Escherichia coli O157 incident associated with a farm open to members of the public.

Three children, one who lived on an open farm and two who visited the farm in school parties, developed Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 infection in 1997. All had been in direct contact with animals. All were admitted to hospital with diarrhoea and two developed the haemolytic uraemic syndrome, one of whom developed severe neurological impairment.

A new monoclonal antibody to epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)-E29. A comparison of its immunocytochemical reactivity with polyclonal anti-EMA antibodies and with another monoclonal antibody, HMFG-2.

Two polyclonal rabbit antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), two mouse monoclonal antibodies (E29 and HMFG-2), and a "cocktail" of these two monoclonals have been compared using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Sections from 25 tissues (17 malignant and 8 benign), were examined. The distribution of staining with each of these reagents was similar, but the polyclonal antibodies produced stronger staining in colorectal carcinomas and lactating breast, whereas staining with the monoclonal antibodies was stronger in non-neoplastic pleural mesothelium and in pulmonary alveolar cells.

Histochemistry of epithelial metaplasia and dysplasia in human stomach and colorectum.

Histochemical techniques reveal the functional divergence of carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract and their tissues of origin. The principal changes are either the impairment or loss of normal functions or the acquisition of new functions. The latter may be those of heterologous adult tissues (metaplasia) or foetal tissues.