Acta microbiologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae最新文献

Three profiles of hexons were detected om two-dimensional adenovirus crystalline arrays: (i) approximately ringwise closed hexons with a roundish hole in their centres and with 2-4 electron dense spots in the wall of the rings; (ii) hexons, consisting of three approximately oblong polypeptide enclosing a triangular hole; (iii) triangular hexons, containing three main polypeptides with an Y-shaped slit, instead of a hole, in their centres. Following the examination of directly or computer corrected electron micrographs a tentative model has been developed on the possible mutual "rotation" orientation of hexon polypeptides within the two-dimensional crystalline array. The position of hexons is such that the longer side of a polypeptide of each hexon is next to the end of two polypeptides of its neighbouring hexon, i.e. one polypeptide is linked to two other ones. An irregularity evolves in this "one-to-two" linkage system by the rotation of a hexon, the maximum rotation being 60% degrees, as follows from the hexon's threefold symmetry. The presence of lying hexons and of hexons of different contours, points to irregularities in "vertical" orientation, with the turn reaching even 90 degrees or 180 degrees, i.e. the hexons might be connected in such a way that their originally external or internal parts are facing identical directions.

Of 462 Enterobacteriaceae strains including 435 Escherichia coli isolated from 250 patients, 298 haemagglutinating (HA) cultures were classified into 36 different HA groups. Sixteen of them belonged to Evan's I or II groups, although none possessed CF I or CF II antigen detectable by slide agglutination. Seventy-seven strains showed 4+ mannose resistant (MR) HA with human (53), bovine (2), chicken (6), guinea pig (7) or human and guinea pig (9) erythrocytes. These strains were significantly more frequent in patients under one year of age. Eighty-eight percent of the typable strains belonged to E. coli serogroups O1, O2, O4, O6, O18. HA positivity and fimbrial structures were correlated in 2 isolates (15/1, O18a, c:-K77: H-; 12/2/1 O1: K1: H .). Fimbriae of the two strains exhibited adhesive properties. Their fimbrial antigens differed serologically from each other and from those of the reference strains H 10407 and PB 176. Forty-nine of 4+ human MRHA strains showed variable reactions in the two sera for the new fimbrial antigens.

A total of 269 hospital Klebsiella strains and 103 hospital Enterobacter strains showed 34 and 10 different antibiotic resistance patterns, respectively. Among multiple resistant Klebsiella and Enterobacter strains the Ap Sm Cm Tc resistance pattern was the most frequent (K. aerogenes). Antibiotic resistant strains carried R-plasmids in 27.5%. The presence of R-plasmids was demonstrable in 2.9% of single antibiotic resistant, in 12.8% of double antibiotic resistant, and in 71.4% of multiple antibiotic resistant Klebsiella strains. R-plasmid carriage was most frequent in strains of the species K. pneumoniae and K. atlantae. Transfer frequency of R-plasmids of multiple resistant strains was generally higher into Escherichia coli K12 recipient (10-1 to 10-2) than into K. pneumoniae recipient (10-3 to 10-5). Regarding the individual resistance determinants, transfer frequency of Km-Nm resistance was the highest (65.1%). The lac-plasmid was demonstrable in 18 out of the 77 R-plasmid carrying Klebsiella strains. R- and Lac-plasmids of single and multiple resistant Klebsiella strains could be transferred into E. coli and Klebsiella recipients in mice in vivo. As many as 67% showed fi- and 33% showed fi+ character among the demonstrated 112 R-plasmids. Regarding their incompatibility, the studied five plasmids belonged to groups FI, FII and I alpha. Altogether 14 different groups could be distinguished among R-plasmids on the basis of their phage restriction capability on phage lambda and coliphages T, and another group of R-plasmids showing no restriction at all. Fi+ character was demonstrated in 54.5% of R-plasmids showing phage restriction capability and in 10.9% of R-plasmids showing no phage restriction. Nearly twice as many R-plasmids carrier strains were found among non-typable ones as among those typable by phages. Three R-plasmids showed phage-modification among 51 R-plasmids restrictive for phages. In addition to the phage-type of Klebsiella strains, R-plasmids can also be used as an epidemiologic marker.

A new procedure is presented for the isolation and purification of A-type staphylococcus enterotoxin. Homogeneous enterotoxin preparation was obtained by purification in 2 phases. In radial double agar-gel immunodiffusion the smallest precipitating dose of the isolated and purified enterotoxin was found to be 1.4-0.7 micrograms protein and 0.4-0.1 micrograms nitrogen. In cat experiments the dose giving a positive reaction was 2 micrograms protein or 0.5 micrograms nitrogen calculated for kg body weight.

The major tranquillizer chlorpromazine (Cpz) inhibited the conjugal transfer of R and F'lac plasmids. The frequency of transfer of R-144 and R-100 plasmids was reduced with 2-3 log by Cpz at a concentration of 50-100 microgram/ml, while the frequency of RM-98 plasmid did not change under the same conditions. Cpz at 100 microgram/ml was an effective inhibitor of the transfer of F'lac plasmid. By means of electron microscopy and plaque assay, 100 microgram/ml Cpz was shown to reduce the adsorption rate of male specific ribonucleic acid phages MS-2 to the sides of F-pili. Common pili and flagellae seemed to be intact, but sex pili probably retracted in the presence of Cpz.

Shigellae were isolated from 32 399 persons in the bacteriological laboratories of the Public Health Stations between 1972-1976. The number of isolations ranged between 5325 and 8237 yearly. As S. dysenteriae and S. boydii serotypes occurred only in about 1.5% of all isolations, the epidemiological situation was determined by the incidence of S. flexneri and S. sonnei. Except in 1973, S. sonnei constituted the majority in every year. S. sonnei predominance, observed first in the western regions of the country, showed a gradual eastward spread and became characteristic of all localities in 1975-1976. The July-September peak of shigella isolations was associated with S. sonnei, as S. flexneri was distributed practically evenly in every season. The incidence of shigella isolations per 100 000 inhabitants was the lowest in the middle and the highest in the northern parts of the country. Sporadic cases were somewhat more frequent than epidemic outbreaks. Shigellae were isolated in 64.1% from patients and in 35.9% from asymptomatic excreters. The patient : excreter ratio was higher for S. sonnei (70.2 : 29.8) than for S. flexneri (54.6 : 45.4). In the survey period, 14 692 isolations were made in the course of 3278 epidemics; out of these, 11 171 cases were involved in 574 extensive outbreaks. S. sonnei was responsible mainly for school and nursery outbreaks, whereas S. flexneri dysentery predominated in mental wards and in homes for the aged and for mentally retarded children. The prevalent types of S. flexneri were (serological/phage type): 2a/69, 3a/5, 3a/19, 4a/81, 4a/89d and 6/85. The prevalent epidemiological subunits of S. sonnei were (phage/colicin type): 2/0, 2/6, 2/12, 3/12, 6/0, 7/0, 65/0, 65/6 and 65/12.