bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pituitary Extracts and the Virus of Foot-Andmouth Disease—the Effect on the Virus of Certain Chemical Methods Employed in Their Preparation
Authors: Galloway I. A.
Published: May 2009

THe experiments recorded here were initiated following upon the occurrence in this country of foot-and-mouth disease in a cow, which a short time previously had been injected for the purpose of inducing oestrus with a pituitary extract imported from the Continent. Mr D. A. E. Cabot, M.R.C.V.S., Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, made reference to this interesting case in a discussion on foot-and-mouth disease at the First Imperial Veterinary Conference held in London (1938). Confirmation of the nature of the infection was obtained by the inoculation of test animals under experimental conditions with suitable material collected from the injected animal. Further investigations were made. Three ampoules containing pituitary extract were obtained from the distributors in London of the imported commercial preparation under discussion. These ampoules belonged to the same batch as the ampoule with the extract from which the cow had been inoculated. Messrs A. Eccles, M.R.C. V.S. and A. M. Graham, M.R.C.V.S., at the Experimental Station of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee at Pirbright, tested this material for virus infectivity by the inoculation of cattle and guinea-pigs. They reported that all three samples of pituitary extract were contaminated with the virus of footand-mouth disease. In addition they produced evidence that the immunological type of the virus recovered from the extract in the ampoules was the same as that of the virus recovered from the cow, viz. Vallée and Carré 0. This and additional information left no doubt that the outbreak of the disease had been produced by the inoculation of the pituitary extract, and further that this extract had been prepared from the pituitary glands of cattle, which were very probably in the early stages of infection with foot-and-mouth disease at the time of slaughter.
The Control of Air-Borne Bacteria and Fungus Spores By Means Of Aerosols
Authors: Pulvertaft R. J. V. , Walker J. W.
Published: May 2009

IN a previous communication we (Pulvertaft, Lemon & Walker, 1939), gave an account of a method of sterilizing air by means of finely atomized antiseptic solutions, founded on the principles outlined by Trillat (1938). His claims were fully confirmed.

The mists used in this method may be produced by a number of different appliances, and in the experiments here described were produced by the “Phantomyst” (Andre Components, Ltd.). The essential appliances are:(1) a mechanical compressor, electrically driven, and (2) an atomizer, usually of scent-spray type, provided with (3) a baffling system which returns to the reservoir droplets above a certain size, thus avoiding much wastage.
The Chemical and Physical Investigation of Germicidal Aerosols I. Germicidal Smokes
Authors: Finn S. R. , Powell E. O.
Published: May 2009

In a previous paper (Twort, Baker, Finn & Powell, 1940) we were able to show that the bactericidal properties of phenolic -aerosols were correlated with their physical characters, though our experiments were not sufficiently numerous or varied to enable us to estimate separately the effect of the different factors operative. Here we propose to describe similar tests which we have carried out on the germicidal smokes used by Twort & Baker (1940, 1941), namely, those produced by smouldering cardboard impregnated with potassium nitrate, and by dropping incense and Peru balsam on to hot metal surfaces. There were also used mixtures obtained by distilling Peru balsam under reduced pressure: fraction I, b. p. 109–110° C; fraction II, b. p. 120–138° C; fraction III, bp 148–155° C, at 3 mm. Hg, and the residue from this operation.
Experiments in Connexion with an Attempt to Produce a Neurotropic Strain of Vaccinia Virus in Sheep
Authors: Smith E. C. , Horgan E. S. , Haseeb Mansour Ali
Published: May 2009

The experiments now described were carried out in Lagos and Khartoum, and although the hoped-for end-result, the production of a sheep strain of neurovaccinia, was not realized, certain points of interest have arisen and are recorded in the hope that they may be of help to other workers concerned with vaccinia vaccine production.
The detection of acetyl-methyl-carbinol in bacterial cultures A comparative study of the methods of O'Meara and of Barritt
Authors: Batty-Smith C. G.
Published: May 2009

The early work on the chemistry of the Voges-Proskauer reaction is too well known to need consideration here. Several workers tried to hasten and strengthen the reaction by the addition of various oxidizing agents, but with little success. O'Meara (1931) made the first real advance when he investigated anew the chemistry of the reaction and found the accepted views incorrect in several respects. As a result he added creatine to the culture, used a much stronger alkaline solution than had hitherto been customary, and so achieved a marked improvement in the rapidity of development and intensity of the colour. He recommended the use of 24 hr. cultures.
An Examination of The Modified Eijkman Method Applied To Pure Coliform Cultures Obtained From Waters in Singapore
Authors: Boizot G. E.
Published: May 2009

Since the original definition of the coli-aerogenes group of organisms by MacConkey (1905,1909), research has been continually directed in an endeavour to find a more rapid and definite distinction between its respective members.

