bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of ribotyping in a molecular epidemiology study of shigellosis
Authors: Mendoza M. C. , Martín M. C. , González-Hevia M. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYRibotyping performed with six restriction endonucleases was used to study the molecular epidemiology of shigellosis in Asturias, Spain. The series includedShigella sonneifrom 34 sporadic cases, 3 outbreaks and 3 reference strains, andS. flexnerifrom 13 sporadic cases and 1 reference strain. TheS. sonneistrains were grouped into 5 ribotypes withSalI, 4 withHindIII andPvuII, 3 withBglII andEcoR I and 2 withHincII (Discriminatory Index (DI) between 0·54 and 0·14); theS. flexneriinto 5 ribotypes withSalI, Hinc II andHindIII, and 4 with the other enzymes (DI = 0·71–0·63). The combination of results for 2 or more enzymes facilitated an additional discrimination, the highest values inS. sonneiwere for the 6 enzymes (16 types, DI = 0·91) and inS. flexnerifor some combinations of 3 or more enzymes (7 types, DI = 0·81). Ribotypes with the 6 enzymes defined 16 clonal lines inS. sonneiand 7 inS. flexneri, which showed a different degree of genetic heterogeneity, and all the lines of each species falling into a different cluster. No line appeared as clearly endemic in the bowels of Asturian people.
Consecutive salmonella outbreaks traced to the same bakery
Authors: Evans M. R. , Tromans J. P. , Dexter E. L. S. , Ribeiro C. D. , Gardner D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwo consecutive community outbreaks of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 (PT4) traced to the same bakery occurred in Cardiff, Wales during August–September 1992. In the first outbreak, illness was associated with eating custard slices (odds ratio 23·8, 95% confidence interval 6·5–94·4, P < 0·0001), and in the second, with eating fresh cream cakes (odds ratio 15·8, 95% confidence interval 1·6–374, P = 0·004). Environmental investigations implicated cross-contamination during preparation of the cold-custard mix as the cause of the first outbreak, and inadequate cleaning and disinfection of nozzles used for piping cream in the second outbreak. S. enteritidis PT4 was isolated from fresh cream sponge cake retained by a case and from two fresh cream cakes and four environmental swabs obtained at the bakery. This incident illustrates the hazard of widespread environmental contamination with salmonella and the need for thorough environmental cleansing of any premises implicated in an outbreak of food poisoning.
Burkholderia cepacia respiratory tract acquisition: epidemiology and molecular characterization of a large nosocomial outbreak
Authors: Pegues C. F. , Pegues D. A. , Ford D. S. , Hibberd P. L. , Carson L. A. , Raine C. M. , Hooper D. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn 1994 we investigated a large outbreak of Burkholderia (formerly Pseudomonas) cepacia respiratory tract acquisition. A case patient was defined as any patient with at least one sputum culture from which B. cepacia was isolated from 1 January to 31 December 1994. Seventy cases were identified. Most (40 [61 %]) occurred between 1 February and 31 March 1994; of these, 35 (86%) were mechanically ventilated patients, 30 of whom were in an intensive-care unit (ICU) when B. cepacia was first isolated. Compared with control patients who were mechanically ventilated in an ICU, these 30 case-patients were significantly more likely to have been ventilated for 2 or more days (30/30 v. 15/30; P < 0·001) or to have been intubated more than once (12/30 v. 2/30; OR = 9·3, 95% CI 1·6–68·8; P = 0·002) before the first isolation of B. cepacia. By multivariate analysis, the 35 mechanically ventilated case-patients were significantly more likely to have received a nebulized medication (OR = 11·9, 95% CI = 1·6–553·1; P < 0·001) and a cephalosporin antimicrobial (OR = 11·9, 95% CI = 1·6–553·1) in the 10 days before the first isolation of B. cepacia, compared with B. cepacia-negative control-patients matched by date and duration of most recent mechanical ventilation. Although B. cepacia was not cultured from medications or the hospital environment, all outbreak strains tested had an identical DNA restriction endonuclease digestion pattern by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Review of respiratory therapy procedures revealed opportunities for contamination of nebulizer reservoirs. This investigation suggests that careful adherence to standard procedures for administration of nebulized medications is essential to prevent nosocomial respiratory infections.
