bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Possible windborne spread to Western Turkey of bluetongue virus in 1977 and of Akabane virus in 1979
Authors: Sellers R. F. , Pedgley D. E.
Published: October 2009

An outbreak of bluetongue in sheep started in the Menderes valley, Aydin Province, Western Turkey, in October 1977. The severity of the disease indicated that it had not been there before but had been introduced into the area. Anatysis showed that, while it was possible for the virus to have been brought into the area by movement of infected animals, there was also a period of south-easterly winds which could have carried infected midges from Cyprus, where bluetongue was present. During the night of 14–15 October 1977, south-easterly winds could have brought midges infected with bluetongue virus for the 15 h flight at a height possibly of 500 m and at temperatures of about 20 °C. A depression moving north-eastwards accompanied by rain may have affected the landing of midges in the Menderes valley on the morning of 15 October.

An outbreak of arthrogryposis–hydranencephaly in newly born calves occurred in March–May 1980, also in the Menderes valley, Aydin Province. The severity of the outbreak indicated that Akabane virus had not been in the area before but had been introduced in September–November the previous year. While infected animals could have brought the virus into the area, analysis based on the probable time of infection of pregnant dams showed that easterly winds at the end of September or beginning of October 1979 could have brought insects infected with Akabane virus into the Menderes valley from eastern Turkey or northern Syria.

These analyses illustrate the use of meteorological data to backtrack to possible sources and to identify the time of infection.
Prevalence of antibody against influenza A viruses in the Kren-Akorore, an Indian tribe of Central Brazil, first contacted in 1973
Authors: Nascimento J. P. , Krawczuk M. M. , Marcopito L. F. , Baruzzi R. G.
Published: October 2009

Influenza A antibodies in serum samples obtained in 1980 from two Indian populations in Central Brazil were compared. The Kren-Akorore, who were first contacted in 1973 and two years later transferred to the Xingu Indian Park (PIX), were compared with Indians from other tribes already living in the PIX before 1975. An analysis was made of the prevalence and distribution of antibodies against the influenza A viruses which have circulated in the civilized world since 1918. Antibodies to the early influenza A viruses were absent in both Indian populations, but A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) virus apparently circulated in the PIX. No antibody to influenza A/Bangkok/I/79 or to A/Brazil/11/78 (H1N1) was found in any of the sera, whereas antibodies to these viruses were commonly found in urban populations in Brazil. The evidence from influenza antibodies agrees with the information that the Kren-Akorore Indians had been living in complete isolation until 1973, when they were first contacted.
Rift Valley fever virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus). Isolations from Diptera collected during an inter-epizootic period in Kenya
Authors: Linthicum K. J. , Davies F. G. , Kairo A. , Bailey C. L.
Published: October 2009

A total of 134876 Diptera collected in Kenya during a 3-year period were tested in 3383 pools for Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. Nineteen pools of unengorged mosquitoes were found positive for RVF. All isolations were made from specimens collected at or near the naturally or artificially flooded grassland depressions that serve as the developmental sites for the immature stages of many mosquito species. The isolation of virus from adult male and female A. lineatopennis which had been reared from field-collected larvae and pupae suggests that transovarial transmission of the virus occurs in this species.
Diet and faecal flora in three dietary groups in rural northern Nigeria
Authors: Drasar B. S. , Montgomery F. , Tomkins A. M.
Published: October 2009

Quantitative bacterial counts, concentrations of bile acids and bacterial enzyme profiles were measured in faecal samples from three tribal groups with distinctive dietary patterns in a rural area of northern Nigeria. Samples were obtained from Maguzawa (with a predominantly cereal diet), Hausa (cereal with regular meat consumption) and Fulani (cereal with frequent consumption of cows' milk). Numbers of bacteroides, clostridia and concentrations of bile acids were lower in the Maguzawa than the other dietary groups but these differences were not statistically significant. Bacterial enzyme profiles in each group were similar. The results are discussed with respect to possible influences of diet on the human intestinal microflora.
The incidence of cryptosporidiosis: a two-year prospective survey in a children's hospital
Authors: Baxby D. , Hart C. A.
Published: October 2009

A two-year prospective survey of patients with diarrhoea at a children's hospital detected 65 cases of cryptosporidiosis; 56 were index cases representing 1·4% of patients examined. There was a marked seasonal variation with fewer index cases in July–September (0·4–0·6%) than February–April (3·5%). All four adult cases were contacts of infected children and 21 (32%) of the patients were 12 months old or younger. Cryptosporidium was the fourth commonest diagnosed cause of gastroenteritis, the second most common non-viral cause, was responsible for 7·2% of all cases, and 14·7% of non-viral cases where a cause was identified. As such it should be sought routinely in cases of gastroenteritis in children.
The incidence and significance of salmonella carriage by gulls (Larus spp.) in Scotland
Authors: Girdwood R. W. A. , Fricker C. R. , Munro D. , Shedden C. B. , Monaghan P.
Published: October 2009

