Mima Polymorpha Research Articles

Le bactériologiste clinique face à un problème de classification : Moraxella, Achromobacter, Acinetobacter

The clinical bacteriologist faces a taxonomical problem concerning a group of Gram-negative, non-chromogenous, oxydase-negative bacilli, isolated on MacConkey agar and which produce no modification of Kligler medium (glucose, lactose, SH2).A review of the literature on the subject is made and allows the authors to adopt M. Piéchaud's nomenclature, which uses the term Moraxella and divides this genus in two groups:group I, oxydase-positive, is briefly discussed;group II, oxydase-negative, contains two species:(a) Moraxella lwoffi, which is synonymous with Mima polymorpha, Achromobacter, and Acinetobacter lwoffi,(b) Moraxella glucidolytica, also termed Herellea vaginicola, B5W, Bacterium anitratum, Achromobacter, and Acinetobacter anitratum.Table III is suggested for the differential diagnosis of these Gram-negative bacteria of medical interest, which do not belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae. This diagram also indicates the position that the authors think Moraxella, Achromobacter, and Acinetobacter should have in bacterial taxonomy.

Evaluation of Media for Differentiating Nonfermenting Gram-negative Bacteria of Medical Significance

An evaluation was made of media and tests used for differentiating nonfermenting gram-negative bacteria encountered in medical bacteriology in order to determine those diagnostic procedures most useful in identifying these bacteria. The organisms examined included Alcaligenes faecalis, A. odorans var. viridans, Moraxella duplex (Mima polymorpha var. oxidans), Acinetobacter anitratum (Herellea vaginicola), A. lwoffi (Mima polymorpha), Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida, P. maltophilia, P. pseudomallei, P. stutzeri, P. alcaligenes, and atypical strains of P. aeruginosa. The media and tests evaluated included Sellers' medium; Hugh and Leifson's OF medium; acid production from 10% lactose infusion agar; gluconate oxidation; starch, aesculin, and Tween 80 hydrolysis; lysine decarboxylase, arginine dihydrolase, deoxyribonuclease, and tyrosinase activity; tolerance to triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, cetrimide, cadmium sulfate, 2.5% and 6.5% sodium chloride, and pH 5.6; utilization of glucose, acetamide, and malonate.

Identification of the Mima-Herellea Group of Organisms and Selected Members of the Genus Neisseria

To determine a rapid and reliable protocol for the differentiation of Mima polymorpha, M. polymorpha var. oxidans, Herellea, Bacterium antitratum, Neisseria gonorrheae, and other related members of the genus Neisseria, reference cultures were examined on a variety of microbiological media. The media were selected because of the typical morphological and biochemical characteristics exhibited by the test organisms and were those media which would be readily available in a microbiology facility. After compiling data obtained from 21,714 observations, an inclusive protocol is presented which has proven to be quite adequate for the identification of these particular gram-negative bacteria.

Gonorrhea-like Urethritis due to Mima polymorpha var. oxidans

In the past few years, an increasing number of reports have implicated<i>Mima polymorpha</i>in a variety of human infections including bacteremia, meningitis, pyelonephritis, respiratory tract infections, urethritis, wound infections, and many others. A particular problem presented by<i>M polymorpha</i>infections is the similarity, both clinically and bacteriologically, to those caused by<i>Neisseria meningitidis</i>and<i>N gonorrhoeae</i>. Recently, reports also have appeared describing an increase in the number of cases of a penicillinresistant urethritis resembling gonorrhea. There is evidence, however, that not all of these penicillin-resistant infections are due to<i>N gonorrhoeae</i>, but that some may be caused by members of the tribe Mimeae. There remains some confusion concerning the reported increased resistance of<i>N gonorrhoeae</i>to penicillin. It is the purpose of this paper to document a case of gonorrhealike urethritis caused by<i>M polymorpha</i>var.<i>oxidans</i>. <h3>Patient Summary</h3> A 28-year-old white man consulted his physician on Nov 21,

Gonorrhea-like urethritis due to Mima polymorpha var. oxidans. Patient summary and bacteriological study

Gonorrhea-like urethritis due to Mima polymorpha var. oxidans. Patient summary and bacteriological study

The isolation of Bacterium anitratum (Acinetobacter anitratus) and Mima polymorpha (Acinetobacter iwoffi) from animals in Uganda.

The isolation of Bacterium anitratum (Acinetobacter anitratus) and Mima polymorpha (Acinetobacter iwoffi) from animals in Uganda.

Ophthalmia Neonatorum Caused by Mima Polymorpha

Ophthalmia Neonatorum Caused by Mima Polymorpha

Response of the Mimeae to some Physical and Chemical Agents1

Isolates of Mima polymorpha and Herellea vaginicola obtained from retail food products were investigated for their ability to hydrolyze proteins, starch, and lipids as well as for their ability to initiate growth under varying conditions of pH, sodium chloride concentration, and temperature. None of the isolates hydrolyzed starch and a few hydrolyzed proteins, whereas most were actively lipolytic. Members of each genus grew over the range 6 to 42 C; in general, H. vaginicola was more tolerant to high concentrations of sodium chloride and to acid conditions than was M. polymorpha.