A Comparison of DNA and immunoblot fingerprinting of the SII biotype of coagulase negative staphylococci
Authors: Burnie J. P. , Lee Woei 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThirty-eight isolates of the SII biotype of coagulase negative staphylococci were examined by phage typing, antibiograms, DNA and immunoblot fingerprinting. Multiple isolates were available from 5 patients with clinically proven infections and from 12 further patients who were epidemiologically distinct. Only 3 of the isolates were phage typable and antibiograms produced only 9 types. All isolates were typable by both DNA and immunoblot fingerprinting and reproducibility was excellent provided the conditions were standardized. Discrimination was better with immunoblot fingerprinting (17 types) than DNA fingerprinting (11 types). Both techniques were successful in assessing the significance of multiple isolates from a single patient.
Incidence and nature of human tuberculosis due to bovine tubercle bacilli in South-East England: 1977–1987
Authors: Yates Malcolm D. , Grange John M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 201 new cases of tuberculosis due to bovine tubercle bacilli was confirmed in South–East England between 1977 and 1987 inclusive. This represents about 1% of all cases of tuberculosis in this region. Most cases occurred amongst older individuals of indigenous white British origin, although some younger patients of Southern European and Indian subcontinent ethnic origin were also diagnosed. The lung was the most frequent site of disease, followed by the genitor–urinary tract. In view of the known risk of transmission of disease from man to cattle via the respiratory and urinary tracts, continued surveillance of this relatively uncommon form of tuberculosis is still indicated.
Use of colistin and sorbitol for better isolation ofSerratia marcescensin clinical samples
Authors: Grasso G. M , D'errico M. M , Schioppa F , Romano F , Montanaro D 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA comparison was made of different culture media and procedures for detection ofSerratia marcescensfrom faecal, pharyngeal and ocular swabs collected from 213 neonates. MacConkey agar and MacConkey agar with sorbitol (1%) and/or colistin (200 i.u./ml) were used both for primary isolation and after enrichment using Mossel Enterobacteriaceae broth with colistin (200 i.u./ml). The use of MacConkey agar supplemented with colistin for primary isolation improved considerably the isolation rate ofS. marcescensfrom faecal swabs but not from pharyngeal swabs; the number of ocular isolations were insufficient to demonstrate differences between procedures. Moreover the enrichment procedures consistently increased the number ofS. marcescensisolates especially from pharyngeal and ocular swabs. Use of sorbitol made detection ofS'. marcescensfrom clinical specimens easier and time– and cost–efficient.
Seroepidemiology of group B streptococcus type II antibody specificity
Authors: Gray B. M. , Pritchard D. G. , Springfield J. D. , Benak R. J. , Dillon H. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe specificity of human antibodies for the two major sidechain determinants of the type II group B streptococcal (GBS) polysaccharide was examined in 90 pairs of maternal and cord sera. Using an ELISA system, total antibody was measured against the complete (sialylated) type II antigen and the proportion of antibody against the galactose determinant was estimated by inhibition with free β–methylgalactopyranosided. Mothers colonized by type II or by other GBS types had higher levels of total specific antibody (means, 33 and 4–7 µg/ml, respectively) than those not colonized (mean, 2–2 µg/ml). Cord sera averaged 1–2 µg/ml lower than maternal sera. Colonization with GBS was also associated with higher levels against the galactose determinant (mean, 1.5&µg/ml, compared to 0–7µg/ml for those not colonized). The distribution of specificities favoured antibodies against the sialic acid determinant in maternal but not cord sera. Specificity as well as antibody level may play a role in the epidemiology of GBS type II.
Laboratory evaluation of disposable and reusable disinfectant cloths for cleaning food contact surfaces
Authors: Tebbutt G. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA comparison of five methods of cleaning Formica surfaces contaminated with bacteria dried in milk has been carried out. A standardized procedure was developed, and impression plates were found to be at least as sensitive as a swab-rinse method for detecting bacteria on the surfaces. The most satisfactory results were obtained with one type of disposable alcohol-impregnated wipe and with a detergent/hypochlorite solution applied with paper. A reusable cloth impregnated with disinfectant initially performed well against all test organisms, but was less reliable against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis after the cloth had been used and rinsed several times. The importance of introducing methods to reduce the high risk of cross–contamination presently associated with the use of wiping cloths in catering premises is stressed.
