Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Outbreaks
Kinds of Outbreaks Terms modified by Outbreaks Selected AbstractsOUTBREAK OF NOROVIRUS GASTROENTERITIS IN ELDERLY EVACUEES AFTER THE 2007 NOTO PENINSULA EARTHQUAKE IN JAPANJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2 2008Koji Nomura MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] NOROVIRUS OUTBREAKS IN NURSING HOMESJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 10 2005Paul J. Drinka MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS ISOLATED FROM FOODS INVOLVED IN HUMAN FOODBORNE OUTBREAKS THAT OCCURRED IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL, 1999,2000JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2005M. P. GEIMBA ABSTRACT Antimicrobial resistance was determined for 73 isolates of Salmonella enteritidis isolated from foods involved in human foodborne outbreaks that occurred in the South of Brazil, from 1999 to 2000. The isolates were individually tested against 10 antimicrobial agents using a disc diffusion method. Most isolates were susceptible to all drugs tested. No S. enteritidis isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or chloramphenicol. The predominant resistance observed was to streptomycin (S) (37%), gentamicin (GEN) (13.7%) and nalidixic acid (NAL) (13.7%), while intermediate resistance was observed most often for tetracycline (53.4%), neomycin (NEO) (30.1%) and GEN (15.1%). Resistance was verified in 40 isolates (54%), which were grouped in 15 different patterns. Multiple resistance was presented in 17 (23%) of the isolates, and one isolate exhibited resistance to four drugs (NEO, kanamycin, S and NAL), demonstrating the involvement of multiresistant S. enteritidis strains with foodborne outbreaks. [source] TWO-PASS CUSUM TO IDENTIFY AGE-CLUSTER OUTBREAKSAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 3 2010Ross Sparks Summary The paper introduces a two-pass adaptive cumulative sum (CUSUM) statistic to identify age clusters (age grouping) that significantly contribute to epidemics or unusually high counts. If epidemiologists know that an epidemic is confined to a narrow age group, then this information not only makes it clear where to target the epidemiological effort but also helps them decide whether to respond. It is much easier to control an epidemic that starts in a narrow age range of the population, such as pre-school children, than an epidemic that is not confined demographically or geographically. [source] Surge Capacity Associated with Restrictions on Nonurgent Hospital Utilization and Expected Admissions during an Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from the Toronto Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome OutbreakACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Michael J. Schull MD Background Current influenza pandemic models predict a surge in influenza-related hospitalizations in affected jurisdictions. One proposed strategy to increase hospital surge capacity is to restrict elective hospitalizations, yet the degree to which this measure would meet the anticipated is unknown. Objectives To compare the reduction in hospitalizations resulting from widespread nonurgent hospital admission restrictions during the Toronto severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak with the expected increase in admissions resulting from an influenza pandemic in Toronto. Methods The authors compared the expected influenza-related hospitalizations in the first eight weeks of a mild, moderate, or severe pandemic with the actual reduction in the number of hospital admissions in Toronto, Ontario, during the first eight weeks of the SARS-related restrictions. Results Influenza modeling for Toronto predicts that there will be 4,819, 8,032, or 11,245 influenza-related admissions in the first eight weeks of a mild, moderate, or severe pandemic, respectively. In the first eight weeks of SARS-related hospital admission restrictions, there were 3,654 fewer hospitalizations than expected in Toronto, representing a modest 12% decrease in the overall admission rate (a reduction of 1.40 admissions per 1,000 population). Therefore, influenza-related admissions could exceed the reduction in admissions resulting from restricted hospital utilization by 1,165 to 7,591 patient admissions, depending on pandemic severity, which corresponds to an excess of 0.44 to 2.91 influenza-related admissions per 1,000 population per eight weeks, and an increase of 4% to 25% in the overall number of admissions, when compared with nonpandemic conditions. Conclusions Pandemic modeling for Toronto suggests that influenza-related admissions would exceed the reduction in hospitalizations seen during SARS-related nonurgent hospital admission restrictions, even in a mild pandemic. Sufficient surge capacity in a pandemic will likely require the implementation of other measures, including possibly stricter implementation of hospital utilization restrictions. [source] Outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by the pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3 : K6 in MexicoFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2006Héctor Cabanillas-Beltrán Abstract During 2003 and during late September of 2004, more than 1230 cases of gastroenteritis were reported in the south of Sinaloa State, north-western Mexico. All cases were attributed to the consumption of raw or undercooked shrimp collected at the Huizache-Caimanero lagunary system. