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Neuraminidase activity in bacterial meningitis.

The relation of neuraminidase to morbidity and mortality was examined in patients with Haemophilus influenzae, meningococcal, and pneumococcal meningitis. Ten strains of H. influenzae and eight strains of meningococci from infected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) did not elaborate neuraminidase. Each of 27 strains of pneumococci from infected CSF elaborated both neuraminidase and N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) aldolase. There was no correlation between amount of neuraminidase secreted in vitro and survival of patients. Values for free and total NANA concentrations were derived from admission CSF samples of 63 patients with meningitis; 18 patients infected with Neisseria meningitidis, 10 with H. influenzae and 35 with Diplococcus pneumoniae. Mean values for total NANA were elevated in each type of bacterial meningitis; however, abnormal concentrations of free CSF NANA were detected only in 17 patients with pneumococcal meningitis. 11 of 18 patients with pneumococcal meningitis showing normal free CSF NANA concentrations were cured, whereas only 4 patients with abnormal free NANA levels survived without residua. Both coma and bacteremia occurred significantly more often among patients with elevated concentrations of free CSF NANA. The association of elevated concentrations of free CSF NANA with coma and with an adverse prognosis suggested that neuraminidase may be a factor in the pathogenesis of penumococcal meningitis.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins↗

Accelerated cellular uptake and metabolism of L-thyroxine during acute Salmonella typhimurium sepsis.

The effects of acute Salmonella typhimurium sepsis on the kinetics of peripheral L-thyroxine (T(4)) distribution and metabolism and on serum total and free T(4) concentrations were studied in rhesus monkeys inoculated i.v. with either heat-killed or viable organisms. The rate of disappearance of labeled T(4) from serum was increased within 8 h after inoculation of monkeys with either heat-killed or viable Salmonella. The effects of the heat-killed organisms were transient and no longer evident by 16 h postinoculation. The monkeys inoculated with the viable Salmonella experienced a 2-3 day febrile, septic illness that was accompanied by an increase in the absolute rate of T(4) disposal. In the infected monkeys, serum total T(4) and endogenously labeled protein-bound iodine concentrations fell significantly during the period of acute sepsis and then rose during convalescence to values that exceeded the preinoculation values, suggesting that thyroidal secretion of hormone had increased in response to a primary depletion of the peripheral hormonal pool. Total cellular and hepatic uptakes of T(4) were enhanced by 4 h after inoculation of monkeys with either heat-killed or viable Salmonella, but the increase in total cellular uptake persisted for 24 h only in the monkeys inoculated with the viable organisms. These alterations in T(4) kinetics could neither be correlated with changes in the binding of T(4) in plasma nor attributed to an increase in vascular permeability. Moreover, they could not be ascribed to an in vitro product of bacterial growth, suggesting that the presence of the organisms themselves was required. An acceleration of T(4) disappearance was also observed during Escherichia coli and Diplococcus pucumoniae bacteremias. Our findings are consistent with a primary increase in the cellular uptake and metabolism of T(4) during bacterial sepsis, possibly related to phagocytic cell function in the host.

Animals↗

Antibacterial mechanisms of the lower respiratory tract. I. Immunoglobulin synthesis and secretion.

Immunoglobulin synthesis and secretion have been studied in the rabbit lower respiratory tract, both in the normal state and after infection with Diplococcus pneumoniae or Listeria monocytogenes. In vitro synthesis of immunoglobulin and specific antibody was assessed by incorporation of 14C-labeled amino acids into protein. Lower respiratory tract secretions and serum were analyzed for immunoglobulin and antibody against the infecting organism. Normal respiratory tract produced small quantities of immunoglobulin, most of which was IgG. After bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract, there was a marked increase in local synthesis of immunoglobulin, especially IgG. Specific antibody of IgG class was produced in all lungs infected with listeria by the 11th day, and in lungs infected with pneumococcus by the 8th day. Secretions from all normal and infected lower respiratory tracts contained IgA and IgG. The IgA to IgG ratios in secretions of normal animals, and animals infected with listeria or pneumococcus, were 2.3, 2.5, and 2.6, respectively. Sera of animals infected with L. monocytogenes contained specific antibody of IgG class but lacked IgA antibody, whereas secretions had both IgA and IgG class antibody against listeria. Similarly, sera of animals infected with D. pneumoniae had IgG class antibody but no IgA antibody, whereas only IgA antibody was found in secretions. The evidence that locally synthesized immunoglobulin (especially IgA), including specific antibody, is secreted into the lower respiratory tract lumen is discussed. Further definition of the role of "local" antibacterial antibody in the respiratory tract is of considerable importance.

