bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization ofStreptococcus zooepidemicus(Lancefield group C) from human and selected animal infections
Authors: Barnham Michael , Cole Graham , Efstratiou Androulla , Tagg John R. , Skjold Stephen A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYWe assembled an international collection of strains from sporadic and epidemic human infection withStreptococcus zooepidemicus(Lancefield group C) for laboratory study. Cultural and physiological characteristics of the isolates were determined, including biotyping with the API 20 STREP test kit and susceptibility testing with penicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline. The strains were examined for bacteriocin production and sensitivity and typed with a specially developed group-C streptococcal bacteriophage system incorporating a panel of 14 phages. Results of these tests gave useful discrimination between many of the strains: differences were shown between each of the major outbreak strains, including those complicated by post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.Serious group C streptococcal infection may be caused byS. zooepidemicusand isolates should be identified to species level; the application of a typing scheme such as this may help to distinguish epidemiological patterns of infection.
Detection of tetanus toxoid antibodies in human sera in New Zealand by ELISA
Authors: Lau R. C. H. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) incorporating the sensitive biotin-streptavidin system was developed to detect IgG antibodies to tetanus toxoid in human serum. Serum samples obtained from 557 normal persons aged 1–65 years from different areas in New Zealand were tested. The proportion of those immune ranged from 60–93% in males, and from 46–86% in females. In the 1–9 years age group 85% were immune. The indirect ELISA is suitable for serological surveys as it is simple to perform, economical and reproducible.
Campylobacter jejuniin dairy cows and raw milk
Authors: Humphrey T. J. , Beckett P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYTwelve herds of dairy cows were examined by rectal swabbing for the presence ofCampylobacter jejuni. Ten herds were positive with the incidence of colonized animals ranging from 10 to 72% of those tested. With the exception of the two negative herds where mains water only was consumed, all animals drank from rivers or streams when grazing. There was no relationship between total and coliform counts and the presence ofC.jejuniin raw milk. However, milk from one farm that consistently gave positive results had significantly higherEscherichia colicounts than other samples.
Isolations of salmonellas from humans and foods in the Manchester area: 1981–1985
Authors: Barrell R. A. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIsolations of salmonellas from humans and food products are recorded for the period 1981–5 and an attempt has been made to investigate the relationship between serotypes isolated from humans and those from meat products.The predominant serotypes isolated from humans were Salmonella typhimuriunu S. enterilidis and S. virchow. S. typhimurium was commonly isolated from a range of meat products. S. derby was one of the most common serotypes isolated from tripe and sausages but was relatively uncommon in humans.Salmonellas were found in < 0·5% of most cooked meat products apart from tripe and udder (3·2%) and pet foods (12·4%). Isolations from raw meats ranged from 3 % for pork to 28% for poultry.Incidents of salmonella infection in humans in Manchester increased between 1981 and 1984 but decreased during 1985.
Assessment of an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of salmonellas in foods and animal feeding stuffs
Authors: Todd Lynne S. , Roberts Diane , Bartholomew Barbara A. , Gilbert R. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYTheSalmonellaBio-EnzaBead Screening Kit, in its modified form with both the MOPC 467 and the 6H4 antibodies, was used for the detection of salmonellas in naturally contaminated foods and animal feeding stuffs in parallel with a traditional cultural procedure.Initial results showed an 82% agreement between the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and cultural methods when using the criterion recommended by the manufacturer as a cut-off for all types of foods. By adjusting the cut-off for each type of food, the number of EIA positive, culture negative samples was reduced although the number of EIA negative, culture positive samples increased. The EIA may be more sensitive than the cultural methods as in many cases the EIA positive, culture negative results could be real positives which were not detected by the cultural methods.The screening kit provides a simple and convenient method for the detection of salmonella in foods and feeds and a presumptive positive result can be reported within 48 h. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed.
