bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct transmission of Escherichia coli from poultry to humans
Authors: Ojeniyi A. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEight hundred and sixty-four Escherichia coli isolates from workers at the University of Ibadan Teaching and Research Poultry Farm, and 216 isolates from poultry attendants at a commercial poultry farm in the city were found to be resistant to streptomycin, sulphafurazole and tetracycline. In contrast, all 576 and 288 E. coli isolates from village fowls and from villagers respectively were sensitive to these drugs. Isolates from birds in a modern university poultry unit (3744) exhibited the same resistance patterns as those isolated from workers who were in direct contact with the birds. No nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli was isolated from farm workers prior to their assignment to the experimental pen. Following experimental oral infection of birds with E. coli K12 J5 NA Lac, the organism was recovered from the workers who manned the experimental pen. Neither before nor after the experimental infection was any nalidixic acid resistant E. coli isolated from workers who manned the pen from which birds used in the experiment were selected. Similarly, no drug resistant organisms were isolated from workers outside the poultry unit of the university or commercial farm. The MIC of the drugs against the avian and human E. coli isolates at the university and commercial poultry farms were similar.
The survival patterns of selected faecal bacteria in tropical fresh waters
Authors: Wright R. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe survival of various faecal bacteria used as indicators of the faecal contamination of water supplies has been investigated in a tropical environment (Sierra Leone). Isolates representing the thermotolerant coliform (TtC) and faecal streptococcus (FS) groups,Clostridium perfringensandSalmonellaspp. were studied over a 48 h period of immersion in water from three different sources. Survival patterns varied according to source type, but some general observations were made: a portion of the TtC group was apparently capable of substantial regrowth; FS organisms died off at a faster rate than TtC organisms initially, but survived longer; vegetative cells ofC. perfringensdied off rapidly; andSalmonellaspp. could survive for as long as the other faecal organisms tested. The implications of results for the analysis of tropical waters for faecal contamination are discussed.
Laboratory diagnosis and clinical significance of rubella in children with cancer
Authors: Morris D. J. , Morgan-Capner P. , Wood D. J. , Dalton M. , Wright J. , Thomas H. I. J. , Stevens R.F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYVirus-specific antibody responses were studied in 12 children with cancer in whom rubella was diagnosed by seroconversion or a rising titre (≥ fourfold) of haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibody. Our results confirmed the difficulties of making a diagnosis of rubella infection in immunocompromised children using criteria for interpreting antibody assays established in immunocompetent patients. Specific IgM antibody persisted for more than 2 months in 7 of 10 children with probable primary rubella, 3 of whom had high concentrations of such antibody 6, 7 and 11 months after the rash. Radial haemolysis and specific IgG1and IgG3antibody responses were low in 4, 2, and 4 patients, respectively. One child apparently had a rubella reinfection and, in another, rubella antibody passively acquired from blood transfusions was probably responsible for the HI seroconversion. Nonetheless, the benign clinical course of rubella in immunocompromised children was confirmed.
Bancroftian filariasis in Pondicherry, South India: 1. Pre-control epidemiological observations
Authors: Rajagopalan P. K. , Das P. K. , Subramanian S. , Vanamail P. , Ramaiah K. D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA 5-year Integrated Vector Management (IVM) project was implemented in Pondicherry, South India, for the control of Bancroftian filariasis. The efficacy of the IVM strategy was compared with routine control strategy under the national programme. The present paper describes the pre-control epidemiological features of filariasis as determined by a mass blood survey in 1981. Of 24946 persons examined 8·41%; were microfilaraemic. Microfilaraemia prevalence was homogeneous throughout the study area. The prevalence and intensity of microfilaraemia were age dependent, and increased monotonically until about 20 years, following which there was a decline until about 40 years to become relatively stable in older age classes. The gender profiles of both prevalence and intensity of microfilaraemia showed no difference between the sexes until about 15 years of age, following which both were higher in males compared to females. The distribution of microfilarial counts was overdispersed, indicating aggregation of adult worms.
