bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid inter-strain comparison by pyrolysis mass spectrometry of coagulase-negative staphylococci from persistent CAPD peritonitis
Authors: Freeman R. , Gould F. K. , Wilkinson R. , Ward A. C. , Lightfoot N. F. , Sisson P. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYPyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) was used as a method of rapid inter-strain comparison of 19 isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci from episodes of CAPD peritonitis. Thirteen isolates were from multiple, but distinct, episodes of peritonitis in 6 patients and the remaining 6 isolates were from 6 patients with single episodes. The results, expressed in terms of identity/non-identity of strains, were compared with those obtained using an established typing system comprising an extended antibiogram, determination of biotype and plasmid profile analysis. The PyMS results for inter-strain comparison were in agreement with the reference typing scheme results. PyMS can be used in this setting to rapidly obtain evidence that persistent infection is/is not likely to be due to the same organism, although it cannot be used for formal typing. The results by both methods showed that serial, apparently distinct, episodes of peritonitis over periods as long as 120 days may be due to the same strain of coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Clinically based distinctions between recurrence of infection (same strain) and re-infection (different strains) may not always be supported by the microbiological evidence.
Instability of multiple drug resistance plasmids inSalmonella typhimuriumisolated from poultry
Authors: Brown D. J. , Threlfall E. J. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYPlasmids in five strains ofSalmonella typhimuriumresistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, neomycin/kanamycin, streptomycin, sulphonamides, tetracyclines and trimethoprim (ACGKSSuTTm), CGKSSuTTm, ACSSuT or CSSuT which had been isolated from poultry in the first 3 months of 1989 have been characterized and compared with plasmids in two strains of R-types ACGKSSuTTm and ASSuTTm isolated from two patients later in the year. With the exception of the human isolate of R-type ASSuTTm, all strains carried two non-conjugative plasmids, one coding for SSu and belonging to incompatibility group Q, and a second coding for multiple resistance and belonging to the FImeincompatibility group. The human isolate of R-type ASSuTTm did not carry theIncQ, SSu plasmid but like the poultry isolates, carried a non-conjugative FImeplasmid.Restriction endonuclease digestion with the enzymesEcoR I,PstI andHindIII demonstrated that the FImeplasmids from strains of different R-types showed a high degree of homology but exhibited numerous fragment size polymorphisms. The restriction digest fingerprint of plasmids in the human isolate of R-type ACGKSSuTTm was indistinguishable from a poultry isolate of the same R-type. Analysis of segregants of one of the poultry isolates of R-type ACGKSSuTTm demonstrated that resistance determinants could be rapidly lost from the FImeplasmid to give rise to a number of R-types and fingerprint patterns. Loss of tetracycline resistance from this plasmid appeared to be correlated with the integration of other plasmid-mediated resistances into the bacterial chromosome. Evidence is presented for the rapid loss of antimicrobial resistance determinants from a multiple resistance plasmid of the FImeincompatibility group in response to withdrawal of antibiotic selective pressure.
Effect of penicillin and chloramphenicol on the growth and endotoxin release by N. meningitidis
Authors: Mellado M. C. , Rodríguez-Contreras R. , Mariscal A. , Luna J. D. , Rodríguez M. Delgado , Galvez-Vargas R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe action of two antibiotics, penicillin and chloramphenicol, on bacterial growth and endotoxin liberation was studied in 18 strains of Neissevia meningitidis isolated from blood and CSF of patients with meningococcal infections. The antibiotics were administered both separately and in combined form in doses equivalent to 1 MIC and 100 MIC. Penicillin was found to produce a faster and more intense bactericidal effect than chloramphenicol during the first hour, whereas at 12 h these differences were not significant. This could explain the initial worsening observed in some infected patients when large doses of penicillin are administered. An increased liberation of endotoxin after adding penicillin was observed in six of the strains studied, whereas the remaining 12 did not show significant increases. The six strains (belonging to serogroup B) were known to have an enhanced capacity for spontaneous endotoxin liberation.
