bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between children treated at home and those requiring hospital admission for rotavirus and other enteric pathogens associated with acute diarrhea in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Pitson G A , Grimwood K , Coulson B S , Oberklaid F , Hewstone A S , Jack I , Bishop R F , Barnes G L
Published: January 2020

The etiology of acute diarrhea in children less than 42 months of age attending one pediatric hospital in Melbourne, Australia, was studied during a 7-month period encompassing the winter of 1984. Pathogens identified in 157 children treated as outpatients with mild disease were compared with those in 232 children hospitalized with severe disease. The pathogens (and frequencies among outpatients and inpatients, respectively) detected were rotaviruses (32.5 and 50.9%), enteric adenoviruses (8.9 and 7.4%), Campylobacter jejuni (7.2 and 1.3%), and Salmonella sp. (4.0 and 1.7%). Electropherotypes of rotavirus strains from outpatients and inpatients were compared. Two strains predominated during the 7 months of this study and were observed with equal frequency from outpatients and inpatients. Rotaviruses of the same electropherotype caused a wide spectrum of disease, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, life-threatening diarrhea. The similarity of etiological agents identified from children with mild and severe forms of acute diarrhea suggests that the etiology of community enteric illness can be reasonably inferred from the etiology of inpatient disease in children in the same geographic area. During the winter epidemic period, the severity of symptoms associated with rotavirus infection in young children is likely to be determined by the inherent susceptibility of the host rather than by genetic differences in the strains of infecting rotaviruses.
Do clinical microbiology laboratories report complete bacteriology in urine from patients with long-term urinary catheters?
Authors: Damron D J , Warren J W , Chippendale G R , Tenney J H
Published: January 2020

Bacteriuria associated with long-term urinary catheters (those in place for greater than or equal to 30 days) appears to be the most common nosocomial infection in U.S. medical care facilities. This bacteriuria is polymicrobial and dynamic and accompanied by fevers, catheter obstructions, bacteremias, and deaths. We compared the reporting by our research laboratory of bacteria present in urine from long-term-catheterized nursing home patients with that by two commercial laboratories. The commercial laboratories isolated significantly fewer bacterial species at 10(5) CFU/ml of urine specimen. Organisms well recognized as causes of urinary tract infections in noncatheterized patients (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae) were isolated in comparable frequencies by both the research and commercial laboratories. However, other organisms, including uncommon uropathogens like Providencia stuartii and Morganella morganii, which were actually among the most frequent bacteriuric species in these long-term-catheterized patients, were isolated significantly less frequently by the commercial laboratories. Reasons for the discrepancies are unclear but may involve use of different techniques. More complete reporting may lead to better understanding of the polymicrobial bacteriuria of long-term catheters and its associated complications. This, in turn, may result in improved patient care and infection control in nursing homes.
Clinical trial comparing bacitracin with Strep-A-Chek for accuracy and turnaround time in the presumptive identification of Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Yajko D M , Lawrence J , Nassos P , Young J , Hadley W K
Published: January 2020

In a clinical trial, Strep-A-Chek (a 10-min chromogenic test) was compared with the bacitracin disk susceptibility test for accuracy and turnaround time in the presumptive identification of Streptococcus pyogenes. Among 461 isolates of beta-hemolytic streptococci (344 throat isolates and 117 isolates from other sites), 303 group A S. pyogenes isolates were found. The sensitivities of the Strep-A-Chek and bacitracin tests were high (96.4 and 100%, respectively), but the bacitracin test had a lower specificity (84.2%) than the Strep-A-Chek test (98.7%). The predictive values for positive and negative test results were 99.3 and 93.4%, respectively, for Strep-A-Chek and 92.4 and 100%, respectively, for bacitracin. Strep-A-Chek correctly identified all isolates upon repeat testing. All bacitracin tests were performed on subcultures of isolates from the primary plate. Strep-A-Chek testing was performed on colonies from the primary plate when isolated colonies were available. This shortened the turnaround time for Strep-A-Chek compared with bacitracin by at least 24 h on nearly one-half (45%) of the isolates. A peripheral finding of this study was that sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim blood agar offered no advantage over conventional blood agar with regard to the number of false-positive bacitracin tests obtained from each medium.
Human and nonhuman infections caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in Canada from 1962 to 1985
Authors: Toma S
Published: January 2020

The incidence of human and nonhuman infections of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in Canada is presented on the basis of a literature review and serotyping of 101 cultures referred to the Canadian National Reference Center for Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
Newly recognized Leptospira species ("Leptospira inadai" serovar lyme) isolated from human skin
Authors: Schmid G P , Steere A C , Kornblatt A N , Kaufmann A F , Moss C W , Johnson R C , Hovind-Hougen K , Brenner D J
Published: January 2020

Leptospira strain 10, which represents a new Leptospira species, was isolated from a skin biopsy of a patient with Lyme disease. Although pathogenic for laboratory animals, the organism was not considered to have a significant role in the patient's illness.
Viral isolation versus immune staining of infected cell cultures for the laboratory diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infections
Authors: Hughes J H , Mann D R , Hamparian V V
Published: January 2020

