Biomedical subjects

G Funke

Publications and source records attributed to G Funke.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Evaluation of the RapID CB plus system for identification of coryneform bacteria and Listeria spp.

In a stress test, the recently introduced RapID CB Plus system (Remel Inc. [formerly Innovative Diagnostic Systems], Norcross, Ga.) was challenged with a diverse set of gram-positive rods comprising 345 strains of coryneform bacteria and 33 strains of Listeria spp. representing a total of 49 different taxa. Overall, within 4 h, the system correctly identified 80.9% of the strains on the species level and 12.2% of the strains on the genus level. Only 3.7% strains were misidentified, and for 3.2% of the strains no identification was provided. Difficulties with the system were mainly due to occasional uncertainties in reading reactions for acid production from carbohydrates and, to a lesser extent, aminopeptidase reactions. It is concluded that the system may also perform well under the conditions of a routine clinical laboratory.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1997

Corynebacterium lipophiloflavum sp. nov. isolated from a patient with bacterial vaginosis.

A unique coryneform bacterium was isolated from a patient with bacterial vaginosis. Chemotaxonomical investigations demonstrated that the unknown bacterium belonged to the genus Corynebacterium. The yellow-pigmented, slightly lipophilic, oxidative, urea-hydrolyzing bacterium could be phenotypically readily differentiated from the other members of the genus Corynebacterium. Comparative 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that the bacterium represented a new subline within the genus Corynebacterium for which the name Corynebacterium lipophiloflavum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCUG 37336 (DSM 44291).

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Endophthalmitis due to Microbacterium species: case report and review of microbacterium infections.

Microbacterium species (formerly CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] coryneform group A-4 and A-5 bacteria) are widely distributed in the environment and rarely cause infections in humans. We present a case of endophthalmitis due to Microbacterium species that occurred after accidental trauma and review the literature on microbacterium infections. If the infected tissue or medical device is removed and antimicrobial therapy (preferably with beta-lactams or glycopeptides) is instituted, the prognosis is usually favorable for patients with microbacterium infections.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Corynebacterium coyleae sp. nov., isolated from human clinical specimens.

Over a 5-year period, six isolates of a previously unknown nonlipophilic coryneform bacterium were isolated from human clinical specimens. The most characteristic phenotypic reactions of these isolates included slow fermentative acid production from glucose but no acid production from maltose and sucrose and a strongly positive CAMP reaction. Chemotaxonomic investigations revealed that meso-diaminopimelic acid and mycolic acids were present, that palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids were the predominant cellular fatty acids, and that the G + C content was 62 to 64 mol%, characteristics which are consistent with assignment to the genus Corynebacterium. Phenotypically, the unknown coryneform bacterium could be readily differentiated from all other Corynebacterium species. A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization experiments demonstrated unambiguously that the unknown coryneform bacterium is a member of the genus Corynebacterium and is genotypically distinct from all other members of this genus. Based on phenotypic and genotypic findings, a new species, Corynebacterium coyleae sp.nov., is proposed. The type strain of C coylease is strain DSM 44184 (= CCUG 35014).

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Actinomyces europaeus sp. nov., isolated from human clinical specimens.

Ten strains of a hitherto undescribed catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, coryneform bacterium were isolated or collected by workers at three European clinical bacteriology laboratories or reference centers. These strains were isolated from humans, and most came from abscess material. Biochemical and chemotaxonomic characterization revealed that the strains belonged to the genus Actinomyces. The phenotypic features of the 10 strains were incompatible with the descriptions of the previously established Actinomyces species. A comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that the previously undescribed strains constitute a new line in the genus Actinomyces. The name Actinomyces europaeus sp. nov. is proposed for these clinical isolates. The type strain is CCUG 32789A.

Actinomyces↗

PubMed1997

Corynebacterium mucifaciens sp. nov., an unusual species from human clinical material.

Eight strains of a previously undescribed coryneform bacterium had been isolated from human clinical material over a 5-year period. Colonies of the unknown coryneform bacterium had an unusual appearance as they were slightly yellowish and very mucoid. Biochemical and chemotaxonomic characterization revealed that the unknown coryneform bacterium belonged to the genus Corynebacterium. It could be readily differentiated from all previously described Corynebacterium species. Electron microscopy demonstrated the production of an extracellular substance causing connecting filaments between cells as a morphological correlate to the mucoid colonies. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the unknown coryneform bacterium represented a new subline within the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium mucifaciens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCUG 36878 (= DSM 44265 = CIP 105129).

