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R R Facklam

Publications and source records attributed to R R Facklam.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Ignavigranum ruoffiae sp. nov., isolated from human clinical specimens.

Two strains of a hitherto undescribed Gram-positive catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus isolated from human sources were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated the unknown strains were genealogically identical, and constitute a new line close to, but distinct from, the genera Facklamia and Globicatella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from Facklamia species and Globicatella sanguinus by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Ignavigranum ruoffiae gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Ignavigranum ruoffiae is CCUG 37658T.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Dolosicoccus paucivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from human blood.

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on a hitherto undescribed Gram-positive, catalase-negative, chain-forming coccus isolated from human blood. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown organism constitutes a new phylogenetic line, close to, but distinct from, Facklamia and Globicatella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from currently recognized Facklamia species and Globicatella sanguinis by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Dolosicoccus paucivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Dolosicoccus paucivorans is CCUG 39307T.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed1999

Genotypic survey of recent beta-lactam-resistant pneumococcal nasopharyngeal isolates from asymptomatic children in Chile.

To assess pneumococcal strain variability among young asymptomatic carriers in Chile, we used serotyping, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and genotyping to analyze 68 multidrug-resistant pneumococcal isolates recovered from 54 asymptomatic children 6 to 48 months of age. The isolates represented capsular serotypes 19F (43 isolates), 14 (14 isolates), 23F (7 isolates), 6B (3 isolates), and 6A (1 isolate). Genotypic analysis, which included pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of chromosomal digests, penicillin binding protein (PBP) gene fingerprinting, and dhf gene fingerprinting, revealed that the isolates represented six different genetic lineages. Clear circumstantial evidence of capsular switching was seen within each of four of the genetically related sets. The majority of the isolates, consisting of the 43 19F isolates and 2 type 6B isolates, appeared to represent a genetically highly related set distinct from previously characterized pneumococcal strains. Each of three other genetically defined lineages was closely related to one of the previously characterized clones Spain(6B)-2, France(9V)-3, or Spain(23F)-1. A fifth lineage was comprised of four type 23F isolates that, by the techniques used for this study, were genetically indistinguishable from three recent type 19F sterile-site isolates from the United States. Finally, a sixth lineage was represented by a single type 23F isolate which had a unique PFGE type and unique PBP and dhf gene fingerprints.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Facklamia languida sp. nov., isolated from human clinical specimens.

Three strains of a gram-positive catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus-shaped organism originating from human clinical samples were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Sequencing of genes encoding 16S rRNA showed that the strains are phylogenetically closely related (99.9 to 100% sequence similarity) and represent a new subline within the genus Facklamia. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from all currently described species of the genus Facklamia (viz., Facklamia hominis, Facklamia ignava, and Facklamia sourekii) by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Facklamia languida sp. nov. The type strain of F. languida is CCUG 37842.

Bacillaceae↗
PubMed1998

Recurrent pneumococcal bacteremia: 34 episodes in 15 patients.

Thirty-four episodes of pneumococcal bacteremia were identified in 15 patients over 5 years in 10 hospitals in Franklin County, Ohio. Twelve patients each had 2 episodes of pneumococcal bacteremia, 2 had 3, and 1 had 4. All patients had predisposing conditions, with lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease being the most frequent. The mean interval between the first and second episode was 268 days. Serotyping and genotyping were performed on 29 isolates. The same serotypic and genotypic patterns were found for sequential isolates from four patients; three of these patients had a recurrence between 22 and 90 days after a previous episode. Seven (24%) of the 29 isolates were serotype 23F; four isolates (14%) were not susceptible to penicillin. All of our patients received appropriate antimicrobial therapy and appeared to be clinically cured of their initial infection. For patients with recurrent pneumococcal disease, alternate preventive measures such as immunization with conjugate pneumococcal vaccine and/or prophylactic antibiotic therapy should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Genetic relationships among the different phenotypes of Streptococcus dysgalactiae strains.

The species Streptococcus dysgalactiae was proposed to accommodate a heterogeneous group of streptococci associated with infections in animals and human beings. This taxon is now considered to include animal isolates of alpha-haemolytic group C streptococci, previously called S. dysgalactiae; animal and human isolates of beta-haemolytic group C streptococci, previously called 'S. equisimilis'; beta-haemolytic group L strains associated with infections in animals and, rarely, in humans; and beta-haemolytic group G strains isolated from humans. DNA-DNA reassociation experiments (hydroxyapatite method) and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) were performed on reference strains and clinical isolates to determine the genetic relationships among these different phenotypic categories. DNA-DNA hybridization tests showed that they were related at the species level, despite the phenotypic and host heterogeneity. Both genotypic and phenotypic characterization indicated that S. dysgalactiae could be separated into two major sub-groups. The first sub-group contained alpha-haemolytic strains that showed levels of DNA relatedness with the type strain of S. dysgalactiae ranging from 84 to 90% and from 82 to 88% under optimal (55 degrees C) and stringent (70 degrees C) conditions, respectively. The second sub-group contained beta-haemolytic strains showing levels of relatedness ranging from 71 to 79% (55 degrees C) and from 62 to 73% (70 degrees C). Percentage divergence varied from 0.5 to 1.0% (alpha-haemolytic group) and from 2.0 to 3.5% (beta-haemolytic group). A dendrogram based on phenotypic similarity between the enzyme bands produced by MEE showed a Jaccard similarity coefficient of 0.45 between the subclusters formed by the two sub-groups. The results of phenotypic and genotypic characterization were consistent with a published proposal to divide S. dysgalactiae into two subspecies, S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae and S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, with a few modifications.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Streptococcal emm types associated with T-agglutination types and the use of conserved emm gene restriction fragment patterns for subtyping group A streptococci.

