bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation into rabbit infusion media for the growth ofMycoplasma gallisepticumantigens for inoculation into rabbits
Authors: Bradbury Janet M. , Jordan F. T. W.
Published: May 2009

Serum cholesterol in rabbits was elevated, by intravenous inoculation of 20 % Tween 80, to amounts thought to have been sufficient to support growth ofMycoplasma gallisepticumwhen 20 % of such serum was added to rabbit infusion broth.

However, better growth of the organism was obtained with a supplement of 5 % rabbit serum and commercial cholesterol. Investigation showed that normal rabbit serum may be inhibitory, which would explain these findings. The commercial cholesterol was not antigenic.
Mosquito-borne infections in Fiji: I. Filariasis in northern Fiji: epidemiological evidence regarding factors influencing the prevalence of microfilaraemia of Wuchereria bancrofti infections
Authors: Mataika J. U. , Dando B. C. , Spears G. F. S. , Macnamara F. N.
Published: May 2009

A survey of microfilaraemia among the population of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Koro islands in northern Fiji was conducted in 1968 and 1969 as a prelude to a campaign of mass treatment with diethylcarbamazine.

The prevalences of microfilaraemia were found in the more moist conditions of Taveuni and Koro and on the windward southern side of Vanua Levu to be higher than on the drier northern side of Vanua Levu. On both sides of Vanua Levu prevalences were lower inland than near the coast.

Under apparently similar environmental conditions those of Fijian ethnic origin exhibited a higher prevalence of microfilaraemia than that shown by Indians. This ethnic difference and a difference between the prevalences in male and female Fijians are considered to be due more to higher rates of recovery from microfilaraemia in Indians and Fijian women than to diminished exposure to mosquitoes. Mathematical models have been used as an aid to the interpretation of the data, and, where appropriate, comparison has been made with the prevalence of antibodies to dengue, an arbovirus having the same vectors.

Household infections were analysed by computer techniques. Infections in large households were not proportionately higher than in small households, indicating that transmission was not intrafamilial. The clustering of infections within households, though present, was not marked. Among the occupants of outlying settlements the prevalence of microfilaraemia was relatively low indicating a lower risk of infection due to isolation.
The growth and persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus in the bovine mammary gland
Authors: Burrows R. , Mann J. A. , Greig A. , Chapman W. G. , Goodridge D.
Published: May 2009

In animals exposed to foot-and-mouth disease virus by indirect contact, virus was recovered from the blood, milk, pharynx, vagina and rectum for variable periods of time before clinical disease was apparent. Virus instilled into the mammary gland multiplied rapidly and virus concentrations greater than 107 p.f.u./ml. were recorded within 8–32 hr., depending on the virus strain and dose inoculated. Virus multiplication was accompanied by clinical signs of mastitis but the classical signs of foot-and-mouth disease did not appear for 52–117 hr. Dissemination of virus from the mammary gland occurred within 4–24 hr. and in some animals samples taken from the pharynx, mouth, nose and vagina contained virus for periods up to 97 hr. before the appearance of vesicular lesions. Virus production in the udder declined with the appearance of virus neutralizing activity in the blood and the milk but persisted in some animals for periods of 3–7 weeks. The ability of foot-and-mouth disease virus to persist in mammary tissue was confirmed by the demonstration of virus multiplication in the udders of immune animals.
Trials of intranasally administered rubella vaccine
Authors: Hillary Irene B.
Published: May 2009

No evidence of vaccine virus transmission was found in two studies where Wistar RA 27/3 rubella vaccine was administered intranasally. Vaccine was immunogenic in all of 23 vaccinated children in one study, while in the other only 5 of the 11 vaccinees developed antibody. The reduced seroconversion rate in the latter study appears to have been caused by one or a combination of factors, including the vaccination technique, the presence of infective nasal conditions in vaccinees and the titre of vaccine used.
Vaccination against rubella of susceptible schoolgirls in Reading
Authors: Rowlands D. F. , Freestone D. S.
Published: May 2009

This study of 724 13-year-old schoolgirls in the County Borough of Reading showed that approximately 25% were susceptible to rubella. 96·1% of the 129 seronegative girls and significant numbers of girls with low rubella HAI antibody titres responded to subcutaneous vaccination with Wistar RA. 27/3 rubella vaccine. The incidence of most reactions after vaccination was similar in those who responded to vaccine and those who were initially immune but did not develop rising antibody titres, but rash, lymphadenopathy and headache occurred significantly more frequently in the susceptible group.
A comparison of the iodine and fluorescent antibody methods for staining trachoma inclusions in the conjunctiva
Authors: Sowa J. , Collier L. H. , Sowa Shiona
Published: May 2009

In terms of the rate of positive diagnoses the indirect fluorescent antibody (FA) test was rather more effective than iodine for demonstrating trachoma (TRIC) inclusions in conjunctival scrapings, but the degree of advantage was not statistically significant. In duplicate scrapings stained at random by one or the other method, FA staining yielded the higher inclusion count significantly more often than did iodine. Some inclusions that failed to stain with FA were found on subsequent staining with Giemsa. A method is described for improving the post-FA Giemsa staining of conjunctival smears stored at subzero temperatures. Given adequate facilities, the FA stain is preferable to iodine for demonstrating TRIC inclusions in the conjunctiva; but the iodine method, properly used, holds advantages for field use.
Comparison of Tanapox virus and Yaba-like viruses causing epidemic disease in monkeys
Authors: Downie A. W. , España C.
Published: May 2009

