bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Antibody Response in Man Following Infection with Viruses of the Pox Group III. Antibody Response in Smallpox
Authors: Downie A. W. , McCarthy K.
Published: May 2009

From 117 cases of smallpox 140 sera have been examind for antihaemagglutinin, for complement-fixing and for variola-neutralizng antibody.

In smallpox patients who had not been vaccinated prior to infection, variola-neutralizing antibody and vaccinial antihaemagglutinin were present in all sera examined after the sixth day of illness. Complement-fixing antibody was not found until the eighth day of illness but was present in all examined after the ninth day.

In previously revaccinated smallpox patients variola-neutralizing antibody was present in all sera examined after the third day of illness and antihaemagglutinins in all after the fourth day. Complement-fixing antibody was present by the seventh day and was found in all sera examined after the ninth day. Not only did antibody in general appear earlier in previously vaccinated smallpox patients but the titres were generally considerably higher. In ten fatal cases antibody titres were low except in two in whom the level of variola-neutralizing antibody was quite high—in one case on the second day and in the other on the fourth day of illness.

In six variola contacts, who suffered febrile attacks without rash, antibody studies indicated the variolous nature of their illnesses. In these and other atypical smallpox infections, when laboratory confirmation of clinical diagnosis is only requested at a late stage of the disease, a high titre of antibody, particularly complement-fixing antibody, may enable a firm diagnosis to be made.

We wish to acknowledge our indebtedness to Dr W. H. Bradley of the Ministry of Health; Dr E. C. Benn of Seacroft Hospital, Leeds; Dr D. C. Liddle of Monsall Fever Hospital, Manchester; Dr E. R. Peirce of Liverpool and other Medical Officers for information concerning smallpox patients. Our thanks are also due to Dr F. O. MacCallum of the Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale, who kindly sent us sera from some of the cases in the 1950 smallpox outbreak in Brighton.
Recurrent staphylococcal infections and the duration of the carrier state
Authors: Roodyn Leonard
Published: May 2009

An investigation has been carried out over a period of 7 years of a series of eighty-one patients who first presented in 1951–52 with staphylococcal lesions. In seventy-two oases (89%) the infection was limited to a single, short episode of infection without recurrence. But nine patients (11%) developed recurrent lesions throughout the period. In these patients, from a comparison of the phage types isolated from successive infections, it was inferred that the organism had persisted in the body for over 6 years in two cases, for 4–5 years in five cases and for 1·3 years in three cases.

Nasal carriage also persisted for over 6 years in two cases and for 3–5 years in three cases.

In two cases, chronic skin carriage occurred in the absence of nasal carriage. There was persistence of staphylococci for 3 and 5 years in these cases, and the use of a special technique revealed that carriage in the deeper layers of the skin was particularly important.

The frequency distribution of phage patterns isolated in recurrent cases reflected the high incidence of Group II strains at the time when the strains were first acquired. New infections which arose in 1957–58 no longer showed this preponderance of Group II strains, as only eleven (28%) of thirty-eight new infections were caused by this group.

The bacteriological examinations were mostly carried out by the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, and I wish to express my gratitude to Dr R. E. O. Williams of the Staphylococcal Reference Laboratory, for his assistance in this work. I am also grateful for the laboratory facilities afforded me by Dr Ridley at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases for the performance of the skin carriage testing.
The effect of feeding pigs on food naturally contaminated with salmonellae
Authors: Smith H. Williams
Published: May 2009

1. The course of events following the feeding of salmonella-free pigs on food naturally contaminated with salmonellae has been followed. The pigs were killed at varying times after the commencement of the experiment and their organs examined for salmonellae.

2. None of the pigs showed any signs of ill-health and no pathological lesions were observed in them when they were killed. Salmonellae were found, however, in very small numbers in the mesenteric lymph nodes of some of them but not in any of their other internal organs or in their muscular tissue. The longer the pigs were fed on the contaminated food the more likely were their mesenteric lymph nodes to be infected.

3. Salmonellae were isolated from time to time from the faeces of the pigs but there was no suggestion of any of the pigs becoming permanent faecal excreters of these organisms.

4. Six pigs were retained for a short time after the use of the contaminated food was discontinued. Salmonellae were never found in their faeces and when they were killed the mesenteric lymph nodes of only one of them was found to be infected.

5. The results are discussed from the agricultural and public health viewpoints.
The antigenicity of γ-irradiated vaccinia virus
Authors: Kaplan Colin
Published: May 2009

Suspensions and dried preparations of vaccinia virus were exposed to γ-rays in cobalt-60 sources. Suspensions completely inactivated by 6–8 × 105rad. retained measurable immunogenicity. Dried preparations could not be completely in-activated even by doses of 11 × 106rad., although the inactivation apparently followed first-order kinetics until about one particle in 107survived, suggesting that the populations of vaccinia virus in the preparations were heterogeneous.
A study of tetrathionate enrichment techniques, with particular reference to two new tetrathionate modifications used in isolating salmonellae from sewer swabs
Authors: Jameson J. E.
Published: May 2009

Either triplicate or paired sewer swabs put down at sixty manholes were examined after 24, 48 or 72 hr. periods of enrichment at 37° C. in a standard tetrathionate medium (medium C) and in two new tetrathionate modifications—medium A being a combination of tetrathionate broth and ingredients of Wilson and Blair's medium, and medium B similar but containing only half the amount of the Wilson and Blair's ingredients, and in addition 1% sodium lauryl sulphate.

