bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High prevalence rates of antibody to three sandfly fever viruses (Sicilian, Naples and Toscana) among Cypriots
Authors: Eitrem R. , Stylianou M. , Niklasson B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYNeutralizing antibodies to sandfly fever Naples, sandfly fever Sicilian and Toscana viruses were investigated among 479 sera collected from a normal human population in Cyprus. Antibody prevalence rates of 57%, 32% and 20% were found to Naples, Sicilian and Toscana viruses, respectively. The observed frequency of dual and triple infections was higher than would be expected with a random chance of infection. Antibody prevalence rates were similar for men and women for all three viruses tested, but one of two study sites had significantly higher antibody prevalence to Naples and Sicilian viruses than the other. Individuals with antibodies to both Naples and Toscana viruses had higher antibody levels to Naples virus than those with antibodies to Naples virus only. If the antibody prevalence rates found in this study reflect a history of clinical disease as described in the literature, sandfly fever poses a significant public health problem in Cyprus.
Antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that use enzyme-labelled antigen for detection of virus-specific immunoglobulin M, A and G in patients with varicella or herpes zoster
Authors: Van Loon A. M. , van der Logt J. T. M. , Heessen F. W. A. , Heeren M. C. A. , Zoll J. 
Published: May 2009

Antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (AC-ELISA) which use enzyme-labelled antigen were developed for detection of varicella-zoster virus-(VZV) specific IgM, IgA and IgG antibody in patients with varicella or herpes zoster and in sera from healthy individuals. All 18 patients with varicella developed a VZV-IgM and a VZV-IgG response, 17 also a VZV-IgA response. In contrast, all 19 patients with herpes zoster were shown to be positive for VZV-IgA whereas only 13 of these reacted positively for VZV-IgM. A VZV-IgM response was detected in only two sera from 100 healthy individuals and an IgA response in only one. The presence of virus-specific IgA and IgG in the cerebrospinal fluid as determined by AC-ELISA was a useful indicator of VZV infection of the central nervous system.By AC-ELISA, VZV-IgG was detected predominantly in sera from patients with acute or recent VZV infection. Only 14 sera from 100 healthy individuals were positive for VZV-IgG by AC-ELISA, whereas all were positive by an indirect ELISA. These results indicate that AC-ELISA's may be useful assays for determination for acute or recurrent VZV infection, but are not suitable for determination of past infection with this virus.
A prolonged outbreak of ornithosis in duck processors
Authors: Newman C. P. ST. J. , Palmer S. R. , Kirby F. D. , Caul E. O. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn 1985 an outbreak of ornithosis affected 13 of 80 (16%) workers in a duck-processing plant. New employees were three times more likely to become cases than established employees. The highest attack rate was in those on the production line. Following the outbreak, an occupational health scheme was set up to monitor the health of new recruits to the company. Serological evidence of recent infection was demonstrated in 18 of 37 (49%) new employees tested in the first 3 months of employment. Five (14%) also had clinical evidence of ornithosis. Veterinary investigation of the ducks demonstrated a high proportion with asymptomatic chlamydial infection. It is suggested that ornithosis may be more common in duck processors than ins processors than is currently supposed. Strategies to reduce occupational risks are discussed.
Genetic relationships among strains ofSalmonella enteritidisin a national epidemic in Switzerland
Authors: Stanley J. , Burnens A. P. , Threlfall E. J. , Chowdry N. , Goldsworthy M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA collection ofSalmonella enteritidisstrains isolated in Switzerland (1965–90) was characterized. The phage type and plasmid profile of isolates were compared with the copy number and insertion loci of the DNA insertion element IS200. Three clonal lines ofS. enteritidiswere identified by IS200profile; the various phage types were subtypes reproducibly associated with one of these lines. All human and poultry isolates contained a 38 Mda plasmid which hybridized with a mouse virulence-associated gene probe. InS. enteritidis, the IS200profile is a race-specific molecular marker of the chromosome, and may be particularly applicable for studying the epidemiology of less common serovars.
