bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiments on the spread of colds: II. Studies in volunteers with coxsackievirus A21
Authors: Buckland F. E. , Bynoe M. L. , Tyrrell D. A. J.
Published: May 2009

The amount of virus in nasal and other secretions after infection with coxsackievirus A 21 has been measured daily in ten volunteers. Most virus was found in nasal secretion, less in throat secretion and small amounts were found intermittently in the saliva and faeces.

Virus administered as small drops or on a swab was more infectious for man if put on to the nasal mucosa than on to the throat or outside the nose. It was also infectious by the conjunctival route.

Virus was sprayed in droplets of about the same size range as those found in a natural sneeze. Virus survived better in larger (> 4 μ) than in smaller droplets. About one tissue culture infectious dose of virus in such droplets also infected volunteers.

The symptoms produced by these experimental infections have been analysed. The disease produced was largely independent of the dosage and route of infection. Those with pre-existing antibody resisted infection better than those with no antibody. Antibody rises were detected in about two-thirds of infected volunteers.

Volunteers with colds shed virus in large drops on sneezing, or into the handkerchief on blowing the nose, but virus was recovered from the air only after simulated sneezes by volunteers with high concentrations of virus in their nasal secretions. Virus died off rapidly on fabric at room temperature and humidity, and was only resuspended as airborne droplets when large doses such as 0·02 ml. of virus of high titre (107·5 TCD 50/ml.) were used.

Infection was transmitted from an infected volunteer to an uninfected partner living in the same flat in three out of twenty tests. Infection was not transmitted in experiments when volunteers mixed for a few hours with subjects with colds, or inhaled air into which a subject with a cold had just sneezed.
Toxicity tests on suspected warfarin resistant house mice (Mus musculus L.)
Authors: Rowe F. P. , Redfern R.
Published: May 2009

1. Residual populations of wild house mice (Mus musculus L.) were trapped alive in premises where poison treatments with 0·025% warfarin bait had been reported to be ineffective.

2. In the laboratory the individually caged mice were fed 0·025% warfarin in a sugar/oil/coarse oatmeal base. In toxicity tests lasting 10 and 21 days, the total mortality was low and the rate of death slow compared with mice drawn from habitats not treated with warfarin.

3. It is suggested that tolerance to warfarin in M. musculus either is polygenically based or is controlled by a single major gene influenced by modifiers and that these hard-to-kill populations have arisen through selection during successive control treatments.
Respiratory illness and viral infection in an Edinburgh nursery
Authors: Aitken C. J. D. , Moffat Margaret A. J. , Sutherland J. A. W.
Published: May 2009

Forty-one children in an Edinburgh nursery were observed for evidence of respiratory illness from November 1963 to April 1964. During this period serial specimens of serum from these children were examined for virus antibodies and serial throat swabs were investigated for the presence of virus. Well-defined outbreaks of respiratory illness occurred and could be associated with respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza 3 virus and influenza C virus infection. Infection with adenovirus followed a more endemic pattern. The antibody response in infants to respiratory syncytial virus as measured by the standard complement-fixation test was found to be much poorer than the response to parainfluenza 3 virus. It is suggested that this may play a part in the severity of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants.
Experiments on the communion cup
Authors: Hobbs Betty C. , Knowlden Jill A. , White Anne
Published: May 2009

Experiments were made to find out whether the common communion cup is likely to serve as a vehicle for the transmission of infection.

A silver chalice and sacramental wine containing 14·5% of alcohol were used. Observations with volunteers showed that the number of organisms deposited on the rim of the chalice varied from person to person, but was usually quite small—less than 100.

Rotation of the cup was of no benefit except to those partaking during the first round, since the saliva deposited on the rim by each person in turn remained to contaminate the cup during the second round, and the combined effect of the alcohol and the silver of the chalice was not rapid enough to destroy the contaminating organisms before rotation of the cup was completed.

On the other hand the use of a linen cloth or purificator led to a diminution of about 90% in the bacterial count of the cup.

Organisms in saliva deposited on the interior of the dry chalice suffered some diminution in numbers within 8 min., presumably as the result of the disinfectant action of the silver, but the effect was too small to be of significance.

When suspended in wine and deposited on the internal surface of the chalice Escherichia coli suffered a substantial reduction within 3 min., Streptococcus pyogenes was destroyed completely; but Staphylococcus aureus was affected to a much less extent.

Various experiments designed to measure the disinfectant action of wine, and of silver and wine together, showed that the augmenting effect of silver on the disinfectant action of the alcohol was quite small. Strep. pyogenes proved to be far more sensitive to alcohol than Esch. coli, Staph. aureus and Serratia marcescens. Under the conditions of the experiment these last three organisms were not destroyed for 10–12 min., whereas Strep. pyogenes perished within 1½ min.

The results of our work are in general agreement with those of previous workers, and show that the organisms deposited on the rim of the communion cup are not destroyed within the short time—5 sec. as an average—elapsing between the partaking of the sacrament by each successive communicant.

It must therefore be admitted that the common communion cup may serve as a means of transmitting infection. Reasons are given, however, for believing that the risk of transmission is very small, and probably much smaller than that of contracting infection by other methods in any gathering of people.