In general, for the purposes of water analysis, the conform organisms can be divided into two main groups: faecal coli, of which Bact. colitype I can be considered the typical member, and the non-faecal organisms comprising the intermediate-aerogenes-cloacae (I.A.C.) organisms. All available evidence tends to show that Bact. colitype I is by far the most frequent organism in the human and animal intestine. Levine (1921) has summarized the figures of various workers and obtained a percentage ratio of 93·4:6·6 as the ratio of coli:aerogenes in faeces, while Bardsley (1938) has shown that in only a very few cases does the number of I.A.C. organisms exceed the faecal coli in faeces.
Dust acoustic solitary waves in non-thermal plasmas consisting of negatively charged dust grains and isothermal electrons
Authors: DAS ANIMESH , BANDYOPADHYAY ANUP
Published: May 2009

A Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation is derived here, that describes the nonlinear behaviour of long-wavelength weakly nonlinear dust acoustic waves propagating in an arbitrary direction in a plasma consisting of static negatively charged dust grains, non-thermal ions and isothermal electrons. It is found that the rarefactive or compressive nature of the dust acoustic solitary wave solution of the KdV equation does not depend on the dust temperature if σdc < 0 or σdc > σd*, where σdc is a function of β1, α and μ only, and σd*(<1) is the upper limit (upper bound) of σd. This β1 is the non-thermal parameter associated with the non-thermal velocity distribution of ions, α is the ratio of the average temperature of the non-thermal ions to that of the isothermal electrons, μ is the ratio of the unperturbed number density of isothermal electrons to that of the non-thermal ions, Zdσd is the ratio of the average temperature of the dust particles to that of the ions and Zd is the number of electrons residing on the dust grain surface. The KdV equation describes the rarefactive or the compressive dust acoustic solitary waves according to whether σdc < 0 or σdc > σd*. When 0 ≤ σdc ≤ σd*, the KdV equation describes the rarefactive or the compressive dust acoustic solitary waves according to whether σd > σdc or σd < σdc. If σd takes the value σdc with 0 ≤ σdc ≤ σd*, the coefficient of the nonlinear term of the KdV equation vanishes and, for this case, the nonlinear evolution equation of the dust acoustic waves is derived, which is a modified KdV (MKdV) equation. A theoretical investigation of the nature (rarefactive or compressive) of the dust acoustic solitary wave solutions of the evolution equations (KdV and MKdV) is presented with respect to the non-thermal parameter β1. For any given values of α and μ, it is found that the value of σdc completely defines the nature of the dust acoustic solitary waves except for a small portion of the entire range of the non-thermal parameter β1.
Do trematode parasites affect cockle (Cerastoderma edule) secondary production and elimination?
Authors: Gam Meriame , de Montaudouin Xavier , Bazairi Hocein
Published: May 2009

Digenean trematodes are omnipresent in the cockleCerastoderma edule, a common coastal bivalve of (semi-)sheltered north-eastern Atlantic coasts. They can use their host as a second intermediate host where they remain in a relatively latent stage as metacercariae. Cockle population dynamics and trematode parasite load were monitored for two years in two sites, Arcachon (France) and Merja Zerga (Morocco) for the cockle cohort of 2005. Individual growth was slightly higher at Arcachon than at Merja Zerga (Von Bertalanffy parameters: K = 1.5 yr−1in both sites but L∞ = 31.2 mm at Merja Zerga against 38.3 mm at Arcachon). Production during cockle life was twice as high at Merja Zerga (48.5 compared to 22.2 gDW.m−2at Arcachon). Elimination compensated production at Merja Zerga while elimination was low at Arcachon (8.1 gDW.m−2) due to sediment dynamics which concentrated cockles within the sampling area. P/B was similar in both sites (2.4–2.6 yr−1) while E/B was higher at Merja Zerga (2.2 yr−1versus 1.0 yr−1). Trematode communities were similar in both sites in terms of species and abundance. During the cockle cohort lifespan, there were 3 to 5 events in the parasite abundance survey that suggested parasite-dependent mortality. At Merja Zerga, trematodes metacercariae did not affect P/B (2.4 yr−1) but increased E/B (+14%). At Arcachon, they also had no effect on P/B (2.6 yr−1) but on the contrary increased E/B (+20%). The threshold of metacercariae abundance beyond which cockles are affected was lower for Echinostomatid trematodes at Merja Zerga, suggesting an interaction with other factors such as temperature which is higher at the southern limit of cockle distribution.
An application of CaTraSys, a cable-based parallel measuring system for an experimental characterization of human walking
Authors: Ottaviano Erika , Ceccarelli Marco , Palmucci Francesco
Published: May 2009

In this paper, an application is presented of a cable-based parallel manipulator as measuring system for an experimental identification of human walking characteristics. Experimental results have been obtained by means of a new version of CaTraSys (Cassino Tracking System), which is a measuring system that has been designed and built at Laboratory of Robotics and Mechatronics (LARM) in Cassino, Italy. The new version of the CaTraSys system has been used to determine the trajectory of the human limb extremity during walking operation and furthermore the system is able to measure forces that are exerted by a limb. Experimental determination of articulation mobility is also presented with numerical and experimental results.
Are homosexual males a risk group for hepatitis A infection in intermediate endemicity areas?
Authors: Ballesteros J. , Dal-Ré R. , González A. , Del Romero J.
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of antibody against hepatitis A (anti-HAV) in a population of homosexual men compared with that of heterosexual men in an area of intermediate HAV endemicity (Madrid, Spain). A total of 148 patients were recruited in a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic: 74 homosexuals (mean age of 28±5 years) and 74 heterosexuals (29±5 years). The prevalence of anti-HAV antibody was 47% and 43% for homo-and heterosexuals, respectively. Among the factors evaluated (age, sexual orientation and practices, travel to high HAV endemicity areas) oral-anal contact was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of anti-HAV antibody (odds ratio, 2·8; 95% confidence interval, 1·1–7·4;P= 0·03). These results indicated that in an area of intermediate endemicity young homosexual men are not at increased risk of having acquired hepatitis A infection than heterosexuals. Oral–anal contact is an independent risk factor that influences the presence of anti-HAV antibody, regardless of sexual orientation.
A novel relationship between O-antigen variation, matrix formation, and invasiveness ofSalmonella enteritidis
Authors: Guard-Petter J. , Keller L. H. , Rahman M. Mahbubur , Carlson R. W. , Silvers S.
Published: May 2009

Salmonella entericaEnteritidis in chickens serves as a reservoir for salmonellosis in humans and the structure of its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been used to assess invasiveness. Culture from chick spleens generated colonies with an unusual wrinkled morphology, and it is designated the lacy phenotype. To characterize the nature of the morphological change, three isogenic variants were compared. Only the lacy phenotype produced a temperature-dependent cell surface matrix composed of several proteins in association with LPS high molecular weight O-antigen.

