bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subtypes of hepatitis B antigen among patients and symptomless carriers
Authors: Green Helen T. , Turner G. C.
Published: May 2009

A study of the distribution of subtypesadandayamong sera from hepatitis B antigen-positive subjects in North West England and North Wales revealed a marked contrast between symptomless carriers among whomadpredominated and patients with acute hepatitis the majority of whom wereay.Those with hepatitis associated with drug addiction or other forms of ‘needle transmission’ were almost all of subtypeay.On the other hand in cases of ‘sporadic’ hepatitis without evidence of parenteral exposure subtypesadandayare about equally distributed.

These findings are similar to those reported from other countries in Northern Europe and North America. Although geographical and social factors clearly affect the distribution of the two subtypes it is suggested that the virus of subtypeaymay be more readily transmitted than subtypeadby parenteral routes involving small amounts of blood.
Warmth and comfort in the subtropical winter: a study in Brisbane schools
Authors: Auliciems A.
Published: May 2009

Winter thermal sensations of secondary and primary school-children in Queensland are related to air temperature. Neutrality is estimated by regression analysis of over 6000 assessments and a lower comfort limit is suggested to include 80% of the children. Cold discomfort is seen as the main problem, and comparison is made to an earlier study in England.
Pseudomonas aeruginosainfection in hospital: a comparison between ‘infective’ and ‘environmental’ strains
Authors: Al-Dujaili A. H. , Harris D. M.
Published: May 2009

One hundred and fifty-six infections or episodes of infection associated withPseudomonas aeruginosain six hospitals over 14 months were investigated. Pyocine typing and serotyping suggested that 145 distinct episodes had occurred, caused by 78 different strains. During this period 15 distinct strains were isolated from the environment at one of the hospitals; 12 of these were apparently un-associated with infection in the same ward during the period, and 4 were of types not encountered in infective processes at any hospital. There appeared to be a rather higher proportion of unclassifiable pyocine inhibition patterns among the environmental strains; in general these strains also produced smaller amounts of haemolysin. If failure to produce haemolysinin vitrois correlated with lack of virulencein vivo, this may partially explain the sporadic nature of hospital infection withPs. aeruginosa, despite the prevalence of strains of this species in the environment.
The diagnosis of salmonella abortion in cattle with particular reference toSalmonella dublin.A review
Authors: Hinton M.
Published: May 2009

The diagnosis of abortion in cattle caused bySalmonella dublindepends upon the isolation of the organism from either the products of conception, uterine discharges, vaginal mucus or milk together with serological evidence of active infection.S. dublinmay be isolated when an active or a latent carrier cow aborts but in these cases an active infection will not be demonstrable. The retrospective identification of a case ofS. dublinabortion may prove difficult as excretion of the organism is usually transient and the serum agglutinating antibodies frequently fall to low titres soon after the abortion.
Virulence factors ofFrancisella tularensis
Authors: Hood A. M.
Published: May 2009

The mechanism causing viableFrancisella tularensisto lose virulence in aerosols has been investigated. Fully virulent organisms were found to be encapsulated and avirulent organisms from aged aerosols, decapsulated. Capsules were also removed by suspension ofF. tularensisin hypertonic sodium chloride. The resulting naked, but viable, organisms were predominantly avirulent for guinea-pigs challenged intraperitoneally. Capsular material and cell walls were found to contain large amounts of lipid, about 50 and 70% (w/w) respectively, and to differ in lipid and sugar composition. Isolated capsular material was not found to contain a lethal toxin for mice or guinea-pigs, or to induce an immunological response in these animals to fully virulentF. tularensis.
Bacterial contamination control mats: a comparative study
Authors: Meddick H. M.
Published: May 2009

The ability of six different types of contamination control mats currently in use at the entrances to theatre suites and other clean areas to remove bacteria-carrying particles from theatre trolley wheels was compared. Marked differences in the effectiveness of this property were obtained; and all mats showed some disadvantages. Modification of one of the mats has resulted in improved efficiency under working conditions.
Antibodies and the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak of 1964: I. The Widal reaction
Authors: Brodie B J.
Published: May 2009

The outbreak of typhoid fever in Aberdeen during 1964 (Walker, 1965) presented an opportunity to study the antibody titres of typhoid fever patients and of TAB immunized individuals to obtain further knowledge concerning the behaviour of these titres with the passage of time.

This paper gives an abbreviated version of part of a research programme which followed the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak of 1964.

The antibody titres of patients were followed up for a period of 2 years after discharge from hospital and the findings have been compared with those in TAB immunized healthy individuals. The following points emerged:

(1) The value of the Widal test as an aid to diagnosis was limited;

(2) the flagellar antibody titre in patients' sera provided a more reliable aid towards diagnosis than did the somatic antibody titre;

(3) the response of immunized and non-immunized patients to the somatic antigens was poor and often delayed well into the period following discharge from hospital;

(4) titres of 1/40 and over for Vi agglutinins were present in immunized and non-immunized patients for at least 12 months after discharge without their beingS. typhiexcretors;

(5) Vi agglutinin titres as high as 1/40 were present in TAB immunized healthy individuals and also in members of the general public;

