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PubMed1984

Molecular epidemiology of human rotaviruses. Analysis of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Glasgow and the west of Scotland 1981/82 and 1982/83.

The molecular epidemiology of rotavirus infections in Glasgow and the west of Scotland during 1981/82 and 1982/83 was investigated by electron microscopy, ELISA testing and RNA migration pattern analysis. In 1981/82, rotaviruses of both the 'long' and the 'short' electropherotype (in different variants) co-circulated from the onset throughout the winter peak of the outbreak. Approximately 80% of the children were infected during the first year of life. No differences in incidence were found between sexes. In 1982/83 the isolated rotaviruses were almost exclusively of the 'long' electropherotype (in different variants) and 36% of the children were infected beyond the first year of life. Rotaviruses of the 'long' electropherotype serologically were of subgroup II and serotype 1 and those of the 'short' electropherotype of subgroup I and serotype 2.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Surveillance of hepatitis B virus infection in Scotland, 1973-1982.

Since 1973 epidemiological surveillance of laboratory-confirmed hepatitis B virus infection has been undertaken in Scotland. During the ten-year period, 1973-82, 2893 persons with laboratory evidence of infection were reported and the number increased by almost threefold between the beginning and the end of this time. Males accounted for 66% of the patients and intravenous drug abuse was the most commonly encountered risk factor. The low risk to laboratory staff is confirmed, but among National Health Service hospital staff nurses accounted for 54% of those reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in Scotland.

The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in 1152 serum samples from adult cattle in 114 dairy and beef herds in different regions of Scotland was 12%. In the Grampian region, the number of seropositive cattle in the self-contained herds was significantly less (P less than 0.01) than in the "other" herds. Holstein cattle had been introduced into five of these "other" herds, and significantly more (P less than 0.01) of the samples from these five herds were seropositive compared with the samples from the rest of the "other" herds in the same region into which recently purchased cattle had been introduced. The introduction of Holstein cattle was also a major factor in the association between the prevalence of antibodies and herd size in the Grampian region. The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in this survey than in those previously undertaken in the United Kingdom.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The isolation and characterization of human and bovine strains of Babesia divergens from Drumnadrochit, Scotland.

Strains of Babesia divergens of human and bovine origin were isolated from the same locality in Scotland. A morphometric comparison was then made between Babesia divergens parasites in blood smears made from groups of 3 splenectomized calves reacting to the inoculation of these strains. The various forms taken by the parasites of each strain were seen to be divisible into 7 categories and representatives of each category were found for each strain. More amoeboid forms were found in blood smears from calves infected with the strain of bovine origin but otherwise the frequencies of occurrence of different forms coincided. The dimensions of 3 forms of the parasites of each strain were compared and the parasites of human origin were found to be significantly larger. The reactions of the groups of calves to inoculation of the 2 strains of B. divergens were seen to be very similar, although inoculation of the bovine strain had a slightly greater effect on the animals' haematology as indicated by an an increase in erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Age-period-cohort analysis of the incidence of schizophrenia in Scotland.

Studies examining a possible decline in the incidence of schizophrenia over the last two to three decades have paid little attention to the possible role of birth cohort effects. We collected data on a Scottish national sample of all schizophrenic patients, admitted for the first time between 1966 and 1990 (N = 11348; male = 6301). In an Age-Period-Cohort analysis, a full model, incorporating three factors, had a substantially better fit to the data than other models (especially, an Age-Period model), providing clear evidence of the presence of a cohort effect. After adjustment for the effects of age and period, there was a 55% reduction in the rate of schizophrenia in men and a 39% fall in the number of women over the 50-year birth period from 1923 to 1973. The marked decline in the first admission rates observed in Scotland cannot, however, be attributed entirely to this cohort effect. Rather, a greater proportion of the declining first admission rates (88%) is ascribed to the period effect (i.e. artefactual or causally related cross-sectional effects). Nevertheless, the fact that a birth-cohort effect accounts for part of the declining incidence, suggests that causal environmental factors operating early in life have been diminishing in intensity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Representing the interests of the public?: the case of the local health council in Scotland.

