The "Atlas of genetics and cytogenetics in oncology and haematology" on the internet and a review on infant leukemias

The "Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology" (URL: http://www.infobiogen.fr/services/chromcancer) is a database devoted to chromosome abnormalities in cancer, cancer-prone diseases, and genes involved in cancer. The information is concise and updated. This database is made for and by cytogeneticists, molecular biologists, clinicians in oncology and hematology, and pathologists, who are encouraged to contribute. The database is herein presented, together with an example concerning congenital leukemias.

Atlas of genetics and cytogenetics in oncology and haematology, an interactive database

The 'Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology' (http://www.infobiogen.fr/services/chromcancer ) is a database devoted to chromosome abnormalities in cancer, cancer-prone diseases and genes involved in cancer. Information presented in each page is concise and updated. This database is made for and by: cytogeneticists, molecular biologists, clinicians in oncology and in haematology, and pathologists, who are encouraged to contribute.

[New antigenic factors, O (O23) and H (H26), of Serratia marcescens]

A new O factor (O23) found in a Serratia marcescens strain of formula O23:H19, and a new H factor (H26) found in 8 strains of formula O18:H26 are described.

[New O (O21) and H (H21-H25) antigenic factors of "Serratia marcescens": subdivision of O factors 5, 10 and 16 (author's transl)]

Five new H factors (H21 to H25) and a new O factor (O21) of Serratia marcescens are described. Factors O5, O10 and O16 were subdivided, and a factor common to groups O2 and O3 was specified. The methods used to prepare specific antisera for O and H identification are also described. Antigenic formula of actually known serovars are reported.

[9 new Salmonella serotypes isolated in Africa and the Antilles]

Description of nine new serotypes of Salmonella, three isolated in Senegal: S. tambacounda (I,3,I9:b:e,n,x) from Chiroptera, S. bargny (8,20:i:I,5) and S. fass (50:l,v:I,2) from horse; two recovered in Haute-Volta from patients with diarrhoea: S. tounouma (8,20:b:z6) and S. sya (47:b:z6); one isolated from a carrier in Antilles: S. gustavia (II:d:I,5); one from a snake in Tunisia: S. gafsa (I6:c:I,6); two from Madagascar: S. II I8:z4,z23:- isolated from a wild mammalian and S. III arizonae 6I:z52:z from a patient with diarrhoea.

[Utility of serotyping in the study of Serratia marcescens infections in Strasbourg Hospitals (author's transl)]

A total of 1,499 Serratia marcescens strains were isolated in Strasbourg University Hospital within a period of three years. Serotyping could split this collection into 37 different serotypes. Two serotypes (014:H12 and 013:H17) were responsible for a persistent S. marcescens endemic. Serotype 014:H12 was mostly recovered from sputa, whereas serotype 013:H17 was mostly recovered from urine. These two serotypes had different antibiotic resistance patterns.

Compatible results obtained from biotyping and serotyping in Serratia marcescens

The correspondence between complete serotype and biotype (P.A.D. Grimont and F. Grimont, J. Clin. Microbiol. 8:73-83, 1978) of 474 Serratia marcescens strains was studied. Of 127 serotypes, 70 were represented by two or more strains of the same serotype belonged to one biotype. However, for 91% of serotypes, strains of the same serotype belonged to one biogroup--i.e., a group of closely related biotypes. Biogroups are A1 (A1a, A1b); A2/6 (A2a, A2b, A6a, A6b); A3 (A3a, A3b, A3c, A3d); A4 (A4a, A4b); A5/8 (A5, A8a, A8b, A8c); and TCT (TCT, TT). Only two serotypes were composed of a mixture of pigmented and nonpigmented biogroups. Pigmented biogroups (A1 and A2/6) were otherwise differentiated from nonpigmented biogroups (A3, A4, A5/8, and TCT) by serotyping. Some biogroups preferentially occurred in some O serogroups: A4 in 01; A2/6 in O6, O8, and O14; and A3 in O9, O12, and O15. Three H serogroups were found to be biochemically homogeneous: H1, H7, and H20 were respectively and uniquely composed of biogroups A4, TCT, and A3. A square matrix of O versus H serogroups, with the corresponding biogroup for each O X H combination, was used for comparisons between O groups and between H groups. Identical patterns of biogroups were shown by serogroups O6, O8, and O14. Taxonomical, ecological, and practical consequences of these findings are discussed.