Effect of time in lairage on caecal and carcass salmonella contamination of slaughter pigs
Authors: Morgan I. R. , Krautil F. L. , Craven J. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA longitudinal study of the effect of time spent in lairage on salmonellas in the caecum and on the skin surface of 450 slaughter pigs from a single producer was conducted. Pigs were tested in 6 groups at 2 abattoirs, with one-third of a group being slaughtered after 18 h, one-third after 42 h and one-third after 66 h spent in lairage. The salmonella isolation rate from caeca and carcass surfaces increased significantly with increasing time spent in lairage. Salmonellas were isolated from the caeca of 18·5% of pigs held less than 24 h in lairage, 24·1% of pigs held a further 24 h and 47·7% of pigs held for 66 h in lairage before slaughter. The salmonella isolation rates from carcasses were 9·3%, 12·8% and 27·3% for the same groups. Thirteen salmonella serotypes were isolated from the caecal contents and carcasses over the 6 weeks of the trial. One abattoir had a higher salmonella isolation rate from pigs than the other and this was probably related to lairage management. It appeared that lairage is an important factor in the manipulation of the salmonella contamination of pig carcasses.
A modification of bile salts brilliant green agar for isolation of motileAeromonasfrom foods and environmental specimens
Authors: Nishikawa Yoshikazu , Kishi Teruhiko 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAeromonashas recently been recognized as an important enteropathogen. In faecal specimens the organism is readily identified and differentiated from coliforms by the positive oxidase reaction. However, few media have proved useful for foods and environmental specimens. Bile salts brilliant green starch agar (BBGS) was studied for this purpose by testing artificially contaminated foods as well as natural potential sources. The results indicate the suitability of the medium for the isolation ofAeromonasfrom foods and from environmental sources.
Mycoplasma californicummastitis in ewes as an experimental model for antibiotic treatment
Authors: Ball H. J. , Logan E. F. , Campbell J. N. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA strain ofMycoplasma californicumsuccessfully infected an experimentally inoculated ovine mammary gland causing a severe mastitis. The condition lasted for about 25 days, and resulted in atrophy and loss of milk production in the gland. Four experimentally infected ewes, treated over a 3-day period with various regimes of the antibiotics oxytetracycline or tylosin during the acute stage of infection, successfully eliminated the infection. Two others similarly treated with combined intramammary and intramuscular tiamulin or with intramammary Bay Vp2674, did not eliminate the infection; but another ewe treated with intramuscular as well as intramammary Bay Vp2674, did resolve the infection. The two ewes that were unsuccessfully treated with antibiotics at the acute stage did respond to tylosin or oxytetracycline at a later stage of infection. Measurement of antibiotic concentrations demonstrated that the persistence of inhibitory levels in the milk varied between the antibiotics and were influenced by the extent of parenteral treatment.
Does chloramphenicol remain the drug of choice for typhoid?
Authors: Rowe B. , Threlfall E. J. , Ward L. R. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYOf 2356 strains ofSalmonella typhiisolated in Britain in the 8-year period 1978–85, 2345 (99·53%) were sensitive to all antibiotics tested and 11 (0·47%) were chloramphenicol-resistant; chloramphenicol resistance was plasmid-mediated in 6 strains. It is concluded that chloramphenicol remains a satisfactory first-line choice of drug for tyrphoid fever in Britain.
The effect of selective decontamination of the digestive tract with the addition of systemic cefotaxime on the aerobic faecal flora of mice
Authors: Speekenbrink A. B. J. , Alcock S. R. , Forrester J. , Parrott D. M. V. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe administration per-orally to mice of the non-absorbable antibiotics polymyxin E, tobramycin and amphotericin B resulted in the elimination of detectable aerobic gram-negative rods from the faecal flora without affecting the total viable aerobic count. The addition of parental cefotaxime to the regime caused a fall in the number of aerobic lactobacilli and an increase in the number of enterococci. The rise was associated with the translocation of viable enterococci to the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen. The changes induced by cefotaxime were reversed when the antibiotic was withdrawn. Following withdrawal of all antibiotics the total aerobic faecal flora increased to above normal levels, but there was no associated diarrhoea. Attempts to implant exogenous enterobacteria into the digestive tract resulted in only low level colonization both in treated mice and in control mice. These results may have implications for the use of this antibiotic regime for selective decontamination of the digestive tract in humans, particularly those who are immunocompromised.
