A small cluster of dysenteric illness, due to Shigella flexneri, was identified among technical assistants of a primate research unit. All of the affected individuals had been in regular contact with a colony of cynomolgus macaque monkeys, one of which was known to have suffered from acute haemorrhagic colitis in the preceding few weeks. Four monkeys were found to be excreting S. flexneri bacilli of identical antigen type (lb) to that isolated from the human cases. Investigation of working practices revealed the potential for inadvertent faecooral spread and the need to improve existing control methods. We conclude that this small outbreak of shigellosis represents a primate-associated occupational zoonosis. The risk may not be fully appreciated by handlers or their doctors.

Gentamicin-resistant Escherichia coli isolated at different periods from patients in two hospitals were tested for resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic apramycin. Twenty-four of 93 (26%) gentamicin-resistant isolates collected from the Royal Liverpool Hospital between 1981 and 1990 were resistant to apramycin. Thirteen isolates were highly resistant to apramycin (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 1024 μg/ml). were also resistant to gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin, and hybridized with a DNA probe derived from the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase (3)IV (AAC(3)IV) gene. The proportion of gentamicinresistant isolates which had high level resistance to apramycin increased from 7% in 1981–5 to 24% in 1986–90.

Twelve gentamicin-resistant E. coli from Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital isolated between 1977 and 1980 were also tested for resistance to apramycin. For five of these isolates the MICs of apramycin was 32–256 μg/ml. None was shown to have a conjugative plasmid carrying resistance to apramycin and only one hybridized with the DNA probe for the AAC(3)IV enzyme.

Necrobacillosis occurs in man and animals. The typical forms of the disease in animals are caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum biovar A; biovar B strains are much less pathogenic. In this study the pathogenicity for mice of eight human isolates of F. necrophorum was compared with that of animal biovar A and B strains.

By subcutaneous inoculation seven of the human strains differed from biovar A but resembled biovar B in (1) producing, at the most, mild local lesions that rapidly healed, and (2) showing no enhancement of infectivity when suspended in sub-lethal doses of Staphylococcus aureus broth culture. The eighth human strain (A2433) resembled biovar A but differed from biovar B in (1) producing severe lesions, and (2) showing greatly enhanced infectivity in the presence of S. aureus. Nonetheless, strain A2433 differed from biovar A, both in the nature of the lesions produced and in its failure to cause severe general signs of illness and rapidly fatal infection.

By intravenous inoculation one of two biovar B strains and all except one of the eight human strains produced purulent lesions, often severe, in the liver and elsewhere, but infection was not usually associated with general signs of illness. In contrast, intravenous injection of a biovar A strain gave rise to a rapidly fatal infection, with severe lesions in the liver or elsewhere.

The results suggest that the term ‘necrobacillosis’ as used in human and veterinary medicine refers to diseases that differ in important respects.

A total of 1452 cases of typhoid fever was notified in Singapore from 1980–9. The morbidity rates of indigenous cases showed a steady decline from 5.9 per 100000 population in 1980 to 1.2 per 100000 population in 1989. The mean case fatality was 0.8%. Children, adolescents and young adults were most susceptible to typhoid fever. There was no significant difference in morbidity rates between the major ethnic groups. The vast majority of indigenous cases were sporadic while outbreaks accounted for almost one third of them. Food was the main vehicle of transmission. The commonest indigenous phage types were B1, D1 and A. Antimicrobial resistance was infrequently seen. The proportion of imported cases rose from 32% in 1980 to 72% in 1989. Almost half (48.5%) of all imported cases were local residents who contracted typhoid fever while travelling in endemic countries. As imported cases assume greater importance in the epidemiology of typhoid fever in Singapore, further drop in typhoid fever incidence would require reduction of travel-related cases through greater awareness of food hygiene and effective vaccination.

Toxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus have been suggested to play a role in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In this study we examined two factors that might enhance binding of toxigenic staphylococci to epithelial cells of infants in the age range in which cot deaths are prevalent: expression of the Lewisa antigen and infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). By flow cytometry we demonstrated that binding of three toxigenic strains of S. aureus to cells from non-secretors was significantly greater than to cells of secretors. Pre-treatment of epithelial cells with monoclonal anti-Lewisa or anti-type-1 precursor significantly reduced bacterial binding (P < 0·01); however, attachment of the bacteria correlated only with the amount of Lewisa antigen detected on the cells (P < 0·01). HEp-2 cells infected with RSV bound significantly more bacteria than uninfected cells. These findings are discussed in context of factors previously associated with SIDS (mother's smoking, bottle feeding and the prone sleeping position) and a hypothesis proposed to explain some cases of SIDS.

An indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to detect the presence of Streptococcus suis type 2 in nasal and pharyngeal swabs taken from pigs in Papua New Guinea. The rate of carriage for the two sites in domesticated indigenous village pigs was 0·5 and 2·5% respectively, compared to 39 and 43% for intensively reared pigs. These findings were supported by the results of a serological survey, using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, in which 87% of intensively reared pigs but only 8% of village pigs were seropositive to S. suis type 2.

It is proposed that in intensive piggeries S. suis type 2 is continually cycled between pigs. In village pigs, the low population density and harsh environmental conditions prevents this cycle of infection.

A point source outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni affected 11 children in a day nursery. Milk consumed by the children was known to have been pecked by magpies on occasions. Illness was significantly associated with consumption of milk on a single morning. Examination of milk from a bottle pecked after the outbreak yielded campylobacters. The level of contamination was approximately six cells of C. jejuni per 500 ml of milk.

The seasonality of canine births was investigated using records from the Kennel Club and the breeding centre for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. In these populations a distinct seasonal pattern was found with a greater number of puppies being born in the summer months than the winter. The hypothesis that the greater number of puppies acquired as pets during the summer months may Contribute to the seasonal rise in human campylobacter cases, seen at this time, is discussed.

Between 1969 and 1990 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from 359 outbreaks and sporadic cases of staphylococcal food poisoning in the United Kingdom were examined in the PHLS Food Hygiene Laboratory for the production of enterotoxin. In a number of instances the incriminated foods were also examined for the presence of enterotoxin. Strains from 79% of incidents produced enterotoxin A alone or together with another enterotoxin. The level of S. aureus present in the foods ranged from no viable S. aureus detected to 1.5 × 1010 c.f.u./g with a median of 3.0 × 107 c.f.u./g. Enterotoxin was detected in foods in the absence of viable S. aureus in only two outbreaks and in both cheese was the implicated food. Meat. poultry or their products were the vehicle in 75% of incidents with ham and chicken most frequently implicated. Other foods included fish and shellfish (7%) and milk and milk products (8%). Most contamination took place in the home followed by restaurants and shops. Seventy-one percent of the incident strains were lysed by phages of group III or I/III.

Nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus occurred in 18% of babies leaving a maternity unit and had risen to 40% by 6 weeks after birth. S. aureus was first acquired by 34·5% of babies after discharge. Female infants were more likely to be colonized than males. Colonization was not significantly different between babies receiving standard postnatal care and those nursed on the Special Care Baby Unit.

Crystal violet (CV) tests showed that purple-reacting isolates accounted for approximately 60% of strains, whether first detected at hospital discharge or subsequently acquired. Purple-reacting strains, once acquired, were significantly better able to persist than non purple-reacting strains and formed a cumulatively higher proportion of the strains isolated at 6 weeks after birth than at hospital discharge. CV purple-reactions were significantly associated with lysis by phages of groups III and I and non-purple-reactions were significantly associated with lysis by phages of group II and/or 94/96.

Maternity units remain a significant route whereby strains of S. aureus with some characteristics associated with a hospital origin gain access to the community.

The sialic acid content and the cell-surface hydrophobicity index of 40 group B streptococci (GBS) strains were assessed. GBS isolated from invasive infections (virulent strains) presented an increased level of sialic acid content (1.4%) when compared with GBS isolated from asymptomatic patients (0.53%). Treatment of GBS strain 85634 with neuraminidase resulted in a decrease (about 25%) in the net negative surface charge as assessed by cell electrophoresis. This finding suggests that sialic acid residues are important anionogenic groups exposed on GBS cell surface. N-acetylneuraminic acid was the only sialic acid derivative characterized in the strain 85634 as evaluated by gas-liquid chromatography. GBS from different serotypes presented a hydrophobic index mean value of 0.9. Even though the sialic acid contributed effectively to the negative charge on GBS cell surface, no difference was observed in the hydrophobic index when virulent and avirulent strains were compared.