The Difco Laboratories Cellmatics kit, an immune staining method for the detection of herpes simplex virus after amplification in culture, was found to be 94.6% (138 of 146) sensitive and 100% (302 of 302) specific. However, conventional culturing detected 10 (6.4%) additional viruses that were not herpes simplex. For a full-service diagnostic laboratory, viral isolation is important.
Presumptive identification of "Streptococcus milleri" in 5 h
Authors: Ruoff K L , Ferraro M J
Published: January 2020

Rapid miniaturized tests for acetoin production, arginine hydrolysis, and sorbitol fermentation were used for presumptive identification of non-beta-hemolytic "Streptococcus milleri" isolates in 5 h. All 77 "S. milleri" strains tested were Voges-Proskauer positive, arginine hydrolysis positive, and sorbitol fermentation negative. On the basis of these reactions, "S. milleri" was differentiated from isolates of other viridans group streptococcal species and from Streptococcus bovis.
Comparison of DNA probes and the Sereny test for identification of invasive Shigella and Escherichia coli strains
Authors: Wood P K , Morris J G , Small P L , Sethabutr O , Toledo M R , Trabulsi L , Kaper J B
Published: January 2020

Forty-two Shigella and 29 Escherichia coli strains were screened for invasiveness in the Sereny test and for hybridization with two recently described DNA probes for the invasiveness plasmid. Both probes produced identical results. All Sereny-positive strains hybridized with both DNA probes. Three Sereny-negative strains also hybridized with the probes, suggesting that there are strains containing the invasiveness plasmid that are not pathogenic in animal models.
Immunofluorescence detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in fecal smears
Authors: Stibbs H H , Ongerth J E
Published: January 2020

An indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) procedure was developed for the detection of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts in human, nonhuman primate, and bovine fecal smears. The procedure, which takes about 90 min to perform, involves the use of a rabbit antiserum against Cryptosporidium oocysts isolated from dairy cattle. Cross-specificity testing of the IFA method revealed no reactivity with yeasts, various amoebae, Giardia lamblia, Chilomastix sp., or Blastocystis sp. and only very weak cross-reactivity with coccidian oocysts of other genera. IFA detection of oocysts in human and nonhuman primate fecal smears was far more sensitive than was dimethyl sulfoxide-carbolfuchsin staining. Moreover, IFA detection was comparable in sensitivity to auramine O staining with samples of high oocyst concentration and somewhat more sensitive than auramine O with samples containing relatively few oocysts. The IFA procedure may be useful in the clinical diagnosis of human and animal cryptosporidiosis and also in the detection of oocysts in environmental samples.
In vitro effect of ascorbic acid on infectivity of herpesviruses and paramyxoviruses
Authors: White L A , Freeman C Y , Forrester B D , Chappell W A
Published: January 2020

Suspensions of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, and parainfluenzavirus type 2 were inactivated within 24 h when treated at 37 degrees C with 1 mg (5.05 mM) of copper-catalyzed sodium ascorbate per ml. The infectivity titer of respiratory syncytial virus was reduced substantially after 24 h but required 48 h for inactivation. Under these conditions, inactivation of these viruses was also successfully achieved with 5.68 mM catalyzed ascorbic acid. Copper (Cu2+), when added with the ascorbate solution at 5 micrograms/ml (0.022 mM), exhibited a catalytic effect on the inactivation of these viruses. The rate of inactivation was affected by the incubation temperature, time of exposure, and the virus concentration. Ascorbate concentrations as high as 10 mg/ml (50.5 mM) demonstrated only a minimum increase in effect on viral inactivation. The loss of infectivity did not alter either the hemagglutination or complement fixation qualities of the antigens.
Is semiquantitative culture of central vein catheter tips useful in the diagnosis of catheter-associated bacteremia?
Authors: Collignon P J , Soni N , Pearson I Y , Woods W P , Munro R , Sorrell T C
Published: January 2020

Semiquantitative culturing of catheter tips has been used as an index of catheter-related bacteremia. As the sensitivity and predictive values of this test have not been determined, we studied 780 tips from central vein catheters inserted into 440 critically ill patients in an intensive care unit. The results were correlated with clinical data for 30 bacteremic episodes which occurred in these patients, 14 of which were catheter related. When five or more colonies per plate were taken as a positive result, the sensitivity of the method was 92%, and the specificity was 83%. Although the predictive value of a negative result was excellent (99.8%), the predictive value of a positive result was low (8.8%) in our patient population, which had a relatively low incidence of catheter-related bacteremia (2%). We conclude that a semiquantitative culture technique is useful in the diagnosis of bacteremia associated with central vein catheters.
Characterization by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the humoral immune response in patients with neurocysticercosis and its application in immunodiagnosis
Authors: Espinoza B , Ruiz-Palacios G , Tovar A , Sandoval M A , Plancarte A , Flisser A
Published: January 2020

