The Cough Cylinder: A tool to study measures against airborne spread of (myco-) bacteria

BACKGROUND: 'Covering your cough' reduces droplet number, but its effect on airborne pathogen transmission is less clear. The World Health Organization specifically recommends cough etiquette to prevent the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but implementation is generally poor and evidence supporting its value is lacking. METHODS: We...

Sociocognitive determinants of observed and self-reported compliance to hand hygiene guidelines in child day care centers

Background: Although hand hygiene (HH) has proven to be an effective measure to prevent infections, HH compliance is generally low. We assessed sociocognitive determinants of caregivers' HH behavior in child day care centers (DCCs) to develop an effective HH intervention. Methods: Caregivers' compliance to HH guidelines was observed. Observed...

Genome Analysis of Legionella pneumophila Strains Using a Mixed-Genome Microarray

Background: Legionella, the causative agent for Legionnaires' disease, is ubiquitous in both natural and man-made aquatic environments. The distribution of Legionella genotypes within clinical strains is significantly different from that found in environmental strains. Developing novel genotypic methods that offer the ability to distinguish...

Beyond diversity: Functional microbiomics of the human colon

Molecular tools have revealed wide microbial diversity in the human alimentary tract. Most intestinal microorganisms have not been cultured and the in situ functions of distinct groups of the intestinal microbiota are largely unknown but pivotal to understanding the role of these microorganisms in health and disease. Promising strategies to gain...

Het Nederlands signaleringscentrum kindergeneeskunde; een kwaliteitsinstrument voor preventie en onderzoek [The Dutch Paediatric Surveillance System; a quality-focused instrument for prevention and research]

The Dutch Paediatric Surveillance System was initiated by the Dutch Paediatric Society and is housed within the TNO Prevention and Health office. The purpose of the surveillance system is (a) to gain insight on a population level into the prevalence of rare and new diseases in youths (0-18 year), and (b) to promote scientific research addressing...

Effects of vapours of chlorpropham and ethofumesate on wild plant species

Chemicals/CAS: Benzofurans; Chlorpropham, 101-21-3; Environmental Pollutants; ethofumesate, 26225-79-6; Herbicides; Mesylates

Establishing a campylobacter-free pig population through a top-down approach

Fattening pigs are often infected with campylobacter. To eliminate campylobacter from the pig population, a top-down approach, involving the breeding and reproduction farms, seems appropriate. In order to investigate the effectiveness of a top-down approach, sows' faeces from the following farms were analysed for the presence of campylobacter:...

Reduction of campylobacter infections in broiler flocks by application of hygiene measures

Transmission routes of Campylobacter spp. in broilers and possibilities for prevention of infections were studied on two Dutch broiler farms. The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. was studied in successive broiler flocks, in the environment of the farms and in some of the parent flocks involved. Isolates of Campylobacter spp. were typed by using...

Exposure to methyl bromide during greenhouse fumigation on Crete, Greece

In agricultural areas where greenhouses and dwellings are intermixed, the general population as well as the professional applicators may be exposed to pesticides. In a field study on Crete, exposure to methyl bromide during soil fumigation was assessed. Exposure of applicators (both contractors and farmers) were measured with personal air...