Salmonellae were isolated from thirty-nine sites: there were three double isolations of salmonellae.

The richest growths of salinonellae were obtained from medium B and the poorest from medium C. Medium C however yielded more isolations from the smaller sewers than medium B: the converse held true in the trunk sewers.

An optimal 48 hr. enrichment time for sewer swabs was demonstrated in the case of medium A. No optimal time was found for either of the other two media. Platings at the optimal enrichment time from medium A yielded more salmonella isolations than the combined 24 and 48 hr. platings from medium C.
Immunization against tetanus
Authors: Suri J. C. , Rubbo Sydney D.
Published: May 2009

1. A study of the various aspects of passive tetanus immunization and combined active and passive immunization in different animal species has been undertaken.

2. The criteria on which conclusions have been based consisted of titration of antitoxin serum levels and mouse and guinea-pig protection tests using a challenge of 20 M.L.D. of tetanus toxin.

3. A study of the rate of elimination of heterologous tetanus antitoxin in normal and sensitized animals showed that the latter eliminated antitoxin more rapidly from circulation after subcutaneous injection but no difference could be detected following intravenous administration. More important is the profound loss of serum antitoxin in both animal groups from the seventh day onwards.

4. The rate of elimination in humans receiving 1500 units of horse antitoxin subcutaneously was approximately the same in normal subjects and those who had been previously exposed to horse serum.

5. The interference of an active primary immune response by the simultaneous injection of antitoxin in rabbits was consistently more marked with fluid toxoid than with adsorbed toxoid. Thus, combined active and passive immunization of persons who have never been actively immunized, is not recommended, especially with fluid toxoid.

6. Administration of adsorbed toxoid 7 days or more after passive immunization with heterologous antitoxin does not interfere with the primary immune response.

7. Comparison of the immunizing potency in rabbits of fluid and adsorbed toxoids showed that the latter was far superior.

8. Homologous antitoxin was demonstrated in man and animals to be immunologically superior to the heterologous type in every respect. It persisted unchanged in a therapeutically active concentration for at least 3 weeks in humans and its protective action in guinea-pigs was at least 100 times greater than heterologous antitoxin. Since homologous antitoxin can be used in low doses it will not interfere with the primary immune response in combined immunization.

9. A recommended prophylactic dose of homologous antitoxin for man would be 200–250 units.
Studies in the epidemiology of infectious myxomatosis of rabbits: VIII. Further observations on changes in the innate resistance of Australian wild rabbits exposed to myxomatosis
Authors: Marshall I. D. , Douglas G. W.
Published: May 2009

1. In one Australian study area where the selection pressure of annual epizootics of myxomatosis has been extremely high, the innate resistance of the rabbits was found to have increased to such an extent that only 26% died when inoculated with a strain of myxoma virus which kills 88% of genetically unselected rabbits.

2. The level of innate resistance in a rabbit population varies with the total experience of the disease.

3. In combined field and laboratory trials it was shown that the mortality rate in the field is influenced by innate resistance at least as much as under the sheltered conditions of an animal house. The effect was apparent with both an attenuated and a highly virulent strain of virus.

4. The moderately high ambient temperatures during the field experiments probably contributed to the sparing effect.
An outbreak of aseptic meningitis associated with a previously unrecognized virus
Authors: Duncan I. B. R.
Published: May 2009

In 1959, 69 cases of aseptic meningitis were admitted to various hospitals in Scotland—all apparently due to a Hitherto unrecognized virus. This agent had the characteristics of an ECHO virus but differed from the 28 ECHO viruses at present recognized. Seventy-five strains of the virus were isolated, and human thyroid and human amnion tissue cultures proved much superior to monkey kidney tissue cultures for its isolation.
Airborne micro-organisms: survival tests with four viruses
Authors: Harper G. J.
Published: May 2009

Airborne virus particles of vaccinia, influenza, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, and poliomyelitis have been tested for viable survival in the dark at controlled temperatures and relative humidity (R.H.) for up to 23 hr. after spraying.

Viable survival at each R.H. level was better at lower temperature than at higher temperature. Poliomyelitis virus showed best survival at high R.H.; the other three viruses survived best at low R.H.
Infectivity ofPasteurella tularensisclouds
Authors: Hood A. M.
Published: May 2009

The infectivity ofPasteurella tularensisclouds decreases with age, for guineapigs challenged by the peritoneal and respiratory routes. No decrease occurs in mice challenged peritoneally. The loss of infectivity depends to some extent on age of culture but more especially on culture medium used. Cultures grown in a partially hydrolysed casein medium and aged 2–3 weeks lose infectivity severely in clouds held 20 hr. at 85%r.h., whereas if grown in cysteine broth with catalase (CBC) no loss occurs in this time until cultures are aged several months. Chloride ion, yeast extract and casein hydrolysate are shown to be infectivity depressors when used in culture media or when added to suspensions before spraying. Sodium chloride in CBC can be replaced adequately by sodium sulphate or sodium phosphate for growth of the organism.
Some observations on the use of the Ouchterlony gel diffusion technique in the study of myxomatosis
Authors: Chapple Paul J. , Bowen E. T. W. , Lewis N. D.
Published: May 2009

1. Laboratory rabbits were infected with seventeen different preparations of myxoma virus (this probably represents thirteen strains of which four could be classified as fully virulent and the rest as attenuated, two being markedly so).

