bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Gloucester
Authors: Hunt D. A. , Cartwright K. A. V. , Smith M. C. , Middleton J. , Bartlett C. L. R. , Lee J. V. , Dennis P. J. , Harper D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFourteen people living in or near the city of Gloucester fell ill with Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup (SG) 1 between 27 August and 27 October 1986. Another patient had fallen ill on 30 May. Nine of the 15 were diagnosed retrospectively during a case finding exercise. There were three deaths. Three cases of Pontiac fever were also diagnosed.The source was probably one or more wet cooling towers. Nineteen premises in the city with such towers were identified, and three just outside Gloucester. Samples from 11 of the 22 premises grew Legionella spp.; from nine of these L. pneumophila SG 1 (Pontiac) was isolated. The efficacy of regular addition of biocide in addition to hypochlorite added at the time of disinfection in inhibiting the growth of Legionella spp. was demonstrated.A survey of patients' movements during their likely incubation period showed that there was no single building that all patients had visited, but there were two areas of the city which nearly all had visited or passed through by car. A case-control study demonstrated an association with one of these areas.Cooling towers near both areas may have been sources but the evidence is insufficient to incriminate any single one. The unexpected finding of L. pneumophila SG 1 (Pontiac) in nine towers supports the hypothesis that there may have been multiple sources. Cooling towers may have been contaminated by mains water or by drift from other towers.
Physical protection against airborne pathogens and pollutants by a novel animal isolator in a level 3 containment laboratory
Authors: Wathes C. M. , Johnson H. E. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA containment laboratory unit for research with aerosols of group 2 pathogenic microorganisms is described. The design criteria are based on current UK guidelines, which imply containment at group 3 level during aerosol production, storage, exposure of animals and sampling. Within the aerosol laboratory, primary containment is provided by a Henderson apparatus operating at a negative pressure to the external environment. Flexible film isolators under negative pressure are used for all hazardous microbiological work, e.g. tissue homogenization, and for housing infected laboratory rodents. A novel feature of the animal isolator is the separate ventilation of each cage, which minimizes the risk of cross-infection by aerosol transmission and ensures a similar environment within each cage. The results of an intentional release of a cloud of non-pathogenic microorganisms are presented to show the effectiveness of the containment barriers. Recommendations are given for the safe operation of a containment unit based upon practical experience.
An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with a swimming pool
Authors: Joce R. E. , Bruce J. , Kiely D. , Noah N. D. , Dempster W. B. , Stalker R. , Gumsley P. , Chapman P. A. , Norman P. , Watkins J. , Smith H. V. , Price T. J. , Watts D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn August 1988 an increase was noted in the number of cases of cryptosporidiosis identified by the microbiology laboratory at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. By 31 October, 67 cases had been reported. Preliminary investigations implicated the use of one of two swimming pools at a local sports centre and oocysts were identified in the pool water. Inspection of the pool revealed significant plumbing defects which had allowed ingress of sewage from the main sewer into the circulating pool water. Epidemiological investigation confirmed an association between head immersion and illness. The pools were closed when oocysts were identified in the water and extensive cleaning and repair work was undertaken. The pool water was retested for cryptosporidial oocysts and found to be negative before the pool re-opened.
Genotypic and phenotypic analysis ofStreptococcus uberisisolated from bovine mammary secretions
Authors: Jayarao B. M. , Oliver S. P. , Tagg J. R. , Matthews K. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYGenotypic and phenotypic analysis of 42 strains ofStreptococcus uberisisolated from mammary secretions of 17 cows collected at different periods of the lactation cycle and from episodes of clinical mastitis were performed. Seventeen restriction endonuclease fingerprint (REF) patterns and 12 bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) fingerprints were observed. REF identified and differentiated closely related strains ofS. uberisisolated from mammary secretions collected from the same cow at different periods of the lactation cycle and from episodes of clinical mastitis. BLIS fingerprinting ofS. uberiscomplemented REF results. REF and BLIS fingerprinting provided evidence concerning persistence of infection in the same quarter or different quarters of the mammary gland over different periods of the lactation cycle, and occurrence of infection with similar and dissimilar strains ofS. uberis. Biochemical profiles could not identify closely related strains nor did they complement REF results. Antibiotic resistance patterns alone were of little value in differentiating closely related strains, but were identical with isolates having same REF pattern. None of theS. uberisstrains was found to carry plasmids. REF and BLIS fingerprinting can be utilized effectively to differentiate closely related and unrelated strains ofS. uberisisolated from bovine mammary secretions.