Genetic relationship between the HA genes of type A influenza viruses isolated in off-seasons and later epidemic seasons
Authors: Nakajima S. , Nakamura K. , Nishikawa F. , Nakajima K. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFrom January 1985 to March 1989, off-season viruses of H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes of influenza A viruses were isolated on five occasions in Japan. The HA gene sequences of the influenza A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) viruses isolated in Japan from 1985–9 were analysed and the phylogenetic tree for each subtype virus was constructed to determine any genetic relationship between viruses isolated in off-seasons and the epidemic viruses of the following influenza seasons. In one instance with H1N1 viruses in 1986 and in two instances with H3N2 viruses in 1985 and 1987, the spring isolates were genetically close to some of the winter isolates and were considered to be the parental viruses of the following influenza seasons. However, even in these cases, influenza viruses of the same subtype with different lineages co-circulated in Japan.
A large outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with a small round structured virus among schoolchildren and teachers in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi S. , Morishita T. , Yamashita T. , Sakae K. , Nishio O. , Miyake T. , Ishihara Y. , Isomura S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn March 1989 a large outbreak of acute gastroenteritis occurred simultaneously among schoolchildren and teachers at nine elementary schools in Toyota City, Japan. Illness was observed in 3236 (41·5%) of 7801 schoolchildren and 117 (39·4%) of 297 teachers. The main clinical symptoms were diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. Gastroenteritis was significantly associated with the consumption of school lunch served by one particular lunch preparation centre. One food handler at the centre suffered from gastroenteritis during the outbreak.Small round structured virus (SRSV) was detected in 4 of 8 stool specimens from sick persons. The school lunch contaminated by the infected food handler is the most probable source of this outbreak due to SRSV.
A numerical analysis of ribosomal RNA gene patterns for typing clinical isolates ofCorynebacteriumgroup D2
Authors: Soto A. , Pitcher D. G. , Soriano F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYRestriction digest fragments of DNA from 46 clinical isolates identified asCorynebacteriumgroup D2, were separated by electrophoresis, Southern blotted onto nylon membranes and hybridized to a ribosomal RNA gene probe. The resulting band patterns were subjected to unweighed pair-group cluster analysis. Representative strains from the main clusters were compared with similarly prepared band patterns from type strains of humanCorynebacteriumspecies.The results indicate that strains identified asCorynebacteriumgroup D2 represent a unique taxon and that computer-assisted analysis of rRNA gene restriction fragment polymorphism (ribotyping) could be a useful technique in epidemiological studies of these bacteria.
Application and evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting for detection of antibodies toTreponema hyodysenteriaein swine
Authors: Smith S. C. , Barrett L. M. , Muir T. , Christopher W. L. , Coloe P. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) has been developed to detect serum Immunoglobulin antibodies G and M toTreponema hyodysenteriaein vaccinated, experimentally infected and naturally infected swine. Naturally infected swine gave ELISA titres that were similar to experimentally infected swine, but were significantly less than the titres of vaccinated swine. When serum from naturally infected swine was used to probe nitrocellulose blots of sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresed whole cell proteins ofT. hyodysenteriae,the immunoblotting patterns showed IgG antibodies were produced against manyT. hyodysenteriaeprotein antigens and against lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The IgG antibodies directed against LPS were serotype-specific for that LPS and could be used to identify the serotype involved in theT. hyodysenteriaeinfection in that herd. IgM immunoblots also reacted with the many protein antigens but were less specific for LPS antigen, with a substantial degree of crossreaction between the LPS of all serotypes.The data demonstrate that a microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, coupled with immunoblotting, is a very specific and sensitive test for detection of antibody toTreponema hyodysenteriaein swine.