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was standardized for the search for specific antibodies in human neurocysticercosis. A crude cysticercal extract and two partially purified antigenic fractions were used, as well as serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of different groups of subjects. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were detected in serum and CSF, with a sensitivity of 85 and 90%, respectively. Specificity was 96% with a partially purified antigen and 100% with the crude cysticercal extract. IgM and IgA antibodies were detected less frequently, and IgE was detected only occasionally, both in serum and CSF. Analysis of serum and CSF samples drawn from the same patient did not always reveal the presence of anticysticercus antibodies in both samples. A significant correlation was found between the presence or absence of IgG antibodies in the CSF and the morphological appearance of the parasite (undamaged or calcified). Variations in the humoral response were not found to correlate with clinical and laboratory findings.
Candida detection system (CAND-TEC) to differentiate between Candida albicans colonization and disease
Authors: Fung J C , Donta S T , Tilton R C
Published: January 2020

Eighty-three serum specimens from 24 patients infected with Candida albicans were examined for circulating Candida protein antigens with the Candida Detection System (CAND-TEC; Ramco Laboratories, Inc., Houston, Tex.). The medical records of each patient were reviewed for clinical evidence of Candida colonization or disease, predisposing factors for infection, underlying illness, the presence of a contaminated indwelling venous catheter, intravenous amphotericin B therapy, and outcome. Forty-nine serum specimens with antigen titers of 1:2 or less were obtained either from colonized patients or at a time when disseminated disease was not yet clinically suspected. Except for five specimens from two colonized patients, one with a contaminated arterial line, the other specimens with titers of 1:8 or greater (n = 14) were obtained from patients who had been clinically diagnosed and treated for disseminated candidiasis. Serum specimens with titers of 1:4 were often from patients with deep-seated candidal infection but were not uniformly diagnostic; in this situation additional specimens should be tested for Candida antigen titers. Only 1 of 24 serum specimens from patients with no evidence of C. albicans infection had a Candida protein antigen titer of 1:8. With a 1:8 or greater titer as a criterion for dissemination, the sensitivity of the CAND-TEC system was 71%, with a specificity of 98%. If the 1:8 titer for the colonized patient with a contaminated arterial line is not considered a false-positive result, the CAND-TEC sensitivity was 83%. The latex agglutination assay appears to be a useful, rapid, and noninvasive means of laboratory diagnosis of systemic candidiasis. The recovery of C. albicans from at least three body sites may also be a useful predictor of disseminated disease.
Demonstration of antigenic variation among rabies virus isolates by using monoclonal antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins
Authors: Smith J S , Reid-Sanden F L , Roumillat L F , Trimarchi C , Clark K , Baer G M , Winkler W G
Published: January 2020

Rabies virus isolates from terrestrial animals in six areas of the United States were examined with a panel of monoclonal antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins. Characteristic differences in immunofluorescence reactions permitted the formation of four antigenically distinct reaction groups from the 231 isolates tested. The geographic distribution of these groups corresponded well with separate rabies enzootic areas recognized by surveillance of sylvatic rabies in the United States. Distinctive reaction patterns were also identified for viral proteins from four infected bat species, and identical patterns were found in eight isolated cases of rabies in terrestrial animals. These findings suggest that monoclonal antibodies can be used to study the prevalence, distribution, and transmission of rabies among wildlife species.
Increased incidence of fungemia caused by Candida krusei
Authors: Merz W G , Karp J E , Schron D , Saral R
Published: January 2020

Candida krusei colonized 12.4% of 868 patients undergoing episodes of therapy-induced granulocytopenia over a 9-year period. The gastrointestinal tract was most frequently colonized, followed by the respiratory tract and urinary tract. Ten patients developed systemic infections with C. krusei; all 10 had two or more positive blood cultures. Nine of the 10 patients were colonized with C. krusei, and 6 were receiving systemic antifungal agents at the time of development of the infection. Seven patients died within 1 month of C. krusei sepsis; systemic candidiasis was seen in the autopsies of the four patients on whom autopsies were performed. Therefore, C. krusei should be recognized as an emerging pathogen in select patient populations.
Isolation and characterization of cephalothin-susceptible Campylobacter coli from slaughter cattle
Authors: Brooks B W , Garcia M M , Fraser D E , Lior H , Stewart R B , Lammerding A M
Published: January 2020

In a recent meat survey, 10 of 13 (77%) Campylobacter coli isolates were susceptible to cephalothin. These organisms were isolated from nine slaughter cattle from eight meat packing establishments. All 10 isolates grew at 43 degrees C but not at 25 degrees C, were catalase and oxidase positive, and were susceptible to nalidixic acid (30 micrograms) and cephalothin (30 micrograms). The cultures were subsequently identified as C. coli serogroup 20, biotype I (Lior scheme). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that protein and lipopolysaccharide profiles of whole cell preparations of the 10 cephalothin-susceptible strains and the reference strain for C. coli serogroup 20 were very similar. The plasmid profiles of these 11 strains were identical.
Serological tests for detecting Rift Valley fever viral antibodies in sheep from the Nile Delta
Authors: Scott R M , Feinsod F M , Allam I H , Ksiazek T G , Peters C J , Botros B A , Darwish M A
Published: January 2020

