bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring infectious diseases using routine microbiology data II. An example of regression analysis used to study infectious gastroenteritis
Authors: Tillett Hilary E.
Published: March 2010

Routine data used to study infectious diseases may contain biases which obscure trends. A 16-year series (up to 1968) of routine laboratory data was used to study patterns of incidence of infective gastroenteritis for which no laboratory diagnosis could be made. An artificial pattern was detected. This arose because GPs tended to refer a greater proportion of their patients during dysentery epidemics. Multiple regression analysis was used to separate out this effect so that the underlying trends could be observed.

The seasonal pattern of undiagnosed cases showed an autumn peak. There were also early-winter epidemics of disease with little or no excretion of red blood or pus cells in the diagnostic faeces specimen. Some of the winter communicable disease among older children and adults appeared to be associated with signs of a temporary fat malabsorption in pre-school age cases. Undiagnosed cases in older children and adults were not related to the E. coli serotypes causing disease in infants during this period.

The statistical method applied increased the usefulness of these routine data. Although this series of laboratory records is now more than a decade old the results of the analysis can be compared with new observations as more is learned about the epidemiology of previously unrecognized pathogens, especially rota-viruses.
Adenovirus eye infections in an Australian city, 1972–9
Authors: Irving L. , Kennett M. , Lewis F. , Birch C. , Donaldson A.
Published: March 2010

A number of adenovirus serotypes have been associated with both sporadic cases and outbreaks of conjunctivitis and pharyngoconjunctival fever but only adenovirus type 8 and adenovirus type 19 have been responsible for wide-spread epidemic kerato-conjunctivitis. In Melbourne, Australia, in the past eight years these two serotypes have been prevalent, resulting in an outbreak of adenovirus type 8 kerato-conjunctivitis in 1976–7 followed by adenovirus type 19 keratoconjunctivitis in 1978–9. During these two periods of peak incidence, 53 cases of adenovirus type 8 and 43 cases of adenovirus type 19 kerato-conjunctivitis were confirmed by isolation.
Epidemiological and serological study of hepatitis A virus outbreaks in France: a comparison between immunoadherence and radioimmunoassay
Authors: Coursaget P. , Drucker J. , Maupas P. , Hibon P. , Goudeau A. , Bernard D. , Sauvage D. , Lelord G.
Published: March 2010

An epidemiological study and the simultaneous evaluation of anti-Hav antibody using radio immunoassay (RIA) and immunoadherence hemagglutination assay (IAHA) was performed during three hepatitis A epidemics in the Tours area (France). Fifty-seven sera from 35 subjects with viral hepatitis type A and 16 sera from nine children who did not develop any clinical signs of hepatitis were studied. The more explosive epidemic occurred in an institution for mentally retarded children (attack rate 68%). The two major outbreaks observed were due to the introduction in the institutions of individuals infected with hepatitis A virus. Two out of three of the index cases had a seafood dinner three to four weeks before onset of jaundice. Sera taken one week after jaundice were always found to be anti-HAV positive by both RIA and IAHA, and sera taken more than three days before the appearance of jaundice were negative by both methods. Sera taken at the peak of the transaminase elevation were anti-HAV positive by RIA but only one out of two were positive by Iaha. The anti-HAV titre by RIA increased from the time of the appearance of jaundice and the highest titres, over 1/20000 were seen only after several months. Observations of subjects in close contact with patients who seroconverted without any manifestation of hepatitis, confirmed the existence of clinically mute infections.
IgM-antibody response to the hepatitis B core antigen in acute and chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Tedder R. S. , Wilson-Croome Ruth
Published: March 2010

A solid phase M-antibody capture radioimmunoassay (MACRIA) and a serum fractionation method were used to quantitate the IgM response to the hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) in acute and chronic hepatitis B infections.

Antibody to the core antigen was predominantly of the IgM class during theacute phase of hepatitis B. Resolving acute infections remained positive by MACRIA, but at decreasing levels, for as long as 6 months. IgM anti-HBc persisted in HBsAg carriers but at levels very much lower than seen in acute infections. There was no correlation of IgM anti-HBc with severity of chronic liver disease in carriers.

Measurement of IgM anti-HBc by MACRIA enabled accurate identification of acute hepatitis B on single serum specimens.
A comparative study of spirochaetes from the porcine alimentary tract
Authors: Lemcke Ruth M. , Burrows M. R.
Published: March 2010

Strains ofTreponema hyodysenteriaecapable of inducing swine dysentery in specific pathogen-free pigs were compared with other spirochaetes from the porcine alimentary tract by biochemical and serological tests and by electrophoresis of their proteins. Carbohydrate fermentation and esculin hydrolysis were similar in all the spirochaetes. Indole was produced byT. hyodysenteriaeand by some of the other spirochaetes. Analysis of the fatty acids produced from glucose showed a difference betweenT. hyodysenteriaeand other spirochaetes only in the amount ofn-butyric acid produced. The indirect fluorescent antibody test showed extensive cross-reactions between all the spirochaetes unless antisera were first absorbed. A microtitre agglutination test and a growth-inhibition test were both more specific; strains ofT. hyodysenteriaecould be distinguished from the other spirochaetes using unabsorbed sera. Both tests revealed some antigenic heterogeneity among strains ofT. hyodysenteriae. The cell proteins of a single strain ofT. hyodysenteriaegave an electrophoretic pattern distinct from those of the other spirochaetes.