Corynebacterium↗

PubMed1997

Clinical microbiology of coryneform bacteria.

Coryneform bacteria are aerobically growing, asporogenous, non-partially-acid-fast, gram-positive rods of irregular morphology. Within the last few years, there has been a massive increase in the number of publications related to all aspects of their clinical microbiology. Clinical microbiologists are often confronted with making identifications within this heterogeneous group as well as with considerations of the clinical significance of such isolates. This review provides comprehensive information on the identification of coryneform bacteria and outlines recent changes in taxonomy. The following genera are covered: Corynebacterium, Turicella, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Dermabacter. Propionibacterium, Rothia, Exiguobacterium, Oerskovia, Cellulomonas, Sanguibacter, Microbacterium, Aureobacterium, "Corynebacterium aquaticum," Arcanobacterium, and Actinomyces. Case reports claiming disease associations of coryneform bacteria are critically reviewed. Minimal microbiological requirements for publications on disease associations of coryneform bacteria are proposed.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1997

Multicenter evaluation of the updated and extended API (RAPID) Coryne database 2.0.

In a multicenter study, 407 strains of coryneform bacteria were tested with the updated and extended API (RAPID) Coryne system with database 2.0 (bioMérieux, La-Balme-les-Grottes, France) in order to evaluate the system's capability of identifying these bacteria. The design of the system was exactly the same as for the previous API (RAPID) Coryne strip with database 1.0, i.e., the 20 biochemical reactions covered were identical, but database 2.0 included both more taxa and additional differential tests. Three hundred ninety strains tested belonged to the 49 taxa covered by database 2.0, and 17 strains belonged to taxa not covered. Overall, the system correctly identified 90.5% of the strains belonging to taxa included, with additional tests needed for correct identification for 55.1% of all strains tested. Only 5.6% of all strains were not identified, and 3.8% were misidentified. Identification problems were observed in particular for Corynebacterium coyleae, Propionibacterium acnes, and Aureobacterium spp. The numerical profiles and corresponding identification results for the taxa not covered by the new database 2.0 were also given. In comparison to the results from published previous evaluations of the API (RAPID) Coryne database 1.0, more additional tests had to be performed with version 2.0 in order to completely identify the strains. This was the result of current changes in taxonomy and to provide for organisms described since the appearance of version 1.0. We conclude that the new API (RAPID) Coryne system 2.0 is a useful tool for identifying the diverse group of coryneform bacteria encountered in the routine clinical laboratory.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1997

Corynebacterium imitans sp. nov. isolated from patients with suspected diphtheria.

A 5-month-old boy of a Romanian family traveling via Ukraine to Poland developed a respiratory disease that resembled and that was initially diagnosed as pharyngeal diphtheria. The child recovered after treatment with antidiphtheria antitoxin. A coryneform bacterium had been isolated from a nasopharyngeal specimen from the child and was initially identified as an atypical Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain. Seven adults who had contact with either the child or an adult contact person also developed symptoms of pharyngeal diphtheria, were also treated with antitoxin, and recovered uneventfully. Coryneform bacteria similar to that originating from the index patient were also isolated from the throat swabs of three adults. Detailed biochemical and chemotaxonomic investigations revealed that the coryneform bacteria belonged to the genus Corynebacterium and could be differentiated from all other defined species of this genus. Ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that all four patients' isolates were of clonal origin. The diphtheria toxin gene and its product were not detected either by PCR assays or by the Elek test, making a possible disease association of the Corynebacterium more unlikely. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the coryneform bacterium represented a new subline within the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium imitans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NCTC 13015 (DSM 44264; CCUG 36877).

Corynebacterium↗

PubMed1996

[Acute otitis media with effusion: an overview of the pathogenesis and recommendations for therapy].

