Showing papers on "Klebsiella pneumoniae published in 1980"

A factor(s) in Klebsiella culture filtrates specifically modifies an HLA-B27-associated cell-surface component

Abstract: We have previously shown1,2 that a serum raised against certain isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae lyses the lymphocytes of HLA-B27-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) but not of B27-positive or B27-negative healthy controls. These observations suggested that some Klebsiella antigens cross-react with a gene product intimately associated with B27 or possibly with ‘modified’ B27 (refs 1, 3) in patients with AS. It seems likely therefore, that some Klebsiella antigens play a role in the pathogenesis of AS, perhaps by specifically modifying a B27-associated cell-surface marker. We have now examined the influence of culture filtrates from three Klebsiella isolates on lymphocytes from B27-positive and B27-negative healthy individuals. We report that 24-h culture filtrates of Klebsiella K43 (previously Klebsiella F19) contain a factor(s) capable of specifically modifying the sensitivity to anti-Klebsiella K43 serum of B27+AS− lymphocytes (that is, cells not lysed by anti-Klebsiella K43 serum): ‘modified’ B27+AS− lymphocytes are now serologically similar to the cells of B27-positive patients with AS (B27+AS+). The failure of anti-Klebsiella F10 and of anti-Escherichia coli sera to lyse lymphocytes, which have been incubated with the corresponding culture filtrates, excludes a nonspecific lysis by the anti-bacterial sera of target lymphocytes bearing bacterial antigens randomly distributed on their surface. Therefore, the data are compatible with a specific transformation by a Klebsiella K43-derived soluble factor of a B27-associated lymphoid cell component.

Effect of piliation on Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in rat bladders.

Abstract: The possible role of pili in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae was investigated in a rat model of cystitis by utilizing piliated- and nonpiliated-phase organisms derived from a single parent strain. Bladder surfaces were examined for evidence of infection by scanning electron microscopy. In animals infected with piliated-phase organisms, foci of infection were evident in the majority of bladders examined. Rat bladders associated with nonpiliated-phase bacteria showed little evidence of infection. The ability of methyl-D-mannoside, a known inhibitor of pilus-mediated adherence to mammalian cells, to protect the bladder surface from colonization was also tested. The results showed a significant decrease in the ability of piliated-phase K. pneumoniae to establish infection in bladders. These observations suggest that pili may play an integral role in the ability of K. pneumoniae to cause urinary tract infections by mediating the attachment of the bacteria to the uroepithelial surface.

Dissemination of an antibiotic resistance plasmid in hospital patient flora.

Abstract: The 2'' aminoglycoside nucleotidyltransferase, AAD (2''), which adenylates gentamicin, tobramycin, and kanamycin, became prevalent over several months in multiple strains and species of Enterobacteriaceae isolated at one hospital. Eight plasmids with the gene for this enzyme purified from different strains and species isolated at different times had similar EcoRI digestion fragments, indicating that the gene had disseminated on one plasmid without transposition. This 56.5-megadalton plasmid of incompatibility group M, which also carried three other resistance genes, spread, at first, largely in one strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae, which later disappeared. It transferred to some strains which tended not to colonize other patients and later circulated predominantly in Serratia marcescens. Computer surveillance of routine hospital laboratory results was able to detect and trace the gene and the plasmid and measure their effect on resistance prevalence.

Comparative Activities of the Oxa-β-Lactam LY127935, Cefotaxime, Cefoperazone, Cefamandole, and Ticarcillin Against Multiply Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli

Abstract: A total of 91 multiply resistant bacterial strains, including Klebsiella pneumoniae (32 strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16 strains), and Serratia marcescens (43 strains), were collected during hospital epidemics of nosocomial infection from 1975 to 1979. These strains were resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, and ampicillin. Their susceptibility to three new broad-spectrum β-lactams, LY127935 (a 1-oxa-β-lactam), cefotaxime (HR 756), and cefoperazone (T 1551), was compared with the susceptibility of random strains of nine species of aerobic gram-negative bacilli collected in the same hospital in 1979. Susceptibility to cefamandole and ticarcillin was also determined. Strains of staphylococci and streptococci from that hospital and two nearby city-county hospitals were also compared for the three new cephalosporins and other effective antibiotics. The agar dilution method was used to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration for each antibiotic. The multiply resistant strains (minimum inhibitory concentration for gentamicin ≥ 8 μg/ml) usually were as susceptible to the three new broad-spectrum β-lactams as were non-multiply resistant strains. Both Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens , including multiply resistant and non-multiply resistant strains, were most susceptible to the 1-oxa-β-lactam LY127935 and cefotaxime. P. aeruginosa (both multiply resistant and non-multiply resistant strains) were most susceptible to cefoperazone. All three new β-lactams were active against non-multiply resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp., and Citrobacter spp. Providencia stuartii were most susceptible to cefotaxime and the 1-oxa-β-lactam LY127935. The three new β-lactams were all less active against staphylococci (especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ) than cephalothin. Streptococcus pyogenes and S. pneumoniae were very susceptible to cefotaxime and cefoperazone, though less susceptible to LY127935. None of the three new β-lactams was active against S. faecalis . All were very active against both penicillinase-positive and -negative strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae .

In vitro activity of chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol analogs.

Abstract: The in vitro activity of three fluorine analogs of chloramphenicol in which the hydroxyl group at position 3 had been replaced with a fluorine was compared with that of chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol. Compound SCH 24893 was the most active agent against staphylococci and Bacteroides strains, and compound SCH 25298 was the most active against Haemophilus, Neisseria, enterococcus, and Klebsiella strains. Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains resistant to chloramphenicol were resistant to the compounds. The agents inhibited all of the Shigella, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococcus strains resistant to chloramphenicol. They inhibited most (82%) of Escherichia coli and half of the Klebsiella pneumoniae strains which were resistant to chloramphenicol. Isolates in which resistance to chloramphenicol was shown to be plasmic mediated and due to chloramphenicol transacetylase were inhibited by all three agents.

Sequential Outbreaks of Infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Implication of a Conjugative R Plasmid

Abstract: Sequential outbreaks of infection in a neonatal intensive care unit were due to multiple antibiotic-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae of different serotypes. In investigations of these outbreaks, the transfer of resistance to gentamicin, ampicillin, cephalothin, carbenicillin, and kanamycin from gentamicin-resistant organisms to standard laboratory recipients and between recipients was observed. Purified plasmid DNA, isolated from all multiple antibiotic-resistant strains, was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, which revealed a common, large plasmid component with a molecular size of 71 megadaltons. Analysis of drug-resistant progeny suggested this plasmid encoded resistance to antibiotics and the information needed for its transmission. The identity of the plasmid from three different sources was established by the use of restrictionenzyme fingerprinting. The dissemination and persistence of this plasmid in environmental and fecal organisms, despite the disappearance of multiple antibiotic-resistant K. pneumoniae, provided a potential source for spread to other bacteria.

GR-20263: a new aminothiazolyl cephalosporin with high activity against Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae.

Abstract: The in vitro activity of GR-20263, a new aminothiazolyl cephalosporin, was compared with the activities of other beta-lactam antibiotics by using 800 clinical bacterial isolates. GR-20263 was highly active (inhibition of 90% of the isolates between 0.03 and 1 microgram/ml) against the common Enterobacteriaceae and 5 to 20 times more active than cefuroxime, cefoxitin, and cephalothin. GR-20263 was three to six times less active than cefotaxime against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella, and Shigella, but three to four times more active than cefotaxime against Proteus vulgaris and Serratia marcescens. The activity of GR-20263 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 2 and 8 micrograms/ml for 90 and 100% of the isolates, respectively) was similar to that of tobramycin, 2 times that of cefsulodin, 5 times that of piperacillin, and 10 times that of cefotaxime. Against Haemophilus influenzae GR-20263 was three time more active than ampicillin. The beta-lactamase-producing strains were as susceptible to GR-20263 as the beta-lactamase-negative strains. GR-20263 was less active than cefotaxime and ampicillin against Staphylococcus aureus.

The mutagenic action of quindoxin, carbadox, olaquindox and some other N-oxides on bacteria and yeast.

