bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serological tests in leprosy. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive valueof ELISA tests based on phenolic glycolipid antigens, and the implications for their use in epidemiological studies
Authors: Burgess P. J. , Fine P. E. M. , Ponnighaus J. M. , Draper C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThis paper examines the sensitivity and specificity of two ELISA assays for IgM antibodies toMycobacterium leprae, one employing natural phenolic glycolipid and the other employing a synthetic disaccharide glycoconjugate as antigen. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity are derived, based on a panel of sera from leprosy cases in Malawi and various non-leprosy controls from the UK. Though both assays were able to identify a high proportion of multibacillary patients, neither was able to detect a high proportion of paucibacillary patients without considerable loss of specificity. The implications of the inverse relationship between sensitivity and specificity are discussed with reference to the predictive value of such tests in such areas as Malawi, where the large majority of cases are paucibacillary.
Characterization of cytomegalovirus isolates from patients with AIDS by DNA restriction analysis
Authors: Taylor D. L. , Taylor-Robinson D. , Jeffries D. J. , Tyms A. S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThirty-seven isolates of cytomegalovirus (CMV) were obtained from a group of 20 promiscuous homosexual men, either suffering from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at the time of CMV isolation, or who developed AIDS subsequently. The isolates of CMV were characterized by the method of DNA restriction analysis. All epidemiologically unrelated strains of CMV exhibited different fragment migration patterns and no one strain appeared to be associated with AIDS or any particular disease pattern in these patients.Sequential isolates of CMV were obtained from nine patients in the study group either from different sites at the same time or from the same site on different dates. In the case of seven of the men, viruses with minor differences in restriction profile were obtained, possiblyrepresenting sub-populations of an endogenous strain of CMV. In two of the patients, reinfection with different strains was apparent. We conclude that reinfections with CMV in AIDS patients can occur, but the isolation of strains exhibiting major differences in genome structure seen by restriction enzyme analysis was uncommon.
A study of HPV 1, 2 and 4 antibody prevalence in patients presenting for treatment with cutaneous warts to general practitioners in N. Ireland
Authors: Steele K. , Shirodaria P. V. , Pfister H. , Pollock B. , Fuchs P. , Merrett J. D. , Irwin W. G. , Simpson D. I. H. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThree hundred and seventy-six patients attending their general practitioner with cutaneous warts at five health centres in Northern Ireland were screened for human papilloma virus (HPV) types 1 and 2 IgM antibody using an indirect immunofluorescence test. Eighty-eight (23·4%) patients were positive for HPV type 1 IgM and 156 (41·5%) for HPV type 2 IgM. HPV 1 IgM antibody was significantly more likely to be associated with plantar warts than warts elsewhere (P 0·0001). HPV 2 IgM was present in 45 (34·1%) patients with plantar warts and 99 (45·6%) patients with warts at other sites (P=0·1). Evidence of multiple infection by HPV types 1 and 2 was demonstrated by the finding of HPV 1 and 2 IgM antibodies in the sera of 16 (4·3%). HPV 4 was found in only 1 out of 30 biopsies and HPV 4 IgM was undetectable in 50 randomly chosen sera.
Rubella-specific IgG subclass concentrations in sera using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): the effect of different sources of rubella antigen
Authors: Thomas H. I. J , Morgan-Capner P. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFive rubella antigens were evaluated in an antiglobulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rubella-specific IgG subclass antibody. One monoclonal anti-human IgG subclass antibody was used for each of IgG1, IgG2and IgG4, but two were compared for IgG3. A total of 101 sera were tested from cases of rubella in the distant past and from cases of primary rubella, reinfection and following immunization. Only one serum gave a discrepant result for specific IgG1, being positive with only one rubella antigen, a commercially prepared antigen coated on to microtitre wells (Enzygnost; Behringwerke). No sera contained detectable specific IgG2. Only four sera contained specific IgG4, and this was detectable only with Enzygnost antigen. For specific IgG3little difference was observed between the two monoclonal anti-human IgG3subclass antibodies; only two very weakly positive sera gave discrepant results. However, varying results were obtained for specific IgG3with the different antigens. Enzygnost gave more positive results for specific IgG3with most categories of sera.It is concluded that the differences between various reports of the rubella-specific IgG subclass profile cannot be explained entirely by the use of different rubella antigens.
