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Biomedical subjects

P E Cook

Publications and source records attributed to P E Cook.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Survey of local authority approaches to investigating sporadic cases of suspected food poisoning.

Local authorities in England were surveyed in 1997 to document their approach to investigating sporadic cases of suspected food poisoning, the data they collect, and their objectives for doing so. Three hundred and nineteen of the 359 authorities (89%) responded. The main objectives stated were to prevent spread of infection, detect outbreaks, educate the public, and identify risk factors for infection. Most outbreaks of food poisoning were detected as a result of complaints from members of the public. Investigation of Salmonella spp and Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli O157 appeared to have a higher priority than campylobacter infection and viral gastroenteritis. Eighty-five per cent (266/311) of local authorities had agreed timescales for investigating cases and 54% (165/306) reported using computer technology to collate and analyse data on sporadic cases of food poisoning. Almost all (243/244) respondents supported the idea of having a new national system for the collation of such data and 79% (244/309) expressed interest in piloting a new standard form for enhanced surveillance of food poisoning.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of a pilot standard questionnaire for the enhanced surveillance of sporadic cases of suspected food poisoning.

A national survey of local authorities, carried out in 1997, investigated how they dealt with sporadic cases of suspected food poisoning. A standard questionnaire for recording routine follow up information was then designed and piloted for three months in 30 local authorities in England. The questionnaire captured information on clinical and demographic details and exposure histories such as contact with animals, recreational exposure to water, and travel but was less successful at capturing information on domestic catering practices and food consumption. A successful surveillance questionnaire must be designed carefully to gather essential data without overburdening investigating officers.

England↗
PubMed1999

Universal HIV screening at a major metropolitan TB clinic: HIV prevalence and high-risk behaviors among TB patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the outcome of implementing a policy of universal screening of patients with tuberculosis (TB) for HIV infection at a major metropolitan public health TB clinic. METHODS: HIV serologic testing was completed on 768 (93%) of 825 eligible patients. Ninety-eight HIV-positive cases (13%) were compared with 670 HIV-negative cases. The presence of adult HIV risk factors was determined by structured interview and review of medical records. RESULTS: One or more HIV risk factors were present in 93% of HIV-positive cases and 42% of HIV-negative cases. CONCLUSIONS: The metropolitan TB clinic is well suited for HIV screening, and HIV-antibody testing and counseling should be provided to all TB patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

A study of infectious intestinal disease in England: microbiological findings in cases and controls.

A study was undertaken to identify the microorganisms and toxins in stool specimens associated with infectious intestinal disease (IID) among cases in the community and presenting to general practitioners (GPs) and in asymptomatic controls. Population based cohorts were recruited from practice lists in 70 practices and followed for 26 weeks (cohort component). Seven hundred and sixty-one cases of IID identified from the cohorts, 2893 cases who presented to GPs in 34 of the practices (GP component), and age/sex matched control subjects (555 and 2264, respectively) submitted stool specimens by post for comprehensive microbiological examination. Campylobacter spp (12.2% of stools tested), rotavirus group A (7.7%), and small round structured virus (SRSV) (6.5%) were the organisms most commonly detected in the GP component. SRSV was identified in 7.0% of cases in the community cohort. No target microorganisms or toxins were identified in 45.1% and 63.1% of cases in the two components. Aeromonas spp, Yersinia spp, and some enterovirulent groups of Escherichia coli were detected as frequently in controls as in cases. The higher frequency of detection of campylobacter, salmonella, and rotavirus among cases who presented to GPs than among those in the community suggests that those pathogens cause more severe illness. No enteropathogens were detected from a large proportion of cases although comprehensive standard methods were used to seek them.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1999

Treatment costs of directly observed therapy and traditional therapy for Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of tuberculosis is a time-consuming and expensive process, often complicated by patient non-adherence. Directly observed therapy (DOT), an out-patient management strategy designed to ensure adherence, is not widely used because it is perceived to be too expensive. This study compared costs of tuberculosis treatment in DOT to the same factors in traditional therapy. DESIGN: A retrospective economic evaluation of 659 tuberculosis cases was reported to a major metropolitan county public health department between 1980 and 1994. Out-patient costs, in-patient costs and the cost impact of relapse and acquired resistance were estimated in 1995 dollars. RESULTS: Treatment costs were lower with DOT: $15,670 per case for in-patient care and $700 per case for out-patient care (P < 0.001). These cost differences resulted from shorter therapy duration (334 vs 550 days), fewer patient hospitalizations (58 vs 75%) and shorter hospital stays (26 vs 55 days per hospitalized patient). Relapse or acquired resistance occurred in 10.9% of patients and accounted for 35.7% of cost with traditional therapy, as compared to 1.2% of patients and 6.0% of cost with observed therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Directly observed therapy is less costly than traditional therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The effect of electron beam irradiation, combined with acetic acid, on the survival and recovery of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus curvatus.

The preservation of food by ionising radiation may lead to undesirable sensory changes within the food. These changes can be reduced by combining irradiation with other treatments, for example the addition of organic acids. Late exponential phase cultures of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus curvatus were irradiated, in a liquid medium, at doses of 0-1.8 kilograys (kGy), in the presence of acetic acid (0-2%) at pH 4.6. A synergistic effect occurred when E. coli was irradiated in the presence of acetic acid (0.02-1.0%) at all doses used (0.145-1.1 kGy). There is evidence to suggest that membrane disruption occurred in the cells as a result of the combined treatments and this may account, to some extent, for the synergism observed. The addition of acetic acid up to a concentration of 2.0% had no effect upon the radiation survival or upon the subsequent growth of L. curvatus.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed1994

The effect of electron beam irradiation and modified pH on the survival and recovery of Escherichia coli.

The severity of radiation processing can be reduced by combining irradiation with other treatments, such as low pH. An exponential phase culture of Escherichia coli was irradiated at doses of 0-2.4 kGy at pH values ranging between 7.0 and 4.0, in an enriched nutrient broth. At pH 4.3 and above there was no significant effect of lowering the pH prior to irradiation. At pH 4.13 and 4.0, a much higher level of cell death occurred compared with irradiation at pH 7.0. This synergistic effect was observed only when the pH was lowered before radiation processing.

Electrons↗
PubMed1986

Imipramine-flupenthixol decanoate interaction.

The authors describe a case in which flupenthixol decanoate and imipramine were co-administered to a patient with schizophrenia, resulting in extremely high levels of imipramine and its metabolite, desipramine. The literature on the co-administration of neuroleptics and antidepressants is reviewed and guidelines for limiting possible iatrogenic effects of the combination are suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Fatal overdose with amantadine.

The authors describe the first case report in the psychiatric literature of death from an overdose of amantadine hydrochloride used to treat neuroleptic induced extrapyramidal side effects. The pharmacology, adverse reactions and risks of using amantadine are briefly reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Self-derogation and defense style in college students.

The self-concept literature generally shows that different measures of self-acceptance and self-satisfaction are positively related to psychological adjustment and several measures of defensiveness. In order to understand clearly the relationship between self-concept and adjustment it is also important to consider characteristic defense styles. With this purpose in mind, Kaplan, and Pokorny's Self-derogation scale, three of the most commonly used measures of defensive styles, and a measures of trait-anxiety, were administered to 158 college students. Self-derogation correlated positively with repression-sensitization and trait-anxiety, and negatively with general defensiveness. A positive relationship between self-derogation and ego-control was also found. The results were interpreted as consistent with self theory.

Adolescent↗