To determine the accuracy of serological methods in detecting Rift Valley fever (RVF) viral antibodies, we examined serum samples obtained from 418 sheep in the Nile Delta by using five tests. The plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) was considered the standard serological method against which the four other tests were compared. Twenty-four serum samples had RVF viral antibodies detected by PRNT. Hemagglutination inhibition and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibodies to RVF virus were also present in the same 24 serum samples. Indirect immunofluorescence was less sensitive in comparison with PRNT, and complement fixation was the least sensitive. These results extend observations made with laboratory animals to a large field-collected group of Egyptian sheep.
Hemadsorption and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay nitrocellulose replica methods for identification of colonization factor antigen (CFA)-positive Escherichia coli colonies and for isolation of CFA-negative mutants
Authors: López-Vidal Y , Svennerholm A M
Published: January 2020

Methods were developed that allow demonstration of individual colonies carrying colonization factor antigen (CFA) I or CFA/II or E8775-type antigen in mixed bacterial cultures on solid media. These methods are based on mannose-resistant hemadsorption or CFA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on nitrocellulose replicas of the cultures allowing simultaneous analysis of up to 200 colonies per plate. The sensitivity and specificity of the CFA ELISA nitrocellulose replica method were 97 and 99%, respectively, for CFA/I-carrying colonies and 99 and 100% for CFA/II-positive colonies; corresponding figures for the quicker and simpler hemadsorption modification were somewhat lower. Both methods seem to be useful for studying excretion of CFA-carrying bacteria in feces, as indicated by studies in rabbits infected with enterotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in a nonligated-intestine model. By initially absorbing CFA-carrying bacteria on erythrocytes and then performing nitrocellulose replicas of agar colonies of the nonabsorbed bacteria, CFA-deficient mutants could be identified by the hemadsorption method, as well as by the CFA ELISA. Treatment of CFA-carrying bacteria with antiserum against CFA and complement also resulted in enrichment of spontaneous CFA-deficient mutants that could be identified by the replica methods. Several stable CFA-deficient mutants from enterotoxin-producing E. coli carrying CFA/I, CFA/II, or E8775 were isolated by these approaches.
Outbreak of Candida parapsilosis endophthalmitis after cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation
Authors: McCray E , Rampell N , Solomon S L , Bond W W , Martone W J , O'Day D
Published: January 2020

Between November 1983 and January 1984, 13 cases of Candida parapsilosis endophthalmitis occurred in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee in patients who had had an intraocular lens implantation (IOLI) or cataract extraction with an IOLI. This outbreak followed the introduction in July 1983 of a new brand of balanced salt solution (BSS) used as an intraoperative ophthalmic irrigation solution. This product was subsequently recalled because of intrinsic fungal contamination. A retrospective cohort study including 704 ophthalmology patients at risk for exposure to this brand of BSS revealed that definite exposure to that product was a significant risk factor for C. parapsilosis endophthalmitis (P less than 0.001, Fisher exact test). A retrospective case control study including 203 control patients with definite exposure to BSS suggested that exposure to systemic steroids (P = 0.007, Fisher exact test) was an additional risk factor for C. parapsilosis endophthalmitis. Treatment modalities among the 13 patients included topical, intraocular, or systemic antifungal therapy (or a combination of these modalities) in 13 patients and vitrectomy in 10 patients. No patients had systemic symptoms or complete visual loss. Laboratory investigations showed a 6.7% overall contamination of the product with C. parapsilosis. After recall of the product by the manufacturer, no patients having a cataract extraction or IOLI at the institutions studied are known to have developed C. parapsilosis endophthalmitis.
Comparison of two selective media for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Martijn van Steenbergen T J , van Winkelhoff A J , van der Mispel L , van der Velden U , Abbas F , de Graaff J
Published: January 2020

Two selective media, malachite green-bacitracin (MGB) agar and tryptic soy-serum-bacitracin-vancomycin (TSBV) agar, were compared for the isolation of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The highest recovery was found on TSBV agar plates cultured in air-5% CO2 both for plaque samples from periodontal pockets and for pure cultures.
High production of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus (lymphadenopathy-associated virus) by human T lymphocytes stimulated by streptococcal mitogenic toxins
Authors: Alouf J E , Geoffroy C , Klatzmann D , Gluckman J C , Gruest J , Montagnier L
Published: January 2020

Purified streptococcal mitogens (SMs) including erythrogenic exotoxin were compared with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for their ability to sustain lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV) replication after the stimulation of normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infected with LAV. Both SM and PHA supported LAV production in peripheral blood mononuclear and CD4+ cells but not in CD8+ cells. LAV production assessed by the assay of reverse transcriptase in cell supernatants appeared earlier after stimulation with SM and was 6- to 10-fold greater than after stimulation by PHA.
o-Nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside-urease-indole broth, a new composite tube medium for Salmonella screening
Authors: Berlutti F , Dainelli B , Martini A , Thaller M C
Published: January 2020

A new composite broth medium combining o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) and urease and indole tests in a single tube is described. High-level agreement with individual conventional tests was recorded in comparative studies with 2,412 cultures of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, i.e., 100% agreement with the exception of Hafnia spp. (96.3% agreement) for the ONPG test and Citrobacter, Enterobacter, and Hafnia spp. (75, 86.4, and 98.2% agreement, respectively) for the urease test. The new medium seems especially promising as a screen for Salmonella subgroup I which encompasses most pathogenic Salmonella species other than the Arizona subgroup.
Rapid determination of neutralizing antibodies to Semliki Forest virus in serum by enzyme immunoassay in cell culture with virus-specific monoclonal antibodies
Authors: van Tiel F H , Harmsen T , Wagenaar M , Boere W A , Kraaijeveld C A , Snippe H
Published: January 2020

