bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A large outbreak of food poisoning of unknown aetiology associated with Stilton cheese
Authors: Maguire H. C. F. , Boyle M. , Lewis M. J. , Pankhurst J. , Wieneke A. A. , Jacob M. , Bruce J. , O'Mahony M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYBetween November 1988 and January 1989, a total of 155 people in 36 reported outbreaks suffered gastrointestinal symptoms associated with eating Stilton cheese, produced from unpasteurized cow's milk in the English midlands. Symptoms were suggestive of a staphylococcal illness but extensive laboratory testing of cheeses implicated in several of the outbreaks failed to detect any pathogen, toxin or chemical. Control measures were implemented, and included a voluntary withdrawal of the implicated Stilton cheese from sale on 23 January 1989 and a subsequent decision to use pasteurized milk in production of the cheese.
Effects of ceftriaxone on faecal flora: analysis by micromorphometry
Authors: Meijer B. C. , Kootstra G. J. , Geertsma D. G. , Wilkinson M. H. F. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn order to elucidate the effect of ceftriaxone therapy on the morphology of gut microflora, 11 human volunteers were treated with ceftriaxone, 1 g daily, given intramuscularly in one dose. Treatment continued for 5 days. Faecal microflora was analysed by digital image processing before, during and after the treatment period.We derived simple numerical parameters which describe the morphologic composition of the flora. They were significantly influenced by the antibiotic, and returned to their baseline values more than 7 days after treatment was stopped. The procedure holds promise for clinical application.
Further evaluation of one-point microcapsule agglutination test for diagnosis of leptospirosis
Authors: Cui J. J. , Xiao G. X. , Chen T. Z. , Zhu G. F. , Sato T. , Seki M. , Kobayashi S. , Arimitsu Y. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA total of 100 serum samples including 22 acute phase sera and 39 paired sera collected from clinically diagnosed cases of leptospirosis in Ming-shan County, Sichuan Province, China were examined by the one-point microcapsule agglutination test (MCAT), which was developed in Japan, and by conventional microscopic agglutination tests (MAT). The one-point MCAT is more reactive to IgM antibody than MAT and is superior in detecting antibodies in the early stages of the disease.
Geographical and temporal distribution of Ockelbo disease in Sweden
Authors: Lundström J. O. , Vene S. , Espmark Å. , Engvall M. , Niklasson B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe incidence of Ockelbo disease and the prevalence of Ockelbo virus neutralizing antibodies were investigated in a sample of the Swedish population. The disease occurs throughout most of Sweden but with higher incidence and antibody prevalence rates in the central part of the country. It generally affects middle-aged men and women, with equal incidence between sexes, and is uncommon in people younger than 20 years of age. The disease occurs during a short period each year between the third week of July and the first week of October, with a peak during the second half of August. During the 8 years studied (1981–8), an average of 31 Ockelbo patients/year were diagnosed. The antibody prevalence rates in the oldest age groups were 20–40 times higher than the accumulated life-risk of being diagnosed and reported as an Ockelbo disease patient, which suggests that many cases are asymptomatic and/or unreported.
Survival of thermophilic campylobacters on fingertips and their elimination by washing and disinfection
Authors: Coates D. , Hutchinson D. N. , Bolton F. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA simple impression-plate technique has been used to investigate the survival of four thermophilic campylobacter strains applied to fingertips. Campylobacters suspended in 0·1% peptone water and dried on the fingertips survived for different periods of time ranging from < 1 to ≧ 4 min. However, campylobacters suspended in chicken liquor or blood survived for much longer periods. The most resilient organism wasCampylobacter jejuniNCTC 11392 which, when suspended in 50% horse blood, survived for an hour. Suspensions containing 106–107organisms prepared in 50% blood and dried on to fingertips were removed by thorough hand washing with either soap and water or water alone followed by drying on paper towels, but persisted on wet hands. The organisms were also eliminated by wiping the hands with a tissue saturated with 70% isopropyl alcohol for 15 sec.