Differentiation of strains ofHelicobacter pyloriby numerical analysis of 1-D SDS-PAGE protein patterns: Evidence for post-treatment recrudescence
Authors: Costas M. , Morgan D. D. , Owen R. J. , Morgan D. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwenty-three pre- and post-treatment isolates ofHelicobacter pylorifrom the antral mucosa of eight patients with dyspepsia and gastritis were compared using 1-D SDS PAGE of proteins. The protein patterns were highly reproducible and were used as the basis for two numerical analyses. The first, based on the total protein patterns, showed that a number of the strains did not cluster with their respective patient set. This was thought to be due to differences in both mobility and intensity of proteins in the major band region. The second analysis, based on partial patterns, excluding the major band region (51–68 kDa), divided the clinical isolates into clearly defined groups corresponding to the patient sets. Although there was a degree of heterogeneity with respect to protein pattern between the pre- and post-treatment isolates of some patients, there was nonetheless clear evidence that each patient was harbouring strains of only a single type. These results suggested that patients were not being reinfected with a different strain but that there was recrudescence of the pre-treatment strain. Protein ‘fingerprints’ provided a precise and reproducible means of strain differentiation, and revealed that in each patient the same strain persisted after drug therapy even though there was marked patient-to-patient strain variation.
Relapse versus reinfection withClostridium difficile
Authors: O'Neill G. L. , Beaman M. H. , Riley T. V. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYRelapse ofClostridium, difficile-associated diarrhoea occurs in 15–20% of patients; however, whether relapse is due to an endogenous source of the organism or reinfection from the environment remains unclear. Restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of chromosomal DNA was used to type multiple isolates from ten patients who had experienced apparent relapses. More than half the relapses were due to infection with a new strain ofC. difficile. The remaining patients were infected with the same strain, but whether this strain was acquired from the environment or from endogenous sources could not be determined. Relapses with a different strain ofC. difficilecould occur if an individual harboured more than one strain in their gastrointestinal tract. To investigate this possibility ten other patients were assessed for carriage of multiple strains. Ten colonies from a primary culture plate from each patient were typed by REA and tested for their ability to produce cytotoxin. All isolates from the same patient were identical by both methods, indicating that multiple carriage of strains may be a rare event.
Drug resistance and plasmid profile of shigellae in Taiwan
Authors: Lin S.-R. , Chang S.-F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and twenty-eight shigella strains isolated from newborn and infant human faecal specimens at Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital in Taiwan were serogrouped, serotyped and examined for drug-resistance patterns and for the presence of plasmids. Forty-seven pre cent of the isolates were found to belong to theShigella sonneiserogroup, 41%to theS.flexnerigroup,9%to theS.boydiigroup and 3%to theS.dysenteriaegroup.The serotype with the greatest number of strains wasS.sonneiI. (29 %) followed byS. flexneri1 (27%). Each strain was tested for resistance to 11 antimicrobial agents. Eighty-eight per cent of the strains were resistant to tetracycline, 87% to chloramphenicol, 84% to streptomycin, 52% to ampicillin, 25% to nalidixic acid, 29% to kanamycin, 11 % to cephalothin, 11% to neomycin, 10% to cotrimoxazole, 1% to amikacin and none to gentamicin. The most prevalent resistance pattern was ApCmSmTc (28%). Clinical isolates demonstrating multiple resistance were found to harbour a large transmissible plasmid of 45–75 MDa while isolates without multiple resistance did not. Two large virulence plasmids of 123 and 110 MDa were found in 12 strains ofS. flexneriand 4 strains ofS. sonneiphase I. Small plasmids of 4·5, 4·2, 3·5, 2·8, 2·5. 2·0 and 1·5 MDa were also present in all strains. These small plasmids were species specific and can be used as marker plasmids to identify species.