A study of intranasally administered interferon A (rIFN-α2A) for the seasonal prophylaxis of natural viral infections of the upper respiratory tract in healthy volunteers
Authors: Tannock G. A , Gillett S. M , Gillett R. S , Barry R. D , Hensley M. J , Herd R. , Reid A. L. A , Saunders N. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe efficacy of interferon A (rIFN-α2A), an Escherichia coli-derived interferon, in the prophylaxis of acute upper respiratory tract infection, was evaluated in a community-based double-blind placebo-controlled study in the Australian winter of 1985. The trial population of 412 healthy volunteers (190 males and 222 females, aged 18–65 years) self-administered 1·5, 3·0 and 6·0 megaunits (MU) of interferon A per day or a placebo, intranasally for 28 days.The period of study coincided with an outbreak of H3N2 influenza A (detected in 35 of the 107 acute specimens) as well as substantial numbers of respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus infections. Rhinoviruses were isolated from only three specimens. In many cases, subjects had laboratory and clinical evidence of having had more than one respiratory tract infection during the period of the study. Viruses were detected in 54 or 107 acute specimens (49%).No statistically significant differences were noted between the various treatment groups in the incidence of laboratory-proven viral infection (virus isolation and/or antibody response). Analysis of reported symptoms indicated that blood-tinged mucus and nasal stuffiness occurred more frequently with higher doses of interferon. There appeared to be no clinical benefit from the use of interferon A in the amelioration of symptoms.
Legionella Pneumophilain a hospital in Torino, Italy A retrospective one-year study.
Authors: Ruggenini A. Moiraghi , Pastoris M. Castellani , Dennis P. J. , Barral C. , Sciacovelli A. , Carle F. , Bolgiani M. , Passarino G. , Mingrone M. G. , Passi C. , Lombardo M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1 was isolated from post mortem specimens from 13 out of 58 patients with pneumonia diagnosed at autopsy. The results of a study undertaken in the hospital environment showed that the water plumbing system was colonized withL. pneumophilaserogroup 1 which could also be isolated from respiratory devices filled with tap water. Control measures instituted are described.
Proposed revisions to the serological typing system forTreponema hyodysenteriae
Authors: Hampson D. J. , Mhoma J. R. L. , Combs B. , Buddle J. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAntisera were prepared in rabbits against seven well-characterized strains ofTreponema hyodysenteriaeof known serotype, and reacted in agarose gel double immunodiffusion tests (AGDP) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from 18 Western Australian isolates of the organism. Eight isolates were provisionally typed by this method, but sera raised against one ‘typed’ and two ‘untypable’ local isolates reacted in an unexpected fashion with LPS from other local and type strains. Serum raised against the ‘typed’ local isolate reached with LPS from other previously untyped local isolates: this indicated the presence of more than one major LPS antigen amongst certain local isolates, and was confirmed by cross-absorption of sera. Sera raised against apparently untypable local isolates reacted with LPS from certain type organisms, thus suggesting the presence of complex antigenic relationships between LPS antigens.The serotyping system forT. hyodysenteriaewhich was proposed by Baum &Joens (1979) uses unabsorbed antisera and is made unworkable by these observations. Instead we propose placing organisms which share common LPS antigens into serogroups A to E, members of which are defined by their reactivity with unabsorbed sera raised against a type organism for the group. We suggest strains B78, WAI, B169, Al and WA6 respectively as being the most suitable type organisms for the five serogroups identified so far. Isolates possessing additional unique LPS antigens can be regarded as serotypes within the serogroup. However the serotype of an isolate can only be established if antiserum is prepared against it, and this serum continues to react homologously after cross-absorption with bacteria from other serotypes within the serogroup.
