bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Streptococcal infection in young pigs I. An immunochemical study of the causative agent (PM streptococcus)
Authors: Elliott S. D. 
Published: May 2009

1. Streptococci causing neonatal infection in piglets have been identified serologically as belonging to group D.2. Glycerophosphate, glucose and xylose have been identified as components of the group substance isolated from these micro-organisms.3. The streptococci isolated from piglets with this disease in England appear to belong to a single serological type characterized by a capsular polysaccharide.4. Glucose, glucosamine and galactosamine have been identified as components of the type-specific substance.5. It is suggested that these streptococci should be designated Capsular Type 1 inStreptococcus suis, a new subgroup in group D.
The ecology and epidemiology of the pig-bel syndrome in man in New Guinea
Authors: Murrell T. G. C. , Egerton J. R. , Rampling Anita , Samels Janet , Walker P. D. 
Published: May 2009

1. Features in the epidemiology of a spontaneous enteric gangrene in the Highlands of New Guinea are described.2. The disease has been called pig-bel because of its firm association with the pig-feasting practices of the people, which occur in 3–7 year cycles.3.Cl. welchiitype C is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the condition. Strains isolated were strongly toxigenic and uniform in their toxin production.4. A food poisoning aetiology was not proved but circumstantial and immunological evidence suggest that pork may be a vector of the disease.5. The source ofCl. welchiitype C was not established.
The incidence of glandular fever
Authors: Penman H. G. 
Published: May 2009

Previous estimates of the incidence of glandular fever vary widely. Reasons for this are suggested. The present investigation was designed to show the incidence of cases of glandular fever presenting to doctors in certain general communities near Portsmouth in 1962–63.The overall incidence in these areas during the year was found to be 38 per 100,000 population; this amounts to an average of one case annually in a medium-sized general practice. The incidence appeared to be lowest in a council housing estate. Glandular fever was not common in children, although it was frequently diagnosed on clinical grounds.The ways in which cases of glandular fever might be missed in a survey such as the present one are discussed. It is thought that many patients may become ill but not consult their doctors. Truly subclinical glandular fever, however, is thought to be infrequent.
Langat virus encephalitis in mice II. The effect of irradiation
Authors: Webb H. E. , Wight D. G. D. , Wiernik G. , Platt G. S. , Smith C. E. G. 
Published: May 2009

Summary1. Irradiation in a whole body dose of 200 rads or more increased the sensitivity of mice to intraperitoneal infection with Langat virus so that the LD 50 was increased to about the intracerebral LD 50.2. In mice given 500 rads before infection: (a) viraemia was prolonged by about 5 days; (b) the IgM response was depressed; (c) the IgG response was delayed by about 3 days and depressed in titre; (d) virus concentration in the brain rose continuously until death on about the tenth day while in the controls it reached a peak on the fifth day then subsided; (e) histological changes in the CNS were delayed and minimal even at death; (f) irradiated mice died with little evidence of paralysis while the controls died with severe paralysis.3. In irradiated mice, protection was observed when antibody was administered on the third day following infection. Antibody given on the 3 days after infection to control mice aggravated the disease.4. The results in this and the preceding paper are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of encephalitis. It is concluded that neuronal damage is caused both by virus multiplication in neurones and by damage superimposed by inflammatory changes with associated oedema and hypoxia. The inflammatory changes appear to be due to an allergic reaction to virus-antibody complexes formed in the circulation and in the central nervous system.We are grateful to Miss S. J. Illavia, B.Sc., and Miss G. E. Fairbairn for their skilled technical assistance; to the Department of Radiotherapy at St Thomas's Hospital for providing time and staff to help with the irradiation experiments; and to Mr S. Peto of the Microbiological Research Establishment for statistical advice.This work was made possible by a generous grant from the Wellcome Trust and the Endowment Funds of St Thomas's Hospital.
