bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A serosurvey of water-borne pathogens amongst canoeists in South Africa
Authors: Taylor M. B. , Becker P. J. , Van Rensburg E. Janse , Harris B. N. , Bailey I. W. , Grabow W. O. K. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryCertain health risks have been associated with recreational exposure to faecally polluted water. Canoeing in certain South African waters is considered to be a high risk activity with regard to schistosomiasis. gastroenteritis and possibly hepatitis. In a cross-sectional study, a serosurvey was conducted amongst canoeists to ascertain whether or not they had a higher seroprevalence to hepatitis A virus. Norwalk virus andSchistosomaspp. than non-canoeists. In comparisons between the two groups, a significant association could not be demonstrated between canoeing and antibody response to hepatitis A and Norwalk viruses (P-values for age-adjustedχ2were 0·083 and 0·219 respectively), but a significant association could be demonstrated between canoeing and the antibody response to Schistosoma spp. (P> 0·001: age-adjusted).
Biotype traits and antibiotic susceptibility ofVibrio choleraeserogroup O1 before, during and after the emergence of the O139 serogroup
Authors: Mukhopadhyay A. K. , Garg S. , Nair G. Balakrish , Kar S. , Ghosh R. K. , Pajni S. , Ghosh A. , Shimada T. , Takeda T. , Takeda Y. 
Published: May 2009

SummarySixty-nine strains ofVibrio cholerae01 isolated at different times were analysed to investigate if there were any differences among the 01 strains isolated before, during and after the advent of the O139 serogroup. Of the 69 01 strains examined, 68 belonged to the Ogawa serotype while one belonged to the Inaba serotype. With the exception of one strain all other strains ofV. cholerae01 belonged to the eltor biotype. A single O1 strain isolated before the emergence of the O139 serogroup could not be classified as either eltor or classical biotype because it was resistant to both classical and eltor specific bacteriophages. Marked variations in the susceptibility to antibiotics ofV. choleraeO1 isolated during the different periods were observed. In addition, strains ofV. choleraeisolated after the epidemic of serogroup O139 in Calcutta showed an expanding R-type with resistance to a variety of drugs as compared to the 01 strains isolated before the advent of the O139 serogroup. From this study, it is clear that there is a substantial mobility in genetic elements ofV. choleraeOl which necessitates a continuous monitoring to keep abreast of the changing traits of the etiologic agent of cholera.
Chaos under canvas: a Salmonella enteritidis PT 6B outbreak
Authors: Brugha R. F. , Howard A. J. , Thomas G. R. , Parry R. , Ward L. R. , Palmer S. R. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryAn outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis PT 6B food poisoning, the first reported of this recently described phage type, resulted in illness among 46 of 49 members of a camping group in North Wales. 33 of whom were hospitalized. Epidemiological evidence (P < 0·0001) indicated that a lemon meringue pie was the vehicle of infection. Fresh shell eggs, stored after purchase at ambient temperature, appear to be the most likely source of infection, with multiplication during preparation and subsequent storage of the pie a significant contributory factor. Campers may be at greater risk than others and should consider the use of cold boxes for the transport and storage of eggs, and avoid the preparation of lightly cooked egg products under these basic conditions.
Occurrence ofListeriaspecies in ready to eat foods
Authors: Wilson I. G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryOver 8000 ready to eat foods were examined for the presence ofListeriaspecies. Overall. 5% of foods were found to contain these organisms. Higher occurrence was found in some foods such as chicken (11%) and fish (14%). Most of theListeriaspecies isolated wereL. monocytogenes(49%) andL. innocua(36%) with lower numbers of other species. No seasonal pattern in the recovery ofL. monocytogeneswas found. Unsatisfactory or potentially hazardous levels ofL. monocytogeneswere found in 14 products (< 0·2%). mostly cooked meats. Undercooked chicken products appeared to present the greatest risk for the duration of this survey. The small number of samples which were potentially hazardous suggests that the risk to consumers is not high, and this is confirmed by the absence of clinical cases in the region during the period of study.
