bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A miniaturized biotyping system for strain discrimination inEscherichia coli
Authors: Crichton P. B. , Logan J. M. J. , Old D. C. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA two-tier miniaturized scheme of eight tests was devised for biotyping strains ofEscherichia coliin microwell plates. Primary biotypes were defined by positive and negative reactions in tests for fermentation of raffinose, sorbose, dulcitol and 2-deoxy-D-ribose and for decarboxylation of ornithine when read after specified periods of incubation; subtypes were identified within primary biotypes according to results in secondary tests for rhamnose fermentation, lysine decarboxylation and motility. The method gave reproducible results on different occasions of testing.Among 100E. colistrains from various sources, 26 of the 32 possible primary biotypes and 56 full biotypes, as defined by results in both primary and secondary tests, were identified, thus demonstrating a high index of strain discrimination (D = 0·98).The scheme is recommended as a simple, reliable, inexpensive and efficient method of differentiating strains ofE. coli.
Signs and symptoms in common colds
Authors: Tyrrell D. A. J. , Cohen S. , Schilarb J. E. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe patterns of disease caused by five common viruses which infect the respiratory tract are described. The viruses were strains of rhinovirus types 2, 9, and 14, a strain of coronavirus type 229E and of respiratory syncytial virus. Volunteers were given nasal drops containing a low infections dose of one of the viruses, quarantined from 2 days before to 5 days after inoculation, and examined daily by a clinician using a standard checklist of respiratory signs and symptoms. Only subjects who developed clinical illness accompanied by viral shedding and/or specific antibody production were analysed [n = 116]. The results confirm indication from earlier studies that the main difference between colds induced by different viruses is in duration of the incubation period. Patterens of symptom development were not substantially different with different viruses. Analyses of signs and symptoms in different categories, e.g. nasal symptoms v. coughing, justify treatment with different drugs either successively or simultaneously.
Dengue epidemic in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1990–1: co-circulation of dengue 1 and dengue 2 serotypes
Authors: Nogueira R. M. R. , Miagostovich M. P. , Lampe E. , Souza R. W. , Zagne S. M. O. , Schatzmayr H. G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryDuring 1990 and 1991, dengue fever was detected in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It occurred in two epidemic waves; one, from January to August 1990, caused predominantly by dengue virus type 1 (DEN-1) the other from October 1990 to May 1991 caused by type 2 virus (DEN-2). Dengue was confirmed by virus isolation and/or IgM capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) in 2109/5964 (35·4%) of the cases. DEN-2 virus was isolated from 180 patients. HAI tests indicated that of these previous infection with DEN-1 had occurred in 130 (72%). The epidemic was classified as dengue fever, but severe and even fatal cases occurred in association with secondary infection.
A model for autumn outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease associated with cooling towers, linked to system operation and size
Authors: Bentham R. H. , Broadbent C. R. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryCooling towers have been demonstrated to be amplifiers and disseminators of legionella, the causative organism of Legionnaires' disease. Community outbreaks associated with cooling towers have been reported with several common factors. Small towers (< 300 kW) have predominantly been implicated in outbreaks. Cooling tower-associated outbreaks are most frequent in autumn, and frequently implicated systems have been operated after a period of shutdown.This paper reports field study data relating system operation to legionella colonization of systems. Operating systems have been shown to be more frequently colonized by legionella than shutdown systems. In some cases operation of systems after periods of shutdown raised legionella concentrations from below detection limits to between 50 and 950 c.f.u./ml within 10 min.These data and previously reported data relating to biofilm and sediment colonization of the systems, and community outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, have been used to develop a model explaining the seasonal nature of outbreaks associated with irregularly operated, small cooling tower systems.
