bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology ofCampylobacterspp. at two Dutch broiler farms
Authors: Jacobs-Reitsma W. F. , Van de Giessen A. W. , Bolder N. M. , Mulder R. W. A. W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYBroiler flocks on two Dutch poultry farms were screened weekly for the presence of Campylobacter in fresh caecal droppings during eight consecutive production cycles. Hatchery and fresh litter samples were taken at the start of each new cycle. Water, feed, insects, and faeces of domestic animals, present on the farms were also included in the sampling. Penner seretyping of isolates was used to identify epidemiological factors that contribute to Campylobacter colonization in the broiler flocks. Generally, broiler flocks became colonized with Campylobacter at about 3–4 weeks of age with isolation percentages of 100%, and stayed colonized up to slaughter. A similar pattern of serotypes was found within the various broiler houses on one farm during one production cycle. New flocks generally showed also a new pattern of serotypes. Most serotypes isolated from the laying hens, pigs, sheep and cattle were different from those isolated from the broilers at the same time. Campylobacter serotypes from darkling beetles inside the broiler houses were identical to the ones isolated from the broilers. No Campylobacter was isolated from any of the hatchery, water, feed or fresh litter samples. Conclusive evidence of transmission routes was not found, but results certainly point towards horizontal transmission from the environment. Horizontal transmission from one broiler flock to the next one via a persistent contamination within the broiler house, as well as vertical transmission from breeder flocks via the hatchery to progeny, did not seem to be very likely.
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms among the flagellar genes of the Lior heat-labile serogroup reference strains and field strains ofCampylobacter jejuniandC. coli
Authors: Burnens A. P. , Wagner J. , Lior H. , Nicolet J. , Frey J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSeveral typing systems have been described forCampylobacter jejuniandC. coli, to assess the complex epidemiology of these important enteric pathogens. In the present study two typing methods, slide agglutination according to the Lior scheme, and the demonstration of restriction-fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of flagellar genes, have been used in parallel on a set of 194 strains. This set comprised 118 sero-reference strains ofC. jejuniandC. coliof the Lior scheme, as well as 76 clinical isolates. All isolates were serotyped and subjected to PCR for amplification of flagellar genes, and the PCR product was restricted withAluI. Flagellar genes could be amplified in 152 strains. Among 85 seroreference strains, 74 different RFLP patterns were observed, and among 67 clinical isolates, there were 36 patterns. There was only limited correlation between flagellar RFLP and the Lior serogroup, and the variability of patterns in serogroups HL2 and HL4 were as marked as the variability between serogroups. Flagellar gene RFLP patterns are shown to be stable, highly discriminatory epidemiologic markers.
VerotoxinogenicCitrobacter freundiiassociated with severe gastroenteritis and cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in a nursery school: green butter as the infection source
Authors: Tschäpe H. , Prager R. , Streckel W. , Fruth A. , Tietze E. , Böhme G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA summer outbreak of severe gastroenteritis followed by haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a nursery school and kindergarten is described. Sandwiches prepared with green butter made with contaminated parsley were the likely vehicle of infection. The parsley originated from an organic garden in which manure of pig origin was used instead of artificial fertilizers, Cornally identical VerotoxinogenicCitrobacter freundiiwere found as causative agents of HUS and gastroenteritis and were also detected on the parsley.
Sequence variation in the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene of human parainfluenza virus type 3 isolates in the UK
Authors: Collins K. R. , Easton A. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe sequence variation in a 934 base-pair region of the gene encoding the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase of five human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) isolates was determined together with that of a prototype UK strain. All of the clinical isolates were from the Manchester area of the UK and were obtained in 1990. 1991 and 1993. The gene segment was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using HPIVB-specific oligonucleotide primers. The nucleotide homology of the strains was high, around 99% and specific differences in the UK sequences when compared with that of the US prototype strain were identified. In addition, a number of isolate-specific differences were seen. No correlation was detected between the observed nucleotide mutations and the year of isolation, which supports the hypothesis that HPIV3 shows cocirculation of a heterogeneous population of viruses rather than varying with time in a linear fashion. However, the data suggested that geographically-defined genetic lineages of HPIV3 may exist.