The T-agglutination types were determined for a diverse collection of 1531 group A streptococci for which the 5' M protein gene (emm) sequences had been analysed. The majority of the T-agglutination types correlated with previously seen M/emm/T-type associations; however, several new associations were found. Analysis of a subset of this collection -- which included 1157 clinical isolates with multiply encountered emm types -- found that emm amplicon restriction profiles of isolates sharing identical T types and opacity factor phenotypes are useful for detecting groups of isolates with identical emm genes. Many emm genes of known 5' sequence display a highly conserved restriction pattern amongst clinical isolates widely separated both geographically and temporally.

Agglutination↗
PubMed1998

Capsular serotype and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in two Chilean cities.

We compared the incidence of nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae, the serotypes causing mucosal and invasive diseases, and the antibiotic resistance of these strains in patients admitted to three large hospitals and children attending day care centers in two Chilean cities (Santiago and Temuco). The populations in both cities were similar in ethnic background, socioeconomic status, family size, and access to medical care. Significant differences in nasopharyngeal colonization rates, in serotypes causing infections, and in antibiotic resistance were found between the two cities. In children 0 to 2 years of age, 42% were colonized with S. pneumoniae in Santiago compared to 14% in Temuco. A total of 41 serotypes were identified in both Chilean cities studied. Six serotypes were found only in Santiago; 14 serotypes were found only in Temuco. Antibiotic-resistant serotypes 6A, 6B, 14, 19F, and 23F were detected only in Santiago. We show that important differences in the incidence of nasopharyngeal carriage, infection, and S. pneumoniae serotypes can exist in similar populations in different areas of the same country. Our findings are relevant for prevention strategies, antibiotic usage, and vaccine design.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Immunoreactivity of five monoclonal antibodies against the 37-kilodalton common cell wall protein (PsaA) of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against the Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA) 37-kDa common cell wall protein. These antibodies were used in a dot immunoblot and Western blot study of clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae to detect the presence of the protein. By both assays, the MAbs reacted with clinical isolates representing the 23 type-specific serotypes present in the licensed pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of a protein migrating in the gel with a molecular mass of 37 kDa. An extension of the study by using dot immunoblot analysis that included an analysis of the 90 serotypes of S. pneumoniae showed that all five MAbs reacted with 89 of the 90 serotypes tested. MAb 1B6, the exception, did not react with S. pneumoniae serotype 16F. Dot immunoblot analysis of the MAbs with Enterococcus faecalis and viridans streptococci showed varied reactivity patterns, depending on the species. The MAbs against the 37-kDa antigen did not react with Escherichia coli, respiratory pathogens, or nonpathogens representing 22 genera and 29 species of bacteria. All five MAbs also reacted with five multidrug-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae. In summary, these MAbs may be useful for detection of pneumococcal antigen and may lead to the development of diagnostic assays for pneumococcal disease.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Description of Gemella sanguinis sp. nov., isolated from human clinical specimens.

Six strains of a hitherto undescribed gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus isolated from human sources were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown strains were genealogically identical and constitute a new subline within the genus Gemella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from Gemella haemolysans, Gemella bergeriae, and Gemella morbillorum by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Gemella sanguinis sp. nov. The type strain is CCUG 37820(T).

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Gemella bergeriae sp. nov., isolated from human clinical specimens.

Six strains of a hitherto-undescribed gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus from human sources were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown strains are genealogically homogeneous and constitute a new subline within the genus Gemella. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from Gemella haemolysans, the type species of the genus Gemella, and from Gemella morbillorum by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from clinical specimens be classified as Gemella bergeriae sp. nov. The type strain of G. bergeriae is CCUG 37817 (= strain 617-93).

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Use of tests for acidification of methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and susceptibility to efrotomycin for differentiation of strains of Enterococcus and some related genera.