Detoxification of an immunogenic fraction from a culture filtrate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Jones R. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYMice immunized with a fraction from a culture filtrate of Ps. aeruginosa, then burned and infected with virulent serotypes of Ps. aeroginosa, were protected from septicaemia and death.The immunogenic fraction killed mice at dosages 400 times those of the minimum protective dosages.Treatment of the immunogenic fraction with 0·5% formalin reduced its lethal effect for mice and slightly improved its immunizing potency so that the difference between the smallest immunizing dose used and the smallest amount that killed mice was more than 80,000 doses.
Patterns of infections with adenovirus types 4, 7 and 21 in military recruits during a 9-year survey
Authors: van der Veen J. , Oei Kiem Giok , Abarbanel M. F. W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYInvestigations to define the epidemiological pattern of adenovirus infection in military recruits were carried out in a training centre at Ossendrecht, The Netherlands, during a 9-year period. Extensive outbreaks of adenovirus illness occurred in the winter and spring, and in some years in the late fall. The seasonal variation in total incidence of adenovirus infection as estimated by frequency of antibody rises in randomly selected recruits correlated well with that of adenovirus illness. In the cold season 20–60 of every 100 men were infected, whereas no or very little activity of adenovirus was found during the summer.Type 7 was prevalent during the first 2 years of the study period, type 21 during the next 3 years and type 4 during the last 4 years. The proportion of adenovirus infection associated with clinical illness, the distribution of adenovirus illness by week of training and the immunity of incoming recruits against adenovirus infection as estimated by frequency of neutralizing antibody were compared for type 7, type 21 and type 4.Adenovirus was responsible for about one third of all cases of acute respiratory illness. The next most common diagnostic category was influenza. Other respiratory agents (parainfluenza, RS and Coxsackie A-21 viruses,Mycoplasma pneumoniaeand haemolytic streptococci) were of less importance.This work was supported in part by the United States Department of the Army through its European Research Office.We are indebted to the following persons who contributed to this study: C. P. A. van Boven, R. Brouwer, J. H. E. Custers, J. H. Dijkman, A. Prins and A. R. van der Werff, medical officers; Mr A. P. K. M. I. van Nieuwstadt, Miss M. C. J. van Nunen, Dr G. C. J. van der Ploeg and Dr H. J. A. Sonderkamp, members of the staff of our laboratory; and Misses C. H. Bronswijk, G. J. Hof, A. D. E. M. Leeuwenberg, W. T. C. J. Smulders and C. M. G. Stevens, and Mrs A. M. van Snik, technicians.Major-General Dr H. J. van der Giessen and Brigadier General W. P. Blokpoel, former Directors-General of Medical Services of the Royal Netherlands Army, and Colonel Dr B. J. W. Beunders, former Head of the Division of Preventive Medicine, granted facilities for the conduct of this study.
Sulphadiazine-resistant group A meningococci isolated during the 1968 meningitis epidemic in Greece
Authors: Vassiliadis P. , Kanellakis A. , Papadakis J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDuring the 1968 epidemic of meningococcal meningitis in Greece, 90% of the meningococci recovered from the spinal fluid of patients belonged to serological group A. In one army barracks and in one Naval Training Centre, where cases occurred, a rate of 52% and 38·9% respectively of healthy nasopharyngeal carriers of group A meningococci was found, despite repeated courses of sulpha-prophylaxis given to all the population of these military establishments shortly before the swabs were taken.The susceptibility to sulphadiazine of 64 group A meningococci isolated from patients in different regions of the country and from healthy carriers was tested in vitro. It was found that only one strain was sensitive to a concentration of 0·1 mg./100 ml. of sulphadiazine and another to 1 mg./100 ml. For the remaining strains, the minimal inhibitory concentrations of sulphadiazine ranged from 5 mg./100 ml. to more than 20 mg./100 ml.Thirty-six strains of group B meningococci were isolated from 34 healthy carriers and from two patients. Some of these strains were resistant to sulphadiazine. Only three strains of group C meningococci were isolated from healthy nasopharyngeal carriers in one army barracks.We wish to express our thanks to Dr R. Faucon, Director of the International Reference Centre for meningococci, for the valuable help he gave to us during our investigation, as well as for the supply of the group-specific agglutinating antimeningococcal sera.