Flagellin and a 35 kDa protein were identified as specific proteinaceous components of matrix. Both proteins cross-reacted with a monoclonal antibody previously determined to specifically detect the g-epitope of the Enteritidis monophasic flagella (H-antigen). These results suggest that O-antigen in association with protein contributes to cross-reactivity between molecules. The lacy phenotype was more organ invasive in 5-day-old chicks than isogenic variants producing low molecular weight O-antigen. However, it was no more efficient at contaminating eggs after oral inoculation of hens than a variant that completely lacked O-antigen, thus the lacy phenotype is classified as an intermediately invasive organism. The distinctive colonial phenotype of SE6-E21lacywas used to investigate environmental factors that decreased O/C ratios and contributed to attenuation. In so doing, it was found that growth in complement at 46°C caused matrix producing cells to hyperflagellate and migrate across agar surfaces. These results suggest that the structure of O-antigen might influence the secretion and/or the function of Enteritidis cell-surface proteins. The data also reveal a greater heterogeneity than has been assumed in the phenotype, and possibly the infectious behaviour, of Enteritidis.
Virulence ofStaphylococcus epidermidisin a mouse model: significance of extracellular slime
Authors: Deighton M. A. , Borland R. , Capstick J. A.
Published: May 2009

The ability to produce large quantities of bioflim on solid surfacesin vitrois believed to distinguish potentially pathogenic strains ofStaphylococcus epidermidisfrom commensals. Bioflim consists of staphylococcal cells encased in a matrix of extracellular polysaccharide (also referred to as slime), firmly adherent to each other and to the underlying surface structure. The association of slime with colonization of catheter surfacesin vivohas been examined extensively. Less attention has been paid to the contribution of slime to infections that occur in the absence of an inserted device. In a mouse model of subcutaneous infection without an implanted device 10S. epidermidisstrains (5 slime-positive, 5 slime-negative) produced abscesses; thus a foreign body is not essential for the expression of virulence byS. epidermidis. Biofilm-positive strains produced significantly more abscesses, that persisted longer than biofilm-negative strains. In these chronic infections, large numbers of staphylococci were associated with macrophages and viable staphylococci were cultured from specimens of pus collected at autopsy. Thus slime or components of slime appear to delay the clearance ofS. epidermidisfrom host tissues, possibly by interfering with intracellular killing mechanisms. However, differences in the capacity to produce abscesses, within both the slime-positive and slime-negative groups, indicate that other factors also contribute to the virulence ofS. epidermidis.
Antigenic and genetic analysis of equine influenza viruses from tropical Africa in 1991
Authors: Adeyefa C. A. O. , James M. L. , McCauley J. W.
Published: May 2009

A detailed analysis of equine (H3N8) influenza viruses isolated in Nigeria during early 1991 has been undertaken. Antigenic analysis and the complete nucleotide sequence of the HA gene of three Nigerian equine influenza viruses A/eq/Ibadan/4/91, A/eq/Ibadan/6/91 and A/eq/Ibadan/9/91 are presented and limited sequence analysis of each of the genes encoding the internal polypeptides of the virus has been carried out. These results establish that, despite the geographical location from which these viruses were isolated, two were similar to the viruses which were concurrently causing disease in Europe in 1989 and 1991 and were related to viruses that have been predominating in horses since 1985. The third was more closely related to viruses isolated from 1991 onward in Europe but also in other parts of the globe. A comparison of the nucleotide sequence of two of the viruses isolated in Nigeria (A/eq/Ibadan/4/91 and A/eq/Ibadan/6/91) with a European strain (A/eq/Suffolk/89) showed limited variation in the haemagglutinin gene which caused amino acid substitutions in one of the antigenic sites: this mutation resulted in the potential production of a new glycosylation site in antigenic site A. The other Nigerian virus (A/eq/Ibadan/9/91) showed only a single one amino acid change from another European strain (A/eq/Arundel/12369/91). The two distinct Nigerian viruses had several amino acid substitutions in the antigenic sites of the haemagglutinin glycoprotein.
Genetic analysis ofClavibacter toxicus, the agent of annual ryegrass toxicity
Authors: Johnston M. S. , Sutherland S. S. , Constantine C. C. , Hampsons D. J.
Published: May 2009

