J Food Prot, 2004 Dec, 67(12), 2671 - 4 Fate of salmonellae in orange and grapefruit concentrates during cold storage; Parish ME et al.; Orange and grapefruit concentrates at 42, 50, and 64 degreesBrix were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of acid-adapted salmonellae stored at 0, -5, -10, -15, or -20 degrees C and sampled for population survival up to 11 and 50 days for grapefruit and orange concentrates, respectively . Survivor curves were nonlinear and best fit by a three-parameter power equation: Y = a + bXc . Final log reductions ranged from 2.3 to 4.8 after 50 days in orange concentrate and 6.0 to 6.9 after 11 days in grapefruit concentrate . Storage times needed to achieve a 5-log population reduction among all treatments for grapefruit concentrate ranged from 1.0 to 5.8 days . Significant differences (P < or = 0.05) were observed among results for different temperatures within any single Brix level; however, storage times among Brix levels at any one temperature were not significantly (P < or = 0.05) different . Results indicate that cold storage of grapefruit concentrate is a viable treatment for achieving a 5-log reduction in salmonellae. Pathol Oncol Res, 2004, 10(4), 234 - 6 Epub 2004 Dec 27. Abscess of the spleen; Ulhaci N et al.; Abscess of the spleen is a very rare lesion . In this study, 4 cases of splenic abscess are presented and discussed along with the literature . The cases were between 16 and 55 years-old and two of them had hematologic malignancy . All of them had been operated on because of acute abdomen, and in two cases splenic rupture was present . Only in one of the cases was salmonellosis detected by microbiological methods . By histological examination, expansion and congestion in splenic sinusoids, and foci of abscess including wide areas of necrosis and inflammatory infiltration by neutrophils were seen in all cases . The most frequent cause of splenic abscess is septic embolism arising from bacterial endocarditis . There are also a few splenic abscess cases seen with malignancies . While splenic abscess is seen rarely, it has a high rate of mortality when it is diagnosed late. Zhong Yao Cai, 2001 Nov, 24(11), 788 - 91 {The hygienic examination and quality research of Chinese crude drug scorpion}; Zhang G et al.; We selected the method of hygienic test to determinate the infection of colibacilli, salmonelli, mixed bacteria, mould fungus and yeasts on Chinese crude drug scorpion from 29 commerical samples in different storaged period, habitats and commerical standard . The results showed there were not colibacilli and salmonelli in all 29 samples, but infectious mixed bacteria rate is 100%, which is 2.1 times more than salty scorpion in 29 tested samples, and the infectious fungi rate is 72.4% . The fungi of salty scorpion is 15% more than fresh scorpion . The quantity of infected yeasts on salty scorpion is much more than scorpion . There are 4 species of fungi such as Alternaria neesex Wallroth, Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius, Nocarcia sp . and Tricophyton violaceum Sabouraud . Because of infectious pathogenic bacteria rate is so high, we suggest to increase the item of hygienic test to control the quality of crude drug scorpion and strengthen the administration of commerical drugs, so as to reduce the contaminative condition. Transplant Proc, 2004 Sep, 36(7), 2145 - 7 Posttransplant Kaposi's sarcoma: report from a single center; Huang JY et al.; Posttransplant Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is not uncommon . This study investigated the clinical manifestations, impact of immunosuppression, and presence of HHV-8 antigen in our patients . METHODS: Among 568 renal transplant recipients, four developed KS . The physical findings, radiologic studies, immunosuppressive regimens, and the clinical outcomes were reviewed . In two patients, the expression of human herpes virus-8 was examined with polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization . RESULTS: The incidence of KS was 0.7% in our recipients . The intervals between the transplantation and the development of KS ranged from 2 months to 8.4 years . All KS patients had calcineurin inhibitor-based antirejection therapies . Peripheral lymphadenopathy was the initial manifestation in three of four patients; the fourth presented with violaceous papules over his lower legs . Besides lymphadenopathy, KS in one patient also involved internal visceral organs . One patient died at the time of diagnosis because of Salmonellosis; the other three experienced tumor regression after discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitors . HHV-8 expression was detected in two examined specimens . CONCLUSION: Lymph node involvement is the most common clinical presentation in our posttransplant KS patients . HHV-8 infection is associated with the development of KS . Early withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors produces a favorable outcome in posttransplant KS. Przegl Epidemiol, 2004, 58(2), 313 - 23 {Infectious diseases among military personnel in the catchment area of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon hospital, from 1993 to 2000}; Buczynski A et al.; In the study the incidence of infectious diseases among military personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and local civilian population is examined . Additionally, the authors investigate the potential risk factors, including environmental conditions, influencing the incidence of infectious diseases . Epidemiological analysis was conducted based on the medical records of patients treated in the Internal and Surgical Ward of the UNIFIL Hospital from 1993 to 2000 . The patients with infectious diseases accounted for 5.84 % of all patients hospitalized during the analyzed period . The most frequent infectious diseases treated during that time were salmonellosis and staphylococcal food poisoning. Rev Esp Salud Publica, 2004 May-Jun, 78(3), 389 - 98 {Emerging zoonoses linked to pets in the autonomous community of Madrid: design of a method for setting public health priorities, Spain}; Garcia Nieto A et al.; BACKGROUND: The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases are a major concern in Public Health . The unique socio-demographic aspects of the Autonomous Community of Madrid make it necessary for a greater deal of attention to be paid to pet-transmitted zoonoses . This study is aimed as heightening the knowledge of the emerging and re-emerging pet-transmitted zoonoses and the design of a method for prioritizing the same . METHODS: Based on the diseases obtained from official sources, laboratories and a review of published studies, a quantification and weighting method designed by the working group and adapted to the specificity of this study was applied . RESULTS: Based on the analysis of 137 diseases, 24 met the admission requirements . The weighting method is provided in table form, including eleven scoring criteria, the criteria categories and the coefficients employed . Salmonellosis was the top-ranked disease, followed by Q Fever, Tularemia and Hantavirus Infection . CONCLUSIONS: A method for specifically evaluating emerging and re-emerging diseases was designed, affording the possibility of setting priorities in the Public Health planning field . This study provides a listing of 24 zoonoses ranked in order of importance, based on which new strategy-related lines must be set out for the research and/or control thereof. Curr Opin Pediatr, 2004 Aug, 16(4), 450 - 60 Immunizations, neonatal jaundice, and animal-induced injuries; Morris SA et al.; PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Published studies during the past year about three topics important to the pediatric clinician-- immunizations, neonatal jaundice, and animal-induced injuries-are concisely reviewed . RECENT FINDINGS: Recent updates regarding vaccines including the questionable link with autism, implementation of universal influenza vaccination for young children, the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccine against invasive disease, and new information on pertussis, varicella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, and rotavirus vaccination are discussed . No association between measles/mumps/rubella vaccine or thimerosal-containing pertussis vaccine and autism is evident . Universal influenza vaccination for children 6 to 23 months of age will be recommended for the 2004-2005 flu season, and this implementation should reduce significant school absenteeism as well as complications seen last year including encephalopathy, seizures, respiratory failure, and pneumonia . Pneumococcal vaccine significantly reduces rates of invasive pneumococcal vaccine in healthy and HIV-infected children, although it does not appear to greatly affect otitis media rates . A reduction in post-vaccine febrile seizures appears to be present since the introduction of acellular pertussis vaccine . Multiple outbreaks in varicella have been reported since the introduction of the varicella vaccine, and a booster vaccination may be necessary in the future . Methods for detecting and preventing severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are reviewed, as well as anticipated recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics for the detection and management of hyperbilirubinemia . High bilirubin levels in preterm infants may result in hearing dysfunction and developmental impairment . The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a higher level of monitoring for newborn jaundice and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in an effort to prevent kernicterus and sequelae from elevated bilirubin levels, including post-discharge follow-up appointment by day 3 to 5 of age . Dog bites in children with resultant post-traumatic stress disorder, rabies, and salmonellosis from pet reptiles in the home are also addressed . Clinicians need to be aware of the risk for rabies bites, need to recognize that dog bites in children appear to cause post-traumatic stress disorder in more than half of cases, and need to know how to educate patients on how to prevent salmonellosis from pet reptiles and amphibians . SUMMARY: Progress has been made in immunizations, especially immunization for influenza, pneumonia, and pertussis . It is recommended that monitoring for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia be more thorough to prevent the consequences of this condition . Rabies, post-traumatic stress disorder from dog bites, and salmonellosis associated with pet reptiles constitute an important area for patient education. Euro Surveill . 2004 May 1;9(5) {Epub ahead of print} Strengthening early warning function of surveillance in the Republic of Serbia: lessons learned after a year of implementation; Valenciano M et al.; The Republic of Serbia, with WHO support, has implemented an early warning system (ALERT) for priority communicable diseases, to complement the routine surveillance system which notifies individual confirmed cases . The results of its evaluation, conducted one year after implementation is presented here . ALERT relies on notification of 11 syndromes by primary care facilities . Data is analysed weekly at district level and transmitted to national epidemiologists . ALERT is perceived to be a simple and flexible tool . Acceptability is higher at national level than at district level . Some districts perceive ALERT as a parallel system poorly connected to control measures . Sensitivity of ALERT in detecting cases of meningitis is 93%, and 37% for cases of hepatitis . Retrospective analysis of ALERT data identified 9 outbreaks, 5 of which had been recognized by epidemiologists . ALERT was the timeliest system for detecting 4 outbreaks identified by both systems . ALERT was useful for triggering timely investigation and control of outbreaks of hantavirus and salmonellosis and for detecting the start of the influenza season . However, ALERT did not detect clusters of brucellosis and tularaemia targeted by the unexplained fever syndrome . This evaluation underlined the need for a global review of surveillance activities when implementing new components such as ALERT . While control measures based on notification of individual confirmed cases are well understood and implemented, the investigation and verification process that should result from an increase in ALERT syndromes is not fully understood . Field epidemiology training programmes, such as the EPIET programme, are best suited to bring about this change of perspective. Cell Microbiol, 2004 Jul, 6(7), 599 - 607 Apoptosis paves the detour path for CD8 T cell activation against intracellular bacteria; Winau F et al.; Intracellular bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily infect macrophages . Within these host cells, the pathogens are confined to phagosomes and their antigens are secluded from the classical MHC I presentation pathway . Moreover, macrophages fail to express certain antigen presenting molecules like CD1 proteins . As a result of this intracellular lifestyle, the pathways for the induction of MHC I- and CD1-restricted CD8 T cells by such microorganisms remain elusive . Based on recent findings in tuberculosis and salmonellosis, we propose a new detour pathway for CD8 T cell activation against intracellular bacteria through apoptotic blebs from infected macrophages . Pathogen-derived antigens including proteins and lipids are delivered from infected cells to non-infected dendritic cells . Subsequently, these professional antigen presenting cells display microbial antigens through MHC I and CD1 to T cells . Thus, cross-priming mediated by apoptotic vesicles is not just a matter of antigen distribution, but an intrinsic immunological function due to the nature of phagosomally located intracellular bacteria . We consider infection-induced apoptosis the conditio sine qua non for antigen-specific CD8 T cell activation by phagosome-enclosed pathogens . This important new function of cell death in antibacterial immunity requires consideration for rational vaccine design. Blood, 2004 Oct 1, 104(7), 2095 - 101 Epub 2004 Jun 03. A novel form of complete IL-12/IL-23 receptor beta1 deficiency with cell surface-expressed nonfunctional receptors; Fieschi