The chemical reactions of the haemagglutinins and neuraminidases of different strains of influenza viruses: II. Effects of reagents modifying the higher order structure of the protein molecule
Authors: Hoyle L. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe results of treatment of influenza virus strains with chemical reagents acting on the higher-order structure of protein molecules shows that both the haemagglutinating and enzymic activities are susceptible to these agents but there are considerable differences between the different strains and the neuraminidase activity is more sensitive than the haemagglutinating activity.The neuraminidase activity of A and A1strains is destroyed by urea, guanidine, urea+dithiothreitol and mercuric chloride. The haemagglutinin of the PR 8 and SWINE strains is resistant to urea and mercuric chloride but destroyed by guanidine and by urea+dithiothreitol. The haemagglutinin of the DSP strain of virus A and the A1strains is resistant to urea, guanidine and mercuric chloride but is destroyed by urea+dithiothreitol.The neuraminidase activity of the A2strains is more resistant than that of the A and A1strains. It is resistant to mercuric chloride and partially resistant to urea but is destroyed by guanidine and by urea+dithiothreitol. The A2haemagglutinin is resistant to urea, urea+dithiothreitol, and mercuric chloride but is destroyed by guanidine.The LEE virus neuraminidase is resistant to urea and partially resistant to guanidine but is destroyed by urea+dithiothreitol and mercuric chloride. The LEE haemagglutinin is resistant to urea, guanidine and mercuric chloride but is destroyed by urea+dithiothreitol.It is suggested that the surface projections of the virus particle are protein polymers each made up of three or four monomers which are the components of the V antigen complex. Antigenic activity is a function of the primary or secondary structure of the monomers, haemagglutinin activity is a function of the tertiary structure of the monomers, while neuraminidase activity is a function of the quaternary structure of the polymer.From studies of the chemical reactions of their haemagglutinins and neuraminidases strains of influenza virus A can be classified into groups. These groups are very similar to but not precisely identical with groupings made by serological methods.
A mobile form of the Henderson apparatus
Authors: Druett H. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA modification of the Henderson apparatus is described which is mobile and which can produce bacterial or viral aerosol in air whose relative humidity can be chosen in the range 20–95 %. The apparatus forms a basic utility for microthread, rotating drum or other aerosol studies.Much help and advice has been given by Messrs. J. F. H. Peel and D. J. Garriock of the Engineering Section M.R.E. throughout the development of this apparatus. The proportioning valve is a modification of one originally used for a similar purpose by Mr K. R. May. Thanks are due to Messrs. G. J. Harper and A. M. Hood for criticism of the script.
Influenza in Britain 1967–68
Authors: Miller D. L. , Lee J. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe occurrence of epidemics of influenza in Britain since 1957, when the A 2 (Asian) virus was first introduced, has been traced by an analysis of influenza deaths and sickness insurance benefit claims. In a more detailed study of the epidemic in 1967–8, the largest for 7 years, mortality statistics, sickness benefit claims, consultation rates in general practice and laboratory reports were analysed according to time and geographical location, the age distribution of cases and their clinical features. The value of these various indices in the surveillance of influenza is discussed. It is estimated that the number of cases of influenza during the 1967–8 epidemic was just over one million in the working population and almost two millions in the whole population of Britain.We wish to thank Dr D. L. Crombie, Honorary Director of the Royal College of General Practitioners' Records and Statistics Unit for permission to quote from returns compiled by the Unit and Mrs P. Jones who extracted the information; we also thank Dr A. M. Adelstein of the General Register Office and Dr J. R. Connelly and Dr A. T. Roden of the Department of Health and Social Security for their helpful comments, and the many laboratory directors whose findings are reported in the Communicable Disease Report of the PHLS. We are also much indebted to Mrs R. Narasimhan who helped with the analysis of the data.
