The influence of Propionibacterium acnes (Corynebacterium parvum) fractions on immune response in vivo.

Bacterin of Propionibacterium acnes (Corynebacterium parvum), its cellular fractions (lipids, fractions obtained by mechanical disruption and differential centrifugation, by phenol-water and pyridine extractions), and a polysaccharide from culture filtrate were prepared and tested in mice. The activation of RES by splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, prevention of listerial infection, prevention of the lethal effect of sarcoma 180, and depression of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 were employed. The bacterin was effective in all tests. Lipid-free cells were less active, in particular in the activation of RES and in the listerial infection model. Fractions prepared by the disruption and differential centrifugation lost their activity in all tests along with a decrease in molecular weight. Lipids extracted by ethanol caused pronounced splenomegaly and decreased the cytochrome P-450 content. The residue left after the phenol-water extraction was very active, its delipidation did not destroy the activity. Pyridine extraction provided a completely inactive extract, but a very active residue. The possibility of reducing the complexity of bacterin while preserving immunomodulatory effect is demonstrated.

[Influence of the number of children on total extent and structure of parental work (French and Czech comparison)]. / Vliv poctu deti na celkovy rozsah a strukturu prace rodiny (francouzsko-ceska komparace).

PIP: The author compares the effects of number of children per family on the amount of work done by parents in France and Czechoslovakia. Financial considerations are taken into account, as are the time constraints upon child care of the amount of work performed both inside and outside the home. Data concern the period 1975-1985. (SUMMARY IN ENG AND RUS)^ieng

Biological and immunological properties of avirulent strain of Listeria innocua.

The strain isolated by Dr. J. H. Welshimer from plants has antigenic formula V (VI) IX; XV; XI; AB, C--serovar 6a, is non-haemolytic, produces lipase, and toxic factor Ei, is avirulent for adult mice, but causes encephalitis in sucklings. In organs of intravenously injected mice the strain persists and multiplies for 1-3 weeks. The protective effect against listerial infections in mice of this strain administered 2-14 days before challenge is dose depending. After 3 weeks induces resistance of guinea pigs to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv measured by spleen weight and Feldman index. The hypersensitivity induced in animals is detectable by factor Ei and PPD or OT tuberculins using MIF method. A suspension of living cells of this strain injected intraperitoneally causes resistance to Mycobacterium kansasii in mice, measured by inhibition of loss of weight and decrease of the number of bacillus in their lungs.

Enhancement of immunostimulating and immunotherapeutic effect of BCG vaccines using listerial endotoxin-like substances.

On the basis of experience with the immunomodulating effect of the endotoxin-like component of Listeria monocytogenes, designated factor Ei, the time parameters concerning the onset and duration of hypersensitivity induced by listeriae, mycobacteria and their components were compared. Their differences, just like different mechanism of their effect, following their simultaneous and repeated administration, furnish means of significantly enhancing the anti-tuberculosis and anti-tumor effect of strong BCG vaccines in animal experiments. This enhancement of effect makes it possible to lower the number of BCG doses otherwise required to produce the same or similar results.

Epidemiological and clinical study of tuberculosis in the district of Kolín, Czechoslovakia. Second report (1965-1972).

An epidemiological and clinical study of tuberculosis in a district with a population of 100 000 has been in operation in Czechoslovakia since 1960. Its objective is to ascertain the epidemiological situation and long-term trend in respect of tuberculosis in a country with well-established tuberculosis control facilities. This second report presents the results achieved in the period 1965-72 and the epidemiological trend of tuberculosis observed during the 12-year study period. The fundamental control measures adopted during the study included systematic BCG vaccination of the newborn and revaccination of persons aged 14 and 19 years; mass surveys of the population over 14 years of age by photofluorography; case-finding among persons with symptoms and in risk groups; systematic treatment of all persons with active tuberculosis-i.e., supervised inpatient treatment followed by outpatient self-administered regimens; and radiological and bacteriological follow-up of cases.The results confirmed that the systematic application of effective treatment throughout the study population was followed by a rapid decline in the prevalence of bacillary tuberculosis, particularly in its chronic form. The incidence of bacillary tuberculosis declined more slowly, because the risk of contracting the disease continued to be high for middle-aged and elderly persons. Indiscriminate photofluorographic surveys of the study population at 3-yearly intervals produced a decreasing yield.An increasing proportion of noninfected persons among the population is the basic condition for a further decline of tuberculosis. The cost of tuberculosis control can be reduced by strict adherence to rational and economical working methods. Most of the economic indicators analysed fell to less than one-fifth between 1961 and 1972.