bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rubella-specific IgG subclass avidity ELISA and its role in the differentiation between primary rubella and rubella reinfection
Authors: Thomas H. I. J. , Morgan-Capner P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn antiglobulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rubella-specific IgG1and IgG3was adapted to measure antibody avidity by incorporating a mild protein denaturant, diethylamine (DEA), into the serum diluent. Sera were tested at varying dilutions, both with and without DEA, if they contained sufficient specific IgG1or IgG3. The optical density (OD) was measured and curves were plotted. The highest OD (V) was noted and halved (V/2). The distance between the OD curves at V/2 was measured as the DEA shift value.Sera were examined from people whose sera contained rubella-specific antibodies as a consequence of infection or vaccination in the distant past (24 sera), recent primary rubella (66 sera), symptomatic reinfection (11 sera) or asymptomatic reinfection (64 sera). For specific IgG1the DEA shift value was <O·6 for cases of rubella in the distant past, compared with >0·8 for the first month after primary infection. The maximum DEA shift value for the sera from cases of reinfection was 0·65.No serum from cases of rubella in the distant past contained sufficient specific IgG3to estimate avidity. The sera collected within 1 month of onset of primary rubella gave DEA shift values >O·7 compared with sera from reinfections, which gave DEA shift values <O·6, except for two sera from a case of symptomatic reinfection.Thus the assessment of specific IgG subclass avidity is of value in differentiating serologically primary rubella from reinfection.
Persistence of poliovirus-neutralizing antibodies 2–16 years after immunization with live attenuated vaccine. A seroepidemiologic survey in the mainland of Venice.
Authors: Trivello R. , Renzulli G. , Farisano G. , Bonello C. , Moschen M. , Gasparini V. , Benussi G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA seroepidemiological survey was conducted on subjects who had received a full vaccination course with live attenuated poliovirus 2–16 years before. For strains 1 and 2 prevalence of seropositives and median values dropped gradually during the first 10 years; strain 3 showed a much earlier decline. Environmental displacement of wild poliovirus by the attenuated, less immunogenic strain might eventually induce a ‘gap’, should complacency hamper needed vaccination efforts.
Virucidal effect of chlorinated water containing cyanuric acid
Authors: Yamashita T. , Sakae K. , Ishihara Y. , Isomura S. , Inoue H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe inhibitory influence of cyanuric acid on the virucidal effect of chlorine was studied. The time required for 99·9% inactivation of ten enteroviruses and two adenoviruses by 0·5 mg/l free available chlorine at pH 7·0 and 25○C was prolonged approximately 4·8–28·8 times by the addition of 30 mg/l cyanuric acid. Comparative inactivation of poliovirus 1 by free available chlorine with or without cyanuric acid revealed the following. The inactivation rate by 1·5 mg/l free available chlorine with 30 mg/l cyanuric acid or by 0·5 mg/l free available chlorine with 1 mg/1 cyanuric acid was slower than by 0·5 mg/1 free available chlorine alone. Temperature and pH did not affect the inhibitory influence of cyanuric acid on the disinfectant action of chlorine. In the swimming-pool and tap water, cyanuric acid delayed the virucidal effect of chlorine as much as in the ‚clean’ condition of chlorine-buffered distilled water. The available chlorine value should be increased to 1·5 mg/l when cyanuric acid is used in swimming-pool water.
The Stonehouse study: secretor status and carriage of Neisseria species
Authors: Blackwell C. C. , Weir D. M. , James V. S. , Cartwright K. A. V. , Stuart J. M. , Jones D. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe genetically determined inability to secrete the water-soluble glycoprotein form of the ABO blood group antigens into saliva and other body fluids is a recognized risk factor for meningococcal disease. During a community-wide investigation of a prolonged outbreak of disease due to a B15: P1.16 sulphonamideresistant strain of Neisseria meningitidis in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (the Stonehouse survey), the ABO blood group and secretor status of almost 5000 residents was determined.The proportion of non-secretors in the Stonehouse population was significantly higher than the proportion of non-secretors among blood donors in the South West Region and in England generally. Seven of 13 Stonehouse residents with meningococcal disease who were tested were found to be non-secretors, a high proportion. The outbreak in Stonehouse cannot be explained solely in terms of the increased proportion of non-secretors. There was no clear correlation between the proportions of non-secretors in different areas within the town and the incidence of cases of meningococcal disease.Carriers of meningococci, whether outbreak or other strains, were not more likely to be non-secretors. The reasons why non-secretors are more susceptible to meningococcal disease remain to be determined, but they do not appear to be related to carriage of meningococci.