We describe in this study a rapid enzyme immunoassay for the titration of neutralizing antibodies in serum against Semliki Forest virus. For this assay L cells were added to preincubated virus-antiserum mixtures to form monolayers. Six hours after infection by residual, nonneutralized virus, the monolayers were fixed, and the E2 glycoprotein of Semliki Forest virus on the surface of infected cells was quantified with an E2-specific, peroxidase-labeled monoclonal antibody (UM 5.1). The serum antibody titer was defined arbitrarily as the inverse value of that dilution of serum associated with a 25% inhibition of control absorbance values. These titers of both early and later mouse immune sera were similar to those determined in simultaneously performed 50% plaque reduction tests. The results indicate that the enzyme immunoassay (duration, 9 h) is reliable and compares favorably with the conventional plaque reduction test (duration, 25 h) in rapidity, ease of performance, and objectivity.
Autoclaved liquid medium for propagation of Treponema hyodysenteriae
Authors: Kunkle R A , Harris D L , Kinyon J M
Published: January 2020

Three liquid media that differ slightly in composition but not in the method of preparation were developed for the propagation of Treponema hyodysenteriae and Treponema innocens. The three media are unique in that all components are sterilized by autoclaving before use. These media supported better growth of T. hyodysenteriae than did previously used liquid media.
Elimination of Fc receptor binding of human immunoglobulin G in immunofluorescence assays for herpes simplex virus antibodies
Authors: Gallo D
Published: January 2020

The binding of human immunoglobulin G by Fc receptors in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells can cause false-positive interpretations in the immunofluorescence test for HSV antibody. When the infected cell smears were treated with 10% glacial acetic acid for 5 min and rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline before the immunofluorescence test was performed, the Fc receptors were completely inactivated, resulting in a reliable method for HSV antibody detection.
Prevalence of enteric parasites in homosexual patients attending an outpatient clinic
Authors: Peters C S , Sable R , Janda W M , Chittom A L , Kocka F E
Published: January 2020

A total of 372 pooled stool specimens from 274 homosexual men with diarrhea were submitted for parasitologic examination over a 2.5-year period. Each two-vial pooled specimen set contained portions of stool from 3 consecutive days in Formalin and polyvinyl alcohol. Of the 274 patients, 133 (48.5%) harbored one or more intestinal protozoa, with 161 (43.3%) of the 372 specimens submitted being positive for one or more organisms. The parasites identified included Entamoeba histolytica (71 patients), Giardia lamblia (22 patients), Endolimax nana (106 patients), Entamoeba coli (39 patients), Entamoeba hartmanni (25 patients), Dientamoeba fragilis (3 patients), Iodamoeba bütschlii (2 patients), and Chilomastix mesnili (2 patients). Cryptosporidium sp. (2 patients) and Isospora belli (1 patient) were also detected. Results of this study support the experience of other workers regarding high rates of infection with intestinal parasites in the homosexual population and also indicate that symptomatic individuals belonging to this acquired immunodeficiency syndrome risk group be screened for both common and uncommon intestinal pathogens.
Human Fc(gamma) receptors for differentiation in throat cultures of group C "Streptococcus equisimilis" and group C "Streptococcus milleri"
Authors: Lebrun L , Guibert M , Wallet P , de Maneville M M , Pillot J
Published: January 2020

The biochemical characteristics and the presence of human Fc(gamma) receptors of 52 throat isolates of group C beta-hemolytic streptococci were examined. Among these isolates, 38 were identified as "Streptococcus milleri" and 14 were identified as "Streptococcus equisimilis." The differentiation of group C "S. equisimilis" from "S. milleri" with identical group antigens was easy to perform by the measurement of the size of the hemolytic zone on a sheep blood agar plate in an anaerobic atmosphere and by biochemical tests (Voges-Proskauer test). A clear-cut criterion for differentiation was noted among these isolates, i.e., the presence of Fc(gamma) receptors. "S. equisimilis," which are generally associated with pharyngitis, possess human Fc(gamma) receptors, while "S. milleri", which are generally isolated from healthy persons, have no such receptors.
Comparative evaluation of the new Titertek Enterobac Rapid Automated System (TTE-RAS) for identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Anzivino D , Nani E , Lavitola A , Amato G , Gulletta E
Published: January 2020

The Titertek Enterobac Rapid Automated System (TTE-RAS; Flow Laboratories, SpA, Milan, Italy), a new semiautomated system for the identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, was compared with the API 20E system (API System P.A., Montalieu Vercieu, France) by using 284 clinically isolated strains that were previously identified by conventional methods. Six strains from the American Type Culture Collection (Rockville, Md.) were included to evaluate the reproducibility of identification by both systems. Correct identifications at the species level were 93.7% with TTE-RAS and 96.1% with API 20E. Although some of the features of the TTE-RAS data base were not satisfactory, we consider this new miniaturized system to be a very valuable tool for the rapid identification of the most frequently isolated opportunistic bacteria.
Antibodies to basement membrane protein nidogen in Chagas' disease and American cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Avila J L , Rojas M , Velazquez-Avila G , von der Mark H , Timpl R
Published: January 2020