A community outbreak of group A beta haemolytic streptococci with transferable resistance to erythromycin
Authors: Scott R. J. D. , Naidoo J. , Lightfoot N. F. , George R. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYErythromycin resistance amongst group A streptococci (GAS) in Great Britain is a relatively rare occurrence and outbreaks have been sporadically reported. Over an 8-month period in 1986 ten associated cases occurred in the town of Bridgwater in Somerset. Isolates were group A, type M4 and resistant to erythromycin (MIC 8 mg/l) but sensitive to lincomycin and clindamycin. Erythromycin resistance was transferable from all isolates to a group A recipient strain. No plasmid DNA could be detected in the original isolates or transconjugants.
A norfloxacin dose finding study for selective decontamination of the digestive tract in pigs
Authors: Van Der Waaij L. A. , Messerschmidt O. , Van Der Waaij D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFive pigs were treated orally with norfloxacin for 5 consecutive days in two well-separated periods. This was done to determine the lowest dose required to free the pigs of Enterobacteriaceae. In the first period of the study, the animals were treated with 400 mg per day while in the second treatment 800 mg norfloxacin was given. Daily faecal culturing indicated that the faeces became free of Enterobacteriaceae in 3–5 days when treated with 400 mg/day, while all animals were found negative on culturing after 3 days of treatment with 800 mg/day. Investigation of the concentration of norfloxacin in the faeces revealed that a substantial fraction of the dose was either absorbed or inactivated by faecal substances. An in vitro study in faeces confirmed that a substantial part, some 75% of the dose, may have been inactivated by intestinal contents. This finding helps to explain the much lower concentration of 120 mg norfloxacin per kg of faeces in the pig in comparison with the almost tenfold higher concentration reported to develop in man during treatment with an identical dose.
Bacteriological examination of the water supply on an Antarctic base
Authors: Harker Clive 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYFaraday Base represents a small isolated community producing its own domestic water by desalination of sea water. During the Antarctic winter of 1986 (April to October), regular bacteriological examination of the water supply and surrounding sea took place. Samples were collected and examined every 2 weeks by the methods described in the Department of Health and Social Security Report No. 71, on the Bacteriological Examination of Drinking Water Supplies (DHSS, 1982), for membrane filtration and colony counting. The results of these examinations are presented in this paper. The results obtained suggest that water of good bacteriological quality was produced by the desalination plant, but some samples from the distribution system contained coliforms or presumptive Escherichia coli in small numbers. The possible reasons for this low-level contamination are discussed. No cases of gastroenteritis occurred on the base during this time.
Sink flora in a long-stay hospital is determined by the patients' oral and rectal flora
Authors: Van Saene Hendrik K. F. , Van Putte Jeannet C. , Van Saene Joris J. M. , Van De Gronde Thomas W. , Van Warmerdam Eduard G. A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSinks in a new long-stay hospital (LSH) were cultured weekly during 4 consecutive months to evaluate the microbial profile before and after occupancy of the hospital. From the elderly patients admitted to the patient care rooms oral and rectal specimens were collected to examine the contribution of the patients' flora to the sink contamination. Isolates were typed biochemically, serologically and by susceptibility pattern. Before occupancy Gram-negative bacilli were not isolated. Once the elderly patients, who were highly colonized on admission, occupied their rooms identical strains gradually contaminated the sinks. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species were the major correlating strains. The mean concentration of the correlating isolates was higher in throat and intestines compared to the mean concentration of the non- correlating strains. These strains seem to have a greater chance to be shed and then transferred via the hands of personnel to sinks. This resport shows that the major route of environmental contamination is from patient carriers to sinks, and not the reverse way.
Isolation of verocytotoxin-producingEscherichia colifrom milk filters in south-western Ontario
Authors: Clarke R. C. , McEwen S. A. , Gannon V. P. , Lior H. , Gyles C. L. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA total of 1012 milk filters collected from 498 dairy farms in south-western Ontario during three study periods (December 1985–March 1986) were tested for the presence of verocytotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC). VTEC were detected and isolated using a Vero cell assay. Supernatants from 20 of the milk filter cultures had verocytotoxic activity and 7 VTEC strains were isolated from these positive samples. The prevalence of VTEC in the samples in each of the three study periods were 0·44, 0·65 and 0·99% respectively. All seven VTEC strains isolated were sensitive to commonly used antimicrobial agents. The serotypes of these strains were O 26.H11, O43.H2, O 153.H25, O ?. H8, O ?. H19, O ?.non-motile, and Orough. H19. Two of these serotypes (O 153. H25 and O 26.H11) have previously been associated with disease in humans.
