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Biomedical subjects

G K Morris

Publications and source records attributed to G K Morris.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Comparison of four plating media for isolating Vibrio cholerae.

Two brands of thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose agar and Monsur taurocholate tellurite gelatin (TTG) agar were compared with two newly developed media, sucrose tellurite teepol agar and Vibrio parahaemolyticus agar for isolation and identification of Vibrio cholerae. The thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose and TTG agars were the best selective media, whereas sucrose tellurite teepol agar was the poorest. Both TTG and sucrose tellurite teepol agars were good for use in follow-up serological tests, whereas only TTG agar could be used for follow-up oxidase tests. In our opinion TTG agar has more advantages for cholera research laboratories routinely culturing large numbers of patients for cholera on a daily basis and where media needs can be accurately predicted. In contrast, in smaller clinical laboratories or in laboratories investigating epidemics, thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose agar is best because it is commercially available and easy to prepare and can be used to distinguish colonies of suspect V. cholerae from V. parahaemolyticus.

Bangladesh↗
PubMed1979

A major focus of Legionnaires' disease in Bloomington, Indiana.

Thirty-nine cases of Legionnaires' disease in a 16-month period were identified in visitors to and residents of Bloomington, Indiana. Thirty-five patients had spent at least one night at the Indiana Memorial Union in the 2 weeks before becoming ill. Five of 32 sporadic cases nationwide between 1 January and 31 March 1978 were retrospectively shown to be in persons who had recently visited the Union. The risk of acquiring Legionnaires' disease as a Union visitor was at least 17 times greater than that for Bloomington residents 20 years or older. Employees who had worked at the Union 5 years or longer were more likely to be seropositive than workers in other Bloomington hotels. Legionnaires' disease bacterium was isolated from five environmental sites in Bloomington. A cooling tower may have been involved in disease spread, but it was not the only source. Hypochlorite solution was added to cooling tower water as a precautionary measure; however, one case was confirmed in a man with Union exposure 9 days after hypochlorite treatment had begun.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Isolation of the Legionnaires' disease bacterium from environmental samples.

We analyzed 24 environmental samples collected in or near the Indiana Memorial Union, where an epidemic of Legionnaires' disease occurred in early 1978. We conducted fluorescent antibody analyses and culture on F-G and charcoal yeast extract agars of each sample directly; splenic tissue of guinea pigs inoculated with the sample; and yolk sacs from embryonated eggs inoculated with splenic tissue of guinea pigs injected with the sample. Legionnaires' disease (LD) bacterium was isolated from seven of the 24 samples: one water sample from the air-conditioner cooling tower of the Union; three water samples from a stream near the Union; and three mud samples from the same stream. The LD bacterium strains were of three different serotypes. These findings indicate that LD bacteria may be widespread in nature.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed1977

Preventing venous thromboembolism in elderly patients with hip fractures: studies of low-dose heparin, dipyridamole, aspirin, and flurbiprofen.

Low-dose heparin, dipyridamole (alone and in combination with aspirin), and flurbiprofen were evaluated as potential prophylactic agents against deep venous thrombosis in elderly patients with hip fractures. None of the agents that modify platelet behaviour could reduct the frequency of isotopically diagnosed venous thrombosis. Low-dose heparin reduced the overall frequency of venous thrombosis and its extent as judged by the frequency of bilaterally abnormal scans, but this reduction did not achieve statistical significance.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

Evaluation of 125I-fibrinogen test for venous thrombosis in patients with hip fractures: comparison between isotope scanning and necropsy findings.

The results of 125I-fibrinogen leg scanning during life were compared with the findings at a detailed post-mortem dissection of the leg veins in 31 patients with hip fractures who died during the period of isotope scanning or within seven days of the last scan. Thigh scanning on the side of the hip fracture proved valueless, and criteria for the confident isotopic diagnosis of venous thrombosis in the uninjured thigh could not be determined. In the lower leg a difference in uptake of 20% or more that persisted for 24 hours between adjacent positions on one leg or between corresponding positions on the two legs was consistently associated with the presence of venous thrombosis at necropsy.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1977

Cholera on Guam, 1974: epidemiologic findings and isolation of non-toxinogenic strains.

