bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biochemical and molecular characterization ofSalmonella entericaserovarberta, and comparison of methods for typing
Authors: Olsen J. E. , Brown D. J. , Baggesen D. L. , Bisgaard M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYStrains ofSalmonella entericaserovarberta(S. berta) from Denmark and seven other countries have been characterized with the aim of developing a rational typing strategy in connection with outbreak investigations.Biotyping divided the strains into H2S-positive (90%) and H2S-negative (10%) biovars. Six percent of the strains were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. Eighty-eight percent of the strains carried plasmids and 52 different plasmid profiles were recognized. Six of the common plasmid sizes in these profiles were shown by restriction enzyme analyses to contain more than one plasmid species. More than 90% of the strains had the same ribotype with the restriction enzymesSmaI andEcoR I and the same whole cell protein profile. Outer membrane protein profiles and isoenzyme profiles were identical in allS. bertaanalysed.Plasmid profiling in combination with restriction enzyme analysis of plasmids seemed to be the most rational typing strategy forS. berta. The results indicated thatS. bertastrains regardless of geographical source or host are possibly clonal in nature.
Numerical index of the discriminatory ability of biotyping and resistotyping for strains ofEscherichia coli
Authors: Crichton P. B. , Old D. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA discrimination index was applied to assess the value of biotyping and resistotyping, used alone or together, for the subspecific discrimination ofEscherichia coli.The index was high when 599 strains from a wide variety of sources were examined by full biotyping with 10 tests. Although the discrimination achieved was lower when a sub-collection of 333 strains was examined, that finding probably indicated that many of the latter strains were of urinary origin and represented a limited number of uropathogenic clones. Combined biotyping and resistotyping provided a higher level of strain discrimination than either method used on its own. Results suggest that these typing methods may be used with confidence for the discrimination of strains ofE. coli.
Serology and anthrax in humans, livestock and Etosha National Park wildlife
Authors: Turnbull P. C. B. , Doganay M. , Lindeque P. M. , Aygen B. , McLaughlin J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYResults are presented from a number of epidemiological studies using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) based on the purified anthrax toxin antigens, protective antigen, lethal factor and oedema factor. Studies on sera from a group of 62 human anthrax patients in Turkey and from cattle in Britain following two unrelated outbreaks of anthrax show that EIA using protective antigen can be a useful diagnostic aid and will detect subclinical infections in appropriate circumstances. A serological survey on wildlife in the Etosha National Park, Namibia, where anthrax is endemic, showed that naturally acquired anthrax-specific antibodies are rare in herbivores but common in carnivores; in carnivores, titres appear to reflect the prevalence of anthrax in their ranges. Problems, as yet unresolved, were encountered in studies on sera from pigs following an outbreak of anthrax on a farm in Wales.Clinical details, including treatment, of the human and one of the bovine outbreaks are summarized and discussed in relation to the serological findings.
Prevalence of serotypes ofXanthomonas maltophiliafrom world-wide sources
Authors: Schable B. , Rhoden D. L. , Jarvis W. R. , Miller J. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSince its development in 1988, a serologic typing scheme forXanthomonas maltophilia, based on 31 O antigens, has been successfully used to serotype isolates involved in nosocomial outbreaks in the United States. To determine if this serotyping scheme would be useful in typingX. maltophiliaisolates from worldwide sources, we obtained additional isolates from 10 countries; of 900 isolates tested, 795 (88·3%) were typable. In order of predominance, the three most common serotypes were 10, 3 and 19. These three serotypes were most frequently associated with respiratory and blood isolates. This serotyping system is useful as an epidemiologic screening method for universal typing of outbreaks ofX. maltophiliainfections.
