Variation in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease across South and West England, in 1995, was measured through a survey of microbiology laboratories. A 100% response rate was achieved. The incidence by laboratory varied between 5.2 and 20.4 per 100,000 catchment population (P < 0.001). Adjusting for pneumococcal vaccine uptake rate in over 65 year olds, hospital admission rates, blood culture system used and for the age and sex structure of the population, did not account for this variation. When blood culture sampling rates were included in a logistic regression model, the variation between laboratories was much less and of lower statistical significance (P = 0.019). Higher rates of blood culture sampling were associated with a higher incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease. Consistently high sampling should be encouraged because a higher diagnostic rate should result in more selective prescribing of antibiotics, and secondly because improved ascertainment of severe pneumococcal infections is a prerequisite for the evaluation of new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.

SUMMARY. Strains of thermophilic campylobacters of human origin were examined for bacteriocine activity and for susceptibility to R-type pyocines of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. None of 50 strains inhibited the growth of any other strain, but 13 of 80 strains (1 6%) were sensitive to R-type pyocines. Absorption of one of the partially purified pyocine preparations with a sensitive strain resulted in the removal of pyocine activity and a decrease in viable count of the organism by 85%.

Faecal samples were collected from newly impounded stray dogs and from dogs presented to a clinic by their owners. The dogs were categorised as strays or pets and their faeces as formed or unformed. The faeces were examined bacteriologically. Campylobacters were significantly (P less than 0.01) more frequently isolated from the faeces of the stray dogs but there was no significant difference between the frequency of isolation of the organism from formed or unformed faeces. The significance of this finding in relation to public health and animal health is noted.

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A case is described of infection of a total hip arthroplasty with Listeria monocytogenes eighteen years after operation, and its successful treatment by antibiotics and revision surgery. R~sum~. Description d'un cas d' arthroplastie totale de hanche, compliqu6e, 18 ans aprks l'op6ration, d' une infection it Listeria monocytogenes. Un traitement antibiotique et une reprise chirurgicale ont obtenu la gudrison.