bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The microbiology of selected retail food products with an evaluation of viable counting methods
Authors: Greenwood M. H. , Coetzee E. F. C. , Ford B. M. , Gill P. , Hooper W. L. , Matthews S. C. W. , Patrick S. , Pether J. V. S. , Scott R. J. D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn an inter-laboratory survey, the pour plate, surface spread, agar droplet and spiral plate methods were used in parallel with the surface drop method for enumeration of micro-organisms in foods. Good agreement was obtained between all surface methods of enumeration, but there was poor agreement between molten agar methods and the surface drop method.A total of 1143 samples of food that were ready for consumption at the point of retail sale were examined. Eight types of food products were chosen: meat pasties, sausage rolls, real-cream slices, synthetic-cream slices, mayonnaise-based coleslaws, faggots, patés and continental sausages. The results of this survey suggest that the upper limit for an acceptable viable count should vary according to the food product. Salmonellae were not isolated on any occasion. Potentially harmful organisms were not isolated at levels expected to constitute a public health hazard.Information concerning the nature of the product, the total viable count, the presence or absence of pathogenic, toxigenic or indicator organisms, the spectrum of the bacterial flora and the relative predominance of each organism must all be considered when assessing the microbiological acceptability of retail ‘ready to eat’ products.
Avian tuberculosis in pigs: miliary lesions in bacon pigs
Authors: Windsor R. S. , Durrant D. S. , Burn K. J. , Blackburn J. T. , Duncan W. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak of tuberculosis caused byMycobacterium aviumtype 2 is described which resulted in the total condemnation of 26 carcasses and partial condemnation of tissues and organs of a further 200 animals. Circumstantial evidence is presented that hens running in the farmyard were the source of the infection.Examinations of the carcasses and organs of the diseased pigs suggested that the accepted pathogenesis of the disease is incorrect and a new hypothesis is presented. The problems for the meat inspector in differentiating tuberculosis from ‘milk-spot liver’ are discussed and recommendations made.The findings of the study are discussed in the light of ‘The Meat Inspection Regulations 1963’ and it is recommended that where tuberculosis is suspected there is no longer any necessity to split the carcasses. The public health implications of this study are discussed.
Methods for the isolation ofAeromonas hydrophilaandPlesiomonas shigelloidesfrom faeces
Authors: Millership S. E. , Chattopadhyay B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYTwo solid selective media, xylose deoxycholate citrate agar (XDCA) and bile salts brilliant green agar (BBG) and an enrichment broth–alkaline peptone water, were evaluated for the isolation ofAeromonas hydrophilaandPlesiomonas shigelloides. Alkaline peptone water and XDCA are useful for recovery ofAeromonasbut notPlesiomonas, whereas BBG is satisfactory for both organisms.
The distribution of specific phage types of Salmonella typhimurium in chickens in Australia
Authors: Coloe P. J. , Taplin Jennifer , Fromm W. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe distribution of specific phage types of Salmonella typhimurium within the Australian chicken industry has been studied and documented on an Australia wide and state-by-state basis. A total of 1799 strains of S. typhimurium were obtained from Australia-wide sources and phage typing categorized 1498 of these isolates into 30 distinct phage types, with the remaining 301 strains untypable. Five phage types, 6, 26, 31, 135 and 179, accounted for 76% of the total strains typed, with the remaining 24% of strains being distributed among 25 phage types.Of the major phage types, type 31 was restricted to Victoria and Western Australia, but the other types were distributed throughout Australia.In addition, the antibiotic resistance pattern of the various phage types was determined and only five of the 30 phage types showed appreciable levels of resistance.
