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Biomedical subjects

E Gruner

Publications and source records attributed to E Gruner.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular epidemiology of Salmonella enteritidis.

Sixteen strains of Salmonella enteritidis isolated in 1991 from 13 unrelated poultry-associated sources, 7 strains from 2 community outbreaks, and 18 human sporadic isolates were investigated by phage typing, analysis of rRNA gene restriction patterns (ribotyping) and plasmid profiles. Four different phage types and 10 SphI patterns were found, whereas plasmids were identical in all but 4 isolates. Only one ribotype (RT A) occurred among both human and avian strains. This particular ribotype was also responsible for the two outbreaks investigated, suggesting that such strains may be of special significance for the increase of S. enteritidis infections.

Animals

Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated from intravenous drug users.

During a prospective study 117 intravenous drug users were screened for infection with Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae was found in 5 of 132 throat swab specimens and in 5 of 28 skin ulcer specimens taken from July 1991 to April 1992. When phenotypic and molecular typing methods were used, these 10 strains were shown to belong to a single clone. During the same period no strain was isolated from 200 controls. Clinical manifestations of infection were not clearly attributable to C. diphtheriae--no typical membranous pharyngitis was present. The presence of a single clone among homeless intravenous drug users in Zurich indicates the presence of C. diphtheriae in parts of the population with poor standards of hygiene and low socioeconomic status.

Adult

Identification of coryneform and other gram-positive rods with several methods.

The identification of 202 isolates of aerobically growing Gram-positive rods from clinical material was attempted by using a combination of "traditional" morphological and biochemical tests (Hollis & Weaver (20)) plus patterns of cellular and metabolic fatty acids. This system served as the "gold standard" for three others, i.e. API Coryne (Rapid Coryne), MIDI TSBA and MIDI CLIN Aerobic. In addition, several growth, biochemical and susceptibility tests (growth on cystine-tellurite blood agar, DNase, hippurate and starch hydrolysis, methanethiol formation, API ZYM, CAMP reaction, susceptibility to O/129 and to six antimicrobials) were done in order to check their usefulness for the identification of this group of bacteria. Our system, with the help of chemotaxonomic tests (m-DAP and mycolic acids), was able to identify 154/202 (76%) of the isolates by species and an additional 41/202 (21%) by genus only; 7 (3%) could not be identified. The API Coryne system identified to species or genus level 140/195 isolates (72%). Corresponding figures for the MIDI TSBA and CLIN systems were 63/195 (32%) and 88/195 (45%); further details of species and genus identification are presented in the text. The main drawback of the commercial systems is the extent and probably the numerical depth of the data base. We recommend the use of our multisystem approach for the identification of Gram-positive rods until commercial systems are based on a broader and numerically more extensive data base. The additional tests did not prove species- or genus-specific.

Culture Media

Human infections caused by Brevibacterium casei, formerly CDC groups B-1 and B-3.

Forty-one clinical strains of CDC coryneform groups B-1 and B-3 were compared biochemically, by analysis of cell wall sugars, amino acids, and cellular fatty acids, and by DNA relatedness to the type strains of Brevibacterium casei, Brevibacterium epidermidis, and Brevibacterium linens. Twenty-two strains were shown to be B. casei, while five other strains formed a phenotypically inseparable genomospecies in the same genus. The remaining isolates were genetically heterogeneous, and most are probably members of the genus Brevibacterium. They were not further identified, but they were biochemically distinguishable from B. casei. Eleven of the clinical strains of B. casei were isolated from blood, and two each were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and from pleural fluid. At least five isolates were from multiple blood or cerebrospinal fluid cultures. To our knowledge, these strains are the first described clinical isolates identified as B. casei, which was previously considered to be a nonpathogenic species.

Actinomycetales Infections

Recognition of Dermabacter hominis, formerly CDC fermentative coryneform group 3 and group 5, as a potential human pathogen.