The epidemiology and surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis in the Campania region of Italy. The value of zymodeme typing
Authors: Gradoni L. , Pizzuti R. , di Martino L. , Gramiccia M. , Pempinello R. , Gaeta G. B. , Ferrara M. , Scotti S. , Altieri S. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryAlthough human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a notifiable disease in Italy, there is evidence that the actual number of cases is far higher than that notified. A programme for active surveillance of VL in the 14 Italian endemic regions was launched by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. We report data collected during a 3-year period of active surveillance in Campania, a south Tyrrhenian region covering 4·5% of the Italian territory. Out of 120 clinically suspected cases referred to medical and diagnostic references centres, there were 52 confirmed VL cases (17·3/year), i.e. 10-fold more than previously notified. Most of the infection sites were in rural areas or peripheral districts of towns in hilly parts of Naples province. An epidemic cluster of 10 cases was identified in a microfocus of Caserta province. The biochemical analysis of 23Leishmaniastocks showed a zymodeme composition indicating Campania as an old and well-established focus of VL. The data obtained emphasize that the present notification system for VL in Italy is inadequate.
Mycoplasma pulmonisinfection of the murine oropharynx protects against subsequent vaginal colonization
Authors: Furr P. M. , Taylor-Robinson D. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryIntranasal inoculation of 12 young adult mice (strain TO) withMycoplasma pulmonisprotected all of them against vaginal colonization when they were challenged intravaginally 60 days later with the same mycoplasmal strain. In contrast, all 15 mice without a respiratory infection became colonized vaginally (geometric mean titre [GMT] 4·6 × 106colour-changing units [c.c.u.]) when challenged in the same way. The GMT of serum antibody, measured by a micro-immunofluorescence technique, prior to challenge was 200 and 8 for the oropharyngeally infected and unexposed mice, respectively. The GMT of antibody in vaginal washings from the two groups was 6 and 3, respectively. All four nude BALB/c mice were susceptible to vaginal colonization (GMT 5·6 × 106c.c.u.) after oropharyngeal infection (GMT 5·1 × 104c.c.u.) resulting from intranasal inoculation, as were all six nude mice (vaginal GMT 1·4 × 107c.c.u.) that had not been inoculated intranasally. In contrast, all ten of their immunocompetent counterparts were resistant to vaginal colonization after oropharyngeal infection (GMT 1·3 × 103c.c.u.), whereas all nine such mice that had not been infected oropharyngeally were susceptible to vaginal colonization (GMT 7·6 × 106c.c.u.). These results show the important role that a respiratory infection has in protecting the vagina against colonization and that protection is dependent on a functioning T-lymphocyte system.
Outer membrane characteristics of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 growing in chickens
Authors: Chart H. , Conway D. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryStrains of Salmonella enteritidis belonging to phage type 4 (SE4) were grown in the peritoneal cavities of chickens, and without subculture on laboratory media examined for inducible in vivo phenotypic characteristics. These bacteria expressed three major outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of 33, 35 and 36 kilodaltons (kDa), and iron regulated OMPs of 74, 78 and 81 kDa. Bacteria growing in vivo did not express flagella, or fimbriae with a subunit molecular mass of 14 kDa (14 kDa fimbriae). Two OMPs of 55 and 23 kDa, expressed during culture in nutrient broth, were repressed during growth in chickens. Possession of a 38 MDa ‘mouse virulence’ plasmid did not influence the expression of OMPs, flagella or fimbriae. It was concluded that strains of SE4 growing in chicken tissues, use an enterobactin mediated iron uptake system to obtain ferric ions, do not express flagella or 14 kDa fimbriae and appear not to express novel OMPs involved in survival in vivo.
The coccoid forms ofHelicobacter pylori. Criteria for their viability
Authors: Bode G. , Mauch F. , Malfertheiner P. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe fact thatHelicobacter pylorican revert to a coccoid form has stimulated speculation about its role in transmission and as a possible cause of reinfection in duodenal ulcer disease. Bismuth subcitrate (32 μg/ml), bismuth subsalicylate (64 μg/ml), amoxicillin (0·05 μg/ml) and erythromycin (4 μg/ml) inhibited the growth ofH. pyloriand stimulated the formation the formation of basically respiring but non-culturable coccoid structures. The presence of polyphosphates as energy and phosphorus source permits a certain level of endogenous metabolism to preserve RNA and DNA, as well as structural components like cell wall, cell membrane and cytoplasma for at least 3 months. However, the applied standard laboratory methods were insufficient for regrowth ofH. pyloriout of the coccoid form.