The epidemiology ofSarcocystisspp. in cattle of Western Australia
Authors: Savini G. , Dunsmore J. D. , Robertson I. D. , Seneviratna P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOesophagus samples from 714 cattle from Western Australia were examined by artificial digestion to detect the presence ofSarcocystisspp. The overall prevalence of infection was 52%. The prevalence of infection increased with age and was highest in the entire males (92%). The prevalence was lower in cattle which originated from arid and semiarid regions (9 and 31% respectively) than those from tropical (87%) and temperate (60%) regions. possible reasons for these differences are discussed and it is concluded that environmental and management factors as well as host age and sex influence the prevalence of infection withSarcocystisspp. in cattle.
Rotavirus detection by dot blot hybridization assay using a non-radioactive synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide probe
Authors: Fernández J. , Sandino A. , Yudelevich A. , Avendaño L. F. , Venegas A. , Hinrichsen V. , Spencer E. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA synthetic oligodeoxynucletide of 40 nucleotides corresponding to nucleotides 33–72 of the gene coding for the viral protein VP7 of rotavirus, was used as a nucleic acid probe to develop a non-radiactive hybridization method for rotavirus detection. The probe was labelled at the 3' end with biotin-7-dATP. The sensitivity and specificity of the dot blot hybridization assay for rotavirus detection was evaluated with 303 stool specimens. The results indicate that the hybridization assay has a higher sensitivity than both PAGE and EIA. Among the rotavirus strains tested 37 different electropherotypes were found. The results suggest that rotavirus diagnosis by dot hybridization using a non-radioactive probe may become routine laboratory procedure because it is simple, highly specific and very sensitive.
The detection of African horse sickness virus antigens and antibodies in young equidae
Authors: Hamblin C. , Anderson E. C. , Mellor P. S. , Graham S. D. , Mertens P. P. C. , Burroughs J. N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFour ponies were each inoculated with a different serotype of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) which had been passaged through cell culture in order to achieve attenuation. Three of the ponies died suddenly after showing mild clinical signs, the fourth pony remained clinically normal and was killed at day 38. Infectious AHSV was isolated from blood samples collected at intervals from all four ponies. Positive antigen ELISA reactions were only observed with blood samples from two of the ponies on the two days preceding death. Specific AHSV antibodies were detected by ELISA in serum samples from the other two ponies although one eventually died. African horse sickness viral antigens were detected by ELISA in post-mortem tissue samples collected from all four ponies. No infectious virus could be detected in tissue samples taken post-mortem from the pony which survived African horse sickness (AHS) infection. In the event of a suspected outbreak of AHS it is recommended that sera and heparinized blood should be tested for specific antibodies and AHSV antigen respectively. When available, post-mortem tissues, including spleen, heart, lung and liver, should also be tested for AHSV antigen. Although the ELISA used for the detection of AHSV antigen is highly sensitive and specific, negative ELISA results should be confirmed by virus isolation attempts.
An epidemic methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus in Spain
Authors: Aparicio P. , Richardson J. , Martin S. , Vindel A. , Marples R. R. , Cookson B. D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDuring 1990, a strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus became epidemic in Spain and spread in a manner analogous to that of EMRSA-1 in England. Isolates of this strain produced little protein A and were resistant to a number of antibiotics including ciprofloxacin. Beta-lactamase production was encoded by a c. 39 kb plasmid, which also conferred resistance to mercury, cadmium, ethidium bromide and propamidine isethionate.Investigation showed that two variants, separable by supplementary and Fisk phage typing, were circulating. The B variant appeared to spread more readily than the A variant.The opportunity was taken to compare the discriminatory power of traditional typing methods with molecular techniques. The discriminatory power of the molecular techniques used only reached the same level as the traditional methods when double enzyme digestion of total cellular DNA by EcoR I and Cla I was performed.
