PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

C T Keane

Publications and source records attributed to C T Keane.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Application and assessment of cloacin typing of Enterobacter cloacae.

Three methods, O-serotyping, phage typing and susceptibility to bacteriocins, were used to type 357 clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae cultured from 219 patients. One hundred and sixty isolates were typed by serology and phage typing. When these two methods were used, primary classification of isolates was based on serology (65.7% typable) and phage typing for further subdivision (94.1% typable). When all the isolates were typed by cloacin susceptibility, 81.5% of them were typable. Maximum discrimination between cultures was achieved when the three methods were used together; no single method was sufficiently discriminatory. There was a close parallel between serotyping and bacteriocin lysis pattern. The latter was easy to perform and the results were achieved within 48 h. By applying this typing system two episodes of cross-infection were identified in a haematology/oncology unit and intensive care unit.

Bacteriophage Typing

Two gas-gangrene-like infections due to Bacillus cereus.

Two cases of postoperative gas-gangrene-like infection due to Bacillus cereus are reported, drawing attention to the fact that Bacillus cereus, a common environmental bacterium, can occasionally give rise to severe post-operative infection. Characteristics of the organism related to the epidemiology and pathogenesis of such infections are discussed.

Adolescent

Differentiation of fluorescent pseudomonads by their effect on milk agar.

Eighty-six clinical isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads that did not produce pyocyanin on Diagnostic Sensitivity Test Agar or Cetrimide Agar were identified on the basis of their antibiotic sensitivity, production of pigment on King's "A" medium, growth at 42 degrees C, production of lecithinase and hydrolysis of gelatin. The identity of the strains was confirmed in tests with the ammonium salt sugars ethanol, glucose and mannitol. These tests were adequate for distinguishing between the three important fluorescent pseudomonads. The detection of casein hydrolysis on milk agar was assessed as a rapid method of distinguishing P. aeruginosa from the other species of fluorescent pseudomonads but proved unhelpful when compared with, or included in, a small set of tests. Most strains of P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens hydrolysed casein.

Agar

Epidemiological information from active and passive pyocine typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

An investigation was carried out to determine the value of active and passive pyocine typing in the study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections acquired in hospital. Active typing was a more reliable and reproducible method than passive typing. Both methods were used in studies of nine outbreaks of infection. In six of these episodes there was good agreement between the two methods. Less clear-cut results were achieved in the remaining three episodes. In one of these, active typing gave more valuable information. However, both methods are easy, convenient and of value in epidemiological studies.

Bacteriocins

Cross infection in a surgical ward caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa with transferable resistance to gentamicin and tobramycin.

An outbreak of gentamicin- and tobramycin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection occurred in a surgical ward over a three-month period. Resistant Ps. aeruginosa strains with the same serological, phage, and pyocin type were cultured from the urine of six patients. Identical organisms were found on urine bottles, bedpans, and the hands of attendant staff. Inadequate disinfection played a major role in cross-infection. Isolates of the epidemic strain from each of the patients and of an unrelated but similarly resistant Ps. aeruginosa from one of them could transfer resistance to a recipient strain of Ps. aeruginosa. Resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, sulphonamides, and mercuric chloride was determined by R factors belonging to Pseudomonas incompatibility group P-3. Aminoglycoside resistance was due to acetylation.

Aged