bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carriage ofNeisseria meningitidisandNeisseria lactamicain a school population during an epidemic period in Spain
Authors: Saez-Nieto J. A. , Dominguez J. R. , Monton J. L. , Cristobal P. , Fenoll A. , Vazquez J. , Casal J. , Taracena B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA study was made of the incidence ofNeisseria meningitidisandN. lactamicain a school population; 2470 children aged between 5 and 7 years were studied from four schools in Alcala de Henares (Madrid). Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken in June, November and March, between 1979 and 1983.In all the surveys except one, the proportion of carriers ofN. lactamicawas higher than that ofN. meningitidis, reaching a ratio of about 2:1 in the complete study.The predominant serogroup of meningococcus found was B (41%), with nongroupable strains reaching 43%. A study of serotypes within group B showed a predominance of nontypable strains (48·5%), while those strains considered to be most virulent (types 2 and 1, 8, 15) reached 40%.Eighteen per cent ofN. lactamicastrains were observed to agglutinate with antimeningococcal sera whilst the remainder of the strains were rough. When these strains were studied with the antiscrum-agar technique, using antimeningococcal sera, a high percentage of strains cross-reacted with the meningococci. The susceptibility of strains to sulphadiazine, penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and spiramycin was determined.Finally an analysis was made of the effect that an elevated colonization rate ofN. lactamicamight have on colonization by meningococi. The necessity of using fine epidemiological markers in tracing virulent strains in a population at risk is stressed. Selective prophylactic measures are also necessary.
Salmonellae in sewage sludge and abattoir effluent in South-east Scotland
Authors: Linklater K. A. , Graham Margaret M. , Sharp J. C. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA survey into the prevalence of salmonella organisms in sewage in the Borders Region of South-east Scotland is described. A total of 317 isolates representing 34 different serotypes were made, of which only 5 serotypes appeared in animals, supporting the view that the spreading of sewage sludge on to pastureland presents little risk to livestock provided the recommended guidelines are followed. Nevertheless, Salmonella typhimurium phage type 12, identified in sewage, was also recovered from animals in incidents on 11 farms, including 4 which had received sludge from this source. A further 48 isolates (13 serotypes) were obtained from the parallel monitoring of abattoir effluents, indicating that the background level of salmonella infection in the animal population appears to be low in comparison to that in humans.
Concurrent outbreaks of influenza A and influenza B
Authors: Spelman D. W. , McHardy C. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYDuring the winter of 1982 concurrent outbreaks of influenza A and influenza B occurred. The epidemiology and clinical features of 151 cases referred during this time are described, and patients are discussed according to age and presenting clinical syndrome: croup was the commonest presentation in young children, a typical influenza syndrome predominated in young adults, while older patients were more likely to have lower respiratory tract infection. There was no significant difference between the clinical features of influenza A and influenza B. Unusual clinical features include rash, exudative tonsillitis and the need for myringotomy during the course of influenza.
Surveillance of respiratory viral infections by rapid immunofluorescence diagnosis, with emphasis on the epidemiological development of respiratory syncytial virus infections
Authors: Ånestad G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSurveillance of certain respiratory viral infections by applying immunofluorescence (IF) examinations to samples of nasopharyngeal secretions has been evaluated using a simplified procedure for the preparation of cell smears. Samples from 711 children living in different parts of Norway were examined during the winter 1982/83 and a positive diagnosis was made for 290 children (41%). Temporal epidemic peaks were observed for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus type 3 and influenza virus. On the other hand, the monthly number of negative samples was almost constant throughout the period. Differences in timing of RSV outbreaks were observed between two regions in Norway. Compared to rapid IF diagnosis, RSV notifications obtained by serological examinations were delayed by several weeks. Rapid virus diagnosis by IF examinations with our simplified procedure for preparation of nasopharyngeal samples seems to be suitable for the epidemiological surveillance of respiratory viral infections, both for its simplicity of preparation of the samples and for its accuracy in defining the time of the actual virus infection. Nevertheless, the method is not without pitfalls; a close cooperation between those who take the specimens and the laboratory is essential, and the IF examinations should be performed by an experienced microscopist.
