bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Group G streptococci in healthy school-children and in patients with glomerulonephritis in Trinidad
Authors: Reid H. F. M. , Bassett D. C. J. , Poon-King T. , Zabriskie J. B. , Read S. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe group G streptococcus has generally not been considered a prominent pathogen. In a 1982 study of the colonization rate by β-haemoly tic streptococci in apparently healthy children, age 5–11 years, 25 of 69 isolates belonged to group G. This surprisingly high rate of group G colonization (14·3%) led to a retrospective study of school surveys in 1967 which showed that the colonization rate with this organism was 2·3% (range 1·3–3·5%). A review of bacitracin-sensitive streptococcal isolates from hospital admissions of patients with acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), rheumatic fever, and their siblings, between January 1967 and July 1980, was conducted. Of 1063 bacitracin-sensitive isolates, 63 were group G, and 52 of these were isolated from AGN patients and their siblings, i.e. 7 from skin lesions of AGN patients, 40 from the throats of siblings and only 5 from the skins of the siblings. The other 11 group G isolates were from rheumatic-fever patients and their siblings. Thus, the group G colonization rate fluctuates in the population. The isolation of only group G streptococci from skin lesions of patients with AGN suggests a possible association between group G streptococcal pyoderma and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Antibody response and persistence in volunteers following immunization with varying dosages of a trivalent surface antigen influenza virus vaccine
Authors: Jennings R. , Smith T. L. , Mellersh A. R. , Clark A. , Spencer R. C. , Potter C. W. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe serum antibody responses and 50% protective levels (PL50) of antibody were determined, using the SRH test, at one and twelve months post-vaccination in a group of student volunteers immunized with one of three dosages of a trivalent surface-antigen influenza virus vaccine, or with placebo.It was found that, for the H3, H1 and B haemagglutinin components present in the vaccine, a dose of 6 μg HA elicited high serum antibody responses at one month post-immunization. High mean antibody levels and a high incidence of volunteers with PL50 values of antibody against each of the HA components of the vaccine remained in the volunteer group twelve months later. The results are discussed in relation to the vaccine dosage used and the nature of the population immunized.
Reservoir animals for nephropathia epidemica in Norway: indications of a major role for the bank vole (C. glareolus) in comparison with the woodmouse (A. sylvaticus)
Authors: Sommer Ann-Inger , Traavik T. , Mehl R. , Berdal B. P. , Dalrymple J. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSmall rodents were collected live in two different locations within a nephropathia epidemica (NE) endemic area, and tested for both antiviral serum antibodies and viral antigens in lung sections. In one location, only Apodemus sylvaticus (woodmice) were found in the traps, in the other, both A. sylvaticus and Clethrionomys glareolus (bank voles) were collected.Among the woodmice from the former location the prevalence of NE virus markers was significantly lower than for either woodmice or bank voles from the other location, and no NE antigen-positive animals was found. The woodmice co-existing with bank voles had a lower prevalence of NE antigen and antibodies than the bank voles, and fewer woodmice had both antibodies and antigen. The results emphasize the important role of bank voles as a major NE virus reservoir and probable source of human infections.
Immunofluorescent staining of trypsinized formalin-fixed brain smears for rabies antigen: results compared with those obtained by standard methods for 221 suspect animal cases in Nigeria
Authors: Umoh J. U. , Ezeokoli C.D. , Okoh A. E. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFormalin-fixed samples from 221 animal brains received for rabies diagnosis in Nigeria were digested in 0·1% trypsin in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7·4, and smears stained for rabies antigen by direct immunofluorescence (IF). The results were compared with those obtained using fresh material from the same animals for Negri body staining, mouse inoculation (MI) and occasionally immunofluorescent staining.From 191 specimens examined for Negri bodies and by mouse inoculation 51 and 64 respectively proved positive. The IF smear technique under investigation failed to detect 5 of these but showed up as positive 30 which had been recorded as Negri-negative and 19 that had gone undetected by MI too. In a direct comparison with IF staining of fresh tissue from 23 known rabies positive animals the similar staining of trypsin-digested formalized smears failed to give a positive result in 2 out of 23 cases.Some problems were encountered with smears not sticking to slides. When gelatinized slides were used fluorescence was sometimes poorer.Where transport and refrigeration are difficult and section-cutting equipment is lacking the technique of IF staining of smears prepared from formalized brain tissue after treatment with trypsin can be a useful adjunct to other diagnostic methods. It also makes for safer working where special facilities are absent.
