bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MULTIPLE FORMS OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL α‐TOXIN
Authors: DALEN ARE B.
Published: August 2010

A group of proteins was readily extracted at neutrality from trichloroacetic acid precipitates of staphylococcal culture filtrate supernatants, while α‐toxin was dissolved and activated by treating the precipitate with 8 M urea, with acidic buffers or by heating to 90–100° C at neutrality. Heat activation of the precipitate produced a relatively pure α‐toxin with a molecular weight of 39,000. α‐Toxin was eluted together with three other proteins on hydroxyl apatite chromatography, and evidence was obtained for an association between the four proteins. On isoelectric focusing a haemolytic fraction was obtained at pH 6.2, probably due to acid activation of the precipitate formed at the cathodic end of the column. The α‐haemolytic fractions with pI's of 7.4 and 8.6 were shown to consist of α‐toxin only when analyzed by acrylamide electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. The haemolytic component with a pI of 9.2 contained two additional components of molecular weights of 27,500 and 18,000. Chromatography of this material on Sephadex G‐200 showed that α‐toxin and the two proteins appeared as a high molecular complex.
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY OF BACTERIAL WHOLE CELL METHANOLYSATES
Authors: JANTZEN ERIK , BRYN KLAUS , BERGAN TOM , BØVRE KJELL
Published: August 2010

The cellular fatty acids of seventeen Acinetobacter strains were determined. Most acids identified were previously found in neisseriae and moraxellae. Specific for Acinetobacter was 2‐hydroxydodecanoic acid and a few minor unidentified components. The fatty acid data were analysed by numerical methods and compared with previous results obtained for neisseriae and moraxellae. The findings were consistent with genetic evidence for some affinities of genus Acinetobacter to genus Moraxella and “false neisseriae”. Occasionally, a high resemblance in fatty acid pattern was demonstrated between a Moraxella strain and certain strains of Acinetobacter, and also between an Acinetobacter strain and certain “true neisseriae”. Still, the acinetobacters constituted one single cluster separated from the other genera of Neisseriaceae.
EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO HIGH AND LOW OSMOTIC PRESSURE UPON NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS TRANSFORMATION
Authors: Jyssum Kaare
Published: August 2010

Transformation efficiency in competent variants of the Neisseria meningitidis Strain M1 increased more than three‐fold after exposure of the recipient cells to approximately 35 atmospheres osmotic pressure for 20 min. Growth of the recipient cells at increased osmotic pressure constantly reduced the transformation efficiency. Exposure of the cells to hypotonic conditions reduced transformability significantly and attempts to restore transformability by means of supernatant solutions from competent cultures were unsuccessful. Incompetent variants of the Strain M1 could not be rendered competent by exposure to increased tonicity. The findings have been discussed in relation to the effects of tonicity variation on N. meningitidis competence variants.
SURVIVAL OF ANAEROBIC BACTERIA DURING TRANSPORTATION
Authors: Justesen Tage , Nielsen Mogens Lykkegaard
Published: August 2010

The effect of evacuation of atmospheric air during transportation on recovery of anaerobicbacteria was investigated. Evacuation of atmospheric air from glass tubes by flushing with pure carbon dioxide lowered the content of oxygen to about 0.4 per cent. Three B. fragilis strains and one strain of Fusobacterium mortiferum and of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius were investigated. Bacterial recovery was determined one hour and 24 hours after evacuation of atmospheric air by pure carbon dioxide and pure nitrogen, and was compared to bacterial recovery from samples transported with free access to atmospheric air. Evacuation by pure carbon dioxide significantly improved the recovery of one B. fragilis strain after 24 hours of transportation and significantly impaired the recovery of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius after one hour of transportation, while evacuation by pure nitrogen significantly improved the recovery of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius after 24 hours of transportation. In all other cases, however, no statistically significant effect on bacterial recovery was found.
IMMUNOELECTROOSMOPHORESIS FOR DETECTION OF REO‐LIKE VIRUS: METHODOLOGY AND COMPARISON WITH ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
Authors: Tufvesson Bertil , Johnsson Torsten
Published: August 2010

In two separate studies, faecal samples were collected from children with acute gastroenteritis; the samples were tested both by electron microscopy and immunoelectroosmophoresis with a view to detect reo‐like virus. In 94 per cent and 100 per cent of samples positive by electron microscopy in the first and second material, respectively, a precipitin line was found after electrophoresis, using a guinea pig antiserum against a purified bovine virus. No false positives were detected by this method.
RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF ENTEROBACTERIACEAE
Authors: Kilian M. , Bülo P.
Published: August 2010

The paper describes a number of tests for the rapid detection of glycosidases including α‐glucosidase, β‐glucosidase, β‐glucuronidase, β‐xylosidase and α‐fucosidase. The methods use heavy suspensions of viable but non‐multiplying bacteria in a buffered solution of a chromogenic substrate. The results of the tests are readable within 4 h. The application of these tests to a collection of 633 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae demonstrates that some of the tests may be valuable additions to the present tests available for the identification of bacteria belonging to these families, β‐glucuronidase activity was observed only in strains of the Escherichia‐Shigella group. 97 per cent of the Escherichia strains possessed β‐glucuronidase activity. β‐xylosidase activity was almost completely restricted to strains of the Klebsiella‐Enterobacter group in addition to Yersinia strains. None of the strains possessed α‐fucosidase activity.
ACQUIRED RESISTANCE OF BCG‐VACCINATED RED MICE TO INFECTION WITH LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES
Authors: Jespersen Andr.
Published: August 2010