Antigenic and genetic homogeneity ofStreptococcus uberisstrains from the bovine udder
Authors: Groschup M. H. , Hahn G. , Timoney J. F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDNA- fingerprints (Hind III) ofStreptococcus uberisfield isolates from New York State and Europe showed substantial homogeneity, but were different to those of the type strain of the newly proposed psychrophilic speciesS. parauberis. S. uberisstrains had major SDS-heat extracted antigens of molecular masses (Mr) < 14, 40–41, 42–43, 59–61, 80–86 and 118–122 kDa following immunoblotting with rabbit hyperimmune sera. Bovine sera and milk reacted with the 40–41 and 118–122 kDa antigens. Variations in theMrof particular bands were too unevenly distributed to permit formation of subgroups. Although cross reactive, the sizes of the antigens ofS. parauberisstrain NCDO 2020 were substantially different to those ofS. uberis,the most prominent antigen having aMrof 50 kDa. The antigenic and genetic data therefore strongly support the introduction ofS. parauberisas a distinct species.S. uberisstrains reacted with antiserum to Lancefield groups B, E, G and P, their grouping reactions showing no correlation with DNA and immunoblot fingerprints. Lancefield grouping ofS. uberistherefore appears to have little value in identification.
Molecular epidemiology of plasmid patterns inShigella flexneritypes 1–6
Authors: Gebre-Yohannes A. , Drasar B. S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 123 drug-resistant and drug-sensitiveShigella flexneritypes 1–6, and theirEscherichia coliK12 transconjugants were used for plasmid profile analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis. Resistance factors (R-factors) were further characterized by incompatibility testing.The overall distribution of small plasmids inS. flexnerishowed that a cryptic plasmid of about 4·6 Kb was found in all serotypes, and a plasmid of about 4·2 Kb was found in serotypes 1–4.Shigella flexneritypes 2, 4 and 6 showed a 6·5 Kb plasmid which correlated with SSu-resistance. AllS. flexneriserotypes harboured large plasmids of about 217 Kb. Plasmid profile analysis ofS. flexneriin Ethiopia showed a high degree of uniformity within individual serotypes. However, there was a limited variability which, at times, could be useful for epidemiological investigation.Shigella flexneriserotypes 1–6 harboured resistance plasmids with diverse molecular weights but mostly belonging to incompatibility groups N and X.
Jackdaws and magpies as vectors of milkborne human campylobacter infection
Authors: Hudson S. J. , Lightfoot N. F. , Coulson J. C. , Russell K. , Sisson P. R. , Sobo A. O. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn 1990 we reported that milk bottles pecked by jackdaws and magpies were a probable source of human Campylobacter infection. During April to June 1990 an extended study of Campylobacter infections was carried out in the Gateshead area. Prior to the study a health education programme was undertaken in an attempt to reduce human infection. Fifty-nine cases of human infection were recorded and 52 were interviewed. Thirty were entered into a case control study which demonstrated a very strong association between consumption of pecked milk and human Campylobacter infection (X2= 12·6,P< 0·0004). It was estimated that between 500 and 1000 jackdaws(Corvus monedula)were present in the area where milk bottles were pecked and 63 isolates of Campylobacter were made from the bill and cloaca. Target bottles were put out in the early mornings and Campylobacters were isolated from 12 of 123 pecked bottles. Typing of the Campylobacters revealed a wide distribution of strains amongst birds, pecked milk and human infections. The health education programme had only limited success.
Morphometrical parameters of gut microflora in human volunteers
Authors: Meijer B. C. , Kootstra G. J. , Wilkinson M. H. F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe morphology of faecal microflora of nine healthy human volunteers was studied by digital image analysis of microscopic slides. Weekly specimens were collected during an 8-week period. Seven morphometrical parameters were derived: the means and medians of components 1, 2 and 3, and morphometrical entropy. Statistically significant differences among subjects were found for means of components 1 and 2, medians of components 1, 2 and 3, and entropy. The stability in normal circumstances provides an excellent basis for the detection of pathological change in gut flora balance.