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was identified by standard biochemical methods, and many strains were positive for PCR amplifications of the tlh and tdh genes and negative for the trh gene. A representative strain belonged to the O3 : K6 serogroup. This is the first outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by the pandemic strains of O3 : K6 V. parahaemolyticus in México. [source] An Outbreak of Respiratory Diseases among Workers at a Water-Damaged Building , A Case ReportINDOOR AIR, Issue 3 2000MARKKU SEURI Abstract We describe a military hospital building with severe, repeated and enduring water and mold damage, and the symptoms and diseases found among 14 persons who were employed at the building. The exposure of the employees was evaluated by measuring the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG)-antibodies against eight spieces of mold and yeast common in Finnish water and mold damaged buildings and by sampling airborne viable microbes within the hospital. The most abundant spieces was Sporobolomyces salmonicolor. All but one of the employees reported some building-related symptoms, the most common being a cough which was reported by nine subjects. Four new cases of asthma, confirmed by S. salmonicolor inhalation provocation tests, one of whom was also found to have alveolitis, were found among the hospital personnel. In addition, seven other workers with newly diagnosed rhinitis reacted positively in nasal S. salmonicolor provocation tests. Skin prick tests by Sporobolomyces were negative among all 14 workers. Exposure of the workers to mold and yeast in the indoor air caused an outbreak of occupational diseases, including asthma, rhinitis and alveolitis. The diseases were not immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated but might have been borne by some other, as yet unexplained, mechanism. [source] Psychological Plan for Coping With Swine Flu OutbreakJOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 4 2010Viroj Wiwanitkit MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Fate of Salmonella in dry confectionery raw materialsJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009E. Komitopoulou Abstract Aims:, To study the behaviour of salmonellae inoculated in the dry, raw materials, related to chocolate confectionery manufacture, as affected by the strain, cell preparation method and storage temperature. Methods and Results:, Outbreak and non outbreak-associated salmonellae were used for the inoculation of cocoa butter oil, crushed cocoa and hazelnut shells, cocoa beans and almond kernels. Dry matrices were inoculated with lawn-collected and broth-grown cells and were stored at 5 and 21°C for 21 days. Results demonstrated that all strains survived in all dry matrices. Lawn-collected cells survived considerably better than broth-collected cells, at either temperature, and outbreak-associated strains of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis PT30 and Salmonella serotype Oranienburg appeared to be among the best surviving strains. Conclusions:, The work demonstrated that salmonellae can survive storage for 3,4 weeks in dry raw materials and that survival is dependent on the source of strains, cell preparation and inoculation methodology, and storage temperature. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The data contributes to understanding the parameters to consider when assessing the risk of dry raw materials as the most likely source of salmonellae in chocolate processing plants. It also demonstrates the importance of implementing effective lethal processes and segregation procedures to prevent cross-contamination to ensure the safety of confectionery products regarding Salmonella. [source] Outbreak of betanodavirus infection in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), in fresh waterJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 8 2009L Bigarré Abstract A betanodavirus associated with a massive mortality was isolated from larvae of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, maintained in fresh water at 30 °C. Histopathology revealed vacuolation of the nervous system, suggesting an infection by a betanodavirus. The virus was identified by indirect fluorescent antibody test in the SSN1 cell line and further characterized by sequencing of a PCR product. Sequencing of the T4 region of the coat protein gene indicated a phylogenetic clustering of this isolate within the red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus type. However, the tilapia isolate formed a unique branch distinct from other betanodavirus isolates. The disease was experimentally reproduced by bath infection of young tilapia at 30 °C. The reservoir of virus at the origin of the outbreak remains unidentified. To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural nodavirus infection in tilapia reared in fresh water. [source] Co-circulation of genotype IA and new variant IB hepatitis A virus in outbreaks of acute hepatitis in Hungary,2003/2004JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 11 2006Gábor Reuter Abstract Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most important causes of acute infectious hepatitis worldwide. In Hungary, the reported number of HAV infections has been decreasing in the last four decades, nevertheless, still, each year 500,800 new cases and multiple outbreaks occur, particularly in the northeast region of Hungary. In Hungary, serology is used routinely to establish the diagnosis of HAV infection without genetic analysis of HAV strains for molecular epidemiology. In this study, serum samples collected from symptomatic patients were tested by enzyme-immunoassay (anti-HAV-IgM ELISA) to establish the cause of three acute hepatitis A outbreaks (outbreak 1,from low prevalence region in Southwest Hungary in 2003 and outbreaks 2 and 3 from the endemic region in Northeast Hungary in 2004). Outbreak strains were characterized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of a 360 bp viral VP1/2A region, amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Four, seven, and three sera from outbreaks 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were investigated by RT-PCR for HAV genome and HAV RNA was detected in 4 (100%), 4 (57%), and 2 (67%) samples. All strains belonged to genotype I HAV. Outbreak 1 was caused by the new variant subtype IB and outbreaks 2 and 3 caused by genetically identical subtype IA strains. The Hungarian IA and IB hepatitis A viruses had the highest nucleotide identity, 98.4% and 99.0%, to IT-SCH-00 and IT-MAR-02 strains, respectively, detected in year 2000 and 2002 in Italy. Endemic subtype IA and probably imported new variant subtype IB HAV viruses was detected in outbreaks of hepatitis in Hungary that are closely related genetically to HAV strains in Italy. J. Med. Virol. 