Infection experiments have shown that red mice, belonging to the vole family, could be infected with Listeria monocytogenes and that they were almost as susceptible to intravenous infection as CF1 mice. Vaccination of red mice with BCG induced a resistance which could be demonstrated by prolongation of the survival time of the animals after challenge with Listeria. The resistance was greatest in the second and third week after vaccination and was considerably higher after intravenous injection of BCG vaccine than after intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection. On the basis of studies concerning the dose of vaccine, the route of vaccination, and the interval between vaccination and challenge, a method by which to evaluate the potency of a strain of BCG has been elaborated. By this method it was found that there was a significant difference between the resistance produced by a strain of BCG which is weakly virulent and one which is strongly virulent for hamsters.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF AN UNUSUAL CELL WALL POLYSACCHARIDE FROM ANIMAL COAGULASE‐POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI
Authors: Endresen C. , Grov A.
Published: August 2010

The teichoic acid of polysaccharide P (poly P) contains glycerol, glucose and phosphate. Hydrofluoric acid and alkali hydrolysates contain glycerol 1‐phosphate, glycerol diphosphate, and glucose 1‐phosphate, but no glucosyl‐glycerol fragments. Glucose and the serological activity of poly P were destroyed by periodate oxidation. Interaction with concanavalin A showed that the glucose is in α‐configuration and that the hydroxyl groups at positions 3, 4 and 6 are unsubstituted. Most probably, the poly P teichoic acid is a polymer containing a repeating unit in which glycerol 1‐phosphate is attached to the 2‐position on α‐D‐glucose 1‐phosphate.
PROTEOLYTIC DEGRADATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL α‐TOXIN
Authors: Dalen A. B.
Published: August 2010

Staphylococcal α‐toxin of mol.wt. 39,000 was degraded at an alkaline pH by staphylococcal extracellular proteases resulting in the formation of three relatively stable intermediates with mol.wt. 27,500, 23,500 and 12,000. The intermediate with mol.wt. 27,500 which existed in two charged forms, was isolated by column chromatography and found to be non‐haemolytic. Furthermore, it could be obtained by proteolysis of α‐toxin (mol.wt. 39,000) with chymotrypsin in low concentrations. This intermediate was further degraded by trypsin to the protein with mol.wt. 23,500 and 12,000.
FUNCTIONAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES OF THE EFFECTS OF HUMAN INTERFERON ON CELL MEMBRANES OF IN VITRO CULTURED CELLS
Authors: Degré Miklos , Hovig Torstein
Published: August 2010

The effect of human leukocyte interferon on cultured U‐amnion cells was examined, and several biological parameters were registered. Multiplication of Vesicular stomatitis virus and the virus‐produced cytopathogenic effect was prevented. The growth rate of uninfected cells was reduced, as well as the spontaneous release of 3H‐uridine. These effects were observed following treatment with 10 units of interferon per ml. No morphological alterations could be detected by scanning electron microscopy after 24 or 72 hours treatment with up to 2000 units interferon per ml.
HAEMAGGLUTINATION OF TWITCHING STREPTOCOCCUS SANGUIS
Authors: Henriksen S. D. , Løvstad Eva
Published: August 2010

Among 86, mostly twitching, polarly fimbriated strains of Streptococcus sanguis, 55 agglutinated guinea pig erythrocytes (GPE) after cultivation in Todd‐Hewitt broth (TH), and 21 strains agglutinated GPE only after growth in TH with 10 per cent horse serum (THS). Two of the positive strains were non‐twitching and unfimbriated. Ten strains failed to haemagglutinate. Among 5 twitching strains belonging to the 10043 group, 3 agglutinated GPE after growth in TH and 2 only after growth in THS. Among 35 non‐twitching strains of α‐haemolytic streptococci, only 6 agglutinated GPE after growth in TH, and among 8 negative strains which were tested after growth in THS, only 1 agglutinated GPE. Tests using 6 different kinds of erythrocytes (guinea pig, rabbit, sheep, horse, chicken, human) revealed that differences between these were slight only. The results do not indicate that there is an absolute association between twitching and haemagglutination in S. sanguis. The haemagglutination of S. sanguis was not mannose‐sensitive.
HUMAN INTERFERON AND CELL GROWTH INHIBITION
Authors: DAHL HELEN
Published: August 2010

Human leukocyte interferon (IF) inhibits the growth rate of homologous cells in culture. The growth inhibitory component, formerly separated from the antiviral component of human leukocyte IF by adsorption chromatography on albumin‐agarose, is investigated. The properties of the component are compared with the accepted characteristics of IF. The growth inhibition is caused by a small molecule, unstable to pH 2 treatment with HCl, but stable to trichloro‐acetic acid (TCA) and to proteolytic enzymes. The isolated growth inhibitor seems to be a dimer of molecular weight (mol wt.)˜2300. It is activated by heat treatment and lacks species specificity. The discrepancies in the properties of the growth inhibitor before before and after separation from IF are discussed.
THE CATABOLISM OF GLUCOSE, GLUTAMATE, PYRUVATE AND ACETATE IN NEISSERIA ELONGATA SUBSP. GLYCOLYTICA
Authors: HOLTEN EIRIK
Published: August 2010

