bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory substances produced byStreptococcus salivariusand colonization of the upper respiratory tract with group A streptococci
Authors: Charles Huskins W. , Kaplan Edward L. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIt has been proposed that inhibitory substances produced by viridans streptococci colonizing the upper respiratory tract aid in cradication of established group A streptococcal colonization of that site. We studied the prevalence of inhibitory-substance producing strains ofStreptococcus salivariusin throat cultures from three groups of children: 16 children with persistently positive throat cultures for group A streptococci despite receiving recommended therapeutic courses of antibiotics (group I). 26 children from whom group A streptococci were eradicated from the upper respirator tract by antibiotic therapy (group II). and 18 children who never harboured group A streptococci in their upper respiratory tract during the study period (group Ill). An vitro deferred antagonism method was employed to detect inhibitory substances: 5233 strains ofS. salivariuswere examined. Strains ofS. salivariusproducing inhibitory substances were isolated from 76−88% of the children in each group on at least one occasion.However, only a small percentage of subjects in each group harboured strains producing these substances in every throat culture. The mean total percentage ofS. salivariusstrains producing inhibitory substances was 21·8% in children in group 1·22.4 % in children in group II. and 16.4% in children in group III: these percentages were not statistically different (P > 0·1). In this study, we could not confirm a significant role for inhibitory substances produced byS. salivariusin the eradication of group A streptococci from the upper respiratory tract of colonized individuals.
Determinants of drinking water quality in rural Nicaragua
Authors: Sandiford P. , Gorter A. C. , Davey Smith G. , Pauw J. P. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and fifty-three water samples from rural Nicaragua were examined for the presence of faecal coliforms during both wet and dry periods. A linear model as fitted by analysis of covariance with the logarithm of the faecal coliform count as the dependant variable. As expected, traditional water sources were grossly contaminated at all times whereas piped water sources were much cleaner. Hand-dug protected wells had significantly higher levels of faecal contamination than unprotected riverside wells and springs during the dry season. The possible reasons for this unexpected finding are discussed. A close association between rainfall and faecal contamination was demonstrated but the effect of rainfall depended on the type of water source. An association between water quality and the size of the community served by the source was also detected. The finding that stored water was usually more contaminated than fresh water samples is consistent with the results from other studies. Since it is unusual for water quality to be inversely correlated wth accessibility, this study site would be suitable for investigating the relative importance of water-borne versus waterwashed transmission mechanisms in childhood diarrhoea.
Subdivision ofSalmonella enteritidisphage types by plasmid profile typing
Authors: Threlfall E. J. , Rowe B. , Ward L. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDifferentiation ofSalmonella enteritidisby plasmid profile typing has been compared to differentiation by phage typing. Examination of the type strains of the 27S. enteritidisphage types showed that only 11 profile patterns could be identified. Moreover, two profile patterns were found in 15 of the type strains, including those of the two most common phage types in Britain, types 4 and 8. On this basis, plasmid profile typing is not as sensitive as phage typing for the primary subdivision ofS. enteritidis.When differentiation of 534 strains of the 27 phage types was attempted using plasmid profiles, variation in pattern suitable for epidemiologieal subdivision was found in 13 phage types and there were 9 profile patterns in strains of phage type 4. Plasmid profile typing can, therefore, be regarded as an effective adjunct to phage typing for the subdivision ofS. enteritidis
Microbial organisms carried by brown-banded cockroaches in relation to their spatial distribution in a hospital
Authors: Le Guyader A. , Rivault C. , Chaperon J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA simultaneous study of cockroach (Supella supellectilium) distribution and of associated carried bacterial flora has been made in the main hospital in Rennes (France).Wild cockroaches carry a high number of bacterial species that can be related to the normal environmental flora and a contaminant flora acquired from particular environments. The diversity of carried bacterial species reveals a proximity factor between continguous floors of the building which leads us to suppose that cockroaches are able to forage from one floor to the other.
