bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of motileAeromonasfrom human, food and environmental specimens
Authors: Nishikawa Yoshikazu , Kishi Teruhiko 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFrom July 1985 to March 1987, the occurrence of motileAeromonassp. in stool, food and environmental specimens was investigated to assess their pathogenic significance and to determine sources and routes of infection. A total of 9366 stool specimens were examined;Aeromonaswas isolated from 11.1% of diarrhoeal stools and 2.2% of normal stools (P0.001).Aeromonascounts in food specimens, which included minced beef, pork and chicken, seafood and various vegetables and their products, were unexpectedly high suggesting that infection might be food–borne rather than water–borne. About 70% of the isolates from meat products were A.hydrophilaand A.sobria, while A.Caviaewas the most common in sea–fish, vegetables and their products. Most A.hydrophilaand A.sobriastrains produced haemolysin, but haemagglutinin was found more frequently in A.Sobria.
A two-year survey of the incidence of heat-labile enterotoxin-producingEscherichia coliand other enteric pathogens in travellers returning to the Sheffield area
Authors: Chapman P. A. , Mitchelmore Deborah L. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA case-controlled study of the incidence of heat-labile enterotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(LT+ETEC) and other enteric pathogens in travellers returning to the Sheffield area was conducted from May 1984 to April 1986. LT+ETEC were found in 35 (5.8%) of 600 travellers to developed countries (mainly popular Mediterranean holiday resorts), 36 (11.3%) of 320 travellers to less-developed countries, and 11 (0.9%) of 1282 control patients whose illness was not associated with recent travel abroad. A seasonal peak of LT+ETEC infection was observed only in travellers to developed countries, with infections being significantly commoner in August to October. There was no significant deviation from expected age/sex distribution of LT+ETEC infection. Strains of LT+ETEC from travellers produced more toxin than strains from control patients, strains from travellers to less-developed countries producing most of all.
Salmon as a food-poisoning vehicle-two successive salmonella outbreaks
Authors: Cartwright K. A. V. , Evans B. G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYGastroenteritis due to Salmonella montevideo occurred amongst guests attending two social functions held within 24 h, food for both having been provided by the same catering firm. Salmon was the most likely vehicle of infection in each case, although cross-contamination of other foods occurred. There were no deaths; four patients were admitted to hospital, one of whom underwent appendicectomy.A review of salmon-associated food-poisoning outbreaks suggests that fresh salmon is an infrequent cause of food poisoning in the United Kingdom. The two outbreaks described here resulted from a failure of simple kitchen hygiene measures at a time of high ambient temperatures. Some current cooking instructions for salmon are inadequate.
Campylobacters in man and the environment in Hull and East Yorkshire
Authors: Mawer S. L. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYCampylobacter organisms isolated from water samples taken weekly from ponds and land-drains in the City of Hull were compared with isolates from humans. Of 314 campylobacter organisms isolated from patients, 237 (75.5%) of the strains were identified as typicalCampylobacter jejuni, whilst of 125 identified strains isolated from the water samples, 85 (68%) resembledC. jejuniin most respects but were hippurate hydrolysis negative by the Hwang and Ederer method. The ponds and land drains in the city were therefore not a source of campylobacteriosis in the people living near these water courses. The atypicalC. jejunistrains isolated from the environment may be mistaken for theC. jejunistrains which cause human infection. It is therefore essential that such strains are fully identified before attributing human and animal infections to their ingestion.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: associated morbidity and effectivencess of control measures
Authors: Law M. R , Gill O. N , Turner A 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalent in south-east England produced in one acute hospital in a year 40 infections (bacteraemia, pneumonia and surgical wound, skin and urinary tract infections) with three attributable deaths. Rigorous measures succeeded in controlling the outbreak despite its extent, but our results suggest that less stringent measures could fail to control outbreaks of this scale. Several subsequent localized outbreaks within the hospital, probably caused by separate re-introductions of MRSA from other hospitals, were controlled by re-instigation of control measures on individual wards. The overall success of the intervention was shown by the decline in the incidence of MRSA infections from 27 in the 6 months beforehand to 2 in the most recent 6 months, and by the decline in the prevalence of colonization among patients 10 or more days in hospital from 52% immediately before the intervention to 3% 7 months after it. The incidence of attributable morbidity and death without control measures warrants a concerted effort to tackle the epidemic in all affected hospitals in Britain.
The development and evaluation of a μ-capture ELISA detecting chlamydia-specific Igm
Authors: Wreghitt T. G. , Robinson V. J. , Caul E. O , Paul I. D. , Gatley S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA μ-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting chlamydia-specific IgM was developed by use of the heat stable, lipopolysaccharide group-specific antigen and an alkaline phosphatase-labelled anti-chlamydia group-specific monoclonal antibody conjugate. The test was used to study the serological response in chlamydial respiratory tract infection among patients with acute respiratory tract symptoms in Cambridgeshire during the past 7 years. Results were compared with those of the complement fixation test (CFT) in routine use as well as those of a whole inclusion indirect immunofluorescence (WIF) test for IgM. Correlation between results of the μ-capture ELISA and those of the WIF test was 87·5%.