The Stafford outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease
Authors: O'Mahony M. C. , Stanwell-Smith R. E. , Tillett H. E. , Harper D. , Hutchison J. G. P. , Farrell I. D. , Hutchinson D. N. , Lee J. V. , Dennis P. J. , Duggal H. V. , Scully J. A. , Denne C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA large outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease was associated with Stafford District General Hospital. A total of 68 confirmed cases was treated in hospital and 22 of these patients died. A further 35 patients, 14 of whom were treated at home, were suspected cases of Legionnaires’ disease. All these patients had visited the hospital during April 1985. Epidemiological investigations demonstrated that there had been a high risk of acquiring the disease in the out patient department (OPD), but no risk in other parts of the hospital. The epidemic strain ofLegionella pneumophila, serogroup 1, subgroup Pontiac la was isolated from the cooling water system of one of the air conditioning plants. This plant served several departments of the hospital including the OPD. The water in the cooling tower and a chiller unit which cooled the air entering the OPD were contaminated with legionellae. Bacteriological and engineering investigations showed how the chiller unit could have been contaminated and how an aerosol containing legionellae could have been generated in the U–trap below the chiller unit. These results, together with the epidemiological evidence, suggest that the chiller unit was most likely to have been the major source of the outbreak.Nearly one third of hospital staff had legionella antibodies. These staff were likely to have worked in areas of the hospital ventilated by the contaminated air conditioning plant, but not necessarily the OPD. There was evidence that a small proportion of these staff had a mild legionellosis and that these ‘influenza–like’ illnesses had been spread over a 5–month period. A possible explanation of this finding is that small amounts of aerosol from cooling tower sources could have entered the air–intake and been distributed throughout the areas of the hospital served by this ventilation system. Legionellae, subsequently found to be of the epidemic strain, had been found in the cooling tower pond in November 1984 and thus it is possible that staff were exposed to low doses of contaminated aerosol over several months.Control measures are described, but it was later apparent that the outbreak had ended before these interventions were introduced. The investigations revealed faults in the design of the ventilation system.
Comparison of clinical acinetobacter strains using a carbon source growth assay
Authors: Dijkshoorn L. , Ooyen A. Van , Hop W. C. J. , Theuns M. , Michel M. F. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA quantitative carbon source growth assay, comprising ten carbon sources, was used to compare acinetobacter strains from three hospitals. The strains had been obtained during episodes of increased prevalence of isolations and were, for each hospital, assumed to be epidemiologically related. This assumption was supported by the electrophoretic protein profiles of the strains. Univariate analysis of growth data showed significant differences between strains from the three hospitals. Moreover, cluster analysis revealed that the major pattern in the data was related to the epidemiological origin of the strains. Exceptions to the epidemic-related pattern were observed. Thus, apart from epidemiological factors, other factors might contribute to carbon source growth profiles of the strains. It is concluded that the carbon growth assay may be useful to distinguish roughly between acinetobacter strains from different sites of origin. Further studies are required to analyse additional factors which influence carbon source growth of strains.
Comparison of SDS–PAGE protein patterns with other typing methods for investigating the epidemiology of ‘Klebsiella aerogenes’
Authors: Costas M. , Holmes B. , Sloss L. L. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwenty–four cultures comprising 20 clinical isolates of ‘Klebsiella aerogenes’ from two hospitals, a reference strain of ‘K. aerogenes’ and the type strains of three otherKlebsiellaspecies, were characterized by one–dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) 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 12 protein types. Comparison with established typing methods indicated that the level of discrimination of SDS–PAGE was similar to that achieved with conventional typing methods but the strains were grouped differently. Protein typing sub–divided five serotype K3 isolates that could also be distinguished by phage typing. Conversely, three strains of protein type 11 were clearly distinguishable by both serotyping and phage typing. We conclude that high–resolution SDS–PAGE of proteins provides an effective adjunct to other methods for typing isolates of ‘K. aerogenes’.
