Bordetella pertussis isolates studied at the National Health Institute, Wellington, between 1977 and 1981.

Between 1977 and 1982, 199 isolates of Bordetella pertussis were referred to the National Health Institute for confirmation of identity and from mid 1982 for serotyping. The information gained from cultures referred during 1982 has been of assistance to the New Zealand Department of Health in investigating the causes of the present outbreak and has also enabled comparison with the serotypes involved in the present outbreak in the United Kingdom.

Bacteriological aspects of a case of Brucella suis infection.

Brucella sinus biotype 1 was isolated from the blood of a 55 year old Tongan woman patient in Auckland Hospital. Problems in identification of this organism are described and discussed

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from 1975-1979.

During the period 1975 to 1979, 88 isolates of Neisseria meningitidis from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 28 isolates from blood, and 89 isolates from other sources were serogrouped and tested for their susceptibility to sulphadiazine, penicillin, minocycline and rifampin. Prior to 1979, isolates from CSF or blood were predominantly serogroup B. In the sample tested, the prevalence of this serogroup decreased while the prevalence of serogroup A isolates increased, until in 1979 this was the predominant serogroup. From 1975, the incidence of sulphonamide-resistance in the serogroup B isolates from CSF or blood decreased. However, all serogroup A isolates from these sources, except the first one tested, were sulphonamide-resistant. The 89 isolates from other sources remained predominantly sulphonamide-sensitive serogroup B. All isolates were sensitive to penicillin, minocycline and rifampin.

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in New Zealand.

Ninety-seven isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae referred to the National Health Institute between January 1976 and March 1978 were tested for their susceptibility to 10 antimicrobials. All were susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, clindamycin, cephalothin and rifampicin. Resistance to tetracycline was found in 9.3 percent of the isolates, and 9.7 percent were resistant to a combination of sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus-food poisoning: case report.

Symptoms of food poisoning occurred following the ingestion of raw shellfish purchased in the Auckland area. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was recoverer from the patient. The potential of this and closely related microorganisms to cause illness is reviewed.