Studies on heat inactivation of hepatitis A virus with special reference to shellfish: Part 1. Procedures for infection and recovery of virus from laboratory-maintained cockles
Authors: Millard Judith , Appleton Hazel , Parry J. V. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe consumption of bi-valve mollusean shellfish has been associated with outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis and hepatitis A. Investigations were undertaken to determine the heat inactivation conditions necessary to render shellfish such as cockles safe for the consumer. Conditions for the laboratory maintenance of live cockles are described. In preliminary experiments either poliovirus (106TCID50/ml seawater) or hepatitis A virus (HAV) (approx. 104RFU/ml seawater) was introduced into the shellfish tank. Following 48 h filter feeding, virus was recovered from cockles using an adsorption-elution extraction procedure. Titres of virus recovered ranged from 104to 105TCID50/ml of shellfish extract for poliovirus and from 103to 105RFU/ml of shellfish extract for HAV. Active ingestion of the virus from the seawater was demonstrated by recovering virus from within cockle guts. To quantify recovered HAV, end-point dilutions and an adaptation of a radioimmunofocus assay (RIFA) were compared. The tests were of similar sensitivity but the RIFA has the advantage of being relatively rapid, shortening the time taken to complete an experiment by as much as 4 weeks.
The vertical transmission of salmonellas and formic acid treatment of chicken feed: A possible strategy for control
Authors: Humphrey T. J. , Lanning D. G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe treatment of feed given to laying hens with 0·5% formic acid reduced significantly the isolation rate of salmonellas and was associated with a reduction in the incidence of infection in newly hatched chicks. These improvements were not sustained until slaughter, however, as growing birds acquired salmonellas, probably from feed which was not acid treated. The data indicate that formic acid treatment of chicken food could have important benefits for the public health.
Clostridium difficileinfection in patients with haematological malignant disease: Risk factors, faecal toxins and pathogenic strains
Authors: Heard S. R. , Wren B. , Barnett M. J. , Thomas J. M. , Tabaqchali S. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYTwo hundred and forty-eight patients from shared oncology and general medical wards were prospectively studied over a 6-month period for carriage ofClostridium difficileduring an outbreak of clinical disease with an epidemic strain of the organism. Risk factors for infection were assessed. Acute leukaemia and/or its treatment were identified as significantly increasing the risk of infection.The relationship between the type ofC. difficileisolated (as defined by a typing system based on the incorporation of [35S]methionine into bacterial proteins followed by gel electrophoresis), the presence of faecal toxins A and B and clinical symptoms were analysed. Carriage of the epidemic strain, type X, had a significant association with symptoms amongst oncology patients, with two thirds of these patients having detectable faecal toxin A and one third detectable faecal toxin B. During an outbreak ofC. difficile-associated disease, typing the organism and assaying for both faecal toxins in symptomatic patients may be of benefit in determining which patients require specific, urgent treatment.
Occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistance and R plasmids in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from children in the Sudan
Authors: Shears P. , Suliman G. , Hart C. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe prevalence of resistance to six commonly-used antimicrobial agents in faecal coliforms from children in Khartoum, Sudan was studied. A relatively high prevalence of resistance was found, ranging from 96% of children with isolates resistant to ampicillin to 70% of children with isolates resistant to chloramphenicol. Seventy-seven percent of children had isolates with high-level resistance to trimethoprim (MIC > 1000 μg/ml). Twenty-nine different resistance patterns were found. Thirty-nine percent of the children had isolates resistant to all six antibiotics studied, and 80% of children had isolates resistant to at least four. Transfer of resistance to each of the antimicrobials, in varying combinations, was demonstrated, but did not occur for all resistance patterns. Plasmid analysis showed plasmids ranging from 160 MDa to 2·8 MDa and isolates contained from one to five plasmids of different sizes. There were no consistent relationships between resistance pattern and plasmid profile, but multiple resistance transfer was mediated commonly by plasmids with a molecular weight of 62 MDa.The high prevalence of potentially transferable antibiotic resistance in gut commensals of children in the Sudan may be of importance in the management of enteric and other infections requiring antimicrobial treatment.