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis was used to examine the relatedness of 52 isolates ofClavibacter toxicus, the agent of annual ryegrass toxicity. These included 37 Western Australian (WA) field isolates sampled in 3 distinct locations over a 2-year period, and 15 isolates sampled from 6 different host plant species in 3 states in Australia over approximately 8 years. Seventeen reference strains for the related generaCurtobacterium, RhodococcusandArthrobacterwere examined for comparison. The 69 isolates were divided into 29 electrophoretic types (ETs), separated by genetic distances of 0·06 to 0·81. TheC. toxicusisolates fell into 12 ETs, 11 of which formed a tightly clustered group separated by a genetic distance of 0·23 or less. Thirty-one of the WA field isolates ofC. toxicusfell into a single ET, and four into another ET.Clavibacter toxicustherefore formed a closely related group which was genetically distinct from the other plant pathogenic species, and a dominant widely disseminated strain of the species was identified in WA.
Laboratory diagnosis ofMycoplasma pneumoniaeinfection: 2. Comparison of methods for the direct detection of specific antigen or nucleic acid sequences in respiratory exudates
Authors: Harris R. , Marmion B. P. , Varkanis G. , Kok T. , Lunn B. , Martin J.
Published: May 2009

The efficiency of the direct detection ofMycoplasma pneumoniaein respiratory exudates by an antigen capture, indirect enzyme immunoassay (Ag-EIA), has been compared with its detection with a cDNA probe (‘Gen-Probe assay’) directed against the specific ribosomal RNA sequences of the organism (‘Mycoplasma pneumoniaeRapid Diagnostic System’, Gen-Probe, San Diego, California).

Both assays showed excellent specificity against a range of mycoplasma species suspended in negative nasopharyngeal aspirates; onlyM. pneumoniaeandM. genitaliumreacted. In experiments with graded doses of viableM. pneumoniaecells suspended in negative nasopharyngeal aspirate, the Gen-Probe assay was more sensitive than Ag-EIA; detection limits were respectively 2 × 103 c.f.u./ml (3·2 × 105genomes) and 2·5 × 104c.f.u./ml (4 × 106genomes); detection levels 10–100 times less sensitive than culture.

The two assays were also tested on nasopharyngeal aspirates or sputum specimens from 90 patients with respiratory infection; 67 of these were culture-or seronegative forM. pneumoniaeand 23 were culture-or seropositive. Ag-EIA detected 21 (91%) of the latter but the Gen-Probe assay detected only 5 (22%). Both assays were negative with the 67 culture-/sero-negatives; there were no Gen-Probe assay positive/Ag-EIA negatives.

Overall, it is concluded that although Ag-EIA and the Gen-Probe assay are effective substitutes for culture as a diagnostic procedure, there is a significant problem with samples which are culture-negative and from patients who have good serological evidence of current infection. Possible reasons for the disparity between the two assays are advanced.
Pseudomonas aeruginosacross-colonization and persistence in patients with cystic fibrosis. Use of a DNA probe
Authors: Wolz Christiane , Kiosz Gerd , Ogle John W. , Vasil Michael L. , Schaad Urs , Botzenhart Konrad , Döring Gerd
Published: May 2009

To investigate cross-colonization with and persistence ofPseudomonas aeruginosain cystic fibrosis (CF). 181 isolates from 76 CF patients were typed using aP. aeruginosa-specific DNA probe. Whereas sibling pairs predominantly harboured genotypically identicalP. aeruginosastrains, all of the other patients harboured different strains. Seventy-nine per cent (22/31) of the infected CF patients harboured the same strains at the beginning and the end of a summer camp. A change of strains was seen in 10% (3/31) of the patients at the end of the camp. Forty-six per cent (6/13) of the patients who were apparently initially uninfected, acquiredP. aeruginosaby the end of the period. Genotyping proved that strain change or acquisition was due to cross-colonization in four of nine cases. Very littleP. aeruginosawas isolated from the inanimate environment. Persistence ofP. aeruginosaafter a temporary loss due to antibiotic therapy was seen in 12/16 paired patient strains before and after antibiotic therapy. Thus, suppression followed a flare-up seemed to occur in these patients rather than eradication and a new infection. When 35 patients were followed over a period of 6 months, 7 (20%) changed the strain in their sputum. Only one of 43 patients harboured two differentP. aeruginosastrains simultaneously over a long period.
Recovery of campylobacter from human faeces stored at 4 °C
Authors: Ladrón de Guevara C. , Pérez-Pomata M. T. , Agulla A. , Merino F. J. , Villasante P. A. , Velasco A. C.
Published: May 2009

Six hundred and thirteen fresh diarrhoeal faeces were inoculated on Skirrow blood agar (SK), on Preston blood free agar (PBF), and in Campy-thioglycolate broth (CT). After 24 h of storage at 4 °C, specimens were again inoculated on SK and PBF, and in Campylobacter enrichment broth (CEB). CT tubes were placed overnight at 4 °C. Plates and CEB tubes were incubated at 43 °C in microaerophilic conditions. A total of 68 specimens was positive for campylobacter on direct plating. Sixty-four of them were also recovered after subculturing from CT, and only 51 from CEB. Delayed inoculation of plates after storage of samples at 4 °C yielded 57 isolates. The storage of faeces at 4 °C for 24 h significantly reduces the number of campylobacter isolates. When samples are not plated immediately we recommend inoculating a CT tube maintained at 4 °C overnight as a holding medium.
Bacterial contamination of stored water and stored food: a potential source of diarrhoeal disease in West Africa
Authors: Mølbak Kåre , Højlyng Niels , Jepsen Søren , Gaarslev Knud
Published: May 2009