2. One hundred and twenty-four wild rabbit carcasses were obtained from a rabbit infestation in the throes of an outbreak of myxomatosis.

3. All the carcasses were examined for the presence or absence of myxoma antigens and antibodies by a modified Ouchterlony gel-diffusion precipition test.

4. As a result of (3), we have concluded that the gel test can provide confirmation of the presence or absence of myxomatosis. It is particularly useful in cases of doubt about the clinical diagnosis. The test can also give a reasonable indication of the number of recovered rabbits in a population and, more important still, it can give an indication of the recovery rate during an outbreak of disease. However, attempts to differentiate between fully virulent and attenuated strains of virus were unsuccessful.
Intradermal cholera vaccination
Authors: Noble J. E
Published: May 2009

The protection afforded by cholera vaccine administered by the intradermal route, and demonstrated by active and passive mouse protection tests, active guinea-pig protection tests, and agglutination titres, is excellent and equal to that given by subcutaneous inoculation.

It is suggested that cholera vaccine administered by the intradermal route would greatly reduce the incidence of reactions which occur when the vaccine is given subcutaneously.
Replacement coliform flora in carriers of intestinal pathogens
Authors: Stewart G. T , Holt R. J , Coles H. M. T , Bhat K. M
Published: May 2009

Eight carriers of intestinal pathogens (5 Salm. typhi-murium, 2 Sh. sonnei, 1 E. coli 026) were given their own coliforms, rendered drug-resistant in vitro to neomycin or paromomycin, together with one of these drugs. In seven cases, the drug-resistant coliform flora established itself, while the natural coliform flora and the pathogen were suppressed. In four cases only (2 Sh. sonnei, 2 Salm. typhi-murium) the pathogen was eliminated in the course of this procedure.
The specificity of the antibody responses of human volunteers to certain respiratory viruses
Authors: Buckland F. E , Doggett Jennifer E , Tyrrell D. A. J
Published: May 2009

Experiments reported here were performed on the sera of thirty-three volunteers who were infected or inoculated intranasally or intramuscularly in groups of five to nine with one of two enteroviruses, namely, echovirus 11 and coxsackievirus A21 or with one of three rhinoviruses, namely, M viruses P.K. and ECHO 28, and H virus D.C. Antibody responses occurred against the virus administered, and rarely against the other viruses used. It was concluded that although these viruses are related biologically the antibody responses in the volunteers were largely specific.
Hybrids derived from the viruses of variola major and cowpox
Authors: Bedson H. S. , Dumbell K. R.
Published: May 2009

The characterization of 16 clones of virus derived from mixed infections with variola major and cowpox has been described. This work has involved the description of the plaques produced by variola major in chick embryo monolayers, and a more detailed study of the effects of raised temperature on pock production by pox viruses on the C.A.M.

Two of the variola major—cowpox clones were found to correspond to cowpox virus, while the other 14 shared various combinations of parental characters. Among them there were 10 distinct new types of virus. Evidence of the stability of these viruses has been presented.

Analysis of the combination of characters encountered among the hybrids has given good evidence that all the eight marker characters used segregate independently. A particular instance of this was the character of chick embryo virulence which, among the hybrid viruses, was shown to be unrelated either to ceiling temperature or speed of plaque formation.

The significance of these findings in relation to the general problem of virulence has been briefly discussed. The possibility that vaccinia may have originated as a hybrid of variola and cowpox has lso been considered.
Interferon production and sensitivity of Semliki Forest virus variants
Authors: Finter N. B.
Published: May 2009

Semliki Forest virus was passaged 10 times in series in calf kindly cells, starting with virus passaged in the mouse brain (MB virus). A variant was obtained (termed CK virus). The two viruses were antigenically indistinguishable. When grown on L cells, CK virus formed smaller plaques than MB virus. In parallel growth curve studies in calf kidney cells, a small inoculum of CK virus grew more rapidly and to a higher final titre than a comparable inoculum of MB virus, and usually stimulated production of less interferon. Pre-treatment of cells with calf interferon reduced the growth of both viruses, but especially that of MB virus. The results are considered in relation to the phenomenon of virus adaptation. It is suggested that such differences between the two variants in their relative sensitivity to and production of interferon could have played a part in the emergence of CK virus as the predominant type during serial passages in calf cells.

I wish to thank Mr H. Moores and Mr R. Sims for skilful technical assistance.
The campaign against typhoid and paratyphoid B in western Norway. Results of cholecystectomy
Authors: Vogelsang Th. M.
Published: May 2009

1. The first chronic carrier in western Norway was discovered in 1918. Since then 147 individuals have been found to be chronic carriers, 84 being carriers of S. typhi and 63 of S. paratyphi B.

