bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salmonella dublin infection in adult cattle: a slaughterhouse and knackery survey in South West Wales
Authors: Hinton M. , Williams B. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA survey was carried out between June 1970 and December 1971 in which gall bladders from cattle either slaughtered for food consumption or disposed of through knackeries were cultured for salmonellas. Salmonella dublin was isolated from 28 of 1617 gall-bladders of adult cattle killed in the slaughterhouse at Carmarthen, and from 23 of 197 gall-bladders obtained from adult cattle sent to a knackery at Abergwili, near Carmarthen. The results are compared with a similar survey carried out in 1947 and 1948.Between June and November 1971 gall-bladders and uteri were also obtained from a slaughterhouse in Newcastle Emlyn, North Carmarthenshire, and a knackery in Tanygroes, South Cardiganshire. S. dublin was cultured from two gall-bladders but from none of the uteri of the 161 slaughterhouse cases. Seven of the 46 cows from the knackery yielded S. dublin on culture: 2 in the gall-bladder only, 3 in the uterus only and 2 in both gall bladder and uterus.
Torulopsis glabrata infections in Singapore: a 4-year study
Authors: Tan Rowland J. S. , Lim Ek-Wang , Teo Hock-Kin 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDuring the period 1971–4, Torulopsis glabrata formed 42% of yeasts isolated from 5677 clinical specimens from patients with cancers, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, pregnancy or major surgical operations complicated by mycotic infections. The significance of T. glabrata in these patients is discussed.
Stool viruses in babies in Glasgow: 1. Hospital admissions with diarrhoea
Authors: Madeley C. R. , Cosgrove B. P. , Bell E. J. , Fallon R. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYStools from 183 babies under 2 years of age admitted to Ruchill Hospital with diarrhoea were examined by electron microscopy, virus culture, bacterial culture and light microscopy. As far as possible, several stools were examined from each patient and the results showed rotaviruses, astroviruses and other viruses in association with symptoms, as well as the expected bacterial pathogens. Examination of several stools from the same patient also showed that in this age group the viral flora of the gut changes rapidly and that the viruses seen by electron microscopy were only rarely grown in cell culture and vice versa. This phenomenon was particularly noted with adenoviruses. In 30% of cases no microbial pathogen was identified and in the remainder the presence of the infecting organism did not always coincide with the symptoms. It is concluded that, with viruses at least, presence of the organism does not constitute proof of causation.
An investigation of the bacteriological quality of retail vanilla slices
Authors: Pinegar J. A. , Buxton J. D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and thirty-three vanilla slices, purchased from shops in the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County, were examined to determine the numbers and types of bacteria present at the time of purchase. The surface colony count at 37 °C was > 103/g in 67/133 (50%) of the samples examined,Bacillus cereusbeing found at that concentration in 21·8%, coliform bacilli includingE. coliin 5·3%,Staphylococcus aureusin 3·0% andStreptococcus faecalisin 0·8%. Thirty-four strains ofB. cereuswere serotyped and 11 (32%) of these were typable with the sera available.Preparation of custard mixes in the laboratory suggests that the milk or milk powder used in the mix may be the major source ofB. cereusin the final product. Many of the present methods of manufacture, distribution and storage allow organisms present in the custard at manufacture the opportunity to multiply and possibly reach numbers which present a risk of food poisoning.
A Milk-Spread Epidemic of Scarlet Fever
Authors: Douglas E. , Smith J. , Sutherland I. N. , Watson R. J. P. 
Published: May 2009

The following account of a milk-spread epidemic of scarlet fever in the burgh of Elgin may be of interest to those who are at times faced with similar
problems.HISTORYThe number of cases of scarlet fever notified in the burgh each year from 1920 to 1938 is given in Table 1. This table also shows that the periods ofTable 1. Scarlet fever notifications, 1920–38maximal incidence, centring on 1921, 1926 and 1934, are related roughly to the periods of maximal incidence of all cases in the area, which area includes the counties of Moray and Nairn and the burghs situated within the counties. A prolonged epidemic occurred in the whole area from 1933 to 1935, the age distribution of cases at different stages of that epidemic (Douglas, 1935) being given in Table 2. It is regretted that present circumstances do not permit of a more detailed analysis of the age and sex distributions of this epidemic. There was no evidence that the disease was spread by milk.
