Acquisitive evolution of ribitol dehydrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Thompson LW et al.; Selection in continuous culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae mutants that have gained the ability to utilize xylitol while also retaining regulatory control over ribitol utilization was achieved with a dual-substrate regime . Initial steady-state cultures of wild-type organisms were maintained with 0.005% (0.329 mM) ribitol . Mutants of various types proliferated when the composition of the limiting medium was changed to 0.005% ribitol plus 0.250% (16.43 mM) xylitol.

Biochem J, 1983 May 1, 211(2), 495 - 7
Nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae . An e.p.r . signal observed during enzyme turnover under ethylene is associated with the iron-molybdenum cofactor; Hawkes TR et al.; During turnover at 10 degrees C at pH 7.4 in the presence of ethylene, the MoFe protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase (Kp 1) exhibited an electron-paramagnetic-resonance signal with g-values at 2.12, 1.998 and 1.987 . 57Fe isotopic substitution demonstrated that this signal arose from the Kp 1 FeMo-cofactor in an S = 1/2 spin state.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1983 May, 52(2), 372 - 80
Klebsiella pneumoniae stimulate highly purified human blood B cells to mature into plaque forming cells without prior proliferation; Gross WL et al.; The plaque forming cell (PFC) and proliferative responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes and highly purified blood B cells induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and group A streptoccocal cell membranes (A-ScM) were compared with the responses triggered by various cell preparations of Klebsiella pneumoniae K 43 (Klebs) . The number of PFC was determined by a protein A plaque assay, and lymphoproliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation . In cell cultures stimulated with PWM and A-ScM, lymphocyte proliferation appeared to be associated with the generation of PFC . Klebs caused development of PFC without measurable prior proliferation . Whereas the response to PWM and A-ScM was absolutely T cell-dependent, highly purified B cells generated PFC when incubated with Klebs . Moreover, restitution of T cells to the B cell fraction did not augment (or diminish) the number of plaques . These studies establish that Klebs cell envelope structures contain a T cell-independent polyclonal B cell activator for human B lymphocytes in a high stage of differentiation . Use of this probe should provide further insight into the cellular interactions involved in the differentiation of antibody forming cells in humans.

Phlebologie, 1983 Apr-Jun, 36(2), 203 - 8
{New local therapy in the treatment of leg ulcers: Biostim cream}; Megret G; The treatment of leg-ulcers involves two sections which are theoretically distinct but in practice closely related: aetiological therapy which aims at correcting the causal factor or factors, and local treatment which is intended to facilitate detersion, granulation, and finally epidermization . Amongst the new local therapies, glycoproteins extracted from Klebsiella pneumoniae (Biostim cream) have immunostimulant properties and have a detersive action, facilitating the granulation, and because of their indirect bactericidal action mean that local antibiotics can be avoided.

Postgrad Med J, 1983 Apr, 59(690), 256 - 7
Unusual presentation of primary klebsiella meningitis: successful treatment with cefotaxime; Sandyk R et al.; A man who presented with lumbar backache subsequently developed signs of meningitis . The causative organism was proved to be Klebsiella pneumoniae . Despite treatment with chloramphenicol and amikacin, the condition progressed until cefotaxime was added to the treatment regimen . The patient made a good recovery . This is the first report of the use of cefotaxime in klebsiella meningitis.

Infect Immun, 1983 Apr, 40(1), 56 - 61
Virulence for mice of Klebsiella strains belonging to the O1 group: relationship to their capsular (K) types; Mizuta K et al.; Eighty-two Klebsiella O1 strains belonging to various K types were tested for virulence for mice by intraperitoneal inoculation . They comprised 49 strains newly isolated from various clinical specimens, 31 reference strains, and 2 laboratory strains . Of 9 Klebsiella O1:K2 strains, 7 were highly virulent inasmuch as their 50% lethal doses per mouse were less than 10 CFU, whereas the other 2 strains were avirulent even when encapsulated just like the virulent strains as revealed by the quellung test . Klebsiella K2 reference strain B5055 and strain Chedid, which were maintained in vitro for a long time, were highly virulent . Of 8 Klebsiella O1:K1 strains, 2 showed moderate virulence, and the other 6 strains had relatively low or no virulence . We found no definite correlation between the virulence of Klebsiella K1 and K2 strains for mice and the kind of clinical specimens in which they originated . All of the Klebsiella O1 strains tested belonging to K types other than K1 and K2 showed very low or no virulence for mice.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Mar 16, 111(2), 490 - 7
The presence of essential arginine residues at the active sites of citrate lyase complex from Klebsiella aerogenes; Subramanian S et al.; The acyl-transferase and acyl-lyase activities of Klebsiella aerogenes citrate lyase complex are inactivated by the arginine specific reagents phenylglyoxal and 2,3-butanedione, the former reagent being the more potent inhibitor . Citrate and (3S)-citryl-CoA protect the transferase activity, while acetyl-CoA markedly enhances the rate of the inactivation . (3S)-Citryl-CoA protects the lyase subunit in the complex from inactivation . The kinetics of inactivation suggest the involvement of a single arginine residue at each of the active sites of the transferase and of the lyase subunits.

Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales, 1983 Mar-Apr, 76(2), 192 - 7
{Rhinoscleroma in black Africa . Apropos of a case in a Malian observed in Paris}; Penalba C et al.; Rhinoscleroma, an inflammatory tumour due to Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, is rare in France but the few known cases have been observed among immigrants . A case of a Malian is reported here; to our knowledge this is the first described case from Mali . The clinical, histological and epidemiological aspects of the disease in Africans is reviewed.

Arch Surg, 1983 Mar, 118(3), 333 - 7
Nonspecific stimulation of host defenses against bacterial challenge in immunosuppressed mice; Galland RB et al.; Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) has been shown to be a safe and effective host defense stimulant in both normal and malnourished hosts exposed to a bacterial challenge . We investigated its effect in mice compromised by pretreatment with either cyclophosphamide or steroids . The bacterial challenge, designed to simulate a surgical wound infection, consisted of a Klebsiella pneumoniae-laden suture . The MDP treatment resulted in lower local and systemic bacterial spread and increased survival in mice immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide than in untreated controls . No such effect was demonstrated in animals compromised by steroids . These results suggest that MDP exerts its effect primarily on the macrophage.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1983 Mar-Apr, 134A(2), 189 - 96
Bacteriology and nutrition of environmental strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae involved in wood and bark decay; Deschamps AM et al.; Strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from screening procedures for wood- and bark-decaying bacteria . Their bacteriological and biochemical properties, their sensitivity to antibiotics and assimilation of wood components were analysed . Most were pectinolytic, degraded xylan and different phenolic compounds . Unusual associations of capsular polysaccharides and biotypes were observed . The nitrogen fixation ability of these strains was also tested.

Vox Sang, 1983 Mar, 44(3), 167 - 72
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria in a patient with Klebsiella pneumonia; Lau P et al.; A case of paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) occurring in a patient with Klebsiella pneumonia is described . The first sign of PCH in the patient was erythrophagocytosis . The Donath-Landsteiner (D-L) antibody exhibited anti-P specificity both serologically and biochemically . The appearance of D-L antibody during fulminating Klebsiella pneumonia strongly suggests their causal relationship.

Gene, 1983 Mar, 21(3), 227 - 36
Cloning of a plasmid region specifying the N transfer system of bacterial conjugation in Escherichia coli; Thatte V et al.; HindIII restriction sites were created artificially by the insertion of the transposon Tn5 into the IncN plasmid pCU1 near a presumptive end of its conjugal transfer region (tra) . This allowed cloning of an entire and continuous 19.4-kb region of this plasmid that specifies the N transfer system . The cloning vector was the nonconjugative plasmid pACYC184 . The recombinant plasmid was as efficient in transfer as the parental N plasmid . Other clones and deletions extending into the tra region allowed localization of a 11.2-kb segment of this region that determines sensitivity to the N-specific bacteriophages IKe and PRD1 . It could also be concluded that the ability of pCU1 to promote the killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae requires a 2-kb region that is not part of, but adjacent to the tra region.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Mar, 23(3), 352 - 5
Norfloxacin penetration into subcutaneous tissue cage fluid in rabbits and efficacy in vivo; Rylander M et al.; The activity of norfloxacin was studied in vivo with steel net cages implanted subcutaneously in rabbits . Four weeks after implantation, two of four cages in each animal were inoculated with a strain of Escherichia coli (seven animals) or Klebsiella pneumoniae (six animals) . Four animals in each group received oral treatment with norfloxacin for 7 days . Treatment was started 18 h after inoculation of the cages . Peak concentrations above the in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations for the strains used were achieved in the fluid of 14 of 16 of the infected cages after the first norfloxacin dose . The penetration of norfloxacin into both infected and uninfected tissue cage fluid was significantly higher on treatment days 3 and 7 than on treatment day 1 . No difference was observed between the concentrations in uninfected and infected cage fluids or between cage fluids infected with different organisms . The viable counts of E . coli and K . pneumoniae decreased from 2 X 10(3) to 2 X 10(8) CFU/ml of cage fluid to less than 10 CFU/ml in 10 of the infected cage fluids 12 h after the last dose of norfloxacin . Fluid from four cages still containing low numbers of viable bacteria at that time became free from bacteria (less than 10 CFU/ml) 1 to 4 days later . No regrowth was found in any cage fluid 7 days after the treatment period . The viable counts of E . coli or K . pneumoniae in five untreated control animals did not decrease during 8 to 14 days after inoculation of cage fluid . In comparison with cephalosporins and aminoglycosides studied previously with the same experimental method, norfloxacin penetrated better into cage fluid and more effectively reduced the viable counts of the organisms.

Gastroenterology, 1983 Mar, 84(3), 596 - 603
Experimental autoimmune hepatitis in mice after immunization with syngeneic liver proteins together with the polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kuriki J et al.; Experimental autoimmune hepatitis could be produced in SMA mice by monthly injections of syngeneic liver homogenate or liver-specific lipoprotein together with the polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae 03:K1 as a powerful adjuvant . Using a gel-diffusion technique, antibodies reacting with liver-specific lipoprotein and liver-specific membrane lipoprotein were detected in approximately 50% of sera from the immunized mice after an 8-mo period . After a full immunization schedule, 60%-80% of the livers of the sensitized mice developed infiltration of mono-nuclear cells consisting mainly of lymphocytes and plasma cells in portal areas, frequently associated with focal necrosis of hepatocytes . Moderate-to-severe piecemeal necrosis of hepatocytes appeared in 10 of 59 animals . However, a gradual decrease in the morphologic severity was observed 3-6 mo after cessation of injections . The transfer of splenic cells from animals with the damaged liver led to a hepatitis in recipients that was characterized by portal infiltration with mononuclear cells and by necrosis of liver parenchymal cells seen on day 14 after cell transfer . The suppressor cell activity determined by the ability of concanavalin A-activated cells to suppress blast transformation of splenic cells of normal SMA mice was significantly decreased (p less than 0.05) in mice immunized with a mixture of liver-specific lipoprotein and the polysaccaride of Klebsiella pneumoniae compared with mice immunized with the polysaccaride of Klebsiella pneumoniae alone or the polysaccaride of Klebsiella pneumoniae plus kidney lipoprotein.

Nature, 1983 Feb 17-23, 301(5901), 626 - 8
Activation of nif gene expression in Azotobacter by the nifA gene product of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kennedy C et al.; Structural similarity of nitrogenase, the enzyme responsible for biological nitrogen fixation, from various diazotrophic bacteria has been shown by intergeneric biochemical complementation of component proteins in vitro, DNA and protein sequence analysis, and DNA hybridization between nif (nitrogen fixation) structural genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae and genomic sequences from other nitrogen-fixing bacteria . Despite nitrogenase homologies, little is known about similarities among nif regulatory mechanisms although repression of nitrogenase synthesis by NH4+ and O2 occurs in most diazotrophs . In K . pneumoniae, the ntr (gln) genes concerned with regulation of nitrogen metabolism control expression of the nifLA operon whose products act as repressor (nifL) and activator (nifA) of the seven other nif transcriptional units . Here we report that the nifA gene product of K . pneumoniae can activate expression of nif genes in both Azotobacter vinelandii and Azotobacter chroococcum, organisms whose aerobic physiology contrasts with that of the facultative K . pneumoniae.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1983 Feb, (2), 96 - 101
{Nonharsh methods of isolation of antigenic complexes of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and analysis of their protective activity}; Egorova NB et al.; Protective antigenic complexes capable of protecting mice from septic Klebsiella infection can be obtained from Klebsiella pneumoniae . The preparations obtained by the method of aqueous extraction and by the action of hydroxyl amine and autolysis have been found to possess approximately the same protective activity and to protect mice from infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae strains belonging to both homologous and heterologous serotypes.

Am J Vet Res, 1983 Feb, 44(2), 335 - 7
Alveolar lavage in dogs; Brown NO et al.; Alveolar lavage was performed in 10 healthy dogs . After tracheal intubation was done, a sterile fiberoptic bronchoscope was wedged in a distant bronchus and the lungs were lavaged with sterile saline solution . An average of 140 ml of saline solution was flushed into the lungs of each dog, and an average of 79% of the solution was recovered . Examination of the recovered fluid revealed average total cell counts of 6.4 X 10(6) cells/dog . Average differential cell counts were as follows: macrophages, 50.5%; lymphocytes, 46.0%; and neutrophils, 3.5% . Results of bacterial culture of the recovered fluid were negative in 8 dogs and positive in 2; Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated in 1 dog and Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in the other.

J Infect Dis, 1983 Feb, 147(2), 312 - 7
Local immunity to klebsiella pneumoniae in the lungs of mice; Cooper JM et al.; The development of local immunity to Klebsiella pneumoniae in the lower respiratory tract is described . Immunity to intranasal infection is produced by systemic immunization resulting in high titers of circulating antibody . Protection also follows intranasal immunization with glutaraldehyde-killed organisms . Low levels of antibodies develop in serum after intranasal immunization . IgA antibody can be detected in the serum of these mice whereas little IgA antibody is detected in the serum of mice immunized systemically . Both IgA and IgG antibodies can be found in the pulmonary secretions of locally immunized mice . IgA and IgG from these secretions may be used to passively transfer protection when used to opsonize the infecting dose of K . pneumoniae . Protection mediated by IgA is not due to any interaction of IgA with cells present in the lower respiratory tract during infection, but exerts its protective effect in the upper respiratory tract, thereby preventing the spread of bacterial infection to the lower respiratory tract.

Nature, 1983 Jan 27, 301(5898), 307 - 13
Regulation of nitrogen metabolism genes by nifA gene product in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Ow DW et al.; The Klebsiella pneumoniae nifA gene product, which is known to activate expression of the nitrogen fixation (nif) structural genes, is shown here also to be able to substitute for the product of the gene glnG (ntrC) in the regulation of other nitrogen metabolism genes . An evolutionary relationship between the nifA and glnG genes is suggested.

Nature, 1983 Jan 27, 301(5898), 302 - 7
Positive control and autogenous regulation of the nifLA promoter in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Drummond M et al.; The nitrogen fixation (nif) genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae are specifically regulated by the products of the nifLA operon . We have located the promoter of this operon, and identified sequences required for nifLA transcription . Transcription from this promoter is shown to be positively regulated by the ntrC gene product (which coordinates the expression of many operons required for nitrogen assimilation) and also autogenously by the product of the nifA gene.

Neurol Neurochir Pol, 1983 Jan-Feb, 17(1), 97 - 108
{Detection of the sources of hospital infections in the neurological and psychiatric departments}; Kurdziel Z; Ninety-one swabs were investigated after taking them from the medical instruments after their sterilization, instruments kept in disinfecting fluids, various objects, furniture, bedclothes, walls and toilet facilities . The contamination of the furniture and equipment of these departments with bacteria was high . The highest contamination was in the toilet facilities and beds as well as bedclothes . It was found that the number of bacteria in a room or sanitary facility depends on its hygienic condition, when the condition is poor the bacterial flora is much increased . It was observed that 22 samples (24.1%) were positive and 27 (29.1%) pathogenic strains were detected . The demonstrated sources of infection included: bedclothes, furniture, various sanitary utensils and facilities . the most frequently isolated strains were S . aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Microbios, 1983, 38(151), 51 - 63
Microcalorimetry studies of energy changes during the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes in simple salts/carbon-limited media: growth in the presence of glucose and alpha-methyl-D-glucoside; Nichols SC et al.; The power-time profile and the derived thermal parameters obtained during the growth of glucose-adapted cells of K . aerogenes in glucose-limited medium containing added alpha-methyl-D-glucoside (alpha-MG) are markedly different from those obtained during growth in glucose alone . The power-time profile changes in a regular manner with increasing concentrations of alpha-MG; the rate constants for exponential growth and heat output decrease linearly . Yield and enthalpy data indicate that alpha-MG is not metabolized, and this is not supported by the data for carbon dioxide production . The increase in the total cell volume which occurs as a result of growth in the presence of alpha-MG indicates that this carbon source is possibly stored . The power-time profile and thermal parameters for alpha-MG trained cells, grown with alpha-MG limitation and in mixed carbon-limited media are reported . In mixed media catabolic repression occurs.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1983, 28(5), 424 - 9
Experimental model of Klebsiella infection in mice for studies on mechanisms of local immunity of the respiratory tract; Libich J et al.; An experimental model in white mice, infected with a mildly virulent strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae, was elaborated for studies on local immunity of the respiratory tract . Instillation of klebsiella into the supralaryngeal space of anaesthetised animals proved to be more suitable than the commonly used method of intranasal infection . The strain administered by the supralaryngeal route, persisted in the lungs of most mice at approximately equal level 1 d after infection, in some animals it could be demonstrated even after 2-3 d . Using this model (based on various rates of lung clearance), one can demonstrate faster elimination of klebsiella after a local (supralaryngeal) than systemic (intraperitoneal) immunization with a heat-inactivated vaccine, prepared from a homologous strain of K . pneumoniae.

Mol Gen Genet, 1983, 189(2), 263 - 8
Recombination-induced suppression of cell division following P1-mediated generalized transduction in Klebsiella aerogenes; Bender RA et al.; Klebsiella aerogenes recombinants resulting from bacteriophage P1-mediated generalized transduction failed to increase in number for approximately six generations after transduction . Nevertheless these recombinants continued to grow and became sensitive to penicillin after a transient resistance, suggesting that the cells were growing as long, non-dividing filaments . When filamentous cells were isolated from transduced cultures by gradient centrifugation, recombinants were 1000-fold more frequent among the filaments than among the normal-sized cells . The suppression of cell-division lasted for six generations whether markers near the origin (gln, ilv) or terminus (his, trp) of chromosome replication were used, despite a 50-fold difference in transduction frequencies for these markers . The suppression of cell division was a host response to recombination rather than to P1 invasion since cells lysogenized by P1 in these same experiments showed only a short (two generation) suppression of cell division . We speculate that the suppression of cell-division is an SOS response triggered by the degraded DNA not incorporated in the final recombinant . We demonstrate that both the filamentation and the transient penicillin resistance of recombinant cells can be exploited to enrich greatly for recombinants, raising transduction frequencies to as high as 10(-3).

Infection, 1983, 11 Suppl 1, S28 - 31
The distribution of Klebsiella pneumoniae serotypes from different sources and their sensitivity to cephalosporins; Ullmann U; 153 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae from 16 microbiological institutes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland were typed biochemically and serologically; their sensitivities to cefoxitin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, lamoxactam, thienamycin and gentamicin were determined . The strains could be classified into seven biotypes and 43 K-antigen types . The distribution of the K-antigen types was random, and spread over the whole spectrum of the 72 possibilities . Regional variations were not observed . 4.6% of the isolates were resistant to cefoxitin and 23% were moderately sensitive . 98% of these Klebsiella strains were sensitive to the new cephalosporins which were also effective against gentamicin-resistant isolates accounting for 12% of all isolates studied . Cefoxitin was only slightly active against such strains . The effect of a standard concentration of each agent on bacterial cultures during their growth phase was measured in the Jouan biophotometer . The beta-lactamase-stable cephalosporins had a permanent bactericidal effect on the enzyme-producing reference strain, although the latent period varied considerably in some cases . Piperacillin and cefoperazone were not bactericidal in this test.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Jan, 153(1), 45 - 56
Nitrogen fixation by Klebsiella pneumoniae is inhibited by certain multicopy hybrid nif plasmids; Riedel GE et al.; In our studies of nif gene regulation, we have observed that certain hybrid nif plasmids drastically inhibit the expression of the chromosomal nif genes of Klebsiella pneumonia . Wild-type (Nif+) K . pneumoniae strains that acquire certain hybrid nif plasmids also acquire the Nif- phenotype; these strains lose 90 to 99% of all detectable nitrogen fixation activity and grow poorly (or not at all) on solid media with N2 as the sole nitrogen source . We describe experiments which defined this inhibition of the Nif+ phenotype by hybrid nif plasmids and identify and characterize four nif DNA regions associated with this inhibition . We show that plasmids carrying these nif regions could recombine with, but not complement, nif chromosomal mutations . Our results suggest that inhibition of the Nif+ phenotype will provide a useful bioassay for some of the factors that mediate nif gene expression.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1983, 166, 171 - 80
Immunomodulating effects of a short-term oral treatment with C 1821 in untreated cancer patients: a controlled study; Lang JM et al.; C 1821 is a purified glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 2 with a molecular weight of about 350,000 . It enhances immune responses in animals when given orally and the oral route of administration is devoided of any toxicity even in humans . The present controlled trial showed that C 1821 given per os at the single daily dose of 4 mg for 14 days in untreated cancer patients (mostly lymphomas) significantly enhanced delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to recall antigens using the Multitest system (7 antigens) . It also increased basal levels of lymphocyte cAMP and particularly of cGMP which were decreased in these patients . When incubated in vitro with lymphocytes from either normal controls or patients, C 1821 showed a dose-dependent stimulation of cAMP synthesis which was more pronounced in patients than in controls.