Salmonella carriage in 5888 gulls sampled by cloacal lavage was found to be 7·8%. Marked geographical and seasonal differences in carriage rates were found. These differences appeared to be associated with human population density and seasonal differences in the reported incidence of human salmoncllosis. The maximum duration of salmonella excretion in 17 laboratory-maintained gulls was 4 days and the number of salmonellae excreted was never more than 170 per gram of faeces. On the basis of this study it is suggested that gulls are not important factors in the actiology of human salmonellosis.
Binding to and antibacterial effect of aztreonam, temocillin, gentamicin and tobramycin on human faeces
Authors: Hazenberg M. P. , Pennock-Schröder A. M. , van de Merwe J. P.
Published: October 2009

Aztreonam, temocillin, gentamicin and tobramycin were studied for their effect on the human faecal florain vitroand for their usefulness for selective decontamination (SD) of the gastrointestinal tract. The sensitivities of the obligately anaerobic flora and the Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacteria were determined and the ratio was expressed as SD factor. Tho high SD factor of the flora from most subjects for aztreonam and tobramycin indicates that the drugs are useful for SD in contrast to temocillin and gentamicin. Binding to and subsequent release of tobramycin from faeces are presumed to facilitate the maintenance of adequate concentrations in the intestine despite the discontinuous intake.
Faecal carriage ofClostridium perfringens
Authors: Stringer M. F. , Watson G. N. , Gilbert R. J. , Wallace J. G. , Hassall J. E. , Tanner E. I. , Webber P. P.
Published: October 2009

The numbers and serotypes ofClostridium perfringenspresent in the faeces of three groups of hospital patients and young healthy laboratory workers were examined in studies lasting between 10 and 13 weeks.

In one hospital some long-stay geriatric patients carried relatively high numbers ofC. perfringens(> 107/g) most of the time and it was not unusual in any one week for the majority of these patients to carry the same serotype(s). However, the numbers ofC. perfringensin the faeces of young long-stay patients in the same hospital were in the range of 103–104/g and carriage of common serotypes was not observed. These results were similar to the findings with the young laboratory workers.

This investigation indicates that two of the laboratory criteria often used in the investigation ofC. perfringensfood poisoning, i.e. faecal counts of ≥ 105C. perfringens/g and patients carrying the same serological type need to be interpreted with caution with suspected outbreaks involving some groups of geriatric long-stay hospital patients.
Survival of Kanagawa-positive strains ofVibrio parahaemolyticusin a brackish-water area
Authors: Kumazawa N. H. , Kato E.
Published: October 2009

Vibrio parahaemolyticuswas observed to overwinter in sediments and to be present in considerable numbers in sediments andClithon retropictus(gastropod mollusc) during summer months at a brackish-water area along Hashizu Creek in Japan. The highest level of the organisms was 97·3 × 106and 2·3 × 107/100 g in sediments andC. retropictusrespectively.

Production of Kanagawa haemolysin was detected in approximately 12% and 20% of strains isolated from sediments andC. retropictusrespectively at two stations in Hashizu Creek but were not detected at the other three stations. Two haemolysin-producing strains were isolated from water samples but none were isolated fromCorbicula japonica(bivalve molluse). These findings suggest that haemolysin producers are preserved principally in sediments and some shellfish in the brackish-water areas with restricted salinity conditions.
A comparison of swab and maceration methods for bacterial sampling of pig carcasses
Authors: Morgan I. R. , Krautil F. , Craven J. A.
Published: October 2009

A swabbing technique was compared with an excision and maceration technique for bacteriological sampling of pig carcass skin surfaces. Total viable counts at 37 °C obtained by swabbing were 46% of those obtained by maceration. At 21 °C, swabbing gave total viable counts which were 54% of the counts obtained from excision samples.Escherichia colicounts showed wide variation with both sampling methods. Neither method was more efficient than the other in recoveringE. coli, although excision sampling gave generally higher counts. Both methods were equally effective at recovering salmonellac from carcass surfaces. There was no significant difference between the methods in recovering particularSalmonellaserotypes.
The estimation of age-related rates of infection from case notifications and serological data
Authors: Grenfell B. T. , Anderson R. M.
Published: October 2009

The paper describes a maximum-likelihood method for the estimation of age-related changes in theper capitarate of infection, from case notification records or serological data. The methods are applied to records of measles incidence in the UK and USA, for which the estimated rates of infection tend to rise to a maximum value at around 10 years of age and then to decline in the older age-classes. Longer-term and seasonal trends are analysed by reference to changes in the estimated average age at infection; a statistic derived from a knowledge of the age-specific rates of infection. Future data needs in the epidemiological study of directly transmitted viral and bacterial diseases are discussed with reference to the detection and interpretation of age-dependent rates of disease transmission.
Cross-reactions of immunoglobulin M and G antibodies with enterovirus-specific viral structural proteins
Authors: Reigel F. , Burkhardt F. , Schilt U.
Published: October 2009

We analysed the reactivity of enterovirus-specific human IgM and IgG antibodies with the structural proteins of different enteroviruses by the immunoblot technique. In general, all immunoglobulin G antibodies of the tested sera reacted with capsid polypeptide VP 1 of the viruses tested (echoviruses 9 and 11, coxsackievirus B3 and poliovirus 2). In contrast, enterovirus specific immunoglobulin M antibodies of adults reacted with capsid polypeptides VP 1, VP 2, and/or VP 3 of the viruses mentioned above. The reactions with VP 2 and/or VP 3 were often stronger than with VP 1. IgM antibodies from sera of newborns infected by echovirus 11 reacted with VP 1 and VP 2/3 of echovirus 11 and also with VP 2 and VP 3 of poliovirus 2. Preabsorption experiments indicate that cross-reactive IgG antibodies react with epitopes of VP 1 not present on the surface of intact virus particles. The results from the immunoblot technique were compared to data from microneutralization tests and M-antibody capture radioimmunoassays.
The nature of the toxic reaction of influenza virus towards lung tissue
Authors: Barker Sheila M. , Hoyle L.
Published: October 2009

The inoculation of large doses of unadapted influenza virus intranasally into mice results in the production of severe lung lesions. This toxic effect is a result of the entry of virus particles into the lung cells followed by uncoating of the virus ribonucleic acid.

