Zentralblatt fur Bakteriologie, Parasitenkunde, Infektionskrankheiten und Hygiene. Erste Abteilung Originale. Reihe A: Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Parasitologie最新文献

The survey of simian malaria in Japan which had been conducted since 1965 showed that no Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata and Macaca fuscata yakui) were infected with malaria parasites. Most interestingly, however, Babesia sp. was found in 4 (4.3%) of 93 Macaca fuscata yakui which had been reared in a monkey park. As for the monkeys imported from abroad, Plasmodium was only found in Macaca irus from Southeast Asia, namely, P. inui (14.1-25.0%), P. cynomologi (0.6, 3.2%) and P. coatneyi (4.3%) from various countries. On the other hand, Hepatocystis kochi was found in high proportion in Cercopithecus aethiops from Uganda. Two other blood sporozoa identified as H. semnopitheci and Entopolypoides macai were also seen in Macaca irus imported from Southeast Asia.

Since anaerobic culture techniques were introduced into bacteriological routine laboratories reports increase about Enterobacteria, which doesn't grow under normal culture conditions. We recently isolated a carbon-dioxide dependent strain of E. coli, which didn't grow aerobically even on optimized culture mediums. Though the species was at first isolated in an anaerobic jar further investigation showed optimal growth in an atmosphere containing 20 per cent oxygen enriched with (10 per cent) carbon dioxide. There are some indications that the mutant developed under chemotherapy. A serological grouping wasn't possible.

A reproducible method for potency-testing of pertussis-sera and - immunoglobulines in a neutralisation test in the mouse is described. The tests were done on two human immunoglobulines, one crude immune serum from the rabbit, and two purified resp. concentrated rabbit immune sera, one of which - the US-Standard for Pertussis Sera - was used as the standard preparation for the potency evaluation. There is no correlation between the results of the neutralisation test and the agglutination titer among the different preparations. That means, the agglutination titer is not suitable for comparing the potency of pertussis sera resp. - immunoglobulines. It seems necessary to establish a uniforme method as well as a standard preparation for potency testing of pertussis sera and - immunoglobulines on the basis of the neutralisation test in the mouse - at least on the European level.

T proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci) were localized by means of immunochromatographical isolated anti-T-antibodies. For the electron microscopical detection both the direct and the indirect immunoferritin techniques were used. The arrangement of the ferritin particles showed, that the T proteins are evenly distributed on the whole cell surface. They are immediately bound to the outer layer of the cell wall or to only short filaments. On isolated cell walls the T protein was detected only on the outer surface.

A short review has been given about recent studies on Babesia microti in natural animal host's near Munich (Southern Germany). An infected area has been studied in order to elucidate the outdoor relationship between the local strains and their preferred hosts, the European field vole Microtus agrestis. The seasonal variation of the parasites prevalence in voles shows a rise in the early summertime (71% of the catches infected). Roundish forms predominate in the erythrocytes. Multiplication never takes place by binary fission, but in "Maltese cross" form or budding-like. Normally the parasite is enveloped with a simple elementary membrane only, as shown by electron microscopy. The arthropod host is still not identified, infections of human beings not observed. This is the first finding and full description of B. microti in Germany.

A comparative study on the formation of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies after vaccination with 3 different types of Influenza Vaccines (Whole virion, Splitvirion, and Subunit type) was performed in adults and children. The study populations were homogeneous as regards age and pre-immunization antibody profile. The following results were obtained: 1) Strain specific conversion rates for the A component (A/Victoria/3/75 H3N2) were 77% with the whole virion vaccine, 79% with the Splitvirion vaccine and 91% with the Subunit vaccine. The antibody conversion factors calculated on the basis of the geometric mean titers (GMT) were 5.0, 6,7 and 9.0 respectively. A fourfold increase in titers was observed in 68% of vaccinees with the whole virion vaccine, in 55% of vaccinees with the Splitvirion vaccine, and in 70% of vaccinees with the Subunit vaccine. 2) Local antibody formation on the basis of conversion rates yielded values of 18% (whole virion), 22% (Splitvirion), and 28% (Subunit vaccine). 3) Systemic antibody responses revealed predominantly strain and subtype specificity as opposed to local antibody formation which was also directed towards older sybtypes. This phenomenon was more pronounced in adults than in children. 4) A significant correlation was found between the local antibody production and the concentration of hemagglutination inhibiting serum antibodies as well as between the IgA concentration in nasal wash fluid and the percentage of individuals exhibiting local antibody formation in the upper respiratory tract system. 5) In children 6-14 years of age the antibody conversion rates were found to be 91-100% for the A component with the 3 vaccines under study. The GMT for the respective vaccines A, B and S ranged from 1:170 over 1:139 to 1:211. 6) With regard to the induction of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to the B component of the vaccine (B/Hongkong/8/73) either vaccine proved to be of insufficinet potency. Though conversion rates of 6/ to 77% (60-90% in children) were observed the GMT range was only 1:17 to 1:21 (1:21 to 1:35 in children). Only 29 to 35% of the adults and about one half of the children developed antibodies of greater than or equal to 1:40 after vaccination. With regard to this observation it has to be discussed whether one shouldn't consider monovalent A vaccines for future use in influenza vaccination campaigns.

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was applied on sera from patients with leptospirosis caused by leptospires from different serogroups and on sera from a control group. The CIE using an antigen prepared from a single leptospira strain agreed with the microscopic agglutination test using a battery of different antigens in 91% of the leptospirosis sera. CIE was sensitive and specific, comparatively easy to perform, used little amounts of serum and antigen, gave rapid results and allowed the examination of large numbers of specimens at a time.

Infections of mouse peritoneal exudate cells with trophozoites of Toxoplasma gondii (BK strain) were studied by means of electron microscopy. After i.p. injection of Toxoplasma-trophozoites macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes migrate into the peritoneal cavity of mice. All these cells can be parasitized by T. gondii. Multiplication of phagocytosed trophozoites is not inhibited, but obviously the infected cells favour their growth.

A mosaic of proteins is synthesized by each of the Enterobacterial species grown on artificial media (tryptose-agar, Difco). Their existence was proven with the help of sera prepared in rabbits with proteins from: S. enteritidis, S. typhi, S. typhimurium, S. paratyphi C, E. coli, and Sh. sonnei. The induced antibodies, strongly precipitated numerous heterologous Enterobacterial proteins. The proteins of Sh. dysenteriae 4, although reacting against the heterologous sera, were poor immunogens and induced, mainly, homologous antibodies. Comparative agar-gel diffusions of the same proteins against the antiproteinic sera and corresponding antibacterial sera proved that the bacteria induced fewer antibodies against a reduced number of heterologous antigens. Thus, it is evident that a competition among the numerous antigens of a bacterium takes place when whole bacteria are used for immunizations. The differences in the degree of relatedness of Salmonellae, Shigellae, and E. coli are illustrated by their reactions in agar-gel against homologous and heterologous sera. The serological activity of heated proteins (1 hr at 100 degrees C) against the antiproteinic sera differed according to the intrinsic qualities of the analysed materials.