The interplay of host and organism factors in infection of the mouse genital tract by Mycoplasma pulmonis
Authors: Taylor-Robinson D. , Furr Patricia M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYMice of strain TO, in groups of ten, were inoculated intravaginally with Mycoplasma pulmonis organisms. Seven mice became infected after inoculation of organisms with strong haemadsorptive capacity, four after inoculation of organisms with diminished adsorptive capacity following ten passes in medium, and none after inoculation of apparently non-adsorbing organisms which had been passed 50 times. There appeared to be a correlation, therefore, between the ability to infect and the cytadsorptive capacity of the organisms. There was only a minimal vaginal polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMNL) response in the infected mice and most of them had ceased to be infected by 35–42 days. In contrast, mice treated with progesterone had enhanced infections; all those given strongly haemadsorbing organisms, and organisms passed ten times, became infected and remained so for at least 42 days. Furthermore, at least ten fold more organisms were recovered from progesterone-treated than from untreated mice, and the PMNL response was much greater. Most of the progesterone-treated mice given organisms passed 50 times did not become infected, but some did, and the organisms recovered from them were fully cytadsorptive. It is postulated that a few cytadsorbing organisms in this inoculum were induced to infect under the enhancing effect of progesterone.
A survey of campylobacter in animals
Authors: Manser P. A. , Dalziel R. W. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA survey ofCampylobacterspecies in the faeces or rectal contents of domestic animals was carried out using direct and enrichment culture methods. Campylobacters were isolated from 259 (31 %) of 846 faecal specimens. The highest isolation rate was found in pigs (66%); lower rates were found in cattle (24%) and sheep (22%). In pigs all the isolates wereC. coli, in sheep and cattle about 75% wereC. jejuni. Only five isolations ofC. fetus suhsip. fetuswere made, all from cattle. More pigs with diarrhoea hadC. coliin their faeces than healthy pigs (77% vs 47 %), but such a clear difference in isolation rate between sick and healthy animals was not seen in cattle or sheep.The enrichment method increased the total isolation rate ofC. jejuniandC. coliby 33%, but for cattle specimens it increased it by 69% (from 6·5% to 21%). However, the enrichment method failed to detect 16% of positive specimens (mainlyC. coli), so direct and enrichment methods should be used for the culture of campylobacters from animal faeces. The results show that cattle, sheep and pigs constitute a large potential source of campylobacter infection for man.
Salmonellas in Danish pigs: a comparison of three isolation methods
Authors: Skovgaard Niels , Christensen Sven Gade , Gulistani A. W. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYCaecal samples from 350 Danish bacon pigs were investigated for salmonella using three methods of isolation. (1) Direct inoculation of 1 g of faeces into 10 ml of Muller–Kaufmann medium (MK medium) with addition of 0·3% Teepol 610 and subculture on Brilliant Green lactose sucrose phenol-red agar (BLSF agar) with 0·3% Teepol G10. (2) Pre-enrichment of 5 g of faeces into buffered peptone water with addition of 1% Teepol 610 followed by enrichment of 1 ml in 10 ml MK medium with 1% Teepol 610 and subculture on BLSF agar with 0·3% Teepol. (3) Incubation of 0·1 ml of the pre-enrichment (2) into 10 ml Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium (RV 10 medium) incubated at 43°C, subculture on BLSF agar.The MK media with and without pre-enrichment yielded higher findings than the RV 10 media. In total, 28 (8%) of the pigs were found positive, representing 11 (7·4%) of a total of 142 herds investigated. Lymph glands were collected at a later date from six of the positive herds. Five of the herds were found positive.The number of salmonellas in the glands was low, probably less than ten per gram.