C et al.; Complete interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor beta1 (IL-12Rbeta1) deficiency is the most frequent known genetic etiology of the syndrome of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease . The patients described to date lack IL-12Rbeta1 at the surface of their natural killer (NK) and T cells due to IL12RB1 mutations, which either interrupt the open reading frame or disrupt protein folding . We describe a patient with a large in-frame deletion of 12165 nucleotides (nt) in IL12RB1, encompassing exons 8 to 13 and resulting in the surface expression of nonfunctional IL-12Rbeta1 . These 6 exons encode the proximal NH2-terminal half of the extracellular domain downstream from the cytokine-binding domain . Five of 6 monoclonal anti-IL-12Rbeta1 antibodies tested recognized the internally truncated chain on the cell surface . However, IL-12 and IL-23 did not bind normally to the patient's IL-12Rbeta1-containing respective heterodimeric receptors . As a result, signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) was not phosphorylated and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production was not induced in the patient's cells upon stimulation with even high doses of IL-12 or IL-23 . The functional defect was completely rescued by retrovirus-mediated IL-12Rbeta1 gene transfer . Thus, the detection of IL-12Rbeta1 on the cell surface does not exclude the possibility of complete IL-12Rbeta1 deficiency in patients with mycobacteriosis or salmonellosis . Paradoxically, the largest IL12RB1 mutation detected is associated with the cell surface expression of nonfunctional IL-12Rbeta1, defining a novel genetic form of IL-12Rbeta1 deficiency. Rev Med Liege, 2004 Mar, 59(3), 145 - 8 {Infections and antibiotic prophylaxis in sickle cell disease}; Lepage P et al.; Bacterial infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among young children with sickle cell disease . Susceptibility to infections is mainly observed in homozygous sickle cell disease . The incidence of bacteremias in children under 3 years of age is approximately 8 events/100 patient-years among homozygous subjects and approximately S events/100 patient-years among those with SC hemoglobinopathy . Pneumococci and Salmonellae are the most frequently isolated bacteria . Severe clinical manifestations include septicemia, meningitis, osteomyelitis and pneumonia . M . Pneumoniae and C . Pneumoniae infections may be severe and may induce acute chest syndrome . The high incidence and severity of bacterial infections in these children justify prevention efforts by antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccination . The efficacy of oral penicillin prophylaxis against pneumococcal infections has been well demonstrated and is now recommended from 3 months of age . The antipneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in young infants. Biochemistry, 2004 May 11, 43(18), 5428 - 36 Domain structures and roles in bacteriophage HK97 capsid assembly and maturation; Benevides JM et al.; Head assembly in the double-stranded DNA coliphage HK97 involves initially the formation of the precursor shell Prohead I from approximately 420 copies of a 384-residue subunit . This is followed by proteolytic removal of residues 2-103 to create Prohead II, and then reorganization and expansion of the shell lattice and covalent cross-linking of subunits make Head II . Here, we report and structurally interpret solution Raman spectra of Prohead I, Prohead II, and Head II particles . The Raman signatures of Prohead I and Prohead II indicate a common alpha/beta fold for residues 104-385, and a strongly conserved tertiary structure . The Raman difference spectrum between Prohead I and Prohead II demonstrates that the N-terminal residues 2-103 (Delta-domain) form a predominantly alpha-helical fold devoid of beta-strand . The conformation of the Delta-domain in Prohead I thus resembles that of the previously characterized scaffolding proteins of Salmonellaphage P22 and Bacillus phage phi29 and suggests an analogous architectural role in mediating the assembly of a properly dimensioned precursor shell . The Prohead II --> Head II transition is accompanied by significant reordering of both the secondary and tertiary structures of 104-385, wherein a large increase occurs in the percentage of beta-strand (from 38 to 45%), and a marginal increase is observed in the percentage of alpha-helix (from 27 to 31%) . Both are at the expense of unordered chain segments . Residue environments affected by HK97 shell maturation include the unique cysteine (Cys 362) and numerous tyrosines and tryptophans . The tertiary structural reorganization is reminiscent of that observed for the procapsid --> capsid transformation of P22 . The Raman signatures of aqueous and crystalline Head II reveal no significant differences between the crystal and solution structures. Eur Radiol . 2004 Jan 29; {Epub ahead of print} Gastrointestinal infection in the immunocompromised (AIDS) patient; Reeders JW et al.; In the past two decades acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has become one of the most devastating illnesses in human history . As the epidemic continues to spread increasingly, AIDS patients are no longer confined to a few specialized AIDS hospitals and are now seen in general hospitals and clinics everywhere . Radiologists need to recognize the appearances, to understand how-safely-to care for patients with this disease, and to know enough about the illness to be able to counsel their patients . This article presents a review of current knowledge about the wide range of gastrointestinal hepatic, splenic, biliary, and retroperitoneal manifestations in AIDS, and how the role of modern medical imaging techniques and diagnosis and treatment can be applied . The imaging aspects (conventional double-contrast gastrointestinal studies, ultrasound, CT, and MR) of the diseases of the luminal gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen, biliary tract, and retroperitoneum will be systematically discussed . Candidiasis, herpes, cytomegalovirus, cryptosporidiosis, histoplasmosis, isosporiasis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, unusual mycobacteria, and viral infections account for the majority of non-neoplastic disorders. Emerg Infect Dis, 2003 Dec, 9(12), 1621 - 2 Ciprofloxacin treatment failure in typhoid fever case, Pakistan; Butt T et al.; We report a case of ciprofloxacin treatment failure in a typhoid fever patient at a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan . This case shows not only the emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance in typhoid salmonellae but also the inadequacy of the current laboratory guidelines for detection of this resistance. Epidemiology, 2004 Jan, 15(1), 86 - 92 Does ambient temperature affect foodborne disease? D'Souza RM, Becker NG, Hall G, Moodie KB. BACKGROUND: Foodborne illness is a significant public health issue in most countries, including Australia . We examined the association between temperature and salmonellosis notifications, and compared these associations for 5 Australian cities . METHODS: Log-linear models describing monthly salmonellosis notifications in terms of calendar time and monthly average temperatures were fitted over the period 1991 to 2001 for each city . We used a negative binomial chance model to accommodate overdispersion in the counts . RESULTS: The long-term trend showed an increase in salmonellosis notifications in each of the 5 cities . There was a positive association between monthly salmonellosis notifications and mean monthly temperature of the previous month in every city . Seasonal patterns in salmonellosis notifications were fully explained by changes in temperature . DISCUSSION: The strength of the association, the consistency across 5 cities, and a plausible biologic pathway suggest that higher ambient temperatures are a cause of higher salmonellosis notifications . The lag of 1 month suggests that temperature might be more influential earlier in the production process rather than at the food preparation stage . This knowledge can help to guide policy on food preparation and distribution . It also suggests a basis for an early warning system for increased risk from salmonellosis, and raises yet another possible health problem with global warming. Eur J Immunol, 2003 Dec, 33(12), 3393 - 7 IL-12 receptor deficiency revisited: IL-23-mediated signaling is also impaired in human genetic IL-12 receptor beta1 deficiency; Hoeve MA et al.; IFN-gamma and IL-12 are crucial cytokines for cell-mediated immunity against intracellular pathogens . We have previously shown that human IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency leads to impaired IL-12 responsiveness and unusual susceptibility to infections due to mycobacteria and salmonellae . IL-23 is a cytokine with functions that partially overlap with those of IL-12 . IL-23 consists of IL-12p40 and a novel p19 protein, and binds to a receptor complex comprising IL-12Rbeta1 and IL-23R . Thus, IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency may impair both IL-12- and IL-23 signaling, and both may contribute to the immunological phenotypes . To examine whether IL-12Rbeta1 is essential for IL-23 signaling in human T cells, we have studied IL-23 responsiveness of four IL-12Rbeta1-deficient individuals . Whereas IL-23 promoted IFN-gamma production by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in controls, IL-12Rbeta1-deficient T cells lacked IL-23-induced IFN-gamma secretion, but responded normally to IL-2, IL-4, IL-15 and IL-18 . We also show that induction of IFN-gamma production by IL-23 depends upon TCR-ligation and is enhanced by CD28-costimulation . Furthermore, IL-23 cooperates with IL-12 and IL-18 in promoting IFN-gamma production in controls, but not in patients . We conclude that IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency impairs IL-12- and IL-23-dependent signaling in human T cells . The syndrome caused by IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency thus needs to be reinterpreted as resulting from defective IL-12-as well as IL-23-mediated immunity. Clin Infect Dis, 2003 Dec 1, 37(11), e167 - 9 Epub 2003 Nov 06. Turtle-associated human salmonellosis; Stam F et al.; A patient who bred exotic turtles as a hobby presented with 2 episodes of severe diarrhea, the second of which was proven to be caused by turtle-associated salmonellosis that was contracted during treatment with a proton-pump inhibitor . The literature about reptile-associated salmonellosis is briefly reviewed. Epidemiol Infect, 2003 Oct, 131(2), 809 - 13 The use of the case-crossover design in a continuous common source food-borne outbreak; Haegebaert S et al.; When applicable, case-crossover studies may be quicker and cheaper to complete than case-control studies . Because time is a major issue in outbreak investigations, we evaluated the interest of this design during a continuous common source food-borne outbreak of salmonellosis for which the vehicle (hamburgers) was also implicated by environmental and laboratory investigations . Seventeen of the 35 cases identified in the outbreak were included in the study according to the availability of menu records with detailed information on food consumed at each meal . Food exposures during a 3-day risk period before onset of illness were compared to those of a control time-interval of the same duration that preceded the risk period by two days . Seventy-seven per cent of the cases (13/17) had consumed hamburgers in the three days preceding onset of illness compared with 29% (5/17) during the control period (P = 0.04, odds ratio = 5, 95% CI: 1.1-46.9) . In this investigation the case-crossover design proved to be a useful and efficient alternative to the case-control approach . However, further evaluation of this design in outbreak investigation is needed. Pol J Vet Sci, 2003, 6(3), 177 - 82 Prevalence of infectious diseases in ring-necked pheasant flocks in Poland; Wieliczko A et al.; The health status of ring-necked pheasants in view of the prevalence of infectious diseases was estimated in Polish pheasantries in the years 1997-2000 . Anatomicopathological, microbiological and serological examinations were carried out on birds derived from 26 pheasantries, including birds randomly selected from 18 flocks and sick or dead birds sent from 8 pheasantries . Antibodies specific to the following viruses were detected in serum blood samples: HE, AE, AP, REO, AI, Adeno group 1, MD, ND, as well as Mycoplasma gallisepticum specific antibodies . However, in none of the examined flocks was the presence of antibodies against reticuloendoteliosis virus found . Marble spleen disease and salmonellosis proved to be the most frequent cause of death during the growing period. J Microbiol Methods, 2003 Oct, 55(1), 287 - 93 Isolation and concentration of Salmonellae with an immunoaffinity column; Brewster JD; A method for rapidly and selectively isolating Salmonellae from buffer solutions and concentrating the bacteria by a factor of approximately 500 was developed . Anti-Salmonellae antibody was covalently linked to 40 microm polyacrylamide beads to prepare a solid phase with affinity for the bacteria . The beads were packed into 1-mm diameter glass tubes to form a column 20 microl in volume . Buffer containing Salmonellae at concentrations ranging from 10(2) to 10(6)/ml was pumped through the column to trap and concentrate the bacteria . At a flow rate of 50 microl/min, more than 95% of the bacteria introduced to the column were captured, while at 800 microl/min capture dropped to 32% . Specificity was high, with no detectable capture of Escherichia coli at a concentration of 10(5)/ml . Capture of more than 90% of Salmonellae in a 5-ml sample was achieved in 40 min by re-circulating the sample through the column at a flow rate of 500 microl/. Adv Exp Med Biol, 2003, 531, 279 - 94 Human deficiencies in type-1 cytokine receptors reveal the essential role of type-1 cytokines in immunity to intracellular bacteria; Ottenhoff TH et al.; Human genetic factors play an important role in determining the outcome of infections caused by intracellular pathogens, including mycobacteria and salmonellae (reviewed