[A case of rhinocerebral phycomycosis]

Rhinocerebral phycomycosis is an uncommon opportunistic infection with ubiquitous fungi of the class Phycomycetes, starting in the nose and extending to the paranasal sinuses and then intracranially. The condition is often characterized by poor prognosis because of occlusion of the internal carotid artery. This disease is commonly associated with predispositions such as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, which is the most common, immunosuppressive states and metabolic bankruptcy including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, malnutrition, uremic or diarrheal acidosis, severe burns, anemia, carcinoma, radiotherapy, liver cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, tuberculosis, septicemia, long-term medication of steroid, antibiotics and antimetabolite, drug addiction, cytotoxic drug administration and AIDS. Cases with unknown predisposition, however, have been infrequently reported in the literature. The authors report a case of rhinocerebral phycomycosis in which concurrence of Candida species instead of the above-mentioned common predispositions was considered a potential predisposition. To our knowledge, only 1 report in which Candida species are referred to as a potential predisposition for this disease has been previously issued. A 85-year-old man was admitted to our hospital on March 2, 1994 because of generalized convulsion. He had received a total extirpation of an ascending colon cancer in July 1993. On admission, physical inspection showed no abnormalities and neurological examination revealed obtunded consciousness without other abnormalities. He had no diabetes mellitus. Hematological and blood chemistry values were normal except for CA19-9 of 45 U/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Does summer smog damage the nasal mucosa and contribute to bacterial rhinitis?]

Smog in hot summers contains noxious agents resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels whose levels are highest in industrial areas. Reactions of the oxygen radical of ozone with sulfur dioxides, nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons and the water molecules of the nasal mucous membrane presumably support the formation of acids such as H2SO4 or HNO3 (from H2SO3 or HNO2 [3, 4]). Acid corrosion seems to damage the mucous membrane, leading to local erosions, bleeding, and necrotic changes. The collapsed local defense system and necrotic mucosa are an ideal culture medium for a wide spectrum of pathogenic bacteria. Main signs of tissue pathology are bleeding spots or pustules, nasal congestion, degenerative mucositis, pruritus, as well as epipharyngeal and pharyngeal irritation. Therapy is possible with topical or oral antibiotics. Prophylaxis includes avoiding touching the mucous membranes and reducing outdoor activity on hot summer days. Further clinical and scientific examination would be helpful in determining additional explanations.

Glutathione in the upper respiratory tract

Glutathione (GSH), a major extracellular antioxidant, has been found in high concentrations in the epithelial lining fluid of the lower respiratory tract. The GSH concentrations in nasal fluid, in normal and pathologic conditions, were investigated and found to be very low. A GSH aerosol (600 mg daily for 10 days) increased GSH levels in the nasal mucosa and induced a statistically significant improvement in nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and ear fullness. Thus, GSH administered by aerosol could be a means of defending the epithelial respiratory cells against a toxic oxidant.

Neonatal upper airway obstruction caused by chlamydial rhinitis

This paper reports the case of a six-week-old infant who presented with severe rhinitis and upper airway obstruction due to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.

Mycotic rhinitis in an ostrich

A 2-year-old female ostrich had become gradually emaciated over a 4-month period and subsequently died. Gross necropsy revealed a granulomatous mass filling the right nasal passageways. Microscopically, the mass contained numerous thin, regular-diameter, septate, branching fungal hyphae consistent with Aspergillus sp. and foreign plant material. This appears to be the first report of a mycotic granuloma limited to the nasal cavities of an ostrich or any other ratite species.

Allergic and infective rhinosinusitis: differential diagnosis and interrelationship

Despite the growing emphasis on sinus surgery, the management of chronic or recurrent sinus problems remains multifaceted and should include consideration of contributory, correctable medical factors. Accurate differentiation between infective or allergic rhinosinusitis is often difficult if based only on history and physical examination. The character (and culture results) of mucus obtained from the sinus ostia region by endoscopy may confirm an infective problem, whereas positive results of specific allergy tests, supported by history, will confirm the presence of significant allergy. If complicating infection is not appropriately controlled, allergic management of rhinosinusitis will yield results that are less than optimum. Failure to recognize and treat contributory allergy may jeopardize the results of sinus surgery performed to resolve chronic infection.

