The magazine of the Society for Applied Microbiology ■ March 2004 ■ Vol 5 No 1 ISSN 1479-2699
The good, the bad and the ugly Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
■ Bioterrorism
■ Design-a-bug competition winners
■ Immunomagnetic separation
■ Book now for the 2004 Summer conference in Cork! excellence in microbiology
W ! gy e lo are io th crob e friendly face of mi
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www.dwscientific.co.uk The magazine of the Society for Applied Microbiology ■ March 2004 ■ Vol 5 No 1 ISSN 1479-2699
REGULARS MEETINGS FEATURES Microbiologist Vol 5 No.1 04Editorial 16 sfam 06Design-a-bug March 2004 The magic of the Summer Competition winners ISSN 1479-2699 invisible world of microbes Conference Cover Art: ‘Biohazard’ - Stephen 2004 Pollard, Pollard Creativity 05 Contact Dairy & Food Publisher: Society for Full contact Microbiology: Applied Microbiology. information for all challenges and Contact: Lynne Boshier, Committee members opportunities Office and Events Manager Telephone: 01234 326661 26 Cover story Facsimile: 01234 326678 07 Micro break Break the code to Editor: Anthony Hilton reveal the hidden [email protected] message! Editorial Assistant: Anouche Newman [email protected] 08President’s column Contributions: These are always welcome and should be addressed to the Editor 10 Membership at: [email protected] Matters Advertising: Contact: Lynne Boshier, 11 New Public Office and Events Manager Affairs Telephone: 01234 326661 [email protected] Executive Art and Design & layout: 12 Obituary Pollard Creativity 23 Joint Professor E O Morris Production and printing: sfam/ASM Pollard Creativity. 13 Lifetime meeting All technical questions should be addressed to: achievement Bacterial resistance [email protected] award for Don to antibiotics and Tel: 01933 665617 Whitley disinfectants © Society for Applied 24 Joint Microbiology 2003 38 January 32 Bioterrorism Material published in Meeting sfam/CIEH The use of infectious Microbiologist may not be reproduced, stored in a Report meeting biological agents retrieval system, or Food Contamination transmitted in any form 34 Is there a without the prior permission 42 Students risks associated with of the Society. into Work microorganisms and bug on pests Society for Applied board? Microbiology, The Blore 43 President’s Immunomagnetic Tower, The Harpur Centre, Fund The editor is always looking separation Bedford MK40 1TQ, UK for enthusiastic writers who Reports wish to contribute articles to 36 Education in Tel: +44 (0)1234 326661 Microbiologist on their Fax: +44 (0)1234 326678 47 Books chosen microbiological Ethiopia email: [email protected] subject. Email: The third of Jenny www.sfam.org.uk 50 About SfAM [email protected] Search’s reports Editorial
Microbiologist Vol 5 No.1 Invisible world March 2004
Contact the Editor: OR MICROBIOLOGISTS, [email protected] familiar with the world invisible to the naked eye, there can be Microbiologist copy F Dates: contributors please little more gratifying than note that the final copy witnessing the expression on a lay- dates in 2004/2005 will be: person’s face when they observe microorganisms for the first time; Vol 5 No.2 June 2004 whether peering down a microscope or Friday 12 March 2004 viewing an electron micrograph as part of a presentation their wonderment is Vol 5 No.3 Sept 2004 obvious. This reaction has become Friday 9 July 2004 increasingly apparent to me during University open days when students and Vol 5 No.4 Dec 2004 Friday 17 September 2004 their parents have the opportunity to see what higher education and life at Vol 6 No.1 March 2005 university is all about. During the sessions Friday 17 December 2004 on microbiology I look to the assembled privilege of the few. (Having said that, I company for their reaction when I show have seen ‘microscopes’ for sale in a local How to submit material micrographs of various microorganisms, children’s toy store for only £10.99! I’ve Please submit all articles, and sure enough their expressions betray no idea if they work but they have to be reports, meetings their amazement. at least as powerful as Leeuwenhoek’s notifications, letters etc., as I mused over this phenomenon for microscopes that offered 150 x plain text (*.txt) or rich text some time as it suggests that files (*.rtf). Please submit magnification at best!). The recent SfAM all images as original until that epiphany they had design-a-bug competition was a wonderful photographic prints or accepted, almost without insight into the minds of young children transparencies rather than question, that this ‘invisible’ who have obviously heard of scanned images and these world existed. Maybe we just microorganisms but almost certainly will be processed by us and live in a society where never seen them. We had such a large returned to you promptly. scientific ‘faith’ is widely response from a few schools, obviously If your images are only in accepted, or, potentially committed to communicating digital format please make more likely, we just don’t microbiology, that the Society has sure they are supplied at a bother to think about or responded by providing these enthusiastic resolution of 300dpi (dots question issues that are or pixels per inch at a size teachers with the ‘window’ their students of not less than 100mm (4 not immediately obvious need to nurture their interest in inches) square. to us? It makes me microbiology. The only downside is sadly, wonder how Antony van in the years to come, the amazement on Advertisers: if you wish to Leeuwenhoek was people’s faces may not be so readily advertise in Microbiologist received by the lay- revealed when they observe you should contact the people of 1683 when microorganisms but let’s hope it is just Society Office in the first word first got out of his because they’ve seen it all before. instance. Advertising rates writings to the Royal Society about and Guidelines on how to observations on the plaque between his submit advertisements are teeth, “a little white matter, which is as given on the website and thick as if ‘twere batter.” are also obtainable by Leeuwenhoek emailing the editor at: reported, “I then most always saw, with [email protected] great wonder, that in the said matter there were many very little living Website: the society animalcules, very prettily a-moving.” I website is a timely source imagine many at the time thought him of up-to-date information mad and few, if any, blindly accepted his on all Society matters and remarkable observations. maintains a comprehensive Leeuwenhoek’s window on this archive of articles and invisible world was a simple microscope reports on a variety of microbiological topics. that he skilfully crafted with a small lens in a brass mount. Microscopes have www.sfam.org.uk obviously developed somewhat since then, however they still remain largely the
04 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Contact point
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2003 - 2004 HON PRESIDENT: Dr Peter Silley Don Whitley Scientific Limited, 14 Otley Road, Shipley, West Yorks BD17 7SE Interest Groups [email protected] HON GENERAL SECRETARY: Dr Margaret Patterson Agriculture and Food Science Centre, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX Hon Meetings Secretary: [email protected] Mrs Margaret Harrison, Oxoid Ltd, HON MEETINGS SECRETARY: Mrs Margaret Harrison Wade Road, Basingstoke RG24 8PW G&M Procter Ltd, Arran Place, North Muirton Industrial Estate, Perth, Scotland. Tel: +44 (0)1256 694313 [email protected] Fax: +44 (0)1256 463388 [email protected] HON TREASURER: Dr Geraldine Schofield Unilever Research Colworth, Bedford MK44 1LQ Bioengineering Group [email protected] Convenor: Dr Anthony Chamberlain HON EDITOR: Journal of Applied Microbiology School of Biomedical and Life Mr Alan Godfree, United Utilities Water Lingley Mere Business Park, Sciences, University of Surrey, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 3LP Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1483 879718 HON EDITOR: Letters in Applied Microbiology Fax: +44 (0)1483 300374 Prof. Colin Harwood, School of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, [email protected] Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Educational Development Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH Group [email protected] Convenor: Dr Ron Bishop HON EDITOR: Microbiologist School of Applied Biological and Dr Anthony Hilton, University of Aston, Birmingham B4 7ET. Chemical Sciences, University of [email protected] Ulster, Newtownabbey, County Antrim BT37 0QB ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS until July 2004 Tel: +44 (0)2890 366266 Dr Hilary Dodson, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Fax: +44 (0)2890 366207 University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire [email protected] [email protected] Environmental Group Dr Valerie Edwards-Jones, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Convenor: Dr Keith Jones Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD Department of Biological Sciences, [email protected] University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ Prof. Peter Gilbert, Department of Pharmacy, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL Tel: +44 (0)1524 593993 [email protected] Fax: +44 (0)1524 843854 Dr Peter Green, NCIMB Ltd., 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB2 1RY [email protected] [email protected] Food Safety and ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS until July 2005 Technology Group Convenor: Dr Jane Sutherland Dr Julie Eastgate, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Paisley, Paisley PA1 2BE Food Microbiology Unit, Dept. of [email protected] Health & Human Sciences, London Dr Ian Feavers, NIBSC, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, EN6 3QG Metropolitan University, 166 - 200 [email protected] Holloway Road, London N7 8DB [email protected] ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS until July 2006 Infection, Prevention and Dr Shona Nelson, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West of England, Coldharbour Treatment Group Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY Convenor: Dr Susannah Walsh [email protected] School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Prof. Diane Newell, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB Science, Hawthorne Building, [email protected] DeMontfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH Dr David McCleery, Dept. of Food Science (Food Microbiology), Queens University Belfast, [email protected] Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX [email protected] Molecular Biology Group Convenor: Dr John Coote SOCIETY OFFICE STAFF Division of Infection and Immunity, OFFICE and EVENTS MANAGER: Ms Lynne Boshier University of Glasgow, Joseph Black [email protected] Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ Tel: +44 (0)141 330 5845 MEMBERSHIP CO-ORDINATOR: Mrs Julie Wright Fax: +44 (0)141 330 4600 [email protected] [email protected] ADMINISTRATOR: Mrs Mavis Knight [email protected] www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 05 WATCH OUT FOR OUR FULL FEATURE IN THE JUNE ISSUE! Design-a-bug Competition
Winning entries: Under four years Joint winners: George Davies-Potter, Emma Bennett, Sophie Fooks, Maya Ordway Five to eight years Winner: Merryn Isabel Post Nine to twelve years Joint winners: Mashal Iftikhar, Sheffield High School, Sheffield Aidan Bain, Wallace Hall Academy
The design-a-bug competition launched in the September 2003 issue of Microbiologist really captured the attention of young budding micro- biologists. Entries in three age categories attracted over 180 submissions, with nine schools getting entire classes involved; one school submitted entries from fifty children in one class! The entries were wonderfully imaginative and consequently very difficult to whittle down to the winning submissions in each category. Committee determined a short-list of entries and these were exhibited during the lunch and poster sessions at the January meeting in Newcastle. Delegates were invited to vote for their favourite by placing a sticker next to the drawing which were later counted to determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Winners will receive a superb Crayola dawing set. All entrants receive a certificate, SfAM bug, pen and pencil- case. In recognition of the school entries each school will receive a microscope and set of prepared slides showing various bacteria to nurture their interest in microbiology. These will be officially presented to the schools during special events planned over the next few weeks, and will feature in Microbiologist in June. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who took part.
06 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Micro Break
Archaea Word Search Quiz Answers I personally thought the Archaea word search quiz in the December Microbiologist was really difficult, and that Z X S D Z S A O K E W V I J S F Y E V O G P R V C J Y S P S was when I knew the names of the bugs to look for! I was U K O U A T X W R A B Z Q G J U I O G V M W F K L B U T I X therefore very impressed to receive so many correct entries Z P X K V A D I H Z M F H I N U B M X J G I A N S L S W C C with a strong representation from our international S O C H T P U F Q Y X E H O M I H O J E K L K Y I W S I R H Z F H I Z H T K V D R H X M D Y O F L U T Q X H T U R O O F membership. The winning entry was submitted by Kevin T J I V G Y C L E G E F V Y K I Z C I O X G P K C R D X P J Charman of Surrey who correctly searched out all 20 C J A W F L G W E F T X L F A Z N W O I R O J C G D M I H N Archaea. Well done, a £30 book token is on its way to G S G Z Z O F X T Y C Q S D I N Q Z Y C L Y O O Y W G A I N you! E D A X S T K O N Q A P M Q E U V U Q A C C P B J M Y J L D This time see if you can unscramble the hidden phrase. G S D W K H G P J G B E A Y G S C K H H O U A S B J D Q U Z The numbers give a big clue to get you started and I’ve V G Z X J E V Z G Q I M V F K E U O F M X K S Q O B U K S X thrown in a ‘V’ for good measure. Get your entries in to H M H J R R J Q O N V S E L A Q N L R Z Z N C B O S D L L G D V H W E M B L X S E R M C Z A X E F F G L R P C G N L X H the Society office by 16th April to have the chance of N Q Z K K U J W T L R S D U H A H W P U T I O F D Q J W B C winning a £30 book token. K U K E J S U C D O B J T T R T G S V H R D S Y I X J E R H D Z E H W Q N K G M O N E E H B T H E R M O P L A S M A C S DO YOU HAVE A QUIZ FOR US? K S P M P O F L N Z N M X A T Y U R S B S U C R O Q W V S U H B S U C C O C O N A H T E M T M R Y V S V E O Y F O K U N If anyone has a quiz that we could use in Microbiologist Z Z Z H G B U A C G H K L I H O E H O X X F D O C D G X B A please get in touch with the Society Office – I’m rapidly A S R I U S S T I K T V C M S O T R M N O E L T Z C Q N O I running out of ideas to keep you challenged. (Ed). K O D S U V Q K T B E R E P O K U T I L O N M P G K U D L D N A T R I A L B A H M P H J I I R Y A A Q R S R M O O S G I Archaea Word Search Quiz Answers U O I O C B A E O X S A R T V A Q H A K A T T X N X P U O C Acidianus, Archaeoglobus, Desulfurococcus, T S Z Q J K I N J Z E K K S M Z D J K L J A B A H H F V E A G X B J R U F T D R S P J G M D I R T E X G J O N L T R A M Ferroglobus, Haloferax, Igniococcus, M M H I Y I E T A X B O E F U R H T T G C Q K S Y W O A H Z Methanobrevibacter, Methanococcus, C Z L T V D F B O F G E O K R H M I B X Q Y D A G L Y C C Z Methanohalophilus, Natrialba, Natronorubrum, O S M W D Q B H U K D I C P L G O I D W U S E K N S V W R J Picrophilus, Pyrolobus, Staphylothermus, Stetteria, W L W X U J H D R Y Y H J S U B O L O I G Y T S W O H T A D Stygiolobus, Sulfophobococcus, Thermococcus, S U L F O P H O B O C O C C U S Q C X K T Z N Q U Y A Q X O Thermoplasma, Thermosphaera
Code Breaker Quiz
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z L
V HMTOM LHM RJJXQJMFOJD QHZ
T FJ KAVZT TO Z JJ H MI IJZGVASJ
SHGTJVAH AM 1674
A £30 book token is waiting for the person whose entry is drawn from the editor’s lab-coat pocket first! The closing date for entries is Friday 16 April 2004. The answers will appear in the June 2004 issue of Microbiologist. Name: Address:
Simply photocopy this page and send it to: ‘Microbiologist Code Breaker Quiz’, Society for Applied Microbiology, The Blore Tower, The Harpur Centre, Bedford MK40 1TQ, UK. Remember, you could win a £30 Book Token! www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 07 New Members
We would like to warmly welcome the following new members and hope that you will participate fully in the activities of the Society. Dr Peter Silley asks who are SfAM, reviews the recent Australia changes that have been made to the Society’s grants and Professor H J Fallowfield; Dr N J Rogers; Dr D A awards and highlights some exciting new awards Veal
Brazil
Dr B Stambuk
Cayman Islands
Ms A Johnson In the last eighteen months official at the end of the year we have always had SfAM duties have brought me into contact money left in the pot. In an attempt to Ethiopia with many people with whom I would not rectify this situation we have had a radical Dr J Search normally meet. In such cases the question overhaul of the Awards. As the voice of has often been asked, “and just who are Applied Microbiology it is imperative that France SfAM?” This has been a theme very much we are adequately resourcing our Mr A Blackwell; Professor P Lebaron on the mind of Committee over recent members. This is one of the ways in months. We recently spent time with which we can work together to enhance Hong Kong Professor Nigel Poole, considering that your professional development. Professor P-K Wong very question. So just what are these awards? At the We are the voice of Applied top of the list is the W H Pierce India Microbiology and if we do little else we Memorial Prize (see page 14). This must begin to project key messages to prestigious award is presented each year Dr P Dargan; Mr S Pai our colleagues, to politicians and to the at the annual Summer Conference to a Iran public. Over the coming year you will be young microbiologist (under 40!) who has hearing much more about these key made a substantial contribution to the Mrs S T Dalir; Dr M R Soudi issues which are summarised below; science. The award was instituted in 1984 Italy Applied Microbiology is pivotal to by the directors of Oxoid to solving the challenges we face in the commemorate the life and works of the Dr G Spano health, food and environmental sectors; late W H (Bill) Pierce, former chief Japan SfAM is the voice of Applied bacteriologist of Oxo Ltd and a long-time Microbiology. member of the Society. The closing date Dr C A Asis; Mr K Shima SfAM recognises that in the UK there for applications is 6 June each year, so if Mexico are skill deficiencies in Applied you wish your nominee to be considered Microbiology. SfAM will contribute to for this prize at this year’s Summer Dr R Cruz Camarillo identifying and implementing solutions. Conference please submit your Applied Microbiology is essential to the application well before June. We are United Kingdom maintenance of our quality of life, for indebted to the ongoing support of Oxoid Mrs C C Anyanwu; Mr B Bahrami; Mr I Bamforth; example public health. SfAM will work and I would personally like to thank Mike Miss A Brown; Miss K E Brown; Miss R Buck; Mrs with others to raise public understanding, Smith the Oxoid CEO for his support of O Chymera; Mr N Clarke; Mr L Cosgrove; Mr L Darkwah; Miss K Duangmal; Mr J I Elzwai; Ms J appreciation and application of the Society not only through this prize but Evans; Mr D Ferrett; Dr P Fuchs; Miss T Gallagher; microbiology to everyday life. in so many other ways. Mrs C E Gallagher; Miss R Guppy; Miss M E Hope; Development and exploitation of The President’s Fund is perhaps the Miss G Hughes; Mrs H F Joliffe; Ms T J Karpanen; Applied Microbiology requires the most widely used prize and we have just Dr M A Kertesz; Dr Z Khodaii; Dr E Komitopoulou; maintenance and improvement of the increased the maximum grant available Dr A J Lawson; Dr D McCleery; Miss G Moore; Mr S More; Mr C N Pandya; Mr W Pathom-Aree; Mr T microbiological resources in the UK, such from £500 to £1000. In order to improve Puehmeier; Dr E Rappocciolo; Miss J Rollason; Miss as culture collections and other access we have reduced the period A K Rowan; Mrs N J Senior; Miss R L Smith; Dr J P specialised facilities. SfAM will work with between applications from 3 to 2 years Taylor; Ms D Vicente; Dr A M Webster; others to identify the needs and solutions. and providing you have been a member Mr P Wheat These issues will continue to be for at least a full subscription year before USA highlighted as continue the task of the event to be attended and are a fully promoting applied microbiology. paid up member you are eligible. The Dr F Balaa; Mr D Robbins I also want to focus on some of the Fund was established to provide funding UK Corporate changes that have recently been made to to members to assist them to attend existing SfAM awards and highlight some scientific meetings or workshops related Campden & Chorleywood Food Research new awards that have been introduced, to their area of work. The money allotted Association for the benefit of all members. You may to the Fund is approved by Committee on School Associate Members find this difficult to believe, but we an annual basis and all awards are made continually have trouble in giving away at the sole discretion of the Honorary St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, Kent; The Leys money. Each year money is set aside by President. Another change to the Fund is School, Cambridge; Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry, Co. Down. Committee to support the various awards rather than ask recipients to provide a that are on offer to you, the members, yet written report of the meeting they
08 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk the President’s Column
attended we will in future be asking you becoming endangered and are being lost appropriate report must be written for to write for Microbiologist. If you to the scientific community. Working with publication in Microbiologist magazine therefore accept a President’s Fund the World Federation of Culture together with photographs where award you are also agreeing to produce Collections (WFCC), the Society has possible. an article for Microbiologist, the content taken the initiative and inaugurated the The Conference Studentship Grant of which will be agreed with our editor, SfAM Endangered Culture Collection probably needs no introduction. The Anthony Hilton (For more information see Fund. This new fund is intended to allow Society offers studentships to enable page 43). UK collection staff to visit endangered student members to attend Society The Students into Work scheme has collections and provide training and meetings. These grants cover registration, been very successful in recent years. advice aimed at preserving culture accommodation and meals (where Again we have increased the money collections either in situ or within the appropriate) and reasonable travel available by raising the weekly pay to country of origin as well as to provide expenses. Preference is given to those £160 per week and also allowing up to short term relief and pay for the contributing to the meeting either by £500 to be paid for consumables used by relocation of collections to a willing offering a paper or poster and who have the student. The scheme offers full recipient where collections cannot be not previously received a studentship. members the opportunity to give maintained in situ. A grant of up to £2500 These grants and awards offer undergraduate students studying is available for these purposes. tremendous opportunities to all members microbiology as part of their degree Application is only open to Full members whether you work in private industry or programme, or those who have recently of the Society. Annual awards totalling the public sector. It is of concern to me graduated, the chance to obtain work £2500 will be considered. This may be a that so few of our industrial members experience. Grants can be made available single award or multiple smaller awards. apply for SfAM grants. The funds are to any full member who is able to offer a In exceptional circumstances this amount available to all. suitable work placement for a period of may be exceeded. Applicants must have Not only is SfAM looking to invest up to 10 weeks, any time during the year. been members of the Society for at least within the science community, but the UK Any full member of the Society who can 3 years or have their application Chancellor, Gordon Brown has also said offer an undergraduate student, or a sponsored by such a member. Applicants that a long-term plan for science funding recent graduate (within 6 months of can apply online or by requesting an will be a key component of Britain’s graduation), a work placement is eligible application form from the Society Office. spending review of 2004.The Chancellor to apply for a grant. The placement can All applications should also be supported has said that the government aimed “to last for up to a maximum of 10 weeks. by a formal letter on headed paper from make Britain the best location for Applications should be made by the the appropriate institution and must be research and development and for supervisor using the “Student into Work” countersigned by a senior officer innovation”. This is something it already application form on the website. representing that organisation and encourages, he said, by spending £1.25 Successful applicants and their students/ supporting the application. Applications billion annually renewing Britain’s science graduates must write a report on the are considered on a year round basis and base, offering tax credits for research and placement. This will usually be published should in the first instance be addressed development, and other measures. in Microbiologist. Normally a member to the Hon. General Secretary at the In January he told the Advancing may not apply for a further grant until a Society Office. A condition of funding is Enterprise Conference of Government’s period of two years has elapsed. There is that a report must be produced for commitment to make a long-term plan for no closing date for this Grant and publication in Microbiologist. science funding over the next decade a applications can be made any time during The new Overseas Development central feature of the 2004 spending the year. Applicants must apply at least 6 Award is intended to assist Society review. Despite the pressure on weeks before the proposed start date. members in developing countries and government to keep public spending in The Sponsored Lecture Grant is Eastern Europe to visit laboratories and check, Gordon Brown has acknowledged another award which has benefited from give lectures and training in appropriate that science is one of Britain’s strengths increasing the value from £150 to £500. areas of applied microbiology, or support in a global market and should be This allows groups, clubs and societies overseas members to visit UK laboratories encouraged, “It is precisely these British with an interest in microbiology to invite to receive training in appropriate areas of qualities — our global reach, our notable speakers to give guest lectures. microbiology or to support technology scientific genius, and now our stability The increase in this award will now allow transfer in applied microbiology for which — that are vital assets for winning in invitations to eminent overseas speakers sources of funding do not exist. a more harshly competitive global to be made and clearly reflects the Nominations for awards will normally be economy”. position of SfAM as the voice of applied considered by the Society’s Awards panel We will watch these plans develop with microbiology within the UK. in March, July and November each year. great interest! Two newly instigated awards are the Individual awards up to a maximum of Endangered Culture Collection Fund £5000 will be considered. The laboratory ■ Further information and the Overseas Development Award. supporter must be full member of the You can find detailed information on all the Culture collections throughout the Society and have held membership for at Society’s grants and awards on the Society world help preserve and maintain the least 3 years. Detailed information must website at: working tools of our trade as practising be provided about the relevance of the http:/www.sfam.org.uk/members/prizes.php microbiologists. In many countries these application and the available local Peter Silley precious biological resources are support. A condition of funding is that an www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 09 Call for nominations to Committee
Dr Valerie Edwards-Jones became the New Honorary Treasurer in January 2004. Your Society This caused an incidental vacancy and Committee invited Dr Geoff Hanlon, who stood for election last year, to fill the vacancy until the new elections in July 2004. needs YOU! In addition, 3 other members of Committee are due to retire in July 2004 after their 3 years of service: Dr Hilary Dodson, Professor Peter Gilbert and Dr Peter Green. Thus, there will be 4 vacancies to fill in July 2004. Nominations are invited from all full members of the Society for these vacancies. Nominations must be made in writing and received at the Society Office by 17th May 2004. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election will be by a system of postal voting arranged by Committee.
