[Nocardia and human nocardiosis]. / Nocardia i nokardiozy.

Nocardia spp. are pathogens commonly found in soil worldwide, and they cause mostly opportunistic infections in humans and animals, complicating both immunodepressive states and primary diseases. Nocardiosis is difficult to proper microbiological and clinical diagnosis because of its non-specific symptoms, which manifest as the cutaneous and sub-cutaneous infections, lung symptoms and the dissemination through the bloodstream to other organs. General characteristics of Nocardia, human nocardiosis as well as the microbiological diagnostics routine and treatment are discussed.

A novel complex mutant beta-lactamase, TEM-68, identified in a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from an outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiellae.

Twenty-two Klebsiella pneumoniae and two K. oxytoca extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates were collected in 1996 from patients in two pediatric wards of the University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland. Molecular typing has revealed that the K. pneumoniae isolates represented four different epidemic strains. Three kinds of enzymes with ESBL activity (pI values of 5.7, 6.0, and 8.2) were identified. The pI 6.0 beta-lactamases belonged to the TEM family, and sequencing of the bla(TEM) genes amplified from representative isolates revealed that these enzymes were TEM-47, previously identified in K. pneumoniae isolates from pediatric hospitals in Lódz and Warsaw. One of the TEM-47-producing strains from Wroclaw was very closely related to the isolates from the other cities, and this indicated countrywide spread of the epidemic strain. The pI 5.7 beta-lactamase was produced by a single K. pneumoniae isolate for which, apart from oxyimino-beta-lactams, the MICs of beta-lactam-inhibitor combinations were also remarkably high. Sequencing revealed that this was a novel TEM beta-lactamase variant, TEM-68, specified by the following combination of mutations: Gly238Ser, Glu240Lys, Thr265Met, and Arg275Leu. The new enzyme has most probably evolved from TEM-47 by acquiring the single substitution of Arg275, which before was identified only twice in enzymes with inhibitor resistance (IR) activity. TEM-68 was shown to be a novel complex mutant TEM beta-lactamase (CMT-2) which combines strong ESBL activity with relatively weak IR activity and, when expressed in K. pneumoniae, is able to confer high-level resistance to a wide variety of beta-lactams, including inhibitor combinations. This data confirms the role of the Arg275Leu mutation in determining IR activity and documents the first isolation of K. pneumoniae producing the complex mutant enzyme.

Rare, suppurative pulmonary infection caused by Nocardiopsis dassonvillei recognized by glycolipid markers.

An opportunistic actinomycete was isolated as the only etiological agent of a severe, suppurative pulmonary infection. The strain was rapidly recognised as Nocardiopsis by the taxonomically important and immunologically active glycolipid markers (G1 and G2). Identification of the clinical isolate, from a group of actinomycetes mainly known as soil habitants, was definitely proved by chemotaxonomic studies (cell wall/sugar, phospholipid and fatty acid types) as well as by genomic data (GC content, DNA-DNA reassociation). The level of DNA-DNA homology of the clinical actinomycete, in comparison with other reference members of this genus, revealed the highest (88%) relatedness to Nocardiopsis dassonvillei. The results confirmed the value and generic specificity of glycolipid markers from Nocardiopsis, the first time used for rapid recognition of a clinical strain causing a nocardiosis-like disease.

Structural studies of the major glycolipid from Saccharopolyspora genus.

A major glycolipid was isolated from the well characterized Saccharopolyspora species, S. hirsuta, S. rectivirgula, S. erythraea and one not completely identified strain (Saccharopolyspora sp.). On the basis of sugar and methylation analysis, specific enzymatic and chemical degradations of the carbohydrate moiety, its FAB mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy characterizations, the carbohydrate part was shown to be the glycerol linked dimannoside alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->1/3)Gro. The internal mannose residue is esterified at C-6 by one fatty acid residue, whereas another fatty acyl chain substitutes the primary methylene position of glycerol. The main fatty acyl residues are anteiso-branched heptadecanoic acid and the iso-branched fatty acids iso-17:0, iso-16:0, and iso-18:0, with the former species being predominant. The major glycolipid has potential value for taxonomic and diagnostic purposes, especially in the specific diagnosis of farmer's lung disease.