Padiatr Padol, 1983, 18(4), 361 - 6
{Cefotaxime and desacetylcefotaxime in cerebrospinal fluid of newborn and premature infants}; von Loewenich V et al.; On the occasion of clinically indicated lumbar of cisternal punctures in 19 newborn and premature babies treated with Cefotaxime 33 CSF-levels of Cefotaxime (CTX) and it's metabolite Desacetyl-Cefotaxime (D-CTX) were measured by means of HPLC . 6 of the 19 infants suffered from meningitis . The highest CTX-levels were found 2 to 4 hours after the last infusion of CTX (50 or 100 mg/kg within 20 min, each 12 hours) . Patients with meningitis showed CTX-levels between 20 mg/l and less than 0.5 mg/l (limit of detection), those without meningitis between 11 mg/l and less than 0.5 mg/l . Because of the widely scattered CTX-levels any dependence from CTX-dosage or from degree of meningeal inflammation is not to be shown . With two exceptions D-CTX-levels ranged from 2 to 20 mg/l . Up to 9 1/2 hours after the last CTX-dose no clear decrease of the D-CTX-concentration in CSF may be seen . On the other hand, D-CTX-levels are also widely scattered . Nevertheless D-CTX apparently stays significantly longer in the CSF than CTX does . An influence of meningeal inflammation on the D-CTX-levels can not be observed . In E . coli- and in Klebsiella-spp . The geometrical means of MIC are found to range below 0.5 mg/l for CTX and below 2 mg/l for D-CTX . Therefore CTX might be recommended for treatment of meningitis caused by these germs . This recommendation may be supported by some reports about good clinical results, from our unit and from the literature as well.

EMBO J, 1983, 2(10), 1831 - 8
Construction of a correlated physical and genetic map of the Klebsiella pneumoniae hisDGO region using transposon Tn5 mutagenesis; de Bruijn FJ et al.; Multicopy plasmids containing the hisDG region of Klebsiella pneumoniae were mutagenized with transposon Tn5 . The resulting plasmids were examined for their ability to complement hisD and hisG mutations in Escherichia coli . The physical location of Tn5 on each of the hisD::Tn5 and hisG::Tn5 plasmids was determined by restriction endonuclease analysis . By combining the two types of data, a precise correlated physical and genetic map of the K . pneumoniae hisDG region was constructed . Based on this analysis, the minimum sizes of the hisD and the hisG genes were calculated to be 1100 bp and 900 bp, respectively . The hisO(P) region was also identified . The insertional specificity of transposon Tn5 was shown to be very low . One unanticipated result was obtained: Tn5 insertions in the plasmid-borne hisG gene were not polar on hisD.

Mol Gen Genet, 1983, 191(3), 485 - 91
Cloning and characterisation of nifLA regulatory mutations from Klebsiella pneumoniae; Filser M et al.; A total of nine regulatory mutations in the nifLA operon of Klebsiella pneumoniae were cloned in the high copy-number plasmid vector pACYC184 . The regulatory phenotypes of the resultant clones were then correlated with their restriction maps and their ability to synthesise nifL and nifA polypeptides in vivo . One mutation, nifL2401, was identified as a 400 bp . deletion within the nifL gene . This mutation was non-polar and caused a Nif+ phenotype which showed escape from repression by oxygen and low levels of fixed nitrogen . Identification of this deletion allows the first definitive allocation of a mutation with this phenotype to the nifL gene and provides further evidence for the role of the nifL gene product in nif-specific repression.

Biochem J, 1983 Jan 1, 209(1), 43 - 50
Purification and characterization of the inactive MoFe protein (NifB-Kp1) of the nitrogenase from nifB mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Hawkes TR et al.; The inactive MoFe protein of nitrogenase, NifB-Kp1, from two distinct nifB mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Kp5058 (a nifB point mutant) and UNF1718 (a nifB, nifJ double mutant) has been purified and characterized . NifB-Kp1 can be activated by reaction with the iron-molybdenum cofactor, FeMoco, extracted from active MoFe protein . NifB-Kp1 purified from either source had similar properties and was contaminated with an approximately equimolar amount of protein of mol.wt . 21 000 . Like active wild-type Kp1, it was an alpha 2 beta 2 tetramer, but it was far less stable than Kp1, deteriorating rapidly at temperatures above 8 degrees C or on mild oxidation . NifB-Kp1 preparations contained 0.4-0.9 Mo and 9.0 +/- 0.9 Fe atoms . mol-1 and, when activated by FeMoco, had a specific activity of approx . 500 units . mg-1 . The Mo in our preparations was not associated with the e.p.r . signal normally observed from FeMoco . All preparations exhibited a weak gav . = 1.95 e.p.r . signal which was probably not associated with activatable protein.

Biochem J, 1983 Jan 1, 209(1), 207 - 13
Evidence on intramolecular electron transfer in the MoFe protein of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae from rapid-freeze electron-paramagnetic-resonance studies of its oxidation by ferricyanide; Smith BE et al.; A transient e.p.r . signal with g-values of 2.05, 1.95 and 1.81 was observed in rapid-freezing experiments when Kpl, the MoFe protein of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae, was oxidized by ferricyanide or by some dyes . This e.p.r . signal was assigned to the 'P'-centres and, since such signals are characteristics of {4Fe-4S}1+ clusters, provides further evidence for the 'P'-centres being in the {4Fe-4S}0 oxidation level in the dithionite-reduced protein . When 4-10-fold excesses of ferricyanide were used as oxidants, the rate of disappearance of the transient e.p.r . signal was independent of the concentrations of ferricyanide, Kpl or ferrocyanide, i.e . its disappearance was by an intramolecular process . Under some circumstances the g = 3.7 e.p.r . signal from the FeMo-cofactors disappeared at a similar rate . It was concluded that, in these circumstances, the g = 3.7 e.p.r . signal disappears, owing to intramolecular electron transfer to the 'P'-centres in the {4Fe-4S}2+ (P2+) oxidation level, whereas the gav . = 1.933 transient e.p.r . signal from the P1+ centres disappears, owing to a change in its spin state from S = 1/2 to S = 5/2 the rate of this process being maximal when there are two P1+ centres in the half-molecule . The rate of the intramolecular decay of the e.p.r . signals, 4.1 +/- 0.8 s-1, is the same as the rate of enzyme turnover . It is suggested that both processes may be linked to the same conformational change, which triggers, or is triggered by, intramolecular electron transfer.

Biochimie, 1983 Jan, 65(1), 53 - 63
Cloning and expression of a DNA fragment carrying a his nifA fusion and the nifBQ operon from a nif constitutive mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Sibold L et al.; From the nifc mutant plasmid pPC868, previously shown to carry a DNA duplication responsible for the Nifc phenotype, a 10 kb HindIII fragment was cloned into the multicopy vector pBR325 . Restriction analysis of the resulting plasmids and in vitro deleted derivatives confirmed that the mutation was a fusion between his and nifLA . The order was hisG-hisD'-'nifL-nifA so that nifA was transcribed under the control of the his promoter and the nifL gene was altered . In addition the cloned fragment contained the adjacent nifBQ operon, and complementation data revealed that the nifA, nifB and hisG genes were expressed . Synthesis of nifA product under the transcription control of the his (or cat {CmR}) promoter enabled complementation of nifA and nifB mutations either in the absence or the presence of ammonia, but did not restore nitrogen fixation in a glnF mutant . Therefore, the nifA gene product requires glnF for its positive control function in a manner analogous to ntrC . Protein content analysis of minicells containing various multicopy nif plasmids confirmed the genetic organization mentioned above . A new polypeptide of 51,500 daltons was found whose synthesis was observed at 30 degrees C but not at 37 degrees C . According to the physical map, this protein could be the nifB gene product . Our results are in agreement with nifB transcription being under the control of a thermolabile nifA product . Moreover we obtained results suggesting that the presence of multiple copies of a functional nifB gene inhibited nitrogen fixation.

Microbiol Immunol, 1983, 27(8), 683 - 94
The Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide isolated from culture fluid: structure of the polysaccharide moiety; Hasegawa T et al.; In a series of our earlier studies, the O3 antigen isolated from culture supernatant of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain Kasuya (O3:K1) (KO3) was shown to exhibit very strong adjuvant activity in mice . KO3 obtained was homogeneous in analyses by either gel filtration or ultracentrifugation . Its molecular weight determined by ultracentrifugal analysis was greater than 2 X 10(6) . It contained 37.9% C, 6.20% H, 0.24% N, and less than 0.1% P . KO3 was degraded into the polysaccharide moiety and lipid moiety (about 20%) by hydrolysis with 1% acetic acid at 100 C for 1 hr . The molecular weight of the polysaccharide moiety obtained by the hydrolysis was 16,200 as determined by the Somogyi-Nelson method . Chemical analyses using methylation analysis and Smith degradation as the principal methods indicated that the polysaccharide moiety consisted of a mannan which has a pentasaccharide repeating unit of alpha-mannosyl-1,3-alpha-mannosyl-1,2-alpha-mannosyl-1,2-alpha-mannosyl-1, 2-alpha-mannose joined through alpha-1,3-mannosyl linkages . The number of repetitions was less than 20 . The fact that minor components such as 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate and glucose were detected suggests the presence of a core oligosaccharide, but its precise structure is unknown.

Microbiol Immunol, 1983, 27(12), 1043 - 55
Adjuvant activity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide: no contribution of proteins to the expression of adjuvant activity; Kato N et al.; Previously we found that Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) isolated from culture supernatant of strain Kasuya (O3: K1) or its decapsulated mutant strain LEN-1 (O3: K1-) exhibited very strong adjuvant activity in augmenting antibody response and delayed-type hypersensitivity to protein antigens in mice . The preparation of KO3 LPS after deproteinization by four cycles of treatment with chloroform-butanol (5: 1) usually contained a small percentage of proteins and a definite amount of another antigen which was destroyed by heating at 100 C for 1 hr . This antigen proved to be derived from type 1 fimbriae which are responsible for mannose-sensitive hemagglutination of guinea pig erythrocytes . The preparation of KO3 LPS isolated from culture supernatant of the strains which did not produce type 1 fimbriae exhibited strong adjuvant activity similar to that of the preparation from those which produced them . The preparation of KO3 LPS treated with hot phenol water which is known to remove lipid A-associated proteins exhibited a similar strong adjuvant activity . The preparation of KO3 LPS after extensive deproteinizing, two cycles of pronase treatment followed by ten cycles of treatment with chloroform-butanol, no longer contained detectable amounts of proteins and the fimbrial antigen, but this preparation also exhibited similar strong adjuvant activity . Moreover, there was no difference in strength of the adjuvant activity between the preparation of KO3 LPS isolated from culture supernatant and that isolated by the phenol method from bacterial cells . The present study demonstrates that the strong adjuvant activity of the preparation of KO3 LPS does not depend in any way on proteins contaminating the preparation.

Biochem J, 1982 Dec 15, 208(3), 679 - 84
The degradative pathway of the s-triazine melamine . The steps to ring cleavage; Jutzi K et al.; 1 . The degradative pathway of melamine (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine) was examined in Pseudomonas sp . strain A . 2 . The bacterium grew with melamine, ammeline, ammelide, cyanuric acid or NH+4 as sole source of nitrogen, and each substrate was entirely metabolized . Utilization of ammeline, ammelide, cyanuric acid or NH+4 was concomitant with growth . But with melamine as substrate, a transient intermediate was detected, which was identified as ammeline by three methods . 3 . Enzymes from strain A were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and four activities were examined . 4 . Melamine was converted stoichiometrically into equimolar amounts of ammeline and NH+4 . 5 . Ammeline was converted stoichiometrically into equimolar amounts of ammelide and NH+4; ammelide was identified by four methods . 6 . Ammelide was converted stoichiometrically into equimolar amounts of cyanuric acid and NH+4; cyanuric acid was identified by four methods . 7 . Cyanuric acid was converted by an enzyme preparation into an unidentified product with negligible release of NH+4 . 8 . The specific activities of the degradative enzymes (greater than or equal to 0.3 mkat/kg of protein) were high enough to explain the growth rate of the organism . 9 . The bacterium converted 0.4 mM-melamine anaerobically into 2.3 mM-NH+4 . 10 . Two other pseudomonads and two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were also examined, with similar results . 11 . The degradative pathway of melamine appears to be hydrolytic, and proceeds by three successive deaminations to cyanuric acid, which is further metabolized.

J Clin Invest, 1982 Dec, 70(6), 1292 - 9
Spontaneous in vitro differentiation of antigen-specific lymphocytes from a patient with immunoglobulin M gammopathy; Halper J et al.; Recently we have identified two monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) proteins that bind Klebsiella polysaccharides . The lymphocytes of one of these patients (M.A.Y.) were available for study . A substantial proportion of the B lymphocytes isolated from this patient's peripheral blood also bound Klebsiella polysaccharides with a pattern of specificity identical to that of the monoclonal IgM, and reacted with an anti-idiotypic antiserum directed against this IgM . Stripping the surface immunoglobulin from these lymphocytes eliminated this reactivity . Although no plasma cells were detected in the freshly isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes of this patient, plasma cells binding Klebsiella polysaccharide appeared after 7 d of in vitro culture . This occurred regardless of whether the cultures were supplemented with autologous plasma, normal human plasma, or fetal calf serum . Pokeweed mitogen neither stimulated nor inhibited the in vitro differentiation of the monoclonal B lymphocytes into plasma cells . This differentiation was, however, abrogated by F(ab')2 fragments of anti-human IgM and by anti-idiotypic antibodies, as well as by the Klebsiella polysaccharide with which the monoclonal IgM reacted.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1982 Dec, 100(12), 1959 - 63
Experimental Klebsiella-induced endophthalmitis in the rabbit; Meyers-Elliott RH et al.; Klebsiella organisms have been reported in postoperative endophthalmitis . We describe an experimental model of endophthalmitis with anterior segment inflammation over the injection of Klebsiella oxytoca into the rabbit vitreous . Within 24 hours, polymorphonuclear leukocytes were found at the corneal limbus, adjacent to the endothelium, in the iris and ciliary body, throughout the vitreous, and in the optic nerve . Retinal photoreceptor degeneration was widespread within 48 hours . Mononuclear cells appeared in the vitreous within 72 hours . Increased pathologic manifestations concomitant with decreased numbers of recoverable, viable organisms implicate the endotoxins of K oxytoca in the observed pathologic condition . Our model may be useful in further studies on antibiotic therapy in Klebsiella ocular infections and in continuing work on the cross-reaction between Klebsiella and HLA-B27.

Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1982 Dec, 60(6), 629 - 41
Resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae and the importance of two bacterial antigens; Cooper JM et al.; The resistance of mice to a lethal infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae, type I, was investigated . Antibody of both IgG and IgM class produced good protection when given with an intra-nasal inoculum of the organism . While antibody directed against capsular antigens was highly protective, so too was antibody directed against a second, non-capsular and heat-labile antigen . This antigen does not appear to be related to either the K or O antigens of Klebsiella and is present in several strains of Klebsiella . It is suggested that this antigen may play a role in determining resistance to this organism by humans.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1982 Dec, 22(6), 1042 - 50
Therapeutic activities of cefazolin, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime against experimentally induced Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats; Bakker-Woudenberg IA et al.; The efficacies of several dosage schedules of cefazolin, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime, started 12 or 36 h after infection, were examined in experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in rats . The therapeutic activities of the cephalosporins were compared with the antibacterial activities in vitro and the serum concentration curves . The course of experimental pneumonia was rapid and characterized by tissue necrosis . Response to antimicrobial treatment was evaluated with respect to mortality and numbers of bacteria in lung (left lobe), blood, and pleural fluid . When antibiotic treatment was started early, i.e., 12 h after bacterial inoculation, cefotaxime and ceftazidime were equally effective and superior to cefazolin . Eleven doses of 10 mg of cefotaxime or ceftazidime per kg or 11 doses of 60 mg of cefazolin per kg were required to improve the survival rate . With a delay in administration to 36 h after inoculation, the efficacy of the cephalosporins decreased markedly . In the three dosages tested, cefazolin was ineffective . Survival improved with the administration of nine doses of 60 mg of cefotaxime per kg or nine doses of 10 mg of ceftazidime per kg . These results are not in accordance with the ratio of in vitro activities of cefotaxime and ceftazidime or the serum concentration curves.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Dec, 152(3), 1303 - 7
Glycerol kinase as a substitute for dihydroxyacetone kinase in a mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Jin RZ et al.; With dihydroxyacetone as the sole source of carbon and energy, constitutively synthesized glycerol kinase of the glp system supported aerobic growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae mutants lacking the inducible dihydroxyacetone kinase of the dha system . Glycerol kinase had an apparent Km of 0.01 mM for its physiological substrate and 1 mM for its surrogate substrate . However, the growth rate on dihydroxyacetone of cells relying on glycerol kinase increased with the concentration of the carbon and energy source up to 50 mM, suggesting that permeation is rate limiting.

J Gen Microbiol, 1982 Dec, 128 (pt 12), 3011 - 8
Metabolic control of Klebsiella pneumoniae mRNA degradation by the availability of fixed nitrogen; Kahn D et al.; The chemical and functional stability of Klebsiella pneumoniae mRNAs was dependent on the nitrogen status of the organism . During exponential growth on N2 or NH+4 as N-source the half-lives of mRNAs were 10 and 4 min, respectively . When NH+4-grown cells were starved of NH+4 for 3 h, under which conditions the nitrogen fixation (nif) genes were derepressed, the half-life of mRNAs increased to 20 min . Addition of NH+4 to such N-starved suspensions rapidly destabilized mRNAs with a resultant half-life of 9 min . This destabilization occurred even in the presence of transcription inhibitors, which indicated metabolic control of mRNA degradation . Under most conditions studied the functional decay of nif-specific mRNAs paralleled the decay of bulk mRNAs.

Hum Immunol, 1982 Dec, 5(4), 295 - 307
Immunochemical characterization of Klebsiella antigens which specifically modify an HLA-B27-associated cell-surface component; Sullivan J et al.; Culture filtrates of some Klebsiella isolates contain a factor(s) capable of specifically modifying the HLA-B27-positive lymphocytes of normal individuals, resulting in a phenotypic change similar to that seen on lymphocytes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) . To further delineate the nature of the interaction between HLA-B27 and some Klebsiella products we have undertaken a chemical characterization of B27+AS+-cross-reactive Klebsiella antigens from the culture filtrate and the bacterial cell-membrane . Biogel P-100 chromatography of the Klebsiella K43-derived modifying factor from the culture filtrate and from an NP-40-solubilized membrane extract gave a molecular weight of 26,000-30,000 . Isoelectric focusing revealed that the modifying factor had an isoelectric point of approximately 5.4 . Membrane-associated modifying factor activity was found only in outer-membrane preparations indicating that the cross-reactivity between Klebsiella K43 and B27+AS+ cells is defined, at least in part, by outer-membrane antigens . These studies demonstrate that membrane components of Klebsiella K43 share antigenic determinants with a modifying factor, which is released into the culture medium, and that these components are capable of specifically altering the HLA-B27 antigen or an associated cell-surface structure . Such a modification occurring in vivo following exposure to Klebsiella, or to antigenically related organisms, could explain the triggering of the B27-associated arthropathies such as AS.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Dec, 152(3), 1169 - 74
Immunochemical properties of NAD+-linked glycerol dehydrogenases from Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae; Tang JC et al.; An NAD+-linked glycerol dehydrogenase hyperproduced by a mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 was found to be immunochemically homologous to a minor glycerol dehydrogenase of unknown physiological function in Klebsiella pneumoniae 1033, but not to the glycerol dehydrogenase of the dha system responsible for anaerobic dissimilation of glycerol or to the 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase of K . pneumoniae.