The virus of Tanapox isolated from the lesions of patients during an outbreak of mild disease in Africa has been found to be indistinguishable in its biological and serological properties from a virus isolated from outbreaks of a pox virus infection in monkeys in primate centres in America. The natural hosts of this virus are believed to be African monkeys and ‘Tanapox virus’ is proposed as a suitable designation for the virus.
Membrane antigens ofMycoplasma hominis
Authors: Hollingdale M. R. , Lemcke Ruth M.
Published: May 2009

Extraction of membranes ofMycoplasma hominiswithn–butanol showed that antigenicity was associated with thenon-lipid residue, which probably consisted mainly of protein, and not with the lipid itself.

Since many membrane proteins are hydrophobic, membranes were rendered soluble in various ways. Extraction with urea or phenol was the most successful, yielding extracts which were both antigenic and serologically reactive. The urea extract could not be fractionated by polyacrylamide disk electrophoresis or by column chromatography. However, serologically active components identified by gel diffusion were separated from detergent-lysed membranes by polyacrylamide disk electrophoresis. The activities of antisera against these fractions suggested that indirect-haemagglutinating or metabolic-inhibiting antibodies can be directed against several different membrane antigens. However, the antigens identified by gel diffusion probably do not represent all the components participating in indirect haemagglutination.

Treatment of membrane suspensions with heat, alkali, periodate and various enzymes showed that the four components identified by gel diffusion could be distinguished by their differing stabilities and properties. On the basis of their lability and susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes, two were identified as proteins.
Comparative complement-fixation studies with subtype strains of foot-and-mouth disease virus
Authors: Darbyshire J. H. , Hedger R. S. , Arrowsmith Ann E. M.
Published: May 2009

A comparison was made between a macrotechnique in tubes and a microtechnique in plastic plates for complement-fixation tests, using strains of three subtypes of the Asia 1 type of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus. The results obtained with these techniques were found to be comparable and delineated the antigenic relationships of the three strains employed. The microtechnique was considered to be both economical with reagents and capable of similar accuracy and reproducibility to that of the standard method in tubes. It was concluded that the antigenic analysis of subtype strains of FMD virus can be conveniently carried out by the use of the microtechnique as described.
Studies on the adsorption of certain medium proteins to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and their influence on agglutination and haemagglutination reactions
Authors: Bradbury Janet M. , Jordan F. T. W.
Published: May 2009

Serum proteins from Mycoplasma gallisepticum culture medium could be detected on the organisms as a result of incubation at low pH. Only certain of the serum proteins, including IgG and IgM, were found, and the adsorption appears to depress the haemagglutinating activity of the organisms. There was no obvious effect on slide agglutination (SA) sensitivity but an incidental finding was that brief acid treatment enhanced the SA sensitivity of an antigen prepared from a young culture.
Diphtheria in Iran
Authors: Zamiri Iraj , McEntegart M. G. , Saragea Alice
Published: May 2009

A study of diphtheria in Iran was undertaken during the summer of 1969. Diphtheria was found to be more common among the younger people and to reach its peak 3 months after the start of the school term, during the coldest period of the year. Owing to the liberal use of antibiotics a number of modified clinical cases were observed. Of the strains isolated, 89·7% were gravis, 1·3% intermedius and 9 % mitis. Phage typing of these strains showed that the mitis and intermedius strains could only be typed by adapted phages and the majority of gravis strains were phage type XIV, which is the epidemic type seen in other countries.

As the mass immunization campaign reduces the incidence of diphtheria in Iran, the epidemiological pattern of the disease will change as seen in the U.K. and U.S.A. It is, therefore, suggested that in the future further studies of diphtheria in Iran be undertaken in order to provide us with information about the changing epidemiological pattern of the disease.
Serological studies in a student population prone to infection with human papilloma virus
Authors: Cubie Heather A.
Published: May 2009

Four hundred and sixty-seven serum specimens from the female students at a residential college were examined for the presence of circulating antibody to human wart virus using the technique of counter-current immunoelectroosmophoresis. A significantly higher incidence of antibodies was found in students with a past history of plantar warts than in any other group. Antibody took several months to develop and was detectable in 20–30 % of the students up to 9 years after infection. From a few cases of multiple infection, it was shown that reinfection could occur in spite of the presence of circulating antibodies probably of the IgG class. The sensitivity of the test was compared with two recognized techniques for detection of wart virus antibodies, namely gel diffusion and passive haemagglutination.
Comparison of the virulence for mice of Salmonella typhimurium given by the intraperitoneal and subcutaneous routes
Authors: Cronly-Dillon Sujatha
Published: May 2009

Salmonella typhimurium strain 1566 administered to mice by the intraperitoneal route was considerably more lethal than the same dose administered subcutane-ously. This could be measured hi terms of mortality, infectivity and mean survival time of those mice that died.
The evidence for the airborne spread of Newcastle disease
Authors: Hugh-Jones M. , Allan W. H. , Dark F. A. , Harper G. J.
Published: May 2009

