bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myxomatosis: passive immunity in the offspring of immune rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) infested with fleas (Spilopsyllus cuniculiDale) and exposed to myxoma virus
Authors: Sobey W. R. , Conolly Dorothy
Published: May 2009

Kittens with maternal antibodies to myxoma virus, the offspring of rabbits which had recovered from myxomatosis, were exposed to fleas contaminated with myxoma virus and/or contact with infected rabbits from birth. All kittens died or became infected before 8 weeks of age. When compared with adult animals similarly infected the kittens showed no advantage in terms of survival time or recovery rate attributable to maternal antibodies. Flea transmission of virus was found more effective than contact transmissions.
The use of the haemagglutination-inhibition test for detecting antibodies to type SAT 2 foot-and-mouth disease viruses in cattle sera
Authors: Booth J. C. , Pay T. W. F. , Hedger R. S. , Barnett I. T.
Published: May 2009

Two strains of type SAT 2 foot-and-mouth disease virus which gave high titres of haemagglutinin activity reacted type-specifically in direct haemagglutinationinhibition tests with reference, bovine convalescent antisera. Comparisons of the haemagglutination-inhibition and the serum neutralization tests using cattle sera showed that both were equally specific and sensitive for detecting virus antibody.
Epidemiological studies of Epstein–Barr herpesvirus infection in Western Australia
Authors: Lai P. K. , Mackay-Scollay E. M. , Alpers M. P.
Published: May 2009

In a study on a Caucasian population in Western Australia the prevalence of antibodies to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was 41% in the 9- to 10-year age group, 80% in the 16 to 19-year age group and 92% in young adults. The age-specific annual seroconversion rates indicated two peaks of primary EBV infection in the population studied – one under 5 years of age and the other at adolescence. The geometric mean titre rose with age, from 23 at 5–6 years to 53 at 36–40 years.

It was shown that in 73 families studied there was evidence of probable spread of EBV infection among siblings, particularly between those of the same sex.

Serological study of patients with infectious mononucleosis indicated that 100% of those examined had antibody to EBV and the geometric mean titre was elevated to 210. Rising titres and seroconversion was demonstrated in these patients together with successful establishment of EBV-carrying cell lines from the peripheral blood in two-thirds of the cases.
Detection of endotoxins with the Limulus test in burned and unburned mice infected with different species of gramnegative bacteria
Authors: Jones R. J. , Roe E. A. , Dyster R. E.
Published: May 2009

The Limulus test detected endotoxins in the plasma of burned and unburned mice infected with different species of gram-negative bacteria. Individual strains of different species of gram-negative bacteria produced different amounts of endotoxin in the plasma of infected mice. Plasma from mice given lethal infections showed very high concentrations of endotoxin. Low concentrations of endotoxin in the plasma were tolerated by mice but high concentrations were invariably fatal. A polyvalent pseudomonas vaccine reduced endotoxin in the plasma of mice given lethal infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Bacteriological tests as indices for the development of off-flavours in cream
Authors: Taylor Margaret M.
Published: May 2009

Bacteriological tests alone are not capable of predicting the keeping quality of cream, since taints can develop which are due to non-bacterial action. When spoilage is due to bacterial growth, the water agar test was found to be more accurate than the other tests that were examined.
Citrobacter koseri. I. An extended antigenic scheme forCitrobacter koseri(syn.C. diversus, Levinea malonatica)
Authors: Gross R. J. , Rowe B.
Published: May 2009

The namesCitrobacter koseri,Levinea malonaticaandCitrobacter diversusare synonymous. As a result of the study of representative strains of these organisms an antigenic scheme comprising seven O antigens has been proposed. The examination of a further 165 strains from clinical sources suggests that an additional seven antigens should be included in the scheme. The serological and biochemical reactions of the test strains for all 14 O antigens are described.
Citrobacter koseri. II. Serological and biochemical examination of Citrobacter koseri strains from clinical specimens
Authors: Rowe B. , Gross R. J. , Allen H. A.
Published: May 2009

165 strains of Citrobacter koseri isolated from clinical specimens were studied and their biochemical reactions determined. They were examined serologically by means of a scheme consisting of 14 O antigens. The sources of the clinical specimens were tabulated and the epidemiological information was summarized. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.
Contribution to the study of live streptomycin–dependentSalmonellavaccines: the problem of reversion to a virulent form
Authors: Vladoianu I. R. , Dubini F. , Bolloli Adele
Published: May 2009

The recovery of virulence by means of reversion of a live streptomycin-dependent (Sm D)Salmonella typhimuriumvaccine was studied in CD–I Swiss mice. Initially, a one–step Sm D mutant was obtained from a virulent streptomycin-sensitive (Sm S)S. typhimuriumstrain. Afterwards, two pools of streptomycin-independent (Sm I) revertants were prepared from the Sm D strain. The virulence of the Sm D strain and of the Sm I revertants was tested intraperitoneally. In the virulence testing the original suspension of the Sm I revertants, as well as their 1st and 10th passages on plain medium, medium + 50 μg. streptomycin/ml, and medium + 1000 μg. streptomycin/ml, were used. The results show that the Sm D mutant was avirulent, its avirulence being due to an intrinsic, genetic quality. The Sm I revertants, compared to the original Sm S strain, also displayed a lack of virulence. However, afterwards, the Sm I revertants behaved quite differently, according to their subsequent passages. Indeed, there was an increase in virulence after passages on plain medium, whereas after similar passages on medium containing the drug, the virulence not only failed to increase, but disappeared almost completely. Moreover, the passages on medium containing 1000 μg. streptomycin/ml, induced a return to the status of drug–dependence. The danger of recovery of virulence by means of revertants is evaluated.
Age–sex incidence in symptomatic allergies: an excess of females in the child-bearing years
Authors: Wormald P. J.
Published: May 2009

