Showing papers by "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in 1971"

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Growth in Distilled Water from Hospitals

Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa can grow relatively fast in distilled water obtained in hospitals and achieve high cell contaminations which remain stable for long periods of time. Cells grown in distilled water react quite differently to chemical and physical stresses than cells grown in standard laboratory culture media.

Type-Specific Antigens of Group B Type Ic Streptococci

Abstract: The type-specific antigens of group B type Ic (old designation type Ii) streptococci were extracted, purified, and characterized by serological and chemical methods. The Ia antigen, shared by types Ia and Ic, is a polysaccharide composed of 69% galactose and 25% glucosamine (i.e., 31% N-acetyl-glucosamine). However, these monosaccharides failed to inhibit significantly the quantitative precipitin reactions between purified antigen and type Ia antiserum. Indications are that the immunodominant group of this antigen consists of more than a simple monosaccharide. The Ic antigen, shared by types Ib and Ic, is a protein unrelated to the X and R protein antigens. Ic antigen consists of two serologically active determinants, one of which is susceptible to both trypsin and pepsin digestion and the other to pepsin but not to trypsin digestion. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partially purified Ic antigen resulted in the occurrence of both determinants throughout the length of the gel, as shown by double gel diffusion slides.

Organic Mercury Identified as the Cause of Poisoning in Humans and Hogs

Abstract: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry and neutron activation analysis showed the presence of mercury in organic extracts of seed grain and in tissues of hogs fed the contaminated grain. Mercury was also found in the urine, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid of humans who ate the contaminated pork. Mass spectral analysis confirmed the presence of organic mercury. This paper reports the first documented episode of indirect mercury poisoning in humans in the United States caused by the ingestion of contaminated meat from animals that had consumed mercury in their food supply.

Cutaneous Cryptococcosis: A Sentinel of Disseminated Disease

Abstract: In four cases of disseminated cryptococcosis with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, cryptococcal cutaneous lesions developed two to eight months before the diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis with meningitis was made. In all four patients, there was cultural or strong clinical evidence of multisystem involvement in addition to the presenting skin lesions and CNS involvement. All four patients were treated with amphotericin B intravenously. In two patients, a single course of drug therapy produced long-term apparent cure, while in the remaining two, clinical and cultural relapse occurred, resulting in death in spite of a second course of treatment. The recognition of cutaneous cryptococcal disease should alert the clinician to the probability of disseminated cryptococcosis. Repeated careful cultural studies of the cerebrospinal fluid, urine, prostatic secretions, and sputum should be performed for early diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Indirect hemagglutination test for detection of antibodies to Cytomegalovirus.

Abstract: An indirect hemagglutination test has been adapted for use with cytomegalovirus. The test is highly sensitive and reproducible. Both immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies can be detected by this method. The hemagglutination reaction can be inhibited by small amounts of homologous antigen. This principle permits early identification of virus isolated from diagnostic specimens.

“Upper Limits of Normal” Antistreptolysin O and Antideoxyribonuclease B Titers

Abstract: “Upper limits of normal” antistreptolysin O (ASO) and antideoxyribonuclease (ADN) B titers were determined on serum specimens from various age groups of pediatric patients with no history of a recent streptococcal infection and on healthy adult hospital employees. The upper limit of normal value is that level of antibody titer exceeded by no more than 15% of the total subjects in each age group. This value varies with the age of the subject, and the most pronounced differences are between the values of preschool age children, school age children, and adults. The upper limit of normal values for these groups were as follows: preschool age, ASO = 85(100); ADN B = 60(50); school age, ASO = 170(166); ADN B=1 70(166); and adult, ASO = 85(100); ADN B = 85(100).

Efficacy and safety of topical lysostaphin treatment of persistent nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: The efficacy of lysostaphin nasal spray and Neosporin ointment (Burroughs Wellcome & Co.) in altering nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus was studied with persistent carriers in an institution for mentally retarded children and adults. Treatment for 5 days with either agent significantly reduced carriage rates. This effect persisted through the 5th day after therapy with lysostaphin but not with Neosporin. By the 11th day after therapy, carriage rates in the treatment and control groups were not significantly different. Except for a single immediate wheal and flair skin test reaction, no other evidence of adverse reactions to topical lysostaphin was detected. No consistent changes in hemagglutination-inhibition titers to lysostaphin were observed after therapy. Lysostaphin appears to be slightly more effective than conventional topical antimicrobial therapy in reducing nasal carriage of staphylococci in this rigorously defined population of persistent carriers.

Coccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis a review of their epidemiology and geographical distribution

Abstract: Coccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are two of the most important human mycoses. In their endemic areas, millions of infections have occurred and thousands continue t o occur among susceptibles. Hundreds of active cases that require hospitalization develop each year. The deaths at tr ibuted to these diseases, in the United States alone, have averaged over 120 yearly (1). However, because the mycoses are not reportable diseases, data on the morbidi ty and mortal i ty attributable to Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum undoubtedly are understated. The number of cases reported must represent a mere fraction of those:that actually occur in the general population. Because of their public health importance, a great many studies have been carried out on coccidioidomycosis and histosplamosis. For these proceedings it has been my task to review developments, during the past five years, regarding their epidemiology and geographical distribution.

Ultraviolet light inactivation and photoreactivation in the mycobacteria.

Abstract: The kinetics of inactivation of mycobacteria by ultraviolet light were investigated. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. marinum were shown to be capable of photo-reactivation.

Method for typing antisera to Herpesvirus hominis by indirect hemagglutination inhibition.

Abstract: A test for typing antisera to Herpesvirus hominis that uses the method of indirect hemagglutination inhibition is described. The test, which is based upon the differential absorption of herpes antisera by preparations of type 1 and type 2 antigens, is rapidly and easily performed. The results permit some conclusions to be drawn regarding the antigenic relationships between the two virus types. Some of the practical limitations of the test are discussed.

Comparison of the streptozyme test with the antistreptolysin O, antideoxyribonuclease B, and antihyaluronidase tests.

Abstract: The streptozyme test was compared with the antistreptolysin O (ASO), antideoxyribonuclease B (ADN-B), and antihyaluronidase (AH) tests. One hundred and twenty-seven human serum specimens were tested by each of the four tests. The streptozyme test detected more specimens with elevated titers than any single test; however, it was not as effective as the combination of the ASO and ADN-B tests. The streptozyme test appears to be particularly useful for laboratories which rely solely on the ASO test for serological evidence of a streptococcal infection. The test can be used in these laboratories to screen all specimens with low ASO titers (<170) for the detection of ADN, AH, antinicotinamide adenine dinucleotidase, and antistreptokinase.

Nonhistotoxic clostridial bacteremia.

Abstract: From 1962 to 1969 the Anaerobic Bacteriology Laboratory received 114 isolates of nonhistotoxic Clostridia from human blood specimens. We studied the clinical and bacteriologic data for 86 patients with bacteremia caused by 12 groups or species of these Clostridia. Eighteen patients were newborns. The bacteremia was commonly associated with intraabdominal lesions, hematologic disorders, genitourinary diseases, recent surgical procedures, cardiac diseases, intercurrent antibiotic therapy, and tumors or leukemias. Almost all of the patients had fever and leukocytosis; some also had hypotension. Clinically, their condition resembled Gram-negative bacillus septicemia, sepsis neonatorum, or fever of unknown origin. The clinical course was typically self-limited and was probably not affected by antibiotic therapy. An endogenous origin of the Clostridia was proposed, since only two patients had external trauma and none had gas gangrene. As with so many other opportunistic organisms, these nonhistotoxic Clostridia may invade systemically when host defense mechanisms are lowered by underlying illnesses.

Resistance to D-cycloserine in the tubercle bacilli: mutation rate and transport of alanine in parental cells and drug-resistant mutants

Abstract: A single transport system was found to accumulate l- and d-alanine, glycine and d-serine in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results of inhibition experiments suggested that the antibiotics d-cycloserine and O-carbamyl-d-serine were also transported by the alanine-glycine-d-serine system. A d-cycloserine-resistant permease-competent (d-CS(r)/perm(+)) mutant and a d-cycloserine-resistant permease-defective (d-CS(r)/perm(-)) mutant were isolated. The d-CS(r)/perm(-) mutant was not found to be more resistant to the drug than was the d-CS(r)/perm(+) mutant. The data were consistent with the conclusion that resistance to d-cycloserine in the tubercle bacilli is primarily due to mutations in the gene(s) controlling the enzyme d-alanyl-d-alanine synthetase. The mutation rate was calculated to be about 10(-10) mutations per bacterium per generation.

The fluorescent antibody test for malaria.

Abstract: (1971). The Fluorescent Antibody Test for Malaria. CRC Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences: Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 601-619.

Sporotrichosis in children. Report of an epidemic.

