bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serological prevalence of leptospiral infection in domestic animals in West Malaysia
Authors: Bahaman A. R. , Ibrahim A. L. , Adam H. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA cross-sectional serological survey of domestic animals in West Malaysia revealed that 25·5% of the animals examined had agglutinating antibodies to one or more antigens belonging toLeptospira interrogans. Significant prevalence of infection was observed in cattle (40·5%), buffaloes (31%) and pigs (16%). The Sejroe serogroup was shown to be the principal one involved in cattle and buffaloes, and to a lesser extent the Tarassovi and Pomona serogroups. Evidence of infection in domestic animals by strains bearing the other seven antigens appeared insignificant and was indicative of sporadic infection. A majority of the large (semi-intensive) cattle and buffalo farms demonstrated a high prevalence of leptospiral infection. In both species of domestic animals mentioned above, the prevalence of infection was significantly higher (P= 0·01) in the semi-intensive farms than in the smallholdings. Amongst cattle, the droughtmasters had the highest prevalence whilst the Kedah-Kelantan (an indigenous breed) had the lowest prevalence of leptospiral infection. In general, the temperate breeds of cattle had a significantly (P= 0·01) higher prevalence of infection than local breeds. Leptospiral infection in goats and sheep was shown to be sporadic, and the Pomona serogroup was the principal leptospiral serogroup involved in these small ruminants. The prevalence of infection in pigs was observed to decline during the study period, and it is suspected that pigs in West Malaysia are the maintenance host for serovarpomonawhilst cattle are the maintenance host for serovarhardjo. Overall, it appears that domestic animals in Malaysia will play a bigger role in the epidemiology of leptospiral infection with the advent of sophisticated farming.
Psittacosis in a highly endemic area in Italy
Authors: Maffei C. , Marracino A. , Di Stanislao F. , Pauri P. , Clementi M. , Varaldo P. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn one locality in Italy where the incidence of psittacosis has increased rapidly since 1980, a hospital-based study and a seroepidemiological survey were carried out in order to define the clinical and epidemiological features of psittacosis in that area.Registers of the Virology Unit of the University of Ancona, Italy, were reviewed and all hospitalized patients with a serological diagnosis of psittacosis were identified. A total of 76 cases were found and studied. A presumptive bird source was identified in 80% of 62 patients, on whom a detailed investigation had been possible. Poultry represented the most frequent probable source of infection. Clinically, the predominant pattern of illness was a moderately severe lower respiratory tract infection, with chest X-rays showing pulmonary shadowings in 68 patients (89%).In the seroepidemiological study, 51 out of 143 subjects were exposed to birds (35·7%), but only 7 out of 90 urban adult blood donors (7·3%) were positive for chlamydial antibodies using the microimmunofluorescence test.
Respiratory tract infections due toBranhamella catarrhalis: epidemiological data from Western Australia
Authors: DiGiovanni Cristina , Riley Thomas V. , Hoyne Gerard F. , Yeo Rebecca , Cooksey Patricia 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYDuring a 3-year periodBranhamella catarrhaliswas isolated in significant numbers from 239 (1·3%) of 19488 specimens of sputum sent for routine microbiological examination at a 700-bed general hospital. The majority of patients (83%) were over 60 years of age and 65% were male. There was a distinet seasonal variation in isolations with a peak incidence during the winter and early spring, a pattern not found with other pathogens. Susceptibility to amoxycillin decreased by approximately 50% over the 3 years, corresponding to an increased incidence of beta-lactamase-producing strains. There were minimal changes in susceptibility to other antimicrobial agents. Underlying pulmonary disease was the major factor predisposing toB. catarrhalisinfection, and 71% of patients were smokers or ex-smokers.
