bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of measles virus-specific antibodies in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis
Authors: Christie K. E. , Endresen C. , Haukenes G. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryMeasles virus-specific antibodies in sera from patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis and raised antibody titres against measles virus, have been examined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The immunoprecipitates were further analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Five measles virus-specific precipitation lines were demonstrated using measles virus-infected cells solubilized with Triton X-100. The three major precipitation lines were analysed by SDS-PAGE and contained the virus polypeptides: nucleoprotein, NP (MW ∼ 60000); haemoagglutinin, H (MW ∼ 80000) and fusion proteinF1(MW ∼ 40000). Considerably higher amounts of antibodies against these three virus polypeptides were demonstrated in the patient sera than in sera from healthy controls. By SDS-PAGE analysis of radiolabelled immune complexes adsorbed to Sepharose-protein A, antibodies against five measles virus polypeptides: NP, H, F1, P protein (MW ∼ 70000) and matrix protein, M (MW ∼ 37000) were demonstrated in the patient sera.
Virulence of urinary and faecalEscherichia coliin relation to serotype, haemolysis and haemagglutination
Authors: van den Bosch J. F. , Postma P. , Koopman P. A. R. , de Graaff J. , MacLaren D. M. , van Brenk D. G. , Guinée P. A. M. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe virulence of faecal and urinaryEscherichia colistrains was studied in relation to serotype, haemolysin production and haemagglutination pattern. By means of an experimental mouse modelE. colistrains can be divided into avirulent (I), mouse nephropathogenic (II), and generally virulent (III) strains. Virulent group II and group III strains were more often haemolytic and haemagglutinating than avirulent group I strains. Presence of K antigen could not be associated with virulence. Discriminant analysis for qualitative variables revealed that no combination of the investigated properties contributed more to a strain's virulence level than did one single property. It is concluded that other virulence factors, apart from haemolysin production in group II strains and haemagglutinins in group III strains, must be involved in the determination of a strain's virulence level.All O2, O6 and O18ac strains tested were virulent, and by far the most O75 strains were avirulent, whereas other O groups were more variable with regard to virulence. Pyelonephritis strains were more often mannose-resistant haemagglutinating than faecal and other urinary isolates, indicating that mannoseresistant adhesins may be important in the pathogenesis of pyelonephritis.
Hand carriage of aerobic Gram-negative rods may not be transient
Authors: Adams Brian G. , Marrie Thomas J. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYIn order to determine whether hand carriage of aerobic Gram-negative rods is continuous we used the glove-handwash technique to sample the hands of two groups (four each) of health care workers with normal hands (surgical intensive care unit, medical ward) and one group (four) with hand dermatitis (HD) and a group (five) of control subjects – secretaries with no exposure to patients. Each subject was sampled repeatedly over three to six weeks. The mean number of samples for each group was 25.2, 23.2, 19.8 and 25.8 respectively. The HD group had more samples positive for aerobic Gram-negative rods than did the other two groups of health care workers while the control group had more samples positive than any of the three health care groups.Using various typing schemes and the following definition of continuous carriage (the isolation of an organism of the same serotype, pyocin type or biotype from more than two handwash samples) we found that 4 of 11 subjects from whomKlebsiella pseumoniaewas isolated carried this organism continuously; 2 of 3 carriedPseudomonas aeruginosacontinuously and 4 of 5 of the control subjects carried the same biotype ofEnterobacter agglomeranscontinuously.We conclude that continuous hand carriage of aerobic Gram-negative rods is common and, among health care workers, those with hand dermatitis carry Gram-negative rods more frequently and in greater numbers than health care workers without hand dermatitis.