Such risk as there is could be greatly diminished by the use of a purificator for wiping the cup between each communicant, and could be abolished completely by substituting individual cups or by the practice of intinction.
Genetic marker studies of poliovirus: I. Natural variation
Authors: Cossart Yvonne E.
Published: May 2009

The properties of naturally occurring poliovirus strains of each serotype have been studied using three marker tests: the R.C.T.40test, intratypic serodifferentiation and, for type 1 strains only, inhibition by dextran sulphate.

The results show that while most strains resemble the prototype strain of the same serotype, considerable natural variation exists, especially in the ability to grow at temperatures between 39° and 40° C.

No correlation has been found between the results of the tests on individual strains and it is concluded that no single test is sufficient to characterize a strain.
Heat resistance of spores ofClostridium welchii
Authors: Nakamura Mitsuru , Converse James D.
Published: May 2009

Eight strains ofCl. welchiiwere studied for the heat-resistance of their spores. Spores ofCl. welchiiisolated from food-poisoning cases had greater heat-resistance than strains isolated from soil or faeces.D-values and trend values were calculated from the thermal death curves.
Low-temperature preservation of Leptospira, preliminary communication
Authors: Coghlan Joyce D. , Lumsden W. H. R. , McNeillage G. J. C.
Published: May 2009

1. A simple method for the long-term viable-preservation of samples of Leptospira suspensions is described. Quantities of about 25 μl., with the addition of 77·5 % glycerol, are introduced into capillary tubes, cooled slowly to −79° C. and stored at that temperature.

2. More than half the attempts were successful in re-establishing growth in culture after storage at −79° C. for periods up to 27 months.

3. The possibility that the method could be used for establishing ‘banks’ of standard Leptospira material for reference is discussed.
A prospective study of staphylococcal infection and its prevention among infants and mothers after childbirth in hospital and at home
Authors: Baber K. G. , Corner Beryl , Duncan Ethel H. L. , Eades Sheila M. , Gillespie W. A. , Walker Sarah C. B.
Published: May 2009

Staphylococcal colonization and infection were studied prospectively in infants, mothers and households after childbirth at home and in hospital. Infants were treated prophylactically with frequent applications of ‘Ster-zac’ hexachlorophane dusting powder. Some were treated in addition with ‘Naseptin’ nasal disinfectant cream.

The incidence of staphylococcal sepsis in infants was much less than before the adoption of hexachlorophane prophylaxis. The sepsis rate was further reduced when ‘Naseptin’ was used in addition to hexachlorophane. Of the two prophylactic agents, hexachlorophane was the more convenient and probably the more effective. ‘Naseptin’ was difficult to employ correctly and unsuitable for routine use.

The treatment of infants with disinfectants reduced nasal carriage markedly in infants and to a smaller extent in mothers. Both agents contributed to the reductions which persisted for some weeks after treatment ceased.

Breast abscesses were almost entirely confined to mothers of infants who became nasal carriers by the second week of life.

Staphylococcal colonization of infant's skin was greater when they wore impervious garments, probably because skin moisture increased.
Studies on the epizootiology of rinderpest in blue wildebeest and other game species of Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya, 1965–7
Authors: Taylor W. P. , Watson R. M.
Published: May 2009

A serum neutralization test was used to determine the incidence of rinderpest antibodies in populations of blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus albojubatusThomas) occurring in the Serengeti-Mara districts of N. Tanzania and S. Kenya. By correlating the age of animals at the time of shooting with the presence or absence of antibodies it was possible to outline the course of rinderpest in these animals over the period 1961–7.

Serengeti migrant wildebeest were extensively infected in 1961, but not in 1962 or any subsequent year. No samples have been collected from this group since mid-1966. Kirawira resident wildebeest were last infected in 1961 according to samples collected in February 1967. Two of 13 animals born into the Mara resident population in late 1961 or early 1962 were found to possess antibodies, together with a high proportion (74%) of animals born in early 1961. This finding was considered indicative of a rinderpest epizootic in this group in the terminal weeks of 1961. No subsequent infection occurred in Mara wildebeest between 1962 and March 1966. Ngorongoro resident wildebeest were infected in the second half of 1962 but have remained free of rinderpest from 1963 until at least April 1966.

The findings of the present survey were compared and contrasted with results of a similar study carried out some 2 to 3 years previously.

Field strains of bovine rinderpest virus were isolated from the Loliondo district of N. Tanzania in November 1965 and March 1966. Serum samples from buffalo, eland, impala, warthog, and resident wildebeest which inhabited areas adjoining the two outbreaks failed to provide evidence of any recent epizootic in game animals. Circumstantial evidence indicated that the virus could have persisted in the Loliondo area since 1961. Two resident wildebeest born in 1963 and 1964 respectively, were thought to have been infected during a period when the disease went unrecognised. Serengeti migrant wildebeest were not found to have been infected after a period of potential contact with sick cattle in March 1966.
Nasal and skin carriage of Staphylococcus aureus by patients undergoing surgical operation
Authors: Polakoff Sheila , Richards I. D. G. , Parker M. T. , Lidwell O. M.
Published: May 2009

Nasal, perineal, axillary and hand swabs collected from 361 patients immediately before operation were examined for Staphylococcus aureus.

The organism was isolated more often from all three skin sites in nasal carriers of Staph. aureus than in non-carriers.