Epidemic cholera in Guatemala, 1993: transmission of a newly introduced epidemic strain by street vendors
Authors: Koo D. , Aragon A , Moscoso V. , Gudiel M. , Bietti L. , Carrillo N. , Chojoj J. , Gordillo B. , Cano F. , Cameron D. N. , Wells J. G. , Bean N. H. , Tauxe R. V. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEpidemic cholera reached Guatemala in July 1991. By mid-1993, Guatemala ranked third in the hemisphere in reported cases of cholera. We conducted a case-control study with two age-, sex-, and neighbourhood-matched controls per patient in periurban Guatemala City. Twenty-six patients hospitalized for cholera and 52 controls were enrolled. Seven (47%) of 15 stool cultures obtained after admission yielded toxigenicVibrio choleraeOl. All seven were resistant to furazolidone, sulfisoxazole, and streptomycin, and differed substantially by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis from the Latin American epidemic strain dominant in the hemisphere since 1991. In univariate analysis, illness was associated with consumption of left-over rice (odds ratio [OR] = 7·0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1·4–36), flavored ices (‘helados’) (OR = 3·6, CI = 1·1–12), and street-vended non-carbonated beverages (OR = 3·8, CI = 1·2–12) and food items (OR = 11·0, CI = 2·3–54). Street-vended food items remained significantly associated with illness in multivariate analysis (OR = 6·5, CI = 1·4–31). Illness was not associated with drinking municipal tap water. Maintaining water safety is important, but slowing the epidemic in Guatemala City and elsewhere may also require improvement in street vendor food handling and hygiene.
Resistotyping of campylobacters: fulfilling a need
Authors: Ribeiro C. D. , Thomas M. T. , Kembrey D. , Magee J. T. , North Z. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA 9-month trial of a simple typing scheme for ‘thermophilic’ enteric campylobacter isolates at a large Public Health Laboratory is described. Resistotyping was performed with six agents in a method modified by Bolton and colleagues from an earlier scheme, and biotyping was performed by a modified Lior scheme involving three tests. Reproducibility was excellent in both schemes, with test variation < 2%. Five household clusters and one larger presumptive milk-borne outbreak were identified in this scheme, and confirmed in pyrolysis mass spectrometry. The 328 isolates from new patients, excluding duplication from these clusters, were divided into 35 resistotypes with the largest group comprising 22% of isolates. In combined bio- and resistotyping, 86 types were found, with the largest group comprising 9·5% of isolates. The results are contrasted with salmonella sero- and phage-typing, where, on the same basis, the 176 isolates in the same period were divided into 40 groups, with the largest comprising 45% of isolates. Resistotyping, with or without additional biotyping, proved to be a convenient, simple, rapid, highly discriminatory, reproducible and inexpensive method well suited to use in local laboratories. It is a strong candidate for first-line national and local surveillance of campylobacter infections, fulfilling a need for monitoring of this important cause of enteric disease.
Legionellosis linked with a hotel car park – how many were infected?
Authors: Bell J. C. , Jorm L. R. , Williamson M. , Shaw N. H. , Kazandjian D. L. J. , Chiew R. , Capon A. G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak of legionellosis associated with a hotel in Sydney, Australia, and the subsequent epidemiological and environmental investigations are described. Four cases of Legionnaires' disease were notified to the Public Health Unit. A cross-sectional study of 184 people who attended a seminar at the hotel was carried out. Serological and questionnaire data were obtained for 152 (83%) of these. Twenty-eight (18%) respondents reported symptoms compatible with legionellosis. Thirty-three subjects (22%) had indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titres toLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1 (Lp-1) of 128 or higher. The only site which those with symptoms of legionellosis and IFA titre ≥128 were more likely to have visited than controls was the hotel car park (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 14·7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1·8–123·1). Those with symptoms compatible with legionellosis, but whose IFA titres were < 128 were also more likely to have visited the hotel car park (adjusted OR 4·4, 95% CI: 1·5–12·9). Seroprevalence of Lp-1 antibodies was higher in those who attended the seminar than in a population sample of similar age. Findings suggested that the 4 cases represented a small fraction of all those infected, and highlighted difficulties in defining illness caused by Lp-1 and in interpreting serology.