Mechanisms of resistance of staphylococci grown in plasma to polymorph bactericidins
Authors: Kolawole Deboye O. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe mechanisms whereby staphylococcal strains grown in plasma assume increased resistance to polymorph bactericidins were investigated. Observations reported here showed that cultural conditions could determine the path of conversion to resistance. Staphylococcal strains and mutants lacking either free coagulase or clumping factor or both all showed enhanced resistance after 10 h incubation in plasma proteins, thus giving no clear indication that these factors were involved in the interactions. In fact, prolonged incubation in bovine serum albumin (22 h) and ordinary broth medium (24 h) also resulted in increased resistance. A distinction between staphylococcal factors interacting specifically with plasma proteins and such non-specific conversions was obtained in two different ways. Stripping of a hypothetical surface protein by treatment with trypsin or 2 M potassium bromide rendered plasma- but not 24 h-broth organisms susceptible, indicating protein coating of plasma-grown organisms. Also free coagulase-positive strains and mutants incubated in plasma for 30 min were converted while those lacking both or possessing clumping factor alone were not. It therefore appears that one of the mechanisms of acquiring resistance involves a rapid interaction between staphylococcal-free coagulase and fibrinogen, resulting in the deposition of fibrin or fibrin derivatives on the bacterial surface.
Evaluation of disinfectants in the domestic environment under ‘in use’ conditions
Authors: Scott Elizabeth , Bloomfield Sally F. , Barlow C. G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn ‘in use’ test was developed to investigate effectiveness of disinfectant application and of detergent of hot water cleaning at kitchen, bathroom and toilet sites in the domestic environment. Detergent and hot water cleaning produced no observable reduction in microbial contamination. Single and daily application tests demonstrated that hypochlorite and phenolic disinfectants can be used to produce substantial reductions in bacterial contaminationin the home. Results indicate that maximum protection afforded by disinfection is relatively brief; 3–6 h after disinfection, contamination levels were only marginally less than those observed at pretreatment. Some suggestions are made for improvements in home hygiene.
An investigation of antigenic drift of neuraminidases of influenza A (H1N1) viruses
Authors: Luther P. , Bergmann K. Ch. , Oxford J. S. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA newly developed lectin neuraminidase test (LNT) and a panel of mouse monoclonal and post-infection ferret antibodies have been used to analyse antigenic drift in N1 neuraminidases of influenza A viruses isolated between 1933 and 1957 and also between 1977 and 1980. Significant antigenic differences were detected among the ‘early’ (1933–57) viruses since the NA of viruses isolated one year apart could be distinguished serologically. The NA ofthe ‘re-emerged’ virus A/USSR/92/77 (H1N1) was antigenically related but not identical to influenza A viruses isolated in 1949 (A/Paris/49 (H1N1), A/Geneva/49 (H1N1)) which thus predates the previously observed antigenic similarity of A/USSR/77 with A/FW/50 (H1N1) virus.
Human sera possess a limited antibody repertoire to influenza neuraminidase antigenic variants selectedin vitro
Authors: Natali Anita , Panizzi P. F. , Chezzi C. , Oxford J. S. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFour antigenic variants of the neuraminidase (NA) of A/Texas/77 (H3N2) virus were selected using monoclonal antibody at a frequency of one variant in 105parental virions. The antigenic variants failed to react serologically with the monoclonal antibody used for their selectionin vitro. The antigenic variants failed also to react serologically with a proportion of sera from children and adults although all of the sera reacted with the parental A/Texas/77 virus. Thus, certain human sera have a restricted antibody repertoire to influenza NA antigen which might enable virus antigenic variants to avoid anti-NA antibody-mediated neutralization in nature.
Tuberculosis in East Sussex: III. Comparison of post-mortem and clinical methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in badgers
Authors: Pritchard D. G. , Stuart F. A. , Wilesmith J. W. , Cheeseman C. L. , Brewer J. I. , Bode R. , Sayers P. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFollowing epidemiological and ecological studies of a defined badger population in an area of East Sussex, removal of all badgers by cage trapping was attempted. Trapping was incomplete due to the activities of protesters. Forty-seven badgers were caught from the eight social groups. All badgers were examined clinically and samples of faeces, urine and tracheal aspirate were taken, together with swabs from any bite wounds, for bacteriological examinations. Forty-five animals were skin tested using whole killed cells of Mycobacterium bovis strain AN5, bovine PPD Weybridge and new human tuberculin. Skin test results were recorded after 24 and 72 h. All badgers were killed and subjected to a post-mortem and bacteriological examination.M. bovis was detected in 10 (21·3%) badgers at post-mortem and in 2 badgers from clinical samples. Four social groups were infected. Positive skin test results were recorded at 72 h with bovine PPD (2 μg and 20 μg/ml), strain AN 5 (1 mg/ml) and human tuberculin (2 μg/ml), but not with human tuberculin at 20 μg/ml. Histological sections of the skin test reactions showed the cellular types typical of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The skin test reactions observed were neither sensitive nor specific enough to be of practical value.