About 50 to 70% of sera from patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis and chronic Chagas' disease possessed antibodies which reacted in enzyme and radioimmunoassays with nidogen obtained from a tumor basement membrane. The antibodies were of the immunoglobulin M and G classes in acute American cutaneous leishmaniasis but mainly of the immunoglobulin G class in chronic Chagas' disease. Similar antibodies could not be detected in patients suffering from a variety of other infectious or inflammatory diseases when compared with healthy control groups. Inhibition and immunoadsorption studies indicated a close relationship of epitopes recognized by patients' antibodies on nidogen and on another basement membrane protein, laminin. Since rabbit antisera to both proteins do not cross-react, a special nature of the epitopes involved in the reaction with patient sera is suggested. Similar epitopes may exist on various forms of Leishmania or Trypanosoma protozoa.
Purification of nonlipopolysaccharide antigen from Brucella abortus during preparation of antigen used for indirect hemolysis test
Authors: Hoffmann E M , Houle J J
Published: January 2020

The indirect hemolysis test (IHLT) for the diagnosis of brucellosis uses a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigen obtained by dimethyl sulfoxide extraction of Brucella abortus. We showed that a non-LPS antigen can be obtained as a by-product of the IHLT antigen preparation. The antigen was purified to homogeneity by a combination of gel-filtration chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. The substance contained 8% protein and about 65% carbohydrate. The molecular weight of the primary unit was 19,750, when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The non-LPS antigen, which is serologically identical to B. abortus smooth LPS O antigen, did not bind to cell membranes. However, it could be used to detect specific antibodies by complement fixation, precipitation in agarose gels, and inhibition of the IHLT.
Direct detection and differentiation of fastidious and nonfastidious adenoviruses in stools by using a specific nonradioactive probe
Authors: Niel C , Gomes S A , Leite J P , Pereira H G
Published: January 2020

Restriction fragments of fastidious human adenovirus type 41 (Ad41) were cloned in vector plasmid pBR322. A rapid and sensitive nonradioactive molecular-hybridization technique (M. Renz and C. Kurz, Nucleic Acids Res. 12:3435-3444, 1984) showed that one clone specifically detected fastidious Ad40 and Ad41 (subgenus F) without cross-hybridization with nonfastidious adenoviruses. This clone was mapped in a region of the Ad41 genome corresponding to early transcription unit E1B of Ad2. A number of DNAs from fastidious and nonfastidious adenoviruses were extracted, without cultivation, from stools of children with gastroenteritis and were hybridized with an Ad2 probe and with the cloned probe, allowing the differentiation of the two groups of viruses. This method could detect DNA quantities as low as 10 pg and should be particularly suitable for stool samples containing adenoviral DNA in amounts too low to be detected by staining with ethidium bromide.
Immunoglobulin isotypes of anti-Trichomonas vaginalis antibodies in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis
Authors: Wos S M , Watt R M
Published: January 2020

Studies of anti-Trichomonas vaginalis antibodies in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis were undertaken in attempts to identify the predominant antibody isotype produced and to delineate clinically significant antigens. The total antibody content of serum samples from 23 patients was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that employed anti-human immunoglobulin and isotype-specific antisera. The immunochemical reactivity of these antibodies was examined by Western blot analysis. The anti-T. vaginalis titer of all but two of these serum samples was greater than 200 (range, greater than 200 to 12,800). By using an ELISA titer of at least 200 as a criterion, 21 of the serum samples contained antibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype, 17 contained IgM antibodies, and 6 contained IgA antibodies directed to the protozoan. Western blot analyses of these serum samples revealed approximately 29 antigenic trichomonad polypeptides, with apparent molecular sizes ranging from 14 to greater than 100 kilodaltons and with individual serum samples possessing different patterns of reactivity. These results add to the current understanding of the serological and secretory immune responses to T. vaginalis, as well as define potential antigens for use in immunodiagnostics.
Monoclonal antibodies against Candida tropicalis mannan: antigen detection by enzyme immunoassay and immunofluorescence
Authors: Reiss E , de Repentigny L , Kuykendall R J , Carter A W , Galindo R , Auger P , Bragg S L , Kaufman L
Published: January 2020