Two of the six spirochaetes not associated with swine dysentery, PWS/B and PWS/C, were indistinguishable serologically and electrophoretically. The other four strains were serologically distinct from one another and from PWS/B and PWS/C. Only two of these spirochaetes were examined electrophoretically, but each gave a different pattern from PWS/B and PWS/C. The diversity observed among spirochaetes not associated with swine dysentery indicates that their suggested inclusion in a single species,T. innocens, may prove to be unjustified.
Transfer of gentamicin resistance between coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive staphylococci on skin
Authors: Naidoo Jay , Noble W. C.
Published: March 2010

The transfer of gentamicin resistance between a coagulase-negative S. hominis strain and various coagulase-positive S. aureus strains on human and murine skin in the absence of a selective agent is described. Transfer occurs at higher frequency on skin than in broth. Skin transfer may account for the apparently explosive occurrence of gentamicin resistant staphylococci in hospitals.
Diversity of plasmids responsible for multiple resistance in klebsiella serotype K2
Authors: Richards Hilary , Hughes Victoria , Datta Naomi
Published: March 2010

Klebsiella of capsular type K2 were investigated to find out whether a single epidemic clone was the source of many outbreaks of infection in different hospitals, in different areas over a period of five years. The klebsiellas studied were found to be very similar; they were of the same biotype, had similar klebecin sensitivity patterns and carried multiple drug-resistance plasmids; however, characterization of these plasmids showed that they were heterogeneous. Thus there was not a single epidemic bacterial clone.
The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in Scotland
Authors: Msolla P. M. , Wiseman A. , Selman I. E.
Published: March 2010

The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in 1152 serum samples from adult cattle in 114 dairy and beef herds in different regions of Scotland was 12%. In the Grampian region, the number of seropositive cattle in the self-contained herds was significantly less (P < 0·01) than in the ‘other’ herds. Holstein cattle had been introduced into five of these ‘other’ herds, and significantly more (P < 0·01) of the samples from these five herds were seropositive compared with the samples from the rest of the ‘other’ herds in the same region into which recently purchased cattle had been introduced. The introduction of Holstein cattle was also a major factor in the association between the prevalence of antibodies and herd size in the Grampian region. The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus was significantly greater (P < 0·001) in this survey than in those previously undertaken in the United Kingdom.
Diet and the faecal microflora of infants, children and adults in rural Nigeria and urban U.K.
Authors: Tomkins A. M. , Bradley A. K. , Oswald Sarah , Drasar B. S.
Published: March 2010

The faecal microflora of breast-fed infants, weaned children and adults has been examined in rural Nigeria and urban U.K. Breast-fed infants had a similar anaerobic flora dominated by bifidobacteria but bacteroides were isolated in less than a quarter of either community. Weaned children in both communities had greater numbers of bacteroides and clostridia than breast-fed infants. Even higher numbers of bacteroides and clostridia were present in U.K. adults but not in Nigerian adults. Numbers of bacteroides and clostridia were greater in a group of Nigerian infants drinking cow's milk than those receiving breast milk alone and lower in a group of weaned children with diarrhoea compared with uninfected subjects.
Infection with influenza A/Victoria virus in Houston families, 1976
Authors: Taber L. H. , Paredes A. , Glezen W. P. , Couch R. B.
Published: March 2010

In 1976, an epidemic caused by infections with an influenza virus antigenically similar to A/Victoria/75 (H3N2) occurred in Houston, Texas. During this outbreak, 37 families (155 members) enrolled in the Houston Family Study were under observation. The families lived throughout the metropolitan area (Houston, Texas), and were representative of low income groups. The overall frequency of infection in family members was 27·7%. The frequency of infection was the highest for infants under one year of age and for their older siblings, 14 (37·8%) of 37 and 17 (33·3%) of 51, respectively. Eighteen (48·6%) of the 37 families had at least one infected member. Twelve of the 18 ‘infected’ families had school aged children, whereas only three of the 19 ‘non-infected’ families had school aged children (P< 0·01). These infected families were also larger and had increased household density (persons/rooms). The levels of pre-existing HI antibodies to A/Victoria/75 and A/Port Chalmers/73 were inversely related to frequencies of infection and illness associated with A/Victoria/75 virus. Three children required hospitalization as direct consequence of their infection with this H3N2 influenza virus. Antibody response to infection was related to previous experience with antigenically-related influenza A (H3N2) viruses according to Francis', ‘doctrine of original antigenic sin.’
The response of the Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) and two other species of commensal rodents to anticoagulant rodenticides
Authors: Mahmoud Wafeya , Redfern R.
Published: March 2010

The response of Acomys cahirinus to three anticoagulant rodenticides was investigated in the laboratory. In contrast to the other commensal rodents Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus, this species appears to be naturally very resistant to warfarin, difenacoum and brodifacoum. It is considered unlikely that anticoagulant poisons would be effective in the field for the control of A. cahirinus.
Colony incompatibility studies among New Zealand and Australian isolates of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 179
Authors: Bettelheim K. A.
Published: March 2010

Recent New Zealand and Australian isolates of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 179 were studied for relatedness by colony incompatibility. This established that all but one strain of the New Zealand groups probably formed a clone despite carrying a variety of plasmids. The Australian strains showed a far greater diversity. This study demonstrates the epidemiological usefulness of the colony incompatibility reactions.
Field trials of bromadiolone against infestations of warfarin-resistant Rattus norvegicus
Authors: Richards C. G. J.
Published: March 2010

Baiting with 0·005% bromadiolone in medium oatmeal or soaked wheat completely controlled infestations of warfarin-resistant rats on farms when surplus amounts of the poisoned baits were maintained until rats ceased to feed on them. The speed with which control was achieved was the same as with other anticoagulants that have been tested in this way.

