Neuroepidemiology, 2003 Jul-Aug, 22(4), 245 - 8 A descriptive study of Guillain-Barré syndrome in high and low Campylobacter jejuni incidence regions of Michigan: 1992-1999; Church Potter R et al.; The incidence rate of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) was compared between high and low Campylobacter jejuni incidence counties in Michigan, USA, between 1992 and 1999 . Data on GBS was obtained from cases reported to the Michigan Department of Community Health . Poisson confidence intervals were used to compare incidence rates . There was no significant difference in the overall rate between high and low C . jejuni incidence regions in Michigan . Though no differences in age-specific, gender-specific, and seasonal rates were significant, GBS was more common in spring and summer in the high C . jejuni incidence region than in the low C . jejuni incidence region . Differences in the distribution of cases by age group and gender are described, though no difference was statistically significant . J Clin Microbiol, 2003 Jun, 41(6), 2537 - 46 Species-specific identification of campylobacters by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing; Gorkiewicz G et al.; Species-specific identification of campylobacters is problematic, primarily due to the absence of suitable biochemical assays and the existence of atypical strains . 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA)-based identification of bacteria offers a possible alternative when phenotypic tests fail . Therefore, we evaluated the reliability of 16S rDNA sequencing for the species-specific identification of campylobacters . Sequence analyses were performed by using almost 94% of the complete 16S rRNA genes of 135 phenotypically characterized Campylobacter strains, including all known taxa of this genus . It was shown that 16S rDNA analysis enables specific identification of most Campylobacter species . The exception was a lack of discrimination among the taxa Campylobacter jejuni and C . coli and atypical C . lari strains, which shared identical or nearly identical 16S rDNA sequences . Subsequently, it was investigated whether partial 16S rDNA sequences are sufficient to determine species identity . Sequence alignments led to the identification of four 16S rDNA regions with high degrees of interspecies variation but with highly conserved sequence patterns within the respective species . A simple protocol based on the analysis of these sequence patterns was developed, which enabled the unambiguous identification of the majority of Campylobacter species . We recommend 16S rDNA sequence analysis as an effective, rapid procedure for the specific identification of campylobacters. J Clin Microbiol, 2003 Jun, 41(6), 2289 - 93 Prevalence of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli among children with and without diarrhea in Switzerland; Pabst WL et al.; In a prospective study between July 1999 and September 2000, stool specimens of children below the age of 16 years with (n = 187) and without (n = 137) diarrhea were tested for the presence of enterovirulent bacteria by standard culture methods and by PCR . Targets for the PCR were the plasmid pCVD432 for enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), the verotoxin 1 and verotoxin 2 genes for enterohemorrhagic E . coli, ipaH for enteroinvasive E . coli (EIEC) and Shigella spp., genes coding for heat-stable and heat-labile toxins for enterotoxigenic E . coli (ETEC), and the eaeA gene for enteropathogenic E . coli . The following bacteria could be associated with diarrhea: Salmonella enterica (P = 0.001), Campylobacter spp . (P = 0.036), ETEC (P = 0.012), and EAEC (P = 0.006) . The detection of EAEC, ETEC, and S . enterica was strongly associated with a history of recent travel outside of Switzerland . EAEC isolates were found in the specimens of 19 (10.2%) of 187 children with diarrhea and in those of 3 (2.2%) of 137 children without diarrhea (P = 0.006) and were the most frequently detected bacteria associated with diarrhea . Among the children below the age of 5 years, the specimens of 18 (11.9%) of 151 with diarrhea were positive for EAEC, while this agent was found in the specimens of 2 (2.2%) of 91 controls (P = 0.007) . Enteropathogenic E . coli isolates were found in the specimens of 30 (16.4%) of the patients and in those of 15 (10.9%) of the controls, with similar frequencies in all age groups (P > 0.05) . We conclude that EAEC bacteria are involved in a significant proportion of diarrhea cases among children . Children younger than 5 years of age are more often affected by EAEC than older children. Mol Microbiol, 2003 Jun, 48(6), 1579 - 92 Structural, genetic and functional characterization of the flagellin glycosylation process in Helicobacter pylori; Schirm M et al.; Mass spectrometry analyses of the complex polar flagella from Helicobacter pylori demonstrated that both FlaA and FlaB proteins are post-translationally modified with pseudaminic acid (Pse5Ac7Ac, 5,7-diacetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-l-glycero-l-manno -n o n-ulosonic acid) . Unlike Campylobacter, flagellar glycosylation in Helicobacter displays little heterogeneity in isoform or glycoform distribution, although all glycosylation sites are located in the central core region of the protein monomer in a manner similar to that found in Campylobacter . Bioinformatic analysis revealed five genes (HP0840, HP0178, HP0326A, HP0326B, HP0114) homologous to other prokaryote genes previously reported to be involved in motility, flagellar glycosylation or polysaccharide biosynthesis . Insertional mutagenesis of four of these homologues in Helicobacter (HP0178, HP0326A, HP0326B, HP0114) resulted in a non-motile phenotype, no structural flagella filament and only minor amounts of flagellin protein detectable by Western immunoblot . However, mRNA levels for the flagellin structural genes remained unaffected by each mutation . In view of the combined bioinformatic and structural evidence indicating a role for these gene products in glycan biosynthesis, subsequent investigations focused on the functional characterization of the respective gene products . A novel approach was devised to identify biosynthetic sugar nucleotide precursors from intracellular metabolic pools of parent and isogenic mutants using capillary electrophoresis-electrospray mass spectrometry (CE-ESMS) and precursor ion scanning . HP0326A, HP0326B and the HP0178 gene products are directly involved in the biosynthesis of the nucleotide-activated form of Pse, CMP-Pse . Mass spectral analyses of the cytosolic extract from the HP0326A and HP0326B isogenic mutants revealed the accumulation of a mono- and a diacetamido trideoxyhexose UDP sugar nucleotide precursor. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2003 Jun, 69(6), 3492 - 9 Rapid detection of Campylobacter coli, C . jejuni, and Salmonella enterica on poultry carcasses by using PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Hong Y et al.; Contamination of retail poultry by Campylobacter spp . and Salmonella enterica is a significant source of human diarrheal disease . Isolation and identification of these microorganisms require a series of biochemical and serological tests . In this study, Campylobacter ceuE and Salmonella invA genes were used to design probes in PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as an alternative to conventional bacteriological methodology, for the rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and S . enterica from poultry samples . With PCR-ELISA (40 cycles), the detection limits for Salmonella and Campylobacter were 2 x 10(2) and 4 x 10(1) CFU/ml, respectively . ELISA increased the sensitivity of the conventional PCR method by 100- to 1,000-fold . DNA was extracted from carcass rinses and tetrathionate enrichments and used in PCR-ELISA for the detection of Campylobacter and S . enterica, respectively . With PCR-ELISA, Salmonella was detected in 20 of 120 (17%) chicken carcass rinses examined, without the inclusion of an enrichment step . Significant correlation was observed between PCR-ELISA and cultural methods (kappa = 0.83; chi-square test, P < 0.001) with only one false negative (1.67%) and four false positives (6.67%) when PCR-ELISA was used to screen 60 tetrathionate enrichment cultures for SALMONELLA: With PCR-ELISA, we observed a positive correlation between the ELISA absorbance (optical density at 405 nm) and the campylobacter cell number in carcass rinse, as determined by standard culture methods . Overall, PCR-ELISA is a rapid and cost-effective approach for the detection and enumeration of Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria on poultry. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol, 2003 Apr, 17(2), 219 - 39 Arthritis associated with enteric infection; Hill Gaston JS et al.; Reactive arthritis is classically seen following infection with enteric pathogens such as Yersinia, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Shigella . Inflammatory arthritis has also been described following other enteric infection with organisms such as Clostridium difficile, Brucella and Giardia . Furthermore, arthritis is seen in Whipple's disease, caused by the actinomycete Tropheryma whippelii . This chapter reviews the current understanding of these conditions (with the exception of Brucella, which is discussed in a subsequent chapter) . The epidemiology is reviewed, and the contribution of both host and organism to the aetiology and pathogenesis is discussed with particular discussion of the role of HLA-B27 in host susceptibility . Recent work exploring evidence for traffic of pathogenic organisms to the joint is highlighted . A practical approach to the diagnosis and management of the condition is then formulated based, where possible, on clinical trial evidence. J Clin Periodontol, 2002, 29 Suppl 3, 10 - 21; discussion 37-8 Can presence or absence of periodontal pathogens distinguish between subjects with chronic and aggressive periodontitis? A systematic review; Mombelli A et al.; OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent the presence or absence of periodontal pathogens can distinguish between subjects with chronic and aggressive periodontitis . MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of cross sectional and longitudinal studies providing microbiological data both from patients with chronic periodontitis (ChP) and aggressive periodontitis (AgP) at a subject level . Strict inclusion criteria were applied . The presence or absence of five microorganisms was selected as primary study parameters: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (AA), Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG), Prevotella intermedia (PI), Bacteroides forsythus (BF), and Campylobacter rectus (CR) . RESULTS: The presence or absence of AA could be evaluated in 11 papers . In seven papers the presence or absence of PG could be analysed . Subject specific data on PI were available from six studies . Two studies could be used regarding the presence or absence of BF, and two regarding CR . Sensitivity and specificity of every microbiological test were individually calculated for each selected study, assuming that the clinical diagnosis of AgP or ChP was the true status the tests attempted to detect . AgP was considered to be the condition of interest and ChP was considered equivalent to 'non-AgP' . Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) diagrams were constructed using these data . ROC diagrams indicated the limited discriminatory ability of all of the test parameters to identify subjects with AgP . An additional assessment showed that the highly leukotoxic variant of AA was uniquely associated with patients suffering from aggressive periodontitis . However, in a high proportion of patients diagnosed with AgP the presence of this variant could not be detected . CONCLUSION: The presence or absence of AA, PG, PI, BF or CR could not discriminate between subjects with AgP from those with ChP. Int J Food Microbiol, 2003 Jul 15, 84(1), 105 - 9 Campylobacter jejuni contamination on broiler carcasses of C . jejuni-negative flocks during processing in a Japanese slaughterhouse; Miwa N et al.; At a slaughterhouse, we determined the Campylobacter jejuni status of each broiler flock coming from different farms by culturing cecal contents of representative birds, and examined the prevalence of C . jejuni on carcasses during processing . Then, C . jejuni isolates from the carcasses were typed with RAPD PCR and compared with those from the cecal contents of a C . jejuni-positive flock . C . jejuni was not isolated from the carcasses of C . jejuni-negative flocks processed before the C . jejuni-positive flock, and C . jejuni was isolated from the carcasses of C . jejuni-negative flocks processed after the C . jejuni-positive flock . RAPD PCR type of the isolates from the carcasses of C . jejuni-negative flocks was the same as those from the cecal contents of the previously processed C . jejuni-positive flock . Our results suggest that the carcasses of the C . jejuni-negative flocks were contaminated with C . jejuni strains originating from the intestines of the previously processed C . jejuni-positive flock. Trends Microbiol, 2003 May, 11(5), 233 - 8 Campylobacter--a tale of two protein glycosylation systems; Szymanski CM et al.; Post-translational glycosylation is a universal modification of proteins in eukarya, archaea and bacteria . Two recent publications describe the first confirmed report of a bacterial N-linked glycosylation pathway in the human gastrointestinal pathogen Campylobacter jejuni . In addition, an O-linked glycosylation pathway has been identified and characterized in C . jejuni and the related species Campylobacter coli . Both pathways have similarity to the respective N- and O-linked glycosylation processes in eukaryotes . In bacteria, homologues of the genes in both pathways are found in other organisms, the complex glycans linked to the glycoproteins share common biosynthetic precursors and these modifications could play similar biological roles . Thus, Campylobacter provides a unique model system for the elucidation and exploitation of glycoprotein biosynthesis. J Pak Med Assoc, 2003 Mar, 53(3), 125 - 9 Seasonal variation in bacterial pathogens isolated from stool samples in Karachi, Pakistan; Alam M et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine the seasonal variation of the commonly isolated bacterial pathogens in stool samples . MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was undertaken of all the stool samples submitted from within Karachi to the Aga Khan University Hospital Laboratory over a period of five years (January 1997- December 2001) in order to determine the commonly isolated bacterial pathogens and to predict their seasonal variation . RESULTS: A total of 16379 stool samples were included in this review . Bacterial isolates were found in 6670 stool samples (culture detection rate=40.7%) . The mean age at the time of culture of each sub-group was < or = 1 year group (6.58 +/- 3.1 months), 1-5 years (2.13 +/- 0.94 years), 5-14 years (8.3 +/- 2.6 yrs) and adults (43.2 +/- 18.5 years) . Male: Female ratio was 1.2:1 . Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa (32.8%), Campylobacter jejuni (17.3%), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (9.9%), Salmonella paratyphi b (6.6%) and Shigella flexneri (6.2%) were the most common organisms isolated . These organisms show a distinct seasonal variation with summer predilection . CONCLUSION: In contrast to the previous studies from South Asia, which have identified E . coil, followed by Vibrio cholerae as the most common enteric isolates, we found Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa followed by Campylobacter jejuni as the most common enteric pathogens isolated in an urban setting . It is important to consider seasonal variation when empirically treating diarrheal diseases in our region. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 2003 Jun, 59(Pt 6), 1087 - 9 Epub 2003 May 23. Cloning, preliminary characterization and crystallization of nucleoside hydrolases from Caenorhabditis elegans and Campylobacter jejuni; Versees W et al.; The nucleoside hydrolases (NHs) are a family of nucleoside-modifying enzymes . They play an important role in the purine-salvage pathway of many pathogenic organisms which are unable to synthesize purines de novo . Although well characterized in protozoan parasites, their precise function and mechanism remain unclear in other species . For the first time, NHs from Caenorhabditis elegans and Campylobacter jejuni, which are representatives of mesozoa and bacteria, respectively, have been cloned and purified . Steady-state kinetics indicate a different substrate-specificity profile to previously described hydrolases . Native diffraction data sets were collected from crystals of NH from each organism . The hexagonal crystals (space group P6(2)22 or P6(4)22) of NH from C . elegans diffracted to a resolution of 2.8 A, while the data set from the orthorhombic crystals (space group I222 or I2(1)2(1)2(1)) of NH from C . jejuni could be processed to 1.7 A resolution . The unit-cell parameters were a = b = 102.23, c = 117.27 A in the former case and a = 101.13, b = 100.13, c = 81.37 A in the latter. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2002 Sep-Oct, 6(5), 99 - 100 New born chicks can serve as an experimental animal model for human campylobacteriosis; Chattopadhyay UK; Campylobacter enteritis is an emerging food borne zoonotic disease . Improperly cooked chicken serve as a potential source for this infection . Diarrheogenic potential of Campylobacter jejuni is tested either by in-vivo rat ileal loop (RIL) test or by molecular methods . This study reveals that 3-day-old chicks can serve as an animal model for toxigenic C . jejuni. J Environ Health, 2003 May, 65(9), 20 - 1, 24, 26 Campylobacter jejuni enteritis associated with consumption of raw milk; Peterson MC; An outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis occurred among people who had attended a meal where raw milk was served . A case control study was conducted using instances of illness as cases; those who attended the event but did not become ill served as controls . Thirteen of 20 people who had attended the meal became ill . C . jejuni was cultured from five of six stools that were submitted . Raw milk consumption was strongly associated with illness (p = .0072, Fisher exact test) . Although C . jejuni outbreaks associated with milk can be prevented with pasteurization, they still occur in association with raw milk consumption. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 2003 Jun, 47(6), 2027 - 9 Antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni strains isolated from humans in 1998 to 2001 in Montréal, Canada; Gaudreau C et al.; The rates of resistance of 51 to 72 human strains of Campylobacter jejuni subsp . jejuni isolated annually from 1998 to 2001 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, varied from 1 to 12% for erythromycin, 43 to 68% for tetracycline, and 10 to 47% for ciprofloxacin . In the last years of the study, there was a significant increase in the rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin (P = 0.00003) but not in the rate of resistance to erythromycin (P = 0.056) or tetracycline (P = 0.095) compared to the rate obtained in the first years . All 51 C . jejuni strains isolated in 2001 were susceptible to gentamicin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, imipenem, and meropenem . From 1999 to 2001, 74 strains of C . jejuni acquired abroad were significantly more resistant to ciprofloxacin than 109 strains of C . jejuni acquired locally (66 versus 9%, P < 0.00001) but were not significantly more resistant to erythromycin (1 versus 6%, P = 0.15) or to tetracycline (55 versus 58%, P = 0.87). Dig Dis Sci, 2003 Mar, 48(3), 561 - 9 Identification of beta-subunit of bacterial RNA-polymerase--a non-species-specific bacterial protein--as target of antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis; Roesler KW et al.; Several observations suggest that bacteria induce autoimmunity in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) . Since no PBC-specific bacterial species could be identified, it can be speculated that the triggers are non-species-specific bacterial proteins . This hypothesis would imply that several or even all bacterial species can trigger PBC . Therefore, we investigated whether PBC exhibits immune reactions to non-species-specific bacterial antigens . Yersinia enterocolitica O3 was screened for the presence of proteins that were labeled by immunoblotting using PBC sera . We focused our investigations on a 160-kDa protein, which was further enriched and characterized by partial N-terminal amino acid sequencing . The prevalence of antibodies to this protein was determined by immunoblotting in a variety of diseases . The 160-kDa protein was identified as the beta-subunit of bacterial RNA-polymerase, a highly conserved bacterial protein with a very high degree of sequence identity among all bacterial species . Antibodies to the beta-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase were specific for this protein . Until now no mammalian protein could be found that cross-reacts with these antibodies . The prevalence of antibodies to the beta-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase (ARPA) using the protein from Yersinia enterocolitica O3 (serum dilution 1:1000) was: healthy controls (HC, N = 101) 7.9%, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC, N = 61) 32.8%, autoimmune hepatitis type 1 (AIH, N = 46) 26.1%, alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC, N = 44) 9.1%, Crohn's disease (CD, N = 38) 7.9%, ulcerative colitis (UC, N = 24) 8.3%, primary sclerosing cholangitis + UC (PSC/UC, N = 11) 0%, acute yersiniosis (Yers, N = 36) 19.4%, acute infection with Campylobacter jejuni (Camp, N = 10) 0%, acute Q-fever (QF, N = 16) 6.25%, chronic hepatitis C (HCV, N = 39) 7.7%, c-ANCA-positive vasculitis (Vasc, N = 40) 15%, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, N = 28) 10.7%, and malaria tropica (MT, N = 24) 16.7% . There was no significant difference between PBC and AIH . The group of autoimmune liver diseases (PBC + AIH, N = 107, 29.9%) differed highly significantly from HC, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (CD + UC + PSC/UC, N = 73, 6.8%), ALC, and HCV and also differed significantly (P = 0.01) from the group with bacterial and parasitic diseases (Yers + Camp + QF + MT, N = 86,13.95%) and from the group with Vasc + SLE (N = 68,13.2%) . Testing of ARPA using the protein from E . coli yielded nearly identical results . In conclusion, an increased prevalence of antibodies to the beta-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase, a highly conserved non-species-specific bacterial protein, can be found in primary biliary cirrhosis, but also in autoimmune hepatitis type I . These findings do not add an argument for a bacterial trigger of PBC . Rather, they suggest that ARPA belong to the pool of natural antibodies that are up-regulated in autoimmune liver diseases. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 2003 Jun, 18(3), 199 - 201 Periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque of HIV-positive subjects with chronic periodontitis; Patel M et al.; Many putative periodontal pathogens associated with periodontal disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients also occur in non-HIV-infected individuals . This study examined the prevalence of eight periodontal pathogens in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with chronic periodontitis using the 16s RNA polymerase chain reaction technique . The results showed a significant prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola among HIV-negative patients compared to HIV-positive patients . Sixty percent of the patients in both groups were colonized by five to six species . Odds ratio analysis revealed a statistically significant positive association between three of the 28 possible combinations in the HIV-positive group . They included Prevotella nigrescens/Campylobacter rectus, P . nigrescens/P . gingivalis and P . nigrescens/T . denticola . Although the prevalence of periodontal pathogens is similar in both the groups, the combination of certain periodontal pathogens may be responsible for chronic periodontitis seen in HIV-infected adults. Int J Paediatr Dent, 2003 May, 13(3), 193 - 7 Accidentally induced periodontitis in primary dentition: longitudinal examinations of periodontal bacteria and clinical conditions; Ooshima T et al.; Periodontitis is very rare in the primary dentition although it can be accidentally induced in young children . The purpose of this study was to describe a case of periodontitis in a 4-year-old child, which was accidentally induced by insertion of small plastic tubes into the dental cervix of the primary incisors during play, and to discuss the clinical, radiographic, and microbiological findings . Removal of the plastic tubes resulted in resolution of the periodontal condition . Prevotella nigrescens and Campylobacter rectus were detected in subgingival plaque samples from the affected teeth at every examination, whereas Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Prevotella intermedia, and Bacteroides forsythus were never found during the two-year observation period . The clinical and microbiological results suggest that the type of periodontitis caused by such an incidence is not progressive, unlike other periodontal diseases such as prepubertal and juvenile periodontitis. J Appl Microbiol, 2003, 94(6), 1003 - 14 PCR detection of seven virulence and toxin genes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from Danish pigs and cattle and cytolethal distending toxin production of the isolates; Bang DD et al.; AIMS: To study the prevalence of seven virulence and toxin genes, and cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) production of Campylobacter jejuni and C . coli isolates from Danish pigs and cattle . METHODS AND RESULTS: The presence of the cadF, ceuE, virB11, flaA, cdtA, cdtB, cdtC and the cdt gene cluster among 40 C . jejuni and C . coli isolates was detected by polymerase chain reaction . The CDT production of the isolates was determined on Vero, colon 205 and chicken embryo cells . The cadF, flaA, ceuE and cdtB genes were detected from 100% of the isolates . The cdtA and cdtC genes were found in 95.0 and 90.0% of the isolates, respectively . The cdt gene cluster was detected in 82.5% isolates . Only 7.5% of the isolates were positive for virB11 . Ninety-five per cent of the isolates produced CDT in Vero and colon 205 cell assays, and 90% of the isolates produced CDT in chicken embryo cell assays . CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of the cadF, ceuE, flaA and cdtB genes was found . Data of the prevalence of cdt genes was consistent with the CDT titres produced by the isolates . Campylobacter coli from pigs produced high CDT titres . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The high prevalence of seven virulence and toxin genes demonstrated that these putative pathogenic determinants are widespread among Campylobacter isolates from pigs and cattle . Campylobacter coli isolates from pigs produced much higher CDT titres compared with C . coli isolates from other sources suggesting that C . coli may be particularly adapted to or associated with this species. J Food Prot, 2003 May, 66(5), 798 - 803 Comparison of recovery methods for freeze-injured Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Campylobacter coli in cell suspensions and associated with pork surfaces; Chang VP et al.; Cells injured as a result of freezing, heating, and acidification treatments may not grow during conventional microbiological procedures owing to the presence of selective agents, compounds, or dyes in the media, impairing the cell's ability to repair itself and grow . Injured cells can be recovered by combining selective and nonselective media into a single system . With such combinations, the diffusion of the selective compounds or dyes is controlled, allowing for the resuscitation of injured cells of interest while also inhibiting the growth of undesirable background microflora . In this study, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Campylobacter coli suspended in buffer or associated with pork surfaces were subjected to a freeze-thaw cycle (-15 degrees C for 24 h, 4 degrees C for 4 h) . Following treatments, freeze-injured cells were plated on appropriate media for the overlay (OV), thin agar layer (TAL), and Lutri plate (LP) recovery methods . The levels of L . monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium recovered from cell suspensions and pork surfaces by the TAL, OV, and LP methods following freeze treatments were not statistically different (P > 0.05) from recovery levels associated with nonselective media . Conversely, levels of pathogens on selective media were significantly reduced compared with those for the other methods employed . The TAL method's recovery of C . coli was not significantly different from that achieved with the nonselective media . Overall, the results presented in this study demonstrate that the TAL method not only was easier to perform, but also allowed improved isolation of single colonies for further characterization . This study may provide researchers with better methods to determine the effectiveness of industry-employed chilling processes in reducing pathogenic bacteria associated with red meat surfaces. Avian Pathol, 2003 Feb, 32(1), 33 - 7 Phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of Campylobacter spp . isolated from Austrian broiler farms: a comparison; Jauk V et al.; An identification scheme based on restriction fragment length polymorphism of polymerase chain reaction products (PCR-RFLP) was developed to differentiate isolates of the genera Campylobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter . Based on the 16S rRNA gene of these genera, PCR amplified a 1216-bp fragment . The amplicons were digested with the restriction enzymes RsaI and EcoRV . Additional differentiation was obtained using a PCR-assay based on the hippuricase gene . Genotyping was performed on several reference strains from the National Collection of Typing Culture (NCTC), London, and on 130 field isolates . In parallel, a phenotypic differentiation was performed, in order to compare the results . In 119 cases (91.5%) the results obtained from the genotypic characterization were concordant with those from phenotypic testing . Co-infections with Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in two samples and seven hippurate-negative C . jejuni-strains were identified by the genotypic method . Furthermore, PCR-RFLP assays identified an atypical isolate as Campylobacter fetus/hyointestinalis. Neurology, 2003 May 13, 60(9), 1514 - 8 Anti-GM1 antibody IgG subclass: a clinical recovery predictor in Guillain-Barré syndrome; Koga M et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the anti-GM1 antibody IgG subclass (IgG1 to 4) is associated with clinical profiles and patterns of recovery in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) . METHODS: The IgG subclassification of anti-GM1 antibody was examined and compared with clinical data on 42 GBS patients positive for the antibody . RESULTS: Frequent anti-GM1 antibody subclasses were IgG1 (76%) and IgG3 (31%) . IgG1 antibody was associated with preceding gastroenteritis and Campylobacter jejuni serology, whereas IgG3 antibody was associated with preceding respiratory infection . Although the severity at nadir was similar for IgG1- and IgG3-positive patients, the percentage of patients who could not walk independently was greater for the IgG1-positive group 1 month (42 vs 0%; p = 0.02), 3 months (28 vs 0%), and 6 months (25 vs 0%) after onset . Rapid recovery within 1 month occurred frequently in the patients with the IgG3 antibody but rarely in those with the IgG1 antibody (67 vs 11%; p = 0.003) . CONCLUSIONS: The IgG1 subclass of anti-GM1 antibody is a major subtype indicative of slow recovery, whereas isolated elevation of IgG3 subclass antibody titer suggests rapid recovery . Variation in subclass patterns may depend on which pathogen precipitates GBS. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2002 Fall, 2(3), 137 - 43 A comparison of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis incidence rates in high- and low-poultry-density counties: Michigan 1992-1999; Potter RC et al.; To compare the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis in high- and low-poultry-density counties in Michigan between the years 1992 and 1999, an ecological study was conducted in the state of Michigan . A log-linear model was used to compare yearly, seasonal, age, and gender-specific incidence rates between county groupings . Counties with a high poultry density had a higher overall incidence of C . jejuni enteritis, particularly among children and young adults, compared with counties with low poultry density . The findings suggest that living in high-poultry-density counties is associated with higher odds for C . jejuni enteritis . This may be due to occupational exposure among poultry workers in these counties, but the findings in children suggest that indirect or environmental exposures may also play a role . Future studies should be conducted to investigate these issues. Commun Dis Public Health, 2003 Apr, 6(1), 6 - 17 Study of cleaning standards and practices in food premises in the United Kingdom; Sagoo SK et al.; A study was undertaken to determine the microbiological status of surfaces used in the preparation of ready-to-eat foods, and to assess cleaning standards and practices in food premises in the UK . A total of 6,533 environmental samples were examined from 1,502 catering (such as restaurants, cafes, and sandwich bars) or retail premises (such as butchers, delicatessens, and bakers): 2,033 samples from chopping/cutting boards, 2,009 from worktop surfaces, 1,359 from food containers, and 1,132 from cleaning cloths . Cleaning cloths were more heavily contaminated with bacteria (Aerobic Colony Count (ACC), Enterobacteriaceae, E . coli, and Staph . aureus) compared to surfaces sampled . Campylobacter spp . were detected in two (0.2%) and Salmonella spp . from one (0.1%) of the cleaning cloths . Surfaces that were visually dirty, wet, last cleaned over 24 hours ago, and boards that were scored or damaged were found to have higher levels of bacteria . A hazard analysis system was in place in most (70%) food premises visited, and in 52% it was documented . Most managers (89%) had received some form of food hygiene training . Documented cleaning schedules and cleaning records were only present in approximately half (55% and 44%, respectively) of the premises . Most did not have separate implements for cleaning raw and ready-to-eat food areas (67%), or stored cleaning equipment for high risk (ready-to-eat food) areas away from those used in low risk (raw, non ready-to-eat food) areas (70%) . Deficiencies in the correct use of cleaning products, such as the minimum contact time for disinfectants, were identified . Surface samples (chopping/cutting boards, worktops, and food containers) and cleaning cloths with ACC levels in excess of 10(3) cfu/cm2, swab or ml were associated with premises that did not have management food hygiene training, hazard analysis, cleaning schedules or cleaning records in place, and with little or no confidence in the food business management of food hygiene as indicated by Local Authority Inspectors' Confidence in Management scores. Neurogenetics, 2003 Apr, 4(3), 147 - 9 Epub 2003 Feb 11. Immunoglobulin KM genes in Guillain-Barré syndrome; Pandey JP et al.; Guillain-Barre syndrome is associated with antecedent Campylobacter jejuni infection . Only a minority of the infected individuals, however, develops the disease, implying a role for genetic factors in conferring susceptibility . To determine the role of immunoglobulin KM genes (genetic markers of the constant region of kappa chains) in the etiology of this syndrome, we genotyped 83 patients and 196 healthy controls from Norway for KM1 and KM3 alleles by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism . The frequency of KM3 homozygotes was significantly increased in patients compared with controls (86.7% vs . 74%, P=0.01, odds ratio=2.3) . Conversely, the frequency of KM1/KM3 heterozygotes was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls (13.3% vs . 26%, P=0.01, odds ratio=0.4) . These results suggest that KM genes may be relevant to the etiology of Guillain-Barre syndrome. J Neurol Sci, 2003 Jun 15, 210(1-2), 99 - 103 Longitudinal changes of anti-ganglioside antibodies before and after Guillain-Barré syndrome onset subsequent to Campylobacter jejuni enteritis; Odaka M et al.; Anti-ganglioside antibodies frequently are present in sera from patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) during the acute phase, but no patients in whom anti-ganglioside antibodies were tested before the onset of the syndrome have been reported . We describe the first case of GBS subsequent to Campylobacter jejuni infection, in which longitudinal changes in anti-ganglioside antibody titers were measured before and after the onset of limb weakness . Serum antibody titers against GM1 (IgM/IgG), GM1b (IgM/IgG), GalNAc-GD1a (IgM/IgG), and GD1b (IgG) were highest on the day of onset, but negative before onset . Anti-C . jejuni IgG and IgA antibody titers paralleled those of the anti-ganglioside antibodies, indicative that C . jejuni infection triggered anti-ganglioside antibody production . Press et al . {J . Neurol . Sci . 190 (2001) 41} reported that anti-ganglioside antibody titers peaked during the recovery phase, but our findings are counter to theirs . We speculate that anti-ganglioside antibodies are the primary effectors of nerve damage in GBS. J Neurol Sci, 2003 Jun 15, 210(1-2), 41 - 5 Anti-GM1b IgG antibody is associated with acute motor axonal neuropathy and Campylobacter jejuni infection; Ogawara K et al.; Anti-GM1 and anti-GM1b antibodies are frequently present in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and accordingly, the two antibodies often coexist in the same patient . In order to study clinical and laboratory features of anti-GM1b-positive GBS, we analyzed the data of patients with anti-GM1b IgG antibody but no anti-GM1 IgG antibody . Of 86 consecutive patients, 10 had anti-GM1b antibody alone and frequently had acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN, 80%) and Campylobacter jejuni infection (60%) . Of 10 patients with anti-GM1 antibody alone, four had AMAN, and two had C . jejuni infection . These results showed that GM1b could be a target molecule of autoantibody in the AMAN form of GBS subsequent to C . jejuni infection. J Dent, 2003 May, 31(4), 275 - 81 Bacterial penetration through canals of endodontically treated teeth in the presence or absence of the smear layer; Clark-Holke D et al.; OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to determine if the smear layer affects the passage of bacteria through or around obturating material as evidenced by penetration of bacteria through and out the canal . Specifically, this study focused on determining the effect of the smear layer on the magnitude of bacterial penetration through the apical foramen . METHODS: Thirty extracted, maxillary central or lateral incisors were collected . Teeth were randomly assigned (10 teeth per group) to three groups: (1) smear layer removed, (2) smear layer present, and (3) negative control . Canal preparation and obturation using lateral condensation, gutta percha, and AH 26 sealer was performed on all of the teeth . Removal of the smear layer was accomplished by rinsing with 17% EDTA . The model systems consisted of an upper chamber attached to the cemento-enamel junction and a lower chamber at the apices of the teeth . Standardized bacterial suspensions containing Fusobacterium nucleatum, Campylobacter rectus, and Peptostreptococcus micros were inoculated into the upper chambers . Models were incubated anaerobically at 37 degrees C . At various times over a 60-day period, samples were taken from the lower chamber and spiral-plated on selective-differential media to determine numbers and types of bacteria . RESULTS: Leakage results were as follows: (1) smear layer present-6/10 leaked; (2) smear layer removed-0/10 leaked; (3) negative control-0/10 leaked . Profiles of bacterial leakage were similar among the groups . F . nucleatum was the predominant microorganism . CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that removal of the smear layer reduced the leakage of bacteria through the root canal system. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2003 Apr 18, 52(15), 340 - 3 Preliminary FoodNet data on the incidence of foodborne illnesses--selected sites, United States, 2002; Antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter species from retail raw meats; Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USAThe antimicrobial susceptibilities of 378 Campylobacter isolates were determined . Resistance to tetracycline was the most common (82%), followed by resistance to doxycycline (77%), erythromycin (54%), nalidixic acid (41%), and ciprofloxacin (35%) . Campylobacter coli displayed significantly higher rates of resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin than Campylobacter jejuni, and Campylobacter isolates from turkey meat showed a greater resistance than those from chicken meat. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2003 May, 69(5), 2864 - 74 In vivo tracking of Campylobacter jejuni by using a novel recombinant expressing green fluorescent protein; Mixter PF et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of food-borne disease in developed countries . The goal of this study was to develop a plasmid-based reporter system with green fluorescent protein (GFP) to facilitate the study of C . jejuni in a variety of niches . C . jejuni transformants harboring the pMEK91 GFP gene (gfp)-containing vector were readily detectable by both fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry . Given the ease of detecting these organisms, additional experiments were performed in which BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with C . jejuni harboring the gfp-containing vector . Four hours after injection of the mice, flow cytometry analyses determined that C . jejuni synthesizing GFP were predominantly associated with granulocytes . More specifically, the proportion of CD11b(+) Gr-1(+) lavage neutrophils with green fluorescence ranged from 99.7 to 100%, while the proportion of CD11b(+) Gr-1(-) lavage macrophages ranged from 77.0 to 80.0% . In contrast, few CD11b(-) CD45R(+) B lymphocytes from the lavage of the C . jejuni-injected mice were associated with green-fluorescent C . jejuni (proportions ranged from 0.75 to 0.77%) . Cell-free C . jejuni was recovered from tissue homogenates after intraperitoneal injection . Macrorestriction profiling with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified a genotypic variant of the C . jejuni F38011 wild-type isolate . In vivo this variant displayed a phenotype identical to that of the wild-type isolate . In summary, we demonstrate that C . jejuni associates with marker-defined cellular subsets in vivo with a novel gfp reporter system and that C . jejuni genotypic variants can be isolated from both in vitro and in vivo systems. Int Microbiol, 2003 Mar, 6(1), 5 - 9 Epub 2003 Mar 06. Enteric pathogens and soil: a short review; Santamaria J et al.; It is known that soil is a recipient of solid wastes able to contain enteric pathogens in high concentrations . Although the role of soil as a reservoir of certain bacterial pathogens is not in question, recent findings show that soil may have a larger role in the transmission of enteric diseases than previously thought . Many of the diseases caused by agents from soil have been well characterized, although enteric diseases and their link to soil have not been so well studied . Gastrointestinal infections are the most common diseases caused by enteric bacteria . Some examples are salmonellosis ( Salmonella sp.), cholera ( Vibrio cholerae), dysentery ( Shigella sp.) and other infections caused by Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia sp . and Escherichia coli O157:H7 and many other strains . Viruses are the most hazardous and have some of the lowest infectious doses of any of the enteric pathogens . Hepatitis A, hepatitis E, enteric adenoviruses, poliovirus types 1 and 2, multiple strains of echoviruses and coxsackievirus are enteric viruses associated with human wastewater . Among the most commonly detected protozoa in sewage are Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium parvum . This article reviews the existing literature of more than two decades on waste disposal practices that favor the entry of enteric pathogens to soil and the possible consequent role of the soil as a vector and reservoir of enteric pathogens. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2003 Sep, 42(9), 1083 - 8 Epub 2003 Apr 16. Health problems following Campylobacter jejuni enteritis in a Lancashire population; Zia S et al.; OBJECTIVES: Campylobacter jejuni enteritis can lead to musculoskeletal, neuropathic or other health sequelae . We investigated the coexistence, seasonal occurrence, strain-type associations and impact on work capacity of different health problems following C . jejuni enteritis in a Lancashire population during 1999 and 2001 . METHODS: A semistructured questionnaire was used to characterize health problems that occurred in the community after laboratory-confirmed episodes of C . jejuni enteritis . The questionnaire was posted to all adults in the Preston and Chorley area who developed C . jejuni enteritis in 1999 or 2001 . All Campylobacter isolates from this population were serotyped . RESULTS: Several types of sequelae occurred consistently in both years, including the coexistence of musculoskeletal and neuropathic problems . There was no evidence of C . jejuni strain-type associations or seasonal preponderance for any type of sequela . The overall health impact of C . jejuni enteritis, as measured by workdays lost, was high in this population . CONCLUSIONS: A variety of health problems occur consistently following C . jejuni enteritis and substantially increase morbidity due to campylobacteriosis in the community. Epidemiol Infect, 2003 Apr, 130(2), 323 - 33 A one-year study of campylobacter carriage by individual Danish broiler chickens as the basis for selection of Campylobacter spp . strains for a chicken infection model; Bang DD et al.; From February 1999 to February 2000, 1,250 individual broiler chickens representing 125 broiler flocks originating from 62 broiler farms in Denmark were screened for campylobacter carriage . Every month, 10 flocks were tested for campylobacter carriage . The swabs were tested individually and as a pooled sample representing the flocks . Campylobacter spp . carriage was detected from 512 (40.9%) broiler chickens originating from 63 (50.4%) positive flocks . Campylobacter carriage by both individual chickens and flocks showed seasonal variation . Campylobacter jejuni was the dominant species (95.5%) . Campylobacter isolates were typed using Penner heat-stable serotyping and flaA-typing methods . Data of campylobacter carriage by individual chickens and data generated by the use of different typing methods contributed to a better understanding of the dynamics of campylobacter infection within the broiler flocks . C . jejuni Penner heat-stable serotype HS2, flaA-type 1 was the most common type found in Danish broiler chickens. J Med Microbiol, 2003 May, 52(Pt 5), 417 - 9 Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori growth in vitro by Bulgarian propolis: preliminary report; Boyanova L et al.; Bee glue (propolis) possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anaesthetic and immunostimulating activities . The aim of the study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Bulgarian propolis on Helicobacter pylori growth in vitro . Activity of 30% ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) against 38 clinical isolates of H . pylori was evaluated by using the agar-well diffusion method . Ethanol was used as a control . In addition, the effect of propolis on the growth of 26 H . pylori and 18 Campylobacter strains was tested by the disc diffusion method . Mean diameters of H . pylori growth inhibition by the agar-well diffusion method, using 30, 60 or 90 microl EEP or 30 microl ethanol per well, were 17.8, 21.2, 28.2 and 8.5 mm, respectively . EEP was significantly more active than ethanol against H . pylori (P < 0.001) . The results obtained by the disc diffusion method were similar . The use of moist propolis discs resulted in mean diameters of growth inhibition of 21.4 mm for H . pylori and 13.6 mm for Campylobacter spp . Dried propolis discs exhibited antibacterial effect against 73.1% of H . pylori isolates, with a considerable zone of growth inhibition (> or = 15 mm) in 36.4% of isolates . Using dried propolis discs resulted in mean diameters of growth inhibition of 12.4 mm for H . pylori and 11.6 mm for Campylobacter spp . In conclusion, Bulgarian propolis possesses considerable antibacterial activity against H . pylori, and can also inhibit the growth of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli . The potential of propolis in the prevention or treatment of H . pylori infection is worth further extensive evaluation. J Infect Dis, 2003 May 1, 187(9), 1460 - 8 Epub 2003 Apr 09. Diarrhea incidence and farm-related risk factors for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni antibodies among rural children; Belongia EA et al.; Serum samples were obtained from 215 farm-resident children and 396 non-farm-resident children living in a defined rural Wisconsin population . Antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli O157:H7 lipopolysaccharide (O157 LPS) immunoglobulin G were measured, and the incidence of clinic visits for diarrheal illness was determined . Risk factors were assessed in a telephone interview . There were 363 children (59%) with C . jejuni antibodies (seropositive for >or=2 immunoglobulin classes) and 86 (14%) with O157 LPS antibodies . Increasing age and farm residence were independently associated with C . jejuni seropositivity by multivariate analysis . O157 LPS antibodies were independently associated with increasing age, female sex, manure contact, and sheep contact . The incidence of clinically recognized diarrhea was similar among children with and without antibodies to C . jejuni and O157 LPS, but the clinic visit rate for diarrhea was 46% lower among farm-resident children . These results are consistent with reduced occurrence of clinical illness from repeated antigenic stimulation in a farm environment. J Biol Chem, 2003 Jul 4, 278(27), 24509 - 20 Epub 2003 Apr 25. Detection of conserved N-linked glycans and phase-variable lipooligosaccharides and capsules from campylobacter cells by mass spectrometry and high resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy; Szymanski CM et al.; Glycomics, the study of microbial polysaccharides and genes responsible for their formation, requires the continuous development of rapid and sensitive methods for the identification of glycan structures . In this study, methods for the direct analysis of sugars from 108 to 1010 cells are outlined using the human gastrointestinal pathogen, Campylobacter jejuni . Using capillary-electrophoresis coupled with sensitive electrospray mass spectrometry, we demonstrate variability in the lipid A component of C . jejuni lipooligosaccharides (LOSs) . In addition, these sensitive methods have permitted the detection of phase-variable LOS core structures that were not observed previously . High resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR was used to examine capsular polysaccharides directly from campylobacter cells and showed profiles similar to those observed for purified polysaccharides analyzed by solution NMR . This method also exhibited the feasibility of campylobacter serotyping, mutant verification, and preliminary sugar analysis . HR-MAS NMR examination of growth from individual colonies of C . jejuni NCTC11168 indicated that the capsular glycan modifications are also phase-variable . These variants show different staining patterns on deoxycholate-PAGE and reactivity with immune sera . One of the identified modifications was a novel -OP=O(NH2)OMe phosphoramide, not observed previously in nature . In addition, HR-MAS NMR detected the N-linked glycan, GalNAc-alpha1,4-GalNAc-alpha1,4-{Glc-beta1,3-}GalNAc-alpha1,4-GalNAc-alpha1,4-GalNAc-alpha1,3-Bac, where Bac is 2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-d-glucopyranose, in C . jejuni and Campylobacter coli . The presence of this common heptasaccharide in multiple campylobacter isolates demonstrates the conservation of the N-linked protein glycosylation pathway in this organism and describes the first report of HR-MAS NMR detection of N-linked glycans on glycoproteins from intact bacterial cells. Arthritis Res Ther, 2003, 5(1), R1 - 8 Epub 2002 Oct 11. Investigation of infectious agents associated with arthritis by reverse transcription PCR of bacterial rRNA; Cox CJ et al.; In reactive and postinfectious arthritis the joints are generally sterile but the presence of bacterial antigens and nucleic acids has been reported . To investigate whether organisms traffic to affected joints in these conditions, we performed reverse transcription PCR using universal primers to amplify any bacterial 16S rRNA sequences present in synovial fluid . Bacterial sequences were detected in most cases, even after treatment of the synovial fluid with DNase, implying the presence of bacterial RNA and therefore of transcriptionally active bacteria . Analysis of a large number of sequences revealed that, as reported in rheumatoid arthritis, most were derived from gut and skin commensals . Organisms known to have triggered arthritis in each case were not found by sequencing the products obtained using universal primers, but could in some cases be shown to be present by amplifying with species specific primers . This was the case for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Chlamydia trachomatis . However, in arthritis thought to be related to Campylobacter infection the sequences obtained were not from Campylobacter jejuni or C . coli, but from other Campylobacter spp . that are not known to be associated with reactive arthritis and are probably present as commensals in the gut . We conclude that although rRNA from reactive arthritis associated organisms can be detected in affected joints, bacterial RNA from many other bacteria is also present, as was previously noted in studies of other forms of inflammatory arthropathy. Paediatr Drugs, 2003, 5(5), 279 - 90 Acute gastroenteritis in children : what role for antibacterials? Phavichitr N, Catto-Smith A. The aim of this article is to define the currently accepted role of antibacterials in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children . Most cases of acute gastroenteritis in children are viral, self-limited, and need only supportive treatment . Appropriate fluid and electrolyte therapy, with close attention to nutrition, remain central to therapy.Antibacterial therapy serves as