Serogroups of thermophilic campylobacters from humans and from non-human sources, Israel 1982–1985
Authors: Rogol M. , Sechter I. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe distribution of serogroups of thermophilic campylobacters isolated in Israel from human patients (2421 isolates), chicken (942), turkeys (158), cattle (398), wild birds (234) and other sources, was studied.Among the human isolates, 74 ROG-serogroups were identified. The six most commonly isolated of these (1,18; 11; 12; 8,23; 4 and 5,39) were found frequently in chickens. Only four common serogroups in man were also common in cattle, three in turkeys and two in wild birds.Two common serogroups in man (1,18 and 5,39) were prevalent all over the country, while others were regionally distributed. When the prevalence of different serogroups in Israel was compared to that in Canada, some groups were common to both countries and others were common in only one or the other.Campylobacter jejuniaccounted for 86·7% to 92·1% of the isolates from man, chickens, turkeys, cattle and most of the wild birds.C. coliwas found in 34·4% of isolates from cattle egrets and in 70·5% of those from pigs.
Salmonella serotypes and incidence of multiply-resistant salmonellae isolated from diarrhoeal patients in Hong Kong from 1973–82
Authors: Ling Julia , Chau P. Y. , Rowe B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSalmonella was the most frequent bacterial pathogen isolated from patients with acute diarrhoea in Hong Kong. In Queen Mary Hospital, the major hospital on Hong Kong Island, 94·7% of salmonellae isolated from faecal specimens from patients during the period 1973–82 belonged to the gastroenteric group, while 5·3% belonged to the enteric fever group. Amongst the gastroenteric group, 68 salmonella serotypes were identified, withSalmonella derby, S. typhimuriumandS. analumbeing the predominant ones. Three outbreaks caused byS. johannesburg, S. worthingtonandS. wandsworthwere detected.OfS. typhimurium, 61·0% were resistant to multiple antibiotics and belonged to four major phage types: 193, 22, 138 and U288. The majority (96·8%) ofS. johannesburgstrains which caused a widespread epidemic were multiply-resistant. Multiple antibiotic resistance was rarely observed in most other gastroenteric salmonellae.S. typhiwas the commonest of the enteric fever group isolated from the blood of patients. Nineteen phage types were identified; E1 being the commonest (18·5%) while 21% were nontypable. Many of these isolated were resistant to streptomycin or sulphadiazine, but none were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol or trimethoprim.
Calculation of the expected increases of coliform organisms,Escherichia coliandSalmonella typhimurium, in raw blended mutton tissue
Authors: Smith M. G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSamples of blended mutton tissue in small polyvinyl chloride sachets were incubated in water baths for different times and at varying temperatures. The temperature of each bath was recorded accurately throughout each experiment. Using equations previously derived for the lag and generation times of coliform organisms in blended mutton tissue, the expected increases of these bacteria were calculated from the time/temperature recordings. These were compared with the data obtained from plate counts made on the tissue samples in the sachets before and after incubation. The studies were done with a strain ofEscherichia coli, one ofSalmonella lyphimuriumand the coliform organisms naturally present on sheep carcasses processed in a commercial abattoir. The calculated growth agreed closely with that measured. Therefore, if mutton, after overnight chilling, is warmed again to temperatures within the growth range of these bacteria, the possible increases in the numbers of cells present can be calculated directly from time and temperature measurements.The implications for the present codes of practice in abattoirs are discussed.
Invasive nosocomial pulmonary aspergillosis: risk factors and hospital building works
Authors: Perraud M. , Piens M. A. , Nicoloyannis N. , Girard P. , Sepetjan M. , Garin J. P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA retrospective epidemiological study of 22 observations of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, of which 18 were fatal, occurring over a period of 30 months, implicated certain building sites within the hospital. The building works were responsible for the diffusion into the atmosphere of fungal spores from normally closed reservoirs, notably false ceilings, fibrous thermal and/or acoustic insulation materials and roller-blind casings. The results of our study permit us to suggest that protective measures should be set up or that immunodepressed patients are evacuated when such works are to be carried out in an in-patient establishment.