Newcastle disease virus has been shown to survive when airborne in small particles, both in the laboratory and in the open air. Field outbreaks have been studied and viable virus has been recovered from the open air short distances downwind of infected premises. Vaccination of birds leads to a great reduction in the amount of virus liberated into the air.
A note on the hygiene of meat mincing machines
Authors: Dempster J. F.
Published: May 2009

Two mincing machines were cleaned by different methods, i.e. (a) a detergent/ sterilizer method and (b) scrubbing parts in boiling (98·8° C.) water. Initial results indicated that, on reassembly, post-treatment contamination took place. Efforts to clean each machine as consisting of two distinct parts, (a) the casing and (b) removable parts, were more satisfactory. Four other mincers which could be completely dis-assembled were satisfactorily cleaned, but only in terms of percentage organisms surviving and not in terms of actual numbers surviving.
Biophysical and immunological studies on the differential effect of guanidine hydrochloride on type A and type B influenza viruses
Authors: David-West Tam. S.
Published: May 2009

Guanidine hydrochloride selectively inactivated both the biological activity and the immunogenicity of the haemagglutinin of influenza A/X-7 (H0N2). The residual neuraminidase was fully active biologically and immunologically. The reverse was observed with influenza B/ROB; with this virus the haemagglutinin was resistant, and was immunogenic; while the neuraminidase was selectively inactivated, and was not immunogenic.
The sterilization of a new building designed for the breeding of specific-pathogen-free animals
Authors: Taylor R. J.
Published: May 2009

An attempt was made to sterilize a newly erected building of approximately 1200 m.3 (43,000 ft.3), specially designed for the breeding of specific-pathogen-free mice, rats and guinea-pigs. Two methods of treatment were used, namely an ampholytic surface acting biocide/formaldehyde aerosol followed after 2 days by formaldehyde vapour. Bacteriological examination was made of 100 sites in the animal rooms, staff quarters and general service area before and after both treatments. Identification of the bacteria isolated was based upon their morphological appearance on laboratory media incubated aerobically and their reaction to Gram's stain. Organisms were isolated from 72/100 sites before treatment, from 50 sites after the first treatment, and from 13 sites after the second treatment. The bacteria that survived both treatments were of several species.
The prevalence of salmonellas in mink
Authors: Williams D. R. , Bellhouse R.
Published: May 2009

The mean isolation rates of salmonellas from the mesenteric lymph nodes and faeces of healthy mink were 16·7% of 618 animals from three farms and 3·9% of 772 animals from four farms respectively. Salmonella senftenberg was the most commonly isolated serotype. S. typhimurium, S. dublin, S. livingstone, S. menston, S. enteritidis, S. bredeney and S. infantis were also seen.

The prevalence of salmonellosis in 316 dead mink from 12 farms was 0·6%.

The epidemiological aspects are discussed.
The local antibody response to R.S. virus infection in the respiratory tract
Authors: Scott R. , Gardner P. S.
Published: May 2009

Nasopharyngeal secretions were taken during the acute phase of illness from 66 infants and children admitted to hospital with lower respiratory tract infections. Second secretions were taken, after an interval of 7 days, from 33 of these patients. A significant increase in neutralizing activity to R.S. virus was demonstrated in the nasopharyngeal secretions of patients in response to severe R.S. virus infection. Seventeen out of 25 patients (68%) with R.S. virus infections developed a rise in secretory neutralizing titre, compared with only 1 out of 8 patients (13%) with respiratory infections not involving R.S. virus.

A high titre of secretory neutralizing activity was found more often in the acute phase of illness in patients with R.S. virus infections, especially bronchiolitis, than in patients with respiratory infections not involving R.S. virus. Fifteen out of 34 patients (44%) with R.S. virus bronchiolitis were found to possess a neutralizing titre of 1/4 or more in their first secretions, compared with 4 out of 12 patients (33%) with R.S. virus infections other than bronchiolitis and 3 out of 20 patients (15%) with respiratory infections not involving R.S. virus.

A quantitative analysis of the immunoglobulins present in the secretions indicated that IgA was the only immunoglobulin consistently present at a detectable concentration. The geometric mean values of IgA, IgM and IgG in the secretions examined were found to be 22·3, 4·3 and 5·3 mg./lOO ml. respectively.

The neutralizing activity against R.S. virus, present in the secretions, was shown to be due to specific IgA antibody. This was accomplished by removing the neutralizing activitv in two secretions bv absorotion with anti-IaA serum.
Skin reactivity and antibody response following vaccination against smallpox
Authors: Terzin A. L. , Vuković B. , Mudrić V. , Banković A.
Published: May 2009

Revaccination between 2 and 5 years after the last vaccination induced higher complement-fixation titres than revaccination 7–63 years after the last vaccination. The highest CF titres were reached during the 3rd to the 5th week after vaccination.

Fifty-two serum samples, taken 137 or more days after a successful vaccination, all showed CF titres lower than 1/2.

In a group of successfully vaccinated persons with no post-vaccinal complications, 65 out of 66 had a successful ‘take’ after one or two subsequent vaccinations.