an adjunct, to shorten the clinical course, eradicate causative organisms, reduce transmission, and prevent invasive complications . Selection of antibacterials to use in acute bacterial gastroenteritis is based on clinical diagnosis of the likely pathogen prior to definitive laboratory results . Antibacterial therapy should be restricted to specific bacterial pathogens and disease presentations . In general, infections with Shigella spp . and Vibrio cholera should usually be treated with antibacterials, while antibacterials are only used in severe unresponsive infections with Salmonella, Yersinia, Aeromonas, Campylobacter, Plesiomonas spp., and Clostridium difficile . Antibacterials should be avoided in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection . However, empiric therapy may be appropriate in the presence of a severe illness with bloody diarrhea and stool leucocytes, particularly in infancy and the immunocompromised.The benefits and risks of adverse drug reactions should be weighed before prescribing antibacterials . Moreover, a major concern is the emergence of antibacterial-resistant strains due to the widespread use of antibacterial agents. Acta Trop, 2003 Apr, 86(1), 41 - 54 Domestic poultry-raising practices in a Peruvian shantytown: implications for control of Campylobacter jejuni-associated diarrhea; Harvey SA et al.; Raising poultry at home is common in many periurban communities in low-income countries . Studies demonstrate that free-range domestic poultry increase children's risk of infection with diarrhea-causing organisms such as Campylobacter jejuni . Corralling might reduce risk, but research on the socioeconomic acceptability of corralling is lacking . To explore this issue, we studied local knowledge and practices related to poultry-raising in a Peruvian shantytown . Our objectives were to understand: (1) . motives for raising domestic poultry; (2) . economic and cultural factors that affect the feasibility of corralling; and (3) . local perceptions about the relationship between domestic poultry and disease . During 1999-2000, we met with community health volunteers and conducted ethnographic and structured interviews with residents about poultry-raising practices . We then enrolled 12 families in a 2-month trial of corral use during which field workers made biweekly surveillance visits to each family . Most participants reported that they raise birds because home-grown poultry and eggs taste better and are more nutritious and because they enjoy living around animals . Some want to teach their children about raising animals . To prevent theft, many residents shut their birds in provisional enclosures at night, but most stated that birds are healthier, happier, and produce better meat and eggs when let loose by day . Many view bird feces in the house and yard as dirty, but few see a connection to illness . Residents consider chicks and ducklings more innocuous than adult birds and are more likely to allow them inside the house and permit children to play with them . After extensive orientation and technical assistance, participants were willing to corral birds more often . But due to perceived disadvantages, many kept birds penned only intermittently . Additional food and water costs were a significant obstacle for some . Adequate space, bird care and corral hygiene would also need to be addressed to make this intervention viable . Developing a secure, acceptable and affordable corral remains a challenge in this population. Acta Microbiol Pol, 2002, 51(4), 313 - 26 Immunological characterization of the Campylobacter jejuni 72Dz/92 cjaD gene product and its fusion with B subunit of E . coli LT toxin; Wyszyznska A et al.; Campylobacter jejuni 72Dz/92 cjaD gene, orthologue of C . jejuni NCTC 11168 cj0113, C . jejuni M275 omp18 and C . jejuni ATCC 29428 omp18, has been cloned, sequenced and analysed from the viewpoint of its immunological attributes . Neither the 5' nor 3' fragment of the cjaD encodes protein capable of reacting with anti-Campylobacter antibodies . Several fusions of the cjaD with eltB, which encodes B subunit of the E . coli LT toxin, have been constructed . The hybrid proteins, which differ in respect to their cellular localization, retain the ability to react with GM1 and are recognized by the antibodies specific for both moieties of the proteins . The fusion protein equipped with signal sequence, reveals a stronger affinity to GM1 than its equivalent which is unable to cross the inner membrane . Two recombinant plasmids (pUWM405 expressing both LTB and CjaD proteins and pUWM299 containing cjaD gene fused into 3' end of Escherichia coli eltB gene lacking signal sequence) were introduced into avirulent Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain where they are stably maintained. J Environ Qual, 2003 Mar-Apr, 32(2), 383 - 92 Pathogen survival in swine manure environments and transmission of human enteric illness--a review; Guan TY et al.; The influence of zoonotic pathogens in animal manure on human health and well-being as a direct or indirect cause of human enteric illness is examined . Available international data are considered, but the study is focused on the developing situation in western Canada, where it is certain there will be further rapid growth in livestock numbers, particularly hogs . Major pathogens considered are Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia . Canada is now the leading exporter of pork internationally, but recent increases in production contrast with constant domestic levels of pork consumption and declining levels of foodborne illness caused by pork . Effects of increased levels of manure production are not quantifiable in terms of effects on human health . The presence of major pathogens in manure and movement to human food sources and water are considered on the basis of available data . Survival of the organisms in soil, manure, and water indicate significant variability in resistance to environmental challenge that are characteristic of the organisms themselves . Generally, pathogens survived longer in environmental samples at cool temperatures but differences were seen in liquid and solid manure . Based on actual data plus some data extrapolated from cattle manure environments, holding manure at 25 degrees C for 90 d will render it free from the pathogens considered above. Eur J Epidemiol, 2003, 18(1), 85 - 90 A 5-year study of the bacterial pathogens associated with acute diarrhoea on the island of Crete, Greece, and their resistance to antibiotics; Maraki S et al.; During a 5-year period (1995-1999) a total of 7090 stool samples obtained from patients with acute diarrhoea, mostly community-acquired, were examined for bacterial pathogens, in the Greek island of Crete . One or more enteric pathogens were isolated from 987 patients (14%) . Salmonella enterica were the most commonly isolated bacteria (6%), followed by Campylobacter spp . (4.2%), and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) (1.8%) . Yersinia enterocolitica (0.6%), Shigella spp . (0.3%), and Aeromonas hydrophila (0.04%), were less frequently isolated . Clostridium difficile was isolated from 65 out of 451 diarrhoeal specimens examined (14.4%) . Toxin B was detected in all cases . No verotoxigenic E . coli strains were identified . Resistance to ampicillin was observed in 31.5% of the Salmonella, 58.3% of the Shigella and 31.5% of the EPEC isolates . Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was observed in 4.4% of the Salmonella, 30.5% of the Shigella, and 18.5% of the EPEC isolates . High percentages of resistance to quinolones (44.5% to norfloxacin, and 40.5% to ciprofloxacin), were found among Campylobacter isolates, while resistance to erythromycin was observed in 14.9% of them . With the present study we continue the surveillance of bacterial pathogens associated with diarrhoeal disease on the island of Crete. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2003 Apr, 111(4), 847 - 53 IgG antibodies against microorganisms and atopic disease in Danish adults: the Copenhagen Allergy Study; Linneberg A et al.; BACKGROUND: Seropositivity to food-borne and orofecal microorganisms (hepatitis A virus, Helicobacter pylori, and Toxoplasma gondii ), which are considered to be markers of poor hygiene, has been reported to be associated with a lower prevalence of atopy . In contrast, colonization of the gut with Clostridium difficile, a potential intestinal bacterial pathogen, in early childhood may be associated with a higher prevalence of atopy . OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between atopy and exposure to 2 groups of food-borne and orofecal microorganisms: (1) markers of a poor hygiene and (2) intestinal bacterial pathogens . METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study of 15- to 69-year-olds living in Copenhagen, Denmark, was carried out in 1990 to 1991 . Atopy was defined as a positive test result for specific IgE to at least 1 of 6 inhalant allergens . Exposure to microorganisms was assessed as IgG seropositivity to microorganisms . RESULTS: Seropositivity to 2 or 3 markers of poor hygiene (hepatitis A virus, H pylori, and T gondii ) was associated with a lower prevalence of atopy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3 to 0.8) . In contrast, seropositivity to 2 or 3 intestinal bacterial pathogens (C difficile, Campylobacter jejuni, and Yersinia enterocolitica ) was associated with a higher prevalence of atopy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.6) . CONCLUSION: Exposure to markers of poor hygiene was associated with a lower prevalence of atopy, whereas exposure to intestinal bacterial pathogens was associated with a higher prevalence of atopy . These findings raise the hypothesis that different groups of food-borne and orofecal microorganisms may have different effects on the risk of atopy. Infect Immun, 2003 May, 71(5), 2626 - 33 Induction of proinflammatory responses in the human monocytic cell line THP-1 by Campylobacter jejuni; Jones MA et al.; Campylobacter jejuni can cause an enteritis that is associated with an acute inflammatory response at the gut epithelial surface . The signals inducing inflammation are unknown . C . jejuni can penetrate the intestinal epithelial barrier and may then interact with leucocytes, potentially inducing proinflammatory responses . To investigate this, we studied the interaction of C . jejuni with the human monocytic cell line THP-1 and show that a range of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines is induced . These include interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha . Responses can be induced by killed Campylobacter as well as live bacteria and do not depend on the cytolethal distending toxin . C . jejuni infection of THP-1 cells triggers both nuclear translocation of functional NF-kappa B and stimulation of IL-1 alpha, indicating that NF-kappa B-dependent and -independent stimulation is occurring . The extent of proinflammatory cytokine stimulation suggests that monocytes might significantly contribute to intestinal inflammation and disease pathology. Infez Med, 2002 Jun, 10(2), 81 - 7 {Enteric infections in Perugia's area: laboratory diagnosis, clinical aspects and epidemiology during 2001}; Crotti D et al.; During 2001 we analyzed 523 stool specimens (330 children, 193 adults) of patients with recent diarrhoea . We processed all specimens for protozoa, rotavirus, adenovirus, toxin A of C . difficile, and usual enteropathogen bacteria . Salmonella prevailed in 12.8% of cases (16.4% among children, 6.7% among adults), Campylobacter in 9.9% (11.5% and 7.3%), C . difficile toxin A producer in 11.3% (13.7% and 8.1%); other bacteria generally prevailed in 2.4%, protozoa in 2.7% . Among children rotavirus prevailed in 41.4%, adenovirus in 3.6% . Enteritis prevailed in children between 1 and 6 years of age . All pathogens were reported during all the seasons, but salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis were more frequent during spring and summer, rotavirus infections during the winter . Non particular and/or specific correlations could be observed between clinical manifestations and pathogen agents; anyway only bacteria were identified among invasive enterites . Vomitus was more frequent in rotavirus infections . Finally the Authors suggest a rational and efficacious methodology for diagnosis of presumptive infectious diarrhoeas. Emerg Infect Dis, 2003 Apr, 9(4), 489 - 92 Antimicrobial growth promoters and Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp . in poultry and swine, Denmark; Evans MC et al.; The use of antimicrobial growth promoters in Danish food animal production was discontinued in 1998 . Contrary to concerns that pathogen load would increase; we found a significant decrease in Salmonella in broilers, swine, pork, and chicken meat and no change in the prevalence of Campylobacter in broilers. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 2003 Mar 29, 147(13), 590 - 4 {Nutrition and health--infections caused by food}; Hoogkamp-Korstanje JA; The annual incidence of food-borne infections in the Netherlands is estimated to be 250,000 or more; registration, however, is lacking . Meat, poultry, milk and eggs are contaminated primarily by intestinal animal commensals (Salmonella, Campylobacter, E . coli O157:H7, Yersinia enterocolitica) or secondarily by animals, humans and the environment during processing (typhoid fever, Shigella, Listeria, Clostridium, hepatitis A virus, Norwalk virus, parasites) . The guidelines for the prevention of contamination are insufficient . Intensity of production and the economic importance of fast, large-scale production are given priority over food safety . Information fails to reach the consumer. J Clin Microbiol, 2003 Apr, 41(4), 1391 - 8 Prevalence of cytolethal distending toxin production in periodontopathogenic bacteria; Yamano R et al.; Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is a newly identified virulence factor produced by several pathogenic bacteria implicated in chronic infection . Seventy three strains of periodontopathogenic bacteria were examined for the production of CDT by a HeLa cell bioassay and for the presence of the cdt gene by PCR with degenerative oligonucleotide primers, which were designed based on various regions of the Escherichia coli and Campylobacter cdtB genes, which have been successfully used for the identification and cloning of cdtABC genes from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 (M . Sugai et al., Infect . Immun . 