The toxic property of the virus is destroyed by procedures which destroy or niodify the nucleic acid such as exposure to monochromatic UV light of wavelength 2537 Å, or treatment with hydroxylamine or Bayer A139. Reagents acting on amino groups are particularly effective as they react with the nucleic acid and probably also interfere with penetration of virus into the cell.

Toxicity is also destroyed by mercurials which probably prevent uncoating of the nucleic acid by union with disulphide bonds, and by oxidizing agents such as iodine, permanganate, osmic acid and hydrogen peroxide under conditions which suggest possible action on some constituent of the virus containing methionine

The toxic effect produced by the inoculation of large doses of unadapted virus intranasally in miceis associated with the occurrence of an incomplete growth cycle in which there is full production of RNP antigen but no production of haemagglutinin or infective virus.
Osmotic injury in rapidly thawed T4 bacteriophage
Authors: Steele P. R. M.
Published: October 2009

Osmotic injury in frozen-thawed T4 phage was caused by the sudden and large fall in the electrolyte concentration of the unfrozen aqueous phase during rapid thawing of frozen samples. In accordance with the classical interpretation of osmotic shock it was found that DNA was quantitatively liberated from T4 phage inactivated by the osmotic injury of rapid thawing.

The degree of inactivation of osmotically shocked T4 phage was temperature dependent, being much increased by lowering the temperature, but was independant of the pH of the suspending medium. The T4Bo osmotic shock-resistant phago was refractory to the osmotic injury of rapid thawing.
Protection of T4 bacteriophage against inactivation during freezing and thawing by addition of peptides
Authors: Steele P. R. M.
Published: October 2009

Peptides of rabbit globin produced by tryptic digestion, were found to be highly protective against inactivation of freeze-thawed T4 phage. In concentrations of about 10−3 M the peptides protected the phage against inactivation by both concentrated NaBr in the unfrozen aqueous phase and the eutectic phase change.

Fractionation of the poptides by G25 Sephadex showed that peptide concentration rather than peptide size was the more important factor in determining the degree of protection of the phage by electrolyte effects. In contrast, protection against eutectic injury was strongly dependent on peptide size.

Possible mechanisms of action of the protective peptides are discussed.
Antibody responses and resistance to challenge in volunteers vaccinated with live attenuated, detergent split and oil adjuvant A2/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) influenza vaccines A report to the Medical Research Council Committee on Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Vaccines
Authors: Freestone D. S. , Hamilton-Smith Stephanie , Schild G. C. , Buckland Rosemary , Chinn Susan , Tyrrell D. A. J.
Published: October 2009

Forty-nine subjects were vaccinated with either live attenuated, detergent split, or oil adjuvant A2/Hong Kong influenza vaccines, or a saline influenza B vaccine as control. Respiratory symptoms occurred more frequently in subjects who received the live vaccine but in total there was little difference between the symptoms in the four groups. Antibody titres hi nasal washings and serum were measured by haemagglutination inhibition, neuraminidase inhibition and virus neutralization tests. The oil adjuvant vaccine stimulated larger antibody responses than the other procedures. Six weeks after vaccination the volunteers were challenged with partially attenuated live A2/Hong Kong influenza virus administered intranasally. The live attenuated and oil adjuvant vaccines provided the best protection against challenge.
Prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies according to age with comments on the risk of prenatal infection
Authors: van der Veen J. , Polak M. F.
Published: October 2009

Sera from 1661 persons in 12 age groups from 0 to 79 years were titrated for toxoplasma antibodies in the indirect immunofluorescence test. The sera were collected from patients with symptoms suggestive of acute, mainly respiratory, viral infections. After the first year of life, the prevalence of antibodies started to rise, reaching 59% between 40 and 79 years of age. From the prevalence of antibodies in different age groups the annual infection risk, i. e. the risk of a non-immune person acquiring toxoplasma infection, was estimated for successive age periods. The estimated annual infection risk increased from 0·5% in early childhood to 3% during adolescence and early adult life.