Activities corresponding to the enzymes glucokinase, glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, pyridine nucleotide independent malate dehydrogenase, and glutamate dehydrogenase were found in cell free extracts from Neisseria elongata subsp. glycolytica. Activities corresponding to 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrase and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐6‐phosphogluconate aldolase were not found. Glucose was catabolized only via the pentose phosphate pathway. The radiorespirometric findings suggest an extensive recycling of the triose and fructose phosphates. There was no evidence for formation of pyruvate from glucose. Glutamate was oxidized via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Pyruvate and acetate were obviously catabolized by the glyoxylic and tricarboxylic acid cycles, as in N. elongata.
THE TESTING OF THE ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY OF BACTERIA ON AN AGAR MEDIUM: THE PROBLEM OF A DOUBLE ZONE OF INHIBITION
Authors: Korkeala H. , Pekkanen T. J.
Published: August 2010

When the sensitivity of Micrococcus luteus ATTC 9341 to streptomycin, erythromycin, oleandomycin and spiramycin was tested by an agar diffusion method using antibiotic impregnated filter paper disks on unbuffered Penassay Seed Agar two zones of inhibition were observed around the disks after an incubation period of 24 hours at 30d̀ C. The pH of the M. luteus seeded Penassay Seed Agar was measured before and after 24 hours incubation at 30d̀ C and found to be 6.6 and 8.7, respectively. When the Penassay Seed Agar was buffered to pH 6.1 and the sensitivity of the microbe to the antibiotics was tested as before no double zones of inhibition could be observed. The phenomenon of the double zones of inhibition may possibly be due to the pH increase of the medium from a relatively low level to the optimum range of activities of the antibiotics during the incubation period.
INFECTION OF CLETHRIONOMYS G. GLAREOLUS SCHREB. (RED MICE) WITH MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS AND MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS INJECTED SUBCUTANEOUSLY
Authors: JESPERSEN ANDR.
Published: August 2010

Groups of red mice were injected with doses from 10 mg to 10‐8 mg semidried culture of a strain of M. tuberculosis and with doses from 10‐1 to 10‐8 mg of a strain of M. bovis. Some animals were killed about 1 1/2 and 3 months after injection and the remainder lived until death occurred spontaneously. The number of tubercle bacilli in the organs was evaluated by microscopy of smears, in some cases by quantitative culture. Among the mice injected with M. tuberculosis in doses of up to about 2 million viable units, not one case of death occurred which could be attributed to tuberculosis. The autopsy findings consisted exclusively of lesions at the site of injection and in the regional lymph glands. Quantitative culture showed growth of a few viable units in the lymph glands, spleen or lungs, but no sign of progressive infection. Out of 10 mice injected with a giant dose of 3 × 107 viable units, only two died of tuberculosis. M. bovis provoked fatal tuberculosis in all animals injected with doses from 6.9 million to 7 viable units. Severe caseous lesions developed at the site of injection, in the lymph glands, in the lungs, and often also in liver and spleen. The number of bacteria in the organs was enor‐ mous, particularly in the spontaneously dead animals. The survival times, which were depend‐ ent on dosage, varied from 51 to 159 days.
SURFACE‐CHARGE CHARACTERISTICS OF SMOOTH AND ROUGH SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM BACTERIA DETERMINED BY AQUEOUS TWO‐PHASE PARTITIONING AND FREE ZONE ELECTROPHORESIS
Authors: STENDAHL OLLE , EDEBO LARS , MAGNUSSON KARL‐ERIC , TAGESSON CHRISTER , HJERTÉN STELLAN
Published: August 2010

Aqueous biphasic partitioning of Salmonella typhimurium S and R bacteria in a system containing 6.2 per cent (w/w) dextran 500 and 4.4 per cent (w/w) poly(ethyleneglycol) 6000 (PEG) was similar to the partition of the corresponding surface lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Further partition analysis with charged PEG showed that S bacteria and their LPS exposed very little charge, whereas R bacteria and their LPS showed a conspicuous negative charge at neutral pH. Free zone electrophoresis also indicated that the S bacteria have a much lower surface charge density than the R bacteria and accordingly a different surface structure. Thus, the physico‐chemical properties of the bacterial surface seem to be determined to a great extent by the characteristics of the cell surface LPS.
RABBIT POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE MIGRATION IN VITRO IN RESPONSE TO LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES FROM BACTEROIDES, FUSOBACTERIUM AND VEILLONELLA
Authors: SVEEN KJELL.
Published: August 2010

Purified lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from strains of Bacteroides, Fusobacterium and Veillonella incubated with guinea pig serum, were tested for chemotactic activity against rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in modified Boyden chambers. Comparisons were made to a Salmonella LPS (S. enteriditis S‐795). Submicrogram amounts of LPS induced positive chemotaxis, and a typical dose‐response relationship up to certain dose levels was observed. The difference in chemotactic activity between the Veillonella LPS and LPS‐S‐795 was not statistically significant. The Fusobacterium LPS showed either a non‐significant or a highly significantly lower chemotactic capacity than LPS‐S‐795. The Bacteroides LPS were also clearly chemotactic, but considerable less when compared to the Salmonella LPS. When serum was not added, the LPS preparations showed no chemotactic activity.
INFECTION OF CLETHRIONOMYS G. GLAREOLUS SCHREB. (RED MICE) WITH MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS INJECTED INTRAVENOUSLY
Authors: JESPERSEN ANDR. , BENTZON M. WEIS , MØLLER SUSANNE
Published: August 2010