2. Of the 147 chronic carriers 23 were males and 124 females. Most of the carriers were elderly folk, 96 over the age of 50 and 37 over the age of 70 when their carrier state was discovered. There is a considerable rise in the incidence of gall-stones among women around the age of 50, while a similar rise comes at a higher age in men. This sex difference may be a contributory cause of the larger number of female carriers.

3. Operations were performed on 66 chronic carriers with a view to curing the carrier state. In 2 cases, only cystotomy could be performed because of the state of the gall-bladder. In one of these the carrier state was cured, while it persisted in the other.

4. The gall-bladders of 64 chronic carriers were removed by operation with the following results: 2 died as a result of the operation, 9 remained carriers, and 53 are considered cured. The operation was therefore successful in four-fifths of the cases.

The gall-bladders of 2 individuals who remained carriers were found at operation to be sterile and perfectly normal, without stone formation. Two other individuals who remained carriers have later died, 1½ and 7 years after their operations. In both cases S. paratyphi B was cultivated from the common bile duct and the hepatic duct. The specific process may therefore in a few cases be situated at a higher level in the bile passages of the liver.

5. The interval between infection and operation varied from 3 months to 50 years. The 2 carriers who had the longest interval are both cured.

6. Indications for operation are given on the basis of the experiences provided by the present material.
An improved formate lactose glutamate medium for the detection ofEscherichia coliand other coliform organisms in water
Authors: Gray R. D.
Published: May 2009

A chemically defined fluid medium—improved formate lactose glutamate—is described of which the cost is less than a quarter that of standard MacConkey broth and which is at least equally suitable for routine bacteriological examination of water. It has actual advantages in that the medium after fermentation is clearer and that, therefore, acid and gas production is more easily seen; moreover more isolations of both coliform bacteria and ofEsch. coliare obtained with fewer false positive reactions. Trials with a solid version of the medium suggest that the relative freedom from false positive reactions arises from the failure of the medium to growCl. welchii—one of the commonest causes—and enterococci, another suspected participant. In fact, without any inhibitory agent the medium appears to be virtually specific for the coliform group and particularly favoursEsch. coli.It remains to be seen whether certain aerobic spore-bearers found from time to time in surface waters may, to some slight extent, interfere with the almost complete specificity so far discovered.

The medium is recommended in place of MacConkey broth and other peptonecontaining media, not only for the prospect of better results, in that suppression of the coliform group does not occur, but also for cheapness and for freedom from the inevitable variability associated with media incorporating peptone and, particularly, bile salt. It is hoped that this medium will shortly become available commercially in dehydrated form at a price still considerably less than that required to make up MacConkey broth from its constituents.

Some labour-saving curtailments in the routine of water examination are also suggested.

It is hoped not only that the fluid medium will supplant MacConkey broth for the dilution method of water analysis but that the solid medium, without material alteration, will also prove suitable for water examination by membrane filtration.

I am deeply grateful to my laboratory staff, particularly Mr J. H. Evans, F.I.M.L.T., and Mr G. H. Lowe, F.I.M.L.T., for undertaking so much of the work when routine work was particularly heavy, and for many valuable suggestions. My thanks in addition are due to Mrs Peggy Johnson and Mrs Marilyn Childs, who made up the medium, and also to the directors of the participating P.H.L.S. laboratories not only for having the work carried out but for helpful comments.
Contaminant viruses in two live virus vaccines produced in chick cells
Authors: Harris R. J. C. , Dougherty R. M. , Biggs P. M. , Payne L. N. , Goffe A. P. , Churchill A. E. , Mortimer R.
Published: May 2009

Samples of yellow-fever vaccine prepared from homogenized chick embryos, and of an experimental measles vaccine prepared from chick embryo cells, have each been shown to contain a contaminant virus similar in properties to an avian leukosis virus. Young adult males injected with the yellow-fever vaccine did not develop neutralizing antibodies for Rous sarcoma virus.
The microbiological and epidemiological properties of infections caused bySalmonella enteritidis
Authors: Szmuness Wolf , Sikorska Jadwiga , Szymanek Elzbieta , Mikosz Lucja , Cechowicz Aleksandra
Published: May 2009

During 9 months the author observed 309 cases of infection withSalmonella enteritidis, of which 88% were hospital infections in six childrens' wards of three different hospitals. The foci were connected epidemiologically. In 97·7% of those examined, the bacteria were detected in faeces, in 68% in urine and in 27·5% in the upper respiratory tract. Bacteraemia was found in 17·2%. The bacteria were also detected in two air-samples and in two swabs from linen and furniture. All isolated strains were highly resistant to antibiotics and to drying, but sensitive to the action of chloramine. In infected patients with parenteral localization of bacteria, the agglutination test with specific gm antigen was positive in 80% of cases. Many patients were persistent carriers for 5–10 months. In adults a short faecal carrier state was usually observed. The epidemic spread by contact, though in some cases it was probably air-borne. Such epidemics are very difficult to bring to an end.
A simple fumigation method for disinfecting clothing or bedding containing body lice
Authors: Busvine J. R. , Vasuvat C.
Published: May 2009