Plasmid characterization of drug-resistantShigella dysenteriae1 from an epidemic in Central Africa
Authors: Frost J. A. , Willshaw G. A. , Barclay E. A. , Rowe B. , Lemmens P. , Vandepitte J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA widespread epidemic of severe dysentery in Zaire and neighbouring Central African countries was caused by a multiply drug-resistant strain ofShigella dysenteriae1. Early isolations were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphonamides and tetracyclines (R-type = ACSSuT). Later in the epidemic strains resistant to trimethoprim (Tm) became prevalent and a few strains resistant to kanamycin (K) or nalidixic acid were also isolated. All resistances except nalidixic acid were encoded by plasmids of incompatibility groups X (ACT) or I1(ACSSuTTm) and the epidemic strain also carried an SSu plasmid and a number of cryptic plasmids. The Inc X plasmid from this epidemic is the same as that inSh. dysenteriae1 strains isolated in Somalia in 1976 whereas the epidemic strains from the Shiga outbreaks in Central America, 1969 to 1971, and Sri Lanka, 1979, carried plasmids of group B. This epidemic demonstrates that when a multiresistant strain includes resistance to trimethoprim, nalidixic acid is a suitable alternative therapeutic agent.
Evidence of udder excretion ofCampylobacter jejunias the cause of milk-borne campylobacter outbreak
Authors: Hutchinson D. N. , Bolton F. J. , Hinchliffe P. M. , Dawkins H. C. , Horsley S. D. , Jessop E. G. , Robertshaw P. A. , Counter D. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYWe describe a community outbreak of campylobacter enteritis associated with the consumption of untreated milk, apparently contaminated by two cows with campylobacter mastitis. The outbreak occurred in two phases. Strains ofCampylobacter jejuniof the Penner serogroup complex 4, 13, 16, 50 and Preston biotype code 6100 were isolated from patients in both episodes and from the faeces of the cattle, milk filters, bulk milk and retail milk. Milk samples from two of 40 milking cows were found to containC. jejuni, and the wheys from these two cows had high titres of antibody toC. jejunidetected by ELISA techniques.
Morphology and antigenicity studies on reassortant influenza (H3N2) viruses for use in inactivated vaccines
Authors: Pemberton R. M. , Jennings R. , Smith T. L. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThree influenza A (H3N2) reassortant whole virus vaccine strains with differing antibody-inducing capacities in hamsters were investigated morphologically and antigenically. Although initial measurements of virion circumference, from electron micrographs of vaccine preparations, suggested a relationship of small virion size with low immunogenicity, subsequent immunization with, and morphological investigation of, vaccine virions separated on sucrose gradients, failed to obtain populations whose antibody-inducing capacity clearly correlated with constituent virion density, size, morphology or integrity.However, antigenic investigation using single radial haemolysis (SRH) and monoclonal antibodies revealed significant differences in antigenic specificity between the strains. Furthermore, a series of H3N2 isolates, derived using standard reassortment procedures, also showed differences in antigenic specificity in their haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) reactions with monoclonal antibodies after five passages in allantois-on-shell cultures. Variation between these isolates and their A/Victoria parent virus could be detected using SRH and hamster sera raised against each isolate.These results demonstrate variation between candidate influenza A virus vaccine strains, all possessing the same surface (H3N2) glycoproteins, expressed as a consequence of the reassortant system used for their production.
Rift Valley Fever in Kenya: the presence of antibody to the virus in camels (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Davies F. G. , Koros J. , Mbugua H. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFive hundred and seventy-one camel sera collected after an epizootic of Rift Valley Fever were examined for antibody to the virus. Clinical disease had not been observed in cattle and sheep in the ecosystems shared with the camels. Positive sera with high titres of serum neutralizing antibody were found in 22% of camels at one of the seven sampling sites.
