Results of further experimental studies on BCG vaccine

In a series of experiments on 41 monkeys preliminarily reported in 1934 it was found that no return of virulence of BCG developed during a period of about two (2) years observation. These findings seem to corroborate Calmettes claim that BCG is a fixed virus and can be used for human purposesIn another series of experiments with twenty-three (23) monkeys in which parenteral routes of vaccination with BCG were used, the subcutaneous route gave more protection than the intradermal. For subcutaneous injection a smaller amount was used. It was attended by less local and glandular involvement and the animals lived longer after the administration of an infective dose of living virulent human tubercle bacilli by any route (intraperitoneal intratracheal, or subcutaneous). (Conclusion)

The bacteriological examination of water samples from houses of cases and contacts of typhoid fever and dysentery and from public eating places

In this report, we are presenting, in tabulated form, the bacteriological findings of water collected in the houses of cases and contacts of typhoid fever and dysentery, from faucets from which they take their water supply and in public eating places.From the bacteriological findings, 75.06 of the water supply collected from the houses of contacts of typhoid cases and dysentery, 22.43 of water faucets from which those contacts take their water, and 11.98 of the samples of water from containers (pitchers and bottles) in public eating places may be considered potentially dangerous.In spite of the excellent sanitary quality of the water supply of the city, the unsanitary practices aforementioned do not eliminate the possibility that drinking water in the City of Manila still remains a constant danger to public health. It remains to be a factor in the endemicity and occasional outbreaks of enteric infections.The proposal to extend water services to every house is a sound one. It should be pushed through The education of the public in handling drinking water should be emphasized. The use of questionable containers, both in houses and public eating places, should be discouraged. Automatic cooling fountains should be installed in public eating places.Faucet water in the slum districts, which are away from the main lines, should be examined frequently for bacteria. The residual chlorine of drinking water should be determined. Negative pressure in water lines should be remedied. Proper disinfection of pipes for replacements and extension services should be required. (Conclusion)

The bacteriological examination of oysters with special reference to the isolation of ebertherlla typhi

1. Late and non-lactose fermenters, excluding the chromogenic organisms, isolated from 146 samples of oysters for a period of one year are here reported2. We failed to isolate Eberthella typhi from any of the samples we examined3. In one instance a member of the Shigella group (Shigella flexneri) was identified4. Members of the vibrio group presenting the biological characteristics of cholera vibrio were frequently encountered. Serologically, however, they differed from Vibrio cholera. These organisms are similar to those vibrio found by Garcia and Schobl and Rosario-Ramirez in waters of the city of Manila. These findings should be taken into consideration in the bacteriological examination of oysters and other sea foods in time of cholera epidemics.(Summary and Conclusions)

Laboratory findings in cases of food poisoning

From the bacteriological point of view, food infection may be prevented thus: 1. Avoid contamination of foods and drinks. Access to foods of rodents, other animals and vermins should be prevented. Food containers should be free from the contaminating organisms. Food handler should not be carriers of salmonella and other known pathogenic intestinal organisms. Direct handling of foods and drinks shoud be avoided or minimized. Food handlers with skin diseases, which may be due to staphylococcus or streptococcus infections, should not be allowed to handle foodsThis is especially true among those who prepare starchy foods, like cakes, custards, etc2. Proper sterilization of foods. Proper sterilization of foods specially for canning purposes are necessary. Steaming under pressure, and not mere boiling, is necessary3. Swollen canned goods are unsafe. Boiling of canned goods is a good practice before consuming them4. Refrigeration of left-overs. This is good practise to prevent the cocci in the production of gastroenteric toxin5. Carriers should be detected, treated and prevented from handling foods6. Vaccination does not seem to remedy the carrier state. (summary)

Bacteriological examination of soft drinks

1. The bacteriological examinations of 1,967 samples of soft drinks which were made in our laboratory, are presented in this report. The 14 different kinds of soft drinks are enumerated2. Seventy-five and fifteen hundredth per cent (75.15%) of the beverages had a colony count of 0-10; 19.06% , 11-100; 2.64%, 101-50,000 and 3.15% over 50,0003. If 50,000 standard colony-count was adopted, as it was adopted in this country for soft drinks, only 3.15% of our soft drinks may be considered of suspicious sanitary quality4. If 100 colony count was adopted,5.79% of our soft drinks would be considered of doubtful sanitary source5. Based on our colony counts of soft drinks, we are of the opinion that even 10 colony counts may be adopted as the standard for our soft drinks of good sanitary quality, but not to exceed a colony count of 100 as has been suggested abroad6. Out of 1,967 samples of soft drinkds, 47 or 2.35% were found positive of coliform organism. Five kinds of soft drinks were found positive for coliform organism. Forty-six and eighty-one hundredth per cent (46.81%) of the coliform organisms were detected in sarsaparilla; 17.02% in orange; 19.15% in lemonade; 14.89% in strawberry; and 2.13% in cream soda. We failed to isolate coliform organisms in the other kinds of beverages. There was a definite correlation of colony count and the pressence of coliform organism. With the colony of 0-10, the incidence of coliform organism was 4.26%; 11-100, 17.02%; 101-50,000, 21.28% and over 50,000, 57.44%7. The incidences of coliform organisms in the different kinds of soft drinks were: sarsaparilla, 2.78%; orange, 1.19%; lemonade, 3.20%;strawberry, 14.58%; and cream soda, 4.34%. Because of the limited samples of strawberry and cream soda which were examined, we felt that the incidence of positive coliform organisms in them could not be regarded as having any significance8. The following may be suggested as bacteriological standard for soft drinks in this countrya. A colony count of not more than 10 colonies per cubic centimeter of high sanitary quality, but not to exceed 100 coloniesb. Coliform organisms should be negative. (Summary and conclusions)

Observations and studies on the pathogenic serotypes of Escherichia coli and their relationship with diarrhea enteritis

A study on the role of known pathogenic serotypes of Esch. coli was made on gastroenteritis cases at the San Lazaro Hospital. Examination of 16,138 stool specimens from 1953 to 1956 indicated the presence of these pathogenic serotypes. From 1957 to 1959 incidence from actual cases showed that pathogenic serotypes of Esch. coli are responsible in 27.96% of cases the predominant serotypes being 055:B5,0111:B4,027:B8. These were isolated in the majority of cases within the first 12 days of the disease and among infants under 3 years old. However, stools from food handlers yielded positive results in 5.34%. (Summary)