Animals↗

Cell-mediated immunity after bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract.

Lower respiratory tract and systemic cell-mediated immunity have been studied in rabbits after infection with Listeria monocytogenes or Diplococcus pneumoniae. Respiratory tract cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by direct and indirect assays of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production. Systemic delayed hypersensitivity was determined by means of intradermal testing with appropriate antigens. Aerosol exposure to listeria was followed by markedly increased numbers of free lower respiratory tract cells. These cells manifested antigen-stimulated inhibition of migration (mean inhibition of migration = 30.4%). Pneumococcal pneumonia was associated with similar but less dramatic changes. Intravenous administration of organisms was uncommonly followed by inhibition of lower respiratory tract cells in direct migration assays. Fractionated MIF, as well as crude supernates of antigen-stimulated lower respiratory tract and lymph node lymphocytes from animals exposed to listeria aerosols, caused inhibition of normal alveolar macrophage migration. MIF, produced by lymph node lymphocytes, has a molecular weight of approximately 65,000 and is inactivated by chymotrypsin or neuraminidase. Delayed dermal hypersensitivity to listeria antigen was observed in 54 of 55 animals exposed to listeria aerosols and in all 9 animals infected by the intravenous route. Delayed dermal reactions to pneumococcal sonicate antigen (but not capsular polysaccharide) followed D. pneumoniae respiratory tract infection in 19 of 28 animals, and was elicited in 5 of 6 animals after intravenous infection. Both local (macrophage migration inhibition) and systemic delayed hypersensitivity followed bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract. MIF activity was shown to be one mechanism for inhibition of alveolar macrophage migration.

Animals↗

Electrical stimulation of the auditory system in children deafened by meningitis.

Twenty-five children deafened by meningitis were compared with 10 congenitally deaf children on cochlear implant performance. All subjects had met the audiologic criterion of profound deafness as required for implant surgery. Twenty subjects in the meningitis group had some degree of ossification at the round window, and drilling was required for electrode insertion into the scala tympani. In six of these subjects, bone completely filled the scala. There was a significant relationship between extensive ossification and the etiologic pathogen Diplococcus pneumoniae, as determined by radiologic and surgical reports. Postoperative results revealed that all subjects could be electrically stimulated, except for one with extensive bone formation. On implant performance, the meningitis group demonstrated sound-field thresholds comparable to those of the group with congenital deafness but required significantly higher voltage settings. These findings suggest that even with extensive labyrinthine ossification caused by meningitic deafness, neural elements are present and can be stimulated if enough power can be safely provided.

Child↗

Changes in pharyngeal aerobic microflora in oral breathers after palatal rapid expansion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate in oral breathing children the qualitative and quantitative effects on aerobic and facultatively anaerobic oropharyngeal microflora of respiratory function improved by rapid palatal expansion (RPE). METHODS: In an open clinical trial, we studied 50 oral breathers, aged 8 to 14 years and suffering from both maxillary constriction and posterior cross-bite. At baseline, patients were examined by a single otorhinolaryngologist (ENT), confirming nasal obstruction in all subjects by posterior rhino-manometric test. Patients were evaluated three times by oropharyngeal swabs:1) at baseline (T = 0); 2) after palatal spreading out (T = 1); and 3) at the end of RPE treatment (T = 2). With regard to the microbiological aspect, the most common and potentially pathogenic oral microrganisms (i.e. Streptococcus pyogenes, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus spp, Branhamella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans) were specifically detected in proper culture plates, isolated colonies were identified by means of biochemical tests and counted by calibrated loop. The data were analyzed by means of the following tests: Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon's test. RESULTS: After the use of RME there was a statistically significant decrease of Staphylococcus aureus stock at CFU/mLat T1(P = 0.0005; Z = -3,455 by Wilcoxon Rank test) and T2 (P < 0.0001; Z = -4,512 by Wilcoxon Rank test) vs T0. No significant changes were found for the other examined microrganisms. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that RPE therapy in oral breathers may strongly reduce the pathogenic aerobic and facultatively anaerobic microflora in the oral pharynx after a normalization of the upper airways function, and may reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

Journal Article↗

Comparative abilities and optimal conditions for beta-glycosidase enzymes to hydrolyse the glucuronide, glucoside, and N-acetylglucosaminide conjugates of bile acids.