The food and water hygiene in two Liberian communities was studied in a house-to-house diarrhoea survey. The level of contamination with enterobacteria of drinking water stored in the households was significantly higher than at the water sources. Food hygiene standards were low, particularly in the urban slum where storage of cooked food for long periods led to bacterial multiplication at high levels. Infant foods were particularly heavily contaminated. It is concluded that when water supply programmes are planned, the presence of other risk factors for water-related diseases should be investigated. To ensure maximum health benefits, water projects should as a rule be accompanied by other interventions.
A christening party outbreak of haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with Escherichia coli O 157. H7
Authors: Salmon R. L. , Farrell I. D. , Hutchison J. G. P. , Coleman D. J. , Gross R. J. , Fry N. K. , Rowe B. , Palmer S. R.
Published: May 2009

A point source outbreak of haemorrhagic colitis due to Escherichia coli O 157. H7 producing verocytotoxin (VT), took place following a christening party in Birmingham in June 1987. Twenty-six people were affected, six were admitted to hospital and one developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome: there were no deaths. VT + E. coli O 157. H7 was isolated from 13 (57%) of 23 faecal specimens from affected people and from 3 (9%) of 33 specimens from asymptomatic people. Free VT was detected in the faeces of one further asymptomatic person. Illness was associated with eating turkey-roll sandwiches (P < 0·001) suggesting that cold meats might be an important source of infection.
EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coliin the domestic environment of a Malaysian village
Authors: Vadivelu J. , Feachem R. G. , Drasar B. S. , Harrison T. J. , Parasakthi N. , Thambypillai V. , Puthucheary S. D.
Published: May 2009

The membrane-filter assay, GM1-ELISA, and DNA-DNA hybridization assay, were used to detect enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) in samples of water, weaning food, food preparation surface swabs, fingerprints of mothers, and the fingerprints and stools of children under 5 years of age, in 20 households in a Malaysian village. Weaning food and environmental samples were frequently contaminated by faecal coliforms, including ETEC. The membrane-filter assay detected and enumerated faecal coliforms and LT-ETEC in all types of water and weaning food samples. Highest concentrations of faecal coliforms and LT-ETEC were found in weaning food, followed by well-water, stored water and stored drinking water. The GM1-ELISA detected LT-ETEC in weaning food, food preparation surfaces, fingerprints and stool samples. The DNA-DNA hybridization assay detected a larger proportion of STa2-ETEC than the other toxotypes, either singly or in combination. All the assays in combination detected the presence of ETEC in all types of samples on at least one occasion in each household. It was not possible to classify households as consistently more or less contaminated with ETEC. On individual occasions it was possible to show a significant association of the presence of LT-ETEC between the fingerprints of children and their stools, fingerprints of mothers and children, and weaning food and the stools of the child consuming the food.
Multiresistant serotype O 12Pseudomonas aeruginosa: evidence for a common strain in Europe
Authors: Pitt T.L. , Livermore D.M. , Pitcher D. , Vatopoulos A.C. , Legakis N.J.
Published: May 2009

A survey was made of serotype association and multiple antibiotic resistance in strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosain Europe. Of 208 epidemiologically distinct strains from 16 laboratories in 10 countries, 48 were resistant to carbenicillin (MIC > 128 μg/ml) and gentamicin (MIC > 4 μ g/ml), and 12 of these strains were of serotvpe O 12. Representative O 12 strains from different countries were compared with two multiresistant O 12 strains isolated 5 years apart, from a British burns unit and the antibiotic sensitive serotype reference strain. All O 12 strains were similar by phage and pyocin typing but lysogenic phage profiles indicated that two strains (the later burns isolate and the serotype strain) were distinct from the others. Electrophoretic characterization of outer membrane proteins, lipopoly- saccharides and esterase enzymes corroborated the relationship of the strains and restriction fragment length polymorphism of DNA fragments hybridized with a cDNA probe copy of rRNA fromP. aeruginosaprovided further proof of their relatedness. We propose that the uniformity of characters of multiresistant O 12P. aeruginosain Europe is suggestive of a common origin for the strains.
Influenza mortality and excess deaths in the elderly, 1967–82
Authors: Sprenger M. J. W. , Van Naelten M. A. M. G. , Mulder P. G. H. , Masurel N
Published: May 2009

This study assessed the influence of influenza on mortality from heart and lung diseases in people over 70 years of age. The data used were obtained from the Dutch Bureau of Statistics. With a regression model, the observed monthly mortality from heart and lung diseases (influenza not included) in people over 70 years is explained with a yearly variable, a monthly variable and the overall monthly number of influenza mortality cases, assuming that monthly mortality has a Poisson distribution. The monthly excess mortality from heart and lung diseases (influenza not included) due to influenza among elderly people (> 70 years) is estimated.
An outbreak of waterborne cryptosporidiosis caused by post-treatment contamination
Authors: Smith H. V. , Patterson W. J. , Hardie R. , Greene L. A. , Benton C. , Tulloch W. , Gilmour R. A. , Girdwood R. W. A. , Sharp J. C. M. , Forbes G. I.
Published: May 2009

An outbreak of waterborne cryptosporidiosis affecting 27 persons, diagnosed stool positive, occurred in Ayrshire in April 1988. Twenty-one of the 27 confirmed cases required some form of fluid replacement therapy. Local general practitioners indicated a two- to fivefold increase in diarrhoeal disease during the outbreak, and following enquiries made by Environmental Health Officers it became apparent that many hundreds of people had suffered a diarrhoeal illness at that time.Cryptosporidiumspp. oocysts were detected in the treated chlorinated water supply system, in the absence of faecal bacterial indicators. Oocyst contamination of a break-pressure tank containing final water for distribution was the cause of this waterborne outbreak. An irregular seepage of oocyst-containing water, which increased during heavy rains, was the cause of the break-pressure tank contamination, rather than a failure of the water-treatment processes. The waterborne route should be considered when clusters of cryptosporidiosis associated with potable water occur. Waterborne cryptosporidiosis can occur in the absence of other faecal indicators of contamination.
HBV-DNA, HBeAg/anti-HBe serological status in hepatitis B chronic individuals from central Italy
Authors: Rapicetta M. , Di Nardo V. , Rozera C. , Marinucci G. , Francisci D. , Sarrecchia B. , Ricci C. , Albertoni F.
Published: May 2009