Reactivity of human serum antibody with lipopolysaccharide O 78 antigen from enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli
Authors: Brüssow H. , Sidoti J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFifteen and five of 20 volunteers challenged with the enterotoxigenicEscherichia colistrain O 78·H11 showed a fourfold titre increase of serum ELISA antibody to the homologous O 78 and the heterologous O 8 lipopolysaccharide antigen, respectively. Sixty-three of 191 sera from 1- to 48-month-old German children showed serum antibody reactive with O 78 antigen, all but two of these O 78-positive sera also showed reactivity with at least one further O antigen. Only 14 of the O 78 reactive sera also showed antibody to heat-labile enterotoxin. In addition, soluble O 8 antigen could inhibit the binding of serum antibody to absorbed O 78 in 68% of the German children. Antibody reactive with O 78 antigen is thus not a reliable serological marker for enterotoxigenicE. coliinfection in German children.
A longitudinal study of trachoma in a Gambian village: implications concerning the pathogenesis of chlamydial infection
Authors: Mabey D. C. W. , Bailey R. L. , Ward M. E. , Whittle H. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn order to investigate risk factors for the acquisition of trachoma, and to study the effect of continued exposure to ocular chlamydial infection on the severity of inflammatory trachoma and its cicatricial sequelae, a longitudinal study was conducted in a Gambian village. Over a 20-month period, the incidence of active (inflammatory) trachoma was significantly higher among those sharing a bedroom with an active case (64/561, 11·4%) than among those who were not exposed in this way (37/658, 5·6%) (relative risk 1·97, 95% confidence interval 1·33–2.90). There was a positive trend in the odds ratio for severe to moderate inflammatory disease versus mild disease as the number of active cases in the bedroom increased, but this failed to achieve statistical significance (P= 0·0506). Individuals with inflammatory trachoma of moderate or severe intensity at one survey were significantly more likely than others to have moderate or severe inflammatory changes at a previous or subsequent survey (odds ratio 14·9, 95% confidence interval 3·9–68·0), implying that host factors may be more important determinants of severity than the frequency of exposure to reinfection.
Extended phage-typing scheme forCampylobacter jejuniandCampylobacter coli
Authors: Khakhria R. , Lior H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe extended phage-typing scheme described forCampylobacter jejuniandCampylobacter colihas established 46 different phage types using 19 typing phages. Altogether 754 campylobacter isolates, 672C. jejuniand 82C. coli, isolated from human and non-human sources received from 17 different countries were phage-typed. Overall, 80·6% of the total isolates were typable. Among typable strains, 9 phage types (3, 5, 10, 11, 18, 19, 23, 26 and 44) represented 57·0% of the strains, 21·3% of the strains belonged to another 37 phage types and the remaining 2·3% of isolates were designated atypical. The most common phage type 11 (140/754) was frequently observed amongC. jejuniisolates from human (113/561) and non-human sources (18/111). whereas type 44 was frequent amongC. coliisolates from human (22/59) and from non-human sources (8/23). A study of the animal host-associations of common phage types showed that contaminated cattle and poultry appear to be the most common sources of human infection. The greatest variety of phage types was observed in Canada (24 phage types), followed by Portugal (17 types) and the UK (14 types), reflecting the larger sample sizes from these countries. Phage type 11 was encountered in 12 different countries and prevalence of other phage types varied from one country to another. The number of isolates typable with the scheme varied from 93·2% (261/280) in Canada to 61% (47/77) in Thailand. However, the number and diversity of phage types makes phage typing the method of choice in epidemiological studies of campylobacter infections.
The epidemiology of varicella–zoster virus infections: a mathematical model
Authors: Garnett G. P. , Grenfell B. T. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYHerpes-zoster is caused by the reactivation of varicella–zoster virus (VZV). In this paper different hypotheses of how this re-emergence of virus comes about are reviewed and discussed. From these hypotheses, and epidemiological data describing the initial transmission of the virus, a mathematical model of primary disease (varicella) and reactivated disease (zoster) in developed countries is derived. The steady-state age distributions of zoster cases predicted by this model are compared with the observed distribution, derived from a review and analysis of published epidemiological data. The model allows differentiation between published hypotheses in which age of host may or may not influence the probability of viral reactivation. The results indicate that the probability of reactivation must increase with age to allow the observed pattern of zoster cases. The basic mathematical model presented provides a conceptual framework, which may be extended to assess possible control programmes.
