In a previous study, we showed that Acinetobacter genomic DNA group 3 was the most common species among blood culture isolates and was commonly found on superficial carriage sites of the healthy and the sick, which are different findings from those reported in Europe and North America. We used amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to study further the molecular epidemiology of acinetobacters in our region. Over a study period of 6 weeks with 136 consecutive routine clinical isolates (1.33% of all specimens), genomic DNA groups 2 (Acinetobacter baumannii), 3, and 13TU were obtained from 59 of 69 positive patients. There is a significant difference in the specimen sources of the three genomic DNA groups, with group 13TU being significantly associated with the respiratory tract (chi-square exact test, P ‫؍‬ 0.0064). Settle plates showed a significantly heavier environmental load from the intensive care unit (ICU) than from the four surgical wards examined (22 of 70 versus 76 of 120 plates with <5 colonies; chi-square test, P < 0.0001). Genomic group 3 accounted for 6 of 12 clusters of possibly related strains among patients, between patients and the ICU environment, and in the ICU environment. Genomic groups 2 and 3 accounted for 21% of the 132 genomically identified isolates recovered from 21 of 41 local vegetables, 53 of 74 fish and meat samples, and 22 of 60 soil samples. Group 13TU was present only in patients' immediate surroundings. The role played by the environment and by human carriage should be evaluated in order to devise a cost-effective infection control program pertinent to our situation of acinetobacter endemicity.

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In healthy living corneas, the keratocyte density was high in the areas adjacent to Bowman's and Descemet's membranes and was lower in patients older than 50 years than in those younger than 50 years. Further studies are needed to document the rate of change with age and to better understand the role and capacity of aging keratocytes in regenerative processes following corneal diseases or surgical procedures.

The distribution of the 19 currently known genospecies of Acinetobacter on human skin, i.e. forehead, forearm and toe webs, was determined. Three selective media were compared for their specificity for all genospecies of Acinetobacter. A minimal-salts agar supplemented with 1% acetate proved to be more efficient than the Leeds medium for the isolation of most genospecies in mixed culture with other bacterial species. Acinetobacter isolates were provisionally identified using biochemical tests and the DNA transformation assay of Juni. Genospecies identification was performed using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis, and duplicate isolates of the same genospecies from individuals were ruled out by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Over 40% of 192 healthy volunteers carried Acinetobacter spp. at one or more body sites, and the frequencies of colonisation were as follows: forearm (51%), forehead (47%) and toe web (34%). Genospecies 8/9 (Acinetobacter lwoffii) was the most common (61%), followed by genospecies 15BJ and 12 (Acinetobacter radioresistens) at 12.5% and 8%, respectively. The Acinetobacter baumannii-Acinetobacter calcoaceticus group (genospecies 1, 2, 3 and 13TU) that predominates in hospital-acquired infections was found in only one individual.

our results do not confirm a generally higher protein concentration in pseudoexfoliation syndrome eyes. This does not necessarily contradict a blood-aqueous barrier impairment but illustrates the variance in protein concentration between and within the two groups. No characteristic protein band allocatable to pseudoexfoliation syndrome proteins could be detected in any of the samples. However, our findings support the theory that the pseudoexfoliation syndrome is associated with an amyloid of a serum protein.