Eur J Pediatr, 1982 Nov, 139(3), 203 - 5
Latent chronic cholangitis in congenital hepatic fibrosis; Alvarez F et al.; In a five-year-old girl with congenital hepatic fibrosis raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum gammaglobulins were noted for 3 years . Needle liver biopsy showed histological features of cholangitis and Klebsiella oxytoca was cultured from a liver biopsy specimen . Antibiotic treatment resulted in normalization of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum gammaglobulins . This suggest that cholangitis can be clinically latent in congenital hepatic fibrosis and should be investigated and treated when unexplained inflammatory signs are present.

Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Nov-Dec, 4 Suppl, S688 - 91
Pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of moxalactam in biliary tract infections; Mueller O et al.; Moxalactam exhibited excellent in vitro activity against all pathogens commonly associated with biliary tract infections . The drug retained bactericidal activity against all of these organisms, with the possible exception of Klebsiella pneumoniae, even in the presence of bile . Pharmacokinetic studies revealed high concentrations of moxalactam in the bile after intravenous administration . Twenty-seven of 28 patients with severe, complicated biliary tract infections responded favorably to the administration of moxalactam.

Infect Immun, 1982 Nov, 38(2), 496 - 501
Immunoglobulin A and secretory immunoglobulin A antibodies to purified type 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae pili in human colostrum; Davis CP et al.; Immunoglobulin A antibodies with binding specificity for purified Klebsiella pneumoniae type 1 pili were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 20 of 21 human samples (95%) . The concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A antibody in colostrum directed against the pili were calculated by comparison of experimental enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay values with values obtained from known secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations . The presence of antibodies to K . pneumoniae type 1 pili was confirmed by double diffusion-gel studies with selected specimens of colostrum . This study shows that in the majority of human colostral samples examined, secretory immunoglobulin A antibodies with specificity for K . pneumoniae type 1 pili can be commonly found in variable, but frequently high, concentrations.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1982 Oct, (10), 73 - 7
{Effectiveness of the decontaminating action of disinfectants on Klebsiella ozaenae-contaminated surfaces}; Gorbacheva VN; The effectiveness of the disinfecting action of elevated temperature (59 degrees C and 100 degrees C), chloraemine, chlorhexidine, sodium dichlorisocyanurat, hydrogen peroxide, nirtan and phenol on surfaces contaminated with K . ozaenae has been studied . These organisms have been found to be highly susceptible to the action of elevated temperature and the tested disinfectants . The effective concentrations of these disinfectants and exposure time are recommended for routine disinfection in the foci of ozena.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Oct, 152(1), 411 - 21
Degradation of 3-phenylbutyric acid by Pseudomonas sp; Sariaslani FS et al.; Pseudomonas sp . isolated by selective culture with 3-phenylbutyrate (3-PB) as the sole carbon source metabolized the compound through two different pathways by initial oxidation of the benzene ring and by initial oxidation of the side chain . During early exponential growth, a catechol substance identified as 3-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)butyrate (2,3-DHPB) and its meta-cleavage product 2-hydroxy-7-methyl-6-oxononadioic-2,4-dienoic acid were produced . These products disappeared during late exponential growth, and considerable amounts of 2,3-DHPB reacted to form brownish polymeric substances . The catechol intermediate 2,3-DHPB could not be isolated, but cell-free extracts were able only to oxidize 3-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)propionate of all dihydroxy aromatic acids tested . Moreover, a reaction product caused by dehydration of 2,3-DHPB on silica gel was isolated and identified by spectral analysis as (--)-8-hydroxy-4-methyl-3,4-dihydrocoumarin . 3-Phenylpropionate and a hydroxycinnamate were found in supernatants of cultures grown on 3-PB; phenylacetate and benzoate were found in supernatants of cultures grown on 3-phenylpropionate; and phenylacetate was found in cultures grown on cinnamate . Cells grown on 3-PB rapidly oxidized 3-phenylpropionate, cinnamate, catechol, and 3-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)propionate, whereas 2-phenylpropionate, 2,3-dihydroxycinnamate, benzoate, phenylacetate, and salicylate were oxidized at much slower rates . Phenylsuccinate was not utilized for growth nor was it oxidized by washed cell suspensions grown on 3-PB . However, dual axenic cultures of Pseudomonas acidovorans and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which could not grow on phenylsuccinate alone, could grow syntrophically and produced the same metabolites found during catabolism of 3-PB by Pseudomonas sp . Washed cell suspensions of dual axenic cultures also immediately oxidized phenylsuccinate, 3-phenylpropionate, cinnamate, phenylacetate, and benzoate.

Biochem Pharmacol, 1982 Oct 1, 31(19), 3071 - 6
Chemokinetic activity of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine on human neutrophils, and its modulation by phenylbutazone; Perianin A et al.; Phenylbutazone (PBZ) is known to inhibit the oriented migration of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) induced by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), and to protect these cells against the deactivation caused by their prior incubation with FMLP . To gain insight into the mechanism of these effects, we measured the oriented PMN migration under agarose induced, in the presence and absence of PBZ, by FMLP, zymosan-activated serum and Klebsiella pneumoniae culture supernatant . The two components of this migration, i.e . the speed (chemokinesis), and direction of locomotion (chemotaxis), were also assessed . At concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M, FMLP displayed similar chemotactic activity but the speed of PMN locomotion was maximal for 10(-7) M, and lower for concentrations above and below this level . Oriented migration was proportional to the mean cell locomotion speed during the experiments . PBZ inhibited both the oriented migration and locomotion speed induced by 10(-7) M FMLP, but did not affect its chemotactic activity . At concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-5) M, PBZ increased oriented migration and locomotion speed, again without influencing FMLP chemotactic activity . Oriented migration induced by zymosan-activated serum was not affected by PBZ but the migration induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae culture supernatant diminished slightly . These results demonstrate that PBZ modulates the chemokinetic effect of FMLP on PMNs and thus alters oriented PMN migration.

Infect Immun, 1982 Oct, 38(1), 179 - 82
Effect of decreased salivation and pH on the adherence of Klebsiella species to human buccal epithelial cells; Ayars GH et al.; To assess the role of reduced salivary flow and intraoral pH on gram-negative bacterial colonization of the oropharynx, we studied in vitro Klebsiella adherence to normal human buccal epithelial cells at various pH values and to buccal cells from patients with pathological xerostomia (decreased saliva flow) . Reduced pH significantly increased adherence of Klebsiella pneumoniae 84 to normal buccal epithelial cells (P less than 0.001) . In contrast, two clinical isolates of K . oxytoca showed no significant pH-dependent change in adherence . A corollary of this was that patients with pathological xerostomia had significantly increased adherence of K . pneumoniae 84 to their buccal epithelial cells as compared with normal controls (P less than 0.01) . These results suggest that reduced salivary flow and the concomitant reduction of intraoral pH may predispose patients to bacterial colonization with K . pneumoniae.

Infect Immun, 1982 Oct, 38(1), 175 - 8
Amelioration by muramyl dipeptide of the effect of induced hyperferremia upon Klebsiella infection in mice; Brewer RJ et al.; Induced hyperferremia enhanced local Klebsiella infection, with and without a surgical suture as a test foreign body . Both bacterial proliferation and death occurred often in mice treated with ferric ammonium citrate . Muramyl dipeptide significantly protected animals from local bacterial growth, death, and, to some extent, bacteremia.

Laryngoscope, 1982 Oct, 92(10 Pt 1), 1149 - 53
Clinical update on rhinoscleroma; Shum TK et al.; Rhinoscleroma is recognized more frequently now because of the recent influx of immigrants from endemic Central America . This chronic infectious disease presents with three overlapping clinical stages and can involve any part of the respiratory tract . A review of the clinical presentation leads to a patient evaluation plan consisting of physical examination and radiographic studies . A highly sensitive and specific method is introduced for identification of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis in the biopsy specimen using the immunoperoxidase technique . A study of the immune status of the patient revealed general immunological competence except in effective phagocytosis of the organism by the Mikulicz cells . The choice of chronic antibiotic therapy should be guided by individual patient consideration with respect to age and sex . Repeat biopsies help determine the duration of antibiotic therapy . Relapses do occur and close observation is the key to long-term follow-up of the patient.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Oct, 1(5), 272 - 7
Efficacy of ceftriaxone and gentamicin in an abscess model; Rubinstein E et al.; The therapeutic efficacy of ceftriaxone and gentamicin was investigated in a foreign body induced abscess model in the rat by implanting a dialysis tube contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae into the subcutaneous tissue . Animals were treated for four days with ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and their combination starting immediately following or 48 h after the implantation . Peak free ceftriaxone and gentamicin abscess fluid levels were 4.3 and 2.6 mcg/ml, which were 7.3% and 37.5% of peak blood levels respectively . Both agents persisted longer in abscess fluid than in blood . Ceftriaxone inhibited the development of abscess formation when administered shortly after the implantation of the contaminated foreign body whereas gentamicin alone was without beneficial effect . When administered after 48 h ceftriaxone was less effective than immediately after implantation and gentamicin was again without any therapeutic effect . The effect of the combination of ceftriaxone and gentamicin was slightly better than ceftriaxone alone . Low oxygen tension may be an explanation for the lack of bactericidal effect of gentamicin . Ceftriaxone may be more suitable for the therapy of closed space infections caused by susceptible microorganisms than gentamicin.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Sep, 151(3), 1612 - 6
Regulation of nitrogenase in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata as studied by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis; Hallenbeck PC et al.; By using two-dimensional electrophoresis, five putative soluble nif gene products were identified, and the regulation of nif gene expression in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata was investigated . Expression of nif was repressed by ammonia and atmospheric concentrations of oxygen . Deprivation of molybdenum caused an interesting pattern of partial repression of nif gene expression that was not relieved by tungsten . These results are discussed in relation to the better understood system of nif regulation in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1982 Sep, 35(9), 2288 - 92
{Timed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of cefmetazole against selected gram-negative bacteria}; Masuda G et al.; Antibacterial activities of cefmetazole, a new preparation of cephamycin antibiotic, were determined against selected clinical strains of Escherichia coli (27 strains), Klebsiella sp . (27 strains) and Bacteroides fragilis (27 strains) . Activities were evaluated at bacteriostatic and also bactericidal levels with particular reference to time of exposure of microbes to the drug . The minimal drug concentrations producing minimal reduction of colony-forming units at time intervals of 3, 6 and 24 hours after exposure to the drug--approximations to the theoretical bacteriostatic concentrations--were designated as 3-h, 6-h and 24-h MRCs, respectively . Conventional MIC yielding no turbidity after incubation of antibiotic-containing broth for 24 hours was also determined . The minimal concentrations of the drug producing 99.9% killing at time intervals of 3, 6 and 24 hours after exposure to the drug were designated as 3-h, 6-h and 24-h MLCs, respectively . Assuming that the apparent mode of action of a drug is bactericidal when the ratio of bactericidal-bacteriostatic concentrations is low (less than or equal to 4) and bacteriostatic when high (greater than or equal to 8), then cefmetazole appeared to be a bactericidal drug to a considerable number of Gram-negative strains when the exposure time exceeded a period of 6 hours . The data that the mode of action of this drug is bactericidal with such relatively brief exposure times--indicating rapid decrease of colony-forming units--would suggest cefmetazole is an excellent antibacterial agent and would be a useful drug in treatment of bacterial infections.

Biokhimiia, 1982 Sep, 47(9), 1471 - 5
{Coenzyme properties of adenosylcobalamin analogs with modifications in the purine nucleus of the alpha-ligand}; Iakusheva MI et al.; The interaction of cobalamin-dependent glycerol dehydratase from Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 25955 with two adenosylcobalamin analogs with modifications in the nucleotide alpha-ligand was studied . It was shown that substitution of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole of the alpha-ligand for adenine or 2-methyladenine does not alter the coenzyme activity of glycerol dehydratase and does not affect the substrate binding site of the holoenzyme . These adenosylcobalamin modifications change the affinity of the analogs for the apoenzyme.

Biochemistry, 1982 Aug 31, 21(18), 4434 - 7
Photoaffinity labeling of Klebsiella aerogenes citrate lyase by p-azidobenzoyl coenzyme A; Basu A et al.; p-Azidobenzoyl coenzyme A functions as a linear competitive inhibitor for (3S)-citryl-CoA in the citryl-CoA oxaloacetate-lyase reaction catalyzed by the Klebsiella aerogenes deacetylcitrate lyase complex (Ki = 80 microM; (3S)-citryl-CoA Km = 67 microM) . Inactivation is irreversible on photolysis of p-azidobenzoyl-CoA in the presence of the deacetylcitrate lyase complex . Mg2+ is not required for the inactivation . Inactivation is blocked by (3S)-citryl-CoA in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid . p-Azidobenzoyl-CoA has no effect on the acetyl-CoA:citrate CoA transferase activity of both the deacetylcitrate lyase complex and its isolated transferase subunit . The stoichiometry of the CoA ester binding has been investigated by the use of p-azido{14C}benzoyl-CoA as a photoaffinity reagent . The labeling is exclusively on the lyase beta subunit of the citrate lyase complex.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1982 Aug 10, 705(3), 385 - 9
Evidence on the role(s) of ATP in the mechanism of nitrogenase, from proton NMR relaxation studies on metal and nucleotide binding to the molybdenum-iron protein; Kimber SJ et al.; Interactions between the molybdenum-iron protein (Kp1) of nitrogenase (reduced ferredoxin:dinitrogen oxidoreductase (ATP-hydrolysing,) EC 1.18.2.1) from Klebsiella pneumoniae and the divalent ions, Mn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and Ba2+, have been studied by monitoring the water proton NMR relaxation enhancement caused by the paramagnetism of Mn2+ . We observed several binding sites for Mn2+, equivalent within experimental error (Kd = 209 +/- 23 microM), increasing in number from 1.0 to 2.9 per molecule in direct proportion to the specific activity of the protein . Metal binding sites on the MoFe protein are therefore essential to the enzymic function of nitrogenase . A maximum of four such sites is inferred for the fully active protein molecule . All manganese sites can alternatively bind the diamagnetic ions studied, the binding being one order-of-magnitude weaker (Kd = 2.2 +/- 0.3 mM for Mg2+; 1.6 +/- 0.2 mM for Ca2+; 3.4 +/- 0.3 mM for Ba2+), ATP and ADP form ternary complexes via Mn2+ with Kpl . The above data and other evidence on MgATP binding are discussed in terms of the site of hydrolysis of ATP during turnover and its possible bridging role between the two protein components of the enzyme.

J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 16(2), 299 - 302
Evaluation of the macro-vue latex agglutination test for quantitation of gentamicin in human serum; Johnson JE et al.; The Macro-Vue Card Test (Hynson, Wescott, and Dunning, Baltimore, Md.) for rapid quantitation of gentamicin in serum was compared with bioassay and radioimmunoassay procedures on sera from 100 patients . Regression analysis of paired results from the bioassay (using Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 27799) and the Macro-Vue Card Test indicated a correlation coefficient of 0.89, whereas comparing radioimmunoassay and Card Test results yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.83 . The bioassay-radioimmunoassay correlation coefficient was 0.88 . The data were further examined by grouping the sera of the patients into three categories based on therapeutic concentration ranges as follows: less than 2 micrograms/ml, subtherapeutic range; 2 to 8 micrograms/ml, therapeutic range; greater than 8 micrograms/ml, potentially toxic range . Of 100 specimen values, 81 fell into the same concentration range when bioassay and Card Test values were compared . Of the 19 disagreements, 12 were considered minor . Of 100 specimen values compared by radioimmunoassay and the Card Test, 88 fell into the same concentration range . Of the 12 disagreements, 6 were considered minor . Therefore, the Macro-Vue Card Test for gentamicin compared favorably with both the bioassay and radioimmunoassay procedures . The minimal time required to perform the Card Test (12 to 15 min) makes it attractive for situations in which immediate results are needed.

J Hyg (Lond), 1982 Aug, 89(1), 119 - 23
An investigation into the properties of klebsiella strains isolated from ankylosing spondylitis patients; Pease PE et al.; Thirty-nine strains of klebsiella isolated from ankylosing spondylitis patients were examined by the methods of Cowan & Steel (1974), those described by Edmondson et al . (1980) and by capsular typing . No significant difference was detected by any of these methods between these strains and those examined by other workers from non-ankylosing spondylitis patients and other environments.

Hum Immunol, 1982 Aug, 5(1), 49 - 59
Recognition of HLA-B27 and related antigen by a monoclonal antibody; Ellis SA et al.; A monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to HLA-B27, B7, and B22 is described . Binding to B27 appeared to be slightly stronger than to B7 and stronger than to B22 in an indirect binding assay, but no difference in B7 and B27 binding could be detected by Scatchard analysis . No distinction could be made between B27 on cells from normal and from ankylosing spondylitis patients in any assay system . The antibody, which was not cytotoxic, blocked complement-dependent cytolysis mediated by human HLA typing sera specific for B7 and B27 . Competitive binding studies with other monoclonal antibodies showed that ME1 could block the binding of antibodies that recognized different antigenic sites on HLA . ME1 did not bind to Klebsiella pneumoniae . This reagent will be useful in further analysis of the relationship between B27 and ankylosing spondylitis.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1982 Aug, 22(2), 330 - 1
Comparative in vitro activities of temocillin and cefazolin against Klebsiella pneumoniae; Lagast H et al.; Temocillin (BRL 17421) a new penicillin, was compared with cefazolin against 20 strains of Klebsiella . The in vitro minimal bactericidal concentration of cefazolin was twice as active as that of temocillin . Serum bactericidal levels obtained in volunteers treated with temocillin were consistently higher than those levels reached after the administration of cefazolin at the 6-h sampling.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 44(2), 264 - 9
Survival in lake water of Klebsiella pneumoniae discharged by a paper mill; Niemela SI et al.; We investigated survival of Klebsiella pneumoniae in freshwater, by determining bacterial densities at eight temperatures between 0 and 20 degrees C at various distances from the discharge area in a lake receiving bacteria mainly from a paper mill . An mFC-inositol-carbenicillin-agar medium was used for Klebsiella enumeration by the membrane filter method . About 90% of the bacteria forming typical colonies on this medium were identified as Klebsiella species . About 10% of the bacteria were false positive, and, an equal percentage were false negative . Semilogarithmic plots of bacterial densities as a function of distance were found to be linear, with slopes depending on water temperature . The average velocity of the flow was estimated from the travel-of-bacterial-density minima caused by production stops . Regression equations were calculated for the dependence of death rate on temperature alone and on both temperature and discharge . The temperature coefficient (Q10) of the death rate was estimated to be 2.1 +/- 0.4 . The decimal reduction time (T90) of K . pneumoniae at 0 degrees C was calculated to be about 24 days, and that at 20 degrees C was slightly over 5 days . The regression model was verified by independent observations . Factors affecting the reliability of the estimates were evaluated.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Aug, 151(2), 591 - 9
DHA system mediating aerobic and anaerobic dissimilation of glycerol in Klebsiella pneumoniae NCIB 418; Forage RG et al.; In Klebsiella pneumoniae NCIB 418, the pathways normally responsible for aerobic growth on glycerol and sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (the glp system) are superrepressed . However, aerobic growth on glycerol can take place by the intervention of the NAD-linked glycerol dehydrogenase and the ATP-dependent dihydroxyacetone kinase of the dha system normally inducible only anaerobically by glycerol or dihydroxyacetone . Conclusive evidence that the dha system is responsible for both aerobic and anaerobic dissimilation of glycerol was provided by a Tn5 insertion mutant lacking dihydroxyacetone kinase . An enzymatically coupled assay specific for this enzyme was devised . Spontaneous reactivation of the glp system was achieved by selection for aerobic growth on sn-glycerol 3-phosphate or on limiting glycerol as the sole carbon and energy source . However, the expression of this system became constitutive . Aerobic operation of the glp system highly represses synthesis of the dha system enzymes by catabolite repression.

Carbohydr Res, 1982 Jul 16, 105(2), 189 - 203
The capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella serotype K54; location of the O-acyl groups, and a revised structure; Dutton GG et al.; The capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella type K54, containing both O-formyl and O-acetyl groups, has been investigated by using the techniques of methylation analysis (by gas-liquid chromatography), periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, and both 1H- and 13C-n.m.r . spectroscopy . Degradation of the native polysaccharide with a bacteriophage-induced glucosidase generated a formylated, as well as a formylated and acetylated, tetrasaccharide, whereas similar depolymerization of the deacetylated polysaccharide yielded a single tetrasaccharide; the corresponding, O-acylated octasaccharides were also isolated and characterized . These oligosaccharides, utilized in chemical and spectroscopic studies in order to determine the location of the O-acyl substituents in the repeating sequence, indicated formylation at 0-4 of each lateral D-glucosyl group and acetylation at 0-2 of alternate L-fucosyl residues . A new structure for the repeating unit in the polysaccharide is proposed.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1982 Jul, (7), 52 - 7
{Results of identifying Klebsiella in various diseases of newborn and young infants}; Kiseleva BS et al.; 457 Klebsiella strains isolated from newborns and young children with different clinical manifestations of infections, as well as from adults having contacts with them and from various objects of the environment in the foci of these infections, have been studied . All the isolated cultures, with the exception of one strain isolated from the pus of a gluteal abscess and identified as K . ozaenae K4, have been identified as K . pneumoniae . The use of experimental Klebsiella K-sera has allowed one to establish the presence of 27 K-antigen varieties in K . pneumoniae; among them K2, K9, K10, K13, K18, K20, K24, K33, K46, K47 have been found to occur most frequently . In group diseases of infants serovars K2, K9, K10, K18, K20, K24, K33 have been identified, serovars K9, K10 and K20 being detected for the first time in such cases . The data confirming the etiological role of the isolated Klebsiella organisms point out to the necessity of maintaining the constant microbiological control of Klebsiella infection in maternity homes and children's somatic hospitals.