An Outbreak of Paratyphoid B fever
Authors: Hogg C. B. , Knox R. 
Published: May 2009

In the summer of 1940 an outbreak of paratyphoid fever occurred in Kettering and in the districts surrounding it. The total number of cases was 222. Most of them were mild, and the period of vague symptoms before a doctor was called in was in some as long as three weeks to a month. A few cases were more severe, and one or two at the beginning showed toxic symptoms which led to a diagnosis of meningitis. There was one death. The centre of the epidemic was in Kettering, but the surrounding districts were also affected. The population of this area in peace time is about 133,000: it has been somewhat increased by the influx of evacuees. The age and sex distributions are shown in Table 1.The incidence was greater in women and children than in adult males. Fig. 1 shows in graphic form the number of notifications week by week. In a few instances the agglutination test of the patient's serum was the only examination made but in the majority Bact, paratyphosum B was isolated either from the blood, faeces or urine. The methods used in isolating the infecting organisms will be described in a separate paper. Many of the cases which were excreting small numbers of paratyphoid bacilli for only a short period were detected only by the use of selective ‘enrichment.’ media, and the experience gained in the epidemic showed that a negative result based only on the use of a comparatively non-selective medium such as McConkey agar is of little value and may be dangerously misleading. Most of the specimens were examined at Leicester Emergency Public Health Laboratory, but a few, especially at the beginning, were sent to private laboratories.
Age and growth of the forkbeard Phycis phycis (Gadidae) from the Azorean archipelago, North Atlantic
Authors: Abecasis Ana Rita Costa , Canha Angela , Reis Dália , Pinho Mário Rui , Gil-Pereira João 
Published: May 2009

The forkbeard Phycis phycis is one of the main target species of the demersal fishery in the Azores, north-eastern Atlantic. Age and growth of the forkbeard were studied using 477 otoliths from individuals caught between April 2000 and August 2004. Otoliths were burned and sectioned, a preparation method that improved the easiness of readings. Individuals ranged from 21 to 71 cm in total length, and their estimated ages between 2 and 18 years old. Forkbeard is a relatively slow growing, long lived species, that does not show sexual dimorphism in growth. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for the Azorean forkbeard were L∞ = 79.64 cm, k = 0.09 yr−1 and t0 = −1.88 years.
Detection of pathogenicYersinia enterocoliticausing the multiplex polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Harnett N. , Lin Y. P. , Krishnan C. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect the presence of theail, yst, andvirFgenes ofYersinia enterocoliticasimultaneously, quickly and accurately. The amplified fragment sizes were 356 base-pairs (bp) for theailgene, 134 bp for theystgene, and 231 bp for thevirFgene. The specificity of the amplified products was confirmed by hybridization with digoxigenin-labelled oligonucleotide probes. Amplification was successful whether the template was derived from a single colony of bacteria, aliquots of boiled bacterial suspensions, from DNA extracted from pure or mixed cultures or from stool specimens. Amplification of thevirFgene was also achieved from strains ofY. pseudotuberculosiscarrying the 70 kb plasmid but not with preparations from other relatedYersiniaspecies or from other members of the familyEnterobacteriaceae. The detection limit we established was 5–10 colony forming units per millilitre (cfu/ml) and 1·0 pg of DNA.
Isolates ofSalmonella entericaEnteritidis PT4 with enhanced heat and acid tolerance are more virulent in mice and more invasive in chickens
Authors: Humphrey T. J. , Williams A. , McAlpine K. , Lever M. S. , Guard-Petter J. , Cox J. M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryTwo Enteritidis PT4 isolates which differed in inherent tolerance to heat, acid, H2O2and the ability to survive on surfaces were used to infect mice, day-old chicks or laying hens. The acid-, heat-, H2O2- and surface-tolerant isolate was more virulent in mice and more invasive in laying hens, particularly in reproductive tissue. However, no significant differences were observed in behaviour in chicks. Both PT4 isolates were able to infect chicks housed in the same room as infected birds, although the heat-tolerant isolate survived significantly better than the heat-sensitive one in aerosols.