(6) the presence ofS. typhisepticaemia need not result in a high antibody titre; (7) patients who relapse, may do so without enhancement of previous antibody titres and may relapse even in the presence of earlier appreciable titres.
The investigation of a recurrence of an AHC virus epidemic at Lucknow: a serosurvey for AHC virus antibodies before and after the epidemic
Authors: Mathur Asha , Sharma Bharti , Chaturvedi U. C.
Published: May 2009

An epidemic of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) recurred at Lucknow during July to September 1975, after a gap of 4 years. Out of the 35 cases investigated thoroughly, 20 Entero-70-like cytopathogenic agents were isolated from the conjunctiva which were neutralized by antisera against AHC virus J670/71 of Japan. Seroconversion was seen in 7 out of 11 paired sera from patients. Serological study was also done on 100 sera after 1975 epidemic. There were no neutralizing antibodies in the pre-epidemic period, while 18% of sera after the first epidemic and 32% after the second epidemic showed antibodies. The incidence of antibodies was highest (43%) in children aged below 10 years. Of the children born after the first epidemic, 44% had antibodies. Thus our findings show that the AHC virus appeared for the first time at Lucknow in 1971 and the almost complete absence of disease in children, and its mildness during second epidemic, may be due to immunity.
Survival of Salmonella eastbourne and Salmonella typhimurium in milk chocolate prepared with artificially contaminated milk powder
Authors: Tamminga S. K. , Beumer R. R. , Kampelmacher E. H. , van Leusden F. M.
Published: May 2009

Milk chocolate mass containing salmonellas was prepared by mixing artificially contaminated milk powder with the other ingredients at a temperature of about 40 °C. From this mass bars were made. Two series were prepared, with S. eastbourne and S. typhimurium respectively. The number of surviving salmonellas was counted after various periods of storage, up to 19 months. S. eastbourne was reduced in numbers during 19 months from an initial count of ca. 3 × 104 to ca. 3 × 102 per 100 g of chocolate. S. typhimurium died off more rapidly, and was not detectable in about 55 g after 15 months, in spite of an initial count of ca. 105 per 100g.

In these experiments the salmonellas in the milk powder had had to survive the spraying procedure and the adverse conditions in the dried powder. This may be the reason why S. eastbourne showed a distinctly better survival on storage than the same serotype showed in previous experiments in which the organism was added as a broth culture to the chocolate mix. With S. typhimurium, however, such a difference was hardly detectable.

Possible explanations of these results are discussed.
The effect of ABO blood groups on the incidence of epidemic influenza and on the response to live attenuated and detergent split influenza virus vaccines
Authors: Mackenzie J. S. , Fimmel P. J.
Published: May 2009

The effect of blood group status on the incidence of epidemic influenza A (H3N2) infections and on serological response to influenza vaccination with killed subunit and live attenuated vaccines have been investigated during comparative vaccine trials in Western Australia. A significantly higher incidence of epidemic influenza was observed in subjects of blood group B compared with those of other blood groups, regardless of whether they had serological evidence of previous exposure to H3N2 antigens or not. Volunteers of different blood groups exhibited similar seroconversion frequencies to both vaccines after the administration of two doses, but a significantly higher proportion of blood group A subjects seroconverted after receiving their first dose of live attenuated vaccine compared with those of other blood groups. Although this finding was inconsistent with the increased incidence of epidemic influenza in subjects of blood group B, it is discussed in terms of the methods employed to obtain attenuation. Higher geometric mean HI antibody titres were observed in blood group O subjects after the administration of killed subunit vaccine. The results described in this report supported the contention that genetic factors linked to ABO blood groups may play a role in susceptibility to infection with influenza A virus, but that any association must be indirect.
Relationship between lymphocyte response to tetanus toxoid and age of lymphocyte donor
Authors: Peel M. M. , Edsall G. , White W. G. , Barnes G. M.
Published: May 2009

An investigation of thein vitroresponsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to tetanus toxoid was undertaken to determine the extent to which such reactivity might reflectin vivoreactions to tetanus toxoid immunization. It was found that lymphocyte transformation in the presence of tetanus toxoid, as measured by the uptake of tritiated thymidine, did not differ significantly for the group giving local or systemic reactions to tetanus toxoid and an immune control group. However, a striking inverse relation between lymphocyte reactivity to tetanus toxoid and age of the cell donors of both groups became clear. Such an age-related decline in thein vitroresponsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to a specific antigen has apparently not been reported previously in man.
Two epidemics of diarrhoeal disease possibly caused byPlesiomonas shigelloides
Authors: Tsukamoto Teizo , Kinoshita Yoshio , Shimada Toshio , Sakazaki Riichi
Published: May 2009

Two epidemics of water-borne diarrhoeal disease involving a total of 1000 persons are reported. In both epidemics, none of the usual bacterial enteropathogens were recognized andPlesiomonas shigelloideswas the only suspect aetiological agent isolated. The ecology ofP. shigelloideswas investigated in these outbreaks. It was recognized as an inhabitant of fresh surface water and its presence was closely related to warm weather.
Geographical distribution of the dermatophytes: a review
Authors: Philpot Christine M.
Published: May 2009