Legionellae isolated from clinical and environmental samples in Spain (1983–90): monoclonal typing ofLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1 isolates
Authors: Pelaz C. , García L. , Martín-Bourgon C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYLegionella isolates recovered in 21 different Spanish provinces over 8 years from both clinical (67 isolates) and environmental (181) samples, mostly from case-associated buildings, are described: 92·5% of clinical isolates wereL. pneumophilaserogroup 1 (SGI), only five isolates belonging to other species or serogroups: twoL. pneumophilaSG6, two SG8 and oneL. bozemaniiSG1 not clearly related with clinical infection.L. pneumophilaSG1 accounted for 53·6% of isolates from the environment, followed by SG8 (27·6%). SG3 (9·4%) and SG6 (7·2%). Three isolates were labelled as SG8/10.Subtyping ofL. pneumophilaSG1 by the standardized panel of monoclonal antibodies revealed 90·3% of clinical and 78·3% of environmental isolates as belonging to Pontiac subgroup. Pontiac isolates were further divided into 55·3% Philadelphia 1 or Allentown 1, 21·9% Benidorm 030E and 20·4% Knoxville 1.Characterization of samples from four outbreaks in which both clinical and environmental isolates had been recovered permitted the recognition of three Philadelphia 1 or Allentown 1 and one Knoxville 1 strains as the aetiological agents.
Analysis of some virulence factors ofVibrio vulnificusisolated from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues D. P. , Ribeiro R. V. , Hofer E. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwenty strains ofV. vulnificusisolated from the environment were investigated for characteristics related to their infectivity such as colonial morphology, enzymatic activity and animal assays. The presence of DNase, chitinase, amylase, lecithinase and gelatinase was observed in 100% of the strains, haemolytic activity was absent, and variable results were obtained in elastase, collagenase and chondroitinase. In the animal assays, 70% of the strains were lethal to adult mice, while 45% caused fluid accumulation in suckling mice. Although all strains had opaque colonies, only 3 of the 20 had the three enzymes elastase, collagenase and gelatinase, and only one of these was virulent in animal assays.
Influenza deaths in Leicestershire during the 1989–90 epidemic: implications for prevention
Authors: Nguyen-Van-Tam J. S. , Nicholson K. G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThere is an association between excess winter mortality and epidemics of influenza and it has been suggested that annual influenza vaccination should be offered to all over 65 years old as in the United States. This paper identifies the number of people dying from influenza in Leicestershire UK during the 1989–90 epidemic and the factors associated with a fatal outcome. The findings show that deaths attributed to influenza occur predominantly in very elderly people with underlying ill-health. The risk of influenzal death is greater in residential patients and increases substantially with the number of underlying medical conditions. The estimated death rates in vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups were not significantly different, but there were trends towards protection in both residential and non-residential groups. Influenza vaccine is not reaching the principal target groups and improved methods of influenza control are required.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Papua New Guinea: a high incidence in young children
Authors: Lucas K. M. , Sanders R. C. , Rongap A. , Rongap T. , Pinai S. , Alpers M. P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEighty-seven cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were diagnosed from September 1988 to April 1991 in Papua New Guinea (PNG), by demonstration of high-titre measles-specific antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). For 1990 the annual incidence of SSPE, for the study provinces, was calculated to be 56 cases per million under 20 years of age and it is expected that this figure will be higher in 1991. The mean age of presentation was 4.9 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. An elevation in the ratio of immunoglobulin G as a percentage of total protein in CSF and an increase in the CSF:serum immunoglobulin G ratio was shown in SSPE patients. The dramatic appearance and high frequency of the disease in PNG might relate to the early age of measles infection encountered in children in this country.
Molecular epidemiology of shigella infections in Israel
Authors: Yavzori M. , Cohen D. , Bercovier H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe DNAs ofShigella sonneiorShigella dysenteriaetype 1 strains isolated in outbrealis of shigellosis or in sporadic cases were analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Southern blots of the DNAs of 36S. sonneiisolates digested by 8 restriction enzymes were hybridized with anEscherichia colirRNA probe. TheS. sonneistrains were unexpectedly diverse in their RFLP. Antibiotypes of the same isolates showed clusters of strains corresponding to the various outbreaks. On the other hand, RFLP analysis suggested concomitant multiple sources of infection rather than a common source and thereby introduced a new insight in the epidemiology of shigellosis. RFLP was also used to traceS. dysenteriaetype 1 transmission in a recent cluster of clinical cases. Although antibiotic resistance patterns indicated the presence of more than one strain, RFLP analysis showed that the six isolates were identical clones and suggested the loss of an R episome after one person-to-person passage.
An investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis phagetype 4 infection and the consumption of custard slices and trifles
Authors: Barnes G. H. , Edwards A. T. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEpidemiological investigation into an outbreak of food poisoning in 17 patients caused by Salmonella enteritidis phage-type 4 demonstrated a highly significant association with consumption of custard, retailed in custard slices and trifles from a bakery on one day. The bakery had changed their recipe for custard 2 weeks earlier to include fresh shell eggs and had not followed earlier national advice on cooking eggs for human consumption. The case-control study supports earlier work associating Salmonella enteritidis phage-type 4 infection with consumption of uncooked or lightly cooked shell eggs.
The identification of Salmonella enteritidis-infected poultry flocks associated with an outbreak of human salmonellosis
Authors: Giessen A. W. van de , Dufrenne J. B. , Ritmeester W. S. , Berkers P. A. T. A. , Leeuwen W. J. van , Notermans S. H. W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn the summer of 1991 a human outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis infection occurred following a barbecue in which about 100 persons were involved. Eggs, supplied by one or more of 10 different layer farms, were the most probable source of the infection. To identify the S. enteritidis-positive flocks, an immunoassay was used to detect salmonella serogroup D-specific antibodies in the yolk of hens eggs. Antibody titres in the eggs from two layer farms, farm A and B, clearly exceeded the titres found in randomly collected eggs. Further investigations on farm A and B yielded high antibody titres in the eggs from flocks A1, A2 and B2, and low titres in the eggs from flock B1. S. enteritidis was isolated from the faecal samples of flocks A1, A2 and B2, whereas no salmonella was detected in the faecal samples of flock B1. The flocks present on both farms originated from the same breeder flock.
Transferable high-level trimethoprim resistance among isolates ofEscherichia colifrom urinary tract infections in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Harnett N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOf 1171 isolates ofEscherichia coliisolated from urine samples at the Public Health Laboratory, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, between May 1990 and December 1991, 120 (10·3%) were resistant to trimethoprim (TMP), cotrimoxazole (TMP/SMX), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and other antimicrobial agents; 110 of the 120 isolates (91·7%) were resistant to four or more agents. The majority of resistant isolates (91·7%) exhibited high-level resistance (MIC > 1000 mg/L) to TMP. The MIC of TMP/SMX for all 120 isolates was > 2·0/38·0 mg/L and for SMX > 1024 mg/L. High-level resistances were also present among the β-lactam antimicrobials with MICs ranging from 16- > 256 mg/L. Forty-three of 120 TMP-resistant (35·8%) isolates conjugally transferred TMP-resistance toE. coliK-12. Co-transfer of several other resistances was observed. SMX cotransferred from 86% of the 43 donors and β-lactams together with SMX cotransferred from 70%. Nalidixic acid resistance was present among 22 (18·3%) of the 120 resistant isolates, however, nalidixic acid resistance was not transferred toE. coliK-12.
Epidemiology of typhoid fever in Singapore
Authors: Yew F. S. , Goh K. T. , Lim Y. S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 1452 cases of typhoid fever was notified in Singapore from 1980–9. The morbidity rates of indigenous cases showed a steady decline from 5.9 per 100000 population in 1980 to 1.2 per 100000 population in 1989. The mean case fatality was 0.8%. Children, adolescents and young adults were most susceptible to typhoid fever. There was no significant difference in morbidity rates between the major ethnic groups. The vast majority of indigenous cases were sporadic while outbreaks accounted for almost one third of them. Food was the main vehicle of transmission. The commonest indigenous phage types were B1, D1 and A. Antimicrobial resistance was infrequently seen. The proportion of imported cases rose from 32% in 1980 to 72% in 1989. Almost half (48.5%) of all imported cases were local residents who contracted typhoid fever while travelling in endemic countries. As imported cases assume greater importance in the epidemiology of typhoid fever in Singapore, further drop in typhoid fever incidence would require reduction of travel-related cases through greater awareness of food hygiene and effective vaccination.
Outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at University Hospital, Nottingham. Epidemiology, microbiology and control
Authors: Colville A. , Crowley J. , Dearden D. , Slack R. C. B. , Lee J. V. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwelve patients in a large teaching hospital contracted Legionnaires' disease over a period of 11 months. The source was a domestic hot water system in one of the hospital blocks, which was run at a temperature of 43 °C. Five different subtypes ofLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1 have been isolated from water in different parts of the hospital, over a period of time. Only one subtype, Benidorm RFLP 14, was implicated in disease. Circumstantial evidence suggested that the outbreak may have been due to recent colonization of the hot water system with a virulent strain ofLegionella pneumophila. The outbreak was controlled by raising the hot water temperature to 60 °C, but careful surveillance uncovered two further cases in the following 30 months. Persistent low numbers ofLegionella pneumophilawere isolated from the domestic hot water of wards where Legionnaires' disease had been contracted, until an electrolytic unit was installed releasing silver and copper ions into this supply.
Phage typing of Vero cytotoxin-producingEscherichia coliO 157 isolated in the United Kingdom: 1989–91
Authors: Frost J. A. , Cheasty T. , Thomas A. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYBetween 1989 and 1991 a total of 1092 Vero cytotoxin-producingEscherichia coliO 157 isolated in the United Kingdom were phage typed in the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP). Twenty-three phage types was identified, the most frequent being types 2 (36·1%), 49 (29·6%), 1 (10·3%) and 4 (8·9%). Although isolations of O 157 VTEC have increased each year from 1 in 1982 to 532 in 1991, the predominant phage types have remained unchanged although the proportion of strains belonging to types 2 and 49 has increased. O 157 VTEC from 17 outbreaks were phage typed during this period with phage type 49 predominating (7 of 17 outbreaks).
Enterotoxins and toxic-shock syndrome toxin-1 in non-enteric staphylococcal disease
Authors: Marples R. R. , Wieneke A. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOver the 7 years 1985–91, 997 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from 962 patients with diseases other than food poisoning have been tested for the production of enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) and phage typed. In all, 128 cases could be classified as confirmed or probable toxic shock syndrome (TSS) but a further 199 cases were classified as possible or unconfirmed TSS. In 219 cases, an alternative diagnosis could be supported and 45 cases were classified as sudden infant death syndrome. In 371 cases, insufficient information for classification was available.Strains of phage group I producing TSST-1 were associated with menstrual TSS. Many menstrual TSS cases were aged less than 20 and were using non-introducer tampons.When all strains were reviewed, strong associations were observed between TSST-1 production and phage group I strains, enterotoxin B production and group V strains, enterotoxin C and phage-type 95 strains and between enterotoxin A without TSST-1 and phage group III strains.
Epidemiology ofSalmonella typhimurium: ribosomal DNA analysis of strains from human and animal sources
Authors: Nastasi A. , Mammina C. , Villafrate M. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSalmonella typhimuriumis the most frequently identified serovar ofSalmonellain Italy. This serovar is characterized by the widespread dissemination among human and non-human sources of phenotypically and genetically well-differentiated clones.In this study 457 strains ofS. typhimuriumisolated in Italy in the years 1982–91 from human and animal sources were submitted to characterization by the rDNA fingerprinting technique. Application of this typing method, after digestion of chromosomal DNA withHincII endonuclease, confirmed the greatest genetic differentiation of clones ofS. typhimurium, allowing reliable identification of 45 rDNA patterns linked into 9 major clusters. rDNA pattern clusters or ribotypes specific to man were not recognized, whereas some rDNA patterns were characteristically related to ducks, pigeons and pet birds. The ribotyping results for isolates from animal hosts suggest that pig and cattle are the main source of human infection.
Dose-response in an outbreak of non-bacterial food poisoning traced to a mixed seafood cocktail
Authors: Gray S. F. , Evans M. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak of non-bacterial food poisoning presumed due to small round, structured viruses (SRSV) occurred at a national conference.A detailed postal survey of all conference attenders was carried out to ascertain the cause of the outbreak and 355 questionnaires were returned.Univariate analysis showed that mussels in the seafood cocktail were the likely vehicle of infection. A dose–response relationship between the amount of seafood cocktail consumed and the risk of illness was demonstrated. Dose–response has not previously been documented in a food-borne outbreak due to small round structured virus.Detailed quantitative food histories can be useful in eliciting dose-response relationships and may be crucial in establishing the vehicle of infection when investigating food poisoning following consumption of a set-menu meal. Their use should be considered in other outbreak situations.