Twelve per cent of the patients, and 4 % of those with negative nose swabs were perineal carriers. Two per cent were heavy perineal carriers of Staph. aureus strains which could not be isolated by direct culture from a nasal swab. Staphylococcal strains from these heavy, independent, perineal carriers were more often resistant to tetracycline than were strains from nasal carriers.
Carrier rate of salmonellas in sheep and goats and its public health significance
Authors: Kumar S. , Saxena S. P. , Gupta B. K.
Published: May 2009

To find out the salmonella carrier rate, 1980 samples comprising faeces, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen were collected from 812 sheep and 683 goats slaughtered for food. In all 72 salmonella strains from 51 animals (25 sheep and 26 goats) were isolated. These represented 22 salmonella serotypes. The public health significance of these findings is discussed.
Elevated temperature technique for the isolation of salmonellas from sewage and human faeces
Authors: Nabbut Nassim H.
Published: May 2009

Modified Moore's swabs, placed in sewers for 5 days, were used to concentrate salmonellas from sewage. Duplicate cultures of swab strips in selenite broth were incubated at 41 and 37°C. respectively.Salmonellaorganisms were recovered consistently from the swabs when the enrichment broths were incubated at 41°C., However, when equal portions of the same swabs were incubated at 37°C., only 22% of them yieldedSalmonellaorganisms. These results indicate an advantage in incubating the selenite broths at 41°C. rather than 37°C. in attempting to isolate salmonellas from sewage.

One hundred and fifty faecal samples were examined for salmonellas by culture in selenite broths incubated at 41 and 37°C. Twelve (8%) samples were positive at 41°C. compared to only 10 (6·7%) positive samples at 37°C. This difference is not statistically significant to indicate an advantage of the elevated-temperature of incubation over the conventional temperature in attempting to isolate salmonellas from human faeces. Moreover, results of the recovery rates ofS. paratyphi B, S. typhi, andS. typhimuriumindicate that an incubation temperature of 37°C. is more appropriate for recovering salmonellas from artificially infected faecal samples than an incubation temperature of 41°C. This stresses the inability of laboratory studies to mimic conditions in nature.
H phase change of Salmonella thompson at different temperatures
Authors: Harvey R. W. S. , Price T. H.
Published: May 2009

H phase II → phase I conversion of Salmonella thompson was studied at different temperatures. All strains were isolated from one outbreak, and a convenient method of phase conversion was sought. In our hands this was best effected at 20° C.
Salmonella serotypes isolated from tortoises and frogs in Istanbul
Authors: AnĞ Ö. , Özek Ö. , Çetin E. T. , Töreci K.
Published: May 2009

The incidence of Salmonella in tortoises and frogs captured in Istanbul was studied. From 31 out of 40 tortoises (77·5%) and from 16 out of 311 frogs (5·1%) salmonella strains belonging to 18 and 14 serotypes respectively were isolated.
Electron-microscopic study of measles virus in lymphocytes of affected children
Authors: Narang H. K.
Published: May 2009

Two different types of inclusion bodies have been found by electron-microscopy in the cytoplasm of sectioned lymphocytes from children infected with measles.

The first is tubular, 18 nm. internal diameter, embedded in osmiophilic material, and is found during the incubation period. It is not thought to be specific for measles, and is probably identical with structures recently reported in HEp-2 cell lines and tumour tissue.

The second type is less obviously tubular and morphologically resembles measles nucleocapsid. This was found only after the rash had appeared.
Hong Kong influenza in the Royal Air Force 1968–70
Authors: Miller D. L. , Reid D. , Diamond Judith R. , Pereira Marguerite S. , Chakraverty Pratima
Published: May 2009

A prospective serological and clinical study of the epidemics due to the A2/Hong Kong/68 influenza virus was made during the winters 1968–9 and 1969–70 in volunteer subjects in the Royal Air Force. In October 1968 nearly all subjects had haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibody to the A2/Singapore/57 virus and more than half had antibody to strains more recently prevalent in Britain. The proportion with HI antibody to A2/Hong Kong/68 increased from 31% in October 1968 (most at low titres) to 44% after the first epidemic and 72% after the second (most at high titres). Serological infection rates were much lower in those who had detectable antibody at the beginning of each winter than in those who did not. Respiratory illnesses coupled with serological evidence of influenza infection during the winter were rare in persons with an initial titre of HI antibody of 1/40 or more. Infection in the first winter conferred complete protection against infection, with or without illness, in the second. In both epidemics about half those with serological evidence of infection had no reported illness.
The fate of a toxigenic strain ofStaphylococcus aureusin vacuum-packaged bacon
Authors: Dempster J. F. , Kelly W. R.
Published: May 2009

Pork was cured by (a) the Wiltshire method and (b) a hygienic sweet cure process. Representative samples of both bacons were inoculated at ‘low’ density (103 organisms/g.) and ‘high’ density (106 organisms/g.) with a toxin-producing strain ofStaphylococcus aureus, ‘High’ and ‘low’ density samples of both bacons were each stored at 5° C. for 42 days and 15° C. for 21 days.

