bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serological characterization of group-A streptococci associated with skin sepsis in meat handlers
Authors: Fraser Cherry A. M. , Ball Lyn C. , Morris C. A. , Noah N. D.
Published: May 2009

A series of outbreaks of skin sepsis among meat handlers in England during 1974 and 1975 afforded an opportunity to study the group-A streptococci commonly isolated from the lesions. Few of these streptococci could be M typed with existing antisera. Intensive study of strains from two outbreaks of sepsis in one abattoir in Shropshire led to the recognition of three new provisional M types. The streptococci were first sorted according to T-typing pattern and ability to produce opacity factor. Opacity-factor producing strains with the same T pattern were then screened for inhibition of opacity production by the sera of convalescents from the same outbreak. Finally, M antisera were made in rabbits against representative cultures.

Sera against the three new provisional types were used to re-examine streptococci from 20 other outbreaks or incidents of sporadic infection among meat handlers. This increased the proportion of typable strains from 3% to 55%. Two of the new provisional types (nos. 2015 and 1658; both T25/Imp 19, opacity-factor positive) were confined to the Shropshire outbreak, but the third (no. 2681; T14, opacity-factor negative) was found among strains from meat workers in eight other geographically distinct areas. In all, 31% of 131 distinct strains from meat workers, but less than 1% of 2816 strains from other British sources, belonged to provisional type 2681. Thus, in Britain, one M-type of group-A streptococcus appears at present to be almost exclusively associated with sepsis in meat workers.
Bacteriophage-typing designations of Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Anderson E. S. , Ward Linda R. , de Saxe Maureen J. , de Sa J. D. H.
Published: May 2009

The phage-typing scheme of Callow (1959) has been extended. The original number of types was 34; this has now risen to 207. Tables are presented which show the provisional type designations and the definitive designations now being introduced.
Tuberculin testing in hospital personnel
Authors: Holley Marguerite P. , Bartzokas C. A.
Published: May 2009

Tuberculin testing of 176 personnel in a Liverpool hospital showed a total incidence of 68 % negative reactors. This remarkably high percentage was similar for each of the various groups of workers tested. We did not find the Tine test to be a satisfactory method of screening for tuberculin sensitivity because 30% were doubtful reactors. In these, further tuberculin testing by the Mantoux reagent was always positive.
Acute otitis externa in divers working in the North Sea: a microbiological survey of seven saturation dives
Authors: Alcock S. R.
Published: May 2009

Saturation diving is an important and widely used technique in the Offshore Oil Industry. During 1974–5 two saturation dives in the North Sea were terminated because of outbreaks of incapacitating otitis externa, and others were disrupted.Pseudomonas aeruginosawas consistently isolated from the ears of affected divers. Because complex work schedules were threatened seven subsequent dives were subjected to microbiological monitoring and control. Colonization of the ear canal withP. aeruginosaor with other gram-negative bacilli occurred in 39 (67%) of the 58 divers studied, usually within 7 days of starting the dive. Data obtained by serotyping the isolations ofP. aeruginosasuggested that a single infected diver may be the source of organisms which rapidly spread to his colleagues and throughout the living chambers, that the living chambers may constitute a reservoir of infection during and between dives, and that certain serotypes ofP. aeruginosaare more likely than others to colonize the ear canal in the conditions of a saturation dive. The control measures used during the dives were only partially effective, but none of the divers suffered severe pain and all the dives were an operational success.
Rubella in Orkney: seroepidemiology and vaccination
Authors: Moffat Margaret A. J. , Heywood S. N. , Laughton Eileen , Gould Janine J. , Freestone D. S.
Published: May 2009

Rubella haemagglutination inhibiting (HAI) antibody titres were determined in 54 seronegative women and 31 naturally immune women after vaccination and revaccination with Wistar RA27/3 strain rubella vaccine administered by the intranasal or subcutaneous routes or revaccination with the Cendehill strain administered subcutaneously. In addition, HAI antibody titres were determined in 46 seronegative schoolgirls after vaccination with the Cendehill strain and revaccination with the RA27/3 strain.

All seronegative women vaccinated with the RA27/3 strain developed antibody, peak titres being reached 6 weeks after vaccination. Six months after vaccination with the Cendehill strain, 45 (98%) of the 46 seronegative girls had developed antibody, but 11 (24%) had not reached their peak titre by 6 weeks, suggesting a slower response than that elicited by the RA27/3 strain. Revaccination did not induce significant antibody responses in the seronegative women vaccinated 6 months previously with RA27/3 but 4 naturally immune women developed an eightfold increase in antibody. In 10 (22%) of 46 schoolgirls previously vaccinated with the Cendehill strain a significant rise in antibody followed revaccination with RA27/3. These results provide further evidence of the more rapid antibody responses elicited by the RA27/3 vaccine in comparison with the Cendehill vaccine.

