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Biomedical subjects

K A Bettelheim

Publications and source records attributed to K A Bettelheim.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

A study of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, serogroup 0126, by bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA).

Sixteen isolates of Escherichia coli were subjected to bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA). Nine of these isolates were from an outbreak of human diarrhoea and produced stable toxin, the remaining seven were non-toxigenic strains from animal and human sources. The isolates from the outbreak produced indistinguishable DNA electrophoretic patterns in spite of their assignment to seven different H serotypes. Their BRENDA patterns were markedly different from the other isolates examined. These results support the epidemiological evidence that a single-strain outbreak had occurred, and they cast doubt on the value of H typing for this particular investigation.

Bacterial Toxins↗
PubMed1984

Legionellosis due to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 6: report of three cases.

Three cases of legionellosis caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 6 are reported and a brief review of similar cases in New Zealand in 1982 is made. Legionellosis appears more common in New Zealand than was previously thought. In 1982 50% of reported cases occurred in the Wellington region and a uniquely high incidence of legionellosis due to serogroup 6 was observed.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

The use of the microagglutination technique to determine the antibody status of healthy New Zealanders to Brucella abortus.

Sera from healthy blood donors from different parts of New Zealand, collected between 1977 and 1980, were analysed by the microagglutination technique for antibodies against Brucella abortus. Populations from both urban and rural areas were studied. The technique was shown to be capable of handling the 3351 sera studied and thus to be a useful screening test to assess the immune status of large populations. The results demonstrated some of the effects on the human population of the successful bovine brucellosis eradication programme.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Colony incompatibility studies of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O126 isolated during one outbreak.

Strains of heat-stable enterotoxin-producing Escherichia coli belonging to O group O126 isolated during an outbreak of gastroenteritis were studied by the colony incompatibility phenomenon. They were compared with other isolates of O126. All of the outbreak strains except one appeared related in these studies and were different from all other strains studied. The one different outbreak strain was isolated 6 weeks after all of the others and may represent some new factor. The study demonstrated the potential usefulness of monitoring strains during an outbreak for relatedness.

Bacterial Toxins↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of standard tube and microagglutination techniques for determining Brucella antibodies.

A microagglutination method for determining the agglutinating and "blocking' antibodies to Brucella abortus is described. A collection of sera from healthy blood donors in two rural areas of New Zealand were tested by the microagglutination methods and the standard methods in tube. The results are compared and show that where discrepancies occur, these are due to the microagglutination methods being more sensitive. It is concluded that these are suitable methods for screening populations.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1983

Studies on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from persons without diarrhoea in Western Australia.

The epidemiology of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) was studied in children without diarrhoea in two remote Aboriginal communities in tropical north-western Australia. Serial surveys of the same individuals during different seasons showed that isolations were much more frequent in the wet monsoonal summer than in the dry winter. All E. coli were isolated from symptomless children aged 5 years or less; in addition, clearance of ETEC carriage without treatment was observed in all individuals within 3 months of isolation. Of the 58 ETEC strains isolated, 40 had either an H32 or an O126 antigen. Five O antigens which have never been associated with ETEC (O2, O41, O71, O77 and O157) were found. A recently proposed system to detect ETEC, using groups of polyvalent antisera, would have detected only 3 out of these 58 ETEC strains.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1983

The ecology of Escherichia coli in a maternity ward in Christchurch, New Zealand.

During one week, 594 strains of Escherichia coli were collected from the faeces of all mothers, babies and the hands of babies' attendants in a maternity ward in Christchurch Women's Hospital. The strains were serotyped for their 'O' and 'H' antigens, biotyped, and their antibiotic resistance patterns were determined. Very little spread was observed, compared with similar studies carried out in London a few years ago. This is ascribed to the fact that in Christchurch the mothers predominantly handled their own babies, whereas in London the nursing staff predominantly handled them.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, which are also enterotoxigenic.

Details are presented of the first documented outbreak of gastroenteritis in New Zealand due to an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. This is also the first report of strains of the enteropathogenic serogroup 0126 producing the heat stable enterotoxin. The additional isolation of E. coli 055 producing the heat labile enterotoxin from one of the patients is the first report of an E. coli of this 0 group being enterotoxigenic.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Serotypes of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis.

Strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from laparotomy specimens from Chinese patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis in Hong Kong. A large variety of serotypes were found. Several sites were sampled in each patient. While only one serotype was normally isolated from one site, different sites often yielded different serotypes in the same patient. Generally the 'O' types found did not correspond to those found in the faeces of the Hong Kong Chinese population.

Bile↗
PubMed1982

Levels of antibody against Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 in healthy populations in five areas in New Zealand.

Levels of antibody to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in five areas of New Zealand were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. Both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM levels were separately assessed. Of the 500 people studied, 2.8% had IgG titers of greater than or equal to 1:128 and 4.0% had IgM titers of greater than or equal to 1:128. Higher levels of IgG reactivity were noted in the southern part of New Zealand, but neither age nor sex appeared to be related to variations in antibody levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Colony incompatibility studies among strains of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 199 isolated in connection with one outbreak.

Strains of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 199 from an outbreak of salmonellosis in the Wellington region were investigated by means of the colony incompatibility phenomenon. With the exception of one strain isolated from milk, all outbreak strains were fully compatible, despite differing in antibiotic resistance pattern and plasmid carriage. This suggests that these strains are derived from one clone. Colony incompatibility is considered a useful rapid method of epidemiological assessment of outbreaks of salmonellosis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1981

Antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 among the healthy New Zealand population.

The antibody levels to Legionella pneumophila, serotype 1 in two groups of healthy New Zealanders have been determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. These have been compared with antibody levels obtained from patients' sera submitted for L. pneumophila antibody levels. Significant levels of antibody have been found among the healthy people. The lower age groups demonstrated greater levels of immunity than those of patients suspected of having the disease.

Adult↗