Pediatr Res, 1982 Jul, 16(7), 509 - 11
Effects of oral antibiotics on stool flora and overall sensitivity patterns in an intensive care nursery; Grylack L et al.; The effects of orally administered gentamicin and colistin on stool bacterial flora and overall antibiotic sensitivity patterns were evaluated in 100 newborns at risk for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis . Gentamicin (2.5 mg/kg q6h) and colistin (1 mg/kg q6h) were administered to randomly selected groups of 50 newborns for 3 wk after birth during an 11-month study period . Stools were collected on days 1, 11, and 21 and cultures were grown under aerobic conditions on three different media . Staph . epidermidis was the most common predominant organism in both antibiotic groups, whereas E . coli and Klebsiella were the most common Gram-negative bacteria isolated . Seventeen % of these Gram-negative species were resistant to colistin and 9% to gentamicin, with a gradual increase occurring during the 3-wk period . On the basis of 980 positive cultures from all sites in babies in the nursery during the 11-month study, E . coli sensitivity to kanamycin and gentamicin ranged between 92% and 100% except for one month midway through the study when sensitivity to kanamycin was at 80% and then returned to the 92-100% range . Klebsiella sensitivity to both aminoglycosides remained greater than 95% throughout . The incidence of neonatal sepsis remained consistent at seven to nine per 1000 live births during the study . One baby of 50 in the gentamicin group developed necrotizing enterocolitis at 5 wk of age; 0/50 in the colistin group had necrotizing enterocolitis (not significant).

Infect Immun, 1982 Jul, 37(1), 327 - 35
Lobar pneumonia in rats produced by clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Domenico P et al.; Transtracheal instillation of clinical isolate Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 1 (KP1) into the lungs of rats resulted in the production of a characteristic, chronic lobar pneumonia . To further examine this phenomenon, two variants of this organism were employed in this experimental model . These variants differed markedly in capsule size, colony morphology, and in virulence, as determined by mouse lethality tests . The ability of these strains to establish a lobar pneumonia in rats correlated with the virulence of the respective organisms as monitored by intraperitoneal injection in mice . The 50% lethal doses in mice were 4.9 x 10(1) colony-forming units (CFU) for the more virulent KP1 strain (KP1-O) and 1.42 x 10(5) CFU for the less virulent variant (KP1-T) . In the rat lung model, marked lung pathology was evident by day 6 with a KP1-O inoculum of 5 x 10(2) CFU, whereas KP1-T caused little or no lung pathology when delivered transtracheally at a concentration of 7 x 10(6) CFU . Two relatively nonvirulent variants of K . pneumoniae serotype 2 were also used in this rat lung model and were found not to produce a lobar pneumonia even when delivered in large doses . These results indicate that a chronic lobar pneumonia can be established in a rat model if the appropriate organism is employed and the virulence of K . pneumoniae injected intraperitoneally into mice is an excellent indicator of an organism's potential to cause lobar pneumonia in rats.

Immunology, 1982 Jul, 46(3), 497 - 505
Abolition of the bactericidal function of polymorphs by ferritin-antiferritin complexes; Bullen JJ et al.; In plasma clots the presence of ferritin-antiferritin complexes interferes with the bactericidal powers of polymorphs against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli . Equivalent concentrations of apoferritin-antiferritin complexes, which lack Fe, do not have this effect and it is therefore suggested that the iron-binding capacity of lactoferrin in polymorphs plays an essential role in the bactericidal power of the cell . Similar results were obtained in vivo where ferritin-antiferritin complexes cause a high mortality in otherwise non-lethal infections . Evidence suggests that it is the iron in the ferritin which is responsible for the rapid intracellular bacterial growth and that lactoferrin normally plays an important protective role within the polymorphs.

Mol Immunol, 1982 Jul, 19(7), 913 - 23
The interaction of mouse myeloma immunoglobulin S15 with negatively charged polysaccharide antigens; Manjula BN et al.; A murine BALB/c IgG2a (lambda 3) myeloma immunoglobulin SAPC-15 with binding activity for negatively charged polysaccharides has been purified by affinity chromatography, and its interaction with heparin and various other polyanionic antigens has been studied . The antigen-binding activity has been demonstrated to reside in the Fab part of the immunoglobulin . The S15 myeloma protein in 0.05 M Tris buffer at pH 7.4 precipitated dextran sulfate, heparin, chondroitin sulfate A, B and C, hyaluronic acid, H . influenzae type b polysaccharide, calf thymus DNA, Klebsiella polysaccharide K63 and poly-L glutamic acid . Of these antigens only dextran sulfate was precipitated in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline (0.15M), pH 7.4 . The pepsin S15 Fab fragment did not precipitate with any of these antigens . The intrinsic tryptophanyl fluorescence of S15 was changed maximally by the addition of heparin, and the binding affinity of the immunoglobulin for this antigen was high (greater than 10(6) L/M) . S15 may resemble antibody molecules that react with antigens under non-physiological conditions or in pathological conditions or in the external environment as in the lumen of the gut . All the above interactions of S15 with antigens persisted in 0.05 M Tris buffer made physiologically isotonic by the addition of sucrose, and S15 could thus be used to identify these antigens on cell surfaces.

J Gen Microbiol, 1982 Jul, 128(7), 1467 - 71
Effects of anaerobiosis and nitrate on the expression of succinate dehydrogenase and enzymes associated with nitrogen metabolism in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Hanau R et al.; We have shown that the low histidase activity found in anaerobic, nitrogen-limited cultures of Klebsiella pneumoniae is due to repression of the right-hand hut operon . In addition, we have examined the effects of NO3- on the aerobic and anaerobic expression of catabolite- and NH4+-repressible enzymes in this organism . NO3- permitted anaerobic growth of K . pneumoniae in minimal medium containing histidine as the sole carbon source, and histidase and succinate dehydrogenase were derepressed during anaerobic growth in histidine/NO3- medium . Use of sucrose rather than histidine as the carbon source reversed the effects of NO3- and repressed histidase and succinate dehydrogenase activities . Anaerobic growth in sucrose/NO3- medium also uncoupled the expression of urease and glutamine synthetase.

J Urol, 1982 Jul, 128(1), 197 - 201
Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced experimental pyelitis: the effect of piliation on infectivity; Fader RC et al.; The effect of bacterial piliation on the infectivity of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the renal pelvis was examined by means of piliated and nonpiliated variants derived from a single parent strain . Piliated-phase variants were significantly more infective as determined by viable counts of bacteria isolated from the kidneys at the time of sacrifice . In addition, scanning electron microscope was used to examine the renal pelvis for evidence of infection . Kidneys infected with piliated-phase organisms exhibited greater tissue damage -- both in the magnitude of tissue alterations observed and in the number of kidneys affected . Thus, it is concluded that piliation contributes to the ability of K . pneumoniae to infect the renal pelvis following reflux from the bladder.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1982 Jun 28, 688(3), 702 - 8
Ammonium (methylammonium) transport by Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kleiner D; Klebsiella pneumoniae can accumulate methylammonium up to 80-fold by means of a transport system as indicated by the energy requirement, saturation kinetics and a narrow pH profile around pH 6.8 . Methylammonium transport (apparent Km = 100 microM, V = 40 mumol/min per g dry weight at 15 degrees C) is competitively inhibited by ammonium (apparent Ki = 7 microM) . The low Ki value and the finding that methylammonium cannot serve as a nitrogen source indicate that ammonium rather than methylammonium is the natural substrate . Uphill transport is driven by a component of the protonmotive force, probably the membrane potential . The transport system is under genetic control; it is partially repressed by amino acids and completely by ammonium . Analysis of mutants suggest that the synthesis of the ammonium transport system is subject to the same 'nitrogen control' as nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1982 Jun, (6), 44 - 7
{Metabolism of dicarboxylic amino acids and their amides in bacteria of the genus Klebsiella}; Kulikova AI et al.; The pathways of the utilization of dicarboxylic amino acids and their amides in 55 Klebsiella strains have been studied . These organisms have been found to be capable of carboxylating glutaminic acid with the subsequent utilization of the product of this reaction, gamma-amino butyric acid, by reamidization with alpha-glutaric acid . Aspartate decarboxylase with low activity has been detected only in a small number of strains . Most of the strains have been shown to be capable of deamidizating equally asparaginic and glutaminic acids . The presence of active asparaginase and glutaminase has been detected in a considerable number of these strains . Microorganisms of the genus Klebsiella have low asparagine synthetase and glutamine synthetase activity . Aspartate aminotransferase has been found to occur twice as frequently as alanine aminotransferase, both having the same level of activity.

Infect Immun, 1982 Jun, 36(3), 949 - 57
Mannose-inhibitable adhesins and T3-T7 receptors of Klebsiella pneumoniae inhibit phagocytosis and intracellular killing by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Pruzzo C et al.; It has recently been shown that Klebsiella pneumoniae strains adhere to human epithelial cells and that adherence is mediated by mannose-inhibitable adhesins which are also receptors for coliphages T3 and T7 . We have now found that Klebsiella strain K59, which adheres to human epithelial cells and carries the receptors for coliphages T3 and T7, adheres to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) at 4 degrees C . Strains KRTT1 and KRTT2, which are spontaneous mutants unable to adsorb coliphages T3 and T7 and adhere to human epithelial cells, at this temperature did not adhere to PMN . Adherence of K59 cells to PMN at 4 degrees C was inhibited by D-mannose, by UV-inactivated T7 phages, and by pepsin-digested anti-K59 antibodies absorbed with KRTT1 cells . At 37 degrees C the number of PMN with KRTT bacteria associated was fourfold higher than at 4 degrees C . On the contrary, the number of PMN with K59 bacteria associated at this temperature was fourfold lower than at 4 degrees C . Phagocytosis and intracellular killing experiments performed at 37 degrees C showed that KRTT1 and KRTT2 were phagocytized and killed at a higher rate than K59 . After blocking of the mannose-inhibitable adhesins and T3-T7 receptors (MIAT) by D-mannose, UV-inactivated bacteriophage T7, or specific antibodies, K59 cells became more sensitive to phagocytosis and intracellular killing at 37 degrees C . K59 cells lysogenic for prophage AP3 were approximately as sensitive to phagocytosis and intracellular killing by human PMN as strains KRTT1 and KRTT2 . Unencapsulated Klebsiella strains isolated from clinical specimens were found to carry MIAT most often . Four such strains were found much more resistant to phagocytosis and intracellular killing than their spontaneous mutants resistant to bacteriophages T3 and T7.

Carbohydr Res, 1982 May 1, 103(1), 107 - 28
Acylated oligosaccharides from Klebsiella K63 capsular polysaccharide: depolymerization by partial hydrolysis and by bacteriophage-borne enzymes; Dutton GG et al.; The extracellular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K63 is unique in having acetic and formic ester groups attached to the D-galactopyranosyluronic residues in the trisaccharide repeating-sequence . These O-acyl substituents are shown to be somewhat resistant to mild hydrolysis by both acid and alkali . Bacteriophage-induced depolymerization of the polysaccharide generated a series of acylated oligosaccharides comprising one, or more, repeating unit(s) . By mild hydrolysis with acid, the same series of oligomers was released from the polysaccharide, together with the corresponding non-acylated compounds and the expected acylated and non-acylated aldobiouronic acids . A study of these oligosaccharides, as well as of a number of their related compounds, is described, with particular emphasis on the methods used to locate the formic and acetic ester groups . The location of the O-acyl substituents on the galactosyluronic residues was further supported by the results obtained from the high-resolution, 400-MHz, p.m.r . spectra and 13C-n.m.r . spectra of a number of the oligosaccharides.

J Gen Microbiol, 1982 May, 128 (Pt 5), 909 - 15
Influence of low oxygen concentration on derepression of nitrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Bergersen FJ et al.; Effects of oxygen derepression of nitrogenase were studied in Klebsiella pneumoniae, using oxyleghaemoglobin to supply and monitor very low dissolved O2 concentrations in a steady-state system . Expression of the nifH gene was studied by using a nifH::lac fusion strain, which aslo carried the Nif+ plasmid pRD1 so that the production of active nitrogenase could also be monitored . When compared with anaerobic treatments, very low concentrations of dissolved O2 inhibited derepression of both nifH::lac and pRD1 nif . Fifty percent inhibition of derepression occurred at 0.1 microM-O2 . The apparent Ks of the dominant terminal oxidase was 0.08 microM-O2 . These results suggest that there is a close relationship between the terminal respiratory system of these bacteria and the repression of nitrogenase by O2.

Immunobiology, 1982 May, 161(5), 442 - 56
Differential effector functions of central and peripheral compartments of immune response system: characterization of immune responses in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes to directly injected sheep red blood cells; Kojima T et al.; When sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.), intravenously (i.v.), or into the Peyer's patches, definite plaque-forming cell (PFC) and rosette-forming cell (RFC) responses were induced in the spleen but not in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) . When SRBC were injected directly into the spleen or MLN, stronger PFC and RFC responses were induced in the spleen or MLN, respectively, than when injected i.p . or i.v . PFC response induced in MLN by injecting SRBC into MLN with or without the polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae type 1 Kasuya strain (CPS-K) as an immunological adjuvant was weaker than that induced in the spleen by injecting the antigen into the spleen . Direct PFC (PFC of IgM type) and RFC responses induced in the spleen by injecting SRBC into MLN were rather stronger than those induced in the spleen by injecting the antigen into the spleen . In contrast, no significant responses were induced in MLN by injecting SRBC into the spleen, and no definite indirect PFC (PFC of IgG type) response was induced in the spleen by injecting the antigen into MLN . The levels of whole immunological memory as well as isolated B- or T-cell memory in the spleen and MLN of mice injected with SRBC directly into the spleen or MLN were determined by using an in vitro assay system . Definite amounts of either B- or T-cell memory were detected in the spleen of mice injected with SRBC directly into the spleen of MLN . Smaller amounts of memory were detected in MLN injected with SRBC directly into the spleen . Moreover, the amounts of whole memory detected in MLN were much less than compared with those of isolated T- and B-cell memories in MLN . Further experiments showed that in vitro expression of the memories preserved in MLN required supplement of glass non-adherent cells from normal spleen . Based on these results, we discussed the possible differential and collaborative functions of the central (spleen) and peripheral (MLN) immune response systems in antibody responses.

Immun Infekt, 1982 May, 10(3), 90 - 7
{Experimental Klebsiella pneumonia (author's transl)}; Hofmann W et al.; Experimental pneumonia was investigated by light microscopic, electron microscopic and morphometric methods in mice infected with the problem spore Klebsiella pneumoniae . In the early stage (2 to 7 hours post infection) we found Klebsiellae and aggregates of platelets in the pulmonary capillaries, but we could not establish significant structural alterations with morphometric methods . The ultrastructural investigation revealed alterations of the alveolar lining cells and the endothelial cells of capillaries and an infiltration of the interalveolar septula with polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leucocytes . These early changes were followed by an intraalveolar infiltration with inflammatory cells . Complement activation is considered as a trigger of the initial inflammatory reaction . The results of our study indicate that bacterial pneumonia starts in the interalveolar septula and secondary involves the alveolar spaces . A restitutio ad integrum of the lung develops 11 days post infection.

Mutat Res, 1982 May, 101(3), 199 - 208
Comparison of the mutagenic potency of 2-chloroethanol, 2-bromoethanol, 1,2-epoxybutane, epichlorohydrin and glycidaldehyde in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Drosophila melanogaster and L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells; Knaap AG et al.; A series of 2 haloethanols and 3 epoxides was investigated in 3 mutagenicity test systems, namely (1) the fluctuation test in Klebsiella pneumoniae, (2) the sex-linked recessive lethal test in Drosophila melanogaster, and (3) the HGPRT test with L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells . The order of mutagenic potency was, in Klebsiella: glycidaldehyde greater than 2-bromoethanol = epichlorohydrin greater than 1,2-epoxybutane greater than 2-chloroethanol; in Drosophila: glycidaldehyde = epichlorohydrin greater than 1,2-epoxybutane; in mouse lymphoma cells: epichlorohydrin greater than 1,2-epoxybutane . The haloethanols were non-mutagenic in Drosophila . 2-Chloroethanol and glycidaldehyde were negative in mouse lymphoma cells . The high mutagenic potency of epichlorohydrin as compared with 1,2-epoxybutane was consistent in all systems, and with published data.

J Med Microbiol, 1982 May, 15(2), 267 - 72
Bactericidal activity of serum for Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis: studies on serum from a patient with rhinoscleroma and sera deficient in antibody or complement; North ME et al.; The in-vitro bactericidal effect of serum for Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis was tested . Experiments with C2-deficient and hypogammaglobulinaemic human sera suggested that killing depended on activation of the classical complement pathway, although the alternative pathway probably amplified the effect . Serum from a patient with active rhinoscleroma, and another cured of the disease, showed normal killing.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1982 May, 35(5), 1163 - 6
{Therapeutic effects of cefotiam in biliary tract infections}; Ozawa K et al.; As useful antibiotics for biliary tract infections, smooth transmigration to lesion and potent antibacterial activities will be demanded . Usually the antibiotics having potent antibacterial activities against E . coli and Klebsiella, which are considered to be main causative organisms of biliary tract infections, will be used for treatment . The concentrations of cefotiam (CTM) in bile and gallbladder wall tissue were investigated, and CTM showed very high concentrations in these tissues for several hours . And very good correlation between concentration of CTM in bile and laboratory findings, especially ICG R15 value, was obtained . CTM showed also very potent antibacterial activities against E . coli and Klebsiella . These results suggest that CTM will be useful agent for the treatment of biliary tract infections.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Apr, 150(1), 293 - 7
Intragenic complementation by the nifJ-coded protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae; Stacey G et al.; A single mutation, nifC1005 (Jin et al . Sci . Sin . 23:108-118, 1980), located between nifH and nifJ in the nif cluster of Klebsiella pneumoniae, genetically complemented mutations in each of the 17 known nif genes . This suggested that the mutation is located in a new nif gene . We showed by complementation analyses that only 3 of 12 nifJ mutations tested were complemented by nifC1005 . Nitrogenase activity in cell extracts of the mutant with nifC1005 as well as NifJ- mutants was stimulated by the addition of the iron-molybdenum cofactor or nitrogenase component I . The molecular weight of the native NifJ protein is approximately 257,000--a dimer of identical subunits . Some nifC-/nifJ- or nifJ-/nifJ- merodiploids produced active but unstable nifJ proteins . Fine-structure mapping placed the nifC1005 allele within the nifJ gene bounded on both sides by well-characterized nifJ mutations . This indicates that the nifC1005 does not define a separate gene from nifJ . The data are consistent with the occurrence of intragenic complementation between two defective nifJ polypeptides . This explains the isolated examples of genetic complementation between the nifC1005 mutation and certain nifJ mutations.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Apr, 150(1), 231 - 8
Effects of glnL and other regulatory loci on regulation of transcription of glnA-lacZ fusions in Klebsiella aerogenes; Goldie H et al.; Mutants of Klebsiella aerogenes containing genetic fusions of glnA to lacZ were isolated by using Mu dl (lac, bla) bacteriophage and a Mu Kmr helper phage with the host range of bacteriophage P1 . Synthesis of beta-galactosidase in these strains is regulated in response to nitrogen metabolites and regulatory gln loci and is rendered constitutive by a mutation in the linked glnL gene . Complementation studies indicated that glnL is a separate locus from glnA and glnG and that insertions in glnA are partially polar on glnL expression . These results support the hypothesis that glnA, glnL, and glnG are organized in an operon with multiple promoters.

Carbohydr Res, 1982 Mar 16, 101(2), 279 - 85
Effect of various acceptors on the rates of the cyclization and chain-shortening of amylose catalyzed by the cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Klebsiella pneumoniae M 5 al . Improvement of new photometric assay methods; Bender H; The effect of various acceptors on the cyclization and chain-shortening reaction of amylose catalyzed by cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase {(1 leads to 4)-alpha-D-glucan: {(1 leads to 4)-alpha-D-glycopyranosyl}transferase (cycling) EC 2.4.1.19} from Klebsiella pneumoniae M 5 al was studied by use of photometric-assay methods . The requirements for the acceptor were the same for both cyclization and chain-shortening, indicating the close relationship between both reactions . Maltose proved to be the most effective (2.48- and 5-fold acceleration of the cyclization and chain-shortening, respectively, in the presence of 584 micrometers maltose) . The dependence of the chain-shortening reaction on the conformational state of the amylose molecules is discussed.