The survival of salmonellas in shell eggs cooked under simulated domestic conditions
Authors: Humphrey T. J. , Greenwood M. , Gilbert R. J. , Rowe B. , Chapman P. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYStrains ofSalmonella enteritidis, S. typhimurium and S. senftenberg inoculated into the yolks of shell eggs were found to survive forms of cooking where some of the yolk remained liquid. Survival was largely independent of the size of the initial inoculum. The organisms also grew rapidly in eggs stored at room temperature and after 2 days the number of cells per gram of yolk exceeded log 8·0. With this level of contamination viable cells could be recovered from eggs cooked in any manner.
Two outbreaks of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 infection associated with the consumption of fresh shell-egg products
Authors: Cowden J.M. , Chisholm D. , O'Mahony M. , Lynch D. , Mawer S. L. , Spain G. E. , Ward L. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn 1988 there were two outbreaks of infection with Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 in adjacent local authorities. The first affected 18 of 75 helpers and guests who attended a private function. Investigations revealed that home-made vanilla ice-cream containing uncooked eggs was the vehicle of infection and the causative organism was identified at the premises of the egg producer. The second affected 84 of 422 delegates attending a conference dinner, and 12 of 50 hotel staff at risk. A dessert made with lightly-cooked egg yolk and raw egg white was associated with infection, and the epidemic strain was cultured from the shell of an egg and an environmental sample from the producer's farm. It is of interest that one outbreak involved free-range and one battery-produced eggs, and that in one the vehicle was prepared at home and in the other in commercial premises. In neither incident was any deficiency in standards of egg production or catering practice discovered.
The association of enterotoxigenic and enteropathogenicEscherichia coliand other enteric pathogens with childhood diarrhoea in Yugoslavia
Authors: Čobeljić M. , Mel D. , Arsić B. , Krstić Lj. , Sokolovski B. , Nikolovski B. , Šopovski E. , Kulauzov M. , Kalenić S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe presence of enterotoxigenic and enteropathogenicEscherichia coli(ETEC and EPEC, respectively) was investigated in stool specimens of 1082 preschool children with diarrhoea and in stools of 335 healthy controls in localities in southern Yugoslavia, as well as in 566 children with diarrhoea and in 231 controls living in northern part of the country, during the seasonal peak (August— November) of enteric diseases in 1986.ETEC were found in 114 (10·5%) children with diarrhoea and in 14 (4·2%) controls (P < 0·001) in the southern part, and in 26 (4·6%) ill children and one (0·4%) well child (P < 0·005) in the northern part of Yugoslavia. EPEC were isolated from stools of 85 (7·9%) children with diarrhoea and of 14 (4·2%) well children (P < 0·05) in localities of southern Yugoslavia, and from 22 (3·9%) ill children and from 10 (4·3%) controls in northern Yugoslavia. Nineteen EPEC strains expressed localized adherence to HEp-2 tissue culture cells; all were isolated from stools of ill children.In southern Yugoslavia, where other enteropathogens were sought, the most commonly found agents in ill children were shigellae (17·5%), rotavirus (11·8%), ETEC, and EPEC. Potential pathogens were detected in 44·5 % cases of sporadic diarrhoea and in 15·8% controls.This study revealed that ETEC were associated with acute diarrhoeal disease in Yugoslav preschool children. On the other hand, the diagnosis of EPEC-diarrhoea by routine determination of serogroup established the association of these agents with sporadic diarrhoea only in the 0-2 years age categories in all investigated localities. In the less developed southern part of Yugoslavia bacteria were the predominant causative agents of enteric illness during the seasonal peak of this disease.
Incidence and nature of human tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium africanum in South-East England: 1977–87
Authors: Grange J. M. , Yates M. D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 210 new cases of tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium africanum were registered at the South-East Regional Centre for Tuberculosis Bacteriology, Dulwich, between 1977 and 1987 inclusive. This represented 1·25% of bacteriologically-confirmed cases of tuberculosis in South-East England, an incidence slightly higher than that of disease due to M. bovis. Two variants were identified: 150 strains were typed as African I (a type associated with East Africa) and 60 as African II (a type more prevalent in West Africa). Over half the patients infected with African I strains were of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin; patients of African ethnic origin predominated in the African II group while about a fifth of patients infected with either type were of European origin. The European patients with tuberculosis due to M. africanum were notably younger than those in the same region with disease due to other tubercle bacilli. The distribution of lesions due to M. africanum was similar to that due to other tubercle bacilli in the various ethnic groups, except that genito-urinary tuberculosis was uncommon. The importance of a clinical awareness that M. africanum is a highly pathogenic and transmissible tubercle bacillus rather than an opportunist or ‘atypical’ mycobacterium is stressed.