Antibody level of New Zealand children immunized with the triple vaccine DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis)
Authors: Lau R. C. H 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were used to measure IgG antibody levels in 2638 New Zealand children who had been immunized with the triple vaccine DTP. The percentage of children immune to diphtheria decreased with age. The percentage of children immune to tetanus varied from 67.1 to 55.0%. The percentage of children with measurable antibody to pertussis increased with age. The mean percentages of children with measurable antibody or immunity to one or more DTP components were 34.2% (with 3 components), 34.4% (2 components), and 78.1% (1 component). It appears the immunization strategy for diphtheria and tetanus is satisfactory for herd immunity in New Zealand children. However, the current pertussis strategy may not be providing adequate immunity to 5-year-olds in this country.
Association of intraspecific wounding with hantaviral infection in wild rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Glass G. E. , Childs J. E. , Korch G. W. , LeDuc J. W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe potential for hantaviral transmission among wild Norway rats by wounding associated with aggressive interactions was evaluated using a prospective sero-epidemiological study coupled with a mark-release-recapture survey. There was a significant association between an animal's serological status and the presence of wounds. Longitudinal studies of marked and released animals showed sero-conversion between captures was associated with wounding between captures more often (33%) than expected by chance, while unwounded animals seroconverted less often (8%) than expected. Typically, less than a 5% difference was found when comparing the incidence of seroconversion with the predicted rate based on wounding and seroprevalence. Infection was highly associated with the onset of sexual maturity and aggression but decoupled from rat age and the length of environmental exposure. Seroconversions occurred at times most associated with aggressive encounters and least associated with amicable behaviours that could lead to aerosol transmission.
A prospective study of genital infections in a family-planning clinic: 1. Microbiological findings and their association with vaginal symptoms
Authors: Riordan T. , Macaulay M. E. , James J. M. , Leventhall P. A. , Morris E. M. , Neal B. R. , Rowland J. , Evans B. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA prospective study of genital infection was conducted in four inner-city family–planning clinics. Fifteen per cent of routine attenders had symptoms and signs of vaginal infection and many more women attended primarily because of symptoms. Among the women with both signs and symptoms, 70% had positive laboratory findings, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and bacterial vaginosis being equally prevalent. Measurement of vaginal pH in the clinic was the single most useful clinical finding for directing empirical therapy. Among patients with a discharge confirmed on examination and an abnormally high pH, 72% had either T. vaginalis or bacterial vaginosis. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from 4% of women with, and 1% of those without, symptoms. We believe that it is worthwhile to investigate patients presenting to family-planning clinics with vaginal symptoms. No single specimen was found ideal for all pathogens, a cervical swab is better for gonococci and also for T. vaginalis but a vaginal swab is needed for Candida and bacterial vaginosis.
Development of a new set of phages as an epidemiological marker inStaphylococcus epidermidiscausing nosocomial infections
Authors: Martίn-De-Nicolás M. M. , Vindel A. , Sáez-Nieto J. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYWe describe the isolation of a new set of phages for typingStaphylococcus epidermidis. One hundred and eighty-two phages were obtained fromS. epidermidisstrains of human origin. Twelve phages were selected according to their potency and their lytic activity studied. Twenty phages of the Dean and Williams' set were also studied.Phage-typing was undertaken at 100 × RTD, 1000 × RTD and after heat treatment at 48 °C. When the two sets of phages were compared separately similar figures were obtained. When the two typing sets wrere combined, the percentage of typability for the 182 bacterial strains increased to 29⋅1% using 1000 x RTD and to 75⋅3% after heat treatment.
Epidemiological study ofSalmonella enteritidisstrains of animal origin in Belgium
Authors: Pohl P. , Lintermans P. , Marin M. , Couturier M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSince 1987, the number of cases of salmonellosis caused bySalmonella enteritidishas considerably increased in Western Europe. Comparison of endemic animal strains isolated in Belgium from 1976–84 with strains isolated from 1987 on shows that the strains which cause the current epidemic have no features distinguishing them from the previously–isolated strains and that furthermore, they do not constitute a bacterial clone. They belong to 13 different lysotypes and in most cases remain sensitive to antibiotics. Nevertheless, the lysotype 33 which belongs to the phage type 4 [1] has increased significatively. It encompasses 37 % of the animal strains isolated in Belgium from 1987–9, but only 7% of the strains isolated from 1976–84.It is worth noting that the endemic as well as the epidemic strains contain a virulence plasmid sharing sequence similarities with the FIB and FIIA plasmid replicons and with the VirA and VirB virulence regions of theS. typhimuriumvirulent plasmid: pIP1350.
