muramidase and Staphylococcal-Infections

Bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus use highly efficient mechanisms to evade recognition and elimination by the innate immune system. S. aureus produces sophisticated anti-inflammatory molecules and it employs several mechanisms protecting the bacteria against host cationic antimicrobial molecules such as defensin-like peptides and bacteriolytic enzymes such as lysozyme. Cell wall teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids, complex Gram-positive surface polymers, and modified membrane lipids such as lysylphosphatidylglycerol are crucial in defensin resistance and other important aspects of staphylococcal virulence such as nasal colonization and biofilm formation on biomaterials. Certain S. aureus genes conferring escape from innate host defenses are conserved in many human pathogens suggesting that the underlying mechanisms are of general significance in bacterial virulence.

Topics: Biofilms; Defensins; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Membrane Lipids; Muramidase; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Teichoic Acids; Virulence

Topics: Chemotactic Factors; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Dermatitis Herpetiformis; Erythema; Histamine Release; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Skin; Skin Diseases; Staphylococcal Infections

This paper discusses the nature of host resistance factors in human milk and epidemiologic studies regarding infections and mortality rates in breastfed and nonbreastfed babies. The defense factors and their proposed modes of action are: 1) a growth enhancer of lactobacilli, which interferes with intestinal colonization of enteric pathogens; 2) antistaphylococcal factors, which inhibit staphylococci; 3) secretory IgA and other immunoglobulins, which protect the gut and respiratory tract; 4) C4 and C3 (complement components; C3 fragments have opsonic, chemotactic, and anaphylatoxic activities); 5) lysozome, lysis of bacterial cell wall; 6) lactoperoxidase, killing of streptococci; 7) lactoferrin, kills microorganism by chelating iron, and 8) macrophages and lymphocytes, phagocytosis and cell-mediated immunity. Although it can be postulated that the breastfed infant's resistance to infection would be superior on account of the greater presence of these factors in human milk compared to cow's milk, little is known about the effects of these defense factors on the infant. Epidemiologic studies have reported on the lower morbidity and mortality rates of breastfed infants as compared to bottlefed infants. Other studies have focused on the protective effects of human milk upon the infant, but these have been inconclusive. In countries with poor sanitation and high infection rates, the incidence of bacterial infections is lowest in breastfed infants. The advantages of human milk however are difficult to demonstrate in societies with high standards of sanitation and low infection rates. Infection and mortality rates in infants have in fact declined in developed countries as the practice of breastfeeding declined. Until it is established that immunity to common pathogens is transmitted to the infant by human milk, it will not be known whether human milk does have protective effects.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Breast Feeding; Colostrum; Complement System Proteins; Escherichia coli; Fatty Acids; Growth Substances; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Lactobacillus; Lactoferrin; Leukocytes; Mice; Milk, Human; Muramidase; Peroxidases; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Ampicillin; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antiviral Agents; Bacteria; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry, Physical; Child; Drug Synergism; Enterococcus faecalis; Escherichia coli; Humans; Methicillin; Muramidase; Nafcillin; Penicillins; Rheumatic Fever; Salmonella typhi; Salmonella typhimurium; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Bacteria; Drug Synergism; Female; Fever; Genital Diseases, Female; Guinea Pigs; Haplorhini; Humans; Infections; Inflammation; Mice; Muramidase; Penicillins; Peritoneal Diseases; Phagocytosis; Pneumococcal Infections; Rabbits; Rats; Staphylococcal Infections; Urologic Diseases; Virus Diseases; Viruses

The preparation of functional long-wavelength-emitting nanomaterials and the researches on their applications in antibacterial and antibiofilm fields have important significance. This paper reports the preparation of yellow-green-fluorescent and high- quantum yield carbon dots (4-ACDs) with 4-aminosalicylic acid and polyethylene imine as raw materials through one-step route, and the impacts of raw material structure and the reaction conditions upon the optical properties of the products have been investigated. 4-ACDs exhibit excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and their good biocompatibility ensures them as ideal fluorescent nano-probe for cell imaging. However, 4-ACDs could not effectively eliminate the biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). CDs-LZM complex was prepared through the coupling between 4-ACDs and lysozyme (LZM) and the complex showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly with MIC against S. aureus at 5 μg mL

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Biofilms; Carbon; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Muramidase; Quantum Dots; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection, especially its drug-resistant bacterial infection, is a great challenge often faced by clinicians and patients, and it is also one of the most important threats to public health. Finding a safe and effective antibacterial agent is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of S. aureus infection. Lysozyme is known to have antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria including S. aureus. Here, high-quality lysozyme with a purity of more than 99% and an activity of more than 60, 000 U/mg was prepared from egg white, which showed excellent antibacterial activity against three strains of S. aureus, especially against MRSA. Furthermore, an antibacterial cream loaded with lysozyme was prepared and tested in scald wound healing. The lysozyme-loaded cream exhibited the effect of preventing wound infection and promoting wound healing on scalds, and no toxicity was found in animal organs. Overall, lysozyme showed great application potential in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by S. aureus and scalded wound healing. The most remarkable discovery in this work is the unexpectedly powerful inhibitory effect of lysozyme on the drug-resistant bacterial, especially MRSA, which is usually very difficult to deal with using normal antibacterial drugs.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Burns; Dermatologic Agents; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Wound Healing

Patients often face the challenge of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and lengthy tissue reconstruction after surgery. Herein, human hair-melanosome derivatives (HHMs), comprising keratins and melanins, are developed using a simple "low-temperature alkali heat" method for potentially personalized therapy. The mulberry-shaped HHMs have an average width of ∼270 nm and an average length of ∼700 nm, and the negatively charged HHMs can absorb positively charged Lysozyme (Lyso) to form the HHMs-Lyso composites through electrostatic interaction. These naturally derived biodegradable nanostructures act as exogenous killers to eliminate methicillin-resistant

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cell Line; Humans; Melanosomes; Methicillin; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Muramidase; Nanostructures; Phototherapy; Proteomics; Staphylococcal Infections; Wound Healing

Treatment of bacterial infections becomes increasingly complicated due to increasing bacterial resistance and difficulty in developing new antimicrobial agents. Emphasis should be laid on improvising the existing treatment modalities. We studied the improved antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of levofloxacin (LFX) and lysozyme (LYS) in microbiological studies. LFX at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration with LYS eradicated > 85% of preformed biofilm. LFX was actively loaded into the liposomes using pH gradient method and was spray-dried with LYS solution. Percent entrapment of LFX in liposome was > 80% and prolonged cumulative release of 85% LFX at the end of 12 h. In vitro lung deposition study and solid-state characterization for spray dried LFX liposome in combination with LYS (LFX liposome-LYS) was performed. Co-spray dried product had mass median aerodynamic diameter ranging < 5 μm. In pharmacodynamic study, Staphylococcus aureus infected rats were treated with LFX liposome-LYS. Lungs, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and nasal fluid were evaluated for microbial burden. Expression of cytokine levels in BALF and serum were also studied by ELISA. In addition, mRNA expression for lung inflammatory mediators and lung myeloperoxidase activity were carried out. Further, lungs and histological changes were observed grossly. Untreated infected rat lungs demonstrated higher mRNA expression for inflammatory markers, cytokine levels, and microbial load compared to vehicle control. Conversely, LFX liposome-LYS significantly abated these adverse repercussions. Histology findings were also in agreement of above. Acute toxicity study revealed safeness of LFX liposome-LYS. Our findings confirm LFX liposome-LYS exhibited prolonged, improved antibiofilm and antimicrobial efficacy in treating S. aureus infection.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Drug Therapy, Combination; Levofloxacin; Liposomes; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Rats; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

In this study we have reported an efficient antibacterial hybrid fabricated through surface functionalization of lysozyme capped gold nanoclusters (AUNC-L) with β-lactam antibiotic ampicillin (AUNC-L-Amp). The prepared hybrid not only reverted the MRSA resistance towards ampicillin but also demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against non-resistant bacterial strains. Most importantly, upon awakening through cis-2-decenoic acid (cis-DA) exposure, the MRSA persister got inhibited by the AUNC-L-Amp treatment. Intraperitoneal administration of this hybrid eliminates the systemic MRSA infection in a murine animal model. Topical application of this nano conjugate eradicated MRSA infection from difficult to treat diabetic wound of rat and accelerated the healing process. Due to inherent bio-safe nature of gold, AUNC-L alone or in the construct (AUNC-L-Amp) demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and did not indicate any deleterious effects in in vivo settings. We postulate that AUNC-L-Amp overcomes the elevated levels of β-lactamase at the site of MRSA antibiotic interaction with subsequent multivalent binding to the bacterial surface and enhanced permeation. Coordinated action of AUNC-L-Amp components precludes MRSA to attain resistance against the hybrid. We proposed that the inhibitory effect of AUNC-L-Amp against MRSA and its persister form is due to increased Amp concentration at the site of action, multivalent presentation and enhanced permeation of Amp through lysozyme-mediated cell wall lysis.