Surveillance of respiratory viral infections by rapid immunofluorescence diagnosis, with emphasis on virus interference
Authors: Ånestad G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYDuring the 7-year period from September 1978 to August 1985, smear specimens of nasopharyngeal secretions from 3132 patients mainly hospitalized children, taken in different regions in Norway, were examined for respiratory viruses by the rapid immunofluorescence (IF) technique. A positive diagnosis for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus type 1, 2 and 3 or influenza A and B virus was made for 896 patients (29%). The greatest prevalence for all these viruses was observed during the colder months with only sporadic cases during the summer months. A relative increase in parainfluenza virus activity, involving several parainfluenza virus types, was observed in every second autumn and during these periods only sporadic cases of RSV infection were diagnosed. Also both RSV and parainfluenza viruses were less frequently found during influenza virus epidemics and regional differences in RSV activity were observed. During the four autumn periods 1982–85 the monthly number of positive virus identifications by IF followed an epidemic curve, while the corresponding number of negative samples was relatively constant. The results of this study suggest interference between RSV, parainfluenza viruses and influenza virus in reaching their epidemiological peaks. It is suggested that interferon might be a mediator of this effect.
Infection with bluetongue and related orbiviruses in the Sudan detected by the study of sentinel calf herds
Authors: Elfatih M. , Mohammed H. , Taylor W. P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYUsing two sentinel calf herds, the seasonal incidence of bluetongue in central Sudan was shown to be a predictable event related to the rainy season and to vector population. Seroconversions to bluetongue virus (BTV) were detected only between July and December. Neutralizing antibodies to 16 BTV serotypes (1–10, 12, 14, 17, 20–22) were present in animals from both sentinel herds. The use of a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay made possible the distinction between infections due to BTV and those due to infections with other orbiviruses. Sera from 13 calves at Shambat and from 17 at Um Benein gave agar-gel tests indicative of BTV infections not attributable to any of the 22 serotypes, suggesting the presence of new serotypes of BTV. Sera from 30 calves gave results interpreted as evidence of infection with BTV-related viruses, rather than BTV serotypes. Comparing these results with those reported from Kenya, we suggest that the pattern of the disease and the types involved are similar in both countries and that the movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (I.T.C.Z.) may carry infected midges northwards into the Sudan at the start of the rainy season and southward at the end of this period.
Nephropathia epidemica: incidence of clinical cases and antibody prevalence in an endemic area of Sweden
Authors: Niklasson B. , Leduc J. , Nyström K. , Nyman L. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe incidence of nephropathia epidemica (NE) was compared with the NE antibody prevalence in normal population in a highly endemic area of Sweden (Västerbotten county). The antibody prevalence rate in the oldest age groups were found to be 14 and 20 times higher than the accumulated life-risk of being hospitalized with NE for men and women respectively. Whether the infection in persons not admitted to hospital is subclinical, atypical or clinically fulminant, remains to be determined.
The role of Escherichia coli O 157 infections in the classical (enteropathic) haemolytic uraemic syndrome: Results of a Central European, multicentre study
Authors: Bitzan M. , Ludwig K. , Klemt M. , König H. , Büren J. , Müller-Wiefel D. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYTo assess the importance of infection by Verotoxin (VT) producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) in children with HUS in Central Europe, stool and/or serum samples obtained from 147 patients from 28 paediatric centres were prospectively examined for the presence of VTEC and the kinetics of faecal VT titres (FVT), and for VT neutralization titres and antibodies against E. coli O 157 lipopolysaccharide, respectively. Ninety-two percent of the patients had classic (enteropathic) HUS (E+ HUS). Evidence of VTEC infection was obtained in 86% of them. VTEC/FVT were identified in 55/118 E+ cases (47%). A prominent feature was the frequent isolation of sorbitol-fermenting, VT2-producing E. coli O 157. H−. VT1 (C600/H19) was neutralized by 9%, and VT2 (C600/933W) by 99% of the initial serum samples from E+ patients, compared to 3% (VT1) and 100% (VT2) from age-related controls. Fourfold titre rises against VT1 and/or VT2 were observed in 13/70 (19%), and significantly elevated O 157 LPS IgM and/or IgA antibodies in 106/128 (83%) of the E+ patients. The ubiquitous VT2 neutralizing principle in the serum of HUS patients as of healthy controls warrants further investigations.