Eight-hundred and one patients amongst 1912 referred for skin testing because of suspected allergies were found suffering from asthma due to the house-dust mite or from grass pollenosis. They were analysed in terms of sex, age of referral and age of onset of symptoms. Amongst children referred below the age of 10 with house-dust mite asthma the ratio of males to females was 3:1; with grass pollenosis 2–1:1, as expected. The sex ratio gradually became reversed with increasing age of referral, females overtaking males in the third decade. Female–male ratios increased to a mean of 1–8:1 in the fourth and fifth decades. Reliable ages of onset of symptoms were obtained in 388 males and 323 females. Of these, 280 males and 162 females experienced their first symptoms before the age of 10 whereas 96 males and 148 females first developed symptoms between 10 and 29 years of age. The remaining 12 males and 13 females showed their first symptoms after the age of 29.
Antibodies and the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak of 1964: II. Coombs', complement fixation and fimbrial agglutination tests
Authors: Brodie J.
Published: May 2009

In a previous paper (Brodie, 1977) the value of the Widal test in the diagnosis of typhoid fever was shown to be limited. Evaluation of possible alternative tests showed that:

(1) the sensitivity of the anti-human globulin (Coombs') test appeared greater than that of the agglutination test but the length of time (48 h) before results were available rendered it of little value in rapid diagnosis;

(2) the complement fixation test offered no particular help towards diagnosis;

(3) immunized and non-immunized typhoid fever patients developed fimbrial antibodies, as also did immunized healthy individuals. In this latter group, however, those immunized with alcoholized TAB vaccine had higher antibody titres to fimbrial antigen than those immunized with heat-killed phenolized vaccine.
Influenza infections during pregnancy in the mouse
Authors: Williams K. , Mackenzie J. S.
Published: May 2009

The effect of a sublethal dose (0·5 LD 50) of influenza A/WSN (H0N1) administered intranasally in the 1st and 3rd weeks of pregnancy was studied in C3H inbred mice. Maternal and neonatal mortality rates were significantly increased by infections in the 3rd week of pregnancy, but not in the 1st week. Infections during the last part of the 1st week significantly depressed the growth rate of neonates. No evidence of viraemia, transplacental transmission or congenital malformations were observed from infections during either week. The results are discussed in terms of a possible model for human influenza infections during pregnancy to determine the potential risks to the mother, fetus and neonate.
Possible spread of African horse sickness on the wind
Authors: Sellers R. F. , Pedgley D. E. , Tucker M. R.
Published: May 2009

Analyses of outbreaks of African horse sickness showed that movement of infected Culicoides midges on the wind was most likely responsible for the spread of the disease over the sea from Morocco to Spain in 1966, from Turkey to Cyprus in 1960, and from Senegal to the Cape Verde Islands in 1943. The pattern of spread of the epidemic in the Middle East in 1960 could have been laid down by the infected midges carried on spells of south-east winds, and analyses of outbreaks in Algeria in 1965 and India in 1960 also suggested windborne spread of the disease. Each spread occurred when the presence of virus, host and vector coincided either with a spell of winds unusual for a particular time of year (Spain, Cyprus, Cape Verde Islands and Algeria) or with a series of disturbances usual at that time of the year (Middle East and India). Inferred flight endurance of the midge varied up to at least 20 h and flight range from 40 to 700 km. Flight occurred when temperatures were likely to have been in the range of 15–25 °C if it was at night or 20 to about 40 °C if it was by day.

It is suggested that likely movements of midges on the wind can be estimated from synoptic weather charts, and should be taken into account when planning control of the disease in the face of an outbreak. Such control includes a ban on movement of horses, vaccination and spraying of insecticide.

The risk of spread to countries outside the endemic areas should be assessed by reference to possible wind dispersal of infected midges.
Immunity to attenuated influenza virus WRL 105 infection induced by heterologous, inactivated influenza A virus vaccines
Authors: Potter C. W. , Jennings R. , Nicholson K. , Tyrrell D. A. J. , Dickinson K. G.
Published: May 2009

Groups of student volunteers were immunized with one of five different inactivated influenza virus vaccines. The concentration of virus in the various vaccines differed by both the international unitage test and by the concentration of haemagglutinin, as measured by the single radial diffusion test; the results of the two methods of standardization showed no correlation. The serum HI response to immunization was variable; volunteers given A/England/72 showed a 16·6-fold increase in homologous serum antibody titre whilst volunteers given A/Hong Kong/68 vaccine showed a 4·2-fold increase. The variable response of volunteers to immunization could not be explained by the varied concentration of virus in the vaccines, as measured by either test, the titres of serum HI antibody present before immunization, or a combination of these two factors.