The bacteriological quality of bottled natural mineral waters
Authors: Hunter P. R. , Burge S. H. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFifty-eight bottles of natural mineral water, taken from the point of sale, were bacteriologically examined. No coliforms orAeromonas sp.were isolated from any sample. High total bacterial counts were found particularly in the still waters. Most of the organisms isolated in the total counts were Gram-negative rods, but Gram-positive organisms were also isolated. Gram-positive cocci were further identified, some of which were known human commensals suggesting contamination of the waters prior to bottling.
Analysis of penicillinase-producingNeisseria gonorrhoeaeisolates in Madrid (Spain) from 1983–85
Authors: Fenoll A. , Berrón S. , Vázquez J. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYBetween April 1983 and December 1985, 576 strains ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaewere isolated in our laboratory from patients attending Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinics. Of these, 61 (10·6%) were penicillinase-producing. Studies on these strains by plasmid analysis, auxotyping and serogrouping showed that the predominant type strains harboured the Asian resistance plasmid, were prototrophic, and were of serogroup WII/WIII. About half of the strains, both of the African and Asian type, harboured the transfer plasmid. Strains of serogroup WII/WIII were less sensitive to tetracycline and cefoxitin than serogroup WI strains.
How are the sub-unit pertussis vaccines to be evaluated?
Authors: Baxter D. N. , Gibbs A. C. C. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAlthough an effective whooping cough vaccine has been available in the UK since the 1950s, its current association with neurotoxicity has resulted in poor uptake: as a consequence major epidemics (with significant morbidity and mortality) arc still being experienced.Component (sub-unit) vaccines, which incorporate those antigens thought to be concerned with generating a protective effect, have been developed and are now available for field testing. This paper addresses how such a vaccine might be evaluated, the organization of a trial and the difficulties to be expected.
An assessment of methods for routine local monitoring of vaccine efficacy, with particular reference to measles and pertussis
Authors: Clarkson J. A. , Fine P. E. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe efficacy of measles and pertussis vaccines was investigated using several different procedures based upon data routinely available at Local Health Authority level in England and Wales. It is demonstrated that such estimates can be derived by methods which can be carried out simply and routinely by local health department staff. Several theoretical and practical difficulties in the procedures are discussed. It is recommended that Health Authorities consider monitoring by a routine procedure based on crude case-control analysis of recorded vaccination status of notified cases compared with that of the population in the Child Health computer file, or of matched controls drawn from Child Health Registers. A simple protocol for such studies is provided.
The levels of measles antibodies in Nigerian children aged 0–12 months and its relationship with maternal parity
Authors: Eghafona N. O. , Ahmad A. A. , Odama L. E. , Onuora C. , Gosham L. T. , Emejuaiwe S. O. , Woghiren E. I. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSix hundred and fifty-seven children aged between 0 and 12 months were randomly chosen and studied for measles antibody titres by the haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test. The results showed significant variations in HAI antibody titres. Children between 0–3 months showed high measles HAI antibody titres which declined to a trough between 4 and 0 months. A rise in HAI antibody titre was observed from 10 to 12 months age. Multiparity and higher age in the mothers were noted as probable factors influencing the titres of measles HAI antibody in children. The results indicated that with increased maternal parity, measles HAI antibody titres in the children declined.
Shigellosis due to occupational contact with non-human primates
Authors: Kennedy F. M. , Astbury J. , Needham J. R. , Cheasty T. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA small cluster of dysenteric illness, due to Shigella flexneri, was identified among technical assistants of a primate research unit. All of the affected individuals had been in regular contact with a colony of cynomolgus macaque monkeys, one of which was known to have suffered from acute haemorrhagic colitis in the preceding few weeks. Four monkeys were found to be excreting S. flexneri bacilli of identical antigen type (lb) to that isolated from the human cases. Investigation of working practices revealed the potential for inadvertent faecooral spread and the need to improve existing control methods. We conclude that this small outbreak of shigellosis represents a primate-associated occupational zoonosis. The risk may not be fully appreciated by handlers or their doctors.
Adherence to HEp-2 cells and enteropathogenic potential of Aeromonas spp.