Effect of succinate on isocitrate lyase synthesis in Mima polymorpha.

Effect of succinate on isocitrate lyase synthesis in Mima polymorpha.

Carbohydrate catabolism of Mima polymorpha. I. Supplemental energy from glucose added to a growth medium.

Bell, Emily J. (University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio), and Adrienne Marus. Carbohydrate catabolism of Mima polymorpha. I. Supplemental energy from glucose added to a growth medium. J. Bacteriol. 91:2223-2228. 1966.-Mima polymorpha, unable to grow in the presence of nonphosphorylated sugars as sole source of carbon and energy, grows rapidly and well in the presence of acetate, ethyl alcohol, short-chained fatty acids, and permeable intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Chemical evidence indicates, however, a limited uptake of glucose. Further, glucose, although incapable of supporting growth as the sole source of carbon and energy, does increase both the rate of growth and the total cell crop when added as an ancillary nutrient to cells growing in a mineral salts medium which contains 0.03 m acetate as the carbon and energy source. A yield of energy from an abortive catabolism of glucose is hypothesized. In addition to the enhancement of growth rate and total cell crop, this hypothesis is supported by the facts that: (i) transport systems for the slightly permeable phosphorylated hexoses appear to be induced when glucose is incorporated into a medium capable of supporting growth and (ii) the rate of induction and the total activity of an inducible enzyme, isocitrate lyase E.C. 4.1.3.1., are markedly increased in the presence of supplemental glucose.

Carbohydrate catabolism of Mima polymorpha. II. Abortive catabolism of glucose.

Marus, Adrienne (University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio), and Emily J. Bell. Carbohydrate catabolism of Mima polymorpha. II. Abortive catabolism of glucose. J. Bacteriol. 91:2229-2236. 1966.-Mima polymorpha, unable to grow in the presence of glucose as a sole carbon and energy source, is able to obtain supplemental, utilizable energy from the partial catabolism of this substrate. Various enzymes of hexose catabolism have been assayed in this organism and in M. polymorpha M, a mutant obtained by ultraviolet irradiation. The parent strain contains a functional glucose dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, diphosphofructoaldolase, and a 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase, but is lacking in glucokinase, gluconokinase, 2-ketogluconokinase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The enzymes present indicate partially functioning hexose diphosphate and Entner-Doudoroff pathways. The absence of kinases explains the inability of the strain to grow on glucose and an absence of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase would indicate the absence of the complete pentose pathway. The mutant strain, M. polymorpha M, possesses, in addition to those enzymes produced by the wild type, both gluconokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The presence of the former explains the mutant's ability to grow on glucose, and the presence of the latter indicates a more complete pentose shunt. The supplemental energy obtained from partial glucose catabolism (to gluconic acid) may be obtained from a cytochrome-linked reaction of the glucose dehydrogenase.

STUDIES ON MIMEAE ORGANISMS AS RELATED TO INFANTS AND CHILDREN

The frequency of isolation of Mimeae organisms from the skin, upper respiratory tract, and rectal swabs of children has been presented. These organisms (Mima polymorpha and Herellea species) were cultured from 9.5% of 200 axillary cultures. They were cultured from only 1% of 500 throat and nasopharyngeal cultures and were not isolated from rectal swabs of 200 children. By the use of the hemagglutination test antibody to two Mimeae organisms has been demonstrated in a majority of adults and children over 1 year of age. There is apparently very poor transfer of these antibodies from the mother to her offspring.

SELDOM-ENCOUNTERED AGENTS OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS.

In five cases of bacterial meningitis (one associated with a brain abscess) four seldom-encountered were identified as causative agents: Mima polymorpha, Listeria monocytogenes, Corynebacterium acnes , and Serratia marcescens . Circumspection is required of the bacteriologist and physician concerning contaminants introduced nosocomially or iatrogenically. Various methods for culture of certain recalcitrant problem bacteria are suggested.

BACTERIUM ANITRATUM AND MIMA POLYMORPHA INFECTION IN UGANDA.

Eleven cases of infection with Bacterium anitratum and one with Mima polymorpha are described. Microscopically the organisms showed Gram-negative or Gram-variable diplococci with a tendency to form filaments. There appear to be a number of biochemical variants of B. anitratum. Serological cross-reactions with the genus Klebsiella was found. The antibiotic patterns are given and particular attention is drawn to the resistance of the organisms to chloramphenicol.

TRANSFORMING ACTIVITIES AND BASE COMPOSITION OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEATES FROM STRAINS OF MORAXELLA AND MIMA.

