bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food poisoning in hospitals in Scotland, 1978–87
Authors: Collier P. W. , Sharp J. C. M. , MacLeod Aida F. , Forbes G. I. , Mackay F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYDuring the 10-year period 1978–87 there were 48 outbreaks of food poisoning in Scottish hospitals affeeting a total of 2287 persons of whom 12 died. This compared with 50 outbreaks during the previous 5 years (1973–77) when over 1500 persons and 7 deaths were recorded. Although the incidence of outbreaks has decreased the average number of persons affected in outbreaks has increased. A marked reduction was seen in the incidence of outbreaks due to Clostridium perfringens, in contrast to foodborne salmonellosis which remains a problem. Thirty-four hospitals, of which 10 reported two or more outbreaks, were involved. The type of hospitals most frequently affected were general (14), psychiatric (13), geriatric (9) and hospitals for the mentally subnormal (7). Meat, including poultry meat, was incriminated in over 90% of outbreaks where a food vehicle was identified. In modern or re-equipped kitchens cooking in advance with subsequent reheating is being progressively discontinued as more food is being cooked on the day of consumption, a practice which may readily explain the decreasing incidence of outbreaks due to Cl. perfringens. Bacterial cross-contamination from poultry-meat and other raw foods, compounded by inadequate temperature control, however, continues to be a problem in some hospitals. It is too early as yet to determine whether the removal of Crown immunity will have any effect on the future incidence of hospital ‘food poisoning’.
Subtyping ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b strains from Europe and North America by SDS—PAGE of whole-cell polypeptides: the geographical distribution of subtypes
Authors: Pennington T. H. , Freebairn E. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and nine strains ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b were subtyped by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of whole-cell polypeptides. Twenty-one strains from England, 44 from Scotland, 8 from Sweden, 6 from the Netherlands and 30 from the USA were examined. Some of these strains had been subtyped by outer membrane protein analysis; most of the strains had been isolated from cases of invasive disease.Comparison of polypeptide profiles using the Dice coefficient of similarity showed that the majority of European strains were closely related and formed a single large group. Four smaller groups were identified; three of these included American and European strains, indicating a world-wide distribution of subtypes. However, the common European and American subtypes fell into different groups, indicating the existence of marked geographical variations in subtype frequency.
Further observations on the effect of feeding diets containing avoparcin on the excretion of salmonellas by experimentally infected chickens
Authors: Barrow P. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYChickens which had been inoculated orally with a nalidixic acid-resistant strain ofSalmonella typhimuriumwere reared on a diet containing different concentrations of avoparcin in an attempt to explain the variation in response to commercial levels of this antibiotic oberved by different workers. In one experiment small increases in faecal excretion of the inoculated salmonella occurred at 2·5 and 5·0 mg kg−1, with greater increases between 7·5 and 20 mg kg−1In a second experiment there was a significant increase in excretion at 7'5 mg kg−1and in a third experiment in which generally higher excretion rates were detected in all groups, significant increases were observed at 10 and 12·5 mg kg−1only. In addition avoparcin significantly increased the faecal excretion ofS. cholerae-suis, S. dublin and S. arizonae, serotypes not usually associated with poultry-derived food-poisoning in the United Kingdom. It did not increase faecal excretion ofS. pullorum. Avoparcin at 10 mg kg−1appeared to have little effect on the normal intestinal flora ofS. typhimuriuminfected chickens despite the fact that when tested in vitro individual organisms were susceptible to this drug concentration. At 100 mg kg 1 viable counts of intestinal enterococci and Gramnegative anaerobic bacteria were considerably reduced while those ofS. typhimurium and Escherichia coliincreased. Antibiotic activity due to avoparcin was detectable in the alimentary tract and there was some increase in concentration of the antibiotic in the more distal regions.