A total of 107 Enterococcus strains, 10 Vagococcus fluvialis strains, and 8 Lactococcus garvieae strains were tested for acidification of methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (MGP) and susceptibility to 100-microg efrotomycin (EFRO) disks. All 26 strains of Enterococcus casseliflavus, including 3 nonmotile and 2 nonpigmented strains, acidified MGP and were resistant to EFRO. All 22 strains of Enterococcus gallinarum, including 5 nonmotile strains, also acidified MGP and were resistant to EFRO. None of the 26 strains of Enterococcus faecium acidified MGP, and all were susceptible to EFRO. Although all 12 Enterococcus faecalis strains were also negative in the MGP test, they were resistant to EFRO. Other enterococcal strains gave variable results. All 10 strains of V. fluvialis and all 8 strains of L. garvieae gave positive and negative results, respectively, in the MGP test and were, respectively, resistant and susceptible to EFRO. These results indicate that tests of the production of acid from MGP and susceptibility to EFRO can be used as adjunct tests in the identification of typical and atypical strains of enterococci in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Sudden increase in isolation of group B streptococci, serotype V, is not due to emergence of a new pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type.

Until recently, group B streptococcus, serotype V (GBS-V), was an infrequent cause of disease. It is now recognized as a significant cause of infections in both children and adults. To determine if this increase was due to the recent introduction and spread of a single clone of GBS-V, we analyzed, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), the SmaI chromosomal DNA digests of 45 bacteria: 41 isolated from human infections between 1986 and 1996 in the United States, 2 from human infections in Argentina, and 2 from naturally infected mice. Seventeen patterns were found and arbitrarily designated patterns A to Q. Pattern N constituted 24 (53%) of the isolates and was found in all of the years tested and from all surveillance areas, as well as in both isolates from Argentina, and was very similar to the GBS-V isolated from a mouse. Pattern P was found in three isolates, pattern F was found in two, and the remaining patterns were found in one isolate each. We concluded that the majority of isolates of GBS-V are of one PFGE subtype and that this subtype was predominate before the increase in disease caused by GBS-V and that GBS-V disease is caused by several different subtypes.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Facklamia ignava sp. nov., isolated from human clinical specimens.

Two strains of a hitherto-undescribed gram-positive, catalase-negative coccus isolated from human sources were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown strains are genealogically identical and constitute a new line close to, but distinct from, Facklamia hominis. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from F. hominis by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Facklamia ignava sp. nov. The type strain of Facklamia ignava is CCUG 37419.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Detection and differentiation of vanC-1, vanC-2, and vanC-3 glycopeptide resistance genes in enterococci.

The VanC phenotype, as found in Enterococcus gallinarum, E. casseliflavus, and E. flavescens, is characterized by intrinsic low-level resistance to vancomycin. The nucleotide sequences of the vanC-1 gene in E. gallinarum, the vanC-2 gene in E. casseliflavus, and the vanC-3 gene in E. flavescens have been reported, although there is some disagreement as to whether E. flavescens is a legitimate enterococcal species. Previous attempts to differentiate the vanC-2 and vanC-3 genes by PCR analysis have been unsuccessful. The purpose of the present study was to detect and differentiate the three vanC determinants and examine the distribution of these genes in a collection of both typical and atypical enterococci. The 796-bp vanC-1 PCR product was amplified only from E. gallinarum isolates. As expected, due to the extensive homology in the vanC-2 and vanC-3 gene sequences, all of the E. casseliflavus and E. casseliflavus/flavescens isolates produced the 484-bp vanC-2 PCR product, although the E. gallinarum isolates were negative. Only the E. casseliflavus/flavescens isolates produced the 224-bp vanC-3 product. Using the three sets of primers, we were able to detect and distinguish the vanC-1, vanC-2, and vanC-3 genes from both typical and atypical enterococci strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and analysis of genomic DNA by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were also performed, but the results indicated that they were not able to distinguish among strains possessing the three vanC genotypes.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Rapid screening for penicillin susceptibility of systemic pneumococcal isolates by restriction enzyme profiling of the pbp2B gene.

Restriction digest profiling of pneumococcal pbp2b-specific amplicons was effective for screening penicillin resistance. The pbp2b amplicon of all pneumococcal isolates for which the MICs of penicillin were < or = 0.03 microgram/ml had one of two different susceptible restriction profiles, and all 33 isolates for which MICs were 0.5 microgram/ml or greater had one of seven distinct resistant profiles. Low-concentration penicillin resistance (MICs = 0.06 microgram/ml to 0.25 microgram/ml) was associated with sensitive HaeIII profiles in some isolates; however, RsaI profiling and pbp2b sequence analysis of such isolates revealed that some isolates contained low-level resistant pbp2b alleles, while others had susceptible pbp2b alleles. This data indicates that low-level penicillin resistance is sometimes conferred by determinants other than pbp2b.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Breast abscess associated with Helcococcus kunzii.

Helcococcus kunzii, a nonvirulent member of the human skin flora, has recently been implicated in causing infections in immunosuppressed patients. We report a case of breast abscess associated with H. kunzii in an immunocompetant patient and discuss the criteria used in its identification and our observations of susceptibility testing for this species.

Abscess↗