An outbreak of natural rubella occurred in 1972 and 97 cases were confirmed serologically. The clinical disease was more common in older school-children and in adults. More males than females were affected in the 11–15 age group, the sex ratio being 18:12; this may be explained by the routine vaccination of girls of this age group as part of the national programme which began in 1970. The significance of the persistence of high HAI antibody titres after natural infection and the effect of the epidemic on the serological status of the population are discussed.
Neutralization kinetics studies with type SAT 2 foot-and-mouth disease virus strains:II. Antigenic differentiation of vaccine strains
Authors: Rweyemamu M. M. , Booth J. C. , Parry N. , Pay T. W. F.
Published: May 2009

A comparison of homologous and heterologous rates of neutralization demonstrated that antigenic relationships of foot-and-mouth disease virus strains could be differentiated quantitatively by the kinetics of neutralization method described previously (Rweyemamu, Booth & Pay, 1977). Conventional formulae forr, RandDvalues could be applied to results obtained by this method. It was demonstrated that results analysed this way gaveRvalues which were similar to those obtained with other neutralization test methods but which were generally smaller than those obtained with complement fixation test results. It was demonstrated that there were wide differences between the vaccine strains tested as demonstrated byRvalue relationships. An examination ofrvalues, however, demonstrated that antisera to the Moz 1/70 strain were highly reactive with most of the virus strains from Central and Southern Africa. The selection of FMD virus strains with a wide serological range for vaccine production is discussed.
Cross Immunity Experiments in Monkeys Between Variola, Alastrim and Vaccinia
Authors: Horgan E. S. , Hasbeb Mansour Ali
Published: May 2009

In spite of the voluminous literature, much of it of a polemical rather than scientific nature, on the immunity relationships between variola and vaccinia, comparatively little work has been carried out on experimental animals, and the results of different workers are not altogether concordant. Even in the important article by Blaxall (1930) in the System of Bacteriology only a few lines were devoted to a discussion of the existing experimental evidence, and also in the more recent article by Gastinel (1938) this particular problem has been very briefly treated.
Sensitization to Flour and Flour Illnesses Amongst Flour Workers
Authors: Van Dishoeck H. A. E. , Eoux D. J.
Published: May 2009

FRom the point of view of industrial hygiene, it is important to estimate the occurrence of asthma, rhinitis vasomotoria and eczema and of the sensitization to flour amongst unselected groups of bread bakers, cake bakers and millers. For this purpose we have examined 262 flour workers, who formed the entire working staffs of certain bread bakeries, cake bakeries and milling companies in Amsterdam.
Infectious Diseases In A Semi-Closed Community
Authors: Thomson Scott , Glazebrook A. J.
Published: May 2009

Ina large institution whose population can be considered as forming a semiclosed community there frequently exist conditions favourable to the spread of infectious diseases. The organization of such an institution to avoid epidemics is an accepted difficulty of administration. The occurrence of an epidemic in a semi-closed community offers opportunity for thorough investigation, and is, therefore, of more than usual interest.
A New Method for the Isolation of Organisms from Faeces and Sputum, with some observations on Haemolytic Streptococci in Faeces obtained by this Method
Authors: Wordley E.
Published: May 2009

Professor L. S. Dudgeon, when consulting bacteriologist to the Forces in the Balkans during the late war, had tried the effect of drying the stools of suspected dysentery patients on some porous material so as to leave only the mucus. In bacillary cases he found that a more abundant growth of dysentery bacilli was obtained from the dried mucus than from the untreated specimen, so that the drying had no harmful effect on the organisms. He used for this purpose unglazed red tiles such as were to be found locally, and suggested that the method should be given a more thorough trial with a more satisfactory type of tile made in this country. With this view the following experiments were made.
Orientation and external morphology of burrows of the mangrove crabUcides cordatus(Crustacea: Brachyura: Ucididae)
Authors: dos Santos Camila M.H. , Pinheiro Marcelo A.A. , Hattori Gustavo Y.
Published: May 2009

The aim of the present study was to characterize the external morphology and the orientation of burrows constructed by the mangrove crabUcides cordatus. Data were obtained from two mangrove forests of similar vegetation dominance (Laguncularia racemosa) but differing in flooding heights. These mangroves were located near Barra de Icapara, Iguape City (SP), Brazil, (24°50′36″S–47°59′53′W). A total of 221 burrows were examined (120 on the high mangrove and 101 on the low mangrove). External morphology of the burrows was recorded by photographs for categorization and description. The directions of the burrow openings were recorded using a geological compass and the declivities of the ducts were measured with a clinometer. Females constructed 70.8% at Site A and 69.4% at Site B of the occupied burrows with the opening facing the margin of the river (P < 0.001), whilst males showed no significant difference in the burrow orientation (P > 0.05) at either site. In females, the tendency for burrow orientation possibly has a reproductive connotation as larval dispersal may be favoured and enhanced by the tides. Four groups of distinct tracks related to the morphotypes and developmental stages ofU. cordatuswere observed. No sediment constructions associated with the burrows were recorded for this species. Declivity of the burrows from juveniles was lower than from adults (P < 0.05), probably caused by the differential growth of the chelipeds in this species.
Distribution, gene sequence and expressionin vivoof the plasmid encoded fimbrial antigen ofSalmonellaserotype Enteritidis
Authors: Woodward M. J. , Allen-Vercoe E. , Redstone J. S.
Published: May 2009