Call for Honorary Members The Society is looking to receive nominations for the award of honorary membership of SfAM. Currently all ex-presidents have honorary membership conferred at the end of their period of office. The Society is seeking to expand this to individuals who need not necessarily be a member of SfAM but who have made a significant and acknowledged contribution SfAM is the voice for Applied to applied microbiology either in the UK or overseas Microbiology and often gets requests by and/or to the Society for Applied Microbiology. journalists for background briefings or There will at any time be a maximum of 20 information. Are you interested in being Honorary Members plus all past Presidents. part of a small group which will brief Nominations can be made by anyone and should the media about applied microbiology? be submitted to the President via the Society If so please contact Nigel Poole in office. The President will call a meeting with two Public Affairs at the Society Office. Past Presidents who together will consider the nominations and Phone 01344 750248 or email him at: submit a recommendation for committee approval. [email protected]
School Sponsor a new Sponsor of the Associate Member and Year Award Membership win a £50 Book Token!
Would you believe it, the winner of the 2003 sponsor a new member is our very own Microbiologist editor, Anthony Hilton, Could you be the next for the second year running! Only narrowly taking the lead from a closely following Why not recommend SfAM membership winner of the ‘sfam Sponsor to your local school? pack. Congratulations and thank you on of the Year’ Award? behalf of the Society for your continued Benefits effort in recruiting new members. ■ Quarterly copies of Microbiologist If you feel you could be our next winner If you think you could be our next winner ■ Full access to the Society website for 2004, and would like some for 2004 and would like some promotional ■ Preferential rates at all Society promotional material to help you recruit material please contact the Society office. Meetings new members please contact ■ All for only £15.00 per annum! Julie Wright, Membership Co-ordinator on Julie Wright 01234 326661 or email [email protected]. Membership Co-ordinator
10 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Membership matters
New Public Affairs Executive
In January the Society appointed a biotechnology industry in 1999 and was “Public Affairs at SfAM is a very public affairs executive in the form of recognised by the UK chemical industry exciting task. Every day there are stories Sekona Partnerships. Half of the team is with the award for the “most outstanding in the media with a microbiological our ex-treasurer Geraldine Schofield who contribution to advancing the public theme. SfAM is the voice for Applied many of you will be already familiar with, understanding of science”. He holds Microbiology and I will be ensuring that accompanied by Professor Nigel Poole. honorary Professorships at the Government, academia, industry and the Professor Poole was one of the founder Universities of Aberdeen and John media hear and understand the members of the Department of Liverpool John Moores. importance of Applied Microbiology. One Microbiology at Aberdeen University in In 2000 Nigel founded Sekona of my first tasks will be to form a group the early seventies. He joined ICI/Zeneca Partnerships which works with of SfAM members who are willing to give in 1976 and ended up as the Group organisations to build relationships with background briefings to the media.” Manager for External and Regulatory their stakeholders (government, media, Professor Poole can be contacted on Affairs at Zeneca Plant Science. He was other companies) in complex, and often 01344 750248 or by email at: awarded on OBE for services to the controversial areas. [email protected]
London Marathon Sponsorship help
Hello Microbiologists To find out more about Ross and his My partner, Ross Bridgeford, is running running visit the London Marathon this year and is www.sponsorrosstorun.co.uk or email currently trying to raise as much [email protected] to pledge your sponsorship money as possible for the donation! Every penny counts and if you Anthony Nolan Trust, a bone marrow are willing to donate £1 per mile you can register. This follows the support they guess his finishing time and enter a £50 gave to a close friend, Heather, and her sweepstake (straight from his own four-year old daughter Bethany, who pocket)! sadly passed away late last year. The Get donating! Trust receive no Government or Lottery funding and are Anouche Newman therefore reliant upon donations. Editorial Assistant
www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 11 In Memoriam: Professor E O Morris
ROFESSOR ERNEST OLIVER University of Strathclyde in June 1964. a fine singer. When he left the army he MORRIS, who died on 28th The Department of Pharmacy had until decided on a university course rather than P October 2003 joined the then included a biological section, which following a career as a professional Society in 1959. Ernie, as he came into its own with the formation of singer. In later years he sang in amateur was known to colleagues and friends, the Department of Applied Microbiology operatic societies and could be counted became a lecturer in the biological and Biology. This included microbiology, upon to sing selections from Gilbert and sciences section of the School of food science biochemistry and biology Sullivan at Departmental parties and Final Pharmacy at the Royal College of Science and Ernest Morris was appointed Year dinners. From his father he had and Technology in Glasgow, soon to Professor of Applied Microbiology and acquired a love of woodworking and become the University of Strathclyde in Biology. In 1966 a separate Professor of marquetry was one of his hobbies. 1964. Ernie’s career had not been a Biology was appointed and Ernie became When he took up his appointment at simple progression through academia. the Professor of Applied Microbiology. Strathclyde, he and Iris lived in Born in Birmingham, he left school at Under his guidance the department’s Craigendorran where Iris looked after fourteen to train as a laboratory research work expanded. He formed a Ernie’s father as well as bringing up the technician at the Queen Elizabeth Yeast Technology Group to investigate family. After retirement he looked forward Hospital. When war broke out in 1939, as yeast genetics and biochemistry. There to relaxing and enjoying his family of a member of the Territorial Army, he was a strong inclination to the teaching of whom he was extremely proud. served in the RAMC in France and his food microbiology, research into Unfortunately, Iris developed a chronic unit was one of the last to be evacuated industrial fermentation in several fields and progressive illness and Ernie devoted from Dunkirk. Prior to leaving for France himself to looking after her for ten years. in 1939 he had married Iris, a Welsh Iris had been a mainstay of family life and nurse he met at the Queen Elizabeth a “mother” to the fledgling Department of Hospital. They had two children, Jane Applied Microbiology. born in 1942 in Wales and Michael born After Iris’s death in 1990, Ernest lived in 1949 in Birmingham. Later he was independently until 2002 when increasing posted to the Far East where he served in frailty forced him to move into residential India and Burma. This gave him a life- care. That year he was made an Honorary long interest in the culture of these areas Member of the Society. He died on 28 and a particular interest in students from October 2003. A kindly man, cheerful and there while they studied in his with a “hands on” approach to department. microbiology, Ernie will be remembered After his wartime experiences, Ernie with deep affection by former colleagues decided that he was capable of directing and students. He is survived by his work as had his officers in the army and daughter Jane, son Michael and their he applied to study at Birmingham children. University under the accelerated scheme for war veterans. In two years he emerged and aquatic and marine microbiology. with an honours degree in Malting, Novel techniques for the cultivation of Brewing and Industrial Fermentation. This marine yeasts came from this work. was followed by a PhD at the School of From 1973-75 Professor Morris was the Dentistry on the oral microbiology of President of the Society for Applied children. About 1952 he moved to the Microbiology. He was also awarded an Brewing Research Foundation at Nutfield FRSE for his contribution to science. in Surrey where he worked under Ernie retired in 1980 aged sixty-seven. A Professor Sir Ian Heilbron . kind, generous man with a truly avuncular During the period at Nutfield his work interest in his staff and students he was involved studying cultivated yeasts used keen to encourage people to make the in the brewing industry and he discovered best of themselves and actively helped that, unlike wild yeasts which cause people with technical qualifications to problems in the industry, cultivated yeasts complete degrees at Strathclyde. There could not utilise lysine as a sole source of was an arrangement with Bell College of nitrogen. This led to the formation of the Technology whereby students studying to Morris and Eddy medium for the become technicians could transfer to the Advertise! With a highly targeted circulation of 2000 detection of wild yeasts. Strathclyde degree course if suitably copies, Microbiologist is a cost-effective way Ernie left Nutfield in 1956 to become a competent. for members and non-members to reach lecturer at the Royal College of Science Ernie had many interests. As a young qualified microbiologists in industry, academia and Technology in Glasgow. It was a time man he had been a successful swimmer and public services, both in the UK, and of great change in the higher education and narrowly missed a place in the worldwide. system and the college became the Olympic team, played water polo and was
12 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Membership matters
A lifetime of Achievement
At the Laboratory News Industry Awards representative, but his severe speech took up a position with Becton Dickinson, impediment did nothing to help him promoting and selling BBL culture media. in November Don Whitley received a convince the interview panels that he was He left them after eighteen months to join lifetime achievement award the man for the job; indeed, he was the Bydand Group of companies, openly laughed at in some interviews. becoming the Sales Manager of R B LONG TIME MEMBER OF It was after one such interview, that, Turner Ltd, then moving on to become SfAM, Don Whitley joined the by way of consolation, he treated himself Technical Manager of Stayne Veterinary A Society in 1968 and marked his to fish & chips, wrapped in the time Ltd where he helped develop a retirement from Don Whitley honoured way in newspaper. As he commercial kit for the screening of cattle Scientific in 1994 with the establishment screwed up the paper he saw an advert for Brucellosis with the Rose Bengal of a generous Society Travel Scholarship. for a Sales Representative for Oxoid Antigen. He eventually became Technical Don was also the official Society Limited. He duly sent off his application Director of the RB Turner Glass Division photographer for many years and hosted and was called for interview. So sure was in Bishop Auckland who were producing the annual photography competition at the Summer Conference. This award recognises his significant and continued contribution to microbiology. Born in London in 1929, the elder son of a fitter with J Lyons and Co, Don, along with his family, escaped the war torn capital when the decentralisation of tea packing meant relocation to Leeds. Don was educated at Morley Grammar School, where he fostered an ambition to study medicine. His parents, however, were of the opinion that being a doctor was ‘not for the likes of us’, and he was dissuaded from taking such a career path. On leaving school he became an assistant in the textile research department at Leeds University; a job that he hated. It was here that he avidly read copies of The Lancet and would see advertisements for Medical Laboratory Assistants. Don wrote to twenty-two Leeds hospitals and nursing homes in the Don Whitley receives his lifetime hopes of finding such a position. As luck achievement award from Alexandra would have it, the matron at The Bailey, editor of Laboratory News Women’s Hospital in Leeds passed his letter on to their laboratory who were he that his interview would go the way of blood collection tubes etc. Shortly after looking for a trainee technician. all the others that he relaxed, and did not this appointment the Bydand Group sold It was here that Don gained his stammer. He sold himself so well that he out to Becton Dickinson, and Don left the Intermediate and Associateship in got the job! That was in 1956. company. Microbiology and achieved his Fellowship Don worked very successfully in this During his time in the Health Service, in Haematology. He was the Secretary of role, building up business Yorkshire, Don had formed an allegiance with John the West Yorkshire Branch of Biomedical Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Trowbridge, Microbiologist at the Royal Sciences for many years. Don was Leicestershire, while at the same time Berkshire. Don took John with him, first eventually made Chief MLSO at building strong scientific and personal to Becton Dickinson and then to the Killingbeck Hospital when it was a T B relationships with many post graduate Bydand Group, culminating in John being Sanatorium and then returned as Chief to students at Leeds University Medical Sales Manager for R B Turner when Don the Leeds Maternity Hospital. During all School, including Dr Geoff Hobbs, Dr was Sales Director. Once the company these years, Don battled to overcome a Trevor Willis, Dr Peter Walker, Dr Max had been bought by Becton Dickinson, severe stammer, which, at times left him Sussman and Dr John Norris — to name Don and John decided to set up in almost incapable of coherent speech. but a few who went on to great business together. Their joint venture, LIP Don decided that he wanted to leave achievement in the field of microbiology. Services, was set up in Don’s house in the Health Service and begin a career in Due to family ties, Don eschewed Shipley. The company sold Lab M culture the commercial world. He applied for a offers of promotion, which meant moving media and plastic disposables. After three total of eighteen jobs as a medical away from the North, but he eventually years in this alliance, Don felt that his www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 13 ambition lay in designing new products and he sold his 25% share to John for W H Pierce Prize Winner £5,000 and, with this money, Don Whitley Scientific Limited was born. The winner of the 2003 W H Pearce Memorial Prize was Don designed a new anaerobic jar Dr Jean-Yves Maillard of the University of Brighton, who presented the following using Schrader® valves. These were incorporated into the Oxoid jar which lecture at the SfAM January Meeting in Newcastle. won a design award and is still manufactured today. These new jars swept the market, allowing the tiny company to expand and be recognised in a highly competitive field. Don also designed a Hydrogen Generating System that was taken up and developed by Oxoid. This was closely followed by a carbon dioxide generating kit for growing microaerophillic bacteria such as Campylobacter spp and a low temperature palladium catalyst, still used today in anaerobic jars. STUDY BIOCIDES. Biocides In the late 1970s Don designed an are chemical agents with a anaerobic cabinet, the Mark 1, that I preservative, disinfectant or revolutionised how laboratories isolated Do you know a young microbiologist antiseptic property. They have anaerobic bacteria. It had fewer leaks due (under 40 years of age) who has made been used for centuries principally as to the construction, less condensation due a substantial contribution to preservative agents for water and to the external desiccant system and more microbiology? If so, why not nominate foodstuffs, for wound dressings and later catalyst allowing a lower oxygen them for this prestigious and as disinfectants with the development of concentration. Don Whitley Scientific substantial award which is worth antiseptic surgery in the 19th century. quickly became a leading player in the UK £2,000. The award was instituted in Since then the number and diversity of market, with the workstations being 1984 by Oxoid to commemorate the biocides available commercially has continuously developed through the Mark life and works of the late W H (Bill) escalated tremendously and this reflects 2, WISE, Mark 3 and Compact models. pierce, former chief bacteriologist at the increase in usage of these compounds In 1993, DWS launched its own Oxoid Ltd and a long-time member of in the hospital environment and in various Whitley Automatic Spiral Plater (WASP) the Society. The prize is presented industries. More recently, public onto the market. This is now a market annually at the summer conference. awareness of microbial contamination and leader and a winner of a Millennium Full Members wishing to make a hygiene control has driven an increase in Product Award. It was Don who suggested nomination for the 2004 prize should biocide usage in the home environment. the principles of Gravimetric Diluting write in confidence to the Hon General This increase has led to some serious whilst in a bar on the Florida Keys with Secretary, Margaret Patterson, at the concerns; notably over the emergence of Sam Schalkowsky. Spiral Systems went on Society Office in Bedford, including a bacterial resistance and a possible cross- to produce the first model and now a full cv of the person nominated and a resistance to other antimicrobial number of models exist letter of support. Please note there are compounds, including antibiotics. These Don was involved with the early no official forms for this award. issues were debated by the Royal commercial development of the Malthus Closing date for nominations is Pharmaceutical Society and impedance system produced by Torry 5th June 2004. recommendations were made to a Research in 1977. As Don Whitley Please note that application is through subcommittee of the Lords select Scientific grew, it became possible for nomination by Full Members of SfAM only. committee on science and technology Don to look at producing his own system. (1997). It has become clear that although Launched in 1987, Rapid Automated the antimicrobial efficacy of biocidal Bacterial Impedance Technique (RABIT) formulations used for a wide range of soon became a strong player in the applications is generally well documented, market and is still an important product our understanding of their mechanism(s) for the company both in the UK and of action, and of microbial resistance to overseas. these agents, is comparatively limited. Paul Walton, Don’s eldest son sums up This also clearly shows the marked his father’s achievements... “There difference with the field of antibiotics, the cannot be many microbiologists in the mechanisms of action of which are much world who have not used something in better understood. This disparity of which Don has had a hand.” knowledge reflects the significant emphasis on antibiotic research given by Evan Kitsell the pharmaceutical industry and work Don Whitley Scientific Limited commissioned by governments and other
14 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Membership matters
organisations such as the World Health antibiotics and creates ‘novel’ concepts in that agent. Even though these findings Organisation. Despite an extensive terms of emerging bacterial resistance to might reassure health professionals and knowledge of antibiotics, the number of disinfectants and, particularly, bacterial the industry somewhat, the increased microorganisms presenting a multiple cross-resistance with antibiotics. This usage of products containing a low resistance profile to these antimicrobials ‘primary target site for biocides’ concentration of a biocide and/or (the so-called ‘superbugs’) is increasing. concept has now been fully acknowledged possessing a ‘residual activity’ needs to This observation is particularly pertinent by scientists during an international be scrutinised in more detail. Further, given the release of recent figures by the conference on biocides that I organised in when combined with a trend to overlook European Antimicrobial Resistance 2001. This has lead to some serious factors that affect activity, the need to Surveillance System (EARSS), which questions about the extensive and, study the effect of low concentrations of describes the emergence of “superbugs” sometimes, improper usage of biocides. biocides on the microbial cells is obvious. as being ‘alarmingly high in the UK’. For the past few years, these questions This area of research has become My work has been strongly stimulated by have been paramount in my thinking and increasingly important even though the general lack of information on have laid the basis for exciting new industrial interests still exceed health biocides and the urgent need to investigations. These are represented by a authority interests. Although my work has understand better the emergence of series of research studies on bacterial been driven by the intellectual challenge resistance to antimicrobials. Among all resistance and on the role of cell-to-cell of biocide interactions with microorganisms, the activity of biocides communication in response to sub- microorganisms, it has also generated against viruses has been the least studied inhibitory concentrations of biocides, significant collaborations with, and (with the possible exception of prions, the which constitutes a new approach. benefits to, the pharmaceutical industry. agents responsible for transmissible It has become clear that bacteria are The development of a ‘novel’ testing degenerative encephalopathy). In a series extremely efficient in reducing the protocol is a direct response to industrial of papers I have demonstrated that concentration of biocide that might be needs. This ‘ex-vivo’ test will provide different types of biocides interact in a harmful to them. I strongly support the professionals with an important tool for distinct manner with viral agents and idea that the main mechanism of bacterial the safe and thorough testing of the caused well-defined damage. It was insusceptibility to biocides is their ability antimicrobial efficacy of antiseptics. This interesting to observe that most biocides to restrict the uptake of these agents, test will benefit the public and health had no effect on the viral nucleic acid, mainly through the influence of their professional by ensuring that (i) which was protected within the capsid outer cell wall structures. Other scientists antiseptic products meet their label claim even though they acted principally on that have proposed the role of promiscuous and (ii) antiseptics are able to eliminate viral capsid. It was later seen that some efflux systems as a key determinant of pathogenic microorganisms present on viruses (certain bacteriophages and bacterial resistance to biocides and other the skin. enteroviruses) could also adapt to low antimicrobial agents. Indeed, the The field of biocides is under concentrations of biocides, although the involvement of some efflux pumps in researched. I have endeavoured to exact mechanism of adaptation has not bacterial resistance to biocides and other communicate my enthusiasm for the been elucidated to date. agents has been recently highlighted as interaction of biocides with bacteria to Although my work has initially been an important mechanism for achieving undergraduate pharmacy students with driven by the paucity of information on cross-resistance with antibiotics. My own the elaboration of comprehensive biocide interaction with viruses, I rapidly view is that efflux pumps combined with research projects. I have also aimed to became involved in the study of other degradative enzymes are playing an enhance the understanding of those microorganisms. Understanding biocide important role in antimicrobial resistance, microbial cell structures that are interactions from this wider perspective but only when the overall concentration responsible for a lack of antimicrobial has become a feature of my research and of a biocide is below a ‘lethal’ threshold. activity, as demonstrated by my has provided further intellectual Under these circumstances, of course, the continuous collaboration with medicinal challenges to answer two fundamental microorganism is able to select optimal chemists. Furthermore, my involvement questions: how do biocides interact with mutations to maintain a resistance profile. with SfAM has provide me with a vehicle cells and how might microbial resistance My colleagues and I observed that it to develop industry and health to biocides emerge? was possible to isolate highly resistant professional awareness about biocide It has always been accepted that microorganisms to a particular biocide ‘in issues. Finally, I am in debt to Professor A biocides have several target sites within situ’ and to train bacteria to become D Russell, who has been my research the bacterial cell, and this characteristic increasingly resistant to a biocide in the mentor for many years. He has helped distinguishes them from antibiotics. laboratory. sustain my interest in this exciting field Although, this concept is certainly true These investigations have shown that, and our collaboration has evolved from for highly reactive biocides, such as although cross-resistance was observed his original supervision of my PhD work, alkylating and oxidizing agents, others, on occasions, there was no systematic to a fruitful and constructive exchange of such as cationic compounds, dyes and correlation. This re-emphasised the need ideas, which have been exemplified by the phenolics are less reactive, and might to study in more depth biocide-bacteria many research publications and grants we have a selected number of primary interactions. Furthermore, we have have jointly obtained. interaction sites with the bacterial cell. observed that bacteria showing a This idea of primary target site(s) for significant increase in minimum Jean-Yves Maillard these biocides, brings the mode of action inhibitory concentration to a biocide are University of Brighton of these agents closer to that of still sensitive to a high-concentration of www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 15 CPD ACCREDITATION A total of 23 credits have been awarded to this conference, broken down as follows: Monday 12 July: 1 credit. Tuesday 13 July: 8 credits. Wednesday 14 July: 10 credits. challenges and opportunities Thursday 15 July: 4 credits sfam SUMMER CONFERENCE ● CORK, IRELAND 12-15 July 2004
This is the first time that the Society has visited the Republic of Ireland for its Summer Conference. It is fitting that the topic of dairy and food microbiology has been selected for this meeting since it is one of the main interests of our members, the agri-food industry is such an important one in the region and University College, Cork has an outstanding reputation for teaching and research in the relevant microbiology. The programme addresses challenges in relation to animal and human disease but also opportunities presented by developments in food biotechnology, novel processes and products. One session will be devoted to offered papers on any aspect of applied microbiology and posters will be available for viewing throughout the meeting.