in 1) . The genetic elements involved and the mechanisms by which these control disease-susceptibility versus resistance, however, remain incompletely characterized . Recent studies on patients with idiopathic, severe infections due to poorly pathogenic mycobacteria and salmonellae have revealed that many of these patients are unable to produce or respond to IFN-gamma . This inability results from causative, deleterious genetic mutations in either one of five different genes in the type-1 cytokine cascade, encoding IL-12p40, IL-12Rbeta1, IFN-gammaR1, IFN-gammaR2 or Stat-1 . The mutational events can lead to complete or partial deficiency, and are mostly autosomal recessive but can be dominant negative as well . The immunological, clinical and histopathological phenotypes resulting from the ten groups of genetic type-1 cytokine (receptor) deficiency distinguished thus far differ significantly . These findings are summarized, discussed and placed in a broader context in relation to protective immune mechanisms and disease susceptibility. Clin Infect Dis, 2003 Jul 15, 37(2), 302 - 6 Epub 2003 Jul 07. Clinical tuberculosis in 2 of 3 siblings with interleukin-12 receptor beta1 deficiency; Caragol I et al.; We describe 3 siblings with interleukin-12 receptor beta1 (IL-12Rbeta1) deficiency, a known genetic etiology of clinical disease caused by infection with poorly virulent mycobacteria, such as mycobacteria found in bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines and environmental nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) . One child had disseminated tuberculosis, the second had extraintestinal salmonellosis and pulmonary tuberculosis, and the third remained asymptomatic . IL-12Rbeta1 deficiency should be considered as a diagnosis in patients with severe salmonellosis or tuberculosis, even if they do not have disease due to BCG or NTM. Antibiot Khimioter, 2003, 48(1), 23 - 6 {Enhanced activity of rifampicin loaded with polybutyl cyanoacrylate nanoparticles in relation to intracellularly localized bacteria}; Skidan IN et al.; Association of rifampicin with polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles provided considerable enhancement of drug antibacterial activity . In vitro nanoparticle-loaded rifampicin was more active against Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium avium, localized in isolated alveolar macrophages . Level of rifampicin in macrophages increased 2-3-fold after incubation with rifampicinloaded nanoparticles comparing to the free drug . High therapeutic efficacy of colloidal rifampicin was demonstrated in vivo . Use of nanoparticles provided 2-fold increase in rifampicin efficacy, comparing with the free drug at treatment of staphylococcus sepsis in mice . Single administration of nanoparticulate rifampicin in the dose 25 mg/kg resulted in 80% survival of mice with salmonellosis, while 50 mg/kg of free rifampicin could provide only 10% survival . It may be considered that high antibacterial efficacy of rifampicin bound to nanoparticles is due to its effective delivery to macrophages. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 Nov-Dec, (6 Suppl), 41 - 4 {Laboratory diagnostics of acute enteric infections under the conditions of the work of the specialized epidemic brigade during liquidation of the consequences of the emergency situations}; Onishchenko GG et al.; The scheme of the complex microbiological diagnostics of cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis and escherichiosis has been developed . The scheme includes the introduction of material taken from a patient with acute enteric infection into 1% peptone water (pH 8.0), followed by inoculation into Endo medium (pH 7.4-8.0) and the selection of colonies on MC-agar with the subsequent final identification of bacteria with the use of biochemical, serological and genetic methods of investigation . This scheme is proposed for use in bacteriological sections of specialized antiepidemic brigades working on the liquidation of the consequences of emergency situations when the epidemiological safety of the population is threatened. 20 Century Br Hist, 2003, 14(1), 1 - 23 Professional advantage and public health: British veterinarians and State Veterinary Services, 1865-1939; Hardy A; At the beginning of the twentieth century, municipal authorities in England and Wales, and in Scotland, began to develop systems of veterinary public health which encompassed both the welfare of animals and the safety of meat and milk intended for human consumption . This paper examines the motives behind veterinary attempts to extend the integration of human and animal health considerations within the public health framework in the inter-war period . In 1938 the Ministry of Agriculture implemented a national administrative structure for the management of animal diseases which absorbed the veterinary personnel of the municipal authorities, whose own veterinary public health activities largely fell into abeyance . As a result, the ideal of veterinary public health disappeared from British public health practice after 1939, and lost its force as a professional political cause . The mid-century disappearance of animal health from consideration in British public health programmes was one of a complex of historical strands which contributed to the late-twentieth-century emergence of public health crises over such animal-borne diseases as salmonellosis, Escherichia coli infection, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Curr Opin Infect Dis, 2002 Oct, 15(5), 507 - 12 Salmonellosis in children in developing and developed countries and populations; Graham SM; PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review addresses recent developments that relate to the clinical management and prevention of childhood salmonellosis in developed and developing countries . RECENT FINDINGS: Invasive disease due to serovar Typhi as well as nontyphoidal salmonellae (NTS) is common in children younger than 5 years old in developing countries, and multidrug resistance is an increasingly difficult problem to manage . A new conjugate vaccine was found to be very effective in preventing typhoid fever in young Vietnamese children and was well tolerated, showing great promise for the future . Antibiotic use in the food animal industry is an important source of disease with multidrug resistant NTS strains in the developed world . Efforts for prevention are aimed at immunization of animals, control of antibiotic use in the food animal industry and careful monitoring of food-borne outbreaks . On the other hand, although the burden of NTS disease in children is far greater in developing countries, especially in tropical Africa, knowledge of even basic epidemiology is lacking . Importantly, it may be that, as spp . acquire increasing resistance, they also acquire increasing virulence that will lead to even greater morbidity and mortality . SUMMARY: Recent developments include a better knowledge of clinical aspects of invasive salmonellosis, an increasing response to the problem of multiple antibiotic resistance (including quinolones), and excellent results from the use of a recently developed conjugate vaccine for typhoid fever in children as young as 2 years old. Euro Surveill, 1999 May, 4(5), 52 - 55 The Enter-net international surveillance network - how it works; Fisher IS; Enter-net is an international network for the surveillance of human gastrointestinal infections, which monitors salmonellosis and Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157, including their antimicrobial resistance . When the network began it in Eur J Immunol, 2003 Jan, 33(1), 59 - 69 Severe Mycobacterium bovis BCG infections in a large series of novel IL-12 receptor beta1 deficient patients and evidence for the existence of partial IL-12 receptor beta1 deficiency; Lichtenauer-Kaligis EG et al.; Cell mediated immunity plays a critical role in human host defence against intracellular bacteria . In patients with unusual, severe infections caused by poorly pathogenic species of mycobacteria and salmonellae, genetic deficiencies have been identified in key genes in the type-1 cytokine pathway, especially in IFNGR1 and IL12RB1 . Here, we analyzed 11 patients originating from Turkey and suffering from unusual Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin infections following vaccination, and found that most patients (n=8) are deficient in IL-12Rbeta1 expression and function . No defects were found in patients' IFN-gammaR or IL-18R . In addition, a first patient suffering from partial IL-12Rbeta1 deficiency is described . This patient presented with an intermediate cellular and immunological phenotype: a consistent, low response to IL-12 was found, which could be further augmented by IL-18 . Despite a lack of cell surface IL-12Rbeta1 expression, normal levels of intracellular IL-12Rbeta1 protein were detectable, which was not seen in the other, completely IL-12Rbeta1 deficient patients examined . Moreover, this patient had a relatively mild clinical phenotype and was the only individual with a single homozygous amino acid substitution in IL-12Rbeta1 (C198R) . Collectively, our findings indicate that idiopathic, unusually severe infections due to M . bovis BCG can be caused by complete as well as partial IL-12Rbeta1 deficiency. J Parasitol, 2002 Dec, 88(6), 1262 - 3 Porcine enteritis associated with Eimeria spinosa Henry, 1931 infection; Lindsay DS et al.; Coccidia of the genus Eimeria are present in most pigs raised on dirt in the United States . They are generally considered nonpathogenic in weaned pigs . Oocysts of Eimeria spinosa Henry, 1931 were observed in tissue sections and intestinal contents of a weaned male pig that died suddenly on a farm in Iowa . Microscopically, necrotizing enteritis associated with many thick-walled coccidial oocysts was present in intestinal sections . Examination of intestinal contents demonstrated oocysts that were thick-walled and had small projections on the surface of the oocyst wall, characteristic of E . spinasa Henry, 1931 of swine . Twenty-live oocysts in intestinal contents measured 20.4 by 14.2 microm . No pathogenic bacteria were detected in the pig by culture methods, but lesions suggestive of salmonellosis were observed in some tissues . The specific cause of death was not determined; however, E . spinosa infection was considered to have contributed to the death of this pig . The results suggest that E . spinosa may be pathogenic for pigs. Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol, 2002 Nov, 51(4), 148 - 51 {Incidence of S . typhimurium in the Czech Republic 1999-2001}; Sramova H et al.; The ratio of serovars of S . Typhimurium among notified cases of salmonelloses in 1999-2001 did not exceed 3% and so far has a slightly declining trend . On a long-term basis the highest morbidity rate caused by this agent is reported in the South Moravian region . The age distribution and specific morbidity is highest in 1-4-year-old children, the seasonal incidence is highest, in the summer months . The most frequently suspected vehicles are eggs, poultry and meat products, in 1999 for the first time as a vehicle a grilled piglet was reported, in a total of three epidemics . Epidemiological analysis of salmonelloses caused by S . Typhimurium revealed that in the CR individual characteristics do not differ from those caused by S . Enteritidis and that the epidemiological situation as regards this serovar is, so far quiescent. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2002 Sep-Oct, (5), 71 - 3 {Detection of tissue specific antigen-binding lymphocytes in patients with acute enteric infections}; Slavko EA et al.; A total of 88 patients with salmonellosis, acute dysentery, alimentary toxicoinfection, acute gastroenterocolitis were examined . The study was aimed at early determination of the involvement of organs and tissues into the inflammatory process and detection of antigen-binding lymphocytes with the use of erythrocytic immunoreagents prepared from tissue antigens of mucous membranes of small and large intestine, duodenum, stomach, gall bladder, as well as liver and pancreas . The study demonstrated that as early as on day 1-3 of the disease the development of the inflammatory process in different organs was accompanied by the appearance of the corresponding tissue specific (organ specific) antigen-binding lymphocytes in all patients . As a rule, patients with different acute enteric diseases significantly differed by the frequency and spectrum of the involvement of such organs and tissues into pathological process. Eur J Nutr, 2002 Nov, 41 Suppl 1, I17 - 25 Medical, nutritional and technological properties of lactulose . An update; Schumann C; The undigestable disaccharide lactulose has been in medical use for over 40 years, mainly in the treatment of portosystemic encephalopathy and of constipation . Pharmacodynamics of lactulose make it an efficacious and safe drug in these indications . But the reason for its numerous potential benefits are under research now . The major principle of action is the promotion of growth and activity of lactic acid bacteria in the gut which counteract detrimental species such as clostridia or salmonellae . This shows that prebiotic action, if used accordingly, can have medically significant effects . The mechanism of action, medical and prebiotic effects, veterinary uses, and technological properties of lactulose, e . g . in yoghurt production are reviewed. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 2002 Sep, 31(5), 495 - 9 {Typhoid fever and pregnancy}; Carles G et al.; Typhoid fever is rare in Europe, but well-recognized endemic disease in tropical zones . We report our findings in a series of 25 cases of typhoid fever during pregnancy observed in French Guiana and reviewed the literature on clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment . Salmonellea typhi causes septicemia of digestive origin that can cross the placenta resulting in chorioamniotitis . Maternal-fetal infection with S . typhi can lead to miscarriage, fetal death, neonatal infection, as well as diverse maternal complications . In order to avoid maternal complications and possible fetal transmission, treatment with ceftriaxone should be initiated as early as possible Afr J Health Sci, 1994 Feb, 1(1), 30 - 36 Renal transplantation in a developing country: the Egyptian 17 year experience . Barsoum RS, . This article addresses some of the major epidemiological, clinical, financial and social issues related to the practice of renal transplantation in Egypt . It highlights the limited availability facing the tremendous need for this line of treatment . It provides an overview of the transplant activity in the country, with a brief description of the medical and surgical protocols generally adopted by most groups . As a representative sample, the results of treatment of the Cairo Kidney Centre are given, emphasizing the importance of local ecological factors in modifying the outcome, expressed as short and long term patient and graft survival . The effects of the high prevalence of 6 infective agents are described, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis B and C viruses, salmonellosis, tuberculosis and schistosomiasis . Most of these agents are shown to influence the donor's selection while some may directly modify the graft outcome (CMV and salmonellosis), alter patient survival (CMV, hepatitis B) or necessitate changes in the surgical techniques or the doses of immunosuppressive drugs (schistosomiasis) . The financial burden currently imposed on the state budget by renal replacement therapy in general, and transplantation in particular, is discussed . The circumstances leading to accepting live unrelated donors, and the subsequent reflections on the society are discussed . The stand of the Egyptian medical community against paid organ donation, its enforcement and outcome of its application are described. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol, 2002, 18, 289 - 314 Epub 2002 Apr 02. Membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells; Mayer A; Membrane fusion is a fundamental biochemical reaction and the final step in all vesicular trafficking events . It is crucial for the transfer of proteins and lipids between different compartments and for exo- and endocytic traffic of signaling molecules and receptors . It leads to the reconstruction of organelles such as the Golgi or the nuclear envelope, which decay into fragments during mitosis . Hence, controlled membrane fusion reactions are indispensible for the compartmental organization of eukaryotic cells; for their communication with the environment via hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, and receptors; and for the integration of cells into multicellular organisms . Intracellular pathogenic bacteria, such as Mycobacteria or Salmonellae, have developed means to control fusion reactions in their host cells . They persist in phagosomes whose fusion with lysosomes they actively suppress-a means to ensure survival inside host cells . The past decade has witnessed rapid progress in the elucidation of parts of the molecular machinery involved in these membrane fusion reactions . Whereas some elements of the fusion apparatus are remarkably similar in several compartments, there is an equally striking divergence of others . The purpose of this review is to highlight common features of different fusion reactions and the concepts that emerged from them but also to stress the differences and challenge parts of the current hypotheses . This review covers only the endoplasmic fusion reactions mentioned above, i.e., reactions initiated by contacts of membranes with their cytoplasmic faces . Ectoplasmic fusion events, which depend on an initial contact of the fusion partners via the membrane surfaces exposed to the surrounding medium are not discussed, nor are topics such as the entry of enveloped viruses, formation of syncytia, gamete fusion, or vesicle scission (a fusion reaction that leads to the fission of, e.g., transport vesicles). Appl Environ Microbiol, 2002 Jul, 68(7), 3639 - 43 Evidence of association of salmonellae with tomato plants grown hydroponically in inoculated nutrient solution; Guo X et al.; The possibility of uptake of salmonellae by roots of hydroponically grown tomato plants was investigated . Within 1 day of exposure of plant roots to Hoagland nutrient solution containing 4.46 to 4.65 log(10) CFU of salmonellae/ml, the sizes of the pathogen populations were 3.01 CFU/g of hypocotyls and cotyledons and 3.40 log(10) CFU/g of stems for plants with intact root systems (control) and 2.55 log(10) CFU/g of hypocotyls and cotyledons for plants from which portions of the roots had been removed . A population of > or =3.38 log(10) CFU/g of hypocotyls-cotyledons, stems, and leaves of plants grown for 9 days was detected regardless of the root condition . Additional studies need to be done to unequivocally demonstrate that salmonellae can exist as endophytes in tomato plants grown under conditions that simulate commonly used agronomic practices. Rev Sci Tech, 2002 Aug, 21(2), 265 - 76 Diseases of farmed crocodiles and ostriches; Huchzermeyer FW; Crocodiles and ostriches are very sensitive to stress, and the ideal conditions for intensive rearing have not yet been established . Consequently, mortality is often directly linked to conditions on the farm . Crocodile and caiman pox, adenoviral hepatitis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydiosis and coccidiosis are crocodile-specific infections with reservoirs in wild populations and adult wild-caught breeding stock . Other important conditions are salmonellosis, non-specific septicaemia, trichinellosis, the nutritional diseases osteomalacia, fat necrosis and gout, as well as winter sores . The only ostrich-specific transmissible disease is libyostrongylosis . Other important conditions are Newcastle disease, avian influenza, fading chick syndrome, tibiotarsal rotation and enteritis . No cases of coccidiosis in ostriches have ever been confirmed. Euro Surveill, 2001 Feb, 6(2), 21 - 6 Minced beef and human salmonellosis: review of the investigation of three outbreaks in France; Haeghebaert S et al.; The synthesis of investigations of three salmonellosis outbreaks which occured in France between 1998 and 2000 confirms the role of the consumption of minced beef and highlights the importance of prevention measures. Przegl Epidemiol, 2001, 55(1-2), 15 - 22 {Infectious diseases in Poland in 1999}; Magdzik W et al.; Improvement of epidemiological situation of infectious diseases was continued in Poland in 1999 . The end of epidemics of measles, pertussis, mumps, scarlatine, chickenpox, and rubella was observed . In comparison with the number of cases of infectious diseases registered in 1998, decrease in the number of notified cases of salmonellosis, dysentery, meningitis, encephalitis, and hepatitis type B and A as well as increase in the number of influenza cases and trichinosis was noticed . In 1999, compared with 1998, among all notified deaths percentage of deaths attributed to infectious diseases (0.80%) and infectious diseases death rate (7.71 per 100,000) were slightly higher as an effect of the influenza deaths increase. Commun Dis Public Health, 2001 Jun, 4(2), 117 - 23 General outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease associated with fish and shellfish, England and Wales, 1992-1999; Gillespie IA et al.; Between 1992 and 1999 1425 foodborne general outbreaks of Infectious Intestinal Disease (IID) were reported to the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre . Of these, 148 (10%) were associated with the consumption of fish and shellfish . Three main aetiologies were identified . Outbreaks associated with fish (47%) occurred more frequently in the summer months, and were linked with Scombrotoxic fish poisoning caused by the consumption of tuna that was improperly stored . Outbreaks associated with molluscs (36%) were associated with the consumption of oysters contaminated with viral pathogens, particularly in February . Outbreaks associated with the consumption of crustaceans (11%) often involved eating prawns that contained either salmonellas or viral pathogens . The maintenance of microbial quality from prior to capture/harvesting until the moment of consumption, based on a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point style approach, is essential if gastrointestinal illness associated with such produce is to be avoided. J Vet Diagn Invest, 2001 May, 13(3), 258 - 60 Comparison of GN Hajna and tetrathionate as initial enrichment for salmonellae recovery from swine lymph nodes and cecal contents collected at slaughter; Harvey RB et al.; An epidemiologic survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of salmonellae in swine from 5 farms of an integrated swine operation . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the recovery efficiencies for salmonellae from swine lymph nodes and cecal contents when GN Hajna and tetrathionate were compared as initial enrichments . Salmonellae were isolated from 61% of 645 pigs at slaughter; 324 positive cultures were from lymph nodes, and 224 were from cecal contents . Frequently, pigs had salmonellae isolated from both the lymph nodes and cecal contents . Total isolations, regardless of source, were similar for GN Hajna (247) and tetrathionate (301) . There was no difference (P > 0.05) in the number of isolations from lymph nodes when GN Hajna enrichment was compared with tetrathionate enrichment (174 vs . 150) . However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) advantage of utilizing tetrathionate when compared with GN Hajna for isolations from cecal contents (151 vs . 73). Spine, 2001 Jul 1, 26(13), E303 - 7 Contained rupture of the aneurysm of common iliac artery associated with pyogenic vertebral spondylitis; Doita M et al.; STUDY DESIGN: A case report . OBJECTIVES: To report and discuss a case of contained rupture of the aneurysm of common iliac artery associated with pyogenic vertebral spondylitis, so that investigators and practitioners may avoid the diagnostic and therapeutic pitfalls associated with pyogenic vertebral spondylitis and aortic disease . SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Pyogenic vertebral spondylitis is a rare disorder that may have serious consequences, including death, if it is not diagnosed promptly and treated effectively . The association of pyogenic vertebral spondylitis with infection of the aorta is a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgical and medical therapy . To our knowledge, this is the first report of a contained rupture of the aneurysm of common iliac artery case associated with pyogenic vertebral spondylitis resulting from an infection with Bacteroides fragilis,although Salmonellae infections are commonly associated with vertebral osteomyelitis and lesions of the contiguous aorta . METHODS: A 60-year-old man with chronic lower back pain began to experience a severe pain and had increased difficulty in walking . An MRI scan showed an increased signal in the L4-L5 disc space and an abscess extending into the spinal canal . The presumptive diagnosis was infective spondylitis . While performing a CT-guided needle biopsy, an unexpected contained rupture of the aneurysm of common iliac artery was discovered . RESULTS: A wide resection of all infected tissue, including the right common iliac artery and bony lesions, was performed in combination with antimicrobial therapy . A cryopreserved aortic allograft was used to reconstruct the artery, and an iliac strut graft was used to fill the debrided vertebral cavity . The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful . CONCLUSION: The coexistence of pyogenic vertebral spondylitis and lesions of the aorta is rare, but may be lethal if not diagnosed promptly and treated effectively . Even if a patient's condition is stable and the hematocrit is normal, it is important to consider the possibility of a contained rupture of a mycotic abdominal aneurysm in all patients with vertebral osteomyelitis who have acute episodes of unusual severe back pain . CT is sometimes more beneficial than MRI in the identification and characterization of contained rupture of aneurysms. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 2001 Jun, 108(6), 264 - 6 {Megabacteria-associated proventriculitis in poultry in the state of Brandenburg, Germany}; Schulze C et al.; During the second half of the year 2000, we have diagnosed a megabacterial-associated proventriculitis in 13 laying hens and 4 cocks from 14 different flocks and one turkey . All birds were submitted for necropsy because of progressive runting, increased mortality and poor laying performance in the herds . Routine diagnostic workup included necropsy, histology, bacteriology, parasitology and virology . At necropsy, the proventricular of the birds were enlarged . The walls were thickened and the mucosa covered with cloudy, grey-white mucus . Petechial haemorrhages and ulcerations predominantly at the proventricular-ventricular junction and sloughing of the necrotic koilin layer of the ventriculus were inconsistently present . Megabacteria (approximately 40-50 by 2-4 microns, gram-positive to gram-labile, rod-shaped organisms) were present in large numbers in touch preparations of the proventricular mucosal surface . In some of the preparations, the megabacteria showed a branching pattern similar to fungal hyphae . By histopathology, all birds showed moderate to marked, diffuse lympho-plasmacytic proventriculitis . Heterophilic exudation was present in the terminal portion of the proventriculus, where the greatest numbers of the organism were found . Megabacteria were present in the mucus covering the mucosal surface and the lumina of the superficial proventricular crypts, occasionally invading the luminal epithelium . Megabacterial infection was in general associated with other diseases such as avian tuberculosis, salmonellosis, coccidiosis, chlamydiosis and various other bacterial and parasitic infections . Only in one hen no other concurrent infectious organism was detected . The turkey had histomoniasis . Wild birds were regarded as probable source of infection, since all affected birds were kept under conditions allowing contact to wild birds and we have diagnosed megabacterial infections in wild-living green finches earlier. J Clin Pharmacol, 2001 Jun, 41(6), 595 - 9 Role of veterinary medicine in