The relationship of mucoviscosity-associated (magA) and/or regulator of mucoid phenotype (rmpA) genes to the Klebsiella pneumoniae hypermucoviscosity (HMV) phenotype has been reported. We previously demonstrated that rmpA+ K. pneumoniae can cause serious disease in African green monkeys and isolated rmpA+ and magA+ HMV K. pneumoniae from other species of non-human primates. To rapidly screen African green monkeys/non-human primates for these infections, we developed three real-time PCR assays. The first was K. pneumoniae-specific, targeting the khe gene, while the others targeted rmpA and magA. Primer Express 2 was used with the three K. pneumoniae genes to generate sequence-specific TaqMan/TaqMan-Minor Groove Binder assays. Oral/rectal swabs and necropsy samples were collected; swabs were used for routine culture and DNA extraction. K. pneumoniae colonies were identified on the Vitek 2 with DNA tested using the K. pneumoniae-specific assays. Testing of 45 African green monkeys resulted in 19 khe+ samples from 14 animals with none positive for either rmpA or magA. Of these 19 khe+ samples, five were culture-positive, but none were HMV "string test"-positive. Subsequent testing of 307 non-human primates resulted in 64 HMV K. pneumoniae isolates of which 42 were rmpA+ and 15 were magA+. Non-human primate testing at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases demonstrated the ability to screen both live and necropsied animals for K. pneumoniae by culture and real-time PCR to determine HMV genotype.

Bacteria of the genus Moraxella have been isolated from a variety of mammalian hosts. In a prior survey of bacteria that colonize the rhesus macaque nasopharynx, performed at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, organisms of the Moraxella genus were isolated from animals with epistaxis, or “bloody nose syndrome.” They were biochemically identified as Moraxella catarrhalis, and cryopreserved. Another isolate was obtained from an epistatic cynomolgus macaque at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. Based on differences in colony and cell morphologies between rhesus and human M. catarrhalis isolates, we hypothesized that the nonhuman primate Moraxella might instead be a different species. Despite morphological differences, the rhesus isolates, by several biochemical tests, were indistinguishable from M. catarrhalis. Analysis of the cynomolgus isolate by Vitek 2 Compact indicated that it belonged to a Moraxella group, but could not differentiate among species. However, sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene from four representative rhesus isolates and the cynomolgus isolate showed closest homology to Moraxella lincolnii, a human respiratory tract inhabitant, with 90.16% identity. To examine rhesus macaques as potential hosts for M. catarrhalis, eight animals were inoculated with human M. catarrhalis isolates. Only one of the animals was colonized and showed disease, whereas four of four macaques became epistatic after inoculation with the rhesus Moraxella isolate. The nasopharyngeal isolates in this study appear uniquely adapted to a macaque host and, though they share many of the phenotypic characteristics of M. catarrhalis, appear to form a genotypically distinct species.

University of Alabama P a t r i c i a M. Rudolph, University of Alabama Edward B. Selby, J r . , University of Georgia The possession and use of c r e d i t cards has been o f i n t e r e s t t o c r e d i t card i s s u e r s , monetary policy makers, and researchers f o r many years. Who possesses c r e d i t cards and how they are used has an impact on c r e d i t extension and the paymerit mechanism. Moreover, many of the sophisticated e l e c t r o n i c funds t r a n s f e r systems, such as point of s a l e terminals a r e card based. In t h i s paper, survey data a r e analyzed using probit analysis t o determine what c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a r e related t o possession and use of c r e d i t cards and i f t h e r e has been s i g n i f i c a n t change over time. The data provide information on both possession and use of c r e d i t cards f o r two d i s t i n c t time periods. First, the factors which have an impact on an individual having a c r e d i t card a r e discussed. Economic and demographic f a c t o r s such as race, education, occupation, home ownership, car ownership and income a r e used t o explain the decision t o have c r e d i t cards. By looking a t these f a c t o r s in 1971 and again i n 1983, any changes which have occurred over time can be i d e n t i f i e d . Once an individual has a c r e d i t card, he/she must decide when and i f t o use i t . Not only the economic and social characterist i c s associated with the individual but the type of transaction should have an e f f e c t on t h e choice of payment means. In the survey, respondents were asked how they most frequently paid f o r a v a r i e t y of purchases and b i l l s . In this paper, those types of transactions which can be paid with c r e d i t cards such a s gasoline, clothing, small household goods and furnishings a r e discussed. Again, the analysis i s run f o r both 1971 and 1983 i n order t o identify possib l e changes. Age, race, occupation, income, c a r ownership and home ownership have a s i g n i fi c a n t impact on the decision t o have c r e d i t cards. These same variables a r e a l s o s i g n i f i c a n t i n deciding whether t o use c r e d i t cards. Results indicate t h a t there have been decreases over time i n the possession o f gas cards and s t o r e cards but with increasing c r e d i t card use f o r clothing, f u r n i t u r e and household goods. Few other changes have occurred i n the f a c t o r s which a f f e c t e i t h e r decision over time.

BackgroundInfections caused by multiply drug resistant organisms such as extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are increasing. Carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem) are the antibiotics commonly used to treat these agents. There is limited clinical data regarding the efficacy of the newest carbapenem, ertapenem, against these organisms. Ertapenem susceptibility of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were evaluated and compared to imipenem to determine if imipenem susceptibility could be used as a surrogate for ertapenem susceptibility.Methods100 ESBL isolates (n = 34 E. coli and n = 66 K. pneumoniae) collected from 2005–2006 clinical specimens at WRAMC were identified and tested for susceptibility by Vitek Legacy [bioMerieux, Durham, NC]. Ertapenem susceptibility was performed via epsilometer test (E-test) [AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden].Results100% of ESBL isolates tested were susceptible to ertapenem. 100% of the same isolates were also susceptible to imipenem.ConclusionThese results, based on 100% susceptibility, suggest that ertapenem may be an alternative to other carbapenems for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Clinical outcomes studies are needed to determine if ertapenem is effective for the treatment of infection caused by these organisms. However, due to lack of resistant isolates, we are unable to conclude whether imipenem susceptibility accurately predicts ertapenem susceptibility.

World oil prices have been high since 1973, compared to average production costs and historical norms, because the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has functioned as a viable price-setting and output-restricting institution. Prices increased sharply in 1973-1974 and 1979, and in each case OPEC validated the higher price levels by subsequently cutting production. On the other hand, the importing countries have failed to establish institutions of their own that could mitigate price increases because they have not perceived the problem to be one of institutional control over prices. Instead, they have tended to view high oil prices as the result of resource scarcity. Their responses have been predominantly intermediate to long term, stockpiling for an embargo, encouraging conservation, and promoting the development of alternative energy.