Results indicated that the test organism at high inoculum density grew slowly in both bacons at 5° C. The organism survived at 5° C. in both ‘low density’ bacons. At 15° C. the test organism grew; growth being more pronounced in the ‘hygienic’ than in Wiltshire bacon.
A particle detector for use in ventilation engineering
Authors: Clark R. P.
Published: May 2009

An electronic particle counting device is described, based on a constant-temperature hot-wire anemometer probe. The device has found application in tracing the motions of droplets and measuring their concentration within ventilated areas when subjected to different types of ventilation. In this way the effectiveness of various systems may be determined.
The production and preliminary investigation of Burulin, a new skin test reagent for Mycobacterium ulcerans infection
Authors: Stanford J. L. , Revill W. D. L. , Gunthorpe W. J. , Grange J. M.
Published: May 2009

The preparation of a skin test antigen from Mycobacterium ulcerans by ultrasonic disintegration and filtration is described. The reagent, called Burulin, was tested in Africa in normal school children, and in patients with leprosy, tuberculosis or M. ulcerans disease. Those with tuberculosis or M. ulcerans disease were simultaneously tested with Tuberculin PPD. Burulin was found to be highly specific for patients in the reactive stage of M. ulcerans disease, and there was no cross-reaction in patients with other mycobacterioses. On the other hand, the majority of patients with M. ulcerans disease reacting to Burulin also produce positive reactions to Tuberculin PPD.
The effect of storage in slurry on the virulence of Salmonella dublin
Authors: Jones P. W.
Published: May 2009

The mouse was used as a model to determine whether storage of Salmonella dublin in slurry and in broth reduces the virulence of the organism. No reduction in virulence of S. dublin stored in slurry for 36 days or in maintenance broth for 70 days was observed. The disease hazard involved in pasture-spreading of slurry contaminated with salmonellas is related to factors other than virulence.
The water agar test: a new test to measure the bacteriological quality of cream
Authors: Taylor Margaret M.
Published: May 2009

A new test, the water agar test, is described that gives a qualitative index of the presence of bacteria that indicate contamination of the cream, poor storage conditions or both of these factors. The method is simple and requires little equipment. The bacteria grow in a film of diluted cream adsorbed on the surface of a non-nutrient base. After incubation at 30 ± 0.5° C. for 18–20 hr., a proteolytic and mucoid colony count is obtained which has the same percentage coefficient of variance as a standard plate count.

An examination of the effect of storage at different temperatures on the types of bacteria present in cream showed that of all the tests done initially, only the water agar test could predict subsequent bacterial growth with any consistency. The multiplication of presumptive coliform organisms occurred even at 3.5° C. Irrespective of the colony count, the methylene blue reduction time was not shorter than 7½ hr. unless the bacteria were in the logarithmic phase of growth when sampled.

A survey was made of the bacterial flora of 188 retail samples of double cream of 15 different brands. The age of the samples varied from freshly separated cream to cream that had been kept in the shop for a day longer than that recommended for sale. The water agar test was compared with the colony count, the presumptive coliform test, a confirmatory coliform count in violet red-bile agar, a lipolytic colony count, a staphylococcal count and the methylene blue reduction test.
Studies on the isolation of Salmonella dublin
Authors: Harvey R. W. S. , Price T. H.
Published: May 2009

Abattoir drain swabs, bovine faeces and a few other veterinary samples were examined for the presence of Salmonella dublin. Three selective agar media and four enrichment broths were investigated. The two most efficient plating media were deoxycholate citrate agar and brilliant green MacConkey agar. Wilson and Blair's bismuth sulphite agar (de Loureiro's modification) was least successful. Selenite F broth, whether incubated at 37 or 43° C., was better than the other enrichment broths used which contained a triphenyl methane dye as one of the selective ingredients.
A programme for collaborative influenza surveillance
Authors:   P.H.L.S. Working Group
Published: May 2009

A surveillance programme is described which is intended to assess the effects of influenza virus infections on communities at large by collating influenza virus isolations and consultations for respiratory infections from general practices with new claims for sickness benefit and deaths from all causes. Particular importance is attached to relating virus isolations to symptomatic respiratory disease seen in practices of known age and sex structure.
Airborne infection in a fully air-conditioned hospital: III. Transport of gaseous and airborne particulate material along ventilated passageways
Authors: Lidwell O. M.
Published: May 2009

A mathematical model is described for the transport of gaseous or airborne particulate material between rooms along ventilated passageways.

Experimental observations in three hospitals lead to a value of about 0.06m.2/sec. for the effective diffusion constant in air without any systematic directional flow. The ‘constant’ appears to increase if there is any directional flow along the passage, reaching about 0.12 m.2/sec. at a flow velocity of 0.04 m./sec.

Together with previously published methods the present formulae make it possible to calculate the expected average amounts of gaseous or particulate material that will be transported from room to room in ventilated buildings in which the ventilation and exchange airflows can be calculated.

