The occurrence of siderophores in staphylococci.

In 180 staphylococcal strains of diverse origin belonging to 26 species a hydroxamate class siderophore was detected with chemical test. In 65% of investigated strains it was identified by biological assay as aerobactin. A correlation between hydroxamate siderophore production, species affiliation and pathogenicity was not found. In 14 (7.8%) strains a catechol class siderophore, beside aerobactin, was detected.

The effect of long-term thymosine factor x/TFx/treatment on T lymphocyte subpopulations and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytotoxicity in chronic active hepatitis B.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cytotoxic activity, percentage of natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocyte subpopulations in PBMC of 24 patients suffering from chronic active hepatitis B (CAH-B) have been studied. In comparison with healthy subjects CAH-B patients had significantly enhanced both lymphocyte T suppressor (Ts) and NK cell number. Thirteen CAH-B patients with higher Ts number and low lymphocyte T helper/T suppressor ratio (Th/Ts) were subjected to immunostimulation by thymosine factor x (TFx) treatment. After 1 year of TFx treatment all the CAH-B patients improved clinically, the Th/Ts ratio was brought back to normal and 80 per cent of HBe Ag carriers seroconverted to anti-HBe. After one year of TFx administration no significant changes were observed in PBMC cytotoxicity and NK cell number. TFx appears to be a very effective therapeutic agent in some forms of CAH-B. The obtained results show that TFx normalises biochemical parameters of liver lesion and Th/Ts ratio without any effect on NK cell activity in CAH-B patients.

Treatment with thymic extract TFX for chronic active hepatitis B.

Eighteen patients with biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB) and a significantly lowered CD4+/CD8+ cell number ratio were treated with thymic factor X (TFX): group I (n = 12) - for 12 months, group II (n = 6) for 6 months. As early as 14 days after starting the treatment a lowering of CD8+ cell numbers with a rise in CD4+/CD8+ cell number ratio were found. These changes continued to progress during the next months and were accompanied by decreased in NK cell numbers with enhancement of NK cell activity. Normalization of the biochemical and immunological parameters occurred after 5-6 months of the treatment. In both groups of patients seroconversion in the HBe system was observed after 9-12 months of the treatment. After two years complete clinical remission persists with normal biochemical and immunological findings and without reversion in the HBe system. The results seem to indicate that TFX has an immunostimulatory action and exerts beneficial effects on the course of CAHB.

Increase in antipyrine clearance in workers exposed to phenol and toluene in the petrochemical industry.

In 90 workers of the petrochemical industry occupationally exposed to a mixture of petroleum derivatives, including 60 persons exposed mainly to phenol and 30 to toluene, the metabolic activity of the liver was examined using the antipyrine test. In both groups of subjects, an increase of antipyrine clearance in saliva was observed. Occupational exposure to lipophylic derivatives of petroleum seems to induce the function of liver microsomal enzymes.

T lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with chronic active hepatitis B virus infection characterized by monoclonal antibodies.

Peripheral blood T lymphocytes and T cell subsets were analyzed in 19 patients with chronic active hepatitis B virus infection. The T cell subpopulations were defined by indirect immuno-fluorescence using monoclonal antibodies, and additionally, natural killer cell activity against K 562 human erythroleukemic cell has also been defined. All investigated patients have possessed nearly identical clinical and biochemical signs of disease, but on the basis of T lymphocyte subpopulations they could be divided into two groups: low CD4/CD8 ratio group and normal or high CD4/CD8 ratio group. Mechanism responsible for such differences remains hypothetical but it seems reasonable to propose different protocol for immunomodulatory treatment of patients in both groups.

[Comparison of effect and tolerance of mezlocillin with carbenicillin in the treatment of bacterial infections]. / Vergleich der Wirkung und Verträglichkeit von Mezlocillin mit Carbenicillin bei der Behandlung bakterieller Infektionen.

Of 60 patients who were suffering from bacterial infections, 30 were treated with mezlocillin and 30 with carbenicillin in a randomized study. The patients received the recommended daily doses of 16 g and 30 g, respectively. Clinical efficacy was found in all patients. Mezlocillin eliminated the strains more reliably than carbenicillin. The bacteriological success rate was 27/30 and 16/30, respectively. We should also take into account the fact that the six patients with cholecystitis who were treated with carbenicillin could not be controlled after treatment.