Sera of persons receiving primary vaccination showed significantly lower CF titres than sera of revaccinated persons. Cases of post-vaccinal encephalitis showed greater antibody response than uncomplicated successfully vaccinated cases in both the primary vaccination and revaccination groups. The antibody response in revaccinated persons with post-vaccinal encephalitis was greater than that in the group of successfully revaccinated cases without encephalitis.

A group of 26 naturally hyporeactive persons completely failed to ‘take’ even after vaccination repeated between 3 and 10 times (average 5 times per person). The frequency of seropositives in this group, and the height of their CF titres, were significantly lower than in the group of successfully vaccinated persons. These findings support the view that untreated persons who repeatedly fail to ‘take’ with the vaccine must not be considered immune.

In vaccinated persons treated with immunoglobulin (with or without simultaneous treatment with Marboran) antibody production was apparently diminished. Treatment of patients with Marboran significantly lowers the capacity of the vaccine to ‘take’.
A study of foot-and-mouth disease virus strains by complement fixation: I. A model for the fixation of complement by antigen/antibody mixtures
Authors: Forman A. J.
Published: May 2009

An examination was made of the relations between antigen, antibody and fixation of complement with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). It was found that complement fixation in this system follows the same principles as models developed in other antigen/antibody systems. The assumption that there is a relation of direct proportionality between the amount of complement fixed and the amount of antiserum reacting with constant antigen was found to be incorrect. An alternative method was proposed for the quantitative differentiation of FMDV strains by comparing the titres of an antiserum when reacting with optimum amounts of homologous or heterologous antigens.
Viruses associated with acute respiratory infections 1961–71
Authors: Higgins P. G.
Published: May 2009

Influenza-like illness, cold and sore throat was the diagnosis given in over 80% of 5177 acute respiratory illnesses in patients swabbed over a 10-year-period. A pathogenic organism was isolated twice as frequently from patients with a sore throat or an influenza-like illness as from those diagnosed as suffering from croup or laryngitis and bronchitis. A laboratory diagnosis was commoner in school children than in older or younger persons.

Most of the organisms isolated were found in association with all types of acute respiratory illness but, with increasing age of the patient, one particular agent or group of agents was more likely to be of aetiological significance.
Preservation of corynebacteriophages by freeze-drying
Authors: Carne H. R. , Greaves R. I. N.
Published: May 2009

A method of freeze-drying is described by which the activity of a series of corynebacteriophages was maintained over a test period of 30 months, whereas some of these strains became inactive if stored as liquid filtered lysates at 4° C, or frozen and held at − 25° C.
The sub-type classification of strains of foot-and-mouth disease virus
Authors: Forman A. J.
Published: May 2009

Sixteen foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) strains of type SAT 1 were compared in complement-fixation tests. With the test used, the range of antigenic variation within a type appeared to be greater than previously described. The concept of a sub-type group within which all strains are more closely related to each other than to any strain outside the group was not supported. Considering the group of strains studied, it is suggested that the classification of strains is best achieved by nominating areference strainfor each sub-type. Others are classified as related strains in one or more sub-type groups according to their relationships with the reference strains.
Characteristics of a Kenyan camelpox virus
Authors: Davies F. G. , Mungai J. N. , Shaw T.
Published: May 2009

A virus was isolated from pock-like vesicular eruptioiis of camels in Northern Kenya. This virus was shown to be a pox virus with many characteristics of members of the Orthopox group. It appears to be identical with camelpox strains from Iran and has similar properties to certain East African variola strains.
Variation among strains of type A foot-and-mouth disease virus in the Eastern Mediterranean region 1964–1972
Authors: Arrowsmith Ann E. M.
Published: May 2009

Variants of type A FMD virus from the Eastern Mediterranean region over the years 1964–72 have been shown to belong to a group distinct from the Western European strains as represented by A5Westerwald. This group appears to derive from the A22strain first recognized in 1964 and indicates the possibility of new strains supplanting old in the field.
Laboratory characteristics of an attenuated influenza type A (H3N2) virus (‘Alice’ strain)
Authors: Lobmann Michèle , Delem Andrée , Peetermans J. , Huygelen C.
Published: May 2009

The Alice strain of live attenuated influenza virus was obtained by selection of a γ inhibitor-resistant strain from a virus recombinant between A/PR/8/34 (H0N1) and A/England/42/72 (H3N2). Its behaviour in vitro and in vivo was studied. Three marker systems were investigated: resistance to serum inhibitors, growth capacity at high temperature and low sensitivity to amantadine hydrochloride. In ferrets the strain was found to be attenuated and immunogenic. Passages in man, animals and eggs have not affected its resistance to γ inhibitors.
Detection of serum proteins in the electrophoretic patterns of total proteins of mycoplasma cells
Authors: Yaguzhinskaya O. E.
Published: May 2009