Studies of the effectiveness of an isolation ward
Authors: Williams R. E. O. , Harding Lynn 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYStudies were made of a 14-room isolation ward in which the bedrooms were provided with individual ventilation units to provide a slight positive pressure within the rooms. Airborne staphylococci were detected with sedimentation plates.The median count of Staphylococcus aureus in the occupied bedrooms was 4·6 col. per 14 cm. plate exposed for 24 hr. or 13 col./m.2 hr. When the air count was high virtually all the staphylococci proved to be of the phage type harboured by the patient in the room; with low counts a substantial proportion were apparently derived from patients in other rooms.The apparent rate of acquisition of S. aureus in the nose of the patients was between 2·7 and 4·2 per 100 patient weeks at risk. This is substantially lower than has commonly been observed in open wards.We are very graetful to Miss M. A. Adams, Sister in charge of the Almroth-Wright isolation Ward, and all her staff for all their help and co-operation during this study, which was supported by funds provided to St Mary's Hospital by the Ministry of Health for clinical research.The reconstruction of the ward was designed by Mr A. Stableford, Group Engineer to St Mary's Hospital; the ventilation units were designed and supplied by White Bays and White Ltd., London.
Toxoplasma antibodies in sera from Hong Kong
Authors: Ludlam G. B. , Wong Simon K. K. , Field C. Elaine 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYToxoplasma antibodies were absent from the sera of 32 adult Hong Kong women and were present in only two of 35 adult males and five of 46 meat workers, an overall incidence of 6·2%. This is the lowest incidence recorded in a large tropical city and lower than the incidence reported for most areas of the world, whether rural or urban. The reasons for this are unknown. Of 31 sera from swine imported from China and slaughtered in Hong Kong, 22 (71%) were positive for toxoplasma antibodies.
Nasal acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus in a subdivided and mechanically ventilated ward: endemic prevalence of a single staphylococcal strain
Authors: Lidwell O. M. , Polakoff Sheila , Davies J. , Hewitt J. H. , Shooter R. A. , Walker K. A. , Gaya H. , Taylor G. W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn investigation was made of nasal acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus and of staphylococcal wound sepsis in a hospital ward divided into two sections and provided with mechanical ventilation, so that there was no transfer of air from one of the sections to the other. Although the strains of S. aureus found in the air, and those colonizing the noses of patients, in the protected section could seldom be related to patients nursed elsewhere in the ward, the mechanical ventilation did not lead to any significant reduction in the degree of contamination of the air or in the rate of nasal acquisition of S. aureus.Even in the protected section, nearly 20 % of the strains of S. aureus recovered from the air could not be related to known nasal carriers. Since this proportion was nearly as great as that found in the absence of directed air-flow, it seems probable that these strains were derived either from undetected sources within the section or were dispersed from the clothes of persons who entered it.Nearly one-third of the nasal acquisitions in the ward could not be related to known nasal carriers, but about one-half of these (16 %) were probably ‘spurious’ and half of the remainder (8 %) could be related to strains recovered from patients' lesions or drawsheets, leaving no more than 8% unaccounted for. A short investigation in which both drawsheet and perineal samples were examined showed that drawsheet samples did not give a reliable indication of perineal carriage unassociated with nasal carriage.During the period of the investigation, a single strain of S. aureus that was resistant to a wide range of antibiotics established itself in the ward. The most notable character of this strain was the profuse dispersion of it by carriers. As a consequence, staphylococcal wound sepsis increased, with nearly three-quarters of the infections attributable to this strain, and nasal carrier rates increased with length of stay in the ward, over 20 % of patients who stayed 5–6 weeks acquiring the strain.