Groups of red mice were injected intravenously with doses of from 3 viable units to 3times107 viable units of a virulent strain of M. bovis grown in Dubos Tween medium and exposed to ultrasonics. The course of the infection was evaluated by the survival times of animals that had died spontaneously and by quantitative culture from the organs of animals injected with the four smallest doses and killed at various times after the injection. M. bovis provoked progressive, fatal infection in all animals, even in those injected with 3 viable units. The median survival times of the animals injected with the three largest doses were 13, 17 and 18 days, i.e. increasing the lower the dose. For the animals injected with the three smallest doses, the median survival times were all about 3 months, independent of dosage. On autopsy, tuberculous lesions were found in spleen, lungs and lymph glands, but never in the liver. These lesions, which rapidly became caseous, were largest in the animals injected with a small dose, particularly in those which survived the longest. Smears from the organs contained enormous numbers of tubercle bacilli. Quantitative culture from the organs showed that the tubercle bacilli multiplied strongly during the first 3–4 weeks after the injection. Multiplication then ceased or became strongly inhibited. During the following 3 weeks, the number of viable units in the various organs remained at about the same level, being greatest in the spleen, smaller in the liver and lymph glands, and smallest in the lungs. During the rest of the experimental period, the number varied considerably from animal to animal, but generally it was almost unchanged in the lymph glands, liver and spieen, but increasing in the lungs. In some of the animals that lived longer than 3 months, the number of viable units in all the organs was extremely great.
CHEMOTYPES OF FUSOBACTERIUM NUCLEATUM LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES
Authors: FREDRIKSEN GJERT , HOFSTAD TOR
Published: August 2010

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were isolated from 20 strains of Fusobacterium nucleatum and examined by paper chromatography. gas liquid chromatography and colorimetric methods for the presence of neutral sugars, amino sugars and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐octonate (KDO). The LPS had in common glucosamine, L‐glycero‐D‐manno‐heptose. glucose and KDO. The KDO content was low. Galactose, rhamnose and D‐glycero‐D‐manno‐heptose were found in some strains. Based on the sugar composition of the LPS, the F. nucleatum strains could be classified into six Chemotypes.
CHEMOTYPES OF VEILLONELLA LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES
Authors: HOFSTAD TOR
Published: August 2010

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were isolated by phenol‐water extraction from 34 strains of Veillonella. and examined by paper chromatography and colorimetric methods for the presence of neutral sugars, amino sugars and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐octonate (KDO). Several preparations were also examined for neutral sugars by gas liquid chromatography. The LPS had in common glucosamine, galactosamine. L‐glycero‐D‐manno‐heptose, glucose and KDO, Most LPS contained galactose, and a few rhamnose. D‐glycero‐D‐manno‐heptose was found in LPS from one of the strains. Based on the sugar composition of the LPS, the Veillonella strains could be classified into four chemotypes.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE SPECIFIC AGGLUTINOGENS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Authors: GROV A. , FLANDROIS J. P. , FLEURETTE J. , OEDING P.
Published: August 2010

The specific Staphylococcus aureus agglutinogen h1 has been purified and shown to be a protein with a molecular weight of about 95,000. Chemical analysis revealed all the common amino acids, except tyrosine and the sulphur‐containing ones. The purified h1 antigen was strongly immunogenic in rabbits. The antiserum produced one precipitation line on double diffusion in agar against a suspension of bacteria. It also agglutinated bacteria of the h1‐containing strains, as well as tanned sheep erythrocytes sensitized with h1, in high dilutions. Antibodies to other known staphylococcal antigens were not detected. The identity between h1 and Pillet's type 9 antigen was confirmed.
RABBIT POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE CHEMOTACTIC FACTOR GENERATED IN VIVO BY BACTEROIDES FRAGILIS LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE
Authors: SVEEN KJELL
Published: August 2010

By chromatographic separation on Sephadex gels a peptide, termed the lipopolysaccharide‐induced chemotactic factor (LPS‐CF), has been isolated from inflammatory exudate. The exudate was obtained from Teflon® chambers implanted subcutaneously in rabbits 3 h after LPS from Bacteroides fragilis ss. fragilis had been injected. Three chemotactic peaks were eluted by fractionation of the exudate on Sephadex G‐200 columns; one major peak with molecular weight of approximately 16,000 and two minor peaks with molecular weights of approximately 68,000 and 7,000. Refiltration of the major peak on G‐75 showed the same elution profile as that found on G‐200 columns. By addition of 8 M urea to the elution fluid only the major and the low molecular weight peaks appeared. The molecular weight of the major chemotactic peak was calculated to 16,000 on Sephadex gels, and also using SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and equilibrium centrifugation. The chemotactic factor was quite heat‐stable and was also non‐dialyzable, and freezing and thawing as well as storage at 4° C for several weeks did not impede its activity. This chemotactic factor is probably identical to the cytotaxic fragment split off from C5 upon interaction with LPS.
LIBERATION OF ENDOTOXIN DURING GROWTH OF NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS IN A CHEMICALLY‐DEFINED MEDIUM
Authors: ANDERSEN BJÖRG MARIT , SOLBERG OTTO
Published: August 2010

Modified medium 199 is well suited to the growth of meningococci if rich growth is not necessary. The bacteria were very sensitive to changes in pH and needed a good buffer capacity of the medium. Four strains of Neisseria meningitidis were studied. After the stationary phase had been reached, the vital cell count decreased relatively slowly. However, the total cell count remained unchanged for at least 12 hours. The standardized E. coli endotoxin could be detected easily by the Limulus lysate test in different protein‐free, pH‐adjusted and ion‐balanced liquids, and the determination of endotoxin was reproducible. The Limulus lysate test was more sensitive than the rabbit pyrogen test as regards meningococcal endotoxin. Liberation of endotoxin during growth in modified medium 199 varied with strain and growth conditions. Repeated investigations showed the same pattern of growth and endotoxin liberation for each strain, also under other growth conditions. When sonicating the bacteria, high yields of endotoxin were obtained from each strain.
EFFECT OF HUMAN LEUKOCYTE INTERFERON ON THE PERMEABILITY OF THE CYTOPLASMA MEMBRANE OF CULTURED CELLS
Authors: DEGRÉ MIKLOS
Published: August 2010