Abstract: The mutagenic action of 3 coccidiostatic chinoxaline-di-N-oxide derivatives, quindoxin, carbadox and olaquindox, was investigated by Luria and Delbruck's fluctuation test, with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli K12 as test organisms. These compounds were mutagenic at very low concentrations (2 × 10−5–500 × 10−5 mmole/l). In the Ames test they showed a mutagenic action without metabolic activation with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 at concentrations of 0.001–0.1 mmole/l in the top agar. Hence, these compounds cause both base-pair substitutions and frame-shift mutations. When Saccharomyces cerevisiae D4 was cultivated in the presence of the compounds, an increase in the mitotic gene conversions was observed. Certain other N-oxides also showed a mutagenic action in the fluctuation test. With Klebsiella pneumoniae, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide was mutagenic at a concentration of 0.005 mmole/l, quinoline 1-oxide at 10 mmole/l and benzofuroxan at 0.01 mmole/l. In this test no mutagenic action was found with 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide, pyridine 1-oxide or 4-picoline 1-oxide. With Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, benzofuroxan and 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide were mutagenic, whereas quinoline 1-oxide, pyridine 1-oxide and 4-picoline 1-oxide were not. In contrast, with the fluctuation test, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide appeared to be more mutagenic than quindoxin, carbadox and olaquindox in the plate incorporation test.

Antibiotic Resistance and Its Transfer Among Clinical and Nonclinical Klebsiella Strains in Botanical Environments

Abstract: A total of 183 isolates of Klebsiella from drinking water, market vegetables, wood, sawdust, industrial effluents, and human and animal origin were examined for susceptibility to 10 antibacterial agents. Incidence of resistance to two or more antibiotics tested was: 65% of the human clinical isolates, 59% among bovine mastitis, and 24% among the nonclinical isolates. The five different multiple resistance patterns among nonclinically derived Klebsiella were also found among the human and bovine mastitis isolates. Statistical analyses revealed that patterns of resistance among Klebsiella isolates from drinking water, market vegetables, and industrial effluents were highly correlated with each other and with resistance patterns of human clinical isolates. Antibiotic resistance was transferred between Klebsiella growing in two habitat-simulated environments (growing radish plants and aqueous sawdust suspensions). Transconjugants were detected in 5 of 21 and 6 of 21 mating pairs, respectively. Average transconjugants/donor ranged from 10(-3) to 10(-6) in Penassay broth, from 10(-6) to 10(-7) on radish plants, and from 10(-5) to 10(-8) in sawdust suspensions. Although antibiotic resistance transfer under simulated environmental conditions can occur, regrowth of clinical strains is probably the major cause for the widespread occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella in the nonclinical environment.

R-factor responsible for an outbreak of multiply antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Abstract: Seven serotypes of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from different patients demonstrated resistance to the same eight antibiotics. A plasmid carrying resistance determinants to these antibiotics and mercury salts could be transferred in toto to a plasmidless strain of Escherichia coli. All E. coli transconjugants showed the same antibiotic resistance pattern. Digestion with restriction endonucleases yielded patterns that were identical for each of the R-factor transferred from the multiply resistant serotypes. Moreover, deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization demonstrated identity between the probe, pMAC20 (an R-factor from one serotype), and all R-factors isolated from the multiply resistant strains of K. pneumoniae and the E. coli transconjugants tested.

A Mössbauer spectroscopic investigation of the redox behaviour of the molybdenum-iron protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase. Mechanistic and structural implications.

Abstract: The redox properties of the nitrogenase Mo-Fe protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae have been monitored by 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy between -460 and -160mV (relative to the normal hydrogen electrode). Two redox processes associated with the atoms of the protein were observed. One at -216mV (pH 8.7) was associated with the Fe-Mo cofactor centres in the protein and allowed identification of the Mossbauer parameters of the oxidized form of these centres. The other redox process at -340mV (pH 8.7) was associated with species M5 [Smith & Lang (1974) Biochem. J. 137, 169-180]. This latter redox process may be involved in enzyme turnover. The oxidized form of species M5 interacts magnetically with species M4. The structural implications of the data have been considered in relation to other published data. It is concluded that an unequivocal assignment of the M4 and M5 atoms to Fe-S cluster types is not yet possible.

Seroepidemiology of clinical isolates of Klebsiella in Connecticut.

Abstract: The distribution of capsular serotypes of 200 clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca from four Connecticut hospitals was determined. Serotyping was done by an indirect fluorescent-antibody technique. Hospitals included three community hospitals from the Hartford area and one university hospital in New Haven. During the test period, epidemiological surveillance did not detect any nosocomial epidemic involving Klebsiella species. Ninety-two percent of the isolates were typable. Of the 72 possible serotypes, 62 were represented among these strains. Forty-two percent of the typable strains were distributed among 10 serotypes. The predominant serotypes were types 31, 22, and 18 representing 19% of the typable strains (8, 6, and 5%, respectively). No one particular serotype was associated exclusively with a specific site of infection.