The role of wild animals, other than buffalo, in the current epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease in Zimbabwe
Authors: Anderson E. C. , Foggin C. , Atkinson M. , Sorensen K. J. , Madekurozva R. L. , Nqindi J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryBetween 1989 and 1992, 7970 wild ungulates, comprising 14 different species, were tested for antibodies to types SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3 foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus. Of these 1·2% were found to be positive and these included impala (Aepyceros melampus), eland (Taurotragus oryx), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) and sable (Hippotragus niger). All the positive animals were either from the wildlife areas where buffalo (Syncerus caffer) occur or from ranches where clinical FMD had occurred in cattle. The role of these animal species in the current epidemiology of FMD in Zimbabwe is discussed.
Epidemic cholera in Ecuador: multidrug–resistance and transmission by water and seafood
Authors: Weber J. T. , Mintz E. D. , Cañizares R. , Semiglia A. , Gomez I. , Sempértegui R. , Dávila A. , Greene K. D. , Puhr N. D. , Cameron D. N. , Tenover F. C. , Barrett T. J. , Bean N. H. , Ivey C. , Tauxe R. V. , Blake P. A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryTo determine risk factors for cholera in an epidemic-disease area in South America, a case–control investigation was performed in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in July 1991. Residents > 5 years old who were hospitalized for treatment of acute, watery diarrhoea and two matched controls for each were interviewed regarding sources of water and food, and eating, drinking, and hygienic habits. Interviewers inspected homes of case-patients and controls to document water treatment, food-handling, and hygienic practices. Faecal specimens and shellfish were cultured forVibrio choleraeO 1. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to a variety of antimicrobial agents. Drinking unboiled water (odds ratio [OR] = 4.0, confidence interval [CI] = 1.8–7.5), drinking a beverage from a street vendor (OR = 2.8, CI = 1.3–5.9), eating raw seafood (OR = 3.4, CI = 1.4–11.5), and eating cooked crab (OR = 5.1, CI = 1.4–19.2) were associated with illness. Always boiling drinking water at home (OR = 0.5, CI = 0.2–0.9) was protective against illness. The presence of soap in either the kitchen (OR = 0.3, CI = 0.2–0.8) or bathroom (OR = 0.4, CI = 0.2–0.9) at home was also protective.V. choleraeO 1 was recovered from a pooled sample of a bivalve mollusc and from 68% of stool samples from case-patients. Thirty-six percent of the isolates from stool specimens were resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents. Specific prevention measures may prevent transmission through these vehicles in the future. The appearance of antimicrobial resistance suggests the need for changes in current methods of prevention and treatment.
Use of plasmid profile typing for surveillance ofSalmonella enteritidisphage type 4 from humans, poultry and eggs
Authors: Threlfall E. J. , Hampton M. D. , Chart H. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryPlasmids were found in 1022 of 1089 (94%) of drug–sensitive strains ofSalmonella enteritidisphage type 4 from humans (sporadic and outbreak cases), poultry (chickens) and eggs in England and Wales in the 5-year period 1988–92 and 25 plasmid profile patterns were identified. Strains characterized by a single plasmid of 38 MDa predominated ( = plasmid profile type SE 38), comprising over 90% of isolates from humans, 70% from poultry and 92% from eggs. Eleven profile types were identified in strains from humans, 21 in strains from poultry and 3 in strains from eggs. Eight of the 11 patterns identified in human isolates were found in strains from poultry and 2 in strains from eggs. In contrast 15 patterns seen in poultry were not found in strains from humans. Four percent of strains from humans and 13% from poultry did not carry the 38 MDa plasmid but all strains from eggs were found to carry this plasmid. The second most common profile type in strains isolated between 1981 and 1988 was not identified in strains isolated from 1988–92. It is concluded that plasmid profile typing is a useful method for rapid differentiation within phage type 4 ofS. enteritidisbut that methods which can discriminate within the predominant profile type, SE 38, are now required.