Modern contact insecticides (like DDT) in powder form are ideal for combating widespread lousiness; but for various reasons they are not suitable for disinfecting small numbers of infested people under civilized conditions. It appears that the most convenient, efficient method in these circumstances is a small-scale fumigation of the infested garments, in either a metal bin or a plastic bag. Ethyl formate, one of the liquid fumigants suggested for this purpose by W. A. L. David in 1944, has been further tested and found efficient. In a plastic bag the size of a potato sack (about 30 × 40 in.), four blankets can be deloused by a dose of 100 ml. with an hour's exposure or a quarter of this dose with an exposure of 5 hr. or more. An overnight treatment with this dose would be safe and convenient, costing about Is. and the actual operations would take only a few minutes.
A colour test for the measurement of antibody to certain mycoplasma species based upon the inhibition of acid production
Authors: Taylor-Robinson D. , Purcell R. H. , Wong D. C. , Chanock R. M.
Published: May 2009

A fermentation-inhibition test for the measurement of growth-inhibiting anti-body to acid-producing mycoplasmas was performed in microtitre plastic plates.M. pneumoniae, M. fermentansand the Negroni agent were selected for study. Antibody could be titrated since specific antiserum inhibited mycoplasma growth and the concomitant production of acid, thus preventing a change in colour of phenol red which was incorporated in the growth medium. It was essential to use unheated horse serum as a component of the growth medium. The inhibitory effect of specific antiserum was much decreased when the horse serum was heat-inacti-vated, indicating the need for a heat-labile accessory factor. The additional use of unheated guinea-pig serum was essential for demonstrating the growth-inhibiting effect of specific antiserum on the Negroni agent. The test was reproducible, specific and sensitive. Sixteen-fold or greater antibody rises were demonstrated in paired sera from volunteers infected withM. pneumoniae. Tests with ninety-five random adult sera showed that 22% had antibody toM. pneumoniaeat a titre of 1/5 or more and 13–5% had antibody toM. fermentans.
Streptococcal infection in young pigs I. An immunochemical study of the causative agent (PM streptococcus)
Authors: Elliott S. D.
Published: May 2009

1. Streptococci causing neonatal infection in piglets have been identified serologically as belonging to group D.

2. Glycerophosphate, glucose and xylose have been identified as components of the group substance isolated from these micro-organisms.

3. The streptococci isolated from piglets with this disease in England appear to belong to a single serological type characterized by a capsular polysaccharide.

4. Glucose, glucosamine and galactosamine have been identified as components of the type-specific substance.

5. It is suggested that these streptococci should be designated Capsular Type 1 inStreptococcus suis, a new subgroup in group D.
A method of secondary enrichment for salmonellas independent of selectively toxic chemicals
Authors: Harvey R. W. S. , Mahabir D. E. , Price T. H.
Published: May 2009

A method of secondary enrichment is described suitable for the isolation of a wide range of salmonella serotypes from abattoir swabs and polluted river water. The technique does not employ selectively toxic chemicals.
The ecology and epidemiology of the pig-bel syndrome in man in New Guinea
Authors: Murrell T. G. C. , Egerton J. R. , Rampling Anita , Samels Janet , Walker P. D.
Published: May 2009

1. Features in the epidemiology of a spontaneous enteric gangrene in the Highlands of New Guinea are described.

2. The disease has been called pig-bel because of its firm association with the pig-feasting practices of the people, which occur in 3–7 year cycles.

3.Cl. welchiitype C is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the condition. Strains isolated were strongly toxigenic and uniform in their toxin production.

4. A food poisoning aetiology was not proved but circumstantial and immunological evidence suggest that pork may be a vector of the disease.

5. The source ofCl. welchiitype C was not established.
The incidence of glandular fever
Authors: Penman H. G.
Published: May 2009

Previous estimates of the incidence of glandular fever vary widely. Reasons for this are suggested. The present investigation was designed to show the incidence of cases of glandular fever presenting to doctors in certain general communities near Portsmouth in 1962–63.

The overall incidence in these areas during the year was found to be 38 per 100,000 population; this amounts to an average of one case annually in a medium-sized general practice. The incidence appeared to be lowest in a council housing estate. Glandular fever was not common in children, although it was frequently diagnosed on clinical grounds.

The ways in which cases of glandular fever might be missed in a survey such as the present one are discussed. It is thought that many patients may become ill but not consult their doctors. Truly subclinical glandular fever, however, is thought to be infrequent.
Langat virus encephalitis in mice II. The effect of irradiation
Authors: Webb H. E. , Wight D. G. D. , Wiernik G. , Platt G. S. , Smith C. E. G.
Published: May 2009

1. Irradiation in a whole body dose of 200 rads or more increased the sensitivity of mice to intraperitoneal infection with Langat virus so that the LD 50 was increased to about the intracerebral LD 50.

2. In mice given 500 rads before infection: (a) viraemia was prolonged by about 5 days; (b) the IgM response was depressed; (c) the IgG response was delayed by about 3 days and depressed in titre; (d) virus concentration in the brain rose continuously until death on about the tenth day while in the controls it reached a peak on the fifth day then subsided; (e) histological changes in the CNS were delayed and minimal even at death; (f) irradiated mice died with little evidence of paralysis while the controls died with severe paralysis.

3. In irradiated mice, protection was observed when antibody was administered on the third day following infection. Antibody given on the 3 days after infection to control mice aggravated the disease.

