Actinomyces neuii and neonatal sepsis.

Actinomyces neuii belongs to the coryneform bacteria. In the case presented here this gram-positive rod had to be considered the pathogen causing not only the chorioam nionitis but also the neonatal sepsis. Conventional therapeutic regimes are effective due to the high sensitivity of A. neuii to beta-lactam antibiotics.

Salivary glands and saliva of Amblyomma variegatum ticks: comparison of immatures and adults in relation to the pathogenesis of dermatophilosis.

Salivary glands from immature and adult Amblyomma variegatum were compared for differences in potential components responsible for the systemic aggravation by adult ticks of the skin disease dermatophilosis. Whole salivary glands from adult, nymphal and larval A. variegatum ticks were compared for structural differences by light microscopy and for protein content by gel electrophoresis. Type-2 salivary gland acini from adult ticks at the second stage of feeding contained significantly greater (P < 0.01) proportions of c1 secretory granules than those from either of the immature instars. There was also significantly more area occupied with e secretory granules in the type-3 salivary gland acini from adult ticks compared with larval ticks. Electrophoresis of whole salivary glands showed seven bands present only in the adult material; of these, three were dense bands at 37, 35 and 31 kDA. Electrophoresis of saliva from adult and nymphal A. variegatum obtained by artificial stimulation showed that nine bands were unique to the saliva produced by adults; of these nine bands one was a dense band at 67 kDa. It was concluded that adult salivary material was different from that of immature ticks and that further studies on the relationship between the feeding of adult A. variegatum and dermatophilosis should investigate these components unique to the adults.

[Actinomycosis and the intrauterine spiral]. / Aktinomykose und Intrauterinspirale.

Genital actinomycosis infections are relatively rare and show a strong coincidence with long-lasting IUD application. Two patients without symptoms, where diagnosis was made by means of Papanicolaou smears were compared with two patients, where removal of a tubo-ovarian mass led to diagnosis. A general agreement about diagnosis and especially screening tests is still missing, but there seems to be a consensus regarding the types of IUD, the duration of use, and the sexual behaviour of the couple.

[Intrauterine device-associated genital actinomycosis. Diagnosis and therapy with reference to five case reports]. / Die Intrauterinpessar-assoziierte genitale Aktinomykose. Diagnostik und Therapie anhand von fünf Fallbeobachtungen.

Between 1992 and the beginning of 1993, 5 patients attending the gynecological department of the Charité Hospital in Berlin were treated for IUP-associated actinomycosis. The IUP had been used by these women for periods of between five and sixteen years. The primary diagnosis was established on the basis of a histological examination in three cases. In two cases, dysplasias had been diagnosed on the basis of the cytological examination. In one case, the primary diagnosis was suspected by the finding of actinomycetes in the cytological preparation. The treatment of choice is high-dose intravenous penicillin administered over the long term.

An investigation into the use of restriction endonuclease analysis for the study of transmission of Actinomyces.

DNA fingerprints of 28 reference strains of Actinomyces, comprising representatives of different species and serotypes, and 19 isolates recovered from 16 periodontal patients was performed. The aim was to determine the potential of the method for detecting strain differences in terms of discriminatory power and to evaluate its usefulness in the typing of Actinomyces strains for eco-epidemiological studies. Among the 17 restriction endonucleases tested, Bst EII, Pvu II and Sma I proved to be the most suitable for the genus Actinomyces restriction digest analysis. Visual comparisons of Bst EII, Pvu II and Sma I digest patterns of chromosomal DNA revealed clear differences within species but also within serotypes of Actinomyces that are otherwise identical. The method offers the qualities for use as an epidemiological tool for identifying sources and tracing routes of transmission of Actinomyces: stability, reproducibility, ease of preparation and interpretation and enough sensitivity for detection of differences between morphologically and serologically similar strains of Actinomyces.

[Detection of Actinomyces on an IUD--consequences?]. / Aktinomyzetennachweis am IUD--Konsequenzen?

Smears from 210 removed IUD's were taken in order to investigate them on actinomycetes. In 20 cases (9.5%) agglomeration of filaments and spores of actinomyces were found. All patients were free of complaints. During the control curettage carried out later on only in one of the cases actinomyces were found in the endometrium. Signs of serious inflammation couldn't be proved. In cases without any complaints no clinical consequences are to be followed after having found actinomyces on the removed IUD.

"Miliary" actinomycosis.

Disseminated actinomycosis with hematogenous spread to the lungs is rare. A fatal case is reported, with the primary site of infection in the pelvis, in a woman with an intrauterine contraceptive device.

Actinomycosis infections associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices.

A series of 10 instances of genital actinomycosis infection complicating the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices is recorded and its pathogenesis described. The likelihood is suggested that this complication is more frequent than is generally appreciated. A pathway of infection extending upward from the patient's anus, across the perineum, and up the vagina and cervix is suggested as the route of infection. The traumatizing effect of the device and a previously existing or intercurrent infection as additional contributing factors to the development of actinomycotic infection in the female genitalia is also postulated.