www.sfam.org.uk Summer Conference 2004
Conference overview
This programme was up to date at the time of Wednesday 14 July 2004 publication but may be subject to change. For the very latest information and an online booking form please 07.30 – 08.30 Breakfast visit: www.sfam.org.uk/sumconf.html Monday 12 July 2004 09.00 – 10.45 Session 3: Human Health
14.00 onwards Arrival of delegates 10.45 – 11.15 Coffee and poster session
18.45 – 19.45 Dinner in Devere Hall, University College 11.15 – 12.25 Session 3 continued Cork (UCC) 12.25 – 13.30 Lunch 20.00 – 21.00 Brains Trust in Students Union, UCC 13.30 – 15.00 Session 4: Offered papers (student) 21.00 onwards Society Mixer in bar adjacent to Devere Hall, UCC 15.00 – 15.30 Tea and poster session
Tuesday 13 July 2004 15.30 – 17.30 Session 4: Offered papers (non student)
07.30 – 08.30 Breakfast 17.30 - 18.00 W H Pierce Prize Winner
09.00 – 10.45 Session 1: Animal Health and Zoonoses 18.00 - 18.30 sfam Annual General Meeting
10.45 – 11.15 Coffee and poster session 19.15 Coaches depart for UCC
11.15 – 13.00 Session 1 continued 19.30 – 20.00 Reception at UCC
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch 20.00 Society Dinner at UCC
14.00 – 15.45 Session 2: Food Biotechnology Thursday 15 July 2004
15.45 – 16.15 Tea and poster session 07.30 – 08.30 Breakfast
16.15 – 17.25 Session 2 continued 09.00 – 10.45 Session 5: Novel Processes and Products
18.30 – 19.30 Trade Reception 10.45 – 11.15 Coffee and poster session
19.30 Depart for Old Middleton Distillery “Irish 11.15 – 13.00 Session 5 continued Night” 13.00 Lunch and close 20.00 Dinner and Entertainment
Please note that ALL scientific sessions, breakfast, coffee, lunch and afternoon tea are located in Jury’s Hotel and in Session 4, offered papers on ANY microbiology topic are welcome. You can now submit your abstracts via the Society website.
www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 17 Programme
Monday 12 July 2004 12.25–13.00 The level of susceptibility to scrapie and BSE is a Online function of strain of abstract 20.00–21.00 Brains Trust agent, route of infection Chair: Dr Pat Wall, and the host protein PrP University College, Dublin, submission Dr W Goldmann, Institute for Ireland Animal Health, BBSRC, UK If you want to submit a paper Panel: Prof Tim Cogan for this meeting on any topic in (Teagasc, Fermoy, Ireland); 13.00–14.00 Lunch and posters microbiology you can now do so Prof Kevin Collins (UCC, Ireland); Prof David by using our online submission Session 2. Food Biotechnology process. Please visit McConnell (Trinity College, Chair: Prof G Fitzgerald, UCC, Ireland sfam.org.uk/sumconf.html and Dublin, Ireland); scroll down the page until to you Prof Fergus Shanahan (UCC, Ireland) 14.00–14.35 Commercial production of find ‘CALL FOR OFFERED food enzymes PAPERS’. Then simply click the Tuesday 13 July 2004 Mr R Piggot, Quest ‘online form’ link to submit your International, Chicago USA abstract. Alternatively, you can Session 1. Animal Health and 14.35–15.10 Lessons from a Probiotic contact the Society Office who Zoonoses will post an abstract submission Genome Chair: Dr P Silley (SfAM Hon President) form to you. Deadline for all Dr D van Sinderen, UCC, Ireland submissions is 30 April 2004 09.00–09.35 Treating mastitis in the 15.10–15.45 Microbial solutions to cow – a tradition or an microbial problems; archaism? bacteriocins as tools for Dr E Hillerton, Institute for the control of undesirable Animal Health, Compton, UK flora in food Prof C Hill, UCC, Ireland 09.35–10.10 Assessment of cows for use of non-antimicrobial 15.45–16.15 Tea and posters dry cow product Dr D O’Rourke, Pfizer, Kent, UK 16.15–16.50 Food grade bacteria as cell factories for the 10.10–10.45 Tuberculosis - new light production of food from an old window. ingredients Dr S Neill, Department of Dr E Smid, NIZO, Netherlands Agriculture & Rural Development and Queen’s 16.50– 7.25 Exploiting genetically University, Belfast, UK modified microorganisms in the agricultural and 10.45–11.15 Coffee and posters food sectors 11.15–11.50 Brucellosis - new aspects Prof F O’Gara, UCC, Ireland of an old disease Wednesday 14 July 2004 Dr A McMillan, VLA, Surrey, UK
11.50–12.25 Zoonotic potential of Session 3. Human Health For the latest information, Mycobacterium avium Chair: Dr T Quigley, Safefood, UK costs and social events subsp. paratuberculosis: the current position 09.00–09.35 Campylobacter jejuni – please visit us online at: Dr I Grant, Queen’s University, ‘The Enigma File’ www.sfam.org.uk Belfast, UK Prof E Bolton, HPA, UK
www.sfam.org.uk Summer Conference 2004
challenges and opportunities
This programme was up to date at the time of publication but may be subject to change. For the very latest information and an online booking form please visit the Society website at www.sfam.org.uk/sumconf.html
09.35–10.10 Salmonella: the interface 16.10–16.30 Non-student paper 3 11.50–12.25 Overcoming the between microbiology technological hurdles in and epidemiology in 16.30–16.50 Non-student paper4 the development of outbreak investigations probiotic foods Dr E J Threfall, CPHL, LEP, 16.50–17.10 Non-student paper 5 Dr P Ross, Moorepark, Colindale, UK Fermoy, Ireland 17.10–17.30 Non-student paper 6 10.10–10.45 Verotoxigenic E coli 12.25 Close of Conference and Prof J Mainil, Univ of Liège, Lunch Chair: Dr P Silley (SfAM Hon President) Belgium
10.45–11.15Coffee and posters 17.30–18.00 W H Pierce Prize Winner
11.15–11.50 The gastrointestinal 18.00–18.30 SfAM Annual General phase of Listeria Meeting monocytogenes infection Dr C Gahan, UCC, Ireland Thursday 15 July 2004
11.50–12.25 Viruses in foodborne Session 5. Novel Processes and CPD illness Products Dr M Carter, University of ACCREDITATION Chair: Dr P Silley (SfAM Hon President) Surrey, UK A total of 23 credits have been awarded to this conference, broken 09.00–09.35 Advances in thermal 12.25–13.30 Lunch down as follows: Monday 12 July: 1 processing Mrs J Gaze, Campden & credit. Tuesday 13 July: 8 credits. Session 4. Offered papers Chorleywood Food Research Wednesday 14 July: 10 credits. (student and non-student) Association, Chipping Thursday 15 July: 4 credits Chair: Mrs M Harrison Campden, UK (SfAM Hon Meetings Secretary) 09.35–10.10 Microbial inactivation by 13.30–13.45 Student paper 1 New technologies – Trade Show thermal and non thermal 13.45–14.00 Student paper 2 Prof R Pagán, Universidad de Anyone wishing to exhibit at the trade Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain show please contact Lynne Boshier at 14.00–14.15 Student paper 3 the Society Office. 10.10–10.45 Microbiology of pressure Email: [email protected] 14.15–14.30 Student paper 4 treated foods Dr M F Patterson, Dept of 14.30–14.45 Student paper 5 Agriculture & Rural Development and Queen’s University Belfast, UK 14.45–15.00 Student paper 6 10.45–11.15Coffee and posters 15.00–15.30 Tea and posters 11.15–11.50 From concept to Chair: Dr M Adams, consumer – the path to University of Surrey, UK commercialising a probiotic 15.30–15.50 Non-student paper 1 Dr B Kiely, Dept Alimentary Health, UCC, 15.50–16.10 Non-student paper 2 Ireland
www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 19 CPD ACCREDITATION A total of 23 credits have been awarded to this conference, broken down as follows: Monday 12 July: 1 credit. Tuesday 13 July: 8 credits. Wednesday 14 July: 10 credits. challenges and opportunities Thursday 15 July: 4 credits sfam SUMMER CONFERENCE ● CORK, IRELAND 12-15 July 2004
Venue
Jurys Hotel is unquestionably Cork’s finest hotel, combining top class facilities and service with the warmth and friendliness for which Corkonians are renowned. Located on the banks of the River Lee, the hotel is just a 5 minute walk from the city’s bustling business, shopping and entertainment districts. The newly refurbished ground floor comprises the Glandore Restaurant with its wide menu selection, a lively atmosphere in Kavanagh’s traditional Irish Pub and the Library Lounge, perfect for a relaxing drink.
For the latest information, costs and social events please visit us online at: www.sfam.org.uk
www.sfam.org.uk BOOKING FORM and INVOICE SFAM SUMMER CONFERENCE 2004 12 - 15 JULY 2004 Dairy & Food Microbiology: challenges and opportunities Only ONE person per form please. If additional forms are required please photocopy this one CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATIONS: Friday 11 June 2004. A LATE BOOKING FEE of £30.00 will be applied to all bookings made after this date. FEES
Whole Conference Rate at Jury’s Hotel: inclusive Student, Honorary, Associate Student Non - Full Members Non - Members of registration fee, coffee breaks, lunches, dinners, & Retired Members Members including Society dinner, Distillery Visit and accommodation for the entire conference £400.00 £200.00 £400.00 £595.00 Whole Conference Rate at Lancaster Lodge or Jury’s Inn: inc. of registration fee, coffee breaks, £200.00 £100.00 £300.00 £495.00 lunches, dinners, including Society dinner, Distillery Visit and accommodation for the entire conference
Day Rate: 08.30 - 17.00 hours per day, or part £100.00 £50.00 £100.00 £150.00 thereof, inc. of registration fee, coffee lunch and tea
Overnight accommodation: en-suite room per Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday night. (All membership classes pay the same rates) night inclusive of breakfast £100.00 per night (Jury’s Hotel) OR £67.00 per night (Lancaster Lodge or Jury’s Inn)
YOUR COSTS Charges - please tick the applicable box(es) Amount
Whole Conference Rate at Jury’s Hotel: £
Whole Conference Rate at Lancaster Lodge or Jury’s Inn: £
Day Rate (please tick the DAY(S) you wish to attend): Tues 13th: Weds 14th: Thurs 15th: £
Overnight accommodation: (please tick the Mon 12th: Tues 13th: Weds 14th: £ NIGHT(S) you wish to stay and tick the LOCATION: Please note that space in Jury’s Hotel is limited. Jury’s Hotel: Jury’s Inn: Lancaster Lodge: Late applicants will be lodged at Jury’s Inn or Lancaster Lodge
I wish to attend the Society Dinner on Wednesday evening (This is included in the Whole Conference Rate but £ costs £50.00 for delegates who elect to pay the Day rate). Please note that numbers are limited:
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LATE BOOKING FEE Payable for all bookings made after Friday 11 June 2004: £30.00
TOTAL AMOUNT REMITTED: £
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YOUR PAYMENT
● For all participants: The Society DOES NOT INVOICE for conference fees. Please treat your completed booking form as an invoice. Cheques must be in £ STERLING ONLY and made payable to ‘The Society for Applied Microbiology’. Foreign cheques/ drafts MUST be negotiable for the full amount due. Please note that AMERICAN EXPRESS and DINERS CARDS are NOT ACCEPTED. However the following credit and debit cards are acceptable: VISA, Mastercard, Eurocard, Delta, Electron, JCB, Maestro and Solo. SUGGESTION: please photocopy this form to save mutilating your copy of the Microbiologist! Cheque enclosed Please charge my Mastercard/Visa card /Debit card (please delete inapplicable items) TOTAL Amount enclosed/ to be debited: (*Remember to include your LATE BOOKING FEE if your are booking after 11 June 2004) £ Card number: Expiry Date: Issue No. (Debit cards only)
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Please return the completed form by fax (post if you are enclosing a cheque) to: The Society for Applied Microbiology, The Blore Tower, The Harpur Centre, Bedford MK40 1TQ, UK. Tel: 01234 326661. Fax: 01234 326678. Email: [email protected] STUDENTSHIP Application Only ONE form per student please. If additional forms are required please photocopy this one
SFAM SUMMER CONFERENCE 2004 12 - 15 JULY 2004
I wish to apply for a SfAM Studentship grant to attend the 2004 SfAM Summer Conference
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Please return your completed application by fax or post to: The Society for Applied Microbiology, The Blore Tower, The Harpur Centre, Bedford MK40 1TQ, UK. Tel: 01234 326661. Fax: 01234 326678. Email: [email protected] Joint sfam and ASM Meeting BACTERIAL RESISTANCE to ANTIBIOTICS and DISINFECTANTS New Orleans, USA 23 - 27 May 2004
SfAM and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) are jointly organizing two sessions dedicated to bacterial resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants at the ASM 104th General Meeting in New Orleans on 23-27 May 2004. This programme aims to expand from the first conference on biocide and antibiotic resistance in bacteria organised by the Society in Swansea in the UK in July 2001. The role of misuse of antibiotics in proliferating antibiotic resistance is appreciated, however, the potential effect of biocide use in clinical and domiciliary environments on the emergence of antibiotic resistance is less understood. In addition, the extensive, and often improper, use of biocidal products has been claimed to exacerbate the spread of antibiotic resistance. Several institutions in the US and UK have recognized the problem and have called for a better understanding of the mechanisms which might lead to possible cross-resistance between antibiotics and biocides. While this issue is recognized by some working at the boundaries of clinical and environmental microbiology, it merits greater recognition by our professional society and society at large; ultimately the end user of many biocidal products. A symposium session entitled “Biocide and antibiotic resistance in bacteria: policies and issues: where do we go from here?” will explore the issues and policies related to the use of biocides in relation to bacterial resistance to both biocides and antibiotics. This will be followed by a colloquium session entitled “Biocide and antibiotic resistance in bacteria: an update” which will present the latest scientific evidence of possible linkage between biocide and antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Proposed Programme
Wednesday 26th May 2004 14.30 - 17.00 Room 207, New Orleans Convention Center, 08.00 - 10.30 Colloquium: Biocide and antibiotic resistance in bacteria: an update Symposium: Biocide and antibiotic resistance in Conveners: M S Favero (Advanced Sterilization products, Johnson & bacteria: policies and issues: where do we go from Johnson, Irvine, USA) and J-Y Maillard (University of Brighton, UK) here? Conveners: J-Y Maillard (University of Brighton, UK) and M S Favero Biocide and antibiotic resistance in bacteria: the need for (Advanced Sterilization products, Johnson & Johnson, Irvine, USA). an update. J-Y Maillard (University of Brighton, UK). Similarities and differences between bacterial responses Target sites for biocidal agents: primary vs. multiple to biocides and antibiotics. target sites revisited. A D Russell (Cardiff University, Wales, UK). S P Denyer (Cardiff University, Wales, UK). Use of disinfectants in health-care facilities: a cause for Biocide usage and antibiotic resistance: linkage in the concern? clinical and domestic environments? W A Rutala (University of North Carolina, USA). S B Levy (Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA). Clinical significance of the emergence of bacterial Efflux mechanism: current knowledge: a major resistance in the hospital environment. mechanism involved in bacterial resistance to B D Cookson (Health Protection Agency, London, UK). antimicrobials. Prospective bacterial targets as a means of overcoming K Poole (Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada). bacterial resistance to biocides and antibiotics: the future Bacterial biofilm and resistance to antimicrobial agents: a of antimicrobials. better account of real life situations. D J Payne (GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, USA). P Gilbert (University of Manchester, UK). Antibiotic and biocide resistance in bacteria: reality or theory? A summing up. There will be a call for posters in this area by the ASM M S Favero (Advanced Sterilization products, Johnson & Johnson, Irvine, organiser. Please check the ASM website (address below) for USA). further details. Thank you SfAM would like to thank Advanced Sterilization Products (a Johnson & Johnson Company, Irvine, CA), the Soap and Detergent Association and the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (SDA/CTFA, Washington, DC) for their generous contributions which will enable leading experts to travel to New Orleans to attend this meeting. Further information about this meeting can be obtained from the Society Office and from the ASM website at: www.asm.org/Meetings/Index.asp?bid=470 www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 23 Meetings
London Food Study Group and Sfam Joint Conference Food Contamination Risks associated with microorganisms and pests
13 -14th May 2004 Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, 15 Hatfields, Southwark London, SE1 8DJ, UK
This conference will focus upon how microorganisms survive and transfer via cross-contamination within the food supply and production chains. The role of pests in transmission will also be highlighted. Risks of illness as well as cultural acceptability of pests as foreign bodies within ‘organic’ produce will be further discussed, along with the legal context of contamination.