A longitudinal study of Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli in cattle calves in Sri Lanka
Authors: Tokhi A. Mohammad , Peiris J. S. M. , Scotland S. M. , Willshaw G. A. , Smith H. R. , Cheasty T. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYTwo cohorts of 10 and 16 calves were followed at weekly or fortnightly intervals from 4–28 and 1–9 weeks respectively to determine whether natural infection by Vero cytotoxin (VT) producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) occurred. Ninety-one of 171 (53%) faecal specimens were VTEC positive and 20–80% of animals at any given time excreted VTEC. Of 104 VTEC strains studied further, 6 different serogroups (O 22.H16; O 25.H5; O 49.H−; O 86.H26; O 88.H25; O 153.H12) and an untypable strain (O ?.H21) were identified. All strains belonging to the same serotype had identical profiles of reactivity with DNA probes to toxins VT1 or 2, LT1 or iI and a probe (CVD419) derived from a plasmid carried by enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O 157.H7. Four of these serotypes were found in the faecal flora of the calves, taken as a group, throughout the 4-month study period. Sixty percent of the strains hybridized with the probe for VT1, 4% with the probe for VT2, and 36% with both probes. Faecal VTEC were significantly associated with overt diarrhoeal illness in animals < 10 weeks of age, but no characteristic profile of markers (serotype or hybridization pattern) in E. coli isolates was associated with diarrhoea. A serological response to VTl was detected in some animals, but faecal VT1 VTEC excretion persisted in spite of seroconversion. VTl seroconversion was not associated with diarrhoea. A serological response to VT2 was not detected even in those animals excreting VT2 VTEC in the faeces.
A large outbreak of human salmonellosis traced to a local pig farm
Authors: Maguire H. C. F. , Codd A. A. , Mackay V. E. , Rowe B. , Mitchell E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak of Salmonella typhimurinm definitive type (DT) 193 affecting 206 persons occurred in July and August 1989 in a small town in northern England. A descriptive study suggested that cold meats including pork from a butcher's shop in the town were vehicles of infection. An analytical study of a cohort attending a function in the town showed a significant association between illness and consumption of cold roast pork supplied by the butcher's shop (P = 0·00000004). S. typhimurium DT 193 with the same antibiotic resistance pattern (to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulphonamides and tetracyclines) as the outbreak strain, and possessing a single plasmid of 80 MDa was isolated from samples of meat bought from the shop and implicated in illness, and from samples of pig faeces taken from the farm supplying the shop. It was concluded that inadequate processing of infected pork meat at the shop may have contributed to this outbreak but that cross contamination also played an important part in transmission. Control measures included a temporary closure of the shop and subsequent implementation of a detailed protocol for meat processing and monitoring of all procedures at the shop.
Human isolates of apramycin-resistant Escherichia coli which contain the genes for the AAC(3)IV enzyme
Authors: Hunter J. E. B. , Hart C. A. , Shelley J. C. , Walton J. R. , Bennett M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYGentamicin-resistant Escherichia coli isolated at different periods from patients in two hospitals were tested for resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic apramycin. Twenty-four of 93 (26%) gentamicin-resistant isolates collected from the Royal Liverpool Hospital between 1981 and 1990 were resistant to apramycin. Thirteen isolates were highly resistant to apramycin (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 1024 μg/ml). were also resistant to gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin, and hybridized with a DNA probe derived from the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase (3)IV (AAC(3)IV) gene. The proportion of gentamicinresistant isolates which had high level resistance to apramycin increased from 7% in 1981–5 to 24% in 1986–90.Twelve gentamicin-resistant E. coli from Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital isolated between 1977 and 1980 were also tested for resistance to apramycin. For five of these isolates the MICs of apramycin was 32–256 μg/ml. None was shown to have a conjugative plasmid carrying resistance to apramycin and only one hybridized with the DNA probe for the AAC(3)IV enzyme.
The seasonality of canine births and human campylobacteriosis: a hypothesis
Authors: Evans S. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe seasonality of canine births was investigated using records from the Kennel Club and the breeding centre for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. In these populations a distinct seasonal pattern was found with a greater number of puppies being born in the summer months than the winter. The hypothesis that the greater number of puppies acquired as pets during the summer months may Contribute to the seasonal rise in human campylobacter cases, seen at this time, is discussed.