Development of standardized inspections in restaurants using visual assessments and microbiological sampling to quantify the risks
Authors: Tebbutt G. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe relationship between visual inspections carried out by environmental health officers and microbiological examination was studied in 89 restaurants. Using 30 variables a standardized inspection procedure was developed and each of the premises was assessed in six main areas – structure and design, cleaning and cleanliness, personal hygiene, risk of contamination, temperature control, and training and knowledge about food hygiene. Selected foods and specimens from hands, surfaces, and wiping cloths were examined. There were significant associations between all six areas of the inspections. The structure and design were significantly related to the combined score from all the other areas (P < 0·001). There were no highly significant associations between microbiological examination and visual assessments. The microbial contamination of wiping cloths, however, was related to the cleaning and cleanliness (P = 0·005). Microbial sampling provided additional information to inspections and was a valuable aid. Further development of this risk-assessment approach could provide an effective system for monitoring potential health risks in high-risk food premises.
Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in Italy
Authors: De Mattia D. , Stroffolini T. , Arista S. , Pistoia D. , Giammanco A. , Maggio M. , Chiaramonte M. , Moschen M. E. , Mura I. , Rigo G. , Scarpa B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYBetween 1987 and 1989, the prevalence of antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was determined, by the ELISA method, in serum samples from 1494 apparently healthy subjects, 3–18 years old. Subjects were selected by a systematic cluster sampling from five geographical areas in Italy. The overall prevalence of antibody was 64·2%, increasing from 54·4% in 4–6-year-olds to 73·3% in subjects 17–18 years old (P< 0·01). Prevalence of antibody was significantly higher in females (P< 0·05) and in subjects residing in the South of Italy (P< 0·01). A significant association was found with sociodemographic factors. Subjects belonging to a household with six or more persons had a 1·5-fold risk (C.I. 95% = 1·11–2·04) and subjects whose fathers had less than 6 years of schooling had a 1·4-fold risk (C.I. 95% = 1·1–1·87) of previous exposure to CMV infection. The high prevalence (74·4%) of young women who are naturally immune when entering childbearing years does not guarantee that there will be a low risk of fetal infection.
Changing trends of gonococcal infection in homosexual men in Edinburgh
Authors: Ross J. D. C. , McMillan A. , young H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn an attempt to explain the recent resurgence of homosexually-acquired gonorrhoea in the Lothian region of Scotland the number of infections and pattern of infection (urethral, rectal and pharyngeal) of all gonococcal isolates from homosexual men attending the Department of Genitourinary Medicine at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary between 1985 and 1990 were analysed. Serovar typing data were available from infections acquired between January 1986 and December 1990. A correlation between one serovar, Bacejk/Brpyust, and the overall pattern of gonorrhoea was observed. The number of infections caused by minor serovars also correlated with rates of gonococcal infection. The number of minor serovars isolated, which may represent strains from other geographical locations, is related to the total incidence of gonorrhoea. It is possible that the incidence of Bacejk/Brpyust may be determined by the size of the infected pool of gonorrhoea. The most likely explanation for the recent increase in gonorrhoea is a change in sexual behaviour and/or an influx of strains from other geographical areas.
Control of endemic nosocomial Legionnaires' disease by using sterile potable water for high risk patients
Authors: Marrie T. J. , Haldane D. , Macdonald S. , Clarke K. , Fanning C. , Le Fort-Jost S. , Bezanson G. , Joly J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn a setting where potable water is contaminated with Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, we performed two case control studies. The first case control study consisted of 17 cases of nosocomial Legionnaires' disease (LD) and 33 control (the patients who were admitted to the ward where the case was admitted immediately before and after the case) subjects. Cases had a higher mortality rate 65% vs 12% (P < 0.004); were more likely to have received assisted ventilation (P < 0.00001); to have nasogastric tubes (P < 0.0004) and to be receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapy (P < 0.0001). Based on the results of this study, sterile water was used to flush nasogastric tubes and to dilute nasogastric feeds. Only 3 cases of nosocomial LD occurred during the next year compared with 12 the previous year (P < 0.0001). Nine cases subsequently occurred and formed the basis for the second case-control study. Eighteen control subjects were those patients admitted to the same unit where the case developed LD, immediately before and after the case. The mortality rate for the cases was 89% vs 6% for controls (P < 0.00003). The only other significant difference was that cases were more likely to be receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapy 89% vs 39% ( < 0.01). We hypothesized that microaspiration of contaminated potable water by immunocompromised patients was a risk factor for nosocomial Legionnaires' disease. From 17 March 1989 onwards such patients were given only sterile potable water. Only two cases of nosocomial LD occurred from June 1989 to September 1990 and both occurred on units where the sterile water policy was not in effect. We conclude that aspiration of contaminated potable water is a possible route for acquisition of nosocomial LD in our hospital and that provision of sterile potable water to high risk patients (those who are receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs; organ transplant recipients or hospitalized in an intensive care unit) should be mandatory.