Approximately 70–80% of females entered the age of reproduction without evidence of seroimmunity to toxoplasma. The risk of primary infection during pregnancy was estimated from the age distribution of parturient women in The Netherlands in 1975 and the age-specific incidence of primary infections, i.e. the incidence in the total population of susceptible and immune persons. This incidence of primary infection decreased from 1·62% per 9 months at the age of 17½–20 years to 0·37% at the age of 35–45 years. The incidence of primary infections in pregnant women was estimated to be 1·25%.
The demonstration of cell-free malignant catarrhal fever herpesvirus in wildebeest nasal secretions
Authors: Mushi E. Z. , Rossiter P. B. , Karstad L. , Jessett D. M.
Published: October 2009

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) herpesvirus was isolated from the nasal secretions of 4/11 young wildebeest calves. In two cases virus was demonstrated in filtered secretions. The presence of cell-free MCF virus would suggest that the virus can be transferred from wildebeest to wildebeest and into cattle in nasal secretions.
An outbreak of post-operative sepsis due to a staphylococcal disperser
Authors: Tanner Elizabeth I. , Bullin Judith , Bullin C. H. , Gamble D. R.
Published: October 2009

A staphylococcal disperser employed as a theatre technician appeared to have been the source of 11 cases of wound sepsis over a period of about 3 years. He was primarily a nasal carrier and after attempts to eradicate Staphylococcus aureus from his nose failed, his skin dispersal was controlled by daily washing with 4% chlorhexidine detergent (‘Hibiscrub’) and he was allowed to resume his theatre duties under careful bacteriological surveillance. Over the following 2 years 173 dispersal tests showed a mean dispersal of 1·7 c.f.u. per 2800 I air compared with a mean of 152 c.f.u. per 2800 I air in the month immediately preceding treatment and 55 c.f.u. per 2800 I in the period after cessation of treatment. One case of wound sepsis was attributed to the technician during the 2 years in which he received skin disinfection treatment.
Laboratory evaluation of scilliroside used as a rodenticide against the lesser bandicoot rat,Bandicota bengalensis
Authors: Brooks Joe E. , Htun Pe Than
Published: October 2009

The toxicity and efficacy of the acute rodenticide scilliroside was evaluated in the laboratory against the lesser bandicoot rat,Bandicota bengalensis. The acute oral LD50 and LD 95 doses for males were 0·8 mg/kg and 2·5 mg/kg respectively, and for females were 0·5 mg/kg and 1·6 mg/kg, respectively. When caged bandicoots were given a choice between plain and poison baits, the optimum concentration of scilliroside was found to be 0·05%. Symptoms of poisoning appear from 22 to 34 min after feeding starts and the latency pattern indicated an abrupt ceasing to feed at these points. Death occurred from 2 h to as long as 6 days after poisoning, following prolonged convulsive seizures. There appears to be aversion to scilliroside at all concentrations in food baits. Maximum mortality attained on free-choice feeding on scilliroside was 90%. Despite these disadvantages, the material may have merit as an alternative rodenticide to zinc phosphide where acute toxicants are to be used.
A survey of virus infections of the respiratory tract of cattle and their association with disease
Authors: Stott E. J. , Thomas L. H. , Collins A. P. , Crouch S. , Jebbett J. , Smith G. S. , Luther P. D. , Caswell R.
Published: October 2009

A total of 1590 calves were investigated between May 1972 and December 1975. Twenty-two per cent were treated for respiratory disease and 2·5% died of pneumonia. Almost 80% of the respiratory illness occurred in six sharp outbreaks. Samples for virology were collected routinely from 127 healthy calves and from 354 calves treated for respiratory signs and comprised 1143 nasopharyngeal swabs and 1069 sera. Virus infections were detected on 540 occasions including 135 by parainfluenzavirus type 3 (Pi-3), 78 by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 103 by rhinovirus, 49 by bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV), 29 by adenoviruses, 53 by reoviruses and 88 by enteroviruses. The seasonal and age distribution of infections differed between viruses. Only infections by RSV, Pi-3 and BVDV were significantly associated with disease.
Plasmid studies ofSalmonella typhimuriumphage type 179 resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, sulphonamides and trimethoprim
Authors: Anderson D. M.
Published: October 2009

Sixteen strains ofSalmonella typhimuriumphage type 179 were referred to the National Health Institute, Wellington, New Zealand, from 1977 to 1979. This phage type had not been observed here before 1977. All strains were resistant to ampicillin, several were also resistant to tetracycline, and several were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, sulphafurazele and trimethoprim. All resistances could be transferred toEscherichia coliK 12. Plasmids from these strains and their transconjugants were characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis. It appears that resistance to sulphafurazole and trimethoprim is carried on a plasmid with a molecular weight of 5·2 Mdal and that resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline is carried on a plasmid with a molecular weight of approximately 60 Mdal.
The role of lysogeny in the modification of phage typing patterns ofStaphylococcus aureusisolated from dairy cows
Authors: Frost A. J. , Bradshaw Elizabeth
Published: October 2009

Strains ofStaphylococcus aureuswere isolated at a single sampling from cows in a dairy herd. When typed by phage most showed a complex pattern of lysis with group III and IV phages. Cross-spotting of strains showed great lytic activity and ten phages were isolated. The parent strains were lysogenized with these phages and the effect on the phage typing pattern of 202 daughter strains from 25 parent cultures was studied. Phage action was often blocked completely, with up to four being blocked on the one strain. Those most frequently blocked were phage 101, 117, 307 and 42D.
Epidemiology of mumps in the Netherlands
Authors: Wagenvoort J. H. T. , Harmsen M. , Boutahar-Trouw Barry J. Khader , Kraaijeveld C. A. , Winkler K. C.
Published: October 2009

In a Dutch population group neutralizing antibodies against mumps virus were determined by a plaque reduction technique, which proved reproducible, sensitive and specific. The results with sera of about 800 suburban children show that mumps is acquired at an early age with peak acquisition rates between the ages of four and six years. Over 90% have acquired mumps before the age of 14 years. More than 95% of about 1000 adults (18–05 years) have neutralizing antibodies. The relatively constant median titre suggests that antibodies persist during life.

