A5064934780- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Escherichia coli research studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Listeria monocytogenes in Food Safety
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Enterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research
- Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Laser-Ablation Synthesis of Nanoparticles
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Nonlinear Optical Materials Studies
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Food Safety and Hygiene
- Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
- Rabies epidemiology and control
Public Health Wales
1999-2023
University of Kent
2019
Public Health England
2016
University of Toronto
1971-2010
Cardiff University
2004
University of Cincinnati
1987
Good Samaritan Hospital
1987
The use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) as a method for supporting outbreak investigations, studying Salmonella microbial populations and improving understanding pathogenicity has been well-described (1-3). However, performing WGS on discrete dataset does not pose the same challenges implementing routine, reference microbiology service public health surveillance. Challenges include translating data into useable format laboratory reporting, clinical case management, surveillance,...
Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease) is an infection caused by the spirochete bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi
We evaluated clinical Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 infections in England and Wales during 1983-2012 to describe changes microbiological surveillance methods. A strain replacement event was captured; phage type (PT) 2 decreased account for just 3% of cases by 2012, whereas PT8 PT21/28 strains concurrently emerged, constituting almost two thirds 2012. Despite interventions control reduce transmission, incidence remained constant. However, sources infection changed over time;...
There are approximately 300 cases of enteric fever reported annually from England and Wales; most imported infections. Clinical management remains a challenge with the emergence ESBL-producing strains, especially XDR Salmonella Typhi Sindh, Pakistan.All strains S. Paratyphi A isolated presenting symptoms in Wales, between 1 April 2014 31 March 2020, were characterized using WGS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed an agar dilution method.ESBL contributed to 69 (S. n = 68, 1); 68...
In February 2022, the United Kingdom (UK) detected a cluster of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium based on whole genome sequencing (WGS). Subsequently, several countries reported cases belonging to this cluster. Epidemiological, microbiological and traceability investigations pointed toward chocolate food business operator (FBO) in Belgium. We describe magnitude outbreak, performed control measures taken. Cases were ascertained internationally agreed case definitions interviewed about...
We describe the first documented spillover of bovine tuberculosis from animals into human population United Kingdom since resurgence disease in cattle country. This finding suggests that there may be a small risk for transmission to humans, making continued vigilance particularly necessary.
Abstract An outbreak of Q fever occurred in South Wales, United Kingdom, from July 15 through September 30, 2002. To investigate the a cohort and nested case-control study persons who had worked at cardboard manufacturing plant was conducted. The included 282 employees subcontractors, whom 253 (90%) provided blood samples 214 (76%) completed questionnaires. Ninety-five cases acute were identified. epidemic curve other data suggested an source likely August 5–9, Employees factory’s offices...
SUMMARY An outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni infection occurred in a South Wales Valleys housing estate. Illness estate residents was associated with tap water consumption [population attributable risk (PAR) 50%, relative (RR) 2·53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·9–3·37] and residence the upper (PAR 49%, RR 2·44, CI 1·83–3·24). Amongst residents, rates diarrhoeal illness increased (OR 18, 3·5–92·4 for heaviest consumers, χ 2 trend P <0·0001). The received mains via covered holding...
In August 2020, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 occurred in the United Kingdom. Whole genome sequencing revealed that these cases formed a genetically distinct cluster.Hypotheses generated from case interviews were tested analytical studies, and results informed environmental sampling food chain analysis. A case-case study used non-outbreak 'comparison' STEC cases; case-control market research panel to recruit controls.A total 36 identified; all reported...
Abstract Understanding the variation in Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection rates Ixodes ricinus ticks is important for assessing potential Lyme borreliosis transmission. This study aimed to investigate of B. bacteria I. across 24 field sites England and Wales, focussing on protected recreational areas National Parks (NPs) Areas Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), provide comparable data multiple years assess spatio‐temporal changes infection. Working with park rangers, questing were...