Bacterial flora of Tasmanian SIDS infants with special reference to pathogenic strains ofEscherichia coli
Authors: Bettiol S. S. , Radcliff F. J. , Hunt A. L. C. , Goldsmid J. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe general bacterial flora of 38 Tasmanian SIDS infants was examined together with faecal flora of 134 comparison infants ranging in age from birth to 6 months. The microflora of all specimens received was investigated with special emphasis on the toxigenicEscherichia coli(TEC). Samples were examined for verocytotoxigenicE. coli, free faecal verocytotoxin (FVT), heat labile toxin (LT) and heat stable toxin (ST) producers with the use of a Vero cell assay and commercial kits. The findings of this study revealed a high isolation rate (39%) of TEC from SIDS infants as compared to 1.5% from the healthy comparison infants. AtypicalE. colistrains were also identified during the study, includingE. coliA–D. An analysis of the same specimens for rotaviral and adenoviral antigens indicated that 30% of the SIDS cases were positive as compared to 20% in the comparison group.
Immunoglobulin A antibodies directed againstCampylobacter jejuniflagellin present in breast–milk
Authors: Nachamkin I. , Fischer S. H. , Yang X.-H. , Benitez O. , Cravioto A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMAYWe studied the relationship between IgA anti–campylobacter flagellin antibodies in breast milk samples and protection of breastfed infants living in a rural Mexican village from campylobacter infection. There were fewer episodes of campylobacter infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic combined) in infants breastfed with milk containing specific anti-flagellin antibodies (1.2/child/year, 95% CI 0.6–1.8) versus non–breastfed children (3.3/child/year, 95% CI 1.8–4.8; P < 0.01). Infants breastfed with milk that was antiflagellin antibody negative by ELISA also had fewer episodes of infection compared with non-breastfed children, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (1.8/child/year, 95% CI 0.7–3.0 versus 3.3/child/year, 95% CI 1.8–4.8, P > 0.05). Breastfeeding has a protective effect against campylobacter infection and is associated with the presence of specific antibodies directed against campylobacter flagellin.
Measles vaccine: a 27–year follow–up
Authors: Ramsay M. E. B. , Moffatt D. , O'connor M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn 1964, the Medical Research Council undertook a trial of measles vaccine in over 36000 United Kingdom children; 9577 of whom received live vaccine, 10625 received inactivated followed by live vaccine, and 16328 acted as unvaccinated controls. Participants in this study have been followed to determine the long term protection from measles vaccine and follow-up data were available on 4194, 4638 and 274 respectively. During the 5–year period 1986–90, the protective efficacy of live measles vaccine has remained high at 87%, but the 95% confidence interval was wide ( –43 to 99%) due to the small numbers of cases. Between 1976 and 1990, however, the overall efficacy of the live vaccine was 92% (95% confidence interval 86 to 95%) and there was no evidence of a decline in efficacy (P = 0.13) over the 15–year period. This study suggests that the protection from live measles vaccine persists for up to 27 years after vaccination, and that no change in the current United Kingdom measles immunization policy should be made on the grounds of waning immunity.
Long–term survival in trial of medium–titre Edmonston–Zagreb measles vaccine in Guinea–Bissau: five–year follow–up
Authors: Aaby P. , Lisse I. M. , Whittle H. , Knudsen K. , Thaarup J. , Poulsen A. , Sodemann M. , Jakobsen M. , Brink L. , Gansted U. , Permin A. , Jensen T. G. , Andersen H. , da Silva M. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA trial of protective efficacy which compared medium–titre Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) measles vaccine (104.6 p.f.u.) from the age of 4 months with the standard Schwarz (SW) measles vaccine given from the age of 9 months was started in an urban community in Guinea-Bissau in 1985. Because trials of high–titre measles vaccine have found increased mortality among female recipients, we examined whether EZ medium–titre vaccine was associated with any long-term impact on mortality, suppression of T–cells, or growth. The mortality rate ratio over 5 years of follow–up was 1.12 for EZ children compared with children in the standard group (P = 0.63). Seventy–five percent of the children still residing in the area at 5 years of age took part in an immunological and anthropometric examination. There was no difference in T–cell subsets between the two groups. There was no difference in mid–upper–arm circumference, but EZ children were significantly shorter than the children in the standard group. In conclusion, medium–titre EZ was not associated with reduced survival or persistent immunosuppression.