Arcobacter cryaerophilusand thermophilic campylobacters in a sewage treatment plant in Italy: two secondary treatments compared
Authors: Stampi S , Varoli O , Zanetti F , De Luca G 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYMicroaerophilic organisms were monitored in sewage effluent undergoing two secondary treatments: air and oxygen-activated sludge. The mean numbers ofArcobacter cryaerophilusand thermophilic campylobacters detected in incoming sewage were 5639/100 ml and 1720/100 ml respectively.Secondary treatment in air tanks reduced the population ofA. cryaerophilusby 97.1% and of thermophilic campylobacters by 99.08%, whereas treatment in oxygen tanks reduced the bacteria 97.8% and 99.63% respectively, showing that oxygen-activated sludge treatment was more effective. Subsequent tertiary treatment with 2 p.p.m. chlorine dioxide evidenced the removal ofA. cryaerophilusto 99.9% and eliminated thermophilic campylobacters.Campylobacter jejuniandC. coliconstituted 54.1% and 45.9% of 74 thermophilic campylobacter strains isolated. In air-activated sludge effluentC. jejuniwas found more often, thus appearing more sensitive to oxygen.The most probable number assay used for detection of campylobacters, blood medium for enrichment and blood-free medium for plating, also appeared to be fit forA. cryaerophilus, the high density of which in urban sewage may be due to inflows from slaughterhouses.
Epidemiology ofStaphylococcus aureusin patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Branger C. , Fournier J. M. , Loulergue J. , Bouvet A. , Goullet Ph. , Boutonnier A. , De Gialluly C. , Couetdic G. , Chomarat M. , Jaffar-Banjee M. C. , Mariani P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSeven hundred and thirty-four isolates ofStaphylococcus aureus, recovered from the sputum of 238 cystic fibrosis patients in six French hospitals, were characterized by esterase electrophoretic typing, capsular polysaccharide serotyping and phage typing and tested against 14 antibiotics for sensitivity. Thirty-four esterase electrophoretic types were found with a genotypic diversity coefficient of 0·91. Five hundred and forty-eight (78·7%) isolates produced capsular polysaccharide and 350 (50·3%) were type 8. Four hundred and sixty isolates (66·6%) were phage typable and 202 (28·2%) were lysed by group III bacteriophages. No esterase electrophoretic type, capsular type or phage type was specific to cystic fibrosis. Isolates belonged to a wide range of types, similar to strains acquired outside hospitals. Eighty-five patients had three or more consecutive isolates over at least 6 months. The ability ofS. aureusto persist for long periods of time has been demonstrated in 73% of them. Methicillin-resistance was encountered among 73 strains (9·8%) which were also multiresistant. Two hundred and eighty-nine (39·9%) strains were sensitive to all antibiotics tested except to penicillin. Pristinamycin and co-trimoxazole were the most effective antibiotics. These results could contribute to the elaboration of a rational approach to the prophylaxis and therapy of respiratory staphylococcal infections in cystic fibrosis patients.
Clonal study of enterotoxin-B producing strains ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Renaud F. , Bornstein N. , Meugnier H. , Forey F. , Bes M. , Fleurette J. 
Published: May 2009

SummarySixty-nineStaphylococcus aureusstrains. 39 of which produced staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB + ) and 14 of which were associated with toxic shock (TS + ), were studied using the following markers: serotyping, phage typing, antibiotyping. ribotyping, zymotyping and pulsed-field electrophoresis typing. Analysis of the results showed that the enterotoxin B producing strains were derived from at least three clones: the first two consisted of methicillin-susceptible strains, while the third included the methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains. TS+ strains of non-genital origin appeared to be distributed between the three clones, with no specific characters.