ThepefA gene which encoded the serotype associated plasmid (SAP) mediated fimbrial major subunit antigen ofSalmonella entericaserotype Typhimurium shared genetic identity with 128 of 706 salmonella isolates as demonstrated by dot (colony) hybridization. Seventy-seven of 113 isolates of Typhimurium and individual isolates of serotypes Bovis-morbificans, Cholerae-suis and Enteritidis phage type 9b hybridizedpefA strongly, whereas 48 isolates of Enteritidis hybridizedpefA weakly and one Enteritidis isolate of phage type 14b failed to hybridize. Individual isolates of 294 serotypes and 247 individual isolates of serotype Dublin did not hybridizepefA. Southern hybridization of plasmids extracted from Enteritidis demonstrated that thepefA gene probe hybridized strongly an atypical SAP of 80 kb in size harboured by one Enteritidis isolate of phage-type 9b, whereas the typical SAP of 58 kb in size harboured by 48 Enteritidis isolates hybridized weakly. One Enteritidis isolate of phage type 14b which failed to hybridizepefA in dot (colony) hybridization experiments was demonstrated to be plasmid free. A cosmid library of Enteritidis phage type 4 expressed inEscherichia coliK12 was screened by hybridization for the presence ofpefsequences. Recombinant clones which were deduced to harbour the entirepefoperon elaborated a PEF-like fimbrial structure at the cell surface. The PEF-like fimbrial antigen was purified from one cosmid clone and used in western blot experiments with sera from chickens infected with Enteritidis phage-type 4. Seroconversion to the fimbrial antigen was observed which indicated that the Enteritidis PEF-like fimbrial structure was expressed at some stage during infection. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated that thepefA alleles of Typhimurium and Enteritidis phage-type 4 shared 76% DNA nucleotide and 82% deduced amino acid sequence identity.
Salmonella virchowPT 26 infection in England and Wales: a case control study investigating an increase in cases during 1994
Authors: Willocks L. J. , Morgan D. , Sufi F. , Ward L. R. , Patrick H. E.
Published: May 2009

An increase in the number of human isolates ofSalmonella virchowphage type (PT) 26 in England and Wales during 1994 was investigated. A national case control study was conducted which included 88 cases and 182 controls. The cases were mostly young adults (median age 26) and 13 (15%) were admitted to hospital. Acquisition ofS. virchowPT 26 was associated with the consumption of any chicken (OR 2·5, CI 1·1–5·8), of chicken curry from restaurants and take aways (OR 2·9, CI 1·4–6·1), and of some other diverse types of pre-prepared chicken (OR 3·8, CI 1·9–7·6). Halal chicken was associated (P= 0·006) with illness in a subset. There were negative associations with contact with animals (OR 0·47, CI 0·23–0·95) and with the consumption of chicken cooked whole (OR 0·37, CI 0·21–0·66). The increase inS. virchowPT 26 may be due to changing epizoology and may be an indicator of what will become the dominant salmonella strain in poultry in future years. The increasing incidence ofS. virchowPT 26 is of particular concern because of its association with more invasive disease in humans.
Occurrence ofListeriaspecies in prepacked retail sandwiches
Authors: Wilson I. G.
Published: May 2009

A survey of 725 prepacked sandwiches was conducted examining for the presence on enrichment, and by plate count, ofListeriaspecies. Sandwiches were found to containListeriasp. more frequently than their component foods. Chicken, beef and bacon fillings were associated with more frequent isolation. Salad also was associated with more frequent isolation, but the increase was not significant. On enrichment, over 15% of sandwiches containedListeriaspecies.L. innocuaandL. monocytogeneswere the only species isolated by plate count at numbers ≤ 100 cfu/g (1·5% of total samples). Potentially hazardous levels ofL. monocytogenes(defined as ≤ 103cfu/g) were found in two sandwiches examined (0·3%), indicating that although Total Viable Counts (TVCs) may often be high, the risk of listeriosis to vulnerable individuals from sandwiches is relatively low. It is importent to distinguish the risk of consuming potentially hazardous levels of a pathogen in food from the risk of contracting illiness as a result of such an event.
Seroprevalence of brucella antibodies among persons in high-risk occupation in Lebanon
Authors: Araj G. F. , Azzam R. A.
Published: May 2009

Prevalence of brucella-specific antibodies was measured in 597 persons in high-risk occupations living in 10 regions of Lebanon using the standard agglutination test (SAT), anti-human globulin (Coombs') test (AHGT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM and IgA. The study population consisted of butchers (54%) farmers (35%), laboratory technicians (8%), abbatoir workers (2%) and veterinarians (1%), with 82% males and 18% females. The overall seroprevalence based on SAT and AHGT titres of ≥ 80 was 1·7% and 15%, respectively, but seroprevalence varied by region from 0–5% in SAT and from 3·4–34% for AHGT. The overall seroprevalence based on ELISA IgG (OD≥0·6), IgM (OD≥0·6) and IgA (OD≥0·3) was 57, 61 and 26%, respectively. The highest seroprevalence was noted in Biqaa (34%), Kisrwan (24%), Shouf (21%), Sidon (16%) and Aley (12) regions. Nineteen percent of those surveyed reported symptoms that could be associated with brucellosis. We conclude that exposure to brucellosis is high among persons in high-risk occupations from all surveyed regions in Lebanon. Such findings should be used to design control measures especially now that the 17 years of civil strife is over.
The occurrence of hepatitis B and C viruses in Pakistani patients with chronic liver disease and hepatocellula carcinoma
Authors: Tong C. Y. W. , Khan R. , Beeching N. J. , Tariq W. U. Z. , Hart C. A. , Ahmad N. , Malik I. A.
Published: May 2009