The statutory function of local health councils in Scotland (and of community health councils in England and Wales) is to represent the interests of the public in the health service. This article, based on data from a four-year research project financed by the Scottish Office, examines official and participants' assumptions and claims about the legitimacy of health councils, as at present constituted, to carry out this function. Clarification of the basis of their legitimacy would assist, it is argued, in the resolution of a central dilemma: How are councils to represent the interests of the public? The conclusion is reached that inadequate thought was given to developing theoretically sustainable arrangements. Several interpretations of representation are admixed in the rationale for the present system and they cannot be aggregated to produce a coherent defence of it.

Community Participation↗
PubMed1988

Poultry-borne salmonellosis in Scotland.

Between 1980-5, 224 outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with poultry-meat were reported in Scotland. In total 2245 persons were affected, 12 of whom died. Twenty-one salmonella serotypes were identified from those affected, while 33 serotypes were isolated from poultry during routine monitoring and disease investigation. Existing measures to prevent the spread of salmonellae within poultry flocks and processing plants are failing. It is suggested that irradiation of poultry-meat may be the only effective method of reducing the public health problem of poultry-borne salmonellosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Molecular epidemiology of the plasmid-encoded TEM-1 beta-lactamase in Scotland.

A survey of the beta-lactamases responsible for ampicillin resistance in urinary Escherichia coli isolated in central Scotland has been performed. The TEM-1 beta-lactamase was found to be most prevalent occurring in 88.2% of ampicillin-resistant isolates tested. Forty-six percent of the TEM-1 producing strains were able to transfer this resistance to E. coli J62-2 at 37 degrees C. Analysis of the resulting transconjugants revealed that the degree of resistance to amoxycillin and amoxycillin in combination with clavulanic acid was related to the specific activity of the TEM-1 beta-lactamase. The variation in specific activity was shown to be related to plasmid type as determined by restriction analysis. No obvious relationship between beta-lactamase specific activity and resistance to amoxycillin and amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid could be demonstrated in the original plasmid donor strains.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed1993

Occurrence of Giardia sp. cysts and Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts in faeces from public parks in the west of Scotland.

One hundred faecal specimens, randomly collected from various locations within seven public parks in the west of Scotland, were examined for the presence of Giardia sp. cysts and Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. Eleven percent of samples contained Giardia sp. cysts and 1% contained Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. Occurrence data from individual parks varied from 0 to 40% for Giardia and 0 to 2.4% for Cryptosporidium. The occurrence of parasitic organisms in public parks, especially in the vicinity of children's playing areas is a matter of concern for public health officials and regulators of leisure and recreation amenities.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Population genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Scotland analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

The results of typing of 121 strains in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by PFGE are presented. Every isolate from patients in Scotland over a 3-month period for M. tuberculosis and for 1 year for M. bovis were included along with several laboratory strains including those of BCG. The PFGE results suggest that the population structure of all the strains in this complex is distinctly simple with limited genetic diversity and also suggest that M. bovis is not a distinct species.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed1991

Variation in time and space of non-outbreak Legionnaires' disease in Scotland.

The main aim of this study was to measure and explain geographic variations in the incidence of Legionnaires' disease in Scotland, particularly to help understand the source of non-outbreak infection. Between 1978 and 1986 the overall mean annual incidence rate was 7.9 per million (range 3.1-20.2), and for non-outbreak, non-travel cases it was 5.6. There were geographical variations by health board, by city and within cities, e.g. the mean annual incidence rate per million for non-travel, non-outbreak disease was 1.2 in Tayside Health Board, 3.7 in Lanarkshire, 5.6 in Lothian and 14.4 in Greater Glasgow. In Greater Glasgow Health Board non-travel cases lived in and around the city centre and in some postcode sectors there, the mean annual incidence rate exceeded 100. Travel-related cases lived in peripheral areas. These variations could not be explained by differences in access to and use of diagnostic services, surveillance, or host susceptibility (as reflected by socioeconomic status and frequency of other respiratory disease). The explanation probably lay in environmental factors, though differences in agent virulence were not excluded. The two main conclusions are, that non-outbreak cases were not truly sporadic, and that the space-time variations in incidence support the hypothesis that cooling towers were an important source of infection for non-travel, non-outbreak cases. If so such infection is potentially preventable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Severe giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in Scotland, UK.