Poison baiting with 0·005% bromadiolone for only 1, 4 or 7 days achieved respectively about 49, 77 and 81% control of similar farm rat infestations.
Observations on the occurrence of Salmonella cholerae-suis and other salmonellas in two herds of feeder pigs
Authors: Williams D. R. , Hunter D. , Binder Jeannette , Hough Elaine
Published: March 2010

Modified brilliant green agar (BGA), Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate, Rappaport's and selenite F broths were compared for their efficiency in isolating salmonellas from pigs and their excreta. It was concluded that BGA and Rappaport's broth were the media of choice. Where searches were made for Salmonella choleraesuis alone, the use of a trehalose McConkey agar provided a rapid method of differentiating S. cholerae-suis, which does not ferment trehalose, from the majority of other salmonellas, which do ferment trehalose.

Casualties were collected from two farms where infection with S. cholerae-suis was endemic. The isolation rates of S. cholerae-suis from different carcase sites were compared in order to determine the relative importance of the salivary, upper respiratory and faecal routes of excretion. S. cholerae-suis was isolated from numerous carcase sites in carriers including the salivary glands, tonsils, trachea and lungs. However, isolations from the nasal passages, mouth, pharynx and gastro-intestinal tract of carriers were either infrequent or absent. When, in a further study, S. cholerae-suis was isolated from only 3/414 faeces, 1/170 nasal swabs and not at all from 170 oral swabs taken from live pigs, it was concluded that there must be more significant modes of transmission than from the salivary glands, upper respiratory or gastro-intestinal tracts. Cannibalism was considered to be a possibility.

In contrast to S. cholerae-suis, other salmonellas were frequently isolated from randomly collected faeces and from the gastro-intestinal tract as well as other sites in casualties.
Isolation of Salmonella with the use of 100 ml of the R10 modification of Rappaport's enrichment medium
Authors: Vassiliadis P. , Trichopoulos D. , Kalapothaki V. , Sérié Ch.
Published: March 2010

One hundred and eighty samples of pork sausages were examined after preenrichment in buffered peptone water (P medium), for the presence of salmonellas. From each pre-enrichment four enrichments were made: (1) 0·1 ml of P medium was inoculated into 10 ml of Rappaport's medium, formula R10 (R10/43 °C), (2) 1 ml of the P medium was added to 100 ml of R10 broth (R10/100 ml/43 °C), (3) 1 ml of P medium was inoculated into 10 ml of Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate broth (MK medium) prepared in accordance with the International Standards Organization document ISO 3565 (MK/43 °C) and (4) 10 ml of P medium were added to 100 ml of MK broth (MK/100 ml/43 °C). All the enrichments were incubated at 43 °C for 48 h. Forty-six and 47 samples were found positive with the first two enrichment methods (R10/43 °C and R10/100 ml/43 °C), while only 16 samples were found positive with the method MK/43 °C, and 27 with the method MK/100 ml/43 °C. The superiority of either one of the two R10 procedures over either one of the two MK methods is statistically highly significant (paired χ2; P < 0·001 in all four comparisons). The superiority of procedure MK/100 ml/43 °C over the method MK/43 °C is also statistically significant (P < 0·005). Both R10/43 °C and R10/100 ml/43 °C procedures had a much stronger inhibitory effect on the competing organisms (lactose- and sucrosenegative) than the two MK methods.
Recombinants of influenza virus type B as potential live vaccine candidates: RNA characterization and evaluation in man
Authors: Lobmann M. , Delem A. , Jovanovic D. , Peetermans J.
Published: March 2010

Two recombinants (R22 and R75) of the attenuated B/USSR/69 strain Brigit and the virulent B/Hong Kong/5/72 and one recombinant (R5) of Brigit and the virulent B/Hong Kong/8/73 were selected for genotypic and phenotypic characterization. All three recombinants had the growth property of the attenuated parent Brigit. Analysis of their RNA's by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that, the strains R22 and R75 had derived all their genes from Brigit, those coding for haemagglutinin excepted. These recombinants were clinically evaluated and found to be attenuated and immunogenic. The recombinant R5 which derived, besides the gene coding for the haemagglutinin, several other genes from B/Hong Kong/8/73 was only partly attenuated since it induced influenza-like symptoms in one out of three volunteers.