In these days of rapid transit from continent to continent, and the increasing mobility of people, agents of disease are no longer geographically restricted. Disease contracted half way across the world may become manifest in a country in which the pathogen is not normally found. Thus knowledge of the geographical distribution of pathogens becomes increasingly important when a diagnosis is being made. This is as true of ringworm fungi as of any other group of micro-organisms. In the last 12 years, in the Mycological Reference Laboratory, an increasing number of exotic dermatophytes have been seen, related in part at least to the great increase in the number of non-British residents.
Trials of the rodenticide pyriminil against wild house mice (Mus musculus L.)
Authors: Rowe F. P. , Swinney T. , Bradfield A.
Published: May 2009

Pen and field trials were conducted to assess the performance of the acute rodenticide pyriminil against the house mouse (Mus musculus L.). Four types of poison treatment were carried out using penned family groups of warfarin-resistant mice supplied with alternative plain foods. In each treatment pyriminil was included at 2% in a wholemeal flour/pinhead oatmeal/corn oil bait. Mortality was highest (46/54; 85·2%) when poison bait was offered for 4 days following 3 days of pre-baiting The same pre-baiting and poisoning technique was adopted in five field trials carried out against mice infesting farm building The efficacy of each poison treatment was estimated from the results of pre- and post-treatment census baitings; treatment success ranged between 53·7% and 96·7%, mean 80·5% It is concluded that pyriminil treatments are best carried out after a period of pre-baiting and that when pyriminil is used in this manner it is about as effective as zinc phosphide for the control of mice
Conversion of Bordetella pertussis to Bordetella parapertussis
Authors: Kumazawa Norichika H. , Yoshikawa Masanosuke
Published: May 2009

The epidemiological and drug susceptibility data on whooping cough suggested a possibility that Bordetella pertussis converts in some way to Bordetella parapertussis. To prove this, B. pertussis strain 75 was treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and a mutant resistant to staphcillin V and eight mutants resistant to trimethoprim were isolated. The staphcillin V-resistant mutant of B. pertussis agreed with all of the criteria of B. parapertussis and the trimethoprimresistant mutants also agreed with many of these criteria. Thus, a hypothesis is presented that B. parapertussis is a mutant of B. pertussis which appeared in nature probably by a selective pressure of antibiotics.
A study of acute respiratory disease in the community of Port Chalmers I. Illnesses within a group of selected families and the relative incidence of respiratory pathogens in the whole community
Authors: Jennings L. C. , MacDiarmid R. D. , Miles J. A. R.
Published: May 2009

A study of respiratory diseases in the semi-isolated community of Port Chalmers, New Zealand, began in April 1973. The intensive surveillance of a selected group of 26 families involved the weekly reporting of illness, the collection of specimens for virus, Group A streptococci and Mycoplasma pneumoniae isolation and the collection of sera at 6-month intervals. A total of 956 illnesses were reported during 32 months. The median number of illnesses per year were: infants 4·4, children 2·5, female adults 2·4 and male adults 2·0. Of all these illnesses, 57% were upper respiratory, 31% were lower respiratory and 9% were enteric. The severity of these illnesses was not greater than would be expected in open communities. Surveillance by pathogen isolation only of the whole community through the patients in the general practice was carried out concurrently.

A total of 640 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected from which 161 viruses, 47 Group A streptococci and 2 M. pneumoniae were isolated. The overall isolation rate was 33%. The similarities between the epidemiological patterns of respiratory disease in the open community and the isolated community are discussed.
The distribution ofBacteroides fragilisserotypes amongst clinical strains
Authors: Elhag K. M. , Tabaqchali Soad
Published: May 2009

Three hundred and twenty-two strains ofBacteroides fragilisisolated from infected patients at three different hospitals were tested against 20 type specificB. fragilisantisera using the tube agglutination technique. Of these strains 41·3% were assigned to a single O-serotype, a further 20·5% were agglutinated by several antisera and could not be classified and the remainder showed no reactions. Three different serotypes were prevalent in the three hospitals and minor geographical variation was observed.

No correlation was found between serotypes and the origin of infection, but those from the blood were the most readily typable strains. No correlation was found between serotypes and biotypes ofB. fragilis.
An investigation into the incidence and sources of klebsiella infections in hospital patients
Authors: Cooke E. Mary , Brayson Janet C. , Edmondson A. S. , Hall Diana
Published: May 2009

Coliforms isolated from infections over a period of 22 months were examined and 16° were shown to be klebsiellas. The biochemical reactions and serotypes of these klebsiellas were determined and the relationship between species, serotype and type of infection investigated. Although no obvious outbreaks of infection occurred during this period a number of clusters of isolations of the same serotype of klebsiella were found.

Using an enrichment method for the isolation of klebsiellas from faeces, sero and bacteriocin typing, and the examination of ten colonies, it was demonstrated that half of the patients carried a klebsiella of the same type in the bowel as caused the infection.
Rhinoviruses in Britain 1963–1973
Authors: Roebuck Mary O.
Published: May 2009

The serological examination of over 900 rhinovirus strains isolated in Britain over a 10-year period has demonstrated a wide variety of different serotypes. Their seasonal and temporal distribution are described and discussed.
A bacteriological survey of washrooms and toilets
Authors: Mendes M. P. , Lynch D. J.
Published: May 2009

A survey of the bacterial flora present at various positions in 130 male and female washrooms and toilets is reported. Several bacteria of faecal origin were found in large numbers: the areas likely to be the most important sources of cross-infection from faecal contamination are indicated. The results are used to assess priorities for disinfection.
Age–sex distribution of various diseases with particular reference to toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy
Authors: Beverley J. K. A. , Fleck D. G. , Kwantes W. , Ludlam G. B.
Published: May 2009

An account is given of some human diseases which affect one sex more than the other.