Otitis media is one of the most common diseases in infants and young children. A combination of important factors contributes to the pathogenesis of acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. These are poor tubal function, the degree of mastoid pneumatization, nasopharyngeal colonization with pathogenic bacteria and viruses, the ascending infectious pathway along the Eustachian tube, the immune status of the host, allergic and environmental factors, and genetic predisposition. Only correct diagnosis and understanding of they underlying pathophysiology enables the clinician to target treatment of the various forms of otitis media. We review the current concepts regarding evaluation and management of the diseased child and focus on the indication and selection of antibiotic therapy, bearing in mind the resistance rate within Switzerland. Most patients can be treated medically. "Otitis prone" individuals and children suffering from chronic otitis media with effusion with documented hearing loss clearly benefit from surgical intervention. We analyze the different treatment modalities and present a step-wise treatment algorithm. Newer vaccination trials indicate immunogenic effects even in young infants and show promising results in experimental and clinical studies.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

An identification scheme for rapidly and aerobically growing gram-positive rods.

An identification scheme for aerobically growing Gram-positive rods (genera Actinomyces, Arcanobacterium, Aureobacterium, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Cellulomonas, Corynebacterium, Dermabacter, Erysipelothrix, Gardnerella, Lactobacillus, Listeria, Microbacterium, Oerskovia, Propionibacterium, Rhodococcus, Rothia, Turicella, as well as unnamed CDC groups, Clostridium tertium, and Mycobacterium fortuitum/chelonae) is presented. It is derived from the Hollis-Weaver scheme and uses catalase, oxidative/fermentative carbohydrate metabolism and motility as primary reactions. Tests for lipophilism, nitrate reduction, urease, esculin hydrolysis, the CAMP reaction, acid formation from five carbohydrates, as well as for some facultative reactions should lead to a correct diagnosis based on information available at the end of 1995.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1996

Heterogeneity within Corynebacterium minutissimum strains is explained by misidentified Corynebacterium amycolatum strains.

Forty-eight clinical strains that were tentatively identified as Corynebacterium minutissimum on the basis of standard biochemical reactions (Hollis-Weaver tables) as well as by the use of the API (RAPID) Coryne system were examined further. Two different groups of strains were observed. The first group (including the type strain of C minutissimum) contained 27 strains showing creamy colonies. These strains grew homogeneously in 6.5% NaCl broth, exhibited DNase activity, were susceptible to the vibriocidal compound O/129, produced succinic acid, and contained mycolic acids. The second group comprised 21 strains with dry colonies. They grew in clumps at the surface of 6.5% NaCl broth, DNase activity was not detected, they were resistant against O/129, produced large amounts of propionic acid, and mycolic acids were not detected. In combination with quantitative DNA-DNA hybridizations, it was demonstrated that strains of the second cluster belonged, in fact, to C amycolatum. Furthermore, it was observed that a few C minutissimum strains may also ferment mannitol. These data indicate that the clinical microbiologist must be careful not to misidentify C amycolatum strains as C minutissimum.

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMed1996

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of some recently established coryneform bacteria.

The susceptibility patterns of 480 isolates representing six recently defined species of coryneform bacteria (Corynebacterium amycolatum [n = 101], Corynebacterium auris [n = 48], Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum [n = 86], Brevibacterium casei [n = 50], Dermabacter hominis [n = 49], and Turicella otitidis [n = 146]) to 17 antimicrobial agents were determined by an agar dilution method. Most significantly, for C. amycolatum strains the MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited were > or = 32 micrograms/ml for nearly all agents. However, all 480 strains examined were susceptible to glycopeptide antibiotics.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1996

Isolation of Arthrobacter spp. from clinical specimens and description of Arthrobacter cumminsii sp. nov. and Arthrobacter woluwensis sp. nov.

Arthrobacter spp. are very widely distributed in the environment (e.g., soil) but have not been described as causing disease in humans. Over a 6-year period, two reference laboratories isolated or received 11 strains which were eventually identified as belonging to the genus Arthrobacter. These strains had been initially identified as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coryneform group B-1 and B-3 bacteria (whitishgrayish colonies of 2 mm or greater in diameter after 24 h of incubation, respiratory metabolism, absent or weak acid production from sugars, and hydrolysis of gelatin). However, chemotaxonomic investigations revealed lysine as the diamino acid of the cell wall and the presence of branched cellular fatty acids (with anteiso-pentadecanoic acid predominating) which was compatible with an assignment of the 11 isolates to the genus Arthrobacter only. Peptidoglycan and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses demonstrated that three of the strains studied were representatives of a new Arthrobacter species for which the name Arthrobacter cumminsii sp. nov. is proposed and that one other strain represented a second new Arthrobacter species for which the name Arthrobacter woluwensis sp. nov. is proposed. This report is the first on the isolation of Arthrobacter spp. from clinical specimens.

