[An epidemic of pseudomonas keratitis due to permanent-wear contact lenses (author's transl)]. / Eine Epidemie von Pseudomonas-Keratitiden bei Trägern von Dauerkontaktlinsen.

In 1977 thirty-three patients (35 eyes) with permanent-wear contact lenses presented with keratitis in varying degrees of severity. Among the nine cases investigated bacteriologically (including some contact lenses) three showed no organisms, while six were found to have pseudomonas aeruginosa. The contact lenses all came from the same optician, where shortly beforehand the patients had had their lenses either replaced or checked. The inspection of the optical establishment revealed faultless application of steril technique. Nevertheless it must be assumed that contamination of the lenses had had occurred there.

[Prevention of meningococcal meningitis]. / Die Prophylaxe der Meningokokken-Meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis as well as meningococcal sepsis must be regarded as complications of an otherwise mild meningococcal infection of the nasopharynx. Only individuals without antibodies against a given meningococcal type will contract the above-mentioned diseases. Causal prophylactic measures have proved to be ineffective because of the great number of "carriers" of meningococci. Immunprophylaxis with specific polysaccharides is effective and presently available for use against types A and C but not against type B. Chemoprophylaxis is most effective when administered to those living in close quarters. Sulfonamides are the prophylaxis of choice agianst meningococci sensitive to sulfonamides. With the appearance of sulfonamide-resistant meningococci, the sulfonamide must be replaced by rifamycin or minocyclin. Though treatment with penicillin gives protection against infection, it does not eradicate the carrier state.

[Yersinia enterocolitica infections in the Zurich area. Bacteriologic-serological diagnosis and case reports]. / Infektionen durch Yersinia enterocolitica im Raum Zürich. Bakteriologisch-serologische Diagnose und Krankheitsbilder

It has been investigated whether in the region of Zurich there are infections caused by Yersinia enterocolitica, and, if so, whether these could readily be diagnosed by us. Both questions can be answered in the affirmative. Yersinia enterocolitica type 3 was identified in 5 of the 837 stool specimens sent to our Salmonella diagnosis unit. In 19 of the 1125 blood serum specimens the titer of agglutinin against Yersinia enterocolitica type 3 was higher than 1 : 160. Our methods of isolation and identification of Yersinia enterocolitica are described. The clinical findings were in accordance with previously published observations by different authors. In none of the cases could any other causal agent have been responsible for the symptoms.

[Study of Brazilian agricultural workers. A medico-socio-psychological study]. / Untersuchung von Landarbeitern in Brasilien Eine medizinisch-sozialpsychologische Studie

UNLABELLED: The general state of health of native Brazilian agricultural workers - a total of 750 people from 3 different plantations in the States of Paraná and Saso Paulo - was examined. The main interest of this study war centred on infectious and parasitic diseases, nutritional conditions as well as social, intellectual factors. OBSERVATIONS: Apart from the high number of cases of helminthiasis, amounting to 80%, the general state of health of the examined subjects was found to be good - indeed better than that of a hypothetical, comparable group of Europeans. Except for the Chagas' disease, by which 5% of the test subjects were afflicted, infectious diseases posed no serious problems. There was no case of malnutrition. The relatively lower intellectual level can not be attributed to any heriditary factor, and could definitely be improved by proper schooling. Corrective measures: Chagas: Since brick houses have replaced the wooden ones for several years, new infections are unlikely. Helminthiasis: In addition to the anthelminthic treatment, sanitary prophylactic measures should be taken. Social-intellectual factors: The following points should be emphasized: elementary schooling on the plantations; teaching at intermediary level; sewing and cooking courses; general hygience.