Bacteriologic and serologic studies of an outbreak of plague in the State of Paraíba, Brazil

During a plaque outbreak in the Borborema Plateau focus (Paraiba), bacteriological and serological studies were carried out in material from 452 patients (48 positives), 1,938 rodents and other small mammals (75 positives), 4,756 dogs (141 positives) and 2,047 cats (57 positives) obtained from 41 counties (out of which, 21 produced positive samples). Twenty Yersinia pestis strains isolated from material from 3 patients and 17 rodents, displayed biochemical reactions, virulence factors, antibiotic susceptibility and animal experimental pathogenicity similar to those observed in strains previously isolated. According to our findings this recent plague outbreak did not exhibit different factors from those observed during prior outbreaks in other plague foci in the northeast of Brazil.     

Characteristics of the agents of acute suppurative destruction of the lungs in children]

The authors carried out bacteriological studies of the blood, the pleural cavity puncture material, the discharge from the bronchi in bronchoscopy, and also of smears from the nasopharynx of 40 children with acute purulent destruction of the lungs. Staphylococci, often in association with various Gram-negative bacilli, chiefly of the Pseudomonas genus, and Enterobacteriaceae family, prevailed in the cultures of the pathological material. Pathogenic staphylococcus was found in the nasopharynx of patients in 65% of cases. Along with staphylococci in over half of the patients there were revealed Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast-like Candida fungi. In the majority of patients the microbes isolated from the pharynx and the lungs were identical. In these cases bacteriological examination of pharyngeal smears can serve as an auxiliary method of laboratory diagnosis. The isolated straphylococcus strains possessed the majority of the pathogenicity signs; in the great majority of cases they were resistant to the antibiotics the most widely used in the therapeutic practice; among them strains of phage types 80, 54, 75, 77, and 81 prevailed. Thus, at different periods of the disease various types of the microbes prevailed in the materials obtained from the patients. In acute purulent destruction of the lungs bacteriological examination should be carried in dynamics.     

Microbiological diagnosis of suppurative-inflammatory processes of the E. N. T. organs and the maxillo-mandibulo-facial region under suspicion of anaerobic non-clostridial infection

The etiological role of non-sporulating anaerobic bacteria as causative agents of suppurative-inflammatory diseases (SID) of the maxillo-mandibulo-facial region and the E. N. T. organs as studied. Express diagnosis of anaerobic infection was carried out by means of gas-liquid chromatography. The species-specific composition of the microflora of the suppurative focus was investigated. It was established that only obligate anaerobes in monoculture or in association were isolated from patients with so-called "sterile" inoculations when strictly anaerobic bacteriological technique was used. The use of anaerobic bacteriological technique of investigation enlarged the spectrum of the microflora isolated from the suppurative focus from 5 to 26 species. Results of chromatographic and bacteriological examinations were compared; the main causes of obtaining false-positive and false-negative results of chromatography were analysed. Statistical processing using factor analysis has shown that the information power of chromatographic examination of the metabolites of anaerobic bacteria is higher in comparison with the main clinical-laboratory indices, but statistical processing using cluster analysis and correlation analysis has revealed that an index like metabolic activity reflects the degree of real participation of anaerobic microflora in the development of the pathological process, and can be used in the clinic for the evaluation of the degree of severity of the course of the SID and of the effectiveness of treatment.     

Variations in Measures of Udder Health within a Short Period of Time

Foremilk quarter samples were collected at morning and evening milkings on 6 dates during a 9 day period. At the end of the period teat puncture samples were drawn. Mastitis diagnoses based on bacteriological and cytological examinations were established for all 13 sets of samples from 45 cows (180 quarters). The effect of a fixed cell count (SCC) treshold value on mastitis diagnoses was studied as was the effect of variations in bacteriological state. The majority of shifts in diagnoses occurred only at few quarters due to the fact, that variation in the SCC–based diagnoses almost inevitably occurred in quarters with a SCC level close to the threshold. The future bacteriological state depended on both the previous and present bacteriological states in such a way, that changes in the future state seldom occurred when both the previous and present bacteriological states were the same. In conclusion, the quarter health state appeared to be fairly stable during a short period of time and the probability of changing mastitis diagnosis depended not only on the present diagnosis, but also on the actual somatic cell count and the previous bacteriological state.     

