agar and Hemolysis

Topics: Agar; Aged; Alkylating Agents; Anemia, Hemolytic; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Blood Protein Disorders; Blood Viscosity; Chlorambucil; Clinical Trials as Topic; Electrophoresis; Female; gamma-Globulins; Hemolysis; Humans; Immunoelectrophoresis; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Prednisone; Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

The very recent Covid-19 pandemic has made the need to understand biocompatible polymers as support material in drug delivery systems and controlled release clearer, especially for organo-hydrogels. This study aims to synthesize various new polymeric materials called gels, hydrogels, and organo-hydrogels according to the monomer used and to investigate their use as drug release systems. The agar-glycerol (AG) pair was used to synthesize the polymers, N, N, methylene bisacrylamide (MBA, m) and glutaraldehyde (GA, g) were used as cross-linkers and peppermint oil (PmO) was included to obtain the organo-hydrogels. Therefore, one AG gel and two p (AG-m) and p (GA-g) hydrogels were synthesized within the scope of the study. Six different organo-hydrogels based on p(AG-m-PmO) or p (AG-g-PmO) were also synthesized by varying the amount of peppermint oil. Paracetamol and carboplatin were selected as the sample drugs. Synthesized gels, hydrogels and organo-hydrogels were characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis. Additionally, swelling behaviors of the synthesized gels were investigated in different media (ID water, tap water, ethanol, acetone, ethanol/ID water (1:1), acetone/ID water (1:1) and gasoline) and at different pHs. Moreover, it was determined that organo-hydrogels were blood compatible and had antioxidant properties based on hemolysis, blood clotting and antioxidant analysis. Therefore, the release of paracetamol (a known antipyretic-painkiller, recommended and used in the treatment of Covid-19) and carboplatin (widely used in cancer treatment) were studied. Evidently, as the amount of PMO oil increases, the -OH groups in organo-hydrogels will increase and the chemical and physical bonding rates will increase; therefore it was observed that increasing peppermint oil in the organo-hydrogels structure to 0.3 mL stimulated the release of the drugs. For instance, maximum paracetamol release amount from p(AG-g-PmO) and p(AG-m-PmO) organo-hydrogels was calculated to be 72.3% at pH 7.4 and 69.8% at pH 2.0, respectively. The maximum carboplatin release amount from p(AG-g-PmO) and p(AG-m-PmO) organo-hydrogels was calculated to be 99.7% at pH 7.4 and 100% at pH 7.4, respectively. It was concluded that the synthesized organo-hydrogels might easily be used as drug carrier and controlled drug release materials.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Agar; Antioxidants; Blood Coagulation; Carboplatin; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Glycerol; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogels; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Mentha piperita; Phenols; Plant Oils; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

In the recent decade, the increased immunocompromised population such as diabetic patients makes a high incidence of invasive. A total of 108. This study showed that most of the isolates had different enzymatic patterns, and

Topics: Agar; Candida albicans; Candidiasis, Oral; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus; Egg Yolk; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Mouth; Mouth Mucosa; Phospholipases; Polysorbates; Risk Factors; Species Specificity; Virulence; Virulence Factors

The recent introduction of Full Laboratory Automation systems in clinical microbiology opens to the availability of streams of high definition images representing bacteria culturing plates. This creates new opportunities to support diagnostic decisions through image analysis and interpretation solutions, with an expected high impact on the efficiency of the laboratory workflow and related quality implications. Starting from images acquired under different illumination settings (top-light and back-light), the objective of this work is to design and evaluate a method for the detection and classification of diagnostically relevant hemolysis effects associated with specific bacteria growing on blood agar plates. The presence of hemolysis is an important factor to assess the virulence of pathogens, and is a fundamental sign of the presence of certain types of bacteria.. We introduce a two-stage approach. Firstly, the implementation of a highly accurate alignment of same-plate image scans, acquired using top-light and back-light illumination, enables the joint spatially coherent exploitation of the available data. Secondly, from each segmented portion of the image containing at least one bacterial colony, specifically designed image features are extracted to feed a SVM classification system, allowing detection and discrimination among different types of hemolysis.. The fine alignment solution aligns more than 98.1% images with a residual error of less than 0.13 mm. The hemolysis classification block achieves a 88.3% precision with a recall of 98.6%.. The results collected from different clinical scenarios (urinary infections and throat swab screening) together with accurate error analysis demonstrate the suitability of our system for robust hemolysis detection and classification, which remains feasible even in challenging conditions (low contrast or illumination changes).

Topics: Agar; Algorithms; Bacteria; Electronic Data Processing; Hemolysis; Humans; Lighting; Models, Statistical; Programming Languages; Reproducibility of Results; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Software; Urinary Tract Infections

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacterial Capsules; Biofilms; Brazil; Cronobacter; Desiccation; Erythrocytes; Food Microbiology; Foodborne Diseases; Guinea Pigs; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Microbial Viability; Phenotype; Polystyrenes; Proteolysis; Rabbits; Sheep, Domestic; Surface Properties; Virulence

We isolated and characterized three multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of group B streptococci with reduced penicillin susceptibility (PRGBS) that formed small non-beta-hemolytic colonies on sheep blood agar plates but grew well on chocolate agar plates. They can be overlooked in the bacterial identification step, leading to clinical misdiagnosis and treatment failure.

Topics: Agar; Aged, 80 and over; beta-Lactam Resistance; Blood; Culture Media; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Hemolysis; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Penicillins; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae

SU-8 negative photoresist is a high tensile strength polymer that has been used for a number of biomedical applications that include cell encapsulation and neuronal probes. Chemically, SU-8 comprises, among other components, an epoxy based monomer and antimony salts, the latter being a potential source of cytotoxicity. We report on the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of SU-8 biocompatibility based on leachates from various solvents, at varying temperatures and pH, and upon subcutaneous implantation of SU-8 substrates in mice. MTT cell viability assay did not exhibit any cytotoxic effects from the leachates. The hemolytic activity of SU-8 is comparable to that of FDA approved implant materials such as silicone elastomer, Buna-S and medical steel. In vivo histocompatibility study in mice indicates a muted immune response to subcutaneous SU-8 implants.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antimony; Biocompatible Materials; Cell Survival; Epoxy Compounds; Hemolysis; Immunity; Implants, Experimental; Male; Materials Testing; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Organ Specificity; Polymers; Prosthesis Implantation; Rats; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Staining and Labeling

The aim of the study was to assess the reliability of human blood agar media (HuBA) in identifying Streptococcus pyogenes by hemolysis analysis. We analyze several factors that might affect the accuracy of HuBA media for microbial analysis, including incubation time, blood group, Rh factor and presence of antistreptolysin-o.

Topics: Agar; Culture Media; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes

Hemolysis of blood agar is broadly used as a diagnostic tool for identifying and studying pathogenic microorganisms. We have recently shown that alcohol vapors can confer hemolytic properties on otherwise nonhemolytic fungi (microbial alcohol-conferred hemolysis; MACH). Until now, this phenomenon has been found in various yeast strains and other fungi, but only in a few bacterial species (e.g., staphylococci). In the current study we (1) determined the extent of the above phenomenon in various gram-positive and gram-negative laboratory bacterial strains and in clinical bacterial isolates, (2) validated the observed hemolysis using a quantitative technique, and (3) provided evidence that the observed alcohol-mediated hemolysis may, at least in part, be related to synthesis of hemolytic lipids.

Topics: Agar; Alcohols; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Butanols; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Ethanol; Female; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Hemolysis; Humans; Lipids; Sheep

Venom proteins from the nematocysts of Chironex fleckeri were fractionated by size-exclusion and cation-exchange chromatography. Using sheep erythrocyte haemolysis as an indicator of cytolytic activity, two major cytolysins, with native molecular masses of approximately 370 and 145kDa, and one minor cytolysin ( approximately 70kDa) were isolated. SDS-PAGE and western blot protein profiles revealed that the 370kDa haemolysin is composed of CfTX-1 and CfTX-2 subunits ( approximately 43 and 45kDa, respectively); the most abundant proteins found in C. fleckeri nematocyst extracts. The 145kDa haemolysin predominately contains two other major proteins ( approximately 39 and 41kDa), which are not antigenic towards commercially available box jellyfish antivenom or rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against whole C. fleckeri nematocyst extracts or CfTX-1 and -2. The kinetics of CfTX-1 and -2 haemolytic activities are temperature dependent and characterised by a pre-lytic lag phase ( approximately 6-7min) prior to initiation of haemolysis. Significant amino acid sequence homology between the CfTX proteins and other box jellyfish toxins suggest that CfTX-1 and -2 may also be lethal and dermonecrotic. Therefore, further in vivo and in vitro studies are required to investigate the potential roles of CfTX-1 and -2 in the lethal effects of C. fleckeri venom.