Enzymatic hydrolyses were described for three variants of glycosidic conjugated bile acids with one beta-glucuronidase (Helix pomatia), three beta-glucosidase (almonds, sweet almonds, and Escherichia coli), and four beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (jack beans, bovine kidney, human placenta, and Diplococcus pneumoniae) preparations. The substrates include the beta-glucuronide, beta-glucoside, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminide conjugates of bile acids related to hyodeoxycholic, murideoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic, and ursodeoxycholic acids possessing a sugar moiety at position C-3, C-6 or C-7. The comparative abilities and optimal conditions for the beta-glycosidases to catalyze the hydrolyses of the substrates were clarified by changing pHs and incubation times. Hydrolysis rates of the bile acid glycosides with beta-glycosidase treatments were influenced by both the source of the enzyme preparations and the conjugated position of a sugar moiety in the substrates, and the 3-glucoside and 3-N-acetylglucosaminide conjugates were usually hydrolyzed more efficiently than their corresponding 6- and 7-analogs. Escherichia coli and jack bean enzymes were chosen to hydrolyse the glucosidic and N-acetylglucosaminidic conjugated bile acids, respectively.

Acetylglucosamine↗

A measles epizootic with 5 deaths in newly-imported rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Of 21 newly-imported rhesus monkeys, 11 showed a typical macular rash and 13 developed a 4-fold or greater rise in antibody titre to measles. 5 animals died, 4 of them with extensive pneumonia, pleurisy and pericarditis. Although measles was involved in each case, there were contributory causes of death, namely Diplococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus infection, and infestation with Oesophagostomum (nodular worm) larvae.

Animals↗

Respiratory pathogens in non-human primates with special reference to Corynebacterium ulcerans.

An investigation of 272 non-human primates (75 Macacca cynomolgus, 97 Macacca mulatta and 100 Cercopithecus aethiops) revealed a high incidence of respiratory disease caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans, Staphylococci, Diplococci and Streptococci. Escherichia coli was also found as a secondary invader. Most of the infections occurred during winter in Macaca cynomolgus and were caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans and Diplococcus pneumoniae. The C. ulcerans strains were phage type VI G. A phage type III C strain was isolated from a Macacca mulatta. The high incidence of C. ulcerans suggests that this organism plays a significant role in the pathology of respiratory disease in the non-human primate.

Animals↗

A consideration of the differences between a Janeway's lesion and an Osler's node in infectious endocarditis.

Janeway's lesions and Osler's nodes are regarded as excellent clues to the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis; however, very few physicians have actually witnessed these findings, and there is some confusion in distingushing between the two. This article concerns a patient with infectious endocarditis due to Diplococcus pneumoniae, who had tender vesicular lesions thought to be Osler's nodes and a nontender erythematous nodule on the foot compatible with a Janeway's lesion. The original comments by William Osler and Edward Janeway are presented, and the literature following their descriptions is reviewed. It is concluded that the only essential diagnostic difference between the two is the tenderness that is associated with an Osler's node but not with a Janeway's lesion.

Adolescent↗

[Gonorrhea].

Gonorrhea is a common bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a Gram-negative diplococcus that is transmitted almost exclusively by sexual contact or perinatally. It primarily affects the mucous membranes of the lower genital tract and less frequently those of the rectum, oropharynx, and conjunctivae. Ascending genital infection in women leads to the predominant complication, acute salpingitis, one of the most common causes of female infertility in the world. Since the 1990s, a remarkable surge of information ensued regarding the pathogenesis of gonorrhea and its agent. Gonorrhea has proven difficult to control in most populations and remains a prime example of the influence that social, behavioral, and demographic factors can have on the epidemiology of an infectious disease. The management of gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections requires both treatment of the patient as an individual and of his or her sexual partner(s) as a public health measure to interrupt the onward spread of infection and prevent long-term complications.

Female↗

Subclinical infection of the genital tract with Neisseria meningitidis.

We report the isolation of Neisseria meningitidis, characterized as B:NT:P1.7, from a female patient's genital tract in an outpatient clinic for HIV care. The gynecology clinic, as part of the follow up, collects specimens from all patients with HIV infection for routine exams and for early laboratory detection of sexually transmitted diseases . A Gram-negative diplococcus was isolated from the cervix of a heterosexual patient with AIDS. Based on this and other reported cases, urogenital infection with N. meningitidis can no longer be considered uncommon. The rising incidence of N. meningitidis isolated from this and similar sites has significant medical and diagnostic implications.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

A clinical trial with cefoperazone in pneumonia and pyelonephritis.