Fourteen strains of Moraxella and possibly allied organisms were studied: M. liquefaciens, M. bovis, M. nonliquefaciens, oxidase-positive and oxidasenegative strains of Mima polymorpha and Herellea vaginicola. Classical bacteriological characteristics, capacity to undergo genetic transformation (resistance to 500 μg. dihydrostreptomycin/ml.), and DNA base composition were examined. Moraxella nonliquefaciens and Mima polymorpha var. oxidans were transformable (2 strains at frequencies of 1-4%). Attempts to elicit transformation of the remaining organisms were unsuccessful. The ability of DNA preparations from M. polymorpha var. oxidans to elicit high frequencies of transformation of Moraxella nonliquefaciens, and vice versa, indicated their close relationship. Moreover, their DNA base contents were indistinguishable (about 44·4% guanine + cytosine, 6 strains). The G + C contents averaged 43·1% for 3 oxidase-negative Mima polymorpha strains and 39·8% for 2 Herellea vaginicola strains.

HERELLEA MENINGITIS FOLLOWING VENTRICULOGRAPHY.

With increasing frequency, members of the bacteriologic tribe Mimeae are being recognized as pathogens in man. 1-3 These Gramnegative pleomorphic bacteria are so named because their morphological characteristics mimic the Neisseria group, especially the gonococcus. As with many other Gramnegative bacteria, these organisms may cause serious infections in hosts with impaired resistance, especially infants and the elderly. Nevertheless, they may also seriously affect those with apparently adequate resistance. 1 Three species may be distinguished by use of fermentation reactions: Mima polymorpha, Herellea vaginicola (often called Bacterium anitratum ), and Colloides anoxydana . 1 Hercllea has been further subdivided on the basis of serological typing. 2 We describe here an infant in whom Herellea meningitis most probably resulted from injection of contaminated air into the ventricles, although, in a case such as this, inadequate antisepsis or use of a contaminated needle cannot be ruled out. Report of a Case A white male infant

FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON MIMA POLYMORPHA AND ACHROMOBACTER (BACTERIUM) ANITRATUM.

Further investigations on the morphology, biochemical reactions, and serological relationships of strains of Mima polymorpha and Achromobacter (Bacterium) anitratum are reported. The results seem to indicate such a close relationship that it may yet be necessary to reconsider the nomenclature of these organisms.

Isolation of Mima Polymorpha from Dairy Products

Isolation of Mima Polymorpha from Dairy Products

SEROLOGY OF THE MIMA-HERELLEA GROUP AND THE GENUS MORAXELLA.

Mitchell, Paul D. (West Virginia University Medical Center, Morgantown), and Robert G. Burrell. Serology of the Mima-Herellea group and the genus Moraxella. J. Bacteriol. 87:900-909. 1964.-The identity of organisms which have been assigned to the Mima-Herellea group of the tribe Mimeae and their taxonomic position are uncertain. In considering the possible relationship of the Mima-Herellea group to the genus Moraxella, the approach used was the isolation and identification of representative antigenic constituents of strains designated Mima polymorpha, M. polymorpha var. oxidans, Herellea vaginicola, Moraxella lwoffi, M. liquefaciens, M. non-liquefaciens, and Bacterium anitratum. Cell-free extracts of sonically disrupted cells were used in these studies, and the precipitinogens derived by this method were considered to be of capsular and somatic origin. Identity among the strains was established by immunodiffusion, with immune sera and antigenic extracts. Heterologous and homologous reactions were performed with adsorbed and unadsorbed sera to verify the cases of identity. In every instance of homologous reaction, at least five distinct antigen-antibody systems were discernible within the Mima-Herellea group. However, as evidenced by heterologous studies, the demonstrable antigenic composition varied among the species and, in some instances, among the strains. M. polymorpha var. oxidans appeared to be serologically distinct from H. vaginicola and M. polymorpha, whereas strains of the latter two organisms were theorized to be closely related serologically. Serological cross-reactions in heterologous studies and reciprocal adsorption tests revealed the existence of a serological relationship between members of the Mima-Herellea group and the genus Moraxella. A tentative scheme of identity is postulated on the basis of these crossreactions and cultural and biochemical reactions among the designated strains of Herellea, Mima, Moraxella, and Bacterium.

MEDIUM FOR DIFFERENTIATING THE GRAM-NEGATIVE, NONFERMENTING BACILLI OF MEDICAL INTEREST.

Sellers, Walter (U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, Tex.). Medium for differentiating the gram-negative, nonfermenting bacilli of medical interest. J. Bacteriol. 87:46-48. 1964.-An agar-slant medium is described for differentiating gram-negative, nonfermenting bacilli of medical interest. Differences in the ability of bacilli to grow anaerobically in the presence of nitrate, to produce pH changes, to produce N(2) from nitrite and nitrate (singly and in combination), to fluoresce, and to oxidize a drop of glucose solution to acid in the presence of high peptone concentrations were used in the development of the medium. Organisms differentiated by the medium include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacterium anitratum, Mima polymorpha, and Vibrio alcaligenes or Alcaligenes faecalis.