Persistent and transient clones of Salmonella typhimurium of phage type 141 recognized by biotyping
Authors: Old D. C. , Barker Ruth M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAmong the 81 cultures of Salmonella typhimurium of phage type 141 examined, 72 had been isolated from Sheffield incidents in 1984–5 and 9 were Scottish isolates from 1986–7. All of these cultures from diverse sources belonged to primary biotype 31; 79 were of full biotype 31beg and 2 anaerogenic cultures were of full biotype 31begj. This is the first known occasion on which an epidemic strain of S. typhimurium of phage type/biotype 141/31beg has been implicated in outbreaks of human or animal infection in the UK. Because previous epidemic strains of S. typhimurium of phage type 141 in the UK belonged to biotypes 1f and 9f which are phylogenetically unrelated to biotype 31beg, the likely origin of this most recent epidemic S. typhimurium strain of phage type/biotype 141/31beg is discussed.
Haemagglutinating activity ofAeromonasspp. from different sources; attempted use as a typing system
Authors: Elbashir A. M. , Millership Sally E. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe haemagglutinating ability of 141 isolates ofAeromonasspp. for human. horse and guinea-pig erythrocytes was examined. Although the majority of isolates (136/141) agglutinated human group O erythrocytes, all the eight possible patterns of agglutination were observed. Haemagglutination of human group O erythrocytes. but not horse or guinea-pig, was associated with the ability to agglutinate yeast cells (Saccharomyces) and with aggregation in a low concentration of ammonium sulphate. Haemagglutinating ability was further characterized by reactions in the presence of mannose, galactose or fucose. All the possible patterns of inhibition with individual sugars were observed, but haemagglutination of human group O erythrocytes not inhibited by mannose, galactose or fucose was more common among isolates from patients with diarrhoea, and isolates producing a Vero cell cytotoxin than would be expected by chance. This might represent a virulence factor.
Diversity of plasmids inStaphylococcus saprophyticusisolated from urinary tract infections in women
Authors: Melo Cristino J.A.G. , Torres Pereira A. , Andrade L.G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA group of 150Staphylococcus saprophyticusstrains isolated from urinary tract infections in women were included in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that these isolates were sensitive to most antimicrobial agents. All strains were sensitive to penicillin. cephalothin. gentamicin. kanamvcin. trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin. Resistance to tetracycline was present in 10·6% of the strains. to chioramphenicol in 4 % to erythromycin in 1·3% and to streptomvcin in 1·3% All strains were resistant to cadmium chloride as well as to novobioein and nalidixic acid. Plasmid analysis showed that 8·2 % of the strains harboured plasmids, some of them with complex plasmid profiles.
Electropherotyping of plasmid DNA of different serotypes ofShigella flexneriisolated in Bangladesh
Authors: Haider K. , Huq M. I. , Talukder K. A. , Ahmad Q. S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and twenty-fiveShigella flexneristrains, isolated during January-December 1984, at the Dhaka treatment centre of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, were serotyped using absorbed rabbit antisera specific for all type-and group-factor antigens, as well as a group of ten mouse and rat monoclonal antibodies. Electropherotypes of the plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were also determined.S. flexneri2a was the predominant serotype followed by 3b, 1a, and 2b.The recently described E1037 antigen was also found in three strains ofS. flexneriserotype 6. Electropherotyping of the plasmid DNA showed that three plasmids of approximately 140. 2·7. and 2 megadalton (MDa) were present, respectively, in 97, 97 and 94% of the 125 strains. Additional plasmids of various other sizes were also present in different serotypes except in serotype 2a. The additional plasmids again appeared to be specific for that particular serotype. For example, all 12 strains ofS. flexneri2b harboured an additional plasmid of approximately 1 MDa. Thus, electropherotyping of plasmid DNA of different serotypes ofS. flexnerimight be useful to differentiateS. flexnerifrom other species ofShigellaand in identifying different serotypes ofS. flexneri. Therefore, the common plasmids, plus the additional plasmids. could be used to identify epidemic, as well as sporadic, subclones ofS. flexneristrains.