Recolonization and colonization resistance of the large bowel after three methods of preoperative preparation of the gastrointestinal tract for elective colorectal surgery
Authors: van den Bogaard A. E. J. M. , Weidema W. F. , van Boven C. P. A. , van der Waay D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe impact of three current types of preoperative large bowel preparation on the microbial flora and the colonization resistance (CR) was investigated in 15 volunteers. In the first group a whole gut irrigation was performed without administration of antibiotics (group WGI). In the second group 0·5 g/1 metronidazole and 1 g/1 neomycin was added to the irrigation fluid (group WGI + AB). A whole gut irrigation with prior oral administration of 1 l mannitol 10% was performed in the third group. The antibiotic prophylaxis in this group consisted of two doses of 80 mg gentamiein i.v. and 500 mg metronidazole orally 24 h after lavage (group Mann + AB). One hour after the mechanical cleansing procedure was finished all volunteers were orally contaminated with one dose of anEscherichia colitest strain. The aerobic faccal reduction due to the cleansing procedure was 2–3 logs, while for the anaerobes it was 4–5 logs. The anaerobic flora in group WGI recovered within 24 h, while the aerobes showed a transient ‘overgrowth‘ for the period of 2 days. The overgrowth of aerobes in group WGI + AB was observed for more than a week and the total numbers of aerobes started gradually to decline after the anaerobic flora had reached pretreatment levels at day three or four. Despite the normal numbers of anaerobes present 24 h after treatment, overgrowth ofE. coliwas seen in the group Mann + AB, probably due to residual mannitol left in the intestinal tract. The test strain ofE. coliwas excreted for a period of 1 week by the volunteers in the groups WGI and Mann + AB, but it was isolated for more than 10 weeks in the group WGI + AB. It is thought that all three methods of preoperative large bowel preparation decreased the CR of the gastrointestinal tract because of a disturbance of the interaction between aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and alterations of the colonic wall. The anaerobic microflora. however, appeared to be primarily responsible for the maintenance of the CR. Antimicrobial prophylaxis should consist of a high dose, short term. systemic antibiotic regimen, not only because an adequate serum level of an appropriate drug at the time of operation substantially decreases the incidence of postoperative septic complications but also because a systemic regimen scarcely influences the CR of the gastrointestinal tract. β-Aspartylglycine appeared to be a specific but not very sensitive marker for decreased CR.
The effect of oxygen-dependent antimicrobial systems on strains ofLegionella pneumophilaof different virulence
Authors: Jepras R. I. , Fitzgeorge R. B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFour strains ofLegionella pneumophilaof different virulence as identified by ability to produce pneumonia and death in guinea-pigs infected by a fine-particle aerosol were examined for factors which may intracellularly influence virulence. Possible bactericidal mechanisms possessed by alveolar phagocytes were examined. A relationship could be established between resistance to H2O2, catalase activity and virulence amongst the strains.Virulent strains resisted the bactericidal activity generated by the xanthine oxidase system; avirulent strains did not. Incorporation of various specific inhibitors of the xanthine oxidase system indicated that the main bactericidal activities were associated with the production of H2O2and hydroxyl radicals ('OH).All strains ofL. pneumophilawere susceptible to the bactericidal activity generated by the myeloperoxidase-H202-halide system, confirming earlier observations that polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocytes (PMNLS) are able to kill both virulent and avirulent strains ofL. pneumophila.
Serological studies on British leptospiral isolates of the Sejroe serogroup: I. The identification of British isolates of the Sejroe serogroup by the cross agglutinin absorption test
Authors: Little T. W. A. , Stevens A. E. , Hathaway S. C. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYUsing the cross agglutinin absorption test 12 British leptospiral isolates of the Sejroe serogroup were identified to serovar level. Six strains isolated from cattle, two from pigs and one from a human were identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo. Two isolates from wildlife were identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar saxkoebing. One further strain isolated from wildlife closely resembled serovar saxkoebing, but specific identification was not possible. These are the first reported isolations of serovar saxkoebing in the United Kingdom. The problems associated with the cross agglutinin absorption test, and possible alternative typing procedures are discussed.