The contamination of mycoplasma cell preparations by serum proteins originating from culture medium was studied.A. laidlawiiandM. arthritidiscells were grown in the presence of [14C]-aminoacids, and the cells were washed with 0·9% NaCl by threefold centrifugation. Total proteins of the washed cells were analysed by SDS gel electrophoresis. Coomassie-stained electrophoretic patterns were compared with autoradiographs of the same gels. The stained electrophoretic pattern of washedA. laidlawiigrown without serum was identical with autoradiographs of the same cells grown without or with serum. That of washedA. laidlawiigrown with serum differed from the corresponding autoradiograph by the presence of extra protein bands I, II, III, and IV with molecular weights of over 160,000, 80,000–87,000, 55,000 and 25,000, respectively. The same extra bands were found in stained electrophoretic patterns of washed: (a)A. laidlawiicells grown without serum and mixed with serum in the stationary phase, (b)M. arthritidiscells, as compared with their autoradiographs, (c) serum precipitate. The bands III and IV may be due to the heavy and light chains of γ-globulin, the band II might belong to transferrin or to some component of complement. Acidification of serum to pH 5 brought about 100-fold rise of amount of serum precipitate, the number of bands in the electrophoretic pattern of the precipitate being also increased. Stained electrophoretic patterns of cells purified by twofold centrifugation in step sucrose density gradient (1·20–1·27 g./cm.3forA. laidlawii,and 1·15–1·25 forM. arthritidis) contained no extra bands and matched completely with their autoradiographs.

It was concluded that contamination of washed mycoplasma cells by serum proteins is mainly due to co-precipitation of aggregated serum proteins together with cells during centrifugation rather than to adsorption of serum proteins on the cell surface.
Comparison of cotton swab versus alginate swab sampling method in the bacteriological examination of broiler chickens
Authors: Notermans S. , Hindle Valery , Kampelmacher E. H
Published: May 2009

Comparison of bacterial counts of poultry carcass skin by the cotton swab and alginate swab methods showed no differences between the two sampling methods in total counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts. Also no differences were found in Salmonella isolations.
The assessment in sheep of an inactivated vaccine of parainfluenza 3 virus incorporating double stranded RNA (BRL 5907) as adjuvant
Authors: Wells P. W. , Sharp J. M. , Burrells C. , Rushton B. , Smith W. D.
Published: May 2009

The serological responses of conventionally reared sheep were compared after vaccination with inactivated parainfluenza 3 (PI3) virus incorporated in three different adjuvants. Inactivated PI3 virus with the double-stranded RNA, BRL 5907 in an oil emulsion was shown to stimulate higher serum antibody titres over the first 5 weeks after vaccination than virus with and without BCG emulsified in oil. The ability of this vaccine to protect specific pathogen-free lambs against challenge with PI3 virus was examined in a second experiment. In this experiment the vaccine stimulated virus neutralizing and haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies in the serum. After intranasal and intratracheal inoculation with PI3 virus at challenge, vaccinated lambs showed no clinical illness and virus isolation was confined, except in one lamb, to the first two days. In contrast, unvaccinated lambs developed respiratory disease and virus was isolated daily for 7 days after challenge.
Klebsiella serotyping by counter-current immunoelectrophoresis
Authors: Palfreyman Judith M.
Published: May 2009

The development of aKlebsiellaserotyping method by counter-current immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) is described.

Antisera were prepared against the capsular antigens of 72 type strains and tested for the specificity and strength of their precipitin reactions with antigens from homologous and heterologous serotypes. All antisera produced strong reactions with their homologous antigen: when diluted to titre 63 were highly specific, 3 cross-reacted strongly and 6 weakly with one other antigen. Pools of antisera for screening purposes were constructed on the basis of common cross-reactions: component serotypes of each pool could be detected strongly and specifically.

The technique is simple to perform, fairly rapid, and economical in the use of antisera. Results can be read easily and quickly and the intensity of cross-reactions compared directly. The technique appears to be more specific and is less time consuming than the Quellung method, but further assessment of its efficacy in typing routine clinical cultures is necessary.
The relative immunogenicity in mice of whole and split influenza virus
Authors: Gandhi S. S.
Published: May 2009

The relative immunogenicity in mice of whole influenza virus, and virus split with different disrupting agents, was compared. Using the single radial immunodiffusion test to estimate the haemagglutinin antigen concentration in different virus preparations, it was found that, in general, split virus preparations induced substantially lower titres of HI antibody in mice than whole virus after one or two injections of the antigen.
Resistance to chloramphenicol and ampicillin in Salmonella johannesburg in Hong Kong: observations over a five-year period 1973-1977
Authors: Chau P. Y. , Wong W. T. , Fok Y. P.
Published: May 2009

Samonella johannesburg has been prevalent in Hong Kong since 1973 and most strains were resistant to a multiplicity of antibiotics. The susceptibility of S. johannesburg strains isolated in a 5-year period from 1973 to 1977 to eight antimicrobial drugs including ampicillin (A), streptomycin (S), tetracycline (T), chloramphenicol (C), Kanamycin (K), sulphadiazine (Su), trimethoprim (Tm) and gentamicin (G) was tested by the agar dilution method. The proportion of strains resistant to chloramphenicol and ampicillin increased steadily during the 5-year period while those resistant to tetracycline decreased dramatically. This change was associated with an alteration of predominant patterns of antibiotic resistance: strains with the resistance pattern A.S.T.C.K.Su predominated in years 1973, 1974 and 1975 while those with the resistance pattern A.S.C.K.Su predominated in years 1976 and 1977. Analysis of the resistance patterns of S. johannesburg strains isolated from the same cases showed that the resistance pattern A.S.C.K.Su was more stable, and changed less frequently to other patterns of resistance than strains with the resistance pattern A.S.T.C.K.Su. In donor salmonella strains with the A.S.T.C.K.Su resistance pattern, transmissible factorscarrying resistance to A.S.T.C.K.Su in to to, to A.S.T.C.Su, A.T.C.K.Su and to A or T alone were demonstrated. In donor salmonella strains with the A.S.C.K.Su resistance pattern, transmissible factors carrying resistance to A.S.C.K.Su in toto and to A.S.K.Su were detected. The significance of the carriage of such transmissible resistance factors by this Salmonella is briefly discussed.
The development and use of a test to identify resistance to the anticoagulant difenacoum in the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Redfern R. , Gill J. E.
Published: May 2009