An outbreak of Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) gastroenteritis in visitors to an open farm North Wales resulted 17 primary and 7 secondary cases illness. E. cytotoxin type 2, phage 2 was isolated from 23 human environmental animal fecal samples. A case-control study 16 case-patients 36 controls (all children) showed a significant association with attendance on the 2nd day festival, eating ice cream or cotton candy (candy floss), contact cows goats. On multivariable...
ABSTRACT We report here investigation into the genetic basis of mouse hepatitis virus strain 1 (MHV-1) pneumovirulence. Sequencing 3′ one-third MHV-1 genome demonstrated that organization was similar to other strains MHV. The hemagglutinin esterase (HE) protein truncated, and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) studies confirmed previous work suggested HE is a pseudogene. Targeted recombination used select chimeric viruses containing either S gene or genes encoding all structural proteins, on...
Introduction. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic, foodborne gastrointestinal pathogen that has the potential to cause severe clinical outcomes, including haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). STEC-HUS leading of renal failure in children and can be fatal. Over last decade, STEC clonal complex 165 (CC165) emerged as STEC-HUS.Gap Statement. There need understand pathogenicity prevalence this emerging UK, facilitate early diagnosis, improve management, prevent control...
Abstract In July 2021, Public Health Wales received two notifications of salmonella gastroenteritis. Both cases has attended the same barbecue to celebrate Eid al–Adha, days earlier. Additional attending were found and an outbreak investigation was initiated. The by a North African community’s social network. On day, smaller lunches held in three homes Many people both lunch barbecue. Cases defined as someone with epidemiological link and/or diarrhoea vomiting date onset following these...
Abstract Population-based surveillance for Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 has been carried out in Wales since 1990. The annual incidence remained stable during the 9-year period (mean: 1.6 cases per 100,000 population); rate is highest children younger than 5 years of age. Blood stool reported fewer half cases, indicating importance screening all fecal specimens VTEC O157.
Eikenella corrodens, a fastidious facultative anaerobic Gram negative bacillus,' is part of the normal human oral flora.Although it has been implicated as sole causative agent for certain infections, I-its pathogenetic importance remains uncertain.E corrodens isolated in respiratory tract including pneumonia, abscess, and empyema, where detailed bacteriological investigations have performed, but only association with other microbes.2356 It was recently by transtracheal or percutaneous...
Summary ‘Orphan’ zoonotic diseases attract disproportionately low scientific and public health attention for the impact that they can have. This article pulls together information on their burden in UK from routine enhanced data sources. These are heterogeneous nature; some have very case numbers (e.g. hydatid disease), whilst others affect hundreds of patients each year toxoplasmosis). The number deaths attributed to orphan zoonoses is relatively low, majority recorded this were caused by...
Pan-microbial inactivation technologies that do not require high temperatures, reactive chemical compounds, or UV radiation could address gaps in current infection control strategies and provide efficient sterilization of biologics the biotechnological industry. Here, we demonstrate femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation resonant gold nanoparticles (NPs) under conditions allow for E-field mediated cavitation shockwave generation achieve an plasmon-enhanced photonic microbial pathogen...
The protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum is an important cause of gastroenteritis in humans and livestock, cryptosporidiosis outbreaks are common. However, a multi-locus genotyping scheme not widely adopted. We describe the further development application seven-locus variable number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) scheme. From 28th March to 31st July 2022, confirmed C. stools (n = 213) from patients (cases) Wales 95) north west England 118) were tested by MLVA. Typability (defined as alleles...
Abstract Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a tick‐borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. In Europe, it predominately transmitted the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus . Compared with other European countries, United Kingdom (UK) considered to have low incidence of LB, although this varies regionally. To determine whether an association exists between tick bite consultations and LB in UK, retrospective questionnaires were sent general practitioners (GPs) high (Wiltshire), medium...
Abstract Background On a Friday evening in July 2021, Public Health Wales received notification of two cases salmonella gastroenteritis. Both reported attending an Eid al-Adha celebration barbecue public park Cardiff, UK days earlier. Case finding over the weekend indicated further those who had attended this event and outbreak investigation was initiated. Methods Cases were defined as individual with diarrhoea and/or vomiting date onset on day barbecue, epidemiological link to Eid-al Adha...