[Antigenic study of "Serratia marcescens" isolated in France.II.--Characterization of O antigens and description of 5 new O factors, occurrence of serotypes and labelling of new H factors (author's transl)]

The somatic O-antigens of 583 French isolates of Serratia marcescens were studied with the aid of the tube O-agglutination technique sensitized by centrifugation. Flagella antigens were identified by the H-immobilization test. Five new O-antigens (O16 to O20) were found. An antigenic factor (Co) common to isolates of serotypes O12:H9, O14:H12, O14:H20, and O13:H17 is described. Agar cultures of serotypes O12:H9 and O14:H12 dissociated into two colonial types: iridescent colonies, and non-iridescent colonies. Non-iridescent colonies, heated at 100 degrees C, are agglutinated by anti-Co serum, whereas heat-treated iridescent colonies are not. Close relationship between serogroup antigens O6 and O14 observed by traub and Kleber is confirmed. Serogroup O9 was subdivided into two subgroups. In France, 49 different serotypes were identified, with a predominance of serotypes O14:H12, O13:H17 and O3:H12. Recently, several new H-antigens were independently described by Traub and Kleber, and by us. To avoid confusion, these new H-antigens have been herein redesignated in accord with Dr Traub.

[Antigenic study of Serratia marcescens isolated in France. I.--Antigens: individualization of six new H factors (author's transl)]

The H antigens of 469 strains of Serratia marcescens have been studied. A specific immobilization test in soft agar with antiserum is described. Being more quickly carried out than tube agglutination, it has the same specificity. The most frequently identified H antigen is H:12. Six new H antigens (H:14 to H:19) have been individualized, one of them--H:17--frequently occurring in strains isolated in France.

[15 new serotypes of Salmonella of subgenus I isolated in Africa]

Filteen new serotypes of Salmonella belonging to the sub-genus I have been isolated in Africa. Isolated in Ivory Coast: S. dabou (8,20:Z4,Z23,l,W), S. elokate (9,12:c:1,7), S. assinie (3,10:1,w:Z5), S. anna (13,23:Z35:e,n,Z16), S. mpouto (16:m,t:-), S. banco (28:r:1,7), S. abidjan (38:b:l,w); in Senegal: S. bignona (17:b:e,n,Z15), S. lode (17:r:1,2), S. derkle (52,e,h:1,7); in Tchad: S. moussoro (1,6,14,25:i:e,n,Z15), S. drogana (1,4,12,27:r,i:e,n,Z15); in Algeria: S. hydra (21:c:1,6); in Haute-Volta S. farakan (28:Z10:1,5); in Republique Centrafricaine: S. babili (28:Z35:1,7).

Un nouveau sérotype de Salmonella isolé au Canada: Salmonella montreal (431, 432: c: l,5)

A new serotype of Salmonella, Salmonella montreal (431, 432: c: 1,5) belonging to Kauffmann's sub-genus I was isolated from the faeces of a young male patient suffering from recurrent diarrhoea. [Journal translation]

[Compatibility groups of metabolic plasmids (author's transl)]

The compatibility groups of eleven plasmids determining metabolic characters used in taxonomy and isolated from naturally-occurring strains were examined. Seven of these plasmids determined lactose fermentation. Two were fi+: one of these belonged to group FI and the other to a novel group. Of the remainder, which were fi-, one (which also determined chloramphenicol resistance) belonged to group H; the others were compatible with representative plasmids from every group so far recognized. Two plasmids determined sucrose fermentation. Both were fi-: one belonged to group H, the other was compatible with plasmids of every group. Two plasmids determined haemolysin production. One was fi+ and belonged to group FIII; the other was fi- and belonged to group I2. Plasmids belonging to known compatibility groups and determining metabolic characters only should prove particularly useful in the classification of plasmids determining antibiotic resistance.

[Studies on haemolysins of "enterobacteriaceae" (author's transl)]

Haemolysin production of 1,103 strains of Enterobacteriaceae was investigated on trypticase soja agar containing washed horse erythrocytes. Nearly all haemolytic strains belonged to the genus Escherichia (103 haemolytic strains out of 349 examined). The 3 remaining haemolytic strains belonged to the genus Serratia (of which 244 strains were examined). Plasmidic determinism of haemolysis was demonstrated for six of the Hly+ E. coli strains, and these plasmids were transferred to E. coli K12, Salmonella typhia and S. typhi-murium. Investigations about coexistence of four of these plasmids with "metabolic" plasmids and with representatives of the plasmids compatibility groups presently known, showed that two of these plasmids were fi+ and belonged to the FIII group, and that two other were fi- and related to the I2 group. Thus, different plasmids can determine haemolysin-production in E. coli strains.