Draft Summary of Programme in order of Presentations: Thursday 13th May 2004 Name Job/Organisation Presentation
Professor T H Pennington University of Aberdeen, Dept of Medical Microbiology Keynote address
Dr Slim Dinsdale Food Safety and Quality Consultant Legal aspects of food contamination
Professor Moray Anderson Technical Director and Group Director, Killgerm Group Cockroaches and their role in spreading pathogens
TBC TBC Rodents and their role in spreading pathogens
Mr Edward Cooke University of Birmingham The survival of Serratia marcescens on Houseflies (Musca domestica) electrocuted by electric fly killer
TBC TBC The meaning of ‘organic food’
Dr Alec Kyriakides Food Safety Manager for Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd ‘Contamination’ in organic food – A retailers perspective (draft title)
TBC FSA TBC Friday 14th May 2004
Dr John Cowden SCIEH TBC
Dr Belinda Stuart-Moonlight Moonlight Environmental Ltd Microbial distribution and transfer within kitchens
Dr Richard Meldrum National Public Health Service Wales The Welsh Food Microbiological Forum and the shopping basket surveillance programme for ready-to- eat foods
Dr Roy Betts Head of Microbiology, Campden and Chorleywood FRA Microbiological Risks of handling Raw Meat in the Domestic Environment
Mr Richard Elson Senior Scientist HPA, CDSC Salmonella and raw shell eggs - do caterers know what they need to know?
Dr Karen Hall Campden and Chorleywood FRA The microbial ecology of chilled food factories; evidence for persistent Listeria spp. and Escherichia coli strains
Costs £80 + VAT for the two days (includes registration, lunch and teas/coffees). Please contact the Society for more details and booking arrangements. Contact: Dr Belinda Stuart-Moonlight at: [email protected].
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jh18 www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 25 Professor Mike Peck discusses the good, bad and ugly aspects of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins
HE BOTULINUM From a phylogenetic point six organisms, a non- Seven botulinum neurotoxins of view the taxonomic neurotoxigenic neurotoxins (A to G) are T potentially impact structure of C. botulinum phylogenetically equivalent produced, with the location of on our lives in leaves much to be desired. Six organism is known (Table 1). the neurotoxin gene and toxin different ways. These may be physiologically and For example, proteolytic type dependent on the good, bad or ugly. In recent phylogenetically distinct (Group I) C. botulinum is producing organism (Table 1). years, extremely small clostridia can produce similar to C. sporogenes, The neurotoxins were quantities of these most botulinum neurotoxin (Table except for the ability to originally distinguished on the potent of toxins have been 1); four are designated C. produce neurotoxin. The basis of their antigenic used in a beneficial way to botulinum and two are not! different physiology of these response. More recent treat a variety of neurological The practice has been to organisms is reflected by the research has established the conditions such as torticollis, retain the name of C. circumstances in which they amino acid sequence of the blepharospasm and botulinum to emphasise the present a hazard. For example, different neurotoxins, and also strabismus. The botulinum importance of neurotoxin proteolytic (Group I) C. the crystal structure of several neurotoxins cause botulism, a production. However, when botulinum and non- neurotoxins. The mode of severe disease of man and some strains of C. baratii and proteolytic (Group II) C. action of the neurotoxins is animals. In view of its potency, C. butyricum were recently botulinum, and very now well understood. The botulinum neurotoxins have found to produce the occasionally neurotoxigenic C. neurotoxins act primarily at also attracted attention as neurotoxin, it was decided not baratii and C. butyricum, peripheral cholinergic potentially ugly weapons of to call these organisms C. have been associated with synapses blocking release of mass destruction. botulinum. For each of the foodborne botulism (Table 1). the neurotransmitter
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acetylcholine. All botulinum Salmonella. of moderate heat resistance, the end of the nineteenth neurotoxins comprise a heavy Proteolytic C. botulinum but this organism can multiply century, Emile van Ermengem chain and a light chain and and non-proteolytic C. and form neurotoxin at first isolated a causative are often associated with other botulinum are responsible for temperatures as low as 3°C. organism (initially called proteins (e.g. haemagglutinin most cases of foodborne Botulism outbreaks associated Bacillus botulinus) from and non-toxin non- botulism. As they differ non-proteolytic C. botulinum home made raw salted ham haemagglutinin). physiologically (i.e. survive have occurred most frequently and the spleen of a man who The heavy chains are and grow under different with processed fish, with for later died of botulism. This responsible for delivery of the conditions), they present a example outbreaks involving outbreak, in Belgium, affected light chains to the cytosol of hazard in different types of vacuum packed smoked fish 23 musicians (three fatally). the motor neuron, their site of foods (Table 2). Proteolytic C. reported in Sweden (1991 and The isolated strains, now lost, action. The light chains botulinum produces spores of 1994) and in Germany were probably non-proteolytic possess zinc endopeptidase high heat resistance and has a (1997). C. botulinum. Over the next activity, and cleave protein minimum growth temperature The name “botulism” was three decades a great number components of the of 10° to 12°C. The canning given to a disease reported in of outbreaks were identified acetylcholine-containing synaptic vesicle docking/ Table 1 Characteristics of the six phylogenetically distinct clostridia that produce botulinum neurotoxin fusion complex. Each light Associated with human Associated chain cleaves a specific Non-neurotoxigenic Neurotoxins Location of Organism botulism with animal equivalents produced neurotoxins gene protein in this complex at a botulism foodborne infant wound specific site. This cleavage C. botulinum Group 1 (proteolytic) C. sporogenes A, B, F Chromosome Yes Yes Yes Yes prevents binding of C. botulinum Group 2 (non-proteolytic) no name given B, E, F Chromosome Yes — — Yes acetylcholine-containing C. botulinum Group 3 C. novyi C, D bacteriophage — — — Yes synaptic vesicles, preventing C. botulinum Group 4 (C. argentinense) C. subterminale G plasmid — — — — neurotransmitter release and C. baratii all typical strains F Chromosome Yes Yes — — leading to flaccid paralysis of C. butyricum all typical strains E Chromosome Yes Yes — — the muscle. Flaccid paralysis of the respiratory muscles can Table 2 Examples of recent outbreaks of foodborne botulism result in death if not treated. Year & Country Food associated with outbreak No. cases (deaths) Toxin type: organism Foodborne botulism is an intoxication resulting from 1989 UK Commercially produced hazelnut yoghurt 27 (01) Type B: proteolytic C. botulinum consumption of pre-formed 1991 Egypt Commercially produced uneviscerated salted fish (‘faseikh’) >91 (18) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinum 1992 Spain Commercially produced green beans/artichokes 04 (01) Type B: proteolytic C. botulinum botulinum neurotoxin. The 1993 Italy Commercially produced aubergine in oil 07 (00) Type B: proteolytic C. botulinum consumption of as little as 1994 USA Restaurant potato dip ‘(skordalia’) and aubergine dip (‘meligianoslata’) 30 (00) Type A: proteolytic C. botulinum 0.1g of food in which a 1996 Italy Commercially produced mascarpone cheese 08 (01) Type A: proteolytic C. botulinum neurotoxin-producing 1996 India Crsip made of gram flour (‘sevu’) 34 (03) Type E: C. butyricum clostridia has grown can result 1997 Germany Vacuum packed hot smoked white fish 02 (00) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinum in illness (as little as 30ng of 1997 Iran Traditionally made cheese preserved in oil 27 (01) Type A: proteolytic C. botulinum neurotoxin may be sufficient). 1997 Argentina Home-cured ham 06 (00) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinum It is a rare but severe disease. 1998 Croatia Ham 20 (00) b While recovery may still take 1998 UK Home prepared bottled mushrooms in oil (from Italy) 02 (01) Type B: proteolytic C. botulinum a months or even longer, rapid 1999 Morocco Commercially produced Mortadella sausage 78 (20) Type B: C. botulinum 2001 USA Fermented beaver tail and paw 03 (00) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinum treatment with equine 2001 Canada Fermented salmon roe (two outbreaks) 04 (00) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinum antitoxin and supportive 2001 USA Spaghetti noodles and meat sauce 01 (00) Type F: C. baratii therapy has led to a reduction 2001 USA Commercially produced chilli sauce 16 (00) Type A: proteolytic C. botulinum in the fatality rate (now 2002 South Africa Commercially produced tinned pilchards 02 (02) Type A: proteolytic C. botulinum approximately 10% of cases). 2002 USA Muktuk (from Beluga whale) 08 (00) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinum This proportion is still high for 2003 France Halal sausage 04 (00) Type B: C. botulinuma a foodborne illness. On the 2003 Ukraine Home prepared canned corn 06 (00) Type B: proteolytic C. botulinum rare occasions when 2003 South Korea Commercially produced canned sausage 03 (00) b commercial foods are involved 2003 Norway Home prepared ‘rakfisk’ 04 (00) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinuma in botulism outbreaks, the 2003 Germany Home prepared dried fish 03 (00) Type E: Non-proteolytic C. botulinum medical and economic a Only toxin identified - unclear whether C. botulinum type B or non-proteolytic C. botulinum type B consequences can be b Toxin reported as present, but type not indicated. c likely toxin type and organis enormous. It has been estimated that in the USA the process for low-acid foods is central Europe in the across the world. Many of cost per case of botulism is designed to inactivate spores nineteenth century that was these were associated with the approximately $30 million, of this organism, and botulism frequently associated with wider use (commercial and at compared with $10,000- outbreaks have occurred when consumption of blood home) of a canning process to 12,000 for each case of illness the full heat treatment has not sausage; the word ‘botulism’ extend shelf life. In a seven- associated with Listeria been delivered. Spores of non- being derived from the Latin year period, 1918 through monocytogenes and proteolytic C. botulinum are botulus meaning sausage. At 1924, there were 107 www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 27 botulism outbreaks in the USA France and Germany, and botulism outbreak occurred in suspected outbreak was involving 367 cases, of which frequently involved home/farm 1998, two people were reported in India in 1996, and 230 were fatal. A great prepared hams. In the USA, affected, of which one died. involved consumption of sevu number were associated with approximately 30 cases have The implicated food was home (crisp made of gram flour) at the home canning of been reported per year, with prepared bottled mushrooms a school cafeteria (34 cases, vegetables. One particularly most cases associated with in oil that was imported from three fatal). unfortunate outbreak occurred home canned vegetables or Italy. Some examples of recent It is essential that as new in Albany, Oregon, in 1924. All fermented marine products outbreaks of foodborne technologies and approaches twelve members of the Gerber (e.g. fermented beaver tail and botulism are given in Table 2. to food processing are family died after consuming paw, muktuk (whale meat)) A recent finding has been introduced, measures are in home-canned string beans prepared in Alaska. the association of place to ensure that the containing type A neurotoxin. foodborne botulism hazard is The first outbreak of botulism appropriately controlled (i.e. reported in the UK occurred at C. botulinum does not Loch Maree in August 1922, become an emerging and involved consumption of pathogen). In this respect, wild duck-paste sandwiches research has and is focused on containing type A neurotoxin. ensuring the continued safe There were eight cases, all development of refrigerated fatal. processed foods with an Through the understanding extended shelflife (i.e. chilled and implementation of ready meals). These foods effective control measures, the address consumer demand in incidence of botulism is today requiring minimal preparation generally much lower than in time, are of high quality and the early part of the twentieth contain few preservatives. century. Foodborne botulism Sales of these foods have involving commercial increased tremendously over processing is uncommon, but the last ten years. The foods the consequences can be receive a moderate heat severe. Most cases are now Figure 1 Infant showing “floppy head”, typical symptoms of process (typical maximum of associated with home- infant botulism. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Stephen Arnon, California 75° to 95°C) that is intended prepared foods, when known Department of Health Services). to minimise loss of sensory control measures have not and organoleptic quality. The been implemented. For Approximately 10 cases neurotoxigenic C. baratii and food is then cooled rapidly, example, in Poland from have been reported annually in C. butyricum with foodborne and stored at refrigeration 1984-1987, there were 1301 Spain, and involved home botulism. A suspected temperatures (<-8°C). These outbreaks reported giving canned vegetables. These outbreak involving foods are not sterile, and 1791 cases, of which 46 were foods are not generally neurotoxigenic C. baratii shelflife is dependent on a fatal. In Russia from January prepared at home in the UK, type F, was reported in USA in combination of the heat 1998 to September 1999, consequently the incidence of January 2001, and was process, storage temperature, there were 542 outbreaks foodborne botulism is lower. A associated with consumption and perhaps also intrinsic giving 743 cases of which 62 total of eleven outbreaks of of spaghetti noodles and meat properties of the food. were fatal. These high foodborne botulism have been sauce by a 41 year old Additionally, these foods incidences were associated reported in the UK, with 58 woman. The woman eventually are often packed under with an increased reliance on cases, of which 19 were fatal. recovered, although 12 weeks vacuum or an anaerobic the home bottling/canning of The largest outbreak occurred were spent on a life support atmosphere, restricting growth foods, reflecting difficult in 1989, and involved machine. The first outbreak of aerobic, but not anaerobic, economic conditions. The commercially produced involving neurotoxigenic C. bacteria. This minimal process incidence in Poland has fallen hazelnut yoghurt. The heat butyricum was reported in favours spore-forming considerably in recent years. treatment given to the China in 1994 and was microorganisms that grow in Many other countries have hazelnut conserve was not associated with consumption the absence of oxygen at lower, but significant rates of sufficient to inactivate spores of a homemade salted and refrigeration temperatures. In foodborne botulism. For of proteolytic C. botulinum, fermented paste of soybeans particular, concern exists example, over the past 20 and the conserve then and wax gourds (six cases, about the potential for growth years, approximately 35 cases supported bacterial growth three fatal). It was and neurotoxin production by have been reported annually in and production of type B subsequently established that non-proteolytic C. botulinum Italy, with many associated neurotoxin. This toxic mixture two earlier outbreaks of type in the absence of a competing with home-prepared was then added to the natural E botulism in China involving microflora, and the associated vegetables in oil. yoghurt. The outbreak soybean dishes were also foodborne botulism hazard. Approximately 25 cases have affected 27 people, of which associated with neurotoxigenic In response to these been reported annually in one died. The most recent C. butyricum. A further concerns, the growth domain
28 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Features
has been described, and neurotoxin production. Infants ‘unsuitable for infants - 2002 and all were associated predictive models have been aged between two weeks and under 12 months’. A similar with drug abuse. Strains of developed for the thermal six months are most disease is very rarely reported proteolytic C. botulinum type death and growth of non- susceptible. The disease is in adults and occurs when A or type B have been isolated proteolytic C. botulinum. characterised by extended competing bacteria in the from the wounds. Cases of Several of these models are constipation and flaccid normal intestinal flora have wound botulism associated freely available through paralysis. been suppressed (e.g. by with drug abuse have now Growth Predictor A frequent observation is antibiotic treatment or major been reported in many (www.ifr.ac.uk/Safety/GrowthP paralysis of the head and neck surgery). countries. In the UK other redictor/default.html) or the muscles, leading to difficulty Wound botulism was first clostridia (e.g. C. novyi, C. Pathogen Modeling Program in holding the head erect described in the USA in 1943 tetani, C. histolyticum) have (www.arserrc.gov/mfs/PMP6_S (Figure 1). Infant botulism is and was associated with also caused infection following tart.htm). Published (and in drug abuse. some cases also unpublished) Botulism also occurs in original growth and death many types of animal other curves are compiled and also than man (Table 1). available free of charge in Proteolytic C. botulinum has ComBase caused outbreaks of botulism (www.ifr.ac.uk/combase/defaul in cattle and horses, the latter t.html). appearing particularly A further development has sensitive to neurotoxin. been that of a process risk Outbreaks involving non- model for gnocchi (a proteolytic C. botulinum type minimally processed potato E have probably been product). Here the techniques associated with consumption of quantitative risk assessment of toxic fish. C. botulinum have been used to consider Group III is particularly risk throughout the entire associated with botulism in food chain. The product was animals. Strains producing found to be very safe with type C neurotoxin are respect to the foodborne associated with avian botulism botulism hazard. This work and also botulism in cattle, has complemented traditional horses and other animals, challenge testing. Figure 2A, Blepharospasm (focal dystonia of the orbicularis oculi; while strains producing type D Infant and wound botulism early symptoms may include, uncontrollable blinking [especially in neurotoxin have caused are infections. Proteolytic C. bright light], eye irritation, photosensitivity) botulism in cattle and sheep. botulinum and neurotoxigenic Outbreaks of botulism C. baratii and C. butyricum rarely fatal. Equine antitoxin growth and neurotoxin involving animals can be very are most commonly associated and antibiotics are not used to production by proteolytic C. large. For example, 5,500 beef with infant botulism. The first treat cases of infant botulism. botulinum type A in a cows died in Queensland in clinical cases of infant Instead, treatment consists of substantial wound, following a 1990, and 44,000 foxes died botulism were described in meticulous supportive care to fall from a building. Until in Finland in 2002. Major California in 1976, although avoid potentially fatal 1982, wound botulism outbreaks involving waterfowl subsequent investigations complications. In the USA, remained uncommon and was can be even larger. It is identified earlier cases. Infant human botulism immune associated with infection estimated that 4 – 5 million botulism has now been globulin (BIG) is given to aid following traumatic injury waterfowl died in the western reported in many countries, recovery. Two sources of (e.g. cutting hand with saw, states of USA in 1952. Avian with six cases described in the spores have been identified, foot puncture wound). botulism is a significant cause UK. The most recent case was honey and general Following the description of of bird death in the UK. Avian in June 2001 and involved a environmental contamination the first case of wound botulism has also affected five month old baby. In the (e.g. soil, dust). It is estimated botulism associated with endangered species, such as USA, infant botulism is the that between 10 and 100 infection following drug abuse the brown pelican (1996 in most commonly reported form spores are sufficient to bring (skin popping of heroin) in USA) and black-faced of botulism, with about infection. Several cases 1982, there has been an spoonbill (2002–3 in Taiwan). approximately 80 – 100 cases of infant botulism have been increase in the disease. Since Other aspects of botulinum per year. An immature linked to consumption of 1995 approximately 20 – 40 neurotoxins feature in the intestinal flora in infants is honey containing spores of cases of wound botulism have work of Dr. Edward J. Schantz insufficient to prevent neurotoxigenic clostridia. In been reported annually in the and Dr. Alan B. Scott, who colonisation by neurotoxigenic order to minimise this risk, it USA. Prior to 2000 wound pioneered the use of clostridia, allowing ingested is recommended that jars of botulism had not been botulinum neurotoxin for the spores to germinate leading to honey should carry an reported in the UK, but 18 treatment of a variety of cell multiplication and appropriate warning such as cases were confirmed in 2000 human diseases. www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 29 Treatment consists of the treat blepharospasm in a dog. injection of a few nanograms Development and use of of neurotoxin at an botulinum neurotoxin as a appropriate site. potential bioweapon began at Three preparations of least 60 years ago. Although botulinum neurotoxin are the 1972 Biological and Toxin currently approved in various Weapons Convention countries, Botox® and prohibited offensive research Dysport® (both preparations and production of biological of type A neurotoxin), and weapons, this did not entirely Neurobloc® (also known as prevent further development. Myobloc®, a preparation of For example, the Soviet Union type B neurotoxin). Today a and Iraq subsequently wide variety of conditions are produced botulinum treated with botulinum neurotoxin for potential use as neurotoxin, including; a bioweapon. On at least three strabismus, blepharospasm, occasions between 1990 and hemifacial spasm, torticollis 1995, aerosols of botulinum (inclination of the neck), neurotoxin were dispersed by excessive perspiration the Aum Shinrikyo cult in Figure 2B, Torticollis (affects the muscles of the neck, leading to (excessive stimulation of the Japan. These terror attacks inclination of the neck). sweat glands), paediatric apparently failed. Figs 2A, 2B and 2C Photos courtesy of Ipsen cerebral palsy spasticity and migraines. The botulinum Professor Mike Peck neurotoxin is also much used Dr. Schantz trained as a the treatment of strabismus Head of the Food Safety and for cosmetic purposes. A Computational Microbiology Group, biochemist. He developed the (hyperactive muscle activity, report published in October Scientific Programme Leader in the necessary protocols, and then leading to misalignment of the Food Safety Science Division, 2003 describes the successful provided Dr. Scott with highly eyes) in animals. Tests then Institute of Food Research, Norwich use of botulinum neurotoxin to purified neurotoxin. Dr. Scott, moved to human volunteers, an eye surgeon, explored the and in 1989 the US Food and use of botulinum neurotoxin Drug Administration approved Suggested reading: to block neurotransmitter the use of botulinum ■ Arnon, S S; Schechter, R; Inglesby, T V; Henderson, D A et al. (2001). release and reduce muscle neurotoxin type A for the Botulinum toxin as a biological weapon. Journal of American Medical activity, thereby providing an treatment of strabismus, Association 285, 1059-1070. alternative to invasive surgery. blepharospasm (spasm of ■ Barker, GC; Talbot, N LC and Peck, M W (2002). Risk assessment for Initial research (late 1960s eyelid) and hemifacial spasm Clostridium botulinum: A network approach. International Journal of and early 1970s) focussed on (spasm of face; Figs 2a - 2c). Biodeterioration 50, 167-175. ■ Carlin, F; Girardin, H; Peck, M W; Stringer, S C. et al., (2000). Research on factors allowing a risk assessment of spore forming pathogenic bacteria in cooked chilled foods containing vegetables: a FAIR collaborative project. International Journal of Food Microbiology 60, 117-135. ■ Fernandez, P S; Baranyi, J and Peck, M W (2001). A predictive model of growth from spores of nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum in the presence of different CO2 concentrations as influenced by chill temperature, pH and NaCl. Food Microbiology 18, 453-462. ■ Johnson, E A (2000). Neurotoxigenic Clostridia. In ‘Gram-Positive Pathogens’ Eds., V A Fischetti et al., pp.540-550. American Society for Microbiology, Washington DC, USA. ■ Lund, B M and Peck, M W (2000). Clostridium botulinum in ‘The Microbiological Safety and Quality of Food’ Eds., B M Lund, A C Baird- Parker and G W Gould. pp.1057-1109. Aspen, Gaithersburg, USA. ■ Meyer-Lindenberg, A; Wohlfarth, K M and Switzer, E N (2003). The use of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of possible essential blepharospasm in a dog. Australian Veterinary Journal 81, 612-614. ■ Peck, M W (1997). Clostridium botulinum and the safety of refrigerated processed foods of extended durability. Trends in Food Science and Technology 8, 186-192. Figure 2C, Hemifacial spasm (spasm of the face; tends to affect ■ Schantz, E J and Johnson, E A (1997). Botulinum toxin: The story of the left side of the face more frequently than the right, with the its development for the treatment of human disease. Perspectives in muscles on the side of the mouth particularly affected) Biology and Medicine 40, 317-327.