During a family study 77 clinical and 18 subclinical cases were observed. In families with index cases the attack rate was 26/37 = 0·71. Eleven children (excluding six babies) esćaped infection. The mean attack rate during the epidemic was 0·30. The mean titre of mumps neutralizing antibody is maximal during the first year after the disease but declines during childhood. Mothers exposed to mumps in the family occasionally showed a significant rise in titre. Some seronegative mothers remained seronegative after exposure.
Investigation into an outbreak of food poisoning
Authors: Hayden B. J. , Bettleheim K. A. , Wilson M. W.
Published: October 2009

During an outbreak of food poisoning at a church camp, 16 of the 25 people attending were affected. Despite a thorough search for a bacterial pathogen none was identified. An examination of theEscherichia coliserotypes present suggest thatE. coli0159.H9 may have been the organism causing the outbreak.
Fetal infection resulting from maternal rubella after the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Cradock-Watson J. E. , Ridehalgh Margaret K. S. , Anderson Mary J. , Pattison J. R. , Kangro H. O.
Published: October 2009

We have tried to measure the incidence of prenatal infection in 304 infants whose mothers had had rubella at various times after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Two methods of assessment were used: first, serum obtained soon after birth was tested for specific IgM antibody; secondly, serum obtained after the age of eight months was tested for specific IgG. When maternal rubella occurred 12–16 weeks after the last menstrual period specific IgM antibody was detected in 28 out of 50 infants (56%). The proportion fell progressively to 12% after maternal rubella at 24–28 weeks, rose to 19% after rubella at 28–36 weeks and then to 58% when the illness occurred during the last month of pregnancy. In all, IgM antibody was detected in 77 out of 260 infants (29%). The fetus can thus be infected at any time during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, but the risk varies at different stages.

The figures for the prevalence of IgG antibody were greater throughout, because some infants had IgG who had previously lacked specific IgM. After maternal rubella at 12–16 weeks IgG antibody persisted in 22 out of 31 infants (71%). The proportion fell to 28% after rubella at 24–28 weeks and then increased progressively to 94% after rubella during the last month. In all, IgG antibody persisted in 94 out of 190 infants (49%). The true rate of fetal infection probably lies between the rates estimated from the presence of IgM antibody and the subsequent prevalence of IgG.

Infants whose mothers had rubella at any time during pregnancy should be examined regularly for possible evidence of damage.
Anthrax. William Smith Greenfield, M.D., F.R.C.P., Professor Superintendent, The Brown Animal Sanatory Institution (1878–81) Concerning the priority due to him for the production of the first vaccine against anthrax
Authors: Tigertt W. D.
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the fact that W. S. Greenfield, working at the Brown Animal Sanatory Institution in London, prepared an effective vaccine against anthrax and described his results some months before the experiment of Pasteur at Pouilly-le-fort. Partly through lack of financial support and partly due to opposition by the antivivisectionists, Greenfield was forced to confine his experiments to a small number of animals, but his results were nevertheless conclusive. He showed that by continuous subculture in a fluid medium that the anthrax bacillus progressively lost its virulence, until it was harmless even to the most susceptible animal, the mouse. The injection of suitably attenuated organisms into cattle rendered them immune to the subsequent injection of virulent anthrax bacilli. Greenfield's work has been overlooked or neglected, and he has never received the credit due him. It is only fitting that his work should be acknowledged in the centenary of the year in which it was described. The following account is composed primarily of quotations from his published papers. For additional information on Greenfield, reference may be made to the scries of papers by Wilson (1979a, b). It may be pointed out that the method of attenuating the virulence of bacilli recorded by Pasteur in relation to the bacillus of fowl cholera was, like that of anthrax vaccine, anticipated by Greenfield.
Laboratory evaluation of anticoagulant-treated baits for control of the northern palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti Wroughton
Authors: Mathur R. P. , Prakash I.
Published: October 2009

Individually caged northern palm squirrels, Funambulus pennanti, were fed with bait containing 0·025% warfarin or fumarin, 0·0075% chlorophacinone or 0·005% brodifacoum for a fixed number of days varying from 1 to 14. Brodifacoum (WBA 8119) was found most toxic since 66% and 70% of the animals died after one and two days' feeding respectively. Chlorophacinone killed 70% of the squirrels after three days' feeding. Squirrels were relatively tolerant to warfarin and fumarin since the mortality after a period of 14 days' feeding was only 58% and 75% respectively.
Speciation, serotyping, antimicrobial sensitivity and plasmid content of Proteeae from the environment of calf-rearing units in South West England
Authors: Hawkey P. M. , Penner J. L. , Linton A. H. , Hawkey C. A. , Crisp L. J. , Hinton M.
Published: October 2009