Campylobacter infection in urban and rural populations in Scotland
Authors: Sibbald C. J. , Sharp J. C. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA review of campylobacter infection in Scotland over five years (1978–82), during which 7808 human isolates were recorded (mean annual isolation rate of 30 per 100000), revealed differences in the epidemiology of the disease between rural and urban populations which were not apparent in the national data. The incidence of infection in the two rural areas studied was greatest in the early months of the year, whereas that in the two urban areas showed a third-quarter predominance. In both urban and rural populations, age-specific infection rates were highest in children less than 5 years old, but this trend was more pronounced in rural than urban populations. Conversely, secondary peaks in age-specific infection rates observed in young adults were more pronounced in the urban than rural populations.It is postulated that rural children were being infected by campylobacters at an early age by drinking contaminated raw milk which was not normally available to city residents. The lower incidence in adults in the rural populations is interpreted as indicating more widespread immunity, resulting from greater exposure to infection during childhood. The effect of compulsory heat treatment of milk sold in Scotland, introduced in August 1983, is currently being studied.
Demonstration of cross-reactive antigens in F38 and related mycoplasmas by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting
Authors: Kibe M. Kanyi , Bidwell D. E. , Turp P. , Smith G. R. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe ELISA and an immunoblotting technique were used to study F38-type mycoplasmas – an important cause of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia – and a number of related mycoplasma species, subspecies, types or serogroups.Two-way ELISA cross-reactivity was demonstrated between five mycoplasmas, namely strain F38,Mycoplasma mycoidessubsp.mycoides(LC strain),M. equigenilalium, M. primatumand bovine serogroup 7. In addition one-way cross-reactivity was demonstrated between F38 and each of the following mycoplasmas:M. mycoidessubsp.mycoides(two SC strains),M. mycoidessubsp.capri, and bovine serogroup L. F38 andM. capricolumdid not cross-react.Immunoblot analysis, unlike ELISA, revealed that F38 andM. capricolumwere closely related. At least four major protein antigens were shared between F38,M. mycoidessubsp.mycoides(SC and LC strains),M. mycoidessubsp.capriand bovine serogroup 7. The ELISA cross-reactions (above) shown byM. equigenitaliumandM. primatumwith each other, with F38 and with other mycoplasmas were not apparent by immunoblotting.
Superficial tuberculous lymphadenitis in Merseyside: 1969–1984
Authors: Wilkins E. G. L. , Roberts C. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe actiology, epidemiology and clinical presentation of 137 bacteriologically confirmed cases of superficial mycobacterial lymphadenitis identified at the Liverpool Public Health Laboratory between 1969 and 1984 were reviewed. Despite a fall in pulmonary and total extrapulmonary isolates, the annual recovery of mycobacteria from lymph nodes remained relatively constant. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was the cause of infection in 121 patients (88·3%), M. bovis in 6 and the remaining 10 isolates were atypical mycobacteria. In European patients (68·6%) the highest incidence was in the elderly, whereas in non-Europeans (31·4%) the disease almost exclusively occurred in the third and fourth decades. The proportion of isolates from non-Europeans reflected the size of the immigrant population and increased during the period of study.
The use of a sandwich ELISA for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in foods from outbreaks of food poisoning
Authors: Wieneke Antonnette A. , Gilbert R. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFoods from outbreaks of food poisoning were examined for the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) by a sandwich ELISA using microtitre trays as the solid phase and SEA antibodies raised in sheep.The presence of SEA was confirmed by neutralization tests. The toxin was detected in 12 of 15 foods from separate outbreaks of staphylococcal food poisoning; all 15 foods contained a strain ofStaphylococcus aureuswhich produced SEA. For most foods a simple extraction procedure without a concentration step was sufficient to detect the toxin. The method was semi-quantitative and recoveries of SEA added to control foods varied from 30 to 80%. The foods from outbreaks contained between 1 and 10 μg of SEA/100 g. SEA was not found in foods from 21 outbreaks in which an SEA-producing strain ofStaph. aureuswas not isolated.