Comparison of different vaccines and induced immune response againstCampylobacter jejunicolonization in the infant mouse
Authors: Abimiku Alash'le G. , Dolby Jean M. , Borriello S. P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe degree of protection conferred by vaccinated dams on infant mice against colonization byCampylobacter jejunidepended on the bacterial strain, preparation, and route of administration of the vaccine. In some instances of homologous protection, serum bactericidal titres correlated well with protection. However, boiledC. jejunivaccine, which was non-protective, also elicited a strong bactericidal antibody response. Conversely, bactericidal activity could not be demonstrated against strains capable of cross-protection. There was a good correlation between high campylobacter-specific IgG response and bactericidal activity.
The seroepidemiology ofChlamydiaein Finland over the period 1971 to 1987
Authors: Puolakkainen Mirja , Ukkonen Pentti , Saikku Pekka 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe seroepidemiology of chlamydial infections in the Finnish population was studied by analysing the prevalence of chlamydial complement fixing (CF) antibodies in patients sera sent for virus serological screening tests over 17 years from 1971 to 1987. The total number of sera studied was over 160 000. In the early 1970s, the prevalence of chlamydial CF antibodies (CF titres ≥8) was low (less than 2%), but later the proportion of seropositive cases rose, and in 1976, 18% of sera contained antibodies. In 1984, the seropositivity rate was over 31%. The prevalence of high chlamydial CF titres (titres ≥64) also showed annual variation. In general, under 1% of sera contained chlamydial CF antibodies in high titre, but in 1979 and 1984, distinct peaks occurred when 1·3% and 1·4% of sera, respectively, had titres ≥64 The age-related antibody positivity rate showed a decline during early infancy, an increase in childhood and adolescence, and a stable level in adulthood when approximately 20% of the sera contained antibodies. The chlamydial antigen used in this survey was genus-specific, i.e. it detects antibodies against, all chlamydial species. Epidemiological data support the hypothesis that infections due to a novel chlamydial species, TWAR chlamydia, are the most likely explanation for the relatively frequent occurrence of chlamydial CF antibodies and for the variation in CF antibody prevalence.
Prevalence of peritonitis-associated coagulase-negative staphylococci on the skin of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Beard-Pegler M. A. , Gabelish C. L. , Stubbs E. , Harbour C. , Robson J. , Falk M. , Benn R. , Vickery A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe predominance of coagulase-negative staphylococci as normal skin flora is thought to be a factor in their association with episodes of peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We investigated the prevalence of peritonitis-associated strains on the skin of 28 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated organisms. comprising 47% of peritoncal dialysis fluid isolates and 59% of body site isolates. A total of 142 coagulase-negative staphylococci were speciated. tested for their antimicrobial sensitivity and slime production. and identified by phage typing and plasmid-profile analysis.Staphylococcus epidermidiswas the most commonly identified species from both peritoncal dialysis fluid (73%) and body sites (53%). Multiple antibiotic resistance was common, and the greater proportion of isolates were resistant to methicillin: 63·6% of peritoncal dialysis fluid isolates and 61·7% of body-site isolates.isolates.S. haemolyticusisolates were significantly more resistant to methicillin than other species. By phage typing and plasmid-profile analysis it was shown that peritonitis was rarely caused by skincolonizing strains. In only 3 of 14 patients were peritonitis-associated strains isolated as skin colonizers, and no patients developed peritonitis due to organisms previously isolated as skin colonizers.
Group C streptococci in human infection: a study of 308 isolates with clinical correlations
Authors: Barnham M. , Kerby J. , Chandler R. S. , Millar M. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA collection of 308 clinical isolates of β-haemolytic Lancefield group C streptococci was assembled from laboratories in England. Nigeria and New Zealand. Of these, 276 isolates wereStreptococcus equisimilis. 23S. milleriand nineS. zooepidemicus. Isolates ofS. equisimilisin the African collection, though few, gave higher rates of lactose and raffinose fermentation, aesculin hydrolysis and positive α-galactosidase reactions than those from elsewhere. Erythromycin resistance was found in 1·9% of the English isolates ofS. equisimilis.Strains from superficial infections accounted for 88 % of the collection and were most commonly isolated from the upper respiratory tract, skin or wounds. Amongst the 36 patients yielding isolates from deep sitesS. equisimiliswas found in septicaemia, cellulitis, abscess, peritonitis, septic arthritis, pneumonia, mycotic aneurysm and acute epiglottitis.S. milleriwas found in abdominal abscesses, peritonitis, pleural empyema and osteomyelitis andS. zooepidemicuswas found in septicaemia, pneumonia, meningitis and septic arthritis. Within the collection an unselected general catchment of 214 isolates of group C streptococci from the laboratories in Yorkshire showed the following species: from 199 superficial infections 94%S. equisimilis. 5%S. milleriand 1%S. zooepidemicusand 15 patients with deeper, more agressive infections 67, 27 and 6·7% of these species respectively.