In August 1974, six cases of cholera occurred on Guam. The index case had severe diarrhea and metabolic acidosis and died from pneumonia on the ninth day of illness; the other five cases had only mild to moderate diarrhea. Fish caught in Agana Bay and home-preserved was found to be the vehicle most likely responsible for the cases. Vibrio cholerae, El Tor Ogawa, was isolated from two patients, the Guam sewerage system, and a river emptying into Agana Bay. V. cholerae, El Tor Inaba, was isolated from the sewerage system, three storm drains imptying into Agana Bay, and Agana Bay. The Ogawa and Inaba isolates differed in their sucrose fermentation and hemolysis reactions, phage type and ability to produce toxin. Although this was the first reported cholera outbreak on Guam, the isolation of differentV. cholerae strains suggested that multiple introductions of V. cholerae had occurred on the island.

Cholera↗
PubMed1977

Yersinia enterocolitica: a review of the bacterium and recommended laboratory methodology.

Only in the last few years has Yersinia enterocolitica been recognized as an etiologic agent. The organism, however, is widespread in both the animate and inanimate environments. It has been isolated and recovered from a variety of sources including fecal material, foodstuffs, and water, but vehicles of disease transmission are not fully delineated or understood. The bacteriology of Y. enterocolitica is reviewed and recommended laboratory methodology is described.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1977

The aetiology of acute pulmonary embolism and the identification of high risk groups.

Although the cause of venous thrombosis remains obscure, preventive methods have been described. The fact that pulmonary embolism continues to cause a high death toll suggests that there is still a failure to recognize the need for prevention or to employ those prophylactic methods that are known to be effective. While it may be impracticable to offer prophylactic treatment to all patients at risk, an awareness of the important predisposing factors and the application of effective prophylaxis to high risk cases could bring about a reduction in the mortality rate from a disease that at present causes as many unnecessary deaths as motor vehicle accidents.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1976

Warfarin sodium in prevention of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with fractured neck of femur.

In a prospective controlled randomised trial, the prophylactic value of warfarin sodium (in doses aimed at maintaining a "Thrombotest" value of 10% and given from the day of admission until independent mobility had been achieved or for 3 mo, whichever was the sooner) was assessed in 160 elderly patients who had sustained a fracture of the femoral neck. Treatment significantly reduced the frequency of deep venous thrombosis (D.V.T.), whether indicated by the 125I-fibrinogen test during life or assessed by detailed post-mortem studies. Pulmonary embolism was eliminated in treated patients, but the difference in mortality between the treatment and control groups was not significant, indicating that causes of death other than pulmonary embolism are of major importance in these elderly patients. A case is made out for prophylactic anticoagulation on a selective basis.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Travelers' diarrhea in Mexico. A prospective study of physicians and family members attending a congress.

We conducted a prospective study of travelers' diarrhea on 73 physicians and 48 family members attending a medical congress in Mexico City, in October, 1974. Fecal and blood specimens were collected before, during and after their visit and examined for enteric bacterial pathogens, viruses and parasites. In 59 (49 per cent) participants travelers' diarrhea developed. Median duration of illness was five days. Onset occurred a median of six days after arrival. An etiologic agent was found in 63 per cent of ill participants. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of different, non-"enteropathogenic" serotypes was the most common cause; other responsible pathogens included salmonellae, invasive Esch. coli., shigellae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Giardia lamblia and the human reovirus-like agent. Consumption of salads containing raw vegetables was associated with enterotoxigenic Esch. coli infection (P = 0.014). Travelers' diarrhea in Mexico is a syndrome caused by a variety of pathogens, the most common of which is enterotoxigenic Esch. col.

Diarrhea↗