This study was undertaken to determine the distribution of phage types of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from hospital outbreaks or sporadic cases received in our laboratory during the past 14 years. The records for 15803 isolates from 55 Spanish hospitals have been analysed.

In relation to sporadic isolates we have been able to detect the predominance of phage group I and non-typable staphylococcal strains. Since 1989, we have observed a considerable increase in hospital infection caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains which we could differentiate in to two groups; one belonging to phage group III (6/47/54/75/77/84/85) and other groups of non-typable strains which could be classified as phage group I-III after heat treatment (29/77/84) and with similar patterns by reverse typing (6/47/53/54/75/83A/84/85/W57/1030/18042).

During 1990 and 1991, these strains have extended widely to at least six different autonomous regions creating an epidemic situation in Spain.

A total of 255 samples of droppings collected from a total of 22 different poultry units were examined for the presence of thermophilic campylobaeters and the isolates biotyped using Skirrow's protocol. The organisms were isolated from 90 (35·3%) of all samples. Among the 22 units investigated. 13 (59%) were found to have unsatisfactory management systems, while 7 (32%) and 2 (9%) were found to have unsatisfactory and good systems respectively. Significantly large numbers of isolations, 68 of 147 (46·2%), were made from samples collected from poultry units with poor management (P < 0·005). compared with 19 out of 84 (22·6%) samples which were collected from satisfactory units and 3 out of 24 (12·5%) samples collected from units exercising particularly good management. Nineteen of 72 (26·4%) samples collected from broilers, 32 out of 132 (24·2%) samples collected from layers and 39 out of 51 (70·49%) samples collected from indigenous free range poultry were positive for campylobacters. Among the 90 strains isolated from various units, 64 (70·1%) were Campylobacter jejuni. 25 (27·7%) were C. coli. and only 1 (2·2%) was C. laridis.

In July 1989, 1834 samples of paté (of which 1698 were from retail displays) were examined by the PHLS for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The survey was repeated in July 1990, when 626 paté samples on retail sale were examined. Between the two surveys there was a marked reduction in the proportions of patés contaminated (10% in 1989 and 4% in 1990) and in the numbers of samples from which > 103L. monocytogenes/g were recovered. The higher rate of contamination detected in 1989 was largely due to paté from a single manufacturer. In both surveys, paté sold as loose slices had higher rates of contamination than those prepackaged. Temperature control had improved between the two surveys where 65% of samples in 1989 and 83% in 1990 were stored at ≤ 7 °C. Although contamination occurred at almost all temperatures, L. monocytogenes was both quantitatively and qualitatively more common in samples stored at > 7 °C. The majority of patés had unexpired shelf lives of between 0 and 3 weeks. Although contamination occurred throughout the shelf life of these products, the proportion of samples where L. monocytogenes was recovered was higher in patés with expired sell by dates. There was an association between high total viable counts and the presence of L. monocytogenes.

A DNA probe, pCS20, previously described for use in detection of Cowdria ruminantium infections in Amblyomma variegatum (the principal vector of heartwater) hybridized with C. ruminantium DNA in organs of laboratory-infected A. hebraeum adult ticks (the major southern African vector of heartwater). The probe hybridized with C. ruminantium DNA in 46/49 midguts from male ticks and 26/29 from females, thus indicating infection. Corresponding salivary glands were less heavily infected, but infections were more numerous in glands from males. Infection in ticks was confirmed by transmission of the disease to susceptible goats. The probe did not hybridize with DNA from uninfected ticks or with DNA from a spotted fever group rickettsia commonly associated with A. hebraeum in Zimbabwe. The C. ruminantium specific pCS20 DNA probe can be applied to determine accurately the infection rates in the two major vectors of heartwater and the risk of exposure of ruminants in endemic areas.