The effect of human leukocyte interferon on the cytoplasma membrane of cultured homologous cells has been investigated. U‐amnion cells were labelled with (1‐14C) alpha‐aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), a low‐molecular‐weight non‐metabolizable amino acid. Following uptake, the AIB is released spontaneously from the cells. Treatment of cells with interferon reduced the AIB release. This effect was dosedependent, was neutralized by anti‐interferon serum and was strongly reduced by trypsin treatment.
MORE ON CROSS‐REACTIONS OF PNEUMOCOCCI AND KLEBSIELLA
Authors: HEIDELBERGER MICHAEL , NIMMICH WOLFGANG , ERIKSEN JORUNN , STIRM STEPHAN
Published: August 2010

Earlier studies are extended to the higher‐numbered K‐types of Klebsiella, several of which may now be fitted into the previously found groups. Additional correlations between chemical structure and serological specificity are given, not only among the higher K‐types, but also for several which were previously uninterpretable because structures were not known at the time. K1, K5, K6, K7 and K56 are shown to form a related group, although the reasons for their cross‐reactivities are not always the same.
Pseudomonas Cepacia Bacteræmia Due to Intrinsic Contamination of an Anæsthetic
Authors: Borghans J. G. A. , Hosli Marja Th. C. , Olsen H. , Ravn Elsebeth M. , Siboni K. , SØgaard P.
Published: August 2010

In November‐December 1977 an epidemic of bacteræmia due to P. cepacia was observed in Odense, Denmark (nine patients), and in Nijmegen, Holland (seven patients). All patients recovered. The epidemic was traced to intrinsic contamination of two batches of the anæsthetic fentanyl. All isolates from the patients and from the two batches belonged to the same biotype, had identical sensitivity patterns, and identical antigens. The P. cepacia strain differed from stock strains in being able to grow in two passages in methyl‐p‐hydroxi‐benzoate, 0.5 mg/ml, which promoted the growth of the microorganism; inocula of 2–20 cfu were sufficient to initiate growth in the drug or preservative. These facts indicate the inadvisability of using p‐hydroxi‐benzoates as preservatives in vials. The strain was inhibited at temperatures above 38.5°C, corresponding to the recovery of the patients after a period with fever above 39°C. Fourteen out of 15 patients examined had agglutinin titres ≥ 320, while 36 blood donors had titres <40. Of 12 patients with postoperative fever in the same period whose blood cultures did not yield P. cepacia, three had titres >320.
Diagnosis of Salmonella Bacteria: Antibodies Against Synthetic Salmonella O‐Antigen 8 for Immunofluorescence and co‐Agglutination using Sensitized Protein A‐Containing Staphylococci
Authors: Svenungsson Bo , Lindberg ALF A.
Published: August 2010

An antiserum against the synthetic disaccharide abequose 13 rhamnose (AR), representative of Salmonella O‐antigen 8, coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used for diagnosis of Salmonella bacteria by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL) and by co‐agglutination (COA) using sensitized protein A‐containing staphylococci. Among the 1150 enteric bacteria tested in IFL, the antiserum correctly identified all 99 Salmonella serogroup C 2 and C 3 bacteria with O‐antigen 8. No fluorescence was seen with 484 Salmonella bacteria belonging to other serogroups or 567 non‐Salmonella enteric bacteria. The anti‐AR‐BSA serum was favourable as compared to a conventional Salmonella factor O8 serum as regards both titre and specificity. In the COA test, all 22 Salmonella serogroup C 2 and C 3 strains agglutinated strongly and within seconds, whereas no agglutination could be seen when 93 Salmonella bacteria representing other serogroups were tested.
Surface Characteristics Of Escherichia Coli Strains In Relation To Development Of Bacteraemia
Authors: Stendahl O. , Normann B.
Published: August 2010

Three groups of E. coli bacteria isolated from blood, urine and faeces were analysed with respect to physicochemical surface properties in aqueous polymer two‐phase systems. Eighty‐eight per cent of the bacteria isolated from blood cultures showed affinity for the dextran‐rich bottom phase, whereas 60% and 30% of the bacteria isolated from urine and faeces, respectively, collected to the same phase. Further two‐phase analysis indicated that the bacteraemia strains exposed more negative surface than the other groups of bacteria, and that this charge was reduced after heat treatment (70° C, 40 min). These results thus indicate that the strains causing bacteraemia possess similar surface properties, and may have been selected from the more heterogeneous group of bacteria found in urine and faeces. It is further conceivable to propose that bacteria found in the blood expose more heatsensitive, negatively‐charged K antigen than the other groups of bacteria.
Electron Microscopical Study of Neisseria Meningitidis Releasing Various Amounts of Free Endotoxin
Authors: Andersen BjØrg Marit , SkjØrten Fredrik , Solberg Otto
Published: August 2010