Authors: Grey P. A. , Kirov S. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAeromonas strains (total = 60) of clinical, water and food origin were tested for adherence to HEp-2 cells. Environmental strains were selected (except for A. caviae) to include primarily those expressing other virulence-associated properties. Adhesion was markedly species-dependent (A. veronii biotype sobria, 15 of 20 [58%], A. caviae, 4 of 12 [33%] and A. hydrophila, 2 of 8 [11%]). A. veronii biotype sobria were adhesive, irrespective of source (62 and 54% for clinical and environmental strains, respectively). Adherent strains of this species were enterotoxin-positive and most (13 of 15) grew at 43 °C. A. caviae isolated from clinical specimens contained a higher proportion (75%) of adherent strains than environmental strains (13%). Virulent subsets of A. veronii biotype sobria and A. caviae are adherent to HEp-2 cells. The HEp-2 assay is a useful model for investigating mechanisms of adherence and enteropathogenicity of virulent Aeromonas species.
Different seroprevalences of antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A and Haemophilus influenzae type b in Sudanese and Swedish children
Authors: Salih M. A. M. , Fredlund H. , Hugosson S. , Bodin L. , Olcén P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSampling of sera from 202 Sudanese and 124 Swedish children 1–14 years of age was conducted at the end of the 1980s presenting an opportunity to compare the seroprevalence of anti-Neisseria meningitidis (MC) serogroup A antibodies in an area immediately before outbreak of an epidemic (Sudan 1988) with a low endemic area (Sweden). An ELISA antibody assay was developed for detection of antibodies against capsular polysaccharide of MC serogroup A and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Serum antibody against MC serogroup A was found significantly more frequently in Sudanese than in Swedish children. This indicates that factors other than herd immunity, as measured by serum antibodies against MC serogroup A polysaccharide, are important for avoidance of an MC serogroup A epidemic. The seroprevalence of Hib antibodies was, in contrast, significantly higher in Swedish than in Sudanese children, especially for 5–9-year-old children. A possible explanation may be the different systems of day-care of children in the two countries.
The age of infection with varicella-zoster virus in St Lucia, West Indies
Authors: Garnett G. P. , Cox M. J. , Bundy D. A. P. , Didier J. M. , Catharine J. St. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSera from an age-stratified sample of 1810 people from the Caribbean island of St Lucia were tested for antibodies against varicella-zoster virus. The results indicate that very few infections occur in childhood, which agrees with clinical survey data from other tropical countries, but contrasts with the observed high case rate in children in temperate countries. The alternative hypotheses which may explain these results are discussed, and it is suggested that high ambient temperatures interfere with the transmission of the virus. Irrespective of the cause, the pattern of varicella incidence observed has important implications for any vaccination policy adopted in tropical countries.
Staphylococcus aureus strains of type 95. Spread of a single clone
Authors: Rosdahl V. T. , Witte W. , Musser M. , Jarløv J. O. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYStaphylococcus aureus strains of type 95 in Denmark have increased to a frequency of 20% of the total S. aureus population. A clonal origin and possible subdivision of these strains have been discussed. In the present investigation 35 epidemiologically unrelated S. aureus strains of type 95 as well as reference strains of other types have been analysed by other typing techniques including lectintyping, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic restriction fragments. No subdivision could be achieved based on any of these methods and a clonal origin seems therefore possible.
Seroepidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in children in Papua New Guinea and Australia
Authors: Groves V. J. , Lehmann D. , Gilbert G. L. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYEnzyme immunoassays (EIA) were used to measure serum antibodies to Cryptosporidium in four immunocompetent adults with recent proven cryptosporidial infection, 379 healthy children and 73 adult volunteers in Melbourne, Australia, and 205 children in Papua New Guinea (PNG) (47 healthy children; 158 with pneumonia). Antibodies peaked 3–6 weeks after infection and fell to baseline within a few months. A high level (5000 EIA units/ml) or a significant change between paired sera, of IgG or IgM, were taken as evidence of recent infection and found in 24% of PNG children and in 8% of children and 5% of adults in Melbourne. Among PNG children with pneumonia who had high cryptosporidial antibody levels, those with measles (6/8) were significantly more likely (P = 0·002) to have diarrhoea than the remainder (4/28). Symptomatic cryptosporidiosis may be associated with transient immune suppression due to viral infection. This study indicates that serological surveys can contribute to an understanding of the epidemiology of cryptosporidosis.
