Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1989 Dec, 68(6), 770 - 2 Evaluation of antimicrobial activity in vitro of ten root canal sealers on Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans; Barkhordar RA; The antimicrobial activity of ten root canal sealers was studied on Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans . One hundred plates of trypticase soy agar-sheep red blood cell (10%), each with four distinct 3 mm diameter wells, were divided into two groups of 50 by means of the Lawn technique; one group was inoculated with S . sanguis and the other with S . mutans . Four milligrams of each root canal sealer was placed in each of three wells in 10 plates (five plates of each inoculant); the fourth well was left empty as a control site . Plates were incubated at 37 degrees C and checked after 2, 7, and 14 days . All root canal sealers inhibited growth of both organisms . The inhibitory zones for S . sanguis were larger than inhibitory zones for S . mutans for all tested sealers, except Diaket . Dentinol, Kerr, and Tubliseal had significantly more inhibitory effect on S . sanguis than did other tested sealers (p less than 0.05) . Diaket had superior inhibition on S . mutans. Arch Dermatol, 1989 Dec, 125(12), 1658 - 61 Microbiology of infected epidermal cysts; Brook I; Specimens from 231 epidermal cyst abscesses were inoculated on media supportive for growth of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria . Of these, 192 yielded bacterial growth . Aerobic or facultative bacteria only were recovered in 84 specimens (44%), anaerobic bacteria only in 57 specimens (30%), and mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in 51 specimens (26%) . A total of 315 isolates (162 anaerobes and 153 aerobes) were recovered . An average of 0.8 aerobic or facultative isolates per infected cyst were recovered, and this number was unrelated to the cysts' anatomic sites . However, the number of anaerobic bacteria varied; they were isolated more frequently in perirectal (1.5 isolates per specimen), vulvovaginal (1.4), and head (1.1) infections, and less frequently in trunk (0.7) and extremities (0.4) infections . The predominant aerobic or facultative bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (81 isolates), group A streptococcus (9 isolates), and Escherichia coli (7 isolates) . The predominant anaerobic organisms were Peptostreptococcus species (85 isolates) and Bacteroides species (55 isolates, including 12 Bacteroides melaninogenicus and 9 Bacteroides fragilis groups) . The study highlights the polymicrobial nature and predominance of anaerobes in cyst abscesses in the perirectal, vulvovaginal, and head areas. Infect Immun, 1989 Dec, 57(12), 3940 - 4 Bacteroides loeschei PK1295 cells express two distinct adhesins simultaneously; London J et al.; Bacteroides loeschei synthesizes two distinct adhesins that mediate its coaggregation with Streptococcus sanguis 34 and Actinomyces israeli PK14 . Streptococcal adhesin-specific and actinomyces adhesin-specific monoclonal antibodies were used to prepare antibody-coated 5- or 10-nm gold particles . These were used in immunoelectron microscopic studies to establish that essentially all bacteroides cells in a population express both adhesins . In general, the two sizes of gold particles representing each type of adhesin appeared to be spatially separated on neighboring fimbriae of B . loeschei . Deposition of antibody-coated gold particles, representing both types of adhesin, at or near the same fimbria was observed less frequently. Infect Immun, 1989 Dec, 57(12), 3846 - 50 A method for allelic replacement that uses the conjugative transposon Tn916: deletion of the emm6.1 allele in Streptococcus pyogenes JRS4; Norgren M et al.; The emm6.1 allele of Streptococcus pyogenes JRS4 was deleted by using the conjugative transposon Tn916 . The aphA-3 gene, conferring resistance to kanamycin, was cloned between the sequences flanking the structural gene for the type 6 M protein (emm6.1) and inserted into the BstXI site of Tn916 to generate the chimeric transposon Tn916-5K3 . Because the BstXI site lies in a nonessential region of Tn916, the chimeric transposon could transfer by conjugation from Bacillus subtilis into JRS4 . In some of the transconjugants, Tn916-5K3 replaced the emm6.1 locus of JRS4 by homologous recombination between the cloned emm6.1-flanking regions and the resident chromosome . One recombinant studied in detail, JRS75, was kanamycin resistant and tetracycline sensitive and lacked immunologically detectable M6 protein . Furthermore, by Southern blot analysis, the DNA region encompassing the emm6.1 structural gene was found to have been replaced by aphA-3. Infect Immun, 1989 Dec, 57(12), 3715 - 9 Molecular epidemiologic analysis of the type A streptococcal exotoxin (erythrogenic toxin) gene (speA) in clinical Streptococcus pyogenes strains; Yu CE et al.; A molecular epidemiology analysis was performed with over 440 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes obtained from 11 different countries in order to determine the frequency of occurrence of the type A streptococcal exotoxin (erythrogenic toxin) gene (speA) among group A strains . The colony hybridization technique employing a specific internal fragment of the speA gene was used for initial screening, and all positive results were further confirmed by the Southern hybridization technique . Among over 300 general strains obtained from patients with a variety of diseases, except scarlet fever (such as tonsillitis, impetigo, cellulitis, pyoderma, abscess, rheumatic fever, and glomerulonephritis), 15% were found to contain the speA gene . Among a group of 146 strains obtained from individuals described as having scarlet fever, 45% were shown to contain the speA gene . Further analysis of the data indicated that strains with certain M- or T-type surface antigens showed a higher (such as M and T types 1 and 3/13) or lower (such as M2, M12, T4, T5, and T28) tendency to contain the speA gene . No correlation was found between speA content of a strain and the ability to cause a specific disease, although strains possessing the speA gene were more likely to be associated with scarlet fever and rheumatic fever than with other types of disease. J Osaka Univ Dent Sch, 1989 Dec, 29, 65 - 71 Effect of several resin monomers on water insoluble glucan formation by glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus sobrinus; Kawai K et al.; The cause or mechanism by which more plaque tend to accumulate on composite resins than on any other restorative materials has yet to be sufficiently explained . The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible mechanism by clarifying the effects of several monomers on the glucosyltransferase activity from Streptococcus sobrinus . The following results were obtained . In the individual resin monomers, di-, tri- and tetra-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (2G, 3G and 4G), Bis-GMA and UDMA showed a stimulatory tendency of water insoluble glucan (WIG) formation . However, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (IG), polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (9G and 14G), and MMA diminished the synthesis of water soluble glucan as the concentration of monomers was increased . In addition, the eluate from experimental resin consisted of IG and Bis-GMA decreased the production of WIG when compared to that from 3G and Bis-GMA based resin . These results indicated that it was possible to develop a composite resin which inhibits plaque accumulation by using some antienzymatic monomers. Infect Immun, 1989 Dec, 57(12), 3945 - 8 Spontaneous switching of the sucrose-promoted colony phenotype in Streptococcus sanguis; Tardif G et al.; Streptococcus sanguis on media containing 3% sucrose gives rise to characteristic hard cohesive colonies (designated Spp+) . Populations of Spp+ bacteria (strain Challis) on sucrose media switch to a soft noncohesive phenotype (designated Spp-) at a frequency of 10(-4) to 10(-3) . Spp- bacteria switch back to Spp+ bacteria at a similar frequency . Successive rounds of Spp variation were observed . The Spp phenotypic switch was associated with changes in extracellular glucosyltransferase activity. J Card Surg, 1989 Dec, 4(4), 348 - 51 Bioprosthetic versus mechanical valve replacement in patients with infective endocarditis; Reul GJ et al.; During the 5-year period, 1979-1984, at the Texas Heart Institute, 4,598 patients underwent cardiac valve replacement procedures of which 185 were for acute infective endocarditis . Staphylococcus and streptococcus accounted for 80% of the cases and congestive heart failure was a leading indication in 63% . The purpose of this article is to evaluate the recurrence of endocarditis dependent upon whether the patient had an Ionescu-Shiley bioprosthetic pericardial valve or a mechanical valve (St . Jude Medical) . Actuarial freedom from both early and late reoperation was higher for prosthetic valves than bioprosthetic valve patients . We conclude that mechanical valves are the valves of choice in acute infective endocarditis which apparently is the results of less biologic tissue available for exposure to infection by the offending organisms. J Card Surg, 1989 Dec, 4(4), 310 - 2 Infective endocarditis in children: the changing profile; Kaplan EL; This article discusses the principles for diagnosis and treatment of infective endocarditis in children . There has generally been a consistent volume of streptococcus endocarditis, the major lesion in pediatric endocarditis, but there has been an increase in Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis as well as neonatal endocarditis . Neonatal endocarditis is a severe form of the disease. Thorax, 1989 Dec, 44(12), 1031 - 5 Prediction of microbial aetiology at admission to hospital for pneumonia from the presenting clinical features . British Thoracic Society Pneumonia Research Subcommittee; Farr BM et al.; The selection of initial antimicrobial treatment in a patient with community acquired pneumonia is an important clinical decision . Because this decision is usually made before the results of specific microbiological tests are available, we attempted to determine how well the presenting clinical features would allow prediction of microbial aetiology in 441 adults admitted to hospital with pneumonia . Five of 90 variable available on admission were selected for inclusion in a multivariate discriminant function analysis because of their strong association with one or more of the major aetiological subsets (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, "other," and undetermined) . These variables were age, number of days ill before admission, presence or absence of bloody sputum and of lobar infiltration on chest radiograph, and white blood cell count . The microbial aetiology was correctly predicted by this discriminant function analysis in only 42% of cases, which gives a quantitative estimate of the degree of difficulty encountered in determining the microbial aetiology at the time of admission for pneumonia . When a similar discriminant function analysis was applied to the third of patients in whom the microbial aetiology was never determined, most of these cases were predicted to be due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Dec, 135 ( Pt 12), 3199 - 207 Effect of subculturing on expression of a cell-surface protein antigen by Streptococcus mutans; Koga T et al.; Two freshly isolated strains, Xc and Yc, of Streptococcus mutans serotype c from human dental plaque were subcultured 100 times in Brain Heart Infusion broth . The cell-surface hydrophobicity of strain Xc markedly decreased after subculturing 60 times, but that of strain Yc remained unaltered . Radioimmunoassay showed a close correlation between surface hydrophobicity and the amount of a cell-surface protein antigen (PAc) of Mr 190,000 . One hydrophilic variant (strain Xc100L), one relatively hydrophobic variant (strain Xc100H), and two hydrophobic variants (strains Yc100H1 and Yc100H2) were isolated from the 100-fold subcultures of hydrophobic strains Xc and Yc, respectively . SDS-PAGE showed that the amount of cell-associated and cell-free PAc of strain Xc100L was smaller than that of strains Xc and Xc100H . Strain Yc100H2 produced larger amounts of cell-associated PAc than strains Yc and Yc100H1 . Resting cells of hydrophilic strain Xc100L attached in smaller numbers to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite than did other hydrophobic strains . RNA dot-blot analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in PAc-specific mRNA in strain Xc100L, as compared with strains Xc and Xc100H . Neither rearrangement nor deletion in the structural gene (pac) for PAc of these strains was observed by Southern blot analysis . These findings suggest that a mechanism which regulates the transcription of the pac gene participates in the quantitative variation of PAc after repeated subculturing. Ann Trop Paediatr, 1989 Dec, 9(4), 233 - 9 Hospital-acquired neonatal bacterial meningitis: the impacts of cefotaxime usage on mortality and of amikacin usage on incidence; Coovadia YM et al.; All cases of bacterial meningitis in the neonatal unit at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban for the period 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1987 were reviewed . In particular, we looked at the impact of cefotaxime on mortality rates and amikacin on the incidence of hospital-acquired Gram-negative bacillary (GNB) meningitis . Klebsiella was found to be the commonest cause of neonatal meningitis, followed by Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae . Eighty-four per cent of all cases of GNB meningitis presented more than 3 days after birth, with the vast majority being caused by gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella . A decline in the incidence of meningitis from 1.27/1000 live births in 1981 and 0.95/1000 for the period 1981-1986 to 0.22/1000 live births in 1987, with no cases of Klebsiella meningitis being seen in that year, coincided with the exclusive use of amikacin as the parenteral aminoglycoside in place of gentamicin in the unit after August 1986 . The initial decline in the incidence of meningitis from 0.93/1000 in 1985 to 0.46/1000 in 1986 was attributed to the introduction in 1985 of strict hand disinfection measures to prevent cross-infection in the unit . The case mortality rate (CMR) fell from 0.65 for the period 1981-1984 to 0.42 for the period 1985-1987, and we believe this was largely a result of the introduction of cefotaxime in 1984 as first-line therapy for GNB meningitis, together with better patient care facilities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Dec, 27(12), 2633 - 6 Description of 14 new capsular types of Streptococcus suis; Gottschalk M et al.; Fourteen new capsular types of Streptococcus suis (types 9 to 22) are described . All reference strains are morphologically and biochemically similar to types previously described . Reference strain types 9 to 13, 15, 16, and 22 were isolated from diseased pigs, whereas types 17 to 19 and 21 came from clinically healthy pigs; type 14 was isolated from a human case of meningitis, and type 20 was isolated from a diseased calf . The group T streptococcus of de Moor has been included in the typing system as type 15 . Two-way cross-reactions between types 6 and 16 and a one-way cross-reaction between types 2 and 22 have been demonstrated . In addition, several cross-reactions probably not due to capsular material were detected among different types by using the coagglutination test . This test should not be used alone; weak or multiple positive reactions must be confirmed by the capsular reaction test or the capillary precipitation test. Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1989 Nov 30, 23(1-2), 85 - 101 Influence of technical parameters on the in vitro motility of equine neutrophils in the presence of streptococcal culture supernatant; Blancquaert AB et al.; To identify the influence of technical factors on the in vitro motility of equine neutrophils towards streptococcus culture supernatant in an under-agarose assay, we studied the changes in eight cell migration parameters . The distances the phagocytes travelled by directed, random and spontaneous migration increased with incubation time, cell concentration and the gelatin and serum contents of the migration plates . The contribution of chemotaxis to the phagocyte migrations, however, decreased simultaneously . The directed and random, though not the spontaneous, migrations of the phagocytes increased also when the chemoattractant wells were placed closer to the cell wells but so did the influence of the chemokinetic activity of the bacterial culture supernatant on phagocyte motility . In contrast, preincubation of migration plates with the chemoattractant, the agarose content of the migration plates and contamination of the granulocytes with non-migrating, mononuclear cells did not substantially affect the in vitro migrations of the neutrophils . The changes in the in vitro motility of the equine neutrophils by these technical factors were, in general, comparable to those reported for human cells attracted by a variety of host-and bacteria-derived chemoattractants. J Biol Chem, 1989 Nov 25, 264(33), 19893 - 7 Transglycosylation and transfer reaction activities of endo-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase from Diplococcus (Streptococcus) pneumoniae; Bardales RM et al.; Endo-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase from Diplococcus pneumoniae was shown to have transglycosylation and transfer reaction (reversed hydrolysis) activities . Treatment of asialoglycoproteins having Gal beta 1----3GalNAc alpha 1----Ser/Thr linkages with enzyme preparations containing glycerol resulted in formation of nonreducing trisaccharides . The structure of the main trisaccharide (approximately 80%) was deduced to be Gal beta 1----3GalNAc alpha 1----1(3)-glycerol by analysis of sugar composition and the results of exoglycosidase treatment and periodate oxidation . The ability of the endoglycosidase to catalyze transfer of Gal beta 1----3GalNAc to various acceptors was also demonstrated by incubation of the enzyme with the disaccharide and the test compound . The following were found to show acceptor activity: glycerol, Tris, p-nitrophenol, threonine, serine, D-glucose, D-galactose, D-fucose, and 6-O-methylgalactose . Transfer to the primary hydroxyl groups of glycerol and hexoses appears to be favored since the major glycerol product was 1(3)-substituted and transfer to D-fucose and 6-O-methyl-D-galactose was less than that to D-galactose . In order to avoid spurious results, it is necessary to carry out incubations with this enzyme in the absence of glycerol and other hydroxy compounds . The potential use of this endoglycosidase in the synthesis of glycosides is indicated by our studies. Thromb Haemost, 1989 Nov 24, 62(3), 1029 - 33 Procoagulant activity of endocardial vegetations and blood monocytes in rabbits with Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis; Buiting AG et al.; To investigate activation of the coagulation system in bacterial endocarditis, we determined the procoagulant activity of blood monocytes isolated from rabbits with Streptococcus sanguis-infected or sterile catheter-induced endocardial vegetations . This activity was determined directly after isolation from the peripheral blood and after stimulation in vitro by either endotoxin or by phagocytosis of S . sanguis . The procoagulant activity of the vegetations of these rabbits was also determined . The procoagulant activity of blood monocytes of rabbits with S . sanguis endocarditis was found to be similar to the activity of monocytes of rabbits with sterile vegetations, both at the time of isolation and after stimulation in vitro by exposure to endotoxin or phagocytosis of bacteria . The procoagulant activity of infected vegetations was significantly higher than that of sterile vegetations . We conclude that in bacterial endocarditis the coagulation system is activated locally at the site of the vegetation . Triggering probably occurs by thromboplastin generated by monocytes activated by phagocytosis of bacteria on the vegetational surface. FEBS Lett, 1989 Nov 20, 258(1), 127 - 32 Sequence analysis of the cloned streptococcal cell surface antigen I/II; Kelly C et al.; The gene spa P (formerly designated as spa P1) encoding the Mr 185,000 surface antigen (I/II) of Streptococcus mutans, serotype c (NG5), has been sequenced . The gene (4683 bp) encodes a protein of 1561 amino acid residues including putative signal peptide (residues 1-38) and transmembrane (residues 1537-1556) sequences . The N-terminal region (60-550) has alanine-rich repeats and is predicted to be alpha-helical . However, the C-terminal region (800-1540) is proline-rich and favours an extended structure . Except for a short central variable region the sequences appear to be highly conserved for S . mutans serotype c . N-Terminal sequencing of separated antigen I and antigen II polypeptides suggests that the former represents the N-terminal and the latter the C-terminal portions of the intact antigen. Biochemistry, 1989 Nov 14, 28(23), 9172 - 8 General mechanism for the bacterial toxicity of hypochlorous acid: abolition of ATP production; Barrette WC Jr et al.; The adenylate energy charges (EC) of Escherichia coli 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853, and Streptococcus lactis 7962 rapidly fell in nutrient-rich media from values in excess of 0.9 to below 0.1 when the organisms were exposed to lethal levels of HOCl . The same cells maintained in energy-depleted states were incapable of attaining normal EC values necessary for biosynthesis and growth when challenged with nutrient energy sources after HOCl exposure . These changes correlated quantitatively with loss of replicative capabilities . Initial rates of transport of glucose, succinate, and various amino acids that act as respiratory substrates and the ATP hydrolase activity of the F1 complex from the ATP synthase of E . coli 25922 also declined in parallel with or preceded loss of viability . These results establish that cellular death is accompanied by complete disruption of bacterial ATP production by both oxidative and fermentative pathways as a consequence of inhibition of inner membrane bound systems responsible for these processes. J Immunol Methods, 1989 Nov 13, 124(1), 131 - 5 Isolation of immunoglobulin G by affinity chromatography using an IgG Fc receptor protein from Streptococcus dysgalactiae coupled to a solid phase; Lammler C et al.; A culture of Streptococcus dysgalactiae (C 26) was shown to bind only to 125I-IgG, whereas another S . dysgalactiae culture (C 12) bound both 125I-IgG and 125I-albumin . The IgG-binding proteins could be readily solubilized by lysozyme treatment of the bacteria and isolated by affinity chromatography on IgG Sepharose . The purified IgG-binding protein from S . dysgalactiae C 26, which lacked simultaneous albumin binding activity, precipitated with IgG preparations from man, cow, horse, pig and mouse but not with chicken IgG . This IgG-binding protein was coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose and subsequently used for the purification of IgG from both bovine and human serum . SDS-PAGE and immunoelectrophoretic studies confirmed the purity of the eluted proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Nov, 86(22), 8842 - 6 Horizontal transfer of penicillin-binding protein genes in penicillin-resistant clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Dowson CG et al.; Resistance to penicillin in clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae has occurred by the development of altered penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) that have greatly decreased affinity for the antibiotic . We have investigated the origins of penicillin-resistant strains by comparing the sequences of the transpeptidase domain of PBP2B from 6 penicillin-sensitive and 14 penicillin-resistant strains . In addition we have sequenced part of the amylomaltase gene from 2 of the sensitive and 6 of the resistant strains . The sequences of the amylomaltase gene of all of the strains and of the PBP2B gene of the penicillin-sensitive strain show that S . pneumoniae is genetically very uniform . In contrast the PBP2B genes of the penicillin-resistant strains show approximately equal to 14% sequence divergence from those of the penicillin-sensitive strains and the development of penicillin resistance has involved the replacement, presumably by transformation, of the original PBP2B gene by a homologous gene from an unknown source . This genetic event has occurred on at least two occasions, involving different sources, to produce the two classes of altered PBP2B genes found in penicillin-resistant strains of S . pneumoniae . There is considerable variation among the PBP2B genes of the resistant strains that may have arisen by secondary transformation events accompanied by mismatch repair subsequent to their original introductions into S . pneumoniae. J Immunol, 1989 Nov 1, 143(9), 3049 - 53 Nonionic block polymer surfactants enhance the avidity of antibodies in polyclonal antisera against Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 in normal and Xid mice; Van Dam GJ et al.; Avidities of antibody (sub)classes in polyclonal antisera against Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 (S3) can be (semi) quantitatively determined with a specific inhibition ELISA . A hexasaccharide was isolated from the hydrolyzed S3 capsular polysaccharide and coupled to a protein-carrier . Mixtures containing these conjugates and nonionic block polymer (NBP) surfactants were used for immunization . After various immunizations of these conjugates without NBP the anti-S3 specific antibodies of IgM and IgG2a isotype decreased in both antibody level and avidity . The adjuvants NBP 1501 and L121 not only enhanced the hexasaccharide-protein induced IgM and IgG antibody levels but also clearly increased the avidity of the two antibody (sub)classes IgM and IgG2a . This effect was observed in normal (data not shown) and X-linked immunodefective mice . A maturation of the IgG antibody response was realized by the second immunization with hexasaccharide-protein conjugate whereas the third immunization showed no further increase in antibody level and avidity. Infect Immun, 1989 Nov, 57(11), 3560 - 9 Biochemical characterization and evaluation of virulence of a fructosyltransferase-deficient mutant of Streptococcus mutans V403; Schroeder VA et al.; The Streptococcus mutans extracellular fructosyltransferase (FTF) enzyme may play a role in the formation of dental caries by synthesizing a fructan polymer that serves as an extracellular storage polysaccharide . We sought to determine if an FTF-deficient strain of S . mutans was less virulent than wild-type cells in a rat animal model system . Cloned ftf gene sequences from S . mutans GS5 were used to generate a defective copy of the ftf gene by inserting into the ftf coding region a DNA fragment which encoded erythromycin resistance . The plasmid which carried the defective ftf construct was introduced into S . mutans V403 by using genetic transformation . This defective construct replaced, by allelic exchange, the wild-type copy of the ftf gene carried on the V403 chromosome . FTF activity assays indicated that the recombinant strain, V1741, was deficient in fructan synthesis . However, extracellular protein preparations from this strain displayed an increased ability to generate glucose polymers (glucans) compared with V403 preparations . Levels of adherence to glass and rat tooth surfaces by strain V1741 were similar to those of the V403 strain . Both strains caused moderate decay on rat tooth surfaces; however, the FTF-deficient strain was less pathogenic compared with the wild-type strain . These results suggest that FTF activity contributes to the pathogenicity of S . mutans V403, possibly by generating extracellular fructans which serve as storage compounds. Infect Immun, 1989 Nov, 57(11), 3306 - 13 Construction and characterization of isogenic mutants of Streptococcus mutans deficient in major surface protein antigen P1 (I/II); Lee SF et al.; The gene (spaP) coding for the Streptococcus mutans major surface protein antigen P1 (or I/II) has been cloned into Escherichia coli (S . F . Lee, A . Progulske-Fox, and A . S . Bleiweis, Infect . Immun . 