public health: antibiotic use in food animals and humans and the effect on evolution of antibacterial resistance; Lathers CM; Veterinary public health is another frontier in the fight against human disease . The veterinary public health scope includes the control and eradication of zoonoses, diseases that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man . These diseases pose a continuous hazard to the health and welfare of the public . More than 100 diseases are categorized as zoonoses, including salmonellosis . It is important to understand how antibiotics are used in humans and in food animals and how these uses affect the evolution of antibacterial resistance . Appropriate use of antibiotics for food animals will preserve the long-term efficacy of existing antibiotics, support animal health and welfare, and limit the risk of transfer of antibiotic resistance to humans . An understanding of the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance allows development of preventive strategies to limit existing resistance and to avoid emergence of new strains of resistant bacteria . Risk assessments are being used by the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the U.S . Food and Drug Administration as regulatory tools to assess potential risk to humans resulting from antibiotic use in food-producing animals and to then develop microbial safety policies to protect the public health . The veterinary public health scope, in addition to the control and eradication of zoonoses, also includes the development and supervision of food hygiene practices, laboratory and research activities, and education of the public . Thus, it may be seen that there are many ways in which veterinary medicine plays a very important role in public health. Pediatr Med Chir, 2000, 22(1), 35 - 7 {Predictive factors of etiology (bacterial or viral) in acute gastroenteritis in childhood}; Milocco C et al.; The aim of the study was to identify immediate clinical and/or laboratory findings able to differentiate bacterial from viral etiology of acute gastroenteritis in pediatric patients . We studied 52 children, aged between 5 months and 12 years, consecutively admitted to hospital with acute diarrhoea lasting less than 5 days . All the patients were divided into 4 groups according to etiologic agent, subsequently demonstrated by culture: salmonellae (group A), rotavirus (group B); combined salmonellae and rotavirus (group C) and no pathogen (group D) . The contemporary presence of fever > 39 degrees C, number of daily liquid stools > 6, presence of bloody diarrhoea, positivity of C-reactive protein and hyponatremia (< 135 mEq/l) allowed to recognize the etiology (viral or bacterial) before results of culture (sensitivity was 71% and specificity was 97%) . In particular, hyponatremia resulted significantly lower in group A and C than in group B and D . We concluded that hyponatremia can be considered a marker for acute gastroenteritis caused by salmonellae. Med Wieku Rozwoj, 2000, 4(3 Suppl 1), 127 - 9 {Food safety of animal products}; Kubinska T; Monitoring of safety of animal products depends on the Government budget . Control management of the animal products quality, according to The White Book of Food safety (Brussels 12/01/2000), includes: 1) regular monitoring of animal infectious diseases which can be directly or indirectly, transmitted by food products to humans (Directive 92/117 EC, 17/12/1992; including poultry salmonellosis 1/07/1999); 2) monitoring of chemical, biological, medicaments and contamination residues (Directive 96/23 EC, 24/04/1996). AIDS Clin Care, 1997 Aug, 9(8), 62 - 3 Pursuing a diagnosis in a Caribbean man; Gulick RM; AIDS: A case study of an HIV-infected Caribbean male with extrapulmonary tuberculosis details his diagnosis, treatment regimens, and follow-up . His presenting symptoms included epigastric pain and fever . Endoscopy and gastric biopsy showed gastritis and helicobacter infection, which were treated symptomatically, and TMP-SMX was given for possible salmonellosis . Serologic tests for common opportunistic infections were negative . After all other expected conditions were ruled out, concurrent symptoms were diagnosed as extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and multi-drug treatment was successfully conducted . The problem of interactions between protease inhibitors and anti-tuberculosis drugs in treating HIV and tuberculosis concurrently is discussed . Three options are addressed: (1) discontinue (or delay starting) the protease inhibitor until at least 6 months of a standard rifampin-containing tuberculosis regimen is completed; (2) discontinue (or delay starting) the protease inhibitor until 2 months of a standard rifampin-containing regimen are completed; and (3) use of rifabutin rather than rifampin . Lupus, 2001, 10(2), 87 - 92 Non-thyphoidal salmonellosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus . A study of fifty patients and a review of the literature; Lim E et al.; The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical profile of lupus patients with non-typhoidal salmonellosis . A retrospective review of the clinical charts of lupus patients diagnosed with bacteriologically proven non-typhoidal salmonellosis over the last 20 y was undertaken, paying special attention to risk factors, clinical presentation and treatment outcome . Most episodes were bacteraemic without a localizing focus; and some patients were afebrile . They usually occurred in patients prone to opportunistic infections, and at times of increased immunosuppression given for lupus flares (especially nephritis) . However, salmonellosis also occurred in some patients presenting with lupus . The C-reactive protein level was found to be significantly higher during the infective episodes compared to episodes of non-infective febrile lupus flare . All isolates were sensitive to the usual first-line antibiotics and eminently treatable with 3 weeks of appropriate antibiotics without recurrence/persistence or significant morbidity/mortality, the exceptions being spinal osteomyelitis and septic arthritis involving deformed joints requiring surgical debridement and prolonged antibiotic therapy for eradication . Mortality occurred in the setting of septic shock from mixed-microbial sepsis and major organ failure from active lupus . There is a high association of non-epidemic, non-typhoidal salmonellosis with SLE, especially in patients with active disease on intensified immunosuppression . The C-reactive protein value may be helpful in distinguishing between fever from a pure lupus flare and one complicated by infection. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2000 Nov-Dec, (6), 58 - 61 {Use of loading doses of bifidumbacterin forte for treatment of patients with acute enteric infections}; Korviakova EP; The clinical observation of patients with acute enteric infections (AEI), treated with loading doses of Bifidumbacterin forte during the first 2 days of the disease, was carried out . The preparation was shown to produce a positive effect on the course of AEI: salmonellosis, alimentary toxicoinfections, acute, dysentery . The early decrease of the manifestations of intoxication, pain syndrome, diarrhea, as well as the acceleration of convalescence in comparison with standard treatment, were noted . The most essential dynamics was registered in salmonellosis patients . The analysis of clinical results allowed to recommend the use of loading doses of Bifidumbacterin forte, a probiotic with high colonization potential to normalize the microbiocenosis of the intestine in AEI. Am J Infect Control, 2001 Feb, 29(1), 65 - 6 Nosocomial salmonellosis: implications for microbiologic processing of stools in hospitalized patients; Matlow A et al.; Many microbiology laboratories are rationalizing their services and are not culturing stool for bacterial and parasitic pathogens from patients hospitalized for more than 3 days . We report a sporadic case of nosocomial salmonellosis that highlights the need for ongoing communication among clinicians, infection control personnel, and laboratories to allow for modification of such a routine laboratory protocol should epidemiologic evidence warrant. J Dairy Sci, 2000 Dec, 83(12), 2988 - 91 Controlling on-farm inventories of bulk-tank raw milk--an opportunity to protect public health; Reed BA et al.; Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point programs provide a systematic approach for the reduction of food safety problems through preventive measures . On-farm programs similar to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, which target pathogen reduction and screening can provide assurance to processors and consumers that on-farm food safety is a high priority . Additional voluntary oversight of farm practices, including monitoring of and controlled access to raw milk supplies on the farm could further contribute to public food safety . Off-farm sales of raw milk directly to the public have resulted in foodborne outbreaks of multidrug resistant salmonellosis in California and Washington when raw milk was used for unlicensed cheese production . If dairy producers in those cases had voluntary programs in place to inventory, monitor, and control access to raw milk supplies, the outbreaks probably could have been prevented. Gig Sanit, 2000 Sep-Oct, (5), 29 - 32 {Problems of nutrition and ensuring sanitary-epidemiological well-being in the Orlov region}; Zakharchenko GL et al.; Based on the data on hygienic monitoring of the actual food consumption in the population of the Oryol region and on the quality of foodstuffs, the authors developed hygienic recommendations whose introduction caused a great sociomedical effect: lower incidence of salmonellosis, dysentery, hepatitis virus A, and acute intestinal infections of unclear etiology. South Med J, 2000 Sep, 93(9), 936 - 8 Hazardous hedgehogs; Rosen T; The African pygmy hedgehog has recently become a fashionable exotic pet in the United States, particularly in the South . As illustrated by the three cases reported, this mammalian insectivore can be a carrier of fungi that cause human dermatomycoses . The African pygmy hedgehog has also been associated with contact urticaria and human salmonellosis. J Food Prot, 2000 Sep, 63(9), 1228 - 30 The microbiological profile of chilled and frozen chicken; Bailey JS et al.; To determine the effect of different refrigeration and freezer temperatures on the microbiological profile of chicken, 50 commercially processed broiler chickens were each split in half on the day of processing . Equal groups were held at 4, 0, -4, -12, and -18 degrees C (40, 32, 26, 10, and 0 degrees F), respectively for 7 days . One half of each group was then transferred to a 0 degrees F holding chamber for an additional 7 days . Carcass halves were rinse sampled with 100 ml of phosphate-buffered saline and the diluent sampled for mesophilic, psychrotropic, coliform, and salmonellae counts after the initial 7 days at different temperatures and after 7 additional days at -18 degrees C . Ten carcass halves were sampled on the day of processing to give baseline counts . Mesophilic bacteria counts/ml were about log 4.6 on day 0, increased by 2 log after 7 days on carcasses held at 4 degrees C, and were unchanged at all other storage temperatures . Psychrotropic counts/ml were about log 3.6 on day 0 and increased during the initial 7 days by about 3.9, 1.9, and 1.4 logs, respectively on carcasses held at 4, 0, and -4 degrees C and had less than 1 log increase at -12 and -18 degrees C . Coliform counts were about log 2.2/ml on day 0 and had declined to about log 1.5/ml or less by day 7 for all storage temperatures . Escherichia coli counts/ml were about log 2 on day 0 and were reduced about 1 log or more at other storage days . Salmonellae counts were about log 1.5 on salmonellae-positive carcasses and did not change appreciably at any storage temperature . No counts for any organism significantly changed after placement at -18 degrees C. J Food Prot, 2000 Sep, 63(9), 1184 - 8 Coliform, Escherichia coli, and salmonellae concentrations in a multiple-tank, counterflow poultry scalder; Cason JA et al.; Scald water samples from a commercial broiler processing plant were tested for coliforms, Escherichia coli, and salmonellae to evaluate the numbers of suspended bacteria in a multiple-tank, counterflow scalder . Water samples were taken from each of three tanks on 8 different days after 6-week-old broilers had been processed for 8 h . Coliforms and E . coli were counted using Petrifilm, and the most probable number (MPN) of salmonellae was determined both in water samples and in rinses of defeathered carcasses that were removed from the processing line immediately after taking the water samples . Mean coliform concentrations in tanks 1, 2, and 3 (the last tank that carcasses pass through before being defeathered) were 3.4, 2.0, and 1.2 log10(CFU/ml), respectively . E . coli concentrations followed the same pattern with means of 3.2, 1.5, and 0.8 in tanks 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with significant differences (P < 0.02) in the concentrations of both coliforms and E . coli between the tanks . Sixteen of 24 scald-water samples were positive for salmonellae with a geometric mean of 10.9 MPN/100 ml in the positive samples . Salmonellae were isolated from seven of eight water samples from both tanks 1 and 2, but in only two of eight water samples from tank 3, the last tank that carcasses pass through . It appears that most bacteria removed from carcasses during scalding are washed off during the early part of scalding. J Antimicrob Chemother, 2000 Sep, 46(3), 457 - 9 Eradication of non-typhoid salmonellae in acute enteritis after therapy with ofloxacin for 5 or 10 days; Voltersvik P et al.; Eradication of non-typhoid salmonellae was evaluated in a randomized, double-blinded study of 49 patients with acute enteritis after therapy with ofloxacin 400 mg once daily for 5 or 10 days . Early eradication of salmonellae was found in 57% of patients in the 5 day therapy group and in 74% of patients in the 10 day therapy group . This difference was larger among severely ill patients . Together with our previous study of ofloxacin therapy for 3 days or placebo, this