An age–sex relationship has been noted among British patients with acquired toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy. This is compared with the findings of other European workers.

A possible explanation is offered taking all these diseases into consideration together with some of the experimental work done in animals and some of the variations in immunological responses by man.
Mouse or man? Which are pertussis vaccines to protect?
Authors: Preston N. W. , Stanbridge T. N.
Published: May 2009

Type 1 strains ofBordetella pertussiscan infect mouse brain and have been recovered as type 1 organisms after death. When introduced into the naso-pharynx of the marmoset, they immediately acquired agglutinogen 2 or 3, and the resulting type 1,2 or 1,3 infection persisted for many weeks.

As in the child, agglutinogens 2 and/or 3 appear to be essential for infection of the marmoset, whereas they are quite unnecessary in mouse brain. A vaccine (extract or whole cell) containing agglutinogen 1 may be sufficient to pass the mouse protection test but it may fail to immunize children. The mouse test is inadequate even for the screening of such extracts.
The stability of the serotypes ofBordetella pertussiswith particular reference to serotype 1,2,3,4
Authors: Bronne–Shanbury Caroline J. , Dolby Jean M.
Published: May 2009

Strains ofBordetella pertussisin which all the organisms contain agglutinogens 1 and 3 or 1, 2 and 4 are easy to identify as serotypes 1,0,3,0 and 1,2,0,4 respectively; and similarly, stable strains of serotype 1,0,3,4 are occasionally found. During repeated subcultures, passagein vivo, and lyophilization and preservation for many years, these serotypes do not change. Mixing 1,0,3,0 and 1,2,0,4 serotypes and culturing them togetherin vivoandin vitroproduces cultures from which organisms of the same two serotypes can be isolated.

In contrast, strains which type as 1,2,3,4 are often a heterogeneous group. We have attempted to classify these as 'stable', 'variable' and 'mixed' cultures. Some strains comprise organisms all of which contain the four agglutinogens and are as easy to type as the strains described above. These we have called 'stable' 1,2,3,4 strains. Other 1,2,3,4 strains are made up of colonies possessing all four agglutinogens, as shown by agglutinin production, but in amounts varying from day to day so that direct typing is inconsistent. These we have called 'variable' 1,2,3,4 strains. The last category, 'mixed', is made up of organisms most of which give rise to stable 1,2,3,4 cultures; a few of the component organisms, however, have one or two of the four agglutinogens missing. The importance of the 'variable' cultures is emphasized for work on apparent change of serotype, e.g. during infection.
A quantitative comparison of the sensitivity of serological tests for bovine brucellosis to different antibody classes
Authors: Allan G. S. , Chappel R. J. , Williamson P. , McNaught D. J.
Published: May 2009

Brucella-specific antibodies of different immunoglobulin classes were quantitatively evaluated with respect to their efficiency in serological tests for bovine brucellosis.

IgM reacted more efficiently than IgG1and IgG2in both the Rose Bengal plate test and serum agglutination test. The complement fixation test was found to be slightly more sensitive to IgM than to IgG1and did not react to IgG2.IgM was, however, partly inactivated when heated at 60°C. in the presence of serum.
Studies of experimental rhinovirus type 2 infections in polar isolation and in England
Authors: Holmes M. J. , Reed Sylvia E. , Stott E. J. , Tyrrell D. A. J.
Published: May 2009

After five months of total isolation a wintering party of seventeen British Antarctic Survey (BAS) personnel was inoculated under double blind conditions with placebo, or rhinovirus type 2 which had been propagated in tissue culture. The clinical and virological responses of these subjects were compared with those of volunteers in England who received a similar dose of the same strain. The virus used was apparently partly attenuated for man; at the dosage used its effects in England were similar to a smaller dose of an unattenuated strain, but in the Antarctic it caused relatively severe infections. Both the symptoms and the laboratory evidence of virus infection appeared to be more pronounced in the BAS subjects than in the volunteers in England who received the same challenge. In the former group the infection readily spread to those who were originally given placebo. In the BAS subjects serum antibody titres were well maintained during the isolation period but a significant fall in nasal immunoglobulin concentration was recorded during the 5 months of isolation after the virus challenge. Possible mechanisms for the increased sensitivity to rhinovirus of subjects who have been totally isolated in a small closed community are discussed.
A comparison of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections among infants admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections
Authors: Caul E. O. , Waller D. K. , Clarke S. K. R. , Corner B. D.
Published: May 2009

Among 741 children under 5 years admitted to hospital with respiratory infections during two winters, infection with influenza A virus was diagnosed in 70 (9%), with influenza B virus in 8 (1%), and with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 259 (35 %). Both influenza virus and RSV infections were diagnosed most frequently in children under the age of one year, and diagnosed more frequently in males than females. Influenza illnesses were more severe in boys than girls. Both infections occurred more often, but were not more severe, in children from a conurbation than in those from ‘rural’ areas. Convulsions were the cause of 36% of admissions with influenza A infections, but were rare in RSV infections. Bronchiolitis was the reason for 39% of admissions with RSV infections, but was rare in influenza infections. It is suggested that infants admitted to hospital are a good source of influenza virus strains for monitoring arttigenic variation.
Escherichia coliO 27 in adult diarrhoea
Authors: Hobbs Betty C. , Rowe B. , Kendall Margaret , Turnbull P. C. B. , Ghosh A. C.
Published: May 2009