It is concluded that the strain Brigit can be used as a donor of genes for the attenuation of the B/Hong Kong/5/72 virus and that recombinants of influenza type B can be identified, like influenza type A recombinants, by their RNA pattern.
Correlation between uropathogenic properties ofEscherichia colifrom urinary tract infections and the antibody-coated bacteria test and comparison with faecal strains
Authors: Brooks Heather J. L. , Benseman Barbara A. , Peck Jayne , Bettelheim K. A.
Published: March 2010

Strains ofEscherichia coliisolated from adult females with symptomatic urinary tract infection were found to possess the following properties significantly more frequently than faecal strains: (i) high K-antigen titre; (ii) haemolysin; (iii) type 1 pili; (iv) mannose-resistant haemagglutination; (v) fermentation of dulcitol and salicin; (vi) O serotype 2, 6 and 75; (vii) H serotype 1.E. coliisolated from urine specimens containing significant numbers of antibody-coated bacteria were richer in these seven properties than strains from urines without detectable antibody-coated bacteria.

The O and H serotypes ofE. coliobtained from patients with urinary tract infection in two New Zealand cities were compared with those reported in the world literature and found to be similar.
The relationship of two equine mycoplasmas toMycoplasma mycoides
Authors: Lemcke R. M. , Ernø H. , Gupta U.
Published: March 2010

Two unidentified mycoplasmas, N3 and N11, isolated from the respiratory tract of horses, were found to cross-react with strains ofM. mycoidessubsp.mycoidesin indirect immunofluorescence tests, growth-inhibition tests carried out by the running drop/agar-well method, and in complement-fixation and double immunodiffusion tests. Serologically, the equine mycoplasmas were not completely identical with any of the reference strains ofM. mycoideswith which they were compared. Their cultural characteristics, ability to digest coagulated serum and casein, and survival at 45 °C, however, suggested that they were more closely related to strains ofM. mycoidessubsp.mycoides, such as Y-goat, which are found in goats, than to strains of that subspecies which are pathogenic for cattle.
Comparative effect of the three rodenticides warfarin, difenacoum and brodifacoum on eight rodent species in short feeding periods
Authors: Lund M.
Published: March 2010

Short laboratory feeding tests were carried out with the anticoagulants warfarin, difenacoum, and brodifacoum on a number of European rodent species: Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus agrestis, M. arvalis, Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, Mus musculus, Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus. It was found that the toxicity to all species was highest with brodifacoum and lowest with warfarin, and that only 0·005% brodifacoum would give a complete mortality in most species after one day's feeding. The potential of this compound for the control of microtine field rodents is suggested.
Influenza B at Christ's Hospital: natural antibody to influenza B estimated by radial haemolysis
Authors: Grilli E. A. , Davies J. R.
Published: March 2010

The technique of radial haemolysis (SRH) was used to assess the response to infection with different strains of influenza B virus, to determine the persistence of antibody following such infection and to examine sera from boys entering school at age 11 years. The technique detected 95 % of infections and in primary infection the antibody response was mainly to the infecting strain. Re-infections resulted in a broad response, both to the homotypic strain and to strains more distantly related. Antibody to the homotypic strain persisted for at least 3 years but in some individuals the reaction with heterotypic strains tended to become weaker – resulting in zones of incomplete lysis – or was lost. Examination of the sera collected on entry to the school showed that about 60 % of the boys bled before B/Hong Kong became widespread in the United Kingdom had antibody to strains representative of those isolated in the 1960s and few boys had antibody to B/Hong Kong. After 1974 antibody to B/Hong Kong and later strains became more common while antibody to earlier strains was less frequently detected. The significance of the results as an estimate of past experience is discussed.
Comparison of selenite F, Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate and Rappaport's medium for salmonella isolation from chicken giblets after pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water
Authors: Harvey R. W. S. , Price T. H.
Published: March 2010

Six hundred and eighty three samples of chicken giblets were examined for salmonellas. Three hundred and forty nine of these were neck and crop specimens and 334 were combined liver and heart samples. Two hundred and ten, in all, contained salmonellas.

The technique of examination included pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water at 37 °C for 18 h and subculture to three enrichment media: Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate, selenite F and Rappaport's magnesium chloride malachite green broth. Inocula from buffered peptone water to 10 ml of tetrathionate and selenite were 1 ml in each case. The inoculum from the pre-enrichment medium to 10 ml of Rappaport was 0·005 ml. Tetrathionate and selenite were incubated at 43 °C for 48 h. Rappaport's medium was incubated at 37 °C for 48 h. Subcultures from all three enrichment broths were made at 24 h and 48 h to brilliant green MacConkey agar. Selective agars were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h.

The most successful technique for salmonella isolation used Rappaport's medium, which was significantly more efficient than either tetrathionate or selenite. This finding reinforces results obtained using sewage polluted natural water as test material and it is suggested that routine examination of environment samples for salmonellas could be based on Rappaport's medium alone.

If S. typhi, S. dublin or subgenus III salmonellas were likely to be present in the sample, the technique described here would require modification.
BCG vaccination of children against leprosy in Uganda: final results
Authors: Stanley Susan J. , Howland C. , Stone M. Mary , Sutherland I.
Published: March 2010

A total of 19200 children, all contacts or relatives of known leprosy patients, and all free of visible leprosy lesions, were included in a controlled trial of BCG vaccination against leprosy in Uganda between 1960 and 1964. They were followed for an average of 8 years, during which time 261 developed early leprosy lesions. A less comprehensive follow-up was carried out for a further 5 years, when 8 more cases of leprosy were identified.

