Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J De Louvois

Publications and source records attributed to J De Louvois.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

A survey of the microbiological quality of private water supplies in England.

Results from statutory testing of private water supplies in nine Public Health Laboratories in England were compiled, and the effects of supply class, source, treatment and location on water quality were examined. A total of 6551 samples from 2911 supplies was examined, over a 2-year period, of which 1342 (21%) samples, and 949 (33%) supplies on at least one occasion, failed current regulations for Escherichia coli. Total coliforms, including E. coli, were detected in 1751 (27%) samples from 1215 (42%) supplies. The percentage of samples positive for E. coli was highest in summer and autumn, and lowest in winter. Samples taken from larger supplies and from boreholes were less frequently contaminated than those from other sources. Chlorination, filtration or UV light treatment improved the bacteriological quality of supplies, but still resulted in a low level of compliance with the regulations. The public health implications of the study are discussed.

Chlorine↗
PubMed1999

Health risks associated with unpasteurized goats' and ewes' milk on retail sale in England and Wales. A PHLS Dairy Products Working Group Study.

A pilot study to determine the microbiological quality of unpasteurized milk from goats and ewes sampled from farm shops, health food shops, and other retail premises found that 47%, (47/100) of goats' and 50% (13/26) of ewes' milk samples failed the standards prescribed by the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995. In addition, Staphylococcus aureus, haemolytic streptococci or enterococci, were present in excess of 10(2) c.f.u./ml in 9 (7 %) 2 (2 %) and 19 (15%) samples, respectively. Salmonella, campylobacter, verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in the samples. At the time of purchase approximately half of the milk samples (58 %) were frozen, the rest were liquid. Farm outlets sold predominantly liquid milk, other retail premises sold a frozen product. The microbiological quality of goats' and ewes' milk, whether frozen or liquid, was not significantly different. Milk sold from farm shops was of lower quality than that from health food shops and other retail premises. In this pilot study most producers (92 %) supplied, and most retailers (76 %) sold unpasteurized goats' and ewes' milk that contained unacceptable levels of indicator organisms. The study was carried out during the winter when goats' milk production is reduced. The results indicate the need for a full representative study of unpasteurized goats' and ewes' milk on retail sale throughout the year.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Survey of infection in babies at the Khoula Hospital, Oman.

A 12-month prospective study of infection was carried out in the special care baby unit (SCBU), Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. During this period, 8720 babies were born in the hospital and 1265 were admitted to the SCBU. Altogether, 490 babies were of less than 36 weeks' gestation. A total of 190 babies (160 born in the hospital, 30 born before admission) satisfied the criteria for infection. The most common clinical presentation was pneumonia. There was one outbreak of iatrogenic infection. Infection was confirmed microbiologically in 76 of 190 symptomatic babies. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen and was isolated from 48 infected babies (25%). Beta-haemolytic streptococci were isolated from superficial sites only in eight babies. Klebsiella spp were the commonest enteric bacteria isolated, but they were rarely associated with infection. Of 46 babies who had bacteraemia, 9 also had meningitis. Nine of the 46 babies died, including 6 of the 9 who had meningitis. The mortality following Gram-negative infection was higher than that following Gram-positive infection. Fourteen per cent of infected babies born in hospital and 27% of those born before admission died. A high proportion of bacteria isolated were resistant to ampicillin and/or gentamicin. Results suggest that alternative antibiotics would be more appropriate for initial treatment. The study shows that in developing countries, unsophisticated research, using basic facilities, can be of value in identifying the problems of infection and in recognizing possible solutions to them.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1969

Serotyping and the Dienes reaction on Proteus mirabilis from hospital infections.

The serotype of 320 strains of Proteus mirabilis from clinical material was determined. Using 20 O antisera and four H antisera 61% of strains could be fully identified and 90% partially identified. A large number of serotypes were recognized but no difference was found between the serotype of organisms infecting the urinary tract and those from other infections. Biochemically identical organisms found in the same ward generally differed in serology. Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the faeces of 84.5% of 84 patients with urinary infection and from none of 20 normal controls. By serology and the Dienes test 61% of the organisms isolated from the urine and faeces of a single patient were identical, indicating that infection arose from the intestine. Most groups of serologically identical strains could, by the Dienes test, be further divided into a number of subtypes indicating that the strains were different and that cross infection had not been responsible for their spread. With three serological groups, however, the majority of strains belonged to a single Dienes type and it was concluded that these organisms had been spread from a common reservoir or carrier. Because of the unreliability of the Dienes test when carried out on random organisms it is suggested that reliable results can only be obtained by combining the Dienes test with serotyping.

Antigens↗