Beta-haemolytic streptococci from the female genital tract: clinical correlates and outcome of treatment
Authors: Lewis R. F. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYClinical features, treatment and outcome were assessed retrospectively by means of a questionnaire in 174 patients in general practice whose vaginal swabs yielded bcta-haemolytic streptococci. These were compared with 96 patients whose swabs yielded no recognized microbial pathogens. Patients with group B streptococci did not differ in any of these parameters from the control group, but those with group A streptococci were more likely to have vaginal soreness, a purulent discharge. and to respond to anti-streptococcal antibiotics. Implications for laboratory reporting are discussed.
Cost–benefit analysis of tetanus prophylaxis by a mathematical model
Authors: Carducci A. , Avio C.M. , Bendinelli M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA mathematical model has been developed which allows estimation of the epidemiological and economic effects of different tetanus vaccination strategies. The model was used to simulate the epidemiology of tetanus in italy from 1955 to 1982, and then applied to a district of Tuscany by utilizing data obtained from a seroepidemiological survey carried out in the same area. For this district we simulated vaccination programmes designed to reach, within 1 or 10 years, coverages of 60 or 90% of the population aged over 10 years who had not been exposed to the neonatal vaccination programme. The most effective strategy, from both the epidemiological and economic point of view, seems to be 90% coverage reached in 1 year's time. Benefits would be increased by improving the reliability of vaccinal anamnesis.
Epidemiology of parainfluenza virus type 3 in England and Wales over a ten-year period
Authors: Easton A. J. , Eglin R. P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYWe have analysed data on respiratory syneytial (RS) and parainfiuenza type 3 (PF3) viruses reported to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre. London, over the period 1978–87. These confirm the annual winter epidemic of RS virus and show that, in England and Wales, PF3 is a summer infection with regular yearly epidemics.
Cryptosporidiumas a common cause of childhood diarrhoea in Italy
Authors: Caprioli A. , Gentile G. , Baldassarri L. , Bisicchia R. , Romoli E. , Donelli G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYCryptosporidiumoocysts were observed in the stools of 9 (7·2%) of 124 Italian children with diarrhoea, examined during the period 1 January—31 December 1984. In two children, the parasite was associated with other enteric pathogens. The duration of diarrhoea was 2–30 days, with a median of 6 days. In all cases the infection was self limiting. The mean age of theCryptosporidium-positive children was 34 months, and all cases occurred in the warm season.Cryptosporidiumwas found to be the third most common enteric pathogen after rotavirus andSalmonellaspp.
Correlation between electrophoretic types B1and B2of carboxylesterase B and sex of patients inEscherichia coliurinary tract infections
Authors: Picard B. , Goullet Ph. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and sixty-eight strains ofEscherichia coliisolated from 84 men and 84 women who had urinary tract infections (134 cases) or bacteremia of urinary tract origin (34 cases) were assessed for their carboxylesterase B electrophoretic types B and B α-haemolysin production, the presence of mannose resistant haemagglutinin (MRHA) and antibiotic susceptibility. Electrophoretic type B was phenotypically linked with α-haemolysin and MRHA productions. The strains isolated from males were more frequently of type B, haemolytic and both haemolytic and haemagglutinating than those isolated from females. The strains isolated during bacteremia were more frequently haemolytic and haemag glutinating than those obtained from urinary tract infections. Type B strains were more frequently resistant to antimicrobial agents than type B strains. The results reinforced the distinction, in terms of virulence and antibiotic sensitivity, between B and B strains and demonstrated the influence of the sex of patients on the host-parasite interaction during urinary tract infections.