The ability to infect volunteers with WRL 105 virus 4 weeks after immunization with heterologous, inactivated virus vaccine was directly related to the degree of cross-reactivity between the haemagglutinins of this vaccine virus and WRL 105 virus. Thus, the greatest number of infections by the challenge virus were seen in volunteers given A/Hong Kong/68 vaccine, less were observed in volunteers given A/England/72 vaccine, and least were found in groups given A/Port Chalmers/73 or A/Scotland/74 vaccine. However, compared with the incidence of infection in volunteers given B/Hong Kong/73 vaccine, all the heterologous influenza A vaccine gave some immunity to challenge infection.
Myxomatosis: the transmission of a highly virulent strain of myxoma virus by the European rabbit flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) in the Mallee region of Victoria
Authors: Shepherd Rosamond C. H. , Edmonds J. W.
Published: May 2009

The European rabbit flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) was introduced into Australia to act as a vector of myxoma virus. It was first released in the semi-arid Mallee region of Victoria in 1970 where epizootics caused by field strains of myxoma virus occur each summer. Introductions of the readily identified Lausanne strain were made annually following the release of the flea. The introductions were successful and the strain persisted for up to 16 weeks despite competition from field strains.

The Lausanne strain is more readily spread by fleas than the Glenfield strain which has been widely used in rabbit control. The ability of the Lausanne strain to persist and its effective transmission compared with the Glenfield strain may be due in part to the more florid symptoms of the disease.
Innate resistance to myxomatosis in wild rabbits in England
Authors: Ross J. , Sanders M. F.
Published: May 2009

Wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from one study area in England have been used over a period of 11 years to investigate the possible appearance of innate resistance to myxomatosis. Rabbits of 4–6 weeks old were captured alive, retained in the laboratory until at least 4 months old, and then infected with a type of myxoma virus which kills 90–95% of laboratory rabbits. Observations were made of symptoms, mortality rate and survival times.

In the first 4 years of the study (1966–9), mortality rates were not significantly different from those of laboratory rabbits, although survival times of wild rabbits were appreciably longer. In 1970, the mortality rate amongst wild rabbits was 59%, in 1974 it was 17%, and in 1976 it was 20%, thus showing that a considerable degree of inherited resistance to myxomatosis has developed.

The types of myxoma virus most commonly isolated from wild rabbits in Great Britain in recent years have been those which cause 70–95% mortality in laboratory rabbits. Therefore, if the degree of innate resistance demonstrated is widespread in Great Britain, there are serious implications regarding the size of the rabbit population, because myxomatosis has been an important factor in holding rabbit numbers at a relatively low level.
Haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies against influenza A and influenza B in maternal and neonatal sera
Authors: Masurel N. , de Bruijne J. I. , Beuningh H. A. , Schouten H. J. A.
Published: May 2009

Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against the influenza viruses A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) and B/Nederland/77/66 were determined in 420 paired sera from mothers and newborns (umbilical cord sera), sampled in 1970–1.

A higher concentration of antibodies against influenza A virus was found more frequently in neonatal than in maternal sera. By contrast, low titres against influenza B virus were more frequently observed in neonatal than in maternal sera. Maternal age, duration of pregnancy, and birth-weight did not affect the results of the tests.

It is suggested that the titre of the newborn against an epidemic influenza virus can be predicted from that of the mother. Furthermore, the maternal titre may be an indication of the susceptibility of the newborn infant to influenza infections.
The use of a fluorescence typing method in an epidemiological study of Klebsiella infection in a London hospital
Authors: Riser E. , Noone P. , Thompson R. E. M.
Published: May 2009

The fluorescent antibody technique was used to investigate an epidemic of Klebsiella infection in a urological ward and to trace the probable source to a contaminated sink in the treatment room. It was also shown that cross infections by particular capsular types were very common within each ward. Certain types of Klebsiella occurred in cut-flower water but could not be associated with the types infecting the patients.

Antibiotic resistance patterns within one capsular type were found to vary whether the type was from different sources in one patient or from different patients in the same ward. One capsular type was observed to develop resistance to increasing numbers of antibiotics over a 3-year period. This was probably due to the acquisition of R-plasmids. There also appeared to be a relation between capsular type and the site of infection.

The frequency of Klebsiella infections in the urological wards dropped significantly after up-grading the treatment room, improving catheter storage and reducing ampicillin use.
The sources of ‘OH’ serotypes of Escherichia coli
Authors: Bettelheim K. A.
Published: May 2009

The sources from which different ‘OH’ serotypes of Escherichia coli have been isolated are listed in a series of tables. It is considered that these tables should provide a basis for obtaining a greater understanding of the ecology of E. coli.
Observations of the effects of formaldehyde on cockroaches and their flora: I. Survival of vaccinia virus-infected cockroaches during fumigation with formaldehyde
Authors: Bartzokas C. A. , McCarthy K. , Shackleton W. B. , Baker B. F.
Published: May 2009

In these studies it is shown that the common ‘British’ and ‘American’ adult cockroaches can survive exposure to formaldehyde fumigation carried out at double the strength and for four times as long as is recommended for disinfection of rooms.

It is further reported that vaccinia virus ingested prior to the fumigation survives in the cockroach gut and may be excreted up to 5 days later.