Escherichia coliO 27 H 7 was found in 16 stool samples submitted during a Caribbean cruise (CruiseZ) by 29 patients reporting with diarrhoea. A retrospective search revealedE. coliO 27 H 7 in 11 of 20 and 2 of 14 stool cultures from patients on two previous cruises (YandXrespectively) and in a culture from fresh cream (CruiseY). The repeated occurrence ofE. coliO 27 H 7 in the absence of any other apparent cause suggested that this serotype may have been responsible for the diarrhoea. The results of pathogenicity tests suggested that this strain elaborated heat-stable (ST) enterotoxin.

The possibility that food may have been the vector is discussed.
Laboratory evaluation of WBA 8119 as a rodenticide for use against warfarin-resistant and non-resistant rats and mice
Authors: Redfern R. , Gill J. E. , Hadler M. R.
Published: May 2009

Feeding tests were carried out in the laboratory to evaluate WBA 8119 as a potential new rodenticide against wild common rats (Rattus norvegicus), ship rats (R. rattus) and house mice (Mus musculus). The results obtained are compared with data previously obtained for difenacoum, another member of the same series of 4-hydroxycoumarin anticoagulants.

With warfarin-resistant and non-resistant common rats, complete kills were obtained using a concentration of 0·0005% for 2 days, or 0·001 % for 1 day: a 1-day test at 0·0005% killed 6 out of 10 and 17 out of 20 of the two types respectively. At 0·005% complete kills of resistant ship rats were obtained after 2 days exposure and of resistant house mice after 1 day, but at 0·002% for 2 days there was some survival. Non-resistant ship rats and house mice were all killed after 2 days feeding on 0·002% bait.

In 2-day palatability tests, R. norvegicus showed no significant aversion to the poison at 0·002% and 100% mortality was obtained. The poison was significantly unpalatable to R. rattus at 0·005% and to M. musculus at 0·005% and 0·002 %, although with the last species these concentrations gave complete kills.

It is concluded that WBA 8119 has greater activity than other known anticoagulants against the three commensal species examined. The laboratory results suggest that concentrations between 0·0005% and 0·002% would be suitable for field use against common rats, and between 0·002% and 0·005% for ship rats and house mice.
Bacteriostasis ofEscherichia coliby milk: II. Effect of bicarbonate and transferrin on the activity of infant feeds
Authors: Dolby Jean M. , Stephens Susan , Honour Pauline
Published: May 2009

Fresh human and bovine milk are bacteriostaticin vitrofor only some (milk-sensitive) strains ofE. coli.The addition of bicarbonate to the test system potentiates the bacteriostasis so that otherwise milk-resistant strains are inhibited. By titration of the bicarbonate in the milk, it is possible to determine the minimum concentration that will activate milk against a milk-resistant strain but be ineffective in boiled milk, i.e. it potentiates a heat-labile system in milk and does not merely exert a direct toxic effect. This concentration is lower for human milk than for cows‘ milk and can be reduced even further by the addition of more iron-binding protein.

Lactoferrin and bicarbonate may be present in the gut of the newborn. In an attempt to imitate conditions in the infant gut, we therefore reinvestigated,in vitroand in the presence of added bicarbonate and transferrin, the bacteriostatic activity againstE. coliof fresh breast-milk, commercial bottle-milk, and mixtures of these as fed to infants in this study. The results, and information about eventsin vivodeduced from the ratio of milk-sensitive to milk-resistant strains ofE. coliisolated from babies‘ stools, suggest that neonatal intestinal secretions may contribute to the bacteriostatic activity of their feeds so that (1) in fully breastfed babies all strains ofE. coliare inhibited to the same extent; there is no selection on the basis of milk sensitivity and equal numbers of strains resistant and sensitive to milk are found in the stools; (2) in fully bottle-fed babiesE. coliis not inhibited since the milk is non-bacteriostatic and again there is no selection; (3) in babies fed at the breast but bottle-milk supplemented, only milk-sensitive strains are inhibited; milk-resistant strains are not, and preferentially colonize the large intestines.
A microbiological investigation of acute summer gastroenteritis in Black South African infants
Authors: Schoub Barry D. , Greeff A. S. , Lecatsas G. , Prozesky O. W. , Hay I. T. , Prinsloo J. G. , Ballard R. C.
Published: May 2009