Verotoxin-producingEscherichia coliinfections in Sheffield: cattle as a possible source
Authors: Chapman P. A. , Wright D. J. , Norman P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDuring 1986 and 1987, faecal samples from patients with haemorrhagie colitis (HC) or haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) were examined for evidence of infection by verotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC). During the 2-year period VTEC infections were found in 31 (78%) of 40 patients initially presenting with HC, and in 5 (63%) of 8 patients initially presenting with HUS, VTEC were found in only 2 (0·9%) of 229 age and sex matched control patients with acute non-bloody diarrhoea. All but one VTEC belonged toE. coliserogroup O 157. During 1987 this serogroup was isolated from 2 (1%) of 207 samples of faeces taken from cattle arriving at a Sheffield abattoir, indicating a possible source of these infections for man. We are unaware of previous reports of isolation of this organism from cattle in England.
Chemical disinfection of non-porous inanimate surfaces experimentally contaminated with four human pathogenic viruses
Authors: Sattar S. A. , Springthorpe V. S. , Karim Y. , Loro P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe chemical disinfection of virus-contaminated non-porous inanimate surfaces was investigated using coxsackievirus B3, adenovirus type 5, parainfluenzavirus type 3 and coronavirus 229E as representatives of important nosocomial viral pathogens. A 10 µl amount of the test virus, suspended in either faeces or mucin, was placed onto each stainless steel disk (about 1 cm in diameter) and the inoculum allowed to dry for 1 h under ambient conditions. Sixteen disinfectant formulations were selected for this study based on the findings of an earlier investigation with a human rotavirus.After 1 min exposure to 20 µl of the disinfectant, the virus from the disks was immediately eluted into tryptose phosphate broth and plaque assayed. Using an efficacy criterion of a 3 log10or greater reduction in virus infectivity titre and irrespective of the virus suspending medium, only the following five disinfectants proved to be effective against all the four viruses tested: (1) 2% glutaraldehyde normally used as an instrument soak. (2) a strongly alkaline mixture of 0·5% sodium o-benzyl-p-chlorophenate and 0·6% sodium lauryl sulphate, generally used as a domestic disinfectant cleaner for hard surfaces, (3) a 0·04% solution of a quaternary ammonium compound containing 7% hydrochloric acid, which is the basis of many toilet bowl cleaners. (4) chloraminc T at a minimum free chlorine level of 3000 p.p.m. and (5) sodium hypochlorite at a minimum free chlorine concentration of 5000 p.p.m. Of those chemicals suitable for use as topical antiseptics, 70% ethanol alone or products containing at least 70% ethanol were ineffective only against coxsackievirus B3. These results emphasize the care needed in selecting chemical disinfectants for routine use in infection control.
A study of African swine fever virus infected ticks (Ornithodoros moubata) collected from three villages in the ASF enzootic area of Malawi following an outbreak of the disease in domestic pigs
Authors: Haresnape J. M. , Wilkinson P. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA detailed study was made in 1983–5 in three villages in Mehinji district in the African swine fever (ASF) enzootic area of Malawi, following an outbreak of ASF which affected all three villages.Ticks of theOrnithodoros moubatacomplex were collected from both pig sties and houses shortly after the outbreak, and approximately 24% contained ASF virus. The proportion of ticks infected did not differ significantly in the three villages, or more surprisingly in different types of premises, and was equivalent in all stages of ticks. The proportion infected decreased with the passage of time, but infected ticks were still present in all three villages 8 months after the outbreak, some with high titres of virus.The proportion of seropositive pigs in the three villages approached 100% following the outbreak, with many apparently healthy pigs being seropositive. It is suggested that Malawian isolates of ASF virus may be less virulent in African than European breeds of domestic pig.
The human pathogenic vibrios – A public health update with environmental perspectives
Authors: West P. A. 