A comparison of the levels of faecal indicator bacteria in water and human faeces in a rural area of a tropical developing country (Sierra Leone)
Authors: Wright R. C. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYThe levels of faecal coliforms (FC), indole-positive FC (presumptiveEscherichia coli), faecal streptococci (FS),Streptococcus faecalisandClostridium perfringensin the natural water sources used by 29 rural settlements in Sierra Leone were investigated. Levels of the same indicators in human faeces were also investigated. The incidence ofSalmonellaspp. in both habitats and the temperature, pH and conductivity of water sources were also recorded. All water sources were contaminated with the indicator bacteria, mean numbers of which occurred in the relationship FC > presumptiveE. coli≏ FS ≏C. perfringens>S. faecalis.FC were also predominant in human faeces, the relationship of means being FC ≏ presumptiveE. coli> FS >S. faecalis>C. perfringens.The need for confirmation of FC counts obtained from water sources was indicated by the large number of positive tubes produced in the FC multiple-tube dilution test from some samples which could not be confirmed as presumptiveE. coli. Salmonellaspp. were isolated from 13 water sources and 6% of faecal samples. Mean water temperature was high (26·2 °C), pH low (5·04) and conductivity low (34μS cm−1). PresumptiveE. coliwas considered the most appropriate indicator of faecal pollution of the types of water investigated.
Isolation ofPasteurella pneumotropicafrom rodents in South Africa
Authors: Shepherd A. J. , Leman P. A. , Barnett R. J. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYFour thousand, five hundred and sixteen rodents of 27 species were captured in widely separated localities in South Africa over a period of ten years. Samples of spleen, lung, heart, liver and rectal tissue with faeces were tested for the presence of zoonotic bacteria and 109 isolations ofPasteurella pneumotropicawere made from 11 species. Latent infection with the organism was found to be widespread although there were temporal fluctuations in prevalence. Field and laboratory evidence suggest thatP. pneumotropicamay be associated with, but not the primary cause of, rodent epizootics in the wild.
The return of the historic influenza A H1N1 virus and its impact on the population of the United Kingdom
Authors: Chakraverty P. , Cunningham P. , Pereira M. S. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYThe epidemiology in the United Kingdom of the influenza A H1N1 subtype which returned in 1977 after an absence of 20 years is described for the four winter seasons from 1977/8 to 1980/1. The age distribution of virus isolates and the evidence for antigenic variation is presented. The impact in the susceptible age groups year by year is shown by the change in the population with specific antibody. There was the expected increase of antibody in those under the age of 21 but also evidence for a significant amount of infection or re-infection in the older adult population.
Neutralizing antibodies against 33 human adenoviruses in normal children in Rome
Authors: D'ambrosio E. , Grosso N. Del , Chicca A. , Midulla M. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYThere are few data about the distribution of neutralizing antibodies (NA) against adenovirus types in the Italian population, especially the high-numbered ones. We tested the sera from 453 children and 51 young adults to evaluate NA against adenovirus prototypes 1–33. Using the microneutralization test, 338 (74·6%) of the children's sera were positive for at least one adenovirus type. Antibody to type 2 was the most frequently detected followed, in descending order, by antibody to types 5, 1 and 3. All these types are known to be associated with disease but antibody to type 7, a type also associated with disease, was less frequent than that to other serotypes such as 18 and 31, the pathogenicity of which in man is not clearly established. The antibody positivity rate rose with age for the more frequent types while it did not vary for the less frequent ones. The number of sera with NA against more than one adenovirus type increased with age. With regard to types 1–8, we found that their frequencies in Italy were similar to those found in the U.S.A.
Epidemiological aspects ofCampylobacter jejunienteritis
Authors: Norkrans G. , Svedhem Å. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYAn epidemiological study onCampylobacter jejunienterocolitis was performed in an urban Swedish community. The study included 55 patients gathered during a six-month period. Forty-one of the 55 patients (75%) were infected outside Sweden. Campylobacter enterocolitis was rare among children within the country. Patients infected in Sweden had eaten chicken significantly more often than a corresponding control group. Seven out of nine chicken consuming campylobacter patients also had prepared the fresh chicken alone, and none of their family members became ill. Thus the preparation of food contaminated withCampylobacterseems to elevate the risk for contracting the disease. Sick household pets transmitted the campylobacter infection to two patients. Forty-six of the patients had a total of 85 close household members. Three definite secondary cases were found. There was no evidence of transmissionof Campylobacterby food prepared by two cooks who were working while still being asymptomatic excreters. Clinical reinfection withCampylobacterwas observed in one patient. No patients became long-term carriers ofCampylobacter.