A microbiological investigation of Black infants suffering from severe acute summer gastroenteritis revealed enteropathogenic agents in 30 out of 37 patients (81%). Enterotoxigenic bacteria were isolated from 15 patients (41%). A total of 16 enterotoxigenic strains were isolated, comprising 9 enterotoxigenicEscherichia colistrains secreting labile and stable toxin on their own and in combination, and labile-toxin secreting strains ofKlebsiella pneumoniae(4),Enterobacter cloacae(2) andProteus vulgaris(1). In the case of the latter three species, however, 6 out of the 7 strains were isolated from patients who were excreting other enteric pathogens, whereas only 2 out of 9 enterotoxigenicE. colipatients had concomitant infections with other pathogens. No invasive bacteria were isolated except for 2 shigella strains. Salmonella and shigella strains were found in four patients. No correlation was found between the enteropathogenicity ofE. coliand its serotype. Rotavirus was observed by negative staining electron microscopy in only two patients (6%) but using a reverse complement fixation test rotavirus antigen was detected in the stool of 17 out of 35 patients (49%). The low EM detection rate may well be due to the patients being admitted for treatment late in the course of their illness when the degree of viral shedding has decreased below EM detectability. No significant difference in clinical presentation was noted between the various aetiological agents. Only one patient was being solely breast-fed compared to 16% of control non-diarrhoeic infants. Evidence of malnutrition was noted in over half of our patients.
Salmonella surveillance with reference to pigs – Cardiff abattoir, 1968–1975
Authors: Harvey R. W. S. , Price T. H. , Morgan J.
Published: May 2009

Between 1968 and 1975, well over 3000 samples of pig faeces and 407 samples of pig mesenteric glands were examined for salmonellas. A very wide range of serotypes was isolated. The material from this survey was used to evaluate certain aspects of salmonella isolations. The factors studied were: selective motility enrichment, size of inoculum of faeces, comparison of drain swab with animal sample and comparison of selenite F broth with Muller–Kauffmann tetrathionate broth. The conclusions drawn from these investigations allowed an efficient routine to be developed during the survey.
The Significance of the Occurrence of Bacteriophage for Dysentery Bacilli in Water Supplies
Authors: Ehodes A. J. , Ludlam M.
Published: May 2009

FOr many years it has been a matter of common knowledge that bacteriophages can be easily isolated from water supplies. They were first demonstrated in water by Dumas in 1920, and many authors have since confirmed his observation (Arloing & Chavanne, 1925; Manoliu & Costin, 1925; Arloing & Sempé, 1926; Bilouet, 1926; d'Herelle, 1926; Monteiro, 1926; Bujanowski, 1929; Gildemeister & Watanabe, 1931; Stewart & Ghosal, 1931–1932; Schuurman & Schuurman-ten Bokkel Huinink, 1934; Dienert, 1934; Vagedes & Gildemeister, 1934; Panayotatou, 1935; Nick, 1936). These workers have recorded the presence of phages lysing dysentery, coliform, typhoid, paratyphoid, and, sometimes, cholera organisms in a wide variety of water supplies: e.g. lake, river, stream, canal and tap waters; phages have also been detected in sea water close to the shore.
Further Observations on the Longevity of Dry Spores of B. Anthracis
Authors: Graham-Smith G. S.
Published: May 2009

In 1930 the author (Graham-Smith, 1930) showed that of spores of B. anthracis inoculated on 7 July 1907, on to dry, sterile pieces of canvas, measuring about 0·5 × 0·5 in., which were kept in a Petri dish in a cupboard with a glass door in the laboratory and therefore exposed to diffuse daylight at room temperature in a dry atmosphere, large numbers were capable of germinating in ordinary laboratory media after 10 years and progressively smaller numbers after 17 and 20 years. Very few germinated after 22 years and none after 22½ years.
Dust–acoustic nonlinear periodic waves in a dusty plasma with charge fluctuation
Authors: YADAV L. L. , SINGH S. V. , BHARUTHRAM R.
Published: May 2009

Using the reductive perturbation method, we present a theory for dust–acoustic nonlinear periodic waves, namely dust–acoustic cnoidal waves, in a plasma containing hot electrons and ions, and warm dust grains with varying charge. It is found that the frequency of the cnoidal wave is a function of its amplitude. It is also found that the dust grain charge fluctuation and other plasma parameters modify the properties of the dust–acoustic cnoidal waves. In the limiting case, these dust–acoustic cnoidal waves reduce to the well-known dust–acoustic solitons.
A Summary of the Work done by the Liverpool Marine Biology Committee during 1885–87
Authors: Herdman W. A.
Published: May 2009

The Liverpool Marine Biology Committee was formed in March, 1885, for the purpose of investigating thoroughly the Fauna and Flora of Liverpool Bay and the neighbouring parts of the Irish Sea. The aim of the Committee is not merely to draw up an accurate list of the species found in this locality, but also to observe and record the relative numbers, the size, the colours, and the condition generally of the specimens, the exact localities in which they are found, the other species of animals and plants associated with them, and their mutual relations as food, enemies, or competitors. In this way it is hoped that a mass of observations will be accumulated which may be of use in determining the geographical distribution of various forms, the nature of the conditions which influence species, and the relations existing between the different plants and animals. It was felt at the outset that this work was exactly that department of biological investigation which could be best carried out by an organised body of workers who would subdivide the area to be investigated, and the groups of animals and plants to be worked up between them, and would carry on systematic observations year after year, sending in periodic reports upon their work. The value, in fact the absolute necessity, of this organisation, division of labour, and systematic arrangement, for the successful accomplishment of the objects in view, has been felt all along by the members of the Committee and those naturalists who have worked with them; and the results attained so far have, I think, fully justified their belief in the benefit to be derived from scientific organisation.
Pseudopolydora species associated with mollusc shells on the south coast of South Africa, with the description of Ps. dayii, sp nov.
Authors: Simon Carol A.
Published: May 2009