Aeromonas strains (total = 60) of clinical, water and food origin were tested for adherence to HEp-2 cells. Environmental strains were selected (except for A. caviae) to include primarily those expressing other virulence-associated properties. Adhesion was markedly species-dependent (A. veronii biotype sobria, 15 of 20 [58%], A. caviae, 4 of 12 [33%] and A. hydrophila, 2 of 8 [11%]). A. veronii biotype sobria were adhesive, irrespective of source (62 and 54% for clinical and environmental strains, respectively). Adherent strains of this species were enterotoxin-positive and most (13 of 15) grew at 43 °C. A. caviae isolated from clinical specimens contained a higher proportion (75%) of adherent strains than environmental strains (13%). Virulent subsets of A. veronii biotype sobria and A. caviae are adherent to HEp-2 cells. The HEp-2 assay is a useful model for investigating mechanisms of adherence and enteropathogenicity of virulent Aeromonas species.

Twelve patients in a large teaching hospital contracted Legionnaires' disease over a period of 11 months. The source was a domestic hot water system in one of the hospital blocks, which was run at a temperature of 43 °C. Five different subtypes of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 have been isolated from water in different parts of the hospital, over a period of time. Only one subtype, Benidorm RFLP 14, was implicated in disease. Circumstantial evidence suggested that the outbreak may have been due to recent colonization of the hot water system with a virulent strain of Legionella pneumophila. The outbreak was controlled by raising the hot water temperature to 60 °C, but careful surveillance uncovered two further cases in the following 30 months. Persistent low numbers of Legionella pneumophila were isolated from the domestic hot water of wards where Legionnaires' disease had been contracted, until an electrolytic unit was installed releasing silver and copper ions into this supply.

Salmonella typhimurium is the most frequently identified serovar of Salmonella in Italy. This serovar is characterized by the widespread dissemination among human and non-human sources of phenotypically and genetically well-differentiated clones.

In this study 457 strains of S. typhimurium isolated in Italy in the years 1982–91 from human and animal sources were submitted to characterization by the rDNA fingerprinting technique. Application of this typing method, after digestion of chromosomal DNA with HincII endonuclease, confirmed the greatest genetic differentiation of clones of S. typhimurium, allowing reliable identification of 45 rDNA patterns linked into 9 major clusters. rDNA pattern clusters or ribotypes specific to man were not recognized, whereas some rDNA patterns were characteristically related to ducks, pigeons and pet birds. The ribotyping results for isolates from animal hosts suggest that pig and cattle are the main source of human infection.

Haemophilus ducreyi, the causal organism of chancroid, has increased in significance recently due to its association with HIV transmission. Most previous typing systems have exploited phenotypie characteristics. Detection of ribosomal RNA cistrons, ribotyping, was successfully developed to examine H. ducreyi, but required the use of 32P.

We have used digoxigenin to define ribotypes from 30 strains of H. ducreyi from diverse geographical locations. This was achieved by agarose gel electrophoresis of restriction enzyme (RE) digested DNA extracts. These extracts were vacublotted onto nylon membrane and probed using digoxigenin labelled complementary DNA probe, prepared from Escherichia coli 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA. From 19 REs tested, Ava II, Hinc II, Bgl II and BstE II gave clear ribotypes. The ribotypes of BstE II and Bgl II used together gave the highest index of discrimination (D = 0·95), 16 types, and showed good reproducibility. This nonradioactive method demonstrates the three important features of a typing system: discrimination, typability and reproducibility.

A survey of the β-lactamases responsible for ampicillin resistance in urinary Escherichia coli isolated in central Scotland has been performed. The TEM-1 β-lactamase was found to be most prevalent occurring in 88.2% of ampicillin-resistant isolates tested. Forty-six percent of the TEM-1 producing strains were able to transfer this resistance to E. coli J62–2 at 37 ° C. Analysis of the resulting transconjugants revealed that the degree of resistance to amoxycillin and amoxycillin in combination with clavulanic acid was related to the specific activity of the TEM-1 β-lactamase. The variation in specific activity was shown to be related to plasmid type as determined by restriction analysis. No obvious relationship between β-lactamase specific activity and resistance to amoxycillin and amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid could be demonstrated in the original plasmid donor strains.