Maintenance of cooling towers following two outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease in a city
Authors: Bhopal R. S. , Barr G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThis survey assessed the maintenance of evaporative cooling towers in Glasgow, following two Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. Information was obtained from 76 of 81 premises and a maintenance score was calculated for each of 174 towers. The quality of maintenance was extremely varied (range of maintenance scores, 8–30 mean, 22 (S. D., 5.0); median, 23; maximum possible, 33) and some towers were neglected. Breaches of maintenance principles were mainly structural and organizational, e.g. inadequate drift control, rather than failure to use chemicals. Low maintenance scores were associated with no log book, no guidelines, no change in procedures in last 5 years, solitary cooling towers, and towers on industrial premises. Despite intense publicity the standard of cooling tower maintenance in Glasgow remained a concern. Information campaigns directed at those responsible for cooling–tower maintenance are neccessary.
Prevalance of antibodies to 15 antigens of Legionellacae in patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: McIntyre M. , Kurtz J. B. , Selkon J. B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSera from 252 patients with community-acquired pneumonia were examined for the presence of antibodies to 15 antigens of 7Legionellaspp. by indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing. The sera had been collected as part of the British Thoracic Society/Public Health Laboratory Service study of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. We also examined sera from 20 patients with gram-negative sepsis.
Protective efficacy of BCG vaccine against leprosy in southern Malaŵi
Authors: Baker D. M. , Nguyen-Van-Tam J. S. , Smith S. J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThis paper describes a matched case-control study to determine the efficacy of BCG vaccine in preventing the occurrence of leprosy in southern Malaŵi, a previously unstudied area. The BCG immunization rate amongst 145 individuals with leprosy was 44.8%, compared to 62.5% in 290 matched controls. The protective efficacy of BCG vaccine against leprosy in this region was estimated to be 63.6%; smallpox immunization had no effect. These findings support the view that BCG vaccine should be considered as a control measure in areas where leprosy is endemic.
Levels of anti-pneumococcal antibodies in young children in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Pomat W. S. , Smith T. A. , Sanders R. C. , Witt C. S. , Montgomery J. , Lehmann D. , Alpers M. P. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryAnti-pneumococcal polysaccharide antibody (anti-PPS) levels were measured in 153 serum samples collected from children aged between 2 and 47 months living in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Fifty-seven of the samples were collected during acute episodes of lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI). Total IgA and IgG increased steadily with age; however, no association was found between the levels of these antibodies and the health status of the child. Total IgM levels showed little relationship to the age of the child but under 12 months of age levels were somewhat higher on average in children with pneumonia. For most of eight pneumococcal serotypes tested, specific IgG levels were found to decline rapidly in the first 6–8 months, reaching a minimum at approximately 12 months of age. Serotype 3 was exceptional in having very low titres in the youngest children. A separate analysis of 24 cord sera suggested that antibodies to this serotype do not usually cross the placenta in PNG. Children with pneumonia tended to have lower levels of specific IgG than healthy controls of the same age. Specific anti-PPS IgA levels were found to increase steadily with age, but were not associated with health status.
Replicon typing characterization of plasmids encoding resistance to gentamicin and apramycin inEscherichia coliandSalmonella typhimuriumisolated from human and animal sources in Belgium
Authors: Pohl P. , Glupczynski Y. , Marin M. , Van Robaeys G. , Lintermans P. , Couturier M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryEscherichia coliand salmonella strains with plasmids conferring resistance to gentamicin and apramycin have been isolated with increasing frequency both from cattle and hospital patients in Belgium. The apramycin-gentamicin resistance plasmids were characterized in recipient strains by their profiles and molecular weights using agarose gel electrophoresis, by their antimicrobial resistance patterns and by replicon typing using a series of DNA probes specific for the genes controlling their systems of replication. Overall, most of the plasmids differed in their DNA electrophoretic patterns. Seventeen different antimicrobial resistance profiles were observed, and there were six different types of replicons. However, two replication genes predominated and had a preferential distribution in different bacterial species. The rep FIC.a plus rep Q multireplicon was found mainly in plasmids recovered from gentamicin- and apramycin-resistantE. coliwhile replicon of the type rep FIC.b largely prevailed inS. typhimurium. Identical replication genes were found in most animal and human strains, hence suggesting a high homology between apramycin- gentamicin plasmids in these communities. Finally, our results indicate that the rapid spread of apramycin-gentamicin-resistance in several species of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from animals and from humans in Belgium is not due to a single plasmid, but rather that the gene encoding AAC(3)-IV is carried by various replicons.