The actual amounts transported in occupied buildings, however, vary greatly from time to time.
Multiple skin testing in leprosy
Authors: Paul R. C. , Stanford J. L. , Carswell J. W.
Published: May 2009

Groups of patients with lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy and hospital staff from six leprosaria in East Africa and ‘non-contact’ groups of villagers or staff from general hospitals have been skin tested with 10 reagents. These were prepared by ultrasonic disintegration fromM. tuberculosis, M. duvalii, M. cheloneiand 7 other species identified in the Ugandan environment. Comparisons were made of the percentages of positive reactors in each study group for each reagent. The ‘specific’ defect of lepromatous patients was found to apply to a variable extent to six of the species tested, but not toM. tuberculosis, M. aviumorM. ‘A*’. The defect applied most noticeably toM. nonchromogenicumandM. vaccae, suggesting that they are more closely related toM. lepraethan are the other species tested. The reagent Chelonin produced unexpected and anomalous results in the lepromatous group. It is suggested that this was due to an unusually slow clearing of Arthus' reaction.
Streptococcal infection in young pigs: IV. An outbreak of streptococcal meningitis in weaned pigs
Authors: Windsor R. S. , Elliott S. D.
Published: May 2009

Twenty-eight pigs died in an outbreak of streptococcal meningitis in an East Anglian herd. Most were 10–14 weeks old. The outbreak lasted from January to April and was finally controlled by antibiotic therapy. A similar number of losses had occurred in the previous year though no diagnosis had then been made.

The causal agent appeared to be a haemolytic streptococcus belonging to group D and provisionally designatedStreptococcus suistype 2. It is probably identical with de Moor's group R streptococcus which causes a similar disease in the Netherlands. It is serologically distinct fromStreptococcus suistype 1 which causes meningitis in piglets. Type 2 infection in pigs appears to be widespread in England and Wales and to occur in animals up to the age of at least 14 weeks.

A comparison is drawn betweenStr. suismeningitis in pigs and group B streptococcal meningitis in human infants.
Experimental model of oral antityphoid vaccination with live streptomycin-dependentSalmonella typhimuriumin C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Vladoianu I. R. , Dubini F.
Published: May 2009

The present experimental model offered the opportunity to study particular aspects concerning the avirulence stability of live streptomycin-dependent (Sm D)Salmonellavaccines, under conditions resembling human enteric fever. The results seem to indicate that, in practice, the risk of reversion to a virulent form during oral antityphoid vaccination with Sm D strains remains slight even after the interruption of concomitant streptomycin administration.
Observations on the epidemiology of ephemeral fever in Kenya.
Authors: Davies F. G. , Shaw T. , Ochieng P.
Published: May 2009

Ephemeral fever antibody was found in domestic cattle in Kenya across a wide range of ecological zones, from highland forests and grasslands to desert and semidesert thorn scrub. Antibody was found in several species of game animals, notably waterbuck and buffalo, where over 50% of the samples showed antibody to EF. Evidence was obtained to show that the virus had been cycling in these wild ruminant populations between epizootics in domestic cattle.
Multiple skin testing of Kenyan schoolchildren with a series of new tuberculins
Authors: Paul R. C. , Stanford J. L. , Misljenóvic Ozrenka , Lefering Janna
Published: May 2009

This study on Kenyan schoolchildren aims to elucidate the effect of contact with environmental mycobacteria on the development of specific delayed hyper-sensitivity. A series of 12 skin test reagents was employed; eleven of them were prepared from extracts of living mycobacteria and the last was the P.P.D. RT 23. Eight of the new tuberculins were prepared from mycobacteria recovered from the East African environment. A total of 8641 tests were carried out on 4320 children between the ages of 6 and 17 years in four townships. Two of these townships were in fertile agricultural areas and two were in the desert. Just over 80% of the children had received BCG immunization.

The results obtained showed that increasing age, geographical locality and BCG immunization all had a profound effect, and socioeconomic background had some effect, on the pattern of reactivity to the various reagents. The rationale behind the use of the series of new tuberculins and the results obtained with them are discussed in relation to the interacting effects of the factors complicating these results.
The effect of diet on intestinal Escherichia coli
Authors: Bettelheim K. A. , Cooke E. Mary , O'Farrell Sheila , Shooter R. A.
Published: May 2009

During an 8-week period all specimens of stool passed by six nurses were examined for the presence of Escherichia coli and all isolations of this organism were serotyped. During the middle 4 weeks of the period the nurses ate a sterile diet. A smaller number of serotypes was isolated during the period of sterile diet than during the period when normal food was eaten. This finding supports the view that normal food is a source of strains of E. coli present in the bowel. Some new serotypes of E. coli did appear during the period of sterile diet. The possible sources of these are discussed.
Protective efficacy of RIT 4025, a live attenuated influenza vaccine strain, and evaluation of heterotypic immunity to influenza A viruses in ferrets
Authors: Delem A.
Published: May 2009

Ferrets immunized with an H3N2 recombinant of A/PR/8/34 and A/Scotland/ 840f74 (RIT 4025 vaccine strain) were almost completely protected against a challenge with the homologous strain A/Scotland/ 840/ 74. The protection was lower but highly significant when the challenge was performed with the heterologous A/Victoria/3f75 wild strain. The protection afforded by the vaccine strain was measured by three indicators: absence of temperature rise, absence or reduction of virus shedding and absence or reduction of nasal protein increase when compared with uninoculated controls.

