Edward R. Bannister

Bacterial effect on sperm motility

Human semen containing normal number of sperm was exposed to concentrations of Escherichia coli varying from 500 to 10-8 colonies per cubic centimeter. A significant decrease in motility was abserved at 10-6 colonies per cubic centimeter.

Interference of Human Spermatosoal Motility and Spermatozoal Agglutination by Candida Albicans

Human spermatozoa were exposed to concentrations of 10(2) to 10(7) organisms per ml. Candida albicans. A subsequent striking decrease in spermatozoal motility and significant agglutination were observed. The possible role of mycotic genital tract infections in human infertility is considered.

Office diagnosis of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women

Diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant patients can virtually eliminate pyelonephritis, the most common medical cause for antepartum hospitalization. However, the ever-increasing cost of the urine culture has led most clinicians away from routine urine screening. Uricult dip-slide paddles provide an inexpensive, efficient way to screen urine. Clean-catch urine specimens were obtained from 544 consecutive asymptomatic pregnant patients seen in the outpatient obstetric clinic at the Medical University of South Carolina. Specimens were analyzed by both traditional culture techniques and the Uricult dip-slide paddles. By comparison, the Uricult test detected 55 of the 56 significant gram-negative urinary pathogens found by culture. Detection of potential gram-positive pathogens is more difficult. A scheme is proposed that allows reliable, inexpensive surveillance in all pregnant patients. Hopefully, this algorithm will rekindle the obstetricians interest in urine screening.

Identification of gram-negative bacilli using the Autobac IDX.

The Autobac IDX is a new system for the rapid identification of clinically significant members of the Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonas, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Flavobacterium, Moraxella, and Pseudomonas species. The use of 18 differentially inhibitory compounds such as dyes and antibiotics along with a computerized algorithm based on a multivariate analysis provides the basis for the identification of 30 different groups of gram-negative bacilli. Required preliminary tests include observations on the presence or absence of swarming on a sheep blood agar plate and noting the following: growth, lactose fermentation, and bile precipitation from a MacConkey plate. Spot indole and spot oxidase tests must be performed as well. Identification by the Autobac IDX System takes 3-6 hr after completion of the preliminary tests. From a total of 403 isolates tested, the Autobac system agreed with the MicroID AND N/F systems on 382 identifications (94.8%). Four isolates, two Acinetobacter anitratus, one Serratia marcescens and one Moraxella osloensis could not be identified by IDX. Additional testing was required on 35 (8.7%) of the isolates.

Direct susceptibility testing on positive blood cultures using Autobac I

Abstract Direct susceptibility tests on 243 on positive blood cultures were performed using a rapid Autobac I procedure and the standard Autobac I procedure. After examining 1762 disc comparisons there was an overall agreement between the two techniques of 95%. A total of 1.5% very major, 1.4% major and 1.8% minor discrepancies occured.