A survey was undertaken of the occurrence, serotype, antimicrobial sensitivity and plasmid content of members of the tribe Proteeae in the environment of two calf-rearing units in the county of Avon in South West England. Examples of the following species were found:Proteus mirabilis, Prot. vulgaris, Prot. vulgarisBiogroup 2,Morganella morganii, Providencia stuartii, Prov. alcalifaciensandProv. rettgeri. A wide range of sero types was found, many having been previously reported from nosocomial isolates. A total of 15% of isolates carried plasmids; six pairs of isolates were identified which had identical sero typesbut different patterns of plasmid carriage. The antimicrobial sensitivity of the isolates was generally similar to isolates of Proteeae from humans. Although no truly aminoglycosideresistantisolates were found, some isolates ofProv. stuartiiandProv. rettgerihad MIC's higher than the other isolates to gentamicin and netilmicin, suggesting the presence of lowlevels of the enzyme AAC 2′. The study demonstrates that there is a considerable diversityof species and types of Proteeae associated with calves and their environment. It seems likely that a potential cause of colonization of the human gut by Proteeae is the consumption of meat.
A one-year survey of nosocomial bacteraemia at a Danish university hospital
Authors: Eliasen K. , Nielsen P. B. , Espersen F.
Published: October 2009

A 1-year prospective study of nosocomial bacteraemia was performed at Hvidovre Hospital with special reference to frequency, focus of infection and prognosis. All patients were examined clinically in order to confirm the bacteraemia. In total, 98 hospital-acquired bacteraemias were observed, giving an incidence rate of 0·28%. Bacteraemia due to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis predominated. The overall mortality was 38%; 65% of the patients with S. aureus bacteraemia died, 25% due to the bacteraemia. The most common types of infection were urinary tract infections and intravenous catheter infections. Fifty-five of the bacteraemias were caused by foreign bodies, mostly urinary catheters and intravenous catheters, and in 14 cases the focus was unknown. The patient population was severely ill patients. We conclude that nosocomial bacteraemia occurs specially in severely ill patients often preceded by indwelling urinary or intravenous catheters. The patients seldom die due to the bacteraemia, but they die with concomitant bacteraemia.
Low incidence of campylobacter enteritis in Northern Ireland
Authors: Lafong A. C. , Bamford K. B.
Published: October 2009

In a prospective survey carried out over 9 months in 1984 in the Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 24 out of 1200 faecal specimens (2%) from patients with acute diarrhoea. This isolation rate is much lower than that from other parts of mainland Britain which report an isolation rate of between 8 and 15%. It is difficult to explain this large discrepancy but the limited availability of unpasteurized milk and the generally worse summer here (fewer barbecues, picnics) may be some reasons to explain this low incidence in N. Ireland.
Bacteriological quality of drinks from vending machines
Authors: Hunter P. R. , Burge S. H.
Published: October 2009

A survey on the bacteriological quality of both drinking water and flavoured drinks from coin-operated vending machines is reported. Forty-four per cent of 25 drinking water samples examined contained coliforms and 84% had viable counts of greater than 1000 organisms ml at 30 °C. Thirty-one flavoured drinks were examined; 6% contained coliforms and 39% had total counts greater than 1000 organisms ml. It is suggested that the D.H.S.S. code of practice on coin-operated vending machines is not being followed. It is also suggested that drinking water alone should not be dispensed from such machines.
Apparent improvement in the outcome of hip or knee-joint replacement operations over the period of a prospective study
Authors: Lidwell O. M.
Published: October 2009

The apparent reduction in the incidence of subsequent joint sepsis and of re-operation without evidence of infection during the course of a prospective study was an artifact of the analysis method.
Screening for anti-rubella IgMad libitum
Authors: Mortimer P. P. , Tedder R. S.
Published: October 2009

There are few applications of virology to clinical medicine that have received more attention than the laboratory diagnosis of rubella. Many laboratories attempt it and most readers of this journal will be familiar with the techniques that have been used. It would therefore be superfluous to review the ‘state of the artm’ had there not recently been an innovation that is likely to alter laboratory practice in this field.
Bacteriocin-like activity of group B and group C streptococci of human and of animal origin
Authors: Schofield Christine R. , Tagg J. R.
Published: October 2009

An inhibitor ‘fingerprinting’ technique was used to test 120 group B and 50 group C streptococcus strains for production of inhibitory activity. The incidence of inhibitor production was low. Five of 70 group B streptococci of animal origin and one of 50 from human sources consistently produced inhibitory activity. Six of 20 animal strains and three of 30 human strains of group C streptococci were inhibitor producers. These included twoStreptococcus dysgalactiae, threeS. equisimilisand fourS. zooepidemicus.

The temperature of incubation and species of origin of the blood used in the culture medium were critical determinants of inhibitor production. Investigation of inhibitors for their spectrum of activity, heat stability, sensitivity to trypsin, dialysability and mode of action indicated that five of the group B and seven of the group C streptococci produced inhibitors that had bacteriocin-line properties. Three bovine strains of group B streptococci produced very similar inhibitory activity. A greater variety of bacteriocin-like substances was detected in the group C streptococcus strains. Two of theS. zooepidemicusstrains were each found to Produce more than one inhibitory substance.
Hydatid disease in the Western Isles
Authors: Chisholm Isobel L. , MacVicar M. J. , Williams H.
Published: October 2009