4. The results in this and the preceding paper are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of encephalitis. It is concluded that neuronal damage is caused both by virus multiplication in neurones and by damage superimposed by inflammatory changes with associated oedema and hypoxia. The inflammatory changes appear to be due to an allergic reaction to virus-antibody complexes formed in the circulation and in the central nervous system.

We are grateful to Miss S. J. Illavia, B.Sc., and Miss G. E. Fairbairn for their skilled technical assistance; to the Department of Radiotherapy at St Thomas's Hospital for providing time and staff to help with the irradiation experiments; and to Mr S. Peto of the Microbiological Research Establishment for statistical advice.

This work was made possible by a generous grant from the Wellcome Trust and the Endowment Funds of St Thomas's Hospital.
Detoxification of an immunogenic fraction from a culture filtrate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Jones R. J.
Published: May 2009

Mice immunized with a fraction from a culture filtrate of Ps. aeruginosa, then burned and infected with virulent serotypes of Ps. aeroginosa, were protected from septicaemia and death.

The immunogenic fraction killed mice at dosages 400 times those of the minimum protective dosages.

Treatment of the immunogenic fraction with 0·5% formalin reduced its lethal effect for mice and slightly improved its immunizing potency so that the difference between the smallest immunizing dose used and the smallest amount that killed mice was more than 80,000 doses.
Patterns of infections with adenovirus types 4, 7 and 21 in military recruits during a 9-year survey
Authors: van der Veen J. , Oei Kiem Giok , Abarbanel M. F. W.
Published: May 2009

Investigations to define the epidemiological pattern of adenovirus infection in military recruits were carried out in a training centre at Ossendrecht, The Netherlands, during a 9-year period. Extensive outbreaks of adenovirus illness occurred in the winter and spring, and in some years in the late fall. The seasonal variation in total incidence of adenovirus infection as estimated by frequency of antibody rises in randomly selected recruits correlated well with that of adenovirus illness. In the cold season 20–60 of every 100 men were infected, whereas no or very little activity of adenovirus was found during the summer.

Type 7 was prevalent during the first 2 years of the study period, type 21 during the next 3 years and type 4 during the last 4 years. The proportion of adenovirus infection associated with clinical illness, the distribution of adenovirus illness by week of training and the immunity of incoming recruits against adenovirus infection as estimated by frequency of neutralizing antibody were compared for type 7, type 21 and type 4.

Adenovirus was responsible for about one third of all cases of acute respiratory illness. The next most common diagnostic category was influenza. Other respiratory agents (parainfluenza, RS and Coxsackie A-21 viruses,Mycoplasma pneumoniaeand haemolytic streptococci) were of less importance.

This work was supported in part by the United States Department of the Army through its European Research Office.

We are indebted to the following persons who contributed to this study: C. P. A. van Boven, R. Brouwer, J. H. E. Custers, J. H. Dijkman, A. Prins and A. R. van der Werff, medical officers; Mr A. P. K. M. I. van Nieuwstadt, Miss M. C. J. van Nunen, Dr G. C. J. van der Ploeg and Dr H. J. A. Sonderkamp, members of the staff of our laboratory; and Misses C. H. Bronswijk, G. J. Hof, A. D. E. M. Leeuwenberg, W. T. C. J. Smulders and C. M. G. Stevens, and Mrs A. M. van Snik, technicians.

Major-General Dr H. J. van der Giessen and Brigadier General W. P. Blokpoel, former Directors-General of Medical Services of the Royal Netherlands Army, and Colonel Dr B. J. W. Beunders, former Head of the Division of Preventive Medicine, granted facilities for the conduct of this study.
Sulphadiazine-resistant group A meningococci isolated during the 1968 meningitis epidemic in Greece
Authors: Vassiliadis P. , Kanellakis A. , Papadakis J.
Published: May 2009

During the 1968 epidemic of meningococcal meningitis in Greece, 90% of the meningococci recovered from the spinal fluid of patients belonged to serological group A. In one army barracks and in one Naval Training Centre, where cases occurred, a rate of 52% and 38·9% respectively of healthy nasopharyngeal carriers of group A meningococci was found, despite repeated courses of sulpha-prophylaxis given to all the population of these military establishments shortly before the swabs were taken.

The susceptibility to sulphadiazine of 64 group A meningococci isolated from patients in different regions of the country and from healthy carriers was tested in vitro. It was found that only one strain was sensitive to a concentration of 0·1 mg./100 ml. of sulphadiazine and another to 1 mg./100 ml. For the remaining strains, the minimal inhibitory concentrations of sulphadiazine ranged from 5 mg./100 ml. to more than 20 mg./100 ml.

Thirty-six strains of group B meningococci were isolated from 34 healthy carriers and from two patients. Some of these strains were resistant to sulphadiazine. Only three strains of group C meningococci were isolated from healthy nasopharyngeal carriers in one army barracks.

We wish to express our thanks to Dr R. Faucon, Director of the International Reference Centre for meningococci, for the valuable help he gave to us during our investigation, as well as for the supply of the group-specific agglutinating antimeningococcal sera.
The chemical reactions of the haemagglutinins and neuraminidases of different strains of influenza viruses: II. Effects of reagents modifying the higher order structure of the protein molecule
Authors: Hoyle L.
Published: May 2009

The results of treatment of influenza virus strains with chemical reagents acting on the higher-order structure of protein molecules shows that both the haemagglutinating and enzymic activities are susceptible to these agents but there are considerable differences between the different strains and the neuraminidase activity is more sensitive than the haemagglutinating activity.