Waterborne outbreak of campylobacter enteritis after outdoors infantry drill in Utti, Finland
Authors: Aho M. , Kurki M. , Rautelin H. , Kosunen T. U. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDiarrhoea, abdominal pain, malaise and fever affected 75 of the 88 conscript soldiers in Utti, Finland after an outdoors infantry drill.Campylobacter jejuni, heat-stable serotype 3/43/59. was isolated from 37 out of 63 men investigated. A clear serological response was evident in the risk group and negligible in the control group. The entire population at risk was interviewed.
Leptospiral infection in school-children from Trinidad and Barbados
Authors: Everard C. O. R , Hayes R. J. , Edwards C. N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA serological survey for leptospiral agglutinins was undertaken between 1980 and 1983 in over 500 Barbadian and 500 Trinidadian school-children aged 7–14 years. The children were selected randomly from urban and rural schools, and examined three times at approximately annual intervals. A total of 12·5% of the Barbadian children and 9·5% of the Trinidadian children were seropositive at a titre of 50 using the microscopic agglutination test. On both islands, seroprevalence was higher in males than females, the difference being significant in rural schools. There was no evidence of a difference in prevalence between urban and rural schools, or between junior and secondary age-ranges. Analysis of the association of serology with socio-economic and behavioural factors showed a significant association in Trinidad with father's occupation, but most other variables on both islands showed only weak non-significant associations. Fourteen children in Trinidad and three in Barbados seroconverted. Seroconversion in Trinidad occurred at a rate of 1·6% per annum and was significantly associated with livestock contact and with absence of a tapped water supply. In Trinidad, Autumnalis was the most commonly recorded serogroup, but this accounted for less than a quarter of seropositives. In Barbados, Panama accounted for over half the seropositives and was about four times more common than the next most common serogroup, Autumnalis. In Barbados, 39 persons aged 19 or less were hospitalized with leptospirosis between November 1979 and December 1986. Average annual incidence rates were 2·2, 4·9 and 13·3 per 100000 in the 5·9, 10·14 and 15·19 age-groups, respectively.
Intradermal hepatitis B immunization with yeast-derived vaccine: serological response by sex and age
Authors: Morris C. A. , Oliver P. R. , Reynolds F. , Selkon J. B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe efficacy and acceptability of yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine given by the intradermal route was investigated in 221 health care volunteers. Two hundred and sixteen received a full course of three doses of vaccine. Only one subject was withdrawn because of a significant adverse reaction (psoriasis). The vaccine stimulated an antibody response in 81%. The response to the vaccine was better in women than in men (87% compared with 71%, p = 0·007) and in women below the age of 40 years compared with older women (94% compared with 76%, p = 0·01). For men the response showed a sequential decline with age for each decade (90% responders from age 29 or less, 72% aged 30—39 and 65% aged 40 or more, p = 0·04). Retrospective enquiry showed that over 90% had found the intradermal route acceptable and 59% would prefer vaccine by the intradermal route in preference to intramuscular notwithstanding local reactions. Although the seroconversion rate was of a high order in younger women the antibody titres were not high with only 9 of 215 recipients developing titres >1000 mIU/ml, a level which could be expected to ensure prolonged immunity. A fourth intradermal dose of vaccine given to 60 volunteers who had shown a low response (<38 mIU/ml) or no serological response to a three-dose course stimulated a good booster effect (to 150—600 mIU/ml) in only 5 (8%).