An investigation into the incidence of hydatid disease was carried out in the Hebridean islands of Lewis and Skye. The results showed that 20% of the sheep were infected and 10% of the dogs harboured Echinococcus granulosus. Sporadic human cases continue to occur but using serological tests we were unable to show evidence of subclinical infection in the population sampled.
A graded-dose study of inactivated, surface antigen influenza B vaccine in volunteers: reactogenicity, antibody response and protection to challenge virus infection
Authors: Goodeve A. , Potter C. W. , Clark A. , Jennings R. , Schild G. C. , Yetts R.
Published: October 2009

One hundred and nineteen volunteers were divided into five groups, and each volunteer inoculated subcutaneously with an aqueous subunit B/Hong Kong/73 vaccine containing 40, 20, 10, or 5 μg of HA or saline alone in a 0·5 ml volume. The incidence of reactions was recorded 24 h after inoculation. One month following immunization the serum HI antibody to B/Hong Kong/73 virus was measured; each volunteer was inoculated intranasally with live, attenuated influenza B (RB77) virus; and the incidence of infection by the challenge virus was determined by HI antibody response.

The results showed that the incidence of reactions to all doses of vaccine were relatively low, the severity mild, and the duration short. However, the incidence of reactions was highest for those given 40 μg HA and least for those given 5 μg HA. The serum HI antibody responses to vaccine showed a dose-response relationship. For volunteers given 40 μg HA, 22 (96%) showed a fourfold rise in antibody titre and all volunteers had antibody titres of > 40 following immunization: for volunteers given 5 μg HA the g.m.t. increased from 16·6 to 86·1; and for those given 10 and 20 μg HA the response was intermediate. Following challenge, the lowest incidence of infection was seen in volunteers given the highest dose of vaccine. However, all doses of vaccine induced some protection against challenge virus infection, and the incidence of infection was directly related to the serum antibody titre at the time of challenge. The 50% protection titre of serum HI antibody was estimated as 15 to 20.
Hotting-up the complement-fixation test
Authors: Ronalds C. J. , Hardiman A. E. , Griffiths P. D.
Published: October 2009

A detailed investigation into the effect of modifying the incubation temperature of the complement-fixation (CF) test is described. For varicella-zoster virus cytomegalovirus and rubella virus, increasing the incubation temperature progressively increased the sensitivity of the CF test to reach a maximum at 15°C, at which temperature the geometric mean titre of seropositive samples was significantly greater than that found at 4°C. For these three viruses, each serum shown to contain IgG antibodies by ultrasensitive radioimmunoassay procedures was detected by CF following incubation at 15°C. No false-positive reactions occurred at 15°C, but it was our impression that anticomplementary activity was enhanced at this temperature. Significant increases in antibody titre at 15°C were also seen when measles virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus andMycoplasma pneumoniaewere employed as CF antigens. The results demonstrate that the CF test should be performed at 15°C if optimum sensitivity is to be achieved. The ability of the test to detect significant rises in antibody titre was not impaired at the higher incubation temperature.
A prevalence study of antibodies toLegionellaspp. in geriatric institutions
Authors: Boldur I. , Ergaz M. , Sompolinsky D.
Published: October 2009

The prevalence of scropositivity toLegionellaspp. was studied in inmates and staff members of two geriatric hospitals (Rahel and Sinai); attendants to a geriatric Day Club; and 26 old people with entirely independent households. The sera were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with antigens of sixLegionellaspecies (L. pneumophila, L. longbeachae, L. micdadei, L. gormanii, L. dumoffiiandL. bozemanii). A titre of ≥ 256 to at least one antigen was obtained in 30·5% of patients and 35·7% of staff members from Rahel; 12·1% of patients and 17·2% of staff members from Sinai; 9·1% of attendants to the Day Club; and none of 26 old people with their own households. All the positive patients from Rahel reacted withL. pneumophila, but only four of seven of the positive patients from Sinai did so; none of the seropositive subjects from the Day Club reacted with this agent.

The results indicate intramural exposure to agents of legionellosis, at least for the Rahel Hospital.
Growth and survival characteristics ofCampylobacter jejuniin liquid egg
Authors: Hänninen M. L. , Korkeala H. , Pakkala P.
Published: October 2009

Growth and survival of fourCampylobacter jejunistrains in yolk, in liquid whole egg and in white during aerobic storage at 37, 20 and 4 °C was followed. In 48 h at 37 °C the coll counts ofC. jejuniincreased by about 3 log10units in yolk and 1·60–3·3510log units in liquid whole egg. The growth ofC. jejuniwas slightly better in yolk than in liquid whole egg. At 20 °C during 48 h the cell counts decreased by about 0·5–1·5 log10units in yolk and in liquid whole egg. At 4 °C the decrease in cell counts after 21 days ranged from 1 to 2 log10units, except for one strain, KH 3, which could not be detected after 14 days storage in yolk. In liquid whole egg the cell counts of this strain also decreased considerably during storage.

