f2 bacteriophage in the presence of fetal calf serum (at a final concentration of 10%) was exposed to six commonly used disinfectants for times of 10, 20 and 30 sec. At the end of exposure times skim milk neutralized the disinfectant activity and residual virus was assayed using the plaque technique. The 6 disinfectants considered were Javex, sodium hydroxide, ethanol, Wescodyne, One Stroke Ves-Phene and Sonacide. A 0.25% (w/v) solution of sodium hydroxide and 1/50 Javex (1200 parts/106 chlorine) were the most effective of the six disinfectants considered since 105 f2 bacteriophage were inactivated in 30 seconds in each instance. Since a 0.25% (w/v) solution of sodium hydroxide had a pH of 12.5 this made it too caustic to use as a disinfectant in many practical situations. It was concluded therefore that Javex at some dilution less than 1/50 (greater than 1200 parts/106 chlorine) was the most practical of the six disinfectants to use. Ethanol (95%, v/v) inactivated 103 f2 bacteriophage in 30 seconds while 1/20 Wescodyne and undiluted Sonacide inactivated 101 virus particles. Ves-Phene at a dilution of 1/50 was a completely ineffective virucide during the 30 sec exposure. The resistance of f2 bacteriophage to inactivation by these six disinfectants was compared with that of echovirus 11 and coxsackievirus B5. In all instances except exposure to undiluted Sonacide, f2 was comparable in resistance to inactivation and in many cases had greater resistance.

HArris & LEong (1936) found that vitamin B1; adsorbed from urine, could be measured by the rat bradycardia method of assay. The amount of vitamin B1 excreted was found to correspond in general with both the dietary intake and the physiological state of the subjects.

We aimed to estimate the secondary attack rate of mpox among UK household contacts and determine factors associated with transmission to inform public health management of contacts, during the global outbreak in 2022. Information was collected via NHS and public health services and included age, gender, place of residence, setting, and type of contact. Aggregate information was summarized for the UK. Record level data was combined for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with transmission. The secondary attack rate among UK household mpox contacts was 4% (60/1 526). Sexual contact with the index case was associated with a 11-fold increase in adjusted odds of becoming a case in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (95% CI 5.5–22, p < 0.001). Household contacts outside of London had increased odds compared to London residents (adjusted OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.6–5.4, p < 0.001), while female contacts had reduced odds of becoming a case (aOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.15–0.95). We found a low overall secondary attack rate among household mpox contacts with strong evidence of increased transmission risk associated with sexual contact. This evidence will inform the risk assessment of contacts and support prioritization of those with close intimate contact for follow up.

We investigated the potential effects of COVID-19 public health restrictions on the prevalence and distribution of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) genotypes in our Queensland isolate population in the first half of the year 2020. A total of 763 NG isolates were genotyped to examine gonococcal strain distribution and prevalence for the first 6 months of 2020, with 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2020 classified as ‘pre’ COVID-19 restrictions (n = 463) and 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020 classified as ‘post’ COVID-19 restrictions (n = 300). Genotypes most prevalent ‘pre’ restrictions remained proportionally high ‘post’ restrictions, with some significantly increasing ‘post’ restrictions. However, genotype diversity was significantly reduced ‘post’ restrictions. Overall, it seems public health restrictions (9–10 weeks) were not sufficient to affect rates of infection or reduce the prevalence of well-established genotypes in our population, potentially due to reduced access to services or health-seeking behaviours.

Laboratory studies were performed on 128 children clinically diagnosed as measles when seen at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital (IDH), Nairobi (86 cases) and the Rural Health Training Centre, Maragua, Central Province (42 cases) between 9 July and 31 August 1984. A concurrent measles infection was confirmed in 95% of the children seen at IDH and in 85% of those seen at Maragua, with similar proportions of confirmations in children who had, and who had not, received measles vaccine. No differences in the number of sero-conversions nor in the absolute levels of acute or convalescent HI antibody titres could be detected between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Analysis of the cases seen at Maragua indicates that about two thirds of the children who had received vaccine were protected. A pilot study of vaccinating children at 8 months and again at 12–13 months is suggested in an attempt to eradicate measles.

1. “Antigens” of varying sensitivity may be prepared by coating a dispersion of gum benzoin with saponin.

2. Using suitable dispersions so prepared a zone of precipitation is observed which is more extended for specific than for normal sera. Differentiation is more pronounced as the region of the isoelectric point of the globulin is approached.

3. Precipitation is effected by the ions of salts present in the solution discharging the negative antigen suspension which has been sensitised by the protein of the serum.

4. The mechanism of sensitisation is described.

5. Both albumins and globulins can protect or sensitise gum benzoin suspensions, the effect depending on an appropriate dilution. This effect occurs qualitatively irrespective of the hydrogen ion concentration of the medium. Quantitatively the position of the zone of precipitation and its extent is contingent on the reaction of the medium.

6. The euglobulin fractions of normal and of luetie sera deprived as far as possible of their lipoids can be differentiated both by the Wassermann test, and by precipitation tests.