Heterotypic immunity in this animal model was not significant when these three indicators were measured after a challenge inoculation performed 5 weeks after immunization.
Standard aeration for gas-sterilized plastics
Authors: White J. D.
Published: May 2009

In an effort to provide guidelines for standardizing aeration times for plastics sterilized with ethylene oxide, an Aeration Index has been developed. Based on the rate of diffusion of ethylene oxide in selected polymers, the Index provides an indication of the aeration time at ambient temperature (23°C) for the ethylene oxide concentration in freshly sterilized plastics to drop to 50 parts/106.
In vivotransfer of an R factor within the lower gastro-intestinal tract of sheep
Authors: Smith M. G.
Published: May 2009

The transfer of an R factor from donorE. coliintroduced into the rumen of adult sheep to strains of the coliform microflora resident post rumen in the lower gastro-intestinal tract was found to be greatly increased when the animals were subjected to a short period of starvation (ca. 24–48 h). This also resulted in coliform organisms containing the resistance determinants of the R factor being excreted for much longer periods, sometimes for months afterwards. As no antibiotic treatment was given to the animals during these experiments, possession of the R factor should have conferred no selective advantages on the host cells and other plasmids could possibly be transferred similarlyin vivoin sheep or other ruminants and perhaps also within the gut of monogastric animals.
Distribution and titres of rotavirus antibodies in different age groups
Authors: Elias M. M.
Published: May 2009

Three hundred and fifty-seven sera selected at random from hospital patients of all ages were examined for rotavirus antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence (FA) and complement fixation tests (CFT). Three hundred and fourteen of these were also tested for neutralizing antibodies to human rotavirus. Sera from patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis were excluded from this survey.

FA antibodies were found in newborn infants but fell to undetectable titres at 3 months. The highest titres were found in children between the ages of one and three years. In older age groups, the modal titre fell gradually with increasing age until, in sera from those above 70 years of age, FA antibodies were almost undetectable. The same pattern was observed with neutralizing antibodies. A high modal titre of CF antibodies was only found in sera from those aged one to three years.
Bluetongue studies with sentinel cattle in Kenya
Authors: Davies F. G.
Published: May 2009

Bluetongue antibody of 19 different serological types was found in a group of sentinel cattle near Nairobi. A continuous challenge by these 19 strains occurred each year in this location. The sero-conversion rates were shown to vary from year to year and rainfall had no obvious effect upon the conversion rates.

The 19 different strains of virus were also shown to be active at five widely scattered sites in different parts of the country.
Spread of Salmonella typhi in a maternity hospital
Authors: Ayliffe G. A. J. , Geddes A. M. , Pearson J. E. , Williams T. C.
Published: May 2009

An Asian patient with undiagnosed typhoid fever was admitted to a maternity hospital and delivered within 10 mm. Salmonella typhi (phage type D5) was isolated from her blood and from the faeces of her baby. Another woman in a different room of the labour suite at the same time acquired the same organism in her faeces; her brother was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit 5 weeks later with typhoid fever. Two babies, born over 60 h after the index case was delivered, became faecal excreters of the same strain and one of them also developed S. typhi osteitis of the hip. These two babies and their mothers were in the same ward as each other, but not that occupied by the infected mother and her baby. Nine other excreters in two of the families involved were identified. The index case and her baby were isolated immediately after delivery, and the relevant rooms in the labour suite were adequately disinfected. No evidence of undisinfected equipment used by the index case and the other infected patients was found, and no spread to staff was detected. The mode of spread remains unknown.
Attempts to control clothes-borne infection in a burn unit, 2. Clothing routines in clinical use and the epidemiology of cross-colonization
Authors: Ransjö Ulrika
Published: May 2009

Previous investigations have shown that cross-contamination in a burn unit is mainly clothes-borne. New barrier garments have been designed and tried experimentally. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different clothing routines on cross-contamination. In a long-term study, the rates and routes of colonizations withStaphylococcus aureus, Streptococcusgroups A, B, C, F, and G andPseudomonas aeruginosawere examined. The exogenous colonization rates were, withS. aureus77%, withStreptococcusspecies 52% and withPs. aeruginosa32%. The colonization rate withPs. aeruginosawas higher in patients with larger burns. Patients dispersedStreptococcusandPs. aeruginosaas well asS. aureusinto the air of their rooms in considerable amounts, but dispersers were not more important as sources of cross-colonization than non-dispersers. In comparison of clothing routines, there was no difference in overall colonization rates. The newly designed barrier garment that was made from apparently particle-tight material did not reduce the transfer of bacteria from patient to patient. A less rigid routine than that previously used did not increase the risk of cross-contamination. A thorough change of barrier dress after close contact nursing delayed the first exogenousS. aureuscolonization from day 6 to day 14 after admission. This routine might be recommended for clinical use. Otherwise, methods must be developed for adequate selection of materials intended for barrier garments.
A bacteriological investigation of two leisure centre swimming pools disinfected with ozone
Authors: Wyatt T. D. , Wilson T. S.
Published: May 2009

A bacteriological study was carried out on the first Leisure Centre swimming pools in the United Kingdom to be disinfected with ozone/chlorine. Results suggested that a free chlorine concentration of approximately 0·8 mg/l was necessary to maintain the pools in a bacteriologically satisfactory condition. This amount of free chlorine was similar to that required when the pool was disinfected with chlorine alone. However, the associated amount of combined chlorine was much lower when disinfection was by ozone/chlorine and this gave more acceptable bathing conditions. Implications for the management of pools disinfected by this method are discussed.
Evaluation of products for treating babies' napkins
Authors: Gaya H. , Thirlwall J. , Shaw Elizabeth J. , Hassam Zerha
Published: May 2009