A population of 488 HBsAg carrier individuals, from central Italy, classified on the basis of biochemical, clinical and histological parameters, was analysed for the presence of HBV-DNA in serum and its relationship with HBeAg/anti-HBe markers. The prevalence of HBV-DNA was 32·8% in chronic patients with biopsy-proven liver disease, and 20 and 4·3% respectively in asymptomatic carriers with and without altered ALT levels. The values in chronic patients were correlated with the histological activity.

Concordance of HBV-DNA presence and HBeAg positivity was observed in only 61·4% of cases. However HBV-DNA prevalence in sera of anti-HBe positive individuals was very low in asymptomatic carriers with normal ALT levels (2·5%). Higher values were observed in anti-HBe positive chronic patients (15·8%) and in carriers occasionally found with changes in ALT without any other clinical sign of illness (16·7%). These data would indicate that HBV-DNA is the serological marker which is most closely related to liver disease.
Epidemiology of shigellosis in Teknaf, a coastal area of Bangladesh: a 10-year survey
Authors: Hossain Md. Anowar , Albert M. John , Hasan Kh. Zahid
Published: May 2009

The epidemiological data on shigellosis in Teknaf, a coastal area of Bangladesh, were reviewed for a 10-year period (1975–84). Certain similarities and differences were observed in the epidemiology of the disease in Teknaf when compared with urban Dhaka and rural Matlab. Similarities included: round-the-year infection with two peaks, one in the monsoon period and the other in the winter period; high male to female attendance ratio at the treatment centre: the predominance of infection in the under-15-year age group; high mortality rate in the under-5-year age group of both sexes and in females of all age groups; the multiple drug resistance of organisms. Differences included the higher isolation rate of organisms in Teknaf (42·1 % as against 11–12% in Dhaka and Matlab) and the preponderance of Shigella dysenteriae 1 infection in females in Teknaf. The unusually high isolation rate of shigella makes Teknaf the area with the highest incidence of shigellosis in Bangladesh.
The colonization resistance of the digestive tract in different animal species and in man; a comparative study
Authors: Van Der Waaij D. , Van Der Waaij B. D.
Published: May 2009

The present study has attempted to determine the colonization resistance (CR) of the digestive tract by biotyping Enterobacteriaceae in four faecal samples per subject of five different animal species as well as man. The results indicate that the degree of bacterial contamination with Enterobacteriaceae from the environment may strongly influence the outcome. Both conventionally living chicken and man, showed a much wider range of the ‘confidence limits of the mean’ of the mean number of biotypes per faecal sample between individual subjects, than was found between subjects maintained under laboratory circumstances. Yet there appeared a statistically significant difference in CR between some of the animal species as a group. Man did not differ from monkeys, however, both differed from the rodents species studied. Monkeys differed also from dogs and the latter from rodents. It is concluded that the CR measured by determining the mean number of biotypes of Enterobacteriaceae can only be used for accurate comparison of the CR between subjects, if the ‘bacteriological environment’ is known; i.e. the sources of contamination.
Cell surface hydrophobicity, adherence to HeLa cell cultures and haemagglutination pattern of pyelonephritogenicEscherichia colistrains
Authors: Brauner A. , Katouli M. , Tullus K. , Jacobson S. H.
Published: May 2009

Cell surface hydrophobicity, haemagglutination pattern and adherence to HeLa cells were examined in 230 strains ofEscherichia colicollected from women (n= 61 strains) and children (n= 65 strains) with non-obstructive acute pyelonephritis and in 104 faecal control strains ofE. colifrom healthy adults (n= 71 strains) and children (n= 33 strains). PyelonephritogenicE. colistrains showed a significantly increased incidence of hydrophobic properties (90%) and mannose resistant haemagglutination (MRHA) of human erythrocytes (83%) than faecal control strains (64 and 23% respectively,P< 0·001 in both cases). Mannose sensitive haemagglutination (MSHA) was observed in 48% of the pyelonephritogenicE. colistrains and in 50% of the faecal control strains (NS). The incidence of adherence to HeLa cells was low both in pyelonephritogenic and faecal control strains, 6 and 7% respectively (NS). The bacterial phenotypes MRHA + MSHA + and MRHA + MSHA− appeared significantly more often in pyelonephritogenicE. colistrains (35 and 48% respectively) than in faecal control strains (5 and 17% respectively,P< 0·001 in both cases). The phenotype MRHA − MSHA + occurred significantly more often in control strains (45%) than in pyelonephritogenic strains (13%,P< 0·001). Eighty-three per cent of the pyelonephritogenicE. colistrains expressing hydrophobic properties showed MRHA and 50% of the hydrophobic strains showed MSHA. There were no significant correlations between cell surface hydrophobic properties and haemagglutination pattern or adherence to HeLa cells in pyelonephritogenicE. colistrains nor in faecal control strains.
The epidemiology of salmonella infection of calves: the role of dealers
Authors: Wray C. , Todd N. , McLaren I. , Beedell Y. , Rowe B.
Published: May 2009

Salmonellas were detected in the environment of 10 of the 12 calf dealers' premises studied. The cleaning and disinfection routines were often ineffective and salmonellas were isolated from 7·6 % and 5·3 % of the wall and floor samples before disinfection and 6·8% and 7·6% afterwards. Eight different salmonella serotypes were detected, of which the commonest wereSalmonella typhimurium, predominantly phage type DT204C, andS. dublin. Plasmid profiles were used to fingerprintS. typhimuriumDT204C and the results indicated that with the exception of one of the premises, prolonged salmonella-persistence in the environment was not occurring.