To study the occurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Pakistan, blood samples from 105 sequential patients with biopsy-proven CLD (n= 82) and HCC (n= 23) were tested for HBV and HCV markers. Of the 105, 87 (83%) had evidence of hepatitis B exposure, 58 (55%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 23 (22%) had hepatitis C antibodies and 25 (24%) had detectable HCV RNA. Significantly more patients with HCC had evidence of HBV exposure in the absence of HCV markers (49/82vs.20/23, odds ratio 4·49,95 % CI 1·17–25·16). The proportion of patients positive for HBsAg with no HCV markers was also significantly higher in the HCC group (34/82vs.18/23, odds ratio 5·08, 95% CI 1·59—18·96). There were more patients with only HCV markers in the CLD group than the HCC group but the difference was not statistically significant (19/82vs.1/23, odds ratio 6·63, 95% CI 0·93—288·01). A modified non-isotopic restriction fragment length polymorphism study on PCR products was used to investigate the epidemiology of HCV genotypes in Pakistan. Due to depletion of the initial samples, a second series of specimens collected one year afterwards was used. Fifteen out of 40 samples had amplifiable product and all were identified as type 3. A commercial serological typing method on the same samples also confirmed that type 3 was the predominant HCV genotype in Pakistan.
An outbreak of hepatitis A associated with a bakery, New York, 1994: The 1968 ‘West Branch, Michigan’ outbreak repeated
Authors: Weltman A. C. , Bennett N. M. , Ackman D. A. , Misage J. H. , Campana J. J. , Fine L. S. , Doniger A. S. , Balzano G. J. , Birkhead G. S.
Published: May 2009

In a community hepatitis A outbreak in the Rochester, New York area, 64 of 79 (81 %) people with anti-hepatitis A 1gM-antibodies and onset of symptoms from 9 April–31 May 1994, recalled eating food obtained from a retail buyer's club. Eleven (65%) of 17 households with cases contained club members compared with 7 (21%) of 34 neighbourhood-matched control-households (matched odds ratio 8·5; 95% CI 1·7–41·6). Club employees who ate sugar-glazed baked goods were at fourfold increased risk for hepatitis. The source of infection was an 1gM- positive baker who contaminated baked goods while applying sugar glaze. Computer-generated purchase lists implicated 11–12 March and 21–24 March as the most likely dates when contamination occurred. This investigation demonstrates the importance of food workers adhering to established hygiene practices. Computer-generated commercial datasets can be useful in epidemiologic investigations.
Evidence of hantavirus in wild rodents in Northern Ireland
Authors: McCaughey C. , Montgomery W. I. , Twomey N. , Addley M. , O'Neill H. J. , Coyle P. V.
Published: May 2009

A survey of evidence of rodent hantavirus infection in County Down, Northern Ireland was carried out by using immunofluorescence to detect virus antigen and antibody. Antibodies to hantavirus (R22 strain of Seoul virus and Hantaan 76–118) were found in 11/51 (21·6%) brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), 1/31 (3·2%) field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and 17/59 (28·8%) house mice (Mus domesticus). Seven rodents had evidence of hantavirus antigen in lung tissues. Antibody positive animals were significantly more likely to be adults than juveniles (P= 0·04) but and there was no sex difference between antibody positive and negative animals. House mice were more likely to be antibody positive if captured inside farm outbuildings (P= 0·08). Attempts to culture virus from the rodent material were unsuccessful. This work demonstrates a substantial rodent reservoir for hantavirus in Northern Ireland.
Carriage ofNeisseria meningitidis: investigations in a military establishment
Authors: Pether J. V. S. , Lightfoot N. F. , Scott R. J. D. , Morgan J. , Steele-Perkins A. P. , Sheard S. C.
Published: May 2009

A prevalence study of personnel on a Royal Naval Air Station revealed that 23·0% of 2479 personnel were carrying a meningococcus. Selected groups of personnel were subsequently swabbed monthly for a year. We have shown that it is only by repeated swabbing and the use of optimal methods including enrichment media that one can have a hope of identifying the ‘true’ carriage rate. A presumed virulent strain ofNeisseria meningitidisB 15 P1·16 was repeatedly isolated from three personnel who remained well, as did their colleagues both at their work place and socially. The study served to emphasize our lack of knowledge of the virulence factors associated withN. meningitidis.
A milk-borne outbreak of serious infection due toStreptococcus zooepidemicus(Lancefield Group C)
Authors: Edwards A. T. , Roulson M. , Ironside M. J.
Published: May 2009

An outbreak of infection due toStreptococcus zooepidemicus(Lancefield Group C) is described. At least 11 patients were affected and the infection was responsible for, or contributed to, the deaths of seven of these. Clinical features included septicaemia, meningitis and endocarditis. The source of infection was unpasteurized milk from a dairy herd with mild intermittent mastitis.
Identification of encapsulated and non-encapsulatedYersinia pestisby immunofluorescence tests using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Phillips A. P. , Morris B. C. , Hall D. , Glenister M. , Williams J. E.
Published: May 2009