Enteroviruses in recreational waters of Northern Ireland
Authors: Hughes M. S. , Coyle P. V. , Connolly J. H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYVirus surveillance of Northern Ireland recreational waters, between April 1986 and May 1989 demonstrated widespread enteroviral contamination of coastal and inland waters. In 1986, enteroviruses were detected in 4 of 46 (8·7%) water samples, collected from 6 coastal bathing waters. In 1987, 49 of 107 (45·8%) samples, from 16 coastal bathing waters, yielded enteroviruses; 33 of the enterovirus positive samples passed one or both of the coliform standards outlined by the European Economic Community (EEC) bathing water directive (76/160/EEC). Enteroviruses were also detected in 33 of 39 (84·6%) samples tested from 3 inland recreational waters.
Streptococcal pharyngitis in general practice. 1. Some unusual features of the epidemiology
Authors: Higgins P. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThis report is based on a study of acute infections of the upper respiratory tract in 1965 and detailed records of such infections in 1963 and 1964. A change from illnesses mainly yielding viruses to illnesses mainly yielding group A streptococci was noted around the age of 5 years. A positive culture for group A streptococci in patients over 4 years of age was highly correlated with a complaint of sore throat and with serological evidence of streptococcal infection. A bimodal age distribution curve for pharyngitis associated with a positive culture for group A streptococci was consistently noted. The incidence was highest in children aged 5–9 but a second smaller peak occurred among adults in the 30–39 age group. The evidence suggests that being female increases the risk of acquiring group A streptococci and of experiencing sore throat.
Concordance of auxotype/serovar classes ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaebetween sexual contacts
Authors: Ison C. A. , Whitaker L. , Renton A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and three known sexual-contact pairs of patients with culture-proven gonorrhoea who attended St Mary's Hospital, London between May 1989 and February 1991 were identified. All isolates from these patients were serotyped and auxotyped and compared for type concordance within sexual-contact pairs. Serotype was concordant in 80 (78%) of 103 sexual-contact pairs, auxotype in 88 (85%) and auxotype/serovar (A/S) class in 66 (64%) on the first screening. All pairs of isolates showed concordance in both serotype and auxotype when typing was repeated using a single set of serotyping reagents and of auxotyping media. Seventeen serovars. 9 auxotypes and 36 A/S classes were found in this population. Our results suggest that both serotyping and auxotyping may be used as markers to allow tracing of sexual-contact pairs, but that a single set of reagents should be used to ensure maximum reliability.
Virulence factors of entericEscherichia coliin young Aboriginal children in north-west Australia
Authors: Gunzburg S. T. , Chang B. J. , Burke V. , Gracey M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) were the most frequently identified enteric pathogens associated with diarrhoea in 0–5 year old Aboriginal children in tropical north-west Australia with an incidence similar to those from other tropical regions. Heat-stable toxin-producing (ST + ) strains were associated with diarrhoea throughout the year but heat-labile toxin-producing (LT + ) strains were more important in the monsoonal summer season. ST + strains were commonest in children with diarrhoea between 6 and 18 months of age while LT + strains were associated with diarrhoea in children aged 18–24 months. VerotoxigenicE. coli(VTEC) which produced VT1, but not VT2, and enteroadherent (EAF + )E. coliwere significant causes of diarrhoea, mainly in children below 18 months but without a seasonal pattern.
Identification of human and bovine rotavirus serotypes by polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Taniguchi K. , Wakasugi F. , Pongsuwanna Y. , Urasawa T. , Ukae S. , Chiba S. , Urasawa S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identifying serotypes of human and bovine rotaviruses was examined. In the identification of 115 human rotavirus samples in stools, results with PCR showed excellent agreement with results of serotyping by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, the PCR showed a much higher sensitivity (93%) than the ELISA test (82·6%). The PCR method could also be applied for identifying the serotype of bovine rotaviruses.