Topics: Ampicillin; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Gold; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Metal Nanoparticles; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Muramidase; Rats; Staphylococcal Infections; Treatment Outcome

Microbes play an important function in our lives, while some pathogenic bacteria are responsible for many infectious diseases, food safety, and ecological pollution. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) is a kind of natural two-dimensional material and has been applied in many fields. Lysozyme is a green natural antibacterial agent, while the antimicrobial activity of lysozyme is not as good as antibiotics. We use a different ratio of cations to tune the morphology of LDH covered with lysozyme to enhance the antibacterial ability of lysozyme. We synthesize MgAl-LDH, ZnAl-LDH, and ZnMgAl-LDH covered with lysozyme, characterize the structure and morphology, test the antibacterial in culture media, and evaluate the biotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. The flower-like structure of ZnMgAl-LDH has a rough surface, covered with lysozyme with a perfect ring, and presents good antibaterial properties and promotes wound healing of mice. The bloom flower structure of ZnMgAl-LDH can enhance the loading rate of lysozyme; meanwhile, the rougher surface can adhere more bacteria, so lyso@ZnMgAl-LDH presents better antibacterial activity than the binary LDHs.

Topics: Aluminum; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Hydroxides; Magnesium; Male; Mice; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Wound Healing; Zinc

Lysozymes are widely distributed immune effectors exerting muramidase activity against the peptidoglycan of the bacterial cell wall to trigger cell lysis. However, some invertebrate-type (i-type) lysozymes deficient of muramidase activity still exhibit antimicrobial activity. To date, the mechanism underlying the antimicrobial effect of muramidase-deficient i-type lysozymes remains unclear. Accordingly, this study characterized a novel i-type lysozyme, Splys-i, in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Splys-i shared the highest identity with the Litopenaeus vannamei i-type lysozyme (Lvlys-i2, 54% identity) at the amino acid level. Alignment analysis and 3D structure comparison show that Splys-i may be a muramidase-deficient i-type lysozyme because it lacks the two conserved catalytic residues (Glu and Asp) that are necessary for muramidase activity. Splys-i is mainly distributed in the intestine, stomach, gills, hepatopancreas, and hemocytes, and it is upregulated by Vibrio harveyi or Staphylococcus aureus challenge. Recombinant Splys-i protein (rSplys-i) can inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (V. harveyi, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahemolyticus, and Escherichia coli), Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus megaterium), and the fungus Candida albicans to varying degrees. In this study, two binding assays and a bacterial agglutination assay were conducted to elucidate the potential antimicrobial mechanisms of Splys-i. Results demonstrated that rSplys-i could bind to all nine aforementioned microorganisms. It also exhibited a strong binding activity to lipopolysaccharide from E. coli and lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan (PGN) from S. aureus but a weak binding activity to PGN from B. subtilis and β-glucan from fungi. Moreover, rSplys-i could agglutinate these nine types of microorganisms in the presence of Ca

Topics: Agglutination; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Arthropod Proteins; Brachyura; Candidiasis; Carbon-Nitrogen Lyases; Cell Growth Processes; Cloning, Molecular; Immunity, Innate; Intestinal Mucosa; Lipopolysaccharides; Muramidase; Protein Binding; Proteoglycans; Sequence Alignment; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Vibrio; Vibrio Infections

Aiming at developing a safe and efficient alternative to traditional drinking water disinfection, this work successfully synthesized a novel antibacterial material with high surface area, ultra large pore size and tunable loading of immobilized lysozyme. The immobilized enzymes exhibit high antibacterial efficacy without forming carcinogenic disinfection byproducts. Critical immobilization parameters were optimized to keep the activity of the immobilized enzyme at a high level. The immobilization of lysozymes on 3DOm COOH could be confirmed by the characterizations of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Zeta-Potential. In addition, the structural stability of lysozymes on 3DOm COOH were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antibacterial performance of 3DOm COOH-Lyz were specifically investigated based on the disinfection efficacy of Staphylococcus aureus in water. The results revealed that the immobilization capacity and relative activity of immobilized lysozyme were 814mg/g carrier and 80%, respectively, under the optimal immobilization conditions. And the antibacterial material with the initial mass ratio of lysozyme and 3DOm COOH as 3:1 exhibited maximum bacteria removal efficiency (98.1%) at pH 5. Moreover, the reusability test indicated that 3DOm COOH-Lyz has certain operational stability, and remains 82% bacterial removal efficiency even in the fifth cycle, which provides a promising application for safe and efficient drinking water disinfection in small-scale and emergency water treatment.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Carbon; Chickens; Disinfection; Enzymes, Immobilized; Humans; Models, Molecular; Muramidase; Nanostructures; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Water Microbiology

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most common pathogen causing septic arthritis. To colonize the joints and establish septic arthritis this bacterium needs to resist the host innate immune responses. Lysozyme secreted by neutrophils and macrophages is an important defense protein present in the joint synovial fluids. S. aureus is known to be resistant to lysozyme due to its peptidoglycan modification by O-acetylation of N-acetyl muramic acid. In this study we have investigated the role of O-acetylated peptidoglycan in septic arthritis. Using mouse models for both local and hematogenous S. aureus arthritis we compared the onset and progress of the disease induced by O-acetyl transferase mutant and the parenteral wild type SA113 strain. The disease progression was assessed by observing the clinical parameters including body weight, arthritis, and functionality of the affected limbs. Further X-ray and histopathological examinations were performed to monitor the synovitis and bone damage. In local S. aureus arthritis model, mice inoculated with the ΔoatA strain developed milder disease (in terms of knee swelling, motor and movement functionality) compared to mice inoculated with the wild type SA113 strain. X-ray and histopathological data revealed that ΔoatA infected mice knee joints had significantly lesser joint destruction, which was accompanied by reduced bacterial load in knee joints. Similarly, in hematogenous S. aureus arthritis model, ΔoatA mutant strain induced significantly less severe clinical septic arthritis compared to its parental strain, which is in accordance with radiological findings. Our data indicate that peptidoglycan O-acetylation plays an important role in S. aureus mediated septic arthritis.

Topics: Acetylation; Acetyltransferases; Animals; Arthritis, Infectious; Cell Wall; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Knee Joint; Locomotion; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Muramic Acids; Muramidase; Mutation; Peptidoglycan; Single-Blind Method; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus causes mastitis as a result of community-acquired or nosocomial infections. Lysozyme (LYSO) is an enzyme that is upregulated in many organisms during the innate immune response against infection by bacterial pathogens. Baicalin is a bioactive flavonoid that can bind to enzymes, often to potentiate their effect. Here we tested the effects of baicalin on the activity of LYSO using the S. aureus mastitis mouse model and neutrophilic granulocyte model of S. aureus infection. In our experiments, S. aureus counts decreased with increasing baicalin concentration. Furthermore, qPCR and western blot analyses showed that LYSO expression was unaffected by baicalin, while fluorescence quenching and UV fluorescence spectral analyses showed that baicalin binds to LYSO. To test whether this binding increased LYSO activity, we assessed LYSO-induced bacteriostasis in the presence of baicalin. Our results showed that LYSO-induced S. aureus bacteriostasis increased with increasing concentrations of baicalin, and that baicalin binding to LYSO synergistically increased the antibacterial activity of LYSO. These results demonstrate that baicalin enhances LYSO-induced bacteriostasis during the innate immune response to S. aureus. They suggest baicalin is a potentially useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Blotting, Western; Cells, Cultured; Female; Flavonoids; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbial Viability; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Protein Binding; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

To investigate the influences of staphylococcus aureus in planktonic and biofilm forms on the expression of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 in the human sinonasal explant model.. Mucosa samples from ethmoid sinus were collected from ten patients of cerebrospinal fluid leak and were cultured with and without S. aureus biofilms and planktonic cells. After the infection, the explant model was confirmed by CLSM, and the secretion of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 8, 16, and 24 h after S. aureus challenge. Expressions of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 in mRNA and protein levels after 24 h S. aureus challenge were detected using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western bolt assay respectively.. The secretion of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 in the explant model was observed with a trend to increase in a time-dependent manner. At 8 and 16 h after S. aureus challenge, the secretion of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 in biofilms group was significantly higher than these in planktonic cells group and control group (P<0. 05). S. aureus biofilms enhanced the mRNA expressions of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 significantly compared with planktonic cells and controls, and the mRNA expressions in the explant model challenged by planktonic cells were significantly higher than controls (P < 0.05). Although the Western bolt assay showed no differences between the lysozyme expression in the planktonic cells group and control group (P > 0.05), the biofilms enhanced the expressions of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 significantly compared with planktonic cells and controls (P < 0.05).. S. aureus biofilm induced the expressions of lysozyme, SLPI and gp340 to a higher level than planktonic cells, indicating that S. aureus biofilm was an influencing factor on the innate immune system.