66:5008-5019, 1998) . CDT activity was found in culture supernatants of 40 of 45 tested A . actinomycetemcomintans strains, but the titer of the toxin varied considerably among these strains . PCR experiments indicated the presence of Y4-type cdt sequences in these strains, but the rest of A . actinomycetemcomitans were negative by PCR amplification and also by Southern blot analysis for the cdtABC gene . In the 40 CDT-positive strains, Southern hybridization with HindIII-digested genomic DNA revealed that there are at least 6 restriction fragment length polymorphism types . This suggests that the cdtABC flanking region is highly polymorphic, which may partly explain the variability of the CDT activity in the culture supernatants . The rest of tested strains of periodontopathogenic bacteria did not have detectable CDT production by the HeLa cell assay and for cdtB sequences by PCR analysis under our experimental conditions . These results strongly suggested that CDT is a unique toxin predominantly produced by A . actinomycetemcomitans among periodontopathogenic bacteria. J Food Prot, 2003 Apr, 66(4), 652 - 5 Reduction of Campylobacter jejuni on poultry by low-temperature treatment; Zhao T et al.; Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of acute bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States, with epidemiologic studies identifying poultry as a leading vehicle in human infection . Studies were conducted to determine rates of C . jejuni inactivation on poultry exposed to different cooling and freezing temperatures . A mixture of three strains of C . jejuni originally isolated from poultry was inoculated onto chicken wings at ca . 10(7) CFU/g . The results of the study revealed that the storage of wings at -20 and -30 degrees C for 72 h reduced the population of C . jejuni on wings by 1.3 and 1.8 log10 CFU/g, respectively . The results with regard to long-term freezing for 52 weeks revealed C . jejuni reductions of ca . 4 and 0.5 log10 CFU/g on wings held at -20 and -86 degrees C, respectively . Protocols were developed to superchill wings in Whirl-Pak bags with liquid nitrogen at -80, -120, -160, and -196 degrees C such that the internal portion of each wing quickly reached -3.3 degrees C but did not freeze . The results with regard to the superchilling of wings at different temperatures for 20 to 330 s (the time required for the wings to reach an internal temperature of -3.3 degrees C) revealed C . jejuni reductions of 0.5 log10 CFU/g for wings held at -80 degrees C, 0.8 log10 CFU/g for wings held at -120 degrees C, 0.6 log10 CFU/g for wings held at -160 degrees C, and 2.4 log10 CFU/g for wings held at -196 degrees C . The superchilling of wings to quickly cool meat to -3.3 degrees C (internal temperature) can substantially reduce C . jejuni populations at -196 degrees C when the wings are submerged in liquid nitrogen, but not at -80 to -160 degrees C when the wings are treated with vapor-state liquid nitrogen . The results of this study indicate that freezing conditions, including temperature and holding time, greatly influence the rate of inactivation of C . jejuni on poultry . The conditions used in the poultry industry to superchill poultry to a nonfrozen-state internal temperature are not likely to substantially reduce Campylobacter populations on fresh products. Mol Microbiol, 2003 May, 48(3), 685 - 98 Structure and genotypic plasticity of the Campylobacter fetus sap locus; Tu ZC et al.; The Campylobacter fetus surface layer proteins (SLPs), encoded by five to nine sapA homologues, are major virulence factors . To characterize the sapA homologues further, a 65.9 kb C . fetus genomic region encompassing the sap locus from wild-type strain 23D was completely sequenced and analysed; 44 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) were recognized . The 53.8 kb sap locus contained eight complete and one partial sapA homologues, varying from 2769 to 3879 bp, sharing conserved 553-2622 bp 5' regions, with partial sharing of 5' and 3' non-coding regions . All eight sapA homologues were expressed in Escherichia coli as antigenic proteins and reattached to the surface of SLP- strain 23B, indicating their conserved function . Analysis of the sap homologues indicated three phylogenetic groups . Promoter-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and sapA homologue-specific reverse transcription (RT)-PCRs showed that the unique sapA promoter can potentially express all eight sapA homologues . Reciprocal DNA recombination based on the 5' conserved regions can involve each of the eight sapA homologues, with frequencies from 10(-1) to 10(-3) . Intragenic recombination between sapA7 and sapAp8, mediated by their conserved regions with a 10(-1)-10(-2) frequency, allows the formation of new sap homologues . As divergent SLP C-termini possess multiple antigenic sites, their reciprocal recombination behind the unique sap promoter leads to continuing antigenic variation. J Appl Microbiol, 2003, 94(5), 886 - 92 Survival of Campylobacter jejuni strains of different origin in drinking water; Cools I et al.; AIMS: The aim of the study was to measure the survival of 19 Campylobacter jejuni strains of different origins, including two reference strains, four poultry-derived isolates, nine human isolates and four water isolates, in sterilized drinking water . METHODS AND RESULTS: Pure cultures of 19 C . jejuni strains were inoculated in sterile drinking water and incubated at 4 degrees C for 64 days . Survival was determined by culturability on both selective (Karmali agar) and non-selective {Columbia blood agar (CBA)} media . Culturability was shown to be strain and origin-dependent . Campylobacter jejuni showed prolonged survival on a non-selective than on a selective medium . CONCLUSIONS: The origin of the strain is a determining factor for the survival of C . jejuni in drinking water at 4 degrees C . Poultry isolates showed a prolonged survival, which could be an indication that these strains could play an important role in the transmission of campylobacteriosis through water . In addition, culture conditions are an important factor for evaluating the survival of C . jejuni in drinking water at 4 degrees C . The non-selective agar (CBA) allowed growth of C . jejuni over a longer period of time than the selective agar (Karmali) . Furthermore, an enrichment broth (Bolton) allowed the recovery of all 19 C . jejuni strains during the 64 days of incubation at 4 degrees C . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study highlighted differences in culturability depending on culture conditions and on strain origin. J Appl Microbiol, 2003, 94(5), 842 - 8 The microbiological quality of washing-up water and the environment in domestic and commercial kitchens; Mattick K et al.; AIMS: To determine the microbiological quality of washing-up water and the environment in domestic and commercial kitchens . METHODS AND RESULTS: Chicken meals were prepared by people without food safety training in their own kitchen (n = 52) or by trained staff in a commercial kitchen (n = 10) . Study participants then washed-up, cleaned the kitchen and completed a food hygiene questionnaire . The temperature and microbiological quality of the washing-up water, and the presence of pathogens in dishcloths, tea towels and other kitchen samples was determined . Of the raw chickens used in meal preparation, 96 and 13% were naturally contaminated with Campylobacter or Salmonella spp., respectively . In domestic kitchens, two of 45 sponges, dishcloths or scourers and one of 32 hand- or tea towels were contaminated with Campylobacter after washing-up and cleaning but none of the tap or sink swabs yielded pathogens . The mean washing-up water temperature in the domestic kitchens was 40.7 degrees C, whereas in the commercial kitchen it was 44.7 degrees C (P = 0.04) . Study participants who used hotter water (>/=40 degrees C) had lower levels of bacteria in their washing-up water . The aerobic plate counts of the washing-up water samples in domestic homes were usually between 105 and 106 CFU ml-1 but those associated with the commercial kitchen were consistently lower (P = 0.01) . Despite this, Campylobacter was detected in one of 10 washing-up water samples from the commercial kitchen but in none of the samples from domestic kitchens . CONCLUSIONS: Pathogenic microorganisms can be recovered relatively frequently from the kitchen environment . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: By identifying factors that affect the number of microorganisms in washing-up water and the kitchen environment, evidence-based recommendations on implementing domestic food hygiene can be made. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2003 Jan, 9(1), 69 - 72 Campylobacter jejuni O:19 serotype-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome in a child: the first case reported from Greece; Chatzipanagiotou S et al.; We present a case of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) following Campylobacter jejuni HS serotype O:19 infection in a child . Antibodies against C . jejuni and autoantibodies to the peripheral nerve gangliosides GM1 were positive, a pattern correlating well with the existence of an inflammatory neuropathy like GBS . The patient shared the HLA-B35 and HLA-DR8 antigens, which have been found to be increased in GBS patients with previous C . jejuni infection . As this is the first diagnosed C . jejuni-associated GBS case reported from Greece, further clinical and epidemiologic investigations are warranted. Lett Appl Microbiol, 2003, 36(5), 277 - 81 Antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from broiler chickens isolated at an Irish poultry processing plant; Fallon R et al.; AIMS: The antibiotic susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from broiler chickens were determined in order to evaluate the level of antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter species in the Irish poultry industry . METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-eight Camp . jejuni and 22 Camp . coli strains were examined for susceptibility to eight antibiotics using the disc diffusion assay . The highest level of resistance of the Camp . jejuni isolates was recorded to ampicillin (35.9%), followed by 20.5% to tetracycline, 20.5% to naladixic acid, 17.9% to ciprofloxacin, 10.2% to erythromycin, 2.5% to streptomycin and 1.2% to kanamycin . Multidrug resistance to two or more antibiotics was seen for 30.7% of Camp . jejuni strains . Resistance of the Camp . coli isolates was shown to ampicillin (9%) and tetracycline (18.2%) . CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Camp . jejuni strains were susceptible to antibiotics commonly used for human therapy . Camp . coli strains showed very low resistance levels and were susceptible to six of the eight antimicrobial agents studied . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Levels of Camp . jejuni and Camp . coli antimicrobial resistance in Irish poultry production was assessed to determine the current situation in Ireland . The prevalence of antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter strains isolated from broiler chickens was low. J Vet Diagn Invest, 2002 Jan, 14(1), 35 - 9 Effect of transport enrichment medium, transport time, and growth medium on the detection of Campylobacter fetus subsp . venerealis; Monke HJ et al.; The combination of medium and growth conditions, including transport enrichment medium (TEM), transport time, TEM incubation time, and growth medium, that best support Campylobacter fetus subsp . venerealis while inhibiting contaminants was studied . The 3 TEMs evaluated, Weybridge, Cary-Blair, and 0.85% saline solution, were inoculated with preputial smegma spiked with C . fetus subsp . venerealis and held in the laboratory for 4 or 24 hours before inoculation onto growth medium . The effect of overnight incubation at 37 C of the TEM was also evaluated . Median scores of C . fetus subsp . venerealis growth and microbial contaminant inhibition were compared within TEM, transport time, overnight incubation, and growth medium groups using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Kruskal-Wallis test . The proportion of samples with any growth or contamination within each group was also compared using the chi-square test . Results suggest that the growth of C . fetus subsp . venerealis was influenced by 3 of the 4 criteria evaluated . Weybridge TEM more effectively maintained the organism than did either Cary-Blair or 0.85% saline solution (P < 0.001) . Transport time of 4 hours rather than 24 hours (P < 0.001) and avoiding overnight incubation of TEM at 37 C (P < 0.001) were associated with improved growth . Significant differences were not identified among growth media; however, Skirrow Campylobacter agar appeared to yield slightly better growth than did either blood agar or Greenbriar Plus agar . Contaminant growth was also influenced by 3 of the 4 variables . Weybridge TEM inhibited contaminant growth more effectively than did either Cary-Blair or 0.85% saline solution (P < 0.001) . Transport time was not associated with contaminant growth . Eliminating overnight incubation of TEM reduced contamination (P < 0.01) . Skirrow agar was preferred to both blood agar and Greenbriar Plus agar for suppression of contaminants on solid medium (P < 0.001) . These results suggest that the detection of C . fetus subsp . venerealis is enhanced when preputial smegma samples arrive at the diagnostic laboratory within 4 hours after inoculation into Weybridge TEM and are transferred to Skirrow agar the same day they arrive in the laboratory. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2003 Mar, 68(3), 70 - 80 Enhancement of disease and pathology by synergy of Trichuris suis and Campylobacter jejuni in the colon of immunologically naive swine; Mansfield LS et al.; Campylobacterjejuni, a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, has different age distribution and disease expression in developing and developed countries, which may be due to the endemnicity of infection and the age of acquisition of immunity . Differences in disease expression are not solely dependent on the C . jejuni strain or virulence attributes . Another modulating factor in developing countries may be endemic nematode infections such as Trichuris, which drive type 2 cytokine responses and down-regulate type 1 immune responses . In this study, three-day-old germ-free pigs given dual infections with Trichuris suis and C . jejuni had more frequent, more severe diarrhea and severe pathology than pigs given no pathogens, only T . suis, or only C . jejuni . These pigs had significant hemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltrates in the proximal colon where adult worms were found, and abscessed lymphoglandular complexes in the distal colon with intracellular C . jejuni . Pigs given only C . jejuni had mild clinical signs and pathology, and bacteria in feces or extracellular sites . Pigs given T . suis or no pathogens had no disease and minimal pathology . Thus, these agents synergized to produce significant disease and pathology, which was site specific. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2003 Jun, 61(5-6), 424 - 8 Epub 2003 Apr 09. Emerging water-borne pathogens; Sharma S et al.; Emerging water-borne pathogens constitute a major health hazard in both developed and developing nations . A new dimension to the global epidemiology of cholera-an ancient scourge-was provided by the emergence of Vibrio cholerae O139 . Also, water-borne enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli ( E . coli O157:H7), although regarded as a problem of the industrialized west, has recently caused outbreaks in Africa . Outbreaks of chlorine-resistant Cryptosporidium have motivated water authorities to reassess the adequacy of current water-quality regulations . Of late, a host of other organisms, such as hepatitis viruses (including hepatitis E virus), Campylobacter jejuni, microsporidia, cyclospora, Yersinia enterocolitica, calciviruses and environmental bacteria like Mycobacterium spp, aeromonads, Legionella pneumophila and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been associated with water-borne illnesses . This review critically examines the potential of these as emerging water-borne pathogens . It also examines the possible reasons, such as an increase in the number of immunocompromised individuals, urbanization and horizontal gene transfer, that may underlie their emergence . Further, measures required to face the challenge posed by these pathogens are also discussed. J Med Microbiol, 2003 Apr, 52(Pt 4), 345 - 8 Prevalence of 11 pathogenic genes of Campylobacter jejuni by PCR in strains isolated from humans, poultry meat and broiler and bovine faeces; Datta S et al.; Although many genes related to the pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni have been reported, the relationships between these genes and the sources of strains are not clear . In this study, the presence of 11 pathogenic genes responsible for the expression of adherence, invasion, colonization and cytotoxin production was examined in 111 C . jejuni isolated from human clinical samples, poultry meat, broiler faeces and bovine faeces . For most of the pathogenic genes, no difference in their presence in C . jejuni was found among the sources, but, for racR, wlaN and virB11, there were some variations among sources . The racR gene was present at rates of 98.2 (human clinical samples), 90.5 (poultry meat), 85.7 (broiler faeces) and 76.7 % (bovine faeces) . Detection rates for the wlaN gene were 25.0, 23.8, 4.7 and 7.7 % and those for the virB11 gene were 10.7, 9.5, 9.5 and 15.4 % in human clinical samples, poultry meat, broiler faeces and bovine faeces, respectively . One hundred and seven of 111 strains (96.4 %) carried from eight to 10 of the pathogenic genes . These data did not show remarkable differences in the presence of pathogenic genes carried by C . jejuni from various sources. J Appl Microbiol, 2003, 94 Suppl, 104S - 113S Cattle and sheep farms as reservoirs of Campylobacter; Stanley K et al.; AIM: This is a review of the natural Campylobacter colonization and transmission among ruminant livestock in the dairy farm environment . METHODS AND RESULTS: Using cultural detection methods and enumeration techniques the distribution of Campylobacter in ruminant animals at birth, on the farm, at slaughter and in the farm environment have been examined . Colonization and shedding rates are higher among young animals while patterns of shedding in adult animals may be seasonal . Stored and land-dispersed slurries provide a reservoir for scavenging birds and flies and a source for runoff . CONCLUSIONS: The dairy farm plays a significant role in the dissemination of Campylobacter subtypes that can cause disease in the human community . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: An understanding of the role of the dairy farm in the environmental cycle of Campylobacter is required in order to devise intervention strategies. J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health, 2003 Mar, 50(2), 75 - 80 Effect of two commercial vaccines to Campylobacter fetus subspecies on heifers naturally challenged; Cobo ER et al.; Efficacy of two commercial vaccines containing Campylobacter fetus subspecies on heifers naturally challenged by service with an infected bull was tested . Sixteen heifers were vaccinated parentally two times with 3 weeks as interval, eight with commercial vaccine A and the other eight with commercial vaccine B . Eight other heifers were used as unvaccinated controls . Forty days after the first vaccine dose, the heifers were served by an infected bull during 60 days . Measure of systemic immune response and identification of the microorganism from genital secretions by culture and immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) were done . Vaccinated and control heifers had a poor reproductive performance (pregnancy rates were 2/8, 3/8 and 0/8 in groups A, B and C, respectively) and were infected by both methods during breeding time and after it . Moreover, one heifer in the groups B and C remained infected until 300 days post-breeding time . Neither vaccinated nor control heifers had an important increment of systemic antibody level . Only, they had a slight increment of antibody level after the breeding period and it may be because of natural stimulus by the infected bull during the copula . Culture and IFAT yielded high correlation on identification of C . fetus subspecies. Biotechnol Prog, 2003 Mar-Apr, 19(2), 338 - 45 Containment of biogenic sulfide production in continuous up-flow packed-bed bioreactors with nitrate or nitrite; Hubert C et al.; Produced water from the Coleville oil field in Saskatchewan, Canada was used to inoculate continuous up-flow packed-bed bioreactors . When 7.8 mM sulfate and 25 mM lactate were present in the in-flowing medium, H(2)S production (souring) by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was prevented by addition of 17.5 mM nitrate or 20 mM nitrite . Changing the sulfate or lactate concentration of the in-flowing medium indicated that the concentrations of nitrate or nitrite required for containment of souring decreased proportionally with a lowered concentration of the electron donor lactate, while the sulfate concentration of the medium had no effect . Microbial communities were dominated by SRB . Nitrate addition did not give rise to changes in community composition, indicating that lactate oxidation and H(2)S removal were caused by the combined action of SRB and nitrate-reducing, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (NR-SOB) . Apparently the nitrite concentrations formed by these NR-SOB did not inhibit the SRB sufficiently to cause community shifts . In contrast, significant community shifts were observed upon direct addition of high concentrations (20 mM) of nitrite . Strains NO3A and NO2B, two newly isolated, nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB) emerged as major community members . These were found to belong to the epsilon-division of the Proteobacteria, to be most closely related to Campylobacter lari, and to oxidize lactate with nitrate or nitrite as the electron acceptor . Thus the mechanism of microbial H(2)S removal in up-flow packed-bed bioreactors depended on whether nitrate (SRB/NR-SOB) or nitrite (SRB/NR-SOB as well as NRB) was used . However, the amount of nitrate or nitrite needed to completely remove H(2)S was dictated by the electron donor (lactate) concentration, irrespective of mechanism. Chin Med J (Engl), 2003 Jan, 116(1), 11 - 4 A five-year follow-up study on the pathological changes of gastric mucosa after H . pylori eradication; Zhou L et al.; OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between H . pylori infection, gastric cancer and other gastric diseases through the changes in gastric mucosa and the status of different gastric diseases within 5 years after H . pylori eradication in H . pylori-positive subjects in a high incidence region of gastric cancer . METHODS: One thousand and six adults were selected from the general population in Yantai, Shandong province, a high incidence region for gastric cancer in China . Gastroscopy and Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) testing were performed on all subjects . Biopsy samples from the gastric antrum and body were obtained for histology and assessment of H . pylori infection . All H . pylori-positive subjects were then randomly divided into two groups: treatment group receiving Omeprazole Amoxicillin Clarythromycin (OAC) triple therapy and placebo as controls . These subjects were endoscopically followed up in the second and fifth year . We compared the endoscopic appearance and histology of the biopsy specimens from the same site obtained at the first and last visits . RESULTS: All 552 H . pylori-positive subjects were randomly and evenly divided into treatment group or control group . During the five-year follow-up, the numbers of patients who continued to be negative or positive for H . pylori were 161 and 198, respectively . Statistical analysis revealed that: (1) At the initial visit, there were no significant differences in the severity and activity of inflammation, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia between the biopsy specimens from the antrum and body respectively in both groups . (2) The severity and activity of inflammation in both the antrum and body were markedly reduced after H . pylori eradication (P = 0.000) . (3) Within five years after H . pylori eradication, intestinal metaplasia in the antrum either regressed or had no progression, while the proportion of intestinal metaplasia in the H . pylori-positive group increased significantly (P = 0.032) . (4) After H . pylori eradication, the atrophy in both the antrum and body had no significant regression . The P value was 0.223 and 0.402, respectively . CONCLUSIONS: H . pylori eradication results in remarkable reduction in the severity and activity of chronic gastritis, marked resolution of intestinal metaplasia in the antrum . On the other hand, continuous H . pylori infection leads to progressive aggravation of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 2003 Feb, 110(2), 55 - 9 {Identification and differentiation of Campylobacter fetus subspecies by PCR}; Muller W et al.; The species Campylobacter (C.) fetus is divided into the subspecies venerealis and fetus, which differ in epidemiology and clinical importance . The differences between these subspecies make an accurate distinction essential . Differentiation of C . fetus by traditional microbiological methods is only based on two reactions (tolerance to glycin, Na selenite reduction), in which C . fetus ssp . venerealis reacts negatively . However, the value of both reactions is limited . We used a specific PCR-based assay for identifying and differentiating the two C . fetus subspecies, which was recently developed by HUM et al . (1997) . In this assay, a 764 bp amplicon is produced using primers MG3F and MG4R for both subspecies of C . fetus . In contrast to HUM et al . (1997), this amplicon was approximately 200 bp smaller . This discrepancy can't be explained . Afterwards, the primers VenSF and VenSR are used for differentiation . The identification of the sub-species venerealis is based on the presence of a 142 bp amplicon, which is not formed with subspecies fetus . The type strains of both C . fetus subspecies were used as positive controls . Non-specific reactions were not observed . In this PCR assay, 73 field strains were investigated (among them 24 C . fetus ssp . veneralis, 26 C . fetus ssp . fetus) . In these investigations, the method has proved its diagnostic suitability . The results of the traditional microbiological differentiation of the C . fetus field strains could be confirmed by the PCR assay . In future, the traditional phenotypic characterization of C . fetus subspecies remains indispensable, but this PCR assay constitutes a valuable method for the confirmation of these results. Ann Ig, 2003 Jan-Feb, 15(1), 11 - 21 {Molecular typing by amplified