An epidemiological study of an outbreak of Q fever in a secondary school
Authors: Jorm L. R , Lightfoot N. F , Morgan K. L 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFive cases of clinical Q fever were identified amongst students and staff of a Somerset secondary school between 23 October 1987 and 21 December 1987. Five goats which were kept at the school were found to have antibodies toCoxiella burnetiiphase II.A cross-sectional study was conducted at the school in July 1988. A single CF test was used to identify evidence of prior infection, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on exposure variables and illness during 1987.Four hundred and ninety-nine eligible subjects took part in the study, and serological information was obtained from 461 of these. Eighty-seven subjects (18·9%) had CF titres of 20 or greater. It was estimated that only 1 in every 30 individuals with evidence of pastC. burnetiiinfection had been recognized as a clinical case of Q fever.Antibody positive subjects were more likely to have been off school sick and to report having suffered chest pain than negative subjects.Contact with school animals, specifically cleaning the school poultry, collecting their eggs and visiting a school goat on the day of kidding, was associated with the presence of antibodies toC. burnetii. However a large proportion of the antibody positives (24·2%) had no known contact with the school animals. Spread of organisms, either wind-borne or in straw or manure, may have been responsible for the high prevalence of unexplained infection.
Plasmid profiles of antibiotic-resistantShigella dysenteriaetypes 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 isolated in Ethiopia during 1976–85
Authors: Gebre-Yohannes A. , Drasar B. S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYPlasmid profile analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis was carried out on 37 drug-resistant strains ofShigella dysenteriaetypes 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. These strains were collected between 1976 and 1985 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The plasmid profile ofS. dysenteriaetype 2 strains with R-type CSSuT did not show middle-sized plasmids likely to code for CSSuT resistance. All strains contained a large plasmid of about 120 megadaltons (MDa), and a cryptic plasmid of about 2·2 MDa. The plasmid profiles ofS. dysenteriaetype 3 with R-types ACSSuT, SSuT and SSu showed a 4·2 MDa SSu-determinant, which was demonstrated inEscherichia coliK12 recipients resulting from triparental crosses. The ACT determinant inS. dysenteriaetype 3 with R-type ACSSuT is probably chromosomally mediated. Cryptic plasmids of about 3·0 and 2·2 MDa were found in allS. dysenteriaetype 3 isolates. The 4·2 MDa plasmid featured prominently in the plasmid profiles ofS. dysenteriaetypes 4, 6 and 7 with R-types SSuT and SSu. However, this plasmid was not mobilizable by triparental crosses. There was a relative paucity of transferable plasmids in non-Shiga bacillus isolates. However, incompatibility group N plasmids, coding for tetracycline resistance, were detected.
Incidence of campylobacter infection in infants in western Algeria and the possible protective role of breast feeding
Authors: Mégraud F. , Boudraa G. , Bessaoud K. , Bensid S. , Dabis F. , Soltana R. , Touhami M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA case-control study aimed at comparing the incidence of campylobacter infection with that of other enteropathogens in infants was performed in Oran, Western Algeria. During a one-year period, infants consulting in a health centre were included if they had acute diarrhoea. The controls comprised infants going to the same centre for vaccination. Butzler medium Virion was used to look for thermophilic campylobacters. Campylobacters were isolated in 17·7% of the 411 patients and in 14·9% of the 247 controls. No statistically significant difference was found after stratification by age. In contrast, other enteropathogenic bacteria were rarely present. Among the potential factors of clinical expression of infection, breast feeding appeared to have a protective effect which was higher for campylobacter diarrhoea than that observed for other causes of diarrhoea. These data contrast with those previously published in Bangladesh and could be an incentive for promoting breast feeding in this country, where the tradition is decreasing far below the standard which is generally accepted.