Topics: Biofilms; Calcium-Binding Proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Ethmoid Sinus; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Muramidase; Receptors, Cell Surface; RNA, Messenger; Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor; Staphylococcal Infections; Tissue Culture Techniques; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

We hypothesized that if internalization of Staphylococcus aureus could be blocked by using cytochalasin D (an inhibitor of phagocytosis and phagolysosome fusion), then the intracellular entry and survival of the pathogen in host's phagocytic cells recruited to the inflammatory site can be restricted. At the same time, if we use antimicrobial agents (e.g., ciprofloxacin and azithromycin) having potent intracellular and extracellular microbicidal activity against the bacterium that have not entered into the phagosome and remains adhered to the phagocytic cell membrane, then they can be eradicated from the site of infection without compromising the host cell. To validate this, role of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and azithromycin (AZM) in eliminating S. aureus by suppressing the phagocytic activity of macrophages with cytochalasin D before infection was investigated. CIP and AZM were used either alone or in combination with cytochalasin D. Supernatant and lysate obtained from the culture of macrophages were used for quantification of reactive oxygen species, lysozymes, antioxidant enzymes, and cytokines produced. Azithromycin was better than ciprofloxacin in combination with cytochalasin D for eradicating S. aureus and regulating cytokine release. Further studies are required for ensuring proper delivery of this combination at the site of infection.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Azithromycin; Ciprofloxacin; Cytochalasin D; Drug Therapy, Combination; Glutathione; Hydrogen Peroxide; Inflammation; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-6; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Superoxide Dismutase; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Graphene oxide (GO)-modified sinapinic acid (3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, SA) (SA@GO) was synthesized and characterized; it was then investigated as a new surface assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) for proteomics and pathogenic bacteria biosensing. SA@GO could effectively decrease the time necessary for sweet spotting searching, reducing the amount of organic matrix and solvent and enhance the sensitivity. SA@GO shows high performance as a matrix alone without the need to add trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). However, the analysis of the intact bacteria cells shows improvement in the signal intensity (2-5 fold) and offers a low limit of detection. All these analyses could be performed with low concentrations (1-10 fmol) and tiny volumes (0.5-1 μL). This study demonstrated that the exploration of new hybrid materials is pivotal to achieve high performance and high ionization. Because of the plane of GO, it assists protein-protein interactions that make it undergo softer ionization.

Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Cellulase; Coumaric Acids; Fluorescence; Graphite; Humans; Lactalbumin; Lasers; Muramidase; Nanocomposites; Proteomics; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Trypsin

Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides are possibly the "next frontier" in infection prevention. Binding them to mesh could reduce the rate of mesh infections. This study identifies an antimicrobial agent capable of significant antibacterial activity when bound to mesh.. Lysozyme, human beta defensin (HBD-3), human cathelicidin (LL-37), and lysostaphin were adsorbed to polypropylene mesh at various concentrations. Treated meshes were placed in a suspension of 1 × 10(6) Staphylococcus aureus. Antibacterial action was monitored by turbidimetric assay, fluorescent imaging, and a colony counting method.. A very high rate of lysis of S aureus cells was observed in the lysostaphin-treated group as measured by optical density; none survived as seen on colony count assays. Optical density for mesh coated with lysozyme, HBD-3, and LL-37 did not differ from untreated controls, with 100% survival rates by colony counts.. Lysostaphin had superior antibacterial activity following adsorption to mesh.

Topics: Adsorption; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; beta-Defensins; Cathelicidins; Colony Count, Microbial; Humans; Lysostaphin; Mice; Muramidase; Polypropylenes; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Surgical Mesh; Surgical Wound Infection

Caenorhabditis elegans has been increasingly used to study the innate immunity and for the screening of microbe/host-specific pathogenic factors. Staphylococcus aureus-mediated infections with live C. elegans were performed on solid (full-lawn) and liquid assays. S. aureus required 90 ± 10 h for the complete killing of C. elegans, but the infection was started only after 32 h of exposure with 20% inoculum of S. aureus. The short time exposure studies revealed that, in 20% of inoculum, continuous exposure to the pathogen was required for the killing of nematode. In 100% of inoculum, only 8 h of exposure was sufficient to kill the C. elegans. To evaluate kinetically at the innate immune level, the regulation of representative candidate antimicrobial genes was investigated. Both semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR analyses indicated the regulation of candidate immune regulatory genes of lysozyme (lys-7), cysteine protease (cpr-2), and C-type lectin (clec-60 and clec-87) family members during the course of S. aureus infections, indicating the possible contribution of the above players during the host immune response against S. aureus exposures.

Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Colony Count, Microbial; Cysteine Proteases; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Gene Expression; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Immunity, Innate; Lectins, C-Type; Muramidase; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Virulence

Lysozyme is an enzyme that cleaves the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine in peptidoglycan, leading to bacterial lysis. Recently, lysozyme has been found to have anti-HIV and anti-cancer properties in mammals. However, most functional analyses were done in vitro using purified or recombinant lysozyme protein. Here, we used RNA interference to silence c-type lysozyme expression in penaeid shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus, to analyze the function of lysozyme in vivo. Silencing of lysozyme expression by dsRNA lysozyme (dsLYZ) led to 100% mortality without any artificial bacterial infection in 5 days. Lysozyme deficiency caused the number of hemocytes in hemolymph to decrease from 1.3 × 10(7) to 2.3 × 10(6) cells/ml and caused the number of bacteria to increase from 78 to 764 colony-forming units/ml. Suppression of bacterial growth using oxytetracycline and kanamycin showed improvement in mortality, suggesting that shrimp mortality post- dsLYZ injection can be attributed to bacterial growth in the shrimp hemolymph. The majority of the bacteria, identified by 16 S rRNA analysis, were Gram-negative species such as Vibrio and Pseudomonas. Furthermore, PKH26 staining showed that the dsLYZ-injected shrimp were unable to eliminate non pathogenic Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus in 24 h. These data suggest that c-type lysozyme in shrimp serves to regulate the growth of bacterial communities, particularly Gram-negative bacteria, in the hemolymph.

Topics: Animals; Arthropod Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Gene Silencing; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Hemocytes; Hemolymph; Muramidase; Penaeidae; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Mammary gland secretions derived from secretory cows infected with coagulase +ve Staphylococcus spp. was examined for the expression of IL-6, production of lysozyme and NO(x). The examined cows reflected 25 cases of subclinical mastitis and 15 cases of clinically mastitic animals. The IL-6 concentration in the subclinical animals was significantly higher (30.8 ng/ml) than the clinically manifested animals (18.0 ng/ml) and the normal cows (5.2n g/ml). On the other hand the level of lysozyme although significantly higher than the normal cows (6.9 microg/ml) yet its level in the subclinical animals (11.2 microg/ml) was lower than that estimated in the clinical animals (15.6 microg/ml). Similarly, the level of NO(x) in the normal animals was found to be 5.6 microM/ml to increase to 6.2 microM/ml in the subclinical mastitic animals and to significantly increase further to 11.5 microM/ml in the clinically affected cows. These results suggest the promising use of whey IL-6, lysozyme or/and NO concentration variabilities as prognostic parameters on the degree of the commencement of mastitis in cows.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Interleukin-6; Lactation; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Muramidase; Nitric Oxide; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Lysozyme from egg white was modified by covalent attachment of an oleyl group to the free amino groups of lysozyme. The aim of the chemical modification was to develop an effective antimicrobial lysozyme derivative against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Lysozyme with various degrees of modification was obtained by changing oleoyl chloride/lysozyme mass ratio. Lysozyme derivatives evidently exhibited an antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli (ATCC 29998). The modification slightly changed the antimicrobial effect of lysozyme derivative against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 121002). Since there was a positive correlation between the modification degree and the antimicrobial effect against E. coli, it was concluded that the change in antimicrobial behavior was due to an increase in hydrophobicity of the enzyme molecule enabling it to penetrate through the bacterial membrane of E. coli. It was also shown that oleoyl chloride with an MIC value of 10 mg/mL was effective against both E. coli and S. aureus.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Chickens; Chlorides; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Muramidase; Oleic Acids; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

To determine the antimicrobial activity of nisin F against Staphylococcus aureus in the respiratory tract.. The respiratory tract of nonimmunosuppressed and immunosuppressed Wistar rats were colonized with 4 x 10(5) viable cells of S. aureus K and then treated by administering 8192 arbitrary units (AU) nisin F intranasal. Symptoms of pneumonia were detected in the trachea and lungs of immunosuppressed rats that had not been treated with nisin F. The trachea and lungs of immunosuppressed rats treated with nisin F were healthy. No significant differences were recorded in blood cell indices. The antimicrobial activity of low concentrations nisin F (80-320 AU ml(-1)) was slightly stimulated by lysozyme and lactoferrin.. Nisin F inhibited the growth of S. aureus K in the respiratory tract of immunocompromised rats. Treatment with nisin F at 8192 AU proofed safe, as the trachea, lungs, bronchi and haematology of the rats appeared normal.. Nisin F is nontoxic and may be used to control respiratory tract infections caused by S. aureus. This is, however, a preliminary study with an animal model and need to be confirmed with studies on humans.

Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Animals; Bronchi; Drug Interactions; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Lactoferrin; Lung; Male; Muramidase; Nisin; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Trachea

The study aimed to describe the patterns and density of early tracheal colonization among intubated patients and to correlate colonization status with levels of antimicrobial peptides and inflammatory cytokines.. The was a prospective cohort study.. The study was conducted in medical and cardiovascular intensive care units of a tertiary referral hospital.. Seventy-four adult patients admitted between March 2003 and May 2006 were recruited for the study.. Tracheal aspirates were collected daily for the first 4 days of intubation using standardized, sterile technique and sent for quantitative culture and cytokines, lactoferrin and lysozyme measurements.. The mean acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score in this cohort was 24 +/- 7. Proportion of subjects colonized by any microorganism increased over the first 4 days of intubation (47%, 60%, 70%, 70%, P = .08), but density of colonization for bacteria or yeast did not change significantly. No known risk factors predicted tracheal colonization on day 1 of intubation. Several patterns of colonization were observed (persistent, transient, new colonization, and clearance of initial colonization).The most common organisms cultured were Candida albicans and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Levels of cytokines, lactoferrin, or lysozyme did not change over time and were not correlated with tracheal colonization status. Four subjects (6%) had ventilator-associated pneumonia.. The density of tracheal colonization did not change significantly over the first 4 days of intubation in medical intensive care unit patients. There was no correlation between tracheal colonization and the levels of antimicrobial peptides or cytokines. Several different patterns of colonization may have to be considered while planning interventions to reduce airway colonization.

Topics: Adult; APACHE; Candidiasis; Case-Control Studies; Colony Count, Microbial; Cross Infection; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Intensive Care Units; Intubation, Intratracheal; Lactoferrin; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Muramidase; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated; Prospective Studies; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Mucosa; Risk Factors; Staphylococcal Infections; Statistics, Nonparametric; Suction; Time Factors; Trachea

Lysozyme is an abundant, cationic antimicrobial protein that plays an important role in pulmonary host defense. Increased concentration of lysozyme in the airspaces of transgenic mice enhanced bacterial killing whereas lysozyme deficiency resulted in increased bacterial burden and morbidity. Lysozyme degrades peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall leading to rapid killing of Gram-positive organisms; however, this mechanism cannot account for the protective effect of lysozyme against Gram-negative bacteria. The current study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that the catalytic activity (muramidase activity) of lysozyme is not required for bacterial killing in vivo. Substitution of serine for aspartic acid at position 53 (D53S) in mouse lysozyme M completely ablated muramidase activity. Muramidase-deficient recombinant lysozyme (LysM(D53S)) killed both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Targeted expression of LysM(D53S) in the respiratory epithelium of wild-type (LysM(+/+)/LysM(D53S)) or lysozyme M(null) mice (LysM(-/-)/LysM(D53S)) resulted in significantly elevated lysozyme protein in the airspaces without any increase in muramidase activity. Intratracheal challenge of transgenic mice with Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria resulted in a significant increase in bacterial burden in LysM(-/-) mice that was completely reversed by targeted expression of LysM(D53S). These results indicate that the muramidase activity of lysozyme is not required for bacterial killing in vitro or in vivo.

Topics: Animals; Aspartic Acid; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Klebsiella Infections; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Transgenic; Muramidase; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Peptidoglycan; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Recombinant Proteins; Respiratory Mucosa; Serine; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Macrolide antibiotics have clinical benefits in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis and in patients with cystic fibrosis. Although many mechanisms have been proposed, the precise mechanisms are still uncertain. We examined the effects of erythromycin on bactericidal activity of airway surface liquid secreted by cultured human tracheal epithelial cells. Airway surface liquid was collected by washing the surface of human tracheal epithelial cells with a sodium solution (40 meq/l). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were incubated with airway surface liquid, and the number of surviving bacteria was examined. The number of bacteria in airway surface liquid from the cells cultured in medium alone was significantly lower than that in the sodium solution. Furthermore, the number of bacteria in airway surface liquid from the cells treated with erythromycin was significantly lower than that in airway surface liquid from the cells treated with solvent alone. The production of mRNA and protein of human beta-defensin-1 and human beta-defensin-2 was significantly increased by erythromycin. Bactericidal activity of airway surface liquid was observed at low concentrations (40 meq/l) of sodium but not at higher concentrations (> or =80 meq/l). Airway surface liquid did not contain significant amounts of antibiotics supplemented in the culture medium. Erythromycin at the levels in airway surface liquid and in culture medium did not inhibit bacterial growth. These results suggest that erythromycin may increase bactericidal activity of airway surface liquid in human airway epithelial cells through human beta-defensins production and reduce susceptibility of the airway to bacterial infection.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Defensins; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Erythromycin; Gene Expression; Humans; Lactoferrin; Methicillin Resistance; Muramidase; Pseudomonas Infections; Respiratory Mucosa; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Sodium; Staphylococcal Infections; Trachea

Nasal polyps frequently appear in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aims of this study were to focus on what problems (symptoms, endoscopic findings, and laboratory correlates) nasal polyps cause the CF patient, and how these correlate to the total health situation of this patient group.. The clinical histories, endoscopic investigations of the nasal cavity, and analyses of nasal lavage fluid of 44 patients with CF complicated with nasal polyposis have been compared with those of 67 CF control subjects. The patients were examined at annual control examinations (with pulmonary tests, working capacity, liver tests, and bacterial and blood tests) from 1995 to 1996 at Stockholm Cystic Fibrosis Center, Huddinge University Hospital. All patients were > 2 years of age. The endoscopic findings were related to the actual pulmonary function, inflammatory blood parameters, colonizing pathogens, antibodies (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and genotype.. The patients with nasal polyps differed with respect to chronic colonization of P aeruginosa in sputum samples and had a higher occurrence of serum antibodies against the same species. The two groups did not differ in pulmonary functions, inflammatory parameters, or genotype. The polyps found were mainly small (within the meatus media) and gave no significant increase in ongoing clinical symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, or hyposmia. Neither was any significantly marked finding concerning the nose (mucosal swellings, secretion, etc.) made in the polyp patients. The patients with CF scored slightly lower in a smell identification test in comparison with the healthy control group. The nasal lavage fluid was analyzed (in 93 of the 111 patients) for the occurrence of P aeruginosa (by polymerase-chain reaction [PCR]), interleukin [IL]-5, IL-8, and lysozyme. The lysozyme and IL-8 content was equal in the two CF groups but increased in comparison with the healthy control group. P aeruginosa was not detected with PCR in any nasal lavage fluid. No measurable levels of IL-5 in the nasal lavage were found.. There was a higher frequency of chronic colonization of P aeruginosa in the lower respiratory tract in patients with nasal polyps. Otherwise, nonsevere nasal polyposis was not an indicator of lower respiratory tract morbidity in CF patients.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Child; Child, Preschool; Cystic Fibrosis; Endoscopy; Female; Humans; Interleukin-5; Interleukin-8; Male; Muramidase; Nasal Lavage Fluid; Nasal Polyps; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Staphylococcal Infections

The effect of parenteral administration of two subcutaneous injections of vitamin E and Se (5 mg and 0.1 mg/kg of body weight, respectively) during the dry period on the mammary health and milk somatic cell counts of 25 dairy ewes was investigated. Supplementation reduced somatic cell counts (5.4 vs. 6.0 log10) during the subsequent lactation but had no effect on the incidence of clinical mastitis (4% vs. 6%) and intramammary infections (9.0% vs. 11.3%). Furthermore, the administration of vitamin E and Se was associated with differences in differential cell counts of milk samples (macrophages, 48.8% vs. 38.4%; polymorphonuclear neutrophils, 40.1% vs. 50.7%; and eosinophils, 0.7% vs. 1.4% for control ewes and ewes receiving supplements, respectively). The administration of these supplements also increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity (139.5 vs. 86.3 U/ml of packed cell volume) and the percentage of blood neutrophils that reduced nitroblue tetrazolium after bacterial extract stimulation (48.6% vs. 38.7%). Parenteral administration of vitamin E and Se to ewes during the dry period appeared to have influenced mammary gland status during the subsequent lactation and particularly total and differential milk cell counts.

Topics: Animals; Cell Count; Dietary Supplements; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis; Milk; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Selenium; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Vitamin E

The distribution of Staphylococcus aureus within herds seems to be related to interactions among the shedding characteristics of the bacteria, their pathogenicity and mammary gland immune status. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between selected mammary gland immune factors and intramammary infections associated with Staph. aureus. Overall, 70 cows from five commercial dairy herds were included in the study and quarter milk samples were assessed using bacteriological and cytological tests. We evaluated differential cell count, lysozyme concentration, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity, cell viability and respiratory burst activity in randomly chosen quarter milk samples from each cow. Staph. aureus intramammary infection elicited different responses in the mammary gland immune defences investigated. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) as a proportion of total somatic cells in milk, cell viability and NAGase activity were higher in infected quarters, while the proportions of macrophages and lymphocytes, respiratory burst activity and lysozyme levels were lower. Mean values differed among herds, but the differences were not significant. These changes were associated with Staph. aureus infection. The reduced respiratory burst activity together with the increase in the proportion of PMN suggests that both the number and activity of PMN could influence the susceptibility of the mammary gland to pathogens. Indeed, the logistic model adopted suggests that impairment of milk immune factors could be concurrent with the development of an infection.