Virulence properties ofEscherichia colistrains belonging to serogroups O26, O55, O111 and O128 isolated in the United Kingdom in 1991 from patients with diarrhoea
Authors: Scotland S. M. , Willshaw G. A. , Smith H. R. , Said B. , Stokes N. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SummarySome strains ofEscherichia colibelonging to serogroups O26, O55, O111 or O128 produce Vero cytotoxin (VT). These serogroups are included in the range of enteropathogenicE. coli(EPEC) serogroups for which commercial antisera are available. In an attempt to obtain information on VT-producing strains other than those of serogroup O157, 122 strains belonging to these four serogroups and isolated in 1991 from patients with diarrhoea in the United Kingdom were tested for hybridization with VT probes. Only 18 of the 122 strains were VT-positive and these were O26 or O128. However 90 strains hybridized with theE. coliattaching and effacing (eae) probe (including 14 VT-positive strains) and 17 with the enteroaggregativeE. coli(EAggEC) probe. For 78eae-positive and 9 EAggEC-positive strains, tissue culture tests correlated with the probe results as the strains gave, respectively, either localized adhesion and a positive fluorescent-actin staining test or a characteristic aggregative attachment. A total of 111 of the 122 strains belonging to serogroups O26, O55, O111 or O128 possessed properties that may be associated with the ability to cause human diarrhoeal disease, and similar studies are needed on strains from the other classical EPEC serogroups.
Changing patterns among the subgroups of strains of Staphylococcus aureus of phage group II in Danish hospitals from 1961–91
Authors: Eriksen N. H. R. , Hartzen S. H. , Bangsborg J. , Andersen L. P. , Rosdahl V. T. , Espersen F. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryDuring the period 1961–91 a total of 567 635 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from hospitalized patients in Denmark have been characterized according to their antibiotic resistance, site of isolation and phage type. Strains of phage group II (typed by the phages 3A, 3C, 55 and 71) have been analysed further. The occurrence of group II strains was relatively constant (approximately 16%) from 1961 until 1983. Since then the frequency of group II strains increased; in 1991 they accounted for 22.7% of all S. aureus strains isolated. Strains of group II can, on the basis of their phage types, be divided in four subgroups: 3A, 71, 71 + and the ‘rest of group II’. Furthermore, within these groups strains may differ from one another in respect to their sensitivity to phages.The increased isolation of group II strains during recent years was because of an increase in strains of subgroups 71 + and the ‘rest of group II strains’. In 1991 these two subgroups accounted for 89.7% of all group II strains. Furthermore, an increasing number of group II strains, 71.4% in 1991, was typable only at RTD × 100. The increase in the number of group II strains was even throughout Denmark. All four subgroups of group II have, during the observation period, become more frequently resistant to penicillin and/or tetracycline. Strains typed at 100 × RTD of subgroup 71 + and the ‘rest of group II’ are more frequently antibiotic resistant than the rest of the group II strains.Strains of the increasing subgroups occurred most often in abscesses.
A double outbreak of exfoliative toxin–producing strains ofStaphylococcus aureusin a maternity unit
Authors: Dave J. , Reith S. , Nash J. Q. , Marples R. R. , Dulake C. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThis report describes a double outbreak of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) in which two distinct tetracycline-resistant strains ofStaphylococcus aureusproducing different exfoliative toxins were involved. In the first phase the daytime staff of the delivery unit and eczematous skin conditions in midwives were implicated as the probable source. In the second phase a source within a post-natal ward was suggested with local cross-infection. In the final phase both sources were epidemiologically linked to cases of SSSS. Because early discharge was the policy of the unit many cases presented in the community rather than in the hospital.Confirmation of epidemiological findings was provided by additional laboratory studies. Two distinct strains ofS. aureuscould be defined, differing in phage-typing patterns, the exfoliative toxin produced, plasmid profile, cadmium resistance and bacteriocin production. Strict care in hand washing with a chlorhexidine-containing detergent was an important control measure.