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www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 31 Bioterrorism
Lucy Harper discusses the use of infectious biological agents in warfare
N 1346 TARTAR them ideal candidates for primary lesion leads to the transmission of anthrax, warriors camped biological attack. Due to the development of a though death through the I outside the city of apparently inoffensive nature characteristic ulcerated black acquisition of inhalation Kaffa in the Black of their spores and / or the lesion. This usually clears up anthrax results after 1-2 days Sea in an attempt to besiege incubation times of these without treatment but in a after onset of symptoms. The it. A large percentage of the organisms, an attack is small amount of cases can rapid course of this disease population at this time were generally not easily detected progress to scepticeamia and reinforces the necessity for carrying the ‘black plague’ — until the bugs have infected ultimately death. early therapeutic intervention the Tartars were no exception substantial numbers of people. In Pulmonary anthrax, B. (2). Information regarding the and it wasn’t long before the Once the organism has been anthracis spores are inhaled potential impact of a malicious disease had spread through identified within a population and transported to the lymph attack of anthrax is limited as the besiegers. In an attempt to it can still take the community nodes inside macrophages, there have been few recorded end the siege by spreading the years to recover from such an where they germinate and the incidents. In 1979 there was disease, the Tartars catapulted outbreak. As such, enemies bacteria multiply. Death an accidental release of B. plagued body parts over the can deploy biological weapons occurs in >80% of the anthracis from a Russian city walls. Much later, during to great effect. infected population as a result bioweapons factory and we all the battles of 1754-1767, Bacillus anthracis, the of subsequent bacteraemia remember the US anthrax French and British soldiers bacterium which causes and toxaemia. ‘attack’ of September 2001. unwittingly infected American anthrax, can be acquired GI anthrax is an extremely However, these incidents give Indians by donating blankets through direct contact with rare form of anthrax that very little information used by settlers suffering from the skin (cutaneous anthrax), results from eating regarding an appropriate smallpox. The native tribes through inhalation (pulmonary insufficiently cooked meat coping strategy should a were soon killed off. anthrax) and through from anthrax-infected widespread attack be These are just two of the gastrointestinal infection livestock. Germination occurs instigated (3). first recorded examples of the (gastrointestinal (GI) within the macrophage and Smallpox (or Variola) is a use of infectious biological anthrax). The most often fatal stimulation of a toxin known member of the orthopoxvirus agents in warfare. Since then, forms are GI and pulmonary as Lethal Factor (LF) ensues. genus which includes although the number of agents anthrax primarily because Lethal Factor then stimulates monkeypox, vaccinia and of biological warfare has not they are not generally detected the production of TNF-α and cowpox. Its incubation period increased a great deal, the until it is too late for effective IL-1β. These cytokines are is normally 12-14 days and it potential danger posed by treatment. then released into the is the only orthopox virus such agents when used as Cutaneous anthrax is the bloodstream through the which is readily transmitted weapons, remains high. most common form of human- destruction of macrophages from person-to-person. Anthrax, smallpox, and acquired anthrax, and is by LF and death results due to Initially the patient botulism, have all been used usually acquired by the a combination of bacterial experiences high fever, as biological weapons. handling of infected animals. infection of the bloodstream exhaustion, headache and Despite the fundamental A break in the skin allows the and cytokine-induced shock backache. Severe abdominal differences between these organism access and it causes (1). pain and delirium may also be organisms, they exhibit some a primary lesion within 2-7 There are no known cases present at this stage. A rash similar properties that make days after exposure. The of human-to-human then appears on the mucosa of
32 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Features
the mouth and pharynx, face, producing hexadecy- the US Army Medical Research Onset of botulism following and forearms and spreads to loxypropyl-cidofovir (HDP- Institute of Infectious inhalation of Clostridium the trunk and legs. Within 1-2 cidofovir), a cidofovir- Diseases, told journalists that botulinum spores is dose- days the rash becomes derivative which is available he ‘was in favour of mass dependent and may occur vesicular and later pustular, orally and once administered vaccination of populations 24hrs to several days after with crusts developing on the penetrates cells more in advance of any threat’. exposure. The first 8th or 9th day of the rash. effectively than cidofovir (6). Whereas David Heymann, a manifestations tend to be Virus titres are highest during At a conference in Geneva WHO infectious diseases ophthalmological and include the first week of illness and during October 2003, a expert said that ‘WHO double vision, drooping of the death from the toxaemia number of leading experts in recommend mass upper eyelid, excessive associated with circulating the field of bioterrorism put vaccination in the event of dilation of the pupil, immune complexes and forward a number of differing an outbreak’ (5). Mr Jahling extraocular muscle palsies and soluble variola antigens, is opinions regarding the added ‘one of the problems in photophobia. Other early signs most likely during the second preparative measures and vaccinating health workers of infection include slurring of week of illness. Encephalitis handling of potential was the danger of infecting speech, dysphonia and may also occur (4). biological threats, including cancer patients, for difficulty in swallowing. These In 1796 it was found that smallpox. Ken Alibek is a example, through the signs are followed by a infection with cowpox professor at George Mason vaccine (which is the related progressively descending protected against smallpox, University, Fairfax, Virginia. virus Vaccinia) for days symmetrical, flaccid paralysis but it wasn’t until 1967 that He previously headed the afterwards’. But Dr Bill which may culminate in the world health organisation former Soviet Union’s secret Bicknell, a professor at the respiratory failure. It is known (WHO) began a global biological weapons Boston University School of that if not diagnosed and campaign to eradicate the programme which, in 1980 Public Health, argued that treated promptly, botulism has disease. This was declared a embarked upon a programme ‘recent research finds significant morbidity and complete success in 1977. In to produce smallpox in large negligible risk in mortality. 1980 the WHO recommended quantities and adapt it for use vaccinating healthy adults, Clostridium botulinum that all countries cease in bombs and intercontinental as opposed to children and spores are widespread and are vaccination and that all labs ballistic weapons (4). In 1992 sick adults, with existing found in soil, and mud (salt- destroy stocks of variola or he defected to the United vaccines’. He rejected the water and fresh-water). They transfer them to named States where he became WHO’s four day window are resilient and can live for reference laboratories. In president of Hadron Advanced recommendation, saying: ‘If up to 2 hours at 100°C. The 1999 the WHO recommended Biosystems.He now leads (you are) vaccinated within neurological symptoms stem that all stocks be destroyed, research into developing new four days, the severity of from the fact that however the institute of forms of medical protection disease is less and you Clostridium botulinum medicine (IOM) wished to against biological weapons probably don’t die, but you spores trigger the production maintain stocks for research (5). He ‘wanted the do not prevent the disease of a neurotoxin which inhibits purposes (4). conference to show that and you may transmit more acetylcholine release at pre- In response to the terrorist despite eradication in the disease’ (5). synaptic nerve-endings. Like attacks of September 2001, late 1970s, smallpox was Botulism is caused by many agents used as the US planned to vaccinate still a serious threat.’ infection with the anaerobic biological weapons, the ease 500,000 health workers However, Peter Jahrling, Gram-positive bacterium of administration of minute against smallpox, but principal scientific adviser to Clostridium botulinum. yet lethal doses (by unexpected health problems inhalation), together with its meant that by the end of the colourless and odourless programme only 39,000 had nature, make botulinum toxin been vaccinated (5). Because a highly effective chemical the use of smallpox vaccine is weapon. In 1995 Iraq revealed contraindicated in so many it had deployed over 11,000 cases, scientists are on the litres of botulinum toxin into look out for alternatives. The SCUD missiles. Also in 1995, CDC (Centers for Disease the Arum Shinrikyo cult in Control and Prevention) are Japan, prepared botulinum now recommending cidofovir, toxin before its attack on the a nucleotide analogue under Tokyo subway system but, investigation for the treatment despite the fact that BT is of genital warts and CMV 100,000 times more toxic than retinitis, be investigated as Sarin, it was this chemical treatment for smallpox. warfare agent they decided to However its use is limited as it employ (7). So what are the is ‘virtually not available by coping strategies that we the oral route’. A lipid tail has should adopt to counter these been attached onto cidofovir threats? www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 33 Should the government (BPRA) in the USA. This information available freely, may also result in information make guidelines available report is currently being for example on the Internet. getting into the wrong hands, outlining the most appropriate implemented. Although this This may bring into question negating the whole principle course of action? One might outwardly appears to be the the quality of the research in of employing the BPRA in the think this would be sensible. sensible thing to do, it raises the absence of peer-review, first place. For example, a scientist in the question of whether it will but more importantly it allows Texas was arrested for inhibit research into the long- the work to be made available Lucy Harper misinforming the FBI term effects and treatment of to all. Most scientists would Molecular Biosciences regarding vials of ‘plague’ infection with these agents. see this as a benefit, but it Aston University (Yersinia pestis) which he For example BSE prions are claimed had ‘gone missing’. A among a group of ‘select References top security alert involved the agents’ that, under the BPRA, FBI who later accounted for require security checks for ■ 1.Baillie & Read (2001) Current Opinion in Microbiology 4: 78-81. the missing vials claiming, those who are handling them – ■ 2.Dixon, et al., (1999) NEJM 341:11;815-826). “there is no danger including any person who has ■ whatsoever”. However, the access to them in the lab (8). 3.Inglesby et al., (2002) JAMA 287:1:2236-2252. investigation continues. There is speculation over ■ 4.Henderson et al., (1999) JAMA:281:2127-2137. This case highlights the whether such restrictions ■ 5.Fleck (2003) British Medical Journal. 327:948. requirement for governmental place lab research at risk as intervention and in June 2002, they have been known to delay ■ 6.Morris (2002) The Lancet Infectious diseases 2:262. President Bush signed the the certification of certain ■ 7.Caya JG (2001) Survey of Opthalmology:46:1:25-34. Bioterrorism preparedness laboratories. This may push ■ 8.The Scientist, January 2004. and Response Act 2002 workers into making the Is there a bug
Phil Duncanson reviews the process of on board? immunomagnetic separation
MMUNOMAGNETIC molecules. Common to all of separation (IMS) is these particles is that specific I the process of using binding molecules can be small super- attached to them. Most paramagnetic particles or particles are super- beads coated with antibodies paramagnetic; i.e. they are against surface antigens of magnetic in a magnetic field cells. Utilising this technique, but are non magnetic as soon methods have been described as the magnetic field is for the efficient isolation of removed. This is important certain eukaryotic cells from because, once separated by a fluids such as blood. magnet, particles should Additionally, this technique attach to each other through has been shown to be suitable intermagnetic force but then for the detection of return directly back into prokaryotic organisms such as suspension. Physical bacteria and viruses. parameters, i.e. the shape and The technique of IMS is size of the particles, are also assisted in the fact that important. In order to perform bacteria immunologically non-specifically attached indirectly, using beads pre- identically in a suspension, bound to magnetic beads organisms before being placed coated with anti-mouse or with respect to sedimentation usually remain viable and can on suitable growth media. anti-rabbit antibodies. Several and kinetics of binding to continue to multiply if Both polyclonal and magnetic solid phases in other molecules, identical size nutritional requirements are monoclonal antibodies have particle form are commercially and form of the particle are provided. The immuno- been employed in IMS. These available for magnetic preferred. magnetically-isolated fraction antibodies can be linked to the separation of biological The IMS technique has can then be washed to remove beads either directly or organisms, organelles, or several advantages for micro-
34 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Features
biologists. When working with Both intact bacteria and to 100,000 organisms per ml. While there have been samples heavily contaminated their soluble antigenic An additional factor hindering many IMS methods and with non-target organisms, determinants can be detected the diagnostic use of PCR particles for various IMS facilitates the purification after magnetic extraction from directly is the sensitivity of the pathogens described in the of the target organism. the test sample, using a Taq polymerase to inhibitor literature, several are available Additionally, larger volumes of second antibody in a sandwich elements in the sample. commercially. For example, samples can be employed and format. The application of this The use of IMS as a pre- Dynabeads® anti-E. coli O157 captured target organisms can technology performed on an PCR step appears to solve for the physical selective be concentrated to a volume automated platform several of these problems. The enrichment and improvement suitable for analysis. Isolation (BeadRetriever™, Dynal bacteria in the sample are in the sensitivity and of specific bacteria by the Biotech Ltd.) was recently concentrated to a suitable specificity of the conventional antigen-antibody reaction has applied to the rapid detection volume of 10 to 100µl, and culture method. Whilst generally been accomplished of a Salmonella enteritidis specific Taq polymerase Dynabeads® anti- by inoculating the bead outbreak at a bakery inhibitors are simultaneously Cryptosporidium kit is an samples to cultivation broths (Duncanson et al., 2003). removed. Furthermore, there integral part of US EPA or onto solid media selective have been several reports of Method 1622 and UK DETR for the target bacteria. surveys examining the Water Supply Regulation 1999 Identification can then be application of PCR to SI No. 1524 for the detection accomplished by routine or diagnostic microbiology that of Cryptosporidium from conventional methods. have concluded that IMS is potable water samples. However, increasingly IMS is essential to increase sensitivity It has been well-described being chosen as a precursor to and reduce inhibition. These in the literature that DNA a number of downstream have included the detection of amplification, nanotechnology detection methods. These Listeria from ham samples and lab-on-a-chip diagnostics methods whilst using very (Hudson et al., 2001), may all have a role to play in different technologies all serve Salmonella from alfalfa seed the future of diagnostic to answer the question ‘is homogenates (Liao & microbiology. Whilst much of there a bug on board?’ Schollenberg, 2003), and the investment in research has There are an increasing MRSA from clinical samples focused on the end-detection number of methods Bead Retriever automated IMS (Francois et al., 2003). techniques, little work has downstream of the IMS platform from Dynal Biotech Ltd been focused on the sample process to confirm the preparation. If these novel presence of target The ability of Polymerase techniques are to provide microorganisms. We will Chain Reaction (PCR) to answers comparable to examine some of the more amplify specific DNA elements current result reporting such common ones: drastically reduces the need as presence/absence of a The first application of IMS for the large quantities of test pathogen in 25g of food then technology to microbiological material. In theory, one copy efforts are needed to science was the separation of of the target gene is sufficient concentrate and deliver these bacteria from other non-target for successful amplification. In pathogens to a test system. It organisms for delivery to many ways, the extreme is in this area that IMS excels. liquid or solid culture media. sensitivity of PCR can be Bacteria do not need to be compared with cultivation of Dynabead with bacteria Phil Duncanson detached from the beads, as bacteria on non-selective attached to the surface Dynal Biotech Limited attachment apparently has no media, when a single live effect on their growth. Both bacterium can be detected References solid and liquid media have upon initiation of a single ■ Hudson, J. A., Lake, R. J., Savill, M. G., Scholes, P. and McCormick, been used for cultivation of colony. However, certain R. E. (2001) Rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes in ham samples several bacterial species disadvantages limit the using immunomagnetic separation followed by polymerase chain immunologically bound to technique for diagnostic use. reaction. J. Appl. Microbiol., 90: 614-21. The sample volume magnetic beads, however, ■ Liao, C. H. and Fett, W. F. (2003) Isolation of Salmonella from alfalfa enumeration of CFU must take traditionally used in PCR seed and demonstration of impaired growth of heat-injured cells in seed into account that each colony ranges from <1 to 20µl. For homogenates. Int. J. Food Microbiol., 82: 245-53. is not always the product of a several microbiological ■ Francois, P., Pittet, D., Bento, M., Pepey, B., Vaudaux, P., Lew, D. and single cell; several cells might applications, such as testing Schrenzel, J. (2003) Rapid detection of methicillin-resistant for Salmonella spp. in foods, be attached to a cluster of Staphylococcus aureus directly from sterile or nonsterile clinical samples beads to initiate a single requirements are often one by a new molecular assay. J. Clin. Microbiol., 41: 254-60. colony. Despite this, IMS has cultivatable organism per 25g ■ been shown to be a of sample. Reduction of the Duncanson, P., Wareing, D. R. and Jones, O. (2003) Application of an automated immunomagnetic separation-enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative technique and sample to <1 to 20µl restricts detection of Salmonella spp during an outbreak associated with a retail the test sensitivity to a enumeration of CFU correlates premises. Lett. Appl. Microbiol., 37: 144-8. to the initial inoculum. theoretical minimum of 5,000 www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 35 Education In the third in a series of articles, Dr Jenny Search reports on her continuing two-year voluntary service overseas placement at Debub University in Ethiopia in Ethiopia
ECENTLY I There were no translation symposiums were ‘HIV/AIDS, that efforts should not only be ATTENDED THE facilities at this meeting but STD and TB’ and ‘Malaria focused on ART, especially as R 24th African Health you could listen to the and other vector borne resistance will develop. Other Sciences Congress presentations through the diseases’. There were several factors such as a nutritionally which this year was held in headphones. Cameras smaller symposia including: balanced diet can be just as Ethiopia. The venue was the projected the speaker onto medicinal plants, nutrition and important. very impressive African Union large screens throughout the health, sexual and One of the most heated Conference Centre in Addis talk and if a question was reproductive health and viral debates followed a talk given Ababa. The plenary session asked the cameras and bacterial diseases. by Amiri Rajabu from room was where they hold the automatically centred to the The plenary talk was given Tanzania. His talk was African Union meetings and microphone which had been by Dr Macharia from CDC- essentially very simple, he had country nameplates turned on! Kenya. She summarised the presented some interesting around the room. I would have One of the organisers told current status of anti- statistics: 3.2 million children sat at UK but the view of the me that 400 delegates had retroviral therapy (ART) in under the age of 15 are screen from there was terrible registered but I don’t think Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, infected with HIV and 800,000 so instead I opted for the that many were present. Most 30 million people are infected of them are newly infected prime viewing spot allocated attendees seemed to be from with HIV which is 70% of HIV- (i.e. became infected after to Burkina Faso! For each Ethiopia and Kenya although I infected people worldwide. birth). Adolescents begin country there were did meet people from all over However only 1% of those sexual activity between the headphones for translation, Africa and there were some who need the drugs, are able ages of 9 to 16. He had run microphones and voting scientists representing the to afford ART. During the workshops in schools where panels. WHO. The two major discussion it was pointed out adolescents had told him they
36 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Features
Further Information ■ This is the third in a series of reports from Jenny. You can find out more about her activities and see some more photos at www.neal-jenny.info ■ For more information about VSO, see www.vso.org.uk. ■ The Faculty of Natural Sciences at Debub University also has a website at http://home.no/dufns
detection of nasal carriage of links with other better- Mycobacterium leprae in up established institutions. to 6% of healthy individuals in Back in Awassa and the an Ethiopian village. He new academic year has suggested transmission of sub- started. The third year biology clinical infection of M. leprae students had to choose a may account for the consistent “unit” in which to specialise. number of leprosy cases This year we only have the annually diagnosed despite capacity to open two units effective drug therapy. The (out of five) and asked the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition students their choices. I am Research Institute (ENHRI) pleased to report the reported the status of bacterial Microbiology and Parasitology diarrhoeal diseases in relation Unit was the second most to vulnerability to epidemics popular unit (after Ecology and droughts in Ethiopia. and Environmental Sciences). Maranga Wamae from the I am teaching a cell biology Kenya Medical Research course to all the third years Institute (Kemri) told us of the and an immunology course to initiation of a network for students in the microbiology surveillance of pneumococcal unit. I am having a really hard disease in the East Africa time trying to develop some Region (netSPEAR). Its aims practical experiments for are to promote routine these students without any surveillance for Streptococcus sources of antibodies and pneumoniae in seven antigens. I am reluctant to use want to protect themselves why should we expect it to be countries in East Africa. human blood due to the risks from STDs such as HIV but effective for adolescents? The The meeting was an involved with HIV etc. and am they couldn’t use condoms talk caused quite a stir and the excellent opportunity for me consulting with some local because they are too small. arguments continued over the to discover some of the clinics to see if they can help. The speaker then asked the lunch table. research taking place in this There are some things that audience whether we should The other sessions provided area of the world. It is difficult I suspect are easier to get hold provide condoms in different equally interesting topics. We for me to gain access to of here than in the ‘west.’ I sizes in order to accommodate heard about plant extracts recent research results. At asked at a clinic if it would be everybody. Some agreed with which show anti-Plasmodium present the University does possible to take some blood the speaker that if it was a activity, a grass pea (Lathyrus not subscribe to any films containing malarial choice between condoms or saivus) which is very resistant microbiological journals and parasites to use in a practical HIV then such protection to drought, disease, pests and the Internet access is class. When I returned the should be provided for school water logging but contains a frustratingly slow at best and microscopist gave me seven children. Others thought toxin associated with a non-existent at other times. I positive films he had saved for condoms should only be given nervous disorder when the pea also made many contacts with me in one morning! as a last resort and people is eaten as a large (>30% researchers interested in should be encouraged to calorific intake) part of the forming collaborations with abstain from sexual activity; diet — i.e. during times of Debub University. Due to the condoms should only be the drought and famine. lack of equipment here, I last resort. Yet another opinion In the virology/bacteriology think the best way we can Jenny Search start a successful research was that as condom usage has session Demissie Beyene Debub University, Ethiopia not been successful in adults, presented his findings on programme is by forming such www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 37 Microbial Interactions with Medical Devices: a matter of life and death
