Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus antibody reactors among camels in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2005.

We tested, using a low starting dilution, sequential serum samples from dromedary camels, sheep and horses collected in Dubai from February/April to October of 2005 and from dromedary camels for export/import testing between Canada and USA in 2000-2001. Using a standard Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) neutralization test, serial sera from three sheep and three horses were all negative while sera from 9 of 11 dromedary camels from Dubai were positive for antibodies supported by similar results in a MERS-CoV recombinant partial spike protein antibody ELISA. The two negative Dubai camels were both dromedary calves and remained negative over the 5 months studied. The six dromedary samples from USA and Canada were negative in both tests. These results support the recent findings that infection with MERS-CoV or a closely related virus is not a new occurrence in camels in the Middle East. Therefore, interactions of MERS-CoV at the human-animal interface may have been ongoing for several, perhaps many, years and by inference, a widespread pandemic may be less likely unless significant evolution of the virus allow accelerated infection and spread potential in the human population.

Epidemiologic typing of Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis in a Canada-wide outbreak of gastroenteritis due to contaminated cheese.

A major Canada-wide outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis phage type (PT) 8 occurred in 1998, and this was traced to contaminated cheese in a commercial lunch pack product. Phage typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis linked the clinical and cheese isolates of serotype Enteritidis but failed to differentiate outbreak from nonoutbreak PT 8 strains. Further differentiation was made by biotyping based on melibiose fermentation.

Safety evaluation of gums and thickeners used in cosmetic formulations.

Synopsis Safety tests have been carried out on gums and thickeners, continuing a study involving commonly used cosmetic ingredients (1, 2, 3, 4). The ocular and cutaneous tolerance tests have been conducted on the rabbit following the official French methods (5, 6) but with some complements or modifications (1, 2, 3, 4, 7). The test substances (listed in Table 1) were products from various suppliers and of different types and grades. None of the fifty samples tested provoked pathological lesions of the ocular mucous membrane; nevertheless, corneal irritation was noted with silicates, silica and bentonite, probably due to mechanical effect, when applied at relatively high concentration. The highest score on the primary cutaneous irritancy test (moderately irritant) was that for the gelled volatile hydrocarbon solvents. The repeated application test was continued for 6 weeks: no significant pathological reaction was observed. Only a slight intolerance was noted with the gels of volatile hydrocarbons and isopropyl myristate, but the irritant reactions were significantly reduced compared to those previously observed with the pure oils (1, 2). Consequently, based on these data, it can be concluded that the use of gums and thickeners involved in this publication presents no hazard for the skin.

[Not Available].

Summary On 26 July 1976, the European Directive relating to cosmetics products added lanolin to the list of substances which cannot be used in these products beyond previously fixed restrictions and conditions (annexe III) with the obligation that labelling bears the wording 'contains lanolin'. The French legislation laid down the term 'Important' with the above condition, thus drawing attention to the presence of one of the most used substances in the cosmetic industry. Without making an account of the comments which have led to that decision, it is admitted that some dermatologists have noticed for 20 years allergic reactions on few persons, after using ointments containing lanolin or lanolin derivatives. Two facts have been noted after a thorough survey of the observed cases: these reactions occurred first with persons suffering from leg ulcers or chronic eczema, and were caused by the free fatty alcohols fraction. On the other hand, literature does not mention any case of allergic reaction on a healthy skin, whether it is human or animal. As we are aware of the importance of the problem and as we have carried out a routine examination of local tolerance. of the main raw materials, already used in cosmetics, for 3 years (1-4), we considered it was of primary importance to study the results obtained from various samples of anhydrous lanolin and its derivatives. The ocular and cutaneous tolerance tests have been made on the rabbit following.

Eye and skin irritation tests on the rabbit of several fatty acid esters.

Summary Continuing preceding work (1,2), a series of tests has been carried out on the toxicological evaluation of samples of different fatty esters obtained from several manufacturers. Eye irritation tests and skin irritation and sensitisation tests were carried on the rabbit following the official French methods with minor modifications. When tested pure, nearly all the isopropyl and butyl esters used gave some adverse reactions. Only one sample (out of two tested) of isopropyl stearate appeared to be well tolerated although the primary irritation index on skin was greater than one. The two esters with the greatest adverse skin reactions were isopropyl isostearate and one of two isopropyl linoleates. Ten per cent aqueous dispersion showed considerable diminution of the adverse reactions in the majority of the cases. Considering the results obtained in this paper together with those published previously (1) being twenty-seven samples covering fifteen different fatty esters, the worse reactions were obtained with the C(8), C(12), C(14) saturated together with the oleate and linoleate esters. Isopropyl palmitate, stearyl heptonate and arachidyl propionate were the best tolerated as pure materials. Other adverse reactions were obtained with the isopropyl, butyl and octyl stearates and isostearates (except for one of two isopropyl stearates) and from these results appears that the alcohol moiety plays little part in irritation when compared with the fatty acid chain. Examination of peroxy values indicates that these have a significant adverse effect for oleates and linoleates.