[Sorption methods in the treatment of nose and paranasal sinus diseases]

The responses to sorption treatment have been analysed for 373 patients suffering from staphylococcal, allergic, purulent, polypous-purulent rhinosinusitis. For enterosorption a coal spherical phi EH sorbent was used. Application sorption was performed with fabric sorbent AYT-M2, nonfabric sorbent AHM-pi, dust phi EH sorbent. Gelevin was tried for tampon-free postoperative management after dissection of the paranasal sinuses. Sorbents application advances the efficacy of nasal and paranasal disease treatment.

Treatment of mycotic rhinitis with itraconazole in three horses

Itraconazole, a third-generation azole, was evaluated for treatment of resistant nasal mycotic infections in horses. Two horses with Aspergillus spp nasal granulomas and 1 horse with Conidiobolus coronatus nasal infection were treated with itraconazole (3 mg/kg PO bid). One of the horses with nasal aspergillosis was also treated by surgical resection of the nasal septum. The treatment time for the horses ranged from 3 to 4.5 months. No adverse effects were noted in any of the horses during the treatment period. Peak and trough serum itraconazole concentrations were < 0.5 micrograms/mL in all 3 horses. Itraconazole (3 mg/kg PO bid) appears to be effective in the treatment of nasal Aspergillus spp infections in horses because the fungal infection was eliminated in both horses. One horse still had excessive nasal sounds during exercise and was retired from training, whereas the other horse returned to normal. The nasal C. coronatus infection appeared resistant to itraconazole treatment in the affected horse because the granulomas were still present after 4.5 months of treatment.

Fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Part II

This article, the second of two, examines the following infections in detail: phaeohyphomycosis, bipolaris infections, Exserohilim infections, multiple-fungal infections, allergic dematiaceous sinusitis, Pseudallescheria infections, sporothricosis, basidoiomycetous infections, Paecilomyces infections, penicilliosis, Cryptococcus infections, and others.

Histopathology of sinonasal fungal disease

1. To increase diagnostic yield, the otolaryngologist should convey suspicions of mycotic sinus disease to the pathologist. 2. Fungal cultures are a necessary adjunct to histopathologic identification. 3. Any sinonasal chronic inflammatory or granulomatous sinus process, or allergic process, may have a fungal etiology, even with negative GMS stains. 4. The diagnosis of sinonasal "inflammatory pseudotumor" should be accepted with some reservation, as it may represent an unrecognized sinonasal mycotic process. 5. Aspergillus spp. may be definitively identified histologically in sinonasal mycetomas and in invasive disease. When only fragments of thin septate hyphae, are found, one cannot assume they always belong to Aspergillus. 6. One must not assume that all wide "pleomorphic" hyphal fragments belong to Rhizopus or, for that matter, Zygomycetes. 7. Candida, Pseudoallescheria, Rhinosporidium and Cryptococcus are rare sinonasal pathogens that may also be positively identified morphologically.

Fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Part I

This article details the incidence, etiology, classification, and radiographic findings of fungal infections. Major infections discussed include aspergillosis, mucormycosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, chromblastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and rhinosporidiosis.

Nasal candidiasis in an immunocompetent patient

We report a case of nasal candidiasis in an immunocompetent host who denied the use of topical or systemic corticosteroids. The patient was treated with itraconazole 100 mg. with resolution of the symptoms.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the ovine respiratory syncytial virus G glycoprotein gene

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects humans and animals including ruminants. Among the 10 genes coded for in the viral genome, the putative attachment glycoprotein G gene has been the most variable among strains. Human RSV have been divided to two subgroups based on immunological and base sequence data on the attachment glycoprotein G and its gene, respectively. It has been suggested that similar antigenic diversity also exists among bovine RSV (BRSV) isolates. In this study, we report on the cloning and sequencing of the G glycoprotein from an ovine RSV (ORSV) strain originally isolated from a naturally infected sheep with rhinitis. This ORSV G glycoprotein gene had greater identity to the BRSV G gene than to the human RSV G gene. ORSV G gene and its encoded protein shared 70 and 62% nucleotide and amino acid identity to the equivalent gene and encoded protein, respectively, of BRSV but, in contrast, only 50-55% and 21-29% identity, respectively, to equivalent sequences of the HRSV strains. The relationship of the ORSV to other RSV subgroups and the possibility that ORSV could be a subgroup of the ruminant RSV is discussed.