Rabbit polyclonal hyperimmune antibodies toYersinia pestis, and a mouse monoclonal antibody against the capsular antigen fraction 1 (F1) were compared in immunofluorescence (IF) tests. Fluorescent antibody conjugates were prepared from polyclonal antisera to four F1 positiveY. pestisstrains; the conjugated antibody to strain A1122 gave the strongest IF staining of F1 positive and F1 negativeY. pestisstrains. Indirect assays were rejected in favour of direct assays utilizing polyclonal and monoclonal reagents because the increased background staining reduced the effective contrast of bacterial visualisation. Polyclonal conjugates gave fairly homogeneous staining ofY. pestisbacterial populations, but in monoclonal assays a skew distribution of fluorescence intensity was observed, the majority of bacteria being poorly stained. The proportion of cells stained well by the monoclonal sufficed for easy identification ofY. pestisof the F1 positive phenotype however, and staining was not affected by washing the bacteria or treating them with formaldehyde.Y. pestisstrains of the F1 positive genotype reacted with the monoclonal if bacteria were grown at 37 °C but not if the growth temperature was reduced to 25°C thus preventing capsule production. The polyclonal conjugate reacted with bacteria of these strains that had been grown at either temperature. Strains of F1 negative genotype grown at either temperature. Strains of F1 negative genotype grown at either temperature reacted with the polyclonal conjugate but not with the monoclonal. Cross reactions between the polyclonal reagents andY. enterocoliticabiovar 2, serovar O 8 could not be removed by selective absorption; however, the monoclonal antibody gave no cross reaction.

The F1 phenotypic status of bacterial preparations was verified by ELISA measurement of the fraction 1 antigen concentration. Antigen levels for F1 positive and F1 negative phenotypes differed by about three logs for suspensions ofY. pestisharvested from solid media.

The polyclonal and monoclonal direct IF tests applied to spleen and blood smears of laboratory mice infected withY. pestiswere able to differentiate between lethal infection with an F1 positive strain carrying all four classical virulence determinants, an F1 positive vaccine strain, and an F1 negative strain.
Antigenic analysis ofHaemophilus ducreyiby Western blotting
Authors: Abeck D. , Johnson A. P. , Taylor-Robinson D.
Published: May 2009

Twenty-one strains ofHaemophilus ducreyiwere analysed by Western blotting using two antisera produced in mice. Common antigens of molecular weights 58, 46, 41, 28, 22 and 16 kDa were detected in all the strains. The antigens were protein in nature, since they could not be detected in whole-cell lysates which had been treated with proteinase K. TheH. ducreyistrains showed antigenic cross-reactivity with strains ofH. influenzaeandH. parainfluenzae, but showed minimal or no cross-reactivity with seven other species of bacteria.
Impact of climate on western equine encephalitis in Manitoba, Minnesota and North Dakota, 1980–1983
Authors: Sellers R. F. , Maarouf A. R.
Published: May 2009

Information was collected on confirmed outbreaks of western equine encephalitis (WEE) in North America east of the Rockies for 1981 and 1983 (epidemic years) and 1980 and 1982 (non-epidemic years). The initial pattern of outbreaks in Manitoba, Minnesota and North Dakota was determined for each year. Backward (and in some instances forward) wind trajectories were computed for each day 4–15 days (incubation period) before the initial outbreaks of WEE in a given area of province or state.
Rubella-specific IgG subclass avidity ELISA and its role in the differentiation between primary rubella and rubella reinfection
Authors: Thomas H. I. J. , Morgan-Capner P.
Published: May 2009

An antiglobulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rubella-specific IgG1and IgG3was adapted to measure antibody avidity by incorporating a mild protein denaturant, diethylamine (DEA), into the serum diluent. Sera were tested at varying dilutions, both with and without DEA, if they contained sufficient specific IgG1or IgG3. The optical density (OD) was measured and curves were plotted. The highest OD (V) was noted and halved (V/2). The distance between the OD curves at V/2 was measured as the DEA shift value.

Sera were examined from people whose sera contained rubella-specific antibodies as a consequence of infection or vaccination in the distant past (24 sera), recent primary rubella (66 sera), symptomatic reinfection (11 sera) or asymptomatic reinfection (64 sera). For specific IgG1the DEA shift value was 0·8 for the first month after primary infection. The maximum DEA shift value for the sera from cases of reinfection was 0·65.

No serum from cases of rubella in the distant past contained sufficient specific IgG3to estimate avidity. The sera collected within 1 month of onset of primary rubella gave DEA shift values >O·7 compared with sera from reinfections, which gave DEA shift values <O·6, except for two sera from a case of symptomatic reinfection.

Thus the assessment of specific IgG subclass avidity is of value in differentiating serologically primary rubella from reinfection.
Persistence of poliovirus-neutralizing antibodies 2–16 years after immunization with live attenuated vaccine. A seroepidemiologic survey in the mainland of Venice.
Authors: Trivello R. , Renzulli G. , Farisano G. , Bonello C. , Moschen M. , Gasparini V. , Benussi G.
Published: May 2009

A seroepidemiological survey was conducted on subjects who had received a full vaccination course with live attenuated poliovirus 2–16 years before. For strains 1 and 2 prevalence of seropositives and median values dropped gradually during the first 10 years; strain 3 showed a much earlier decline. Environmental displacement of wild poliovirus by the attenuated, less immunogenic strain might eventually induce a ‘gap’, should complacency hamper needed vaccination efforts.
Virucidal effect of chlorinated water containing cyanuric acid
Authors: Yamashita T. , Sakae K. , Ishihara Y. , Isomura S. , Inoue H.
Published: May 2009