Since cockroaches are ubiquitous and are to be found in most hospitals, laboratories and animal houses, these findings should be considered whenever fumigation is called for.
Immunity to challenge in volunteers vaccinated with an inactivated current or earlier strain of influenza A(H3N2)
Authors: Larson H. E. , Tyrrell D. A. J. , Bowker C. H. , potter C. W. , Schild G. C.
Published: May 2009

Volunteers were inoculated with vaccine made from the 30c mutant, A/Port Chalmers/73 or B/Hong/8/73. Preliminary experiments showed that the 30c strain was antigenically quite close to A/HK/8/68. Volunteers given 30c developed haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies against the ‘current’ 1973 serotypes (as well as to the vaccine virus) but the titres were less than those after the A/PC/73 vaccine. Volunteers were then challenged with a live attenuated virus, WRL 105, with A/Finland/4/74 antigens, by intranasal inoculation. The rates of infection were 43% after B/Hong Kong/8/73, 20% after 30c and 5% after A/PC/73. This indicated that the 30c gave some protection but the vaccine prepared from the current strain gave more.
Epidemiological patterns of klebsiella colonization and infection in an intensive care ward
Authors: Casewell M. W. , Phillips I.
Published: May 2009

Twenty-four per cent of 2315 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of St Thomas's Hospital in the 4 year period from November 1969 became colonized or infected withKlebsiellaspecies. Capsular typing of 986 klebsiella isolates from 551 patients showed that there were 695 patient-isolates, mostly derived from the respiratory tract. Capsular types 47 and 21 were the commonest types and together accounted for 19·9% of the patient-isolates. The 14 commonest types accounted for 47·3% of all patient-isolates and all these strains showed clustering, strongly suggesting a changing common source, cross infection, or both.
The effect of three frequently applied antibiotics on the colonization resistance of the digestive tract of mice
Authors: Thijm H. A. , van der Waaij D.
Published: May 2009

The influence of treatment with increasing oral doses of three absorbable antibiotics on the colonization resistance of the digestive tract was investigated in mice. Mice treated with ampicillin or epicillin in any of the applied doses had a strongly decreased colonization resistance as demonstrated by ‘bacterial over-growth’ after contamination with resistant strains ofEscherichia coli. After a treatment period of 2 weeks,Streptococcus faecalisbecame resistant in a number of animals. Oral treatment with cephradine on the other hand had no obvious influence on the endogenous flora of the mice, nor was the colonization resistance decreased.
Enteric fever in Scotland, 1967–1974
Authors: Sharp J. C. M. , Heymann C. S.
Published: May 2009

A review of 194 cases of enteric infection in Scotland during 1967–74, is reported. Diagnosis was confirmed by the laboratory isolation of Salmonella typhi (64 cases), S. paratyphi A (3) and S. paratyphi B (127), from blood or faeces; 174 persons were clinically ill and 20 were symptomless infections.

Most patients (81·0%) were under 35 years of age, with the highest incidence occurring among young adults of 15–24 years, many of whom had been travelling overseas. One-third of all cases (65) were imported infections; the remaining 129 patients had not been outside the United Kingdom. A significantly greater proportion of typhoid infection (54·7%) was contracted overseas, in contrast to paratyphoid B with only one-fifth of cases (21·2%) being imported; all three cases of paratyphoid A were imported. The geographic distribution of origin of imported infections is discussed, along with the frequency of organisms belonging to different phage types.

Two deaths occurred, one of which was the result of complications of paratyphoid fever. All other patients responded well to treatment, although two persons continued to excrete and became chronic carriers.

A few examples are given of episodes of particular epidemiological interest.

It is expected that in future years there will be a continued increase in the proportion of imported infections as more persons travel overseas, concurrent with the continuing decline in the number of chronic carriers resident in the British Isles.
Characteristics of a virus causing a pox disease in sheep and goats in Kenya, with observations on the epidemiology and control
Authors: Davies F. G.
Published: May 2009

The sheep and goat pox viruses isolated in Kenya are not host specific as in the Middle East and India. The virus strains from one species are of a similar patho-genicity for the other, and the same virus appears to occur in field outbreaks in mixed flocks. A silent infection with no skin lesions occurs in the field outbreaks.

The virus grows well in lamb testis cell cultures, it does not haemadsorb nor haemagglutinate and is ether sensitive. Most strains could not readily be adapted to grow on the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated eggs; one isolation only was made in this way. Staining of the virus inclusions showed that they were of DNA; the virus resembled that of lumpy skin disease in many characteristics.

It was possible to cross-protect both species with virus of sheep or goat origin. A vaccine was made from tissue culture virus adsorped onto aluminium hydroxide gel and treated with formalin.
The distribution of serotypes ofEscherichia coliin cow-pats and other animal material compared with serotypes ofE. coliisolated from human sources
Authors: Bettelheim K. A. , Ismail Nermin , Shinebaum Ruth , Shooter R. A. , Moorhouse Ellen , Farrell Wendy
Published: May 2009

The serotypes of 13,139 strains ofEscherichia coliisolated from humans were compared with the serotypes of 1076 strains isolated from animals. 689 of these strains were isolated from fresh cow-pats on 22 sites in England and Wales. 708 different O/H combinations were found. Of these, 520 were found in human strains only, 130 from animal strains only and 58 O/H serotypes from humans and animals. Approximately half of the animal strains could not be typed with the full set of sera used.
The occurrence of salmonellas, mycobacteria and pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli in pig slurry
Authors: Jones P. W. , Bew Janice , Burrows M. R. , Matthews P. R. J. , Collins P.
Published: May 2009

Ninety-eight samples of pig slurry from 54 farms were examined for the presence of salmonellas, porcine enteropathogenic strains of haemolytic Escherichia coli and mycobacteria. Salmonellas were isolated from 12 farms (22 %) and enteropathogenic E. coli from 13 farms (24%). Pathogenic mycobacteria were not isolated.