7. Delipoided euglobulins from horse serum will yield a Wassermann positive reaction when used in certain concentrations. In more concentrated solutions an anticomplementary effect is exhibited.

8. Evidence is presented for the view that the euglobulins of specific sera differ rather in their composition or state of aggregation than in quantity from the euglobulin of non-specific sera.

9. The changes in sensitising power and in the Wassermann reactivity of euglobulin caused by repeated freezing or exposure to ultra-violet light run a parallel course.

10. Attempts to change the Wassermann properties of normal sera are briefly described.

1. Organisms biochemically resembling the metadysentery bacilli of Castellani (1927) or sensu largo B. coli anaerogenes of Lembke (1896) have been recovered locally from the urinary passages of man.

2. These organisms were found in cases of enteric-like fevers, pyelitis and cystitis.

3. Similar to Dudgeon's slow lactose-fermenting bacilli of the urinary tract, they have been shown to possess marked haemolytic action for red blood corpuscles.

4. Serologically, they appear to fall into at least two groups of bacilli.

5. They are believed to be pathogenic.

The presence of antibodies in the body fluids of the offspring of immunised parents has long been studied and variously explained. In 1912, Famulener2 published a clear summary of the work upon the subject up to that date. Renewed interest in the problem has been aroused by the work of the Department of Animal Pathology of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, where the transmission of immunity to the Bacillus abortus is being studied. It has been shown by Little and Orcutt3 that agglutinins for this bacillus are transferred exclusively by the colostrum, since a calf from which colostrum is withheld does not show this agglutinin in its serum, although a high titre of agglutinin may be demonstrable in both serum and colostrum of the dam. Later Orcutt and Howe4, using a method of separating the protein fractions of serum devised by the latter5, 6, showed that the appearance of agglutinins in the serum of a calf fed with colostrum of high agglutinin titre was closely related to the appearance of euglobulin, which is absent from the blood of the newly born calf. Further, Smith and Little7 showed that this absorption of agglutinin from the digestive tract also occurred when the calf was fed with serum rich in that antibody. The association of agglutinin with the globulin fraction of serum, and in particular with the euglobulin fraction, has been demonstrated by Orcutt and Howe4, who found that “the agglutinins are associated with the protein fractions which are precipitated up to and including 16·4 per cent. of sodium sulphate,” and that “a large proportion of the agglutinins is associated with the fraction which is precipitated by 14·2 per cent. of sodium sulphate, euglobulin.” Again, although a milk might show a high titre of agglutinin, with no corresponding increase in the proportion of its globulin, yet the agglutinin was removed from the milk by a concentration of sodium sulphate which removed the globulin fraction of the protein.

In September 2002, facsimiles were sent to 360 primary-care physicians alerting them to a local outbreak of Q fever. The physicians subsequently submitted serology samples on significantly more patients than in a previously comparable period in 2001. Facsimile cascade assists effective communication with primary-care physicians in an outbreak investigation.

The prominence given to the intravascular use of antiseptics has hardly been in accord with the results achieved by this method.

The injection of formalin in various amounts and strengths has been given an extended trial in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, and is claimed to have produced beneficial results. Similarly Baccelli has injected corrosive sublimate intravenously in the treatment of syphilis, cerebro-spinal meningitis, and acute rheumatism in man. In animals he has used intravenous injections of corrosive sublimate in the treatment of aphtha epizootica. In this disease he claims that the intravenous injections of corrosive sublimate are of undoubted use in terminating an attack of the disease.

Studies on reproduction in a colony of albino mice before and after length of daylight was made constant show no change in litter size. However, there was an increase in the number of post-partum pregnancies after light was made constant and, during the first month thereafter, females were older at first parturition than in previous months.

1. Five generations of guinea-pigs bred successfully on diet 18 supplemented with crystalline ascorbic acid but without fresh green food.

2. No difference in reproductive performance was found between these animals and those of the normal breeding colony receiving unlimited supplies of fresh abbage.

3. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency appeared among some young of the fourth and fifth generations, showing that diet 18 alone contained barely enough of this factor for continuous reproduction througy many generations.

4. Diet 18, supplemented by hay and fresh green food to supply vitamin C and additional vitamin E, provides all the essential factors required by the guinea-pig.

A multiple-tube technique based on peptone water incubated at 44 °C for 24 h followed by detection of indole was found to be sensitive and specific for the detection of Escherichia coli in oysters and mussels. The method has the advantage of providing rapid results and is both less expensive and less time-consuming than other MPN techniques.

The action of air containing nitrogen peroxide upon flour, in quantities up to 300 c.c. of nitrogen peroxide to one kilogramme of flour, may be summarised as follows:—

I. The golden-yellow tint of the flour is destroyed. Immediately after bleaching no difference in tint due to excess of the bleaching agent could be observed with Lovibond's tintometer, but on keeping for several days the more highly bleached samples became decidedly yellow, while those treated with 30 to 100 c.c. of nitrogen peroxide per kilogramme became still whiter, the maximum of bleaching effect being attained within these limits.