Variation in time and space of non–outbreak Legionnaires' disease in Scotland
Authors: Bhopal R. S. , Fallon R. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe main aim of this study was to measure and explain geographic variations in the incidence of Legionnaires' disease in Scotland, particularly to help understand the source of non–outbreak infection.Between 1978 and 1986 the overall mean annual incidence rate was 7·9 per million (range 3·1–20·2), and for non–outbreak, non-travel cases it was 5·6. There were geographical variations by health board, by city and within cities, e.g. the mean annual incidence rate per million for non–travel, non–outbreak disease was 1·2 in Tayside Health Board, 3·7 in Lanarkshire, 5·6 in Lothian and 14·4 in Greater Glasgow. In Greater Glasgow Health Board non–travel cases lived in and around the city centre and in some postcode sectors there, the mean annual incidence rate exceeded 100. Travel–related cases lived in peripheral areas.These variations could not be explained by differences in access to and use of diagnostic services, surveillance, or host susceptibility (as reflected by socio–economic status and frequency of other respiratory disease). The explanation probably lay in environmental factors, though differences in agent virulence were not excluded.The two main conclusions are, that non–outbreak cases were not truly sporadic, and that the spacetime variations in incidence support the hypothesis that cooling towers were an important source of infection for not–nravel, non-outbreak cases. If so such infection is potentially preventable.
Absence of epidemicity of severe leptospirosis in Barbados
Authors: Bennett S. , Everard C. O. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe possibility of micro-epidemics of severe leptospirosis occurring on the island of Barbados was investigated by examining the space-time clustering of the disease in 212 laboratory-confirmed cases admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown, over a 7-year period. A series of 109 patients with symptoms compatible with leptospirosis but shown to be otherwise by laboratory examination were also examined for comparison. No significant space-time clustering was found among the leptospirosis cases, indicating no evidence for micro-epidemics. By comparison, statistically significant clustering was apparent among the smaller non-leptospirosis series. Possible explanations for the absence of observed micro-epidemics of leptospirosis are discussed.
Outbreak of nosocomial infections with two different MRSA-strains involved: significance of genomic DNA fragment patterns in strains otherwise difficult to type
Authors: Cuny C. , Schassan H. -H. , Witte W. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusisolates from an outbreak of 17 cases of wound infection in a municipal hospital were typed by conventional methods, phage typing by three sets of phages, reverse phage typing and plasmid profiles, as well as by genomic DNA fragment patterns obtained afterSma-I digestion and pulsed-field electrophoresis. These isolates were non-typable by phages, only some were typable by reverse phage typing and were not uniform in plasmid profile. Only the genomic DNA fragment patterns resulted in a clear discrimination of 2 strains (12 isolates for the first and 7 isolates for the second). Both strains were disseminated in different wards of the same hospital and one strain had obviously spread to another clinic in the same city.
The haemagglutinins of influenza A (H1N1) viruses in the ‘O’ or ‘D’ phases exhibit biological and antigenic differences
Authors: Azzi A. , Bartolomei-Corsi O. , Zakrzewska K. , Corcoran T. , Newman R. , Robertson J. S. , Yates P. , Oxford J. S. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryInfluenza A (H1N1) viruses when initially isolated in mammalian cell cultures (MDCK cells) had different agglutination reactions with chicken and guinea-pig erythrocytes compared to the same viruses after passage. On first isolation the virus HA resembled the ‘O’ phase viruses described originally by Burnet and Bull and agglutinated mammalian but not avian erythrocytes. After passage, the virus HA resembled a classical ‘D’ phase virus and agglutinated both avian and mammalian erythrocytes. Monoclonal and polyclonal antisera detected antigenic differences between the HAs of the viruses in the ‘O’ and ‘D’ phases. The ‘O’ phase virus HA reacted preferentially with antibodies in post infection human antisera. Viruses in the ‘O’ phase replicated poorly in the allantoic cavity of embryonated hens' eggs whilst ‘D’ phase virus replicated in both MDCK cells and in embryonated hens' eggs. At least three distinguishable subpopulations of influenza A (H1N1) viruses may co-exist in clinical throat swab material, including viruses possessing HAs in the ‘O’ and ‘D’ phases and other ‘D’ phase viruses cultivable in embryonated hens' eggs but antigenically distinguishable from the corresponding ‘D’ phase virus in MDCK cells.