Identification of the major adherence ligand of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the receptor for coliphage T7 and alteration of Klebsiella adherence properties by lysogenic conversion

Abstract: We have studied the adherence of both laboratory and wild-type Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, isolated from sputum, urine, and stool samples, to human buccal and intestinal and urinary tract epithelial cells. Of 32 unencapsulated strains, 30 adhered to all epithelial cells tested. Four K. pneumoniae strains lysogenic for AP3, a phage which causes conversion to resistance of coliphages T3, T7, and phi I, were all unable to adhere to epithelial cells. One of these strains was cured from phage infection and became capable of adhering, Spontaneous mutants resistant to coliphage T7, as well as K. pneumoniae K59-sensitive cells preadsorbed with inactivated T7 particles, did not adhere to epithelial cells. All strains capable of adhering were able to adsorb coliphage T7 and T3, whereas all nonadhesive strains were not. AP3-like prophages were induced from 7 of 12 nonadhesive Klebsiella strains. A laboratory strain which was able to adhere was lysogenized with 2 of these phages. In both cases, the strain lost its ability to adsorb coliphages T3, T7, and phi I and to adhere to human epithelial cells. All K. pneumoniae adhesive strains agglutinated yeast cells, whereas the nonadhesive strains did not. Competition studies have shown that D-mannose and concanavalin A prevented adherence to human epithelial cells, yeast agglutination, and adsorption of coliphage T7 to K. pneumoniae cells. It is concluded that in K. pneumoniae adherence to epithelial cells is mediated by the receptor for coliphages T7 (and T3), which in turn recognizes D-mannose in the receptors it binds.

The role of Klebsiella in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. II Evidence for a specific B27-associated marker on the lymphocytes of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Abstract: Although the strong association of HLA-B27 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is well documented, the significance of this association is largely unknown. It has recently been reported that Klebsiella pneumoniae was present in the faeces of patients with AS more frequently than in healthy individuals, and that there appeared to be some cross-reactivity between HLA-B27 and Klebsiella. We have therefore attempted to gain an insight into the possible role of Klebsiella in the pathogenesis of AS. The results presented here indicate that HLA-B27 positive individuals with AS have a significantly lower in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to Klebsiella antigens, as compared with B27 positive and B27 negative healthy controls. By contrast, B27 positive patients with AS as well as B27 positive and negative controls respond equally well to phytohaemagglutinin, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Yersinia and Shigella. To investigate a possible cross-reactivity between Klebsiella and HLA-B27, antisera were raised in rabbits against various isolates of Klebsiella. An antiserum to one isolate (427) of Klebsiella lysed the lymphocytes of B27 positive AS patients but not of B27 positive or B27 negative controls. These observations strongly suggest that some Klebsiella antigens cross-react with a gene product closely associated with HLA-B27 or possibly with a modified B27 antigen in patients with AS.

Isolation and characterization of lambda specialized transducing bacteriophages carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae nif genes.

Abstract: Seve lambda dnif specialized transducing bacteriophages were isolated from Escherichia coli strains containing plasmids carrying the his-nif region of Klebsiella pneumoniae. These phages collectively carry deoxyribonucleic acid for all of the genes in the nif regulon and adjacent deoxyribonucleic acid of K. pneumoniae. The phages were isolated by using Mu insertions in the nif region to direct the integration of lambda pMu phages in nif via formation of lambda pMu-Mu dilysogens which, upon induction, yielded lambda dnif phages. This procedure should be generally applicable for isolating lambda specialized transducing phages carrying genes from E. coli or other bacteria.

Evaluation of the four-hour Micro-ID technique for direct identification of oxidase-negative, Gram-negative rods from blood cultures.

