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H Heier

Publications and source records attributed to H Heier.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Quinupristin/dalfopristin-resistant enterococci of the satA (vatD) and satG (vatE) genotypes from different ecological origins in Germany.

The semisynthetic streptogramin combination quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid) is a promising alternative for treatment of infections due to multiply resistant gram-positive bacteria including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. Resistance is mediated by acetyltransferases SatA (VatD) or SatG (VatE). Recent papers have indicated a possible link between the use of the streptogramin virginiamycin S/M as a feed additive in commercial animal husbandry and a selection of quinupristin/dalfopristin-resistant E. faecium (QDRE). We screened manure samples from two different turkey farms and from six different pig farms (using virginiamycin), samples from a sewage water treatment plant, 24 broiler carcasses, 10 pork samples, and 200 stool samples of nonhospitalized humans for QDRE. Our strain culture collection of hospital E. faecium isolates from the last 2 years was also reviewed for QDRE. All manure and sewage samples were positive for QDRE, as well as 11 from broiler carcasses (46%), 1 from pork (10%), and 28 from human stool specimens (14%). Thirty-six hospital isolates of E. faecium exhibited resistance to quinupristin/dalfopristin. In 141 QDRE of different origin satA (vatD) and satG (vatE) genes were detected (seven isolates from humans with an unknown resistance mechanism). Streptogramin resistance determinants were tansferable in filtermating experiments for 5 of 10 satA (vatD) and 9 of 22 satG (vatE) isolates. Different EcoRI patterns of satG (vatE) plasmids and corresponding hybridizations of the satG (vatE) gene indicated nonhomologous resistance plasmids in isolates of different origin. The results of this study indicate a common gene pool for streptogramin resistance in E. faecium of different ecological origin. A selection of QDRE using the streptogramin virginiamycin S/M as a feed additive and a spread of the resistance via the food chain to humans is probable.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed2000

Resuscitation by ferrioxamine E of stressed Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium from soil and water microcosms.

Storage of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains in soil and water microcosms resulted in loss of culturability on standard plating media. Prior incubation in buffered peptone water supplemented with ferrioxamine E markedly extended the time that bacteria were recoverable by plating, except in the case of mutants deficient in ferrioxamine E uptake.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of Escherichia coli strains isolated from environmental water habitats and from stool samples of healthy volunteers.

This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains among wild-type E. coli strain isolates from the microbial flora of healthy volunteers and from natural residential water habitats of a defined geographic area. In total, 131 stool and 95 water isolates as well as 14 E.coli K12 strains were examined for DNA sequences specific for 20 different genes encoding E. coli pathogenicity factors, including adherence factors, toxins, invasins, capsules and iron uptake systems. The expression of the corresponding pathogenicity factors was also investigated. No pathogenicity factors were found to be present in the tested E. coli K12 strains. In contrast, 41.0% of the water samples and 63.4% of the stool samples contained pathogenicity factors specific for extraintestinal E. coli pathogens. While no virulence determinants specific for intestinal E. coli pathogens were found among the investigated environmental water isolates, 4.5% of the stool samples contained either only intestinal or both intestinal and extraintestinal virulence genes. Both the prevalence of the virulence genes and the expression of the corresponding pathogenicity factors were, in general, higher in stool than in water samples. These findings might indicate the prevalence of different clonal types and/or differential regulation of pathogenicity factor expression in diverse ecological niches.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Individual differences in intuitive-experiential and analytical-rational thinking styles.

Two studies provide evidence for the reliability and validity of a new self-report measure of individual differences in intuitive-experiential and analytical-rational thinking based on cognitive-experiential self-theory (CEST). The Rational-Experiential Inventory (REI) was constructed to measure the 2 independent processing modes with a modified Need for Cognition Scale (NFC, J.T. Cacioppo & R.E. Petty, 1982) and a new scale, Faith in Intuition (FI). In Study 1, a factor analysis yielded 2 orthogonal factors corresponding to NFC and FI. Although heuristic processing was determined primarily by FI, NFC also contributed to heuristic responding, in line with CEST. The relation of FI and NFC to coping ability also was examined. In Study 2, the factor structure of the REI was replicated (N = 973). NFC and FI were differentially related to measures of personality, adjustment, achievement, and interpersonal relations.