The epidemiology of contagious equine metritis (CEM) in England 1977--1978).

Following an outbreak of CEM in England during 1977 a Code of Practice was introduced to control the disease in 1978. The Code recommended a bacteriological screening programme for Thoroughbred mares and stallions and improved standards of hygiene on the stud farm. As a result of the implementation of the Code a number of asymptomatic carrier mares was detected. Stallions which had transmitted CEM in 2977 and were treated did not transmit the disease during 1978. Two small outbreaks of CEM were reported during the 1978 breeding season.     

Investigation of outbreaks of salmonella in hospitals.

In a two year prospective survey of outbreaks of salmonella infection in hospitals in England and Wales 55 outbreaks were identified. Reports of investigation of these outbreaks were reviewed for evidence of food borne infection and cross infection. Food borne infection probably accounted for only six outbreaks, but these made up 40% of the 15 outbreaks in which there were more than five patients and staff with symptoms. Person to person transmission was the probable mode of spread in most outbreaks. It is recommended that in addition to bacteriological investigations clinical and epidemiological data should be collected to implicate food or other possible common vehicles of infection. Bacteriological screening of patients and staff who do not have symptoms may be unrewarding in the absence of epidemiological data to define groups at risk of infection.     

NAG infection of grass frog (Rana temporaria) tadpoles]

Rana temporaria tadpoles (2250) were contaminated with three types of NAG vibrio cultures. Clinical, bacteriological and morphological examinations showed the larvae to be suffering from an acute infection during the first 2 days after the contamination. Then the vibrios persisted in the tadpole organism for a long time and were excreted in the feces.     

Immunotyping of freshly isolated strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

During 1972-1982 the bacteriological study of 1391 patients with thermal burns was carried out. As the result of clinico-bacteriological studies, the occurrence of P. aeruginosa was found to increase from 39.3% to 70.5% during this period. The immunotyping of P. aeruginosa cultures isolated in 3 burn-treatment centers showed that strains belonging to immunotypes 2, 3, 7 and 3/7 were most frequently isolated from burn wounds. These strains were found to be the cause of hospital infections in burn-treatment hospitals. In connection with the data thus obtained immunological preparations intended for the prophylaxis and treatment of P. aeruginosa infection should include P. aeruginosa strains, immunotypes 2, 3, 7 and 3/7.     

Occurrence of Campylobacter pylori in gastric mucosa and selected parameters of cell-mediated immunity in patients with duodenal ulcer and individuals with non-ulcerative dyspepsia]

The study was aimed at investigating a relationship between Campylobacter pylori infection in the gastric mucosa and selected parameters of cell-mediated immunity in patients with duodenal ulcer and the individuals with non-ulcerative dyspepsia. A relationship between Campylobacter pylori and gastritis has also been studied. Endoscopic and immunological tests were carried out in the group of 45 patients, including 14 patients with duodenal ulcer and 29 with non-ulcerative dyspepsia. Specimens of gastric mucosa were collected endoscopically for histological and bacteriological examinations. Immunological tests included an assessment of the number of lymphocytes T (and their subpopulations) forming active rosettes (ARFC); total - (TRFC) and theophylline-resistant in active rosettes fraction (ARFC-TR); total (TRFC-TR) and theophylline-sensitive lymphocytes in both fractions (ARFC-TS and TRFC-TS) in 1 mm3 of the peripheral blood. Results suggest, that there is correlation between an infection of the gastric mucosa by Campylobacter pylori and duodenal ulcer and gastritis. No correlation between the infection by Campylobacter pylori and examined parameters of immunity in both patients with duodenal ulcer and non-ulcerative dyspepsia was found.     