Prevalence of antibodies againstEntamoeba histolyticain Mexico measured by ELISA
Authors: González C. R. , Isibasi A. , Ortiz-Navarrete V. , Paniagua J. , García J. A. , Ramirez A. , Salvatierra B. , Tapia R. , Sepúlveda J. , Gutiérrez G. , Kumate J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe prevalence of antibodies againstEntamoeba histolyticawas studied in the Mexican population using an immunoenzyme assay in solid phase (ELISA) and semiautomatic equipment. The antigen was a mixture of membrane proteins obtained by Triton X-100 extraction from an axenic culture ofEntamoeba histolyticaHM1-IMSS. The method was standardized by comparing serum samples from amoebic liver abscess patients with healthy volunteers. From the 60538 samples suppliedbythe National Seroepidemiology Survey, antibodies were found in 4·49 % (4·32–;4·65% at 95 % confidence limit). More significant titres occurred in the central region of the country. The ratio female to male was 1·25:1. The population living in metropolitan areas had probably been infected at a younger age than those living in the country.Important differences were found in the seroprevalence obtained by ELISA compared with a study which used indirect haemagglutination (IHA) in the same sample frame.
Inactivation of HIV-1 by chemical disinfectants: sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Van Bueren J. , Simpson R. A. , Salmax H. , Farrelly H. D. , Cookson B. D. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe efficacy of sodium hypochlorite was assessed against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 suspended in low (8% v/v) or high (80% v/v) concentrations of serum or in a high (80%) concentration of blood. In the presence of 8% serum. 100 p.p.m. available chlorine in the disinfectant test mixture inactivated 3·75 log TCID50HIV/ml within 30 s. When the test mixture contained 80% serum. 500 p.p.m. available chlorine inactivated more than 4 log TCID50HIV/ml in 1–2 min. Lower concentrations of available chlorine were unable to inactivate the virus completely. In the presence of 80% blood. 1000 p.p.m. available chlorine in the disinfectant test mixture was unable to inactivate 3·75 log TCID50HIV/ml. although 2500 p.p.m. available chlorine was able to inactivate at least 1·5 log TCID50HIV/ml. In all test mixtures, the chlorine rapidly became combined and thus less active. Our results emphasise the importance of cleaning prior to disinfection with sodium hypochlorite since it may prove to be ineffective in the presence of high levels of organic matter. In cases where prior cleaning is impossible, care must be taken to use the higher recommended concentration (a minimum of 10000 p.p.m. available chlorine).
Micromorphometrical analysis of rodent related (SPF) and unrelated (human) gut microbial flora in germfree mice by digital image processing
Authors: Veenendaal D. , de Boer J. , Meijer B. C. , van der Waaij D. , Wilkinson M. H. F. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryDigital image processing (DIP) of bacterial smears is a new method of analysing the composition of the gut microbial flora. This method provides the opportunity to compare and evaluate differences in the complex highly concentrated anaerobic fraction of gut microbial flora, based on micromorphological differences. There is ample evidence that this fraction can be characterized as related or unrelated to the host organism by its immunogenicity. In this study germfree ND2 mice were associated with either related (rodent) SPF microflora (SPF-MF) or unrelated human MF (HUM-MF). DIP analysis was performed on original SPF-MF and HUM-MF and on the faeces of ex-germfree mice 4 weeks after association. The micromorphological pattern of highly concentrated anaerobic bacteria in faeces of HUM-MF associated ex-germfree mice was significantly different from SPF-MF associated counterparts with regard to the scores for elongation (P< 0·01) and morphological variety (P< 0·05). Moreover, gross morphological variability was present between individual HUM-MF associated mice but not between individual SPF-MF associated animals. No differences were found between original SPF and HUM-MF. The data are discussed with regard to differences in the presence of (non-)immunogenic bacteria and the ability for related and unrelated flora to colonize the murine gut. This study provides evidence that murine host specificity of microbial flora may not only be reflected in the number of non-immunogenic bacteria but also in the micromorphological pattern of highly concentrated anaerobic bacteria in faeces measured by DIP analysis.