Isolation of an agent of the spotted fever group rickettsia from tick eggs in Madrid, Spain
Authors: Herrero C. , Pelaz C. , Martín-Bourgon C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTicks recovered from dogs in rural villages around Madrid (Spain) were processed to isolate rickettsiae. One sample containing mixtures of ticks and four containing eggs, in which rickettsiae had been detected by indirect immunofluorescence with a human serum highly reactive toRickettsia conorii, were decontaminated, homogenized and inoculated onto Vero cells. Two egg samples yielded a cytopathic agent that reacted positively by immunofluorescence. One sample (14H) was successfully subcultured and identified as a member of the spotted fever group rickettsia. Tick eggs provide suitable material for isolation of rickettsia.
A one-year study of streptococcal infections and their complications among Ethiopian children
Authors: Tewodros W. , Muhe L. , Daniel E. , Schalén C. , Kronvall G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYPost-streptococcal complications are known to be common among Ethiopian children. Little is known, however, about the epidemiology of beta-haemolytic streptococci in Ethiopia. A total of 816 children were studied during a one-year period: 24 cases of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), 44 chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD), 44 acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), 143 tonsillitis, 55 impetigo, and 506 were apparently healthy children. Both ARF and APSGN occurred throughout the year with two peaks during the rainy and cold seasons. The female: male ratio among ARF patients was 1·4:1 and 1:1·9 among APSGN. The monthly carrier rate of beta-haemolytic streptococci group A varied from 7·5–39%, average being 17%. T type 2 was the most frequent serotype. Marked seasonal fluctuations were noted in the distribution of serogroups among apparently healthy children. Beta-haemolytic streptococci group A dominated during the hot and humid months of February–May. Strains were susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, except for tetracycline.
A study of phenotypic variation ofStaphylococcus epidermidisusing Congo red agar
Authors: Deighton M. A. , Capstick J. , Borland R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThis study examines a series of phenotypic variants ofStaphylococcus epidermidisthat were generated from a pair of parent variants, isolated from valvular tissue of a patient with prosthetic valve endocarditis. The variants were initially classified by examining their colonial morphology on Congo red agar. In addition to differences in Congo red binding and colonial morphology, they differed in the expression of several surface components and enzymes. Despite these phenotypic differences, all variants had the same restriction endonuclease profile of plasmid DNA. Examination of a collection of clinical isolates demonstrated that phenotypic variation is a common property ofS. epidermidis. The ability to express different combinations of surface components and enzymes could contribute to the virulence ofS. epidermidisstrains by enabling these organisms to colonize a range of diverse environments.
A longitudinal study ofStaphylococcus hyicuscolonization of vagina of gilts and transmission to piglets
Authors: Wegener H. C. , Skov-Jensen E. W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYHighStaphylococcus hyicuscolonization rates were found in vaginal samples of healthy breeding sows and in skin samples of their offspring. Twenty-two different phage types were identified among the 720 isolates ofS. hyicusexamined. Two to 13 different phage types were isolated per herd. Phage typing, as well as characterization of about 10% of the isolates by plasmid profiles and antibiogram patterns, showed that, several different clones ofS. hyicuscould be present simultaneously in vagina of gilts and also on skin of piglets. Generally isolates from the vagina of one animal were identical as regards to phage types, plasmid profiles, and antibiogram patterns during the entire investigation period. Isolates from the skin of piglets were of the same type as their mothers, indicating that vertical transmission had taken place.S. hyicusstrains isolated from the skin of piglets within 24 h after birth were identical to strains isolated 3 weeks after birth from the same litter, indicating that the vaginal strains became part of a stable skin flora.