Rev Infect Dis, 1982 Mar-Apr, 4(2), 276 - 81
Problems in determination of antibiotic synergism in vitro; Norden CW; The methods and criteria for testing for synergy were compared by use of 22 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and a combination of cephalothin and gentamicin . With the checkerboard technique, the frequency of synergy varied with the criterion employed . When the rate of killing of bacteria by antibiotics was measured, results varied according to the size of inoculum . Comparison of the checkerboard and killing-curve techniques showed poor correlation in terms of the frequency of strains showing synergy . Because clinical observations suggest that treatment of serious infections with combinations of antibiotics that are synergistic in vitro may enhance survival, the methods and criteria for testing for synergy should be standardized.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1982 Mar-Apr, 133(2), 311 - 7
{Utilization of organic compounds by "Klebsiella" (author's transl)}; Onokodi JK et al.; A total of 209 Klebsiella strains were investigated for their ability to grow on minimal mineral media supplemented by different organic compounds . The "respiratory" strains of Klebsiella described by Cowan as K . pneumoniae (sensu stricto), K . edwardsii and K . atlantae, assimilate substrates at a low rate . They are in this respect closely related to the dystrophic species K . ozaenae and K . rhinoscleromatis, although they taxonomically fit into the more ubiquitous species K . pneumoniae . These findings might result in a reconsideration of the taxonomic status of these strains.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1982 Mar, 77(3), 347 - 52
Immune complex glomerulonephritis and dermal vasculitis following intestinal bypass for morbid obesity; Gamble CN et al.; A kidney and skin biopsy were performed on a patient who developed cryoglobulinemia, polyarthritis, a purpuric skin rash, and acute renal failure four years following jejunoileal bypass for morbid obesity . Morphologic studies revealed a diffuse glomerulonephritis characterized by the presence of numerous subendothelial deposits containing IgG, IgA, C3, Clq, C4, and properdin, and an acute dermal vasculitis associated with similar immune complex deposits . Identical immunoglobulin and complement components were present in the cryoglobulin . In addition, both the cryoglobulin and a renal biopsy eluate containing anti-IgG antibody and antibody against Klebsiella pneumoniae which were present in the patient's stool in large numbers . Combined therapy with steroids and chloramphenicol resulted in marked improvement in the patient's arthritis, skin rash, and renal function . The findings indicate that glomerulonephritis and dermal vasculitis due to the deposition of bacterial antigen-antibacterial antibody complexes may occur as part of a systemic immune complex disease complicating small intestinal bypass.

Nouv Presse Med, 1982 Feb 4, 11(5 Pt 2), 309 - 13
{Antibacterial spectrum of mezlocillin and MIC/disc correlations (author's transl)}; Soussy CJ et al.; Mezlocillin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic belonging to the ureidopenicillin group . A study of its activity against a wide range of organisms shows that it is a broad-spectrum antibiotic . However, mezlocillin differs from aminopenicillins and carbenicillin by its activity against numerous strains of klebsiella spp . (modal MIC 4 micrograms/ml) . It is also slightly more active than carbenicillin against Pseudomonas spp . (modal MIC 16 micrograms/ml) . The regression line relating MICs and disc zone diameters was calculated by the least square method . The correlation coefficient was 0.85.

Can J Microbiol, 1982 Feb, 28(2), 176 - 9
The biodegradation of methoxychlor by Klebsiella pneumoniae; Baarschers WH et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae was found to effect the reductive dechlorination of methoxychlor (2,2-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-1, 1, 1-trichloroethane) and its dihydroxy derivative (2, 2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl)-1, 1, 1-trichloroethane) to dichloro derivatives 2, 2-bis (p-methoxyphenyl)-1, 1-dichloroethane and 2, 2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl)-1, 1-dichloroethane, respectively . Dehydrohalogenation to the corresponding diaryl dichloroethylenes, which themselves were not further degraded by this bacterium, was not observed . Cleavage of the methoxy groups to form the hydroxy compounds did not take place.

Ann Intern Med, 1982 Feb, 96(2), 176 - 80
In-vivo acquisition of two different types of aminoglycoside resistance by a single strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing severe infection; Murray BE et al.; Multiple isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae obtained from a patient were of the same biotype and capsular type and had three common plasmids . Initially, three isolates (from blood) were susceptible to aminoglycosides . Three other isolates, obtained after gentamicin treatment was begun, were susceptible to amikacin but resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin, produced 2"-aminoglycoside adenylytransferase, and had acquired an R-factor . A later isolate, obtained after amikacin therapy was begun, was susceptible to gentamicin and tobramycin, resistant to amikacin, was a small-colony variant, produced no aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, and no longer contained the R-factor . In-vitro protein synthesis by ribosomes from this isolate was inhibited by amikacin whereas uptake of amikacin was markedly less than with previous isolates . Thus, this case illustrates the apparent in-vivo acquisition of plasmid-mediated resistance to gentamicin and tobramycin followed by loss of the plasmid and development of amikacin resistance due to decreased aminoglycoside uptake.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Feb, 149(2), 413 - 9
Glycerol fermentation in Klebsiella pneumoniae: functions of the coenzyme B12-dependent glycerol and diol dehydratases; Forage RG et al.; Glycerol and diol dehydratases are inducible, coenzyme B12-dependent enzymes found together in Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 25955 during anaerobic growth on glycerol . Mutants of this strain isolated by a novel procedure were separately constitutive for either dehydratase, showing the structural genes for the two enzymes to be under independent control in vivo . Glycerol dehydratase and a trimethylene glycol dehydrogenase were implicated as members of a pleiotropic control system that includes glycerol dehydrogenase and dihydroxyacetone kinase for the anaerobic dissimilation of glycerol (the "dha system") . The dehydratase and dehydrogenases were induced by dihydroxyacetone and were jointly constitutive in mutants isolated as constitutive for either the dha system or glycerol dehydratase . These data and the stimulation of growth by Co2+ suggested that glycerol dehydratase and trimethylene glycol dehydrogenase are obligatory enzymes for anaerobic growth on glycerol as the sole carbon source.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1982 Feb, 22(2), 213 - 9
HLA-B27, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the relation to acute anterior uveitis; Holland EJ et al.; Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is a disease of unknown etiology, although it is frequently associated with various autoimmune diseases . It has recently been shown in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a disease often associated with AAU, that antiserum raised against a particular isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae would cross-react with lymphocytes possessing HLA-B27 . The present study was performed to evaluate the response of lymphocytes of patients to K . pneumoniae and to determine the correlation with HLA-B27 . The circulating immune complex levels in the serum of the patients were also determined for correlation with the presence of HLA-B27 antigen . We were able to demonstrate this cross-reactivity in the samples of AAU patients; however, we did find an increased immune complex level that was independent of HLA-B27 antigen . From our results, we conclude that although AAU is clinically associated with AS, the role of K . pneumoniae in these disease states remains unclear.

Arch Surg, 1982 Feb, 117(2), 161 - 4
Nonspecific enhancement of resistance to local bacterial infection in starved mice; Galland RB et al.; We studied the effect of muramyl dipeptide (MDP) on enhancing resistance to local bacterial challenge in starved mice . The challenge consisted of the intramuscular insertion of a suture laden with Klebsiella pneumoniae . Mice that had been pretreated with MDP had a statistically lower rate of bacterial recovery at the site of the challenge, had consistently fewer bacteria in the blood, and had improved short-term survival . By enhancing local bacterial containment, MDP pretreatment of immunocompromised animals reduces the level of bacteremia and subsequent mortality.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1982 Feb, 30(2), 124 - 8
{Rapid bioassay of gentamicin by bioluminescence (author's transl)}; Darmon C et al.; Assay of bacterial intracellular ATP levels using the firefly bioluminescence system allows a very sensitive monitoring of bacterial growth . This test has been used in some laboratories fro performing a rapid microbiological assay of the concentration of antibiotics in the serum of treated patients . Rapidity of antibiotic determination is especially important in the case of antibiotics for which therapeutic concentration are close to toxic concentration . In the present work we have used the bacterial strain Klebsiella edwardsii var . atlantae for a rapid assay of gentamicin in the serum . We show that this assay is very accurate in the range of therapeutic serum concentrations . It may be readily performed in a routine laboratory with commercially available ATP extractors and luciferine-luciferose mixtures . This assay has been shown to correlate optimally with the classical plate diffusion assay (r = 0,983) and to be independent of the presence of beta-lactams in the serum.

Eur J Biochem, 1982 Feb, 122(2), 271 - 82
Ribitol dehydrogenase messenger RNA from an enzyme superproducer strain of Klebsiella aerogenes . Purification, cell-free translation and studies in vitro and in vivo; Bahramian MB et al.; 1 . Ribitol dehydrogenase messenger RNA, from a strain of Klebsiella aerogenes that had been evolved to superproduce this enzyme, has been purified in a single step by labelling extracted polysomes with rabbit anti(ribitol dehydrogenase) and immunoprecipitating with sheep anti-(rabbit IgG) . 2 . The extracted mRNA is stable in a protein synthesis system in vitro and directs synthesis 35-40-times more efficiently than RNA from coliphages MS2 or Q beta, to give ribitol dehydrogenase as sole major product . 3 . Its size distribution shows a major band of 1500 nucleotides plus fragments 400-1400 nucleotides, with only traces of size 2400-3000 nucleotides . Only the latter could encode both proteins of the operon: ribitol dehydrogenase and D-ribulokinase . 4 . Ribitol dehydrogenase mRNA represents 24% of total mRNA in cells harvested just after a 'switch' point' in mid-exponential phase . About half of the polysomes containing this mRNA are unattached to DNA, whereas only 3% of other mRNAs are unattached to DNA . 5 . This mRNA is not outstandingly stable in vivo, though there are indications that it may be more stable than average . Hence the high level of synthesis of ribitol dehydrogenase (up to 30% of total protein in an extract) seems to be due to very efficient transcription and translation from multiple copies of a constitutive rbtD gene.

Pharmatherapeutica, 1982, 3(2), 114 - 8
Therapy of Klebsiella pneumoniae septicaemia in neutropenic rats; Magliulo E et al.; The efficacy of intramuscular gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycin and amikacin was evaluated in the antimicrobial therapy of septicaemia due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in an experimental model of infection in rats rendered neutropenic by cyclophosphamide . Animals were injected with a LD50 of micro-organisms and 4 hours later treated with a therapeutic i.m . dose of the antibiotics . In animals sacrificed at 0.5, 1 and 4 hours after antibiotic treatment, blood levels of aminoglycosides, bactericidal power of serum and quantitative cultures of peritoneal fluid and blood showed that the four antibiotics tested were effective in drastically reducing the number of bacteria in blood and in the peritoneum, concurrently with the bactericidal power of the serum, though with sisomicin preceding in order of activity gentamicin, amikacin and tobramycin.

Mol Gen Genet, 1982, 185(2), 198 - 204
Positive involvement of ppGpp in derepression of the nif operon in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Riesenberg D et al.; The kinetics of derepression of the enzyme nitrogenase were investigated, after exhaustion of a limiting amount of ammonium from the culture medium, in a prototrophic stringent-relaxed pair of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and in their F relA+-F relA derivatives . The results indicate that ppGpp (guanosine 3'-5' diphosphate) increases the nitrogen fixation capability of K . pneumoniae by at least three different mechanisms . (1) It prevents exhaustion of the ATP pool when nitrogen starvation is imposed . (2) The translational defects in relaxed mutants are suppressed by ppGpp during nif derepression . (3) The synthesis of nitrogenase components is at least five times higher in the presence of ppGpp than in its absence . This latter conclusion was based on experimental results obtained when following the incorporation of (35S)-methionine into nitrogenase components after pulse labelling at various time intervals during nif derepression . The nitrogenase components were separated by solid phase radioimmunoassay as well as by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Eur J Biochem, 1982 Jan, 121(2), 435 - 41
The role of biotin and sodium in the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate by the membrane-bound oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes; Dimroth P; The biotin-containing oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes catalyzed the Na+-dependent decarboxylation of oxaloacetate to pyruvate and bicarbonate (or CO2) but not the reversal of this reaction, not even in the presence of an oxaloacetate trapping system . The enzyme catalyzed an avidin-sensitive isotopic exchange between {1-14C}pyruvate and oxaloacetate, which indicated the intermediate formation of a carboxybiotin enzyme . Sodium ions were not required for this partial reaction, but promoted the second partial reaction, the decarboxylation of the carboxybiotin enzyme, thus accounting for the Na+ requirement of the overall reaction . Therefore, the 14CO2-enzyme which was formed upon incubation of the decarboxylase with {4-15C}oxaloacetate, could only be isolated if Na+ ions were excluded . Preincubation of the decarboxylase with avidin also prevented its labelling with 14CO2 . The isolated 14CO2-labelled oxaloacetate decarboxylase revealed the following properties . It was slowly decarboxylated at neutral pH and rapidly upon acidification . The 14CO2 residues of the 14CO2-enzyme could be transferred to pyruvate yielding {4-14C}oxaloacetate . In the presence of Na+ this 14CO2 transfer was repressed by the simultaneous decarboxylation of the 14CO2-enzyme . However, Na+ alone was insufficient as a cofactor for the decarboxylation of the isolated 14CO2-enzyme, since this required pyruvate in addition to Na+ . It is therefore concluded that the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate proceeds over a CO2-enzyme--pyruvate complex and that free CO2-enzyme is an abortive reaction intermediate . The activation energy of the enzymic decarboxylation of oxaloacetate changed with temperature and was about 113 kJ below 11 degrees C, 60 kJ between 11 degrees C and 31 degrees C and 36 kJ between 31--45 degrees C.

Chemotherapy, 1982, 28(1), 18 - 25
Bactericidal activity of cefazolin, cefoxitin, and cefmetazole against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae; Goto S et al.; The bactericidal activity of cefazolin, cefoxitin, and cefmetazole against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was investigated . The mean geometric minimum inhibition concentrations against 200 strains each of the test organisms were lowest for cefmetazole, followed by cefazolin and cefoxitin . The killing activity at 5 and 50 microgram/ml of cefazolin and cefmetazole was almost the same and was superior to that of cefoxitin . In the kinetic model under conditions simulating the serum levels of the two drugs in humans after intravenous injection (1 g), cefazolin was the strongest of the three drugs in bactericidal activity . The results indicate that the highest and most prolonged serum concentrations of cefazolin reflected the strong bactericidal activity and the longest inhibition period of bacterial regrowth.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Jan, 149(1), 198 - 202
Kinetic evaluation, using 13N, reveals two assimilatory nitrate transport systems in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Thayer JR et al.; A kinetic evaluation of initial rates of nitrate transport at concentrations between 1 microM and 1 mM indicated the presence of two transport processes . Analysis of the contribution of each process to the total activity permitted the determination of kinetic constants (Km) of 4.9 microM and 4.2 mM for the high-and low-affinity systems, respectively . The ratio of the maximal velocity of the high-affinity system to that of an apparent low-affinity system was about 0.3 . Both systems were inhibited by the presence of NH4+ in the transport assay . Growth in the presence of equimolar NO3- and NH4+ repressed the synthesis of both systems when compared with growth in NO3- alone.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1982, 14(1), 59 - 60
Enhancement of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in untreated cancer patients given a short-term oral treatment with C 1821; Lang JM et al.; C 1821 is a purified glycoprotein extract of Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype 2 with immunomodulating properties in animals (in vivo and in vitro) and in humans (in vitro) . The compound is devoid of any apparent toxicity when given orally . The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of a short term oral administration of C 1821 on delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to recall antigens in untreated cancer patients (mostly lymphomas) . Consecutive patients were alternately allocated to receive C 1821 or placebo for 14 days . C 1821 restored and significantly (P less than 0.02) enhanced skin reactions, as shown using the Multitest system.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1982, 14(1), 61 - 5
Administration of gentamicin and ampicillin by continuous intravenous infusion to newborn infants during parenteral nutrition; Colding H et al.; Gentamicin and ampicillin were dissolved in an L-amino acid solution especially prepared for newborn infants and infused intravenously over 24 h in 7 babies with serious neonatal surgical problems . Serum concentrations of the antibiotics were maintained rather constant and well above the minimal inhibitory concentration for most bacterial strains . One very sick newborn infant died with overwhelming Klebsiella pneumoniae septicemia . No signs of renal toxicity or ototoxicity were found . The serum amino acids remained within the normal range, except in 1 child with cytomegalovirus infection and liver insufficiency.

Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1982, 29(3), 147 - 54
Klebsiella pneumoniae enterotoxin . III . Effect of Klebsiella pneumoniae enterotoxin on the intestinal transport and histopathological changes in rabbit ileal loop; Asnani PJ et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae strain B-5-1 was used to study the effect of its enterotoxin on the intestinal transport and histopathological changes in the rabbit ileal loop . Enterotoxin increased the net flux of water and of electrolytes . Increased amounts of phospholipids and proteins were also detected together with structural and functional abnormalities in the ileum . All these suggest that K . pneumoniae enterotoxin not only induce a net flux of fluid and imbalance of electrolytes but also damages the intestinal structure.

Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1982, 29(3), 139 - 45
Klebsiella pneumoniae enterotoxin . II . Physicochemical properties of enterotoxin; Asnani PJ et al.; Physicochemical properties and systemic effects of the enterotoxin of Klebsiella pneumoniae has been studied . The enterotoxin had a molecular weight between 10 000 to 50 000 . It was protein in nature, and heat and acid stable, inducing a dilatatory response in the gut . It haemolyzed the erythrocytes of various animals including man . It had a capillary permeability activity . In addition, when administered parenterally it increased the level of blood glucose, serum cholesterol, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum acid phosphatase.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1982, 22(9), 649 - 60
Effects of freezing and thawing and storage by freezing on the biological and morphological properties of strain K-9 of Klebsiella pneumoniae and its variants; Takahashi M et al.; Using strain K-9 of Klebsiella pneumoniae and its variants A, B and C, which possess a large, small, or extra-small capsule or are unencapsulated, and exhibit high, middle, or low mouse virulence or avirulence in the mouse, respectively, the effect of freezing and thawing on the protection and storage by freezing in 20% skim milk solution on their biological and morphological properties was investigated . Experimental results showed that these organisms were sensitive against freezing and thawing in the order variant C, the parent strain, variants A and B . 20% skim milk solution was the most favourable for survival of the organisms compared to trypticase soy broth and 10% glycerol . Their mouse virulence was similarly sensitive to freezing and thawing experiments although no alteration of their biochemical properties was observed . When the organisms were suspended in 20% skim milk solution and stored for 2 years at -70 degrees C, their mouse virulence was not altered . When morphological features were tested electron microscopically, cellular injuries such as vacuola or fissions of cell walls were observed in the variants but not in the parent strain . However, it was evident that conversion to unencapsulation from encapsulation occurred at a high frequency in the parent strain and in variant A when determined by the colonial morphologies in soft-agar medium.

Microbiol Immunol, 1982, 26(10), 941 - 50
An attempt to localize the vaccinating power of Klebsiella pneumoniae ribosomal preparations using saccharose-gradient ultracentrifugation; Robert D et al.; The study of the vaccinating power of ribosomal vaccines against Klebsiella pneumoniae led us to define the chemical nature which supports this protective activity . We tried to separate this support and the ribosomes by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation . We isolated high protective membrane vesicles by this technique applied to salt-washed ribosomal preparations . When the ribosomal preparations were exposed to SDS, the protective activity was conserved all along the gradient, with no correlation with the ribosome concentration . The addition of bovine serum albumin to the ribosomal preparation focused the protective activity on the ribosomal peak . No correlation was observed between the response to capsular polysaccharide and the vaccinating power of the fractions.

Poumon Coeur, 1982, 38(5), 317 - 23
{Comparative study of various routes of vaccination and testing . An instance of a killed bacterial vaccine}; Binder P et al.; The efficiency of intranasal subcutaneous, aerosol and digestive vaccinations with killed Klebsiella pneumoniae as vaccine was studied on the survival curves after experimental disease with pathogen K . pneumoniae I inoculated by the same routes . Results show that the local immunization is an important factor of protection and the intranasal route is very convenient.