Three strains of mice were immunized with Candida tropicalis cell walls, and antibodies against mannan were detected by indirect enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in 3 of 9 BALB/c mice, 4 of 11 C57BL/6 mice, and 4 of 8 CFW mice. Responding mice produced immunoglobulin M (IgM), but IgG was not detected in their sera. Fusion of the high-responder BALB/c mouse with a plasmacytoma cell line resulted in 41 clones secreting antimannan monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Four clones selected for propagation included one IgM and one IgG MAb that reacted with mannans of Candida albicans serotypes A and B and of C. tropicalis and two IgM MAbs specific for an epitope only in the mannans of C. albicans serotype A and C. tropicalis. One of the IgM MAbs, CB6, was an effective substitute for rabbit antibodies in the double-antibody sandwich EIA to detect antigenemia produced in rabbits infected with C. albicans A or C. tropicalis. It could function either as the peroxidase-conjugated indicator antibody or as the capture antibody. Two MAbs, CB6 (C. tropicalis and C. albicans A specific) and AC3 (C. tropicalis and C. albicans A and B specific), functioned in place of polyclonal antisera in the serotyping of C. albicans by immunofluorescence. There was 95.8% agreement in the results of serotyping using MAbs as reagents compared with rabbit antisera. Competitive inhibition in EIA between CB6 and monospecific antisera against C. albicans factors 1, 4, and 6 indicated that CB6 binds to an epitope which is probably factor 6. Serologic similarity between factor 4 and the binding site of MAb AC3 was also determined.
In vivo study of an antimicrobial surgical drape system
Authors: Conn J , Bornhoeft J W , Almgren C , Mucha D P , Olderman J , Patel K , Herring C M
Published: January 2020

We performed a double-blind clinical study to determine the efficacy of nonwoven laparotomy drapes in which 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, an antimicrobial agent, was chemically bonded to the absorbent reinforcement surrounding the fenestration. The reinforcement portion of the surgical drape that contained the fenestration was segmented into four identical-appearing sections, two on each side of the fenestration. One segment on each side was antimicrobial. The locations of the treated segments were randomly varied. At the end of each operation, test strips were removed. Bacteria were harvested from each segment by mechanical agitation. Bacterial CFU were counted. There were 110 surgical cases in the study, including clean, clean contaminated, and contaminated procedures. Data analysis divided the cases into two distinct groups. Group 1 was composed of 59 cases in which less than 30 total CFU was recovered from the four test samples. The average duration of surgery for this group was 1.8 h. Group 2 was composed of 51 cases in which bacterial recovery was in excess of 30 CFU per procedure (range, 30 to 25,000 bacterial CFU). The average duration of surgery was 3.3 h. Bacterial reduction in the treated strips was 84%. The most common organisms identified on the laparotomy drapes were Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. hominis, and Micrococcus luteus. This study demonstrated that the reinforcement of a laparotomy drape is a reservoir for potential pathogens. It demonstrated that an organosilicon quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent covalently bonded to the reinforcement reduced the number of potential pathogens surrounding the surgical incision by 84%, independent of the size of the bacterial challenge.
Single gene substitution rotavirus reassortants containing the major neutralization protein (VP7) of human rotavirus serotype 4
Authors: Midthun K , Hoshino Y , Kapikian A Z , Chanock R M
Published: January 2020

A series of reassortants was isolated from coinfection of cell cultures with wild-type bovine rotavirus (UK strain [serotype 6]) or rhesus rotavirus (strain MMU18006 [serotype 3]) and a tissue culture-adapted human rotavirus strain, ST3 (serotype 4). Monospecific antiserum or a set of monoclonal antibodies to the major outer capsid neutralization glycoprotein, VP7, of the animal rotavirus parent was used to select for reassortants with human rotavirus serotype 4 neutralization specificity. The majority of reassortants contained only gene 9 of the human rotavirus parent, ST3, whereas the remaining genes were derived from the animal rotavirus parent. These single human rotavirus gene substitution reassortants were neutralized to high titer by hyperimmune serum directed at ST3, thus demonstrating that gene 9 of ST3 codes for the major neutralization protein of this strain. Moreover, these single gene substitution, reassortants were also neutralized to low titer by antiserum directed at their animal rotavirus parent, probably because they derived gene 4, which codes for another outer capsid protein, VP3, from their animal rotavirus parent. None of the reassortants derived gene 4, which had previously been shown to be responsible for host range restriction of human rotaviruses in tissue culture, from ST3, despite the fact that the ST3 strain used for gene reassortment had been tissue culture adapted.
Mycolic acid analysis for clinical identification of Mycobacterium avium and related mycobacteria
Authors: Lévy-Frébault V , Goh K S , David H L
Published: January 2020

We examined the mycolic acid composition of 133 strains belonging to MAIS complex (Mycobacterium avium-M. intracellulare-M. scrofulaceum) and MAIS intermediate strains and the related species M. asiaticum, M. malmoense, M. shimoidei, and M. simiae. The analysis revealed that about 10% of the strains identified as M. avium-M. intracellulare complex by conventional cultural and biochemical tests were in fact M. simiae strains according to their mycolate composition. Of 25 strains previously studied by the International Working Group on Mycobacterial Taxonomy, 2 (MAIS intermediate and M. asiaticum) presented patterns incompatible with the clusters to which they had been assigned. M. malmoense and both M. simiae serovars shared the same pattern with alpha-, alpha'-, and ketomycolates. We describe here the method used to identify the mycolic acid profiles in detail. We found it to be highly reproducible and convenient for use in mycobacterial reference laboratories.
Modified selective medium for isolation of Campylobacter spp. from feces: comparison with Preston medium, a blood-free medium, and a filtration system
Authors: Goossens H , De Boeck M , Coignau H , Vlaes L , Van den Borre C , Butzler J P
Published: January 2020