The neuraminidase activity of A and A1strains is destroyed by urea, guanidine, urea+dithiothreitol and mercuric chloride. The haemagglutinin of the PR 8 and SWINE strains is resistant to urea and mercuric chloride but destroyed by guanidine and by urea+dithiothreitol. The haemagglutinin of the DSP strain of virus A and the A1strains is resistant to urea, guanidine and mercuric chloride but is destroyed by urea+dithiothreitol.

The neuraminidase activity of the A2strains is more resistant than that of the A and A1strains. It is resistant to mercuric chloride and partially resistant to urea but is destroyed by guanidine and by urea+dithiothreitol. The A2haemagglutinin is resistant to urea, urea+dithiothreitol, and mercuric chloride but is destroyed by guanidine.

The LEE virus neuraminidase is resistant to urea and partially resistant to guanidine but is destroyed by urea+dithiothreitol and mercuric chloride. The LEE haemagglutinin is resistant to urea, guanidine and mercuric chloride but is destroyed by urea+dithiothreitol.

It is suggested that the surface projections of the virus particle are protein polymers each made up of three or four monomers which are the components of the V antigen complex. Antigenic activity is a function of the primary or secondary structure of the monomers, haemagglutinin activity is a function of the tertiary structure of the monomers, while neuraminidase activity is a function of the quaternary structure of the polymer.

From studies of the chemical reactions of their haemagglutinins and neuraminidases strains of influenza virus A can be classified into groups. These groups are very similar to but not precisely identical with groupings made by serological methods.
A mobile form of the Henderson apparatus
Authors: Druett H. A.
Published: May 2009

A modification of the Henderson apparatus is described which is mobile and which can produce bacterial or viral aerosol in air whose relative humidity can be chosen in the range 20–95 %. The apparatus forms a basic utility for microthread, rotating drum or other aerosol studies.

Much help and advice has been given by Messrs. J. F. H. Peel and D. J. Garriock of the Engineering Section M.R.E. throughout the development of this apparatus. The proportioning valve is a modification of one originally used for a similar purpose by Mr K. R. May. Thanks are due to Messrs. G. J. Harper and A. M. Hood for criticism of the script.
Influenza in Britain 1967–68
Authors: Miller D. L. , Lee J. A.
Published: May 2009

The occurrence of epidemics of influenza in Britain since 1957, when the A 2 (Asian) virus was first introduced, has been traced by an analysis of influenza deaths and sickness insurance benefit claims. In a more detailed study of the epidemic in 1967–8, the largest for 7 years, mortality statistics, sickness benefit claims, consultation rates in general practice and laboratory reports were analysed according to time and geographical location, the age distribution of cases and their clinical features. The value of these various indices in the surveillance of influenza is discussed. It is estimated that the number of cases of influenza during the 1967–8 epidemic was just over one million in the working population and almost two millions in the whole population of Britain.

We wish to thank Dr D. L. Crombie, Honorary Director of the Royal College of General Practitioners' Records and Statistics Unit for permission to quote from returns compiled by the Unit and Mrs P. Jones who extracted the information; we also thank Dr A. M. Adelstein of the General Register Office and Dr J. R. Connelly and Dr A. T. Roden of the Department of Health and Social Security for their helpful comments, and the many laboratory directors whose findings are reported in the Communicable Disease Report of the PHLS. We are also much indebted to Mrs R. Narasimhan who helped with the analysis of the data.
Studies of the effectiveness of an isolation ward
Authors: Williams R. E. O. , Harding Lynn
Published: May 2009

Studies were made of a 14-room isolation ward in which the bedrooms were provided with individual ventilation units to provide a slight positive pressure within the rooms. Airborne staphylococci were detected with sedimentation plates.

The median count of Staphylococcus aureus in the occupied bedrooms was 4·6 col. per 14 cm. plate exposed for 24 hr. or 13 col./m.2 hr. When the air count was high virtually all the staphylococci proved to be of the phage type harboured by the patient in the room; with low counts a substantial proportion were apparently derived from patients in other rooms.

The apparent rate of acquisition of S. aureus in the nose of the patients was between 2·7 and 4·2 per 100 patient weeks at risk. This is substantially lower than has commonly been observed in open wards.

We are very graetful to Miss M. A. Adams, Sister in charge of the Almroth-Wright isolation Ward, and all her staff for all their help and co-operation during this study, which was supported by funds provided to St Mary's Hospital by the Ministry of Health for clinical research.

