Occurrence of strains producing specific antibacterial inhibitory agents in five genera of Enterobacteriaceae.

Striking differences in the production of specific inhibitory agents affecting other strains of the same (or of related) species were found between genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae. We tested 50-163 strains each of the potentially pathogenic genera: Escherichia, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Kluyvera, and Leclercia for their ability to produce bacteriophages, high-molecular-weight (HMW) and low-molecular-weight (LMW) bacteriocins and siderophores against the same sets of strains, using the cross-test method. The genus Escherichia differs substantially from all other Enterobacteriaceae, harboring a notable proportion of lysogenic (36.

Three recently acknowledged Escherichia species strikingly differ in the incidence of bacteriocinogenic and lysogenic strains.

The incidence of bacteriocinogeny and lysogeny was followed in bacteria of 3 recently acknowledged species of the genus Escherichia: E. hermanii, E. vulneris and E.

Characteristics of virulence signs of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) isolated in CSFR and Bulgaria in 1988-1990.

During 1988-1990 a total of 345 virulent and avirulent strains of enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) were isolated from human faeces in microbiological laboratories in Prague and Sofia. This group of strains belonged to a total of 11 serotypes.

Experimental thyroiditis in guinea pigs and rabbits. Immunization with thyroglobulin and bovine thyroid gland suspension.

Morphological changes in the thyroid glands of the guinea pigs with autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) experimentally induced by thyroglobulin (TGL) or immunization by the suspension of thyroid gland cells with CFA manifested mainly by atrophy and alterations of follicular cells, fibrotic tissue changes, formation of inflammatory lymphoplasmocytic infiltrations, multiplication of C-cells and by the increase in the proportion of lymphocytes with activated nucleoli in the tissue. The antigenic effects of TGL differed from those of the cell suspension; the effects of TGL participated especially in the formation of the infiltrates, the effects of cell suspension participated in the diapedesis of mononuclears and in the multiplication of C-cells. The findings correspond to the principal findings in human autoimmune lymphocytic thyroiditis.

[Use of markers of hospital strains in studying the occurrence of nosocomial infections].

The submitted paper deals with one of the possible aspects of the investigation of nosocomial infections, i.e. investigations of the properties of hospital strains, their importance and possible use.

[Bacterial contamination of arthropods in a health facility].

At 55 sites of a health institution in July and September 1990 a total of 161 specimens of arthropods were detected, 30 outdoors and 131 on the premises of the health institution. On their bodies 116 bacterial strains were isolated, mostly Gram-negative rods (more than 85%), in particular spp. Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Pseudomonas.

Epidemiological role of arthropods detectable in health facilities.

A total of 161 arthropod specimens were collected from 55 sites in a health care facility during July and September 1990. Of the 116 bacterial isolates obtained from their body surfaces 6% were from parasites (mosquitoes), 59% from eusynanthropic arthropods (Tenebrionid beetles, flies, German cockroaches, wasps), 16% from hemisynanthropic arthropods (ants, spiders) and 19% from occasionally encountered insects (non-biting midges, moths, beetles). Most (88%) of the isolated bacteria were Gram-negative rods of the species E.

Arthropods in a hospital and their potential significance in the epidemiology of hospital infections.

Synanthropic and other arthropods were collected and examined for microbes in the summer seasons of 1988 and 1990. The collection was performed in a Prague hospital with departments situated in separate buildings, each surrounded by a park. In 1988, the most attention was given to flies (35 species collected) found outside between the buildings.

Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni strains occurring in the USSR and the Czech Republic.

In 1986-1989 the microbiological laboratory in Prague obtained 100 Campylobacter jejuni strains while its counterpart in Moscow gained 120 such strains. The strains were primarily isolated from humans with diarrheal disease, from domestic and wild animals and from the environment. Most C.

On the microbiological diagnostics of Campylobacter jejuni.

Investigation of campylobacteriosis cases in 1983-1989 resulted in the isolation of a total of 245 antigenically identified and 23 unidentified strains from humans, animals and foods. A commonly accepted method developed in 1985 using our own experience was used for strain isolation and culturing. A variety of nutrient media in combination with different supplementary substances (antibiotics, growth factors) and additives, such as horse serum, were verified as well as filtration and Fortner's procedures.

[Hemolytic-uremic syndrome--microbiological study].

In autumn 1988 in one locality of the North Bohemia region young children developed severe diarrhoea and the children were sent because of their serious clinical condition with the diagnosis of haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) to the Prague-Motol hospital. The probable aetiological agent which was detected was Escherichia coli producing verotoxin (VTEC)--026:H11, 026:H?, O157:H7, 05:H- and 01:H?. Biotyping and serotyping of the strains was made, the verotoxin level was assessed and their sensitivity to antibiotics was tested.

[Microbiological diagnosis of microorganisms tentatively designated as "SP organisms"].

The authors describe the biochemical characteristics of two strains described as "SP organism". This microorganism incertae sedis resembles from the biochemical aspect (oxidase+, mannite-, dextrose+ with gas) the species Pasteurella aerogenes; contrary to the latter it does not break down urea and differs also as regards the morphology of colonies, which on blood agar are coarser; it also has a higher content of G + C in DNA than Pasteurella. It is a pathogen of rodents.

Prenatal development of the cat thyroid: immunohistochemical demonstration of calcitonin in the "C" cells.

The presence of calcitonin in the cat thyroid was studied immunohistochemically in a series of gland development. The first positive cells are to be found on the 38th day of gestation, i.e.