Two species of the genus Pseudopolydora, Ps. dayii, sp. nov. and Ps. antennata, were associated with gastropods on the south and south-east coasts of South Africa. Pseudopolydora dayii is characterized by prominent post-chaetal notopodial lobes on chaetiger 1 with very long chaetae, a prominent occipital tentacle, having hooded hooks that start on chaetiger 9, branchiae that start on chaetiger 6, stout hooks and lobes placed latero-posteriorly to the hooded hooks in posterior chaetigers. It is a surface-fouler and was found on several species of wild gastropods at four of the five sites sampled and from additional material from the south-west coast and on cultured abalone (Haliotis midae) at a farm on the south-west coast. Three individuals of Ps. antennata were found only with oysters at the easternmost site. This was the first record of this species outside of the Western Cape Province and it is possible that their association with the oysters was fortuitous.
The effect of infection byPomphorhynchus laevis(Acanthocephala) on the composition of the intestinal bacterial flora in flounder,Platichthys flesus
Authors: Ziółkowska-Klinkosz Marta , Rokicki Jerzy , Kędzia Anna
Published: May 2009

A total of 112 flounder,Platichthys flesus, was surveyed for the presence ofPomphorhynchus laevis(Acanthocephala). No acanthocephalans were found in 35 fish, 40 fish were infected with 1–5 thorny-headed worms, and in 37 fish the intensity of infection exceeded 6. The fish surveyed were also studied for the composition of the resident microflora of the terminal portion of the intestine—the characteristic site forP. laevis. It turned out the number of worms was positively correlated with the bacterial count. The bacteria cultured from the material sampled from intestines of infected- and non-infected fish exhibited similar specific composition and the differences were only in the intensity of individual species. The most frequently isolated bacteria, represented the genera:Aeromonas, PseudomonasandShewanella. The least frequent were species ofChromobacterium, Escherichia, ProvidenciaandSerratia. The presently reported study results, suggest that bacteria species, constituting physiological bacterial flora, may become, under certain conditions, potentially pathogenic, through substantial increase in their abundance. The factor responsible for disturbing the natural balance in the intestine may be the thorny-headed worm,Pomphorhynchus laevis.
Habitat use patterns of franciscana dolphins(Pontoporia blainvillei)off southern Brazil in relation to water depth
Authors: Danilewicz Daniel , Secchi Eduardo R. , Ott Paulo H. , Moreno Ignacio B. , Bassoi Manuela , Borges-Martins Márcio
Published: May 2009

The patterns of habitat use by the franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) along its distribution are poorly known. This study investigates the patterns of habitat use with respect to depth for 181 individuals of different age, size, gender and reproductive condition off Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The results reveal that franciscanas are very homogeneously distributed according to depth. Individuals from all lengths utilize nearly the entire range of depths of the surveyed area. Larger or older animals do not use deeper waters than younger animals, indicating that body size and age are not limiting factors for franciscanas that occupy deeper or offshore waters. Gestation seems to not cause a change in the distribution of females. Although the sex-ratio of the overall data did not vary from 1:1 in different depth intervals, a small-scale comparison between the northern and southern coast demonstrated the existence of some kind of sexual segregation. Franciscana by-catch in Rio Grande do Sul is not sustainable and it is agreed that management procedures are needed. Nevertheless, the available data on species distribution do not allow the designing of a protected area in order to minimize the by-catches of a particular sex/reproductive class.
EnteroaggregativeEscherichia coliassociated with an outbreak of diarrhoea in a neonatal nursery ward
Authors: Čobeljić M. , Miljković-Selimović B. , Paunović-Todosijević D. , Veličković Z. , Lepšanović Z. , Zec N. , Savić D. , Ilić R. , Konstantinović S. , Jovanović B. , Kostić V.
Published: May 2009

Over a 9-day period in February 1995, 16 newborn babies (age range 2–11 days) and 3 infants (24, 47 and 180 days of age) in a neonatal nursery ward developed diarrhoea accompanied by pyrexia and weight loss. Known enteropathogens were not detected in their stools butEscherichia colidisplaying aggregative adherence to HEp-2 cells (enteroaggregativeE. coli) were found in 12 (63%) ill infants and in none of 5 well neonates (P= 0·02). The illness lasted 3–9 days (mean 5·2) in 16 babies, whereas in 3 neonates it showed a protracted course of 18–20 days. The source of infection and the mode of transmission remained unclear. The outbreak isolates manifested properties common in this new group of diarrhoeagenicE. coli: mannose-resistant haemagglutination, haemolysis on blood agar, and clump formation in liquid culture medium. They belonged to the O4E. coliserogroup and expressed multiple antibiotic resistance.
An epidemiological study of influenza viruses among Chinese farm families with household ducks and pigs
Authors: Shu L. L. , Zhou N. N. , Sharp G. B. , He S. Q. , Zhang T. J. , Zou W. W. , Webster R. G.
Published: May 2009