The use of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in epidemiological studies ofCorynebacterium diphtheriae
Authors: Hallas Gillian 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYPolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell proteins was investigated as a possible typing method forCorynebacterium diphtheriae. A method was developed using stock strains which were representatives of the five gravis serotypes described by Robinson & Peeney (1936). This technique was then applied to recent isolates sent to our laboratory for identification.
Hepatitis B markers in Lancashire police officers
Authors: Morgan-Capner P. , Hudson P. , Armstrong A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA total of 284 Lancashire police officers each with a minimum of 5 years experience was tested for evidence of hepatitis B infection. None was hepatitis B surface antigen positive (HBsAg). Three were positive for both antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and HBsAg (anti-HBs). Five were positive for anti-HBc alone. Thus the overall prevalence was 2·8% which is within the range reported for blood donors in the UK. There was no association with working in the drug squad or custody office but there was a higher prevalence in those who had worked in the scene-of-crime's squad. However, the numbers were small, and of this group of 28 officers, 2 of the 3 with detectable hepatitis B markers were positive for anti-HBc alone. Therefore for police officers in mixed rural/urban areas of the UK, routine administration of hepatitis B vaccine is not justified although special consideration should be given to those working in selected groups. Further studies are required to ascertain whether there may be an increased risk for police officers working in conurbations.
Comparison of biochemical and serological typing results and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in the epidemiological investigation of Klebsiella spp
Authors: Simoons-Smit A. M. , Verweij-Van Vught A. M. J. J. , De Vries P. M. J. M. , Maclaren D. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn analysis of the serological and biochemical typing results of 925 clinical isolates of klebsiella revealed that biotyping and serotyping of klebsiella could replace each other for epidemiological purposes. The combination of both typing methods provided even more epidemiological information in analysing clusters of particular serotypes and biotypes in time. Clustering serotypes, mainly of neonatal origin, were nearly uniformly more resistant to the antibiotics in common use than other serotypes. Biotyping as well as serotyping of klebsiella isolates recovered from environmental surveys in the neonatal ward showed that epidemic and non-epidemic klebsiella isolates could occasionally be cultured from the environment and from the staff.
A demographic survey of campylobacter, salmonella and shigella infections in England: A Public Health Laboratory Service Survey
Authors: Skirrow M. B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFive laboratories serving a population of 1·5 million participated in a 2-year survey of campylobacter, salmonella and shigella infections in patients suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms. In total, 33857 faecal specimens were examined of which 5·5% yielded campylobacters, 3·4% salmonellas and 0·8% shigellas; incidence of infection (per 100,000 population per year) was 58, 38 and 9 respectively. Peak incidences occurred at different ages for each organism: campylobacter, 1–4 years (183); salmonella, less than 1 year (181); shigella, 1–4 years (17). There was a secondary peak in campylobacter incidence in patients aged 15–24 years (87), which was not seen with salmonella or shigella infections.By recording the age and sex of all patients submitting faecal specimens, it was shown that sampling rates were disproportionately high in infants aged less than 1 year (12:1 relative to other ages). Thus the percentage of faecal samples positive in infants – in sharp contrast to incidence values – was the lowest of any age group for all three organisms. By taking the numbers of faecal specimens tested as denominators in this way, the highest campylobacter isolation rates were in young adults, with a notable male predominance in the 15–24 year (1·7:1) and 45–54 year (1·6:1) age groups. This male predominance was accentuated during the summer (2·1:1) when incidence was generally high. The maximum percentage isolation recorded by any laboratory was 32·5% in males aged 15–24 years in June.The reasons for this pattern of campylobacter infection are unknown, but the similarity of the results between laboratories and the regularity of the seasonal fluctuations recorded over the last G years indicate that the sources and routes of infection are geographically similar and stable, yet different from those of salmonellosis.