fragment length polymorphism and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism , biotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni}; Sammarco ML et al.; Molecular typing systems have provided invaluable information for tracking infectious agents through the food chain . These tools have been essential for understanding the epidemiology of gastrointestinal infectious diseases, therefore providing essential and evidence-based information for appropriate interventions and preventative measures . Two such molecular typing techniques based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that have been applied to the epidemiology of foodborne pathogens are, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis . Campylobacter is responsible for one of the most common bacteria foodborne gastrointestinal infections affecting humans, especially in developed countries . The object of this paper is to apply AFLP and RFLP analysis of the flagellin (flaA) gene to 18 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from human sporadic cases in Italy . Results of these analyses were compared to the phenotypes of these isolates based on biotyping and antimicrobial resistance determinations . All isolates were typable by the four methods . The RFLP procedure was performed with DdeI and HinfI enzymes, and 12 and 8 distinct profiles respectively were recognised . AFLP analysis was more discriminatory, and recognised 16 different profiles . Results from AFLP were reproducible and applicable for definitive characterisation of C . jejuni isolated from different outbreaks . PCR-RFLP of the flaA gene represents a useful tool only to compare isolates within a single outbreak. Anim Health Res Rev, 2002 Dec, 3(2), 95 - 105 Campylobacter colonization in poultry: sources of infection and modes of transmission; Sahin O et al.; Since its recognition as a human pathogen in the early 1970s, Campylobacter jejuni has now emerged as the leading bacterial cause of food-borne gastroenteritis in developed countries . Poultry, particularly chickens, account for the majority of human infections caused by Campylobacter . Reduction or elimination of this pathogen in the poultry reservoir is an essential step in minimizing the public health problem; however, farm-based intervention measures are still not available because of the lack of understanding of the ecological aspects of C . jejuni on poultry farms . Although Campylobacter is highly prevalent in poultry production systems, how poultry flocks become infected with this organism is still unknown . Many investigations indicate that horizontal transmission from environmental sources is the primary route of flock infections by Campylobacter . However, some recent studies also suggest the possibility of vertical transmission from breeder to progeny flocks . The transmission of the organism is not well understood, but it is likely to be through both vertical and horizontal transmission and may be affected by the immune status of the poultry host and the environmental conditions in the production system . Intervention strategies for Campylobacter infection in poultry should consider the complex nature of its transmission and may require the use of multiple approaches that target different segments of the poultry production system. Environ Microbiol, 2003 Apr, 5(4), 219 - 30 Campylobacter and fluoroquinolones: a bias data set? Silley P. There is no universally accepted standard method for the isolation of Campylobacter spp . and it is considered that currently available isolation media are not yet optimal for the recovery of Campylobacter spp . from a range of sample types . Almost all methods incorporate antibiotics into the isolation media to inhibit growth of other bacteria within the sample . It is established that the incorporation of such antibiotics into isolation media will inhibit the growth of some Campylobacter spp . as well as other bacteria . The results of the use of such suboptimal isolation methods are that the isolates which 'survive' the isolation procedure will be those which: (i) are able to 'out compete' the rest of the bacteria in the sample, i.e . they are able to grow faster; (ii) are resistant to the antibiotics used in the isolation media; and (iii) are randomly selected by the laboratory technician as being a 'typical'Campylobacter spp . It is clear that such a procedure is intrinsically biased and will mean that species resistant to the antibiotics used in the media will be isolated . This introduces real doubt that the bacteria isolated are truly representative of those initially found on the sample . It is also becoming clear that Campylobacter spp . are rather difficult to isolate as pure cultures and many are in fact mixtures of more than one strain . Again this introduces great uncertainty as to the prevalence and distribution of respective species from the different sample types . This is especially true when considering isolation of Campylobacter spp . causing disease in man as there is no certainty that the selected isolate is that which was responsible for disease . The incorporation of antibiotics into the isolation media not only introduces the issue of species bias but perhaps more importantly exposes the Campylobacter spp . to a cocktail of antibiotics thereby providing the potential for them to 'switch on' antibiotic resistance mechanisms . It might be argued that this has always been the case for isolation of Campylobacter spp., however, we know that the antibiotic cocktails used in media over the last 10 years have changed and indeed there was a time when the filtration protocol which didn't use antibiotics was more widely used . As most reports in the literature do not state what methods were used to isolate Campylobacter spp . it is not possible to quantify any relationship between antibiotics used in the isolation media and susceptibility data . An approved method for Campylobacter susceptibility testing was not available until May 2002, all data generated prior to this date will have been generated using non-standard methods . As tremendous variability in the reproducibility data for Campylobacter spp . was observed during the development of the standard agar dilution susceptibility method, data generated with disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods must be considered with caution . It has been shown that, compared with the conventional agar dilution method, the E-test tends to give rise to lower minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for sensitive strains and higher MICs for resistant strains . There are no recommended antibiotic breakpoint concentrations for Campylobacter spp . A breakpoint is used to separate sensitive from resistant strains of bacteria and is thus crucial to any discussion of antibiotic resistance . This discussion is further complicated by introduction of the terms microbiological and clinical breakpoints . While a microbiological breakpoint can be a useful parameter with regard to identifying resistance factors it cannot on its own be used to predict whether that bacteria will respond to treatment from an appropriate antibiotic . Predicting clinical response is a function of the clinical breakpoint which considers the pharmacokinetic profile of the antimicrobial compound, i.e . the concentration of the antimicrobial compound in the body and the MIC . The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) uses microbiological, pharmacokinetic and clinical data to establish breakpoints, without c and clinical data to establish breakpoints, without such considerations it is not possible to consider what is truly clinically sensitive and resistant . There are no reported studies that have systematically determined appropriate breakpoints for Campylobacter, there are data however, which relate MICs to clinical outcome . It is without dispute that microbiological resistance in Campylobacter spp . occurs as a result of mutation in the gyrA gene with single point mutations most frequently causing a four- to eightfold shift in the MIC . What is also clear is that if a high enough concentration of antimicrobial relative to MIC of the infecting organism can be achieved not only will the parent organism be killed but also the 'resistant' mutant . Considering the above and the concentrations of ciprofloxacin achieved in the gastro-intestinal tract it is not surprising that clinical cure can be demonstrated for organisms with an MIC of 32 microg ml(-1). Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 2003 Mar 1, 147(9), 399 - 403 {A man with Campylobacter endocarditis, treatable as Campylobacter fetus following identification}; Wong PL et al.; A 48-year-old Dutch patient presented with general malaise, recurrent fever and weight loss . Routine cultures identified a Campylobacter in two blood cultures . When initial treatment with clarithromycin failed, the patient developed endocarditis . DNA sequencing identified Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus (C . fetus) . The patient recovered after treatment of the infection with imipenem and gentamycin, based on the minimal inhibiting concentration . C . fetus is a rare cause of infection in humans and is mostly transmitted by handling infected animal material . The patient contracted the infection as a result of a puncture accident with a butcher's knife about a year previously whilst working in a slaughterhouse. Int Endod J, 2003 Mar, 36(3), 174 - 80 Campylobacter gracilis and Campylobacter rectus in primary endodontic infections; Siqueira JF Jr et al.; AIM: A species-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to investigate the occurrence of Campylobacter gracilis and C . rectus in primary root canal infections . METHODOLOGY: Samples were collected from 57 single-rooted teeth with carious lesions, necrotic pulps and radiographic evidence of periradicular disease . Twenty-eight cases were diagnosed as chronic asymptomatic periradicular lesions, 12 cases as acute apical periodontitis, and 17 cases as acute periradicular abscess . DNA was extracted from the samples and initially amplified using universal 16S rDNA primers . A second round of amplification using the first PCR products was performed to specifically detect C . gracilis or C . rectus in the samples . RESULTS: Campylobacter gracilis and C . rectus were, respectively, detected in 21.4 (6 of 28) and 30% (6 of 20) of the root canals associated with chronic asymptomatic periradicular lesions . Campylobacter gracilis was found in 16.7% (2 of 12) of the cases diagnosed as acute apical periodontitis, whilst C . rectus was found in 33.3% (two of six cases) . In the abscessed cases, C . gracilis and C . rectus were detected in 23.5 (4 of 17) and 11.8% (2 of 17) of the cases, respectively . No association of these species with clinical symptoms was observed (P > 0.01) In general, species-specific nPCR allowed the detection of C . gracilis in 21.1% (12 of 57) and C . rectus in 23.3% (10 of 43)of the samples taken from primary endodontic infections . CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirmed the assertion that both C . gracilis and C . rectus participate in infections of endodontic origin and suggest a pathogenetic role with regard to periradicular diseases. J Vet Med Sci, 2003 Feb, 65(2), 161 - 70 Campylobacter spp in human, chickens, pigs and their antimicrobial resistance; Padungton P et al.; Campylobacter spp . have been identified as etiologic agents in outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in developed countries . In developing countries, most reported Campylobacter infections are in children . Previously reported prevalences of Campylobacter spp . in children in Southeast Asia range from 2.9% to 15% . The frequency and pattern of occurrence of Campylobacter spp . differ between developed and developing countries, especially in the number of cases reported in adults and the presence of any seasonal patterns in occurrence . Although the severity of Campylobacter infection in adults was different between developed and developing countries, the clinical symptoms of infection in adults resulting from infection in developing countries was similar to those in developed countries . Many different animal species maintain Campylobacter spp . with no clinical signs . There do not appear to be significantly different colonization rates of Campylobacter in food animals between developed and developing countries . The role of C . jejuni as a primary pathogen in farm animals is uncertain . C . jejuni can be found in feces of diarrheic and healthy calves and piglets . Campylobacter with resistance to antimicrobial agents have been reported in both developed and developing countries, and the situation seems to deteriorate more rapidly in developing countries, where there is widespread and uncontrolled use of antibiotics resistance was observed at high levels in food animals in both developed and developing countries . Studies suggested an association between antimicrobial use in food animals and the development of resistance in human isolates in developed countries. J Microbiol Methods, 2003 May, 53(2), 245 - 52 Quantitative, multiplexed detection of bacterial pathogens: DNA and protein applications of the Luminex LabMAP system; Dunbar SA et al.; Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni are bacterial pathogens commonly implicated in foodborne illnesses . Generally used detection methods (i.e., culture, biochemical testing, ELISA and nucleic acid amplification) can be laborious, time-consuming and require multiple tests to detect all of the pathogens . Our objective was to develop rapid assays to simultaneously detect these four organisms through the presence of antigen or DNA using the Luminex LabMAP system . For nucleic acid detection, organism-specific capture probes corresponding to the 23S ribosomal RNA gene (rrl) were coupled covalently to LabMAP microsp