Communicable disease and public health最新文献

The alkaline phosphatase test is used as an indicator of adequate pasteurisation of milk and cream. A proprietary fluorimetric technique (Fluorophos) is a sensitive and quantitative method for the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in milk products. Currently, adequate pasteurisation of milk products is regarded as confirmed in samples that contain a residual bovine ALP activity of < or =500 mU/litre. This is equivalent to the statutory acceptable level of 4ug phenol/ml required by the EC analytical method. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of pasteurisation of milk and cream produced by on-farm dairies. In a longitudinal study over a four-year period, 4,999 samples of milk and cream were collected from 130 on-farm dairies and from two large commercial dairies in NW England for comparison. Bovine ALP activity of >500 mU/litre was deemed as a failure and was found in 3.5% of whole milk, 2.4% semiskimmed milk, 5.0% of skimmed milk, and 39% of cream samples from on-farm dairies. Bovine ALP activity of >100 and <500 mU/litre was found in 18.4% of whole milk, 9.3% of semi-skimmed milk, 13.2% skimmed milk and 44.5% of cream samples from on-farm dairies. Results with skimmed milk samples showed significantly lower bovine ALP activity than whole milk. All 409 milk and cream samples from two large commercial dairies passed the fluorimetric test at less than 500 mU/litre of bovine ALP, and 99% of these milk and cream samples had bovine ALP activity of less than 100 mU/litre. The presence of residual bovine phosphatase indicates a failure and may be due to either inadequate pasteurisation or post pasteurisation contamination with raw milk. Residual bovine phosphatase was demonstrated in 108/114 (94.7%) of milk samples with a bovine ALP activity greater than 500 mU/litre, i.e. true failures. Of more concern is that residual bovine phosphatase was found in 395/401 (98.5%) of samples that gave bovine ALP activity greater than 100 mU/litre but equal to or less than 500 mU/litre. Residual bovine phosphatase was demonstrated in 37/108 (30.2%) of cream samples with bovine ALP activity greater than 500 mU/litre. Presence of reactivated bovine phosphatase is not an indication of a failure but can mask the presence of residual bovine phosphatase. Reactivated bovine phosphatase was found in 74/106 (69.8%) of cream samples. Our results confirm that the more sensitive fluorimetric method is suitable for testing pasteurised whole milk and semiskimmed milk, but for statutory purposes the acceptable level of residual bovine phosphatase should be <100 mU/litre. Our findings have highlighted a potential problem when testing skimmed milk and cream samples from on-farm dairies. To ensure public safety we need more stringent standards for the ALP test and new methods that will accurately confirm that pasteurisation of these products has been achieved.

On the 1 December 2003 a new law came into effect banning the use of hand held mobile telephones whilst driving. This article looks at the background to this new law, considers whether business drivers should be provided with hands free telephones and offers assistance for organisations that wish to develop a safe driving policy for their staff.

The objectives were to compare rabies post-exposure prophylaxis issued by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) in 1990 and in 2000, to evaluate their appropriateness, and to make recommendations for future issue of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in England and Wales. The method was to review all rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin issues by PHLS in 1990 and 2000 with evaluation against Department of Health recommendations. The PHLS issued prophylaxis to 656 people in 1990 and 295 people in 2000. The fall is attributable to control measures in Western Europe leading to a lower risk of exposure in countries in the region. Vaccine was still issued for exposures in countries with a category of 'no risk' (15 individuals) including rabies immunoglobulin in six cases. Immunoglobulin was frequently not issued for exposures in high-risk countries but the reasons were not always evident from the information provided; in many cases treatment had probably been started abroad. Delay before contacting the PHLS fell between 1990 and 2000 (p = 0.003). Dogs continue to be the most common animal exposure reported, and their rabies status is generally unknown. The most frequent site of bite was the leg. Prophylaxis was issued for exposure to some animals which have never been known to transmit rabies. Successful control measures in Europe have reduced the need for rabies prophylaxis in UK residents who travel abroad. More detailed information should be collected in future on aspects such as pre-exposure vaccination and treatment started abroad to facilitate future audit of appropriateness of treatment. A repeat audit should be carried out to evaluate the impact of a death from European Bat Lyssavirus 2 infection in a UK bat handler in November 2002.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) declined in the UK during the 1980s and early 1990s but have increased substantially since 1995. Within the overall increase there are important differences in the epidemiology of these infections. The current, aggregate system of STI data collection in the UK provides limited demographic information and is unable to fully explain these differences. More useful information can be obtained using an enhanced surveillance system that collects disaggregate, anonymised, individual patient data including ethnic group and truncated postcode of residence. Such a system has been set up in the West Midlands NHS region. The methodology of the project is described here along with the findings to date. These findings confirm that the burden of STIs disproportionately affects young persons, men who have sex with men, black ethnic minority groups and those living in urban areas. Identifying the groups at greatest risk in this way enables interventions to be more usefully targeted.

This study aimed to determine how general practice influenza surveillance ('flu spotter) data related to hospital admissions and deaths in Scotland during the winter period. 'Flu spotter rates correlated well with influenza-related emergency admissions and deaths, and deaths from all causes, particularly during 'peak' influenza years. They may be used in a predictive model for influenza-related hospital admissions and deaths.

A case of pertussis in a nurse at a special care baby unit prompted the identification of both neonates and healthcare staff with significant exposure to the index case. Respiratory tract samples were collected from all neonates involved and prophylactic erythromycin given. Only healthcare staff who developed symptoms were investigated and offered treatment. Though no secondary cases were identified in this instance, the importance of the early recognition of pertussis in adult healthcare workers is highlighted.

It has been estimated that in England and Wales, in 2002, 15% of all invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) cases were amongst injecting drug users (IDUs). This study sought to clarify the extent of this problem in the Yorkshire and Humber region by asking laboratories for further information on reported cases. In our region we found that there was a near doubling of cases, from 64 reports of GAS bacteraemia in the first six months of 2001, to 121 reports in the same period of 2003. We estimated that 34% of all GAS cases, more than twice the previous national estimate, occurred in IDUs and that the proportion of cases occurring in IDUs nearly doubled from 2001 to 2002. Our findings should be viewed within the context of the increasing reports of several other problematic infections in IDUs.

Viruses and bacteria have complex interactions with their hosts, beyond mere replication in them. They range from those that are detrimental, to others that may be non-pathogenic or even beneficial. Molecular techniques can help to unravel these interactions, sometimes revealing phenomena that benefit host as well as microbial populations.