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in intensive care
Authors: Boom S. J. , Ramsay G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYNosocomial infection in intensive care unit (ICU) practice is a common problem and is associated with abnormal carriage of Gram-negative aerobic bacilli in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in endogenous infections. Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) is a regimen aimed at preventing or eradicating this abnormal carriage.A large number of trials examining SDD in ICU practice have been published, the vast majority showing a significant reduction in the incidence of nosocomial, Gram-negative infection. However, the impact on morbidity and mortality is much less certain. A recent meta-analysis has suggested a 10–20% reduction in mortality (3–6% absolute difference) with SDD. A discussion of these results is presented together with potential criticisms of SDD.
The relationship between infecting dose and severity of disease in reported outbreaks of salmonella infections
Authors: Glynn J. R. , Bradley D. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe relationship between size of the infecting dose and severity of the resulting disease has been investigated for salmonella infections by reanalysis of data within epidemics for 32 outbreaks, and comparing data between outbreaks for 68 typhoid epidemics and 49 food-poisoning outbreaks due to salmonellas. Attack rate, incubation period, amount of infected food consumed and type of vehicle are used as proxy measures of infecting dose, while case fatality rates for typhoid and case hospitalization rates for food poisoning salmonellas were used to assess severity. Limitations of the data are discussed. Both unweighted and logit analysis models are used.There is no evidence for a dose-severity relationship forSalmonella typhi, but evidence of a correlation between dose and severity is available from within-epidemic or between-epidemic analysis, or both, forSalmonella typhimurium, S. enteritidis, S. infantis, S. newport, andS. thompson. The presence of such a relationship affects the way in which control interventions should be assessed.
High level resistance to trimethoprim, cotrimoxazole and other antimicrobial agents among clinical isolates of Shigella species in Ontario, Canada – an update
Authors: Harnett N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 598 isolates of Shigella species (24 S. dysenteriae, 254 S. flexneri, 30 S. boydii, 290 S. sonnei) submitted to the Ontario Public Health Laboratories in 1990 were tested for their susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents by the agar dilution method. Overall 79·6% of isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents and 52·0% were resistant to four or more. Trimethoprim resistance ranged from 26·7% among isolates of S. boydii to 39·4% among S. flexneri strains. The majority of the 224 TMP resistant isolates (88·8%) demonstrated high level resistance (MIC > 1000 mg/1) to trimethoprim. Resistance to cotrimoxazole increased from 3% in 1978 to between 26·7 and 37·6% in 1990. MICs for 90% of isolates (MIC90S) for ampicillin, ticarcillin and piperacillin were 128 to > 256 mg/1, > 256 for tetracycline and chloramphenicol, and > 2·0/38·0 for cotrimoxazole. These results from the Canadian Province of Ontario emphasize the need for prudent use of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of shigellosis.
Cockroaches as carriers of bacteria in multi-family dwellings
Authors: Cloarec A. , Rivault C. , Fontaine F. , Guyader A. Le 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe potential risk of bacterial dissemination due to the presence of cockroaches (Blattella germanica, Blattellidae) in low-income flats was investigated. Cockroaches can carry a great variety of bacterial species; we identified 30 different species from 52 different flats. Klebsiella oxycytoca, K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae were the most frequently found. Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria represented 54% of all the bacterial identifications. Bacteria were carried either on the cuticle or in the gut. Contamination through external contact is sufficient to insure bacterial diffusion. There was a very low level of overlap estimated by Pianka's index (a) between the bacterial flora of neighbouring blocks of flats, and (b) between bacterial flora of different flats in the same block.