Response of the chick embryo to live and heat-killedCampylobacter jejuniinjected into the yolk sac
Authors: Clark A. G. , Bueschkens D. H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYGraded doses of live and heat-killed cells ofCampylobacter jejuniwere injected into the yolk-sac of 5-day-old chick embryos, and the 50% lethal dose (LD50) was determined 7 days later. A strain dependent virulence was seen. In the diluted series of cultures the LD50values for live campylobacter ranged from 106c.f.u. beyond the last dilution showing growth, that is to less than one organism per embryo. When the 22 strains were tested as heat-killed cells, the chick embryo LD50values retained the same relative order of toxicity obtained with viable cells, but the LD50values were increased by + 1 to + 4 log units. Heat-killed cells from strains known to be invasive, but non-toxigenic, were still lethal for the embryos, suggesting that viability was not solely necessary for virulence. Semi-pure lipopolysaccharide from a non-virulent strain ofC. jejuniwas not toxic to the embryos, but semi-pure and ultracentrifuge-purified lipopolysaccharide from the most lethal campylobacter strains gave LD50values in the order of 3·0 μg lipopolysaccharide per ml (0·6 µg per embryo) in the yolk-sac assay. No relationship between serotype and lethality was seen. Injection into the yolk-sac appears to be an easy, rapid and reproduciblein vivoassay of the virulence ofC. jejuni.
Lymphoproliferative response to fusion proteins of human papillomaviruses in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Cubie H. A. , Norval M. , Crawford L. , Banks L. , Crook T. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe cell-mediated immune response (CMI) to E6 and E4 fusion proteins of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16), E6 fusion protein of HPV-18, and to control proteins similarly produced, was analysed in 29 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and in 15 age-matched laboratory personnel using a lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA).
Bancroftian filariasis in Pondicherry, South India: 2. Epidemiological evaluation of the effect of vector control
Authors: Subramanian S. , Pani S. P. , Das P. K. , Rajagopalan P. K. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThis article examines the evaluation of a bancroftian filariasis control programme undertaken in Pondicherry from 1981–5. Integrated vector management was applied in one half of the town, and routine operations under the national programme (larviciding and chemotherapy) continued in the comparison area. The programme was evaluated by monitoring relative change in the epidemiological statistics of both populations. The results indicate that there was significant reduction in prevalence of microfilaraemia in juveniles in the controlled area. An apparent reduction in intensity of microfilaraemia was also observed but this was a consequence of the reduction in prevalence, since the density of microfilariae remained unchanged. The results suggest that primary constraints on the epidemiological evaluation of the vector control of filariasis are the longevity and the population characteristics of the parasite.
A field study of the survival ofLegionella pneumophilain a hospital hot–water system
Authors: Farrell I. D. , Barker J. E. , Miles E. P. , Hutchison J. G. P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe colonization, survival and control ofLegionella pneumophilain a hospital hot–water system was examined. The organism was consistently isolated from calorifier drain–water samples at temperatures of 50°C or below, despite previous chlorination of the system. When the temperature of one of two linked calorifiers was raised to 60°C, by closing off the cold–water feed, the legionella count decreased from c. 104c.f.u./l to an undetectable level. However, 10 min after turning on the cold–water feed which produced a fall in calorifier temperature, the count in the calorifier drain water returned to its original level. Investigations revealed that the cold–water supply was continually feeding the calorifiers withL. pneumophila. Simple modifications in the design of the system were made so that the cold–water feed no longer exceeds 20°C; these measures have considerably reduced the number ofL. pneumophilareaching the calorifiers.
An outbreak of foodborne botulism associated with contaminated hazelnut yoghurt
Authors: O'Mahony M. , Mitchell E. , Gilbert R. J. , Hutchinson D. N. , Begg N. T. , Rodhouse J. C. , Morris J. E. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe largest recorded outbreak of foodborne botulism in the United Kingdom occurred in June 1989. A total of 27 patients was affected; one patient died. Twenty-five of the patients had eaten one brand of hazelnut yoghurt in the week before the onset of symptoms. This yoghurt contained hazelnut conserve sweetened with aspartame rather than sugar.Clostridium botulinumtype B toxin was detected in a blown can of hazelnut conserve, opened and unopened cartons of hazelnut yoghurt, and one faecal specimen.Cl. botulinumtype B was subsequently cultured from both opened and unopened cartons of the hazelnut yoghurt and from one faecal specimen. Investigations indicated that the processing of the conserve was inadequate to destroyCl. botulinumspores. Control measures included the cessation of all yoghurt production by the implicated producer, the withdrawal of the firm's yoghurts from sale, the recall of cans of the hazelnut conserve, and advice to the general public to avoid the consumption of all hazelnut yoghurts.