Measles immunity and response to revaccination among secondary school children in Cumbria
Authors: Calvert N. , Cutts F. , Irving R. , Brown D. , Marsh J. , Miller E. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe prevalence of antibody to measles virus in 759 children aged 11–18 years attending a secondary school in Cumbria was measured using a salivary IgG antibody capture assay. Serum IgG antibody levels were measured using a plaque reduction neutralization assay in subjects whose saliva was antibody negative. Vaccination histories were obtained from the child health computer and general practice records. A total of 662 pupils (87 % of those tested) had detectable measles-specific IgG in saliva. Of the remaining 97, 82 provided blood samples and 29 had serum neutralizing antibody levels above 200 mlU/ml. After adjusting for non-participation rates, the proportion considered non-immune (no IgG in saliva and ≤ 200 mlU/ml in serum) was 9 % overall, ranging from 6 % in vaccinated children to 20 % in unvaccinated children. Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine was given to 50 children of whom 38 provided post-vaccination serum and 32 saliva samples. Thirty (79 %) had a fourfold or greater rise in serum neutralizing antibody and 28 (88 %) developed IgG antibody in saliva. Half of the children considered non-immune by antibody testing would have been overlooked in a selective vaccination programme targeted at those without a history of prior vaccination. A programme targeted at all school children should substantially reduce the proportion non-immune since a primary or booster response was achieved in three quarters of previously vaccinated children with low antibody levels and in all unvaccinated children. While it is feasible to screen a school-sized population for immunity to measles relatively quickly using a salivary IgG assay, a simple inexpensive field assay would need to be developed before salivary screening and selective vaccination could substitute for universal vaccination of populations at risk of measles outbreaks. The salivary IgG assay provided a sensitive measure of a booster response to vaccination.
Preventing epidemics in a community of households
Authors: Hall R. , Becker N. G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe occurrence of epidemics of vaccine-preventable diseases, and the immunization coverage required to prevent them, is affected by the presence of households and heterogeneity in the community. We consider a community where individuals live in households and are of different types, according to infectivity and/or susceptibility to infection. We describe a method for computing the critical immunization coverage to prevent epidemics in such communities and discuss the effectiveness of immunization strategies. In a heterogeneous community where individuals live in households several immunization strategies are possible and we examine strategies targeting households, randomly selected individuals, or groups with highly intense transmission, such as school children. We compare estimates of the critical immunization coverage if we assume that disease is spread solely by random mixing with estimates which result if we assume the effects of the household structure. Estimates made under these two sets of assumptions differ. The results provide insights into the community effects of vaccination, and the household structure of the community should be taken into account when designing immunization policies.
Problems in the diagnosis of foodborne infection in general practice
Authors: Palmer S. , Houston H. , Lervy B. , Ribeiro D. , Thomas P. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe incidence of acute gastroenteritis and self suspected food poisoning in general practice populations was compared with consultation rates in four group practices during a 3-month winter period and a 2-month autumn period. The average monthly consultation rate for acute gastroenteritis and self suspected food poisoning was 0·3 % and 0·06 % respectively. However, over the same period, on average, an estimated 7% of the practice population per month reported an acute gastroenteritis illness, and 0·7% suspected a food poisoning illness. Only about one in 26 people who suffer an acute episode of gastroenteritis consult their general practitioner (GP). In two practices, faecal samples were sought from all patient cases; the isolation rate for salmonellas was 2% (3/191) and for campylobacters it was 12% (23/191). In the other two practices following routine management, the isolation rate for salmonellas was 9% (6/64) and for campylobacters it was 2% (1/64). Isolation of faecal pathogens was not associated with patients' suspicion of food poisoning. A history of eating out in the week before onset was associated with a significantly increased yield of salmonellas and campylobacters.