shows that early eradication of non-typhoid salmonellae increases with duration of ofloxacin therapy without an increase in persistence of salmonellae in stools or development of resistant strains. Acta Trop, 2000 Jul 21, 76(1), 65 - 9 Current status of some zoonoses in Togo; Domingo AM; In Togo, livestock represent an important part of the national and subsistence economies . The most prevalent zoonoses documented in Toga are brucellosis, tuberculosis, cysticercosis and rabies . The status of other zoonoses such as toxoplasmosis, giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis and salmonellosis is not known . A national eradication programme has been instigated to reduce the transmission of rabies . Good relations exist between veterinary and health personnel in the field but this level of interaction is absent at district and national level . This has resulted in information not being transferred between the two disciplines and the lack of a national strategy for the eradication of zoonoses in Togo. Commun Dis Public Health, 2000 Jun, 3(2), 111 - 4 Evolution of a laboratory based system for investigating outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease; Marshall B et al.; In 1995 Preston Public Health Laboratory introduced an incident logging system intended to improve the investigation of suspected outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease . A unique incident log (Ilog) number assigned and issued to the reporting individual and other interested parties when the laboratory is informed of a potential outbreak is used to identify all associated specimens submitted to the laboratory and is quoted in all communications about the incident . The results are reviewed formally each month . Between January 1995 and December 1998, 349 potential outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease were investigated, 325 of which were considered to be general outbreaks . Small round structured viruses were identified in 45% of these outbreaks, salmonellas in 8%, and no pathogens in 35% . Data from the national surveillance scheme for general outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease included 104 general outbreaks in 1996 and 1997 for the entire North West region, but our laboratory alone reported 184 general outbreaks during that period . The Ilog system is a simple and effective means for reviewing data from outbreaks, and helps to coordinate their investigation. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1999 Nov-Dec, (6), 8 - 13 {A system for the automated chemotaxonomic determination of salmonellae and other pathogenic bacteria}; Bondarenko VM et al.; On the basis of the data of the gas-chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids of 208 bacterial strains, representatives of 16 different microbial genera, the algorithm of decision taking, necessary for the program provision of investigations, was worked out . In working out the algorithm the characteristics of 30 fatty acids were used, making it possible to classify bacteria with their genera and in some cases their species . The groups of fatty acids with the number of carbon atoms in their molecules ranging from 10 to 25, their melting temperatures and the dependence of relative characteristics of binding from the number of carbon atoms in the molecule of the acid, its chemical composition and the presence of double bonds were taken into consideration . To indicate salmonellae by their fatty acid profiles, a chromatographic system on the basis of a type Crystal 2000 M gas chromatograph is proposed . In addition, the complex method for the determination of bacteria, combining the determination of salmonellae by changes in the medium resistance (impedance) with the use of an electrochemical analyzer and the subsequent identification of the infective agent by its fatty acid profile in the common system of gas-chromatographic investigation, is proposed. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2000 Apr 14, 49(14), 297 - 9 Salmonellosis associated with chicks and ducklings--Michigan and Missouri, Spring 1999. {Vertebral osteomyelitis with epidural abscess in a child with sickle cell disease} Rivierez M, Heyman D, Bazin M. Service de NeurochirurgieA case of paraplegia due to a thoracic epidural abscess in a 6-year-old black girl with sickle cell anemia is reported . MRI and CT scan showed abnormalities involving T6 vertebra which were consistent with osteomyelitis . A laminotomy, associated to antibiotic administration, permitted rapid neurological improvement . Although cultures were negative, the infection was probably due to salmonellae . Salmonellosis is a well-known complication in children with sickle cell disease but spinal localization is unusual . Its pathogenesis is unclear but immunological abnormalities associated to vascular obstructions by abnormal blood red cells have been advocated . The underlying etiology of vertebral abnormalities in these children is difficult to determine, but early diagnosis with modern investigations, as CT scan and MRI, is crucial to promptly begin therapy for osteomyelitis, minimizing the risk of spinal cord compression. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract, 2000 Mar, 16(1), 87 - 115, vi Diagnosis of enteric disease in small ruminants; Van Metre DC et al.; Diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease in small ruminants requires integration of information obtained in the signalment, history, physical or necropsy examination, and ancillary diagnostic tests . The purpose of this article is to provide the practitioner with a review of the clinical features of several common gastrointestinal diseases of sheep and goats . Rumen acidosis, enterotoxemia, gastrointestinal parasitism, neonatal diarrhea, and salmonellosis are discussed, and where appropriate, reviews of the pathophysiology, prevention, and control of these diseases are cited for further reading. C R Acad Sci III, 1999 Nov, 322(11), 959 - 66 New prospects for the development of a vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 . An overview; Girard M et al.; During the past few years, definite progress has been made in the field of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccines . Initial attempts using envelope gp120 or gp140 from T-cell line-adapted (TCLA) HIV-1 strains to vaccinate chimpanzees showed that neutralizing antibody-based immune responses were protective against challenge with homologous TCLA virus strains or strains with low replicative capacity, but these neutralizing antibodies remained inactive when tested on primary HIV-1 isolates, casting doubts on the efficacy of gp120-based vaccines in the natural setting . Development of a live attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccine was undertaken in the macaque model using whole live SIV bearing multiple deletions in the nef, vpr and vpx genes . This vaccine provided remarkable protective efficacy against wild-type SIV challenge, but the deletion mutants remain pathogenic, notably in neonate monkeys . Study of the mechanisms of protection in the SIV model unravelled the importance of the T-cell responses, whether in the form of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) killing activity, or in that of antiviral factor secretion of cytokines, beta-chemokines and other unidentified antiviral factors by CD8+ T-cells . Induction of such a response is being sought at this time using various live recombinant virus vaccines, either poxvirus or alphavirus vectors or DNA vectors, which can be combined together or with a gp120/gp140 boost in various prime-boost combination strategies . New vectors include attenuated vaccinia virus NYVAC, modified vaccinia strain Ankara (MVA), Semliki Forest virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and Salmonellas . Recent DNA prime-poxvirus boost combination regimens have generated promising protection results against SIV or SIV/HIV (SHIV) challenge in macaque models . Emphasis is also put on the induction of a mucosal immune response, involving both a secretory IgA response and a mucosal CTL response which could constitute a 'first line of defence' in the vaccinated host . Finally, a totally novel vaccine approach based on the use of Tat or Tat and Rev antigens has been shown to induce efficient protection from challenge with pathogenic SIV or SHIV in vaccinated macaques . The only vaccine in phase 3 clinical trials in human volunteers is a gp120-based vaccine, AIDSVAX . A prime-boost combination of a recombinant canarypoxvirus and a subunit gp120 vaccine is in phase 2 . Emphasis has been put recently on the necessity of testing prototype vaccines in developing countries using immunogens derived from local virus strains . Trial sites have thus been identified in Kenya, Uganda, Thailand and South Africa where phase I trials have begun or are expected to start presently. J Parasitol, 1999 Oct, 85(5), 965 - 8 Hepatic sarcocystosis in a horse; Davis CR et al.; Hepatic sarcocystosis was diagnosed in a horse in association with refractory bacterial osteomyelitis and plasma cell tumor of the maxilla and hepatic salmonellosis . Gross lesions included pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal effusions, hepatomegaly, gastric ulceration, colonic edema, and proliferative tissues filling 2 maxillary dental alveoli . Histologically, liver was characterized by severe suppurative, necrotizing, periportal hepatitis, and severe periacinar necrosis . Hepatocytes frequently contained protozoal schizonts in various stages of development . In mature schizonts, merozoites were often arranged radially around a central residual body, consistent with asexual division by endopolygeny . Ultrastructural features of merozoites included an apical conoid and polar ring, anterior micronemes, central nuclei, and absence of rhoptries . These protozoa did not react to antisera raised against Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis neurona, Toxoplasma gondii, or Hammondia hammondi . The microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics and immunoreactivity of this organism are consistent with a Sarcocystis sp . other than S . neurona . This is the first report of Sarcocystis-associated hepatitis in a horse . The life cycle of this organism and source of infection are unknown. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei), 1999 Nov, 62(11), 817 - 22 Fatal hemoptysis in dissecting aortic aneurysm and salmonellosis: a case report; Chung SL et al.; Hemoptysis is a rare manifestation of dissecting aortic aneurysm and aortobronchial fistula may occur when an aortic aneurysm is mycotic, atherosclerotic, traumatic or postoperative . Aortobronchial fistulas are generally fatal if not treated surgically . An aggressive diagnostic approach to patients with hemoptysis and prompt surgical intervention in those suspected of aortobronchial fistulas should result in additional survivors . Imaging studies, including chest radiography, chest computerized tomography, arteriography and bronchoscopy provide useful diagnostic information . However, challenges remain when we encounter this condition . Sometimes, the final exsanguinating hemorrhage is preceded by a distinct prodromal period of intermittent hemoptysis . This allows clinicians time to recognize such fistulas and perform emergency surgery . We present a patient with this condition to alert clinicians to this potentially deadly cause of hemoptysis. Can Vet J, 1999 Oct, 40(10), 713 - 7 A descriptive study of the frequency and characteristics of proliferative enteropathy in swine in Ontario by analyzing routine animal health surveillance data; Wilson JB et al.; Routine surveillance data, collected on pathology submissions at the Animal Health Laboratory in Guelph between 1992 and 1997, were analyzed to determine demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of cases of proliferative enteropathy and the frequency of this condition relative to other infectious enteric diseases in swine in Ontario . The most commonly reported disease was Escherichia coli enteritis (average cases/year = 70.0) . Among infectious enteropathies that occur typically in neonatal pigs, coccidiosis (28.4 cases/year) and rotaviral enteritis (5.6 cases/year) were reported . Among infectious enteropathies generally associated with diarrhea in weaner and grower/finisher pigs, the most frequently reported was proliferative enteropathy (27.6 cases/year), followed by swine dysentery (23.3 cases/year), transmissible gastroenteritis (19.6 cases/year), and salmonellosis (8.4 cases/year) . Diarrhea and bloody diarrhea were reported in 29% and 31%, respectively, of herds diagnosed with proliferative enteropathy . Important gross intestinal lesions included mucosal hypertrophy (62% of cases), hemorrhage (47%), and mucosal necrosis (34%) . Histologic intestinal lesions included epithelial hyperplasia (90% of cases), mucosal necrosis (59%), and inflammation (49%) . Our results suggest that proliferative enteropathy is a major infectious enteric disease in grower/finisher pigs in Ontario. J Agric Food Chem, 1999 Apr, 47(4), 1346 - 9 Antimutagenic activity of isoflavones from soybean seeds (Glycine max merrill); Miyazawa M et al.; Two isoflavones, daidzein (1) and genistein (2), were isolated from soybean hypocotyls . Daidzein and genistein showed a suppressive effect on umu gene expression of the SOS response in Salmonellatyphimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against the mutagen 3-amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido{4,3b}indole (Trp-P-1), which requires liver metabolizing enzymes . Compound 1 suppressed 73% of the SOS-inducing activity at concentrations <0.74 micromol/mL, and the ID(50) value was 0.37 micromol/mL . Compound 2 suppressed 95% of the SOS-inducing activity at concentrations <0.74 micromol/mL, and the ID(50) value was 0.17 micromol/mL . Compounds 1 and 2 were also assayed with the mutagen 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (furylfuramide) and activated Trp-P-1 . In addition to the antimutagenic activities of daidzein and genistein against Trp-P-1, frylfuramide and activated Trp-P-1 were assayed by an Ames test using S . typhimurium TA100. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1999 Aug, 106(8), 363 - 6 {Consequences for health policy on zoonosis control--national and international actions}; Kothmann G; A review is given on the current state of German and European legislation concerning the control of zoonotic diseases . In the past considerable success was achieved when eliminating or reducing zoonosis such as brucellosis or tuberculosis in Germany and in Europe . Today foodborne infections such as salmonellosis or EHEC are dominating . A series of seven different federal laws and their legal regulations are involved in zoonosis control in Germany . In Europe the Council Directive 92/117/EEC, amended by directive 97/22/EU represents a framework for all Member States which have to deliver yearly trend reports on the sources of infections from areas such as human medicine, veterinary medicine and feed production . The data reports are concentrating on salmonellosis, tuberculosis, brucellosis and trichinellosis . Some data are given on the incidence of human salmonellosis in the Member States . There are existing two European reference laboratories for zoonotic diseases and six national labs in Germany . The aim of the new strategy is to fight the infectious agents of zoonotic diseases on farm level already . The most urgent task is to amend and adapt the directive for zoonosis . The necessary actions are under way on European level. Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1999, (8), 39 - 43 {Liposomal immunoassay as a method for detecting microorganism antigens and their antibodies}; Iarkov SP et al.; The paper presents experimental data on the use of the liposomal immunoassay (LIA) with a fluorescence marker to detect lipopolysaccharide antigens (LPS-AG) of the causative agents of infectious diseases (S . typhimurium, S . typhi, F . tularensis) and antibodies to them in the model systems and human serum . The sensitivity of determination of specific antibodies to LPS-AG is shown to be 15-160 times as high as that of RPGA and the sensitivity of determination of LPS-AG is comparable to that of solid-phase enzyme immunoassay . The stability and storage of diagnostic immunoliposomal test systems are dealt with . It is shown that the liposomal diagnostic agents can be stable without losing their properties for years . Whether LIA is of diagnostic value in detecting salmonellosis in children in the clinical setting is discussed and the value of this assay is compared with that of other laboratory methods . The data on how LIA can be automated are presented . Its analytical advantages in using in laboratory diagnosis are discussed. Eur Radiol, 1999, 9(6), 1078 - 87 Rare bone infections "excluding the spine"; Abd El Bagi ME et al.; Bone infections are usually due to haematogenous spread from distant infected organs . Spread of local sepsis or contamination of open wounds are less frequent routes of infection . The commonest cause of osteomyelitis is Staphylococcus aureus . The term rare bone infections refers to diseases where only a few percent affect bone or diseases which are essentially rare; these include bacteria, fungi, parasites and non-specific conditions . Common examples are tuberculosis, salmonellosis, brucellosis, hydatidosis, madura, actinomycosis, aspergillosis and American fungal infections . Certain bone infections have become exceedingly rare, particularly atypical mycobacteria, viral embryopathies and spirochaetes . Rare bone infections are encountered in many parts of the world commonly in the tropics and in the U . S . Immunocompromise and ease of travel can lead to increased incidence . A high index of clinical suspicion is necessary for diagnosis . Specific laboratory diagnosis is not always possible . Radiographs, computed tomography, isotope studies and magnetic resonance are useful but may not make the diagnosis . Aspiration or biopsy is necessary . Rare bone infections may simulate non-infective bone lesions. Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol, 1999 Apr, 48(2), 52 - 9 {Evaluation of time trends in the weekly count of diseases}; Prochazka B et al.; In routine systems investigating the morbidity according to diagnosis it is very useful to analyse the development in time (for example the development of weekly reports) . This paper is concerned with the methodology of such analyses . In practice it appears that the number of cases depends on season . It stands to reason, that it is necessary to consider also long-term trends . In this paper two different approaches are discussed--the Box-Jenkins analysis, which describes the random error and the Method of Trend Decomposition which spread the number of cases into the systematic component (long term trend and seasonal effect) and random variability . The authors describe the method of smoothing the estimate of the time series by kernel estimate . In both approaches they use weekly reports from the whole Czech Republic of diagnoses viral hepatitis A, rubella and salmonellosis. Bull World Health Organ, 1999, 77(4), 347 - 51 Food safety in the 21st century; Kaferstein F et al.; The global importance of food safety is not fully appreciated by many public health authorities despite a constant increase in the prevalence of foodborne illness . Numerous devastating outbreaks of salmonellosis, cholera, enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli infections, hepatitis A and other diseases have occurred in both industrialized and developing countries . In addition, many of the re-emerging or newly recognized pathogens are foodborne or have the potential of being transmitted by food and/or drinking water . More foodborne pathogens can be expected because of changing production methods, processes, practices and habits . During the early 21st century, foodborne diseases can be expected to increase, especially in developing countries, in part because of environmental and demographic changes . These vary from climatic changes, changes in microbial and other ecological systems, to decreasing freshwater supplies . However, an even greater challenge to food safety will come from changes resulting directly in degradation of sanitation and the immediate human environment . These include the increased age of human populations, unplanned urbanization and migration and mass production of food due to population growth and changed food habits . Mass tourism and the huge international trade in food and feed is causing food and feedborne pathogens to spread transnationally . As new toxic agents are identified and new toxic effects recognized, the health and trade consequences of toxic chemicals in food will also have global implications . Meeting the huge challenge of food safety in the 21st century will require the application of new methods to identify, monitor and assess foodborne hazards . Both traditional and new technologies for assuring food safety should be improved and fully exploited . This needs to be done through legislative measures where suitable, but with much greater reliance on voluntary compliance and education of consumers and professional food handlers . This will be an important task for the primary health care system aiming at "health for all". Prev Vet Med, 1999 Mar 29, 39(2), 93 - 110 Epidemiology and quality assurance: applications at farm level; Noordhuizen JP et al.; Animal production is relevant with respect to farm income and the position of the sector in the market, but also with respect to the quality and safety of products of animal origin, related to public health . Animal production is part of a chain of food production . Therefore, producers have to take consumer expectations and demands in the domains of animal health, welfare and environment into account . A different attitude for production has to be adopted; this attitude can be visualized in good farming practice, GFP, codes . Farmers who focused on quality in its broadest sense need a system supporting them in their management and control of quality risks . Generally speaking, there are three systems for that purpose: GFP, ISO and HACCP . When the hypothesis followed relates to animal health being a feature of quality, or else welfare and environmental issues, then animal health care can be executed following quality control principles . The HACCP concept is well suited for quality control at farm level, involving risk identification and risk management . The on-farm monitoring and surveillance system of critical control points in the animal production process is the most important tool in this procedure . Principles for HACCP application as well as certification fitness of HACCP are elaborated upon . They are illustrated by using salmonellosis in meat-pig farms as objective for an HACCP approach . It is further discussed that, in addition to animal health and quality, animal welfare and environmental issues could also be covered by an HACCP-like system in an integrated manner . Ultimately, the HACCP modules could end up in an overall ISO certification. J Infect Dis, 1999 Mar, 179 Suppl 2, S326 - 30 How intracellular bacteria survive: surface modifications that promote resistance to host innate immune responses; Ernst RK et al.; Bacterial pathogens regulate the expression of virulence factors in response to environmental signals . In the case of salmonellae, many virulence factors are regulated via PhoP/PhoQ, a two-component signal transduction system that is repressed by magnesium and calcium in vitro . PhoP/PhoQ-activated genes promote intracellular survival within macrophages, whereas PhoP-repressed genes promote entrance into epithelial cells and macrophages by macropinocytosis and stimulate epithelial cell cytokine production . PhoP-activated genes include those that alter the cell envelope through structural alterations of lipopolysaccharide and lipid A, the bioactive component of lipopolysaccharide . PhoP-activated changes in the bacterial envelope likely promote intracellular survival by increasing resistance to host cationic antimicrobial peptides and decreasing host cell cytokine production. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1998, 43(6), 697 - 701 Salmonellosis: lessons drawn from a germ-free pig model; Trebichavsky I et al.; The germ-free pig model is shown to be useful for studying salmonellosis . The immune status of germ-free and infected gnotobiotic piglets is described . The regulatory role of cytokine is discussed and compared with our experimental findings. J Vet Intern Med, 1999 Jan-Feb, 13(1), 36 - 9 Effect of passive transfer status and vaccination with Escherichia coli (J5) on mortality in comingled dairy calves; Tyler JW et al.; The effect of vaccination with a commercially available R-mutant coliform mastitis vaccine on the survival of comingled dairy calves on a farm with endemic salmonellosis was examined . A total of 864 calves were randomly assigned to either vaccine (n = 435) or control (n = 429) groups . Passive transfer status of each calf was determined using refractometer determination of serum total protein concentration . Logistic models were developed to determine the effects of vaccine group and passive transfer status on calf survival to 100 days of age . In a model in which serum protein concentration was treated as a categorical variable, increasing serum total protein concentrations were associated with decreased mortality until these concentrations exceeded 6.0 g/dL . Calves with serum protein concentrations > 6.0 g/dL had increased risk for mortality compared with calves with serum protein concentrations > 5.5 g/dL but < or = 6.0 g/dL . This increased risk for mortality was supported by the results of a logistic model in which serum protein concentration was treated as a continuous variable . The increased risks associated with high serum protein concentration probably reflect the effect of dehydration in calves with occult disease . Neither model demonstrated any significant association between vaccination status and survival to 100 days of age . Based on these results, the routine immunization of calves cannot be recommended as a strategy to prevent mortality on farms with endemic salmonellosis. Przegl Epidemiol, 1998, 52(3), 269 - 74 {Outbreaks of foodborne diseases of bacterial etiology in Poland in 1990-1996}; Przybylska A; The domination of salmonellas of animal's source remains in Poland in 1990-1996 in outbreaks (from 84.4% to 95.8%), despite the decreasing of the yearly numbers of diseases caused by foodborne and waterborne infections and intoxications . Participation of the S . enteritidis among salmonellas of animal's source amounted from 92.6% to 97.8% . The most cases in the total number of diseases in outbreaks occurred after eating of the dishes made from eggs (from 41.8% to 54.9%) . Food prepared in private homes contributed to the occurrence of the outbreaks to the highest degree (from 61.1% to 74.3%) . The private homes were also the most frequent places of the consumption of those dishes . It results from the epidemiological data that raw materials (mainly eggs) coming from private farms contributed to the contamination of ready food to a high degree. Br Med Bull, 1998, 54(2), 383 - 93 Acute bacterial infections and HIV disease; Gilks CF; Some acute bacterial infections, notably those caused by the pneumococcus and the non-typhi salmonellae, have not traditionally been considered as leading diseases in tropical medicine, despite their ubiquitous distribution and impact on health . The HIV/AIDS epidemic is forcing a re-evaluation of this position because of their importance in immunosuppressed adults, particularly where exposure is high and treatment relatively inadequate . The problem of acute bacterial disease in HIV/AIDS is outlined in industrialised countries and contrasted with the problem in tropical countries . Specific insights into HIV-related pneumococcal disease and non-typhi salmonellosis that have come from work in the tropics are then discussed . These infections need now to be recognised as an important element of tropical medicine. J Food Prot, 1998 Nov, 61(11), 1446 - 53 Quantitative microbiological risk assessment: principles applied to determining the comparative risk of salmonellosis from chicken products; Brown MH et al.; Ensuring microbiological safety requires identification of realistic hazards and the means