Efficacy of low-concentration iodophors for germicidal hand washing
Authors: Stiles M. E. , Sheena A. Z. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe efficacy of iodophor germicides containing different concentrations of available iodine against transient (inoculated) bacteria and the natural hand microflora was compared with chlorhexidine gluconate (2 and 4%) liquid detergent (Hibitane), non-germicidal soap and a tap water rinse. The tap water rinse was ineffective compared with all other treatments. Only 4% chlorhexidine gluconate liquid detergent and iodophor containing 0·75% available iodine were significantly better than the non-germicidal soap for reduction of transient bacteria,Escherichia coliandPseudomonas fluorescens, that had been inoculated onto hands. These agents also caused a significant reduction in the number of ‘natural’ micro-organisms released from hands after a standard 15 s hand wash. The low-concentration iodophor products and the product containing 2% chlorhexidine gluconate failed to give results significantly better than the non-germicidal control soap. Baird-Parker medium and standard aerobic plate counts were highly correlated (r= 0·82), so that for studies of Gram-negative bacteria inoculated onto hands as a transient microflora, counts on Baird-Parker medium give a reasonable indication of the natural (residual) hand microflora.
The development of bacterial flora of premature neonates
Authors: Rotimi V. O. , Olowe S. A. , Ahmed I. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe sequential acquisition of bacterial flora by premature neonates was studied during a 10 month period. Mean gestational age of the babies was 29·01 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1·728 kg.Escherichia coliand group B streptococci (GBS) colonized the umbilicus of 7 and 6 babies respectively, out of 23 studied, on the first day of life.E. coliand staphylococci were the predominant flora on the 6th day and they colonized 12 and 13 respectively. The oral flora was predominantly Gram-positive cocci, mainlyStreptoccocus salivariuswhich was isolated from 17 out of 22 babies on the 6th day, viridians streptococci were isolated from 14 babies,Staphylococcus albusfrom 16 babies and group D streptococci from 11 babies.Candidaspp. also colonized the oral cavities of 17 out of 22 babies on the 6th day. At the end of the first week of life, the faecal flora was predominantly anaerobic represented byBifidobacteriurnspp.,Bacterioidesspp. andClostridiumspp. The commonest facultative faecal flora wereE. coli, which was isolated from all the babies, andStrept. faecalisisolated from 20 babies. Early gut colonization by GBS,Bacteroidesspp. andClostridiumspp. was noticed in more babies delivered vaginally than by caesarean section where colonization by these bacteria was relatively delayed. The use of prophylactic penicillin plus gentamicin in the special neonatal unit probably prevented systemic spread of any of the potential opportunistic pathogens during the study.
The microbiology of cooked prawns and shrimps on retail sale
Authors: Greenwood M. H. , Coetzee E. F. C. , Ford B. M. , Gill P. , Hooper W. L. , Matthews S. C. W. , Patrick S. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn an inter-laboratory survey, 148 samples of cooked prawns and shrimps were obtained at the point of sale to the consumer. Salmonellae andVibrio parahaemolyticuswere not detected.Yersinia enterocoliticawas isolated from three samples. Results for total viable count and presence ofEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureuscomplied well with available guidelines for imported cooked prawns, suggesting that the risk of food poisoning from retail samples of these foods in the South of England is minimal.
The HI test modified by ether treatment in the sero-epidemiological surveillance of influenza B
Authors: Pyhälä R. , Kleemola M. , Visakorpi R. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYEther-treated influenza B haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antigen was used in a study of serum collections from three different epidemic seasons.For diagnostic purposes, ether treatment increased the efficacy of the HI test by about 50 % over the conventional HI technique, raising it to the same level of sensitivity as the complement fixation (CF) test. The treatment reduced the specificity of the HI test, but its reliability in the diagnosis of influenza B infections was only slightly diminished. With regard to evaluation of the immune status of a given population, an HI test using ether-treated antigen from the epidemic influenza B strain seems to give more relevant information about the antibody level associated with protection than a conventional HI test using untreated virus antigen.