Salmonellas were isolated from 7 of 16 farms (44%) stocked with ‘minimal disease’ pigs compared with only 5 of 38 farms (13%) stocked with conventionally reared pigs. Conversely enteropathogenic coliforms were isolated from 3 of 16 farms (19%) stocked with ‘minimal disease’ pigs compared with 10 of 38 farms (26%) stocked with conventionally reared pigs.
Effect of heat on foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in the components of milk from FMDV-infected cows
Authors: Blackwell J. H. , Hyde J. L.
Published: May 2009

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) survived in skim milk, cream and the pelleted cellular debris components of milk obtained from FMDV-infected cows after pasteurization at 72°C for 0·25 min. Virus was recovered from whole milk of infected cows after that milk was heated at 72°C. for 5 min. and from the skim milk component after it was heated at the same temperature for 2 min. Evaporation of the whole milk samples after they were heated at 72°C. for 3 min. did not inactivate the virus, but evaporation of infected skim milk samples after they were heated at 72°C. for 0·5 min. did inactivate the virus. FMDV survived in the cream component after it was heated at 93°C. for 0·25 min.
Latent injury in frozen–thawed bacteriophage T4Bo
Authors: Steele P. R. M.
Published: May 2009

Two interesting new phenomena have been observed in suspensions of T4Bo bacteriophage which were frozen to temperatures below the eutectic temperature of the salt (sodium chloride) in the suspending medium. Approximately 10% of the phage appeared to survive such a phase change as determined by plaque titre. However, exposure of these survivors to ultrasonic vibration or repeated freezing showed them to be hypersensitive and thus latently injured. The hypersensitivity was lost on incubating the phage at 37° C. for 3 hr. Furthermore, following a eutectic phase change, the surviving phage could be inactivated by rapid cooling to — 90° C. followed by slow rewarming. Such inactivation cannot be accounted for by accepted theories of freezing injury.
WRL 105 strain live attenuated influenza vaccine; comparison of one and two dose schedules
Authors: Evans A. E. J. , Letley E. , Ferris R. P. , Freestone D. S.
Published: May 2009

Haemagglutinating inhibiting antibody (HAI) responses were determined and clinical reactions recorded in 162 adult volunteers who received either 1 or 2 intranasal doses of 107·0EID 50 WRL 105 strain live influenza vaccine or placebo. After administration of a single dose of vaccine significant antibody responses were obtained in 69 (70%) of 98 volunteers with initial antibody titres of ≤ 1/20. Of the 70 volunteers who received a second dose of vaccine, 62 provided a further post-vaccination sample of serum, and only 3 (4·8 %), who had not responded to the first dose of vaccine, produced a significant antibody response.

Local, upper respiratory and constitutional symptoms were recorded more frequently after the administration of a first dose of vaccine than after placebo or a second dose of vaccine. The symptoms were of a minor nature except in one volunteer who, after the first dose of vaccine, developed influenzal symptoms followed by bronchitis.
Salmonella dublin infection in adult cattle: a slaughterhouse and knackery survey in South West Wales
Authors: Hinton M. , Williams B. M.
Published: May 2009

A survey was carried out between June 1970 and December 1971 in which gall bladders from cattle either slaughtered for food consumption or disposed of through knackeries were cultured for salmonellas. Salmonella dublin was isolated from 28 of 1617 gall-bladders of adult cattle killed in the slaughterhouse at Carmarthen, and from 23 of 197 gall-bladders obtained from adult cattle sent to a knackery at Abergwili, near Carmarthen. The results are compared with a similar survey carried out in 1947 and 1948.

Between June and November 1971 gall-bladders and uteri were also obtained from a slaughterhouse in Newcastle Emlyn, North Carmarthenshire, and a knackery in Tanygroes, South Cardiganshire. S. dublin was cultured from two gall-bladders but from none of the uteri of the 161 slaughterhouse cases. Seven of the 46 cows from the knackery yielded S. dublin on culture: 2 in the gall-bladder only, 3 in the uterus only and 2 in both gall bladder and uterus.
Torulopsis glabrata infections in Singapore: a 4-year study
Authors: Tan Rowland J. S. , Lim Ek-Wang , Teo Hock-Kin
Published: May 2009

During the period 1971–4, Torulopsis glabrata formed 42% of yeasts isolated from 5677 clinical specimens from patients with cancers, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, pregnancy or major surgical operations complicated by mycotic infections. The significance of T. glabrata in these patients is discussed.
Stool viruses in babies in Glasgow: 1. Hospital admissions with diarrhoea
Authors: Madeley C. R. , Cosgrove B. P. , Bell E. J. , Fallon R. J.
Published: May 2009