Evaluation of enzyme immunoassays in the diagnosis of camel (Camelus dromedarius) trypanosomiasis: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Rae P. F. , Thrusfield M. V. , Higgins A. , Aitken C. G. G. , Jones T. W. , Luckins A. G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThree enzyme immunoassays were used for the serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in the Sudan in order to evaluate their ability to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals. Two assays were used for the detection of trypanosomal antibodies, one using specific anti-camel IgG conjugate and another using a non-specific Protein A conjugate. The third assay detected the presence of trypanosomal antigens using anti-T. evansi antibodies in a double antibody sandwich assay. Inspection of the frequency distribution of assay results suggested that the ELISA for circulating trypanosomal antibodies using specific antisera and the ELISA for circulating antigens can distinguish between non-infected camels and infected camels exhibiting patent infections or not. The ELISA using Protein A conjugate to bind non-specifically to camel immunoglobulin did not appear to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals.
The characterization of African strains of capripoxvirus
Authors: Kitching R. P. , Bhat P. P. , Black D. N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIsolates of capripoxvirus collected from sub-Saharan Africa were compared in sheep, goats and cattle and by restriction endonuclease digestion of their purified DNA. Biochemical techniques were used to precisely identify strains of capripoxvirus for epidemiological investigations. Strains of capripoxvirus infecting cattle have remained very stable over a 30-year period and are closely related to strains recovered from sheep in Africa.
The production of Clostridium botulinum toxin in mammalian, avian and piscine carrion
Authors: Smith G. R. , Turner A. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYMice, birds (chicks, quail) and fish (rudd, goldfish) killed shortly after receiving 1300–2000 spores of Clostridium botulinum per os were incubated, usually at 23 °C for 7 days. A 10% (w/v) homogenate of each rotting carcass was then prepared, sterilized by membrane filtration, and assayed for toxin.In mouse carcasses a type C strain of C. botulinum usually produced > 2 × 105 mouse intraperitoneal LD/g; in fish carcasses it usually produced less - often much less - than 2 × 104 LD/g. Avian carcasses appeared to be intermediate between those of mice and fish in their ability to support toxigenesis. A type E strain of C. botulinum, unlike type C. produced toxin equally well in fish and mouse carrion, usually at a concentration of between 2 × 104 and 2 × 105 LD/g.
Evidence for a new rotavirus subgroup in India
Authors: Ghosh S. K. , Naik T. N. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYMonoclonal antibodies specific for rotavirus subgroup 1 (SG1) and subgroup 2 (SG2) were used to analyse by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) the subgroups of human rotavirus isolates obtained from three different parts of India during the period September 1985 to July 1987. We identified one isolate which failed to react with either SG1 or SG2 specific monoclonal antibodies, although it reacted well with a monoclonal antibody specific for group A rotaviruses. This finding suggests that it belongs to a new rotavirus subgroup. Further, another isolate was found to belong to SG1 although it had a ‘long’ electropherotype.
Outbreaks of diarrhoeal illness on passenger cruise ships, 1975–85
Authors: Addiss D. G. , Yashuk J. C. , Clapp D. E. , Blake P. A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe reviewed data from the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), established by the US Public Health Service in 1975, to describe the epidemiology of shipboard diarrhoeal outbreaks, determine the risk of outbreak-related illness among cruise ship passengers, and evaluate changes in rates and patterns of shipboard diarrhoeal illness since the VSP was implemented. When the programme began, none of the cruise ships passed periodic VSP sanitation inspections; since 1978, more than 50% of ships have met the standard each year. On cruises lasting 3–15 days and having at least 100 passengers, diarrhoeal disease outbreaks investigated by the Centers for Disease Control decreased from 8·1 to 3·0 per 10 million passenger days between 1975–79 and 1980–85. The proportion of outbreaks due to bacterial pathogens (36%) did not change. Seafood cocktail was implicated in 8 of 13 documented food-borne outbreaks. The risk of diarrhoeal disease outbreaks on cruise ships appears to have decreased since implementation of the VSP but has not been eliminated.