[Structure and antigenicity of the major glycolipid from opportunistic bacteria Rhodococcus equi]. / Struktura i antygenowosc glównego glikolipidu bakterii oportunistycznych Rhodococcus equi.

Some results from structural and immunological studies of the major glycolipid from Rhodococcus equi were presented. This glycolipid showed to be a glucosylmonomycolate (GMM) with an aliphatic chain C38. Its value as taxonomic and immunodiagnostic marker was discussed.

A simple method for differentiation of Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium propionicum.

TLC glycolipid profiles of several culture collection and clinical strains of Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium propionicum were examined. The former were characterized by weak orcinol-positive minor glycolipids of type g, while the others had mainly strong orcinol-positive major glycolipids of type G. The simple and rapid small scale procedure seemed to be useful for differentiation of these phenotypically similar and genotypically closely related species irrespective of their serotypes.

[Pneumonia complicated by bacteremia with Stomatococcus mucilaginosus]. / Zapalenie pluc powiklane bakteriemia Stomatococcus mucilaginosus.

A rare strain of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus (formerly Micrococcus) was isolated from blood of a patient after pneumonia, which was causing an enlargement of lymph nodes and groin fistula. Chemical composition of cell wall of this microorganism (analysis of amino acids and diagnostically important sugars), elementary composition of lipids (fatty acids, phospholipids and glycolipids) and molar percentage of guanine and cytosine (%GC), were determined. Results completely agreeable with results published elsewhere were obtained which resulted in reclassification of this species (Kocur (1982, Int. J.Sys.Bacterial. 32, 374-377)). This case indicates that some relative pathogens require modern diagnostic methods and when not recognized in cases of acquired or directed immunosuppression can create a serious threat.

[Anaerobic Propionibacterium in opportunistic infections]. / Beztlenowe paleczki Propionibacterium w infekcjach oportunistycznych.

In three cases, two of which regarded exudative pericardium inflammation and one of lung abscess, biopsy revealed negative bacteriological results. Blood cultures resulted in culture of anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria from Propionibacterium genus. Precise chemo- geno-taxonomic studies were performed which confirmed generic identification of isolated strains. These were following: in cell wall--L-DAP, alanine, glycine, galactose, glucose, mannose; lack if mycolic acids; %GC 58-59. Basing on additional bacteriological studies it was established that two strains belong to the genus Propionibacterium acnes (type I), while third strain appeared to be Propionibacterium propionicum (before Arachnia propionica). These results confirm growing participation of relative pathogenic bacteria in opportunistic infections. It suggests necessity of blood cultures in cases subjected to prolonged therapy, especially when immunosuppression is involved.

Effect of natural and synthetic immunomodulators on the synthesis of interferon by peritoneal cells of mice.

The effect of different natural and synthetic immunomodulators on the spontaneous interferon (IFN) synthesis by freshly isolated resident peritoneal cells of BALB/c, NZB and C3H mice was investigated. Actinomycetal glycolipids isolated from Curtobacterium betae, Faenia rectivirgula, Rothia dentocariosa and Saccharopolyspora hirsuta at the concentration 1-20 micrograms/ml were found to potentiate the IFN synthesis by the peritoneal cells of BALB/c mice. Similar results were obtained when dsRNA, LPS of Shigella sonnei and lipid A isolated from the LPS were used. The effect of potentiation of the physiological IFN production by the immunomodulators was observed also in the cells of C3H and NZB mice. In contrast, the inhibition of the IFN synthesis was observed when the peritoneal cells of BALB/c and NZB mice were treated with imuthiol at concentration 0.1-10 micrograms/ml. Thymomodulin (TFX-Polfa) at concentration of 1-100 micrograms/ml had no effect on the spontaneous IFN production.

[Aerobic actinomycetes and their significance in human and animal pathology. I. Actinomycetales infections--characteristics, etiology, epidemiology and pathogenesis]. / Promieniowce tlenowe oraz ich znaczenie w patologii ludzkiej i zwierzecej. I. Aktynomicetozy egzogenne--charakterystyka, etiologia, epidemiologia i patogeneza.