Acute dacryocystitis secondary to exudative rhinitis

This report describes the unusual occurrence of acute dacryocystitis secondary to exudative rhinitis. An 18-year-old man with no prior history of tearing or dacryocystitis presented with acute left dacryocystitis. Nasal mucosal edema, lymphoid hyperplasia, and exudate obstructed the ostium of his left nasolacrimal duct. The patient improved rapidly with systemic antibiotic and nasal decongestant drugs. Both the nasolacrimal duct obstruction and dacryocystitis resolved completely within 2 weeks. One year later, serology suggested Epstein-Barr virus as the cause of the rhinitis. Acute intranasal inflammation may obstruct the nasolacrimal duct with potential secondary dacryocystitis. This type of nasolacrimal duct obstruction resolves without sequelae when the rhinitis improves.

Rhinoentomophthoromycosis: a report of three cases

Three cases of rhinoentomophthoromycosis involving the nasal region are presented diagnosis in the first two cases was made on surgical biopsy and in the third case by fine needle aspiration biopsy. A granulomatous inflammatory reaction was seen in tissue around hollow broad hyphae of the fungus. The hyphal strands were surrounded by eosinophilic deposits Splendore--Hoeppli phenomenon.

Pityrosporum ovale and atopic dermatitis in children and young adults

Children aged 0-21 years, 60 children with atopic dermatitis (AD), 40 children with rhinoconjunctivitis and or asthma (RA) and 40 children with no atopic history (HC) were studied to evaluate the relationship between skin colonisation with Pityrosporum ovale and the occurrence of specific IgE antibodies to P. ovale. The following studies were done: culture for P. ovale, measurement of IgE antibodies to P. ovale (skin prick test, RAST), Candida albicans, and Cladosporium herbarum (RAST) and IgG antibodies to P. ovale. P. ovale could be cultured with about the same frequency in children and young adults with AD and age-matched children with or without other atopic manifestations. In spite of similar colonisation, IgE antibodies against P. ovale occur only in atopy and more frequently in children with AD than in those with other types of atopic disease.

Immuno-gold labelling of turkey rhinotracheitis virus

The morphology and morphogenesis of five viruses isolated in Great Britain, France and South Africa from turkeys with rhinotracheitis were examined. The five isolates were antigenically related by immunofluorescence and were indistinguishable by negative contrast and thin section electron microscopy. Negative contrast electron microscopy of infected Vero cell cultures revealed ortho- or paramyxovirus-like particles and helical nucleocapsids 14 nm in diameter with a pitch of 6 nm. The viral nature of these structures was confirmed by immuno-gold labelling, using a hyperimmune rabbit antiserum to TRT virus and 15 nm gold-labelled goat anti-rabbit IgG. Ultrastructural changes characteristics of paramyxovirus infection were observed in Vero cell cultures infected with each of the five TRT virus isolates. These alterations, which included areas of localised thickening of plasma membrane, associated cytoplasmic inclusions of nucleocapsids and budding virus particles also labelled specifically following immunogold staining. These observations are in accord with the suggestion that TRT virus is an avian pneumovirus.

Chronic rhinitis in children

One hundred and fifty-one children aged 2-6 years old suffering from chronic rhinitis were followed and treated for periods of 3-6 months. Seventy-five children were treated with antihistamines (AH) and 76 with antibiotics (AB). Significant statistic difference was found between pre-school children and school children. The differences were both with the nature of the symptoms, and reaction to treatment. While 49% of the school children recovered with AH treatment, only 14% of the pre-school children did. On the other hand, 58% of the pre-school children recovered with AB treatment while only 35% of the older children did. From our results it is clear that in many children bacterial infection is the cause for chronic rhinitis. In pre-school children it is the main cause, while in older children it is the cause in about a third of the cases. It is also important to remember that although allergy might be the basic reason for rhinitis, in certain age groups a secondary bacterial infection might interfere with the efficiency of antiallergic treatment.

[Diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngo-tonsillitis: clinical criteria or coagglutination?]

