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Surface-exposed proteins often play an important role in the interaction between pathogenic bacteria and their host. We isolated a pool of hydrophobic, surface-associated proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The opsonophagocytic activity of hyperimmune serum raised against this protein fraction was high and species specific. Moreover, the opsonophagocytic activity was independent of the capsular type and chromosomal genotype of the pneumococcus. Since the opsonophagocytic activity is presumed to correlate with in vivo protection, these data indicate that the protein fraction has the potential to elicit species-specific immune protection with cross-protection against various pneumococcal strains. Individual proteins in the extract were purified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Antibodies raised against three distinct proteins contributed to the opsonophagocytic activity of the serum. The proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and Nterminal amino acid sequencing. Two proteins were the previously characterized pneumococcal surface protein A and oligopeptide-binding lipoprotein AmiA. The third protein was the recently identified putative proteinase maturation protein A (PpmA), which showed homology to members of the family of peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that PpmA was associated with the pneumococcal surface. In addition, PpmA was shown to elicit species-specific opsonophagocytic antibodies that were crossreactive with various pneumococcal strains. This antibody cross-reactivity was in line with the limited sequence variation of ppmA. The importance of PpmA in pneumococcal pathogenesis was demonstrated in a mouse pneumonia model. Pneumococcal ppmA-deficient mutants showed reduced virulence. The properties of PpmA reported here indicate its potential for inclusion in multicomponent protein vaccines.Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important human pathogen which causes meningitis, otitis media, sepsis, and pneumonia. The precise molecular mechanisms by which the pneumococcus invades and damages host tissues are not fully understood. For many years, the polysaccharide capsule has been recognized as the major virulence factor and consequently was considered an important vaccine candidate (for reviews see references 5 and 34). The use of a 23-valent vaccine containing capsular polysaccharides from pneumococci commonly causing disease has had limited effect in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this organism (1,16,19,41). The current pneumococcal vaccine strategy focuses on the use of conjugates, in which a limited number of capsular polysaccharides are linked to a carrier protein. The proteins in the conjugate vaccines cause a switch in the immune response to polysaccharides from T-cell independent to T-cell dependent. This results in an increase in the antibody response and the generation of memory T lymphocytes. Conjugate vaccines are more immunogenic in young children than polysaccharide vaccines (15,18). Although the results of early trial...

Eutrophication of waters can lead to the development of blooms of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and consequent health and environmental problems. The presence of these organisms in recreational and drinking waters is generally undesirable or even hazardous, although nitrogen fixing blue-green algae can be beneficially used as biofertilisers for plantation crops. This paper reviews the characteristics of cyanobacteria and particularly their toxins. The mechanisms of toxic algal blooms are discussed, as are the factors influencing toxin production. The nuisance and health hazards associated with freshwater bluegreen algae are discussed and the options for public health control are evaluated. The problems associated with statutory control of toxic algae problems is also considered

This study was designed to determine tlie occurrence and removal of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts, in municipal waste-water by waste stabilisation ponds in tlie Republic of Kenya. Eleven waste stabilisation pond systems located in towns across Kenya were included. A total of 66 waste-water samples were examined for the presence of oocysts and cysts, comprising 11 raw waste-water and 55 pond effluent samples over a two month period. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 6 and Giardia spp. cysts in 9 of the designated pond systems analysed demonstrating their ubiquitous nature throughout Kenya. Oocyst levels detected in raw waste-water samples ranged from 12.5 - 72.97 oocysts/l and various pond effluents between 2.25 - 50 oocysts/l. Cyst levels detected in raw waste-water samples ranged from 212.5 to 6212.5 cysts/l and in various pond effluents from 3.125 to 230.7 cysts/l. No Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in the final effluent from any pond systems studied (11/11). Whereas no Giardia spp. cysts were detected in the final effluent from 10 of 11 waste stabilisation pond systems studied, one pond system was found to be consistently discharging cysts in the final effluent at concentrations ranging from 40 to 50 cysts/l. The minimum retention period for the removal of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts was 37.3 days. Laboratory experiments were performed to assess physico-chemical and microbiological parameters to express relationships between pond performance and protozoa removal.