Aerobic actinomycetes causing nocardiosis, GRT-(Gordona, Rhodococcus, Tsukamurella) infections, actinomycetomas, dermatophilosis and extrinsic allergic alveolitis, including etiology, epidemiology and pathogenesis of the diseases are described. The name "actinomycetosis" for all these diseases has been proposed. Many clinical important and potential pathogens, as well as an increasing number of opportunistic, immunosuppressed and immunocompromised cases are discussed. A review of the abundant literature up to date, concerning the problem, is presented.

Kitasatosporia setae, an interesting actinomycete strain isolated from Spitsbergen soil.

The phenotypic and genotypic properties as well as cell chemistry of an interesting actinomycete, which converted certain azacarbazoles into highly cytotoxic derivatives, were established. The strain was also compared with two similar Japanese actinomycetes of Kitasatosporia gen. nov. A great resemblance between the strains was observed. Apart from similar phenotypic properties they were characterized by contents of both L- and meso-DAP, glycine and galactose as the main cell wall components. They proved to have the same phospholipid, glycolipid and fatty acid patterns. The guanine-plus-cytosine contents of the deoxyribonucleic acids of the strains averaged 72.5 and there was a high degree of homology between the DNAs of the strains (approximately 80%). These data provide evidence that the Spitsbergen isolate and the Japanese actinomycetes belong to one genomic species.

Immunogenic properties of glycolipids of Nocardiopsis dassonvillei.

Two specific glycolipids identified as monomannosyl diglyceride (G1) and monoacylated glucose (G2), isolated from Nocardiopsis dassonvillei strains, were found to be biologically active. They elicited antibody response in rabbits when administered with some carrier components: lecithine, methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA) and Freund incomplete adjuvant (FIA). Antibodies to the glycolipids were detected in antisera to G1 and in the sera against crude cell antigen of N. dassonvillei (N). The ability of the lipids to induceskin delayed hypersensitivity (SDH) as well as adjuvant and mitogenic effect were also studied. Generally glycolipid G1 seemed to be more active in antibody response whereas glycolipid G2 was a better stimulator of cellular response. Glycolipid G2 appeared to be distinct adjuvant and mitogenic factor.

Sugar-containing lipids in the classification of representative Actinomadura and Nocardiopsis species.

The major sugar-containing lipids of some Actinomadura and Nocardiopis strains--recognized as an important agent of actinomycetoma -- were analyzed by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. It was demonstrated that Nocardiopsis dassonvillei strains contained two characteristic glycolipids identified as monomannosyl diglyceride and monoacylated glucose. None of them was found in the representatives of Actinomadura madurae and Actinomadura pelletieri strains, which possessed phosphatidylinositol-mannosides as major sugar-containing lipids. The glycolipids of Nocardiopsis dassonvillei seem to be of value in the taxonomy. In connection with this a simple glycolipid patterns of these microorganisms, established by TLC, was presented.

Immunogenicity of methyl esters of nocardomycolic acids.

Immunogenicity of methyl esters of fatty acids of nocardiae (Nocardia (Nocardia asteroides ATCC 19247, N, brasiliensis N318 and N. caviae N231) was studied. The rabbit antisera obtained against the lipid fractions reacted in the complement fixation test (CF) and in the pash sive cutaneous anaphylaxis test (PCA). The results of absorption experiments witt separated fractions of fatty acids esters indicate that the antisera showed activity againsmethyl esters of nocardomycolic acids.

Serological study of Nocardia pellegrino.

The serological relationship between Nocardia pellegrino strains was studied by means of immunodiffusion technique. Seven reference precipitation systems, including Nocardia asteroides (three strains), N. pellegrino Sn 5112, Rhodococcus, rhodochrous (two strains) and N. erythropolis were used. With one exception all of the strains of Nocardia pellegrino examined, seemed to be serologically related to the reference strain of N. pellegrino Sn 5112. They showed 4-5 common precipitates.