Genome of the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae strain R6.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is among the most significant causes of bacterial disease in humans. Here we report the 2,038,615-bp genomic sequence of the gram-positive bacterium S. pneumoniae R6. Because the R6 strain is avirulent and, more importantly, because it is readily transformed with DNA from homologous species and many heterologous species, it is the principal platform for investigation of the biology of this important pathogen. It is also used as a primary vehicle for genomics-based development of antibiotics for gram-positive bacteria. In our analysis of the genome, we identified a large number of new uncharacterized genes predicted to encode proteins that either reside on the surface of the cell or are secreted. Among those proteins there may be new targets for vaccine and antibiotic development.

The complete sequence of the mucosal pathogen Ureaplasma urealyticum.

The comparison of the genomes of two very closely related human mucosal pathogens, Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, has helped define the essential functions of a self-replicating minimal cell, as well as what constitutes a mycoplasma. Here we report the complete sequence of a more distant phylogenetic relative of those bacteria, Ureaplasma urealyticum (parvum biovar), which is also a mucosal pathogen of humans. It is the third mycoplasma to be sequenced, and has the smallest sequenced prokaryotic genome except for M. genitalium. Although the U. urealyticum genome is similar to the two sequenced mycoplasma genomes, features make this organism unique among mycoplasmas and all bacteria. Almost all ATP synthesis is the result of urea hydrolysis, which generates an energy-producing electrochemical gradient. Some highly conserved eubacterial enzymes appear not to be encoded by U. urealyticum, including the cell-division protein FtsZ, chaperonins GroES and GroEL, and ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase. U. urealyticum has six closely related iron transporters, which apparently arose through gene duplication, suggesting that it has a kind of respiration system not present in other small genome bacteria The genome is only 25.5% G+C in nucleotide content, and the G+C content of individual genes may predict how essential those genes are to ureaplasma survival.

D-penicillamine induced suppression of B cell function: in vivo effect of D-penicillamine.

We assessed the immunoglobulin secretory capacity of circulating B lymphocytes in 9 patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after treatment with D-penicillamine. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with RA spontaneously synthesized more IgG and IgA than normals. The secretory rate of rheumatoid PBL could not be induced by the polyclonal activator, pokeweed mitogen (PWM). The presence of D-penicillamine in cultures significantly suppressed PWM stimulated immunoglobulin synthesis of control PBL but did not inhibit synthesis of mitogen stimulated RA PBL. After D-penicillamine therapy for 3 months immunoglobulin synthesis by PBL from patients with RA was reduced with or without PWM. The T mu:T gamma ratio was also decreased after therapy. These results support the hypothesis that D-penicillamine selectively impairs helper T cells in vivo, preventing the T dependent expansion and activation of B cells characteristic of RA.

Round robin investigation of methods for recovering human enteric viruses from sludge.

To select a tentative standard method for detection of viruses in sludge the American Society for Testing and Materials D19:24:04:04 Subcommittee Task Group initiated round robin comparative testing of two procedures that, after initial screening of several methodologies, were found to meet the basic criteria considered essential by the task group. Eight task group member laboratories agreed to perform round robin testing of the two candidate methods, namely, The Environmental Protection Agency or low pH-AlCl3 method and the Glass or sonication-extraction method. Five different types of sludge were tested. For each particular type of sludge, a single laboratory was designated to collect the sludge in a single sampling, make samples, and ship it to the participating laboratories. In most cases, participating laboratories completed all the tests within 48 h of sample arrival. To establish the reproducibility of the methods, each laboratory tested each sludge sample in triplicate for the two candidate virus methods. Each processed sludge sample was quantitatively assayed for viruses by the procedures of each individual round robin laboratory. To attain a more uniform standard of comparison, a sample of each processed sample from all laboratories was reassayed with one cell line and passage number by a single laboratory (Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio). When the data were statistically analyzed, the Environmental Protection Agency method was found to yield slightly higher virus recoveries for all sludge types, except the dewatered sludge. The precisions of both methods were not significantly different.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of water quality on enteric virus concentration by microporous filter methods.

Four enteric viruses, poliovirus type 1, echovirus type 1, reovirus type 3, and simian adenovirus SV-11, were concentrated from seeded 1.3-liter volumes of raw, finished, and granular activated carbon-treated waters by adsorption to 47-mm-diameter (17 cm2), electropositive ( Virosorb 1MDS ) filters at pH 7.5 or electronegative ( Filterite ) filters at pH 3.5 with and without 5 mM added MgCl2, followed by elution with 0.3% beef extract in 50 mM glycine at pH 9.5. Removal of particulates from raw and finished waters by 0.2-micron prefiltration before virus addition and pH adjustment had little effect on virus concentration efficiencies. Soluble organic compounds reduced virus adsorption efficiencies from both raw and finished waters compared with granular activated carbon-treated water, but the extent of interference varied with virus type and adsorption conditions. For electropositive 1MDS filters, organic interference was similar with all virus types. For Filterite filters, organic interference was evident with poliovirus and echovirus, but could be overcome by adding MgCl2. Reovirus and SV-11 were not adversely affected by organics during adsorption to Filterite filters. Elution of reovirus and adenovirus was inefficient compared with that of poliovirus and echovirus. None of the three adsorption schemes ( 1MDS at pH 7.5 and Filterite with and without 5 mM MgCl2 at pH 3.5) could be judged superior for all viruses and water types tested.

Poliovirus concentration from tap water with electropositive adsorbent filters.

Simple, reliable, and efficient concentration of poliovirus from tap water was obtained with two types of electropositive filter media, one of which is available in the form of a pleated cartridge filter (Virozorb 1MDS). Virus adsorption from tap water between pH 3.5 and 7.5 was more efficient with electropositive filters than with Filterite filters. Elution of adsorbed viruses was more efficient with beef extract in glycine, pH 9.5, than with glycine-NaOH, pH 11.0. In paired comparative studies, electropositive filters, with adsorption at pH 7.5 and no added polyvalent cation salts, gave less variable virus concentration efficiencies than did Filterite filters with adsorption at pH 3.5 plus added MgCl2. Recovery of poliovirus from 1,000-liter tap water volumes was approximately 30% efficient with both Virozorb 1MDS and Filterite pleated cartridge filters, but the former were much simpler to use. The virus adsorption behavior of these filters appears to be related to their surface charge properties, with more electropositive filters giving more efficient virus adsorption from tap water at higher pH levels.

Practical method for detecting poliovirus in anaerobic digester sludge.

A method has been developed which permits reliable detection of low numbers of poliovirus infective units in anaerobic digester sludge and dewatered composted sludge.

A clinical and prospective chromosomal study of yttrium-90 synovectomy.

Yttrium-90 synovectomy resulted in complete resolution of chronic knee synovitis in 40% of a group of 15 patients. These patients would have otherwise required surgical synovectomy. The number of chromosomal aberrations detected in 30 patients after yttrium-90 synovectomy showed a statistically significant increase over the pre-treatment analysis, and, following treatment, chromosomal damage was noted in nine patients who had no damage before treatment. The risk arising from this chromosomal damage is uncertain but, while the long-term implications of the chromosomal aberrations are investigated in those who have already been treated, this therapy should be reserved for the older patient.

Chondrocalcinosis after parathyroidectomy.

In this retrospective study of 57 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy, the overall incidence of chondrocalcinosis was 40%. Neither joint symptoms nor chondrocalcinosis regressed after the operation. In several patients the condition appeared to deteriorate both clinically and radiologically after the operation, while in a few both the chondrocalcinosis and the associated symptoms first appeared some time after the operation.