Stools from 183 babies under 2 years of age admitted to Ruchill Hospital with diarrhoea were examined by electron microscopy, virus culture, bacterial culture and light microscopy. As far as possible, several stools were examined from each patient and the results showed rotaviruses, astroviruses and other viruses in association with symptoms, as well as the expected bacterial pathogens. Examination of several stools from the same patient also showed that in this age group the viral flora of the gut changes rapidly and that the viruses seen by electron microscopy were only rarely grown in cell culture and vice versa. This phenomenon was particularly noted with adenoviruses. In 30% of cases no microbial pathogen was identified and in the remainder the presence of the infecting organism did not always coincide with the symptoms. It is concluded that, with viruses at least, presence of the organism does not constitute proof of causation.
An investigation of the bacteriological quality of retail vanilla slices
Authors: Pinegar J. A. , Buxton J. D.
Published: May 2009

One hundred and thirty-three vanilla slices, purchased from shops in the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County, were examined to determine the numbers and types of bacteria present at the time of purchase. The surface colony count at 37 °C was > 103/g in 67/133 (50%) of the samples examined,Bacillus cereusbeing found at that concentration in 21·8%, coliform bacilli includingE. coliin 5·3%,Staphylococcus aureusin 3·0% andStreptococcus faecalisin 0·8%. Thirty-four strains ofB. cereuswere serotyped and 11 (32%) of these were typable with the sera available.

Preparation of custard mixes in the laboratory suggests that the milk or milk powder used in the mix may be the major source ofB. cereusin the final product. Many of the present methods of manufacture, distribution and storage allow organisms present in the custard at manufacture the opportunity to multiply and possibly reach numbers which present a risk of food poisoning.
The Value of The Sodium Dextro-Tartrate Fermentation Test in The Differentiation of Salmonella Organisms
Authors: Challinor S. W. , Rhodes A. J.
Published: May 2009

THe identification of Salmonella cultures from cases of intestinal infection forms an important part of the routine duties of many bacteriological laboratories, and in this connexion the most important problem is to differentiate between B. paratyphosus B and the closely related food-poisoning bacilli. To the public health officer this differentiation is often a matter of great importance, for it is essential for him to know whether the case is one of paratyphoid fever or of infection by one of the food-poisoning organisms. The routine carbohydrate fermentation tests do not help to distinguish between these organisms but, as a general rule, agglutination tests are of service. Consequently, preliminary agglutination tests with “O” sera are carried out, and serve to place the organism in one of several subgroups. In this paper we are mainly concerned with organisms falling into that “0” subgroup containing B. paratyphosus B, B. aertrycke, and the “Stanley”, “Heidelberg”, “Chester”, “Derby”, “Reading”, Abortus equi and certain other strains of Salmonella (see Kauffmann, 1937). Later, tests with specific “H” sera can be performed and the cultures often accurately identified, but always the point of practical importance in such investigations is to distinguish between B. paratyphosus B and the foodpoisoning group. While it is often not of any practical importance to know the precise name of a food-poisoning bacillus, it is important to exclude the possibility of its being a strain of B. paratyphosus B.
A Milk-Spread Epidemic of Scarlet Fever
Authors: Douglas E. , Smith J. , Sutherland I. N. , Watson R. J. P.
Published: May 2009

The following account of a milk-spread epidemic of scarlet fever in the burgh of Elgin may be of interest to those who are at times faced with similar
problems.

HISTORY

The number of cases of scarlet fever notified in the burgh each year from 1920 to 1938 is given in Table 1. This table also shows that the periods of

Table 1. Scarlet fever notifications, 1920–38

maximal incidence, centring on 1921, 1926 and 1934, are related roughly to the periods of maximal incidence of all cases in the area, which area includes the counties of Moray and Nairn and the burghs situated within the counties. A prolonged epidemic occurred in the whole area from 1933 to 1935, the age distribution of cases at different stages of that epidemic (Douglas, 1935) being given in Table 2. It is regretted that present circumstances do not permit of a more detailed analysis of the age and sex distributions of this epidemic. There was no evidence that the disease was spread by milk.
An Outbreak of Paratyphoid B fever
Authors: Hogg C. B. , Knox R.
Published: May 2009

In the summer of 1940 an outbreak of paratyphoid fever occurred in Kettering and in the districts surrounding it. The total number of cases was 222. Most of them were mild, and the period of vague symptoms before a doctor was called in was in some as long as three weeks to a month. A few cases were more severe, and one or two at the beginning showed toxic symptoms which led to a diagnosis of meningitis. There was one death. The centre of the epidemic was in Kettering, but the surrounding districts were also affected. The population of this area in peace time is about 133,000: it has been somewhat increased by the influx of evacuees. The age and sex distributions are shown in Table 1.

The incidence was greater in women and children than in adult males. Fig. 1 shows in graphic form the number of notifications week by week. In a few instances the agglutination test of the patient's serum was the only examination made but in the majority Bact, paratyphosum B was isolated either from the blood, faeces or urine. The methods used in isolating the infecting organisms will be described in a separate paper. Many of the cases which were excreting small numbers of paratyphoid bacilli for only a short period were detected only by the use of selective ‘enrichment.’ media, and the experience gained in the epidemic showed that a negative result based only on the use of a comparatively non-selective medium such as McConkey agar is of little value and may be dangerously misleading. Most of the specimens were examined at Leicester Emergency Public Health Laboratory, but a few, especially at the beginning, were sent to private laboratories.
Cleaning activity among Labridae in the Azores: the rainbow wrasseCoris julisand the Azorean blue wrasseCentrolabrus caeruleus
Authors: Bertoncini Áthila Andrade , Machado Leonardo Francisco , Barreiros João Pedro , Hostim-Silva Maurício , Verani José Roberto
Published: May 2009