Serological grouping ofTreponema hyodysenteriae
Authors: Hampson D. J. , Mhoma J. R. L. , Combs B. G. , Lee J. I. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYTwo Australian isolates ofTreponema hyodysenteriaewhich did not fit within the current serological grouping system for these bacteria wrere examined by agarose gel double immunodiffusion tests (AGDP). Isolate Vic1 was serologically unique, and we propose that it becomes the type organism for a new sixth serological group ofT. hyodysenteriae(Group F). Isolate Q1 was unusual in that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from it reacted strongly in AGDP with serum raised against the type organism for serogroup D (A1), and also weakly with serum raised against the type organism for serogroup B (WA1). The nature of this cross-reactivity was examined by using cross-absorbed antisera in AGDP, and by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis.The pattern of serological cross-reactivity between Q1, A1 and WA1 was complex and was not fully defined, but the isolate Q1 apparently shared low molecular weight ‘serogroup’ LPS antigens with A1, and shared higher molecular weight LPS antigens with WA1. On this basis Q1 was designated as belonging to serogroup D, although it was recommended that this be qualified as D (B) to indicate the presence of weak cross-reactivity with serogroup B. Such serological cross-reactivity may have significance in relation to the development of immunity toT. hyodysenteriae. Isolate Q1 may be a potentially useful organism for vaccine development because of its ability to induce a good serological response to LPS of treponemes from both serogroups D and B.
A comparative study of clinical and food isolates ofListeria monocytogenesand related species
Authors: Szabo E. A. , Desmarchelier P. M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYNinety-six isolates of presumptive or confirmedListeria monocytogeneswere obtained from local clinical (30 isolates) or food laboratories (66 isolates). Minimal biochemical analysis identified only 80% of these isolates asL. monocytogenesthe remaining includedL. seeligeri, 1%, or the non-haemolyticL. innocua, 19%. The 27 clinical and 50 food isolates, mainly from meat products, frozen confectionaries, and cheeses, confirmed asL. monocytogeneswere compared biochemically and serologically. Twenty-one isolates, including some strains ofL. innocuaandL. seeligeri, were examined for pathogenicity in immunocompromized mice and 44 typed using bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA). Only isolates ofL. monocytogeneswere found to be pathogenic. Biovar-typing of the isolates was unreliable and provided poor discrimination. Serogroups 1/2 and 4 predominated among clinical and food isolates and BRENDA provided better discrimination among isolates. Ten stable and reproducible restriction patterns were observed among theListeriasp. isolates studied. Overall, a combination of techniques gave the best discrimination and indicated their potential for use as epidemiological tools.
Faecal contamination of water and fingertip-rinses as a method for evaluating the effect of low-cost water supply and sanitation activities on faeco-oral disease transmission. I. A case study in rural north-east Thailand
Authors: Pinfold J. V. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYMost villagers in north-east Thailand carry water to their homes and store it in separate containers depending on its subsequent use. In one village, information on water use was collated with the bacteriological quality of stored water, water sources and fingertip-rinses. Stored water quality was a function of water-related activities rather than quality at source (P<0·0001). Specifically water used for toilet, washing dishes and cooking-related activities was much more contaminated with faecal bacteria than that used for drinking and cooking.Salmonellaspp. was significantly more common in water used for washing dishes than drinking (P<0·05).Escherichia colicontamination of fingertip-rinses was strongly associated with the individual's activity prior to testing (P<0·0001); child care, food and water-related activities produced much higher levels of fingertip contamination than others. Dirty utensils used for cooking and eating were usually left to soak and faecal bacterial growth occurred in this grossly contaminated soak-water. Cross-contamination via water handling was the main mechanism of stored water pollution. These results were used to develop a hygiene intervention study presented in a companion paper.