The Epidemiology of bat rabies in New York State, 1988–92
Authors: Childs J. E. , Trimarchi C. V. , Krebs J. W. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn 1993 New York and Texas each reported a human rabies case traced to a rare variant of rabies virus found in an uncommon species of bat. This study examined the epidemiology of bat rabies in New York State. Demographic, species, and animal-contact information for bats submitted for rabies testing from 1988–92 was analysed.The prevalence of rabies in 6810 bats was 4·6%. Nearly 90% of the 308 rabid bats identified to species were the common big brown bat(Eptesicus fuscus), which comprised 62% of all submissions. Only 25 submissions were silver-haired bats(Lasionycterus noctivagans), the species associated with the two 1993 human cases of rabies, and only two of these bats were positive. Rabies was most prevalent in female bats, in bats submitted because of human or animal contact, and in animals tested during September and October.These results highlight the unusual circumstances surrounding the recent human rabies cases in the United States. A species of bat rarely encountered by humans, and contributing little to the total rabies cases in bats, has been implicated in the majority of the indigenously acquired human rabies cases in the United States. The factors contributing to the transmission of this rare rabies variant remain unclear.
Hepatitis C virus infection in Iceland: a recently introduced bloodborne disease
Authors: Löve A. , Stanzeit B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThis study demonstrates a very high prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among Icelandic intravenous (i.v.) drug users. Of 152 identified i.v. drug users 95 (63%) were shown to have antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. In contrast the seroprevalence in the general Icelandic population is low, (0·2%). Almost all cases of hepatitis C virus infection in Iceland are due to i.v. drug use or to use of infected blood or blood products. Sporadic cases with unexplained modes of transmission, a significant portion of hepatitis C infections elsewhere, are virtually non-existent in Iceland. The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that the sporadic community-acquired cases could be caused by blood transfer due to bites from insect vectors such as mosquitoes which are not found in Iceland.
Tobacco smoking in older people
Authors: Allen SC 
Published: October 2009

SummarySmoking remains prevalent in elderly people in the UK and similar countries. The adverse health effects of current smoking continue to accumulate in old age and stopping smoking in old age confers benefits on function, morbidity and mortality. Many elderly people wish to stop smoking and many are successful. Structured support from health and social care workers improves quit rates and nicotine replacement therapy can be an effective aid to smoking cessation in old age. Doctors and other healthcare staff should use the opportunities of patient contact to encourage older smokers to quit. Cognitive impairment is a barrier to successful smoking cessation.
White matter diffusivity predicts memory in patients with subjective and mild cognitive impairment and normal CSF total tau levels
Authors: GRAMBAITE RAMUNE , STENSET VIDAR , REINVANG IVAR , WALHOVD KRISTINE B. , FJELL ANDERS M. , FLADBY TORMOD 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSubjective and mild cognitive impairment (SCI and MCI) are etiologically heterogeneous conditions. This poses problems for assessment of pathophysiological mechanisms and risk of conversion to dementia. Neuropsychological, imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings serve to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other etiological subgroups. Tau-molecules stabilize axonal microtubuli; high CSF total tau (T-tau) reflects ongoing axonal damage consistent with AD. Here, we stratify patients by CSF T-tau pathology to determine if memory network diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) predicts memory performance in the absence of elevated T-tau. We analyzed neuropsychological test results, hippocampus volume (HcV) and white matter diffusivity in 45 patients (35 with normal T-tau). The T-tau pathology group showed more hippocampus atrophy and memory impairment than the normal T-tau group. In the T-tau normal group: (1) memory was related with white matter diffusivity [fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (DR)], and (2) FA of the genu corpus callosum was a unique predictor of variance for verbal learning, and HcV did not contribute to this prediction. The smaller sample size in the T-tau pathology group precludes firm conclusions. In the normal T-tau group, white matter tract and memory changes may be associated with normal aging, or with non-tau related pathological mechanisms. (JINS, 2010,16, 58–69.)