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Biomedical subjects

B Holmes

Publications and source records attributed to B Holmes.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Acute infection of mice with lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus enhances Fc and complement receptor activity of peritoneal macrophages.

Peritoneal macrophages isolated from Balb/c mice 1 day after infection with lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) exhibited a 5- to 10-fold enhancement of attachment and ingestion of sheep red blood cells coated with immunoglobulin (EAIgG) or immunoglobulin plus complement (EAIgMC). Macrophages isolated from mice 7 days after LDV infection or macrophages infected with LDV in culture were also slightly more active than macrophages from uninfected mice, but the differences were not significant. The results indicate that a specific increase in the number of Fc and C3 receptors on macrophages occurs during the acute phase of infection. This increase correlates with the transient appearance of interferon in acutely infected mice. We postulate that during the acute phase the productive infection of a subpopulation of macrophages that is permissive for LDV results in the synthesis of sufficient interferon to cause activation of the remaining non-permissive macrophages in the animal.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Clinical evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of piperacillin.

The efficacy and tolerance of parenterally administered piperacillin were evaluated in 50 adult patients hospitalized with systemic and urinary tract infections. Dosage for 46 patients was 4 to 12 g daily and for 4 patients, 16 to 24 g daily; in each case divided doses were given every 4 to 6 h. The duration of treatment for most patients was 5 to 10 days. Of the 50 patients, 45 (90%) were considered cured, and 57 (89%) of the 64 pathogens isolated were eradicated by piperacillin treatment. Side effects, reported by 12 patients, were mild to moderate in degree and consisted of vein irritation, thrombophlebitis, pain at the injection site, and diarrhea, Piperacillin appears to be a highly effective antibiotic for treating infections caused by susceptible gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Influence of yeast mannan on human neutrophil functions: inhibition of release of myeloperoxidase related to carbohydrate-binding property of the enzyme.

We investigated the possibility that dissolved mannan polysaccharide from Candida may have an inhibitory influence on the host defense mechanisms associated with neutrophils and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of candidoses. We created a model for this hypothesis by using mannan derived from bakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and mannan isolated from the serum of a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidosis. We observed that these mannans inhibited the respiratory burst and release of myeloperoxidase stimulated by phagocytosis of serum-opsonized zymosan in vitro. Mannan did not inhibit release of three other lysosomal enzymes. The selective inhibition of release of myeloperoxidase was attributable to a carbohydrate-binding property of the enzyme, with the mannan causing co-sedimentation of the enzyme with the cellular fraction.

Candida↗
PubMed1981

Kluyvera, a new (redefined) genus in the family Enterobacteriaceae: identification of Kluyvera ascorbata sp. nov. and Kluyvera cryocrescens sp. nov. in clinical specimens.

Kluyvera is proposed as a new genus for the group of organisms formerly known as Enteric Group 8 (synonym = API group 1). Strains of Kluyvera share the properties of most members of the family Enterobacteriaceae: they are gram-negative rods, motile with peritrichous flagella, catalase positive, and oxidase negative; they grow on MacConkey agar, ferment D-glucose with the production of acid and gas, and are susceptible to many antibiotics. Strains are usually indole positive, methyl red positive, Voges-Proskauer negative, citrate positive, H2S (triple sugar iron) negative, urea negative, phenylalanine deaminase negative, lysine decarboxylase positive, arginine dihydrolase negative, and ornithine decarboxylase positive. Kluyvera strains ferment many of the sugars and polyhydroxyl alcohols used in identification. By deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization, strains of Kluyvera were divided into three groups. Kluyvera ascorbata is proposed as the type species for the genus. Most strains of K. ascorbata have been isolated from clinical specimens. K. cryocrescens is proposed as the second species. It was occasionally isolated from clinical specimens, but it was isolated more commonly from the environment. Kluyvera species group 3 was heterogeneous, but was distinct from the two named species by deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization. This group was rare, so no species name will be proposed at this time. K. ascorbata can be differentiated from K. cryocrescens by its positive ascorbate test, inability to grow at 5 degrees C in a refrigerator, and smaller zones of inhibition around carbenicillin and cephalothin disks. The test normally used for identification does not clearly differentiate these two species. Kluyvera species are probably infrequent opportunistic pathogens. The most common source is sputum, where they are probably not clinically significant. Five strains have been from blood cultures. More information is needed about the incidence and clinical significance of the genus Kluyvera.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1981

The systems approach to diagnostic microbiology.

"Classical" and "conventional" methods for microbial identification are still utilized in clinical microbiology laboratories; however, significant advances in methodology have taken place in the last two decades. In the transition from classical to contemporary methodologies, the reference point has changed from multistep procedures to unitary procedures with marked emphasis on standardization, speed, reproducibility, and most recently, mechanization and automation. The most evident expression of this transition is the adaptation or streamlining of classical methods in the form of "miniaturized identification systems" and their commercial availability. This review analyzes the development of the underlining principles that make the systems approach to diagnostic microbiology possible.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1980

Isolation of group EF-4 bacteria in Australia.

A bacterial strain isolated from dog-bite wound was identified as belonging to a group which is so far unnamed but which has been tentatively designated Group EF-4 by workers at the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, USA. Although this appears to be the first reported isolation in Australia of a strain belonging to this group, it is possible that strains of Group EF-4 are not infrequently recovered from dog-bite wounds but, when they are, they may either not be identified or be dismissed as skin contaminants. Characteristics are presented for differentiating Group EF-4 from Pasteurella multocida, the bacterium typically associated with animal bite wounds in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Function studies of monocytes from patients with cyclic neutropenia.

In vitro studies of peripheral blood monocytes from patients with cyclic neutropenia have shown them to be able to phagocytize and kill bacteria as efficiently as PMN's, but not monocytes, from normal controls at both low and high ratios of bacteria to leukocytes. Monocytes from these patients, as well as from normal controls, are able to respond to chemotactic stimuli in vitro. In vivo Rebuck skin-window studies revealed the mononuclear cell response to be normal in these patients, even in the complete absence of circulating and inflammatory exudate neutrophils. These findings suggest that peripheral blood monocytes from patients with cyclic neutropenia are as phagocytically and bactericidally competent as normal peripheral blood neutrophils. As "stimulated" cells, they may serve as an effective line of defense against bacterial infections during periods of neutropenia in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

A taxonomic study of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas pickettii, 'P. thomasii' and 'group IVd' bacteria.

On the basis of cluster analysis, average similarities within and between groups, and DNA base composition of selected strains, Pseudomonas pickettii appeared to be a distinct species comprising several biotypes. Although some or all of these biotypes, represented by subclusters in our computer study, may ultimately warrant recognition as separate species, our results were not conclusive enough to warrant such a proposal at present. Most strains tentatively named 'P. thomasii' could be included in P. pickettii so that the name P. pickettii, which was validly published whilst 'P. thomasii' was not, takes priority over 'P. thomasii'. Strains of Group Va (Tatum et al., 1974) examined were also included in P. pickettii. Group IVd (King, 1964) did not appear to be a natural group but some of the strains could also be included in P. pickettii.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1979

Pseudomonas paucimobilis from a leg ulcer on a Japanese seaman.

Pseudomonas paucimobilis was isolated in pure culture from an ulcer on the leg of a Japanese seaman while in an Australian port. A description of the isolate is given. This may be the first report of a human infection in which this recently characterized species is implicated as a pathogen.

Australia↗
PubMed1979

Distribution in clinical material and identification of Pseudomonas maltophilia.

During the 10-year period ending March 1976, 128 (8.5%) of 1506 strains of Gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria submitted to the National Collection of Type Cultures for computer-assisted identification have been strains of Pseudomonas maltophilia. These figures suggest that Ps. maltophilia is both a relatively common species in clinical material in the United Kingdom and also that many laboratories experience difficulty in identifying this species. We report the sources from which our strains were isolated and also characteristics of the species by which it may be recognised. The clinical significance of Ps maltophilia is discussed and also the susceptibility of this species to certain antimicrobial agents.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1979

Flavobacterium odoratum: a species resistant to a wide range of antimicrobial agents.

During the period 1966-77, 24 strains of Flavobacterium odoratum were identified from among strains of Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacteria submitted to the National Collection of Type Cultures for computer-assisted identification. The F. odoratum strains showed resistance to therapeutic levels of gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and carbenicillin as well as to several other antimicrobial agents generally useful in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacteria. Two strains isolated from amputation stumps and another three strains isolated in significant numbers from urine specimens were possibly opportunist pathogens. The biochemical characteristics of the 24 strains, the proposed neotype strain of F. odoratum, and three strains representative of a group, referred to at the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta as group M-4f, were compared with those of biochemically similar species which may be isolated from clinical material.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1979

Identification of Gram-negative non-fermenters and oxidase-positive fermenters by the Oxi/Ferm tube.

Since the recent introduction of the Roche Oxi/Ferm Tube to the UK two identification schemes have been developed by the manufacturer for use with the kit. We evaluated the success of these two schemes in identifying 222 predominantly culture collection strains belonging to 45 taxa of non-fermenters and nine taxa of oxidase-positive fermenters. The strains were chosen to represent all the taxa included in the two identification schemes developed by the manufacturer and we have therefore been able to assess the overall success of identification by the two schemes. Since, however, our choice of strains does not reflect their incidence in clinical material, our identification rates are not necessarily those that might be obtained in a routine clinical laboratory. The most advanced identification scheme so far developed for the Oxi/Ferm Tube (CCIS System 1977-1432) allowed 62% of the 222 strains to be correctly identified although a disturbing feature was that more of the strains that were not correctly identified were incorrectly identified (24%) rather than not identified (14%); these figures represent an improvement over the earlier identification scheme (CCIS System 1976-621-74346) for which the corresponding figures were 56%, 32%, and 12%. CCIS System 1977-1432 seems likely to give a better performance in a routine clinical laboratory than in this study since for those taxa which, we would judge from the material sent to us for identification, are most commonly seen in a routine laboratory (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, A. lwoffii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. fluorescens, P. maltophilia, P. pseudoalcaligenes, and P. putida) 89% were correctly identified, none remained unidentified, and 11% were incorrectly identified. Thirty strains, each of a different taxon, were tested in triplicate to assess the reproducibility of reactions in the Oxi/Ferm Tube.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1979

Meningitis caused by Pseudomonas paucimobilis.

This appears to be the first report of meningitis due to Pseudomonas paucimobilis and the first report of a clinically significant isolate of this species in the UK. Characteristics by which the species may be recognised are given, and attention is drawn to the possible confusion of Ps. paucimobilis with other yellow-pigmented pseudomonads and Flavobacterium species.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Effect of sciatic nerve crush on enzyme activities of skeletal muscles of the rat.

Weight loss and reduction in specific activity of cytochrome oxidase of both red (soleus) and white muscles (gastrocnemius and plantaris) of the rat was greatest 5 days after sciatic nerve crush (p less than 0.001) and then became minimal. In neither was there a significant, concomitant loss of protein. By 19 days, the specific activity of cytochrome oxidase was the same in both muscle types. The specific activity of lactate dehydrogenase was reduced significantly (p less than 0.001) in the white muscles, to a value approaching that of the red soleus by 19 days postoperatively, but remained unaltered in the soleus. Nerve crush is proposed as a model experimental system for studying neural regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism.

Animals↗