Topics: Agar; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Blotting, Western; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Cnidarian Venoms; Cubozoa; Cytotoxins; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Proteins; Proteomics

A selective and differential plating medium, R & F anthracis chromogenic agar (ACA), has been developed for isolating and identifying presumptive colonies of Bacillus anthracis. ACA contains the chromogenic substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl-choline phosphate that upon hydrolysis yields teal (blue green) colonies indicating the presence of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) activity. Among seven Bacillus species tested on ACA, only members of the Bacillus cereus group (B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis) produced teal colonies (PC-PLC positive) having cream rings. Examination of colony morphology in 18 pure culture strains of B. anthracis (15 ATCC strains plus AMES-1-RIID, ANR-1, and AMED-RIID), with one exception, required 48 h at 35 to 37 degrees C for significant color production, whereas only 24 h was required for B. cereus and B. thuringiensis. This differential rate of PC-PLC synthesis in B. anthracis (due to the truncated plcR gene and PlcR regulator in B. anthracis) allowed for the rapid differentiation on ACA of presumptive colonies of B. anthracis from B. cereus and B. thuringiensis in both pure and mixed cultures. Effective recovery of B. anthracis from a variety of matrices having both high (soil and sewage) and low microbial backgrounds (cloth, paper, and blood) spiked with B. anthracis ANR-1 spores suggests the probable utility of ACA plating for B. anthracis recovery in a diversity of applications.

Topics: Agar; Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus cereus; Bacillus thuringiensis; Colony Count, Microbial; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Hemolysis; Species Specificity; Type C Phospholipases

On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, a novel species belonging to the genus Alteromonas is described. A non-pigmented, motile, Gram-negative bacterium designated R10SW13(T) was isolated from sea water samples collected in Chazhma Bay (Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean). The novel organism mainly grew between 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C, was neutrophilic and slightly halophilic, tolerating up to 10 % NaCl. Strain R10SW13(T) was haemolytic and was able to degrade starch and Tween 80 and to degrade gelatin and agar weakly, but did not degrade casein. Phosphatidylethanolamine (44.3 +/- 0.9 %) and phosphatidylglycerol (55.7 +/ -0.9 %) were the predominant phospholipids. The major fatty acids formed were typical for the genus Alteromonas, including 16 : 0, 16 : 1omega-7 and 18 : 1omega-7. The G + C content of the DNA was 43.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed 38-53 % binding with the DNAs of type strains of phylogenetically related species of the genus Alteromonas, namely: Alteromonas macleodii, Alteromonas marina, Alteromonas stellipolaris, Alteromonas litorea, 'Alteromonas macleodii subsp. fijiensis' and 'Alteromonas infernus'. Based on these results, a novel species, Alteromonas addita sp. nov., is proposed, with strain R10SW13(T) (=KMM 3600(T) = KCTC 12195(T) = LMG 22532(T)) as the type strain.

Topics: Agar; Alteromonas; Base Composition; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Ribosomal; Fatty Acids; Gelatin; Genes, rRNA; Gentian Violet; Growth Inhibitors; Hemolysis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Japan; Molecular Sequence Data; Movement; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Pacific Ocean; Phenazines; Phospholipids; Phylogeny; Pigments, Biological; Polysorbates; RNA, Bacterial; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Seawater; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sodium Chloride; Temperature; Water Microbiology

During the anthrax attack of 2001, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Bureau of Laboratories in Tampa received hundreds of isolates suspected of being Bacillus anthracis. None were confirmed to be B. anthracis since most isolates were motile and not even in the Bacillus cereus group. Although the sentinel laboratories now send fewer isolates to FDOH laboratories, should another attack occur the number of isolates submitted would likely increase dramatically, and this upsurge would seriously challenge personnel who are expected to be busy examining an increased number of environmental samples. We examined two selective and differential growth media and alternative motility methods that could be used to streamline the processing of suspicious isolates. Of 60 isolates previously sent to the FDOH laboratory, 56 were endospore-forming gram-positive rods and only 7 grew on mannitol-egg yolk-polymyxin B agar and/or the Anthracis chromogenic agar. Microscopic observation of early-log-phase growth (2 to 3 h) in a shaking broth was the best method to detect motility in 40 isolates that appeared nonmotile in the motility media investigated. One of these growth media and microscopic examination of shaken broth cultures can be used to show that an isolate is not B. anthracis before expensive molecular and antibody-based tests are performed. By doing so, costs could be reduced and analysis time shortened.

Topics: Agar; Anthrax; Bacillus; Bacillus anthracis; Bacteriological Techniques; Bioterrorism; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Humans; Movement

Maternal prenatal screening for group B streptococci (GBS) followed by offering of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis to carriers is one of the strategies used to reduce the incidence of neonatal early-onset GBS infections. Culturing of vaginal and anorectal swab specimens in selective broth is the screening procedure recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This technique is sensitive; it does not, however, allow either evaluation of the degree of colonization or detection of cocolonization with several GBS clones. We have examined the carriage rate and population dynamics of GBS in a group of Danish women during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery using a new detection method. In the present paper we describe a mixed blood agar medium (MB agar) that identifies GBS in the primary cultures by detection of a double hemolysis pattern consisting of characteristic, large zones of partial hemolysis ("CAMP zones") and of narrow zones of complete hemolysis. The MB agar was at least as sensitive as culturing in selective broth for detection of GBS in vaginal and anorectal swab specimens, and GBS strains could be identified directly on the primary plate due to the CAMP zones without the need for subculturing. The carriage rate of GBS in a group of Danish women was found to be more than 30%, a figure considerably higher than the rate that was reported previously.

Topics: Agar; Bacterial Proteins; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Blood; Carrier State; Culture Media; Female; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Rectum; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae; Vagina

Seven of 50 Enterobacter cloacae strains from clinical isolates produced small turbid zones of hemolysis in horse and sheep blood agar plates, and the culture supernatants were also positive for hemolytic activity. The hemolysin was partially purified from the culture supernatant of E. cloacae by ultrafiltration (PM-10 membrane) and extraction with acetone. Semipurified hemolysin was stable to heating (100 degrees C, 30 min) and was soluble in organic solvents (acetone, ethanol, and methanol). The toxin showed no loss of biological activity after treatment with trypsin and was stable to acid treatment at pH 2.0 but not at a pH greater than 7.0. In the rat intestinal loop assay, the hemolysin caused hemorrhagic fluid accumulation and severe histological alterations. These findings indicate that this hemolysin may be a putative virulence factor in E. cloacae infections.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Enterobacter cloacae; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Intestines; Molecular Weight; Rats; Sheep; Virulence

Enhanced haemolysis agar (EHA) was compared to the two conventional Listeria isolation agars Oxford and PALCAM for its ability to detect Listeria spp. from production lines of fresh to cold-smoked fish. The ability of EHA for distinguishing L. monocytogenes colonies from other Listeria spp. was also evaluated.A total of 243 fish and environmental samples were analysed. Overall, 42 samples were found to contain Listeria spp. Only 34 samples were positive simultaneously by the three plating media. Two samples considered to be negative by the two conventional agars were found to be positive after isolation on EHA. All three selective agars were shown to be less effective in recovering Listeria spp. after primary enrichment in half-Fraser broth, compared to secondary enrichment in Fraser broth after 24 and 48 h. From 79 Listeria but presumptive negative L. monocytogenes colonies, EHA identified correctly 76 Listeria spp. and presented three false-negative results_three colonies further identified as L. monocytogenes but showing no noticeable haemolysis on EHA. Twenty-three of the thirty-three L. monocytogenes presumptive positive colonies, were confirmed positive and ten were identified as L. seeligeri. Despite its ability of distinguishing L. monocytogenes from the other Listeria spp., unless it is produced as a commercial medium, EHA cannot be an alternative to time-consuming classical identification because the preparation of this medium is both time and labour intensive.