Risk factors for recent toxoplasma infection in pregnant women in Naples
Authors: Buffolano W. , Gilbert R. E. , Holland F. J. , Fratta D. , Palumbo F. , Ades A. E. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEffective primary prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis requires up to date information on locally relevant risk factors for infection in pregnant women. In Naples, risk factors for toxoplasma infection were compared in recently infected women (as assessed by detection of specific IgM in serum) and susceptible, IgG negative women. Recent infection was strongly associated with frequency of consumption of cured pork and raw meat. Eating cured pork or raw meat at least once a month increased the risk of toxoplasma infection threefold.This simple study design for determining locally relevant sources of toxoplasma infection is the first report of cured pork as a risk factor for infection. Further research is required to determine cyst viability in cured pork products. Our findings suggest that in southern Italy, cured pork and raw meat should be avoided by susceptible pregnant women.
The characterization and pathological significance of gastric campylobacter-like organisms in the ferret: a model for chronic gastritis?
Authors: Tompkins D. S. , Wyatt J. I. , Rathbone B. J. , West A. P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYGastric campylobacter-like organisms (CLO) were isolated from gastric tissues removed at sacrifice from 17 mature ferrets; all animals were colonized, but no macroscopic mucosal lesions or histological features of chronic gastritis were seen. The isolates resembledCampylobacter pyloriin many cultural and biochemical characteristics, and produced substantial urease activity, but there were sufficient differences fromC. pylorito suggest that ferret gastric CLO represents a separate species. Comparison of humanC. pyloriand ferret gastric CLO may help to clucidate the pathogenicity of the former in patients with gastritis, and the ferret may serve as a useful animal model for the study ofC. pyloriinfection.
Occurrence of H-antigen z66 of R phase in cultures of Salmonella serovar typhi originated from Indonesia
Authors: Tamura K , Sakazaki R , Kuramochi S , Nakamura A 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEighteen strains of Salmonella choleraesuis subsp. choleraesuis serovar Typhi (S. typhi) isolated from blood of patiens in Japan who had visited Indonesia and returned before the onset of typhoid fever were found to possess the H-antigen z66reported by Guinée et al. (1981) but had the naturally occuring H-antigen d. They were not lysed by any of the phages of the Vi phage typing system. After passage through semi-solid medium containing H-z66 antiserum, H-antigens of 11 of 18 cultures with H-z66 phage changed to H-j and those of 2 others to H-d, while the remaining 5 were immobilized. With cultures in the H-d or H-j phages, change of the H-antigens did not occur when they were cultured in semi-solid medium containing homologous H-antiserum. These phase induction experiments as well as colony examination of original cultures suggest that H-z66 phase is unstable and tends to change of H-antigen to H-d or H-j occured without difficulty probably represented a mixed population of cells in the H-z66 and H-d or H-j phases. Since none of 856 isolates from Japan or fromimported cases of typhoid fever from Southeast Asia other than Indonesia exhibited the H-z66 antigen, it was concluded that the focus of typhois fever caused by S. typhi in H–z66 phase was probably in Indonesia.