In the main intake, between 1960 and 1962, 16150 tuberculin-negative or weakly tuberculin-positive (Heaf Grades O-II) children were allocated by an effectively random process to either a BCG-vaccinated or an unvaccinated control group. Both groups were seen and examined in an identical fashion for leprosy at approximately 2-year intervals, and precautions were taken to ensure unbiased assessment of new cases of leprosy. After 8 years, 41 cases of leprosy had been identified in the BCG-vaccinated group, and 201 in the control group, a percentage reduction in the BCG-vaccinated group compared with the control group of 80%. The percentage reduction was similar for those initially tuberculin-negative, and for those initially weakly positive, and did not depend upon the age at vaccination. It was also similar for both sexes, for contacts of lepromatous and contacts of non-lepromatous leprosy, for children having contact with one or more than one patient, and for differing grades of physical contact and genetic relationship with a patient. The protective effect of BCG vaccination continued over the 8-year period, although it may have fallen off slightly at the end.

In a group of 1074 strongly tuberculin-positive (Heaf Grades III-IV) children followed in parallel with the other two groups a total of 16 cases of leprosy were identified. When adjusted for age, this incidence is 58% lower than that in the unvaccinated control children who were initially tuberculin-negative, indicating a protective effect against leprosy of naturally-acquired strong tuberculin sensitivity.

Between 1970 and 1975, one new case of leprosy was identified in a child who had initially been strongly tuberculin-positive and had therefore not been vaccinated, one in a BCG-vaccinated child, and 6 in control children. Although the follow-up in this period was less comprehensive than that in the main part of the trial, the ascertainment of cases was unlikely to have been biased towards either vaccinated or control children. These results indicate a continuing protective effect of BCG up to 12–13 years after vaccination.
Change of drug resistance patterns and genetic properties of R plasmids inSalmonella typhimuriumof bovine origin isolated from 1970 to 1979 in northern Japan
Authors: Makino S. , Ishiguro N. , Sato G. , Seno N.
Published: March 2010

A total of 321Salmonella typhimuriumstrains of bovine origin obtained in northern Japan during the period 1970–1979 were tested for drug resistance and detection of conjugative R plasmids. Three hundred and eighteen (99·1 %) of these strains were resistant to one or more drugs. The isolation frequency of multiply drug-resistant strains tended to increase year by year. Two hundred and thirty-seven (74·5%) of these resistant strains carried conjugative R plasmids. A total of 308 R plasmids including 174 (56·5 %) thermosensitive (ts) R plasmids were derived from the 237 drug-resistant strains, indicating that 71 (30·0%) strains have two different conjugative R plasmids in a single host cell. Of the 308 R plasmids examined for fertility inhibition (fi), 167 ts and 131 non-ts R plasmids werefi−. Of the 60 ts R plasmids examined for incompatibility, 50 were classified into H1 group and 10 into H2 group. Of the 52 non-ts R plasmids examined, 35 were classified into the Iα group and the remaining plasmids were untypable in our tests. Mercury resistance marker was found in about 20% of H1 R plasmids coding for multiresistance, and all of H2 R plasmids coded for resistance to tellurite. The clonal distribution of anS. typhimuriumstrain which carried an H1 R plasmid coding for resistance to six drugs and mercury was recognized in 1978 and 1979.
Corynebacterium haemolyticum infections in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wickremesinghe R. S. B.
Published: March 2010

Corynebacterium haemolyticum infections are described for the first time in Sri Lanka. In a period of 2 years from 1978–80 C. haemolyticum was isolated from the pharynx of 9 patients with tonsillitis and from local septic lesions in 7 other patients. Association with other pathogens was common. No patients had a rash. The properties of the isolates are described.
Variation in skin and environmental survival of hospital gentamicin-resistant enterobacteria
Authors: Hart C. A. , Gibson Marjorie F. , Buckles Andrea M.
Published: March 2010

During a period when 245 patients were infected by or harboured gentamicinresistant enterobacteria, random sampling showed hand carriage in 33% of affected patients but in only 5 % of attendant staff. Only klebsiellae were isolated from the latter. Recovery was commoner from the hands of bed-ridden patients or faecal carriers and significantly more frequent for klebsiellae (37 %) and enterobacter (33 %) than citrobacter (5·6 %) andE. coli(5·0 %). Similarly, survival on forearms of volunteers was much longer for klebsiellae and enterobacter than for citrobacter orE. coli(means respectively were 70, 45, 10 and 13 min), and on dry surfaces (means respectively were 28, 26, 3 and 7h). Klebsiellae were isolated from 17 of the 56 dry environmental surfaces sampled. The presence of plasmid resistance determinants had no effect on survival times, either on the skin or following drying onto formica surfaces. On dry surfaces 9·5% ofE. colibut only 1·3% of klebsiellae lost resistance to gentamiein. These findings accord well with recent experience in which gentamicin-resistant klebsiellae have been involved to a much greater extent than other resistant enterobacteria in hospital infection.
Comparison of the Microbact-12E and 24E systems and the API-20E system for the identification ofEnterobacteriaceae
Authors: Mugg P. , Hill A.
Published: March 2010