Topics: Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Culture Media; Equipment and Supplies; Fish Products; Food Microbiology; Food Packaging; Fresh Water; Hemolysis; Listeria; Listeria monocytogenes; Salmon; Water Microbiology

A newly developed prawn blood agar consisting of 1 ml of tiger prawn hemolymph in medium containing 200 ppm Rose Bengal was used to determine the hemolytic activity of 35 isolates of bacteria obtained from cultured tiger prawns Penaeus monodon and their rearing water. For comparison, the hemolytic activity of these isolates was also determined in sheep blood agar. Nine isolates (25.7% of total) showed different hemolytic reactions on prawn blood agar and sheep blood agar. From the 35 isolates, 8 with various hemolytic characteristics were selected and the relationship between the type of hemolytic activity and pathogenicity was determined and compared. Four isolates that showed hemolytic activity in prawn blood agar caused high mortality to cultured tiger prawns. By contrast, a significantly lower mortality rate was observed for tiger prawns injected with 4 isolates that did not exhibit hemolytic activity on prawn blood agar. Results further showed that mortality did not correlate with hemolytic activity determined using sheep blood agar. Prawn blood agar containing P. monodon hemocytes was faster and more accurate for determining prawn hemolytic activity of bacterial isolates.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Aquaculture; Bacteria; Fluorescent Dyes; Hemolymph; Hemolysis; Hemolytic Plaque Technique; Penaeidae; Rose Bengal; Sheep

Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontal disease pathogen, forms black-pigmented colonies on blood agar. Pigmentation is believed to result from accumulation of iron protoporphyrin IX (FePPIX) derived from erythrocytic hemoglobin. The Lys-X (Lys-gingipain) and Arg-X (Arg-gingipain) cysteine proteases of P. gingivalis bind and degrade erythrocytes. We have observed that mutations abolishing activity of the Lys-X-specific cysteine protease, Kgp, resulted in loss of black pigmentation of P. gingivalis W83. Because the hemagglutinating and hemolytic potentials of mutant strains were reduced but not eliminated, we hypothesized that this protease played a role in acquisition of FePPIX from hemoglobin. In contrast to Arg-gingipain, Lys-gingipain was not inhibited by hemin, suggesting that this protease played a role near the cell surface where high concentrations of hemin confer the black pigmentation. Human hemoglobin contains 11 Lys residues in the alpha chain and 10 Lys residues in the beta chain. In contrast, there are only three Arg residues in each of the alpha and beta chains. These observations are consistent with human hemoglobin being a preferred substrate for Lys-gingipain but not Arg-gingipain. The ability of the Lys-gingipain to cleave human hemoglobin at Lys residues was confirmed by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of hemoglobin fragments resulting from digestion with the purified protease. We were able to detect several of the predicted hemoglobin fragments rendered by digestion with purified Lys-gingipain. Thus, we postulate that the Lys-gingipain of P. gingivalis is a hemoglobinase which plays a role in heme and iron uptake by effecting the accumulation of FePPIX on the bacterial cell surface.

Topics: Adhesins, Bacterial; Agar; Amino Acid Sequence; Blood; Chromatography; Chromosome Mapping; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases; Helminth Proteins; Hemagglutinins; Heme; Hemin; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; Humans; Imidazoles; Iron; Mass Spectrometry; Membrane Proteins; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutagenesis; Peptide Fragments; Porphyromonas gingivalis

A total of 414 coagulase-positive staphylococcal strains obtained at the mastitis laboratory, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden, were studied. One hundred and seventy seven strains were used for a frequency study. Ninety-seven per cent were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, 2% as Staphylococcus intermedius and 1% as Staphylococcus hyicus. Two hundred and thirty seven strains with atypical hemolysis reactions on bovine blood agar were randomly selected, with the aim to increase the number of S. intermedius and S. hyicus strains available for testing. Eight different characteristics, including physiological, enzymatical and biochemical properties, were used to identify the coagulase-positive Staphylococcus species. The results of this study suggest that the following tests should be included for correct identification of the 3 different species of coagulase-positive staphylococci: P agar supplemented with acriflavin, beta-galactosidase and hemolytic reaction on chocolate agar. These 3 tests are simple and quick to perform and enable accurate for easy differentiation of the 3 coagulase-positive Staphylococcus species.

Topics: Acriflavine; Agar; Animals; beta-Galactosidase; Cattle; Coagulase; Culture Media; Female; Hemolysis; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus

The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in enrichment media can be masked by faster growth of other Listeria spp. Therefore, enhanced haemolysis agar (EHA) is a good alternative for another isolation media, because the presence of a few L. monocytogenes colonies can be detected in a majority of colonies of other listeriae on the basis of haemolysis. In this study the haemolysis reaction in EHA was optimized. In a collaborative study using reference samples, no significant differences in counts on EHA, Palcam and Oxford agar were shown.

Topics: Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Colony Count, Microbial; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Hemolysis; Listeria monocytogenes; Reference Standards

By combining the enterohemolysin test and the VTEC-RPLA test (specific for the detection of Shiga-like toxin I [SLT-I], SLT-II, and SLT-IIc), single colonies of SLT-producing Escherichia coli were found to constitute between 0.03 and 68.1% of the coliform flora in human stool cultures and were isolated and characterized within 72 to 96 h.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Bacteriological Techniques; Blood; Colitis; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Feces; Hemolysis; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome; Humans; Latex Fixation Tests; Sheep; Shiga Toxin 1

A method has been developed for separating Serpulina hyodysenteriae, a large spirochete and the causative agent of swine dysentery (SD), from other fecal anaerobic bacteria in rectal and colonic swabs. This was done by cutting the blood agar in parallel cuts and streaking perpendicular to the cuts in the center of the petri dish. Migration of S. hyodysenteriae from the central streak was apparent by the presence of strong beta-hemolysis along the edges of the cuts. If only S. hyodysenteriae migrated in the cut, they migrated to the end of the cut. However, if both motile bacteria and S. hyodysenteriae migrated in the cut, the motile bacteria migrated to the end of the cut where they formed colonies and the S. hyodysenteriae located along the edges of the cut between the colonies of motile bacteria and the central streak. Although motile bacteria were present where S. hyodysenteriae located, the growth of the motile bacteria was partially inhibited since they rarely formed visible colonies and were low in number. The cut in the agar was thought to improve traction for the serpentine movement of the S. hyodysenteriae and for the flagellar movement of the motile bacteria. Use of sliced blood agar was superior to conventionally streaked blood agar in that (i) it was easier to see strong beta-hemolysis on sliced agar; (ii) frequently, a confirmatory diagnosis could be made using only one petri dish with sliced agar, thereby saving time and media; (iii) S. hyodysenteriae could sometimes be isolated free of other bacteria; and (iv) sliced agar was more effective in isolating S. hyodysenteriae from swine with chronic diarrhea and nondiarrhetic carriers of SD in which the shedding of S. hyodysenteriae was low.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Brachyspira hyodysenteriae; Colon; Dysentery; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Hemolysis; Rectum; Spirochaetales Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases

Identification of 12 strains originally characterized as nonpathogenic Listeria monocytogenes was reassured following the evaluation of their hemolytic capability with a newly developed horse blood agar plate. Seven of the strains were observed consistently to be hemolytic and confirmed as L. monocytogenes with the use of two commercial systems: the Gene-Trak L. monocytogenes-specific colorimetric DNA hybridization assay and the API Listeria system. Except for one strain that formed typical smooth colonies, these hemolytic strains formed rough colonies on a selective medium, lithium chloride-ceftazidime agar. The rest of the strains were nonhemolytic and did not hybridize with the DNA probe; they were identified as Listeria innocua on the basis of their API Listeria system biochemical profile. All but one of these nonhemolytic strains formed smooth colonies on lithium chloride-ceftazidime agar.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Bacteriological Techniques; Blood; DNA Probes; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Listeria; Listeria monocytogenes; Species Specificity; Virulence

A new plating medium, shrimp blood agar, was developed by using the haemolymph of shrimp plus 200 ppm rose bengal as the substrate. The colorless shrimp haemocytes were dyed by rose bengal to red. On the present agar, the hemolytic bacteria strain may show a clear zone surrounding the bacterial colony. The result on hemolysis of 45 bacteria representing 12 genera isolated from aquaculture environments against shrimp blood agar and sheep blood agar was also evaluated. There are 11 strains with different results. The study showed that, with the aim of screening the hemolytic bacteria to shrimp, shrimp blood agar might reveal a relatively quick and accurate results than that of sheep blood agar.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteria; Decapoda; Hemocytes; Hemolysis

Cytolytic colonies were found in 57% of tap water samples, and up to 6% of samples were found to contain bacteria having three or more virulence factors. The factors evaluated were cytotoxicity, hemolysis, cell adherence, and cell invasiveness. Overall, 17% of the samples contained cytolytic colonies that were adherent and hemolytic. Among the media tested, tryptic soy agar with sheep blood (incubated at 35 degrees C for 48 h) was the best medium for the detection of cytolytic colonies. Of the colonies growing on this medium, 13% were cytolytic, whereas on medium R2A, less than 3% were cytolytic. Furthermore, when tryptic soy agar with blood was used, 24% of the samples contained colonies with at least three virulence factors whereas only 5% were positive with R2A. Routine monitoring by using tryptic soy agar with sheep blood is suggested as an appropriate procedure for the detection of bacteria with pathogenic potential in drinking water.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Adhesion; Bacterial Toxins; Blood; Culture Media; Cytotoxins; Glycine max; Hemolysis; Humans; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Virulence; Water Microbiology; Water Supply