Antigenic differences within the speciesMycoplasma hominis
Authors: Hollingdale M. R. , Lemcke Ruth M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYMembrane and soluble fractions of one genital and two oral strains ofMycoplasma hominiswere compared by immunodiffusion and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Differences were demonstrated between the membrane antigens of the three strains by immunodiffusion, and the membrane proteins also gave dissimilar patterns in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The soluble fractions gave identical lines in immunodiffusion tests and similar patterns in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.When the strains were cross-titrated in metabolic inhibition (MI) and indirect haemagglutination (IHA) tests, statistical analysis of the results revealed significant differences between the strains. Previously, growth-inhibition, MI and IHA activity was shown to be associated with the membrane antigens ofM. hominis, so the intraspecies differences revealed by MI and IHA correlate with the differences in the membrane antigens demonstrated by immunodiffusion. Growth-inhibition tests, which might also have been expected to show intraspecies differences, did not do so, probably because of the insensitivity of the test. In contrast to MI and IHA, complement-fixation (CF) tests revealed a high degree of relatedness between the strains. This is consistent with the observation that the soluble antigens ofM. hominisparticipate in the CF reaction, and that the soluble antigens of different strains are identical in immunodiffusion tests.
Studies on arboviruses in Egypt: II. Contribution of arboviruses to the aetiology of undiagnosed fever among children
Authors: Mohammed Y. S. , Grešiková M. , Adamyová K. , Ragib A. H. , El-Dawala K. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAcute blood samples from 120 children, attending the fever hospital in Alexandria and complaining of fever, were collected and examined for haemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) and complement-fixing (CF) antibodies against the following arbovirus antigens; Sindbis, West Nile (WN), yellow fever, dengue 1, sandfly fever, Quaranfil, Chenuda and Nyamanini. Positive reactions in the acute sera were only detected against Sindbis (4·3%) and WN (4·3%) antigens. The convalescent sera obtained from 48 of these children showed a pronounced HAI titre against WN antigen in 14·6 % of them. The same sera showed a lower titre against yellow fever antigen (Asibi strain) which is due to cross-reaction between the two viruses. None of the acute or the convalescent sera showed CF antibodies against Quaranfil, Chenuda or Nyamanini antigens. The convalescent sera were not tested against dengue type 1 antigen. It is suggested that of the known arboviruses in Egypt, WN is the most important from the public health point of view.
Staphylococcal infection in subdivided general surgical wards
Authors: Edmunds P. N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe spread of Staphylococcus aureus was studied in three general surgical wards of identical design which consisted of a number of separate rooms, and the results were compared with those in the same unit previously studied, in subdivided wards elsewhere and in large open wards.The nasal carrier rate of Staph. aureus by patients rose during their stay in the ward, but its peak rate was comparable with minimum rates reported in other subdivided wards and was lower than in open wards.Staphylococcal sepsis rates were lower than in most open wards and were also much lower than those found previously in the same unit when overcrowding was common and each sex had its own ward.
Inhalation, persistence and dispersal of foot-and-mouth disease virus by man
Authors: Sellers R. F. , Donaldson A. I. , Herniman K. A. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSampling of human subjects, who had been in contact with animals infected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus, showed that virus could be recovered from the nose, throat, saliva and from air expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking and breathing. The amounts of virus recovered paralleled those collected with a large-volume sampler and multistage impinger and these findings confirmed that the highest recovery of airborne virus was from infected pigs followed by cattle and sheep. More virus was found in the noses of those examining infected animals than in those operating the samplers, but there was variation between the subjects. In the majority there was a 1·8 log fall in titre by 3·5 hr., but virus persisted in the nose of one subject for 28 hr. Nose blowing or washing the nostrils did not remove virus completely, nor were cloth or industrial masks completely effective in preventing inhalation of virus. It was possible to transmit virus from infected subjects to others on one occasion. No clinical cases of FMD in man resulted from exposure, nor was there any rise in antibody. Use was made of these findings in determining sites of aerosol excretion in animals, and the results are discussed in relation to FMD in man and to the spread of respiratory viruses by the airborne route.