Effect of specific humoral immunity and some non-specific factors on resistance of volunteers to respiratory coronavirus infection
Authors: Callow Kathleen A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThirty-three volunteers were inoculated intranasally with coronavirus 229 E, and their responses monitored by antibody rises, symptomatology and virus excretion. These were related to their pre-trial immune status as indicated by concentrations of specific antibodies and non-specific proteins in serum and nasal washings. Both circulating and local specific antibodies were associated with protection from infection and disease, but only specific IgA antibodies of either type appeared to shorten the period of virus shedding. Although total secretory IgA was significantly associated only with reduction of symptoms, total protein in nasal washings appeared to protect against infection also, indicating that other locally produced proteins, not identified, may be associated with resistance.Two of the many factors which may affect the concentration of circulating and local protective proteins and thus influence the outcome of virus inoculation, namely, sex of the volunteer and the interval since the previous cold, were examined. Male volunteers or volunteers who had had evidence of a recent respiratory infection were less likely to be infected, but if they were infected, they had lower clinical scores and stopped shedding virus earlier than the rest. These groups possessed higher concentrations of specific antibodies and non-specific proteins in their pre-challenge sera and/or nasal washings. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Detection ofClostridium difficiletoxins by enzyme immunoassay
Authors: Krishnan C. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the rapid diagnosis of antibiotic-associated colitis (AAC) is presented. Commercially available antisera toClostridium difficiletoxins contain antibodies to other antigens found in non-toxigenicC. difficileand other bacteria. Removal of these unwanted antibodies by absorption increased the specificity of ELISA for detection ofC. difficiletoxins. Specimens tested included 40 faecal extracts positive for cytotoxicity from cases of AAC, 30 diarrhoeic and 30 well-formed stools negative for cytotoxicity and 50 culture filtrates of toxigenic and non-toxigenicC. difficileand other clostridial species. Use of absorbed sera reduced false-positive reactions observed with faecal specimens frqm 23 to 8 %. About 90 % of specimens that were positive by the tissue culture cytotoxicity test were positive by ELISA using the absorbed sera. The relative merits of ELISA and other methods for the rapid diagnosis of AAC are discussed.
Evaluation of procedures for hygienic hand-disinfection: controlled parallel experiments on the Vienna test model
Authors: Rotter M. L. , Koller W. , Wewalka G. , Werner H. P. , Ayliffe G. A. J. , Babb J. R. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYControlled parallel experiments were performed on the Vienna test model for the evaluation of procedures for hygienic hand-disinfection in three laboratories (Vienna, Mainz, Birmingham). The degerming activity of four procedures, each taking 1 min, was assessed repeatedly and compared with that of a standard disinfection procedure (ST) using isopropanol 60 % (v/v). The mean log reductions (mean log RF) for each procedure were as follows: n−propanol 50% (v/v) 4·85 and 5·14 in Vienna (V) and Mainz (M) respectively, ethanol 70 % (v/v) + chlorhexidinegluconate 0·5% (w/v), 4·01 (V), 3·76 (M) and 4·00 in Birmingham (B). Washing procedures were less effective, mean log RF 's of 3·19 (V), 3·49 (M) and 3·04 (B) were obtained with povidone-iodine soap, and 2·91 (V), 3·37 (M) and 3·27 (B) with a liquid phenolic soap. Analysis of variance on the data from Vienna and Mainz revealed significant differences of means not only between procedures (‘preparations’) but also on repeat testing. To compensate for the influence of variables such as test subjects, laboratory and day, the Vienna test model provides a method of standardization by testing a ST in parallel with the test procedure (P).Standardization of the results was obtained by pair-wise substraction, log . Analysis of variance on the resulting values demonstrated that comparability of the results between laboratories and on repeat testing was achieved. The relative variation of the measurements within the laboratories ranged from 0·9 to 4·2%. As assessed by power-analysis, a disinfection procedure will be detected as significantly (P= 0·1) inferior to the standard processes in 95 of 100 experiments if it produces a mean log RF that is at least 0·55–0·65 log units smaller than that of the standard.
The impact of physico-chemical stress on the toxigenicity ofVibrio cholerae
Authors: Miller Christopher J. , Drasar Bohumil S. , Feachem Richard G. , Hayes Richard J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe expression of toxigenicity byVibrio cholerae, before and after exposure to various conditions of salinity, pH and cation composition and concentration, has been measured. Exposure to these conditions did not select for hyper- or hypo-toxigenic strains. This suggests that toxigenicV. choleraeO 1 are unlikely to lose their toxigenicity when exposed to environmental stress and thatV. choleraetoxin production is not a response to the stresses included in this study. These results are consistent with an aquatic reservoir for toxigenicV. choleraeO 1.