Bacillus cereus causes distinct exotoxin-mediated diarrheal and emetic food poisoning syndromes and a variety of nongastrointestinal infections. Evidence is accumulating that hemolysin BL is a major B. cereus virulence factor. We describe two methods for detection of hemolysin BL in crude samples and on primary culture media. In the first method, the highly unusual discontinuous hemolysis pattern that is characteristic of pure hemolysin BL was produced in sheep and calf blood agar around wells filled with crude culture supernatant from hemolysin BL-producing strains. In the second method, the pattern was formed surrounding colonies of hemolysin BL-producing strains grown on media consisting of nutrient agar, 0.15 M NaCl, 2% calf serum, and sheep or calf blood. Hemolysin BL production was detected with these methods in 41 of 62 (66%) previously identified B. cereus isolates and in 46 of 136 (34%) presumptive B. cereus isolates from soil. All nine isolates tested that were associated with diarrhea or nongastrointestinal illness were positive for hemolysin BL. The methods presented here are specific, simple, inexpensive, and applicable to the screening of large numbers of samples or isolates.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacillus cereus; Cattle; Culture Media; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans

Several media were used to evaluate the hemolytic activity of Listeria monocytogenes, and this property was used along with the API Listeria system to identify Listeria spp. All L. monocytogenes strains were identified correctly with this system, and blood agar base no. 2 and Columbia blood agar base supplemented with horse blood were suitable for detection of hemolytic activity.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Blood; Culture Media; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Listeria monocytogenes; Phenotype; Sheep

In the Department of Experimental Surgery and Biomaterials Research in Wrocłow Medical Academy standard and qualifying evaluation of 5 kinds of hydrogel dressings POLGEL produced in the Institute of Physico-Chemistry and Technology of Polymers of produced in Silesian Polytechnique has been carried out. Dressings Polgel were obtained as a result of copolymerization of acrylamide and methylene-bis-acrylamide in aqueous solution. On the basis of introductory experiments for qualifying evaluation dressing Polgel M modified with glycerin in the form of foil and dressing Polgel T--in the form of jelly were chosen. Both kinds of dressings did not cause haemolytic, toxic or irritative effects. In pathomorphological experiments moderate tissues reaction was noticed what signifies good biological characteristics of the evaluated dressings. The process of healing of injuries treated with dressings Polgel M proceeded well and epidermis creating was quicker in comparison with injuries treated with traditional dressing. On the basis of the carried out experiments it was noticed that dressings Polgel M and T satisfy the requirements made for the type of materials.

Topics: Acrylamides; Acrylic Resins; Agar; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biocompatible Materials; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Hemolysis; Humans; Occlusive Dressings; Prostheses and Implants; Rabbits; Rats; Wound Healing

Growth properties of coagulase-negative staphylococci in the presence and in the absence of human and rabbit serum in soft-agar prepared in modified Staphylococcus 110 broth were studied. The adherent growth was examined in modified Staphylococcus 110 broth and 1% glucose-meat broth. Of 100 strains examined 69% exhibited diffuse, 18% compact, 7% transient and 6% mixed growth. Compact type colonies were mainly characteristic of Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains. The presence of serum failed to influence the types of colony morphology in any of the strains. Sixty-three percent of the strains showed adherent growth; none of the S. haemolyticus strains produced adherent growth. The glucose-meat broth, unlike modified Staphylococcus 110 broth, was suitable to study adherence. The coincidence of the compact colony morphology in soft-agar and the absence of adherent growth seems to be a taxonomic sign for the species S. haemolyticus and differentiate it from the species Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Topics: Agar; Bacterial Adhesion; Coagulase; Culture Media; Glass; Hemolysis; Humans; Species Specificity; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus epidermidis

Blood agar medium with dialysis membrane mounted between two layers of agar was applied to study the haemolytic activity of 28 strains of Serratia marcescens. Two kinds of lytic substances differing with their ability to pass through dialysis membrane were found. Haemolytic activity was not detected in cell-free filtrates from liquid cultures. The discrepancies between haemolytic activity in blood agar media and activity of liquid cultures were observed. Stable attachment of bacterial cells to the erythrocytes was not necessary to lysis. The possibility of extracellular haemolysin is discussed.

Topics: Agar; Blood; Colony Count, Microbial; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Serratia marcescens

Topics: Agar; Animals; Cattle; Colostrum; Complement System Proteins; Female; Hemolysis; Methods; Muramidase; Pregnancy

One hundred and thirty one strains of Yersinia sp. isolated in Italy from 1979 to 1982 were examined for their ability to produce hemolysis on blood agar. Hemolytic activity was shown by seventy four strains on chicken blood agar and rabbit blood agar with 0.5% lecithin at 28 degrees C. No hemolytic activity was shown at 37 degrees C.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Blood; Chickens; Food Microbiology; Hemolysis; Humans; Lipase; Rabbits; Species Specificity; Temperature; Water Microbiology; Yersinia; Yersinia enterocolitica

The influence of culture medium composition on hemolytic effects produced by Listeria innocua on sheep blood agar has been investigated. Neither alpha- nor beta-hemolysis could be observed around L. innocua colonies grown on sheep erythrocyte agar lacking glucose. However, green zones of hemolytic phenomena were observed around colonies grown on such agar which contained 0,6% (w/v) glucose. By using L. innocua cell suspensions and culture filtrates this glucose-associated hemolysis only occurred in media which were weakly buffered (1 m M Na-PBS). This hemolytic phenomenon was attributed to the resulting acidification of the culture medium caused by the metabolic breakdown of glucose by Listeria. The results of this study demonstrate the necessity of including adequate buffer conditions when assaying the hemolytic property of a Listeria strain. It was found that the addition of 20 mM Na-PBS to the assay medium was sufficient to eliminate artificial "acidic-hemolysis". Moreover, the hemolysis observed with known hemolytic Listeria strains was unaffected by this buffering, as was in fact the case even when conditions of higher buffering capacity were employed. By testing in this manner, no evidence has been found which would suggest the existence of an hemolysin, either intra- or extracellular, produced by Listeria innocua. An accurate method for the determination of hemolysis caused by strains of the genus Listeria is proposed. This method of assaying hemolysis in a liquid grown medium has proven effective in determining the hemolytic properties of strains which appeared negative or questionable on blood agar as well as strains which in virulence tests were negative. The ability to accurately assess the hemolytic properties of Listeria strains, is essential in determining the association of Listeria hemolysin with pathogenicity of this genus. Together with current investigations on the genetics of hemolysin production by Listeria the determination of hemolytic activities will eventually allow to understand better the pathogenic principle of hemolytic strains of Listeria monocytogenes.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Blood; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Listeria; Magnesium; Sheep; Species Specificity

Topics: Agar; Animals; Blood; Culture Media; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Sheep; Yersinia; Yersinia enterocolitica

It was proved that Listeria innocua is able to hemolyze rabbit erythrocytes in blood agars when Oxoid or Difco nutrient agars are used as basic substrate. After 48 h incubation at 37 degrees C and a further 24 h at 4 degrees C the hemolytic effect was clearly expressed. The hot-cold incubation was inevitable. Unlike the hemolytic effect of L. monocytogenes, the hemolytic phenomenon of L. innocua was not enhanced by the equi-factor.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Listeria; Listeria monocytogenes; Rabbits; Species Specificity

The principal objective of this study was the characterization of Gardnerella vaginalis by gas chromatography. Thirty-eight isolates and the type strain, ATCC 14018, of G. vaginalis were studied. Hexadecanoic (16:0), octadecenoic (18:1) and octadecanoic (18:0) were the major fatty acids detected. Only insignificant differences between the various isolates could be found. The gas chromatographic analysis of G. vaginalis revealed a characteristic pattern. Gas chromatography in combination with selective growth conditions provides a method for rapid and exact identification.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Blood; Chromatography, Gas; Fatty Acids; Female; Gardnerella vaginalis; Haemophilus; Haemophilus Infections; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Sheep; Vaginitis

Presumptive identification of Gardnerella vaginalis from 48-h human blood agar cultures by using a Gram stain, hemolysis, and colonial morphology was highly accurate.