With the purpose of evaluating the usefulness of clinical data and a coagglutination test for the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngeal tonsillitis, a study was carried out comparing both methods with the standard pharynx culture (gold standard). One hundred and forty-one patients clinically diagnosed with pharyngeal tonsillitis were analyzed. 80 other patients diagnosed with rhino-pharyngitis were used as control groups as well as a group of 66 healthy patients. It was found that the presence of pus in the tonsils and the absence of rhinorrhea and/or a productive cough were isolated clinical variables which showed a significant difference when comparing those cases with a positive or a negative culture (P less than 0.01). These clinical data had a sensitivity and adequate negative predictive values (68 to 83% and 90 to 92%, respectively); specificity was 44 to 74% and the positive predictive value from 24 to 36%. The gathering of combined clinical indexes with different symptoms and signs, were not greater than isolated data. The coagglutination test in those cases of pharyngeal tonsillitis showed greater better specificity (98%) and positive predictive value (93%), but saw no improvement in sensitivity (72%) nor in the negative predictive value (91%), which is why when faced with a negative coagglutination test, it is still necessary to perform a throat culture due to the risk which the patient may be exposed to when no treatment is given. The analysis of the advantages and disadvantages in the routine use of coagglutination and cultures in their particular cases, allows us to conclude that in daily clinical practice the use of clinical criteria is of greater usefulness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in patients with rhinosinusitis

Toxic shock syndrome has been associated with rhinologic surgery and medical devices, and it has been linked to a circulating exotoxin of a toxogenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus. One hundred forty patients with rhinosinusitis were studied. Nasal cultures were obtained. The microbiological characteristics are described. The carrier rate for Staphylococcus aureus was 35%. Thirty percent of patients selected for surgery were Staphylococcus aureus carriers. Toxin-capable isolates were identified in 40% of those tested. Users of cocaine, topical decongestants, and steroid sprays had a statistically higher rate of Staphylococcus aureus carriage compared to nonusers. It is hoped that by identifying the population at risk and defining the factors associated with the development of toxic shock syndrome, a cogent policy of prevention can be established.

[Treatment of chronic rhinitis in children]

This paper discusses involvement of intestinal dysbacteriosis in nasal inflammation. Altogether 42 children of preschool age with chronic rhinitis were examined. It was found that microbial changes in the nasal cavity were related to the degree of intestinal dysbacteriosis, which was detected in most patients. The drugs that were used in combined therapy to treat microbial changes in the nasal mucosa and intestine produced good clinical and bacteriological effects. The 4 month follow-up showed that the children on the combined therapeutic protocol remained in the remission stage throughout this time period, whereas 85 +/- 10% of the control children exhibited exacerbation of the inflammatory process in the nasal cavity within 2-3 weeks after onset of standard treatment.

Influence of experimental rhino-sinusitis on olfactory epithelium

The pathology of olfactory epithelium in rhino-sinusitis caused by experimental bacterial infection was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Masses of non-ciliated or microvillous cells were observed on the marginal region of olfactory epithelium as spotted or insular lesions 1 week after onset of inflammation. These masses sporadically contained respiratory ciliated cells which might have replaced cells of olfactory epithelium during recovery from inflammatory damage. Prolonged inflammation with repeated flare-ups promoted the transformation to the respiratory ciliated epithelium at the margin of the olfactory epithelium and made the boundary between olfactory and respiratory epithelium intricate and obscure. The present study suggests that repeated infection with aging could be responsible for a decreased olfactory region.

Neisseria cuniculi in ruminants: epidemiological aspects

Neisseria cuniculi was isolated, between March 1987 and March 1989, from 38 cases of respiratory disease in small and large ruminants. In all but five cases N. cuniculi was cultured together with other potential respiratory pathogens. A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of N. cuniculi in the pharyngeal region of Merino and Awassi purebred sheep, Awassi/East-Friesian and Merino/Romanov crossbred sheep and one exotic cross breed (goat/ibex). N. cuniculi was isolated from 80-88% of the animals under 1 month of age. Among older animals, the microorganism was isolated from 20.5% of the pure bred animals and 79.3% of the crossbred ones. This difference was significant (P less than 0.001) by the chi 2 test. The prevalence of N. cuniculi in the second age group coincides with the susceptibility of the breeds to respiratory pathology. This, we believe, is the first report of N. cuniculi involved in multiple cases of respiratory pathology and of a survey assessing the prevalence of this microorganism in small ruminants.