A most probable number method for estimating small numbers of campylobacters in water
Authors: Bolton F. J. , Hinchliffe P. M. , Coates D. , Robertson L. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYA most probable number (MPN) method capable of estimating as few as ten campylobacters per 100 ml of water is described. The method gave results close to those obtained by the viable count method of Miles, Misra & Irwin (1938) with graded suspensions ofCampylobacter jejuni. The method was used to test raw water samples: counts were obtained ranging from 10 to 230 campylobacters per 100 ml for 11 of 49 coastal and estuary water samples, and from 10 to 36 campylobacters per 100 ml for 7 of 44 river samples. Campylobacters were isolated from an additional 24 of the ‘negative’ samples by testing 200 ml volumes by glass microfibre filtration and enrichment culture methods. The MPN method should prove to be a useful epidemiological tool particularly suited to the enumeration of campylobacters in particulate fluids.
The occurrence ofCampylobacter jejuniin dog faeces from a public park
Authors: Wright E. P. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYDog faeces collected from a public park were cultured on selective media forCampylobacterspp.Campylobacter jejuniwas isolated from 12 (4·6%) of 260 specimens. In contrastSalmonellaspp. were found in only three (1·2%). Six of the 12 isolates were nalidixic acid-resistant thermophilic campylobacters (NARTC), whereas during the same period of study none were found among human isolates. Most of the campylobacter positive faeces were found during June and July. Dog faeces deposited in public places constitute only a small potential source of infection by this organism.
Bovine tuberculosis in domestic and wild mammals in an area of Dorset. II. The badger population, its ecology and tuberculosis status
Authors: Little T. W. A. , Swan C. , Thompson H. V. , Wilesmith J. W. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYFollowing a major outbreak of tuberculosis in cattle on a farm in Dorset, badgers were discovered to be infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Two hundred and forty sets were found in the 1200 hectares of the study area. The sets were found predominantly in areas of Portland Sand. A high prevalence of tuberculosis was found in the badger population which was removed and repopulation prevented for 3 years. The removal of the infected badgers led to the resolution of the problem in cattle. Re-colonization of the area has progressed slowly and the cattle have remained free from infection for a period of 5 years.
A comparison of the virucidal properties of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, bromine chloride and iodine
Authors: Taylor G. R. , Butler M. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYChlorine dioxide, bromine chloride and iodine were compared with chlorine as virucidal agents. Under optimal conditions all disinfectants were effective at low concentrations, but each disinfectant responded differently to acidity and alkalinity. Disinfection by chlorine was impaired by the presence of ammonia, but the other disinfectants retained much of their potency. Disinfection of poliovirus by iodine resulted in structural changes in the virions as seen by electron microscopy, but the other disinfectants were able to inactivate poliovirus without causing any apparent structural changes.
The postnatal acquisition of factors which affect the influenza haemagglutination-inhibition test
Authors: Grint P. C. A. , Argent S. , Heath R. B. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYLevels of maternally transferred antibodies against the surface antigen of the A/Texas/1/77 strain of influenza virus showed the expected decline during infancy when measured by complement fixation (CF). However, this decline was not observed when these antibodies were measured by haemagglutination-inhibition (HI). It has been postulated that this discrepancy is due to the acquisition, in the early days of life, of non-specific serum factors which increase the HI activity of sera. The levels of these factors were determined indirectly by calculating HI: CF ratios and it was shown that the factors are rapidly acquired by children between the fifth and twentieth week of life.