Evaluation of a two-minute strep A direct swab test (SADST) on patients with pharyngitis at a primary care clinic
Authors: Araj G. F. , Majeed H. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA two-minute strep A direct swab test (SADST) was used to detect the presence of Lancefield group A streptococci (GAS) from the throats of 207 patients with pharyngitis at a primary-care clinic. The results were compared with a standard culture method. Fifty-one specimens were positive and 156 specimens were negative for GAS by culture. The SADST had a sensitivity of 96% (49 of 51) and specificity of 98·7% (154 of 156). The predictive values of a positive and negative SADST, for GAS, were 96% and 98·7 % respectively. The SADST showed negative reactions with five specimens containing beta-haemotytic streptococci other than GAS and 34 known stock cultures other than GAS. Our results indicate that SADST is a rapid, simple, convenient and reliable test to use for diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis at primary care clinics, physicians' offices and clinical laboratories.
The immunoglobulin M response to rubella vaccine in young adult women
Authors: Mortimer P. P. , Edwards J. M. B. , Porter A. D. , Tedder R. S. , Haslehurst J. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryRubella vaccination histories were taken from 333 young women working in the head office of a retail organization: 29% said they had had vaccine and 47% said they had not. The remainder did not know. Forty-six per cent of those ≤ 25 years old (who should have been offered vaccine at school), and 6% of those > 25 years old, said they had been vaccinated. When screened for immunity to rubella by radial haemolysis (RH) 3% had a low level of antibody (< 15 i.u./ml) and 11% had no antibody. After immunization with Cendevax the specific rubella IgM response was measured by an IgM antibody capture radioimmunassay (MACRIA). It was only detectable in the group without RH antibody, and was present in 26/31 of them. The Ig M response to Cendevax was strongest in specimens taken 20–39 days after immunization, but in 10 out of 11 cases tested was still present at around 71 days. The specific Ig M responses to Cendevax were very similar to those in women given Almevax in an earlier study, when measured in parallel tests.Taking both vaccines together, specific Ig M was present in 35 out of 36 vaccinees without pre-existing antibody tested between 40 and 77 days post-immunization. Detection of specific IgM by MACRIA would therefore be an effective means of determining susceptibility retrospectively in rubella vaccinees found to be pregnant.
The duration of immunity in cattle following inoculation of rinderpest cell culture vaccine
Authors: Plowright W. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe duration of immunity following a single administration of rinderpest cell culture vaccine, of 90 or more monolayer passages, was studied in E. African zebu (Boran) and grade (cross-bred European) cattle. All animals were kept for periods of 6–11 years in rinderpest-free environments; groups of them (in all 23 Borans and 10 grades) were then challenged by parenteral or intranasal inoculation of virulent virus or by contact exposure to reacting cattle. Nasal excretion of virus was studied daily over the 10-to 14-day period following challenge, and simultaneous attempts were made to detect viraemia. The neutralizing antibody response was followed at 6-month intervals over the whole post-vaccination period and then daily for 10 days and at longer intervals to 3 weeks after challenge.All 33 animals which were exposed by various routes failed to react clinically and a rinderpest viraemia was never detected. No transmission of virus from the vaccinates to susceptible in-contact controls occurred within 14 or more days, from the 20 animals which could be so tested. Clearcut serological responses to challenge were seen in six cattle (four Borans and two grades) which were challenged after 7 years or more; these reactions were all delayed to the 9th or 10th days, i.e. they were not typically ‘anamnestic’.These results are discussed in relation to mass vaccination campaigns for the control of rinderpest and from the comparative viewpoint of measles vaccination in man.
