Open reading frame S/L of varicella-zoster virus encodes a cytoplasmic protein expressed in infected cells.

We report the discovery of a novel gene in the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genome, designated open reading frame (ORF) S/L. This gene, located at the left end of the prototype VZV genome isomer, expresses a polyadenylated mRNA containing a splice within the 3' untranslated region in virus-infected cells. Sequence analysis reveals significant differences between the ORF S/Ls of wild-type and attenuated strains of VZV. Antisera raised to a bacterially expressed portion of ORF S/L reacted specifically with a 21-kDa protein synthesized in cells infected with a VZV clinical isolate and with the original vaccine strain of VZV (Oka-ATCC). Cells infected with other VZV strains, including a wild-type strain that has been extensively passaged in tissue culture and commercially produced vaccine strains of Oka, synthesize a family of proteins ranging in size from 21 to 30 kDa that react with the anti-ORF S/L antiserum. MeWO cells infected with recombinant VZV harboring mutations in the C-terminal region of the ORF S/L gene lost adherence to the stratum and adjacent cells, resulting in an altered plaque morphology. Immunohistochemical analysis of VZV-infected cells demonstrated that ORF S/L protein localizes to the cytoplasm. ORF S/L protein was present in skin lesions of individuals with primary or reactivated infection and in the neurons of a dorsal root ganglion during virus reactivation.

Hemin utilization is related to virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a causative agent for bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and bacteremia. Mechanisms for acquisition of iron by this organism under low-iron conditions were investigated. Siderophore production was not detected by either chemical or biological methods. Its utilization of iron-containing compounds found in human hosts was tested. Both hemin and hemoglobin supported the full growth of S. pneumoniae in a culture lacking other iron sources, while lactoferrin and transferrin failed to do so. A mutant defective in hemin utilization was isolated and was less virulent than wild-type S. pneumoniae in experimental animals.

Triterpenoid saponins from Gouania lupuloides.

The stems of Jamaican chawstick, Gouania lupuloides, have yielded two novel 16,17-seco-dammaranoid saponins, designated gouanoside A [4] and gouanoside B [5]. Structural assignments are based on spectroscopic data including 2D nmr experiments on the corresponding aglycones, gouanogenin A [1] and gouanogenin B [3].

Effect of Copper Sulfate and Lead Acetate on Infection of Pines with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

Treatment of 3-year-old Scots, white, and Austrian pine seedlings with copper sulfate or lead acetate significantly affected energy homeostasis and oleoresin production in the seedlings but did not induce wilting of the seedlings. Inoculation of copper sulfate-treated or lead acetate-treated white, Scots, and Austrian pine seedlings with the white pine specific pathotype of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, VPSt-1, caused a significant increase in oleoresin production, stressed energy homeostasis, and induced rapid wilting of the seedlings. Scots pine lost tolerance and Austrian pine lost resistance to VPSt-1 after the seedlings were treated with either copper sulfate or lead acetate. These results suggest that environmental pollution may significantly affect susceptibility of pines to B. xylophilus and may have a role in establishment of this nematode in uninfested areas.

Genomic Differences among Pathotypes of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

Total genomic DNA from Bursaphelenchus xylophilus pathotypes MPSy-1 and VPSt-1 and from B. mucronatus was digested with restriction endonucleases. DNA fragments were electrophoretically separated, Southern blotted to nitrocellulose, and hybridized to genomic DNA from one of the isolates. The resulting hybridization patterns indicate genomic differences in repetitive DNA sequences among these populations. Greatest differences were seen between B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus, but genomic differences were also apparent between B. xylophilus pathotypes MPSy-1 and VPSt-1 and between a population from P. nigra in New Jersey and a population of a mucronate form from Abies balsamea in Quebec, Canada.

Carbohydrate Concentration in Pine as Affected by Inoculation with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

Pines responded to inoculation with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus by changes in reducing and nonreducing carbohydrate concentrations dependent on the pine species and the pathotype of B. xylophilus with which the trees were inoculated. Carbohydrate concentrations, in compatible pine-nematode pathotype combinations, decreased initially after inoculation and then increased slightly before decreasing to approximately 10% of the control levels as the seedlings wilted. In compatible nematode pathotype-pine species combinations, carbohydrate concentrations decreased and then increased as the nematode population densities declined.

Characterization of a Nonparasitic Isolate of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus isolate MPSy-1av was subcultured from pathotype MPSy-1. MPSy-1av is nonparasitic and does not establish in Pinus sylvestris, P. strobus, P. nigra, or P. taeda. This isolate produces ethanol as an end product of carbohydrate metabolism, whereas its parent pathotype, MPSy-1, does not. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity was easily detectable in homogenates of MPSy-1av but barely detectable in some homogenates of MPSy-1. Genomic differences were seen between MPSy-1 and M PSy-1av by restriction endonuclease analysis of total nematode DNA, and hybridization of DNA fragments to the alcohol dehydrogenase gene from Drosophila.

Pathotypes of the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

An isolate of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus from Pinus sylvestris in Missouri infected and reproduced in 2-3-year-old seedlings of P. sylvestris and to some extent in seedlings of P. nigra. Wilting, however, occurred only in P. sylvestris. B. xylophilus isolated from P. strobus in Vermont infected and reproduced only in P. strobus seedlings. P. taeda seedlings were resistant to both of these isolates. Phytotoxin production was seen only in susceptible seedling species-nematode combinations. Significant water loss occurred only in those seedlings that were wilted because of infection by a compatible nematode isolate. Our results suggest that these isolates are pathotypes of B. xylophilus.

Effect of Phytotoxin from Nematode-induced Pinewilt on Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Ceratocystis ips.

A phytotoxic extract from Pinus sylvestris infected with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus inhibited growth of the blue-strain fungus Ceratocystis ips and caused temporary paralysis in vitro of B. xylophilus. Although the nematodes recovered from paralysis, final population size of B. xylophilus was suppressed by the toxin. Extracts from noninfected P. sylvestris affected neither the fungus nor the nematode.

Phytotoxin Production in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus-Infected Pinus sylvestris.

Our findings suggest that i) phytotoxic materials can be isolated from Bursaphelenchus xylophilus-infected Scots pine, but not from noninfected pines; ii) the phytotoxins cause wilting of 45-day-old and 2-year-old pine seedlings in a dose and species dependent manner; iii) the phytotoxins are produced early in the infection, accumulate or increase with time, and may function to suppress water transport in the tree; and iv) the phytotoxins are lipid materials of low molecular weight which are not acidic.

Antibiotic managment in renal failure.

This is a brief compilation of the work of many investigators. It includes facts about toxicity and recommendations about antibiotic management in patients with renal failure. As new data are accrued, changes in these recommendations will be necessary.