Susannah Walsh reports on Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, the 2004 January meeting Newcastle, UK. 7 - 8 January 2004
HE JANUARY 2004 Winter tract, mouth and urinary genital tract, Meeting covered a wide range biofilms are comprised of numerous T of topics presented by genera, whereas within the confines of microbiologists, chemists and tissues, biofilm infections are generally physicists. Overall the meeting was very monocultures. Peter then discussed and successful with the topic getting lots of reviewed the various mechanisms that are interest and with a high quality of associated with the survival of ‘persisters’ presentations and poster displays. The within biofilms. He finished by giving new format of the meeting and the ‘hotel’ examples of how infections can occur if location were also appreciated by all the the host is damaged by trauma, surgery delegates. or disease, displacing commensal The Introductory session comprised 4 organisms from colonised mucosa to the presentations and was chaired by underlying tissues. The implantation of Susannah Walsh (De Montfort medical devices was named as a major University, Leicester). Peter Gilbert risk factor and the resistance of biofilm- (University of Manchester) started the associated bacteria to host immune meeting with a broad introduction to defences and antibiotics was highlighted. Matteo Santin ‘surfaces and adhesion’. He stressed Matteo Santin (School of Pharmacy that in nature and diseases, bacteria are and Biomolecular Sciences, University of surface and the protein, as well as by the usually found associated with surfaces Brighton) followed with a talk on ‘surface composition of the body fluid in which and growing as biofilms, rather than in a conditioning and microbial adhesion’. the protein is dissolved. His presentation planktonic form. He went on to describe He explained that the inevitable contact questioned the validity of two approaches: features of the microenvironment of an implanted medical device with body (1) reducing the attachment of microbial produced by a biofilm’s extensive fluids induces the immediate adsorption cells by producing surfaces which are extracellular matrix. It was explained that of proteins onto the material surface and relatively inert towards protein adsorption in nutrient rich and relatively exposed described how this is affected by the and (2); engineering devices able to situations such as the gastrointestinal physico-chemical properties of both the release anti-microbial agents in the
38 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk January 2004 Meeting Report
surrounding biological environment. The with CSS. However, both studies transmission associated with contact ability of the surface conditioning protein concluded that use of such catheters was lens use’. She started by describing film to promote infections was analysed likely to be cost-effective, and one found keratitis associated with contact lens wear in different scenarios and the bacterium significant protection against catheter- and went on to explain how bacteria species-specific response of biomaterials related bloodstream infections when the adhere to the lens surface during was described. incidence of infection was at least 3-4 per handling and are then passed to the eye. 1000 catheter days. Mark described the She described how studies conducted in limitations of testing methods for catheter Gerda Bruinsma’s research group have infection and concluded that coating of investigated the transmission of Ps. both surfaces was preferable to just one, aeruginosa and S. aureus from contact as microorganisms are often associated lenses to surfaces with different with both surfaces during use. hydrophobicity and roughness. Three types of lenses were contaminated and put on a glass, polymethylmethacrylate or silicone rubber substratum surface, shaped to mimic the eye. After 2 and 16 hours, lenses were separated from the surfaces and the number of bacteria on the respective surfaces was determined in order to calculate the percentages of transmission. Bacterial transmission after two hours of contact varied between 4 - 34% for P.aeruginosa and between 6 - Roger Bayston 39% for S.aureus, depending on the combination of lens and substratum Roger Bayston (School of Medical surface used. After sixteen hours and Surgical Sciences, University of transmission rates of P. aeruginosa Nottingham) gave a presentation on varied from 17 - 70 %, while rates of S. ‘antimicrobials and implantable aureus varied from 12 - 35%. Pit devices’; notably on catheters. He started Mark Wilcox concluded that transmission percentages by describing the scale of the problem of P. aeruginosa were significantly higher with emphasis on the seriousness of many The next session chaired by Peter after sixteen than after two hours, while infections and the cost to health Gilbert focused on Ophthalmic and less time dependence was seen for S. resources. The Categories of catheter Dental/Oral Devices. John Dart aureus. Additionally, it was shown that were explained along with their relative (Moorfields Eye Hospital, London) began the substatum surface underneath the risks and sources of contamination. Roger this session with a talk on ‘biofilm lens influences the amount of bacterial commented on the diminished role of related infections in ophthalmology’ transmission. antibiotics in the treatment of such and described biofilm-related infections of Carol Morris (Diagnostic Lens infections, as the causative organisms the eye with the aid of some informative Strategic Business Unit, Cibavision grow as biofilms making them but graphic photographs. He gave an Corporation), our first speaker from the insusceptible (but not “resistant” in a overview of corneal infections in daily US, concluded the ophthalmic session conventional sense) to therapeutic wear contact lens users, illustrating how with a presentation on ‘in vivo bacterial concentrations. Finally he discussed the organisms such as Ps. aeruginosa can be adhesion to different contact lenses’. attempts, both successful and passed from lens cases to the eye. Late She described how bacterial unsuccessful, to prevent infections by intraocular lens related endophthalmitis contamination of contact lenses has been coating the catheters with antimicrobials causing an indolent relapsing infection demonstrated in asymptomatic contact such as antiseptics, silver compounds, or localised around the implant and lens lens (CL) wearers and the unclear antibiotics. capsule was described. The causative relationship of this to infection and Finally, to end this first session, Mark organisms are of low virulence (P. acnes, inflammation. She then presented data on Wilcox (School of Biochemistry and corynebacteria and S. epidermidis) and, the bacterial contamination rate of Molecular Biology, University of Leeds) like biofilm-related infections elsewhere, contact lenses, looking at the issues of discussed ‘antimicrobial intravascular they respond poorly to conventional different wear modalities (e.g. daily wear, catheters which surface to coat?’ His antibiotic therapy. Lastly, John talked extended wear), length of wear in presentation reviewed studies comparing about infectious crystalline keratopathy, a extended wear, different materials such as Minocycline-rifampin (MR) and unique biofilm-related infection in which (polyHEMA, HEMA/methacrylate, silicone chlorhexidine silver sulphadiazine (CSS) pathogens, typically S. viridans, grow hydrogels etc.) and different wear sites containing catheters, commenting that between the corneal lamellae without (even countries). She related the data the significant difference in favour of MR exciting an inflammatory response. produced to published data on microbial was probably due to the fact that these Pit Vermeltvoort (Department of keratitis rates and among other findings, have antimicrobial coatings on both the Biomedical Engineering, University of it appeared that length of wear, even up outer and inner surfaces, whereas only Groningen) followed with an excellent to 30 nights, does not increase the the outer surfaces of CVCs were coated account of ‘bacterial adhesion and bacterial contamination rate. www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 39 current methods of treatment of dental The next presentation was given by disease may be modified. The need for Joanna Verran (Department of total excision of the lesion will be reduced Biological Sciences, Manchester and micro surgical approaches will offer Metropolitan University) on ‘atomic force better prognosis for tooth survival. Before microscopy and surfaces’. Joanna the tradeshow reception and society described the use of atomic force dinner, Jean-Yves Maillard was microscopy (AFM) as a powerful tool introduced by the President, Dr Peter capable of imaging surfaces at nanometer Silley, to give the W H Pierce Memorial or sub-nanometre resolution. She Prize Lecture on ‘biocides’. (A synopsis explained how the process works to build of his lecture can be found on page 14). up a three dimensional image of a surface The next day started with a session on allowing ambient imaging of a surface New Technologies and ‘SMART’ surfaces, from the macroscopic scale to the chaired by Valerie Edwards-Jones. molecular level without the need for any Mike Thompson (Department of additional surface preparation. The Chemistry, University of Toronto) began presentation concluded that although it Hillary Lappin-Scott can be technically challenging to get a good image, there is considerable Two presentations on dental/oral potential for AFM to contribute to devices’ issues were given by Hillary information obtained on the Lappin-Scott and Gavin Pearson. characterization of materials used in Hillary (Biological Sciences, University of medical devices. Exeter) started this session by Andrew Lloyd (School of Pharmacy introducing the audience to the and Biomolecular Sciences, University of ‘attachment and dynamics of biofilm Brighton) followed with a presentation on formation by oral bacteria’ by ‘biomimetic surfaces to reduce describing the complex community of bacterial adhesion to medical devices’. micro-organisms that reside in our mouths, and commented on how resident flora can decrease the infection risk by competition. Her presentation then described methods for studying the oral community via models and more direct methods such as density gel Jean-Yves Maillard electrophoresis. Gavin Pearson (Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, this session with a presentation on QMUL) concluded this session with a talk ‘detection of microbes and about ‘photoactivated disinfection in biomolecules at the liquid-solid caries and endodontics’. His interface by acoustic wave sensors’. presentation started with a description of Mike described the use of transverse the process behind the formation of shear wave physics in the study of the dental caries and highlighted the difficulty chemistry of surface-attached cells, in getting rid of bacteria from dentine. nucleic acids and proteins and their The results of studies, investigating the interactions with small molecules. This antibacterial effects achieved with photo- offers a highly sensitive format for the Peter Gilbert activated disinfection (PAD) were then detection of biomolecular interactions, discussed. The application of medical especially when performed employing the Andrew described the various studies grade tolonium chloride followed by flow-injection technique. A number of undertaken at the University of Brighton illumination with laser light at 635nm has examples of use of the technique were evaluating the adhesion of Ps. produced highly selective bacterial kills. presented including sensor detection of aeruginosa, S. epidermidis and S. The studies have measured bacterial kill nucleic acid probes for microbes, RNA- marcescens to novel biomimetic PC- levels in planktonic solutions, collagen peptide-drug and transcriptional based polymers and polymeric coatings matrices, extracted teeth and in vivo chemistry. The results of the work and the effects of surface conditioning carious and endodontic lesions. Assays indicated that not only can detection be with various biological fluids on the demonstrated kill rates up to 9 log achieved but that acoustic physics also adhesion patterns over time for various reduction in CFUs/ml in the planktonic provides information in terms of medical device applications. PC-based model. In vivo studies culturing both structure, such as conformational shifts. biomimetic materials were shown to offer carious lesions and also root canals The presentation finished by looking to the potential to reduce bacterial adhesion before and after application of PAD have the future with a comparison of the to a wide range of medical devices. The showed that kill levels obtained in the sensitivity of acoustic physics with the ability to formulate a wide range of both laboratory may also be achieved in the better-known surface plasmon resonance polymers and polymeric coatings offers oral cavity. These results suggest that spectroscopy. the opportunity to engineer biomimetic
40 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk January 2004 Meeting Report
polymers for any specific medical device Stickler (Cardiff School of Biosciences, application. Cardiff University) started the session by After tea and coffee, Sean Gorman talking about ‘controlled release of (School of Pharmacy, Queens University antimicrobials from medical devices’. Belfast) continued with a talk on ‘novel David concentrated on his specialist area silicone-based materials with of urinary catheters as examples of antimicrobial properties’. Sean devices. He emphasised that conceptually explained the advantages (low risk of it seems easiest to just load up the device unfavourable biological reactions, with antimicrobial, but the control of its favourable patient comfort) and release is very important. Although some disadvantages (surface formation of a materials have shown promising activity highly resistant microbial biofilm, lack of in vitro, relatively few prosthetic devices inherent lubricity and its high coefficient manufactured from or coated with these of friction) of silicone use in medical materials have achieved unequivocal devices, and then described how success in preventing device-associated significant reductions in these infection in clinical practice. He complications may be realised with the Trade Show Exhibitors suggested that with the benefit of development of novel silicone materials. hindsight it was perhaps naive to imagine The drug delivery potential of this The new technologies session was that merely incorporating antimicrobials silicone platform technology was followed by two high quality offered into biomaterials would frustrate the discussed. papers. The first was given by Claire surface colonisation mechanisms that Martin Buggy (Department of Edwards (University Hospital Medical microbes have evolved over millions of Materials Science and Technology, School, University of Nottingham) on years as basic survival strategies. University of Limerick) ended this session ‘Staphylococcus aureus biofilms: the However, he also described a recent study by presenting a talk on ‘polymers for effect of growth conditions and a where filling the balloon of a urinary medical device applications’. He virulence regulator gene mutation on catheter with biocide was shown in a biofilm formation’. Claire described how model system to inhibit biofilm formation. the development of biofilms by GFP- The final talk was given by Paul labelled S. aureus has been explored Williams (Institute of Infection, using a flow cell system in combination Immunity and Inflammation, University of with scanning confocal laser microscopy Nottingham) on ‘controlling infection by and image analysis to accurately provide tuning in and turning down the quantitative data in real-time of biofilm volume of bacterial small-talk’. Paul formation. Her results showed that a S. described how the attenuation of aureus mutated in a regulatory locus, virulence of infecting organisms is now previously reported to be attenuated in being targeted for rational drug design. virulence in an animal infection model The discovery that bacterial cells does not form biofilm in the same way as communicate using small diffusible wild-type S. aureus, and that reduction in signalling molecules to regulate virulence biofilm forming ability cannot be gene expression and biofilm development explained in terms of deficient initial in concert with cell population density adhesion to the substrate. (termed quorum sensing) offers such a The second offered paper on ‘biocide target. Viewing the posters incorporated drawn polymers as Ths meeting was brought to a close by medical devices with control release the SfAM President Peter Silley, who reviewed applications of polymers in capabilities’ was presented by Sofia praised the quality of all of the medical devices and demonstrated that Iconomopoulou. She described an presentations and thanked all of the development of new polymers tend to be attempt to develop polymeric matrixes speakers for making the meeting a incremental, with manipulation to achieve with triclosan-controlled release, by success. The meeting was very enjoyable the desired properties for particular incorporating the biocide into polymers and demonstrated a range of approaches applications. Martin reviewed current that have been subsequently uniaxially and applications of technology to the trends and technologies associated with drawn. The release rate was shown to be challenges of medical device orthopaedics and cardiovascular devices controlled by the draw ratio or in other contamination. It was particularly helpful including the redesign of joints with ultra words by the molecular orientation. She to have scientists from many specialties hard bearing surfaces, biomimetic designs concluded that, the molecular orientation brought together to share their to simulate cartilage and replacement is a significant parameter for both the knowledge and expertise. Hopefully, this bone cements that cure without giving off control release and the polymers will lead to more cross-discipline heat. Finally, the effects of sterilisation on mechanical properties improvement. meetings as a result. the properties of polymers used in The final session of this meeting implants are discussed and the concentrated on Trigger Systems: release Susannah Walsh consequences for material-cell interaction of antimicrobials and was chaired by DeMontfort University, Leicester were highlighted. Peter Silley, SfAM President. David www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 41 Students into Work report
The influence of shear on bacterial diversity in freshwater biofilms
The PCR products were purified and sequenced so that the species could be The Society offers FULL members an identified by the DNA sequence coding opportunity to give undergraduate for its 16s RNA. This allowed a students of microbiology the chance comparison of general trends in to obtain work experience during the composition of the biofilms depending summer vacation. Grants can be upon the imposed shear force. The made available to ANY FULL member interactions of the bacteria in each who is able to offer a suitable biofilm were investigated by undergraduate student a work coaggregation assays. The results will be placement for a period of up to 10 analysed in the next few months but a weeks during summer. The grant is preliminary analysis of the data suggests £160 per week for the student for a that the imposed shear-force profoundly maximum of 10 weeks and up to influences both community composition £50 per week for lab costs for a and diversity, as well as the proportion of maximum of 10 weeks. To apply, visit coaggregating organisms. Under high www.sfam.org.uk/members/ shear the biofilm community was less prizes.php AST SUMMER I HAD THE diverse and contained many bacteria good fortune of receiving a belonging to novel genera. Those biofilms GUIDELINES L SfAM student into work award formed under low shear were 1. Any full member of the Society who can offer an under the supervision of considerably more diverse and the undergraduate student, or a recent graduate (within 6 Professor Peter Gilbert and Dr. Alex community members often did not co- months of graduation) a work placement is eligible to apply for this grant. The placement can last up to a Rickard at the University of Manchester. aggregate. This suggests that under high maximum of 10 weeks, normally during the summer During the ten weeks I investigated the shear conditions the ability to colonise a vacation. microbial diversity and frequency of surface is more dependent upon cell-cell 2. The Grant will normally provide support at the rate of occurrence of coaggregation between adhesion phenomena than under low £160 per week for the student and up to £50 per week for lab costs. The monies will usually be paid to the community members of freshwater shear. Department in which the student/graduate works unless biofilms grown under extremes of shear I found my SfAM work placement to be a specific request is made for an alternative method of force. an extremely enjoyable and valuable payment. Biofilms were grown in a rotating experience, which has taught me many 3. Applications should be made by the supervisor using the PDF form provided on the website or the paper biofilm bioreactor, fed with unfiltered useful skills that will aid me greatly in my form obtainable from the Society Office. potable tap water, in which the substrata final year project and future employment. 4. Successful applicants and their students/graduate comprised rotating concentric stainless It has also led me to a greater must write a report on the placement within 4 weeks of steel rings. The magnitude of the shear- appreciation of scientific research work completing their placement which will be published in Microbiologist. Photographs of the applicant and/or the force generated depended on the radius and has inspired me to apply for a Ph.D. work done during the placement are desirable. These of the steel ring, i.e. the smaller the when I complete my degree. should be supplied as (a) digital images at a size of not radius the lower the shear force. My work Many thanks to the Society for Applied less than 4 inches square at a resolution of not less than 300 pixels per inch, or (b) original photographic prints entailed sampling the biofilm associated Microbiology for providing me with such which will be scanned and promptly returned. with each ring, isolation purification of a great opportunity, and to all of my 5. Normally a member may not apply for a further grant the morphotypes represented and friends and colleagues in the lab for their until a period of two years has elapsed. characterization of their co-aggregation help and guidance. 6.There is no closing date for this Grant and potential. Identification of the dominant applications can be made any time during the year. Applicants must apply at least 6 weeks before the morphotypes followed extraction of the Amy Stead proposed start date. DNA and PCR-amplification of the 16s University of Manchester rRNA genes.