The reconstruction of the ward was designed by Mr A. Stableford, Group Engineer to St Mary's Hospital; the ventilation units were designed and supplied by White Bays and White Ltd., London.
Toxoplasma antibodies in sera from Hong Kong
Authors: Ludlam G. B. , Wong Simon K. K. , Field C. Elaine
Published: May 2009

Toxoplasma antibodies were absent from the sera of 32 adult Hong Kong women and were present in only two of 35 adult males and five of 46 meat workers, an overall incidence of 6·2%. This is the lowest incidence recorded in a large tropical city and lower than the incidence reported for most areas of the world, whether rural or urban. The reasons for this are unknown. Of 31 sera from swine imported from China and slaughtered in Hong Kong, 22 (71%) were positive for toxoplasma antibodies.
Nasal acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus in a subdivided and mechanically ventilated ward: endemic prevalence of a single staphylococcal strain
Authors: Lidwell O. M. , Polakoff Sheila , Davies J. , Hewitt J. H. , Shooter R. A. , Walker K. A. , Gaya H. , Taylor G. W.
Published: May 2009

An investigation was made of nasal acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus and of staphylococcal wound sepsis in a hospital ward divided into two sections and provided with mechanical ventilation, so that there was no transfer of air from one of the sections to the other. Although the strains of S. aureus found in the air, and those colonizing the noses of patients, in the protected section could seldom be related to patients nursed elsewhere in the ward, the mechanical ventilation did not lead to any significant reduction in the degree of contamination of the air or in the rate of nasal acquisition of S. aureus.

Even in the protected section, nearly 20 % of the strains of S. aureus recovered from the air could not be related to known nasal carriers. Since this proportion was nearly as great as that found in the absence of directed air-flow, it seems probable that these strains were derived either from undetected sources within the section or were dispersed from the clothes of persons who entered it.

Nearly one-third of the nasal acquisitions in the ward could not be related to known nasal carriers, but about one-half of these (16 %) were probably ‘spurious’ and half of the remainder (8 %) could be related to strains recovered from patients' lesions or drawsheets, leaving no more than 8% unaccounted for. A short investigation in which both drawsheet and perineal samples were examined showed that drawsheet samples did not give a reliable indication of perineal carriage unassociated with nasal carriage.

During the period of the investigation, a single strain of S. aureus that was resistant to a wide range of antibiotics established itself in the ward. The most notable character of this strain was the profuse dispersion of it by carriers. As a consequence, staphylococcal wound sepsis increased, with nearly three-quarters of the infections attributable to this strain, and nasal carrier rates increased with length of stay in the ward, over 20 % of patients who stayed 5–6 weeks acquiring the strain.
Antigenic differences within the speciesMycoplasma hominis
Authors: Hollingdale M. R. , Lemcke Ruth M.
Published: May 2009

Membrane and soluble fractions of one genital and two oral strains ofMycoplasma hominiswere compared by immunodiffusion and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Differences were demonstrated between the membrane antigens of the three strains by immunodiffusion, and the membrane proteins also gave dissimilar patterns in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The soluble fractions gave identical lines in immunodiffusion tests and similar patterns in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

When the strains were cross-titrated in metabolic inhibition (MI) and indirect haemagglutination (IHA) tests, statistical analysis of the results revealed significant differences between the strains. Previously, growth-inhibition, MI and IHA activity was shown to be associated with the membrane antigens ofM. hominis, so the intraspecies differences revealed by MI and IHA correlate with the differences in the membrane antigens demonstrated by immunodiffusion. Growth-inhibition tests, which might also have been expected to show intraspecies differences, did not do so, probably because of the insensitivity of the test. In contrast to MI and IHA, complement-fixation (CF) tests revealed a high degree of relatedness between the strains. This is consistent with the observation that the soluble antigens ofM. hominisparticipate in the CF reaction, and that the soluble antigens of different strains are identical in immunodiffusion tests.
Studies on arboviruses in Egypt: II. Contribution of arboviruses to the aetiology of undiagnosed fever among children
Authors: Mohammed Y. S. , Grešiková M. , Adamyová K. , Ragib A. H. , El-Dawala K.
Published: May 2009

Acute blood samples from 120 children, attending the fever hospital in Alexandria and complaining of fever, were collected and examined for haemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) and complement-fixing (CF) antibodies against the following arbovirus antigens; Sindbis, West Nile (WN), yellow fever, dengue 1, sandfly fever, Quaranfil, Chenuda and Nyamanini. Positive reactions in the acute sera were only detected against Sindbis (4·3%) and WN (4·3%) antigens. The convalescent sera obtained from 48 of these children showed a pronounced HAI titre against WN antigen in 14·6 % of them. The same sera showed a lower titre against yellow fever antigen (Asibi strain) which is due to cross-reaction between the two viruses. None of the acute or the convalescent sera showed CF antibodies against Quaranfil, Chenuda or Nyamanini antigens. The convalescent sera were not tested against dengue type 1 antigen. It is suggested that of the known arboviruses in Egypt, WN is the most important from the public health point of view.
Staphylococcal infection in subdivided general surgical wards
Authors: Edmunds P. N.
Published: May 2009

The spread of Staphylococcus aureus was studied in three general surgical wards of identical design which consisted of a number of separate rooms, and the results were compared with those in the same unit previously studied, in subdivided wards elsewhere and in large open wards.

The nasal carrier rate of Staph. aureus by patients rose during their stay in the ward, but its peak rate was comparable with minimum rates reported in other subdivided wards and was lower than in open wards.

Staphylococcal sepsis rates were lower than in most open wards and were also much lower than those found previously in the same unit when overcrowding was common and each sex had its own ward.