Non-radioactive ribotyping ofHaemophilus ducreyiusing a digoxigenin labelled cDNA probe
Authors: Brown T. J. , Ison C. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYHaemophilus ducreyi, the causal organism of chancroid, has increased in significance recently due to its association with HIV transmission. Most previous typing systems have exploited phenotypie characteristics. Detection of ribosomal RNA cistrons, ribotyping, was successfully developed to examine H.ducreyi, but required the use of32P.We have used digoxigenin to define ribotypes from 30 strains ofH. ducreyifrom diverse geographical locations. This was achieved by agarose gel electrophoresis of restriction enzyme (RE) digested DNA extracts. These extracts were vacublotted onto nylon membrane and probed using digoxigenin labelled complementary DNA probe, prepared fromEscherichia coli16S and 23S ribosomal RNA. From 19 REs tested,AvaII,HincII,BglII andBstE II gave clear ribotypes. The ribotypes ofBstE II andBglII used together gave the highest index of discrimination (D = 0·95), 16 types, and showed good reproducibility. This nonradioactive method demonstrates the three important features of a typing system: discrimination, typability and reproducibility.
Antimicrobial susceptibilities and serotyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in southern Africa: influence of geographical source of infection
Authors: Ison C. A. , Roope N. S. , Dangor Y. , Radebe F. , Ballard R. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and ninety-two strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from migrant mine-workers were tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics, auxotyped and serotyped. Of the total, 93 (48%) were acquired locally and 64 (33%) from different geographical locations. Plasmid-mediated resistance to penicillin was found in 28 (14·6%) strains and was associated predominantly with the presence of 5·0 kb penicillinase encoding plasmid (18/28, 64%). Chromosomal resistance to penicillin (MIC ≥ 1 mg/l) was detected in 14 (7·3%) strains. Resistance to tetracycline was chromosomally and not plasmid-mediated. Antibiotic resistance was encountered most commonly among strains acquired in Natal. The overall gonococcal population was sensitive to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin. spectinomycin and azithromycin. Nine auxotype/serovar (A/S) classes were encountered among penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG) compared to 24 A/S classes among non-PPNG strains. The most common A/S class was NR/IA-6 which accounted for 38% of PPNG and 15% of non-PPNG.
Bacterial load of cockroaches in relation to urban environment
Authors: Rivault C. , Cloarec A. , Le Guyader A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSanitation is an important problem in relation to the control of pests in urban environments. This investigation analysed the potential risk related to the presence of cockroaches and their capacity for disseminating bacteria in six different types of buildings: hospital nursing area and out-patient area, swimmingpool pool-side and toilet area, low-income flats and food-handling places. Fifty-six species of bacteria were identified from 157 samples. 14 of these have previously been reported as potentially pathogenic for man and vertebrates. Similarities were found between samples collected in (a) the hospital out-patient area and foodhandling establishments and (b) the hospital nursing area and flats. Pool-sides possessed a poorer bacterial flora. There was a greater bacterial specific diversity in food-handling establishments, flats and swimming-bath toilet area. Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca were dominant species in flats and the hospital nursing area. Therefore, cockroaches can play a role in disseminating bacteria, which they can carry passively on their cuticle.
Effect of disturbance of the gastrointestinal microflora on the faecal excretion ofFusobacterium necrophorumbiovar A
Authors: Smith G. R. , Thornton E. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYOral pretreatment of mice with either a mixture of kanamycin and erythromycin or metronidazole to modify the gut microflora greatly enhanced the faecal excretion ofFusobacterium necrophorumbiovar A given by mouth. This lends support to the suggestion that disturbance of the gastrointestinal microflora in animals such as cattle, which often carry the organism in the rumen, may lead to intestinal multiplication and faecal excretion, thereby providing a source of infection that may lead to necrobacillosis of the body surface.