The Microbact-24E and the Microbact-12E systems are two new miniaturized identification systems for the identification of organisms belonging to the familyEnterobacteriaceae. These two systems were compared to the API-20E system for the identification of 352 fresh clinical isolates ofEnterobacteriaceae. All three systems were easy to use and came complete with computerized profile registers to assist with final identification of the isolates. The Microbact-24E identified 98 %, the API-20E and MB-12E identifying 94·3% and 88·6% respectively. Where different identifications were obtained with the Microbact-24E and API-20E conventional biochemical tests, motility and serology were performed. The Microbact-24E system proved to be a very accurate and convenient means of identifying members of the familyEnterobacteriaceae.
Comparison of four methods of differential typing of isolates ofShigella sonnei
Authors: Helgason S. , Old D. C.
Published: March 2010

An epidemiological study of Sonne dysentery in Dundee during the years 1971–6 was made by examining, in respect of 1420 isolates ofShigella sonnei, the discriminating power of colicine typing, antibiogram testing, biotyping and resistotyping and the stability of the markers they provided.

Colicine typing identified nine colicine types, including four not previously described. However, because types 4 and 4 var., determined bycolIb, and type U, producing no colicines, accounted for 96 % of the isolates, discrimination with colicine typing was poor. In antibiotic sensitivity tests, 13 different antibiogram patterns were noted. Less than 1 % of the isolates were sensitive to all of the eight antibiotics tested; most were multiply drug-resistant. Resistance to kanamycin, neomycin and paromomycin (KNP) was apparently due to a single resistance determinant, widely distributed in a majority (53%) of the isolates. When definitive times were chosen for reading each biotyping test, only maltose and rhamnose of the 13 ‘sugars’ tested differentiated isolates into prompt- and late-fermenting types. Though the ability to ferment rhamnose was a stable property, it discriminated only 1·5% of the minority, late-fermenting type. Resistotyping with six chemicals discriminated eight epidemiologically valid resistotypes, including three new types. However, 93 % of the isolates belonged to only three resistotypes.

Analysis of the data for isolates from 286 epidemiologically distinct episodes showed that the variability of colicine and antibiogram characters, found among isolates within, respectively, 40 and 28 % of the episodes, was generally associated with loss or gain of a plasmid (‘colIb-KNP’) which determined production of colicine Ib and KNP resistance. These characters varied bothin vivoandin vitro. Variability of resistotype characters, on the other hand, was observed in only 28 (9%) episodes, 14 of which possibly represented examples of mixed or sequential infections.

For accurate epidemiological tracing of strains ofSh. sonneiin a community, resistotyping, the technique showing the greatest discrimination and least variability of the four tested, should be included as the principal typing method.
Reducing the endotoxic activity of pertussis vaccine
Authors: Bannatyne R. M. , Cheung Rose
Published: March 2010

Unadsorbed, regular production pertussis vaccine was treated with polymyxin B sulphate at concentrations of 25,50 and 100 μg/ml. The toxic activity of treated and untreated vaccines was compared using both the limulus amoebocyte lysate test and the mouse-weight-gain test. Protective efficacy was also assessed by the mouse protection test. No discernible effect on either toxicity or efficacy of the pertussis vaccine was observed. When the vaccine was treated with 5000 μg/ml of polymyxin, endotoxic activity assessed by the limulus lysate test appeared to be abolished.
Escherichia coliin gastroenteritis of children in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Goldwater P. N. , Bettelheim K. A. , Ellis-Pegler R. B.
Published: March 2010

A study of stoolEscherichia coliin 60 children with gastroenteritis and 18 control children was carried out in Auckland, New Zealand in 1977. Toxigenic strains, heat labile and heat stable, predominated in the stools of only three children, all of whom had concomitant rotavirus. Classical enteropathogenicE. coli(EPEC) were found in patients and controls. Only one patient had many EPEC in the stool (086. H2), they were variably toxigenic and rotavirus was also present. No toxigenic serotype was isolated. Two potential pathogens were sometimes found. Overall there was no evidence for a substantial causative role for disease producingE. coliin these children.
Ecological aspects of the epidemiology of infection with leptospires of the Ballum serogroup in the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) in New Zealand
Authors: Hathaway S. C. , Blackmore D. K.
Published: March 2010

Epidemiological aspects of infection with leptospires of the Ballum serogroup in black rats (Rattus rattus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are described. Rats inhabiting a variety of habitats were investigated and isolates identified as belonging to the Ballum serogroup were obtained from 21 of 61 black rats (34%) and 63 of 243 brown rats (26%). The high level of endemic Ballum serogroup infection in these species reported here has not been described in other countries.

A statistical relationship was shown between the prevalence of infection in brown rat populations and population density but this was not evident for black rats. Epidemiological data indicates that the black rat is a maintenance host for leptospires of the Ballum serogroup in New Zealand. The brown rat does not appear to be an efficient maintenance host for these leptospires, however endemic infection can be maintained in high-density populations inhabiting synanthropic foci.