Pneumococcal meningitis in the North East Thames Region UK: epidemiology and molecular analysis of isolates
Authors: Urwin G. , Yuan M. F. , Hall L. M. C. , Brown K. , Efstratiou A. , Feldman R. A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryOne hundred and fourteen cases of pneumococcal meningitis were identified by prospective laboratory based surveillance during 1990–3 in the North East Thames Region. Higher rates of disease were seen in Asians (2·1/100 000) than Caucasians (0·8/100 000) (P= 0·002). The incidence of meningitis was higher in children than adults, while mortality rates were highest in adults over the age of 60 (48%). In 72 cases, both blood and CSF were culture positive. Serotyping of 65 isolates collected identified 22 serotypes (and one non-typable) causing disease, the most common being serotype 6 (13 cases) and serotype 14 (11 cases). Overall, 90% of serotype antigens identified were represented in the 23 valent vaccine. Ribotyping of 62 isolates identified 35 different patterns, of which 26 were single types. Different ribotypes were found among isolates of the same serotypes, with the exception of serotype 14, where 9 of 11 isolates had the same ribotype pattern. Four percent of isolates had reduced susceptibility to penicillin, but no high level penicillin resistance was found.
Iatrogenic outbreak of M. chelonae skin abscesses
Authors: Camargo D. , Saad C. , Ruiz F. , Ramirez M. E. , Lineros M. , Rodriguez G. , Navarro E. , Pulido B. , Orozco L. C. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe describe an outbreak of skin lesions due to Mycobacterium chelonae subsp. abscessus associated with injections of lidocaine (lignocaine) given by a ‘bioenergetic’ (a practitioner of alternative medicine) in Colombia. The lidocaine carpules and the lesions of the patients yielded mycobacteria with identical biochemical characteristics.Using the methodology of Sartwell and a case control design we examined the incubation period and assessed risk factors. Of 667 potentially exposed individuals, a total of 298 patients were interviewed, of whom 232 had skin lesions. The median incubation period was 30·5 days (range 15–59 days). Male sex (OR 2·85, 95% CI 1·26–6·51), increasing age (OR 1·25, 95% CI 1·03–1·53), subcutaneous injection route (OR 3·72, 95% CI 1·09–12·7) and number of injections (OR 1·01, 95% CI 1·00–1·03) were risk factors for disease.To our knowledge, this is the largest reported outbreak of M. chelonae infection, the first in which the organism has been isolated from the putative vehicle of infection, and the first in which the incubation period could be determined.
Ante-natal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen: an appraisal of its value in a low prevalence area
Authors: Dwyer M. J. , McIntyre P. G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe costs and projected benefits of universal screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women in East Anglia are calculated and compared with current practice. By adjusting data from West Midlands region for ethnicity, the prevalence of maternal hepatitis B surface-antigen (HBsAg) positivity in East Anglia is predicted to be 0·083% (1 in 1200). Published data on health risks of perinatal HBV infection and on immunisation efficacy are used to derive benefits of screening. The marginal direct cost of screening is identified from regional sources. Current clinical practice in East Anglia identifies 7 surface-antigen positive mothers per year, whereas 22 are expected. Routine antenatal screening in East Anglia would prevent 2·6 additional childhood carriers per year (compared with current practice), resulting in the prevention of 0·7 deaths per year occuring 40–50 years in the future. The direct cost per (undiscounted) life-year saved would be £2437, not including savings on treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection. Routine prenatal screening for maternal HBsAg should be introduced without delay and continue even if HBV vaccination is introduced into the UK childhood immunisation schedule.
An analysis of infection control of varicella-zoster virus infections in Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge over a 5-year period, 1987–92
Authors: Wreghitt T. G. , Whipp J. , Redpath C. , Hollingworth W. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThis prospective study analyses infections with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge during 1987–92 and examines the spread of infection. In total, 93 patients and staff experienced VZV infection. Twenty-one patients had varicella and 49 experienced zoster. None of 101 patients and 1 of 625 staff members in contact with varicella cases acquired infection. By contrast, 2 of 227 patients, and 5 of 1039 staff in contact with zoster cases acquired varicella. One out of 28 (3·6%) VZV antibody-negative patients and staff in contact with varicella acquired infection, compared with 5 out of 29 (17·2%) VZV antibody-negative patients and staff in contact with zoster. Thus, zoster was found to be a more frequent cause of nosocomial infection than varicella. Fourteen members of staff had VZV infection during the study period. One of 99 patients and none of 389 staff members in contact with these cases developed varicella. The cost of dealing with infection control for VZV infections in our hospital is estimated to be £714 per patient case and a total of £13204 per year.