The inhibitory influence of cyanuric acid on the virucidal effect of chlorine was studied. The time required for 99·9% inactivation of ten enteroviruses and two adenoviruses by 0·5 mg/l free available chlorine at pH 7·0 and 25○C was prolonged approximately 4·8–28·8 times by the addition of 30 mg/l cyanuric acid. Comparative inactivation of poliovirus 1 by free available chlorine with or without cyanuric acid revealed the following. The inactivation rate by 1·5 mg/l free available chlorine with 30 mg/l cyanuric acid or by 0·5 mg/l free available chlorine with 1 mg/1 cyanuric acid was slower than by 0·5 mg/1 free available chlorine alone. Temperature and pH did not affect the inhibitory influence of cyanuric acid on the disinfectant action of chlorine. In the swimming-pool and tap water, cyanuric acid delayed the virucidal effect of chlorine as much as in the ‚clean’ condition of chlorine-buffered distilled water. The available chlorine value should be increased to 1·5 mg/l when cyanuric acid is used in swimming-pool water.
The Stonehouse study: secretor status and carriage of Neisseria species
Authors: Blackwell C. C. , Weir D. M. , James V. S. , Cartwright K. A. V. , Stuart J. M. , Jones D. M.
Published: May 2009

The genetically determined inability to secrete the water-soluble glycoprotein form of the ABO blood group antigens into saliva and other body fluids is a recognized risk factor for meningococcal disease. During a community-wide investigation of a prolonged outbreak of disease due to a B15: P1.16 sulphonamideresistant strain of Neisseria meningitidis in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (the Stonehouse survey), the ABO blood group and secretor status of almost 5000 residents was determined.

The proportion of non-secretors in the Stonehouse population was significantly higher than the proportion of non-secretors among blood donors in the South West Region and in England generally. Seven of 13 Stonehouse residents with meningococcal disease who were tested were found to be non-secretors, a high proportion. The outbreak in Stonehouse cannot be explained solely in terms of the increased proportion of non-secretors. There was no clear correlation between the proportions of non-secretors in different areas within the town and the incidence of cases of meningococcal disease.

Carriers of meningococci, whether outbreak or other strains, were not more likely to be non-secretors. The reasons why non-secretors are more susceptible to meningococcal disease remain to be determined, but they do not appear to be related to carriage of meningococci.
Persistent and transient clones of Salmonella typhimurium of phage type 141 recognized by biotyping
Authors: Old D. C. , Barker Ruth M.
Published: May 2009

Among the 81 cultures of Salmonella typhimurium of phage type 141 examined, 72 had been isolated from Sheffield incidents in 1984–5 and 9 were Scottish isolates from 1986–7. All of these cultures from diverse sources belonged to primary biotype 31; 79 were of full biotype 31beg and 2 anaerogenic cultures were of full biotype 31begj. This is the first known occasion on which an epidemic strain of S. typhimurium of phage type/biotype 141/31beg has been implicated in outbreaks of human or animal infection in the UK. Because previous epidemic strains of S. typhimurium of phage type 141 in the UK belonged to biotypes 1f and 9f which are phylogenetically unrelated to biotype 31beg, the likely origin of this most recent epidemic S. typhimurium strain of phage type/biotype 141/31beg is discussed.
Haemagglutinating activity ofAeromonasspp. from different sources; attempted use as a typing system
Authors: Elbashir A. M. , Millership Sally E.
Published: May 2009

The haemagglutinating ability of 141 isolates ofAeromonasspp. for human. horse and guinea-pig erythrocytes was examined. Although the majority of isolates (136/141) agglutinated human group O erythrocytes, all the eight possible patterns of agglutination were observed. Haemagglutination of human group O erythrocytes. but not horse or guinea-pig, was associated with the ability to agglutinate yeast cells (Saccharomyces) and with aggregation in a low concentration of ammonium sulphate. Haemagglutinating ability was further characterized by reactions in the presence of mannose, galactose or fucose. All the possible patterns of inhibition with individual sugars were observed, but haemagglutination of human group O erythrocytes not inhibited by mannose, galactose or fucose was more common among isolates from patients with diarrhoea, and isolates producing a Vero cell cytotoxin than would be expected by chance. This might represent a virulence factor.
Diversity of plasmids inStaphylococcus saprophyticusisolated from urinary tract infections in women
Authors: Melo Cristino J.A.G. , Torres Pereira A. , Andrade L.G.
Published: May 2009

A group of 150Staphylococcus saprophyticusstrains isolated from urinary tract infections in women were included in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that these isolates were sensitive to most antimicrobial agents. All strains were sensitive to penicillin. cephalothin. gentamicin. kanamvcin. trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin. Resistance to tetracycline was present in 10·6% of the strains. to chioramphenicol in 4 % to erythromycin in 1·3% and to streptomvcin in 1·3% All strains were resistant to cadmium chloride as well as to novobioein and nalidixic acid. Plasmid analysis showed that 8·2 % of the strains harboured plasmids, some of them with complex plasmid profiles.
Electropherotyping of plasmid DNA of different serotypes ofShigella flexneriisolated in Bangladesh
Authors: Haider K. , Huq M. I. , Talukder K. A. , Ahmad Q. S.
Published: May 2009