42 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk The President’s Fund Reports Am I eligible - can I apply? Once again, our members report on the use they have made of a President’s Fund grant to attend a variety of meetings and conferences around the globe. To find out how you could benefit from this valuable award check out the panel or visit our website. This is the last series of reports that will be published in Microbiologist. From now on, as the President has reported on page 8, recipients of the award will be required to write an article for the magazine on a subject to be agreed with the Editor.
without any detectable decrease in the Biofilms 2003 biofilm thickness or structure. Expression of agr also appeared to precede cell 1 - 6 November, Victoria, BC, detachment, indicating a possible role in Canada repressing surface adhesion factors or activating expression of a surfactant. Greeted by temperatures of 3°C and Dr Mark Shirtliff gave a proteomic The President's Fund provides limited strong winds which reduced it further, we evaluation of S. aureus in biofilms, grants to ALL members to assist arrived in Vancouver for the onward trip comparing microarray data with them to attend scientific meetings or to Victoria, BC to attend the Biofilms proteomic findings from planktonic and workshops related to their area of 2003 conference arranged by the biofilm isolates. Approximately 20% of work. Awards are made at the sole American Society for Microbiology. This the proteins produced by S. aureus in discretion of the Honorary President. hugely popular conference drew over 600 biofilm growth were significantly different Please note that this Fund is open to delegates from more than 30 different to those when in planktonic growth; members of all ages! Why not apply countries and included 70 lectures and 13 increases in certain enzymes were also to the Fund? The maximum grant evening sessions, as well as 369 poster detected in older biofilms. Several available is normally £1,000. presentations over four days. Held in the metabolic enzymes and transcription S.aureus To apply, visit purpose-built Victoria Conference Centre, factors were only found when www.sfam.org.uk/members/ only a stone’s throw from the picturesque was grown in biofilms, providing a focus prizes.php harbour and surrounded by many for future work. excellent opportunities for dining, the ‘Suppression of medical device- meeting was very well situated. associated staphylococcal infections by TERMS & CONDITIONS The conference opened on Saturday the quorum-sensing inhibitor RIP’ was 1. The applicant must have been a member for at least evening with a valedictory lecture from presented by Dr Naomi Balaban, in a full subscription year before the event to be attended Bill Costerton — widely regarded by which she described how the RNAIII and must be a fully paid-up member at the time of application. many as the world leader in biofilm Inhibiting Peptide (RIP) inhibits adhesion 2. A successful applicant cannot re-apply to the Fund research. Other leaders in the field, by staphylococci to plastic polymers and for three years from the date of the award. including former SfAM committee epithelial cells by disrupting the bacterial 3. Preference will be given to applicants who are member, Professor Hilary Lappin- cell-cell communication, including contributing to the meeting they wish to attend and/or Scott, gave a review of Bill’s career and antibiotic-resistant strains. Attempts at are unable to obtain funds elsewhere. paid personal tributes to him. staphylococcal infection of RIP coated 4. Completed applications must include an abstract of any intended contribution to be made at the meeting Each day’s lectures began at 8:00 am Dacron grafts, following implantation in and must be received by the Society Office not less than and continued through until the poster rats, showed a significant decrease in six weeks before the date of the event. session at 4:30 pm, with different aspects bacterial load and may have great benefits 5. Student member applications must be supported by of biofilm research being presented each in reducing the colonisation of prosthetic their supervisor and include the contact telephone number(s) and email address(es) of the supervisor or morning or afternoon. Evening sessions joints, heart valves and indwelling head of department who is supporting their application. were given over to smaller break-out vascular devices. Additionally, no 6. The maximum grant available is normally £1,000. groups, aimed at stimulating debate in resistance to RIP was detected and to the 7. Under exceptional circumstances this maximum may more specialised areas and convened by contrary, some synergy has been be exceeded. experts in those fields. demonstrated with antibiotics which 9. The award of this grant is at the sole discretion of Although all presentations were very bodes well for combination therapy in the the Hon President of the Society. informative, from a personal perspective future. 10. The applicant must write a short article of between and having an interest in methicillin- My poster, entitled ‘Vancomycin- 400 - 600 words within 4 weeks of the meeting, the content of which will be agreed with the Editor of sfam resistant Staphylococcus aureus, several resistant enterococci — biofilm Microbiologist and will be published in the magazine. were particularly memorable. Dr Jeremy formation and antibiotic treatment,’ Photographs of the applicant and/or the subject of the Yarwood’s presentation on expression of was exhibited during one of the sessions, article are desirable. These should be supplied as (a) digital files in TIFF or JPEG format at a size of not less the accessory gene regulator (agr) as were four others from our research than 4 inches square at a resolution of not less than quorum-sensing system in biofilms of S. group. All were very well received, 300 pixels per inch, or (b) original photographic prints aureus demonstrated that a reduction in generating a great deal of thought and which will be scanned and promptly returned to the applicant. the number of cells by disrupting the agr discussion, as well as ideas and potential locus in spinning disk reactor biofilms, collaboration for further research. www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 43 After a long day many delegates emphasised that the modern food chain ‘Integrated biological control of adjourned to an ‘English pub’ nearby to involves a complex set of industries and powdery mildew and grey mould of mull over the days presentations and the impact of genomics is not just a cucumber and tomato using partake in some of the excellent local simple flow of foodstuffs for ‘field to Brevibacillus brevis combinations’ was brews — including a ‘dark’ lager which fork’. Christine M Bruhn (Centre of appreciated by many researchers from tasted better than it sounds – before Consumer Research, University of related fields of study, with whom we retiring, ready for the next day’s early California, Davis, USA) raised the issue exchanged ideas and suggestions for start. that in order to meet consumer’s demand future work. I was able to meet quite a few of the for food safety, quality and environmental In the morning of the last day of the experts whose names I had frequently protection, a better communication congress, there were lectures on encountered as authors and discussed between scientific organisations and ‘Resistance: Science into Practice’, some of their work with them. I also consumer associations is needed. Dick R ‘Pesticide Residues in Food’ and ‘Novel received a valued offer of collaboration Potts (The Game Conservancy Trust, and Industrial Crops: Realising their with several highly-specialised techniques Fordinbridge, UK) emphasised the Potential’ followed by related poster from one of the field’s leading exponents problems that biodiversity faces from sessions. that I hope to be able accept, and which intensification in order for 50% more The Congress finished with some very should make rather a nice chapter for my food to be produced by the next 30 years. interesting lectures in the much debated PhD thesis. Finally, I would like to After the end of the lectures, all the session of ‘Environmental Impact of express my sincere thanks the Society for delegates were invited to the civic GM Crops’, where, invited researchers awarding me a President’s Fund grant to reception, were everybody had the from UK, Germany, Israel and USA help me to attend this meeting. opportunity to meet and discuss with discussed their points of view in this area. other researchers and exhibitors. M J Mckee et al., (Monsanto Company, Richard Ebray On the second day of the conference, Ecological Technology Centre, St Louis, University of Exeter issues such as new compounds, concepts Missouri, USA) stated that the adoption of and uses, biotechnology approaches for GM products can have direct and indirect crop development and quality, and new benefits for the environment by the The BCPC International EU environmental policies and replacement of broad spectrum synthetic ‘Congress Crop Science registration of plant protection products chemical insecticides and the facilitation were discussed. J Gressel and Z of reduced tillage. & Technology 2003’ Amsellem (Weizmann Institute of Finally, we are grateful to SfAM for 10 - 12 November 2003, Science, Rehovot, Israel) indicated that providing us with a President’s Fund using transgenic mycoherbicids, an grant to attend our first important Glasgow, Scotland, UK enhanced efficacy of biological control of congress for our research field. major weeds in arable row-crop The annual event, organised by the agriculture could be achieved. These Dimitrios Dertzakis and Ioanna Lazaraki British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) workers managed to augment the efficacy Department of Agriculture & Forestry was this year held in the city of Glasgow, of two mycoherbicides i.e. University of Aberdeen which is considered to be Europe’s fastest Colletotrichum coccoides and Fusarium growing conference destination. Much arthosporiodes against Abutilon attention was given to the three key theophrasti and Orobanche spp. themes of crop protection, food chain and respectively, by transferring virulence Biofilms 2003 the environment. The event was factors to the microorganisms. G J 1 - 6 November, Victoria, BC, impressively well organised, where highly Bryan (Scottish Crop Research Institute, respected and well established scientists Dundee, UK) introduced the current Canada from all over the world, were invited to status in genomics and molecular present their research. breeding for crop plant improvement, I wish to thank SfAM for their The congress was launched with four saying that although genomics technology generous award from the Presidents Fund key note lectures, each focusing on is of major importance, we are still at an that enabled my participation at ‘Biofilms different, yet important subjects for early stage of its effective use. D J Flynn 2003.’ This conference brought together agriculture in the 21st century. Ian R (Pesticides Safety Directorate, York, UK) the leading biofilm researchers in the Crute (Rothamsted, Research discussed issues for the re-registration of wonderful venue of Victoria, British Harpenden, UK) addressed how science is plant protection products in Europe. Until Columbia. This is the third ‘Biofilms’ challenged to provide knowledge for recently, the regulatory system was facing meeting to be held, and the largest yet, alternative and sustainable methods of difficulties, but now an expert group has with over 600 delegates attending. crop production, based on renewable been commissioned to look at the The bright (if a little chilly) weather resources that will reduce the crop yield possibilities of harmonising deadlines and provided an auspicious start to the loss, in order to meet the needs of a procedures, to facilitate sharing of the meeting which also began with an evening rapidly increasing human population. workloads envisaged. of tribute to Bill Costerton who gave the Peter J Lillford (Centre for Novel The afternoon saw the poster sessions, opening address on ‘Biofilms as Agricultural Products, University of York, where we had the opportunity to present ubiquitous, self- assembling integrated UK) discussed the impact of genomics on our work on the theme of ‘Non-chemical and protected multi-cellular the food chain. In this lecture, it was Crop Protection’. Our poster entitled communities’.
44 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk The President’s Fund Reports
Others later acknowledged his unique (Municipal House) where a traditional contribution to the study of microbial life European workshop on Czech dinner was served with a pint of on surfaces; such as Hilary Lappin- their world-famous pilsner! Scott, Ron Atlas and Niels Høiby. bacterial protein toxins Once again I’d like to thank the Society Over the week several key themes were (ETOX) for Applied Microbiology for giving me addressed in symposia on biofilm the opportunity to attend this thought structure, antimicrobial resistance and Prague, Czech Republic provoking and enjoyable meeting. I’d also developmental patterns. The development 28 June - 2 July 2003 like to thank Dr Peter Šebo and his of complex structures within biofilms and helpers for making the meeting so arrangement of sub-populations within Thanks to the Presidents Fund grant I delightful. biofilms was superbly illustrated by Tim was able to attend my first international Manal Abu Oun Tolker-Nielsen. Confocal laser scanning conference near the beautiful city of Dept of Food and Environmental Safety, Prague. The ETOX workshop has now microscopy was used to determine the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, UK role of motility and type IV pili in the become an international meeting with formation of multi-cellular mushroom researchers not only from Europe but shaped clusters. Non-motile bacteria form also North and South America and Asia. the ‘stalks’ while the motile organisms are The five-day workshop was divided into ASM Conference on able to form the caps by climbing the seven sessions with the final session Salmonella: stalks and aggregating at the top. focused on the Anthrax toxin. The Emerging areas of interest within the conference started on Saturday with an Pathogenesis, biofilm community such as bioterrorism opening talk by Wim Hol (USA) on the Epidemiology and and cross kingdom interactions also dodecade of research on the Cholera featured strongly. A series of excellent toxin and the Heat Labile enterotoxin, Vaccine development talks were given on the flourishing and the progress that has been made Alghero, Sardinia subject of detachment and dispersal from through many collaborations in Europe biofilms. Real-time imaging showed the and the USA. 20 - 24 September 2003 reappearance of motile cells ‘seething’ Lead by the enthusiastic organiser, within mature biofilm and then breaking Peter Šebo, our mornings started with a The conference began on Saturday out leaving a void within the cluster. jogging session round the local lake, with a general lecture on Salmonella A total of 13 evening sessions were run followed by a swim. There were many typhi. The welcome reception followed over 3 evenings. These were informal in fascinating and thought provoking talks where there was the opportunity to meet structure but given to much debate. The given throughout the meeting, ranging other delegates from a variety of different session on biofilms in human organ from how new toxins were found, the background and discuss current research. systems, chaired by Pradeep Singh and array of different ways bacterial proteins Extremely interesting talks were given Donna Hill tackled the issue of which have been able to upset the normal by Awa Aidara-Kane from Switzerland and to what extent infections can be balance of cells, use of toxins as a means on WHO initiatives on global foodborne characterised as biofilms. This lead on to of antigen delivery to the immune system, salmonellosis surveillance. She described a more general discussion of whether the immunotoxins for treatment of cancer, the high burden of salmonellosis in the human commensal flora lives as a biofilm, and the use of worms to study the actions developing countries, the emergence and and even if we will ever be able to answer of toxins. prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, the question ‘What is a biofilm?’ This The two poster sessions also covered a and the aetiology behind it. topic was also addressed by Roberto wide variety of topics, where I had the The next session was on the Kolter in his presentation ‘A rose is a opportunity to present a poster entitled pathogenesis of Salmonella. An rose.. is a biofilm a biofilm?’ Professor ‘Further characterisation of the effect enlightening lecture was given by Dr. Kolter gave an overview of how he and of naturally occurring mutations found McCormick (USA), who described the others have attempted to define universal in the Campylobacter jejuni cytolethal- molecular pathogenesis of Salmonella biofilm characteristics using genetics in distending toxin genes.’ The poster Typhimurium induced enteritis, which is order to look beyond a biofilm phenotype sessions provided a valuable opportunity characterised by movement of electrolytes towards a biofilm genotype. to meet and discuss not only my own and water in addition to polymorpho- I presented a poster on ‘The effect of work but that of many other toxin nuclear neutrophils (PMN) into the saliva on initial attachment rates of researchers from round the world, this intestinal mucosa and lumen from the oral bacteria’, and received some interaction has helped kick-start my PhD underlying vasculature. welcome feedback and helpful discussions studies and collaborations. The following day involved sessions on with many other delegates. Over 300 A day and a half into the meeting, Dr host adaptation and bacteriophages. Dr. posters were presented over three Peter Šebo took us to the historic city of Wallis (UK) gave an interesting talk on evening sessions, each of which was Prague where were treated to a the molecular basis of Salmonella- extremely well attended. Once again I fascinating guided tour of Prague Castle, serotype host specificity. His investigation would like to express my gratitude to the Charles bridge with its famous, St led to the identification of several new SfAM for their generous funding. Nicolas’ church, the old town square and pathogenicity islands and demonstrated the town hall with its unique astronomical that S. Typhimurium uses a variety of Gillian Cairns clock depicting the 12 apostles. This virulence genes in different animal University of Exeter amazing tour ended at Obecni Dum species, which might result in www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 45 implications for the design of effective His contagious enthusiasm for ethical issues. Stephen Moore vaccines against Salmonella infections. microbial biofilms reverberated around (University of Alberta, Canada), outlined Two hours were allocated each day for the room. David Davies also treated us to how the new DNA marker technology can poster presentations and that was really an exciting presentation which included be applied in cattle breeding lines but helpful as it gave delegates the images of GFP expressing Pseudomonas used alone will not replace current opportunity to discuss their research and aeruginosa biofilm clusters. Although breeding strategies. An interesting subsequently broaden their knowledge in from the outside, this was nothing discussion which closed the first day of their area of expertise. I presented two exceptional, SCM revealed that the insides the conference was lead by Gerard posters on research carried out by myself were bursting with motile cells which had Raphael Larrere from INRA, on the and Anthony Hilton (Editor SfAM converted to the planktonic phenotype conflicting views of those who support Microbiologist) on the adaptive and were wriggling about and squeezing genetic engineering and those who fear it. resistance to biocides and cross- out to freedom through fractures in the He highlighted how these fears are the resistance to antimicrobial agents in surrounding biofilm. mirror image of the hopes of those who Salmonella enterica in addition to the My own poster presentation entitled: see it as the solution to all our problems. mechanisms underlying adaptive ‘Differential Gene Expression in The second day of the conference resistance. We concluded that the planktonic and biofilm cells of concentrated on the contribution of increased cell surface hydrophobicity and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and genomics to livestock breeding, including the presence of an active efflux pump Stenotrophomonas maltophilia,’ pigs, ruminants and poultry and to the could facilitate the acquisition of provided the opportunity for me to meet qualitative characteristics and value of antibacterial resistance in Salmonella with other scientist working in this meat, including pigs and cattle. A enterica, providing cross-resistance to a specific area and to discuss my research. presentation from Patrick Cunningham, range of antibiotics and biocides. Social events were organised throughout (Trinity College, Dublin) discussed the I had the most brilliant time in the course of the conference to allow contribution of genomics to traceability Alghero, which is such a beautiful little delegates to meet and talk in a more systems. The principles of operation in town. I had the opportunity to meet so relaxed, less formal atmosphere. the DNA traceback system, the many interesting people and finally put Attending the conference was great fun contribution of statistical analysis to this faces to the names of people I’ve read and an invaluable experience from a process and the importance of consumer about in journals. I am really grateful to young scientist’s point of view. trust in the meat industry and how the SfAM for giving me the opportunity to meat industry attempt to address the attend this prestigious meeting! Marie Lewis consumers needs were highlighted. University of Exeter Another speaker, Mohammed Maria Braoudaki Koohmaraie (US Department of Aston University Symposium on Agriculture), gave an interesting talk on how genetic selection can be used to genomics and the meat improve beef quality and carcass Biofilms 2003 industry composition. He described the 1 - 6 November, Victoria economically important beef traits and Paris, France how they can be measured, how marker- BC, Canada assisted selection and functional The theme of this symposium was the genomics can be used to breed animals I would like to thank SfAM for offering impact of genomics and genetic that excel in expression of economically me the opportunity to travel to this engineering on the meat industry. The important traits and how industry can meeting, although I do have a minor conference enabled decision-makers and implement these methods. quibble with them about the artic managers in the industry to discuss I am in my final year of my PhD and temperatures! With over 600 national and developments in this field and possible although my project is not strictly related international delegates attending, the implications for their companies. The to the topics that were discussed during conference centre situated in the city conference opened with an introduction the symposium, it gave me a valuable centre and overlooking the harbour, was from the INRA (Institut National de la opportunity to gain an insight into the the perfect venue to allow students to Recherche Agronomique) chairperson challenges faced by genetic engineers in comfortably mingle with the stars of the Christian Valin, followed by a the meat industry. I spent the weekend in show including Bill Costerton, Paul presentation of another member of the this beautiful city and I was very Stoodly and George O’Tool. INRA, André Eggen on basic genomics impressed by the many Parisian I was fascinated by many of the and its tools. Dr. Eggen discussed how a attractions. The Eiffel Tower sparkling at presentations and was particularly genotype can explain a particular night was just amazing! I would like to interested by Luanne Hall-Stoodley’s phenotype, and the importance of thank SfAM for funding my attendance at suggestion that Mycobacteria exhibit understanding the molecular architecture the conference and also to thank the evidence that they form intracellular of naturally occurring domestic organisers, Nils Beaumond and Mylene biofilms within the host in order to evade variations. The subsequent conference Sookahe for making the conference so immune response. I was especially taken presentations covered a wide range of enjoyable. by Roberto Kolter’s lively performance areas including the contribution of Teresa Catarame on the underlying common principals of genomics to genetic engineering, the The National Food Centre, Dublin, Ireland. biofilm formation. hopes and fears for the meat industry and
