Genetic diversity among Australian and New Zealand isolates of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona.

Restriction endonuclease analysis of 16 Australian and 4 New Zealand isolates of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona showed that they could be divided into 3 genetic groups. Most of the isolates closely resembled the serovar kennewicki reference strain, and they all differed from the reference strain of serovar pomona. Based on these findings, it is suggested that vaccine manufacturers re-evaluate their choice of serovar pomona vaccine strain.

A randomized, controlled, double-blind, cross-over, clinical trial of Q fever vaccine in selected Queensland abattoirs.

A limited, randomized, blind, placebo-controlled trial of Q fever and influenza vaccines has been conducted in three Queensland abattoirs on a sequential analysis design. Ninety-eight subjects were given Q fever vaccine and 102 influenza vaccine. Q fever cases were observed in unvaccinated workers in all three abattoirs during the period of observation.

Leptospira interrogans serovar unipertama isolated in Malaysia.

A leptospiral isolate from a bovine kidney was found to be antigenically different from all previously recognized serovars of Leptospira interrogans based on the cross-agglutinin absorption test. The new serovar belongs to the Sejroe serogroup, and the name Leptospira interrogans serovar unipertama is proposed for it, with strain K2-1 as the reference strain.

Tropical pyomyositis in the Solomon Islands: clinical and aetiological features.

A prospective study of tropical pyomyositis (TP) in the Solomon Islands' Western Province followed 48 cases (mean age 10.6 years) from a population of 20,000 Melanesians over a two-year period. 32 patients were under 10 years and the male:female ratio was 1.

The bacteriological prevalence of leptospiral infection in cattle and buffaloes in West Malaysia.

A cross-sectional bacteriological survey of cattle in West Malaysia revealed 14.4% (32/222) had leptospiral infection. Isolates were obtained from all except one herd with prevalence of infection in herds ranging from 0-44.