Microbiol Immunol, 1982, 26(9), 843 - 52
Further studies of the polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae possessing strong adjuvanticity . III . Augmentation of the antibody response to subcutaneously injected sheep red blood cells by the adjuvant polysaccharide; Yokochi T et al.; The adjuvant action of the O3 antigen of Klebsiella (KO3) on the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was elucidated by injecting both KO3 and SRBC subcutaneously at the right inguinal region of SMA mice . We demonstrated that KO3 exhibits a novel ability to augment anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell responses in both the local lymph node and the spleen at a relatively late stage of immunization . Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, dextran sulfate and concanavalin A showed such an action only minimally . In parallel with the development of the adjuvant action, KO3 definitely activated B cells in the local lymph node polyclonally for either IgM or IgG synthesis, suggesting that the mechanism of the adjuvant action includes direct stimulation of B cells by KO3 at the late stage . Neither increase in trapping of lymphocytes in the local lymph node nor change in tissue distribution of antigen was shown to be primarily involved in the mechanism of the adjuvant action.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1982, 27(5), 295 - 302
Action of iron and iron-complexes on Klebsiella pneumoniae (Klebsiella aerogenes); Chapman R et al.; Iron In the Fe(III) oxidation state had a negligible effect on the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae even at the highest concentration (0.45 mM) obtainable without precipitation in a minimal medium containing glucose and inorganic salts together with Tris as the buffer and glycerol 2-phosphate as the phosphorus source . Nevertheless in its presence the toxic action of Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ was antagonized while that of Co2+ and Ni2+ was potentiated . Higher iron levels were obtained by supplementing the minimal medium with fructose, glycine, gluconate, tartrate and citrate at a range of concentrations . With fructose and glycine all of the resulting solutions were red-brown and non-toxic . This was also found with the other complexing agents when the ligand:iron were low, but at higher ligand:iron ratios the solutions were green and toxic . Iron-citrate systems were especially toxic but resistance developed and was of the graded type . The results are discussed with particular reference to earlier physico-chemical studies by other workers and it is concluded that the red-brown colour is characteristic of the presence of polymers of high molar mass and that the green colour signifies the formation of low molar mass species.

Mol Gen Genet, 1982, 186(4), 569 - 71
The polar effect on nifM of mutations in the nifU,-S,-V genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae depends on their plasmid or chromosomal location; Sibold L; Polar mutations, mostly Mu and Tn insertions, were used to study the transcriptional organization of the nif gene cluster of Klebsiella pneumoniae, but there remained some ambiguity in the operon structure of the nifF, -M, -V, -S, -U genes . Complementation data presented here confirm that nifUSVM is a single operon transcribed from nifU to nifM . However, the polar effect on nifM of point, insertion and deletion mutations in nifU, -S, and -V is stronger when the mutation is on the chromosome rather than on a plasmid.

EMBO J, 1982, 1(12), 1551 - 8
Constitutive expression of nitrogen fixation (nif) genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae due to a DNA duplication; Sibold L et al.; A spontaneous mutant of Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibiting nitrogen fixing activity in the presence of ammonia was isolated from a nifL ::Mu mutant . The main features of the nif constitutive mutation, designated nif-8388, were as follows: (i) neither ammonia nor bases repressed, but amino acids partially repressed, nitrogen fixation; (ii) the mutation caused an escape from the regulatory effect of glnA and glnG mutations of K . pneumoniae but not that of a glnF mutation; (iii) it enabled the activation of the nifH -lac fusion in the presence of oxygen with or without ammonia and a nifL -lac fusion in the presence of ammonia without oxygen; (iv) the mutation allowed nitrogen fixation at 37 degrees C when plasmid-borne . Restriction analysis and Southern hybridization using Mu DNA and the 8.1-kb nifQBALF EcoRI fragment as probes demonstrated that the nif-8388 mutation was a tandem duplication of 10 kb in the nifL region in which no Mu DNA was present . This duplication led to an operon fusion between nifLA and his since Nifc expression was shown to be increased with a specific inducer of the his operon . These results provide further evidence that the nifA product is a nif-specific activator, and that the nifL product is involved in oxygen repression and temperature control . In addition, they suggest that there is an autoactivation of nifLA transcription by the nifA product and that glnF could act in nif regulation by a mechanism other than the glnG-mediated control of nifLA transcription.

Aust J Biol Sci, 1982, 35(6), 661 - 7
Conversion of fensulfothion by Klebsiella pneumoniae to fensulfothion sulfide and its accumulation; Timms P et al.; In a detailed study it was shown that washed cell suspensions of K . pneumoniae reduced the organophosphorus pesticide fensulfothion to fensulfothion sulfide . Temperature and pH optima for this conversion plus sensitivity to sulfhydryl-reacting agents strongly suggested enzyme involvement . The reaction was also quite sensitive to molecular oxygen, only proceeding under conditions of low oxygen tension . Once formed, the fensulfothion sulfide was rapidly bound by living and heat-killed cells . A combination of lysozyme treatment and differential centrifugation showed 90% of the sulfide to be concentrated in the cell membrane fraction of exposed cells.

Microbios, 1982, 34(135), 17 - 29
Microcalorimetric studies of Klebsiella aerogenes grown in chemostat culture . 3 Transient (non-steady) state; James AM et al.; The increased power output resulting from the addition of small amounts of different substrates to glucose-limited chemostats depended on the added C-source; four types of substrate were recognised . The additional heat evolved increased linearly with the amount of added acetate, but not with glucose or pyruvate . Small amounts of uncouplers disturbed the steady-state power output, and the increased heat was related to the stimulation of the ATPase system . The enhanced power output on increasing the growth pH to 8 was associated with proton translocating ATPase activity.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1982, 31(2), 107 - 17
Characterization of the in vitro constructed plasmid composed of the nif gene cluster of Lignobacter and RP4; Derylo M et al.; The nitrogen fixation of Lignobacter K17 is plasmid mediated . Nif plasmid was transferred from Lignobacter to other bacterial species and the transposon Tn9 was inserted into it . The molecular weight of this plasmid designated pUCS101, is of 19.8 Mdal . In this study we constructed in vitro a hybrid plasmid (pUCS110) by ligating HindIII digests of pUCS101 nif:: Tn9 and of RP4 . Next it was proved that pUCS110 is able to complement the total deletion of the nif region in Klebsiella pneumoniae . The 50 Mdal plasmid pUCS110 was not maintained stably in Escherichia coli recA+ as in E . coli recA- . After being transferred to K . pneumoniae, pUCS110 showed a tendency to generate plasmids of various size from 2.8 to 78 Mdal . Bacteria harbouring plasmids of various size classes were more resistant to chloramphenicol than K . pneumoniae (pUCS110) . Altered cleavage patterns were found in derivatives of pUCS110 . The obtained results suggest that translocation of the transposon Tn9 can be responsible for the instability of pUCS110.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1982, 171(3), 135 - 43
Immunochemical properties of oligosaccharide-protein conjugates with Klebsiella-K2-specificity . II . Protective capacity of the conjugates and anti-conjugate antibodies against infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae 01:K2 in mice; Geyer H et al.; Oligosaccharide subunits from Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055 capsular polysaccharide, covalently linked to protein carriers, the native polysaccharide, and killed whole bacteria, were compared with respect to their immunogenicity in mice and their capacity to protect mice against bacterial infection . The protection was studied (a) by active immunization and (b) by passive administration of antisera raised in rabbits using the different immunogens . The results were as follows: in the active protection experiments the octa- and dodecasaccharide conjugates were as effective as the polysaccharide in increasing the LD50 by a factor of 10(5) as compared to nonimmunized animals . Thus, these antigens were only slightly less effective than killed bacteria . In contrast the tetrasaccharide conjugate was at least 1000-fold less effective than all other antigens used . In the passive protection experiments these results were paralleled in that the antiserum against the tetrasaccharide conjugate also showed the lowest degree of protection, though, for methodical reasons, the differences in the LD50s were less pronounced . The drastically lower efficiency of the tetrasaccharide in comparision to its higher oligomers is in agreement with serological findings previously published (see first communication), which showed that two repeating units are the minimum requirement for a substantial representation of polysaccharide serological specificity.

Microbios, 1982, 35(140), 119 - 29
An electron microscopic study of surface polysaccharides in Bacteroides; Dahlen G et al.; The electron microscopic appearance of the cell surface of Bacteroides strains and Klebsiella pneumoniae stained with ruthenium red or colloidal iron is described . The effect of polymyxin B (PMB) was also registered . It was found that all Bacteroides strains have a polysaccharide lined 'micro-capsule' external to the outer membrane which could aggregate and form blebs . The blebs so formed were distinct from other types of bleb formed in Klebsiella involving the outer membrane and induced by PMB . Such types of PMB alterations were not induced in Bacteroides.

Mol Gen Genet, 1982, 187(3), 414 - 8
A nonsense mutation in the structural gene for glutamine synthetase leading to loss of nitrogen regulation in Klebsiella aerogenes; Bender RA et al.; An amber mutation (glnA3711), the first nonsense mutation isolated in Klebsiella aerogenes, is described . When amber suppressors were present, the mutant made active glutamine synthetase which was more thermolabile than wild type, showing that glnA3711 lies in the structural gene for glutamine synthetase . Strains carrying the glnA3711 allele were unable to express nitrogen regulation of genes coding for histidase, asparaginase, and glutamate dehydrogenase unless amber suppressors were also present . These results support a model that expression of gene(s) from the glnA promoter is required for nitrogen regulation in K . aerogenes.

Mol Gen Genet, 1982, 186(4), 518 - 24
Cloning of the glnA, ntrB and ntrC genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae and studies of their role in regulation of the nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster; Espin G et al.; The glnA, ntrB and ntrC genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae have been cloned, on a 12 kb HindIII fragment, into the plasmid pACYC184 . In a coupled in vitro transcription/translation system the resultant plasmid, pGE100, directed synthesis of five polypeptides (molecular weights 73, 53, 51, 39, 36 kd) from the cloned fragment . A number of plasmids were derived from pGE100 and studied by complementation analysis and in vitro transcription/translation in order to locate particular genes and identify their products . On the basis of the results presented here, together with previous genetic and physical characterisation of the glnA gene and its product in other enteric bacteria, we propose that the 53 kd polypeptide is the glnA gene product (glutamine synthetase monomer) . Two polypeptides (36 kd and 51 kd) were synthesised from a 3 kb region previously defined as glnR . In E . coli and S . typhimurium this region comprises two genes ntrB and ntrC with products of 36 kd and 54 kd respectively . This analogy supports the idea that the 36 kd and 51 kd polypeptides are the products of the K . pneumoniae ntrB and ntrC genes respectively . Comparison of these assignments with the physical map of the region indicates a gene order glnA, ntrB, ntrC . Assessment of the Nif phenotype of a glnA-ntrC deletion strain carrying various clones from pGE100 demonstrated that glnA is not required for expression of the nif regulon and that of the three genes cloned, ntrC alone is sufficient for nif expression.

J Biol Chem, 1981 Dec 10, 256(23), 11974 - 6
Reconstitution of sodium transport from purified oxaloacetate decarboxylase and phospholipid vesicles; Dimroth P; The Na+-pumping oxaloacetate decarboxylase, isolated from Klebsiella aerogenes membranes, was incorporated into the membranes of lecithin liposomes . Reconstitution of Na+ transport in this artificial system was achieved by the detergent dilution method with octylglucoside as the detergent . An optimum Na+ transport activity upon dilution was obtained in the presence of about 2.7% octylglucoside . With these reconstituted vesicles, a steady state internal Na+ concentration was established by oxaloacetate decarboxylation which was about 30 times higher than that of the external medium . The presence of low concentrations of the Na+-carrying ionophores nigericin or trinactin almost completely abolished the oxaloacetate-dependent Na+ transport, whereas the uncoupler, carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, was without effect . The results are in accord with the function of oxaloacetate decarboxylase as a primary active Na+ pump converting the energy of the decarboxylation reaction into a Na+ gradient.

Anesthesiology, 1981 Dec, 55(6), 650 - 4
Halothane reversibly inhibits human neutrophil bacterial killing; Welch WD; The effect of halothane, at clinically relevant concentrations on the ability of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to kill the most frequently isolated gram-negative organisms responsible for human bacteremias, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, was studied . Exposure of PMNL to 0.75 per cent halothane is air significantly inhibited the killing of E . coli (from 81 per cent to 65 per cent) but not K . pneumoniae . At 1.0 per cent halothane there was no killing of E . coli and the killing of K . Pneumoniae was reduced from 98 per cent to 82 per cent . With 1.5 per cent halothane, the killing of K . pneumoniae by PMNL was further reduced to 65 per cent . This inhibition of bacterial killing could be reversed after exposure of halothane-treated PMNL to air . The mechanism of inhibition may be due in part to a deleterious effect of halothane on the oxidative microbicidal activity of human PMNL . Although halothane reversibly inhibits the ability of PMNL to kill bacteremic culture isolates, the degree of susceptibility of bacteria to halothane-treated PMNL may vary.

Carbohydr Res, 1981 Nov 2, 97(1), 127 - 38
Preparation of oligosaccharides by the action of bacteriophage-borne enzymes on Klebsiella capsular polysaccharides; Dutton GG et al.; Depolymerization of bacterial, capsular polysaccharides by viral enzymes provides a convenient method for preparing oligosaccharides that correspond to one or more repeating unit(s) of the polysaccharide . Previous methods used for purifying bacteriophage particles, and also the procedures employed in the isolation and purification of the oligomers generated by the bacteriophage action, have been so modified as to provide a more direct route to the degradation products . Improved techniques, both for the propagation of bacteriophage and for the isolation of the oligosaccharides formed, are reported . These simplified methods make possible the use of bacteriophages as convenient "reagents" for the preparation of oligosaccharides on a gram scale . The acid- and base-labile substituents present in certain of the polysaccharides examined were seemingly unaffected by the conditions used for depolymerization . The methods are illustrated by degradation of the capsular polysaccharides from Klebsiella serotypes K17, K36, K46, K60, K63, and K74

Jpn J Antibiot, 1981 Nov, 34(11), 1447 - 50
{Clinical studies on cefoxitin in the field of gastro-surgery (author's transl)}; Suzuki H et al.; Cefoxitin (CFX) was administered to the total of 21 hospitalized patients at a daily dose of 1 to 6 g for the duration of 6 to 23 days and the following results were obtained . 1) Clinical results of the 10 patients with surgical infections were excellent in 3 patients, good in 5, fair in 1 and poor in 1, with the efficacy rate of 90% . 2) CFX was also administered to 11 cases for prophylaxis of postoperative infections and the clinical efficacy rate was 100% . 3) Susceptibility tests showed all clinical isolates such as E . coli, Klebsiella and Gram-negative anaerobes were highly susceptibility to CFX except for Pseudomonas . 4) There were no subjective nor objective side effects related to CFX . The above results indicate that CFX is exceedingly useful for the treatment of infections in the field of gastro-surgery.

J Med Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 14(4), 451 - 6
Effect of klebsiella capsular antisera on lymphocytes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis; Shinebaum R et al.; The cytotoxicity of klebsiella capsular antisera for lymphocytes from 10 HLA B27-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis and eight B27-negative normal control subjects was examined . None of the antisera was cytotoxic for lymphocytes from nine patients but several antisera were cytotoxic for the lymphocytes from one patient . There were no differences between the results obtained with lymphocytes from the nine patients and those with lymphocytes from the normal controls . If klebsiella carriage is important in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis, the results of this investigation suggest that the capsular antigen is probably not involved.

Am J Surg, 1981 Nov, 142(5), 588 - 91
Dopamine gangrene . Association with disseminated intravascular coagulation; Winkler MJ et al.; Multiple extremity gangrene developed in five patients as a complication of dopamine therapy . The clinical conditions were (1) penetrating chest trauma requiring pneumonectomy with postoperative sepsis, (2) cardiac arrest with aspiration pneumonia, (3) lymphoma with sepsis, (4) Klebsiella pneumonia, and (5) myocardial infarction . The development of acrocyanosis leading to gangrene occurred at dopamine dosages of 5.1 to 10.2 micrograms/kg/min . The alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction effects of dopamine would not be expected from the doses employed in these patients . Thus, other factors beside pure alpha vasoconstriction are responsible for tissue necrosis after the use of dopamine . We believe that the embolic complications of disseminated intravascular coagulation and hypovolemia are serious risk factors in the development of dopamine gangrene . Peripheral vasoconstriction from dopamine, even at low doses, may set the stage for thrombotic complications of disseminated intravascular coagulation and lead to tissue damage . In laboratory models of disseminated intravascular coagulation, an alpha-adrenergic drug is required to produce peripheral ischemic tissue damage . Treatment of tissue ischemia related to dopamine depends on early recognition of acrocyanosis . Phentolamine, an alpha blocker, has been recommended for treating dopamine ischemia, either through local instillation into ischemic tissues or intravenous infusion . We recommend a high index of suspicion for, and early treatment of, underlying consumptive coagulopathy in all patients requiring dopamine.

Am J Vet Res, 1981 Nov, 42(11), 1941 - 3
In vitro phagocytosis and killing of coliforms by bovine mammary leukocytes; Ward GE et al.; Four coliform isolates derived from cows with bovine mastitis-1 serum-sensitive (SS) Klebsiella pneumoniae, 1 intermediate serum-sensitive (IS) K pneumoniae, 1 IS Escherichia coli, and 1 serum-resistant (SR) E coli-were studied in vitro to determine factors associated with their phagocytosis and killing by leukocytes of mammae . The SS coliform was most easily phagocytosed, whereas the SR coliform was the least phagocytosed, and IS coliforms were ingested at an intermediate rate . The SS coliform was more readily killed in freshly collected serum alone, than by leukocytes and freshly collected serum or heat-inactivated serum . The IS coliforms were killed more readily by leukocytes with freshly collected serum, than by freshly collected serum alone or leukocytes and heat-inactivated serum . The extent of the killing of SR strain was equal for leukocytes with either freshly collected serum or heat-inactivated serum . The differences in killing of various coliforms in serum alone were not as great in a system including serum and leukocytes.

Am J Vet Res, 1981 Nov, 42(11), 1937 - 40
Somatic and capsular factors of coliforms which affect resistance to bovine serum bactericidal activity; Ward GE et al.; Killing of bacteria which cause acute coliform mastitis was studied in vitro, using serum without exogenous complement . Using 10% freshly collected whole serum, it was found that some strains were killed rapidly and could be classified as serum sensitive and others were killed less rapidly and could be classified as intermediate serum sensitive . With other strains, fewer were killed, and then the survivors multiplied; these could be classified as serum resistant . A 50-percentage kill of serum-resistant strains could not be achieved with serum (even in concentrations of greater than 90% serum), whereas 15 strains showed 50-percentage kill at appropriate serum concentrations . Resistance of Escherichia coli to serum bactericidal activity was greatest in strains with large amounts of heat-labile capsule present . The capsule could be demonstrated, using a test for somatic inagglutinability and a hemagglutination-inhibition test . Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to serum bactericidal activity was not related to somatic inagglutinability . In K pneumoniae, resistance to serum bactericidal activity was related to presence of somatic antigens on the resistant strain.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981 Nov, 250(4), 529 - 39
{Prerequisites for enhancement of the efficacy of fosfomycin by glucose-6-phosphate in treatment of experimentally infected animals (author's transl)}; Hirschl A et al.; In chemotherapy of otherwise fatally infected mice (intraperitoneally) the effective dose50 (ED50) of fosfomycin (2 single doses, subcutaneous application 1 and 6 h post infect.) was decreased significantly by supplementing the antibiotic solution with 100 mg glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) per kg animal and per injection if also the MIC of the infecting strain (Klebsiella oxytoca and K . aerogenes II) was lowered by addition of G-6-P (25 mg/l) to the nutrient medium (Table 1 and 2) . With strains not exhibiting any influence on the MIC no such effect was observed (Table 1) . From this it is concluded that the enhancement of antimicrobial activity of fosfomycin in vivo is based on the same mechanism as in vitro . This mechanism is the initiation of a second route of transportation into the bacterial cell (7), the hexose-6-phosphate transport system that apparently is inducible not only in vitro but also in vivo . Blood levels of G-6-P sufficient or above to induce this system in vitro (5 mg/l) were being held with doses of 100 mg/kg body weight in dogs during 70 to 120 min (Fig . 3) and 45 to 70 min (Fig . 4) when applied subcutaneously or intravenously respectively . These periods of contact area adequate to induce a considerable decrease of the MIC . With the strain used (K . oxytoca) the MIC of 128 mg/l was lowered by contact with G-6-P during 60 or 120 min to 16 or 8 mg/l respectively (Fig . 5) . For full induction of the hexose-6-phosphate system resulting in a MIC of 2 mg/l however, 8 h were necessary . From the above findings it is concluded that clinical studies are necessary . As G-6-P is a (short-lived) physiological product of cell metabolism and nontoxic such studies are justifiable in cases where therapeutic use of fosfomycin can be regarded as an indication.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1981 Nov, 65(11), 796 - 7
Acute anterior uveitis and Klebsiella aerogenes: a casual relationship?
Willshaw HE.
This study was undertaken to investigate the hypothesis that episodes of anterior uveitis in patients with the HLA B27 antigen are triggered by the presence of Klebsiella aerogenes in the gastrointestinal tract . Forty patients were examined . While the recovery of klebsiella was greater in B27 positive patients with uveitis, the differences failed to reach statistical significance . The clinical state of patients with Klebsiella aerogenes in their faeces did not differ from that in whom klebsiella could not be recovered.

