Dorothy Hamre

Activity of p-Aminobenzaldehyde, 3-Thiosemicarbazone on Vaccinia Virus in the Chick Embryo and in the Mouse.

Summary p-Aminobenzaldehyde, 3-thiosemicarbazone (MC2343) caused a significant delay in death and survival of a small percentage of chick embryos and mice infected with vaccinia virus. At the concentrations tested this compound was inactive against the agent of meningopneumonitis, the vole rickettsia (Baker) and swine influenza virus. Preliminary results indicated that the p-acetamido analogue (Myvizone) was also active against vaccinia virus.

VIROLOGIC STUDIES OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN YOUNG ADULTS V. CORONAVIRUS 229E INFECTIONS DURING SIX YEARS OF SURVEILLANCE

Abstract Hamre, D. and M. Beem (DepL Pediatrics, Univ. of Chicago, Chicago, III. 60637). Virologic studies of acute respiratory disease in young adults. V. Coronavirus 229E infections during six years of surveillance. Am J Epidemiol 96: 94–106, 1972.—In a surveillance study of acute respiratory disease in medical students that spanned six consecutive seasons between 1961 and 1968 and encompassed 937 student years of observation, infection with coronavirus 229E was identified by virus isolation and serologic studies. Virus isolation identified 12 infections, 8 in one season, 4 in another. Complement fixing (CF) antibody titer rises identified 133 infections that occurred in all six seasons of surveillance, involving from 15 to 35% of students in three seasons of “high” prevalence, and 1 to 5% in intervening seasons of “low” prevalence. Infection occurred in a winter-spring seasonal pattern and was associated with acute respiratory illness that was not clinically distinctive. Neutralizing antibody to 229E was commonly present in the sera of the students. The level of this did not appear to influence the occurrence of, or likelihood of illness with, reinfection as judged by CF seroconversion; however, the frequency of significant rise in neutralizing antibody titer with reinfection was inversely related to pre-infection levels of this antibody. Infection with other common respiratory viruses did not stimulate significant CF or neutralizing antibody titer rises to 229E.

Bactericidal Action of Streptomycin

Summary Streptomycin was bactericidal for both multiplying and non—multiplying cultures of K. pneumoniae, but not for washed spores of Bacillus sp. No. 290. Organisms surviving the bactericidal effect of 0.25 unit of streptomycin per ml after 6 hours incubation were more resistant to its action. This resis—tance persisted through 4 subcultures in the ab-sence of streptomycin and could be increased 5-fold by serial transfers in broth containing streptomycin. Washed organisms surviving after 5 hours incubation with 7.5 units of streptomycin per ml were not more resistant.

Action of Sulfonamides on Toxins of Agents of the Lymphogranuloma-Psittacosis Group

Summary Sulfamerazine has no effect on any of the endotoxins of the agents of the lymphogranuloma-psittacosis group and on the early deaths produced by such toxins, even when these are used in doses on the border line of lethality and are derived from lymphogranuloma venereum or mouse pneumonitis both of which infections are very susceptible to sulfonamide therapy. On the other h and, of the later deaths which occur following intravenous inoculation of the agents of mouse or feline pneumonitis, those occurring with mouse pneumonitis are entirely prevented with sulfamerazine while those with feline pneumonitis are not. These facts are in keeping with the previously postulated theory that these later deaths are due to infection while the earlier are due to toxemia.

Electron Micrographs of the Agent of Feline Pneumonitis (Baker)

Summary Electron microscope studies of the agent of feline pneumonitis suggest that the elementary bodies in nature have properties similar to those of jelly-filled sacs which in course of preparation for examination in the microscope settle to a form similar to a wrinkled pea with one flattened side. Such distorted bodies are approximate- 465 μ in diameter. They have several characteristics which resemble rickettsiae and bacteria.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE AGENT OF HEART-WATER FEVER—RICKETTSIA RUMINANTIUM

Sera from sheep which were infected with heartwater fever from 39 to 110 days before the serum was withdrawn failed to fix complement in the presence of lymphogranuloma venereum antigen.

Chemotherapy of Infections with Cl perfringens in Mice by Homosulfonamides.

Summary Except for sulfadiazine, nomosulfanilamide and its N1-methyl derivative were the most effective drugs in local treatment of experimental gas gangrene of the compounds tested. The acute toxicity of homosulfanilamide was less than that of its derivative. The chronic toxicity of homosulfanilamide in mice appeared to be no greater than that of sulfanilamide. These two compounds were not effective in the treatment of infections in mice with Strep. hemolyticus C203, H. influenza: 62/B, or Staph. aureus Smith, but they were bacteriostatic in vitro for staphylococci. Although infection with Cl. perfringens in mice is not strictly comparable with infection in man, these results indicate that homosulfanilamide may be worthy of a clinical trial in the local treatment of gas gangrene.