Prevalence and characterization of Pasteurella multocida in rabbits and their environment in Japan

Prevalence and some properties of Pasteurella multocida in rabbits kept at laboratory animal facilities and commercial rabbitries, and in their environment were investigated. A total of 1,147 nasal swab samples from 1,147 rabbits and 126 samples from their environment were subjected to the isolation of P. multocida. The bacteria were isolated from 199 (29.8%) of 668 rabbits in laboratory animal facilities and from 1 (0.2%) of 479 rabbits in the rabbitries. Isolation rate of P. multocida was low (0.9%) or high (44.9%) in the facilities with or without the monitoring for the presence of the bacteria, respectively. The highest rate of the isolation from rabbits was recorded at 10 to 12 months of their housing time. Thirty-nine cultures (31.0%) of air and the surfaces of floors, tips of water bottles, and cages were positive for P. multocida and isolation rate of the bacteria was high (78.6%) in the air. Biological and biochemical properties of the isolates were identical except for indole production and raffinose fermentation. The isolates were susceptible to antibiotics tested except for clindamycin, serologically similar in the gel-diffusion precipitin test and weakly virulent for mice. The present results suggested that these P. multocida isolates were the causal agent of rabbits rhinitis (snuffles) in Japan.

The isolation and attenuation of a virus causing rhinotracheitis in turkeys in South Africa

In March 1978, a number of turkeys with severe respiratory symptoms affecting over 80% of the flock were investigated for a possible causative agent. With the standard techniques used for the isolation of bacteriae, mycoplasmae and viruses, only Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma meleagridis and Newcastle disease virus were isolated. Tracheal organ cultures were subsequently prepared from 27-day-old turkey embryos and inoculated with sinus exudate from affected turkeys. After an incubation period of 4 days a virus was isolated with which the typical symptoms, as observed in the field, could be reproduced in susceptible turkeys after 3-5 days. Following primary isolation in tracheal organ cultures, the virus grew readily in embryonated eggs and Vero cells. With the electron microscope, virus-like particles, varying in size from 40 nm-500 nm, were observed, having a pleomorphic shape and studded with fine surface projections. The virus seems to fall into the family Paramyxoviridae. A vaccine produced from attenuated virus in embryonated eggs afforded good protection against mortalities due to airsacculitis that normally follows on to turkey rhinotracheitis infection. The serological and clinical effects of the virus on chickens are also reported on.

Characterization of a virus associated with turkey rhinotracheitis

A virus associated with turkey rhinotracheitis was purified and its morphology and structural polypeptides were compared with those of the bovine, human and murine members of the genus Pneumovirus. The isolate possessed surface projections 13 to 14 nm in length and a helical nucleocapsid 14 nm in diameter with a pitch of 7 nm. Approximately seven presumed viral polypeptides were observed. Their apparent molecular weights were 200 x 10(3) (200K), 84K, 54K, 42K, 37K, 31K and 14K; two of these, the 84K and 54K polypeptides, were glycosylated. The virus was shown to possess many features that were similar to established pneumoviruses and can therefore be regarded as a possible member of this genus.

Rhinitis, pneumonia, and defective neutrophil function in the Doberman pinscher

Eight closely related Doberman Pinschers with chronic rhinitis and pneumonia had normal or increased numbers of structurally normal leukocytes. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins and complement were above or within normal ranges. Lymphocyte transformation indices for 3 mitogens were normal in 7 of the 8 dogs; the remaining dog had low values for all mitogens. Neutrophils phagocytized bacteria normally, but had impaired bactericidal ability. The bactericidal defect may have been related to the inability of neutrophils to generate normal numbers of oxygen radicals after stimulation, as determined by decreased ability of neutrophils to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium and to produce superoxide following opsonized zymosan stimulation. These observations, plus finding chronic inflammatory disease in the lungs of one dog, indicated that the disease may have some similarity to chronic granulomatous disease or to complement receptor deficiency in man.

Clonal diversity and host distribution in Bordetella bronchiseptica

A total of 303 isolates of Bordetella bronchiseptica recovered from 11 host species were characterized by the electrophoretic mobilities of 15 metabolic enzymes, and 21 distinctive multilocus genotypes (electrophoretic types) were distinguished on the basis of allele profiles at the enzyme loci. The population structure of B. bronchiseptica is clonal, and its genetic diversity is limited in comparison with most other pathogenic bacteria, perhaps reflecting a relatively recent origin of the species. Electrophoretic types mark clones which are, in many cases, nonrandomly associated with host species. Clones differing only slightly in overall chromosomal genetic character may have pronounced differences in virulence potential. There was considerable variation among individual clones and clone families in degree of host specificity and among various species of hosts in the diversity of clones causing disease. The diversity of clones infecting dogs was an order of magnitude greater than that of clones infecting pigs. Most bordetellosis in pigs in the United States and Japan was found to be caused by strains of a single multilocus genotype.