Allelic variation in theHelicobacter pyloriflagellin genesflaA andflaB: its consequences for strain typing schemes and population structure
Authors: Forbes K. J. , Fang Z. , Pennington T. H. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryExtensive DNA sequence diversity was noted inHelicobacter pyloriflagellin genesflaA andflaB. PCR amplified sequences from 49 isolates were digested withAluI.HindIII.MboI orMspI, the resultant patterns were compared between the different isolates and these used to differentiate the isolates from each other. Evidence that the extensive diversity that was found in these genes is the result of reassortment of sequences between strains in the bacterial population is presented, such that a comparatively small number of individual sequence mutations can recombine together in random combinations to form a greater number of distinct alleles. Geographical differences in the predominant patterns in theflaA alleles were also observed and could reflect regional differences either in the human host population or in the bacterial population. In view of the genetic complexity of this species, molecular typing schemes designed to identify related strains may falsely associate strains if the methods do not characterize sufficient genetic sites to exclude chance associations of genetic markers in strains which are actually not closely related to each other.
A pilot study of infectious intestinal disease in England
Authors: Roderick P. , Wheeler J. , Cowdex J. , Sockett P. , Skinner R. , Mortimer P. , Rowe B. , Rodriques L. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryPilot studies to test methods to determine the incidence, agents, risk factors and socioeconomic costs of infectious intestinal disease (IID) in England were carried out as recommended by the Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (the Richmond Committee) by eight general practices. There were case control and enumeration studies of patients presenting to general practice with IID, a population-based prospective cohort study, and a survey of socioeconomic costs of cases of IID. Information on risk factors was obtained by questionnaire (self-administered compared with interview) and a stool sample was requested on all cases and controls. Response rates in the GP case control study were 75% for case questionnaires and 74% for stools; for controls the figures were 70% and 68% respectively. The acceptance rate into the cohort study was 49%; this was significantly higher where phone contact was made. The rate was similar if recruitment was by individual or household. Follow-up of the cohort by negative reporting was complete for up to 6 months. Direct postage by subject was required to obtain fresh stool specimens. Estimates were obtained of presentation rates of IID and the distribution of risk factors which were used to plan the main study. The pilot study demonstrated that it is possible to undertake a national study based in general practice to determine the incidence of IID in the population and presenting to GPs and its agents, risk factors and costs.
Hantavirus infections in The Netherlands: epidemiology and disease
Authors: Groen J. , Gerding M. N. , Jordans J. G. M. , Clement J. P. , Nieuwenhuijs J. H. M. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA serological survey for the prevalence of hantavirus infections in The Netherlands was carried out on > 10000 sera, from selected human populations, and different feral and domestic animal species. Hantavirus-specific antibodies were found in about 1% of patients suspected of acute leptospirosis, 10% of patients with acute nephropathia, and in less than 0·1% haemodialysis and renal transplant patients. Among individuals with a suspected occupational risk, 6% of animal trappers, 4% of forestry workers, 2% of laboratory workers and 0·4% of farmers were seropositive. The majority of the seropositive individuals lived in rural and forested areas. The main animal reservoir of the infection was shown to be the red bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings seen in serologically confirmed human cases were similar to those associated with nephropathia epidemica.
Prevalence of human astrovirus serotype 4: capsid protein sequence and comparison with other strains
Authors: Willcocks M. M. , Kurtz J. B. , Lee T. W. , Carter M. J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryAstrovirus serotype 4 has increased in relative prevalence in the Oxford, UK area in 1993. The structural gene of human astrovirus serotype 4 has been sequenced and the results indicate that this protein differs substantially from serotypes 1 and 2. In particular, conservation at the C terminus is greatly reduced. However, amino acid substitutions in this region show a strong conservation in character suggesting that structural or functional constraints operate in this region.