Topics: Agar; Blood; Cervix Uteri; Female; Gardnerella vaginalis; Haemophilus; Haemophilus Infections; Hemolysis; Humans; Vagina

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from healthy blood donors were grown in soft-agar gel with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and autologous plasma as a source of complement. After 4--6 days incubation, foci of proliferating hemolysin-forming cells, surrounded by a lytic area of 0.2--0.5 mm, were detected on the surface of the plates. The response was antigen specific, since new hemolytic areas were observed on pouring a fresh agar-SRBC mixture over the surface of primary cultures, but not on pouring a mixture containing rat or rabbit erythrocytes. The antibody response was significantly increased by addition to the cultures of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG), 8% final concentration. The mean number of foci was 8.4 +/- 2.2 in cultures without PEG and 36.2 +/- 2.3 in PEG+ cultures, both containing 9 X 10(6) lymphocytes. This finding is in agreement with observations on the frequency of precursors of antibody-forming cells among lymphoid populations. The explanation of the mechanism by which PEG 6000 modified the immune reactivity of PBL is not clear. However, we think, that this technique provides a reliable methodology for PBL antigenic stimulation in vitro.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody-Producing Cells; Blood Cells; Cells, Cultured; Hemolysis; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulin M; Polyethylene Glycols; Rabbits; Sheep; Time Factors

A new test for the presumptive identification of Clostridium perfringens, C. bifermentans, C. sordellii, and C. paraperfringens is described. The test is based on the synergistic haemolysis shown by the clostridia and group B streptococci on sheep and human and CaCl2-supplemented human blood agar. C. perfringens gave crescent-shaped synergistic lytic zones (7 to over 20 mm in length), and C. paraperfringens usually small-sized (3 mm), bullet-shaped reactions on all three types of media. C. bifermentans showed a horseshoe-shaped synergistic reaction only on human blood containing media, and C. sordellii only on CaCl2-supplemented human blood agar. C. perfringens type A antiserum inhibited synergistic lytic activities of the four species. The test provided a reliable method for presumptive identification and differentiation of the four clostridial species and may obviate the need for the Nagler test.

Topics: Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Clostridium; Clostridium perfringens; Hemolysis; Humans; Streptococcus agalactiae

For detection of the opacity factor (OF) in streptococcus group A, two different methods, the slide technique and the blood agar technique, have been compared. The results agree closely. The reaction of OF positive strains on the blood agar medium seems, however, to be more difficult to interpret than the clear-cut opalescence in the slide reaction. Antibody to serum opacity factor was demonstrated in human sera using the solid agar method. Such antibodies were demonstrated in 26 out of a total of 46 ASO positive sera examined.

Topics: Agar; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antigens, Bacterial; Antistreptolysin; Blood; Hemolysis; Humans; Immunologic Techniques; Lipoproteins; Peptide Hydrolases; Streptococcus pyogenes

Topics: Agar; Animals; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Hemolysis; Streptococcus pyogenes

Micrococci resistant to 1 Mrad of gamma radiation were isolated from irradiated chicken. Three isolates were hemolytic on blood agar plates and were selected for further study. Two other radiation-resistant micrococci, Micrococcus radiodurans and Micrococcus radiophilus, were included in the study because there is only a very limited amount of information regarding hemolytic activity of these organisms and their potential role of public health importance. Tests to determine hemolytic patterns, hemolytic activity of extracellular substances, leukocytic activity, presence of enzymes commonly associated with pathogenicity (coagulase, deoxyribonuclease, phosphatase), and pathogenicity for laboratory animals all suggested that the organisms would not be of public health significance.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Chickens; Erythrocytes; Food Irradiation; Food Microbiology; Gamma Rays; Hemolysis; Meat; Mice; Micrococcus; Radiation Tolerance; Species Specificity

Hemolysis occurred around growth of the Legionnaires disease bacterium on supplemented Mueller-Hinton agar containing sterile defibrinated blood from each of five mammalian species. Hemolysis was most pronounced with guinea pig or rabbit blood, was less intense with horse or sheep blood, and was slight with blood from a human donor. Sterile filtrates of allantoic fluid from embryonated hen's eggs that had been infected with this organism displayed hemolytic activity in a radial hemolysis assay with guinea pig cells in agar. Growth of the Legionnaires disease bacterium on F-G agar with 5% hen's egg yolk was surrounded by a zone of clearing and more circumscribed zones of iridescence and increased opacity on and in the medium. Attempts to detect activity analogous to that of Escherichia coli heat-labile or heat-stable enterotoxin in allantoic fluid from infected eggs or in cultures of the Legionnaires disease bacterium were not successful.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Toxins; Blood; Chick Embryo; Egg Yolk; Exotoxins; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Legionnaires' Disease; Species Specificity

Streptococcus mutans is normally alpha- or gamma-hemolytic on blood agar plates. However, three recently isolated S. mutans strains were observed to elicit beta-hemolysis. The production and nature of a hemolytic substance were studied.

Topics: Agar; Anaerobiosis; Blood; Dental Plaque; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Streptococcus mutans

We developed a hemolytic radial immunodiffusion assay for identifying immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes, allotypes and idiotypes by using gels containing erythrocytes coated with anti-Ig antibody or erythrocytes coated with Staphylococcal protein A. These indicator cells lysed specifically when treated sequentially with Ig antigen, the appropriate anti-Ig antiserum (developer) and complement. To identify these Ig subpopulations, we used monospecific indicator cells, e.g. erythrocytes coated with antibody specific for an Ig isotype, and developers with broader specificities ('multispecific'), e.g. antiserum to Fab. Alternatively, we used 'multispecific' indicator cells, e.g. erythrocytes coated with antibody to Fab and monospecific developers, e.g. antiserum to Ig idiotype. To identify Ig subpopulations specifically, either the indicator cells or the developer need to be monospecific. When both the indicator cells and the developer were monospecific, e.g. to allotype and to isotype, the specificity was determined by both reagents and ultimately restricted by the reagent with the narrower specificity, that is, reacting with the smallest Ig subpopulation. This sensitive hemolytic assay may be used to quantitate subpopulations of Ig molecules and may be modified into a reverse plaque forming cell assay to count lymphocytes secreting a given Ig class, type, allotype and idiotype.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody Specificity; Erythrocytes; Gels; Genotype; Hemolysis; Humans; Immunoglobulin Allotypes; Immunoglobulin alpha-Chains; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains; Mice; Rabbits; Staphylococcal Protein A

Topics: Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Clostridium; Culture Media; Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli; Hemolysis; Movement; Neisseria; Proteus; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus

The effect of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) on colony stimulating activity (CSA) was studied in double layer cultures of human Ficoll Isopaque separated white blood cells (mononuclear cells = MNC). Previously published data have been confirmed that granulocytes are able to enhance or inhibit MNC derived CSA. Further analysis of the mode of action of PMN in vitro indicates that the enhancing activity ascribed to granulocytes coincides with low CSA in MNC basal layers. In contrast, in cultures with high levels of CSA as provided by lysed red blood cell enhancement rather than concentrations of PMN are sufficient to induce inhibition of colony growth. A very similar effect to that achieved with basal layer derived CSA could be obtained with conditioned media of PMN and MNC short term liquid cultures. The data indicate, that enhancement and inhibition of colony growth reflect a specific reactivity of granulocytes (PMN) to a given CSA level in the cultures. These findings are discussed in terms of a speculative role of PMN in a negative feed back control mechanism regulating granulopoiesis in vivo.

Topics: Agar; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Clone Cells; Colony-Stimulating Factors; Culture Media; Granulocytes; Hematopoiesis; Hemolysis; Humans; Leukocytes

This paper provides evidence that it is possible to prepare facilitating anti-mouse immunoglobulin (that is, anti-mouse immunoglobulin which facilitates complementary lysis of red cells sensitized with mouse-produced haemolysin) which, when injected into mice 24 hours before an injection of sheep red cells, very markedly reduced the number of haemolysin-producing cells detectable in spleen four days later. The diffusion-lysis method was used to recognize this and other anti-Ig's in heterologous antiserum and fractions thereof. The effective antibody was in the gamma2 fraction of antiserum produced in guinea pigs by injecting them with guinea pig red cells sensitized with mouse-produced haemolysin. This method of immunizing was used in order to stimulate the production of antibody against immunoglobulin which had undergone the configurational change characteristically occurring when antibody unites with antigen. The 19S fraction of the antiserum contained inhibiting anti-mouse immunoglobulin (anti-mouse immunoglobulin which inhibits complementary lysis of red cells sensitized with mouse-produced haemolysin) and interfered with immune depression by the gamma2 fraction. It is postulated that the gamma2 fraction induces complementary lysis only of lymphocytes whose surface immunoglobulin receptors have bound antigen and undergone configurational change. It is suggested that facilitating anti-immunoglobulin of the type described is responsible for immune suppression by anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS). Facilitating anti-mouse immunoglobulin was demonstrated in two samples of ALS (anti-mouse) which were active in suppressing graft rejection, but inhibiting anti-mouse immunoglobulin only was found in a sample which was ineffective in suppressing graft rejection.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Antibody-Producing Cells; Chemical Fractionation; Erythrocytes; Female; Guinea Pigs; Hemolysis; Hemolytic Plaque Technique; Immune Sera; Immunization Schedule; Immunodiffusion; Immunoelectrophoresis; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Immunosuppression Therapy; Lymphocytes; Mice; Sheep; Spleen

Primary cultures of clinical material were screened for the presence of colonies suspected of being Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield group B). Sixty-three such cultures and 108 other isolates of beta-hemolytic streptococci (groups A, C, and G), encountered during the first 3 months of the investigation, were studied by Lancefield grouping, sodium hippurate hydrolysis, and a standardized CAMP test. All streptococci were inoculated perpendicularly to streaks of a beta-toxin-producing staphylococcus on sheep blood agar plates and incubated aerobically in a candle jar and anaerobically at 37 C. Plates were examined after 5 to 6 and 18 h of incubation. The production of a distinct "arrowhead" of hemolysis was indicative of a positive CAMP reaction. All group B streptococci produced a positive CAMP reaction in the candle jar or anaerobically, usually within 5 to 6 h, and aerobically after 18 h of incubation. All group A streptococci produced a positive reaction only under anaerobic conditions. Groups C and G streptococci were negative under all atmospheres. The CAMP reaction is a prompt and reliable procedure for the presumptive identification of group B streptococci when a candle jar atmosphere is used during incubation.