46 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Books
malaria which globally remains a very significant cause of morbidity and Bioinformatics and Federal Bodysnatchers mortality with an estimated 300 million Genome – Current and the New Guinea cases and 3 million deaths attributable to it every year. In “malaria millions” Perspectives Virus: Tales of People, Desowitz tells the story of the continuing Parasites, and Politics search for new treatments for malaria as Edited by Miguel A Andrade the causative organism becomes resistant to previously effective therapeutics. Horizon Scientific Press Robert S Desowitz Towards the end of the chapter he raises Price £80.00 W W Norton & Company; Hardcover two questions firstly, “where will the Reviewed by Stuart C Clarke 224 pps; ISBN 0393051854 money come from to bring new successful Price: £19.95 ($24.95) therapeutics to market?” and “where will This book was published earlier this Reviewed by Andrew Sails the new classes of anti-malarial drugs year and is one of the large series of come from”? books from this publisher on In the introduction to Robert Desowitz argues that alternative microbiology, genomics and Desowitz’s latest book the author begins strategies such as new impregnated bioinformatics. After an interesting by asking the reader the question: “Are mosquito nets and better understanding preface in the form of a moral story, this we, the top macroscopic animal, still in of mosquito behaviour may be more book aims to provide an overview of bondage to the microscopic world of effective than spending many more some of the many aspects of modern pathogenic creatures?” In an attempt to millions on vaccine research. bioinformatics, particularly in relation to answer this he takes the reader on a In the peculiarly entitled chapter “The whole genomes. It consists of twelve journey through both time and place to curious case of the wake-up-from-dead chapters written by experts in fields such examine some of the most pressing issues drug and the bearded lady” the reader as genome analysis, gene expression, in infectious disease in the world today. In follows the convoluted history of protein sequence alignment and database this entertaining set of essays Desowitz is development of eflornithine hydrochloride development. a supreme storyteller as he engages the (DFMO) as treatment for trypanosomiasis The authorship is limited to Europe reader with his own unique and witty or sleeping sickness. DMFO was and Mexico and this I found quite style. originally patented as a drug with the strange. Each chapter is well-written and The book begins with the story of the potential to induce abortion and to reduce laid out in an accessible format even recently re-emerged pathogen, West Nile the size of enlarged prostate glands. when describing complex issues. The Virus (WNV). It starts with the first However it then makes the transition to chapters are also well-referenced but not recorded case in Uganda in 1937, potential cancer treatment to a treatment over-cited. Table and figures are included through to the experimental treatment of for the removal of female facial hair (for where relevant and some of the latter are moribund cancer patients in New York in all you bearded ladies) before finally in colour. Some chapters, such as that on 1950, ending with the virus’s New York being recognised for its effectiveness multiple alignment databases, provide an epidemic debut in 1999. What follows is a against trypanosomiasis. overview which can be used for easy cautionary tale of the investigation of the Trypanosomiasis has an estimated annual reference whilst others are more New York outbreak, which retrospectively incidence of 300,000 in Africa where the specialist and go into much greater detail. can be best described as “a shambles”. miracle drug DMFO was named the However, each chapter stands alone as The series of blunders and wrong turns “wake-up-from-dead drug”. Desowitz also there is no obvious link throughout the made by many of the investigating questions the morality and legality of book although this is not necessarily a “expert” authorities makes most patent laws covering biomedical criticism, more an observation. frightening reading. The time delay in “inventions” with the example of One criticism, although, is the over linking the epidemic of dying birds to the patenting the HTLV-1 virus derived from specialist nature a few chapters provide epidemic of dying people seems almost the blood of a Hagahai native of Papua which takes away the general readership. shocking. The final correct identification New Guinea. He also describes the The book ends with a similarly interesting of the viral pathogen responsible came possible effects of global warming on chapter, contributed to by all authors, on not from the medical epidemiologists or infectious diseases and finishes the book the future of bioinformatics which raises microbiologists but from the dogged with the tale of the recent emergence of some interesting questions. This book will persistence of the Bronx Zoo’s chief the gastrointestinal parasite, appeal to those with a general interest in veterinary pathologist. The author then Cryptosporidium. bioinformatics or those who are new to concentrates his attention on other Overall, this is a very entertaining and the subject but who already have some arthropod-borne infections and their well-written book that deserves a place on good knowledge of molecular biology. treatment and control. He describes how the bookshelf of any ‘card carrying’ However, being priced at £80 may limit the insecticide DDT “turned from saint to epidemiologist or medical microbiologist. its market in this respect although this is sinner” and argues strongly for its Next time someone outside of a usual price for such a specialist text. It usefulness in the control of “the spineless microbiology asks you “why is infectious is unlikely that it will be used as a bloodsuckers” responsible for the disease research important” lend them reference text by bioinformaticians but transmission of a plethora of viral, your copy of Robert Desowitzs’ book and will, as the book title suggests, provide a bacterial and parasitic infections to let them make up their own mind. current update to the subject. humans. The narrative then shifts to www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 47 experimental methods and techniques. Building on the knowledge of winemaking The information contained in the book is as one of the oldest biotechnological Environmental as up to date as any other text book and processes, future advances in genetic Microbiology made for an interesting and informative modification is examined, highlighting read. There are other similar texts in the beneficial alterations to many aspects of field, and perhaps for the laboratory the process. The book reassuringly details Raina M Maier, Ian L Pepper and environment such similarly priced books the facts behind the many reported health Charles P. Gerba as the Manual of Environmental benefits of wine, such as the link between Academic Press. Canada (2000) Microbiology (C J Hurst et al.) are more moderate wine consumption and reduced 585+xix. ISBN 0-12-497570-4 appropriate, but this book is a good rates of age-related macular degeneration, Price: £73.95 general text for everyone with an interest and low rates of cardiovascular disease. Reviewed by Russ Grant in the area. Although important, the latter area is slightly laboured with two chapters The first thing that struck me about devoted to this topic. The purported this book was in the preface and mechanisms for wine polyphenol introduction. The authors describe this Wine: A Scientific protection are discussed in depth textbook as ‘designed for a senior-level accompanied by informative diagrams, under graduate or a graduate-level class Exploration. making the information accessible to a in environmental microbiology and to wider audience. Unfortunately, this serve as a reference for any scientist Sandler, M and Pinder, P, Eds. (2003) approach is not sustained in other interested in this field’. However I would London, Taylor and Francis chapters, making some sections difficult consider it to be suitable for any 2nd level Reviewed by Emma Woodmansey to follow. or university student interested in or Overall, this entertaining and studying the field of environmental The objectives of this book are to interesting read should appeal to those microbiology. Unfortunately the price is clarify fact from fiction were wine is from a scientific background. The authors not in the £25 - £35 range associated concerned, using a wide range of have taken what is obviously a complex with most student textbooks and so it will scientific views. This is certainly delivered topic and done the subject justice by remain a library resource. in this entertaining yet factual read. The providing a high level of detail. With Following a brief introduction to first few chapters provide a gentle regard to a wider audience, some environmental microbiology there are introduction to the world of wine, giving scientific knowledge would be an chapters covering the general advice on drinking wine and how best to advantage for a thorough appreciation. microbiology of viruses, bacteria, fungi, savour the subtleties of its flavour, with Although this will be a demanding book algae and protozoa (growth, transport, top tips on how to enjoy wine at its best. for those not familiar with scientific culturing, analysis, physiology, Following on from this, there is an in- writing or terminology, it would be a microscopy, disinfection, immunology) depth historical review into the origins of worthwhile and rewarding read. with additions to give an environmental wine as far back as 7000 BC. A summary slant, and chapters given wholly to pure table is used to display the main points of environmental microbiology. A total of interest throughout history, which is twenty four well written and useful, but somewhat long-winded. This PCR PROTOCOLS comprehensive chapters are included, on data may have been better represented Methods in Molecular microbiology in different and extreme using a time line diagram to give a environments (terrestrial, air, aquatic), greater appreciation of the time scale Biology – Volume 226 various methods and techniques used in involved in many of the discoveries listed. environmental microbiology (sampling, The archaeological evidence for Editors: John M S Bartlett and David treatments), environmental cultivation and domestication of the Stirling. 2nd edition. Humana Press biogeochemical cycling, agricultural grapevine by past civilisations is Reviewed by Georgina Hold microbiology, environmental pathogenic discussed in some detail. The author microbiology and treatments involving provides an insight into the many The book is a revision of the original microbiology such as in the waste and methods, such as liquid chromatography PCR protocols due to the expansion of water industries. The figures used are well and other chemical analyses used to PCR methodologies since the original presented, useful and are often used to investigate what many people may edition. The book does not set itself out summarise the text content. Photographs consider just dust in the bottom of pots. to be an exhaustive manual of PCR are also used throughout to good effect. The constant battle against infestation technology as these have in many cases References are given with each of vines with the insect Phylloxera is become the basis of separate chapter, as well as questions and covered, with historical and publications. What is intended is that this problems from the information to test epidemiological evidence as to its origins. book should be considered a ‘core understanding of the text. These may be However, from a microbiology viewpoint, manual’ for both novice and adept useful to a student but I found them little details of the many fungal and bacterial molecular biologists. The book presents more than a basic comprehension diseases associated with vines were worked examples for various aspects of exercise. An accompanying laboratory lacking. In contrast, the discussion on PCR, which can be adapted or reproduced manual is also available by the same modern winemaking processes within the reader’s own laboratory. Each authors which provides actual endeavoured to re-address this imbalance. section contains an overview to the
48 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk Books
technique, which is to be presented The aim of the whole series is to section, it might have been helpful to including highlighting applications and provide information for undergraduates in have more notes on the culture and limitations. order to enhance their knowledge of detection of common fungal strains as Part 1 provides an introduction to PCR subjects peripheral to their main well as some of the metabolic products. which is concise and interesting. It programmes of study. This book is well Nevertheless, the information presented is discusses issues that should be prepared for its avowed purpose, the again clear and succinct. considered if you are about to embark language being readily accessible Microbial death in chapter five features upon molecular biology — particularly throughout. A summary, references for methods to achieve sterilisation, PCR for the first time. It also discusses further recommended reading and the use disinfection and the problems of what you need to know should you be of bold type for words of importance are resistance. The latter points out the mode considering setting up a PCR laboratory. to be found in each chapter. of action on DNA by modern antibiotics Part 2 discusses preparation of nucleic Chapter one offers a tightly written with sections on antifungal and antiviral acid template for subsequent PCR. This review of bacterial structure and function compounds. Section one of the book section is well presented, discussing many with a good number of useful, clear, black concludes with a short chapter on of the pitfalls of extracting nucleic acids and white drawings. Short ‘foot-notes’ in microbial taxonomy and systematics as from difficult starting materials including the margins and boxes of other pertinent well as four methods of ‘typing’ archival tissues and ancient samples. information eg. on stains, osmotic commonly used in public health The rest of the book consists of 7 pressure etc. further enhance the text. laboratories. sections describing various PCR-based Bacterial growth, the focus of chapter The remaining third of the book is methodologies including basic methods, two, is presented in easily digested section two, Microbial Infections and quantitative PCR, In situ PCR, PCR-based mathematical concepts to further the Humans. Chapter seven describes human/ sequencing, cloning and mutagenesis. discussion of such crucial issues as microbial interactions, while bacteria as These sections provide a well-informed growth-rate, generation time, mean parasites is the subject of the eighth account of current knowledge, basic generation time and doubling time. The chapter. Included in the latter is the protocols, notes and referenced literature. explanations are complemented by a brief process of infection, pathogenicity versus I like this book! It is what all molecular but comprehensive review of common virulence, the action of exo- and endo- biology laboratories should have and nutritional patterns and pathways, and a toxins and the presence of host signals contains information that is relevant to all comparison of the cellular location of which trigger pathogenic activity. levels of researchers. Whether you are essential metabolism found in Chapters nine and ten highlight the new to molecular biology and need to prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The parasitic nature of viruses and some know the basics, or you are looking to remainder of this chapter covers fungi. The thirty main viruses at present expand your techniques base, this book is parameters of in vitro culture techniques, known to be common disease agents in applicable to all. Relevant and timely growth in vivo, gaseous requirements, humans and the mechanisms of the virus / diagrams compliment the text; there are methods of measuring bacterial growth, host immune response are considered, as also heaps of references included at the differential and selective media, enzyme are cellular processes of known viral end of each section. My only criticism of synthesis and syntropism. carcinogenesis. It would have been the book is its spiral binding. As a Chapter three on viruses defines and interesting to include here work on the reference manual it will be opened time explains common nomenclature and starts use of bacteriophage as agents of viral and time again, and I do not think the with a discussion of the sizes of these prophyllaxis in human disease, such work binding will live up to this usage. obligate intercellular parasites, their having been carried on for some time in structure and classification. The strategies the former Soviet Republic and other of replication commonly used by different places. Fungi as agents of primary or types of virus are covered particularly secondary infections in humans and Human Microbiology well in diagrams for each group i.e. pathways of fungal pathogenicity are double stranded DNA, positive-strand discussed. Simon P. Hardy DNA, negative-strand DNA viruses and The final chapter describes common, Taylor and Francis Inc. N.Y. (2002) retrovirus. Virus assembly is also modern methods of controlling microbial ISBN 0 415 24168 5 discussed as is host cell membrane infections from vaccinations through Price: £15.99 attachment and viropexis. The chapter is vector control to general public health Reviewed by Irena-M. Olejnik completed with sections on cell, tissue policies, finishing with a list of the 4 and organ culture, the detection of virus levels of microbial hazards – from Group This book, the tenth in the Lifelines by plaque counts, the formation of 1 which are unlikely to cause human Series edited by John Wrigglesworth, is inclusion bodies, and other information disease to Group 4 — severe disease with comprised of two parts; Introduction to pertinent to viral growth. no current prophylaxis. Microorganisms and Microbial Infections Fungal topics in chapter four include As the government has just announced of Humans. The first covers six topics, the structure and function of yeasts and in December 2003 that the NHS will have bacterial structure and function, bacterial moulds, basic fungal genetics, and a Director for Infection Control because growth, viruses, fungi, microbial death, elementary classification. As fungal resistant bacterial strains seem to be out and microbial taxonomy and the second disorders appear to be on the increase, it of control in some hospitals, this book is five - types of association, bacteria / might be said that this section could extremely timely and should be of viruses / and fungi as parasites and benefit students by being expanded. inestimable value, even required reading, control of microbial infections. Considering the very detailed virus for many outside mainstream science. www.sfam.org.uk March 2004 49 For more information about the Society, Society meetings, the benefits of membership, Microbiologist, or to join us please visit the Society website at www sfam.org.uk
i Benefits of sfam membership membership options Publications The Society for ■ Full membership gives online access to The Society publishes two monthly journals: Applied the Journal of Applied Microbiology, Letters Journal of Applied Microbiology and Letters Microbiology was in Applied Microbiology and Environmental in Applied Microbiology. We also produce our founded in 1931 and is Microbiology, copies of Microbiologist, own quarterly in-house colour magazine: dedicated to advancing preferential registration rates at Society meetings Microbiologist, which contains features, reports the study of microbiology. and access to the members areas of the website. topical news stories and full details of our Society members play a meetings. The Society is also a partner with ■ Full student membership confers the leading role in shaping the Blackwell Publishing in the bi-monthly journal same benefits as Full Membership at a specially future of applied Environmental Microbiology. microbiology, and enjoy reduced rate for full time students not in receipt many benefits, including: of a taxable salary. Online journals ■ ■ Associate membership this new class of Reduced rates at Synergy is an online service provided by Blackwell Society meetings membership is open to all current and new Society members including existing Associate Publishing that gives Full and Student Members ■ Access to the Student Members and Retired members and FREE access to the online versions of the members areas of gives quarterly copies of Microbiologist and Society’s three journals: Journal of Applied the Society website preferential registration rates at all Society Microbiology, Letters in Applied meetings. Microbiology and Environmental ■ Generous grants and Microbiology. Members can register for this awards ■ Honorary Membership of the Society is service at http://www.blackwell-science.com. by election only and this honour is conferred on Members can also submit papers directly to our ■ FREE access to three persons of distinction in the field of applied journals via an online submission service. acclaimed journals microbiology. For more information about Synergy or online Detailed information ■ Corporate membership is open to all manuscript submission, please visit the website. about all these benefits companies with an interest in microbiology. and more can be found Corporate members benefits include: Grants & awards on the Society website. ● Online access to the Society’s three journals OR Many awards and prizes are available to hard copies of the journals. WEBSITE: members including the W H Pierce Memorial www.sfam.org.uk ● Half page advertisement in each quarterly issue Prize and Prizes for Student Oral Presentations The website is the best of Microbiologist (which can be upgraded to a and Posters at the Summer Conference. In source of detailed larger size at very attractive discounted rates). addition to these substantial awards, the Society information on the Society has funds to assist members in their careers as ● Full page advertisement in the Members' and it’s many activities. It microbiologists. These include The President’s has a lively discussion Handbook. Fund, Conference Studentships, Sponsored forum and fully interactive ● FREE banner advert on the Society Website Lectures and the popular Students into Work membership areas where with a direct link to your company site. Scheme. you can book your place at Society meetings find ● Up to three members of company staff Full details of all the Society’s grants and awards and advertise jobs, display attending Society meetings at members' rate. can be found on the website together with easy- your CV and much more. (This means a 50% discount on non member to-use online application forms. registration rate). CONTACT: Special interests Society for Applied Meetings Microbiology, The Blore The Society has six very active Interest Groups: Tower, The Harpur Centre, We hold two annual meetings. The January ■ Bioengineering, ■ Educational Bedford MK40 1TQ, UK Meeting comprises discussion sessions with the Development, ■ Environmental, Tel: 01234 326661 opportunity to display posters on related work. ■ Food Safety and Technology, Fax: 01234 326678 The Summer Conference is held every July and email: [email protected] ■ Infection, Prevention and comprises a main symposium, a poster session, www.sfam.org.uk Treatment, ■ Molecular Biology the AGM and a lively social programme. We also hold occasional joint ventures with other Detailed information about these Groups can be organisations on topics of mutual interest. found on the Society website.
50 March 2004 www.sfam.org.uk The Answer is out there...
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