The dynamics of scarlet fever epidemics in England and Wales in the 19th century
Authors: Duncan C. J. , Duncan S. R. , Scott S. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThere was a marked rise in scarlet fever mortality in England and Wales in the mid-nineteenth century and spectral analysis of the registration details, 1847–80, shows that the interepidemic interval was 5–6 years, but after 1880 the endemic level fell and the fatal epidemics disappeared. The dynamics of the scarlet fever epidemics can be represented by a linearized mathematical model and because the system is lightly damped, it could be driven by an oscillation in susceptibility. Epidemics were significantly correlated with dry conditions in spring/summer (P< 0·001), suggesting that these produced a low amplitude oscillation in susceptibility which drove the system. Epidemics also correlated (P< 0·001) with an oscillation in wheat prices but at a lag of 3 years, suggesting that malnutrition during pregnancy caused increased susceptibility in the subsequent children which interacted synergistically with seasonal dry conditions. Scarlet fever mortality was sharply reduced after 1880 in parallel with falling wheat prices suggesting that the remarkable period of high scarlet fever mortality (1840–80) was dependent on poor nutritive levels during that time.
Distribution ofmip-related sequences in 39 species (48 serogroups) ofLegionellaceae
Authors: Riffard S. , Vandenesch F. , Reyrolle M. , Etienne J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe macrophage infectivity potentiator gene (mip) fromLegionella pneumophilais a major virulence factor of the species. Thus,mip-detection by amplification has been proposed to assess the presence ofL. pneumophilain clinical and environmental samples. The distribution ofmip-related sequences within theLegionellaceaewas studied by DNA amplification usingmip-specific primers followed by Southern blot hybridization with an internal probe. Thirty nine species (48 serogroups) ofLegionellaceaewere screened in this attempt. Using this approach, sequences related tomipwere observed in 89% of the tested species including the most recently describedL. fairfieldensis, L. lansingensisandL. shakespearei. In several cases, cloning and sequencing of the amplified products confirmed the high levels of similarity between the sequence found in non-pneumophilaspecies with that of theL. pneumophila mipgene. This confirms previous reports thatmiprelated genes are widespread amongLegionellaceaeand therefore specific detection of the speciesL. pneumophilacannot be based onmip-targeted amplification.
The consequences of uncertainty for the prediction of the effects of schistosomiasis control programmes
Authors: Chan M. S. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryProgress in the development of schistosomiasis models for use in control programmes is limited by the considerable uncertainty in many of the biological parameters. In this paper, this problem is addressed by a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of a schistosomiasis model using the Latin Hypercube method. Fifty simulations with different parameter contributions are run for 50 years with treatment during the first 20 years and reinfection thereafter. The analysis shows only a relatively small divergence between simulations during the chemotherapy treatment programme but considerable divergence in reinfection levels after treatment is stopped. A skewed distribution of outcomes was seen with most simulations showing effective control and a few where control had less impact. The most important uncertainty source was due to the unknown levels of acquired immunity and also uncertainty in the true worm burden. In particular, the strength of the immune response was most important in determining whether control was effective with higher immunity leading to less effective control. Among those simulations in which control was not very effective, those in which the mean worm burden was high showed the least effective control. Since both these are areas of genuine uncertainty, it is proposed that uncertainty analysis should be an integral part of any projection of control programmes.
A comparative study of the heat resistance of salmonellas in homogenized whole egg, egg yolk or albumen
Authors: Humphrey T. J. , Chapman P. A. , Rowe B. , Gilbert R. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSalmonella enteritidis PT4 was found to be more resistant to heat in egg than some other common egg-associated salmonellas. This organism was significantly more heat sensitive than S. senftenberg 775W, however, and should not survive in pasteurized liquid egg.