Infect Control, 1981 Nov-Dec, 2(6), 460 - 5
Klebsiella pneumoniae pseudobacteremia due to cross-contamination of a radiometric blood culture analyzer; Greenhood GP et al.; Blood isolates from 13 patients in one hospital were positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae over a two-week period . Vials of potassium chloride used in intravenous fluid admixture initially were suspected of being contaminated and thus causing the problem . However, a comparison of patients who had blood cultures positive for K . pneumoniae with control patients who had blood cultures negative for this organism during the same period identified no common features that would explain the increase in K . pneumoniae blood isolates . Careful evaluation of laboratory data suggested that six of the 13 culture-positive patients had probable pseudobacteremia, an explanation that would account for the increase in isolates above the endemic level of true K . pneumoniae bacteremia in the hospital . Epidemiologic data suggested that cross-contamination of adjacent and non-adjacent blood culture vials on the radiometric blood culture analyzer was the cause of pseudobacteremia; K . pneumoniae serotyping data supported this hypothesis . A mock trial using the analyzer demonstrated that cross-contamination of non-adjacent vials by the sampling needles could occur . Changing the sampling needles of the analyzer daily, in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, prevented further episodes of pseudobacteremia from the analyzer.

Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir, 1981 Nov-Dec, 17(6), 903 - 10
{Effect of pyrolysis products of polypropylene plastic on the defence mechanisms of the respiratory system (author's transl)}; Bouley G et al.; Since the use of plastic materials, a change in the pathology of fire victims has been observed . We studied the effects of a single short-term inhalation (30 min) of a sub-lethal dose of polypropylene pyrolysis products (one LD-0) . Including control and test animals, 66 rats and 112 mice were used . The exposure provoked disturbances in the antixenic defense mechanisms of the respiratory system, chiefly in tracheo-bronchial defenses, since we observed a lowering of ciliary activity of 35 to 78% in test animals exposed a few hours before, compared with the controls . These changes provoked a significant increase in death-rate of test animals, following experimental airborne infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae . The combustion products of polypropylene plastic materials did not contain hydrocyanic acid nor hydrochloric acid, and neither the temperature of the inhaled air, nor the concentration of carbon monoxide could explain these effects . On the contrary, we can suspect the well known irritative properties of aldehyde compounds formed during smoldering combustion of polypropylene.

J Med Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 14(4), 443 - 50
The ability of strains of Klebsiella aerogenes to survive on the hands; Cooke EM et al.; The ability of Klebsiella aerogenes strains isolated from outbreaks of infection, from sporadic infections and from the environment to survive on hands were compared . Considered as groups, the outbreak strains survived best and the environmental strains least well . The possible importance of these observations in relation to outbreaks of Klebsiella infection in hospitals and to heterogeneity of pathogenic potential and transmissibility in Klebsiella aerogenes is discussed.

Eur J Biochem, 1981 Nov, 120(2), 421 - 6
Electron transport to nitrogenase in Klebsiella pneumoniae: purification and properties of the nifJ protein; Bogusz D et al.; In Klebsiella pneumoniae, the physiological electron flow to nitrogenase involves specifically, in addition to nitrogenase reductase, the products of the nifF and nifJ genes . The J protein was purified to homogeneity and was found to be an iron-sulfur protein devoid of molybdenum . In its native state, the J protein is a dimer of Mr about 245 000, made up of two subunits of the same molecular weight . It contains about 30 mol iron and 24 mol labile sulfur/mol protein . The addition of J protein to crude extracts of a nifJ mutant reestablishes pyruvate-supported acetylene-reducing activity . This activity is further enhanced by addition of pure nitrogenase (Kp1) . Based on its physical properties, the J protein is probably an oxidoreductase whose physiological role might be to transfer electrons from a metabolic donor to the F protein . In addition, another protein whose activity is also dependent on the nifJ gene seems to be required for the formation of a fully active Kp1.

Biochem J, 1981 Oct 15, 200(1), 83 - 91
An analysis of discoidin I binding sites in Dictyostelium discoideum (NC4); Madley IC et al.; Vegetative wild-type (strain NC4) D . discoideum cells and cells at the 10h stage of development (aggregation) were harvested in the presence of 0.5 M-galactose to remove any endogenous discoidin I already bound to the cell surface, and fixed with glutaraldehyde . Affinity-purified 125I-labelled discoidin I bound to these fixed cells in a specific manner, greater than or equal to 95% of binding being inhibited by 0.5 M-galactose . Binding of 125I-labelled discoidin I was essentially complete in 90 min at 22 degrees C . Based on specific radioactivity measurements, vegetative (0h) D . discoideum (NC4) cells bind approx . 8.4 x 10(5) discoidin I tetramers/cell and aggregated (10h) cells bind 5.1 x 10(5) discoidin I tetramers/cell, each exhibiting apparent positive co-operativity of binding with highest limiting affinity constants (Ka) of approx . 1 x 10(7) and 2 x 10(7) M-1, respectively . Klebsiella aerogenes, the food source used for growth of D . discoideum NC4 amoebae, also binds 125I-labelled discoidin I and this is greater than 99% inhibited by 0.5 M-galactose . However, at the levels of bacterial contamination present, greater than 97% of 125I-labelled discoidin I binding to D . discoideum cell preparations was to the cells themselves . Confirmation of the number of discoidin I tetramers bound per D . discoideum cell was obtained by elution of bound 125I-labelled discoidin I followed by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and then quantification by scanning of stained discoidin I bands.

Carbohydr Res, 1981 Oct 1, 96(1), 113 - 20
Structural investigation of Klebsiella K-type 4 capsular polysaccharide; Merrifield EH et al.; The capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K4 contains the tetrasaccharide repeating-sequence leads to 3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 leads to 2)-alpha-D-Glcp A-(1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1 leads to 3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1 leads to . P.m.r . spectroscopy and the measurement of optical rotation were used to establish the anomeric linkages in the polysaccharide and in the oligosaccharides derived by partial hydrolysis . The repeating unit also contains one 0-acetyl group.

Lab Anim, 1981 Oct, 15(4), 333 - 7
An epizootic of Klebsiella aerogenes infection in laboratory rats; Arseculeratne SN et al.; Klebsiella aerogenes was identified as the pathogen in an epizootic of single and multiple abscesses in the cervical, axillary and inguinal regions in laboratory rats . Involvement of the salivary glands in the inflammatory tissue in some cases produced interlobular and interacinar fibrosis resembling "fibroadenosis' . Similar lesions were reproduced with a strain of Klebsiella aerogenes isolated from a diseased rat . Oral carriage of the same strain was detected in the diseased rats, and in normal rats of the same stock . Lymphadenitis appears to have been the primary lesion.

J Immunol, 1981 Oct, 127(4), 1619 - 23
Immunochemical relations between pneumococcal group 19 and Klebsiella capsular polysaccharides; Lee CJ et al.; Pneumococcal type 19F polysaccharide, contained in the current U.S . licensed pneumococcal vaccine, is a poor immunogen in young children . Capsular polysaccharides of Klebsiella, reported to be cross-reactive with the pneumococcal type 19F, were isolated . Immunochemical relations between pneumococcal group 19 and Klebsiella capsular polysaccharides were studied by immunodiffusion with hyperimmune typing antisera, immune passive hemolysis, and plaque-forming cell response in mice following injection of polysaccharides . Klebsiella K2, K9, K32, K47, and K48 polysaccharides were reported to cross-react with horse pneumococcal type 19 antiserum by direct precipitation . However, these Klebsiella polysaccharides did not react in immunodiffusion with horse or with rabbit pneumococcal 19F and 19A typing antisera . Furthermore, pneumococcal type 19F and 19A polysaccharides did not precipitate with rabbit K2, K9, K32, K47, and K49 typing antisera . The cross-reactivity of the Klebsiella and pneumococcal polysaccharides was studied by 2 other methods . Rabbit pneumococcal 19F antiserum induced by low passive hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes coated with Klebsiella polysaccharides . In contrast, Klebsiella typing antisera exhibited higher hemolytic activity with erythrocytes coated with type 19F polysaccharides . The cross-reactivity of K2 and pneumococcal 19F polysaccharides was also exhibited by the direct IgM plaque-forming cell response . The cross-reactivity, determined by precipitin reactions using animal antisera, may not predict the cross-immunogenicity of purified polysaccharides in humans.

Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Pneumoftiziol, 1981 Oct-Dec, 30(4), 231 - 6
{Notes on 2 cases of pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae}; Didilescu C et al.; In two cases of bacterial pneumonia occurring in adults which were due to Klebsiella pneumoniae germs . The evolution became chronic with extensive invasion of the pulmonary tissues and destruction of the parenchyma . There was also multiple resistance of the germs to antibiotics as evidenced by sensitivity tests . The severe pleural complications have determined serious difficulties in the performance of the treatment . Confronted with such a condition the only therapeutical attitude consisted in testing the known antibiotics with efficiency in Klebsiella infections.

Infect Immun, 1981 Oct, 34(1), 126 - 30
Immunoprotective activity of capsular polysaccharide in Klebsiella pneumoniae ribosomal preparations does not involve ribonucleic acid; Riottot MM et al.; Two peaks were obtained by cesium chloride density gradient ultracentrifugation of Klebsiella pneumoniae ribosomal preparations . Peak I contained capsular polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide, protein, and less than 0.5% ribonucleic acid . Peak II consisted mainly of ribonucleic acid, with low amounts of protein and capsular polysaccharide . Expressed as capsular polysaccharide content, the 50% protective dose of peak I and of nonfractionated ribosomal preparations was nearly constant (2.6 and 1.2 ng, respectively) . Since peak I contained less than 0.5% ribonucleic acid, these results provide evidence that ribosomal ribonucleic acid is not required for protection of mice by K . pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide which contaminates ribosomal preparations.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981 Sep, 250(3), 296 - 306
Phage-typing of Klebsiella strains from Cologne and Wroclaw; Hessek AP et al.; 276 strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca were phage-typed . 126 of these strains were isolated from clinical sources in the Institute of Hygiene in Cologne and 150 came from Wroclaw . The set of 19 phages used for phage-typing was chosen out of 46 Klebsiella specific bacteriophages . 80% of the isolates from Cologne were sensitive to the phages in comparison to 83% of the strains from the Wroclaw region . The phage sensitivity of the German strain differed from that of the Polish strains . 28 of the 67 phage-types were seen in Cologne and 35 in Wroclaw, only 6 phage-types were observed in both regions . The frequency and the spectrum of the phage-types were different, too . Phage-types denoted by the numbers 1, 17, 32, 36, 37, 59, 64 appeared to be most frequent (10 to 16 strains) . No significant differences in the sensitivity to typing phages between strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca were demonstrated.

Arch Microbiol, 1981 Sep, 130(1), 38 - 43
Regulation of nitrogenase messenger RNA synthesis and stability in Klebsiella pneumoniae; Kaluza K et al.; Nitrogenase messenger RNA synthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae was determined by labelling cells with (3H)uracil and isolating total RNA, which was then hybridized to filter-bound recombinant plasmid pSA30 DNA carrying the nitrogenase structural genes nifH, D, and K, Derepression of nitrogenase mRNA starts 1.5 h before the onset of nitrogenase activity (as measured by acetylene reduction) . Exposure of nif-derepressed cultures to either NH4+, air, or high temperatures (39 degree C) results in a rapid decrease of the synthesis rates both of nitrogenase mRNA and nitrogenase polypeptides . Nitrogenase mRNA is remarkably stable . After blocking transcription with rifampicin, hybridizable and actively translatable nitrogenase mRNA survives with an average half-life of 18 min . Half-lives are considerably shorter when rifampicin-inhibited cultures are simultaneously shifted to conditions which are non-permissive for nitrogenase synthesis, pointing to some posttranscriptional influence on nitrogenase mRNA stability . In all experiments performed there was no evidence for uncoupling of nitrogenase mRNA synthesis from nitrogenase mRNA translation, indicating that nitrogenase synthesis is regulated solely by transcriptional control.

J Med Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 14(3), 295 - 305
Characterisation of an epidemic strain of Klebsiella and its variants by computer analysis; Seal DV et al.; An outbreak of hospital-acquired klebsiella infection was investigated by means of six different typing schemes . Interpretation of the information generated by these schemes proved difficult and allowed only tentative conclusions to be reached concerning the origin of some strains . Consequently, the results were subjected to computer analysis by means of a numerical taxonomic programme adapted for the purpose . A dendrogram was constructed giving the percentage similarity between strains . It established the source of four atypical strains and showed that three of them were derived from the original clone . This form of numerical epidemiological analysis could have useful applications in the investigation of hospital-acquired infection.

Mutat Res, 1981 Aug, 89(4), 269 - 82
The mutagenic action of aliphatic epoxides; Voogd CE et al.; The mutagenic action of 45 epoxides was investigates in Luria and Delbruck's fluctuation test with Klebsiella pneumoniae as test organism . In this test, 36 of the 45 epoxides appeared to be mutagenic . The mutagenicity of 1,2-epoxides decreased with increasing length of the carbon chain . The mutagenic activity of compounds with a non-terminal epoxide group appeared to be less than that of substances with a terminal one . Generally 1,2-epoxide compounds with electronegative groups were more mutagenic than 1,2-epoxypropane . Of the diepoxides, 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane appeared to be more mutagenic than 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane, while the ring compounds 1,2,5,6-diepoxycyclooctane was hardly mutagenic . The ring compound 4-vinylcyclohexenedioxide, used in electron microscopy that the antibiotic fosfomycin is among the more potent mutagenic substances investigated in this study.

Infect Immun, 1981 Aug, 33(2), 533 - 9
Pulmonary opsonins in Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats; Coonrod JD; Klebsiella pneumoniae was inoculated intrabronchially into rats, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sera were obtained during the ensuring pneumonia . Klebsiellae recovered by lavage were not maximally coated with C3, as judged by studies with fluorescent antibody, whereas the organisms could be coated fully with C3 by a brief incubation in rat serum . The levels of C1 and C3 in lavage fluid obtained during infection were only a small fraction of the levels in the serum, and klebsiellae were not opsonized during incubation with concentrated lavage fluid . Systemic decomplementation did not affect the severity of K . pneumoniae pneumonia, as judged by the measurement of lung weight or by the numbers of klebsiellae in the lungs, but decomplemented rats had a larger number of klebsiellae in the blood at 24 h of infection than did controls . There were fewer klebsiellae in the lungs 4 h after inoculation of preopsonized organisms than after inoculation of organisms which were incubated in control (heat-inactivated) sera . These studies indicate that the concentration of complement and heat-labile opsonins within the alveoli is lower than that in the systemic circulation and is not adequate for effective opsonization of klebsiellae.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1981 Aug, 40(4), 400 - 3
Search for cross-reactivity between HLA B27 and Klebsiella pneumoniae; Archer JR; HLA B27 is associated with a number of forms of arthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis . It has been suggested that the disease is caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and that the bacterium evokes an odd immune response because it cross-reacts with HLA B27 . This proposed cross-reactivity was investigated in a number of ways . The results consistently failed to confirm evidence from cross reaction, even in antisera with activity against both HLA B27-positive lymphocytes and klebsiella . It is suggested that the anomalous anti-klebsiella response of rabbits immunised with pools of HLA B27-positive leucocytes may be caused by antigenic bacterial fragments on the cells of infected individuals.

Surgery, 1981 Aug, 90(2), 376 - 80
Nonspecific enhancement of host defenses against infection: experimental evidence of a new order of efficacy and safety; Polk HC Jr et al.; Enhancement of nonspecific host defenses against bacterial challenge has been a long-standing goal often thwarted by variable efficacy, inconsistent bioassay, and paradoxic immunosuppression . Muramyl dipeptide provides enhanced survival after intravenous challenge with less than 8 x 10(3) Klebsiella, as well as improved local control of infection at sites of intramuscular bacterial injection, with and without a surgical foreign body . No depression of host response was seen over wide ranges of doses and intervals . Muramyl dipeptide provides a new order of efficacy and safety and warrants continued careful assessment.

Biochemistry, 1981 Jul 21, 20(15), 4293 - 8
Purification and subunit characterization of propanediol dehydratase, a membrane-associated enzyme; McGee DE et al.; A new isolation procedure for propanediol dehydratase increases by a factor of about 16 the yield of enzyme obtainable from Klebsiella pneumoniae; the enzyme thus isolated has a specific activity of 95 +/- 4 units/mg . The apoenzyme consists of four subunits with molecular weights of 60 000, 51 000, 29 000, and 15 000 (+/- 5%) . In this new procedure, care was taken to prevent the partial proteolysis of the propanediol dehydratase which seems to occur in earlier procedures . The other novel aspect recognizes that the enzyme is associated with the cell membrane . Accordingly, after gentle sonication, the membrane fragments are separated from cytosol, and the enzyme is solubilized by extraction with buffers containing detergent . The 60 000-dalton subunit has been purified and a partial sequence (34 of the 36 N-terminal residues) determined.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Jul-Aug, 3(4), 716 - 20
Contaminated breast milk: A source of Klebsiella bacteremia in a newborn intensive care unit; Donowitz LG et al.; Five patients in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) developed primary bacteremia due to Klebsiella during a 12-day period, May 2 through June 2, 1979, after feeding for 24-96 hr with contaminated breast milk . All patients had been fed via nasoduodenal tube with milk obtained from a single donor . The donor milk collected via electric suction pump was positive by gram stain for gram-negative rods and by culture for Klebsiella pneumoniae . A culture of hand-expressed milk was negative for gram-negative rods . The breast-pump tubing and safety trap were grossly contaminated with K . pneumoniae . Institution of proper sterilization to the pump equipment controlled the outbreak . This outbreak is the first documentation of nosocomial bacteremia as a major infectious complication of feedings of premature infants with contaminated breast milk.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Jul, 78(7), 4226 - 30
Alcohol and polyol dehydrogenases are both divided into two protein types, and structural properties cross-relate the different enzyme activities within each type; Jornvall H et al.; Sorbitol dehydrogenase from sheep liver shows similarities to mammalian and yeast alcohol dehydrogenases . Comparisons based on peptides from segments of sorbitol dehydrogenase reveal that homologous regions with 38% identity include two ligands to the active site zinc atom in liver alcohol dehydrogenase, as well as further important residues . Similarities in in other regions are less extensive, exactly as they are between different alcohol dehydrogenases . In all aspects, sorbitol dehydrogenase appears as a typical member of the alcohol dehydrogenase family . On the other hand, alcohol dehydrogenase from Drosophila, which has a shorter subunit, is not closely related to either of these enzymes, except for a region that probably corresponds to the first part of the coenzyme binding domain in many dehydrogenases . Instead, Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase in its supposed catalytic region shows similarities toward Klebsiella ribitol dehydrogenase, which also has a small subunit . It may be concluded that both alcohol and polyol dehydrogenases show two types of protein subunit, reflecting an early subdivision of polypeptide types into "long" and "short" subunits rather than into different enzymatic specificities or quaternary structures . The relationships explain known properties of all these enzymes and provide insight into functional mechanisms and evolutionary interpretations.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1981 Jul, 45(1), 158 - 64
The distribution of a specific HLA-B27-associated cell surface component on the tissues of patients with ankylosing spondylitis; Alexander K et al.; In this paper, we report the presence on Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines on platelets and on fibroblasts of an HLA-B27-associated cell surface complex (antigenically related to some antigens of Klebsiella K43 and K21) which is identical to or cross-reactive with the determinant present on the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of B27-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) . By contrast, no Klebsiella K43 markers could be demonstrated on the spermatozoa of B27+ AS+ individuals even though these cells expressed the HLA-B27 alloantigen . No B27-associated K43 antigen was detected on the erythrocytes of patients or of normal controls . The B27-associated membrane marker is still detectable on lymphoblastoid cell lines after 20 generations and on fibroblasts after about 10 generations . This finding implies that the continued expression of Klebsiella-modified B27 structure is generally determined and does not require the repeated exposure of the cell surface to Klebsiella antigen . These data suggest that certain non-lymphoid as well as lymphoid cells may be involved in the complex sequence of events leading to the clinical manifestation of AS.

Immunobiology, 1981 Jun, 158(5), 454 - 66
Suppression of B-memory cell function by polyclonal lymphocyte activators; Yokochi T et al.; When various polyclonal lymphocyte activators (PLA), such as the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K), E . coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concanavalin A (Con A), dextran sulfate (DS), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were injected into mice primed with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), anti-SRBC secondary plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses in vitro of their spleen cells to SRBC and to polyclonal B cell activatory (PBA) were more or less decreased . The decrease in the responsiveness was accompanied by the decrease in the number of SRBC-specific rosette-forming cells (RFC) of B-cell type (B memory cells) . This resulted neither from emigration of RFC out of the spleen, nor from change of RFC to antibody-forming cells . Further, we revealed that the decreased responsiveness occurs exclusively in the B cell-rich fraction of the spleen cells from PLA-treated SRBC-primed mice, but not in their T cell-rich fraction . It is concluded therefore that PLA exhibited a common action to reduce selectively B-memory cell function by decreasing the number of B memory cells without differentiation to their end cells, although the strength of the action of various PLA varied.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Jun, 78(6), 3496 - 500
Stable chromosomal integration of the entire nitrogen fixation gene cluster from Klebsiella pneumoniae in yeast; Zamir A et al.; A bacterial plasmid containing the entire nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster (consisting of at least 15 genes) from Klebsiella pneumoniae was used in conjunction with an Escherichia coli-yeast shuttle plasmid containing the yeast his4 gene cluster to cotransform a his4- recipient strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Of 87 histidine-independent clones screened, 2 contained nif DNA . Restriction and hybridization analyses showed that two copies of the nif plasmid (46 kilobases each) are integrated in tandem in the recipient chromosome by recombination between homologous regions in the transforming plasmids . Chromosomal integration was also verified by tetrad analysis, showing that the nif DNA behaved in meiosis like a Mendelian element . During mitotic growth, one of the two copies of the nif region is frequently lost . The remaining copy of nif is stable, even after 40 generations in nonselective medium.