Factors influencing oral carriage of yeasts among individuals with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Aly F. Z. , Blackwell C. C. , Mackenzie D. A. C. , Weir D. M. , Clarke B. F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 439 individuals with diabetes mellitus were examined for carriage of yeasts by the oral rinse and palatal swab techniques. Eighteen genetic or environment variables were assessed for their contribution to carriage of yeasts. The factor contributing to palatal and oral carriage of yeasts among individuals with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was age (P < 0·01). The factor contributing to palatal carriage of yeasts among individuals with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was poor glycaemic control (glycosuria P < 0·01); carriage in the oral cavity as a whole was influenced additionally by non-secretion of ABH blood group antigens (P < 0·05). Introduction of a denture altered the above risk factors. For individuals with IDDM, oral carriage was associated with the presence of retinopathy (P < 0·05); palatal carriage was influenced by poor glycaemic control (HbA1P < 0·01, plasma glucose levels P < 0·05) and age (P < 0·05). For those with NIDDM, palatal carriage was associated with continuous presence of the denture in the mouth (P < 0·01); oral carriage was associated with plasma glucose levels (P < 0·05).
Comparison of the HA genes of type B influenza viruses in herald waves and later epidemic seasons
Authors: Nakajima S. , Nishikawa F. , Nakamura K. , Nakajima K. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFrom January 1985 to May 1991, herald strains of influenza B virus were isolated in 1987 and 1989 in Japan. In both cases, influenza epidemics caused by the same type followed in the next winter season. The HA gene sequences of the influenza B viruses isolated in Japan from 1987–91, which covers two herald waves of influenza B viruses, were analysed and located on the phylogenetic tree for influenza B viruses after the B/Singapore/64 strain. Co-circulation of at least two evolutionary lineages of the HA genes existed for influenza B viruses in Japan during the period of this study. The herald viruses in one wave (1987) were genetically close to the winter isolates and were considered to be the parental viruses for the following influenza season, while in the other wave (1989) winter isolates belonged to another lineage on which one of the herald viruses was located, but they were genetically and antigenically different from the herald viruses.
A large salmonellosis outbreak associated with a frequently penalized restaurant
Authors: Luby S. P. , Jones J. L. , Horan J. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYBetween January and June 1990, Restaurant A in Greenville, South Carolina repeatedly failed local health department inspection and was repeatedly sanctioned. In September 1990, two persons, hospitalized with salmonellosis after attending a convention catered by Restaurant A, contacted the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. We inspected Restaurant A, interviewed food handlers, and surveyed by telephone persons from every sixth business attending the convention. Of 398 persons interviewed, 135 (34%) reported gastroenteritis. Nine had culture-confirmed salmonella infection. People who ate turkey were 4.6 times more likely to become ill than those who did not eat turkey (95% confidence interval 2.0, 10.6). We estimate that of 2430 attendees, 824 became ill. Sanitarians judged Restaurant A's kitchen too small to prepare over 500 meals safely. The cooked turkey was unrefrigerated for several hours, incompletely rewarmed, and rinsed with water to reduce its offensive odour prior to serving. Stronger sanctions may be needed against restaurants that repeatedly fail local health department inspection.
Iron restriction and the growth ofSalmonella enteritidis
Authors: Chart H. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYStrains ofSalmonella enteritidiswere examined for their ability to remove ferricions from the iron chelating agents ovotransferrin, Desferal and EDDA. Growth ofS. enteritidisphage type (PT) 4 (SE4) in trypticase soy broth containing ovotransferrin resulted in the expression of iron regulated outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of 74. 78 and 81 kDa. and unexpectedly the repression of expression of OMP C. The 38 MDa ‘mouse virulence’ plasmid was not required for the expression of the iron-regulated OMPs (IROMPs). SE4 was able to obtain iron bound to the iron chelator Desferal and EDDA without expressing a high-affinity iron uptake system. Strains ofS. enteritidisbelonging to PTs 7. 8, 13a, 23. 24 and 30 were also able to remove ferric ions from Desferal and EDDA without expressing a high-affinity iron uptake system. We conclude that strains of SE4 possess a high-affinity iron sequestering mechanism that can readily remove iron from ovotransferrin. It is likely that iron limitation, and not iron restriction, is responsible for the bacteriostatic properties of fresh egg whites.