The use of sorbitol-MacConkey agar in conjunction with a specific antiserum for the detection of Vero cytotoxin-producing strains ofEscherichia coliO 157
Authors: Kleanthous H. , Fry N. K. , Smith H. R. , Gross R. J. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYUsing DNA probes specific for the genes encoding Vero cytotoxins 1 and 2 in hybridization experiments on faecal samples. Vero cytotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC) of serogroup 0 157 were detected in 21 of 63 cases of haemorrhagic colitis, 9 of 31 cases of non-bloody diarrhoea and 14 of 68 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Compared with these results sorbitol-MacConkey agar in conjunction with a specific 0 157 antiserum gave a sensitivity of 62% in haemorrhagic colitis, 56% in non-bloody diarrhoea and 57% in haemolytic uraemic syndrome.The specificity of this method was 100% in all three groups. This demonstrates that sorbitol-MacConkey agar is a useful screening method for the detection of VTEC of serogroup O 157 when used in conjunction with a specific homologous antiserum. However, this method does not detect VTEC belonging to other serogroups and such strains were found, particularly in cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
Water quality control trials: statistical tables for direct comparison between membrane filtration bacterial counts and the multiple tube method with a description of the bacteriological method
Authors: Tillett Hilary E. , Wright A. E. , Eaton Sheila 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYExperiments in the quality control of water samples are being conducted in the Public Health Laboratory Service and the water industry in the United Kingdom. The number of distributions which have been made is 7 and 92 laboratories are now participating. The methods used for preparing and distributing samples are described. Some participating laboratories use the multiple tube method and some use membrane filtration to assess the presence of coliforms and Escherichia coli. The results are, therefore, a mixture of estimated numbers and direct colony counts.
Bacterial contamination of weaning foods and drinking water in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Henry F. J. , Patwary Y. , Huttly S. R. A. , Aziz K. M. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to determine what weaning foods and food preparation practices expose children to a high risk of diarrhoeal disease through exposure to a contaminated diet. Bacterial contamination of 897 food and 896 drinking water samples was assessed in a water and santitation intervention project.The geometric mean of faecal coliforms per g or ml was 7·5 x 103 in left-over rice, 1·4 x 102 in other types of boiled rice, 2·5 x 102 in milk, 4·8 in household drinking water, and 3·5 in bread. Multiplication of faecal coliforms occurred when there was a delay of more than 4 h between preparation and consumption of food. All samples were more contaminated in the rainy than in the dry season. Strategies to reduce contamination should therefore focus on ‘wet’ foods, early consumption after preparation, and re–heating of left–over foods. Understanding the reasons for the faulty practices is also essential to the formulation of effective measures.
Bacteriological quality of on-farm manufactured goat cheese
Authors: Thaml W. A. , Hajdu L. J. , Danielsson–Thaml M. L. V. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe bacteriological quality of 198 ripened soft or semi-soft goat cheeses obtained from dairy farms and the retail trade was investigated. The cheeses were examined for total counts of aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria (37 and 44 °C respectively), enterocoeci, coagulase positive staphylococci,Bacillus cereusandClostridium perfringens.Cheeses obtained from dairy-farms were also determined for pH value. In terms of all tests performed, cheeses made of heat-treated milk with starter culture had the best prospects for fulfilling the criteria for 'fit for consumption '. Cheeses made of raw milk without starter culture made up the most unsatisfactory group from a food-hygiene point of view. Bacteriological guidelines for on-farm manufactured goat cheese are suggested.
Immunogenicity of yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine from two different producers
Authors: Dahl-Hansen E. , Siebke J. Chr. , Frøland S. S. , Degré M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe immunogenicity and reactogenicity of two preparations of yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccinces were compared in healthy adult populations. The two groups were vaccinated in parallel, but they were not matched for age and sex. All subjects seroconverted, and 9 months after the first vaccine dose, all had anti HBs titres of at least 10 IU/1. The anti-HBs titres were higher in the group of subjects given 20μg vaccine antigen made by Smith Kline & RIT (GMT 2943 at 9 months) compared to those who received 10μg of vaccine made by Merck, S harp & Dohme (GMT 729 at 9 months). Adverse effects were recorded in 32·0 and 44·7% of the participants, but these were limited to minor local and general reactions. In the present study both preparations were safe and efficient.