A non-lethal test of the resistance of inbred mice to herpes simplex virus type 1
Authors: Collier L. H. , Scott Q. J. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYInbred strains of mice varying in susceptibility to intraperitoneal (i. p.) inoculation of HSV-1 were tested by inoculating 105p.f.u. of the SC 16 strain into the ear pinna. Increase in ear thickness was less in resistant than in susceptible strains. In the resistant C57BL/6 strain, local replication of virus, spread to cervical ganglia and development of latent infections of the ganglia were all less than in susceptible DBA/2 mice; there was also less cellular infiltration of the inoculation site. Like resistance to i.p. inoculation, resistance to ear inoculation appears to be inherited as a dominant characteristic. The test provides a non-lethal method of distinguishing between resistance and susceptibility of inbred strains of mice to HSV-1 and may also be useful in defining resistance factors.
The pathogenicity of variola virus: A comparison of the growth of standard strains of variola major and variola minor viruses in cell cultures from human embryos
Authors: Dumbell K. R. , Wells D. G. T. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe international reference strains of variola major (Harvey) and of variola minor (Butler) were grown in cultures of skin and muscle cells from human embryos. The development of infective virus, complement-fixing antigen, haemagglutinin and cytological changes were followed at four temperatures between 35 and 40 °C. No significant difference was found in the amount of virus produced by Harvey or Butler viruses at any of the experimental temperatures, but Harvey attained the plateau titre at 16 h, some 4 h ahead of Butler in the cultures incubated at 38 °C. Harvey also produced a higher and more prolonged yield of virus in the extracellular medium of cultures, inoculated at low multiplicity and incubated at 37 °C. At 38 °C small inocula of Harvey produced foci which developed and spread till the whole culture was necrotic; Butler foci did not spread and remained relatively undeveloped at this temperature.
Laboratory diagnosis of smallpox: role of the Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale, 1947–70
Authors: Macrae A. D. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale, first embarked on laboratory investigations for smallpox early in 1947. From then, in conjunction with the Department of Bacteriology, University of Liverpool, it provided a complete diagnostic service throughout England and Wales until 1962, after which the service became available regionally until eradication was effected. Up to 1970 it had investigated 2696 specimens from suspected cases of smallpox and had recovered 108 strains of variola and 248 of vaccinia virus. These last were from persons suffering the complications of vaccination. Some outbreaks following smallpox importation are discussed but infection among laboratory staff during this period was not demonstrated.
Studies of herpes virus latency in the sensory spinal ganglia of rabbits
Authors: Tosolini F. A. , McCarthy K. , Baker B. F. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryExperimental latent herpes infection of rabbit dorsal root ganglia (DRG) is reported. The simian herpes virus used was derived from fatal natural infection in owl monkeys and has limited neurotropism in the rabbit. Following intradermal injection of the flank it causes a local lesion followed only by dorsal root ganglionitis; segmental paraesthesia and/or sensory loss going on to clinical recovery. Methods were developed for mapping sensory losses.Virus could be immediately re-isolated from skin or DRG homogenates in the acute (first week) stage but from 8–550 days by DRG organ culture only. Spontaneous recurrence does not occur but reactivation can be provoked.The system provides an improved analogue model for the study of the pathogenesis and symptomatic treatment of herpes zoster.
Haemophilus ducreyiinfections – time for reappraisal
Authors: McEntegart M. G. , Hafiz S. , Kinghorn G. R. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryAs the literature onHaemophilus ducreyiand clinical chancroid is reviewed, it becomes obvious that many significant findings have been forgotten over the years. As a result, from the time of Ducrey's original description of the organism in 1890 until about 1977, both clinical and laboratory experts in the United Kingdom believed thatH. ducreyiinfections were rare, generally acquired abroad, and almost impossible to confirm in the routine laboratory! In consequence it was a common view that it was not worth looking forH. ducreyiuntil all other possible causes of genital ulceration had been excluded. Moreover, the search for such an infection stopped as soon as any other cause for the patient's lesions had been found.A decision to ignore this ‘rule’ in Sheffield led to our looking forH. ducreyiin specimens from an unselected series of patients with genital ulceration including a number with herpes genitalis infections. The surprise finding ofH. ducreyiin circumstances suggesting that it was a secondary invader made us re-examine the whole question ofH. ducreyiinfections and chancroid and wonder if the same organism can act as a primary pathogen and as a secondary invader. An account of the media and methods we used and of the characteristics of the organism is presented. In an attempt to find out more about the characteristic coherent colonies ofH. ducreyiwe studied them with the scanning electron microscope. It is clear that the whole subject ofH. ducreyiinfections has been neglected in the United Kingdom, but we believe that interest has now been aroused and progress will surely follow. Some areas for further investigation are suggested.