An epidemiological study of Salmonella montevideo by biotyping
Authors: Reilly W. J. , Old D. C. , Munro D. S. , Sharp J.C.M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAmong 622 cultures of Salmonella montevideo, 27 biotypes belonging to two biogroups were recognized. One biogroup (10di) was predominant in all animals in Scotland but only in sheep in England and Wales. The other (biogroup 2d) was responsible for almost all human, cattle and poultry infection in England and Wales, but only 24% of human infection in Scotland.
Escherichia coli in retail processed food
Authors: Pinegar J. A. , Cooke E. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYPour thousand two hundred and forty six samples of retail processed food were examined for the presence of Escherichia coli. Overall 12% of samples contained this organism, cakes and confectionery being more frequently contaminated (28%) than meat and meat based products (9%). Contamination was more frequent in the summer months than in the colder weather and 27% of the contaminated foods contained > 103E. coli/g. E. coli from meat and meat based products were more commonly resistant to one or more antibiotics (14%) than were confectionery strains (1%). The significance of these findings in relation to the E. coli population of the human bowel is discussed.
The production of pyrogenic exotoxins by group A streptococci
Authors: Hallas Gillian 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYLancefield group A streptococci isolated from recent outbreaks and sporadic cases of scarlet fever were restricted to the following M types 1, 3, 4, 6, 12, 18, 22 and 66. These strains were examined for the presence of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPE) types A, B and C by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels and by immunoprecipitation in agar gels. SPE B was produced by 70% of the strains and SPEC by 40%. SPE A could not be detected in these strains. In contrast, SPE type A was found in 4 of 10 strains, held by the NCTC, that had been isolated before 1940 from patients with scarlet fever. Nine of 12 recent isolates from patients with sore throat uncomplicated by a rash produced SPE C and 4 of these also produced SPE B.
Possible windborne spread to Western Turkey of bluetongue virus in 1977 and of Akabane virus in 1979
Authors: Sellers R. F. , Pedgley D. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak of bluetongue in sheep started in the Menderes valley, Aydin Province, Western Turkey, in October 1977. The severity of the disease indicated that it had not been there before but had been introduced into the area. Anatysis showed that, while it was possible for the virus to have been brought into the area by movement of infected animals, there was also a period of south-easterly winds which could have carried infected midges from Cyprus, where bluetongue was present. During the night of 14–15 October 1977, south-easterly winds could have brought midges infected with bluetongue virus for the 15 h flight at a height possibly of 500 m and at temperatures of about 20 °C. A depression moving north-eastwards accompanied by rain may have affected the landing of midges in the Menderes valley on the morning of 15 October.An outbreak of arthrogryposis–hydranencephaly in newly born calves occurred in March–May 1980, also in the Menderes valley, Aydin Province. The severity of the outbreak indicated that Akabane virus had not been in the area before but had been introduced in September–November the previous year. While infected animals could have brought the virus into the area, analysis based on the probable time of infection of pregnant dams showed that easterly winds at the end of September or beginning of October 1979 could have brought insects infected with Akabane virus into the Menderes valley from eastern Turkey or northern Syria.These analyses illustrate the use of meteorological data to backtrack to possible sources and to identify the time of infection.
Prevalence of antibody against influenza A viruses in the Kren-Akorore, an Indian tribe of Central Brazil, first contacted in 1973
Authors: Nascimento J. P. , Krawczuk M. M. , Marcopito L. F. , Baruzzi R. G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYInfluenza A antibodies in serum samples obtained in 1980 from two Indian populations in Central Brazil were compared. The Kren-Akorore, who were first contacted in 1973 and two years later transferred to the Xingu Indian Park (PIX), were compared with Indians from other tribes already living in the PIX before 1975. An analysis was made of the prevalence and distribution of antibodies against the influenza A viruses which have circulated in the civilized world since 1918. Antibodies to the early influenza A viruses were absent in both Indian populations, but A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) virus apparently circulated in the PIX. No antibody to influenza A/Bangkok/I/79 or to A/Brazil/11/78 (H1N1) was found in any of the sera, whereas antibodies to these viruses were commonly found in urban populations in Brazil. The evidence from influenza antibodies agrees with the information that the Kren-Akorore Indians had been living in complete isolation until 1973, when they were first contacted.