Distribution ofSalmonella enteritidisphage types in Canada
Authors: Khakhria R. , Duck D. , Lior H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe distribution ofSalmonella enteritidisphage types in Canada is described; 606 of 674 strains examined were of human origin. Typable strains of all sources, constituted 99·6% (671/674) of all strains examined, and were representative of 15 different phage types. Five phage types (8, 13, 4, 13a and 1) accounted for 92·4% of the total. Phage type 8 consistently showed the highest incidence in human (69·96%) and non-human (72·05%) sources and appeared to be the most common in North America. Phage type 4, the most prevalent in the UK, is infrequent in Canada (38/674). The distribution of phage types showed regional variation among infrequent phage types, whereas the common type, 8, was observed in different frequencies in all provinces. Examination of 29 outbreaks ofS. enteritidisrepresenting 254 isolates for humans revealed 5 different phage types, the highest number of outbreaks (11) were type 8. A study of these outbreaks and the animal-host-associations of the common phage types, 8 and 13, indicated that contaminated poultry appeared to be the most common source of human infection in Canada.
Teratogenicity of the Palyam serogroup orbiviruses in the embryonated chicken egg model
Authors: Whistler T. , Swanepoel R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEmbryonated chicken eggs were used as a model for assessing the teratogenic potential of several Palyam serogroup orbiviruses. Infection of 4-day-old embryonated chicken eggs via the yolk sac with eight of the viruses resulted in deaths or congenital deformities which included retarded development, arthrogryposis and reduced feathering. Statistical analysis showed that the viruses could be divided into three groups: those that caused death (Gweru virus isolates 866/77 and 1726/7776 and Apies River virus), those that caused deaths only when large amounts of virus were inoculated (Gweru isolate AR11869 and Marondera virus) and those that caused death and deformities (Abadina, Kasba, Nyabira, Petevo and Vellore viruses). Differences in pathogenic potential were noted between isolates identified as the same serotype by serological tests.
Mycobacterium bovis in the European badger (Meles meles): epidemiological findings in tuberculous badgers from a naturally infected population
Authors: Clifton-Hadley R. S. , Wilesmith J. W. , Stuart F. A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThis study investigates the course of tuberculosis in a naturally infected badger population, its impact on the population and the risk of spread to other species in the light of capture data and post-mortem findings from 47 tuberculous badgers, stratified by age group and sex, accrued since 1975. The findings are compared with those for 260 badgers from the same population in whom no evidence of infection was detected. Detailed estimates of seasonal variations in bodyweight for uninfected male and female cub, yearling and adult badgers are presented and compared to the weights at post-mortem examination of the tuberculous badgers, in whom poor condition and weight loss were the principal presenting signs. Lesions were seen especially in the lungs and associated lymph nodes, and in the kidneys. Organisms were detected intermittently in faeces, urine, sputum and discharging bite wounds. Infected animals could survive for nearly 2 years and produce cubs successfully.
Age-specific efficacy of pertussis vaccine during epidemic and non-epidemic periods
Authors: Ramsay M. E. B. , Farrington C. P. , Miller E. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA national survey was conducted of 3150 notified cases of whooping cough in order to determine age-specific pertussis vaccine efficacy by the ‘screening’ method. The cases were collected over two periods, one just prior to the start and one at the first peak of the whooping cough epidemic of 1989–90. Vaccination status was determined by a postal questionnaire to the reporting doctor and clinical data were also collected to provide efficacy estimates according to standardized case definitions. Overall, observed vaccine efficacy was high but differed between epidemic (87%) and non-epidemic (93%) periods (P = 0·03). Efficacy estimates were generally higher for typical or severe cases than for children with an atypical illness. Vaccine efficacy declined with age (P < 0·01) but estimates remained high up to the age of 8 years. This study will provide baseline data for comparison with efficacy observed from similar studies of children immunized at an accelerated schedule and from phase III studies of acellular pertussis vaccines performed elsewhere.
High prevalence of thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH)-like toxin inVibrio mimicusstrains isolated from diarrhoeal patients
Authors: Uchimura M. , Koiwai K. , Tsuruoka Y. , Tanaka H. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA total of 17 isolates ofVibrio mimicusfrom patients, 29 from environment and 2 from food was examined for toxigenicity. Sixteen (94%) clinical isolates and one (50%) from food produced TDH-like toxin, whereas none of the environmental isolates did so. The food from whichV. mimicuswith TDH-like toxin production was isolated, was one which had caused food poisoning. Only one environmental strain produced CT-like toxin, whilst ST-like toxin was not detected from any strains tested.