Competitive exclusion of salmonellas from the chick caecum using a defined mixture of bacterial isolates from the caecal microflora of an adult bird
Authors: Impey C. S. , Mead G. C. , George Susan M. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryColonization of the caeca of newly hatched chicks by Salmonella typhimurium was prevented by oral administration of a mixture of cultures comprising 48 different bacterial strains originating from an adult bird known to be free from salmonellas. The treatment conferred protection to the same degree as that obtained previously with a suspension of adult caecal contents or an undefined anaerobic culture from the same source and was demonstrated in four separate laboratory trials.Examination of the caecal microflora of chicks one day after being given the protective treatment showed that the presence of high levels of lactobacilli and Bacteroides spp. which are not found usually at two days of age in chicks produced under commercial conditions was indicative of the successful establishment of an adult-type microflora.Although the usual method of administering the protective organisms was to dose the chicks directly into the crop, it was also found possible to incorporate the organisms in the drinking water given to the birds at dilutions up to one in five, the maximum tested.When chicks were given the bacterial mixture via the crop and fed on a diet containing 10 mg kg−1 nitrovin and 100 mg kg−1 monensin, the bacteroides failed to establish in the caeca and the birds were not protected against salmonella colonization. However, when the bacterial cultures were incorporated in the drinking water and the chicks given the same feed, normal protection was obtained; possible reasons for these observations are discussed.
Factors contributing to outbreaks of food poisoning in England and Wales 1970–1979
Authors: Roberts Diane 
Published: March 2010

SummaryEpidemiological data accompanying reports of more than 1000 outbreaks of food poisoning have been studied to determine the factors which most frequently contributed to the outbreaks. Preparation of food in advance of needs combined with improper storage and inadequate cooking, cooling and reheating were the most common factors. Infected food handlers did not play a significant role except in instances of S. aureus food poisoning.
Enterotoxin production by strains ofStaphylococcus aureusisolated from clinical and non-clinical specimens with special reference to enterotoxin F and toxic shock syndrome
Authors: De Nooij Marianne P. , van Leeuwen Wijnanda J. , Notermans Serve 
Published: March 2010

SummaryEnterotoxin production by strainsof Staphylococcus aureusisolated from clinical specimens of human and animal origin and from healthy human carriers was investigated. All nine patients admitted to hospital with symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) yielded enterotoxin-producing strains ofS. aureus. Eight of these produced staphylococcal enterotoxin F (SEF). A significantly smaller proportion of strains (42% of 50 strains tested) isolated from other clinical specimens of hospitalized patients produced SEF. Production of SEF by strains isolated from clinical specimens of animal origin (48 strains) was not observed. Twenty-nine per cent of 24S. aureusstrains isolated from noses of hospital staff produced SEF. This result was not significantly different from that obtained from strains isolated from clinical specimens other than TSS. A similar percentage of strains isolated from healthy human carriers outside hospital produced SEF (25% of 24 strains tested).The results indicated that enterotoxin production, especially that of SEF. is associated withS. aureusisolated from patients suspected of TSS. There was no indication of an association betweenS. aureusisolated from other staphylococcal infections and SEF production.All strains were phage typed and 79%, of the strains belonging to the international phage-group I produced SEF. All strains lysed by phage 187 were found to produce SEF.