Arthrobacter↗

PubMed1996

Characteristics of Bordetella hinzii strains isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient over a 3-year period.

Over a 3-year period, an adult cystic fibrosis patient underwent eight episodes of pulmonary exacerbation of his disease. At least one of two different strains of Bordetella hinzii could be isolated from sputum samples in every instance. The differentiation of B. hinzii from related taxa and its role as an etiologic agent of infections are discussed. The two isolates of B. hinzii reported are the third and fourth human-derived strains described in the literature.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Most Corynebacterium xerosis strains identified in the routine clinical laboratory correspond to Corynebacterium amycolatum.

A comprehensive study was performed on 25 bacterial clinical isolates originally identified as Corynebacterium xerosis. Three reference strains of C. xerosis were also included in the study. On the basis of a variety of phenotypic characteristics tested, all strains could be divided into two separate clusters: reference strains ATCC 373 (the type strain of C. xerosis) and ATCC 7711 showed yellow-pigmented, dry, rough colonies, fermented 5-keto-gluconate, exhibited strong leucine arylamidase and alpha-glucosidase activities, produced lactate as the major end product of glucose metabolism, were susceptible to most of the 19 antimicrobial agents tested, and showed an inhibition zone around disks containing the vibriocidal compound O/129. In contrast, the remaining 26 strains including reference strain NCTC 7243 as well as all clinical isolates formed white-grayish, dry, slightly rough colonies, did not ferment 5-keto-gluconate, exhibited only weak leucine arylamidase and no alpha-glucosidase activity, produced large amounts of propionic acid as the end product of glucose metabolism, and were resistant to most antimicrobial agents tested, including O/129. Chemotaxonomic (cellular fatty acids, mycolic acids, and G+C content) and molecular genetic (16S rRNA gene sequence) investigations revealed that the strains of the second cluster unambiguously belonged to the species C. amycolatum. Our data suggest that most strains reported in the literature as C. xerosis are probably misidentified and correspond to C. amycolatum.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed1996

Utility of PCR in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis.

At present, the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis rests with microscopy. However, this technique is insensitive and many cases of pulmonary tuberculosis cannot be initially confirmed. Nucleic acid amplification techniques are extremely sensitive, but when they are applied to tuberculosis diagnosis, they have given variable results. Investigators at six centers in Europe compared a standardized PCR system (Amplicor; Roche) against conventional culture methods. Defined clinical information was collected. Discrepant samples were retested, and inhibition assays and backup amplification with a separate primer pair were performed. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms were recovered from 654 (9.1%) of 7,194 samples and 293 (7.8%) of 3,738 patients. Four hundred fifty-two of the M. tuberculosis isolates from 204 patients were smear positive and culture positive. Among the culture-positive specimens, PCR had a sensitivity of 91.4% for smear-positive specimens and 60.9% for smear-negative specimens, with a specificity of 96.1%. Analysis of 254 PCR-positive, culture-negative specimens with discrepant results revealed that 130 were from patients with recently diagnosed tuberculosis and 94 represented a presumed laboratory error. Similar analysis of 118 PCR-negative, culture-positive specimens demonstrated that 27 discrepancies were due to presumed uneven aliquot distribution and 11 were due to presumed laboratory error; PCR inhibitors were detected in 8 specimens. Amplicor enables laboratories with little previous experience with nucleic acid amplification to perform PCR. Disease in more than 60% of the patients with tuberculosis with smear-negative, culture-positive specimens can be diagnosed at the time of admission, and potentially all patients with smear-positive specimens can immediately be confirmed as being infected with M. tuberculosis, leading to improved clinical management.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

PubMed1996

Vancomycin-resistant Aureobacterium species cellulitis and bacteremia in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia.

A 39-year-old male with acute myelogenous leukemia and concomitant porphyria cutanea tarda was admitted to the hospital for consolidation chemotherapy of his leukemia. During his hospitalization, he developed cellulitis of the left hand and persistent bacteremia with a yellow-pigmented, nonfermenting coryneform bacterium that was identified as Aureobacterium sp. The portal of entry for the Aureobacterium infection was probably through the skin lesions due to porphyria cutanea tarda. The infection developed while the patient was receiving vancomycin prophylaxis, and the vancomycin MIC for the isolate was 32 micrograms/ml.

Adult↗