Plasmid analysis ofSalmonella enteritidisisolated from human gastroenteritis cases and from epidemiologically associated poultry flocks
Authors: Dorn C. R. , Silapanuntakul R. , Angrick E. J. , Shipman L. D. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryPlasmid analysis ofSalmonella enteritidisisolates from human gastroenteritis cases and from two commercial egg-producing poultry flocks was performed to determine if the poultry flocks were the source of the human infections. The plasmid profile and restriction fragment pattern (fingerprint) of fiveS. enteritidisisolates from human cases matched those of nine isolates from internal organs of egg-laying hens in one flock which was the source of eggs consumed by the cases. Another commercial flock was epidemiologically associated as the source of eggs consumed by affected persons in four separate gastroenteritis outbreaks from whichS. enteritidisisolates were available. FiveS. enteritidisisolates from human cases in these four outbreaks had the same profile and fingerprint, and they all matched those of the 24 isolates from hens in this flock. These results provide further documentation of egg-borne transmission ofS. enteritidisto humans.
A quantitative polymerase chain reaction method for the detection in avian faeces of salmonellas carrying thespvRgene
Authors: Mahon J. , Lax A. J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA quick, semi-quantitative method of detectingSalmonellaspecies which contain the virulence plasmid has been developed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A pair of primers have been synthesized encompassing a 500 bp fragment of thespvRvirulence gene. Competitor DNA consisting of thespvRgene with a 94 bp deletion situated between the primer recognition sequences, was cloned into a plasmid vector. Co-amplification of the ‘unknown’ target salmonella DNA with known quantities of competitor DNA in the same reaction tube gave PCR products of 500 and 406 bp respectively. Visual assessment of the ratio of the two products on ethidium bromide stained agarose gels provided an estimate of the approximate number of salmonella cells present in avian faeces.The technique could be applied to detect quantifiably any non-host DNA in clinical samples if a suitable DNA sequence for primer construction is available.
Malaria prevalence amongst Brazilian Indians assessed by a new mathematical model
Authors: Burattini M. N. , Massad E. , Coutinho F. A. B. , Baruzzi R. G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryAn alternative way to estimate the endemic level of malaria amongst Brazilian indians is proposed. This is achieved by estimating the age-related “force of infection’ of malaria (the effective inoculation rate), applying a mathematical model, described elsewhere, to serological data. In addition we present a way to estimate the Basic Reproductive Rate of malaria in the same area. The results have shown a good degree of accuracy in describing the endemic pattern of malaria in the area, and also indicate some relevant aspects of its age distribution related to the design of control strategies.
Seasonal variations in the occurrence of Vibriovulnificusalong the Dutch coast
Authors: Veenstra J. , Rietra P. J. G. M. , Coster J. M. , Slaats E. , Dirks-Go S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe seasonal variation in the occurrence ofV. vulnificusin relation to water temperature and salinity was studied along the Dutch coast. In two consecutive yearsV. vulnificusstrains could be isolated in August when the water temperature was highest. The indole-positive strains isolated from North Sea water samples were identical to most strains isolated from human disease and from the environment. However, strains isolated from four of five patients living in countries around the North Sea were different from the North Sea isolates in that they were indole-negative and have a lower NaCl tolerance.
Nosocomial Legionnaires' disease in England and Wales, 1980–92
Authors: Joseph C. A. , Watson J. M. , Harrison T. G. , Bartlett C. L. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwo hundred and eighteen nosocomial cases of Legionnaires' disease with 68 deaths were reported to the National Surveillance Scheme for Legionnaires Disease between 1980 and 1992, representing 15% of the reported infections acquired in England and Wales. Twenty–two nosocomial outbreaks accounted for 135 (62%) of these cases, the remainder occurring as single cases either in hospitals where other single cases or outbreaks had been reported in different years or as ‘sporadic’ cases in hospitals from which no other cases were reported. A clinical history prior to onset of Legionnaires' disease was available for 124 patients, 61 of whom had undergone recent transplant therapy or were immunosuppressed for other reasons.Sixty cases (27%) were diagnosed by culture of the organism and isolates from 56 patients were typed; 25 (42%) were nonL. pneumophilaserogroup 1 infections.Methods for prevention and control of nosocomial outbreaks are discussed, in particular the susceptibility to Legionnaires' disease of certain groups of hospital patients.
Phage conversion inSalmonella entericaserotype Enteritidis: implications for epidemiology
Authors: Rankin S. , Platt D. J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA model system for the study of phage conversion ofSalmonella entericaserotype Enteritidis is reported. Temperate phages 1,2,3 and 6 from the phage typing scheme were used to convert several individually recognized phage types into others. Phage type 4 was converted to PT8, PT6a to PT4, PT6a to PT7, PT13 to PT13a and PT15 to PT11; some new phage lysis patterns were also detected.This model was used to examine the relationships between phage types within a previously denned clonal lineage, SECLIII, to establish whether or not Enteritidis likeSalmonella entericaserotype Typhi andSalmonella entericaserotype Paratyphi B possessed type determining phages. We were able to convert PT1 to PT20, and PT15 to PT11.