Cleaning interactions among the rainbow wrasseCoris julisand the azorean blue wrasseCentrolabrus caeruleusare presented with photographic registers, as well as the first record of the latter cleaning conspecifics from Azorean shallow rocky reefs.
Molecular investigations of the stalked barnacleVulcanolepas osheaiand the epibiotic bacteria from the Brothers Caldera, Kermadec Arc, New Zealand
Authors: Suzuki Yohey , Suzuki Masae , Tsuchida Shinji , Takai Ken , Horikoshi Koki , Southward Alan J. , Newman William A. , Yamaguchi Toshiyuki
Published: May 2009

The hydrothermal-vent barnacleVulcanolepas osheaiof the subfamily Neolepadinae is one of the most conspicuous organisms at the Brothers Caldera, south Kermadec Arc, New Zealand. Like a neolepad species found in the Lau Basin,V. osheaiharbours filamentous bacteria on its elongated cirral setae. To define the phylogenetic affiliation of the epibiotic bacteria and the nutrition of the barnacle host, we conducted molecular phylogenetic and isotopic analyses. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences of microbial communities on the cirral setae showed that among 91 bacterial sequences investigated, 28 sequences were related to the ɛ-proteobacterial endosymbiont ofAlviniconchaaff.hessleri; 11 sequences were related to the epibiont of the bresiliid shrimpRimicarisexoculata. Fluorescencein situhybridization showed that in contrary to results from the 16S rRNA gene-sequence library, approximately 80% of the filamentous bacteria hybridized with a probe targeting the sequences related to the epibiont of the bresiliid shrimpR. exoculata. The fatty-acid profiles of the filamentous bacteria and the host barnacle both contained high levels of monounsaturated C16and C18fatty acids, and the carbon isotopic compositions of the biomass and monounsaturated C16and C18fatty acids of both the bacteria and barnacle were nearly identical. This would suggest that the nutrition of the barnacle is highly dependent on bacteria thriving around the barnacle, including the epibiotic bacteria.
Age and growth of the forkbeard Phycis phycis (Gadidae) from the Azorean archipelago, North Atlantic
Authors: Abecasis Ana Rita Costa , Canha Angela , Reis Dália , Pinho Mário Rui , Gil-Pereira João
Published: May 2009

The forkbeard Phycis phycis is one of the main target species of the demersal fishery in the Azores, north-eastern Atlantic. Age and growth of the forkbeard were studied using 477 otoliths from individuals caught between April 2000 and August 2004. Otoliths were burned and sectioned, a preparation method that improved the easiness of readings. Individuals ranged from 21 to 71 cm in total length, and their estimated ages between 2 and 18 years old. Forkbeard is a relatively slow growing, long lived species, that does not show sexual dimorphism in growth. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for the Azorean forkbeard were L∞ = 79.64 cm, k = 0.09 yr−1 and t0 = −1.88 years.
Detection of pathogenicYersinia enterocoliticausing the multiplex polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Harnett N. , Lin Y. P. , Krishnan C.
Published: May 2009

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect the presence of theail, yst, andvirFgenes ofYersinia enterocoliticasimultaneously, quickly and accurately. The amplified fragment sizes were 356 base-pairs (bp) for theailgene, 134 bp for theystgene, and 231 bp for thevirFgene. The specificity of the amplified products was confirmed by hybridization with digoxigenin-labelled oligonucleotide probes. Amplification was successful whether the template was derived from a single colony of bacteria, aliquots of boiled bacterial suspensions, from DNA extracted from pure or mixed cultures or from stool specimens. Amplification of thevirFgene was also achieved from strains ofY. pseudotuberculosiscarrying the 70 kb plasmid but not with preparations from other relatedYersiniaspecies or from other members of the familyEnterobacteriaceae. The detection limit we established was 5–10 colony forming units per millilitre (cfu/ml) and 1·0 pg of DNA.
Isolates ofSalmonella entericaEnteritidis PT4 with enhanced heat and acid tolerance are more virulent in mice and more invasive in chickens
Authors: Humphrey T. J. , Williams A. , McAlpine K. , Lever M. S. , Guard-Petter J. , Cox J. M.
Published: May 2009

Two Enteritidis PT4 isolates which differed in inherent tolerance to heat, acid, H2O2and the ability to survive on surfaces were used to infect mice, day-old chicks or laying hens. The acid-, heat-, H2O2- and surface-tolerant isolate was more virulent in mice and more invasive in laying hens, particularly in reproductive tissue. However, no significant differences were observed in behaviour in chicks. Both PT4 isolates were able to infect chicks housed in the same room as infected birds, although the heat-tolerant isolate survived significantly better than the heat-sensitive one in aerosols.
Pneumococcal meningitis in the North East Thames Region UK: epidemiology and molecular analysis of isolates
Authors: Urwin G. , Yuan M. F. , Hall L. M. C. , Brown K. , Efstratiou A. , Feldman R. A.
Published: May 2009