A national outbreak ofSalmonella typhimuriumDT 124 caused by contaminated salami sticks
Authors: Cowden J. M. , O'Mahony M. , Bartlett C. L. R. , Rana B. , Smyth B. , Lynch D. , Tillett H. , Ward L. , Roberts D. , Gilbert R. J. , Baird-Parker A.C. , Kilsby D. C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak ofSalmonella typhimuriumDT 124 infection which affected 101 people in England in December 1987 and January 1988 was detected through surveillance of laboratory reports from medical microbiology laboratories of the NHS and PHLS. Within 1 week of noting the increase in reports, epidemiological and microbiological investigations identified a small German salami stick as the vehicle of infection and the product was withdrawn from sale. The epidemiological investigation highlighted the occurrence of a long incubation period, bloody diarrhoea. Prompt recognition and investigation of the outbreak prevented further cases of severe infection.
Persistence of S. typhimurium in a large dairy herd
Authors: Giles N. , Hopper Sheilagh A. , Wray C. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYSalmonella typhimurium 49a infection in a large dairy herd persisted for 3·5 years. Illness initially occurred in cows and calves but latterly although there were fewer clinical cases milk filters were culturally positive on 26 out of 73 samplings. Three associated human disease incidents occurred. Individual milk samples identified one cow as an excreter and the organism was recovered from the mammary gland of this animal at slaughter. Correlation between calving pattern, the times of calving and the occurrence of positive milk filters suggest that the cow may have been excreting the organism intermittently from the udder for 2·5 years.
Electrophoretic typing ofEnterobacter cloacaewith a limited set of enzyme stains
Authors: Gaston M. A. , Warner M. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYHospital isolates ofEnterobacter cloacaewere analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for enzyme polymorphism and the results were compared with established serotyping, phage typing and biotyping techniques. Initially, the diversity of electromorphs of 13 enzymes was determined on a representative set of 62 distinct strains. Two broad clusters of strains were found in the species, and analysis by serotype suggested a limited diversity within the most frequent o serotvpes. A subset of three enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase and an unidentified marker, were selected and used to type groups of hospital isolates. There was good general agreement between the two systems, although the enzyme method failed to distinguish between some strains with the same serotype. This method provided useful epidemiological information and, in the absence of established typing systems, it is a practical approach to subdividing the species.
Immunosuppression and mycobacteria other thanMycobacterium tuberculosis: results from patients with and without HIV infection
Authors: Peters M. , Schürmann D. , Mayr A. C. , Hetzer R. , Pohle H. D. , Ruf B. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYInfections caused by mycobacteria other thanMycobacterium tuberculosis(MOTT) have often been described as common in AIDS patients. To evaluate whether infections with MOTT are specific for HIV related immunosuppression or are also frequent in patients with immunosuppression of different aetiology, data on the frequency of isolation from immunosuppressed patients with HIV infection are important. Blood, stool and urine specimens from 134 patients with non-HIV related immunosuppression, and from 55 immunocompetent subjects were examined for mycobacteria. MOTT have been isolated from one immunocompetent person but from none of the immunosuppressed patients. Since in AIDS patients an initial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) with MOTT is common, GI-tract biopsy specimens from an additional 80 patients were examined microscopically and histologically for mycobacteria. Mycobacteria were not isolated from these specimens.In the same period of time 72 AIDS patients have been examined: 7 (10%) had infections withM. tuberculosiswhereas MOTT have been isolated from 16 (22%) of these patients. Mycobacteria have been found only rarely in immunocompetent patients and have not been isolated from patients with non-HIV related immunosuppression. The isolation of MOTT is highly correlated with an HIV-related immunosuppression.