Abstract: A 4-h Micro-ID technique for direct identification of oxidase-negative gram-negative rods from positive blood cultures was compared to subculture and species identification of single colonies by API 20E and Micro-ID, using standardized inocula. A total of 127 patients (220 positive cultures) were studied. Isolates included 96 Escherichia coli, 46 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 7 Klebsiella oxytoca, 8 Enterobacter aerogenes, 17 Enterobacter cloacae, 19 Serratia marcescens, 2 Serratia liquefaciens, 8 Proteus mirabilis, 1 Salmonella species, 1 Morganella morganii, 6 Haemophilus influenzae, 2 Haemophilus parainfluenzae, 3 Bacteroides fragilis, 3 Acinetobacter calcoaceticus biotype anitratus, and 1 Pseudomonas maltophilia. In 90% of the cultures, identification by Micro-ID was identical to that obtained after subculture; if the 15 non-enterobacterial isolates were excluded, the corresponding figure was 96.6%. Enterobacteria identified incorrectly by direct Micro-ID were three S. marcescens (two identified as S. liquefaciens, one as Hafnia alvei), two S. liquefaciens (both identified as E. cloacae), and two K. pneumoniae (one identified as Klebsiella ozaenae, the other as Serratia rubidaea). None of the 15 non-enterobacterial cultures were correctly identified by Micro-ID (non-identifiable, or classified as Providencia/Yersinia/Klebsiella species). Although biochemical discrepancies between direct and final Micro-ID tests occurred in 41% of the enterobacterial cultures, this did not seriously interfere with identification. Direct species identification of Enterobacteriaceae from blood cultures by direct Micro-ID is accurate and easily performed and identified organisms within 4 h compared to at least 24 h by most other methods; the direct Micro-ID technique would be rendered even more valuable by the additional capability of identifying non-enterobacterial gram-negative isolates.

Naturally acquired infections of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Wistar rats.

Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from lesions in 2 dead and 82 ill animals in a breeding colony of 2300 Wistar rats. The clinical signs were unilaterial and bilateral fluctuating masses in the cervical and inguinal areas, and focal cutaneous ulcers in the ventral neck. Cervical and inguinal lymphadenitis with abscess formation were found on microscopic examination. Lesions also occurred in visceral organs. Although characteristic of the natural infection in most species, no respiratory lesions were seen in this epizootic episode. A capsular serotype 5 K. pneumoniae which did not utilize malonate was the only bacterial strain cultured from the lesions, but other K. pneumoniae strains that utilized malonate and were untypable by capsular serology were cultured from throats and faeces. 30% (6/20) of asymptomatic animals tested had both types of K. pneumoniae in their faeces.

In vitro antagonism by erythromycin of the bactericidal action of antimicrobial agents against common respiratory pathogens.

Abstract: Ten strains each of Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were tested in vitro against erythromycin combined with ampicillin, cefamandole, or gentamicin. Antagonism by erythromycin occurred with 47% of the combinations involving strains of S. aureus and to a lesser degree with H. influenzae. Synergy occurred most commonly with H. influenzae (27%). The high frequency of antagonism and synergy with these organisms was associated with a broad range of bacteriostatic action by erythromycin against these same bacteria. The implications for the treatment of pneumonia are discussed.

Ribosomal vaccines: immunological study.

Abstract: Ribosomal vaccines prepared from purified bacterial ribosomes induce the production of specific antibodies in female OF1 mice when administered to the animals both with incomplete Freund's adjuvant or purified Klebsiella pneumoniae cell wall proteoglycans. The study of these fractions concerned purified ribosomes extracted from the following bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilius influenzae, Steptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes A12. Specific antibodies determination by immunoelectro diffusion (IED) and passive hemagglutination (PHA) were used to study the immune response.

Comparison of mezlocillin, piperacillin, Bay k 4999 with carbenicillin and ticarcillin against enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five penicillins (carbenicillin, ticarcillin, mezlocillin, piperacillin and Bay k 4999) againstEscherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, indole positiveProteus sp andEnterobacter species was determined by an agar dilution method Bay k 4999 and piperacillin were found to be the most active of the semi-synthetic penicillins tested againstP aeruginosa andEnterobacteriaceae Bay k 4999 was slightly more active than piperacillin againstE coli, about as active as piperacillin againstPseudomonas, K pneumoniae, P mirabilis and indole positiveProteus, but more active than piperacillin againstEnterobacter species

Different patterns of drug resistance and R plasmids between indole-positive and -negative strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Abstract: Infections caused by gram-negative bacteria have significantly increased in recent years. One of the gram-negative bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, is a major cause of disease. K. pneumoniae strains do not usually produce indole, although some strains are indole positive. According to Bergey's Manual (8th ed.) (1) and in many clinical laboratories, indole-positive strains are classified as K. pneumoniae. However, indole-positive strains are different from indole-negative strains in their pathogenicity, such as severe diarrhea (4), and antibiotic susceptibity (3). This paper presents a comparative study of drug resistance and R plasmids in K. pneumoniae in indole-positive and -negative strains. The 94 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae used in this study were derived from various parts of Japan. Seventy-six isolates (81%) were indole-negative and 18