Hospital discharge data from 1990-4 for 26 hospitals were used to estimate and compare the cost and describe the epidemiology of severe giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in Scotland, UK. The incidence of severe cryptosporidiosis was almost double that of severe giardiasis and the median duration of hospitalization was longer for cryptosporidiosis than giardiasis. Impaired immunity was frequently listed as co-diagnosis with cryptosporidiosis and associated with extended hospitalization. Although both infections were associated with infants, the median age was lower for cryptosporidiosis (5 years compared with 30 years). Whereas hospitalization was not significantly longer for infants with cryptosporidiosis, hospitalization for this age group with giardiasis was longer (4 days compared with 3 days). Comparison with similar data for giardiasis from USA revealed various differences and similarities. These points are discussed in relation to the epidemiology of these infections and published data were used to estimate costs of hospitalization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus, HIV and human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma viruses in injecting drug users in Tayside, Scotland, 1993-7.

The prevalence of blood-borne viruses in injecting drug users (IDUs) in Tayside, Scotland was determined by testing serum samples from IDUs who underwent attributable HIV antibody testing during 1993-7. The prevalence of antibodies to HIV was 29/802, (3.6%); to hepatitis C virus (HCV) 451/691, (65.3%); and to human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma viruses type 1 and 2 (HTLV) 0/679, (0.0%). The prevalence of HIV and HCV antibodies were higher in subjects over the age of 25 (P = 0.03 and P = 0.001, respectively). During 1993-7 the prevalence of HCV fell only in younger female IDUs (P < 0.01). HIV prevalence has declined dramatically since 1985, when a rate of 40% was recorded in similar populations. Harm reduction measures have failed to control HCV the spread of infection among IDUs in Tayside, as indicated by the high proportion of antibody positive IDUs, particularly males under the age of 25. Future studies should address the nature and effective reduction of continuing risk taking among IDUs in Tayside.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Epidemiological investigation of the central Scotland outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 infection, November to December 1996.

On Friday, 22 November 1996, the microbiologist at a hospital in Lanarkshire, Scotland, identified presumptive Escherichia coli O157 in faecal specimens submitted by three patients with bloody diarrhoea, and confirmed its presence in one. Over the next 6 h, 12 more potential cases were identified. Investigations first indicated then confirmed a single food premises as the source of infection. Effective control measures were applied promptly. The outbreak was declared over on 20 January 1997, by which time 512 cases had been identified, and infection with the outbreak strain confirmed in 279. Twenty deaths occurred in cases during the outbreak and there were two more in cases during 1997. Seventeen of these deaths resulted from the outbreak. This paper describes the outbreak's epidemiological investigation, referring to other investigations, and control measures, where appropriate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Monitoring patients in the community with suspected Escherichia coli O157 infection during a large outbreak in Scotland in 1996.

During outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157 a minority of patients with suspected infection develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). The ability to identify this subgroup at an early stage is beneficial as mortality from HUS is high and may be influenced by intervention. During the 1996 Central Scotland E. coli O157 outbreak, of 886 patients from the community with suspected infection monitored at an outbreak clinic, nine developed HUS. We assessed factors associated with the development of HUS in this group. Children and the elderly were at increased risk of HUS. However, high white cell count was as least as good a predictor of HUS as age. High white cell counts predicted development of HUS with a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 87%, positive predictive value of 7% and a negative predictive value of over 99%. We have used the results from this study along with other currently available evidence to propose a monitoring protocol for patients from the community with suspected E. coli O157 infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of moderate penicillin resistant invasive Neisseria meningitidis infection in Scotland, 1994-9.