Cognition↗
PubMed1995

vanA-mediated high-level glycopeptide resistance in Enterococcus faecium from animal husbandry.

Glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains were isolated from a pig farm and a poultry farm both using avoparcin as a food additive. Such organisms were not isolated in a hen's eggs-producing farm not using avoparcin. Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci were also detected in broiler chicken carcasses that were delivered to a hospital's kitchen. The resistance was determined by the vanA gene as indicated by the detection of the inducible 39-kDa cytoplasmic membrane protein and of a vanA-specific DNA sequence amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Genomic DNA fragment patterns of strains from animal sources were different from each other and also from those of strains isolated in hospitals and from sewage treatment plants. This findings suggest the dissemination of the vanA determinant among different enterococcal strains of distinct ecological origin.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1995

Enterococcus faecium strains with vanA-mediated high-level glycopeptide resistance isolated from animal foodstuffs and fecal samples of humans in the community.

The occurrence and the further spread of high-level glycopeptide-resistant, vanA-positive Enterococcus faecium strains outside of hospitals have been investigated. We could isolate such bacteria directly from thawing liquids of commercially produced frozen poultry (chickens, turkeys; no further data on previous feeding with avoparcin were available). In 5 of 13 samples of raw minced meat of pigs originating from 13 different butcher's shops, glycopeptide-resistant E. faecium (VanA type) could be detected after overnight broth cultivation of these samples. No glycopeptide-resistant enterococci could be isolated from meat samples of chickens that were fed without avoparcin. VanA type E. faecium strains were also identified in 12 fecal samples recovered from 100 nonhospitalized humans in the rural area of Saxony-Anhalt federal county. These results suggest a possible role of the food chain in the spread of glycopeptide-resistant E. faecium. Molecular typing (macrorestriction and multilocus enzyme analysis) reveal a wide dissemination of the vanA gene among strains of different ecological origins.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Environmental strains of Enterococcus faecium with inducible high-level resistance to glycopeptides.

High-level resistance to glycopeptides in Enterococcus faecium is associated with an inducible 39-kDa cytoplasmic membrane protein. The present paper shows that such glycopeptide-resistant E. faecium strains can not only be isolated in a definite clinical setting but also from waste water of sewage treatment plants. Nearer characterization of these and of clinical isolates by resistance pattern, biotyping, and genotyping (DNA-fingerprinting with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) has shown that different glycopeptide-resistant E. faecium strains have been isolated from clinical sources and from waste water.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed1989

Reliable measurements from fundus photographs in the presence of focusing errors.

When measuring the width of the blood column and the superimposed central light reflex of retinal vessels from fundus photographs, we find that the measurements are affected by focusing error, unless certain steps are taken to reduce its effect. Thus, we recommend using a scanning microdensitometer to extract the density profile of the blood column from the negative, and convert the density profile to an intensity profile by means of the characteristic curve of the film. In this paper we model the imaging process on a computer, and find that the half value width of the intensity profile is relatively insensitive to focus error. However, the maximum intensity of the central light reflex is still sensitive to focus error. Both these results are in agreement with experimental studies.

Fundus Oculi↗
PubMed1981

[Distribution of transferable trimethoprim and gentamicin resistance plasmids in Enterobacteriaceae].

Following the employment of trimethoprim/sulfonamid and gentamicin in the general clinical praxis transferable plasmids with respective resistance function were identified at first in enteric bacteria from sewage before they could be detected in patient strains. Whereas the trimethoprim resistance plasmids represent different incompatibility groups (C, FII, I5, K, M, N, S, U) the gentamicin resistance plasmids are very similar IncM members of 62 MD in size. Therefore a clonal distribution of a particular gentamicin resistance plasmid has to be taken into consideration.

DNA Transposable Elements↗