15 cases of pneumonia and 15 cases of pyelonephritis were included in a clinical trial of parenteral cefoperazone. The organisms isolated from patients with bacterial pneumonia were: Staphylococcus aureus (6), Klebsiella pneumoniae (5), Diplococcus pneumoniae (3), Pseudomonas species (2), and 6 others. Amongst those with pyelonephritis, Escherichia coli (12), Enterobacter (1), and 3 other pathogens, were isolated. All were sensitive to cefoperazone. The efficacy of cefoperazone in patients with pneumonia was: good in 11 (73%), fair in 3, and poor in 1. In pyelonephritis, 12 (80%) responded well and in the other 3 response was fair. There were no significant side effects or hypersensitivity reactions.

Adult↗

[A fatal case of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection syndrome developing 10 years after splenectomy].

UNLABELLED: Splenectomized patients are likely to suffer from severe infections, such as sepsis and meningitis. This syndrome is called overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) in Europe and America. The course is rapid, the clinical symptoms are serious, and the prognosis is very poor. We treated one adult patient with OPSI syndrome that developed 10 years after splenectomy. CASE: A 26-year-old man had undergone a splenectomy following a traffic accident 10 years previously. On January 7, 1996, he had diarrhea and nausea. On January 10, he became drowsy and presented at our hospital with multiple organ failure. He underwent hemodialysis and plasmapheresis because of acute renal failure and also received immune globulin, antibiotics and prednisolone. However, these medications were not effective. He died 7 hours later. We identified diplococcus on a blood smear, IgG 3 deficiency and a low titer of specific pneumococcal IgG 2 antibody. The autopsy findings included bilateral acute hemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome).

Adult↗

Pathogenicity of Branhamella catarrhalis.

Branhamella catarrhalis--a Gram-negative diplococcus--differs biochemically from other Neisseriaceae and possesses a specific protein with antigenic properties. Although scattered cases of meningitis and endocarditis have been reported since 1907, B. catarrhalis has been considered a non-pathogenic, pharyngeal commensal. However, relatively recent reports have shown B. catarrhalis to play a significant role in the etiology of otitis media and bronchopulmonary infections. Some reports also indicate a pathogenic role in sinusitis and longstanding cough in children, and in acute laryngitis in adults. B. catarrhalis is susceptible to co-trimoxazole, erythromycin, cephalosporins and tetracyclines. Most strains are also susceptible to penicillin, but the frequency of beta-lactamase producing B. catarrhalis has increased from 4% to 25% during the last six years (Sweden). First choice antibiotics in infections with penicillin-resistant strains would be erythromycin and co-trimoxazole.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Acute epiglottitis; a clinical, bacteriological and serological study.

25 patients, 15 children and 10 adults, with the clinical diagnosis of acute epiglottitis were studied. Patients severely ill on admission, 13 children and 1 adult, were immediately treated with tracheotomy and antibiotics; the remaining patients with antibiotics only. Haemophilus influenzae type b was the causative organism in all children and in 3 adults. One adult had a Diplococcus pneumoniae infection. No pathogens were isolated from the 6 remaining patients. Four of the children developed H. influenzae type b meningitis. All patients recovered. Anti-b antibodies were not demonstrable in any initial serum sample while agglutinating anti-b antibodies were found in subsequent samples (indirect hemagglutination). All patients with a type b infection had already initially precipitating anti-O antibodies against their own strain, and in most cases complement-fixing anti-O antibodies (mixed H. influenzae O antigen) with rising titers in subsequent serum samples. A possible connection between the presence of anti-O antibodies initially and the development of the acute epiglottitis is discussed.

Acute Disease↗

The value of epicillin and ampicillin in the treatment of meningococcal and pneumococcal meningitis.

96 patients with meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis and Diplococcus pneumoniae were treated with epicillin or ampicillin according to a predesigned randomization chart. Results indicate that epicillin and ampicillin are effective single drugs in the treatment of meningococcal and pneumococcal meningitis. No adverse reactions were noted with either drug and they were comparable in their efficacy.

Adolescent↗

High isolation rate of Branhamella catarrhalis from the nasopharynx in adults with acute laryngitis.

Branhamella catarrhalis was isolated from the nasopharynx in 55% of 40 noncompromised adult patients suffering from acute laryngitis. Diplococcus pneumoniae and haemophilus influenzae were found in another 5 and 8%, respectively; one patient had group A streptococci in the throat specimen. In 90% of the patients the laryngitis complaints were preceded by symptoms of an acute respiratory tract infection. Two of the patients with B. catarrhalis showed a significant titre conversion against influenza B and parainfluenza type e virus, respectively. Attempts to isolate virus failed in all cases. The results indicate that B. catarrhalis, known to cause acute otitis media in small children and respiratory tract infections in adult compromised hosts, may be involved in the etiology of acute laryngitis in otherwise healthy adults.

Acute Disease↗