A study has been made of the ultrastructure of four strains of Neisseria meningitidis which liberate varying amounts of free endotoxin in a chemically‐defined, protein‐free medium. The two strains which did not release detectable or only sparse amounts of free, filtrable endotoxin were rather uniform in cell size. Their cells appeared to be intact and showed a low tendency to aggregate, In addition cells of these strains showed only sporadic loose, trilaminar membranes and blebs, and free membranous structures were sparse in the medium. The endotoxin releasing strains liberated a high yield of free structures from the outer cell wall into the medium. These structures may represent the lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Genetic Transformation in Streptococcus Sanguis
Authors: Gaustad P. , Eriksen Jorunn , Henriksen S. D.
Published: August 2010

Nine strains of Streptococcus sanguis were examined for competence in genetic transformation with streptomycin resistance (str‐r) as marker. Eight strains belonged to serogroup H and one to the newly‐described serogroup W. Seven of the strains, one of which was the reference strain NCTC 7868 (strain Challis), were competent with str‐r DNA from strain Challis. Strains NCTC 9124 (strain Wicky) and 480 were incompetent. The efficiency of transformation was examined in four different media. Use of Todd Hewitt broth gave frequencies of transformants as high as the more complex media. Addition of serum to the transformation media was not essential for the development of competence. The presence of a competence factor (CF) in the culture filtrate of strain Challis was confirmed. The factor transferred strain Wicky to competence with a great variation in the number of transformants and had no influence on strain 480. On the other hand, this spontaneously incompetent strain became competent after addition of culture filtrate from the competent strain 13b, in contrast to Wicky which now remained incompetent. Thus, it is suggested that several factors are involved in the induction of competence of S. sanguis.
Studies on Yersinia Enterocolitica Isolated From Swine and Dogs
Authors: Pedersen Knud BØrge , Winblad Sten
Published: August 2010

Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O3 was isolated from the colon contents of 27 (4.5%) of 599 bacon pigs on slaughter. Two (1.7%) out of 115 dogs were positive by culture for this human‐pathogenic serotype of Y. enterocolitica. A number of other serotypes of Y. enterocolitica were also obtained both from porcine and canine enteric contents (4b, 5a, 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 26b, and non‐typeable strains). All these serotypes are supposedly non‐pathogenic for man and may possibly originate from the microflora of the environment. Haemolysis on bovine blood agar was observed for strains belonging to O‐serotype 3.
Quantification of Tetanus Antitoxin in Human Sera
Authors: Winsnes R. , Christiansen G.
Published: August 2010

We described recently an improved counter‐immunoelectrophoretic method for quantification of tetanus antitoxin. The toxin neutralization test in mice is considered to correlate well with protection in humans. In the present study, the correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.89. Sera containing more than 7.0 I.U./ml could be quantified directly by counter‐immunoelectrophoresis, while sera containing less tetanus antitoxin had to be concentrated prior to quantification. The passive haemagglutination test was also compared with the toxin neutralization test in mice. The correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.76.
Isolation of Sporothrix Fungorum From A 500‐Year‐Old Mummy Found in Greenland
Authors: Bodenhoff Jessie , Geertinger P. , Prause J.
Published: August 2010

A 500‐year‐old mummy of a seven‐month‐old Eskimo infant recently removed from a tomb north of Umanak presented problems of preservation. Among these was fungal coating on the skin, especially on the face. The fungus was isolated and diagnosed as a Sporothrix fungorum. The skin was successfully treated with nystatine. The species Sporothrix fungorum isolated is considered to be very rare, having been reported previously only from Europe and South Africa, but never from Greenland.
Experimental Endocarditis in Rabbits
Authors: Gutschik Ernö , MØller Susanne , Christensen Nils
Published: August 2010

Insertion of a polyethylene catheter into the left ventricle of the heart was used for regular establishment of sterile endocarditis, and bacterial endocarditis was established by injection of approximately 108Streptococcus faecalis into the blood stream at the same time as removal of the catheter which had been in place for 3 days. 100 out of 102 rabbits died spontaneously of bacterial endocarditis. Evidence is produced that the host‐parasite interaction is influenced by the proteolytic property of S. faecalis in this experimental model. Two distinct types of clinical course are described: 1) A predominantly acute and damaging illness, characterized by a high level of bacteraemia, small amounts of soft, friable vegetations in the left side of the heart, high frequency of kidney infarcts and shorter survival time in rabbits infected with proteolytic strains. 2) A relatively subacute illness, characterized by a lower level of bacteraemia, large, hard, non‐friable vegetations on the aortic valves, less pronounced destructive changes in the substance of valve leaflets, relatively lower frequency of kidney infarcts and longer survival time in rabbits infected with non‐proteolytic strains. The results suggest that proteolytic strains of S. faecalis cause partial dissolution of the vegetations resulting in a more severe clinical picture.
SEROLOGY OF NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE. CHARACTERIZATION OF RABBIT HYPERIMMUNE ANTISERA BY LINE‐ROCKET IMMUNOELECTROPHORESIS FOR USE IN COAGGLUTINATION
Authors: Sandström Eric , Danielsson Dan
Published: August 2010

