[Detection of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum phospholipase D neutralizing antibodies in patients with acute tonsillitis]. / Prukaz neutralizacních protilátek proti fosfolipáze D Arcanobacterium haemolyticum u nemocných s akutní tonzilitidou.

Neutralization test carried on a non-nutrient blood agar prepared from sheep erythrocytes sensibilized with equi factor of Rhodococcus equi was used for the detection of antibodies against phospholipase D (PLD) of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Altogether, 433 sera from 404 patients aged 1 to 25 years with the signs of acute tonsillitis were examined. Antibodies against PLD were found in 28 patients (6.9%). In 116 sera from persons without the signs of tonsillitis the antibodies against PLD were detected in one case (0.9%). The titres reached the values from 4 to 64. Out of 84 paired sera, the significant change of the titre, i.e. at least the four-fold one, was observed five times: three times as the seroconversions, twice as the declines of the titre. The antibodies were found most often in children aged 11 to 15 years, 10 times out of 97 (10.3%). In 253 patients with the tonsillitis, the result of the parallel bacteriologic examinations of throat swabs was at the disposal. A. haemolyticum was successfully isolated in 3 cases, but only owing to the inhibition of staphylococcal hemolysis around its colonies. All three cases were also serologically positive. Consequently, our results show that neutralizing antibodies against PLD of A. haemolyticum can be detected in patients with tonsillitis.

[A diagnostic medium for Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and other bacterial species reacting with hemolytic synergism to the equi-factor of Rhodococcus equi]. / Médium pro diagnostiku Arcanobacterium haemolyticum a dalsích bakteriálních druhu reagujících hemolytickým synergismem s equi-faktorem Rhodococcus equi.

Colonies of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum on common blood agar can be easily overlooked. Therefore a diagnostic medium was developed, on which A. haemolyticum colonies produce a conspicuous zone of complete hemolysis. The medium under question is blood agar prepared from the Columbia Blood Agar Base and 5% washed sheep erythrocytes sensitised with equi factor (EF) of Rhodococcus equi. Optimally, 10 activity units (AU) of EF per 1 ml were used. EF was titrated on a non-nutrient medium consisting of agar Purified (Difco) and 5% washed sheep erythrocytes sensitized with beta-haemolysin (BL) of Staphylococcus aureus, 10 AU/ml. On the same medium, staphylococcal BL was titrated on the basis of its direct haemolytic effect. Despite the very distinct haemolytic reaction of the control strains evident on the diagnostic medium with EF, A. haemolyticum failed to grow from 2.597 throat swabs examined especially for the particular microbe during the a period of two years. However, A. haemolyticum was isolated on this medium twice from 223 swabs from wounds and skin lesions. The proposed medium makes also the rapid diagnosis of species Corynebacterium ulcerans, Dermatophilus congolensis and Listeria monocytogenes on the basis of haemolytic synergism possible.

[Elastase activity of gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria and two variations of a simple method for their detection]. / Elastázová aktivita gramnegativních nefermentujících bakterií a dve varianty jednoduché metody jejího prukazu.

The ability to produce elastase was examined in 1,168 strains of 11 representative genera of Gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria isolated from weakened patients in the course of eight years. Detection of the elastase activity was performed parallelly using the conventional method and its pulverisation variant. The difference between the results accomplished by the classical method and its pulverisation variant (53.9% versus 60.5% detected elastase-positive strains) was highly significant (p < 0.05). Among the examined strains 500 (42.8%) displayed elastase activity. The highest proportion of the elastase positive strains was found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (84.5%), P. fluorescens (60.5%), P. stutzeri (56.4%), Burkholderia cepacia (43.8%) and Shewanella putrefaciens (39.7%). Elastase activity detected in Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, P. mendocina, P. putida, P. stutzeri and in Shewanella putrefaciens is apparently described for the first time.

[Media for transportation of specimens from gynecologic infections]. / Transportní pudy pro vzorky z gynekologických infekcí.

Specimens from the urogenital tract of 458 out-patients of the gynaecological clinic were examined using two collection kits including Amies and C.A.T. Swab medium. In the examined group, trichomonads were found in 165 cases (30.6% of all specimens), yeasts in 131 specimens (38.6%) and in 49 specimens (10.7%) both agents were detected. In 48 cases (10.5%), yeasts were detected only microscopically from the C.A.T. Swab medium. Examination of the wet mounts from C.A.T. Swab medium after 48 hours' incubation proved best for the diagnosis of trichomonads. Anaerobic bacteria were found in 378 specimens (82.5%), mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas in 281 specimens (61.4%). The simultaneous use of both media facilities detection of yeasts, trichomonads, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and of mycoplasmas in specimens from the female urogenital tract.

[Effects of the most frequently used solutions and ointments in routine surgical practice]. / Sledování úcinku nejcasteji pouzívaných roztoku a mastí v bezné chirurgické praxi.

The authors tested the effect of local antiseptics commonly used at the Clinic of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery in Brno on bacteria which most frequently infect extensive skin defects. The experiments were carried out in vitro and in vivo in a group of experimental animals. In vivo the effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated, in vitro also the effect on Proteus mirabilis. The authors found that 0.1% Persteril, Peru balsam, and Dermazine ung./Lek Co./exerted a very favourable effect on the tested microorganisms. A weaker effect was recorded after Vishnevsky balsam and 0.5% Rivanol. 0.5% gentian violet and 3% boricacid had no effect on P. aeruginosa, 0.05% permanganate and 2% Jodonal had no effect on staphylococci.

[Antibacterial effects of antiseptics in vitro and in an experiment in vivo]. / Antibakteriální úcinek nekterých antiseptik in vitro a v experimentu in vivo.

The effect of topical antiseptics routinely used in the Department of plastic and aesthetic surgery was tested against bacteria commonly infecting burns and major skin defects. In vivo, the effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined, in vitro also on Proteus mirabilis. A very good effect on tested microorganisms was observed with 0.1% Persteril, Peruvian balsam and Dermazin crm. (Lek, Ljubljana). Gentian violet in a 0.5% concentration and 3% boric acid were not effective on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 0.05% permanganate and 2% Jodonal were moreover not effective against S. aureus.