Risk factors forNeisseria meningitidescarriage in a school during a community outbreak of meningococcal infection
Authors: Davies A. L. , O'Flanagan D. , Salmon R. L. , Coleman T. J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryAs part of the management of an outbreak of meningococcal infection, 119 school contacts of an index case were swabbed for nasopharyngeal carriage. In a cohort study, risk factors forNeisseria meningitidiscarriage were ascertained by means of a questionnaire, completed by 114 (96%) of those swabbed.Twenty five (21%) cultures were identified as ‘neisseria positive’; of which there were 18 (15%)Neisseria meningitidisisolates, 2 (2%)Neisseria lactamicaisolates and 5 (4%) showed contaminants only. Two (2%) carriers were identified as harbouring the implicated outbreak strain. Single variable analysis identified six statistically significant risk factors for meningococcal carriage; increasing age, female sex, manual social class, personal smoking, regular attendance at a discotheque and rhinorrhoea. Multivariate analysis, using logistic regression modelling, found that of these six variables only age, sex and social class remained statistically significant when the other factors were controlled for. Nevertheless the role of smoking, social events and respiratory/viral infections in nasopharyngeal carriage, and other plausible mechanisms whereby age, sex and social class might exert their effect, could usefully be investigated further.
Isotype-specific antibody responses to foot-and-mouth disease virus in sera and secretions of ‘carrier’ and ‘non-carrier’ cattle
Authors: Salt J. S. , Mulcahy G. , Kitching R. P. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryIsotype-specific antibody responses to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) were measured in the sera and upper respiratory tract secretions of vaccinated and susceptible cattle challenged with FMDV by direct contact or by intranasal inoculation. A comparison was made between cattle that eliminated FMDV and those that developed and maintained a persistent infection. Serological and mucosal antibody responses were detected in all animals after challenge. IgA and 1gM were detected before the development of IgG1and IgG2responses. 1gM was not detected in vaccinated cattle. Challenge with FMDV elicited a prolonged biphasic secretory antibody response in FMDV ‘carrier’ animals only. The response was detected as FMDVspecific IgA in both mucosal secretions and serum samples, which gained statistical significance (P< 0·05) by 5 weeks after challenge. This observation could represent the basis of a test to differentiate vaccinated and/or recovered convalescent cattle from FMDV ‘carriers’.
Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the pMJ101-like plasmid and ribotyping in the fish pathogenVibrio ordalii
Authors: Pedersen K. , Koblavi S. , Tiainen T. , Grimont P. A. D. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA total of 32Vibrio ordaliistrains were studied for their plasmid content and shown to carry a plasmid of approximately 32 kb. This plasmid was subsequently subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies. UsingHindIII, three different restriction patterns were identified whileBamHI cleaved the plasmid into a single linear fragment. The results suggest that the 32 kb plasmid is highly conserved but that some variation in restriction pattern occurs. The same set of strains was subjected to ribotyping. UsingMluI, six different restriction patterns were demonstrated. Strains from the USA and Canada shared profiles with strains from Australia and Japan. Strains from Australia generated a single pattern whereas strains from North America were subdivided into three patterns, and the Japanese strains fell into five patterns. The results suggest that ribotyping in combination with RFLP studies of the pMJ101-like plasmid may be useful in epidemiological studies ofV. ordalii.
Salmonella typhimuriumphage type 141 infections in Sheffield during 1984 and 1985: association with hens' eggs
Authors: Chapman P. A. , Rhodes P. , Rylands Wendy 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFood poisoning due toSalmonella typhimuriumphage type 141 was unusual inthe Sheffield area before 1984. The sudden increase in incidence of this phage type during 1984 and 1985, and its causative role in several small outbreaks in this period have been investigated. Epidemiological and laboratory investigations suggested that hens' eggs were the most likely source ofS. typhimuriumphage type 141.