Our previously described (H. Goossens, M. De Boeck, and J. P. Butzler, Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2:389-393, 1983) selective medium, consisting of cefoperazone (15 mg/liter), rifampin (10 mg/liter), colistin (10,000 IU/liter), and amphotericin B (2 mg/liter) (medium M1), for the isolation of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from stool specimens was modified as follows: cefoperazone (30 mg/liter), rifampin (10 mg/liter), and amphotericin B (2 mg/liter) (medium M2). A comparative study of the isolation of Campylobacter spp. from stool specimens was carried out with medium M1; medium M2; a selective blood-free medium consisting (per liter) of charcoal (4 g), ferrous sulfate (0.25 g), sodium pyruvate (0.25 g), casein hydrolysate (3 g), sodium deoxycholate (1 g), nutrient broth no. 2 (25 g), agar (12 g), and cefoperazone (32 mg) (medium M3); and Preston medium containing (per liter) trimethoprim (10 mg), rifampin (10 mg), polymyxin B (5,000 IU), and cycloheximide (100 mg) (medium M4). We also included a filtration system in which membrane filters were applied directly to the surface of the nonselective blood-free medium distributed in small petri dishes. A total of 5,276 stool specimens were tested: 2,788 stool specimens were tested on M1 and M3 in study 1; 2,488 stool specimens were inoculated on the four selective media in study 2, and the last 986 specimens of the 2,488 were tested in parallel with the filtration system. In study 2, 128 Campylobacter strains were isolated from 126 different patients; 85.0, 88.3, 82.5, and 66.6% of these strains were isolated on M1, M2, M3, and M4, respectively. No contaminating fecal flora was found on 65.4, 70.7, 62.4, and 40.3% of the M1, M2, M3, and M4 plates, respectively. Furthermore, C. coli was found to be more susceptible to antibiotics present in the selective media, particularly colistin and polymyxin B, than was C. jejuni. We therefore recommend M2 for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. Finally, the filtration method was found to be easy and cheap; although the sensitivity was low, this method allowed the isolation of new Campylobacter spp. which seem to be associated with diarrhea.
Biotype and serogroup distribution of Campylobacter isolates from children in Nigeria
Authors: Alabi S A , Coker A O , Dosunmu-Ogunbi O , Odugbemi T
Published: January 2020

A total of 101 Campylobacter isolates from Nigerian children with or without gastroenteritis were biotyped and serogrouped by using the Lior typing schemes (H. Lior, J. Clin. Microbiol. 20:636-640, 1984; H. Lior, D. L. Woodward, J. A. Edgar, L. J. Laroche, and P. Gill, J. Clin. Microbiol. 15:761-768, 1982). Fifty-three (52.5%) of the isolates were Campylobacter jejuni biotype I, 29 (28.7%) were C. jejuni biotype II, 10 (9.9%) were Campylobacter coli biotype I, and 9 (8.9%) were C. coli biotype II. Serogroup 36 was the most common (20.7%) in this study, in contrast with serogroup 1 (18.5%) earlier reported from Canada (Lior et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 15:761-768, 1982).
Reevaluation of the yeast killer phenomenon
Authors: Polonelli L , Morace G
Published: January 2020

The killer effect of 36 Hansenula, Pichia, Saccharomyces, and Candida species on 26 hyphomycetes isolates, 1 isolate of the achlorophyllous microorganism Prototheca, 4 isolates of the lipophilic yeast Malassezia, 1 isolate of the aerobic actinomycete Nocardia, and 19 isolates of bacteria was studied. The killer phenomenon, which was previously considered to be restricted to yeasts, was found to occur among unrelated microorganisms.
Effective murolytic solubilization of streptococcal-group-specific antigen
Authors: Lämmler C , Frede C , Blobel H
Published: January 2020

Streptococcal-group-specific antigens were solubilized with a murolytic enzyme contained in the culture supernatant of Streptomyces globisporus. This facilitated the effective serogrouping of streptococci from humans and animals.
Centers for Disease Control performance evaluation program in bacteriology: 1980 to 1985 review
Authors: Griffin C W , Cook E C , Mehaffey M A
Published: January 2020

This report presents a summary and analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control performance evaluation program in bacteriology for the 6-year period 1980 to 1985. During this period, the number of laboratories enrolled in the program ranged from about 750 to 1,000. Identification results reported by participating laboratories for representative species of six major groups of bacteria were placed into five response categories that were based on the level and accuracy of the identifications. Data on the performance of participants with bacterial groups and performance with selected species within each major group were analyzed. Overall, participants experienced the least difficulty in identifying species or serogroups of members of the gram-positive and gram-negative cocci. Participants encountered greater difficulties with anaerobes, gram-positive bacilli, and miscellaneous gram-negative bacteria. Identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae was of moderate difficulty. Problems in identifying certain bacterial species were probably related to a number of factors such as the characteristics of the species, its frequency of occurrence, the state of technology available for identification, and the state of proficiency and quality control in individual laboratories at the time of testing. Examples are given of improvements over time in the identification of certain bacterial species. Laboratories participating in an external proficiency testing program should take full advantage of the benefits of participation by instituting measures to correct testing deficiencies identified by the program.