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Animals; Cattle; Cell Count; Cell Survival; Female; Logistic Models; Macrophages; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Respiratory Burst; Staphylococcal Infections

The connection between the level of Staphylococcus Aureus anti-lysozyme activity (ALA) and the character of the experimental infection course has been revealed. The subsiding type of infection was developed by infecting by clones with the low ALA and at the same time there was a shift in the structure of population at the final stage of infectious process to the reduction of its heterogeneity in respect of ALA and the preservation of the colonies only with the zero and low ALA. The protracted form of infection was provoked by the clone with the high ALA and the dynamics of microbial dissemination had rhythmical nature and a high heterogeneity in respect of ALA in the structure of population of staphylococcus was preserved and the selection of colonies with the high ALA was observed. ALA of staphylococcus is an important link of pathogenesis of persistence as it determines the duration and dynamics of the survival of the pathogen in the organism.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred CBA; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Experimental materials on choosing antibiotics for etiotropic therapy of opportunistic infections with an account of the regulating effect of the drugs on the ++anti-lysozyme activity of pathogens (the factor of intracellular parasitism) are presented. The in vitro data were applied to the clinical trials in 30 patients with chronic and acute pyelonephritis of the Proteus etiology and to 25 patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of Staphylococcus etiology. It was shown that the use of the antibiotics which lowered the ++anti-lysozyme activity of microorganisms promoted a more rapid disappearance of the disease clinical signs, increased 2- to 3-fold the terms of the remission and resulted in an increase in the number of the persons with complete remission (54.5 to 63.6 per cent) as compared to the use of the drugs which stimulated the pathogen property or were indifferent to it.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Enzyme Reactivators; Enzyme Repression; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Muramidase; Opportunistic Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

FDP produces an increase of serum lysozyme concentration which may be related to stimulation of the phagocytic activity. Mice macrophages in vitro produce extracellular and intracellular LSZ (lysozyme) and FDP (fructose-1-6-diphosphate) increases this production. Also in vivo FDP stimulates the macrophages intracellular lysozyme production. The toxic activity in vitro and the protection in vivo against Staphylococcus pyogenes after FDP administration can also be related to macrophage stimulation.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Fructosediphosphates; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Rabbits; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Experimental investigations indicate that localized forms of staphylococcal, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and associated (Pseudomonas aeruginosa-staphylococcal) infection inhibit the lysozyme activity, cause disorders in the metabolism of P-450 cytochrome, free-radical and iron-containing liver proteins.

Topics: Animals; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Free Radicals; Iron; Liver; Male; Metalloproteins; Mice; Muramidase; Pseudomonas Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Time Factors

Previous studies have shown that the decreased neutrophil migratory responsiveness seen in burned patients correlates with the extent of thermal injury and the extent of the neutrophil-specific granule deficiency. To understand better the relationship between the neutrophil dysfunction, degranulation, and thermal injury, a rabbit model was studied. Eighteen rabbits were burned over 20% of their surface area. Assay of peripheral blood heterophils disclosed decreased migratory activity compared with preburn levels and decreased lysozyme content vs preburn levels, but no change in the beta-glucuronidase content. The specific binding of tritiated formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine to peripheral blood heterophils was increased fivefold over that of control cells. These studies indicate that, following thermal injury, there is a selective decrease of specific granule contents and an increase in chemoattractant binding to the cell and also suggest an abnormality in chemoattractant receptor processing. The rabbit provides a convenient model for the study of compromised host defenses following thermal injury.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Burns; Cell Migration Inhibition; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Disease Models, Animal; Endotoxins; Escherichia coli Infections; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Oligopeptides; Rabbits; Receptors, Formyl Peptide; Receptors, Immunologic; Staphylococcal Infections; Time Factors

Immobilized forms of lysozyme were prepared by its covalent binding on dialdehyde cellulose and polycaproamide fibres as woven and knitted fabrics respectively. The preparations were estimated by the content of protein and bacteriolytic activity. The lysozyme activity per 1 g of the carrier and the protein content on dialdehyde cellulose were several times higher than those on polycaproamide while the specific activity of lysozyme on the polycaproamide carrier was somewhat higher than that on dialdehyde cellulose. The effect of the immobilized lysozyme in treatment of purulent wounds was studied on albino rats. It was shown that the periods of the wound healing with the use of the immobilized lysozyme were shorter than those with the use of native lysozyme. Cytological and morphological investigation of the wound wall confirmed the higher efficacy of the lysozyme immobilized forms in treatment of purulent wounds as compared to the use of the native enzyme.

Topics: Animals; Bandages; Caprolactam; Cellulose; Drug Carriers; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Enzymes, Immobilized; Male; Muramidase; Polymers; Rats; Staphylococcal Infections; Textiles; Wound Infection

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Blepharitis; Child; Eyelid Diseases; Female; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca; Male; Meibomian Glands; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Tears

The influence of extracts from oak bark, St. John's-wort leaves and pine buds on natural immunity characteristics of mice has been studied. The injection of these extracts into mice has been found to enhance their resistance to infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Bordetella pertussis virulent cultures, to decrease the enzymatic activity of 5'-nucleotidase in the peritoneal exudate macrophages of mice and to increase the level of lysozyme in their blood. The action of these extracts has proved to depend on their dosage and the time of observation.

Topics: 5'-Nucleotidase; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Guinea Pigs; Immunity, Innate; Lethal Dose 50; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred CBA; Muramidase; Nucleotidases; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Staphylococcal Infections; Time Factors; Trees; Whooping Cough

We have previously found transient menstruation-associated abnormalities in the in vitro bactericidal function of neutrophils from females who have recovered from toxic shock syndrome (TSS). We now report the case of a young woman who has also recovered from TSS, but who has a persistent, non-menstruation-associated defect in the ability of her neutrophils to kill Staphylococcus aureus in vitro.

Topics: Adolescent; Alkaline Phosphatase; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Peroxidase; Phagocytosis; Shock, Septic; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Superoxides; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Topics: Blood Bactericidal Activity; Complement System Proteins; Escherichia coli Infections; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Leukocyte Count; Muramidase; Species Specificity; Staphylococcal Infections; Surgical Wound Infection

A total of 176 Gram-positive, catalase positive cocci strains, isolated from sheep were studied by different routine tests for the differentiation of staphylococci and micrococci, comparing their validity and usefulness. By glucose fermentation and growth in the anaerobic portion of thioglycolate 85 and 73.6% respectively of coagulase negative staphylococci were misclassified as Micrococcus spp. Susceptibility to lysostaphin was an adequate test for the differentiation of the strains. Atypical results in the production of acid from glycerol/erythromycin were obtained in 11.8% of the coagulase negative strains and 16.7% of micrococci. The combined use of the selective media furazolidone agar and Schleifer and Krämer medium resulted in a fast and useful separation of ovine staphylococci and micrococci. The bacteriolytic activity misclassified 32.2% of the coagulase negative strains.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Bacteriolysis; Coagulase; Culture Media; Erythromycin; Glucose; Glycerol; Lysostaphin; Micrococcus; Muramidase; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

The effect of benzylpenicillin and tetracycline on phagocytosis by leukocytes of abdominal cavity exudate, activity of lysozyme and beta-lysines in the blood serum, content of nucleic acids and activity of succinate dehydrogenase and phosphatase (total and acid) in the liver cells was studied on albino mice infected by staphylococci. It was shown that the treatment of the animals with benzylpenicillin and tetracycline for 5 days affected the cellular and nonspecific humoral defence and activity of succinate dehydrogenase and phosphatase. A decrease in the indices of the phagocytosis, activity of lysozyme, beta-lysines, succinate dehydrogenase and phosphatase was observed. Tetracycline had a more pronounced inhibitory effect. Neither benzylpenicillin, nor tetracycline had an effect on the content of nucleic acids in liver cells.

