European Journal of Clinical Microbiology最新文献

Pentafluorobenzyl and pentafluoropropionyl/pentafluorobenzyl esters of bacterial fatty acids were analysed by capillary gas chromatography using both flame ionization and electron capture detection. No differences between the relative peak areas of the various fatty acids were observed as regards the two detectors used except that response of the electron capture dectector to the hydroxy acid derivatives exceeded that to the non-hydroxy acid derivatives by 20%. Use of the described derivatives in combination with electron capture detection yields chromatograms comparable with those obtained by analysis of methyl esters using flame ionization detection but with superior sensitivity.

The effect of Legionella pneumophila sonic extract on human neutrophil and monocyte oxidative burst was studied by superoxide anion release and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assays. Legionella pneumophila sonic extract by itself did not stimulate neutrophils and monocytes. The sonic extract at 8-2000 micrograms/ml primed neutrophils for enhanced superoxide release and, at 8-62.5 micrograms/ml, for enhanced chemiluminescence. Monocytes were only primed for enhanced chemiluminescence at very low extract concentrations (below 16 micrograms/ml). Monocyte superoxide release was suppressed by extract concentrations higher than 2000 micrograms/ml and the chemiluminescence response of neutrophils and monocytes by concentrations higher than 250 and 125 micrograms/ml, respectively. The priming activity was heat stable and present in fractions below 5 kDa. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that enhanced production of oxygen metabolites by neutrophils in contact with legionella components at low concentrations could contribute to the lung tissue damage seen in Legionnaires' disease, whereas the suppression of phagocyte oxidative burst by higher extract concentrations may be one of the mechanisms by which Legionella pneumophila survives intracellularly.

The novel penem CGP 31,608 (5R, 6S, 8R) and its enantiomer CGP 32,879 (5S, 6R, 8S) were shown to be essentially stable against hydrolysis by type Id beta-lactamase isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18S/H. CGP 31 608 was a potent progressive inhibitor of this enzyme (150 = 32 microM), which was only weakly inhibited by CGP 32,879 (150 = 460 microM). CGP 31,608 had the highest affinity for penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 4 from Escherichia coli K-12 (150 = 1 microgram/ml), followed by PBPs 2 (10 micrograms/ml) and 1A/1Bs (100 micrograms/ml); CGP 32,879 did not inhibit binding of 14C-benzylpenicillin to the PBPs. The steric configuration of the beta-lactam nucleus of penems appears to strongly influence their affinity for beta-lactamases and target PBPs. The balanced spectrum of CGP 31,608 may be explained by its beta-lactamase stability and affinity for several vital PBPs.

A case of Candida albicans endocarditis is described which developed in a heroin addict with aortic valvulopathy after an episode of cutaneous and chondrocostal candidiasis related to the use of "brown" heroin. To our knowledge this is the first case reported in the English literature. This complication should be suspected in all heroin addicts with this new syndrome, especially if valvulopathy is present.

Fifty strains of anaerobic gram-positive cocci were tested in vitro against benzylpenicillin, teicoplanin, vancomycin and LY146032. The organisms displayed a wide range of susceptibility to penicillin and the minimum inhibitory concentration for 11 of the strains was greater than or equal to 1 mg penicillin/L. The activity of teicoplanin exceeded that of vancomycin by a factor of two. The activity of LY 146032 varied in different culture media and was dramatically potentiated by the addition of a physiological concentration of calcium. Peptococci were, in general, more susceptible than peptostreptococci to penicillin and to LY146032 in the absence of added calcium.

Booster doses of 3 Lf or 7.5 Lf of a regular diphtheria vaccine were given to 200 previously immunized adult volunteers. The toxoid was prepared from toxin with a purity of 2100 Lf/mg protein nitrogen and adsorbed to aluminium phosphate. Systemic reactions were rare and no severe symptoms were observed. Local reactions occurred in 40-50% of the vaccinees, but in only 7.5% were they of clinical significance, i.e. an area of redness/swelling greater than 5 cm. The two doses did not cause significant differences in reaction rates, and the 7.5 Lf dose elicited a better antitoxin response. Thus, a dose of 7.5 Lf diphtheria toxoid of similar purity can safely be given to adults in vaccines.