Topics: Aerobiosis; Agar; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Blood; Classification; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Hemolysis; Hippurates; Humans; Hydrolysis; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Sheep; Staphylococcus; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae; Toxins, Biological

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Methods; Rabbits; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcal Toxoid; Staphylococcus

The SFP (Shahidi-Ferguson perfringens), TSC (tryptose-sulfite-cycloserine), EY (egg yolk)-free TSC, and OPSP (oleandomycin-polymyxin-sulfadiazine perfringens) agars have been tested for their suitability to enumerate Clostridium perfringens in naturally contaminated foods. Complete recoveries of C. perfringens were obtained in each of the four media, but only the TSC and EY-free TSC agars were sufficiently selective to ensure subsequent confirmatory tests without interference from facultative anaerobes. Because of some disadvantages associated with the use of egg yolk, EY-free TSC agar is recommended for enumeration of C. perfringens in foods. Several conditions for convenient shipment of foods and C. perfringens isolates with minimum loss of viability have been tested. The highest viable counts were preserved when foods were mixed 1:1 (wt/vol) with 20% glycerol and kept in a container with dry ice. Isolated C. perfringens strains remained viable for at least 2 weeks at ambient temperatures on blood agar slopes with a 2% agar overlay in screw-cap culture tubes.

Topics: Agar; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Blood; Cell Count; Cell Survival; Clostridium perfringens; Culture Media; Cycloserine; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Food Preservation; Glycerol; Hemolysis; Sheep; Spores, Bacterial; Sulfites; Temperature

The Shahidi-Ferguson perfringens, tryptose-sulfite-cycloserine (TSC), and egg yolk-free TSC agars have been tested for their suitability to enumerate fecal spores of Clostridium perfringens. When these spores comprised at least 20% of the total anaerobe spores, equally accurate counts were obtained in the three media. With lower ratios of C. perfringens spores, the most accurate counts were obtained in egg yolk-free TSC agar. The median C. perfringens spore count of 60 normal fecal specimens was log 3.4/g. A nonmotile, sulfite- and nitrate-reducing Clostridium, not identifiable with any known clostridial species, was isolated from 14 out of 60 fecal specimans. It was not differentiated from C. perfringens in the nitrite motility test, but could be distinguished by its inability to liquefy gelatin.

Topics: Agar; Anaerobiosis; Bacteriological Techniques; Cell Count; Clostridium; Clostridium perfringens; Culture Media; Cycloserine; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Feces; Gelatin; Hemolysis; Humans; Lactose; Muramidase; Nitrates; Nitrites; Phospholipases; Species Specificity; Spores, Bacterial; Sulfites

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antigens, Bacterial; Blood; Cricetinae; Cross Reactions; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Dextrans; Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Hemolysis; Humans; Immune Sera; Precipitin Tests; Rabbits; Rats; Serotyping; Streptococcus

The relationship between exposure of pneumococci to antibiotics and appearance of beta hemolysis (rather than the usual alpha hemolysis) was studied in 100 isolates. All strains were capable of producing beta hemolysis. This occurred at the edge of inhibition zones produced by methicillin and other antibiotics, but only if grown anaerobically and subsequently exposed to air at reduced temperatures. Autolysis of the pneumococci was necessary for the beta hemolysis to be produced. Beta hemolysis was optimal at pH 6.8; none occurred at pH 7.4. The concentration of red cells influenced the reaction: at 4% the extent of beta hemolysis was drastically reduced, which suggests that the lysin is not an enzyme.

Topics: Agar; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Autolysis; Erythrocytes; Ethanolamines; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Horses; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Micropore Filters; Staining and Labeling; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Temperature

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Blood; Cattle; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Listeria monocytogenes; New Zealand; Serotyping; Sheep

Topics: Agar; Blood; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Neisseria; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Blood; Culture Media; Escherichia coli; Hemolysis; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Topics: Agar; Chemical Precipitation; Escherichia coli; Gels; Hemolysis; Precipitin Tests; Serotyping

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody Formation; Cells, Cultured; Dactinomycin; Erythrocytes; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Immunization; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Kinetics; Lymphoid Tissue; Mice; Mice, Inbred CBA; Puromycin; Sheep; Spleen

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antigens, Bacterial; Bacteriological Techniques; Blood; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Listeria monocytogenes; Serotyping

Fifty-six strains of pneumococci were studied for hemolysis on blood-agar Twenty-two (39%) of these strains produced beta hemolysis on agar containing horse red cells, six (11%) were beta hemolytic for sheep cells, and none lysed human or rabbit red cells. The substance producing beta hemolysis appeared after 24 hr of anaerobic incubation. Subsequent exposure to air at low temperature (6 to 20 C) for 48 hr was needed to activate it. There was no relation between serological type and beta hemolysis production. This substance appears to be different from the pneumococcal hemolysin previously described.

Topics: Agar; Air; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Cold Temperature; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Rabbits; Serotyping; Sheep; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Thioglycolates

Topics: Agar; Ammonium Sulfate; Animals; Blood Proteins; Chemical Precipitation; Chromatography, Gel; Crystallization; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Escherichia coli; Freeze Drying; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; Horses; Hot Temperature; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ion Exchange; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sulfonamides

Topics: Agar; Aluminum Hydroxide; Amino Acids; Animals; Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, Paper; Electrophoresis, Disc; Electrophoresis, Paper; Erythrocytes; Goats; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Immunoelectrophoresis; Isoelectric Focusing; Macromolecular Substances; Molecular Weight; Peptides; Sheep; Staphylococcus; Trypsin; Ultracentrifugation

Topics: Agar; Coagulase; Culture Media; Egg Yolk; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Mannitol; Sodium Chloride; Staphylococcus

Topics: Agar; Electrophoresis; Erythrocytes; Freezing; Gels; Hemolysis; Humans; Isoenzymes; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Leukemia, Myeloid; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Leukocytes; Lymphocytes; Myeloproliferative Disorders; Primary Myelofibrosis; Staining and Labeling

A bacteriocin-producing strain of Streptococcus faecalis var. zymogenes (E-1) was isolated from clinical material (conjunctiva). The active substance differed from bacteriocins described by other investigators primarily in its spectrum of antibacterial activity, especially by its marked inhibition of Diplococcus pneumoniae. The E-1 bacteriocin also inhibited nonhemolytic strains of enterococci as well as one-third of the Viridans group of streptococcal strains investigated. The degree of inhibition, however, as indicated by the size of the zones against the latter organisms, was significantly reduced. No activity was detected against any of the strains belonging to the following groups of bacteria: hemolytic enterococci, beta-hemolytic streptococci, nonhemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, and various gram-negative species. Similarly, three strains each of Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes and one strain of Erysipelothrix insidiosa were not inhibited. The bacteriocin was able to diffuse through bacterial membranes as well as cellulose dialyzer tubing. It was inactivated by heating to 80 C for 20 min but resisted inactivation by either trypsin or chloroform.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteria; Bacteriocins; Bacteriological Techniques; Chloroform; Diffusion; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Enterococcus faecalis; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Hot Temperature; Humans; Sheep; Species Specificity; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Trypsin

Topics: Acridines; Agar; Animals; Blood; Chromosomes, Bacterial; Coliphages; Escherichia coli; Genetics, Microbial; Glucose; Hemolysis; Mutation; Sheep; Shigella; Ultraviolet Rays

Topics: Agar; Agglutination Tests; Animals; Antigens, Bacterial; Blood; Culture Media; Disease Models, Animal; Escherichia coli; Genetics, Microbial; Glucose; Guinea Pigs; Hemolysis; Humans; Immune Sera; Keratoconjunctivitis; Mucous Membrane; Mutation; Oxygen; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Rabbits; Sheep; Shigella; Species Specificity; Virulence