An hypothesis of ‘competitive exclusion’ (preferential maintenance of a particular serovar by a host species) is introduced with regard to leptospiral infection in brown rats. It is concluded that the establishment and maintenance of an endemic focus of leptospirosis is dependant on: introduction of a particular serovar; a suitable host; and a suitable host habitat. Within a maintenance population direct transmission appears to be more important than indirect transmission via the environment.
Observations on the antigenic differences between the so-called SC and LC strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides
Authors: Smith G. R. , Oliphant Janet C.
Published: March 2010

The so-called SC (small colony) and LC (large colony) strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides are said to be indistinguishable by the in vitro serological tests generally used in mycoplasmology. In mice the immunity given by a single dose of killed LC-strain vaccine against challenge with SC strains is – unlike that given by SC-strain vaccine – only partial.

When multiple doses of killed or living vaccines were given, the majority of 13 LC strains still failed to immunize completely against a SC strain. This suggests that, although some protective antigens are shared between both types of strain, at least one of importance is present in the SC strains but absent from the majority of LC strains. The difference between the protective-antigen content of SC and most LC strains is thus qualitative, and not merely quantitative.
Hepatitis in dialysis units in the United Kingdom: a Public Health Laboratory Service Survey
Authors: Polakoff S.
Published: March 2010

A prospective study of hepatitis that began in 1968 and continues to include more than half the dialysis units in the United Kingdom shows that type B infection has been completely controlled in such units since the last outbreak ended in 1973. Though occasionally a single patient has developed hepatitis B surface antigenaemia in the course of dialysis or after transplantation, the infection has not spread to other patients or staff in the survey units.

A detailed analysis of the results in 1974–75 shows clustering of patients with raised aminotransferase levels in about one-fifth of the units but, unlike past outbreaks of hepatitis B, these clusters are not accompanied by clinical hepatitis among staff. The possibility that some of the clusters are caused by hepatitis viruses other than type A or B is discussed. It is concluded that, when reliable tests for type non-A non-B infections become available, the continued existence of the survey will allow prompt assessment of any viral hepatitis problems that may still exist in UK units.
Use of the India-ink Immuno-reaction for the rapid detection of enteric pathogens in two areas of Nigeria
Authors: Ternak G. , Wolff M. , Britt D. P.
Published: March 2010

The India-ink Immuno-reaction (IIR) was used as a simple, convenient procedure for the detection of carriers of enteric organisms in an unselected sample of patients attending a mission clinic at Kubacha in a remote area of Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. To assess the reliability of this procedure in difficult working conditions a similar population from the same clinic was subsequently examined by routine bacteriological culture techniques. Because of a temporary shortage of suitable anti-sera we were unable also to examine specimens from this second group by IIR.

A further group of patients attending the out-patients clinic of the General Hospital in Kaduna with symptoms of acute enteric disease was investigated using both IIR and routine culture.

Proportionally more positive results were obtained for Salmonellae, Shigellae and Vibrios with IIR than with routine culture. A larger scale controlled survey is desirable to evaluate the procedure further.
Salmonella dublin infection of calves: use of small doses to simulate natural infection on the farm
Authors: Wray C. , Sojka W. J.
Published: March 2010

Small numbers of Salmonella dublin were used to infect calves in an attempt to simulate natural infection on the farm.

Twenty calves were exposed to S. dublin by one or more of the following methods:

Sucking cows which were excreting S. dublin in their faeces (⋜ 102–105 organisms/g).

Housing on S. dublin contaminated bedding.

Drinking S. dublin contaminated water (102–104 organisms/ml). During this experiment some calves were given therapeutic doses of oxytetracycline.

After exposure the calves were examined for faecal excretion of S. dublin (in some instances mouth swabs and blood samples were also examined) and for clinical signs of illness. Most of the calves became infected with S. dublin but excretion was usually sporadic and the numbers of salmonellas excreted were small. No clinical signs of salmonellosis were observed by S. dublin was isolated from one calf at post-mortem.

Another six calves, dosed orally with either 106 or 108S. dublin, showed signs of mild illness and although three calves had diarrhoea excretion of salmonellas was intermittent. S. dublin was isolated from one of these calves at post-mortem.
Effect of cooking and cold storage on biologically active antibiotic residues in meat
Authors: O'Brien J. J. , Campbell N. , Conaghan T.
Published: March 2010

An investigation was undertaken to see if cooking or cold storage would destroy or decrease the level of biologically active antibiotic in tissues from animals given therapeutic doses of antibiotic on three occasions prior to slaughter. The effects of cooking and cold storage on the biological activity of the residues of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline, streptomycin and sulphadimidine were varied; in some instances the effects were minimal, in others nil.
A comparison of the results of the brucellosis radioimmunoassay and other serological tests in experimentally infected cattle
Authors: Hayes J. , Chappel R. J.
Published: March 2010

The serology of 27 heifers found to be positive to culture after inoculation with Brucella abortus strain 544, was studied. Eighteen heifers had previously been vaccinated with strain 19 or strain 45/20 and nine were unvaccinated. Post-infection serum samples were tested for Brucella antibodies by radioimmunoassay (RIA), complement fixation test (CFT), indirect haemolysis test (IHLT) and Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT).