The frequency distribution and consistency of assimilation biotypes ofCandida albicans
Authors: Hellyar A. G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYTwo hundred and fifty clinical strains ofCandida albicansand six isolates from a cross-infection outbreak were studied for their ability to assimilate 19 carbohydrates in the API-20C system (API Laboratory Products Ltd., Basingstoke, UK). The assimilation profiles were stable on repeat testing; at intervals in the 72 h duration of the test; and when incubated at different temperatures.Although not a complete system of biotyping, the API-20C system shows high typability, and fair reproducibility and discrimination, having a limited role in indicating which isolates should be typed by more elaborate methods.
Biochemical and serological investigations on clinical isolates of klebsiella
Authors: Simoons-Smit A. M. , Verweij-van Vught A. M. J. J. , Kanis I. Y. R. , Maclaren D. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA series of 925 clinical isolates of klebsiella was examined by serological and biochemical typing. To perform serological typing (capsular swelling) 77 capsular antisera were prepared, tested against the type strains and grouped in 13 pools. With this serotyping method 80% of the cultures were typable and 63 distinct types could be recognized.All strains were typable biochemically by means of the numerical coding system of the API-20E system supplemented by digits derived from 15 additional conventional biochemical tests. With the API-20E system 24 different biotypes could be distinguished whereas the combination of API-20E and the 15 additional tests produced 93 biotypes. Maximum discrimination of strains was achieved by the combination of serological and biochemical typing (256 bioserotypes). The reproducibility, typability and discriminating power of the biotyping system was not inferior to serotyping. For epidemiological purposes biotyping can replace serotyping ofKlebsiellaspecies, especially in laboratories less well equipped.
Ventilation conditions and air-borne bacteria and particles in operating theatres: proposed safe economies
Authors: Clark R. P. , Reed P. J. , Seal D. V. , Stephenson M. L. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYConcentrations of air-borne bacteria and particles have been measured in turbulently ventilated operating theatres in full flow, half flow and zero flow conditions. Increased air-borne challenge produced by human activity and by mechanical cleaning procedures is demonstrated: die-away of this contamination is shown to be related to the ventilation rate. Ventilation can be reduced or turned off at night and during weekends, and cleaning can also be carried out, without increased risk of infection if full flow is restored one hour prior to preparation for surgery. Areas surrounding the theatres should remain at positive pressure with regard to the general hospital environment during low or no flow periods. The implementation of such energy-saving policies will substantially reduce theatre running costs without introducing infection hazards.
The relationship between faecal endotoxin and faecal microflora of the C57BL mouse
Authors: Rogers M. J. , Moore R. , Cohen J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYWe studied the effect of oral selective antibiotic decontamination (SD) on the faecal endotoxin content and microflora in individual C57BL mice. Suppression of the coliform count was associated with an initial rise in faecal endotoxin concentration from 0·1 to 3·1 mg/g wet faeces during the first week of SD, which fell to 0·04 mg/g during the second week of treatment. Cessation of SD resulted in an immediate sharp increase in coliform count followed by its decline and gradual recovery to pro-treatment counts. Faecal endotoxin levels followed a parallel course. SD did not effect significantly the counts of lactobacilli, baeteroides and enterococci.It appears that the coliform population is responsible for the overall level of faecal endotoxin, and that during the initial period of SD endotoxin levels are elevated, an effect which may be mediated by antibiotic-enhanced release of endotoxin.
An epidemic of acute diarrhoea in rural southern India associated with echovirus type 11 infection
Authors: Patel J. R. , Daniel J. , Mathan V. I. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn epidemic of diarrhoea with two distinct waves affected a village of 1375 people in southern India in 1983. The first wave of the epidemic, from the last week of December 1982, had a sharp peak in January 1983 and was over by March. Echovirus type 11 was isolated from patients, who also had a serum antibody response to the virus. During the second wave of the epidemic, from May to September 1983, the clinical features were different andShigella flexneriwas isolated without significant viral isolates. Infection during the first wave did not protect from the second wave. Virus isolation was in human intestinal tumourderived differentiated epithelial cell lines; such cell lines may be useful for the isolation and identification of entcroviruses in clinical samples.