We examined the serological characteristics of 774 invasive meningococcal isolates collected through an active laboratory-based surveillance system in Scotland from 1994 to 1999. Of these, 72-73% of isolates were tested for susceptibility to several antimicrobial agents. Meningococci with high-level resistance to sulphadiazine had a prevalence of 10% and incidence of 0.22 per 100,000 population. High-level resistance to penicillin and other antibiotics was not detected. The prevalence of moderate penicillin resistant meningococci was 8.3%. There was no increase in moderate penicillin resistant meningococcal isolates during the study period, but there were temporal and geographic variations. The estimated incidence of moderate penicillin resistant meningococci was 0.15 per 100,000 population. High and low incidence of moderate penicillin resistant meningococci appeared to correlate with the number of doses of penicillin prescribed in some geographic locations. The majority of moderate penicillin resistant isolates belonged to serogroups B (52.2%) and C (39.2%). However, the prevalence of moderate penicillin resistance in serogroup W135 was substantially higher (51.7%) than serogroups B (7.8%) and C (7.6%). Serogroup W135 accounted for a higher proportion of moderate penicillin resistance (8.7%) than disease (1%). There was no predominant penicillin resistant serotype/subtype within any serogroup. Constant surveillance is necessary to monitor the emergence and spread of resistance and to guide appropriate public health interventions in preventing drug resistant meningococci.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Atmospheric concentrations and deposition of trichloroacetic acid in Scotland: results from a 2-year sampling campaign.

The first long-term concurrent measurements of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in rainwater, in cloudwater, and in air (both gas and particle phase) are reported. Measurements were made weekly between June 1998 and April 2000 at a rural forested upland site in SE Scotland. Rainwater TCA concentration did not differ significantly between two elevations (602 and 275 m asl), with precipitation-weighted mean values of 0.77 and 0.70 microg L(-1), respectively (n > 75). The precipitation-weighted mean concentration of TCA in cloudwater at the highest elevation was 0.92 microg L(-1), yielding an average cloudwater enrichment factor of 1.2, considerably lower than for other inorganic ions measured. Rainwater and cloudwater TCA concentrations did not vary systematically with season. Since wet precipitation depth also did not vary systematically with season, the wet deposition fluxes of TCA were likewise invariant (annual fluxes at the highest elevation of 880 and 130 microg m(-2), respectively, for rain and cloud interception to spruce forest). Weekly integrated concentrations of TCA in air (gas and particle) were very low (median 25 pg m(-3), range < LOD-110 pg m(-3)). The estimated upper limit for annual dry deposition of TCA at this site was approximately 20 microg m(-2), assuming a deposition velocity of 2 cm s(-1). Concentrations of TCA in air correlated reasonably strongly with concentrations in rainwater, with a partition ratio approximately equal to the Henry's law coefficient. On average, only about 23% of TCA measured in Edinburgh air was associated with the particle phase. These measurements are consistent with the observed high scavenging ratio of TCA (ratio of concentration in air to concentration in rainwater). Overall, these data confirm that the atmosphere is an important source of TCA to the environment and that precipitation is the dominant transfer mechanism. In line with previous work, the atmospheric deposition flux is greater than expected from the current understanding of atmospheric production of TCA from anthropogenic precursors. It is suggested that aqueous-phase processes could lead to greater atmospheric conversion of chlorinated solvent precursors to TCA than is currently accepted.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed1998

Two (Z)-dehydrobutyrine-containing microcystins from a hepatotoxic bloom of Oscillatoria agardhii from Soulseat Loch, Scotland.

Two (Z)-dehydrobutyrine(Dhb)-containing microcystins, [d-Asp3, (Z)-Dhb7]microcystin-HtyR (1) and [d-Asp3, (Z)-Dhb7]microcystin-LR (2), were isolated from a hepatotoxic bloom of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria agardhii from a freshwater lake in Scotland. The geometrical structure of the Dhb units in the microcystins was determined as Z on the basis of NOE and ROESY experiments.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