The co‐agglutination (COA) and line‐rocket immunoelectrophoresis (L‐RIE) techniques were investigated for the serological classification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. COA with absorbed sera was found to demonstrate strain‐specific as well as cross‐reacting antigens. The results were dependent on the immunizing, absorbing and agglutinating properties of a particular strain. Heated (100 C) whole cells were found to be more reactive in the COA tests than untreated or formalin‐fixed organisms. It was possible by L‐RIE to compare the antigenic relationship between at least 20 strains in a single test run. This technique was applied on the 16 major outer membrane protein (MOMP) reference strains, which could then be divided into two separate groups with regard to cross‐reacting antigens. Based on the findings by the L‐RIE tests, selective absorptions of antibodies were performed for use in preparation of COA reagents. It was found that the reactions of these reagents with the MOMP reference strains could be assigned to three different antigenic classes. Reagents prepared for these classes are proposed as a basis for serological classification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
LACK OF EVIDENCE FOR AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INFECTION WITH CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AND CROHN'S DISEASE, AS INDICATED BY MICRO‐IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE ANTIBODY TESTS
Authors: Mardh Per‐Anders , Ursing Bo , Sandgren Eva
Published: August 2010

A significant difference has recently been reported in the occurrence of serum antibodies to the lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) immunotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with Crohn's disease and controls. In the present study, sera from 107 patients with Crohn's disease, 33 males and 74 females, were tested for antibodies to C. trachomatis by an indirect immunofluorescence test, using two pools of antigens. These pools contained antigens to immunotypes TRIC D‐K and LGV 1–3, respectively. None of the patients had IgM antibodies to the organism. IgG antibodies occurred significantly more often in the female than in male patients. No correlation could be demonstrated between activity and duration of Crohn's disease and the results of the antibody tests. For comparison, the sera of 50 puerperal women were studied. No difference in the occurrence of IgG antibodies was found between patients and controls, neither when using the two pools of antigen, thus indicating that the antibodies detected had probably been induced by TRIC rather than LGV organisms. To conclude, the study did not indicate an association between Crohn's disease and infection with C. trachomatis.
A VACUUM GADGET FOR SAFE AND RAPID MOUNTING OF COVER SLIPS ON SLIDES WITH LIVING PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS
Authors: Rasmussen Ernst
Published: August 2010

A simple gadget is described for the safe and rapid mounting of cover slips on slides with infectious materials. The instrument has worked satisfactorily in the mounting of more than 50,000 slides.
CELLULAR FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF HAEMOPHILUS SPECIES, PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA, ACTINOBACILLUS ACTINOMYCETEMCOMITANS AND HAEMOPHILUS VAGINALIS (CORYNEBACTERIUM VAGINALE)
Authors: Jantzen Erik , Berdal BjøRn Peter , Omland Tov
Published: August 2010

The fatty acid composition of 35 Haemophilus influenzae strains was found to be grossly similar and characterized by relatively large amounts of 14:0, 3‐OH‐14:0, 16:1 and 16:0. The three C18 fatty acids 18:2, 18:1 and 18:0 were also present, but in much lower concentrations. This general pattern was also found for most of the other species of Haemophilus examined (H. aegyptius, H. aphrophilus, H. canis, H. gallinarum, H. haemolyticus, and H. parainfluenzae). Small but distinct quantitative discrepancies were detected for H. ducreyi and the haemin‐independent species H. paraphrohaemolyticus, H. paraphrophilus and H. suis. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was found to be indistinguishable from H. influenzae. Pasteurella multocida also exhibited a fatty acid pattern closely related to that of Haemophilus, but could be distinguished by its higher concentration levels of the C18 fatty acids. The fatty acid pattern of H. vaginalis was considerably different from those of the other species examined. This species lacked 3‐OH‐14:0 and 18:2 and contained small amounts of 14:0 and 16:0, whereas 18:1 and 18:0 were the major constituents.
BINDING OF ENTEROTOXIN FROM CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS TYPE A TO LIVER CELLS IN VIVO AND IN VITRO.
Authors: Skjelkvåle R. , Tolleshaug H. , Jarmund T.
Published: August 2010

Enterotoxin from Clostridium perfringens was shown to retain its biological activity after labelling with 125I. When injected intravenously into mice and rats, most of the radioactivity in the organs was present in the form of intact toxin. Studies of the tissue distribution of labelled enterotoxin showed the largest amounts in the liver, where the activity reached a maximum 10–15 min after administration. The highest concentration per g tissue was found in liver and kidneys. The radioactivity was excreted in the urine as a mixture of intact labelled toxin and low molecular weight degradation products. In vitro studies with purified parenchymal liver cells showed rapid release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during treatment with enterotoxin, thus indicating severe membrane damage.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS ON MICROGAMETOGENESIS AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE MICROGAMETE OF ISOSPORA FELIS
Authors: Ferguson D. J. P. , Birch‐Andersen A. , Hutchison W. M. , Siim J. Chr.
Published: August 2010

The endogenous forms of Isospora felis were observed within the epithelial cells of the small intestine of the cat. They were situated within a parasitophorous vacuole which was limited by a multimembranous wall. The ultrastructural features of microgametogenesis were studied at 8 days postinfection. The initial phase of microgamont development consisted of cytoplasmic growth accompanied by a number of nuclear divisions. The gamont was enclosed by a pellicle and its surface area was greatly increased by deep invaginations. In the later stages of development the numerous nuclei were situated close to the pellicle. Each nucleus has peripherally condensed chromatin. Formation of the microgametes occurred as protrusions from the microgamont surface. Two basal bodies, the dense portion of a nucleus and a mitochondrion entered each protrusion. The microgametes matured while still attached to the gamont from which they finally budded off into the parasitophorous vacuole leaving a large residual cytoplasmic mass. The mature microgamete was found to consist of an elongate nucleus which overlaps with a mitochondrion towards the anterior end of the organism. The anterior portion contains a dense perforatorium and two basal bodies with attached flagella. In addition a number of microtubules (5–9) were found to run longitudinally from the basal body region.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS ON MACROGAMETOGENESIS AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE MACROGAMETE OF ISOSPORA FELIS
Authors: Ferguson D. J. P. , Birch‐Andersen A. , Hutchison W. M. , Siim J. Chr.
Published: August 2010