Thirty strains of fermentative coryneform-like bacteria designated CDC fermentative coryneform group 3 and coryneform group 5 were compared biochemically by cellular fatty acid analysis and by DNA relatedness with the type strain of Dermabacter hominis, ATCC 49369. DNA from 22 strains of both CDC groups showed 69 to 96% relatedness (hydroxyapatite method) to labeled DNA from ATCC 49369 and to DNA from CDC group 3 strain G4964, and the strains are considered to belong to D. hominis. The remaining eight strains were genetically but not phenotypically differentiable from D. hominis. They were genetically heterogeneous, but hybridization results indicated that they probably belong to the genus Dermabacter. Thirteen of the 22 D. hominis strains and all 8 of the other Dermabacter strains had been isolated from blood, which indicates the pathogenic potential of this species and genus.

Actinomycetales

Ribotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from surgical intensive care patients.

To elucidate the sources of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on a surgical intensive care unit, rDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (ribotyping) was applied to analyze strains isolated during a 4-month prospective study. Samples included 1635 from 153 patients, 2463 from 97 staff members, and 581 from the environment. Only 18 patients were colonized. Isolation from their animate and inanimate environment was very low, with 3 and 2 samples, respectively, being positive. Samples from tap water were negative. Ribotyping could easily distinguish 16 different digest patterns with identical follow-up isolates of the same patient. Horizontal transmission occurred only twice. The discriminatory power of ribosomal DNA in differentiating strains was dependent on the restriction enzymes used; among eight different enzymes, PvuII was the most sensitive, producing 15 different patterns. Ribotyping showed high sensitivity in typing P. aeruginosa isolates and confirmed that colonization occurs from endogenous rather than from exogenous sources.

Animals

Characterization of Brevibacterium spp. from clinical specimens.

Nonfermenting coryneform bacteria identified as Brevibacterium spp. were isolated from routine clinical specimens. Four strains were derived from peritoneal fluid and has presumably been involved in the pathogenesis of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis. Another five isolates most probably represented skin contaminants. Cell wall and lipid analyses confirmed the genus identification. Strains in this taxon are difficult to distinguish from other biochemically inactive and nonmotile coryneform species but show characteristics cellular fatty acid profiles. In vitro susceptibilities to commonly used antibiotics were determined.

Ascitic Fluid

Analysis by ELISA and Western blotting of antibody reactivities in cattle infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis after absorption of serum with M phlei.

Preabsorption of cattle serum with Mycobacterium phlei was of value in eliminating falsely positive reactions in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against M paratuberculosis. Specific antibody titres from 16 animals naturally infected with M paratuberculosis were unaffected by absorption. Analysis by Western blotting indicated that a different set of antigens of M paratuberculosis were recognised by serum from falsely positive reactors compared with that from animals with established infection. After experimental infection the time required for seroconversion in the ELISA in nine calves lay between 10 and 28 months, although one animal had not seroconverted after 30 months when the experiment ended. All animals shed M paratuberculosis in their faeces before seroconversion.

Animals

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Humans

Logopaedic findings following advancement of the maxilla.

From 1972 to 1974, the authors carried out logopaedic examinations of over 100 patients with retrodisplaced maxillae at the Clinic for Maxillo-Facial Surgery at the University of Zurich (Director: Prof. H. Obwegeser, M.D., D.M.D.). From this clinical material, 40 cases which were fully documented in respect of medical history, surgical treatment and speech behavior were selected, and the effect of the advancement of the maxilla on the individual ability to articulate was studied.

Cleft Palate

Brevibacterium species as a cause of osteomyelitis in a neonate.

A case of osteomyelitis of the sternum due to Brevibacterium sp. in a neonate following mastitis of the mammary gland 20 days previously is described. The disease was successfully treated with cefazolin and oxacillin. The results of microbiological examinations and their significance are discussed.

Brevibacterium

Brucellosis: an occupational hazard for medical laboratory personnel. Report of five cases.

Five cases of laboratory-acquired infection with Brucella melitensis are reported. This pathogen is highly contagious when handled in the laboratory. Clinicians should alert technologists when brucellosis is suspected so that specimens are handled under the most stringent safety measures. Serological surveys and instructions of laboratory workers regarding the clinical diversity of the disease are helpful for early recognition of secondary cases. On the other hand, clinicians should consider brucellosis in medical laboratory workers with unexplained signs and symptoms.

Adult