Published: May 2009

PathogenicVibriospecies are naturally-occurring bacteria in freshwater and saline aquatic environments. Counts of free-living bacteria in water are generally less than required to induce disease. Increases in number of organisms towards an infective dose can occur as water temperatures rise seasonally followed by growth and concentration of bacteria on higher animals, such as chitinous plankton, or accumulation by shellfish and seafood. PathogenicVibriospecies must elaborate a series of virulence factors to elicit disease in humans.Activities which predispose diarrhoeal and extraintestinal infections include ingestion of seafood and shellfish and occupational or recreational exposure to natural aquatic environments, especially those above 20 °C. Travel to areas endemic for diseases due to pathogenicVibriospecies may be associated with infections. Host risk factors strongly associated with infections are lack of gastric acid and liver disorders.Involvement of pathogenicVibriospecies in cases of diarrhoea should be suspected especially if infection is associated with ingestion of seafood or shellfish, raw or undercooked, in the previous 72 h.Vibriospecies should be suspected in any acute infection associated with wounds sustained or exposed in the marine or estuarine environment. Laboratories serving coastal areas where infection due to pathogenic Vibrio species are most likely to occur should consider routine use of TCBS agar and other detection regimens for culture ofVibriospecies from faeces, blood and samples from wound and ear infections.
Phage-typing of Vero-cytotoxin (VT) producingEscherichia coliO157 isolated in the United Kingdom
Authors: Frost J. A. , Smith H. R. , Willshaw G. A. , Scotland S. M. , Gross R. J. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYVero-cytotoxin (VT) producingEscherichia coliserogroup O157 have been isolated from patients with diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). A phage-typing scheme developed in Canada has been used to type 155 VT+E. coliO157 serogroup isolated from sporadic infections in the UK since 1983, and 48 strains from HC or HUS outbreaks. Twelve phage types were identified of which three, types 49, 51 and 52, have not been found in North America. All strains carried a 60 × 10 plasmid and most VT1+VT2+ strains also had a 5 × 10 plasmid coding for colicin D production. The majority of strains producing both VT1 and VT2 belonged to phage type 1, or the related types 4, 8 and 14. Most strains producing only VT2 belonged to types 2 or 49. Four outbreaks were included in the survey. Three had strains of a single phage type while strains from the fourth outbreak were more variable. The distribution of phage types throughout the UK showed no marked geographical variations.
DNA fingerprinting ofStreptococcus uberis: a useful tool for epidemiology of bovine mastitis
Authors: Hill A. W. , Leigh J. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA simple and reproducible typing system based on restriction fragment size of chromosomal DNA was developed to compare isolates ofStreptococcus uberisobtained from the bovine mammary gland. The endonuclease giving the most useful restriction patterns wasHindIII, although seven other endonucleases (Bgl1,EcoR1,Not1,Pst1,Sfi1,Sma1,Xba1) were also tested in the system. An image analyser was used to obtain a densitometric scan and a graphic display of the restriction patterns. Such a system will allow large scale data storage for future computer-aided comparison.
Sampling methods for monitoring changes in gonococcal populations
Authors: Bindayna K. M. , Ison C. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 160 consecutive isolates ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaewas collected over a 3-month period. They were tested for their susceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin and spectinomycin and the auxotype and the serotype determined. We have evaluated two sampling methods, the collection of every fifth isolate and the first 20 isolates (10 male and 10 female) each month, to determine whether either is representative of the total population. There was no significant difference between either method of sampling and the total for detecting the predominant auxotypes and serovars or the distributions in antibiotic susceptibility. It is possible to monitor major changes in a gonococcal population, particularly susceptibility to antibiotics, using a sample of the total population.
The tangible cost implications of a hospital outbreak of multiply-resistant salmonella
Authors: Barnass S. , O'Mahony M. , Sockett P. N. , Garner J. , Franklin J. , Tabaqchali S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA hospital outbreak of multiply-resistant Salmonella heidelberg infection, which affected 17 patients and 2 staff, is described. The tangible cost of the outbreak was estimated at £21 151, £17989 (85·1%) of which was borne by the hospital. The cost to the Microbiology Department was £3596 (17·0% of the total). A detailed analysis of the costs and implications for staffing disruption is given and a comparison is made with the costs of preventive activities. Ways of containing expenses in the event of an outbreak and the economic implications for clinical budgeting and privatization of the laboratory service are considered.
