Vaccination of the badger (Meles meles) against Mycobacterium bovis

This review summarizes current knowledge relating to the potential development of a vaccine against Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) for use in badgers. The serious economic loss incurred from bovine tuberculosis in Ireland is highlighted. The problems presented to national bovine tuberculosis eradication programmes by wildlife reservoirs of M bovis, in particular the badger and the brushtail possum, are outlined. Badger and possum ecology and the epidemiology of M. bovis infection in these species are compared in relation to control strategies. Current information regarding the immune responses of badgers and possums to M. bovis infection is presented. Vaccine types, carrier and adjuvant systems, available vaccines for human and animal tuberculosis and delivery to wildlife species are described. The feasibility of vaccinating badgers against M. bovis infection and the possible options for a vaccination strategy are discussed.

Genomic fingerprinting of Mycobacterium bovis from cattle by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis

Two insertion sequences, IS6110 and IS1081, specific to the tuberculosis complex mycobacteria and a highly reiterated DNA element (pTBN12) cloned from Mycobacterium tuberculosis were systematically used to identify restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) types among bovine isolates of Mycobacterium bovis in Northern Ireland. In a sample of 109 isolates, probes IS6110, IS1081, and pTBN12 identified 10, 2, and 12 distinct patterns, respectively. By combining the patterns generated by the three probes it was possible to identify 28 distinct RFLP types. The standard protocol advocated for RFLP analysis of M. tuberculosis was used and would facilitate computer-based gel documentation and image analysis to establish a database of M. bovis types for large-scale epidemiological studies. These procedures will facilitate interlaboratory comparisons of M. bovis isolates and will help to elucidate the precise epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in different countries.

Identification and elimination of DNA sequences in Taq DNA polymerase

This study confirms that different preparations of Taq DNA polymerase are contaminated with eubacterial DNA. The contaminants appeared to represent more than one strain or species but were not identified as Thermus aquaticus or Escherichia coli. Differences in microcentrifuge tube composition appeared to affect elimination of the contaminants.

Occurrence and distribution of Legionella species in composted plant materials

Legionellae were found in many samples of composted plant matter obtained from home gardeners and from facilities which undertook bulk composting. The predominant species isolated from these composts was Legionella pneumophila, the strains of which belonged to serogroups other than serogroup 1. Other Legionella species were present in many samples. Legionella longbeachae serogroup 1, which is implicated in human infections in South Australia, was present in samples obtained from two of six facilities composting large volumes of material and from 3 of 30 gardeners. Many of the species or strains isolated from composts have not been implicated as causative agents of legionellosis in South Austrailia, but some cause infection in healthy and immunosuppressed persons.

Identification of mycobacteria from animals by restriction enzyme analysis and direct DNA cycle sequencing of polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S rRNA gene sequences

Two methods, based on analysis of the polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S rRNA gene by restriction enzyme analysis (REA) or direct cycle sequencing, were developed for rapid identification of mycobacteria isolated from animals and were compared to traditional phenotypic typing. BACTEC 7H12 cultures of the specimens were examined for "cording," and specific polymerase chain reaction amplification was performed to identify the presence of tubercle complex mycobacteria. Combined results of separate REAs with HhaI, MspI, MboI, and ThaI differentiated 12 of 15 mycobacterial species tested. HhaI, MspI, and ThaI restriction enzyme profiles differentiated Actinobacillus species from mycobacterial species. Mycobacterium bovis could not be differentiated from M. bovis BCG or Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Similarly, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis could not be distinguished from each other by REA but were differentiated by cycle sequencing. Compared with traditional typing, both methods allowed rapid and more accurate identification of acid-fast organisms recovered from 21 specimens of bovine and badger origin. Two groups of isolates were not typed definitively by either molecular method. One group of four isolates may constitute a new species phylogenetically very closely related to Mycobacterium simiae. The remaining unidentified isolates (three badger and one bovine) had identical restriction enzyme profiles and shared 100% nucleotide identify over the sequenced signature region. This nucleotide sequence most closely resembled the data base sequence of Mycobacterium senegalense.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of vitreal changes in experimental streptococcal endophthalmitis

We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine endophthalmitis in rabbits inoculated with a virulent strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae. On different days after infection, the animals were sacrificed and the vitreous isolated and examined with water-suppressed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A broad resonance corresponding to the methyl envelope of lipoprotein lipids appeared 2 days after infection and persisted until the eyes developed phthisis (around 10 days postinfection). This resonance was absent in the control eye and the bacterial culture; it could be used as the marker of breakdown of blood-vitreous barrier and onset of endophthalmitis-induced changes.

A nucleotide sequence comparison of coxsackievirus B4 isolates from aquatic samples and clinical specimens

Ten coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) strains isolated from clinical and environmental sources in Northern Ireland in 1985-7, were compared at the nucleotide sequence level. Dideoxynucleotide sequencing of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified fragment, spanning the VP1/P2A genomic region, classified the isolates into two distinct groups or genotypes as defined by Rico-Hesse and colleagues for poliovirus type 1. Isolates within each group shared approximately 99% sequence identity at the nucleotide level whereas < or = 86% sequence identity was shared between groups. One isolate derived from a clinical specimen in 1987 was grouped with six CVB4 isolates recovered from the aquatic environment in 1986-7. The second group comprised CVB4 isolates from clinical specimens in 1985-6. Both groups were different at the nucleotide level from the prototype strain isolated in 1950. It was concluded that the method could be used to sub-type CVB4 isolates and would be of value in epidemiological studies of CVB4. Predicted amino acid sequences revealed non-conservation of the tyrosine residue at the VP1/P2A cleavage site but were of little value in distinguishing CVB4 variants.