of controlling them . The risk assessment framework proposed by Codex Alimentarius allows the impact of raw materials and processes to be appreciated, and the output can be used for risk management and communication . Mathematical models allow numerical information to be processed by a computer and interpreted to give quantitative or comparative risk assessments . In this example, models have been put together according to the Codex . Alimentarius principles, providing a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of salmonellosis from frozen poultry products . This model-based QRA takes into account three types of information: occurrence and distribution of the agent, sensitivity of populations to infection (e.g., normal or susceptible), and the effect of cooking (in the factory or home) on concentration of the agent and hence risks of infection after product consumption . It only demonstrates the impact of a single-process step (heating) and the effect of changes in population sensitivity, raw material quality, and cooking regime on the final risk . The effects of growth and recontamination are not considered . To aid risk communication, the models have been visualized by means of displays and slider controls on a computer screen because effective communication is essential to encourage manufacturers and their product designers to assess the effect of changes in processing or materials on risk. Epidemiol Infect, 1998 Oct, 121(2), 303 - 7 Multiple drug resistance patterns and plasmid profiles of non-typhi salmonellae in Turkey; Yildirmak T et al.; A total of 259 clinical isolates of nonrepetitive non-typhi salmonellae (NTS) were examined for antibiotic resistance patterns and plasmid content . The antibiotics used were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC), ampicillin (AM), aztreonam (ATM), carbenicillin (CB), cefixime (CFM), cefotaxime (CTX), cefoxitin (FOX), ceftazidime (CAZ), ceftriaxone (CRO), chloramphenicol (C), ciprofloxacin (CIP), gentamicin (GM), imipenem (IPM), ofloxacin (OFX), tetracycline (TE), trimethoprim-sulfomethoxazole (SXT) . Multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains comprised 19.3% of the total isolates (50/259) and almost all were S . typhimurium (49/50) . Fifteen different patterns of resistance was observed, AM/CB/C/AMC/TE and AM/CB/C/AMC/SXT/GM/CTX/CRO/CAZ/CFM/ATM being the most frequent patterns . Twenty-eight out of 50 multiresistant isolates were found to contain at least one plasmid (mean five) and the size of the plasmids ranged between 1.7 and 158 kb . Plasmid profiles of multiresistant NTS strains were heterogenous as 21 different profiles were detected in a total of 28 plasmid-bearing isolates . No direct correlation was established between antibiotic resistance patterns and plasmid profiles. J Pak Med Assoc, 1998 Jun, 48(6), 168 - 70 Typhoid fevers: treatment with lomefloxacin; Hafiz S et al.; Typhoid group of fevers pose a major threat and are a cause of high morbidity and mortality in the tropical countries . Over the last decade there has been a steady increase in the development of multiresistant strains of Salmonellae all over the world . Multiresistance ranges between 5% to 86% . In a recent study in Pakistan multidrug resistance in Salmonellae has increased to over 39% . Hence alternative therapy is needed . Fluroquinolones are an effective alternative requiring a shorter course of treatment than conventional antimicrobial agents . Lomefloxacin because of its longer half life and convenient BD dose was used in a multicentre study to treat cases of typhoid group of fevers including cases due to multiresistant isolates . In order to overcome the challenge presented by the multiresistant salmoneallae, a dual purpose multicentre study was conducted in two stages . The first stage included a vitro study and the second in vivo study . Two hundred local salmonellae isolates were collected and their sensitivity and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by standard methods . Two hundred and fourteen patients clinically suspected of suffering from typhoid groups of fevers were given Lomefloxacin 200 mg . BD for 14 days . Forty percent of Salmonellae isolates were found to be multiresistant while only 2% were found to be resistant to Fluroqunilones . The mean MIC 90 was found to be 0.06 mg/L Lomefloxacin was found to be effective in over 97% cases for treating typhoid group fevers including the ones due to multiresistant isolates . The side effects were found to be minimal and transient. Cell, 1998 Oct 16, 95(2), 189 - 98 Lipid A acylation and bacterial resistance against vertebrate antimicrobial peptides; Guo L et al.; The Salmonellae PhoP-PhoQ virulence regulators induce resistance to host cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMP) after infection of vertebrate tissues, and Mg2+ or Ca2+ limitation . The PhoP-PhoQ activated gene, pagP, was identified as important to inducible CAMP resistance and increased acylation of lipid A, the major component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane . pagP mutants demonstrated increased outer membrane permeability in response to CAMP, supporting the hypothesis that increased lipid A acylation is a CAMP resistance mechanism . Similarly, in response to Mg2+ limited growth, other enteric Gram-negative bacteria demonstrated increased lipid A acylation . Compounds that inhibit the ability to increase lipid A acylation may have utility as new antimicrobial agents. Commun Dis Public Health, 1998 Sep, 1(3), 165 - 71 General outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease in England and Wales: 1995 and 1996; Evans HS et al.; One thousand nine hundred and nineteen general outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease in England and Wales were reported to the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 1996, compared with 1073 in the previous two years . A minimum data set was received for 1568 (82%) of the 1919 outbreaks . Over 40,000 people were affected and about 2% of those who were ill were admitted to hospital . Seventy-one deaths were reported . The duration of outbreaks varied between less than one day and 202 days (median six days) according to the pathogen . Small round structured virus (SRSV) (43%) and salmonellas (15%) were the most commonly reported pathogens . In almost a quarter of the outbreaks (24%) the aetiology was unknown . Over half the outbreaks (64%) were reported to be transmitted from person to person, most of which were due to SRSV and occurred in residential homes and hospitals . Twenty-two per cent of outbreaks were described as mainly foodborne, 51% of which were due to salmonellas . The number of outbreaks reported in each region ranged from 52 in Wales to 512 in Northern and Yorkshire. Vet Res, 1998 Sep-Oct, 29(5), 385 - 407 {Pathogenic power of Salmonellae: virulence factors and study models}; Millemann Y; Salmonellae are potentially pathogenic for humans as well as for numerous animal species . They possess numerous virulence factors, which allow them to adapt to various environmental conditions and to host response at each step of the pathogenic process . Key-steps such as the invasion of epithelial cells or survival within macrophages have been extensively studied . These studies have led to the discovery of an original protein secretion system and have demonstrated the existence of pathogenicity islands . This considerable progress is due to the development of numerous in vitro and in vivo models and of new identification strategies for the implicated genes . Recently, many original and elegant strategies have been recently proposed. Infect Immun, 1998 Oct, 66(10), 4767 - 76 Interleukin-12 is required for control of the growth of attenuated aromatic-compound-dependent salmonellae in BALB/c mice: role of gamma interferon and macrophage activation; Mastroeni P et al.; The attenuated S . typhimurium SL3261 (aroA) strain causes mild infections in BALB/c mice . We were able to exacerbate the disease by administering anti-interleukin-12 (IL-12) antibodies, resulting in bacterial counts in the spleens and livers of anti-IL-12-treated mice that were 10- to 100-fold higher than the ones normally observed in premortem mice; yet the animals showed only mild signs of illness . Nevertheless, they eventually died of a slow, progressive disease . Mice infected with salmonellae become hypersusceptible to endotoxin . We found that IL-12 neutralization prevented the death of infected mice following subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide . Granulomatous lesions developed in the spleens and livers of control animals, as opposed to a widespread infiltration of mononuclear cells seen in the organs of anti-IL-12-treated mice . In the latter (heavily infected), salmonellae were seen within mononuclear cells, indicating an impairment of the bactericidal or bacteriostatic ability of the phagocytes in the absence of biologically active IL-12 . Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) levels were reduced in the sera and tissue homogenates from anti-IL-12-treated mice compared to those in control animals . Furthermore, fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis on spleen cells showed that IL-12 neutralization impaired the upregulation of I-Ad/I-Ed antigens on macrophages from infected mice . Inducible nitric oxide synthase and IFN-gamma mRNA production was down-regulated in anti-IL-12-treated mice, which also showed an increased production of IL-10 mRNA and a decrease in nitric oxide synthase activity in the tissues . Administration of recombinant IFN-gamma to anti-IL-12-treated mice was able to restore host resistance, granuloma formation, and expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens in F4/80(+) and CD11b+ spleen cells. Poult Sci, 1998 Aug, 77(8), 1159 - 65 Bacterial enteritides of poultry; Porter RE Jr; Enteric bacterial infections in poultry pose a threat to intestinal health and can contribute to poor feed efficiency and livability of a flock . A variety of enteric bacterial diseases are recognized in poultry . Three of these bacterial diseases, necrotic enteritis, ulcerative enteritis, and spirochetosis, primarily infect the intestine, whereas other bacterial diseases, such as salmonellosis, colibacillosis, mycobacteriosis, erysipelas, and fowl cholera, affect a variety of organ systems in addition to the intestine . Diagnosis of bacterial enteritis requires monitoring of clinical signs in the flock and proper use of diagnostic methods such as necropsy, histopathology, bacteriology, and serology. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1998 May-Jun, (3), 27 - 31 {Characteristic epidemiologic features of nosocomial salmonellosis in therapeutic and prophylactic institutions for adults}; Akimkin VG; Nosocomial salmonellosis is at present a serious problem for many large therapeutic and prophylactic institutions . The specific features of the epidemic process of nosocomial salmonellosis and the organizational aspects of antiepidemic activities makes it possible to characterize the experience of observation on the chronic epidemic of this infection in one of hospitals . The clinico-epidemiological features of the chronic epidemic of nosocomial salmonellosis, described in this work, are shown and the main trends in the organization of antiepidemic measures are indicated. J Food Prot, 1998 Jul, 61(7), 903 - 6 Reduction of microorganisms on citrus fruit surfaces during packinghouse processing; Pao S et al.; Citrus fruit surface microbial populations were evaluated following various packingline processes of seven Florida commercial packinghouses . At each packinghouse, six fruits (oranges or tangerines) were collected at each of four sampling points . The sampling was conducted in duplicate; thus, 336 fruit were evaluated during this survey . Average aerobic plate counts and yeast and mold counts on fruit surfaces before washing were about 4.0 log CFU/cm2 and 3.3 log CFU/cm2, respectively, and were reduced to 2.1 log CFU/cm2 and 1.3 log CFU/cm2, respectively, by packinghouse processing . Waxing alone reduced the average fruit surface aerobic plate counts and coliform counts from 3.7 log CFU/cm2 and 35.2 most probable number (MPN)/cm2, respectively, to 2.6 log CFU/cm2 and 1.4 MPN/cm2 . No Escherichia coli was recovered from fruit at the end of packinghouse processing, and no salmonellae were found on fruit during the entire processing . In an inoculation study to test the effect of packinghouse processes, test organism E . coli was applied to fruit to achieve a high level (4.8 log CFU/cm2) of contamination . The average E . coli count was reduced about 2.4 log cycles by washing and rinsing with potable water (40 psi, 25 degrees C) for about 30 s . The combination of washing and waxing significantly reduced the inoculated level of E . coli from 4.8 to 1.4 log CFU/cm2. Ital J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 1998 Apr, 30(2), 167 - 72 Risk factors, nutritional status, and quality of life in HIV-infected patients with enteric salmonellosis; Tacconelli E et al.; AIMS: To define the potential risk factors, prognostic indicators, and quality of life of HIV-infected patients with enteric salmonellosis . METHODS: A five-year matched (1:2) case-control study was performed . Thirty cases and 60 matched controls were studied . RESULTS: Univariate analysis (p < 0.05) identified six risk factors for enteric salmonellosis: 1) increasing value of APACHE II score, 2) altered nutritional status, 3) previous antibiotic therapy, 4) ingestion of "risk" foods, 5) multiple (> or = 2) previous opportunistic infections, 6) stage C of HIV infection . Using the multivariate analysis, the most powerful predictors for developing an enteric salmonellosis were: increasing value of APACHE II score and altered nutritional status . The response to therapy was favourable in all episodes . Five (17%) patients suffered from one or more relapses . Multivariate analysis identified that a low number of circulating CD4+ (< 100/mm3) and a high APACHE II score (> 15) predict an increased risk of relapses . CONCLUSIONS: HIV-associated enteric salmonellosis occurs more frequently in patients with advanced stage of HIV infection and with impaired nutritional status . We