Topics: Animals; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Blood Proteins; DNA; Immunity; Liver; Mice; Muramidase; Penicillin G; Phagocytosis; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Proteins; RNA; Staphylococcal Infections; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Tetracycline

Topics: Adult; Blepharitis; Dermatitis, Seborrheic; Eyelid Diseases; Female; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Male; Meibomian Glands; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mite Infestations; Muramidase; Propionibacterium acnes; Rosacea; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Tears; Time Factors

Protective activity of an acidic fraction of bakers' yeast mannan containing protein and phosphorus, designated as WAM025, against infection of Staphylococcus aureus beta H 248 strain in mice was investigated. WAM025 elicited a marked increase in the survival ratio of mice challenged with viable cells of the S. aureus strain, 5 X 10(8) cells per mouse, when the fraction was administered to mice 150 mg/kg/d, 5 times, intraperitoneally. This effect was stronger than that of WNM, a neutral fraction of mannan obtained from the same bakers' yeast. The difference seemed to correlate with the strength of activating effects of WAM025 and WNM on the reticuloendotherial system of the host animal. WAM025 induced higher activities of serum lysozyme and carbon clearance in mice than WNM. Also, mice treated with WAM025 showed a greater increase in number and activity of oxygen-generating blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes than mice treated with WNM.

Topics: Animals; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Immunity; Leukocyte Count; Luminescent Measurements; Male; Mannans; Mice; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Adult; Aged; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Diabetes Complications; Dysgammaglobulinemia; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Fractures, Open; Humans; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Surgical Wound Infection; Wound Infection; Wounds and Injuries

The peritoneal macrophages of mice treated with lysozyme were studied by cytochemical assay. In single and repeated doses of 0.5-5 mg/kg lysozyme induced an increase in macrophage metabolism. This was evident from an increased activity of succinate dehydrogenase, NADP X N-DH and the enzymes catalyzing glycolysis typical of these cells (lactate dehydrogenase and alpha-glycerophosphate). The changes in the activity of the enzymatic systems were most pronounced in minute and less mature macrophages after repeated administrations of the drugs. In a dose of 50 mg/kg lysozyme somewhat decreased the activity of a number of the enzymes. In the doses optimal for the macrophage activity lysozyme had a low effect on the infection resistance and slightly increased the cephotaxim efficiency in experimental staphylococcal infection. This may be mainly due to the immunomodulating effect of lysozyme and its low effect on the large macrophages having the bactericidal effect.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Cefazolin; Cefotaxime; Drug Therapy, Combination; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Muramidase; Oxidoreductases; Rats; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Coagulase; Food Microbiology; Humans; Mice; Milk; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Urinary Tract Infections; Virulence

The immune status of 60 S. aureus carriers and 60 donors without carrier state was studied with respect to the interrelations of their antistaphylococcal immunity characteristics and natural resistance factors with the levels of different parameters. In contrast to the donors without carrier state, new interrelations between specific and nonspecific humoral immunity factors were shown to appear in S. aureus carriers, their blood sera having the elevated levels of bactericidal activity and the increased titers of staphylococcal antibodies. The phagocytic activity of the blood in the carriers proved to be below the normal level. The S. aureus carriers were found to have disturbances in the interrelations of their phagocytic activity and specific humoral immunity. The immune status of the carriers as characterized by the interrelations of its parameters is compared with the immune status of normal persons.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibody Formation; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Carrier State; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunity, Innate; Muramidase; Nose; Pharynx; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Glucuronidase; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Kinetics; Male; Mannans; Mice; Muramidase; Polysaccharides; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Animals; Cystic Fibrosis; Fatty Acids, Essential; Lung; Macrophages; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Pseudomonas Infections; Pulmonary Alveoli; Rabbits; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections

Ten Holstein-Friesian cows were distributed according to their lactoferrin and lysozyme concentrations in milk into groups with high and low concentrations. In each cow, a front and a rear mammary quarter was infected by inoculation of 10(8) colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus while the other two quarters were infused with 2 ml of sterile milk. The reaction was observed during the following nine days. After 10 hours the cell count, the lactoferrin and lysozyme concentrations were increased in the infected and control quarters. In milk samples with a high initial lactoferrin concentration the colony forming units of S. aureus were higher than in those with a low concentration. In milk samples with a high lysozyme concentration with colony forming units of S. Aureus were significantly lower than in those with low concentrations. These results show, that the lysozyme concentration in milk of healthy udders could indicate the preparedness for defense against infectious diseases.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Female; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Mammary Glands, Animal; Milk; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Demonstration of lysozyme by the immunoperoxidase method was used to determine whether ozone-induced defects in phagocytic killing of inhaled Staphylococcus aureus by rat alveolar macrophages were associated with absence of this important bactericidal enzyme. Rats were infected with aerosols of S. aureus and then exposed for 5 hr to 2.5 ppm of ozone. Left lungs were cultured for staphylococci; right lungs were stained for lysozyme and bacteria. Compared with control animals, rats exposed to ozone showed diminished rates of bacterial killing; a larger percentage of extracellular, uningested bacteria; an increased number of intracellular staphylococcal clumps; and absence of lysozyme in macrophages permitting staphylococcal proliferation. These results, in which absence of enzyme activity occurred in macrophages subjected to the dual insults of ozone exposure and ingested bacteria, provide an explanation for the inability of phagocytes to kill ingested bacteria after exposure to ozone.

Topics: Animals; Lung; Macrophages; Muramidase; Ozone; Phagocytosis; Pulmonary Alveoli; Rats; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibody Formation; Complement System Proteins; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Muramidase; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections

Lysozyme production is an essential character of the potentially pathogenic staphylococci. In the present work 88 strains of animal origin and 40 strains of human origin were tested. Of 103 strains isolated from pathogenic cases of human and animal origin 89 (86.4%) were lysozyme producers and 86 (83.5%) were coagulase positive. Out of 75 strains isolated from pathogenic cases of animal origin 75 (100%) were lysozyme producers and 71 (94.6%) were coagulase positive. On the other hand out of 28 strains isolated from pathogenic human cases 14 (50%) were lysozyme producers and 15 (53.6%) were coagulase positive. This indicates that lysozyme production could be a better index of pathogenic staphylococci than the coagulase measurement specially in cases of animal origin strains. The method used in this work for the determination of the lysozyme production seems to be a simple one if compared with other used methods.

Topics: Animals; Buffaloes; Cattle; Coagulase; Female; Goats; Humans; Mastitis, Bovine; Methods; Milk; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Urine

Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Muramidase; Occupational Diseases; Phagocytosis; Pyoderma; Railroads; Siberia; Staphylococcal Infections

The susceptibility of chronic ethanol-treated mice to S. aureus infection was ascertained, as was the ability of the immunostimulant glucan to modify ethanol-induced susceptibility to infection. Chronic alcohol-treated mice showed enhanced sensitivity to S. aureus. The administration of glucan significantly prolonged survival in S. aureus infected control and chronic ethanol mice.

Topics: Alcoholism; Animals; Glucans; Humans; Immunity; Kidney; Leukocyte Count; Male; Mice; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Time Factors

The lysozyme activity in milk or exudate of 1028 cows, healthy or with various abnormal states of the mammary gland was determined in IU/ml. Normal milk from a healthy gland demonstrated a slight lysozyme activity-to 1,5 IU/ml. In exudate of a dry gland and in precolostral one the lysozymatic activity was distinct-to about 60 IU/ml. In latent infections the level of lysozyme was slightly higher than the normal. In various abnormal states of the mammary gland, there occurred a dependence between the level of the lysozyme activity and the number of nucleated cells and the virulence of bacteria. During treatment, as clinical changes subsided, the lysozyme activity in milk decreased gradually.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae

Protein deficiency increases the susceptibility of the host to infection. Depressed phagocytic function, fall in non-specific protective substances of the serum, and poor immune response have all been recorded in the literature. The malnourished population exhibit recurrent ocular infections. The role of local defence mechanisms, principally lysozyme, is not known hitherto. In the present report, protein-deprived weaning Wistar rats showed a significant reduction in lysozyme against Staphylococcus aftermentas.

Topics: Animals; Disease Susceptibility; Lacrimal Apparatus; Muramidase; Protein Deficiency; Rats; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Acute Disease; Bacteriuria; Child; Child, Preschool; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Humans; Muramidase; Pseudomonas Infections; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Bacitracin; Drug Combinations; Drug Evaluation; Muramidase; Papain; Pharyngitis; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Tonsillitis

The results of surveying 140 patients with severe purulent and septic infections of staphylococcal etiology, when compared with the distribution of the blood groups (as classified according to the ABO system) in 180 healthy donors, revealed that generalized purulent infections occurred most frequently in patients with blood groups A (II) and AB (IV), and more seldom in patients with blood groups O (I) and B (III). The average content of lysozyme, complement and normal antibodies to E. coli, as well as the average level of general bactericidal activity in the blood sera of the patients were considerably lower than in the blood sera of healthy donors; at the same time content of lysozyme, complement and normal antibodies in the blood sera of patients having different groups of blood did not reflect the degree of their predisposition or resistance to staphylococcal infections. The general bactericidal activity of the blood serum was found to correlate with the degree of predisposition or resistance to purulent septic infections of staphylococcal etiology to a greater extent than other characteristics.

Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Agglutinins; Antibody Formation; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Complement System Proteins; Escherichia coli; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

To lower infectious complications and the mortality rate due to septicaemia in burned patients more knowledge should be acquired to increase the natural resistance of the organism of the burned. This can be done by administering Staphylococcal-Anatoxin, Antistaphylococcal-Plasma, Antipyocyaneus-Serum and convalescent-Serum.