Pfizer Selective Enterococcus (PSE) agar, a medium containing bile, sodium azide, and esculin, was evaluated for its sensitivity and selectivity for detection and enumeration of presumptive group D streptococci in human feces. SF broth and SF broth plus agar (1.5%), representing selective media in common use, were studied simultaneously. Presumptive group D streptococci were recovered on PSE agar from the feces of all 25 subjects. No growth was observed in 8% of specimens in SF broth. No gram-negative organisms were recovered in any medium. PSE agar has the advantages of selecting out Streptococcus bovis, earlier appearance of distinctive reactions, and lack of requirement for special incubation temperature.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Azides; Bacteriological Techniques; Bile; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Catalase; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Feces; Fermentation; Flavonoids; Gelatin; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Hydrolysis; Serotyping; Species Specificity; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cellophane; Culture Media; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Electrophoresis; Erythrocytes; Guinea Pigs; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Injections, Intradermal; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Methods; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Rabbits; Sheep; Species Specificity

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Immunoglobulin M; Methods; Mice; Models, Chemical; Sheep; Temperature; Time Factors

Topics: Agar; Animals; Aspergillus; Aspergillus fumigatus; Biological Products; Blood; Cellophane; Culture Media; Edetic Acid; Filtration; Freezing; Haemophilus; Hemolysis; Horses; Lipopolysaccharides; Pigments, Biological; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Species Specificity; Spores, Fungal; Staphylococcus; Ultrasonics; Vibration

Topics: Agar; Agglutination Tests; Animals; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Cattle; Cell Membrane; Complement System Proteins; Cricetinae; Erythrocytes; Forssman Antigen; Graft Rejection; Guinea Pigs; Hemadsorption; Hemolysis; Histocompatibility Antigens; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Infectious Mononucleosis; Mice; Rabbits; Rats; Sheep; Species Specificity; Thymus Gland

Topics: Agar; Animals; Brain; Ear, Inner; Female; Gelatin; Germ-Free Life; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Injections, Intravenous; Kidney; Lung; Male; Mice; Neutrophils; Nitrates; Nocardia; Nocardia Infections; Virulence

Topics: Agar; Animals; Barbiturates; Buffers; Electrophoresis; Erythrocytes; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Horses; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Methods; Rabbits; Sheep; Staphylococcus

This report describes the appearance of a double zone of hemolysis around surface colonies of certain strains of streptococci of groups A, B, C, and G incubated aerobically on sheep blood-Heart Infusion Agar. The occurrence of the altered hemolytic pattern was related to peroxide production by the organism. Anaerobic conditions and the incorporation of catalase into the agar abolished the double-zone pattern and caused reversion of the organisms to a beta-hemolytic pattern. The double-zone pattern can be confused with alpha hemolysis on surface growth.

Topics: Aerobiosis; Agar; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Catalase; Cattle; Erythrocytes; Glucose; Heart; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Liver; Peroxides; Rabbits; Refrigeration; Serotyping; Sheep; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies; Antibody Formation; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Erythrocytes; Gels; Hemolysis; Immune Sera; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Mathematics; Methods; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Sheep

Thirty-seven per cent of 126 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, when tested on sheep blood-agar with sensitivity discs containing cephalothin, carbenicillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and cycloserine, produced rings of beta-hemolysis surrounding zones of inhibition of bacterial growth. Each strain capable of producing a ring of beta-hemolysis did so with at least two of the mentioned antibiotics. None of the other 15 antibiotics tested was associated with a ring of beta-hemolysis surrounding any of the zones of inhibition. It appears, therefore, that the beta-hemolysis observed was produced by certain strains of S. aureus only in association with certain antibiotics.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Erythrocytes; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Rabbits; Sheep; Species Specificity; Staphylococcus

Topics: Acridines; Aerobiosis; Agar; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Blood; Escherichia; Genes; Genetics, Microbial; Glucose; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Radiation Effects; Sheep; Shigella; Species Specificity; Streptomycin; Ultraviolet Rays

In a patient with increased susceptibility to infection, lowered serum C3 concentration, and continuously circulating C3b, it was shown that purified (125)I-labeled C3 was converted to labeled C3b shortly after intravenous administration. The fractional catabolic rate of C3 was approximately five times normal at 10% of the plasma pool per hr. The synthesis rate and pool distribution of C3 were normal. Despite this evidence of C3 instability in vivo, no accelerated inactivation of C3 was found in vitro. Similarly, no free proteolytic activity could be detected in the patient's serum, and serum concentrations of known protease inhibitors were normal.Complement-mediated functions, which were markedly deficient in the patient's serum, could be restored partially or completely by the addition of a 5-6S heat-labile beta pseudoglobulin from normal serum. The C3 proinactivator, which has these physicochemical characteristics, was also shown to be either absent or nonfunctional in the patient's serum. An unidentified 6S beta pseudoglobulin to which a monospecific antiserum was available was not detectable in the patient's serum. This last protein appeared not to be a complement component, nor was it the C3 inactivator or proinactivator. Finally, the substance or substances necessary for the conversion of C3b to C3c were missing from the patient's serum. The administration of 500 ml of normal plasma to the patient corrected all of his abnormalities partially or completely for as long as 17 days. The changes in C3 were dramatic; serum concentration rose from 8 to 70 mg/100 ml, and C3b could no longer be detected. A second metabolic study during this normalization period showed a decrease in fractional catabolic rate toward normal. The patient's histamine excretion was constantly elevated but increased further after a warm shower and after receiving normal plasma; at both times he had urticaria. These observations were consistent with the endogenous production of C3a and the resulting histamine release from mast cells. The inactivating mechanism for C3a was apparently intact in the patient's serum. The difference in the electrophoretic mobilities of C3b and C3c was shown as well as the electrophoretic heterogeneity of C3c. Suggestive evidence was also presented that the form of C3 with an activated combining site for red cells, previously postulated by others, is a transient C3 conversion product with an electrophoretic mobility slower than that of C3 on agarose elec

Topics: Adult; Agar; Autoradiography; Beta-Globulins; Blood Transfusion; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Complement System Proteins; Electrophoresis; Gels; Hemolysis; Histamine Release; Humans; Immunoelectrophoresis; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Infections; Iodine Isotopes; Male; Peptide Hydrolases; Phagocytosis; Plasma; Protease Inhibitors; Serum Globulins

Organisms from fish pen slime which mimicked coliforms and Escherichia coli on Violet Red Bile Agar were identified as members of the genus Vibrio on the basis of metabolic and morphological characteristics.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Bile; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Colorimetry; Coloring Agents; Escherichia coli; Fisheries; Flagella; Hemolysis; Mice; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; Ships; Sodium Chloride; Staining and Labeling; Vibrio

Six tests commonly used for the presumptive identification of group D streptococci were evaluated. Strains tested included 282 group D streptococci and 366 non-group D. Ratios of percentages of group D to non-group D strains which gave positive reactions for each test are as follows: bile-esculin, 100:2; salt tolerance, 88:24; heat tolerance, 100:80; SF broth, 86:1; KF broth, 99:40; and methylene blue milk reduction, 90:17. These data indicate that the bile-esculin test provided a reliable means of identifying group D streptococci and differentiating them from non-group D streptococci. Methodology for reading and interpreting positive reactions and time of incubation of the bile-esculin medium was defined. Evidence of the need for standardization of salt and heat-tolerance tests was obtained.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacteriological Techniques; Bile Acids and Salts; Culture Media; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Flavonoids; Hemolysis; Hot Temperature; Methods; Methylene Blue; Milk; Serotyping; Sodium Chloride; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Agglutination Tests; Animals; Antigens; Bacitracin; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Erythrocytes; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Hemolysis; Humans; Serotyping; Sheep; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Animals; Cattle; Cell Division; Contact Inhibition; Culture Media; Escherichia coli; Hemolysis; Mycoplasma; Oxygen Consumption; Swine; Time Factors; Ultrasonics

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cellulose; Chromatography; Complement System Proteins; Erythrocytes; Gels; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Hemolytic Plaque Technique; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Mercaptoethanol; Rabbits; Rheumatoid Factor; Sheep; Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies; Cattle; Chemical Precipitation; Erythrocytes; Ferritins; Hemolysis; Horses; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Immunoglobulin G; Rabbits; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Sheep

Topics: Acrylates; Agar; Animals; Complement System Proteins; Electrophoresis; Erythrocytes; Gels; Guinea Pigs; Hemolysis; Plasma; Polymers

Topics: Agar; Animals; Arthrodermataceae; Blood; Cattle; Heart; Hemolysis; Horses; Microsporum; Sheep; Soil Microbiology; Trichophyton

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies; Complement System Proteins; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Mathematics; Methods; Mice; Sheep