Detection ofLegionella pneumophilain environmental water samples using a fluorescein conjugated monoclonal antibody
Authors: Makin T. , Hart C. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSixty-three environmental water samples from various sources were examined for the presence ofLegionella pneumophilawith a commercially available direct fluorescent monoclonal antibody (GS), an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and culture. GS detectedL. pneumophilain 94% and 100% of environmental water samples which were culture and IFAT positive forL. pneumophila, respectively. IFAT detected 69% ofL. pneumophilaculture positive samples. Cultures ofL. pneumophilaserogroups 1 to 12, 14 and nonL. pneumophilabacteria which may be found in water, and bacteria containing non-specific binding proteins, were stained by GS and IFAT. GS identified all serogroups ofL. pneumophilaand did not cross react with any non-L. pneumophilabacteria.L. pneumophilain environmental samples was easy to detect against a clear dark background when stained with GS.
Acquisition of a drug resistance plasmid convertsSalmonella enteritidisphage type 4 to phage type 24
Authors: Frost J. A. , Ward L. R. , Rowe B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSalmonella enteritidisaccounted for 55% of the 27478 salmonellae isolated from humans in England and Wales during 1988. Within this serotype phage type 24 has increased from 24 isolations in 1987 to 201 in 1988. The high frequency of drug resistance in this phage type has been shown to be due to the presence of plasmids belonging to Inc N and coding for resistance to a range of antimicrobial drugs among which resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline (AST) and T predominate. These plasmids are phage-type determining and convert strains of phage type 4 to phage type 24.
Evaluation of numerical analysis of SDS-PAGE of protein patterns for typingEnterobacter cloacae
Authors: Costas M. , Sloss L. L. , Owen R. J. , Gaston M. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwenty cultures comprising 13 clinical isolates ofEnterobacter cloacaefrom two hospitals. the type and another reference stain ofE. cloacaeand the type strains of four otherEnterobactersp. and ofEscherichia coli, were characterized by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) of whole-cell proteins. The protein patterns were highly reproducible and were used as the basis of a numerical analysis which divided the clinical isolates into nine clearly defined protein types. Comparison with established typing methods indicated that the discrimination of SDS-PAGE was similar to that achieved with conventional typing methods and all strain groups recognized by combined sero/phage typing were also found by SDS-PAGE. In addition, protein typing sub-divided a group of four serotype O3 isolates that were difficult to distinguish by phage typing. We conclude that high-resolution SDS-PAGE of proteins provides an effective method of typing isolates ofE. cloacae.
Analysis of lipopolysaccharide antigens ofTreponema hyodysenteriae
Authors: Hampson D. J. , Mhoma J. R. L. , Combs B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYLipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracts obtained fromTreponema hyodysenteriaeof serogroups A, B, D and E, and fromT. innocenswere examined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), silver-staining, and immunoblotting with hyperimmune rabbit sera. All organisms possessed multiple LPS bands, but their position and number differed.Immunoblotting of LPS with grouping sera identified three or four major antigenic LPS components in the 10-42 kDa range in all organisms: these components were largely specific to each type-organism of a serogroup, and presumably represented group antigens. Although some minor cross-reactivity occurred between LPS from organisms in the different groups, this was insufficient to merit changes to the current LPS serogrouping system for T. hyodysenteriae. Besides this LPS ‘complex’, other higher-molecular-weight material which appeared to be a common component of the treponemes examined was present in low concentrations. Organisms with different serotypes within a serogroup apparently possessed common LPS bands, but also had unique LPS bands which may account for their serotype specificity. One ‘untypable’ organism lacked group-specific LPS and was thought to be a mutant of a group B organism. The loss of serogroup LPS by the isolate suggested that this material is an external component of the cell wall. The availability of an atypical organism lacking LPS components may facilitate further studies on the pathogenesis of swine dysentery.
Rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis by an enzyme immunoassay of cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Salih M. A. M. , Armed H. S. , Hofvander Y. , Danielsson D. , Olcén P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 250 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were analyzed using a rapid enzyme immunoassay (Pharmacia Meningitis ETA-Test) (EIA) for the detection of antigens of Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis (serogroups A, B, C) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (25 selected types). The test is performed in less than 1 h and read by the naked eye. EIA and coagglutination (CoA) were compared with a constructed reference that comprised samples which were either positive by culture and/or on direct microscopy (DM), or in which there were positive results with both EIA and CoA for the bacteria covered by the assays. Using this reference for CSF samples assayed in a period between two meningococcal meningitis epidemics, the sensitivity was 0·86 for EIA and 0·69 for CoA, the specificity 0·95 (EIA) and 0·97 (CoA), the predictive value for a positive result 0·81 (ETA) and 0·87 (CoA) and, the predictive value for a negative result 0·96 (EIA) and 0·93 (CoA). Antibiotics had been given to 54% of the patients before admission. All of the 56 samples that were positive in any of the tests taken during an epidemic of group A meningococcal disease were detected by EIA; CoA was negative in 45% and culture/DM was negative in 32%. Sequential dilutions of two CSF samples from whichH. influenzaetype b had been isolated, showed the EIA to be 16–32 times more sensitive than CoA. With both technical feasibility and good sensitivity and specificity, the EIA seems to be useful and reliable for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, especially in situations where pretreatment with antibiotics are likely.
Hepatitis A antibody in blood donors in North East Thames region: implications to prevention policies
Authors: Scott N. J. , Harrison J. F. , Zuckerman A. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 1786 blood donors were screened for the presence of anti-hepatitis A antibod (anti HAV). 64·5% of the donors were found to be positive. The prevalence of the antibody was found to be age-related, 55% at 18 years and 75% at 65 years. No relationship was noted between the presence of antibody, foreign travel or a specific destination. Assay of antibody levels in selected seropositive individuals gave a mean level of 5· IU/ml.The prevalence of infection in this selected population is important in thecontext of passive immunization with normal human immunoglobulin and for defining a policy of immunization with hepatitis A vaccines, which are currently undergoing clinical trials.
Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR, as the cause of an outbreak in a boys' school previously called psittacosis
Authors: Pether J. V. S. , Wang San-Pin , Grayston J. T. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSera from an outbreak of acute respiratory illness in a boys boarding school originally thought to have been due to psittacosis (1) have been re-examined and evidence is presented that suggests that the outbreak was caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR (2).
Hospital dispersion of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates resistant to a fluoroquinolone, pefloxacin
Authors: Etienne J. , Brun Y. , Billard M. , Fleurette J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSince 1985. nosocomial infections have been frequently treated with a new fluoroquinolone, pefloxacin, at the Cardiological and Neurological Hospital in Lyon. From 1986 to 1988. the incidence of resistance of clinical Staphylococcus epidermidis strains to pefloxacin increased from 31 to 57%. Dispersion of these resistant strains in the hospital environment was recognized when they were detected on 22% of staff members' fingers (139 samples were investigated) and in 28% of the environmental samples (180 were investigated). There was an association between carriage rate and work place. Most of the pefloxacin-resistant S. epidermidis were resistant to oxacillin, gentamicin. erythromycin, cotrimoxazole and fosfomycin. Intensive use of pefloxacin selected multiresistant S. epidermidis which became ubiquitous in the hospital environment.
Comparative study of visual inspections and microbiological sampling in premises manufacturing and selling high-risk foods
Authors: Tebbutt G. M. , Southwell J. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe possible relationship between the results of a microbiological sampling programme and visual inspections carried out in local food-manufacturing premises was examined. Using five main parameters—overall appearance, personal hygiene, risk of contamination, temperature control, and training and education –a visual inspection rating score was established for each of the premises. A variety of high-risk processed foods, and specimens from hands, wiping cloths and environmental swabs were examined. The results from two study Periods indicated that there was an overall poor agreement between microbiological results and inspection ratings. On its own, neither sampling nor visual assessment reliably monitored the performance of the premises. A combined approach, using selective microbiological examination to support a system of standardized inspections, is suggested for monitoring food hygiene standards in premises selling high-risk foods