II. The amount of nitrous acid or nitrites present in a freshly bleached flour is approximately proportional to the amount of nitrogen peroxide employed, and corresponds to about 30% of the total nitrogen absorbed, rising to 40% in the more highly bleached samples. After the lapse of several days, the proportion of nitrites present decreases considerably in the higher concentrations, but remains very nearly the same in the more slightly bleached samples.

III. Approximately 60% of the total nitrogen introduced as nitrogen peroxide into the flour during bleaching can be recovered as ammonia a short time after bleaching by reducing the aqueous extract of the flour with a copper-zinc couple, and may be assumed to be present in the flour as nitric and nitrous acids or as nitrates and nitrites. After keeping the bleached flour for some days the amount of nitric acid extracted with cold water decreases. Experiments with pure glutenin and gliadin indicated that in certain circumstances nitric acid may be withdrawn from solution or “adsorbed” by these proteins.

IV. In highly bleached flour a considerable increase in the amounts of soluble proteins and soluble carbohydrates takes place. If one kilogramme of flour is bleached with 300 c.c. of nitrogen peroxide, the amount of soluble nitrogen is doubled. This appears to be due almost entirely to the solubility of gliadin in nitric acid of certain concentrations. The simultaneous increase of soluble carbohydrates would seem to point to an intimate relationship between the gliadin and certain carbohydrates in flour.

V. If highly bleached flour is allowed to stand for some time after bleaching, the oil undergoes very considerable alteration and acquires the characteristics of an oxidised oil. About 6 to 7% of the nitrogen introduced as nitrogen peroxide during bleaching is absorbed by the oil.

VI. The absorption of nitrogen peroxide by flour does not appear to be accompanied by the production of free nitrogen, nor was any evidence obtained of the formation of diazo-compounds.

VII. Sodium nitrite was found to exert no inhibitory action on the digestion of soluble starch by saliva, but the rate of digestion was greatly retarded if the starch had been previously treated with nitrogen peroxide gas. Bleaching was found to exercise an inhibitory effect on the salivary digestion of flour.

Investigations carried out to ascertain the ability of various strains of Bordetella pertussis and B. parapertussis to produce agglutinins have shown that the agglutinin response is considerably greater with B. parapertussis.

Children inoculated with a combined vaccine in which the parapertussis element contained B. parapertussis in only one-twelfth of the concentration of B. pertussis in the pertussis element showed agglutinins in their sera in titres well above 1:300 for both organisms. There were no cross-reactions and the serological responses were specific throughout. The vaccine used was the standard diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) prophylactic to which had been added a vaccine prepared from recently isolated strains of B. parapertussis.

Agglutinin titres of both whooping cough components with the combined vaccine were somewhat lower in mice than was the case when monovalent vaccines were used, but they were considered to be satisfactory.

It is suggested that the agglutination production test in mice could be used for the assessment of protective power of B. parapertussis vaccines against infection.

I wish to thank Dr Ikić, director of the Institute of Immunology, Zagreb, who enabled me to perform all these examinations, further to Dr B. Mravunac and Dr Z. Radanov for having carried out vaccination in children and for the clinical examination of post vaccination reactions.

IN view of a previous failure1 to produce a skin infection with Ankylostoma, it seems worth while to put on record the present successful case. Dr J. B. Leathes very kindly offered himself as the subject of experiment. It is important to note that he has never, either before or during the course of the experiment, had anything to do with any Ankylosotoma material except that deliberately applied to his person for the purpose of this experiment, nor has he been to any infected place or even worked in the part of the Institute where the cultures of Ankylosotoma larvae have been kept. On March 21st a small quantity of water containing encapsuled larvae of A. duodenale, hatched artificially from infected faeces from Cornwall, and 13 days old, was applied to the forearm. After five minutes the arm was bandaged up and left for two hours, at the end of which time the wrappings were removed and the arm throughly cleansed. The purpose of the experiment and the precautions necessary were fully appreciated by the subject, and there is no doubt that there was not the slightest possibility of a mouth infection.

Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the extent to which hospital-associated infections contributed to COVID-19 LTCF outbreaks in England. We matched addresses of cases between March 2020 and June 2021 to reference databases to identify LTCF residents. Linkage to health service records identified hospital-associated infections, with the number of days spent in hospital before positive specimen date used to classify these as definite or probable. Of 149,129 cases in LTCF residents during the study period, 3,748 (2.5%) were definite or probable hospital-associated and discharged to an LTCF. Overall, 431 (0.3%) were identified as index cases of potentially nosocomial-seeded outbreaks (2.7% (431/15,797) of all identified LTCF outbreaks). These outbreaks involved 4,521 resident cases and 1,335 deaths, representing 3.0% and 3.6% of all cases and deaths in LTCF residents, respectively. The proportion of outbreaks that were potentially nosocomial-seeded peaked in late June 2020, early December 2020, mid-January 2021, and mid-April 2021. Nosocomial seeding contributed to COVID-19 LTCF outbreaks but is unlikely to have accounted for a substantial proportion. The continued identification of such outbreaks after the implementation of preventative policies highlights the challenges of preventing their occurrence.