Intestinal spirochaetes in a Gulf Arab population
Authors: Barrett S. P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSpirochaetal bacteria were isolated from the faeces of 11·4% of 1000 hospital patients and 26·7% of 292 healthy local nationals in the Muscat area of the Sultanate of Oman. A case-control study of patient records showed the isolation of the spirochaete to be associated with Omani nationality, age in excess of 2 years and attendance at self-referral health-care facilities. No association was found with symptomatic intestinal disease or microscopic abnormalities of the stool.
Specific targeting of breast tumor by octreotide-conjugated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles using a clinical 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance scanner
Authors: Li Xubin , Du Xiangke , Huo Tianlong , Liu Xia , Zhang Sen , Yuan Fei 
Published: May 2009

Background: Targeted magnetic resonance contrast agents have enabled the imaging of biological processes in vivo, and current insights have opened up new perspectives for the monitoring and diagnosis of many diseases. Purpose: To develop a contrast agent for targeting somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) expressed on breast cancer cells, and to evaluate the detection capabilities of a molecular probe using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in an in vivo mouse model of breast carcinoma. Material and Methods: Octreotide (OCT) was conjugated with polyethylene glycol-coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles by an ethyl-3-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-mediated reaction. Prussian blue staining for intracellular iron, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cellular MR imaging in vitro were performed on labeled MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Twenty-four mice bearing tumors were divided into two groups: 1) study group with injection of OCT-USPIOs ( n=12); 2) control group with injection of USPIOs ( n=12). Tumors were monitored in vivo using a 3.0-Tesla MR scanner before and after injection of contrast agents, and the findings were correlated with the histopathological findings. Results: OCT-USPIOs were shown to specifically bind to MCF-7 cells and did not affect proliferation and viability of the cells labeled. T2 value of the cells labeled with OCT-USPIOs in vitro was 56.465±13.147 ms, while those of the cells cultured with USPIOs and gelatin/phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) gel alone were 75.435±16.171 ms and 85.950±22.352 ms, respectively ( P<0.05). Signal intensity of the tumor gradually decreased, and its T2 value reached a minimum of approximately 24.49% 6 hours after injection of OCT-USPIOs in vivo, compared to a minimum of 21.89% after 2 hours in the control group. Iron depositions were visualized as blue particles in tumor 6 hours after injection of OCT-USPIOs, while no blue particles were observed in the control group. Conclusion: SSTR expression in vitro and in vivo can be selectively and directly imaged with an MR molecular probe. OCT-conjugated PEG-coated USPIO is potentially suitable to be used as a magnetic resonance contrast agent for MR imaging in vivo and increases the sensitivity for the early detection of breast carcinoma.
Risk factors and clinical course of portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis after partial splenic embolization
Authors: Matsumoto Tomohiro , Yamagami Takuji , Terayama Koshi , Kato Takeharu , Hirota Tatsuya , Yoshimatsu Rika , Miura Hiroshi , Ito Hirotoshi , Okanoue Takeshi , Nishimura Tsunehiko 
Published: May 2009

Background: Although portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis after partial splenic embolization (PSE) is a well-known complication, few reports evaluating risk factors have been published. Purpose: To investigate risk factors and clinical course of portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis after PSE. Material and Methods: Sixteen patients with severe hypersplenism underwent PSE between March 2005 and April 2008. The correlation between portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis after PSE detected on multidetector row CT (MDCT) and various factors were retrospectively reviewed. Further, the clinical course of portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis after PSE was observed on follow-up MDCT. Results: Splenic vein thrombosis was detected in eight patients (50%) on MDCT images taken within 9 days after PSE. In one, the thrombosis also involved the portal vein. The infarct volume was identified as a significant risk factor for portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis ( P=0.046). In all but one patient, splenic vein thrombosis resolved completely or improved without anticoagulation therapy. In this patient, both portal and splenic vein thrombosis developed after PSE, and anticoagulation therapy was necessary. Conclusion: It is suggested that a large splenic infarct volume is a risk factor for portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis after PSE. Indications for treatment of thrombosis of the portal vein system after PSE may be limited to patients with portal vein thrombosis.