Topics: Agar; Agglutination Tests; Animals; Bile Acids and Salts; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Cholera; Culture Media; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Immune Sera; Methods; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; Peptones; Polymyxins; Rosaniline Dyes; Serotyping; Sheep; Species Specificity; Specimen Handling; Staining and Labeling; Taurine; Vibrio

Topics: Agar; Animals; Erythrocytes; Guinea Pigs; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; Hemolysis; Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human; Virus Cultivation

Topics: Absorption; Agar; Animals; Antibodies; Blood Proteins; Cellulose; Chromatography; Complement System Proteins; Edetic Acid; Electrophoresis; Erythrocytes; Guinea Pigs; Hemagglutination; Hemolysis; Immune Sera; Immunization; Immunoelectrophoresis; Precipitin Tests; Rabbits; Sheep

A culture medium for the selective isolation of Haemophilus species is described. Bacitracin and nutritional supplements were incorporated in a rich basal agar medium to which rabbit blood was added to distinguish hemolytic species. Colony counts of seven typed strains of H. influenzae on this medium were within practical limits of counts on other media tested for clinical use. The bacitracin medium was as reliable as hemoglobin-agar for detecting H. influenzae and more sensitive for detecting other Haemophilus species in a clinical survey with the advantage of selectivity.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacitracin; Blood; Culture Media; Haemophilus; Haemophilus influenzae; Hemolysis; Rabbits

Topics: Agar; Alcaligenes; Animals; Blood; Gelatin; Glycolysis; Hemolysis; Oxidoreductases; Rabbits

Topics: Agar; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Antigens; Centrifugation; Complement Fixation Tests; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Immune Sera; Immunoassay; L Forms; Methods; Mycoplasma

Topics: Actinobacillus; Agar; Agglutination Tests; Antigens; Blood; Chemical Precipitation; Culture Media; Cytosine; DNA, Bacterial; Guanine; Hemolysis; Pasteurella; Polymorphism, Genetic; Urease

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bacitracin; Child; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Male; Sheep; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody Formation; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Antigens; Calcium; Complement System Proteins; Cricetinae; Dextrans; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Magnesium; Mice; Rabbits; Rats; Species Specificity; Spleen; Suspensions

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody Formation; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Antigens; Erythrocytes; Ferritins; gamma-Globulins; Hemolysis; Humans; Imides; Immunoassay; Indicators and Reagents; Kinetics; Proteins; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Thyroglobulin; Transferrin

Topics: Agar; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chloramphenicol; Colistin; Diffusion; Dihydrostreptomycin Sulfate; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Furazolidone; Hemolysis; Kanamycin; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Neomycin; Paper; Serotyping; Swine; Swine Diseases; Tetracycline

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody Formation; Complement System Proteins; Dextrans; Erythrocytes; Gels; Hemolysis; Immunization; Immunoglobulin G; Mice; Sheep; Spleen

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody Formation; Arsenic; Arthropods; Erythrocytes; Haptens; Hemocyanins; Hemolymph; Hemolysis; Immunization; Methods; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Rabbits; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Spleen

Topics: Adult; Agar; Child; Chloromercuribenzoates; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Electrophoresis; Erythrocytes; Gels; Hemoglobins, Abnormal; Hemolysis; Humans; Starch

Topics: Agar; Animals; Blood; Bone Marrow; Carbon Dioxide; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Fetus; Guinea Pigs; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; Humans; Intestine, Small; Lymph Nodes; Mesentery; Mycoplasma; Nitrogen; Oxygen; Pharynx; Rabbits; Rats; Sheep; Species Specificity; Temperature; Urogenital System

Topics: Agar; Animals; Dextrans; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Mice

Topics: Agar; Animals; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Beta-Globulins; Complement System Proteins; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrazines; Immune Sera; Immunoelectrophoresis; Liver Cirrhosis; Multiple Myeloma; Precipitins; Stomach Neoplasms

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibody Formation; Culture Techniques; Cyanides; Dinitrophenols; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Histological Techniques; Mice; Sheep; Spleen

Topics: Agar; Agglutination Tests; Animals; Antibody Formation; Antigens; Complement System Proteins; Hemolysis; Immunity; Rats; Salmonella typhi

Topics: Agar; Animals; Blood; Culture Media; Environment; Fibrinolysin; Hemolysis; Humans; Meat; Peptones; Staphylococcus

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antibodies; Complement System Proteins; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Immunodiffusion; Immunoelectrophoresis; In Vitro Techniques; Infectious Mononucleosis; Sheep

Topics: Agar; Candida; Hemolysis

Topics: Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Immune Sera; Research; Staphylococcus

Smith, Doyle C. (Kansas State University, Manhattan), V. D. Foltz, and T. H. Lord. Demonstration of induced synergistic hemolysis by "non-hemolytic" Staphylococcus species. J. Bacteriol. 87:188-195. 1964.-The synergistic hemolysis of "normally nonhemolytic" staphylococci on blood-agar incubated in, or adjacent to, a secondary zone of certain hemolytic staphylococci is described. The synergism apparently results from the combining of two factors, Z, produced by hemolytic staphylococci that elaborate a secondary zone, and T, produced by "nonhemolytic" staphylococci. The production of the two factors is substantiated by (i) the absence of clear hemolysis around nonhemolytic colonies and in the secondary zone of hemolytic colonies, and by (ii) evidence of clear hemolysis when the secondary zone reaches to within a few millimeters, and finally surrounds, the nonhemolytic colonies. It was possible to show on a blood-agar plate containing a mixture of both hemolytic and nonhemolytic cultures that all colonies exhibited a zone of clear hemolysis. When 400 colonies were selected from such a blood plate, 280 were nonhemolytic on subsequent studies. The remaining 120 colonies were hemolytic. Thus, there is danger of confusing non-hemolytic Staphylococcus colonies, showing induced hemolysis, with truly hemolytic colonies. If a similar situation occurred on a diagnostic blood plate, it could very likely result in failure to identify a possibly pathogenic staphylococcus.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Hydrolases; Mannitol; Rabbits; Research; Sheep; Sheep, Domestic; Staphylococcus

Topics: Agar; Blood Protein Electrophoresis; Body Fluids; Colorimetry; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; Feces; Haptoglobins; Healthy Volunteers; Hemoglobins; Hemolysis; Humans

Cetin, E. T. (Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey). Hemolysin-inhibiting substance in Staphylococcus aureus strains. J. Bacteriol. 86:407-413. 1963.-Of 144 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from pathological specimens, 3.4% did not cause hemolysis on sheep blood agar; the remainder produced hemolytic and semihemolytic zones, most of which were surrounded by a dense red band. Most of the strains causing pronounced hemolysis and a large dense red band on sheep blood agar also produced a dense red band on human blood agar after incubation at 37 C for about 1 week. In the dense red band on human blood agar, circles of hemolysis were observed when petri dishes were kept at room temperature for approximately 1 more week. The dense red band inhibited delta hemolysis of some of the S. aureus strains growing nearby. Certain strains failing to produce the dense red band on human blood agar inhibited delta hemolysis of other strains grown near them. A hemolysis-inhibiting substance (HIS) was produced in broth and agar media, and could be extracted from agar cultures. HIS was stable for 1 hr at 56 C and for 15 min at 100 C. It lost 75% of its effect when heated for 30 min at 100 C and became ineffective when heated at the same temperature for 45 min. Conditioned hemolysis occurred when some saprophytic gram-positive bacteria grew near or within the dense red band. These organisms also produced conditioned hemolysis without the presence of a visible dense red band, when growing near the strains inhibiting delta hemolysis. When such strains were grown on human blood agar, a conditioned hemolysis also occurred after the border of the medium was flamed.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Cell Death; Culture Media; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Hot Temperature; Humans; Research; Sheep; Sprains and Strains; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus

Topics: Agar; Cell Death; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Diphtheria; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Potassium; Research

Berk, Richard S. (Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.). Production and characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa hemolysin. J. Bacteriol. 84:1041-1048. 1962.-Hemolysin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained by either extraction of blood agar media after bacterial growth or by saline washing of cellophane plate-grown cells, hemolytic activity being greatest in the latter preparations. Except for variations in heat stability, both types of preparations appeared to be similar if not identical. Complete hemolysis of red blood cells was observed over a wide pH range, although the optima appeared to be below 6.0. Acidification of agar extracts resulted in a coarse precipitate which appeared to be a hemolysin-agar complex. Partial purification of hemolysin present in cellophane washings was obtained by fractionation with ammonium sulfate or by gel filtration. Further characterization of hemolysin is described.

Topics: Agar; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Topics: Agar; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Physiological Phenomena; Streptococcus; Streptococcus pyogenes

Topics: Agar; Culture Media; Hemolysis; Humans; Streptococcus

Topics: Agar; Hemolysis; Humans; Reducing Agents; Streptococcus