To examine the possibility of interspecies transmission and genetic reassortment of influenza viruses on farms in Southern China, we surveyed 20 farm families living outside the city of Nanchang who raised pigs and ducks in their homes. Weekly interviews of family members and virus isolation studies of throat swabs and faecal samples, collected from September 1992 to September 1993, established the seasonal pattern of respiratory tract infections in these families and identified 11 influenza viruses (6 in humans and 5 in ducks). Most of the human isolates were type A of H3N2 subtype. Serologic studies of farm pigs indicated infection by the same human viruses circulating in family members, but there was no evidence that either swine or avian viruses had been transmitted to pigs. Eight of 156 human serum samples inhibited the neuraminidase activity of two of the duck isolates, raising the possibility of interspecies transmission of these avian viruses. Genotype analysis of duck and human isolates provided no evidence for reassortment. Our findings support the concept that intermingling of humans, pigs and ducks on Chinese farms is favourable to the generation of new, potentially hazardous strains of influenza virus.
Epidemiological study on risk factors and risk reducing measures for Campylobacter infections in Dutch broiler flocks
Authors: van de Giessen A. W. , Bloemberg B. P. M. , Ritmeester W. S. , Tilburg J. J. H. C.
Published: May 2009

From September 1991 until August 1993 an epidemiological study involving 20 Dutch broiler farms was conducted to identify risk factors and risk reducing measures forCampylobacterinfections in broiler flocks.Campylobacterspp. were detected in 64 (57%) of the 112 broiler flocks and in 25 (63%) of the 40 broiler cycles examined. Univariate analysis of farm management data was performed followed by logistic regression analysis of selected risk and risk reducing factors. The presence of other farm animals, including pigs, cattle, sheep and fowl, other than broilers, was found to be independently associated with an increased risk ofCampylobacterinfections in broiler flocks (odds ratio (OR) = 1181;P= 0041). Further, the results indicate that application of specific hygiene measures during the rearing period, such as washing hands before tending the broiler flocks, the use of separate boots for each broiler house and the use of footbath disinfection when entering a broiler house, may significantly reduce the risk of Campylobacter infections in broiler flocks.
Prevalence and characteristics ofEscherichia coilserotype O157:H7 and other verotoxin-producingE. coliin healthy cattle
Authors: Blanco M. , Blanco J. E. , Blanco J. , Gonzalez E. A. , Mora A. , Prado C. , Fernandez L. , Rio M. , Ramos J. , Alonso M. P.
Published: May 2009

From February to July of 1994, 328 faecal samples from 32 herds were collected and verotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC) found on 84% of the farms. The proportion of animals infected varied from 0–63%. VTEC were recovered from 52 (20%) of 257 cows and from 16 (23%) of 71 calves. Although the VTEC belonged to 25 different serogroups, 7 (O8. O20, O22, O77, O113, O126 and O162) accounted for 46% of strains. Nearly 45% of the 83 bovine VTEC strains belonged to serogroups associated with haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraernic syndrome in humans. However, only 2 (2%) of 83 VTEC strains isolated from cattle belonged to enterohaemorrhagicE. coli(EHEC) serotypes (O26:H11 and O157:H7), and only 8 (10%) were positive for the attaching and effacingE. coli (eae)gene sequence. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that 17 (20%) of VTEC strains carried VT1 genes. 43 (52%) possessed VT2 genes, and 23 (28%) carried both VT1 and VT2 genes. Characterization of VTEC isolates revelated a heterogeneous population in terms of serogroup and toxin type in the positive herds. This study confirms that healthy cattle are a reservoir of VTEC, but, the absence ofeaegenes in most bovine VTEC strains suggests that they may be less virulent for humans thaneae-positive EHEC.
The UK Register of HIV Seroconverters: methods and analytical issues
Authors:   UK Register of HIV Seroconverters (UKRHS) Steering Committee
Published: May 2009

A Register of HIV-infected persons who have had a negative antibody test within 3 years of their first antibody positive test (seroconverters) is being set up in the UK to monitor the distribution of times from HIV seroconversion to AIDS (the incubation period) and to death. It will also provide a national resource for use by those designing studies in this group of individuals. Clinicians caring for HIV-positive persons in Genito-Urinary Medicine, Infectious Disease and other departments throughout the UK were asked to participate by providing information on eligible subjects. Most laboratories undertaking HIV antibody testing were also contacted and asked to provide the name of the attending clinician for all seroconverters identified through the HIV laboratory reporting systems of the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) and for any other seroconverters known to them but not identified by CDSC or SCIEH. Data items sought for the Register include: sex, ethnic group, probable route of HIV transmission, annual CD4 counts, details of therapy and prophylaxis prescribed, AIDS-defining events and vital status. Follow up information is collected annually. Wherever possible, all seroconverters known to a clinic have been identified, whether currently alive or dead, either from clinic records or laboratory reporting or both. The objective is to establish and update a complete register of seroconverters on a long-term basis to provide reliable estimates of the incubation period on which future projections of AIDS cases in the UK can be made.
Cryptosporidiuminfections in humans with gastroenteritis in Zaria, Nigeria
Authors: Kwaga J. K. P. , Umoh J. U. , Odoba M. B.
Published: May 2009

The stool samples of 75 patients with gastroenteritis and/or loose and watery faeces at three hospitals and one clinic in Zaria were examined forCryptosporidium. The stool samples were concentrated by the formol–ether method and stained with safranin–methylene blue. Sixteen (21%) samples were positive. The rate of detection was higher among females (27%) than males (17%) and among adults (29%) than children (8%). The study confirmed the presence and possible significance ofCryptosporidium, which is a known zoonotic protozoan, in the aetiology of human gastroenteritis in Zaria, Nigeria.