One hundred and twenty-fiveShigella flexneristrains, isolated during January-December 1984, at the Dhaka treatment centre of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, were serotyped using absorbed rabbit antisera specific for all type-and group-factor antigens, as well as a group of ten mouse and rat monoclonal antibodies. Electropherotypes of the plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were also determined.S. flexneri2a was the predominant serotype followed by 3b, 1a, and 2b.The recently described E1037 antigen was also found in three strains ofS. flexneriserotype 6. Electropherotyping of the plasmid DNA showed that three plasmids of approximately 140. 2·7. and 2 megadalton (MDa) were present, respectively, in 97, 97 and 94% of the 125 strains. Additional plasmids of various other sizes were also present in different serotypes except in serotype 2a. The additional plasmids again appeared to be specific for that particular serotype. For example, all 12 strains ofS. flexneri2b harboured an additional plasmid of approximately 1 MDa. Thus, electropherotyping of plasmid DNA of different serotypes ofS. flexnerimight be useful to differentiateS. flexnerifrom other species ofShigellaand in identifying different serotypes ofS. flexneri. Therefore, the common plasmids, plus the additional plasmids. could be used to identify epidemic, as well as sporadic, subclones ofS. flexneristrains.
Verotoxin-producingEscherichia coliinfections in Sheffield: cattle as a possible source
Authors: Chapman P. A. , Wright D. J. , Norman P.
Published: May 2009

During 1986 and 1987, faecal samples from patients with haemorrhagie colitis (HC) or haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) were examined for evidence of infection by verotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC). During the 2-year period VTEC infections were found in 31 (78%) of 40 patients initially presenting with HC, and in 5 (63%) of 8 patients initially presenting with HUS, VTEC were found in only 2 (0·9%) of 229 age and sex matched control patients with acute non-bloody diarrhoea. All but one VTEC belonged toE. coliserogroup O 157. During 1987 this serogroup was isolated from 2 (1%) of 207 samples of faeces taken from cattle arriving at a Sheffield abattoir, indicating a possible source of these infections for man. We are unaware of previous reports of isolation of this organism from cattle in England.
Chemical disinfection of non-porous inanimate surfaces experimentally contaminated with four human pathogenic viruses
Authors: Sattar S. A. , Springthorpe V. S. , Karim Y. , Loro P.
Published: May 2009

The chemical disinfection of virus-contaminated non-porous inanimate surfaces was investigated using coxsackievirus B3, adenovirus type 5, parainfluenzavirus type 3 and coronavirus 229E as representatives of important nosocomial viral pathogens. A 10 µl amount of the test virus, suspended in either faeces or mucin, was placed onto each stainless steel disk (about 1 cm in diameter) and the inoculum allowed to dry for 1 h under ambient conditions. Sixteen disinfectant formulations were selected for this study based on the findings of an earlier investigation with a human rotavirus.After 1 min exposure to 20 µl of the disinfectant, the virus from the disks was immediately eluted into tryptose phosphate broth and plaque assayed. Using an efficacy criterion of a 3 log10or greater reduction in virus infectivity titre and irrespective of the virus suspending medium, only the following five disinfectants proved to be effective against all the four viruses tested: (1) 2% glutaraldehyde normally used as an instrument soak. (2) a strongly alkaline mixture of 0·5% sodium o-benzyl-p-chlorophenate and 0·6% sodium lauryl sulphate, generally used as a domestic disinfectant cleaner for hard surfaces, (3) a 0·04% solution of a quaternary ammonium compound containing 7% hydrochloric acid, which is the basis of many toilet bowl cleaners. (4) chloraminc T at a minimum free chlorine level of 3000 p.p.m. and (5) sodium hypochlorite at a minimum free chlorine concentration of 5000 p.p.m. Of those chemicals suitable for use as topical antiseptics, 70% ethanol alone or products containing at least 70% ethanol were ineffective only against coxsackievirus B3. These results emphasize the care needed in selecting chemical disinfectants for routine use in infection control.
A study of African swine fever virus infected ticks (Ornithodoros moubata) collected from three villages in the ASF enzootic area of Malawi following an outbreak of the disease in domestic pigs
Authors: Haresnape J. M. , Wilkinson P. J.
Published: May 2009

A detailed study was made in 1983–5 in three villages in Mehinji district in the African swine fever (ASF) enzootic area of Malawi, following an outbreak of ASF which affected all three villages.

Ticks of theOrnithodoros moubatacomplex were collected from both pig sties and houses shortly after the outbreak, and approximately 24% contained ASF virus. The proportion of ticks infected did not differ significantly in the three villages, or more surprisingly in different types of premises, and was equivalent in all stages of ticks. The proportion infected decreased with the passage of time, but infected ticks were still present in all three villages 8 months after the outbreak, some with high titres of virus.

The proportion of seropositive pigs in the three villages approached 100% following the outbreak, with many apparently healthy pigs being seropositive. It is suggested that Malawian isolates of ASF virus may be less virulent in African than European breeds of domestic pig.
The human pathogenic vibrios – A public health update with environmental perspectives
Authors: West P. A.
Published: May 2009

PathogenicVibriospecies are naturally-occurring bacteria in freshwater and saline aquatic environments. Counts of free-living bacteria in water are generally less than required to induce disease. Increases in number of organisms towards an infective dose can occur as water temperatures rise seasonally followed by growth and concentration of bacteria on higher animals, such as chitinous plankton, or accumulation by shellfish and seafood. PathogenicVibriospecies must elaborate a series of virulence factors to elicit disease in humans.

Activities which predispose diarrhoeal and extraintestinal infections include ingestion of seafood and shellfish and occupational or recreational exposure to natural aquatic environments, especially those above 20 °C. Travel to areas endemic for diseases due to pathogenicVibriospecies may be associated with infections. Host risk factors strongly associated with infections are lack of gastric acid and liver disorders.

Involvement of pathogenicVibriospecies in cases of diarrhoea should be suspected especially if infection is associated with ingestion of seafood or shellfish, raw or undercooked, in the previous 72 h.