An outbreak of serogroup B:15:P1.16 meningococcal disease, Frederiksborg county, Denmark, 1987–9
Authors: Samuelsson S. , Ege P. , Berthelsen L. , Lind I. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEpidemiological features of an outbreak of group B:15:P1.16 meningococcal disease (MD) in Frederiksborg country, Denmark, 1987–9, were investigated. The study comprised 149 cases notified during the outbreak and the two preceding years; 115 were confirmed by the isolation of Neisseria meningitidis. In 1989 the incidence had increased to 14·1 per 100 000 population. Among group B strains, B:15:P1.16 accounted for 80% (77/97). The overall mortality rate was 10% (15/149). Regarding cases due to group B:15:P1.16 strains a significant time-space clustering, which exclusively occurred within the 10–19 years age group, was demonstrated. The link between cases within clusters was indirect or unknown, except for ten patients with contact to one particular school. The prophylactic measures used included administration of rifampicin to household contacts. During the outbreak the proportion of secondary cases was high (6–15%). All secondary cases occurred outside the household indicating that the household had been protected.
Epidemiology and control of an outbreak of typhoid in a psychiatric institution
Authors: Goh K. T. , Teo S. H. , Tay L. , Monteiro E. H. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak of typhoid caused by Salmonella typhi of the same Vi-phage type (D1) and of the same antibiogram was reported in a large psychiatric institution in Singapore. A total of 95 (4·8%) of the 1965 inmates were infected, 47 with symptoms and 48 asymptomatic. Transmission was through close person-to-person contact and not through contaminated food or water. The source of infection could not be established. The outbreak was brought under control by maintaining a high standard of environmental sanitation, active search for fever and diarrhoeal cases, identification of asymptomatic cases by rectal swabbing, and isolation of those found to be infected. Mass immunization with two doses of heat-phenol inactivated typhoid vaccine was also carried out concurrently. The vaccine was found to have an efficacy of 65·8% in preventing clinical illness.
Further observations on the serological response to experimental Salmonella typhimurium in chickens measured by ELISA
Authors: Barrow P. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn indirect ELISA developed for the serological detection of Salmonella typhimurium in chickens using lipopolysaccharide as detecting antigen has been evaluated further in experimental infections. Following oral infection of 24-week-old laying hens with an invasive strain of S. typhimurium, high titres of specific circulating IgG were induced which were maintained for 20 weeks. Similar IgG titres were found in egg yolk. When 4-day-old chickens were infected high antibody titres persisted for 45 weeks. Chickens inoculated orally or intramuscularly with different numbers of S. typhimurium organisms showed graded serum IgG responses to LPS. The IgG titres in experimentally infected in-bred lines of chickens which showed greater genetic resistance to salmonella infection were significantly lower than those found in more susceptible lines. Oral and intramuscular infection with 18 different types of enterobacteria, including avian pathogenic E. coli, Citrobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp. and citrobacter-like organisms possessing some salmonella LPS (none possessed the 0–4 antigen) and flagella antigens, did not induce S. typhimurium LPS-specific IgG responses. Chickens infected orally with rough or non-flagellate mutants of S. typhimurium did not induce high titres of LPS or flagella-specific IgG respectively. Sera obtained from S. typhimurium-infected chickens showed much higher titres against S. typhimurium LPS than with those antigens from other serotypes, including S. enteritidis.