Three separate epidemics of salmonellosis in calves were studied by use of plasmid profile analysis. The results illustrated the role of dealers, and their subcontractors, in the dissemination of salmonellas. The study concludes with suggestions for methods to reduce the spread of salmonellas in the calf marketing chain.
Phage type and DNA plasmid profile ofSalmonella typhimuriumisolates in the area of Isernia, Italy
Authors: Fantasia M. , Ricci N. , Manuppella A. , Martini A. , Filetici E. , Laurelli T.
Published: May 2009

Thirty-eightSalmonella typhimuriumstrains isolated from December 1987 to March 1988 in Isernia, Central Italy, were characterized on the basis of their phage type, resistance to antimicrobials and plasmid profiles. According to their phage types, the isolates could be assigned to one of six groups, the prevalent one being PT 195 which accounted for 73·6% of isolates.

On the basis of their plasmid content, the isolates could be assigned to one of ten groups. The prevalent plasmid profile (60·0; 6·0; 4·3; 4·0; 3·2 megadaltons) was found in 60·4% of isolates.

All the isolates from a particular food (salsicce), and as most of isolates from humans who had consumed this food belonged to phage type 195 and were of the same plasmid profile.

The combined use of phage typing and DNA plasmid analysis proved to be a useful tool in identifying epidemiologically related isolates in this investigation.
Serological study of the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in asymptomatic patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Holliman R. E.
Published: May 2009

Asymptomatic individuals seropositive for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were investigated for the presence of toxoplasma specific antibody. Serological examination was performed using multiple assays. Of 500 patients studied 133 had serological evidence of previous exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Specific IgM was detected in 7 patients using ISAGA and 2 patients by DS-ELISA. The immunoglobulin-G annual seroconversion rate was calculated to be 0·75 %. The results of this study indicate 27 % of HIV positive patients in the UK are at risk of developing life-threatening secondary reactivation of cerebral toxoplasmosis in association with AIDS. A further 0·5–1 % per year may suffer primary toxoplasmosis.
Human antibody response to fragments A and B of diphtheria toxin and a synthetic peptide of amino acid residues 141–157 of fragment A
Authors: Perera V. Y. , Corbel M. J.
Published: May 2009

Examination of a selection of serum samples from adults from two regions of England showed that 50 % of men in the 16–24 years and over 55 years age groups had high titres of antibody to diphtheria toxin (DT). In contrast, only 11% of women aged 16 to over 55 years had high titres of antibody to DT. All human antisera with high anti-DT titres reacted with a synthetic peptide (SP) corresponding to the amino acids 141–157 of DT fragment A, with sera from men aged 35 to over 55 years showing the highest titres. High antibody titres to fragment A paralleled those to SP in both sexes. Titres of antibody to DT fragment B were highest in individuals with high titres to DT. In sera from both sexes immunoglobulin G1was the predominant subclass reactive with all three antigens. However, both IgG1and IgG4and to a lesser extent IgG2and IgG3were present in immunoglobulin concentrates.
Extended phage-typing scheme forEscherichia coli0157:H7
Authors: Khakhria R. , Duck D. , Lior H.
Published: May 2009

In Canada, the number of human isolates of verotoxigenic (VT +ve)Escherichia coli0157:H7 from diarrhoeal cases and haemolytic uraemic syndrome and haemorrhagic colitis has increased from 25 in 1982 to 2384 in 1989. A total of 3273 VT + veE. coli0157:H7 strains (3255 strains isolated in Canada and 18 isolates from other countries) were phage typed. The phage typing scheme has been extended from 14 to 62 phage types. Of these, five types occurred exclusively in other countries (type 47 in Japan; and types 49, 50, 51 and 52 in the U.K.). Thirty-five different phage types were identified in Canada; only nine of these (1, 2, 4, 8, 14, 21, 23, 31 and 32), each accounted for more than 1 % of the cases from human sources. The same nine types were the only ones observed among the isolates from non-human sources (meat and slaughter houses) suggesting a food-borne transmission in most of the human cases. Phage types 1 (30·5%); 4 (21%); 8 (13·5%); 31 (8·9%) and 14 (8%) were encountered in varying frequencies in most of the provinces; infrequently occurring phage types also showed regional variation. Thirteen different phage types were identified among 151 outbreaks representing 556 isolates ofE. coli0157:H7. More than one phage type were encountered in 12 outbreaks whereas in 141 outbreaks, all strains in each, had the same phage type.
Escherichia colipopulations from diabetic and non-diabetic patients with bacteraemia and faecal samples from healthy subjects – a comparative study
Authors: Brauner A. , Hylander B. , Wretlind B. , Östenson C.-G. , Kühn I.
Published: May 2009