The ultrastructural changes occurring during macrogametogenesis of Isospora felis were studied in the small intestine of the cat at 8 and 9 days post‐infection. The parasites were situated in parasitophorous vacuoles within the host epithelial cells. The early macrogamont could be identified by its ellipsoidal shape and by the presence of a large nucleus with a distinct nucleolus. Throughout the development of the macrogamont the organism remained limited by a pellicle. At an early stage of macrogametogenesis the formation of the wall‐forming bodies of types I and II (WFB I and WFB II) was initiated simultaneously. The formation of the WFB I appeared to involve the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and the Golgi bodies, whereas the WFB II developed within cisternae of the rER. Early in the developmental process vacuoles were observed which budded off from the nucleus and formed multimembranous vacuoles. During gametogenesis both lipid globules and polysaccharide granules developed within the cytoplasm. The mature macrogamete was spherical in appearance and was limited by a pellicle. It possessed a large nucleus with a nucleolus and the cytoplasm was filled with numerous WFB I, WFB II, lipid globules and polysaccharide granules. A few multimembranous vacuoles were also present together with canaliculi, mitochondria. Golgi bodies and some rER.
TRISODIUM PHOSPHONOFORMATE INHIBITS WOODCHUCK HEPATITIS VIRUS ASSOCIATED DNA POLYMERASE
Authors: Nordenfelt Erik , Werner Barbara
Published: August 2010

Recently a new virus has been described which infects woodchucks, Marmota monax. This virus, named woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is closely related to human hepatitis virus (HBV). The virions have the same principal antigenic system involving surface and core determinants and a serological relationship has been found. WHV has also a DNA polymerase associated with the core. It has previously been reported that trisodium phosphonoformate (PFA) but not phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) inhibits DNA polymerase associated with HBV. This investigation shows the same type of inhibition pattern by PFA and PAA on WHV DNA polymerase.
SENSITIVITY OF SERRATIA TO TETRACYCLINE
Authors: Siboni K.
Published: August 2010

S. marcescens had two levels of resistance to tetracycline, bacteriostatic end‐points 32 and 180 μg/ml;the latter group consisted of strains resistant to carbenicillin and to streptomycin. S. plymouthica, S. liquefaciens, and S. marinorubra were sensitive to tetracycline with the last‐named as the least sensitive species. Less difference was found between the bactericidal end‐points of the four species, but there was still 1–2 two‐fold steps between S. marcescensand the remaining three species.
SEROLOGY OF CAMPYLOBACTER FETUS SS. JEJUNI (»RELATED« CAMPYLOBACTERS).
Authors: Kosunen Timo U. , Danielsson Dan , Kjellander Jan
Published: August 2010

Rabbit antisera against two strains of Campylobacter fetus ss. fetus (serotype A), two strains of C. fetus ss. intestinalis (serotypes A and B respectively), and eight stains of C. fetus ss. jejuni were used in serological studies of these strains with the use of co‐agglutination (COA), line‐rocket immunoelectrophoresis (L‐RIE) and rocket‐line immunoelectrophoresis (R‐LIE). Whole bacterial cells, either heated at 56 °C, boiled or autoclaved, were used in COA tests. Unheated sonicates were used in L‐RIE, and sonicates, unheated, boiled or autoclaved, in R‐LIE. The antigenic properties of C. fetus ss. fetus and C. fetus ss. intestinalis were distinctly different from those of the thermophilic C. fetus ss. jejuni strains as shown both by COA and L‐RIE. Serotypes A and B of the two former species were also differentiated. In COA tests the C. fetus ss. jejuni organisms gave the strongest reactions with homologous antibodies, but several interstrain cross‐reactions were seen. By absorption strain specific COA reagents were obtained. Several reactions of identity indicating cross‐reactive antigens were also seen with L‐RIE within the ss. jejuni group. These results generally agreed with those obtained by COA. With the use of unheated, boiled or autoclaved organisms or sonicates heat labile antigens were differentiated from heat stable ones with the use of COA and R‐LIE. The apparent antigenic heterogeneity of Campylobacteria indicates the importance of their serological grouping, e.g. for clinical and epidemiological investigations. COA and immunoelectrophoresis techniques can be effectively applied for such studies.
ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY OF ENTEROPATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI TO MECILLINAM, TRIMETHOPRIM‐SULFAMETHOXAZOLE AND OTHER ANTIBIOTICS
Authors: ThoréN Anders
Published: August 2010

Forty‐six clinical isolates of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) collected in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1977–1978, were tested for susceptibility to 12 different antibiotics and beta‐lactamase‐production. Special reference was made to mecillinam and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMZ) that were recently shown to be effective in the treatment of severe gastroenteritis caused by EPEC. Twenty‐nine of the strains were of serotype 0111:B4. Thirty of the strains were resistant to 4 antibiotics or more, most of these strains belonging to serotype 0111:B4. For mecillinam, 19 strains had minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.2 μg/ml, 27 strains had MIC 0.8–3.2 μg/ml. Regarding TMP‐SMZ, 41 strains had MIC 1 μg/ml, 5 strains had 2–4 μg/ml. No strain was resistant to gentamicin or nalidixic acid. Increased production of beta‐lactamase was correlated to ampicillin resistance.