56:2114-2119, 1988) . In the present study, this gene has been disrupted in vitro by insertional inactivation with pVA981, which carries a Tcr marker, and transformed into S . mutans NG8 (serotype c) by electroporation . Upon homologous recombination, the defective spaP was integrated into the genome as demonstrated by Southern hybridization analysis . One Tcr mutant, designated 834, selected by its nonreactivity with anti-P1 monoclonal antibodies, was found to lack the cell surface fuzzy layer which was clearly present on the parent cells . Analysis of extracellular fluids, sodium dodecyl sulfate-solubilized membranes, and cytoplasmic fractions by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that 834 had protein profiles identical to the parent . However, a 185-kilodalton protein which reacts with anti-P1 antibodies was missing from the wall of 834, suggesting that spaP has been specifically inactivated . This mutant displayed levels of glucosyltransferase and fructosyltransferase activities similar to those of the parent . It was much less hydrophobic than the parent . S . mutans NG8 aggregated readily in the presence of clarified whole saliva or a high-molecular-weight salivary agglutinin . This strain also adhered to agglutinin-coated hydroxyapatite . The P1-negative mutants, however, did not display these two properties, suggesting that P1 may play a role in saliva-mediated aggregation and adherence. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1989 Nov, 22(4), 261 - 6 {Comparison of three pigment production media with CAMP and hippurate hydrolysis tests for the identification of beta-streptococcus group B}; Chen CH et al.; Three pigment production media were compared with CAMP and hippurate hydrolysis tests for the identification of beta-Streptococcus group B . A total of 129 clinical isolates of beta-Streptococcus group B and 287 beta-Streptococcus non group B were tested . The results show that sensitivities are: pigment medium, 99.2%, DMS medium, 95.6%, Columbia agar, 92.8%, CAMP test, 96.3%, hippurate hydrolysis test, 97.6% . As for specificities results show: CAMP test, 99.7%, the other tests, 100%; respectively . Pigment medium is a simple, convenient methodology. Minerva Pediatr, 1989 Nov, 41(11), 571 - 6 {A critical review of the methods used in evaluating the antistreptolysin titre as a diagnostic index}; Nattero G et al.; Authors review the most common laboratory tests showing an immunologic response caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus infections . After a preliminary evaluation on characteristics and peculiarities of different methods the results obtained are compared with the usually employed systems . The survey of most common analytical methods and personal experience lead to confirm and emphasize the laboratory results supporting and confirming, without substituting, the clinical data. Fundam Appl Toxicol, 1989 Nov, 13(4), 843 - 58 Immunotoxicity of the semiconductor gallium arsenide in female B6C3F1 mice; Sikorski EE et al.; The effects of gallium arsenide (GaAs) exposure on immunocompetence of B6C3F1 female mice were investigated . GaAs was administered as a single intratracheal instillation at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg . Fourteen days after exposure, various cellular and humoral immune parameters were assessed . GaAs exposure increased spleen cellularity in a dose-dependent manner . However, the percentages of Thy 1.2 positive and Ig positive cells were decreased and that of F4/80 positive cells was increased dose dependently . The IgM and IgG antibody-forming cell response of the spleen to the T-dependent antigen sheep erythrocytes was reduced by 66 and 48%, respectively, at 200 mg/kg . Levels of the serum complement protein, C3, were increased by as much as 16% with no significant change in CH50 levels . The mitogenic response of splenic T cells to Con A and PHA was unaffected by GaAs, but that of B cells to LPS was increased by 52% . The delayed hypersensitivity response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and mixed lymphocyte response were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by GaAs exposure . Natural killer cell activity against the YAC-1 mouse lymphoma was enhanced in treated mice . Analysis of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) revealed a dose-dependent decrease in number and a shift in the composition of PECs . The percentage of PEC monocytes increased from 53% of the population to 81%, while the lymphocytes decreased from 46 to 20% . The adherent PEC population demonstrated decreased phagocytosis of covaspheres and increased phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) . GaAs exposure had no effect on host resistance to Plasmodium yoelii or Streptococcus pneumoniae, but dose dependently increased resistance of the mouse to Listeria monocytogenes . Treated mice demonstrated a significantly decreased resistance to the B16F10 melanoma with a sevenfold increase in tumor burden at 200 mg/kg . GaAs affects both humoral and cellular immune parameters in mice and impairs the ability of the immune system to protect against B16F10 tumor challenge. Pediatr Res, 1989 Nov, 26(5), 420 - 4 Roles of platelet-activating factor and thromboxane in group B Streptococcus-induced pulmonary hypertension in piglets; Pinheiro JM et al.; Platelet-activating factor causes pulmonary hypertension, shock, hypoxemia, neutropenia, and increased pulmonary vascular permeability; some of its effects are due to thromboxane A2 release . Evidence for a possible role of these mediators in the genesis of group B Streptococcus (GBS)-induced pulmonary hypertension was sought using specific receptor antagonists for PAF and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) in anesthetized, ventilated piglets (less than or equal to 12 d of age; n = 22) . Infusion of 1 X 10(8) GBS/kg/min for one hour resulted in a sustained and significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure (PPA) from 17 +/- 1 to 35 +/- 3 torr . Pretreatment with the TxA2 antagonist SQ 29548 (0.75 mg/kg intravenous), completely inhibited the effect of GBS on PPA . Pretreatment with either platelet-activating factor antagonists SRI 63072 (3 mg/kg intravenous) or SRI 63441 (1 mg/kg) did not affect the pulmonary hypertension due to GBS infusion . GBS-induced pulmonary hypertension could be reversed by SQ 29548; SRI 63072 did not affect PPA when administered to pigs with GBS-induced elevation in PPA . Inasmuch as prevention and reversal of GBS-induced pulmonary hypertension are accomplished with the TxA2 antagonist but not with PAF antagonists, these data suggest that TxA2, rather than PAF, is responsible for the early pulmonary hypertension in this model of neonatal GBS sepsis . Therefore, TxA2 antagonists may be clinically useful in treating pulmonary hypertension related to GBS sepsis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1989 Nov, 68(5), 571 - 5 Quantitative bacteriology of a case of acute parotitis; Lewis MA et al.; It is generally assumed that the microorganisms responsible for acute suppurative parotitis are facultative anaerobes, primarily Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans . A quantitative microbiologic investigation of an aspirate of pus from the case we report revealed a microbial flora (5.1 X 10(6) CFU/ml) consisting entirely of strict anaerobes (Fusobacterium nucleatum and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius) . The strain of F . nucleatum was sensitive to metronidazole but resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin, and erythromycin (minimum inhibitory concentration greater than 16 micrograms/ml) . P . anaerobius was sensitive to the antibiotics tested . It is concluded that a high concentration of viable anaerobic bacteria may be present in acute suppurative parotitis and thus pus obtained from cases of sialadenitis should be cultured with microbiologic methods capable of isolating strict anaerobes . Additionally, antibiotic sensitivity should be determined routinely. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Nov, 27(11), 2606 - 8 Eikenella corrodens cellulitis and arthritis of the knee; Flesher SA et al.; Severe cellulitis and septic arthritis due to Eikenella corrodens and a viridans group streptococcus developed following dental manipulation in a patient with a history of hemarthrosis . Correct diagnosis was achieved by recognition of E . corrodens on a culture of a knee aspirate . Antimicrobial (ampicillin) therapy resulted in a therapeutic response. Int Endod J, 1989 Nov, 22(6), 269 - 77 Capacity of anaerobic bacteria enclosed in a simulated root canal to induce inflammation; Wu MK et al.; In an effort to simulate the infected dental root canal, bacteria were enclosed in polyethylene tubes that were subcutaneously implanted into rats . Four different bacterial combinations, selected from nine oral species, were tested . The contents of 144 inoculated and implanted 'root canals' were analysed after 2 and 4 weeks of implantation . Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Actinomyces and Fusobacterium were inoculated in low numbers but dominated the mixed flora at the end of the experiment . The bacteria-filled tubes induced inflammation of the rat tissue at the implant opening ('foramen') . It is confirmed that mixed bacterial populations survive, show succession and develop within an enclosed environment . Such florae cause significant inflammation at the interface with the host tissues. Arch Inst Cardiol Mex, 1989 Nov-Dec, 59(6), 607 - 10 {Infectious endocarditis in a healthy valve, arising from another valve}; Guadalajara-Boo JF et al.; We report a case of isolated aortic regurgitation complicated by active infective endocarditis with streptococcus viridans as causative organism . The affected structure was a previous normal mitral valve. Jpn J Antibiot, 1989 Nov, 42(11), 2406 - 11 {Study on cefotaxime in respiratory surgery: transfer to lung tissue and kinetics in serum}; Morita J et al.; Cefotaxime (CTX) was intravenously administered in a dose of 1 g to patients just prior to lung surgery . Lung tissue specimens were collected at 1, 2 and 3 hours after the CTX administration, and the concentration of CTX in each specimen was determined . At the same time, the concentration of CTX in the serum was also measured . The results are summarized below . 1 . Determination of the CTX concentration in the lung tissue using bioassay showed values of 3.78 +/- 1.93 micrograms/g at 1 hour after CTX administration, 1.91 +/- 0.92 microgram/g at 2 hours, and 1.19 +/- 1.04 micrograms/g at 3 hours . 2 . Determination of the CTX concentration in the serum using bioassay showed values of 36.9 +/- 14.4 micrograms/ml at 30 minutes after CTX administration, 22.5 +/- 10.5 micrograms/ml at 1 hour, 12.8 +/- 6.32 micrograms/ml at 2 hours, 8.52 +/- 5.54 micrograms/ml at 3 hours, and 3.98 +/- 3.19 micrograms/ml at 6 hours . The serum half-life was calculated to be 1.82 hours . 3 . The CTX concentration of 3.78 +/- 1.93 micrograms/g in the lung tissue at 1 hour after CTX administration was more than 10 times higher than the MIC80 values for Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC80 less than or equal to 0.025 microgram/ml) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (0.05 micrograms/ml), 2 of the principal causative organisms of respiratory tract infections . The pattern of change in concentrations of CTX in the serum of these surgical patients was concluded to be similar to the pattern in healthy adult subjects . On the basis of the results summarized above, it appears that CTX is a useful antimicrobial agent for application in the field of respiratory surgery. Indian J Med Res, 1989 Nov, 89, 381 - 3 Adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to buccal epithelial cells of smokers & non-smokers; Mahajan B et al.; In vitro adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to buccal epithelial cells was assessed among smokers (51.9 +/- 20.8) and non-smokers (24.7 +/- 9.6) and found to be significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in smokers . The higher incidence of respiratory tract infection in smokers may be related to the enhanced adherence and better colonization of this bacterium in the throat. Infection, 1989 Nov-Dec, 17(6), 385 - 7 Endocarditis caused by Gemella haemolysans; Kaufhold A et al.; Gemella haemolysans, a coccus related to the "Streptococcaceae", was isolated from the blood of a patient with endocarditis . The patient was successfully treated with a combination of penicillin G and tobramycin, followed by clindamycin . The taxonomy of this organism, especially its relationship to "Streptococcus morbillorum" is discussed and previously reported cases of Gemella infections are reviewed. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Nov, 53(1-2), 187 - 92 Infection of Streptococcus oralis NCTC 11427 by pneumococcal phages; Ronda C et al.; We have found a group of pneumococcal bacteriophages (Cp-1, Cp-7) that can successfully infect and replicate in Streptococcus oralis, whereas Dp-1 was unable to infect this species . We have also developed conditions that allowed transfection of S . oralis using Dp-1 DNA . Our results support the direct involvement of the phage-coded lysins in the liberation of the phage progeny from infected S . oralis cells . Since S . oralis and S . pneumoniae are bacteria that share the same ecological niche in humans, the availability of the system described here should allow to extend our current studies on the modular organization of the lytic enzymes and might serve as a tool to study the evolutionary relationships between host and parasite. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Nov, 53(1-2), 113 - 8 DNA uptake in competent Streptococcus pneumoniae requires ATP and is regulated by cytoplasmic pH; Clave C et al.; DNA uptake in competent Streptococcus pneumoniae was strongly dependent on intracellular pH . Ionophore treatments that either acidified or alkalinized the cytoplasm reduced DNA transport . This indicates that the optimum pH for DNA uptake corresponds to the intracellular pH of competent bacteria which is 8.3 +/- 0.2 . In addition, the ATP pool of the bacteria appeared to be a critical parameter in the process . The pattern of inhibition by arsenate, when the culture was treated at different steps of the competence cycle, suggested firstly, that a threshold ATP level was required to trigger transport and secondly, an ATP requirement for the process itself . This may indicate an ATP involvement in the activation of an uptake machinery functioning at the expense of ATP. West J Med, 1989 Nov, 151(5), 520 - 4 Epiglottitis--an increasing problem for adults; Sheikh KH et al.; In a 2-year period, 9 adults were admitted to hospital with acute epiglottitis confirmed by direct laryngoscopy or lateral neck radiograph, or both . The mean age was 53 +/- 14 years, with acute epiglottitis occurring in 89% during the months of September to March . Intubation was required in 4 patients . The duration of symptoms was 7.8 +/- 2.4 hours for intubated patients versus 18.8 +/- 8.9 hours for those not intubated . For 6 patients an incorrect diagnosis was made on their first presentation . All 8 patients having laryngoscopy had typical findings, and none had respiratory obstruction precipitated by the procedure . In 5 patients blood cultures were positive, 4 for Hemophilus influenzae type b, and 1 for Streptococcus pneumoniae . In 2 patients the H influenzae was ampicillin-resistant . All patients recovered after receiving parenteral steroid therapy and appropriate antibiotics. Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 983 - 7 Multiple hepatic abscesses caused by Streptococcus milleri in association with an intrauterine device; Gelfand MS et al.; We report a case of Streptococcus milleri bacteremia and multiple hepatic abscesses secondary to an intrauterine device and a tuboovarian abscess . Hepatic abscess as a complication of an intrauterine device has previously been reported only once, with Actinomyces israelii as the causative agent . Our patient's hepatic abscesses were cured with medical therapy. J Periodontol, 1989 Nov, 60(11), 624 - 7 Caries on root surfaces exposed following gingivectomy in conventional rats infected with Streptococcus sobrinus and Actinomyces viscosus; Firestone AR et al.; To study the ability of bacteria associated with coronal caries to initiate root surface caries, a rat model was used . Root surfaces were exposed by gingivectomy in rats fed a caries-promoting diet and orally inoculated with either Actinomyces viscosus M-100, Streptococcus sobrinus (mutans) 6715, or both . A fourth group received a diet containing antibiotics . The animals were sacrificed 64 days following the gingivectomy performed on the right molar quadrants . Gingivectomy significantly increased exposed lingual root length and root caries incidence . There were no caries on non-gingivectomy root surfaces . Root surface caries incidence in the groups inoculated with A . viscosus and A . viscosus plus S . sobrinus did not differ . For both these groups, root caries incidence was significantly greater than that for the group inoculated with S . sobrinus alone . Root caries incidence in this latter group did not differ from that in the control group. J Pathol, 1989 Nov, 159(3), 245 - 53 Abnormal alveolar epithelial repair associated with failure of resolution in experimental streptococcal pneumonia; Rhodes GC et al.; We describe an experimental model in Wistar rats of non-resolving bronchopneumonia evoked by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 25 . In contrast to a model of resolving streptococcal pneumonia that we have previously described, morphological studies reveal that in this model, there is significant early damage to type 1 pneumocytes which progresses to necrosis, leaving isolated areas of denuded alveolar basement membrane . Furthermore, there is accompanying degeneration and necrosis of a proportion of the type 2 pneumocytes, and alveolar epithelial repair by proliferation and differentiation of these cells appears to be retarded . Isolated, hypertrophic, and hyperplastic foci of type 2 pneumocytes persist as the acute inflammatory response subsides, and organization progresses with proliferation and emigration of fibroblasts into the lumina of alveoli and terminal bronchioles . The resultant lesion is morphologically indistinguishable from bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia . We hypothesize that the abnormal outcome in this model of pneumonia is a consequence of the failure of proliferating type 2 pneumocytes to transform into type 1 pneumocytes and thus maintain the integrity of the alveolar epithelial surface. Infect Immun, 1989 Nov, 57(11), 3527 - 33 Nucleotide sequence analysis of a type 1 fimbrial gene of Streptococcus sanguis FW213; Fenno JC et al.; A structural gene for type 1 fimbriae of Streptococcus sanguis FW213 was located within a 6-kilobase fragment cloned in Escherichia coli . A 1.6-kilobase internal fragment contains an open reading frame of 927 bases coding for an immunoreactive peptide of 34,349 daltons, which corresponds in size with an observed cytoplasmic form of fimbrial peptide (P . M . Fives-Taylor, F . L . Macrina, T . J . Pritchard, and S . J . Peene, Infect . Immun . 55:123-128, 1987) . Disruption of the reading frame by insertional mutagenesis results in loss of immunoreactivity . Consensus sequences for initiation of transcription and translation were identified 5' to the coding region . Transcription terminator-like sequences were found downstream of the coding region . The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned fimbrial peptide shows a strongly hydrophobic signal sequence at the amino terminus . The carboxyl-terminal region does not include a hydrophobic membrane anchor sequence such as has been reported for other gram-positive surface structures . A hydrophobic region of 12 to 14 amino acids downstream from the putative signal sequence cleavage site exhibits homology with the Streptococcus pyogenes type 6 M protein repetitive region A (S . K . Hollingshead, V . A . Fischetti, and J . R . Scott, J . Biol . Chem., 261:1677-1686, 1986) . Functional homology at the level of protein secondary structure with Actinomyces viscosus T14V type 1 fimbriae (M . K . Yeung, B . M . Chassy, and J . O . Cisar, J . Bacteriol., 169:1678-1683, 1987) is proposed. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Nov, 86(22), 8983 - 7 Definition of a bacterial virulence factor: sialylation of the group B streptococcal capsule; Wessels MR et al.; Sialylation of bacterial capsules has been proposed as an important virulence factor for several species of encapsulated pathogens, including group B Streptococcus . We have constructed a transposon mutant strain of type III group B Streptococcus that expresses a capsular polysaccharide differing from the wild type only in that the mutant strain's capsule lacks sialic acid . The mutant polysaccharide is antigenically identical to the capsular polysaccharide of type 14 Streptococcus pneumoniae, as predicted by the structures of the type III group B Streptococcus and S . pneumoniae polysaccharides . Loss of capsular sialic acid was associated with loss of virulence in the mutant strain in a neonatal rat model of lethal group B Streptococcus infection . These studies demonstrate directly that capsular sialic acid is a critical virulence determinant for type III group B Streptococcus and support the general hypothesis that surface sialylation aids pathogenic microorganisms in evading host defenses. Shika Zairyo Kikai, 1989 Nov, 8(6), 890 - 5 {Inhibition of water insoluble glucan formation by eluate from amalgams}; Kawai K et al.; The effect of the eluate from amalgam on glucan synthesis was investigated in this study in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which plaque accumulation is inhibited on amalgam but not on enamel or composite . Glucosyltransferase (GTase) was prepared from a cultured supernatant of Streptococcus mutans B 13 by the ammonium sulfate precipitation method . Five commercial amalgams were tested . The eluate from amalgams was prepared by immersing the amalgam discs (10 mm dia . x2 mm thick.) into distilled water for 2 weeks . A glucan synthesizing system was compounded using GTase (50 microliters), {14C}-sucrose (100 microliters), distilled water, and the eluate (350 microliters) . After 18 h incubation at 37 degrees C, the formed water insoluble glucan was collected on glass fiber filters and its radioactivity was counted . Moreover, concentrations of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the eluates were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry . The eluates from Dispersalloy and Fluor alloy, which eluted Zn, were the most inhibitory for glucan synthesis . Sybraloy, which released Cu to a much greater degree than the other amalgams and its eluate showed intermediate antienzymatic activity . The other amalgams, Hi-atomic M and Spherical-D, did not effect GTase at all . The results indicated that various amalgams strongly impact inhibition rates of glucan formation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol, 1989 Nov, 1(5), 417 - 22 Deficient intracellular killing of bacteria by murine alveolar macrophages; Nibbering PH et al.; Microbiologic methods were used to assess the in vitro phagocytosis and intracellular killing of various species of bacteria by freshly isolated murine peritoneal and alveolar macrophages . Peritoneal macrophages showed effective phagocytosis of opsonized Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Listeria monocytogenes, and moderate ingestion of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Alveolar macrophages were poor in phagocytosing opsonized S . pyogenes, S . aureus, and E . coli; ingestion of S . pneumoniae, P . aeruginosa, and S . epidermidis was moderate . Peritoneal macrophages killed 40 to 80% of these bacteria intracellularly, but alveolar macrophages showed almost no intracellular killing of bacteria . To find out whether there is a correlation between the poor bactericidal activity of alveolar macrophages and the oxygen-dependent microbicidal mechanisms of these cells, we determined the uptake of oxygen and the release of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide by macrophages at rest and after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or opsonized S . aureus . Upon exposure to these stimuli, peritoneal macrophages, but not alveolar macrophages, showed an increased uptake of oxygen and release of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide . Because alveolar macrophages contain surface active material (SAM), we investigated the phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria and the release of hydrogen peroxide by peritoneal macrophages pretreated with SAM . The results showed reduced phagocytosis and impaired intracellular killing of S . epidermidis by these macrophages . The release of hydrogen peroxide by SAM-pretreated peritoneal macrophages upon stimulation with PMA or opsonized S . aureus was equal to that of the control peritoneal macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Dairy Res, 1989 Nov, 56(5), 719 - 25 Changes in milk plasminogen, plasmin and in vitro bacterial growth in whey during early lactation; Kaartinen L et al.; The activity of milk plasmin, plasminogen and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAGase) and the trypsin-inhibitor capacity (TIC) were monitored in 40 quarters during the first month of lactation . TIC and NAGase activity decreased rapidly and plasmin activity more slowly during the first week . Conversely milk plasminogen increased as time elapsed from parturition . When the quality of whey was analysed as a growth medium for mastitis pathogens, a slight inhibition in the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae was seen at the day of parturition . There was a distinct stimulatory effect on the growth of Str . agalactiae during the second week of lactation . No relationship was found between in vitro bacterial growth and respective plasmin or plasminogen activity in milk. J Med Chem, 1989 Nov, 32(11), 2450 - 60 Synthesis and biological properties of N63-carboxamides of teicoplanin antibiotics . Structure-activity relationships; Malabarba A et al.; The condensation of the carboxyl function of teicoplanin A2 (CTA) and its acidic hydrolysis pseudoaglycons (TB, TC) and aglycon (TD) with amines carrying various functional groups and chains produced amide derivatives with different isoelectric points and lipophilicities . Amide formation did not affect the ability of these compounds to bind to Ac2-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala, a model for the natural peptide binding site in bacterial cell walls . The antimicrobial activities of teicoplanin amides were found to depend mostly on their ionic and lipophilic character and on the type and number of sugars present . Positively charged amides were generally more in vitro active than the respective unmodified antibiotics against Gram-positive organisms . In particular, most basic amides of CTA were markedly more active than teicoplanin against coagulase-negative staphylococci . A few amides of TC and most of those of TD also showed a certain activity against Gram-negative bacteria . In experimental Streptococcus pyogenes septicemia in the mouse, some basic amides were more active than the parent teicoplanins when administered subcutaneously . Some of those of CTA were also slightly more effective than teicoplanin by oral route. J Bacteriol, 1989 Nov, 171(11), 6265 - 70 Purification of a fourth glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus sobrinus; Yamashita Y et al.; Recently, we found a novel primer-independent, water-soluble glucan synthase as a fourth glucosyltransferase (GTF) in a culture supernatant of strain AHT-k of Streptococcus sobrinus (Y . Yamashita, N . Hanada, and T . Takehara, Biochem . Biophys . Res . Commun . 