Etiology of acute suppurative destructive pneumonias in children]

Clinical, immunological and bacteriological studies were carried out in 63 children with the so-called staphylococcus destruction of the lungs. It was shown that in some of the cases destructive process in the lungs, along with the pathogenic staphylococcus, could be caused by the Gram negative bacteria (Proteus, Bac. pyocyaneus, etc.). It was found that in children of different age groups the titre of antistaphylococcus antibodies up to 0.5 AU/ml was normal and pointed to the absence of any inflammatory disease of staphylococcus etiology; a titre of 2 AU/ml - and overcould be considered as diagnostic. In connection with bacterial poly-etiology of acute destruction of the lungs in children it is suggested that it should be designated as "acute purulent destructive pneumonia". The importance of immuno-bacteriological studies in children with diseases with the mentioned pathology is emphasized; these examinations permit to choose proper complex therapy.     

Microbiological evaluation of jejunal aspirates and faecal samples after oral administration of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria

A double-blind placebo controlled investigation was carried out to study the effect of peroral colonization. Human volunteers were given mixtures of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria. Measurements were made over a 1 week treatment period and for another week after the end of the treatment. Two different bacteriological preparations were used, one consisted of Enterococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium longum (a total of 6.4 times 10⁸ cfu d^-1); the other consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bif. bifidum, Lact. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus , and Streptococcus thermophilus (a total of 9 times 10⁹ cfu d^-1). Together with a placebo preparation, they were given to 24 healthy controls (eight in each group). Microbiological examinations of jejunal aspirates showed that viable counts of most species were below the detection limit. However, the test preparation containing Ent. faecium and Bif. longum significantly reduced the anaerobe: aerobe ratio in faeces by a factor of three during treatment ( P = 0.03), and increased it by a factor of 30 during the following week ( P <0.02>). This study shows that peroral administration of certain bacterial cultures may affect the distal intestinal microflora.     

Intestinal microbiocenosis at the critical periods of child development

The bacteriological study of fecal specimens obtained from 595 children at different critical periods of the development of their immune system was carried out. The comparison of intestinal microflora in children at the critical periods of the development of their immune system revealed that in children under 1 year considerable changes in the microflora composition were observed during the first 6 months of life. These changes, most pronounced in children aged 1 month and 3-6 months, were characterized by decreased level of indigenous microflora and an increase in the qualitative and quantitative content of aerobic microflora with the representatives of the family Enterobacteriaceae playing the dominating role. In boys such disturbances were manifested to a greater extent than in girls.     

Avian influenza (H5N1) virus of clade 2.3.2 in domestic poultry in India

South Asia has experienced regular outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza virus since its first detection in India and Pakistan in February, 2006. Till 2009, the outbreaks in this region were due to clade 2.2 H5N1 virus. In 2010, Nepal reported the first outbreak of clade 2.3.2 virus in South Asia. In February 2011, two outbreaks of H5N1 virus were reported in the State of Tripura in India. The antigenic and genetic analyses of seven H5N1 viruses isolated during these outbreaks were carried out. Antigenic analysis confirmed 64 to 256-fold reduction in cross reactivity compared with clade 2.2 viruses. The intravenous pathogenicity index of the isolates ranged from 2.80-2.95 indicating high pathogenicity to chickens. Sequencing of all the eight gene-segments of seven H5N1 viruses isolated in these outbreaks was carried out. The predicted amino acid sequence analysis revealed high pathogenicity to chickens and susceptibility to the antivirals, amantadine and oseltamivir. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that these viruses belong to clade 2.3.2.1 and were distinct to the clade 2.3.2.1 viruses isolated in Nepal. Identification of new clade 2.3.2 H5N1 viruses in South Asia is reminiscent of the introduction of clade 2.2 viruses in this region in 2006/7. It is now important to monitor whether the clade 2.3.2.1 is replacing clade 2.2 in this region or co-circulating with it. Continued co-circulation of various subclades of the H5N1 virus which are more adapted to land based poultry in a highly populated region such as South Asia increases the risk of evolution of pandemic H5N1 strains.     

Isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from breeding dogs

The overuse of antimicrobials can select resistant bacteria strains; staphylococci have the ability to become resistant to all beta-lactam antimicrobials and are a significant concern in human medicine and a growing issue for veterinary medicine. Because antimicrobials are sometimes incorrectly used in breeding kennels, the objective of the work was to assess the occurrence of methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci in breeding dogs. The research was carried out in 13 kennels that were allotted to three categories according to the intensity of antimicrobial use. Vaginal and milk swabs were taken from 87 healthy bitches around parturition and also from multiple organs of 27 of their pups that died within the first 2 weeks. Standard bacteriological examinations were carried out and coagulase-positive staphylococci were identified. All the coagulase-positive staphylococci resulted to be Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Susceptibility to oxacillin and the presence of the mecA gene were tested. Nine out of 89 strains (six isolated from the bitches' milk and three from dead puppies, all belonging to kennels characterized by an excessive use of antimicrobials) were multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant and mecA positive.Our results confirm that excessive use of antimicrobials entails the risk of selecting resistant staphylococci strains. Our data also indicate that the bacterial flora of healthy dogs belonging to specific populations may act as a reservoir of resistance genes.     

Prevention of acute enteric infections and viral hepatitis A in the Republic of Dagestan in connection with the flood of 2002

The data on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Republic of Daghestan during the period of high flood in 2002. The scope of sanitary, hygienic and prophylactic measures carried out during this period with a view to prevent the appearance of the outbreaks of acute enteric infections and viral hepatitis A in the Republic of Daghestan is shown.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy

It is recommended to estimate the clinical effect of antibacterial therapy in patients with different purulent inflammatory complications with an account of the data on both the clinical and bacteriological examinations. The full affect consisted in disappearance of the clinical signs and complete bacteriological sanation of the purulent inflammatory foci. The partial effect was shown by a marked decrease in the clinical manifestations without complete bacteriological sanation of the foci. The ill effect was evidenced by clinical picture having no time course and no favourable time course in bacteriological tests. No effect was indicated by deterioration of the clinical picture and no favourable time course in the bacteriological tests.     

La place de l’examen direct des prélèvements bactériologiques dans le diagnostic des infections bactériennes

Routine examination of bacteriological sample presents two steps: direct examination and culture. Final aim of these examinations is to identify most of bacteria responsible of infection in order to justify an antibiotic treatment. Interest of direct examination in the identification of bacterial colony is well-established; however its importance in the appreciation of bacteriological samples is sometimes neglected by technician and intern of bacteriology. This presentation aim to remind us this importance in current bacteriological diagnosis by relating what responses it could bring in asked bacteriological analyses which are: cerebrospinal fluid, urine collection and cervicovaginal secretion.     

Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction effectiveness in the investigation of out-breaks of pseudotuberculosis

Data on the investigation of pseudotuberculosis epidemic outbreaks with the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are presented. Specific fragments of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis DNA were detected in 81.25% of patients, in 46.83% of cases confirmed by the isolation of Y. pseudotuberculosis cultures. The study of washings from vegetables and equipment in vegetable stores and kitchens yielded positive results in PCR in 8.52% and the survey of rodents--in 3.85% of cases. In the course of the bacteriological study of these specimens 6 Y. pseudotuberculosis cultures were isolated: 3--from vegetable products, 1--from a Norway rat and 2--from house mice. The coincidence of the data obtained by bacteriological study and PCR showed that the latter method gave objective results, while being capable of ensuring rather rapid analysis. PCR should be regarded as a signal test for the bacteriological search of the definite infective agent in the material under study.     

Isolation of Mycoplasma Bovoculi from Cases of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis

Five outbreaks of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis were examined for bacteria and mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma bovoculi was demonstrated in four of the five outbreaks. Other mycoplasmatales were represented by Ureaplasma in one sample. Moraxella bovis and Neisseria ovis were found in all the outbreaks, the former being present in the vast majority of the animals. Transmission experiments with Mycoplasma bovoculi and Moraxella bovis in combination were carried out on four young, colostrumdeprived calves. Mycoplasma bovoculi appeared to have an enhancing effect on the pathogenicity of Moraxella bovis.