Salmonella enteritidis outbreak in a restaurant chain: the continuing challenges of prevention
Authors: Vugia D. J. , Mishu B. , Smith M. , Tavris D. R. , Hickman-Brenner F. W. , Tauxe R. V. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn 1990, a Salmonella enteritidis (SE) outbreak occurred in a restaurant chain in Pennsylvania. To determine its cause(s), we conducted a case-control study and a cohort study at one restaurant, and a survey of restaurants. Egg dishes were associated with illness (P = 0.03). Guests from one hotel eating at the restaurant had a diarrhocal attack rate of 14%, 4.7-fold higher than among those not eating there (P = 0.04). There were no differences in egg handling between affected and unaffected restaurants. Eggs supplied to affected restaurants were medium grade AA eggs from a single farm, and were reportedly refrigerated during distribution. Human and hen SE isolates were phage type 8 and had similar plasmid profiles and antibiograms. We estimate the prevalence of infected eggs during the outbreak to be as high as 1 in 12. Typical restaurant egg-handling practices and refrigeration during distribution appear to be insufficient by themselves to prevent similar outbreaks.
Molecular epidemiology of the plasmid-encoded TEM-1 β-lactamase in Scotland
Authors: Thomson C. J. , Amyes S. G. B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA survey of the β-lactamases responsible for ampicillin resistance in urinaryEscherichia coliisolated in central Scotland has been performed. The TEM-1 β-lactamase was found to be most prevalent occurring in 88.2% of ampicillin-resistant isolates tested. Forty-six percent of the TEM-1 producing strains were able to transfer this resistance toE. coliJ62–2 at 37 ° C. Analysis of the resulting transconjugants revealed that the degree of resistance to amoxycillin and amoxycillin in combination with clavulanic acid was related to the specific activity of the TEM-1 β-lactamase. The variation in specific activity was shown to be related to plasmid type as determined by restriction analysis. No obvious relationship between β-lactamase specific activity and resistance to amoxycillin and amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid could be demonstrated in the original plasmid donor strains.
Acute respiratory illness in the community. Frequency of illness and the agents involved
Authors: Monto A. S. , Sullivan K. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYInvestigations of respiratory illnesses and infections in Tecumseh. Michigan. USA, were carried out in two phases, together covering 11 years. During the second phase, there were 5363 person-years of observation. Respiratory illness rates in both males and females peaked in the 1–2 year age group and fell thereafter. Adult females had more frequent illnesses than adult males; illnesses were less common in working women than in women not working outside the home. Isolation of viruses fell with increasing age; rhinoviruses were the most common isolate. Influenza infection rates, determined serologically, suggested relative sparing of young children from infection with type A (H1N1) and type B. Infection rates were highest in adult age groups for type A (H3N2). The isolation and serological infection rates were used to estimate the extent to which laboratory procedures underestimated the proportion of respiratory illnesses caused by each infectious agent; data from other studies were also used in this estimation. Severity of respiratory illnesses was assessed by the proportion of such illnesses that resulted in consultation of a physician. Rhinoviruses produced the greatest number of consultations. Overall, physician consultations were associated with 25.4% of respiratory illnesses.
Molecular studies of plasmids of multiply-resistantShigellaspp. in Hong Kong
Authors: Ling J. M. , Shaw P. C. , Kam K. M. , Cheng A. F. , French G. L. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and twoShigellaspp. isolated in two hospitals in Hong Kong were analysed for antibiotic resistances, resistance plasmids and plasmid profiles. Three quarters of the isolates wereS.flexneri. All isolates harboured plasmids, up to a maximum of ten within one strain. Plasmids of 220 kb encoding resistances to tetracycline, chloramphenicol and sulphonamide and probably also associated with invasivenes in the Sereny test were found in 80 strains and were transferable in 18% of cases. Resistance plasmids of 92 and 99 kb were found in 27 and 15 strains respectively and encoded resistances to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, sulphonamide, trimethoprim, cotrimoxazole and gentamicin; these plasmids were usually transferable. Four plasmids of 3·9, 2·8, 2·2 and 1·8 kb were commonly found inS. flexneristrains, but were rare in other species. In contrast, there was no predominant plasmid profile inS. sonnei. S. flexneriis endemic in Hong Kong and these plasmid studies suggest that the strains in circulation are derived from only a few clones.