150:687-693, 1988) . In the present study, four kinds of purified GTFs, including the novel GTF, were prepared . They were composed of two primer-dependent GTFs and two primer-independent GTFs . Of the primer-dependent GTFs, one was a water-insoluble glucan synthase and the other was a water-soluble glucan synthase; both of the primer-independent GTFs were water-soluble glucan synthases (GTF-Sis) . Using antisera against four purified GTFs, we concluded that the immunological properties of each were completely different from those of the others . Additionally, it was shown that the novel GTF-Si, which was previously shown to have a molecular weight of 137,000, was proteolytically degraded and could be isolated at a molecular weight of 152,000 and that Streptococcus cricetus secreted an enzyme that immunologically cross-reacted with GTF-Si . While the product of the novel GTF-Si was not an effective primer for both of the primer-dependent enzymes (water-soluble and -insoluble glucan synthases), the product of the enzyme affected the molecular size of the products of the other GTF-Sis. Infect Immun, 1989 Nov, 57(11), 3372 - 6 Molecular cloning of the Streptococcus mutans gene specifying antigen A; Dao ML et al.; A gene encoding a Streptococcus mutans surface protein antigen has been isolated from a strain GS-5 gene bank constructed via the Streptococcus-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pSA3 . This E . coli recombinant clone, designated 4B2, expressed S . mutans proteins, as shown by Western immunoblot analysis with a specific rabbit antibody to S . mutans surface antigens . Three bands were observed, including a 52-kilodalton (kDa) protein (pI 5.7), a 29-kDa protein (pI 4.2), and a 20-kDa protein usually present in lower amounts . The 52- and 29-kDa proteins both reacted with a monoclonal antibody to S . mutans antigen A, a 29-kDa protein which has been characterized and used as a vaccine for the prevention of induced caries in rodents and monkeys . The 52-kDa protein, but not the 29-kDa protein, showed a capacity to bind to a broad number of carbohydrate polymers . The results from this study suggest that the recombinant 4B2 clone specifies a 52-kDa protein which is a precursor to the 29-kDa antigen A. Gene, 1989 Oct 30, 82(2), 335 - 42 Plasmid vectors for constructing translational fusions to the B subunit of cholera toxin; Dertzbaugh MT et al.; A family of plasmid cloning vectors has been developed for creating translational fusions to the ctxB gene encoding the B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) in Escherichia coli . These vectors permit insertion of transcriptionally and translationally competent gene sequences upstream from ctxB . To test the utility of the system, a portion of the glucosyltransferase B (GTF) gene (gtfB) from the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans GS-5 (Bratthall serotype c), encoding the N-terminal one-third of the protein, was inserted into each vector . E . coli lysates containing the constructs were partially purified by passage over a GM1 ganglioside affinity column . Western blotting analysis of the column retentate from one of the lysates revealed the presence of a novel 58-kDa protein which cross-reacted with antisera to GTF and CTB . These vectors are of general use for making other translational fusions to ctxB . The high binding affinity of CTB can be exploited in purifying large polypeptides fused to this relatively small protein . Moreover, these vectors can be used to create neoantigens with altered immunogenicity for use in polypeptide-based vaccines. Lakartidningen, 1989 Oct 25, 86(43), 3672 - 5 {2 cases of severe Streptococcus group A infection}; Stegmayr B et al.; During recent years there have been several cases of death due to severe infection caused by GAS . Here we report two cases treated at our hospital, one of a patient presenting with preshock (case 1), the other of a patient with septic shock (case 2), in both of whom the concentrations of various coagulation factors and platelet counts were low . Other clinical findings common to both cases were scarlet coloured maculopapular exanthema, relative bradycardia, excessive tendency to develop oedema, and impaired function both in the lungs, kidneys and brain; and both patients were devoid of antibodies against the most predominant toxins (B and C) of the GAS strains isolated . Initial treatment comprised extensive administration of fluids, antibiotics, antithrombin, and low dose hydrocortisone . Plasma exchange by continuous centrifugation (CS 3000 Travenol Baxter) was given twice in case 1 and five times in case 2 . In case 2, besides human immunoglobulin with a high anti-GAS (toxins A, B and C) antibody content given at admission, the patient received respiratory support, infusion of inotropic drugs and CAVH . Both patients recovered . The risk of death is high in cases of progressive multiple organ failure during the course of septic shock; and where conventional treatment combinations fail to remedy the condition, adjuvant treatment components may prove successful. Nucleic Acids Res, 1989 Oct 25, 17(20), 8149 - 57 Single amino acid changes that alter the DNA sequence specificity of the DNA-{N6-adenine} methyltransferase (Dam) of bacteriophage T4; Miner Z et al.; Bacteriophage T4 codes for a DNA-{N6-adenine} methyltransferase (Dam) which recognizes primarily the sequence GATC in both cytosine- and hydroxymethylcytosine-containing DNA . Hypermethylating mutants, damh, exhibit a relaxation in sequence specificity, that is, they are readily able to methylate non-canonical sites . We have determined that the damh mutation produces a single amino acid change (Pro126 to Ser126) in a region of homology (III) shared by three DNA-adenine methyltransferases; viz, T4 Dam, Escherichia coli Dam, and the DpnII modification enzyme of Streptococcus pneumoniae . We also describe another mutant, damc, which methylates GATC in cytosine-containing DNA, but not in hydroxymethylcytosine-containing DNA . This mutation also alters a single amino acid (Phe127 to Val127) . These results implicate homology region III as a domain involved in DNA sequence recognition . The effect of several different amino acids at residue 126 was examined by creating a polypeptide chain terminating codon at that position and comparing the methylation capability of partially purified enzymes produced in the presence of various suppressors . No enzyme activity is detected when phenylalanine, glutamic acid, or histidine is inserted at position 126 . However, insertion of alanine, cysteine, or glycine at residue 126 produces enzymatic activity similar to Damh. Am J Ophthalmol, 1989 Oct 15, 108(4), 380 - 6 The comparative in vitro activity of ofloxacin and selected ophthalmic antimicrobial agents against ocular bacterial isolates; Osato MS et al.; The in vitro activity of ofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone anti-infective agent, was evaluated against 419 ocular bacterial isolates of 55 species to determine its potential as a topical agent for the treatment of ocular infections . Other agents tested in this study, in which a modified tube-dilution procedure was used, include norfloxacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, chloramphenicol, and polymyxin B . Ofloxacin demonstrated good to excellent activity against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens . The minimum inhibitory concentration against 90% of all bacterial strains tested (MIC90) of ofloxacin was 0.5 microgram/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and S . epidermidis, 2 micrograms/ml for Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 4 micrograms/ml for Pseudomonas aeruginosa . These species were more susceptible to ofloxacin than to any of the nonquinolones tested . The MIC90 of ofloxacin was lower than that of norfloxacin, another quinolone, against S . aureus, S . epidermidis, and St . pneumoniae and equal to that of norfloxacin against P . aeruginosa . Because of its broad spectrum of activity and excellent in vitro activity, we concluded that ofloxacin has the potential for development into a superior topical treatment for ocular infection. Cell Immunol, 1989 Oct 15, 123(2), 373 - 83 Activation of human peripheral blood-derived monocytes by OK-432 (Streptococcus pyogenes): augmented cytotoxicity and secretion of TNF and synergy with rIFN-gamma; Bonavida B et al.; The biological response modifier OK-432 has been shown both to exert the enhancement of several immunological activities and to have a direct anti-tumor effect . The present study examines the immunopotentiating effect of OK-432 on peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) derived from normal humans . Monocyte activation was assessed by examining direct cell-mediated cytotoxic activity (CMC) and secretion of cytotoxic factors in the supernatant by the 51Cr release assay and secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha detected by a sensitive radioimmunoassay . The OK-432-augmented activity was compared to that achieved by recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) . Coculture of PBM with OK-432 overnight resulted in significant augmentation of CMC and secretion of cytotoxic factors and TNF in the supernatant . The effects observed were dose dependent and the resulting activity was much more pronounced than that achieved with an optimal concentration of IFN-gamma . The monocyte- and supernatant-mediated cytotoxic activities were in a large part attributed to TNF as both activities were inhibited by anti-TNF antibody . Several parameters of monocyte activation by OK-432 were examined . The kinetics of monocyte activation revealed that a short time exposure (2-6 hr) was sufficient for activation but maximal activation was detected after 18 hr . However, the kinetics of the cytotoxic assay were not shortened and 16-20 hr was necessary for optimal cytotoxic activity . Significant synergy was obtained when suboptimal concentrations of OK-432 and IFN-gamma were used . The synergy was noted in CMC, supernatant activity, and TNF concentration . These results demonstrate that OK-432 is a potent activator of monocyte cytotoxicity and also activates secretion of TNF . Also, OK-432 is a much more potent activator than rIFN-gamma . The synergy with OK-432 and IFN-gamma suggests that OK-432-mediated activation of monocytes takes place by a different mechanism than that mediated by rIFN-gamma . Thus, monocytes and products thereof may actively participate in the in vivo anti-tumor effect mediated by OK-432. J Immunol, 1989 Oct 15, 143(8), 2699 - 705 Immunogenicity of synthetic peptides derived from the sequences of a Streptococcus mutans cell surface antigen in nonhuman primates; Lehner T et al.; The immunogenicity and antigenicity of synthetic peptides (SP) derived from the sequences of a cell surface Ag of Streptococcus mutans were investigated in macaque monkeys . Immunization with the free peptides of 11, 17, and 21 residues failed to elicit serum antibodies or T cell responses . However, immunization with the SP17 and SP21 linked to tetanus toxoid (TT) as a carrier elicited serum antibodies and proliferative responses of lymphocytes, not only to the SP but also to the native streptococcal Ag . In vivo recall of SP-TT immunized monkeys with suboptimal doses of the native streptococcal Ag resulted in a significant increase in antibodies, both to the SP and the streptococcal Ag, confirming that the SP shares antigenic epitopes with the native Ag . B and T cell epitopes were then determined and a B cell epitope was found in residues 8-13, whereas an overlapping T cell epitope was located in residues 7-15 . The T cell epitope has an amino-terminal leucine and carboxy-terminal glycine and alanine added to residues 8-13 of the B cell epitope . In spite of the B and T cell epitopes being expressed in SP17 (residues 1-15), the monomer failed to induce serum antibodies without a carrier . However, immunization with a dimer of SP17 elicited both serum antibodies and proliferative responses of lymphocytes without a carrier . The results suggest that the monomeric SP17 is not immunogenic and needs to be dimerised in order to elicit antibodies and T cell responses, both to the SP and to the streptococcal Ag. Presse Med, 1989 Oct 11, 18(32), 1553 - 5 {In vitro comparative effect of cefixime and 7 other beta-lactamines against Streptococcus pneumoniae}; Boussougant Y et al.; The comparative in vitro activities of cefixime, penicillin G, amoxicillin, cefotaxime, cefaclor, cefadroxyl, cefotiam and cefuroxime against 83 recent clinical isolates of S . pneumoniae were determined . In addition, the susceptibilities of 17 relatively or fully penicillin-resistant strains of S . pneumoniae were evaluated . Cefixime was more active than the first generation cephalosporins cefaclor and cefadroxyl against penicillin-susceptible strains . The MIC50 and MIC90 obtained by the agar dilution method were 0.25 and 0.5 mg/l respectively . The MICs obtained by a microdilution technique were one dilution lower . Cefixime exhibited little or no activity against relatively or fully penicillin-resistant strains. Am J Vet Res, 1989 Oct, 50(10), 1667 - 71 Rapid detection of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 in weaned pigs; Moreau A et al.; A survey to detect Streptococcus suis serotype 2 in 1,716 weaned pigs was done in Quebec . Forty-nine sow herds were included in this survey: in 26 herds, S suis serotype 2 had been isolated during the preceding 12 months and in 23 herds (control), the organism had not been detected during a previous