Aeromonas hydrophila in chlorinated water supplies.

Methods for the isolation and enumeration of Aeromonas hydrophila in water supplies are described. Examination of 286 chlorinated samples collected between July and October showed that 19% of otherwise uncontaminated waters contained Aerom. hydrophila, rising to 71% of those from which Escherichia coli was isolated.

Asymptomatic gonorrhoea in a male patient.

A case of asymptomatic gonorrhoea in a male patient is described. Failure to isolate Neisseria gonorrhoea from his wife possibly demonstrates inhibitory effect of Candida albicans in vivo on the former organism.

Fatal neonatal septicaemia and meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae acquired from the mother.

A fatal case of neonatal Haemophilus influenzae type b, septicaemia and meningitis is described. Although the mother was asymptomatic, maternal genital tract culture yielded H. influenzae which was indistinguishable from the strain found in the infant.

Methods for the isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila and Plesiomonas shigelloides from faeces.

Two solid selective media, xylose deoxycholate citrate agar (XDCA) and bile salts brilliant green agar (BBG) and an enrichment broth-alkaline peptone water, were evaluated for the isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila and Plesiomonas shigelloides. Alkaline peptone water and XDCA are useful for recovery of Aeromonas but not Plesiomonas, whereas BBG is satisfactory for both organisms.

Isolation of Gardnerella vaginalis from routine genito-urinary tract specimens.

Routine screening of 2374 high vaginal swabs yielded 132 cultures (5.6 per cent) which were positive for Gardnerella vaginalis. Thirty-four of the strains were isolated together with Candida albicans and 46 with Trichomonas vaginalis.

In vitro activity of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid (BRL 28500, 'Timentin') against ticarcillin-resistant gram-negative rods.

A study was carried out to investigate the in vitro susceptibility of 211 clinical isolates of ticarcillin resistant (MICs greater than 128 micrograms/ml) Gram-negative rods to a combination of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid. The combination demonstrated superior activity; 90% of the Proteus spp. and 50% of E.

Liver abscess caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae.

A case of liver abscess caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae in an otherwise healthy adult is described which responded to medical management without surgery. This we believe to be the first reported case of liver abscess caused by this organism in the English medical literature.

Septicaemia and its unacceptably high mortality in the elderly.

During a period of two years the overall mortality rate among 218 patients with septicaemia was 22.4 per cent. Mortality among patients of over 60 years of age, however, was 36.

Faecal carriage rate of Aeromonas hydrophila.

Over a four and a half month period, 1004 unselected routine faecal specimens from 815 patients were cultured for Aeromonas hydrophila. Forty-two specimens (4.2%) representing 38 patients were culture-positive.

Comparative in vitro activity of ticarcillin, piperacillin, azlocillin and mezlocillin.

The in vitro activity of ticarcillin, piperacillin, azlocillin and mezlocillin was determined against 403 clinical isolates. At MIC50, piperacillin was 2 to 8 times more active than the other three compounds against Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Citrobacter, Acinetobacter and Salmonella species. Against Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Haemophilus, Bacteroides spp.

Clostridium difficile and cytotoxin in routine faecal specimens.

Over a five-month period 1239 unselected, routine faecal specimens from 856 patients were examined for Clostridium difficile. One hundred specimens representing 69 patients were culture-positive. Toxin was detected in the stool of ten.

Candida tropicalis meningitis: a case report.

A 54-year-old man presented with candida tropicalis meningitis after exploration of the mastoid. He responded well to the combined intravenous administration of amphotericin B and 5 fluorocytosine. But 5 fluorocytosine had to be withdrawn when the candida proved to be resistant to this antifungal agent.

Permanent perceptive deafness due to Streptococcus suis type II infection.

We report a case of meningitis and perceptive deafness caused by Streptococcus suis type II (Group R beta-haemolytic streptococcus). The illness is known to be an occupational hazard of pigmeat handlers and our patient worked in a pet food factory processing pig meat. His hearing loss was very severe and showed no improvement despite adequate antibiotic treatment.