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