ABSTRACT
We have isolated a gram-positive, weakly acid-alcohol-fast, irregular rod-shaped bacterium from cultures of blood from a 5-year-old girl with acute myelogenous leukemia. This isolate was compared with 14 other strains including reference strains of Tsukamurella species by a polyphasic approach based on physiological and biochemical properties, whole-cell short-chain fatty acid and mycolic acid analyses, DNA-DNA hybridization, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. This isolate represents a new taxon within the genus Tsukamurella for which we propose the name Tsukamurella strandjordae sp. nov. Our study also revealed that Tsukamurella paurometabola ATCC 25938 represents a misnamed Tsukamurella inchonensis isolate and confirms that Tsukamurella wratislaviensis belongs to the genus Rhodococcus.
Subject(s)
Actinomycetales Infections/microbiology , Actinomycetales/classification , Sepsis/microbiology , Actinomycetales/chemistry , Actinomycetales/cytology , Actinomycetales/isolation & purification , Actinomycetales/physiology , Bacterial Typing Techniques , Child, Preschool , Fatty Acids/analysis , Female , Genes, rRNA , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Mycolic Acids/analysis , Nucleic Acid Hybridization , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Reference Standards , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
A standardized clarithromycin susceptibility test for Mycobacterium genavense is reported. The BACTEC radiometric broth dilution test method recommended for Mycobacterium avium complex was modified to develop a reliable and reproducible procedure. Test development involved optimization of medium pH and inoculum densities for antibiotic vials as well as growth control vials. MIC control organisms included Mycobacterium simiae, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium xenopi. Growth control vials required two to three inoculum dilutions, which varied for each species. Clarithromycin MICs and MBCs for 12 isolates and 1 colonial variant of M. genavense ranged from < or = 0.06 to 0.25 microg/ml.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Clarithromycin/pharmacology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods , Mycobacterium/drug effects , Culture Media , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/standards , Mycobacterium/growth & development , Mycobacterium Infections/microbiology , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
Mycobacterium genavense, a fastidious opportunist in patients with AIDS, cannot be identified by conventional biochemical methods. Computerized mycolic acid analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography offers an alternative that distinguishes the mycolic acid profile of M. genavense from those of all other organisms in the database developed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Subject(s)
Mycobacterium/chemistry , Mycobacterium/classification , Mycolic Acids/analysis , Bacterial Typing Techniques , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Cluster Analysis , Computer Simulation , Humans , Models, Chemical , Mycobacterium Infections/microbiology , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that react with soluble mercuric ions have been produced by injection of BALB/c mice with a hapten-carrier complex designed to maximize exposure of the metal to the immune system. Three hybridomas producing antibodies that reacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA)-glutathione-HgCl, but not with BSA-glutathione, were isolated from the spleen of a mouse given multiple injections with glutathione-HgCl conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Stable subclones were established from two of these antibodies, designated mAb 4A10 and mAb 1F10. The binding of both antibodies to immobilized BSA-glutathione-HgCl was inhibited by soluble HgCl2, and dissociation constants for mercuric chloride binding were 2.3 and 3.7 nM for mAbs 4A10 and 1F10, respectively. Both antibodies bound mercuric acetate with similar affinities, demonstrating that the antibodies were capable of binding to mercuric ions in the presence of a different counterion than the one used in the immunogen. Reactions were not observed with other metal cations by either antibody. These data demonstrate the successful induction of antibodies that react very specifically with mercuric ions in solution regardless of the presence of a carrier.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Mercuric Chloride/immunology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Glutathione/chemistry , Haptens , Hemocyanins/chemistry , Ligands , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Molecular Sequence Data , Molecular StructureABSTRACT
An immunoassay that detects mercuric ions in water at concentrations of 0.5 ppb and above is described. The assay utilizes a monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to mercuric ions immobilized in wells of microtiter plates. Within the range of 0.5-10 ppb mercury, the absorbance in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is linear to the log of the mercuric ion concentration. The quantitation of mercury by ELISA correlates closely with results from cold-vapor atomic absorption. Other divalent metal cations do not interfere with the assay, although there is interference in the presence of 1 mM chloride ions. The optimum pH for mercury detection is 7.0, although 2 ppb mercury can be detected over a wide pH range. The assay is as sensitive as cold-vapor atomic absorption for mercury detection and can be performed with only 100 microliters of sample.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Mercury/analysis , Water/chemistry , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Chlorides , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Mercury/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Spectrophotometry, AtomicSubject(s)
Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical/instrumentation , Kidneys, Artificial , Needles , Renal Dialysis/methods , Adult , Aged , Animals , Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical/adverse effects , Chronic Disease , Dogs , Female , Hemoglobins/analysis , Humans , Long-Term Care , Male , Polytetrafluoroethylene , Prostheses and Implants , Uremia/therapySubject(s)
Acclimatization , Body Temperature Regulation/drug effects , Norepinephrine/pharmacology , Serotonin/pharmacology , Animals , Body Temperature , Cold Temperature , Hot Temperature , Hypothalamus/drug effects , Hypothalamus/physiology , Male , Oxygen Consumption/drug effects , Rabbits , RectumSubject(s)
Blood Volume , Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena , Posture , Rest , Stress, Physiological , Aerospace Medicine , Blood Pressure , Electrocardiography , Heart Rate , Humans , Male , Methods , Physical Exertion , Pulse , Regional Blood Flow , Vertical DimensionABSTRACT
Two major characteristics of space flight may be simulated to some degree by bed rest and by water immersion. These are inactivity and the lack of the hydrostatic stress on the systematic circulation. Studies prior to the advent of space flight led to the prediction of orthostatic intolerance, muscular weakness, and calcium loss. Prolonged space flight has heightened the interest in these simulations to provide information concerning the temporal cause of the "deconditioning" or disuse syndrome and the value of simulation for testing the effectiveness of remedial measures. This report will evaluate the extent to which the simulation appears valid. In its gross effects, orthostatic intolerance can be studied with respect to its temporal course, etiology and effectiveness of remedial measures. The intolerance develops more rapidly during water immersion with respect to cause as well as effect. The short term of immersion studies does not allow study of the secondary change in blood volume due to red cell mass changes, Remedial measures seem clearly defined in water immersion simulation and less clear in bed rest. Measures of venous pooling following water immersion appear different than those obtained following weightlessness. There also appear to be differences in the results of evaluation of protective devices and measures and in the time course of development and recovery of orthostatic intolerance. Correlates of the cardiovascular responses such as muscle tone, skeletal strength, and endocrine change (catecholamines, vasopressin and aldosterone) suggest a marked alteration in physiology during hypodynamic status. To date, work on exposure to increased G force has provided only extrapolated data concerning metabolic requirements.