Effect of respiratory syncytial virus infection on binding ofNeisseria meningitidisandHaemophilus influenzaetype b to a human epithelial cell line (HEp-2)
Authors: Raza M. W. , Ogilvie M. M. , Blackwell C. C. , Stewart J. , Elton R. A. , Weir D. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIt has been suggested that individuals might be more readily colonized with bacteria that cause meningitis through enhanced binding of the bacteria to virusinfected epithelial cells. As respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects infants and children in the age group also susceptible to bacterial meningitis, we tested the hypothesis that infection of HEp-2 cells by RSV might enhance binding ofNeisseria meningitidisorHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib). Attachment of fluorescein-labelled bacteria to HEp-2 cells was measured by flow cytometry, and RSV-infected cells bound significantly more meningococci (P< 0·001) and Hib (P< 0·01) than uninfected cells. Although the isolates expressed different antigenic characteristics (3 meningococci and 5 Hib), all showed a similar pattern of binding. The results are discussed with reference to the methods used for detection of bacterial binding and to interactions that might explain the increased binding to RSV-infected cells.
The epidemic cycle of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in eastern Finland, 1972–1987
Authors: Karvonen M. , Tuomilehto J. , Pitkäniemi J. , Saikku P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe epidemic cycle of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was examined in two areas in eastern Finland over a period of 15 years, 1972–87. The C. pneumoniae IgG antibody prevalence was determined with 5-year intervals in a random sample of the population aged 25–59 years. The total number of sera studied using immunofluorescence was 2387. In 1972 the antibody prevalence was 57% and it increased to 66% in 1977. Over the next 5 years the prevalence decreased to 44% in 1982, but by 1987 it had again increased to 59%. The temporal variation in prevalence was statistically significant (P < 0·001) and similar for both genders. Throughout the observation period the overall prevalence Mas 7–11% higher in men than in women (P < 0·01). The antibody prevalence increased with age, being the highest among the oldest study subjects of both genders. The periods of high and low prevalence alternated in an epidemic cycle (P < 0·001) of about 10 years
Prevalence of viral antibodies and helminths in field populations of house mice (Mus domesticus) in southeastern Australia
Authors: Singleton G. R. , Smith A. L. , Shellam G. R. , Fitzgerald N. , Müller W. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA 13-month study of wild mice (Mus domesticus) in wheatlands in southeastern Australia contrasted changes in the seroprevalence of antibody to 13 viruses and the occurrence of helminths with changes in their population dynamics. Mice were seropositive for mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), rotavirus, minute virus of mice (MVM), mouse adenovirus (MAdV), reovirus (reo 3), and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). The seroprevalences of all but rotavirus varied significantly with time and increased with host density. Near the end of the study, host density declined rapidly and the seroprevalence of MVM and reo 3 increased significantly. These two viruses had low seroprevalence when host survival was high and high seroprevalence when host survival was low, indicating they may play a role in regulating mouse populations. In the case of MVM, there was evidence of a viral epizootic during the decline in mouse abundance. The prevalence of four helminths (Taenia taeniaeformis, Syphacia obvelata, andVampirolepisspp.) differed significantly with time but showed no apparent association with host density. These findings highlight the need for further study on the effect of viruses on the population dynamics of mice.
Application of physico-chemical typing methods for the epidemiological analysis ofSalmonella enteritidisstrains of phage type 25/17
Authors: Seltmann G. , Voigt W. , Beer W. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYEighty-nineSalmonella enteritidisphage type 25/17 strains isolated from a localized outbreak in the German state Nordrhein-Westfalen (outbreak NWI) could not be further differentiated by biochemotyping and plasmid pattern analysis. They were submitted to a complex typing system consisting of modern physico-chemical analytical procedures. In lipopolysaccharide pattern analysis the strains proved to be homogeneous. In multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, outer membrane and whole cell protein pattern (WCPP) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR) spectroscopy (increasing extent of differentiation in the given order) strains deviating from each basal pattern were found. The extent of correspondence in these deviations was satisfactory.Forty-six strains of the same sero- and phage type, however, obtained from different outbreaks, were additionally typed. The results obtained with them indicate that the data of the first group were not restricted to strains from outbreak NWI, but of general validity.It was found that both WCPP and FT–IR represent valuable methods for the sub-grouping of bacteria.