Esterase electrophoresis: a molecular tool for studying the epidemiology of Branhamella catarrhalis nosocomial infection
Authors: Picard B. , Goullet PH. , Denamur E. , Suermondt G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA new epidemiologic typing method based on electrophoresis of esterases had been developed for differentiating between clinical isolates of Branhamella catarrhalis. Twenty-two epidemiologically significant strains obtained from three Chest Units, a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and a Paediatric Unit were compared with 54 randomly selected strains and 4 reference strains, including the species type strain, ATCC 25238. Thirty-four distinct zymotypes were characterized by polyacrylamide-agarose gel electrophoresis of the 80 strains. One infrequent zymotype was found in 2 neonates and another in 2 adults with nosocomial bronchopulmonary infections, suggesting the nosocomial spread of 2 outbreak strains of B. catarrhalis. A more frequent zymotype was isolated from 3 neonates with nosocomial bronchopulmonary infection and from 2 children with nosocomial rhinopharyngitis. The remaining 12 epidemiologically significant strains were of varied zymotypes. This work demonstrates that esterase electrophoresis is a suitable, readily reproducible, stable typing system applicable to the wide range of strains found in B. catarrhalis nosocomial infections.
Immunity against diphtheria in adults in Poland
Authors: Galazka A. , Kardymowicz B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe diphtheria immunity status was determined with the passive haemagglutination technique in 503 sera of 10–90-year-old persons from Warsaw and Olsztyn Provinces. Donors of sera were students, teachers, pregnant women, employees of industry and medical service. The immunity was highest (90% of titers 0·1 lU/ml or higher) in persons below 20 years of age and in persons above 60 years of age (55%). Between these two groups, gaps in immunity exist, the proportion of those immune varying from 36–50% in the 20- 60-year-old groups.
Electrophoretic characterisation of the outer membrane proteins ofYersinia pestisisolated in north-east Brazil
Authors: Abath F. G. C. , Almeida A. M. P. , Ferreira L. C. S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe outer membrane proteins of 38Yersinia pestisisolates from all known plague foci of north-east Brazil were analysed by SDS-PAGE. Approximately 20 bands were consistently found in all strains analysed and 11 were selected for comparative studies. Although qualitative differences among the electrophoretic profiles of outer membrane proteins of wildY. pestisisolates were not observed, quantitative alterations were clearly noted for most of these proteins. No particular quantitative alteration of the electrophoretic profile of outer membrane proteins could be associated with the period of isolation and geographic origin of the isolates. The 64 kDa outer membrane protein was significantly expressed in higher amounts amongY. pestisstrains isolated from a recent plague outbreak. The possible use of electrophoretic profiles of outer membrane proteins of wildY. pestisisolates as a tool for epidemiological studies and for the analysis of virulence determinants is discussed.
The source ofYersiniaspp. in pasteurized milk: an investigation at a dairy
Authors: Greenwood M. H. , Hooper W. L. , Rodhouse J. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYPasteurized bottled milk supplied by a single dairy was frequently found to be contaminated withYersiniaspp. Investigations were carried out at the dairy in an effort to pinpoint the source of these organisms. Viable counts obtained from milk bottle rinses indicated that bottle washing was often unsatisfactory, and on one occasionY. frederikseniiwas isolated from the pooled rinse water of six bottles. Samples of milk were taken on arrival at the dairy and at various stages following pasteurization. Heat resistance tests carried out on strains of yersinia isolated from pasteurized milk indicated that they would not survive the pasteurization process. However two strains of yersinia were isolated from a sample of milk taken immediately after pasteurization but before bottling. The thermograph indicated that the time/temperature conditions applied during pasteurization were adequate. The presence of yersinia strains in the milk at this stage therefore suggests that undetectable levels of raw milk were being allowed to contaminate the pasteurized milk. The absence of yersinia in cartoned samples produced on the same day as contaminated bottled samples indicated that environmental contamination of the bottle filler valve also may have occurred at times. Results of this investigation indicate that increased vigilance is required to ensure proper operation of pasteurizers and bottle washers.