A test is described for assessing the sanitizing effect of napkin treatment products on naturally urine-wetted and faecally-contaminated napkins. This test defines in-use conditions which closely resemble typical domestic situations. One napkin treatment product (‘Napisan’), tested at two different concentrations and with challenges of different numbers of babies' napkins, performed satisfactorily under the conditions used.
Delayed antimicrobial effects of skin disinfection by alcohol
Authors: Lilly H. A. , Lowbury E. J. L. , Wilkins M. D. , Zaggy A.
Published: May 2009

Aqueous suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus were deposited on a Millipore filter and then exposed for a few seconds to 70 % ethyl alcohol. Viable counts of bacteria extracted from the filter immediately after exposure to alcohol, and, in replicate experiments, after a further period of 3 h, showed that the mean immediate reduction of 97·6 % in viable counts after treatment with alcohol was followed by a further mean reduction of 67· 1 % in the further 3 h holding time; the same bacterial suspensions allowed to dry on Millipore filters without exposure to alcohol showed a significantly smaller mean reduction in viable counts (34·3 %) during a further 3 h holding time. These findings support the view that the reported further fall in numbers of bacteria on hands while wearing gloves for 3 h after alcohol disinfection can be explained by sublethal damage to some of the bacteria, from which they can recover only if promptly inoculated on culture medium.
Studies on the estimation of the hygienic condition of frozen broiler chickens
Authors: van Schothorst M. , Northolt M. D. , Kampelmacher E. H. , Notermans S.
Published: May 2009

Various sampling techniques to determine the aerobic,E. coliand Entero-bacteriaceae counts and to detect the presence of salmonellas were compared. As a simple method for the detection of salmonellas a modified Surkeiwicz procedure using both drip and rinse water is advocated. To evaluate hygiene during processing, determination of the number of Enterobacteriaceae in pieces of skin from the ventral, lateral and breast region is preferred.
Extraction methods and test techniques for detection of vegetable proteins in meat products:I. Qualitative detection of soya derivatives
Authors: Hyslop N. ST G.
Published: May 2009

Extracts of 3 soya bean preparations, used commercially in certain countries to replace part of the meat in popular meat products, were made by treatment with (i) sodium dodecyl sulphate, (ii) Triton-X100 or (iii) n–Butanol. Similar extracts were made from beef and pork.

All extracts were examined by electrophoretic and immunological techniques. Stained polyacrylamide gels revealed distinctive protein bands after electrophoresis. The migration rates of corresponding bands differed between beef and pork extracts. However, the migration rates of vegetable bands revealed certain similarities, but differed very greatly from those of animal origin. Characteristic fast-migrating S-bands were distinguishable only in extracts of vegetable protein. Immunodiffusion tests, using antisera produced in rabbits against each extract, revealed varying degrees of similarity between extracts of vegetable origin, but the antisera were specific for either vegetable or animal protein.
An outbreak of shigellosis in laboratory marmosets and tamarins (Family: Callithricidae)
Authors: Cooper J. E. , Needham J. R.
Published: May 2009

An outbreak of shigellosis due to Shigella sonnei, is reported in laboratory maintained marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and tamarins (Saguinus nigricollis). The clinical signs and pathological lesions are described and the microbiological findings discussed. Control of the disease was based upon hygiene and antibiotic therapy and the consequences of this approach are described in detail.
A newPseudomonasvaccine: Preliminary trial on human volunteers
Authors: Jones R. J. , Roe E. A. , Lowbury E. J. L. , Miler J. J. , Spilsbury J. F.
Published: May 2009

Fifteen healthy volunteers were given three weekly subcutaneous injections of a new polyvalentPseudomonas aeruginosavaccine (PEV-01). Four doses – 1·0 RHD (manufacturer's recommended human dose), 0·75 RHD, 0·5 RHD and 0·1 RHD – were used in separate groups of volunteers. Blood samples taken before each of the injections and one taken 7 days after the last injection were examined for immune response to the vaccine and for possible adverse clinical, biochemical and haematological effects.

Raised titres of antibody in serum of volunteers given 0·5–1·0 RHD vaccine were shown, often by the seventh day, in passive haemagglutination tests against all of the 16 serotypes ofPs. aeruginosarepresented in the vaccine; serum from volunteers who received 0·1 RHD usually showed a reduced antibody titre. Tests of mouse protection by serum against intraperitoneal challenge withPs. aeruginosaP14 showed increased titres of mouse protective antibody in the blood of volunteers given 1·0, 0·75 or 0·5 RHD of vaccine but a reduced mouse-protective titre in two out of three sera from volunteers given 0·1 RHD vaccine. There was a suggestion of enhanced phagocytic ingestion and intracellular killing of two strains ofPs. aeruginosaby the blood of vaccinated volunteers, and more definite enhancement of ingestion of inert latex particles, which were less well ingested than were the bacterial cells by phagocytes from unvaccinated volunteers.