Molecular typing ofHelicobacter pyloriisolates from asymptomatic, ulcer and gastritis patients by urease gene polymorphism
Authors: Desai M. , Linton D. , Owen R. J. , Stanley J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe gastric-adapted bacteriumHelicobacter pyloriplays an important role in gastritis and ulcer disease, but no phenotypic typing scheme presently exists for this organism. With a view to the development of genotypic typing, we have compared isolates ofH. pylorifrom gastritis or ulcer patients with those from subjects exhibiting no disease. Variation was analysed at the urease genes,ureA andureCD, by employing PCR-generated probes in genomic Southern blot hybridizations. WhilstureA restriction fragments provided a fourfold subgrouping of strains,ureCD fragments were considerably more discriminatory. Twenty-four combinedureACD profiles were generated withHindIII, subdividing the 64 strains into 11 types and 13 single profiles. The most prevalent profile (UI) was found in 33% of strains, almost all from gastritis or ulcer patients. On the other hand strains isolated from asymptomatic individuals had the most diverseureACD profiles. A key finding from this set of isolates was that strains ofH. pyloriassociated with general gastroduodenal disease were genetically more homogeneous than strains carried by people without disease symptoms.
Measurement of diphtheria and tetanus antitoxin in blood samples collected on filter paper disks
Authors: Nikoletti S. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryLarge-scale surveys of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases may be limited by the inconvenience and expense involved in collection of blood by venepuncture. An alternative method of collecting blood on filter paper for measurement of immunity to diphtheria and tetanus is described. The precut filter disks (Elisadiscs), originally developed for serological diagnosis of disease in pigs, have advantages over previously described methods in that they allow safe handling of minimal volumes of blood (5 μl) which can be conveniently quantified.To compare values obtained by venepuncture and fingerprick, paired samples were collected from 60 subjects and diphtheria and tetanus antitoxin concentrations were measured by ELISA. There was no significant difference detected between samples collected by the two methods.The results suggest that Elisadiscs are a reliable alternative to venepuncture for monitoring immunity to diphtheria and tetanus and would be useful for sample collection in remote areas and from children.
Analysis of mixed foot–and–mouth disease virus infections in Saudi Arabia: prolonged circulation of an exotic serotype
Authors: Woodbury E. L. , Samuel A. R. , Knowles N. J. , Hafez S. M. , Kitching R. P. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryPlaque purification of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) type O viruses isolated from cattle in Saudi Arabia showed the presence of mixed serotype infections. Sixteen out of 31 samples collected between 1985 and 1991 also contained Asia 1 virus, a serotype which had previously only been isolated from a single outbreak in that country in 1980. Nucleotide sequences of the Asia 1 component of all these samples revealed little variation and showed that they were closely related to both a Russian lapinized vaccine virus strain (Asia 1/Tadzhikistan/64), and to a field isolate from Turkey (Asia 1/TUR/15/73). Although mixed FMD infections have been observed previously this is a first report of a serotype, considered to be exotic to a country, co-existing undetected for an extended period of time.
Characterisation of haemolytic activity fromAeromonas caviae
Authors: Karunakaran T. , Devi B. G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAeromonas caviae, an enteropathogen associated with gastroenteritis, displays several virulence characteristics. Studies on the kinetics of growth ofA. caviaeand expression of β–haemolytic toxin revealed thatA. caviaeproduced maximum haemolytic activity extracellularly during the stationary phase. Preliminary studies on the properties ofA. caviaehaemolysin suggested that divalent cations (Mg2+and Ca2+) and thiol compounds, dithiothreitol and mercaptoethanol enhanced the haemolytic activity. Addition of L–cysteine, glutathione and EDTA reduced the haemolytic activity. The iron chelator, 2–2' bipyridyl, significantly inhibited the growth ofA. caviaepossibly by iron limitation, with parallel enhancement of haemolysin production compared toA. caviaegrown in excess of iron. These results suggest thatA. caviaeproduces only β-haemolysin, which resembles the haemolysins reported for several other bacteria and the activity might be regulated by environmental factors especially iron.