Magnesium, adenosine triphosphate, and catecholamine complexes: application of new means of identifying solute-solute interactions of biological significance using NMR chemical shift data

The interaction of magnesium ions with biomolecular species is fundamental to the regulation of many biological processes. A mathematical technique to investigate such interactions is described. The concept of a pseudo-formation curve is discussed and the relevance and applicability of such constructions to the study of solute-solute interactions is outlined. Analysis of curves based on the published variation of chemical shift data of various nuclei of adrenaline and dichloroisoprenaline in aqueous solution, in the presence of increasing concentration of the complex Mg-ATP, is described. Unambiguous indentification of specific interactions and the stability of the species produced is shown to be feasible. Some variation of the values of formation constants deriving from different nuclei reflects the significance of molecular environmental factors on the parameters used.

Enteroviruses in recreational waters of Northern Ireland

Virus surveillance of Northern Ireland recreational waters, between April 1986 and May 1989 demonstrated widespread enteroviral contamination of coastal and inland waters. In 1986, enteroviruses were detected in 4 of 46 (8.7%) water samples, collected from 6 coastal bathing waters. In 1987, 49 of 107 (45.8%) samples, from 16 coastal bathing waters, yielded enteroviruses; 33 of the enterovirus positive samples passed one or both of the coliform standards outlined by the European Economic Community (EEC) bathing water directive (76/160/EEC). Enteroviruses were also detected in 33 of 39 (84.6%) samples tested from 3 inland recreational waters.

Lithium uptake rate and lithium: lithium exchange rate in human erythrocytes at a nearly pharmacologically normal level monitored by 7Li NMR

7Li NMR was used to follow the rate of uptake of Li+ and Li+:Li+ exchange rates in human erythrocytes at an external lithium concentration of 2 mM, marginally higher than used in therapeutic applications of lithium. The rate of Li+:Li+ exchange is approximately 16 times faster than the rate of Li uptake from the medium. The results are in agreement with lithium-sodium countertransport being the dominant mode for lithium uptake into erythrocytes and for the countertransport system having a greater affinity for Li+ than for Na+.

Trazodone-induced palinopsia

Palinopsia refers to the persistence or reappearance of an image of a recently viewed object. Typically, patients with palinopsia have other visual symptoms or signs, and the underlying cause is a structural lesion of the posterior portions of the cerebral hemispheres. However, we treated three patients who experienced palinopsia as an isolated symptom, apparently as a side effect of trazodone hydrochloride therapy for depression. The palinopsia was dose related and disappeared with reduction or cessation of therapy.

Technique for nonuniform poling of piezoelectric element and fabrication of Gaussian transducers

A new technique has been developed to polarize piezoelectric ceramic elements with a nonuniform electric field. Used as an ultrasonic transducer, the piezoelectric element will produce a corresponding nonuniform sound field. Ultrasonic transducers for generating specific field profiles can therefore be made by having a predetermined spatial pattern of polarization strength poled into the piezoelectric element. One of the desirable beam profiles is a Gaussian; it has the advantages of being free from near-field fluctuations and far-field sidelobes, and it is much easier to model than the usual piston transducers. This method was used to fabricate Gaussian beam transducers, and their measured field profiles compared well with the Gaussian beam model. Such transducers containing the built-in Gaussian amplitude profile can be electroded and mounted in the same manner as conventional piston transducers.

Magnesium interactions with lithium and sodium salts of adenosine triphosphate: an investigation by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Phosphorus NMR spectra were recorded for complexes of Na2ATP and Li4ATP with varying concentrations of magnesium, calcium and lithium. Each ion caused a shift in the phosphorus resonances, usually downfield, and a decrease in the 31P-31P coupling constant. The sodium ATP formed a 1:1 complex with each ion and a 1:2, ATP:Mg complex with magnesium whilst lithium ATP gave evidence to suggest the formation of bis(nucleotide) complexes.

Maternal and cord blood background mercury levels: a longitudinal surveillance

Fifty-seven prenatal patients with no known exposure to the element mercury, or any of its compounds, were observed for change in whole blood total mercury concentration from the initial prenatal clinic examination through delivery and postpartum hospitalization. On hospital admission for labor and delivery, whole blood total mercury averaged 1.15 parts per billion (ppb), compared to 0.79 ppb from the first prenatal clinic visit; these levels represent a 46% increase and significant difference in maternal concentration of a substance previously recognized for its peculiar ease at crossing the placental barrier. Previous stillbirths, as well as history of birth defects, exhibited significant positive correlation with background mercury levels. Search of the literature of the last 5 years revealed no other report of cohort heavy metal surveillance throughout pregnancy.