Apart from slight or moderate local reactions and a transient rise of temperature in some volunteers, there were no clinical, biochemical or haematological abnormalities in the vaccinated volunteers.
Nalidixic acid as a selective agent for the isolation of enterobacteria from river water
Authors: Hughes Colin
Published: May 2009

Enterobacteria are more resistant to nalidixic acid than the majority of other Gram-negative organisms isolated from river water, so allowing their selection on MacConkey agar containing nalidixic acid. Selection is further improved by anaerobic incubation which, with nalidixic acid, virtually eliminates oxidase-positive strains such asPseudomonasorAeromonas.
Prevalent serotypes ofBordetella pertussisin non-vaccinated communities
Authors: Preston Noel W.
Published: May 2009

In many countries, the prevalent serotypes ofBordetella pertussishave changed from a mixture of types 1,2,3 and 1,2 (organisms possessing antigen 2) to a predominance of type 1,3. The timing of the change in different countries is shown to be related to the introduction of mass-vaccination with material rich in antigens 1 and 2 but weak in, or devoid of, antigen 3. In several parts of the world, there have been outbreaks of type 1,3 infection in fully vaccinated children.

Non-vaccinated communities in various parts of the world still show the pattern of serotypes which existed elsewhere before mass-vaccination.

In order to avoid the disappointments experienced in the past, it is essential that pertussis vaccine for use in previously non-vaccinated communities, like that for any other country, should be rich in each of the three antigens.
The skin flora of the hemiplegic hand
Authors: Chin P. , Davies D. G.
Published: May 2009

More organisms were found on the paralysed hands of hemiplegic patients than on their unaffected ones. However, both showed considerably higher bacterial counts than did geriatric patients without paralysis. An infection rate for Cl. welchi of 15% was found in the paralysed hands.
Salmonellain the American cockroach: evaluation of vector potential through dosed feeding experiments
Authors: Klowden Marc J. , Greenberg Bernard
Published: May 2009

Restrained American cockroaches,Periplaneta americanaL., were fed graded doses ofSalmonella typhimuriumranging from 1·6 × 103to 2·0 × 106, and their faeces assayed daily for the pathogen. Only 4 specimens out of 117 demonstrated multiplication of salmonellas, which was unrelated to size of input. When data of persistence regardless of actual numbers were expressed as percentageSalmonella-positive faecal-days, and these transformed to probits, a graph of percentage-positive faecal-days versus log dose allowed a calculation of the CD 50, or contaminative dose required for 50% of the faecal-days to be infective. The CD 50 for this cockroach species was 1·4 × 106Salmonella.
Isolation of salmonellas from sewage-polluted river water using selenite F and Muller–Kauffmann tetrathionate
Authors: Harvey R. W. S. , Price T. H.
Published: May 2009

Selenite F broth and a modified Muller—Kauffmann tetrathionate broth were investigated using sewage-polluted natural water as inocula. The modification of the tetrathionate medium was necessary as commercial alternatives would not allow multiplication of small numbers of salmonellas.

The wide range of molar concentrations in different tetrathionate broths was emphasized.

Selenite F broth was more efficient than Muller—Kauffmann tetrathionate broth, in our hands, with the material tested. Direct inoculation of the enrichment media was used.

Each of the two media examined had a bias towards selection of certain sero types. If possible, both enrichment broths should be used to obtain maximum information.
The low prevalence ofClostridium botulinumin the lakes, marshes and waterways of the Camargue
Authors: Smith G. R. , Moryson Caroline J. , Walmsley J. G.
Published: May 2009

Mud samples collected in June 1975 from the lakes, marshes and waterways of the Camargue were examined forClostridium botulinum.The Grand Rhône and Petit Rhone were shown to contain types B and E, but of 44 samples taken from well distributed sites on the Ile de la Carmargue, only two (4·5%) were positive and these contained type E alone. The survey indicated a much lower prevalence ofCl. botulinumthan any encountered in recent surveys of inland aquatic environments elsewhere.
Serotypes of Bacillus cereus from outbreaks of food poisoning and from routine foods
Authors: Gilbert R. J. , Parry Jennifer M.
Published: May 2009

A provisional serotyping scheme was used to type cultures of Bacillus cereus from 84 outbreaks of food poisoning in seven countries; 283 of the 337 (84%) cultures tested were typable.

In 35 of the 61 outbreaks associated with a vomiting-type syndrome, foods, clinical specimens or both yielded H-serotype 1 only. Type 1 strains together with other serotypes were isolated in seven outbreaks. In 14 outbreaks types 3, 4, 5, 8 or a mixture of serotypes were present. Untypable strains were isolated in five outbreaks.

Two of the nine diarrhoeal-type outbreaks yielded serotype 1 only. Types 2, 6, 8, 9, 10 and a mixture of type 12 and an untypable strain appeared to be responsible for one outbreak each.

Although 16 of the 18 recognized serotypes were present among cultures of B. cereus from various routine foods, only 156 of the 400 (39%) isolates tested were typable.
Escherichia coli serotypes in the faeces of healthy adults over a period of several months
Authors: Shooter R. A. , Bettelheim K. A. , Lennox-King S. M. J. , O'Farrell S.
Published: May 2009

The faeces of nine subjects eating mainly at home were collected at regular intervals over periods ranging from 2–5 months. Although a large number of serotypes of E. coli were isolated, the variety per subject was lower than is usually found. In most subjects only a limited number of serotypes persisted over most of the periods of study while many serotypes were only isolated on single occasions.