study . Swab specimens of the nasal cavity and tonsils of pigs were obtained for bacteriologic culture, and S suis serotype 2 was easily detected by the use of brain-heart infusion agar containing a Streptococcus-selective supplement and 5% goat antiserum raised against S suis serotype 2 . After measurement of the diameter of the precipitation zone of 539 isolates, a slide agglutination test was performed to identify the S suis serotype 2 isolates . The mean precipitation zone diameter obtained for group S suis serotype 2 was larger (P less than 0.001) than that for the group designated as "others" . With slide agglutination test results as reference and on the basis of discriminant analysis to stimulate detection of S suis serotype 2, 93.1% of all isolates were correctly classified, using the precipitation zone diameter as unique classification criterion . Relative specificity was 94.5% and relative sensitivity was 88.7% . Use of the precipitation zone diameter on a quantitative basis led to the proposal of a simple and reliable technique to screen swine herds for S suis serotype 2 in weaned pigs . Nasal and tonsillar swab specimens were obtained and analyzed concurrently for S suis serotype 2 . The organism was found in both sites in only 20.4% of 103 carrier pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Infect Immun, 1989 Oct, 57(10), 3194 - 203 Coaggregation of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Selenomonas flueggei, Selenomonas infelix, Selenomonas noxia, and Selenomonas sputigena with strains from 11 genera of oral bacteria; Kolenbrander PE et al.; Twenty-eight strains of Fusobacterium nucleatum and 41 Selenomonas strains, including S . sputigena (24 strains), S . flueggei (10 strains), S . infelix (5 strains), and S . noxia (2 strains), were tested for their ability to coaggregate with each other and with 49 other strains of oral bacteria representing Actinobacillus, Actinomyces, Bacteroides, Capnocytophaga, Gemella, Peptostreptococcus, Porphyromonas, Propionibacterium, Rothia, Streptococcus, and Veillonella species . Selenomonads coaggregated with fusobacteria and with Actinomyces naeslundii PK984 but not with any of the other bacteria, including other selenomonads . In contrast, fusobacteria coaggregated with members of all genera, although not with all strains of each species tested . Each fusobacterium strain appeared to have its own set of partners and coaggregation properties, unlike their partners, whose coaggregation properties in earlier surveys delineated distinct coaggregation groups . Coaggregations of fusobacteria with the 63 gram-negative strains were usually inhibited by EDTA, whereas those with the 27 gram-positive strains were usually not inhibited . Likewise, lactose-inhibitable coaggregations were common among some strains of fusobacteria and some strains from each of the genera containing gram-negative partners but were rarely observed with gram-positive partners . Heating the fusobacteria at 85 degrees C for 30 min completely prevented coaggregation with most partners, suggesting the involvement of a protein on the fusobacteria . Heat treatment of many of the gram-negative partners not only enhanced their coaggregation with the fusobacteria but also changed lactose-sensitive coaggregations to lactose-insensitive coaggregations . Although fusobacteria coaggregated with a broader variety of oral partner strains than any other group of oral bacteria tested to date, each fusobacterium exhibited coaggregation with only a certain set of partner strains, and none of the fusobacteria adhered to other strains of fusobacteria, indicating that recognition of partner cell surfaces is selective . The strains of F . nucleatum are heterogeneous and cannot be clustered into distinct coaggregation groups . Collectively, these results indicate that coaggregation between fusobacteria and many gram-negative partners is significantly different from their coaggregation with gram-positive partners . The contrasting variety of partners for fusobacteria and selenomonads supports the concept of coaggregation partner specificity that has been observed with every genus of oral bacteria so far examined. J Dairy Sci, 1989 Oct, 72(10), 2728 - 32 Evaluation of the Rapid Strep system for identification of gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci isolated from bovine intramammary infections; Watts JL; The Rapid Strep system (Analytab Products, Plainview, NY) was used to identify 199 gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci isolated from bovine intramammary infections . The system accurately identified 88.4% of isolates . The system identified 100% of 46 Streptococcus agalactiae, 100% of 48 Streptococcus dysgalactiae, 54.5% of 11 Streptococcus equinus, and 96.2% of 53 Streptococcus uberis isolates . Enterococcus spp . were identified correctly 83.3% of the time . One of 4 Streptococcus saccharolyticus strains was identified as Streptococcus bovis, the previous classification for this organism, and 8 Streptococcus equi ssp . equi strains were misidentified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae . The Rapid Strep system was determined to be an acceptable alternative to conventional methods for identification of gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci isolated from bovine intramammary infections. Mol Cell Biol, 1989 Oct, 9(10), 4432 - 40 Heteroduplex DNA correction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mismatch specific and requires functional PMS genes; Kramer B et al.; In vitro-constructed heteroduplex DNAs with defined mismatches were corrected in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells with efficiencies that were dependent on the mismatch . Single-nucleotide loops were repaired very efficiently; the base/base mismatches G/T, A/C, G/G, A/G, G/A, A/A, T/T, T/C, and C/T were repaired with a high to intermediate efficiency . The mismatch C/C and a 38-nucleotide loop were corrected with low efficiency . This substrate specificity pattern resembles that found in Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae, suggesting an evolutionary relationship of DNA mismatch repair in pro- and eucaryotes . Repair of the listed mismatches was severely impaired in the putative S . cerevisiae DNA mismatch repair mutants pms1 and pms2 . Low-efficiency repair also characterized pms3 strains, except that correction of single-nucleotide loops occurred with an efficiency close to that of PMS wild-type strains . A close correlation was found between the repair efficiencies determined in this study and the observed postmeiotic segregation frequencies of alleles with known DNA sequence . This suggests an involvement of DNA mismatch repair in recombination and gene conversion in S . cerevisiae. J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 27(10), 2148 - 51 Sialic acid levels and lag time of growth in chemically defined medium containing 200 mM phosphate among strains of various serotypes of Streptococcus agalactiae; Nagano Y et al.; The type-specific capsular polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus agalactiae has in previous experimental studies been considered a significant antiphagocytic factor, whereas the lipoteichoic acid moiety has been suggested to be a factor in adherence to human fetal cell lines . Since epidemiological data concerning these cell constituents in strains from the genital tract are lacking, we attempted serotyping and analysis of these constituents of 100 vaginal isolates . The capsular polysaccharide level was shown to be the amount of sialic acid that occupied the terminal side chains of the polysaccharide . We carried out a study to ascertain whether strains exhibited a lag time of growth in a chemically defined medium containing 200 mM phosphate, which has been suggested to be characteristic of strains with high lipoteichoic acid levels . Strains were classified, on the basis of the results of distribution of sialic acid levels, into three categories: (i) strains with a low sialic acid content of equal to or less than 9 micrograms/mg of cell dry weight; (ii) strains with a moderate sialic acid content of more than 9 but less than 12 micrograms/mg of cell dry weight; and (iii) strains with a high sialic acid content of equal to or more than 12 micrograms/mg of cell dry weight . Strains that belonged to the last category, which, as previous experimental data indicate, are potentially virulent strains, were significantly distributed among isolates of types Ia (P less than 0.001) and III (P less than 0.05) . On the other hand, strains exhibiting a lag time of growth in the above-mentioned medium were detected to a significant extent in type III isolates (P <0.02) . These results may be related to the epidemiological finding that isolates from neonates with late-onset infection were more frequently serotype Ia and III isolates. Arthritis Rheum, 1989 Oct, 32(10), 1268 - 72 Mass spectrometric quantitation of muramic acid, a bacterial cell wall component, in septic synovial fluids; Christensson B et al.; This is the first report describing the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for detection of muramic acid in infected synovial fluid (SF) . Muramic acid is a ubiquitous component of bacterial cell walls, and it has been proposed that it could serve as a chemical marker for the presence of live bacteria or bacterial debris in rheumatoid joints . Our goal was to determine whether muramic acid was present at detectable levels in septic SF, since this would serve as a positive control for studies of reactive and rheumatoid arthritis . Muramic acid was found to be present at levels of less than 250-1,700 ng/ml in 12 septic SF samples (10 of which were culture positive for Staphylococcus aureus and 1 each for Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae) . Among these samples, those containing low bacterial colony counts did not contain detectable muramic acid . Muramic acid was also not detected in any SF samples from 20 control patients . We conclude that muramic acid can be used as a marker for the presence of bacterial peptidoglycan in SF . With further lowering of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection limits, determination of the quantities of bacterial debris present in joints of patients with rheumatoid or reactive arthritis will be attainable. J Reprod Med, 1989 Oct, 34(10), 797 - 801 Is there an association between colonization with group B Streptococcus and prematurity? Romero R, Mazor M, Oyarzun E, Sirtori M, Wu YK, Hobbins JC. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between colonization of the genitourinary tract with group B Streptococcus (GBS) and prematurity . A search of the literature was conducted to identify articles addressing this issue . Ten studies provided enough data for a critical review; seven studies focused on genital colonization and three on asymptomatic bacteriuria . An association between cervicovaginal colonization with GBS and prematurity could not be demonstrated in six of the seven studies . However, women with asymptomatic bacteriuria caused by GBS had a higher rate of prematurity than did women without asymptomatic bacteriuria . We conclude that the weight of the available evidence does not support an association between prematurity and GBS colonization of the genital tract in the absence of asymptomatic bacteriuria. J Gen Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 135 ( Pt 10), 2611 - 21 Expression of the surface properties of the fibrillar Streptococcus salivarius HB and its adhesion deficient mutants grown in continuous culture under glucose limitation; Harty DW et al.; Streptococcus salivarius HB and four adhesion deficient mutants, HB-7, HB-V5, HB-V51 and HB-B, were grown in continuous culture in a defined medium under glucose limitation over a range of growth rates from 0.1 to 1.1 h-1 . The ability to coaggregate with Veillonella parvula V1 cells and the ability to adhere to buccal epithelial cells did not alter with increasing growth rate . Cell surface hydrophobicity decreased markedly with increasing growth rate for the non-fibrillar non-adhesive mutant HB-B but not for the other four strains which all carry different combinations of fibril classes . The thickness of the ruthenium red staining layer (RRL) also varied with growth rate for strain HB-B, ranging from 19.5 +/- 3.8 nm at high growth rate to a minimum of 12.3 +/- 4.8 nm at low growth rate . Low cell surface hydrophobicity correlated with a thicker RRL for strain HB-B . Strains HB-V5 and HB-7 also showed a significant increase in RRL thickness at high growth rates although to a lesser degree than HB-B . SDS-PAGE revealed a large number of protein bands common to all strains at all growth rates, with the major common protein occurring at 15.6 kDa . Protein bands at 70, 56, 40.5 and 39 kDa appeared stronger at high growth rates than at low . A protein band at 82 kDa showed strongly only at low growth rates . Therefore, adhesion and coaggregation are not phenotypically variable with increasing growth rate but RRL thickness, hydrophobicity and cell surface proteins may be phenotypically variable depending on the strain. Res Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 140(8), 563 - 7 Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus surface properties in relation to their adherence to human buccal epithelial cells; Beck G et al.; Adherence to host cells by pathogenic bacteria is achieved through both specific and non-specific mechanisms . The former involve bacterial adhesin and corresponding cell receptors (Gibbons and Van Houte, 1980), while the second include electric charges and hydrophobicity of bacterial cell walls . In a previous study (Beck et al., 1988), we showed that these two cell surface characteristics vary during growth of Staphylococcus aureus in a manner which should promote adherence to host cells . The aims of the current study were to assess: (1) whether the same growth-related variations in surface properties were present in another bacterial species, Streptococcus pneumoniae; (2) whether the adherence of the two types of bacteria to epithelial cells was in fact different at different growth times; and (3) whether such differences were consistent with the observed surface properties. Microbiologica, 1989 Oct, 12(4), 317 - 22 Isolation and characterization of two rumen Streptococcus bovis bacteriophages; Styriak I et al.; A method for the isolation of Streptococcus bovis bacteriophages from ruminal fluid of calves is described . Thirty to 2 x 10(3) phages per ml infecting Streptococcus bovis strains 4/1 and 47/3 were isolated directly from ruminal fluid . Two bacteriophages were characterized on the basis of plaque morphology, host ranges, electron microscopic morphology and DNA restriction endonuclease digestion patterns . The F1 and F3 phages formed clear plaques of different sizes . The plaque size of the F1 phage was about 1-1.5 mm in diameter, while the plaques of the F3 phage were larger (1.5-2.5 mm in diameter) . Both phages are placed in group B of Bradley's scheme and have different host ranges . The first isolation of Streptococcus bovis phage DNA is reported . Restriction analysis of their DNAs showed that phages F1 and F3 had different numbers of cleavage sites in their genomes and that they were not identical. J Appl Bacteriol, 1989 Oct, 67(4), 425 - 31 A note on the isolation and propagation of lytic phages from Streptococcus uberis and their potential for strain typing; Hill AW et al.; Thirty-eight of 98 strains of Streptococcus uberis were shown to be carrying lysogenic phage . Although propagating strains were rare, host modification by field strains sensitive to phage was used to increase the lytic spectra . When 120 nationally-collected strains were challenged with 25 phages, selected on the basis of differing lytic spectra and propagating strains, 30% were susceptible to at least one phage, increasing to 42% when 480 strains from a single farm were considered . A typing system based on susceptibility to lytic phage was considered feasible. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 1989 Oct, 30(2), 99 - 103 Natural transmission of group B Streptococcus during delivery; Matorras R et al.; This is a study of group B Streptococcus during labor of 121 patients in whom group B Streptococcus was isolated in the vagina and/or rectum before delivery . The intrapartum vaginal culture was positive in 55.2% of the antepartum carriers (32/58) . When the vaginal culture during delivery was positive, the group B Streptococcus was isolated in the amniotic fluid 2 h after the rupture of membranes in 81% of the cases . The newborns of antepartum carriers, when the labor developed naturally, were colonized by group B Streptococcus in 69.2% of cases when the intrapartum vaginal and/or amniotic fluid cultures were positive (9/13), while only 5.6% of the newborns of antepartum carriers but with negative cultures during delivery were colonized by group B Streptococcus (1/18) . The most frequent positive neonatal culture was in the umbilicus (83.3%) followed by the external ear (62.5%). Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 1989 Oct, 30(2), 155 - 9 Endometrial flora of infertile women in Zaria, northern Nigeria; Emembolu JO; Microbiological study of the endometrium of 114 infertile women cultured 48 organisms (42.2%) from 42 patients (36.8%) . Mycobacterium tuberculosis (16.7%) and Group B Streptococcus (8.8%) were the commonest organisms isolated . These organisms were also most commonly isolated from patients between the ages of 20 and 30 years . There is, however, an overall increase in the frequency of bacterial isolation with age-cohorts . Of the colonised patients, 36.8% were of parity less than two and most (26.3%) were nulliparous . It is possible that multiple marriages and polygamy played a significant role in the bacterial colonisation of the endometrium in the Hausa-Fulani population of Zaria, Nigeria. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1989 Oct 1, 195(7), 981 - 6 Hematologic effects of exposure to three infective agents in rabbits; Toth LA et al.; Infectious disease is typically accompanied by changes in the number and types of circulating leukocytes . To examine the effects of infectious challenge on the distribution of rabbit WBC, rabbits were inoculated IV with Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, or Candida albicans . Blood was collected prior to and every 6 to 12 hours after inoculation for 48 hours . Infectious challenge did not substantially alter total WBC counts, but did cause neutrophilia and lymphopenia for 6 to 48 hours after inoculation . Similar patterns of leukocyte distribution were observed in rabbits with naturally developing clinical problems . Thus, high total WBC counts may not be a common characteristic of acute infectious conditions in rabbits, but differential distributions of various leukocyte populations can provide useful markers of disease in this species. Acta Paediatr Jpn, 1989 Oct, 31(5), 529 - 36 Possible role of Streptococcus pyogenes in mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome . IX . Quantitation by ELISA of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin in the serum of MCLS patients; Kawai M et al.; In the present paper we describe the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reinforced with an introduction of monoclonal antibody, for the detection and quantitation of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) in the serum of patients with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS) . The amount of SPE was usually at a high level, and its 100% incidence in patients' sera was proved whenever the assay was made on the day of admission, thereby showing a marked contrast to carefully matched control sera which failed to mediate any positive result . As for the change in detected amount of the toxin, a clear dichotomy was observed between the serum of gammaglobulin-treated patients and that of infants given aspirin; in the former the positive result turned to negative rapidly following the initiation of treatment coupled with a defervescence, while in the latter the reduction of SPE levels was scarcely monitored for as long as 17 days after the onset of illness . Quantitation of SPE might be an auxiliary test for the diagnosis of MCLS, because a considerable amount of SPE was assessed in a patient who developed characteristic huge coronary artery aneurysms following an illness which did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria . These findings support our speculation in relation to the certain role of S . pyogenes as an etiological agent for MCLS . The possible mechanisms of gammaglobulin treatment in reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular lesions and the duration of systemic inflammation are discussed. Br J Surg, 1989 Oct, 76(10), 1074 - 81 Postsplenectomy sepsis; Shaw JH et al.; This review examines the infectious consequences of elective and emergency splenectomy, highlighting the importance of infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae . The influence of splenectomy on the immune system is discussed and the efficacy of vaccines in preventing postsplenectomy sepsis is reviewed . The value of alternative methods of preventing postsplenectomy sepsis is considered. Nippon Hotetsu Shika Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Oct, 33(5), 1125 - 9 {Study on air-powder abrasive system for prosthetic clinical application . 3 . Bacterial adherence to the air-powder abraded metal surface}; Yamauchi M et al.; The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between the metal surface texture and bacterial adherence . The surface of Au-Ag-Pd alloy was treated with or without air-powder abrasion . Seven standard strains and two clinical isolates were used . The alloys were mixed with {6-3H}-thimidine labelled bacteria . The radioactivity was measured with a scintilation counter . Streptococcus sanguis and clinical isolated Bacteroides gingivalis were adhered in a larger amount to the air-powder abraded alloy surface than to nonabraded alloy surface . These results indicated that careful consideration is needed for application of air-powder abrasive system on metal crown with secondary caries and periodontal disease. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1989 Oct, 23(4), 361 - 8 {The characteristics of antibacterial root canal-filling materials}; Seven N et al.; The filling material of endomethasone Spad, N2, AH26, Diaket, Iod paste which are used in clinics often are evaluated from the point of view of their antibacterial effects to the microorganisms which are isolated from root canals . In the study, streptococcus were defined as the most often producing microorganisms in the canals . It was observed that, on the producing microorganisms, the most effective filling materials were spad and N2, following these were AH26, Diaket the less effective filling materials were endomenthasone and iod paste. Vrach Delo, 1989 Oct, (10), 111 - 3 {A clinical and experimental study of longatsef}; Frolov AF et al.; Data are reported of the results of clinical trials of the therapeutic efficacy of longaceph--a drug of the new generation of cephalosporins with a long period of half-decay--in acute pneumonia complicating influenza in 42 patients . The sensitivity of 120 microbial strains to longaceph was also studied . It was established that cephalosporin possesses a high efficacy in diseases caused by gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms . A high degree of sensitivity to longaceph was observed in pneumococci biogenous and Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis, klebsiellae and escherichiae . A new property of longaceph was found, namely, its capacity to stimulate the formation of endogenous interferon. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 55(10), 2664 - 8 Non-proton-motive-force-dependent sodium efflux from the ruminal bacterium Streptococcus bovis: bound versus free pools; Strobel HJ et al.; Growing cells of Streptococcus bovis JB1 had a sodium content of 1,125 nmol/mg of protein and, based on a ratio of cell volume to protein of 4.3 microliters/mg, the apparent intracellular sodium concentration was more than 240 mM . Much of this sodium could not be removed by water washing even if cells were boiled or treated with the pore-forming ionophore, gramicidin, but it could be exchanged for potassium . Stationary cultures had a 2.6-microliters volume per milligram of protein and a total sodium content of 410 mM . When stationary cultures were energized with glucose at pH 6 to 8, sodium (more than 200 mM) was expelled within 2 min, and it appeared that growing cells had a very small pool of free intracellular sodium . Sodium-proton antiport activity could not be demonstrated with a sodium pulse, and the protonophore SF6847, valinomycin, and the H+-ATPase inhibitor dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) had little effect on sodium efflux, even though these inhibitors greatly reduced the proton-motive force . SF6847, valinomycin, and DCCD had little effect on intracellular ATP, but iodoacetate, an inhibitor of glycolysis, decreased ATP as well as sodium efflux . Stationary cells from sodium-deficient medium expelled little sodium after glucose addition and had 35% more ATP than stationary cells which were grown in sodium medium and expelled sodium . An artificial electrochemical gradient of sodium was able to drive ATP synthesis in stationary cells, and this ATP formation was not sensitive to DCCD . These results indicated that bacteria could have a significant pool of bound sodium and that sodium expulsion from S . bovis was directly coupled to ATP hydrolysis. Anal Biochem, 1989 Sep, 181(2), 267 - 70 Determination of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate by an enzymatic-high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure; Yu PH; An enzymatic-HPLC procedure for the determination of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) has been established . The assay is based on the decarboxylation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine using Streptococcus tyrosine decarboxylase apoenzyme, which requires PLP as cofactor . The product of the enzyme reaction, dopamine, is measured by Coulochem electrochemical detection with a series of oxidizing and then reducing electrodes . Trace amounts of PLP in the apoenzyme preparation were removed with the aid of cysteine-sulfinic acid and gel filtration . The detection limit for PLP by this method is 50 pM in plasma. P N G Med J, 1989 Sep, 32(3), 185 - 8 Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and other nasal bacteria among children in remote areas of the fringe highlands of Papua New Guinea; Jenkins C et al.; The nasal bacteriology of children in two areas of the western Schrader Range was studied . One area, served by an aid post since 1976, was compared with the other, which received its first medical care in 1984 . Significant differences in the amount of resistance to penicillin were found, but not in the direction expected . These anomalous findings are interpreted in light of the particular histories of the groups involved, suggesting the transmission of resistant strains through contact among children. Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 1989 Sep, 56(3), 203 - 4 The leech Batracobdelloides tricarinata (Blanchard, 1897) (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) as a possible reservoir of the rainbow trout pathogenic Streptococcus species; Bragg RR et al.; A Streptococcus species biochemically and serologically identical to the rainbow trout pathogenic Streptococcus species was isolated from the internal organs of the fish specific leech, Batracobdelloides tricarinata . These leeches were obtained from Roodeplaat Dam, near Pretoria, in which rainbow trout do not occur . This is the first isolation of this bacterium from an environmental source not related to rainbow trout and it is proposed that this leech is a possible reservoir of the rainbow trout pathogenic Streptococcus sp . in South Africa. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1989 Sep, 24 Suppl A, 9 - 29 In-vitro studies of meropenem; Jones RN et al.; Meropenem, a new carbapenem, was compared with imipenem and seven other broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents against approximately 1000 clinical isolates . Meropenem was two- to four-fold more active than imipenem against Gram-negative organisms and its spectrum of antimicrobial activity was wider than those of all other drugs tested . However, imipenem was more potent than meropenem against the staphylococci, Streptococcus spp . and enterococci . Many rarely isolated organisms were more susceptible to the carbapenems than to other comparison compounds . All anaerobic bacteria were inhibited by meropenem at less than or equal to 8 mg/l and 50% of strains were inhibited by 0.25 mg/l . Meropenem MICs were not significantly influenced by high inocula and the drug was generally bactericidal . Strains producing various beta-lactamases remained susceptible to meropenem but some isolates producing high levels of chromosomally-mediated enzymes showed an inoculum effect only at 10(7) cfu/ml . Meropenem demonstrated antagonism with several other beta-lactams against strains producing Type I cephalosporinases . Susceptibility tests performed on agar and in broth produced very similar meropenem results . Imipenem and meropenem shared a high degree of cross-susceptibility as measured by dilution test methods . Disc diffusion (10-micrograms disc) regression-line correlations with meropenem MICs are reported with two possible sets of interpretive criteria, using meropenem breakpoints of less than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 4 mg/l. J Adolesc Health Care, 1989 Sep, 10(5), 421 - 2 Recurrent group C streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in an adolescent; Morgan MC et al.; Sore throat is a frequent complaint in the adolescent age group . Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus Group C is not a commonly reported etiology of tonsillopharyngitis . This is a case report of a 14-year-old adolescent female who had repeated episodes of pharyngitis secondary to beta hemolytic streptococcus Group C. Biochem J, 1989 Sep 1, 262(2), 457 - 62 Active-site and membrane topology of the DD-peptidase/penicillin-binding protein no . 6 of Enterococcus hirae (Streptococcus faecium) A.T.C.C . 9790; el Kharroubi A et al.; The membrane-bound 43,000-Mr penicillin-binding protein no . 6 (PBP6) of Enterococcus hirae consists of a 30,000-Mr DD-peptidase/penicillin-binding domain and a approximately 130-residue C-terminal appendage . Removal of this appendage by trypsin proteolysis has no marked effect on the catalytic activity and penicillin-binding capacity of the PBP . Anchorage of the PBP in the membrane appears to be mediated by a short 15-20-residue stretch at the C-terminal end of the appendage . The sequence of the 50-residue N-terminal region of the PBP shows high degree of homology with the sequences of the corresponding regions of the PBPs5 of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis . On this basis the active-site serine residue occurs at position 35 in the enterococcal PBP. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus, 1989 Sep-Oct, 26(5), 232 - 4; discussion 235 Periorbital cellulitis in infancy; Molarte AB et al.; To our knowledge, no previous study of periorbital cellulitis has focused on its specific characteristics in infants only (less than 1 year of age.) We retrospectively studied 30 cases of infantile periorbital cellulitis treated at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center from 1977 to 1988 . Characteristics of the disorder in our infants older than 1 month were similar to earlier reports of older children in terms of etiology, radiological and bacteriological findings, and course . However, compared with our older infants, our seven neonates (7 to 30 days old) had a higher incidence of ruptured dacryocele (29% vs 0%) and unknown source of the infection (43% vs 4%); but a lower incidence of preceding upper respiratory infection (14% vs 78%), abnormal sinus films (0% vs 22%), and positive blood cultures (14% vs 30%) . Of the positive cultures, Hemophilus sp was the most common pathogen among the older infants (35%), while Streptococcus and Staphylococcus were the most frequent among the neonates (71%) . All infections remained preseptal and responded well to intravenous antibiotics. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1989 Sep, 10(9), 416 - 21 Investigation of a Streptococcus viridans pseudobacteremia epidemic at a university teaching hospital; Church DL et al.; For several months in 1986, an outbreak of Streptococcus viridans pseudobacteremia occurred at a large teaching hospital . All sources of laboratory blood culture contamination were excluded . A retrospective epidemiological study indicated that one phlebotomist, "P," collected a disproportionate number of the positive blood cultures . Further comparison of the paired blood culture results from the three months when the incidence was highest revealed a good concordance of results among all other phlebotomists (Kappa = 0.5), while P's results concurred with others less frequently than would be expected even by chance (Kappa less than 0.0) . Clinical follow-up showed that P did not routinely wear gloves while drawing blood and had eczema of the hands . Skin scrapings from the hands, right index finger/fingernail grew predominantly S viridans species that were compatible with those recovered from contaminated blood cultures . This epidemic demonstrated the need for early detection of this source as a cause of nosocomial pseudobacteremia. Ir J Med Sci, 1989 Sep, 158(9), 230 - 2 Legionella: an infrequent cause of adult community acquired pneumonia in Dublin; Hone R et al.; The commonest infectious agents identified in community acquired pneumonia (CAP) amongst 50 patients admitted to a Dublin hospital were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilis influenzae . Legionella pneumophila pneumonia occurred in only one patient who acquired infection abroad . A serological screen of blood bank donors and renal transplant recipients failed to detect antibody to Legionella pneumophila supporting the clinical findings of a low prevalence of infection in this community . It is concluded that initial antibiotic therapy for patients with CAP need not routinely include cover for Legionella. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1989 Sep, 250(3), 1028 - 33 Efficacy of erythromycin acistrate (2'-acetyl erythromycin stearate) and erythromycin stearate in experimental infections in mice; Mannisto PT et al.; The efficacy of erythromycin stearate (ES) and its 2'-acetyl ester (erythromycin acistrate, EA) was compared in eight experimental infections in mice of both sexes . In two studies the mice were made leukopenic by whole-body irradiation . Four absorption studies were also performed in parallel . In Streptococcus pneumoniae peritonitis, the protective dose 50% (PD50) value of EA and ES, given s.c., did not differ from each other . The bioavailability of EA was slightly inferior to that of ES . In three other peritonitis studies (2 Staphylococci and 1 Streptococcus), where the treatments were given s.c., EA seemed to lag behind ES in efficacy . The parallel absorption experiment showed, however, that, as compared to ES, only about one-half of EA was released from the s.c . injection site to the blood . The adjusted PD50 values of both erythromycins were about the same, with one exception . When the treatments were given i.p . both erythromycins were equally effective, and the difference in bioavailability was minor . On the contrary, the efficacy of 2'-ethylsuccinyl erythromycin was only about one-tenth that of the other erythromycins as was also the bioavailability . Oral treatment gave similar therapeutic results with EA and ES, with similar bioavailabilities, too . In the muscle abscess model, single s.c . injections of EA and ES were equally effective in reducing the growth of Staphylococcus aureus . These results suggest that there is no great difference in the in vivo antibacterial performance of ES and its 2'-acetyl ester, although the absorption problems complicate the interpretation . Hence EA performs better than expected if only the hydrolyzed drug were useful. J Clin Periodontol, 1989 Sep, 16(8), 519 - 24 Serum IgG antibodies reactive with lipoteichoic acid in adult patients with periodontitis; Monefeldt K et al.; IgG antibody levels to lipoteichoic acid (LTA), prepared from Streptococcus mutans cells, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from 149 subjects . An extract from Bacteroides gingivalis and lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli 055:B5 served as control antigens . The reference group comprised 28 systemically and periodontally healthy adults . The main test groups were: 52 persons with gingivitis only, and 69 patients with periodontitis . Within those groups, 37 patients had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, another 20 patients were prospective or renal transplant recipients . The periodontitis patient group showed significantly (p less than 0.05) higher mean antibody value and higher frequency of extreme antibody responses to both LTA and B . gingivalis than the gingivitis group . LPS did not discriminate between the groups . Multiple regression analysis with gingivitis scores as the dependent variable selected plaque scores, anti-LTA antibody values and general health status as significant (p less than 0.05) regressors . The variance in radiographical alveolar bone loss was significantly (p less than 0.05) explained by age and by antibody values to B . gingivalis and to LTA . The patients with extreme immunological responsiveness to LTA or to B . gingivalis had about twice as much alveolar bone loss as those with normal serological reactivity . The results support the contention that LTA modulates the progression of periodontitis in humans. Equine Vet J, 1989 Sep, 21(5), 351 - 3 Equine mastitis--a review of 28 cases; McCue PM et al.; Mastitis was diagnosed in 28 mares . Cytological evaluation of milk samples showed large numbers of neutrophils in 72 per cent and bacteria in 33 per cent . Aerobic bacteria were cultured from 71 per cent of samples . Streptococcus zooepidemicus was the most common isolate (37 per cent) . Gram-negative species accounted for 42 per cent . Determination of the probability for antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from mares with mastitis indicated that a trimethoprim-sulphonamide combination would be active against more than 75 per cent of isolates while penicillin would be active against less than 60 per cent . Systemic antibiotics, frequent milking, hotpacks and/or hydrotherapy and, if possible, infusion of an intramammary antibiotic preparation is recommended for treatment of equine mastitis. J Trauma, 1989 Sep, 29(9), 1217 - 20; discussion 1220-1 Pulmonary antipneumococcal defenses after hemisplenectomy; Hebert JC; Conservative splenic surgery such as partial splenectomy is advocated for splenic injuries, since splenectomy predisposes individuals to overwhelming sepsis with encapsulated organisms, of which Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequently isolated . The respiratory route is argued to be the most likely portal of entry of pneumococci; however, little data exist on the interaction of the spleen and pulmonary defense mechanisms against pneumococcal invasion . We studied the effect of splenectomy, 50% splenectomy (hemisplenectomy), 25% splenectomy, and sham operation on in vivo clearance of live pneumococci from the lungs of male CD-1 mice following an aerosol challenge of pneumococci . Splenectomy impaired pneumococcal clearance from mouse lung pairs and allowed for increased translocation of live pneumococci to tracheobronchial lymph nodes compared to sham-operated controls . Preservation of splenic mass by partial splenectomy improved lung clearance and allowed for fewer bacteria to be cultured from tracheobronchial lymph nodes compared to splenectomized animals . Clearance of live pneumococci from the lungs and survival were directly proportional to the amount of splenic tissue remaining . Splenic factors probably exist which regulate reticuloendothelial cell function throughout the host . Maintaining adequate splenic mass, therefore, is an important consideration when operating for splenic trauma. J Bacteriol, 1989 Sep, 171(9), 4963 - 6 Dual mechanism for stimulation of glutamate transport by potassium ions in Streptococcus mutans; Sato Y et al.; An ATP-driven primary transport system operative for L-glutamate or L-aspartate in Streptococcus mutans is, through the entire pH range from 5.5 to 8.5, specifically stimulated by extracellular potassium ions . The stimulation by potassium ions observed in the low pH range between 5.5 and 7 has been interpreted to be due to potassium ion-dependent regulation of the intracellular pH (the first mechanism) . In the high pH range from 7 to 8.5, on the other hand, the present study demonstrates that potassium stimulation is essentially not associated with such intracellular pH regulation . This conclusion is based on our observation that potassium stimulation in the high pH range is insensitive to a proton conductor, carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl-hydrazone . Since none of the other monovalent cations, including sodium, rubidium, ammonium, and Tris ions, could replace potassium ions in significantly stimulating glutamate transport, it is most likely that the influx of potassium ions specifically cancels the membrane potential derived by movement of glutamate with the net negative charges across a membrane and thus facilitates transport (the second mechanism) . The second mechanism appears to be operative even in a low pH range, in addition to the first mechanism. Obstet Gynecol, 1989 Se