Biochemistry, 1981 May 12, 20(10), 2857 - 64
Circular dichroism and magnetic circular dichroism of reduced molybdenum-iron protein of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase; Stephens PJ et al.; Studies of the circular dichroism (CD) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of the dithionite-reduced molybdenum-iron protein of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase (Av1) are reported . CD and MCD are measurable at room temperature across a wide spectral range, from the near-UV to the near-IR . The visible-near-UV CD is insignificantly affected by moderate variations in pH, temperature, ionic strength, and buffer, providing evidence against conformational change in the range studied . Mg2+ and ATP also cause no observable change in the visible-near-UV CD . Both CD and MCD in the visible-near-UV are unaffected by 30% inactivation by O2 . However, the CD and MCD spectra of uncrystallized Av1 differ very significantly from those of crystallized Av1; in particular, the MCD spectrum is very sensitive to the presence of heme impurities . The identicality in both CD and MCD spectra of the reduced molybdenum-iron proteins from Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumoniae shows that these proteins contain metal clusters, identical in number, structure, and protein environment . While the absorption, CD, and MCD spectra of reduced Av1 are typical in many respects of simpler iron-sulfur proteins and are most similar to the {Fe4S4(SR)4}3- clusters found in reduced bacterial ferredoxins, significant differences exist . It is concluded, therefore, that the clusters present are not identical with those previously characterized, a conclusion earlier arrived at from electron paramagnetic resonance, Mossbauer, and EXAFS spectroscopies.

J Clin Pathol, 1981 May, 34(5), 552 - 5
Klebsiella capsular type versus site of isolation; Riser E et al.; More than 1750 clinical isolates of klebsiella were collected over a period of six years from two different hospitals and capsular typed by the fluorescent antibody technique . A correlation was made between type and site of isolation . Many types were found to be associated more frequently with one site, which suggested a predilection of some capsular types for certain sites of infection . The site may also be a factor contributing to the virulence of a particular type . A greater antibiotic resistance was often noted in types isolated from their predominant sites; however, antibiograms were not consistent for a type from a given site . The combination of site specificity, resistance, and another 'virulence factor' may all be involved in the determination of a pathogenic strain.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 May, 124(Pt 1), 29 - 34
Phenotypic variability of the sensitivity to cycloserine of Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418, growing in chemostat culture; Sterkenburg A et al.; The susceptibility of Klebsiella aerogenes to cycloserine varied according to the growth conditions . In batch culture, cells were less susceptible to the antibiotic when glycine was present in the medium, presumably due to competition between glycine and cycloserine for the uptake system by which glycine, D-alanine and cycloserine are transported into the cell . In the chemostat at average dilution rates, ammonia-limited cultures were more susceptible to the antibiotic than were glucose-limited cultures . Under phosphate-limiting conditions cultures were at least ten times less susceptible . Under ammonia and phosphate limitation the susceptibility increased with increasing growth rate . The sensitivity of glucose-limited cells was independent of the growth rate . A high-affinity uptake system for cycloserine (as measured by D-alanine transport) was present in ammonia- and glucose-limited cells, but not in phosphate-limited cells . Thus, the phenotypically defined alterations in the susceptibility of the bacterium to cycloserine could be correlated with variations in its uptake system for the antibiotic.

An Esp Pediatr, 1981 May, 14(5), 305 - 10
{Neonatal septic arthritis . Our experience in 14 cases (author's transl)}; Felix V et al.; A survey was carried out from october 1973 to december 1979 of fourteen newborn who presented septic arthritis secondary to sepsis, developed during their admission at our neonatology unit . Authors point out the high incidence of Klebsiella as the organism isolated in 48% of the positive cultures and the good response to general and local treatments . A discussion is done on the sequels and their long-term evolution.

J Bacteriol, 1981 May, 146(2), 647 - 55
Serine utilization by Klebsiella aerogenes; Vining LC et al.; Klebsiella aerogenes was found to contain a specific L-serine dehydrase that was induced by threonine, glycine or leucine, but not by its substrate . Cellular concentrations were sensitive to carbon rather than nitrogen sources in the growth medium . A nonspecific isoleucine-sensitive L-threonine dehydrase supplemented the specific L-serine dehydrase activity . K . aerogenes also contains a leucine-inducible L-threonine dehydrogenase which probably initiated a threonine-utilization pathway in which the serine-specific dehydrate participated . Strains that were altered in their ability to metabolize serine differed in either L-serine dehydrase or L-threonine dehydrase activity . Thus, K . aerogenes growing on L-serine as a sole nitrogen source relies upon two enzymes that metabolize the amino acid as subsidiary functions.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 May, 19(5), 901 - 10
In vitro and in vivo morphological response of Klebsiella pneumoniae to cefotiam and cefazolin; Nakao M et al.; The effect of cefotiam and cefazolin on the ultrastructure of Klebsiella pneumoniae DT-S in vitro and in experimental pneumonia in mice was examined by electron microscopy . The action of both cephalosporins against K . pneumoniae DT-S was bactericidal, and a dose response in the action was definite . At the minimal inhibitory concentration of each cephalosporin, filamentation of the cells was induced and the cytoplasm became sparse during the course of incubation . With elevation of the concentration of the cephalosporins, spheroplasts were formed; they subsequently collapsed . In the lungs of mice, the infecting organisms localized in the alveolar space, and each cell was connected by a threadlike material . A fibrous matrix, located on the cell surface of the infecting organisms, was observed in ultrathin sections . By administration of each cephalosporin to mice, several morphological changes, similar to those noted in vitro, were observed in the infecting organisms.

J Bacteriol, 1981 May, 146(2), 740 - 5
Regulation of glutamine synthetase by regulatory protein PII in Klebsiella aerogenes mutants lacking adenylyltransferase; Reuveny Z et al.; A mutation of Klebsiella aerogenes causing production of an altered PII regulatory protein which stimulates overadenylylation of glutamine synthetase and also prevents its derepression was combined with mutations abolishing the activity of adenylyltransferase . The results support the idea that PII plays a role in the regulation of the level of glutamine synthetase which is independent of its interaction with adenylyltransferase.

Nature, 1981 Apr 2, 290(5805), 424 - 6
Nitrogen fixation gene (nifL) involved in oxygen regulation of nitrogenase synthesis in K . pneumoniae; Hill S et al.; The enzyme complex nitrogenase, which reduces N2 to NH+4, involves two redox proteins, both irreversibly damaged by O2 (ref . 1) . Enzyme activity therefore requires anaerobic conditions, a source of reductant and a large amount of ATP (approximately 16 ATPs per N2) . In both aerobic and facultative anaerobic N2-fixing bacteria, nitrogenase synthesis is regulated by O2 and NH+4, but in the aerobes there are also processes to protect the enzyme from O2 damage . The mechanisms of repression by O2 and NH+4 seem to be independent in the organisms so far examined . In the facultative anaerobe, Klebsiella pneumoniae, O2 was shown to repress nitrogenase synthesis in an NH+4-constitutive strain . The fusion of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene into each transcriptional unit of the nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster in K . pneumoniae has facilitated studies with O2, because expression from the various nif promoters results in an O2-stable product (beta-galactosidase) . Notably, the nifHDK operon (the nitrogenase structural genes) was more sensitive to O2 repression than the nifLA operon (regulatory genes) . The characterization of mutants, reported here, indicates the involvement of a nif-regulatory gene product in the mechanism of O2 control of nitrogenase synthesis.

J Hyg (Lond), 1981 Apr, 86(2), 189 - 94
Diversity of plasmids responsible for multiple resistance in Klebsiella serotype K2; Richards H et al.; Klebsiella of capsular type K2 were investigated to find out whether a single epidemic clone was the source of many outbreaks of infection in different hospitals, in different areas over a period of five years . The klebsiellas studied were found to be very similar; they were of the same biotype, had similar klebecin sensitivity patterns and carried multiple drug-resistance plasmids; however, characterization of these plasmids showed that they were heterogeneous . Thus there was not a single epidemic bacterial clone.

Eur J Biochem, 1981 Apr, 115(2), 353 - 8
Characterization of a membrane-bound biotin-containing enzyme: oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes; Dimroth P; Oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes is firmly bound to the cytoplasmic membrane, from which it can be solubilized with nonionic detergents . The solubilized enzyme behaved like the membrane-bound enzyme with respect to its inhibition by avidin and to the requirement of sodium ions for catalytic activity . The decarboxylase was purified 4.5-fold over the solubilized membrane extract by conventional means . Dodecyl-sulfate disc-gel electrophoretic analysis indicated that the enzyme consists of polypeptides of a single size . The molecular weight of these polypeptides is 68000 . Radioactive biotin was incorporated specifically into these polypeptide chains upon growth of the bacteria in the presence of the radioactive vitamin . Biotin as the prosthetic group of oxaloacetate decarboxylase is now firmly established . The enzyme in the absence of detergent occurs in a highly aggregated form which elutes in the exclusion volume of a Biogel A 1.5 m column . The reported inhibition of oxaloacetate decarboxylase by citrate could not be repeated . On the other hand oxalate, 2-oxomalonate and glyoxylate proved to be very potent inhibitors of the decarboxylase . The stereochemical course of the oxaloacetate decarboxylation reaction was determined starting from stereospecifically labelled malates, which by malate dehydrogenase and oxaloacetate decarboxylase were converted to chiral pyruvates . The chirality of these pyruvates was analysed via their conversion to acetates and malates by determining the extent of tritium retention upon incubation of the latter with fumarase . It was found that oxaloacetate decarboxylation occurs stereospecifically with retention of configuration.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1981 Apr, 34(4), 631 - 40
{Clinical studies on 6059-S for biliary tract diseases . Clinical effect and tissue concentration (author's transl)}; Abe H et al.; A new antibiotic drug of oxacephem, with marked resistance to beta-lactamase, 6059-S for parenteral use was used in 12 patients with acute cholecystitis and cholangitis . 6059-S was given by intramuscular, intravenous or drip intravenous administration at a daily dose of 500 mg to 2 g . Clinical response was excellent in 1 case, good in 10 cases, fair in 1 case and poor in none . Any clinical adverse effect was not recognized . 6059-S is a dose of 500 mg was given by intramuscular administration before the operation to 9 patients . Tissue specimens of different sites were taken from removed organs . The materials of A-bile and B-bile were subsequently taken at intervals . 6059-S concentrations in the A-bile increased after injection and reached to peak from 2 hours to 2.5 hours, then declined very slowly . 6059-S concentration in the B-bile reached to high level of the concentration comparative quickly after intramuscular administration, and it was thought to be excreted through the wall of the gallbladder . 6059-S concentration in the gallbladder wall was directly proportional to the degree of pathological changes of inflammation . On the 6059-S concentration in patients with acute cholecystitis and cholangitis, the concentration in A-bile, B-bile and gallbladder wall were observed higher than the MIC of 6059-S for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae . Therefore 6059-S will be a very useful drug when used for chemotherapy of the infectious diseases of the biliary tract.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1981 Apr, 34(4), 623 - 30
{Clinical studies on 6059-S for acute peritonitis . Clinical effect and tissue concentration (author's transl)}; Hashimoto I et al.; A new antibiotic drug of oxacephem, with marked resistance to beta-lactamase, 6059-S for parenteral use was tested in 10 patients with acute peritonitis . In 4 cases with appendicitis, 6059-S in a dose of 500 mg was given intramuscularly before operation . In 2 cases with perforate MECKEL'S diverticulitis and intestinal obstruction for right femoral hernia, 6059-S in a dose of 1 g was given by intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion before or during operation . And in a case with peritonitis after gastrectomy for gastric cancer, 6059-S in a dose of 2 g was given by intravenous drip infusion . Tissue specimens of different sites or body fluids were taken during the operation and from the removed organs . The materials or purulent ascites were subsequently taken at intervals . Determination of 6059-S concentration was performed according to plate agar well bioassay method with Escherichia coli 7437 strain . The peak of 6059-S concentration in purulent ascites of patient with peritonitis for perforate MECKEL'S diverticulitis was 30.5 mcg/ml at 50 min . after 1 g intravenous administration . Concentration of 6059-S in drained pus was 8.38 mcg/ml soon after intravenous drip infusion (2 g, for 2 hrs.) . In 10 patients with peritonitis, 6 patients were given 6059-S in a dose of 500 mg by intramuscular administration twice a day, and the serious 4 patients were given in a dose of 1 to 2 g by intravenous drip infusion 1 to 2 times a day . Clinical response was excellent in 6 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 1 case and poor was none . Any clinical adverse effect was not recognized . On the 6059-S concentration in patients with peritonitis, the concentration in purulent ascites, drained pus and infected tissues were observed higher than the MIC of 6059-S against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae . Therefore 6059-S will be a very useful drug when used for chemotherapy of acute or subacute peritonitis.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1981 Apr, 34(4), 495 - 99
{Laboratory and clinical studies on cefotaxime in obstetrics and gynecology (author's transl)}; Miyamoto N et al.; The following results have been obtained in our basic and clinical studies to examine a new cephalosporin derivative, cefotaxime (CTX) . For basic study purpose, we injected 1 g of CTX to 6 patients who had received simple total hysterectomy and measured its level in elbow vein, uterine artery, corpus uteri, cervix uteri, endometrium, oviduct and ovary . Any definitive conclusion should not be drawn from these results, since they have too big variation . However, slightly higher levels were achieved cervix uteri and oviduct than in other organs in a same patient . For clinical evaluation, we tried this drug to 12 cases of female genital infections and 91.7% response rate was obtained . Our studied population includes 8 cases of adnexitis, 2 with pelvioperitonitis, 1 with panperitonitis, and 1 patient with BARTHOLIN abscess . Organisms were detected only in 3 cases, including S . aureus in one patient, Micrococcus sp . in one, and mixture of Klebsiella sp . and B . fragilis in 1 . Puncture of DOUGLAS pouch was performed in 3 cases after the completion of therapy and all had negative results . No side effect was observed, and no significant difference was noted between pre- and post-therapy examinations of peripheral blood, hepatic function and renal function.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Apr, 146(1), 377 - 84
Effects of aerobiosis and nitrogen source on the proton motive force in growing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae cells; Kashket ER; The electrochemical gradient of hydrogen ions, or proton motive force (PMF), was measured in growing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in batch culture . The electrical component of the PMF (delta psi) and the chemical component (delta pH) were calculated from the cellular accumulation of radiolabeled tetraphenylphosphonium, thiocyanate, and benzoate ions . In both species, the PMF was constant during exponential phase and decreased as the cells entered stationary phase . Altering the growth rate with different energy substrates had no effect on the PMF . The delta pH (alkaline inside) varied with the pH of the culture medium, resulting in a constant internal pH . During aerobic growth in media at pH 6 to 7, the delta psi was constant at 160 mV (negative inside) . The PMF, therefore, was 255 mV in cells growing at pH 6.3, and decreased progressively to 210 mV in pH 7.1 cultures . K . pneumoniae cells and two E . coli strains (K-12 and ML), including a mutant deficient in the H+-translocating ATPase and a pleiotropically energy-uncoupled mutant with a normal ATPase, had the same PMF during aerobic exponential phase . During anaerobic growth, however, both species had delta psi values equal to 0 . Therefore, the PMF in anaerobic cells consisted only of the delta pH component, which was 75 mV or less in cells growing at pH 6.2 or greater . These data thus met the expectation that cells deriving metabolic energy from respiration have a PMF above a threshold value of about 200 mV when the ATPase functions in the direction of H+ influx and ATP synthesis; in fermenting cells, a PMF below a threshold value was expected since the enzyme functions in the direction of H+ extrusion and ATP hydrolysis . K . pneumoniae cells growing anaerobically had no delta psi whether the N source added was N2, NH+4 or one of several amino acids; the delta pH was unaffected . Therefore, any energy cost incurred by the process of nitrogen fixation could not be detected as an alteration of the proton gradient.

Biochem J, 1981 Mar 1, 193(3), 971 - 83
Nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Hydrazine is a product of azide reduction; Dilworth MJ et al.; Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase reduced azide, at 30 degrees C and pH 6.8-8.2, to yield ammonia (NH3), dinitrogen (N2) and hydrazine (N2H4) . Reduction of (15N = 14N = 14N)-followed by mass-spectrometric analysis showed that no new nitrogen-nitrogen bonds were formed . During azide reduction, added 15N2H4 did not contribute 15N to NH3, indicating lack of equilibration between enzyme-bound intermediates giving rise to N2H4 and N2H4 in solution . When azide reduction to N2H4 was partially inhibited by 15N2, label appeared in NH3 but not in N2H4 . Product balances combined with the labelling data indicate that azide is reduced according to the following equations: (formula: see text); N2 was a competitive inhibitor and CO a non-competitive inhibitor of azide reduction to N2H4 . The percentage of total electron flux used for H2 evolution concomitant with azide reduction fell from 26% at pH 6.8 to 0% at pH 8.2 . Pre-steady-state kinetic data suggest that N2H4 is formed by the cleavage of the alpha-beta nitrogen-nitrogen bond to bound azide to leave a nitride (= N) intermediate that subsequently yields NH3.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1981 Mar, 249(1), 53 - 62
{Influence of antibiotics on the phagocytosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages (author's transl)}; Undeutsch C et al.; The effect of gentamicin and cephalothin on the phagocytosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages of guinea pigs was tested . At their minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) the antibiotics did not influence the uptake of bacteria by macrophages in the presence of various antibody titers . As expected, the number of surviving bacteria after intracellular ingestion decreased at MBC of the antibiotics . The uptake of bacteria was inhibited by very high concentrations of gentamicin and cephalothin only . The intracellular killing of the bacteria was already higher in the presence of relatively low antibiotic concentrations (one third of the minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC) as compared to the killing without antibiotics . Above this levels, even if they were considerably higher than the MIC, the antibiotics had no additional effect on the number of bacteria surviving after ingestion . These findings indicate that concentrations above one third of the MIC of gentamicin or cephalothin are not necessarily of advantage for the effect of macrophages on the bacteria, provided that sufficient levels of antibodies are also present.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1981 Mar, 249(1), 43 - 52
{Influence of antibodies on the phagocytosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages (author's transl)}; Undeutsch C et al.; Phagocytosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages of guinea pigs was investigated . Lavage of guinea pig lungs yielded a cell suspension of approximately 85% alveolar macrophages . The remaining cells were predominantly lymphocytes and a few polymorphonuclear leucocytes . After incubation for 5 hours at 37 degrees C the macrophages adhered to the glass surface whereas leucocytes could be washed away . This resulted in a pure culture of macrophages containing 95-98% living cells . Specific antibodies to phenol-water extracts of K . pneumoniae were induced in rabbits . These antisera increased the rate of uptake of the bacteria by macrophages at least 35-fold as compared to macrophages without added antiserum . Preimmunization sera of rabbits also increased the uptake of bacteria by macrophages but by far less than hyperimmune sera . A very sensitive Enzyme-Immuno-Assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to the phenol-water extracts of K . pneumoniae was developed . Low levels of antibodies were demonstrated in the pre-immunization sera of rabbits by ELISA but not by the tube agglutination test . These low antibody titers could explain the increased uptake of the bacteria by alveolar macrophages in the presence of preimmunization sera . The influence of complement components on phagocytosis in our sera was small and was therefore not studied in any detail.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Mar, 145(3), 1459 - 62
Properties of the lactose transport system in Klebsiella sp . strain CT-1; Imai K et al.; Highly purified {D-glucose-1-14C}lactose has been used to study the transport of lactose by Klebsiella sp . strain CT-1 . Strain CT-1 transports lactose by a lactose-inducible system that exhibited an apparent Km of 6 mM lactose and an apparent Vmax of 140 nmol/min per mg of cell protein . Lactose uptake was inhibited competitively by o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactoside with a Ki value of 8 mM, but was not inhibited by thio-beta-methyl-galactoside . D-Glucose, D-mannose, 2-deoxyglucose, and alpha-methyl-D-glucoside also inhibited lactose uptake . Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent hydrolysis of o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactoside and lactose-dependent release of pyruvate from phosphoenolpyruvate by benzene-treated CT-1 cells showed that CT-1 transports lactose by a phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system . Correlations between the growth rate of CT-1 on lactose and properties of the transport system indicated that transport is the rate limiting step in utilization of lactose.

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