In white the number of inoculatedC. jejunicells decreased rapidly. The killing effect of white was shown to be temperature-dependent; at 37 and 20 °C no positive samples were detected after 24 h and at 4 °C no positive samples were found after 48 h.
Intra-uterine transmission of cytomegalovirus in women known to be immune before conception
Authors: Griffiths P. D. , Baboonian C.
Published: October 2009

A prospective study identified 785 pregnant women who had been shown to possess complement fixing antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV) during a previous pregnancy. As these women were thus known to have been immune prior to their subsequent conception, their neonates were examined for evidence of congenital CMV infection. Specimens were obtained from 725(92%) of the neonatcs and congenital infection was found in only one (0·14%). The elder sister of the infected child was also shown, by retrospective testing of her stored cord serum for specific IgM antibodies, to have been infectedin utero. Thus, one woman was identified who had delivered consecutive siblings congenitally infected with CMV. We conclude that some women have a propensity for intra-uterine transmission of CMV, despite being immune prior to conception, and speculate that such women may have acquired their infections perinatally.
A micro immune haemolysis test for rubella antibody screening
Authors: Murray H. G. S.
Published: October 2009

A micro test for the detection of rubella IgG antibody by passive haemolysis in free solution (MIH) is presented. The technique is reproducible, sensitive, simple to perform and economical in the use of reagents. Identical results were obtained in all but one of 408 tests on serum specimens screened for rubella antibody at 15 i.u./ml by the MIH and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) techniques. The quantitative potential of the MIH test and the relative merits of the MIH, HI and radial haemolysis (RH) procedures for rubella screening are discussed.
Influenza A: infection and reinfection
Authors: Davies J. R. , Grilli E. A. , Smith A. J.
Published: October 2009

Twenty-nine boys in a boarding school were present during a large outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in 1978 when 27 were infected, 21 with clinical influenza. These boys were bled annually and were still in school when another outbreak of influenza A H1N1 occurred in 1983. Twentythree of them were reinfected but only nine had symptoms. These results are compared with the experience of a similar group of boys in the early years of the influenza A H3N2 era.
Corynebacterium ulcerans in humans and cattle in North Devon
Authors: Hart R. J. C.
Published: October 2009

A case of Corynebacterium ulcerans sore throat in a community that drank raw milk from its own farm led to the discovery of another symptomless human infection. Eight cows in the herd were found to be infected and the intermittent pattern of excretion was demonstrated in another cow followed through its lactation. Further evidence of milk infected by C. ulcerans was found by examining all raw milk samples submitted to the laboratory. Two other human cases were diagnosed in Devon during the period of this investigation.
The pathogenic properties ofFusobacteriumandBacteroidesspecies from wallabies and other sources
Authors: Smith G. R. , Oliphant Janet C. , Parsons R.
Published: October 2009

Intracerebral inoculation was more effective than intraperitoneal, intravenous or subcutaneous inoculation as a means of producing lethal infections withFusobacterium necrophorumin mice. Strains varied in virulence but, of five examined, two had LD50 values as low asca. 8000 and 14000 viable organisms. Profuse bacterial multiplication in the brain was demonstrated. Intravenous vaccination with a single large dose of heat-killed whole culture or washed bacterial cells failed to protect against intracerebral challenge.

Intracerebral injection of other fusobacteria (F. nucleatum, F. variumandF. necrogenes) and of 22 strains belonging to 10Bacteroidesspp. was without apparent effect on mice, except for a slight transient illness in some animals givenB. fragilis. This organism (five strains) differed from the otherBacteroidesspp. tested, which included eight strains belonging to the fragilis group, in being eliminated more slowly from the mouse brain – a point that may be relevant to the special pathogenicity ofB. fragilisin endogenous infections in man. There was no evidence thatB. fragilismultiplied in the brain or that intravenous vaccination with a large dose of heat-killed homologous culture affected the rate at which it was eliminated.
Serological evaluation of an influenza A virus cold-adapted reassortant live vaccine, CR-37 (H1N1), in Japanese adult volunteers
Authors: Yamane N. , Nakamura Y. , Yuki M. , Odagiri T. , Ishida N.
Published: October 2009

A cold-adapted influenza A virus, CR-37 (H1N1), derived from genetic reassortment between A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) cold-adapted variant virus and A/California/10/78 (H1N1) wild-type virus, was tested in Japanese adult volunteers. The CR-37 live virus preparation induced only low-grade clinical reactionsin volunteers for the first 3–4 days after inoculation. Two vaccinees who did not show any antibody changes became febrile (over 38–0 °C). Skin tests using the vaccine preparation and uninfected allantoic fluid were performed, and indicated that one of these two vaccinees was positive for the CR-37 vaccine preparation. A high proportion of the vaccinees whose sera had a haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody titre against thevaccine strain of ≤ 64 before inoculation, seroconverted in both HI and neuraminidase-inhibition (NA1) antibody titrations, and only a few seroconverted in the titration of antibody against type-specific internal antigens. The serological examinations against heterotypic H1N1 variants indicated that the cold-adapted live influenza virus vaccine could induce a broad spectrum of HI antibody reactivity and immunity of long duration.
Large outbreaks of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning associated with the consumption of boiled salmon
Authors: Hewitt J. H. , Begg N. , Hewish J. , Rawaf S. , Stringer M. , Theodore-Gandi Bernadette
Published: October 2009

Five large outbreaks of food poisoning are described in which clinical, epidemiological or laboratory data indicated Clostridium perfringens as the causative organism. The foodstuff common to all incidents was boiled salmon served cold as an hors d'oeuvre. In all cases the fish had been subject to a long period of cooling or storage between boiling and consumption. It is thought that multiplication of the organism occurred during this time.

Recommendations are made for the avoidance of further similar incidents.