Non-tropical pyomyositis.

Pyomyositis occurred in a man who had not been to the tropics. The condition is common in the tropics but most unusual in temperate climates and is nearly always caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Pyomyositis must be borne in mind in obscure cases of sepsis, as early recognition and treatment are essential to prevent a fatal outcome.

Antibiotic and deoxycholate resistance in Campylobacter jejuni following freezing or heating.

The surviving populations of Campylobacter jejuni serotypes following freezing or heat were found to be more sensitive to rifampicin and sodium deoxycholate on subsequent culture. Thus while control cultures had an IC50 of greater than 20 micrograms/ml rifampicin those of injured cells were less than 5 micrograms/ml. Treatment with EDTA caused almost identical changes in resistance suggesting that the altered resistance pattern of injured cells was due to loss of the barrier properties of the bacterial outer membrane.

An outbreak of calicivirus associated gastroenteritis in an elderly persons home. A possible zoonosis?

An outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by calicivirus began amongst residents and staff of an old persons home 24 hours after the proprietor's dog had been sick. Serological evidence suggests that the calicivirus isolated from one of the cases may be capable of infecting dogs as well as man. The virus strain responsible for this outbreak differs antigenically from those associated with two other outbreaks in the U.K. and one in Japan. The characteristic morphology of calicivirus is lost if stool is stored at -70 degrees C.

A large outbreak of streptococcal pyoderma in a military training establishment.

An outbreak of streptococcal pyoderma in a military institution into which fresh susceptible recruits were regularly introduced involved more than 1300 persons over an eighteen-month period. Two M types were responsible for the great majority of the cases and an attack by one conferred immunity to that strain but not to the other. Lesions varied from trivial to disabling. Epidemiological studies indicated that contact -- direct or indirect -- through such things as gymnasium equipment and room dust was the means of transmission. The outbreak was eventually controlled by vigorous case finding, thorough treatment of cases and the strict application of hygienic principles to prevent spread. There were no late complications and throat streptococci were not involved. It is possible to control such an outbreak without isolation or the making of any significant concessions in the training programme even when large numbers of persons are living and working at close quarters.

Scombrotoxic fish poisoning: features of the first 50 incidents to be reported in Britain (1976-9).

Fifty incidents of scombrotoxic fish poisoning affecting nearly 200 people have been reported in Britain, the majority in 1979. Increased consumption of mackerel, inadequate storage conditions, and more general clinical recognition of the condition are considered responsible for the rise in outbreaks. Though the illness is generally not serious, it may be alarming and unpleasant and is totally preventable by proper attention to principles of hygiene at all stages of production, distribution, and storage.

Oerskovia species: rare opportunistic pathogens.

The second documented instance of opportunistic infection by member of the genus Oerskovia is reported. There is some evidence to suggest that this group of bacteria, which is extensively distributed in the soil, may be more closely associated with man than has hitherto been supposed.