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Biomedical subjects

C H Collins

Publications and source records attributed to C H Collins.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

The nature of mycobacterial disease in south east England, 1977-84.

The nature and incidence of bacteriologically confirmed mycobacterial disease in south east England over the eight year period 1977-84 has been determined by a study of cultures received by the PHLS Regional Centre for Tuberculosis Bacteriology at Dulwich. The number of cases of tuberculosis in the ethnic European population has shown a decline, more so among males than females, but there has not been a significant decline in cases among ethnic Asians. Most tuberculosis is due to the classical human tubercle bacillus but cases due to the Asian human type, the bovine type (M. bovis), and the African types (M. africanum) also occur. The number of cases of disease due to 'atypical' mycobacteria has doubled over the eight year period, and these now account for about 5% of bacteriologically diagnosed mycobacterial disease in this region. The continuing role of reference facilities for the surveillance of tuberculosis and the diagnosis and management of the growing numbers of other mycobacterial infections is stressed.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1985

Subdivision of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for epidemiological purposes: a seven year study of the "Classical' and 'Asian' types of the human tubercle bacillus in South-East England.

Human strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were divided into the 'Classical' and 'Asian' types according to their sensitivity to thiophen-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide. The isolation of these two types in South-East England was studied during a seven-year period (1977-1983). The 'Asian' type was more prevalent among ethnic Asian patients than among ethnic Europeans. Among Europeans there was a decline in the isolation rate of 'Classical' strains and a small but significant increase in 'Asian' strains during the study period, so that the proportion of the latter type in this group is increasing. The type of bacillus was unrelated to the site of isolation except that the incidence of lymphadenitis due to the 'Asian' type among European females was significantly higher than expected. In general, European patients tended to be older than Asian patients, and the differences in age distribution according to site of isolation and type of bacillus in each ethnic group were small. A notable exception occurred with European females infected with the 'Asian' type, whose age distribution was similar to the Asians. In view of the differences in behaviour of the two types of human tubercle bacilli in this country there is a need to continue a bacteriological surveillance and also to determine whether the nature of the host-pathogen interaction varies according to the type of bacillus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

In-vitro susceptibility of mycobacteria to ciprofloxacin.

Two hundred and seventy-six strains of mycobacteria were tested for susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (Bay 0 9867), a 4-quinolone antimicrobial agent. Most strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Myco. fortuitum, Myco. kansasii, Myco. marinum and Myco. xenopi were sensitive to minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.78-1.56 mg/l, equivalent to resistance ratios of 1 or 2. Most strains of Myco. avium-intracellulare and Myco. chelonei required MICs of 12.5 mg/l or more, giving resistance ratios of 8.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1985

Mycobacterium xenopi and Mycobacterium kansasii in a hospital water supply.

A steady rise in the number of isolations of Mycobacterium xenopi from patients in a general hospital led to an examination of water taps. Most patients had been accommodated in a group of wards which had a common water supply. This organism was recovered from 35 of 69 outlets, mostly from hot and mixer taps in those wards. Mycobacterium kansasii was also isolated from 14, mostly cold and mixer taps. Ten strains of Myco. xenopi were recovered from 131 taps sampled at 10 other locations. We conclude that colonization of water supplies by mycobacteria is a likely source of contamination of clinical specimens.

England↗
PubMed1984

A study of the relationship between the resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) and to thiophen-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide.

Thiophen-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide (TCH) is used to distinguish TCH-sensitive bovine, 'Asian human' and 'African' strains from TCH-resistant 'classical' human strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It has been claimed that this test cannot be applied to isoniazid-resistant strains as these also become resistant to TCH. Although such cross-resistant mutants were readily isolated in vitro, a study of the incidence of TCH resistance in a large series of INH-sensitive and -resistant strains isolated from patients indicated that the emergence of this type of mutant is the exception rather than the rule in vivo. Thus, the use of TCH for subdividing the species M. tuberculosis remains valid for epidemiological purposes, irrespective of the occurrence of isoniazid resistance.

Asian People↗
PubMed1984

The Howie Code: what are the real costs?

The costs of implementing the Code of Practice for the Prevention of Infection in Clinical Laboratories appear to have been inflated in various ways. These include: alterations and improvements not required by the Code; rehabilitation of neglected buildings to conform with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act; correction of poor design in recently built laboratories; suboptimal management and courses of instruction; and numerous committees.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