One hundred and fourteen cases of pneumococcal meningitis were identified by prospective laboratory based surveillance during 1990–3 in the North East Thames Region. Higher rates of disease were seen in Asians (2·1/100 000) than Caucasians (0·8/100 000) (P= 0·002). The incidence of meningitis was higher in children than adults, while mortality rates were highest in adults over the age of 60 (48%). In 72 cases, both blood and CSF were culture positive. Serotyping of 65 isolates collected identified 22 serotypes (and one non-typable) causing disease, the most common being serotype 6 (13 cases) and serotype 14 (11 cases). Overall, 90% of serotype antigens identified were represented in the 23 valent vaccine. Ribotyping of 62 isolates identified 35 different patterns, of which 26 were single types. Different ribotypes were found among isolates of the same serotypes, with the exception of serotype 14, where 9 of 11 isolates had the same ribotype pattern. Four percent of isolates had reduced susceptibility to penicillin, but no high level penicillin resistance was found.
Iatrogenic outbreak of M. chelonae skin abscesses
Authors: Camargo D. , Saad C. , Ruiz F. , Ramirez M. E. , Lineros M. , Rodriguez G. , Navarro E. , Pulido B. , Orozco L. C.
Published: May 2009

We describe an outbreak of skin lesions due to Mycobacterium chelonae subsp. abscessus associated with injections of lidocaine (lignocaine) given by a ‘bioenergetic’ (a practitioner of alternative medicine) in Colombia. The lidocaine carpules and the lesions of the patients yielded mycobacteria with identical biochemical characteristics.

Using the methodology of Sartwell and a case control design we examined the incubation period and assessed risk factors. Of 667 potentially exposed individuals, a total of 298 patients were interviewed, of whom 232 had skin lesions. The median incubation period was 30·5 days (range 15–59 days). Male sex (OR 2·85, 95% CI 1·26–6·51), increasing age (OR 1·25, 95% CI 1·03–1·53), subcutaneous injection route (OR 3·72, 95% CI 1·09–12·7) and number of injections (OR 1·01, 95% CI 1·00–1·03) were risk factors for disease.

To our knowledge, this is the largest reported outbreak of M. chelonae infection, the first in which the organism has been isolated from the putative vehicle of infection, and the first in which the incubation period could be determined.
Ante-natal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen: an appraisal of its value in a low prevalence area
Authors: Dwyer M. J. , McIntyre P. G.
Published: May 2009

The costs and projected benefits of universal screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women in East Anglia are calculated and compared with current practice. By adjusting data from West Midlands region for ethnicity, the prevalence of maternal hepatitis B surface-antigen (HBsAg) positivity in East Anglia is predicted to be 0·083% (1 in 1200). Published data on health risks of perinatal HBV infection and on immunisation efficacy are used to derive benefits of screening. The marginal direct cost of screening is identified from regional sources. Current clinical practice in East Anglia identifies 7 surface-antigen positive mothers per year, whereas 22 are expected. Routine antenatal screening in East Anglia would prevent 2·6 additional childhood carriers per year (compared with current practice), resulting in the prevention of 0·7 deaths per year occuring 40–50 years in the future. The direct cost per (undiscounted) life-year saved would be £2437, not including savings on treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection. Routine prenatal screening for maternal HBsAg should be introduced without delay and continue even if HBV vaccination is introduced into the UK childhood immunisation schedule.
An analysis of infection control of varicella-zoster virus infections in Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge over a 5-year period, 1987–92
Authors: Wreghitt T. G. , Whipp J. , Redpath C. , Hollingworth W.
Published: May 2009

This prospective study analyses infections with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge during 1987–92 and examines the spread of infection. In total, 93 patients and staff experienced VZV infection. Twenty-one patients had varicella and 49 experienced zoster. None of 101 patients and 1 of 625 staff members in contact with varicella cases acquired infection. By contrast, 2 of 227 patients, and 5 of 1039 staff in contact with zoster cases acquired varicella. One out of 28 (3·6%) VZV antibody-negative patients and staff in contact with varicella acquired infection, compared with 5 out of 29 (17·2%) VZV antibody-negative patients and staff in contact with zoster. Thus, zoster was found to be a more frequent cause of nosocomial infection than varicella. Fourteen members of staff had VZV infection during the study period. One of 99 patients and none of 389 staff members in contact with these cases developed varicella. The cost of dealing with infection control for VZV infections in our hospital is estimated to be £714 per patient case and a total of £13204 per year.
Risk factors forNeisseria meningitidescarriage in a school during a community outbreak of meningococcal infection
Authors: Davies A. L. , O'Flanagan D. , Salmon R. L. , Coleman T. J.
Published: May 2009

As part of the management of an outbreak of meningococcal infection, 119 school contacts of an index case were swabbed for nasopharyngeal carriage. In a cohort study, risk factors forNeisseria meningitidiscarriage were ascertained by means of a questionnaire, completed by 114 (96%) of those swabbed.

Twenty five (21%) cultures were identified as ‘neisseria positive’; of which there were 18 (15%)Neisseria meningitidisisolates, 2 (2%)Neisseria lactamicaisolates and 5 (4%) showed contaminants only. Two (2%) carriers were identified as harbouring the implicated outbreak strain. Single variable analysis identified six statistically significant risk factors for meningococcal carriage; increasing age, female sex, manual social class, personal smoking, regular attendance at a discotheque and rhinorrhoea. Multivariate analysis, using logistic regression modelling, found that of these six variables only age, sex and social class remained statistically significant when the other factors were controlled for. Nevertheless the role of smoking, social events and respiratory/viral infections in nasopharyngeal carriage, and other plausible mechanisms whereby age, sex and social class might exert their effect, could usefully be investigated further.