Virulence factors of Bordetella bronchiseptica associated with the production of infectious atrophic rhinitis and pneumonia in experimentally infected neonatal swine

Four strains of Bordetella bronchiseptica (CSU-P-1, 64-C-0406, 1120-A-83-013, and B205BT) with defined virulence for neonatal swine were examined, and an attempt was made to correlate the presence of certain in vitro phenotypic characteristics with the ability of a particular B. bronchiseptica strain to produce turbinate and lung lesions in piglets. All of the strains except CSU-P-1 colonized the nasal passages of the pigs heavily, and strains 1120-A-83-013 and B205BT produced moderate to severe nasal and lung lesions in experimentally infected piglets. All of the strains attached equally well to porcine tracheal ring explant cultures, and all of the strains except CSU-P-1 produced smooth, hemolytic colonies on Bordet-Gengou medium, agglutinated porcine erythrocytes, and possessed adenylate cyclase activity. Strains 1120-A-83-013 and B205BT produced considerably higher levels of dermonecrotic toxin activity than did strains CSU-P-1 and 64-C-0406. These results indicate that production of nasal and lung lesions in neonatal piglets by the B. bronchiseptica strains tested can be directly correlated with their level of dermonecrotic toxin production.

[Immunofluorescence for the rapid diagnosis and complex study of various acute and chronic respiratory infections]

Direct and indirect immunofluorescence techniques were used to investigate the presence of some viral, chlamydial, Rickettsia and Mycoplasma antigens in the exfoliated nasal and pharyngeal epithelial cells from 156 patients with acute or chronic respiratory infections. Positive results were found in 98 (62.82%) of them, parainfluenza (36.88%) and herpes (23.3%) antigens, being the most frequent. Herpes, parainfluenza and adenoviral antigens were found the most frequently among patients with pharyngitis (76 cases). Parainfluenza, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and Rickettsia burneti antigens had the highest prevalence among the patients with rhinitis (34 cases). The presence of a single antigen was detected only in 36 patients (36.73%), two or more antigens being found simultaneously in other 62 cases (63.27%). The results demonstrate the utility and efficiency of the immunofluorescence techniques for the rapid etiological diagnosis of acute or chronic respiratory infections.

Plasmids related to RSF1010 from Bordetella bronchiseptica

Six out of 14 Bordetella bronchiseptica isolates from U.K. pigs each contained one plasmid, of 8.7-44 kb. All plasmid-containing isolates were sulfonamide resistant, and this property was shown to be plasmid-encoded. Five of the plasmids were related; two were indistinguishable from the broad-host-range plasmid, RSF1010. The other three, two of which appeared to be identical, were shown to have regions of homology with RSF1010. One of these regions encompassed the sulfonamide resistance determinant while the other contained oriV, which also determines plasmid incompatibility. None of the plasmids could be associated with virulence or phase variation, and it appears likely that they have been acquired in response to antibiotic pressure.

Biochemical and immunological characterization of cell surface proteins of Pasteurella multocida strains causing atrophic rhinitis in swine

In a previous paper (B. Lugtenberg, R. van Boxtel, and M. de Jong, Infect. Immun., 46:48-54, 1984) we showed that among 34 isolates from swine the membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) patterns, as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, could be classified into three and six patterns, respectively. In all cases a certain LPS pattern was correlated with a certain protein pattern. Certain combinations of types of cell surface proteins and LPSs were correlated with pathogenicity, the latter property being judged by the guinea pig skin test. In the present paper the immunological and biochemical properties of cell surface constituents were analyzed. The reaction between electrophoretically separated cell surface constituents with guinea pig and sow antisera showed that LPS as well as several proteins were immunogenic. Among these is protein H, whose electrophoretic mobility is the main criterium for typing of cell envelope protein patterns. Protein H was the most heavily labeled component when whole cells were iodinated by the Iodo-Gen procedure showing its accessibility at the cell surface. These properties of protein H make it an attractive vaccine candidate. Further biochemical analyses revealed that protein H shares many properties with pore proteins of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. One of these properties, association between pore proteins and peptidoglycan, was used as the basis for a simple procedure developed to partially purify protein H.