The extent of surface contamination of retailed chickens with Campylobacter jejuni serogroups.

Eighty-two chickens purchased at 11 retailers (supplied by 12 wholesalers) in the south of England were cultured for Campylobacter jejuni by a method involving total immersion. The organism was isolated from 22 (48%) of 46 fresh birds, 12 of 12 uneviscerated (New York dressed) birds, but only 1 of 24 frozen birds. Viable counts of up to 1.5 x 10(6)/chicken were obtained from fresh birds and 2.4 x 10(7)/chicken from uneviscerated birds. Surface swabbing of breasts, thighs, wings and vents of fresh chickens showed that contamination was generally distributed over the carcasses. Salmonellas were found in only 2 of 69 of the fresh chickens. The prevalence of several Lior and Penner C. jejuni serogroups was similar in chickens and sporadic human cases of enteritis. Penner serogroup 4 (mostly of Lior serogroup 1) was found in 26% of human isolates and 14% of chicken isolates. The rising incidence of campylobacter enteritis during the last 6 years could well be a reflection of the increasing proportion of fresh chickens consumed over that period (32% higher in 1986 than in 1981).     

Evaluation of the 2016–2020 regional tuberculosis response framework,WHO Western Pacific Region

ObjectiveTo assess the implementation of the Regional framework for action on implementation of the End TB Strategy in the Western Pacific, 2016–2020 in countries and areas in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region.MethodsWe used a mixed methods approach to assess the framework’s measurable and perceived impact. We conducted an analysis of national tuberculosis strategic plans, a cross-sectional survey of senior staff of tuberculosis programmes, key informant interviews and some country case studies.FindingsOf the 37 countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region, 14 had a national tuberculosis strategic plan, including all countries and areas with a high incidence of tuberculosis. Most senior tuberculosis programme staff who responded to the survey (16/23) found the regional framework useful when developing their national targets and grant applications. Programmatic challenges identified included financing, human resources, public–private mix, active case finding, and paediatric and drug-resistant tuberculosis. Most of the 17 key informants thought that the regional framework’s categorization of actions (for all settings, for specific settings and for pre-elimination settings) was useful, but that the added value of the regional framework over other relevant documents was not obvious because of overlap in content.ConclusionThe regional framework influenced national level tuberculosis control planning and implementation in a positive way. A future regional framework should provide a longer-term strategic horizon and specifically address emerging trends and persistent problems faced by countries or areas of the region.     

Sorption of p-nitrophenol on two Chinese soils as affected by copper

Heavy metals and organic contaminants often coexist in soils. However, very little information is available regarding the effect of metals on the sorption of organic contaminants onto soils and/or of organic contaminants on metal sorption. In the present study, the effect of Cu on the sorption of p-nitrophenol on two Chinese soils was investigated using a batch-equilibration method for three conditions: Copper and p-nitrophenol were sorbed simultaneously, either Cu orp-nitrophenol was sorbed previously, or the soil colloidal phase was removed in part previously. The results suggested that Cu suppressed the sorption ofp-nitrophenol on soils, whereas p-nitrophenol had little effect on Cu sorption because of the higher affinity of Cu for soils. Mechanisms of the Cu suppression effect were suggested by the results. First, large hydrated Cu occupy the siloxane surface of soils and prevent nonspecific interaction between p-nitrophenol and soils. Second, the soil colloidal phase is an effective adsorbent of p-nitrophenol; thus, more p-nitrophenol is retained in the aqueous phase. In addition, the aggregation of the colloidal particles may occur, which blocks soil pores, thereby decreasing the sorption of p-nitrophenol on the solid soil phase. Third, x-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed that Cu forms inner-sphere complexes with the carboxyl and hydroxyl functional moieties of the soil particles (clay minerals and organic matter). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy study indicated that these groups also react with p-nitrophenol through H-bond formation. These results suggested that Cu and p-nitrophenol have common sorption sites, at least in the soil organic matter domain, which is partially responsible for the observed overall Cu suppression effect.     

Brain MRI Lesion Load at 1.5T and 3T versus Clinical Status in Multiple Sclerosis

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To assess correlation between brain lesions and clinical status with 1.5T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Brain MRI fluid‐attenuated inversion‐recovery (FLAIR) sequences were performed in 32 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (mean ± standard deviation) was 2 ± 2.0 (range 0‐8), disease duration 9.3 ± 8.0 (range .8‐29) years.

RESULTS

FLAIR lesion volume (FLLV) at 3T was higher than at 1.5T (P= .01). Correlation between 1.5T FLLV and EDSS score was poor, while 3T FLLV correlated moderately and significantly (r_s= .39, P= .03). When controlling for age and depression, correlations between FLLV and cognitive measures were significant at 1.5T for the Judgment of Line Orientation test (JLO) (r_s=−.44, P= .05), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (r_s=−.49, P= .02), and the California Verbal Learning Test Delayed Free Recall (CVLT DR) (r_s=−.44, P= .04). Correlations at 3T were also significant for these tests, but of greater magnitude: JLO (r_s=−.70, P= .0005), SDMT (r_s=−.73, P= .0001), CVLT DR (r_s=−.061, P= .003). Additional significant correlations obtained only at 3T included the 2 second‐paced auditory serial addition test (r_s=−.55, P= .01), the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test‐Delayed Free Recall (r_s=−.56, P= .007), and the California Verbal Learning Test Total Recall (r_s=−.42, P= .05).

CONCLUSION

MRI at 3T may boost sensitivity and improve validity in MS brain lesion assessment.

     

IgM antibody response to antigens prepared from vegetative and coccoid forms of Helicobacter pylori

This report describes the utility of antigens prepared from different coccoid and spiral forms of Helicobacter pylori in a serological method. The presence of IgM antibody to H. pylori was determined in 22 human sera on antigens prepared from 24 strains of H. pylori. Antigens prepared from spiral form of certain strains of H. pylori detected IgM in all confirmed positive sera. Antigens obtained from the coccoid cells of the same strains could not completely detect IgM in the same sera. Testing sera on boosted antigens of the coccoid cells showed reduction in the number of false negative, indicating that the coccoid cells do not have one or more antigenic fractions essential for accurate detection of antibody. Our data suggest that H. pylori may lose CagA during the coccoid conversion process and regain it in the spiral form. In conclusion, we suggest that the antigen used for the detection of antibodies to H. pylori in serological methods should contain a broad spectrum of antigenic fractions and should be prepared from certain strains and culturable cells of H. pylori.     

Further data on the characters ofListeria strains

The composition of a minimal medium suitable for the demands of modern genetical work is described. The nutritional requirements of some 15 strains ofL.monocytogenes were studied on this medium. DL-6,8-thioctic acid was not essential. The organisms also grew without thiamine but for a convenient colony size this vitamin had to be used. The presence of Fe⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, and Ca⁺⁺ ions as well as a low redox potential supplied by thioglycollate was necessary. There was some difference in the amino acid requirements of the strains. The most common demand was for leucine, iso-leucine, valine, and cysteine.The serotype, agglutinability, hemolytic effect, virulence, and nutritional requirements of theListeria were compared. It seems that these properties are not consistently linked.Two EMS mutants were also studied. The arginine, glutamine, and methionine metabolism of the auxotrophic mutant 025/4/4 was damaged and its virulence was lost.Data connected with the virulence markers ofListeria are discussed.