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Biomedical subjects

E G Dowsett

Publications and source records attributed to E G Dowsett.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Myalgic encephalomyelitis--a persistent enteroviral infection?

Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a common disability but frequently misinterpreted. Amongst 6,000 patients referred for general microbiological diagnosis between 1975 and 1987, 420 cases were recognized. Coxsackie B neutralization tests, in 205 of these, demonstrated significant titres in 103/205 (50%), while of 124 additionally investigated for enteroviral IgM, 38/124 (31%) were positive. This illness is distinguished from a variety of other post-viral states by an unique clinical and epidemiological pattern characteristic of enteroviral infection. Prompt recognition and advice to avoid over-exertion is mandatory. Routine diagnosis, specific therapy and prevention, await further technical advances.

Adolescent

Leukaemia in UK.

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Humans

The toxic shock syndrome in burned children.

Seven cases of presumed Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), occurred in burned children admitted to the Regional Burn Unit at St Andrew's Hospital, Billericay. Four patients died, and three caused concern. 30 per cent of Staphylococcus aureus isolates available for retrospective study were found to be toxin producing. On reviewing children in this age group admitted between September 1982 and April 1984 we feel that a form of TSS has occurred commonly, in some cases where the burned area was less than 5 per cent. Certain recommendations are made.

Burns

Analysis of an outbreak of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: strategies for typing 'non-typable' strains.

Thirteen newborn babies were studied during an outbreak of scalded skin syndrome. Staphylococci isolated from seven babies were non-typable using the international set of typing phages; the remainder were of phage group II. In only one instance was there transmission of phage group II strains other than within families. However, 'heat treatment' and plasmid profiles of the non-typable strains showed that five of the seven babies were infected by strains which were indistinguishable. These five strains were more closely related to phage III staphylococci than to phage group II. The identity of the epidermolytic toxin has not been established.

Bacteriophage Typing

Outbreak of idiopathic erysipelas in a psychiatric hospital.

In an outbreak of idiopathic erysipelas ten women patients, aged 42-74, in a long-stay unit of a psychiatric hospital were simultaneously affected. Group A streptococci M-type 1 were isolated from two isolated from two patients with erysipelas and 18 carriers, but subsequent serological tests for type-specific antibody, antistreptolysin O, and anti-deoxyribonuclease B showed that the infection had been widespread in the unit. Treatment with ampicillin proved ineffective and to prevent relapse it was substituted by a standard course of intramuscular penicillin. This seems to be the first epidemic of this type to be reported and certainly the first outbreak of idiopathic erysipelas to be investigated by modern serological techniques.

Acute Disease