Feeding tests were carried out in the laboratory to obtain basic data on the susceptibility of wild Norway rats to difenacoum. The results were used to derive a standard test procedure for the identification of difenacoum resistance in warfarin-susceptible and resistant rats. Details are given of tests on rats from suspected difenacoum-resistant infestations on farms.
Comparison of oral sucrose and glucose electrolyte solutions in the out-patient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy
Authors: Hutchins P. , Matthews T. H. J. , Manly J. E. , Lawrie B. , Walker-smith J. A.
Published: May 2009

Seventy-three children under the age of 18 months presenting with acute gastroenteritis were given an electrolyte mixture with added sucrose or glucose in a randomized double-blind trial. The time taken to recovery in those successfully treated as out-patients was identical. However, of the 34 who received glucose, 11 (32%) required admission compared with 7 (18%) of the 39 who received sucrose. There was a wide range of osmolality of the made-up feeds, indicating inaccuracy in diluting the solutions as prescribed, but this did not in general correlate with need for admission.

Sucrose-electrolyte solution is at least as effective as a glucose-electrolyte solution for the out-patient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy. The cheapness and easy availability of sucrose commends its use in developed and developing countries.
Detergents compared with each other and with antiseptics as skin ‘degerming’ agents
Authors: Lilly H. A. , Lowbury E. J. L. , Wilkins M. D.
Published: May 2009

Three detergent preparations (bar soap, ‘Hibiscrub’ base and ‘LIC 76’), two antiseptic preparations (0·5% chlorhexidine in 95% ethyl alcohol and an alcohol jelly, ‘Alcogel’), and one antiseptic-detergent solution (4% chlorhexidine gluconate in a detergent base, ‘Hibiscrub’) were compared for their effectiveness, on a single use, in reducing the yield of bacteria from the hands of volunteers. The antiseptic and antiseptic-detergent preparations were more effective than the detergents, with a mean reduction in yield of skin bacteria of 96·0% after use of alcoholic chlorhexidine and of 81·2% after use of Hibiscrub. One of the detergents, LIC 76, appeared more effective than the others, causing a mean reduction in the yield of skin bacteria of 41·5%, compared with reductions of 4·6% by the Hibiscrub detergent base and an increase of 3·2% with bar soap; unlike the other detergents, LIC 76 was found to have appreciable bacteristatic and bactericidal properties.
Gastroenteritis in London and Jamaica: a clinical and bacteriological study
Authors: Ellis-Pegler R. B. , Higgs R. , Lambert H. P.
Published: May 2009

The flora of both faeces and small bowel lumen was studied in children with gastroenteritis from London, England, and Kingston, Jamaica.

Clinical and laboratory differences between these two groups are described.

All bacterial groups in the faeces were greatly altered during gastroenteritis and this particularly affected anaerobic organisms. These changes generally reverted rapidly to normal after the illness.

The small bowel flora was also altered during gastroenteritis; there was a tendency for a wider range of organisms including anaerobes to be isolated from the children in Jamaica than from those in England.
Escherichia coliin gastroenteritis of children in London and Jamaica
Authors: Ellis-Pegler R. B. , Lambert H. P. , Rowe B. , Gross R. J.
Published: May 2009

The jejunal and stool flora of children with gastroenteritis in London and in Jamaica was examined. Although bacterial colonization of the small bowel was commonly detected, it was unusual to find the same serotype ofE. coliin both jejunum and stool, and none of the jejunal strains ofE. coliproduced either heat-labile or heat-stable enterotoxin. Some strains ofE. colicausing infant gastroenteritis are neither toxigenic nor invasive, and other mechanisms must be sought to account for their pathogenicity.
Microbiological aspects of polyphosphate injection in the processing and chill storage of poultry
Authors: Mead G. C. , Adams B. W.
Published: May 2009

During commercial processing of broiler chickens, injection of polyphosphate (Puron 604 or 6040) resulted in microorganisms being added to the deep breast muscle. The level of contamination was related to the microbiological condition of the injection solution.

Injection of polyphosphate had no effect on the shelf-life of fresh chilled carcasses held at 1° or 10°C but changes were observed in the growth rate of microorganisms in the deep muscle and in the composition of the muscle microflora following storage.

Cross-contamination of carcasses and the transfer of organisms from the skin to the deep muscle during injection was demonstrated with a marker strain ofClostridium perfringens. However, both processes were influenced by the number of marker organisms applied initially to the skin.