First recognized community outbreak of haemorrhagic colitis due to verotoxin-producingEscherichia coliO 157.H7 in the UK
Authors: Morgan G. M. , Newman C. , Palmer S. R. , Allen J. B. , Shepherd W. , Rampling Anita M. , Warren R. E. , Gross R. J. , Scotland S. M. , Smith H. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe first recognized outbreak of haemorrhagic colitis due toEscherichia coliO 157. H7 in the United Kingdom affected at least 24 persons living in East Anglia over a 2-week period. Theillnesses were characterized by severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea of short duration. Eleven patients were admitted to hospital and there was one death. Patients were mainly adult women who had not eaten out of the home in the 2 weeks before onset. Unlike previously reported outbreaks hamburgers were not the vehicle of infection, and a case-control study suggested that handling vegetables, and particularly potatoes, was the important risk factor.
Specific and non-specific serological markers in the screening for congenital CMV infection
Authors: El-Mekki A. , Deverajan L. V. , Soufi S. , Strannegard O. , Al-Nakib W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIgM antibodies specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV) were demonstrated in 15 (2.6%) of 575 umbilical cord sera obtained from newborns in Kuwait. Some 93% and 50% of these CMV-IgM positive cord sera displayed markedly raised (more than normal mean + 2 S.D.) content of total IgM and IgA respectively. In contrast, only 0.2 and 1.8% of the CMV-IgM negative cord sera had elevated total IgM and IgA. respectively. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was demonstrable. at concentrations of 30 IU/ml or more, in 67% of the CMV-IgM positive as compared with 3.2% of the CMV-IgM negative sera whereas interferon alpha was found in the serum of only one of these infants. These results indicate that raised total immunoglobulin. in particular IgM. concentrations and the detection of RF in cord blood are useful non-specific markers for the identification of congenital CMV infection.
Pig bite injuries and infection: report of seven human cases
Authors: Barnham M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSix patients developed local infection after being bitten or groed by swine. Wounding was often deep and occurred characteristically on the posterior aspect of the thigh. Severity of infection caried from simple wound infection with discharge and slouth to cellulitis and abscess formation; pathogens included haemolytic streptococci, pasteurellae,Bacterodiessp.,Proteussp. andEscherichia coliand were usually isolated in mixed culture. A patient withPasteurella aerogencesinfection apperars to be the first reported in England. A seventh patient developedStreptococcus millerisepticaemia after wounding himself while cutting teeth from piglets. It is suggested that a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given as part of the initial treatment when patients present with the more servere pig bite injuries.
A hospital outbreak ofSerratia marcescensin neurosurgical patients
Authors: Lewis A.M. , Stephenson J.R. , Garner J. , Afshar F. , Tabaqchali S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYWe report an outbreak of serious infections withSerratia marcescensin patients on a neurosurgery ward. The epidemiological investigations undertaken are described. Features of outbreaks of infection with serratia and control measures are discussed.
Truckin' pneumonia—an outbreak of Q fever in a truck repair plant probably due to aerosols from clothing contaminated by contact with newborn kittens
Authors: Marrie Thomas J. , Langille Donald , Papukna Vasilia , Yates Linda 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYWe describe an outbreak of Q fever affecting 16 of 32 employees at a truck repair plant. None of the cases were exposed to cattle, sheep or goats. the traditional reservoirs of Q fever. The cases did not work, live on, or visit farms or attend livestock auctions. One of the employees had a cat which gave birth to kittens 2 weeks prior to the first case of Q fever in the plant. The cat owner fed the kittens every day before coming to work as the cat would not let the kittens suckle. Serum from the cat had high antibody titres to phase I and phase IICoxiella burnetiiantigens. The attack rate among the employees where the cat owner worked. 13 of 19 (68%), was higher than that of employees elsewhere, 3 of 13 (28%) [P <0·01]. The cat owner's wife and son also developed Q fever. None of the family members of the other employees with Q fever was so affected.We conclude that this outbreak of Q fever probably resulted from exposure to the contaminated clothing of the cat owner.