Topics: Antibody Formation; Burns; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunization; Leukocytes; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Prodigiozan; Staphylococcal Infections; Wound Infection

Topics: Acute Disease; Antitoxins; C-Reactive Protein; Chronic Disease; Complement System Proteins; Female; Humans; Muramidase; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pyelonephritis; Staphylococcal Infections

Glucan is a potent reticuloendothelial stimulant whose immunobiological activity is mediated, in part, by an increase in the number and function of macrophages. In studying the role of glucan as a mediator of antibacterial activity, we attempted to ascertain the ability of glucan to modify the mortality of mice with experimentally induced Gram-positive bacteremia, and to enhance antibacterial defenses in rats as denoted by serum lysozyme and phagocytic activity. After intravenous administration of glucan, serum lysozyme concentrations were increased approximately sevenfold over control concentrations. The increase in serum lysozyme appeared to parallel the glucan-induced increase in phagocytosis and induced hyperplasia of macrophages. Prior treatment of mice with glucan significantly enhanced their survival when they were challenged systemically with Staphylococcus aureus. These studies indicate that glucan confers an enhanced state of host defense against bacterial infections.

Topics: Animals; Bacteriolysis; Immunotherapy; Macrophages; Male; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Polysaccharides; Rats; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Conjunctivitis; Eye Diseases; Female; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Keratitis; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Sclera; Staphylococcal Infections; Uveitis

The effect of subsequent cyclic administration of oleandomycin and tetracycline on the titer of the complement, the content of lysozyme, the bactericidal properties of the serum and the presence of the antibiotic specific antibodies in the blood serum found in the Hoigne reaction were studied on rabbits. It was found that the subsequent cyclic administration of the antibiotics to both the intact animals and the animals with experimental staphylococcal sepsis was accompanied by an increase in the titer of the complement only on the 7th day of administration of oleandomycin, the first antibiotic. The subsequent administration of tetracycline and especially discontinuation of the antibiotics use resulted in a significant, stable and prolonged decrease in the complement titer. The cyclic subsequent administration of oleandomycin and tetracycline for 7 days was accompanied by an increase in the lysozyme content and serum bactericidal properties. Changes in the factors of non-specific resistance under the effect of the subsequent cyclic administration of oleandomycin and tetracycline on both the intact animals and the animals with experimental staphylococcal sepsis were accompanied by an appearance, progressive increase and prolonged preservation in the serum of the antibiotic specific antibodies found in the Hoigne reaction. A possibility of producing specific antibodies simultaneously to the 2 antibiotics, i. e. oleandomycin and tetracycline in their administration in subsequent 7-day cycles was shown.

Topics: Animals; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Chinchilla; Complement System Proteins; Drug Combinations; Muramidase; Oleandomycin; Rabbits; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections; Tetracycline

Topics: Antitoxins; Complement System Proteins; Humans; Jaw Diseases; Muramidase; Osteomyelitis; Staphylococcal Infections

A study was made of some nonspecific immunity indices in staphylococcus sepsis and gastroenterocolitis during the infectious process in young children. Results of these investigations pointed to the depression of bactericidal and lysozyme activity of the blood serum and of the immunoadherence reaction at the acute period of the disease, and to some increase at the phase of recovery. There was also found an elevation of the phagocytic activity (of the phagocytolysis percentage) at the acute phase of the staphylococcus sepsis and gastroenterocolitis Antistaphylococcus gamma-globulin produced a positive effect on the lysozyme and bactericidal activity of the blood sera and promoted an increase of the blood phagocytic activity in the sick children.

Topics: Blood Bactericidal Activity; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Gastroenteritis; Immune Adherence Reaction; Male; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Adult; Antitoxins; Complement System Proteins; Culture Techniques; Female; Humans; Infant; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Skin; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

This review deals with those biological activities of peptidoglycan that are not directly analogous to the properties of gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. The report is divided into 3 major parts: 1. A survey of peptidoglycan activities such as the induction of inflammatory skin reactions, lesion-enhancing activity (virulence factor), inhibition of phagocytosis of bacteria, inhibition of cell migration, cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, potentiation of the humoral and cellular immune response (adjuvant activity) and enhancement of tumor defense in experimental animals. 2. A presentation of factors which may influence these biological activities of peptidoglycan. 3. A brief discussion of the potential mechanisms of action of peptidoglycan.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Bacillus megaterium; Cell Migration Inhibition; Chemotaxis; Inflammation; Muramidase; Necrosis; Neutralization Tests; Peptidoglycan; Phagocytosis; Skin Manifestations; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus; Virulence

A study was made of 111 strains of plasma-negative spathylococci isolated from the blood, pleural fluid, urine, and exudate of the abdominal cavity of 30 patients. The studies were carried out by 18 criteria. A variety of biological properties and signs characteristic of pathogenic staphylococci (hemolytic activity, anaerobic splitting of mannite, the presence of phosphatase, lysozyme, protease, alpha-toxin, fibrinolysin) were noted. A high resistance to tetracycline and penicillin was found in the strains isolated from the blood and the pleural cavity.

Topics: Animals; Ascitic Fluid; Bacteriophage Typing; Bacteriuria; Cross Infection; Erythrocytes; Fibrinolysin; Hemolysis; Humans; Mannitol; Muramidase; Penicillin Resistance; Penicillins; Phospholipases; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Pleural Effusion; Pyelonephritis; Rabbits; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Tetracycline; Toxins, Biological

Topics: Animals; Granulocytes; Leukocyte Count; Microwaves; Muramidase; Rabbits; Staphylococcal Infections; Tetrazolium Salts

The effect of repeated cycles of tetracycline and oleandomycin administration on the complement titer, content of lysozyme and bactericidal properties of the serum in rabbits with experimental staphylococcal sepsis was studied. It was shown that the septic process induced by intravenous inoculation of staphylococci was accompanied by stimulation of the host nonspecific resistance. However, repeated inoculations of the animals resulted in exhaustion of the host protective forces and decreased non-specific resistance. The use of tetracycline in experimental staphylococcal sepsis was accompanied by an increase in the complement titer, lysozyme content and bactericidal properties of the serum after both the 1st and 2nd cycles of the drug administration. The use of oleaudomycin induced an increase in the contents of the complement, lysozyme and bactericidal properties of the serum at the background of staphylococcal sepsis only after the 1st cycle. The repeated cycle of oleandomycin administration was accompanied by a decrease in the above indices. Such conditions should be taken into account in choosing the antibiotic for treatment of septic cases especially when repeated cycles of the drug administration are used.

Topics: Animals; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Complement System Proteins; Depression, Chemical; Immunity; Injections, Intramuscular; Muramidase; Oleandomycin; Periodicity; Rabbits; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections; Stimulation, Chemical; Time Factors

90 serum and 273 saliva samples from pathogenic staphylococci carriers and healthy persons (control group) were studied. It was found that the state of pathogenic staphylococci carrying on the nose mucosa had no significant effect on the lysozyme levels in the blood serum, while assisted an increase in the content of the substance in the saliva. Increased lysozyme levels in the saliva of the pathogenic staphylococci carriers showed no clear connections with lysozyme production by the pathogens.

Topics: Carrier State; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Micrococcus; Muramidase; Saliva; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

The biotyping scheme of Baird-Parker was applied to cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis from patients. In all, 63.6% of 228 cultures belonged to biotype 1, followed by biotypes 4, 3, and 2 in decreasing order of incidence. When classified according to clinical source of isolation, cultures of S. epidermidis were most frequently isolated from urine, with 39.5% of 228 cultures from this source. Each of the four biotypes was distributed throughout all nine catagories of clinical sources. The production of virulence factors was based on the results of three groups of tests: (i) deoxyribonuclease, urease, gelatinase, caseinase, and lysozyme production; (ii) lipolytic activity on the tweens; and (iii) hemolysin production. Enzymatic activity was highest for organisms in biotypes 1, followed by biotypes 3, 4, and 2 in decreasing order. Of the 228 cultures, 76.3% were lysed by lysostaphin. Resistance to antibiotics was highest for tetracycline, ampicillin, and penicillin, with rates of 54.8, 69.3, and 81.6%, respectively. The role of S. epidermidis as an etiological agent was studied by analyzing the laboratory and clinical data of 80 patients selected at random with bacteriuric S. epidermidis. Organisms in biotype 1 were most commonly associated with urinary tract infection. The significance of certain biotypes of S. epidermidis as opportunistic pathogens among compromised hosts in a hospital environment is discussed.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Caseins; Deoxyribonucleases; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Endopeptidases; Gelatin; Hemolysin Proteins; Humans; Lysostaphin; Muramidase; Polysorbates; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Urease; Virulence