The time course of the immune response to experimental coronavirus infection of man
Authors: Callow K. A. , Parry H. F. , Sergeant M. , Tyrrell D. A. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAfter preliminary trials, the detailed changes in the concentration of specific circulating and local antibodies were followed in 15 volunteers inoculated with coronavirus 229E. Ten of them, who had significantly lower concentrations of pre-existing antibody than the rest, became infected and eight of these developed colds. A limited investigation of circulating lymphocyte populations showed some lymphocytopenia in infected volunteers. In this group, antibody concentrations started to increase 1 week after inoculation and reached a maximum about 1 week later. Thereafter antibody titres slowly declined. Although concentrations were still slightly raised 1 year later, this did not always prevent reinfection when volunteers were then challenged with the homologous virus. However, the period of virus shedding was shorter than before and none developed a cold. All of the uninfected group were infected on re-challenge although they also appeared to show some resistance to disease and in the extent of infection. These results are discussed with reference to natural infections with coronavirus and with other infections, such as rhinovirus infections.
Zoonotic infections in Northern Ireland farmers
Authors: Stanford C. F. , Connolly J. H. , Ellis W. A. , Smyth E. T. M. , Coyle P. V. , Montgomery W. I. , Simpson D. I. H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYEvidence of past zoonotic infection was investigated serologically in randomly selected Northern Ireland farmers. The percentage of farmers with antibody was: Brucella abortus (0·7), Leptospira interrogans serovars (8·1), Borrelia burgdorferi (14·3), Toxoplasma gondii (73·5), Coxiella burnetii (28·0), Chlamydia psittaci (11·1) and Hantavirus (1·2).The results show that Northern Ireland farmers have been exposed in the past to zoonotic infections. It is not known if these infections contributed to ill health in farmers but it is now time for the health of farm workers and their medical services to be reassessed.
Antibodies to some pathogenic agents in free-living wild species in Tanzania
Authors: Hamblin C. , Anderson E. C. , Jago M. , Mlengeya T. , Hirji K. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 535 sera from eight species of wildlife were collected from different game areas in Tanzania between 1987 and 1989. These sera were tested for antibodies against foot-and-mouth disease, bovine herpes virus types 1 and 2, lumpy skin disease, bovine viral diarrhoea, Akabane, bovine ephemeral fever, bluetongue, enzootic bovine leucosis, African horse sickness and African swine fever viruses andBrucella abortusbased on the expected species susceptibility. Sera from buffaloSyncerus caffer, wildebeestConnochaetes taurinusand topiDamaliscus korrigumcontained antibodies against the majority of the pathogens tested. Antibodies to fewer pathogens were detected in sera from the other species. No antibodies to lumpy skin disease virus were detected in any of the sera examined. African horse sickness antibodies were detected in sera from Zebra and African swine fever antibodies were detected in wart hog. The occurrence of antibodies to these agents suggests that wild species act as reservoirs of infection for some of these pathogens. However, until the susceptibility of individual species is proven by isolation of the aetiological agents their role must remain speculative.
ABO blood group, secretor status and detection ofHelicobacter pyloriamong patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers
Authors: Mentis A. , Blackwell C. C. , Weir D. M. , Spiliadis C. , Dailianas A. , Skandalis N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYPatients (454) referred for gastroscopy to the General Hospital of Athens were examined to determine (1) if non-secretors were over-represented among patients with ulcers and (2) is there was an association with ABO blood group or secretor status and carriage ofHelicobacter pylori.Compared with the local population, among patients with either gastric ulcer (51) or duodenal ulcer (96) there was a significant increase in the proportion of those who were blood group O (P< 0·025); however, there were no significant differences in the proportions of non-secretors.H. pyloriwas identified in 62 % of the 454 patients: 59·5 % of those without evidence of ulcers; 62·5 % of those with gastric ulcer; 88% of those with duodenal ulcer (P< 0·0005). These bacteria were cultured more often and in higher numbers from patients with duodenal ulcer (P< 0·025). There was no association between ABO blood group and prevalence ofH. pylori. The prevalence ofH. pyloriamong non-secretors with gastric ulcer (12·5%) was significantly lower than that for non-secretors with duodenal ulcer (100%) (P< 0·0005). This was not observed for secretors.