All of the unvaccinated heifers showed strong humoral responses to experimental infection in the RIA, CFT, IHLT and RBPT. The CFT and RBPT became positive sooner after infection than the other tests in the unvaccinated heifers. However, in vaccinated heifers the RIA was the most sensitive test early in infection and the results of the RBPT were variable. Three of the vaccinated heifers showed weak and inconsistent humoral responses and, in these animals, the RIA gave fewer false negative reactions than the other tests.
A reappraisal of serotype factors 4, 5 and 6 ofBordetella pertussis
Authors: Preston N. W. , Surapatana Narekul , Carter E. J.
Published: March 2010

Twelve strains ofBordetella pertussis, of various serotypes, were tested by agglutination with serial dilutions of six antisera which were thought by their donor to be monospecific for six distinct agglutinogens.

The first three sera were shown, by agglutination of the twelve donated strains and of standard pertussis serotypes, to be monospecific for the three well-recognized major agglutinogens (factor 1, factor 2, factor 3).

The ‘factor 4’ serum gave weak agglutination, but only of strains that possessed factor 2, though not all of such strains. This suggested that it may be a distinct minor component of factor 2.

The ‘factor 5’ serum was very weak, and gave agglutination only with a few of the factor 2 strains.

The titres of the ‘factor 6’ serum were very closely parallel to those of the factor 3 serum, and it may be inferred that these ‘factors’ probably constitute a single antigenic entity.

Seven of the twelve donated strains were shown to be mixtures of two or more serotypes, offering an explanation for discrepancies in serological tests involving the use of these strains on different occasions.

It seems likely that ‘factors 5 and 6’ do not actually exist; and, since ‘factor 4’ is only a minor component of factor 2, any protective role that it may have would probably be covered by the presence of factor 2 in vaccine.
The sanitary condition of rural drinking water in a Nile Delta village: II. Bacterial contamination of drinking water in a Nile Delta village
Authors: Attar Laila El , Gawad Aleya Abdel , Khairy Amal E. M. , Sebaie Olfat El
Published: March 2010

Whilst the major danger associated with drinking water is that it may be contaminated with sewage or human excreta, the danger of pollution from animals must not be overlooked. Outbreaks of infection from drinking water are frequently reported (Melnick & Gerba, 1979) and high prevalence rates of diarrhoeal diseases have been found in the Nile Delta (Sallamet al. unpublished data). The supply of potable water is a critically urgent national problem and is of especial importance to communities which must rely on poorly designed supply systems and which lack even the minimum quality control services.
The bacterial flora of neonates with congenital abnormalities of the gastro-intestinal tract
Authors: Rotimi V. O. , Duerden B. I.
Published: March 2010

The development of the bacterial flora of neonates with congenital abnormalities of the gastro-intestinal tract was studied in 31 infants during the first 10 days of life. Specimens were collected from the umbilicus, mouth and gastro-intestinal tract on the pre-operative day, at operation and on post-operative days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10. Bacteria were isolated semi-quantitatively on a variety of plain and selective media and identified by conventional methods.

Staphylococcus albus was the predominant species isolated from the umbilicus; it was recovered from 24 of the 31 babies. The viridans group of streptococci and Streptococcus salivarius were the commonest species isolated from the mouth; there were no differences between the babies with different abnormalities and treatment with antibiotics had no effect on the bacterial flora. Ten babies were colonized by each species on the pre-operative day, and 25 and 19 respectively by the tenth post-operative day. Anaerobic gram-positive cocci were the predominant oral anaerobes. Bacteria were not isolated from the rectal swabs of babies with tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) or small bowel atresia on the pre-operative days. Post-operatively the predominant faecal isolates from babies with TOF were Str. faecalis, Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens. About 80% of the babies with small bowel atresia were colonized by Str. faecalis and Bacteroides vulgatus, 60% each by E. coli, Klebsiella aerogenes and Str. faecium. The five babies with necrotizing enterocolitis were colonized by Str. faecalis, E. coli, Cl. perfringens and Cl. difficile; Bacteroides spp. were not recovered from any of them. The commonest facultative species recovered from babies with large bowel obstruction were Str. faecalis and E. coli. B. vulgatus, Cl. perfringens and Bifidobacterium spp. were the commonest anaerobes and anaerobes outnumbered aerobes. No significant isolates were recovered from the wound swabs and none of the babies developed post-surgical sepsis.
Observations on the epidemiology of lumpy skin disease in Kenya
Authors: Davies F. G.
Published: March 2010

Lumpy skin disease virus strains isolated in Kenya over a period of some 20 years have proved to be serologically identical. They were indistinguishable by indirect fluorescent antibody and serum neutralization tests from the South African Neethling and West African serotypes. These two serological methods proved of value in studying the antibody responses to infection.

While epizootic spread of LSD has occurred in Kenya, most cases are of a sporadic nature and are thought to be the result of accidental contacts with a maintenance cycle. There is evidence of antibody to LSD in the African buffalo (Syncerus coffer) in those areas where LSD is considered to be enzootic in Kenya, and also in small numbers of domestic cattle. No buffalo or bovine sera contained antibody to cowpox virus. An area enzootic for LSD is proposed and it is suggested that the maintenance cycle involves the buffalo. No antibody was found in the other wild ruminant species examined.