Rift Valley fever virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus). Isolations from Diptera collected during an inter-epizootic period in Kenya
Authors: Linthicum K. J. , Davies F. G. , Kairo A. , Bailey C. L. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA total of 134876 Diptera collected in Kenya during a 3-year period were tested in 3383 pools for Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. Nineteen pools of unengorged mosquitoes were found positive for RVF. All isolations were made from specimens collected at or near the naturally or artificially flooded grassland depressions that serve as the developmental sites for the immature stages of many mosquito species. The isolation of virus from adult male and female A. lineatopennis which had been reared from field-collected larvae and pupae suggests that transovarial transmission of the virus occurs in this species.
Diet and faecal flora in three dietary groups in rural northern Nigeria
Authors: Drasar B. S. , Montgomery F. , Tomkins A. M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYQuantitative bacterial counts, concentrations of bile acids and bacterial enzyme profiles were measured in faecal samples from three tribal groups with distinctive dietary patterns in a rural area of northern Nigeria. Samples were obtained from Maguzawa (with a predominantly cereal diet), Hausa (cereal with regular meat consumption) and Fulani (cereal with frequent consumption of cows' milk). Numbers of bacteroides, clostridia and concentrations of bile acids were lower in the Maguzawa than the other dietary groups but these differences were not statistically significant. Bacterial enzyme profiles in each group were similar. The results are discussed with respect to possible influences of diet on the human intestinal microflora.
The incidence of cryptosporidiosis: a two-year prospective survey in a children's hospital
Authors: Baxby D. , Hart C. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA two-year prospective survey of patients with diarrhoea at a children's hospital detected 65 cases of cryptosporidiosis; 56 were index cases representing 1·4% of patients examined. There was a marked seasonal variation with fewer index cases in July–September (0·4–0·6%) than February–April (3·5%). All four adult cases were contacts of infected children and 21 (32%) of the patients were 12 months old or younger. Cryptosporidium was the fourth commonest diagnosed cause of gastroenteritis, the second most common non-viral cause, was responsible for 7·2% of all cases, and 14·7% of non-viral cases where a cause was identified. As such it should be sought routinely in cases of gastroenteritis in children.
The incidence and significance of salmonella carriage by gulls (Larus spp.) in Scotland
Authors: Girdwood R. W. A. , Fricker C. R. , Munro D. , Shedden C. B. , Monaghan P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSalmonella carriage in 5888 gulls sampled by cloacal lavage was found to be 7·8%. Marked geographical and seasonal differences in carriage rates were found. These differences appeared to be associated with human population density and seasonal differences in the reported incidence of human salmoncllosis. The maximum duration of salmonella excretion in 17 laboratory-maintained gulls was 4 days and the number of salmonellae excreted was never more than 170 per gram of faeces. On the basis of this study it is suggested that gulls are not important factors in the actiology of human salmonellosis.
Binding to and antibacterial effect of aztreonam, temocillin, gentamicin and tobramycin on human faeces
Authors: Hazenberg M. P. , Pennock-Schröder A. M. , van de Merwe J. P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAztreonam, temocillin, gentamicin and tobramycin were studied for their effect on the human faecal florain vitroand for their usefulness for selective decontamination (SD) of the gastrointestinal tract. The sensitivities of the obligately anaerobic flora and the Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacteria were determined and the ratio was expressed as SD factor. Tho high SD factor of the flora from most subjects for aztreonam and tobramycin indicates that the drugs are useful for SD in contrast to temocillin and gentamicin. Binding to and subsequent release of tobramycin from faeces are presumed to facilitate the maintenance of adequate concentrations in the intestine despite the discontinuous intake.