The above findings are discussed in relation to the possible behaviour of any food poisoning bacteria present.
Nosocomial klebsiellas: II. Transfer in a hospital ward
Authors: Haverkorn Michael J. , Michel M. F.
Published: May 2009

During a 6-month period an epidemiological survey of the carriage ofKlebsiellawas conducted in a hospital ward where no outbreak of nosocomial infection occurred. In this endemic situation the regular sampling of several sites on patients, members of the nursing staff, and the environment, and the biotyping ofKlebsiellamade it possible to analyse the patterns of transmission between sites. There was abundant evidence for striking transmission ofKlebsiellabetween the throat, hands, and faeces of patients. Transmission between patients seemed to be mainly through hands. The role of nurses' hands in transmission was not evident from this survey, probably due to the relatively long interval (a week) between samplings. Through the hands of patients, wash stands and the surrounding floor were contaminated withKlebsiella. The biotyping ofKlebsiellafacilitated the epidemiological analysis of the results.
Haemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against four prototype strains of influenza A virus in different age groups
Authors: Terzin A. L. , Djurišić S. , Vuković B. , Vujkov V.
Published: May 2009

Sera of 197 apparently well persons were tested for residual haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against live Hong Kong/68, A/FM/47 and A/PR/34 strains. Sera of 62 well persons, regularly exposed to contacts with swine, were tested against an inactivated A/New Jersey/76 antigen.

Those born some time before and during a certain influenza era showed a significantly greater proportion of homologous residual titres against the subtype prevailing in that influenza era, than those born after the termination of the same era.

In each of the seven age groups tested both the percentage of positives and the geometric mean titres were usually highest against the Hong Kong strain (representing the most recent era); the next highest were those against the FM1 strain and the lowest were those against the PR8 strain (representing the most distant of these three influenza eras).

The serological involvement of donors exposed to regular contacts with swine was relatively stronger against the New Jersey antigen than the response of other serum donors shown against the other three, more recent, prototypes of influenza virus A. The oldest age groups showed significantly lower antibody response against the PR8, FM1 and Hong Kong strains (but not against the New Jersey antigen) than the next one or two of the younger age groups.
The effect of relative humidity on swine vesicular disease virus in dried films before and during formaldehyde fumigation
Authors: Batty Elizabeth , Farmer Yvonne L. , Breame A. J. , Bruce W.
Published: May 2009

Swine Vesicular Disease virus (SVDV) did not survive drying at high relative humidities (r.h.) but there was little virus loss at low r.h.

Purified virus dried in films was inactivated by formaldehyde fumigation only at high r.h. Inactivation was also influenced by the suspending medium from which the virus was dried. Purified virus resuspended in distilled water and then dried, was rapidly killed, but that in tissue culture fluid survived.
Wound infections after surgery in a modern operating suite: clinical, bacteriological and epidemiological findings
Authors: Bengtsson Stellan , Hambraeus Anna , Laurell Gunnar
Published: May 2009

A prospective study of 2983 operations in general and orthopaedic surgery during 3 years performed in four operating theatres in a modern operating suite was carried out in order to evaluate the importance of airborne infection. Weekly nose-and-throat samples were taken from the surgical staff and pre-operative samples were taken from the nose, throat, skin and perineum of the patients. The air contamination was followed by using settle plates, which showed low mean counts of total bacteria of between 9 and 15 c.f.u./m2/min, with mean counts of Staph. aureus of between 0.03 and 0.06 c.f.u./m2/min. No correlation was found between the total number of bacteria and the incidence of post-operative infections or between the amount of Staph. aureus in the air and post-operative Staph. aureus infections. It was concluded that further increases in ventilation could, at best, only marginally affect the incidence of post-operative infection.

The post-operative wound-infection rate was 9.0%. In various types of surgery, the infection rates varied from 5.3% in clean operations to 47.6% in dirty surgery. About one third of the infections were classified as moderate or severe.

Adverse patient factors, such as immunodeficiency, steroid treatment, intensive care, etc., increased the rate to 15.0%; in ‘normal’ patients it was 3.8%.

Among the bacteria isolated, gram-negative bacilli (31% of wounds), often together with other bacteria, and Staph. aureus (28%) predominated, but in 25% no specimens were taken.

Of 76 post-operative Staph. aureus infections, 32 were caused by the patients' own strains, and of the remaining 44 infections, 22, or 8% of all infections, could be traced to strains present in the air and/or the respiratory tracts of staff during the operation.

The length of pre-operative hospital stay had no influence on the carrier rate of Staph. aureus in patients. The incidence of post-operative wound infection was significantly higher in patients carrying Staph. aureus and was even higher if these bacteria were found on the skin.

Patients with wound infections stayed, on an average, 15 days longer than patients without infections. In serious infections the increase in duration of stay was > 20 days. Although infections were commoner in older patients, the average additional hospital stay of infected patients did not increase with age. If the post-operative infections studied in a concurrent retrospective study are taken into account more than 12 000 bed-days were due to post-surgical wound infections in the period studied or, in other words, some 12 beds (corresponding to 5.5% of the total) were always occupied by infected patients.
The effect of air ionization on the air-borne transmission of experimental Newcastle disease virus infections in chickens
Authors: Estola Timo , mäkelä Paavo , Hovi Tapani
Published: May 2009

The effect of artificial air-ionization on air-borne transmission of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection in chickens was studied in an isolated system consisting of two side-by-side cages with solid walls and a wire-gauze roof. During a 3-week observation period more than 90% of the uninoculated indicator chickens, housed in one of the cages, contracted the virus shed to the air by the NDV-inoculated, diseased birds in the neighbouring cage. This air-borne transmission of NDV was completely prevented by increasing the ion concentration in the test room by a constant negative corona discharge above the wire-gauze roof. On the other hand, spreading of the infection within a group of chickens housed in a single cage was not affected by air ionization.