Immunization against hepatitis B-what can we expect?: Results of a survey of antibody response to immunization in persons ‘at risk’ of occupational exposure to hepatitis B
Authors: Westmoreland D. , Player V. , Heap D. C. , Hammond A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne thousand three hundred and twenty adults at risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis B were immunized using genetically engineered surface antigen and their antibody response (anti-HBs IU/1) assessed. Sex was known for all subjects and age for 1120 (range from 17–71 years). Seven hundred and sixty-four subjects were immunized in the local Department of Occupational Health, the remainder mainly by general practitioners.Analysis of ‘good responders’ (anti-HBs > 100 IU/1) according to age and sex showed that increasing age and male sex had independent adverse effects on the likelihood of developing a satisfactory level of antibody to HBsAg. Furthermore even those most likely to respond well (young women), had a 1/5 to 1/6 failure rate to achieve > 100 IU/1 anti-HBs.Of 63 persons who received a fourth dose of vaccine, 26 developed anti-HBs titres > 100 IU/1 when tested after 6 months. Subjects who had a low level of anti-HBs following primary immunization were more likely to develop > 100 IU/1 anti-HBs following a booster dose than were non-responders (< 10 IU/1).
Detection of antibody to avian viruses in human populations
Authors: Pedersden K. A. , Sadasiv E. C. , Chang P. W. , Yates V. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe ability of three avian viruses to elicit antibody response in humans was surveyed for the purpose of identifying zoonotic diseases. Antibody levels in people associated with poultry were compared to those in people having limited poultry association. Antibody levels to three avian viruses: infectious bursal disease virus, a birnavirus; Newcastle disease virus, a paramyxovirus; and avian infectious bronchitis virus, a coronavirus were determined by enzyme–linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Differences between the two study groups were evident: people having a known association with poultry showed significantly higher levels of antibodies to Newcastle disease and avian infectious bronchitis virus. Antibodies detected may be due to virus exposure rather than zoonoses.
Serotype-specific outbreak of group B meningococcal disease in Iquique, Chile
Authors: Cruz C. , Pavez G. , Aguilar E. , Grawe L. , Cam J. , Mendez F. , Garcia J. , Ruiz S. , Vicent P. , Canepa I. , Martinez M. , Boslego J. , Zollinger W. , Arthur J. , Caugant D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFrom 1979 to August 1987, there have been 178 cases of meningococcal disease in Iquique, Chile, a city of about 140000. The attack rate for the last 5 years has been in excess of 20/100000 per year, more than 20 times greater than for the country overall. The mortality rate was 6%. The disease occurred in patients with ages from 4 months to 60 years, but 89% of cases were in patients <21 years. The largest number of cases were in the age group 5–9 years (n= 54), but the highest incidence occurred in children less than 1 year of age (72·8/100000 per year). The male/female ratio was 1·2. Cases occurred all year round with little seasonal variation. Of the 178 cases, 173 were biologically confirmed. Serogroup analysis of strains from 135 patients revealed A = 1, B = 124, C = 10. Forty-four group B strains from 1985–7 were serotyped: 15:P1.3 = 36, 15:NT = 4, 4:P1.3 = 2, NT:NT = 2. Ten of 11 of the outbreak strains tested were sulfadiazine-resistant. This is the first recognized outbreak caused by a Gp B:15 strain in South America. It shares many of the characteristics of outbreaks caused by closely related strains in Europe, such as a predilection for older children and adolescents, sulfadiazine-resistance, and sustained high attack rates. The Iquique strain (B:15:P1.3) belongs to the same genetic clone (ET-5 complex) as the Norway (B:15:P1.16) and the Cuban (B:4:P1.15) strains.