Biochemical reactions, using the PhP-EC system of biochemical fingerprinting, were evaluated in order to group strains into different clusters and to investigate whether a biochemical typing system may be used to distinguish between randomly selectedEscherichia colistrains obtained from bacteraemic patients and healthy controls. Fifty epidemiologically unrelated strains isolated from blood of non-diabetic patients and 46 faecal control strains were studied. Separately, 70E. colistrains from 64 diabetic patients with bacteraemia were investigated. Diversity index was 0·977, 0·969 and 0·941 respectively. The strains were clustered at a similarity level of 0·95. The bacteraemic and control strains were subdivided into 14 different clusters with 2–12 strains each and 40 ‘outliers’. The largest cluster was dominated by bacteraemic strains (9/12, 75%). Two other clusters were dominated by control strains. In the remaining groups blood and faecal isolates were evenly distributed. No biochemical test was able to distinguish between bacteraemic and faecal control strains. Strains from patients with diabetes mellitus were grouped in 11 clusters containing 2–14 strains and 22 ‘outliers’. The low diversity index of bacteraemic strains obtained from diabetic patients as compared to other strains indicated a greater homogenicity. However, no correlation was observed between the examined host factors and the clusters.
Differentiation ofAchromobacter-like strains from human blood by DNA restriction endonuclease digest and ribosomal RNA gene probe patterns
Authors: Holmes B. , Costas M. , Wood A. C. , Owen R. J. , Morgan D. D.
Published: May 2009

Variation amongstAchromobacter-like strains was examined by DNA restriction endonuclease digestion and rDNA gene patterns generated using a non-radioactive probe. Chromosomal DNA was extracted from 12 cultures representingAchromobactergroups B, E and F, all from human blood cultures. DNA fingerprinting usingEcoRI,HaeIII orHindIII sub-divided the strains in a similar manner to that obtained by their protein patterns. TheHaeIII patterns, with their small number of bands, were the easiest to interpret. TheEcoRI patterns included a species-specific triplet of bands but minor band patterns allowed further differentiation. TheAchromobactergroup F strains comprised a separate taxon and were distinct from the group B and E strains by all techniques examined. The study demonstrates that, in addition to total DNA digest analysis, rDNA gene restriction patterns provide a simple but discriminatory electrophoretic method for distinguishing withinAchromobactergroups B and E.
Vaccination campaign against meningococcal disease in army recruits in Italy
Authors: Stroffolini T.
Published: May 2009

A high attack rate (17·3/100 000) of meningococcal disease in army recruits in Italy, with 95% of the cases due to serogroup C, constituted the motivating factors to make bivalent serogroup A + C meningococcal vaccination compulsory by law for army recruits starting January 1987. Because the vaccine was given only to the new recruits entering the army, full coverage was not achieved until January 1988. Nearly 900 000 subjects (300 000 yearly) were vaccinated between January 1987 and December 1989. There were no reports of any untoward reactions to the vaccine. Of the 300 000 recruits in service each year, 52, 21, 15, 5 and 4 cases of the disease occurred in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989, respectively (P < 0·001).

Of the 24 cases occurring since the start of the vaccination, only two (due to serogroup C) were attributable to vaccine failure. The remaining cases were in unvaccinated recruits (15 cases) or were due to serogroups other than A or C (7 cases). The cumulative incidence of meningococcal serogroup C in the 600 000 vaccinated recruits during the period 1988–89 was 0·2/100 000 (1 case amongst 600 000 recruits), while the corresponding figure in the 600 000 unvaccinatred recruits during the period 1985–6 was 11·3/100000 (68 cases amongst 600 000 recruits) (P < 0·001). The protective efficacy of the vaccine in 1987 was 91·2% (12 cases of meningococcal serogroup A and C disease from an average of 150 000 unvaccinated recruits observed for 1 year, and 1 case from the corresponding average of 150 000 vaccinated ones). In 1988 and in 1989 this figure could not be calculated because all recruits were vaccinated.

The incidence of meningitis caused by other serogroups of meningococci remained low, both before and after the mass vaccination campaign.
Growth ofSalmonella enteritidisin artificially contaminated hens' shell eggs
Authors: Clay C. E. , Board R. G.
Published: May 2009

The effect of some factors on the growth ofSalmonella enteritidisphage type 4 in artificially contaminated shell eggs was investigated.

Salmonella enteritidiswas found to be resistant to the antimicrobial properties of the albumen. Growth occurred on storage at 25 °C but not at 4 or 10 °C. The rate and extent of infection was influenced by the size of inoculum, the site of contamination relative to yolk movement, and the presence of iron in the inoculum.
Variations in microbial indicator densities in beach waters and health-related assessment of bathing water quality
Authors: Cheung W. H. S. , Chang K. C. K. , Hung R. P. S.
Published: May 2009

Daily and hourly variations in microbial indicators densities in the beach-waters of Hong Kong have been described. The levels of Escherichia coli at a number of beaches was observed to be influenced by tide, and for staphylococci, by bather numbers. The tidal influence was most obvious during spring tides; and for the effect of bathers, during neap tides. Both organisms are present in high densities in external sources of faecal pollution of bathing beaches, with the average staphylococci to E. coli ratios being 0·04–3. Staphylococci may serve as an indicator of bather density and the risk of cross-infection amongst bathers (rather than as another indicator of faecal contamination) when the average staphylococci to E. coli ratio for a bathing beach is considerably higher than 3. The variability of microbial indicator densities means the routine sampling of bathing beaches should be carried out on weekend days with maximum numbers of swimmers exposed to the water, and spread throughout the bathing season.