Topics: Adult; Bacterial Infections; Biological Products; Complement System Proteins; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Female; Hepatitis A; Humans; Intestines; Leukocytes; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Prodigiosin; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Carrier State; Complement System Proteins; Escherichia coli; Humans; Immunity; Immunodiffusion; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Properdin; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Abortion, Septic; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antitoxins; Carbenicillin; Cephalosporins; Complement System Proteins; Endometritis; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Humans; Methicillin; Muramidase; Penicillin G; Pregnancy; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Tetracycline; Tetracyclines

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bacteriocins; Child; Coagulase; Fibrinolysin; Hemolysis; Humans; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Nose; Penicillin Resistance; Pharynx; Phospholipases; Skin; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Antibody Formation; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Cell Count; Chick Embryo; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibroblasts; Immunity; In Vitro Techniques; Interferon Inducers; Interferons; Mice; Muramidase; Phagocytes; Phagocytosis; Properdin; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Time Factors; Toxins, Biological; Yeasts

Topics: Age Factors; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Humans; Immunity; Immunologic Techniques; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lysine; Muramidase; Osteomyelitis; Phagocytosis; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcal Toxoid

Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Antigens, Bacterial; Carrier State; Chemotaxis; Coagulase; Glucuronidase; Histamine Release; Hot Temperature; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Leukocytes; Muramidase; Nasal Mucosa; Phagocytosis; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Teichoic Acids

Topics: Blood; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Classification; Deoxyribonucleases; Endopeptidases; Fermentation; Hemolysin Proteins; Humans; Mannitol; Models, Biological; Muramidase; Nose; Pepsin A; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Skin; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Suppuration; Urease; Urine

Topics: Adult; Bone Marrow; Butanols; Creatinine; Freezing; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Meningitis; Methods; Muramidase; Myeloproliferative Disorders; Neutrophils; Osteomyelitis; Pneumonia; Staphylococcal Infections; Ultrasonics; Uremia

Topics: Child; Deoxyribonucleases; Humans; Lysostaphin; Muramidase; Otitis Media; Oxygen Consumption; Species Specificity; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Carrier State; Crystallization; Female; Humans; Muramidase; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcal Toxoid

Topics: Acute Disease; Cellulitis; Chronic Disease; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Lymphadenitis; Muramidase; Osteomyelitis; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Agranulocytosis; Alkaline Phosphatase; Bacterial Infections; Chediak-Higashi Syndrome; Chemotaxis; Female; Glucuronidase; Humans; Leukocytes; Lysosomes; Male; Muramidase; Peroxidases; Skin Window Technique; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Bacterial Infections; Cattle; Female; Mice; Milk; Muramidase; Opsonin Proteins; Salmonella Infections; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Abortion, Septic; Antitoxins; C-Reactive Protein; Clostridium Infections; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; gamma-Globulins; Humans; Muramidase; Peritonitis; Pregnancy; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Bacteriological Techniques; Conjunctivitis; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Humans; Moraxella; Muramidase; Pneumococcal Infections; Proteus Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Antibodies; Antineoplastic Agents; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Burns; Child; Complement System Proteins; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Humans; Immunity; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Parotitis; Phagocytosis; Pneumonia; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Pseudomonas Infections; Sepsis; Serratia marcescens; Staphylococcal Infections; Stimulation, Chemical

Topics: Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; Coagulase; Humans; Muramidase; Sepsis; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Urinary Tract Infections; Wound Infection

Topics: Abscess; Adolescent; Adult; Antitoxins; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Cellulitis; Complement System Proteins; Humans; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Osteomyelitis; Otitis; Phagocytosis; Sinusitis; Staphylococcal Infections; Surgical Wound Infection; Tonsillitis; Ulcer

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Synergism; Encephalomyocarditis virus; Female; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Injections, Intravenous; Leukocyte Count; Male; Mice; Muramidase; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Phagocytosis; Phenanthrenes; Poliomyelitis; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Salmonella typhimurium; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Blood Platelets; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Erythrocytes; Exudates and Transudates; Hemolysis; Humans; Inflammation; Leukocytes; Lymphocytes; Monocytes; Muramidase; Skin Window Technique; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Animals; Clostridium Infections; Clostridium tetani; Drug Synergism; Female; Male; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Muramidase; Penicillins; Placenta; Pneumococcal Infections; Pregnancy; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Topics: Animals; Antigens; Cell Wall; Cytoplasm; Detergents; Mice; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcal Vaccines; Staphylococcus; Vaccination

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Bile Acids and Salts; Cell Wall; Edema; Formaldehyde; Freeze Drying; Hot Temperature; Injections, Subcutaneous; Mice; Muramidase; Periodic Acid; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Suppuration; Toxins, Biological; Trypsin

Topics: Ampicillin; Animals; Drug Synergism; Escherichia coli; Klebsiella; Mice; Muramidase; Penicillin G; Penicillin Resistance; Proteus; Salmonella; Shigella; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Lysozyme production is a frequent property of staphylococcal strains isolated from various sources; all 503 tested strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 13 out of 35 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis produced an enzyme lysing Micrococcus lysodeikticus as tested by a modified plate method. Lysozyme production by staphylococci is more frequent than the production of free coagulase, clumping factor, staphylokinase, Tween 80 lipase, and HgCl(2) resistance.

Topics: Bacteriological Techniques; Bacteriolysis; Coagulase; Humans; Micrococcus; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Adult; Antibodies; Antitoxins; Complement System Proteins; Humans; Lysine; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcal Toxoid; Vaccination

Topics: Drug Synergism; Erythromycin; Humans; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Staphylococcal Infections; Tetracycline

Lysozyme production is a frequent property of potentially pathogenic staphylococci. In the present study, 1,186 strains of human origin, 85 strains of animal origin, and 156 strains of Staphylococcus albus (epidermidis) were tested. Of 1,114 coagulase-positive strains of human and animal origin, 1,098 were lysozyme-positive (98.5%). On the other hand, of 157 coagulase-negative strains which, based on further investigations, belong to the potentially pathogenic staphylococci, all were lysozyme-positive. All of the 156 strains (100%) belonging to the species S. albus (epidermidis) were lysozyme-negative. We conclude that lysozyme production is a better index of potentially pathogenic staphylococci than the measurement of free coagulase, especially in cases of strains of animal origin. It is possible that lysozyme production allows a differentiation between pathogenic and nonpathogenic coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Topics: Animal Population Groups; Animals; Coagulase; Humans; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Food Poisoning; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Cross Infection; Eye Diseases; Humans; Muramidase; Ophthalmic Solutions; Pseudomonas Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Sterilization

Topics: Antibody Formation; Antigens; Candida; Cell Wall; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Leukocytes; Lysosomes; Muramidase; Pentosephosphates; Phagocytosis; Precipitin Tests; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Animals; Infections; Mice; Muramidase; Pharmacology; Pyridoxine; Research; Salmonella Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Thiamine; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Animals; Calcium Chloride; Immunity; Mice; Muramidase; Peptides; Pharmacology; Proteus Infections; Research; Salmonella Infections; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Staphylococcal Infections; Thymus Gland; Trypsin; Virulence

Aldrich, K. M. (The University of Kansas, Lawrence), and C. P. Sword. Methicillin-induced lysozyme-sensitive forms of staphylococci. J. Bacteriol. 87:690-695. 1964.-Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis grown in the presence of sublethal amounts of methicillin were converted to enlarged spheres within 2 to 4 hr, as shown by phase microscopy, Gram stain, and electron microscopy. Addition of lysozyme to cells incubated in the presence of methicillin, and to methicillin-induced spheres suspended in hypotonic saline, caused lysis of methicillin-treated cells but not of untreated cells.

Topics: Bacteriolysis; Carbuncle; DNA; DNA, Bacterial; Electrons; Klebsiella; Methicillin; Microscopy; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Penicillin Resistance; Research; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis

Topics: Alanine; Binding Sites; Cell Biology; Chromatography; Deoxyribonucleases; DNA; Glutamates; Glycine; Hot Temperature; Lysine; Muramidase; Phosphorus Isotopes; Research; Ribonucleases; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus Phages; Trichloroacetic Acid; Trypsin

Topics: Cell Membrane; Cell Wall; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Dermatologic Agents; Egg White; Enzymes; Muramidase; Research; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Trichloroacetic Acid

Topics: Bacteriolysis; Chondroitin; Hyaluronic Acid; Muramidase; Oxacillin; Penicillins; Pharmacology; Polysaccharides; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Research; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Trypsin; Trypsin Inhibitors

Topics: Bacteriolysis; Drug Resistance; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Metabolism; Muramidase; Oxacillin; Penicillins; Pharmacology; Polysaccharides; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Research; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Trypsin

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotics, Antitubercular; Antimetabolites; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Erythromycin; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Methicillin; Muramidase; Oxacillin; Polysaccharides; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Research; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Temperature; Trypsin; Vancomycin

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antiviral Agents; Dermatologic Agents; Humans; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus

Topics: Antiviral Agents; Humans; Immunotherapy, Active; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Bacteremia; Child; Humans; Infant; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections

Topics: Humans; Micrococcus; Micrococcus luteus; Muramidase; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus