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Especially in developing countries, the problem of adequate drinking water supply is an ever growing one. Public health programmes have been established to improve the population's health conditions, but these programmes require big financial means for guaranteeing adequate supply of potable water and medical therapy for sick people. Too little emphasis is still put on regular testing of drinking water for microorganisms such as Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. In a spot check analysis in various countries, the importance of Aeromonas sp. is shown--not a single sample complied with international norms and guidelines for drinking water.

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A new molecular assay, based on a rapid DNA extraction protocol, PCR, and hybridization to a specific probe in a nonradioactive microwell plate format was used to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae in bronchoalveolar fluid specimens. The sensitivity of the assay was determined to be 10 to 100 organisms with M. pneumoniae reference strains. Specificity testing with different bacteria capable of producing pneumonia showed no cross-reactivity. In a prospective study, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids obtained from patients with pneumonia were investigated with the PCR assay and compared to culture. Twelve positive samples were detected with the PCR assay. Seven of them were subsequently confirmed by culture. All patients with positive PCR results seroconverted. Application of the PCR assay described may lead to safe and early diagnosis of M. pneumoniae in patients with pneumonia.

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Cloacal swabs, collected from 756 wild synanthropic and exoanthropic birds of 57 species in the Czech Republic, yielded 32 strains of Salmonella typhimurium [phage types (PT) 141, 104 and 41], six isolates of S. enteritidis (PT 8, 4 and 6e), and one each of S. panama and S. anatum. Except for one S. enteritidis isolate from a grey-lag goose (Anser anser) and one S. typhimurium isolate from a coot (Fulica atra), all of the other strains were derived from black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus), of which 24.7% were found to be infected. The black-headed gull might play a role in the dispersal of pathogenic salmonellae.

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Twenty-five Listeria monocytogenes strains of human and food origin were studied, using low-frequency-cleavage restriction endonucleases and pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Sixteen different restriction patterns were obtained using ApaI and SmaI. The human isolates showed profiles different from those of the food isolates, thus strongly suggesting that the two human infections selected for this study did not originate from the contaminated foodstuffs examined at the same time. This method allowed it to clearly distinguish between strains apparently similar [i.e. belonging to the same serovar and same origin (cheese samples from the same dairy plant)].

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Among the environmental hazards in a modern industrial society, air pollutants are of major significance. They can directly affect the cells of the bronchopulmonary system and lead to an irritation of the epithelial and immunocompetent cells. This results in a decreased secretion of immunoglobulin A, and, consequently, a decreased resistance against infections. Thereby pathogens, especially bacteria, may lead to an inflammation of the respiratory tract. Apart from the direct toxic effect of their pollutants, recurrent inflammations eventually lead to small airway obstruction. The spirometric parameters FVC, FEV1 and MEF50 were reduced. IgA concentration in the saliva was determined by means of immunodiffusion and was found to be reduced when compared to a less exposed group. A series of pathogenic germs were isolated from various mucous membranes (conjunctiva, nose/throat). The median immissions for the children examined were 1.345 mg/m3 SO2 and 0.189 mg/m3 HCl.

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Serological investigations were carried out on game for Listeria monocytogenes. Isolation attempts were also included. Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua were isolated.

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According to the Austrian Cosmetic Recommendation a minimum period of protection of 2 hours is to be provided. This applies to the preparation on the market with the substance "Merck 3535" in aqueous concentration in the tested area. However, this protection period was not achieved for horseflies. In test trials the characteristic of the individual nuisance should be taken into account.

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Investigations were carried out in Cairo's waste disposal sites of the inhabitants of all age groups. Germ-spectrum was analyzed before and after PVP-Iodine-treatment. However, any further dilution of PVP-Iodine in the treatment had no effect on the germspectrum, as hydrochloric acid formation in air, produced by plastic burning causes severe eye irritation and a constant lacrimation. The high germ count of the air in the dwellings and the environment is an additional source of contamination to the conjunctiva.

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In Cairo's waste disposal sites various germs could be isolated from cockroaches and flies; antibiotic resistance was determined.

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The probable correlations between certain Corynebacterium are discussed. Carpenter et al. (1976) describes a Corynebacterium equi-pneumonia in a patient with Hodgkin's disease; Gardner et. al. (1976) also reports on a case of pneumonia. Golub et. al. (1967) demonstrates a lung abscess resulting from Corynebacterium equi. Williams et. al. (1971) demonstrates a thoracic infection in an immunosuppressed patient. Although, our findings have been demonstrated only in conjunctivitis of children, hitherto descriptions of Corynebacterium equi in diseases of the lungs, especially in the case of a low immune response in certain sections of the population should be taken into account. Further investigations of the numerous dead donkeys with severe clinical symptoms of lung sequela are necessary.

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After testing various chemotherapeutics the following conclusions could be drawn: Pseudomonas was sensitive only to gentamicin. Gentamicin, aminopenicilline + calvulanacid and cefoxitin were 100% effective against E. coli. Gentamicin also proved effective against Enterobacter (83%). Cefoxitin, aminopenicillin + clavulanacid, gentamicin and trimethoprim + sulfonamide were effective against Klebsiella. Concerning Proteus sp., cefoxitin showed best results (100%). Acinetobacter was 100% inhibited by gentamicin. Gentamicin was most effective (93% sensitivity) against Staph. aureus. Trimethoprim + sulfonamide and erythromycine showed resistance rate of 17%, cefalosporine and isoxazolylpenicilline a rate of 21%. Aminopenicillin and aminopenicilline + calvulanacid were most suitable against Enterococcus (100%).

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Out of 1071 investigated patients had antibodies in 73.7% against Cytomegalovirus. 99 ambulant Kala-Azar-patients reacted positive in 33%. Inhabitants of different villages have shown 35.2 to 50% positive reactions. Patients with hepato-splenomegaly in 94% and patients with diarrhoea and fever in 81% were positive.

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In investigations carried out in the refugee camps of the Polisario (South Algeria), in the neighbourhood of the inhabitants of the waste disposal sites of Cairo and in the Ayoun el Atrous and Nema (Mauritania) regions also in the Bida and Minna hospitals. Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas spec. were repeatedly found in the investigated material. Therefore, it was of particular interest for us to investigate this type of organism.

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In two waste disposal sites in Cairo, drinking water samples from springs, drinking vessels and kitchens were investigated. Total germ count lay seldom below one thousand and ten million pro ml. Apart from various faecal germs, Aeromonas hydrophila was also found. The high occurrence of diarrhoeal diseases among the inhabitants of the waste disposal sites can be traced with certainty to the extremely bad drinking water quality.

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A high contamination rate was found in meat of slaughtered cattle and goats at the time of this study. Certain organisms were isolated from meat and also from wounds of slaughter workers. A high antibiotic resistance pattern was found - in some instances. Following observations of high surface meat contamination, associated with high antibiotic resistance, it must be assumed, that these highly resistant organisms can also be directly transmitted to humans by transport, transaction and by food preparation. This must be taken into consideration in the actual therapeutics.

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In investigations of imported bird species, domestic fowl and feral birds, ornithosis antibodies were found also in feral city pigeons and sparrows which live among them.

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Investigations were carried out on small mammals to determine further distribution of Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia RMSF-group in the Alpine and sub-Alpine regions. In altitudes of 1,200-2,400 m antibodies against Clethrionomys glareolus, Apodemus flavicollis, Sorex alpinus, Sorex minutus and Microtus agrestis were demonstrated. These findings emphasize that in the entire Alpine and sub-Alpine regions of Austria the occurrence of C. burnetii and RMSF-group rickettsia is to be expected.

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