Abstract: Nine cases of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis in children occurred in Kansas in the fall of 1969. All the children had played in stacks of baled prairie hay from which Sporotrichum schenckii was recovered. This outbreak is, to our knowledge, the largest reported outbreak of sporotrichosis in children and the first outbreak reported due to contaminated prairie hay. It is suggested that when adequately exposed to contaminated material children are as susceptible as adults.

Relationship Between the Staining Quality of Mycobacterium leprae and Infectivity for Mice.

Abstract: The proposal has been made that only solidly staining forms of Mycobacterium leprae are viable. On the basis of a previous study, solidly staining bacilli were defined as those that stained completely and darkly throughout their length. A study was carried out to correlate the proportion of solidly staining bacilli in inocula with the infectivity and rate of appearance of bacillary growth in inoculated mice. The inocula originated in skin biopsy specimens of patients and in mouse passage material; there were 347 inocula suitable for study. The rate of appearance of bacillary growth in inoculated mice confirmed the hypothesis that nonsolid bacilli are inert and nonviable and that all growth originates from the solidly staining organisms. The minimal infectious dose was determined in four suspensions and was found to range from 40 to 3 solidly staining bacilli.

Microbial penetration of muslin- and paper-wrapped sterile packs stored on open shelves and in closed cabinets.

Abstract: Microbial penetration of sterile packs was studied using single-wrap (two layers) muslin, double-wrap (four layers) muslin, and two-way crepe paper (single layer) to wrap 20 gauze sponges (2 by 2 inch). These packs were stored in the central sterile supply departments of two hospitals and processed for sterility at predetermined intervals. Microorganisms penetrated single-wrap muslin as early as 3 days and double-wrap muslin and single-wrap two-way crepe paper in 21 to 28 days stored in open shelves. The time required for microbial penetration was at least twice as long when closed cabinets were used. Single-wrap muslin packs stored in sealed, impervious plastic bags remained sterile for at least 9 months. All sterile materials in pervious wrappers should be handled as little as possible and then only with extreme care and caution. Closed cabinets offer more protection than open shelves, and single wrappers are not recommended.

Rapid Detection of Salmonella Microcolonies by Fluorescent Antibody

Abstract: A microcolony fluorescent-antibody (FA) procedure for detecting salmonellae was compared to the usual direct FA procedure on 304 environmental, food, and feed samples. The microcolony FA test detected all of the specimens found positive by culture, whereas the direct FA missed 3.1% of them. Both FA tests revealed stained organisms in some of the culturally negative specimens. The microcolony FA test has several advantages over the direct FA test: ease of examining the smears, elimination of the fluorescent background material, and increased sensitivity. Images

Extrachromosomal nature of hydrogen sulfide production in Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Two strains of Escherichia coli which produce hydrogen sulfide appear to have acquired this ability via transfer of genetic material from another genus.

Preparation and Testing of Polyvalent Conjugates for Fluorescent-Antibody Detection of Salmonellae

Abstract: A polyvalent OH conjugate for Salmonella O groups A through I, K, L, and O was prepared and tested against pure cultures of salmonellae, nonsalmonellae, and a variety of food, fecal, and environmental specimens. Examination of pure cultures revealed that the conjugate gave negligible staining with representative strains of Shigella, Proteus, Providence, Serratia, and Pseudomonas. However, it stained 12% of the Escherichia coli and Citrobacter freundii strains and 36% of the Arizona strains. Over 1,200 specimens of various types were examined by both fluorescent-antibody (FA) and cultural procedures. Results indicate that, when used with discretion, FA screening can be a useful tool for rapid presumptive indication of the presence of salmonellae. The need for careful selection of strains used for preparing antisera and the importance of adequate evaluation of Salmonella FA reagents are discussed.

Labile Serum Factor and Its Effect on Arbovirus Neutralization

Abstract: Enhancement of neutralization of Sindbis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses by labile serum factor (LSF) in human serum and plasma was demonstrated. Human serum and plasma could be diluted 1:8 and 1:16 and still retain some LSF activity. Satisfactory storage temperatures for retention of LSF activity were −20 or −56 C. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles of serum did not alter LSF activity, but the activity was completely eliminated by heating at 56 C for 5 min. LSF of human serum equally enhanced neutralization by Sindbis immune mouse and rabbit sera; these results suggest a lack of species specificity. Rehydrated lyophilized gunea pig complement did not restore LSF activity to heated human plasma. Serum components responsible for LSF activity were not dialyzable. Discovery of fresh serum without LSF activity established the need to pretest all sera used as LSF sources.