An extended model for transfer of micro-organisms via the hands: differences between organisms and the effect of alcohol disinfection
Authors: Mackintosh C. A. , Hoffman P. N. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryA model for contact transfer of micro-organisms by hand has been extended to include representatives of bacterial species responsible for a majority of hospitalacquired infections. The ability of the organisms to transfer from contaminated fabrics to hands and from hands to sterile fabrics was measured, as was their ability to survive on the skin of the hands. There were differences between the species. Staphylococcus saprophyticus transferred well to the hand but not as well from hand to fabric as the other species; it survived well on skin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenes and Serratia marcescens transferred moderately well overall and also survived on the skin. These results were in contrast to those obtained with a strain of Escherichia coli and one of Streptococcus pyogenes.The contact transfer model was used to investigate the use of small volumes of alcohol in preventing transfer via the hands. An alcohol handrub of either 0·3 ml 80% ethanol or 0·3 ml 70% isopropanol gave reductions in transfer slightly less than that of a soap and water wash. Raising the volume, and consequently the contact time, to 0·5 ml 70% isopropanol gave a 14000-fold reduction in transfer, statistically indistinguishable from that of a thorough soap and water wash (9800-fold reduction).
Meningococcal infections in Scotland 1972–82
Authors: Fallon R. J. , Brown W. M. , Lore W. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryStrains ofNeisseria meningitidisisolated from patients with meningitis or septicaemia without meningitis in Scotland during the years 1972–82 have been reviewed together with details of the age, sex, disease and outcome of the patients from whom they were isolated. A total of 1185 strains were isolated, of which 927 were examined at the Meningococcal Reference Laboratory (Scotland): 19·3% were of serogroup A, 63% of group B, 9·6% of group C, 6% of W135 and 1·6% of other groups. Non-groupable strains were rare. Disease was most common in the first years of life but there was a difference in the age distribution of disease due to the different serogroups, the proportion of disease due to group B being smaller in adults than that due to other serogroups. The overall mortality in meningitis was 7·5% and in septicaemia was 20·6%, although there were differences between the rates for the various serogroups. The serogroup distribution differed in disease as opposed to meningococci isolated from carriers although group B strains were predominant in both series. Overall, approximately 15% of strains were resistant to sulphadiazine, the proportion of resistant group A strains being higher than that of other serogroups.
Antimicrobial resistance and the ecology ofEscherichia coliplasmids
Authors: Platt D. J. , Sommerville J. S. , Kraft C. A. , Timbury M. C. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryFour hundred and seven clinical isolates ofEscherichia coliwere examined for the presence of plasmids. These isolates comprised 189 which were collected irrespective of antimicrobial resistance (VP) and 218 which were collected on the basis of high-level trimethoprim resistance (TPR). The VP isolates were divided into drug sensitive (VPS) and drug-resistant (VPR) subpopulations.Plasmids were detected in 88% of VP isolates (81% of VPS and 94% of VPR) and 98% of TPR isolates. The distribution of plasmids in both groups and subpopulations was very similar. However, there were small but statistically significant differences between the plasmid distributions. These showed that more isolates in the resistant groups harboured plasmids than in the sensitive subpopulation (VPS) and that the number of plasmids carried by resistant isolates was greater. Multiple drug resistance was significantly more common among TPR isolates than the VPR subpopulation and this was paralleled by increased numbers of plasmids.Fifty-eight per cent of VPR and 57% of TPR isolates transferred antimicrobial resistance and plasmids toE. coliK12. Of the R+isolates, 60% carried small plasmids (MW < 20Md) and 52% of these co-transferred with R-plasmids. These results are discussed.
Use of an ammonia electrode to study bacterial deamination of amino acids with special reference tod-asparagine breakdown by campylobacters
Authors: Karmali M. A. , Williams A. , Fleming P. C. , Krishnan C. , Wood M. M. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryA method using an ammonia electrode is being developed for investigating the deamination of amino acids and amides by bacteria. Application of this method toCampylobacter jejuniandC. colihas led to the demonstration ofd-asparaginase activity in some strains. This has allowed the subdivision of both species intod-asparaginase-positive and -negative biotypes. Even though the method is in the developmental stage, it was found to be generally reproducible and easy to perform. Areas for further improving the procedure have been identified. The ammonia electrode offers the theoretical possibility of investigating the breakdown of any amino acid by bacteria. It thus opens up a new and practical approach for separating species and strains, particularly in those bacterial groups that are difficult to subdivide by conventional means.