These and other results suggest that artificial air-ionization may protect animals from certain air-borne infections by interfering with microbial aerosol formation and/or by facilitating their decay.
The serological diagnosis of whooping cough
Authors: macaulay Margaret E.
Published: May 2009

Indirect haemagglutination (IHA), agglutination and complement fixation tests (CFT) for Bordetella pertussis antibodies were compared on paired sera from 52 suspected cases of whooping cough and single sera from 83 children with no recent history of whooping cough. All three tests detected serotype antibodies 1, 2 and 3, but the IHA test was the most sensitive; in seven cases it was the only test to show a rise in titre. It is recommended, particularly with vaccinated children, that the serological diagnosis of whooping cough should be based upon a rise in titre. There should be a gap of at least 2–4 weeks between serum samples, depending on the age and vaccination state of the child. The CFT appears to detect a different antibody from that detected by the other two tests, and in three cases it was the only test to show a rise in titre.
The relative resistance of f2 bacteriophage to inactivation by disinfectants
Authors: Drulak Murray , Wallbank Alfred M. , Lebtag Ingrid
Published: May 2009

f2 bacteriophage in the presence of fetal calf serum (at a final concentration of 10%) was exposed to six commonly used disinfectants for times of 10, 20 and 30 sec. At the end of exposure times skim milk neutralized the disinfectant activity and residual virus was assayed using the plaque technique. The 6 disinfectants considered were Javex, sodium hydroxide, ethanol, Wescodyne, One Stroke Ves-Phene and Sonacide. A 0.25% (w/v) solution of sodium hydroxide and 1/50 Javex (1200 parts/106chlorine) were the most effective of the six disinfectants considered since 105f2 bacteriophage were inactivated in 30 seconds in each instance. Since a 0.25% (w/v) solution of sodium hydroxide had a pH of 12.5 this made it too caustic to use as a disinfectant in many practical situations. It was concluded therefore that Javex at some dilution less than 1/50 (greater than 1200 parts/106chlorine) was the most practical of the six disinfectants to use. Ethanol (95%, v/v) inactivated 103f2 bacteriophage in 30 seconds while 1/20 Wescodyne and undiluted Sonacide inactivated 101virus particles. Ves-Phene at a dilution of 1/50 was a completely ineffective virucide during the 30 sec exposure. The resistance of f2 bacteriophage to inactivation by these six disinfectants was compared with that of echovirus 11 and coxsackievirus B5. In all instances except exposure to undiluted Sonacide, f2 was comparable in resistance to inactivation and in many cases had greater resistance.
Measurement of endotoxins with the limulus test in burned patients
Authors: Jones R. J. , Roe E. A.
Published: May 2009

High titres of endotoxin as measured by the Limulus test were usually found in burned patients who had raised body temperatures, and were colonized with gram-negative bacteria; also some infected patients showed raised endotoxin without a raised temperature.

Patients vaccinated with an antipseudomonas vaccine rarely showed endotoxin in their plasma but occasional plasma samples from vaccinated patients had a high titre of endotoxin which appeared unrelated to infection or to a raised temperature in the patient.
Vaccination against influenza: a five-year study in the Post Office
Authors: Smith J. W. G. , Pollard R.
Published: May 2009

An injection of influenza vaccine was offered to approximately 60 000 Postal and Telecommunications staff at the beginning of five successive winters. The sickness absence of this group, which included those who accepted the offer of vaccine as well as those who did not, was compared throughout the winter with that of a similar number of employees who were not offered vaccine. The two groups, ‘vaccinated’ and control, comprised the staff of nearly 400 Post Office units scattered throughout Great Britain, the units of the two groups being matched as far as practicable for numbers employed, type of work, region and type of location.

The proportion who accepted vaccine fell from 42% in the first year (when only 26 000 Telecommunications employees were offered vaccine) to 35% in the second year, and 25% by the fifth year.

With the exception of Telecommunications employees in 1972–73, the sickness absence rate of the group offered vaccine was less than that of the group not offered vaccine, and the difference was evident during the winter observation periods both when influenza was prevalent and when it was not. In the last four years of the study the average difference in sickness absence between the ‘vaccinated’ and control groups was 1.26 days per 100 employees per week during and 1.12 days outside the influenza periods. Moreover, the difference during the influenza periods was greater than could be expected from the acceptance rate of vaccine and the estimated attack rate of influenza. The apparent reduction in sickness absence of the group offered vaccine in comparison with the groupnot offered vaccine represented an appreciable saving in cost.

It is suggested than an annual influenza vaccination campaign in industry may produce financial benefit, but that only a proportion of the benefit is due to an improvement in health.