Circulation of HIV antigen in blood according to stage of infection, risk group, age and geographic origin
Authors: Goudsmit Jaap , Paul Deborah A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYHuman immunodeficiency virus antigen (HIV-ag) was determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in HIV-antibody (anti-HIV) positive as well as pre-anti-HIV seroconversion sera and the results analysed according to stage of infection, risk group, age and geographic origin. Eleven (19%) of 58 homosexual men tested showed HIV-ag in a serum taken 3–4 months before or one at the time of anti-HIV seroconversion. In another eight (14%) HIV-ag persisted after seroconversion and half of them developed AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC) in contrast to none of the other 50 anti-HIV seroconversions. Two (13%) of 16 haemophiliacs tested had HIV-ag only in the first anti-HIV seropositive sample. HIV-ag was present in 86% (30/35) of Dutch homosexual men with AIDS, in 32% (7/22) of men with ARC and in 17% (24/145) of men with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) or without symptoms. Three percent (2/60) of sera of asymptomatic i.v. drug users from Amsterdam were HIV-ag positive. Ten percent (1 of 10) of sera from Central Africans with ‘Slim Disease’ were HIV-ag positive. Among infected children from the USA or Europe 89n100% (8/9 and 2/2) of AIDS cases, 67–100% (6/9 and 3/3) of children with ARC and 75% (3/4) of asymptomatic children were HIV-ag positive. The HIV-ag EIA appears to be able to identify HIV infection earlier than the available anti-HIV assays in a significant number of cases. Since persistence of HIV-ag, except possibly in African cases, is strongly associated with clinical deterioration, HIV-ag appears to be a suitable marker for, independent of their clinical status, selecting individuals for antiviral therapy and also for monitoring the efficiency of such therapy.
An updated survey of African swine fever in Malawi
Authors: Haresnape J. M. , Lungu S. A. M. , Mamu F. D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYCases of African swine fever (ASF) confirmed in the laboratory in 1985 and 1986 and other data obtained since 1984, in particular an extension of the serological survey of free-ranging domestic pigs undertaken from 1981 to 1984, are presented to give an updated survey of the ASF situation in Malawi and a revised estimate of the ASF enzootic area. Evidence is presented that the area may include some border areas in Dedza and Ntcheu districts and may be expanding in some localities.
Egg-grown and tissue-culture-grown variants of influenza A (H3N2) virus with special attention to their use as antigens in seroepidemiology
Authors: Pyhälä R. , Pyhälä L. , Valle M. , Aho K. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA field strain of influenza A (H3N2) virus isolated in embryonated eggs during the 1984–5 influenza outbreak (A/Finland/13/85E) was compared in an antigenic analysis with virus from the same clinical specimen isolated in MDCK cell cultures (A/Finland/13/85M). The M-virus appeared to be more sensitive to haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against heterologous viruses than did the Evirus. The results of propagation and plaque purification experiments support the hypothesis that a single clinical specimen may consist of distinct antigenic variant subpopulations promoted selectively by the host during isolation procedures. Receptor-binding properties are discussed as a possible explanation for this selectivity.A set of 471 paired sera consisting of pre-epidemic and post-epidemic specimens taken from the same subjects in 1984–5 was studied for haemagglutinationinhibiting antibodies to six influenza A (H3N2) virus strains, including the E-virus and the M-virus from A/Finland/13/85. Of the antigens used, the M-virus detected significant antibody increases more frequently than did the E-virus (10·0v. 5·9%). The superiority of the M-virus may rest primarily in its ability to pick out anamnestic antibody responses. Irrespective of this cross-reactivity, preepidemic antibody to the M-virus was fairly well associated with protection. In the set of sera (230 specimens) collected in summer 1985 to represent different age groups, the antibody status against the M-virus was significantly better than the status against the E-virus. The results suggest that, at least in some instances, antibody to MDCK-grown virus is a more accurate indicator of the immune status of a community than antibodies to egg-grown virus variants.