Vibriospecies should be suspected in any acute infection associated with wounds sustained or exposed in the marine or estuarine environment. Laboratories serving coastal areas where infection due to pathogenic Vibrio species are most likely to occur should consider routine use of TCBS agar and other detection regimens for culture ofVibriospecies from faeces, blood and samples from wound and ear infections.
Phage-typing of Vero-cytotoxin (VT) producingEscherichia coliO157 isolated in the United Kingdom
Authors: Frost J. A. , Smith H. R. , Willshaw G. A. , Scotland S. M. , Gross R. J. , Rowe B.
Published: May 2009

Vero-cytotoxin (VT) producingEscherichia coliserogroup O157 have been isolated from patients with diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). A phage-typing scheme developed in Canada has been used to type 155 VT+E. coliO157 serogroup isolated from sporadic infections in the UK since 1983, and 48 strains from HC or HUS outbreaks. Twelve phage types were identified of which three, types 49, 51 and 52, have not been found in North America. All strains carried a 60 × 10 plasmid and most VT1+VT2+ strains also had a 5 × 10 plasmid coding for colicin D production. The majority of strains producing both VT1 and VT2 belonged to phage type 1, or the related types 4, 8 and 14. Most strains producing only VT2 belonged to types 2 or 49. Four outbreaks were included in the survey. Three had strains of a single phage type while strains from the fourth outbreak were more variable. The distribution of phage types throughout the UK showed no marked geographical variations.
DNA fingerprinting ofStreptococcus uberis: a useful tool for epidemiology of bovine mastitis
Authors: Hill A. W. , Leigh J. A.
Published: May 2009

A simple and reproducible typing system based on restriction fragment size of chromosomal DNA was developed to compare isolates ofStreptococcus uberisobtained from the bovine mammary gland. The endonuclease giving the most useful restriction patterns wasHindIII, although seven other endonucleases (Bgl1,EcoR1,Not1,Pst1,Sfi1,Sma1,Xba1) were also tested in the system. An image analyser was used to obtain a densitometric scan and a graphic display of the restriction patterns. Such a system will allow large scale data storage for future computer-aided comparison.
Sampling methods for monitoring changes in gonococcal populations
Authors: Bindayna K. M. , Ison C. A.
Published: May 2009

A total of 160 consecutive isolates ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaewas collected over a 3-month period. They were tested for their susceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin and spectinomycin and the auxotype and the serotype determined. We have evaluated two sampling methods, the collection of every fifth isolate and the first 20 isolates (10 male and 10 female) each month, to determine whether either is representative of the total population. There was no significant difference between either method of sampling and the total for detecting the predominant auxotypes and serovars or the distributions in antibiotic susceptibility. It is possible to monitor major changes in a gonococcal population, particularly susceptibility to antibiotics, using a sample of the total population.
The tangible cost implications of a hospital outbreak of multiply-resistant salmonella
Authors: Barnass S. , O'Mahony M. , Sockett P. N. , Garner J. , Franklin J. , Tabaqchali S.
Published: May 2009

A hospital outbreak of multiply-resistant Salmonella heidelberg infection, which affected 17 patients and 2 staff, is described. The tangible cost of the outbreak was estimated at £21 151, £17989 (85·1%) of which was borne by the hospital. The cost to the Microbiology Department was £3596 (17·0% of the total). A detailed analysis of the costs and implications for staffing disruption is given and a comparison is made with the costs of preventive activities. Ways of containing expenses in the event of an outbreak and the economic implications for clinical budgeting and privatization of the laboratory service are considered.
Esterase electrophoresis: a molecular tool for studying the epidemiology of Branhamella catarrhalis nosocomial infection
Authors: Picard B. , Goullet PH. , Denamur E. , Suermondt G.
Published: May 2009

A new epidemiologic typing method based on electrophoresis of esterases had been developed for differentiating between clinical isolates of Branhamella catarrhalis. Twenty-two epidemiologically significant strains obtained from three Chest Units, a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and a Paediatric Unit were compared with 54 randomly selected strains and 4 reference strains, including the species type strain, ATCC 25238. Thirty-four distinct zymotypes were characterized by polyacrylamide-agarose gel electrophoresis of the 80 strains. One infrequent zymotype was found in 2 neonates and another in 2 adults with nosocomial bronchopulmonary infections, suggesting the nosocomial spread of 2 outbreak strains of B. catarrhalis. A more frequent zymotype was isolated from 3 neonates with nosocomial bronchopulmonary infection and from 2 children with nosocomial rhinopharyngitis. The remaining 12 epidemiologically significant strains were of varied zymotypes. This work demonstrates that esterase electrophoresis is a suitable, readily reproducible, stable typing system applicable to the wide range of strains found in B. catarrhalis nosocomial infections.
Immunity against diphtheria in adults in Poland
Authors: Galazka A. , Kardymowicz B.
Published: May 2009

The diphtheria immunity status was determined with the passive haemagglutination technique in 503 sera of 10–90-year-old persons from Warsaw and Olsztyn Provinces. Donors of sera were students, teachers, pregnant women, employees of industry and medical service. The immunity was highest (90% of titers 0·1 lU/ml or higher) in persons below 20 years of age and in persons above 60 years of age (55%). Between these two groups, gaps in immunity exist, the proportion of those immune varying from 36–50% in the 20- 60-year-old groups.