78:1392,1397, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in cats and humans associated with infection in wild birdsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 8 2000M. A. Tauni An outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium infection in cats and humans in Sweden in 1999, associated with wild birds, is described. In the county of Värmland, 62 sick cats were examined. All were anorectic and lethargic, 57 per cent had vomiting and 31 per cent had diarrhoea. It was considered likely that salmonellosis was transmitted from cats to humans, but there were only a few such cases. [source] Malaria Outbreak Among French Army Troops Returning From The Ivory CoastJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010Aurélie Mayet MD In 2006, a French Army unit reported 39 malaria cases among servicepersons returning from Ivory Coast. Thirty, including three serious forms, occurred after the return to France. The risk of post-return malaria was higher than the risk in Ivory Coast. Half of the imported cases had stopped post-return chemoprophylaxis early. [source] A Dengue Outbreak among Camp Participants in a Caribbean Island, 1995JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2000Rob Lyerla Background: Dengue, a mosquito-transmitted viral disease, is a risk for visitors in tropical and subtropical areas. Several participants in a community-assistance program in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, in August, 1995, reported dengue-like symptoms either before or soon after leaving the island. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the extent of the outbreak, risk factors for illness, and the proportion of inapparent infections. Program participants were interviewed by telephone or mail, and asked to submit a serum sample for dengue diagnosis. A clinically-diagnosed case of dengue was defined as a person with fever and two or more of the following: headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, or hemorrhagic manifestations. Serum specimens were tested for virus isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), plaque-reduction neutralization (PRNT) or anti-dengue IgM and IgG antibody. Results: Thirty-two (97%) of the 33 program participants responded; 21 of the 32 (66%) provided at least one serum sample for study. The median age was 17 years; 20 (62%) were women. Of 32 respondents, 22 (69%) met the clinical case definition for dengue: 15 of them (68%) had a positive IgM antibody response and 7 did not submit a serum sample. Dengue 1 virus (DEN-1) was identified by PCR in one case and all 11 positive PRNT results. No asymptomatic infections were identified. No respondent used effective mosquito repellent, and only 2 (6%) used bednets. Conclusion: A DEN-1 outbreak with a high attack rate (69%) occurred in a group of young short-term community aid workers. There were no asymptomatic infections documented. Participants' rare use of bednets or effective mosquito repellent highlights the importance of providing travelers to tropical areas with information about dengue fever and the recommended precautions to protect against infection. [source] Detection and Management of an Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Infection and Associated Neurological Disease in a Veterinary Teaching HospitalJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010L.S. Goehring Background: Because of the serious disease sequelae associated with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infections, awareness and control measures used to control outbreaks are important issues for all horse populations. Objectives: Describe the occurrence and management of an outbreak of EHV-1 infection at a veterinary hospital. Animals: Horses hospitalized at a referral veterinary hospital. Methods: A horse with myeloencephalopathy associated with EHV-1 infection (EHM) was admitted for diagnostic evaluation and treatment under strict infection control procedures. We describe the occurrence and management of a nosocomial outbreak of EHV-1 infections associated with admission of this patient. Results: Despite institution of rigorous biosecurity precautions at the time of admission of the index case, EHV-1 infections spread to 6 other horses that were hospitalized at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hopsital, including 2 that served as sources of infection for horses on their home premises after discharge. Infection with EHV-1 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by seroconversion documented by glycoprotein G ELISA. A voluntary quarantine was imposed and admissions were restricted to prevent additional horses from being exposed. Quarantine duration was abbreviated by serial testing of all horses with PCR. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These findings illustrate the contagious disease risk that can accompany management of horses with EHM. Horses with active nasal EHV-1 shedding should be isolated in an airspace that is separate from other horses by strictly enforced biosecurity and isolation procedures. Serial testing with PCR may be a useful adjunct to determine when the risk of transmission has been minimized. [source] Outbreak of Neurologic Disease Caused by Equine Herpesvirus-1 at a University Equestrian CenterJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2007Rick W. Henninger Background: Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection causes neurologic disease in horses. However, risk factors for the disease and long-term prognosis are poorly characterized. Hypothesis: There are identifiable risk factors for equine herpes-1 myeloencephalopathy. Animals: The entire population of 135 horses housed within the equestrian facility. Methods: A descriptive study investigated the clinical, serologic, virologic, and management aspects of an outbreak of EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy. Results: Out of 135 horses at the facility, 117 displayed signs of EHV-1 infection. Forty-six horses developed neurologic deficits characterized by symmetrical hind limb ataxia and weakness. Twelve horses that developed neurologic deficits became recumbent and did not survive. The development of severe neurologic deficits during the outbreak was associated with the presence of residual deficits at the 6-month examination. Within 1 year of the outbreak onset, all horses that survived had returned to an exercise level comparable to that experienced before the outbreak. Factors associated with the development of neurologic disease included age of > 5 years, location in the south or arena stall areas, and highest rectal temperature on day 3 or later of the febrile period. Conclusions and clinical importance: Being > 5 years of age, having had a rectal temperature of > 103.5°F, and highest rectal temperature occurring on or after the 3rd day of the febrile period were the factors most predictive of the development of neurologic disease and death. Data obtained during this outbreak substantiate previous findings relating to clinical aspects and diagnosis of EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy. The prophylactic and therapeutic use of acyclovir during this outbreak is described. [source] A longitudinal study of urinary dipstick parameters in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Côte d'IvoireAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Siv Aina J. Leendertz Abstract We performed 796 dip-stick tests on urine from 100 wild West African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) from 4 habituated groups in the tropical rain forest of Taï National Park, Cote d'Ivoire, to establish reference values for health monitoring. Specific gravity was also measured on 359 urine samples from 62 chimpanzees. The effect of age, sex, group, month, estrus, pregnancy, meat consumption, and acute respiratory disease on pH, leucocytes, protein, blood, hemoglobin, and glucose was examined using ordinal logistic regression. The presence of nitrite, ketones, bilirubin, and urobilinogen in urine was also recorded. Outbreak of acute respiratory disease did not influence any of the urinary parameters. Thirty-seven percent of the samples had a pH <7 and the whole range of pH was found through the year, in all age groups, and in both sexes. Meat consumption lowered the urinary pH. Our results show that all pH levels must be considered normal for the West African chimpanzee subspecies P. troglodytes verus living in the rainforest. We also found a cluster of glucose-positive samples at a specific point in time which was not attributed to diabetes mellitus. These findings highlight that there are differences in normal physiological parameters among wild chimpanzees living in different habitats. Am. J. Primatol. 72:689,698, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Are You Ready for the Next Outbreak?THE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2004An exercise in Legal Preparedness No abstract is available for this article. [source] Outbreak of CTX-M-15-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae of sequence type 199 in a Latvian teaching hospitalAPMIS, Issue 9 2010UGA DUMPIS Dumpis U, Iversen A, Balode A, Saule M, Mikla,evi,s E, Giske CG. Outbreak of CTX-M-15-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae of sequence type 199 in a Latvian teaching hospital. APMIS 2010; 118: 713,6. Previous studies on the epidemiology of extended-spectrum ,-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Latvia are lacking. ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 32) were subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and selected isolates to multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Species identification and susceptibility testing were performed using VITEK2, and sequencing of blaCTX-M was performed in selected isolates. PFGE revealed one major clone (n = 23), with most of the isolates derived from the ICU. The clone harboured blaCTX-M-15, was sequence type 199 and comprised two ertapenem non-susceptible isolates. This is the first report of an ESBL outbreak in Latvia, and calls for increased epidemiological typing of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, as well as improved infection control routines. [source] Landscape composition and vole outbreaks: evidence from an eight year study of Arvicola terrestrisECOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2000E. Fichet-Calvet This study investigates the relationships between landscape composition and the population dynamics of the fossorial water vole Arvicola terrestris. Land use patterns were studied based on agricultural and forestry data from the French Ministry of Agriculture collected in 1955 and 1988. In the Massif Central, France, water vole populations were monitored from 1985 to 1993 by using index methods. Outbreaks of water vole populations occurred in many dispersed epicentres and spread suddenly and widely over > 7500 km2. At a regional scale, the fluctuation lasts six years on average with an outbreak period lasting from two to three years. Density variation patterns are positively correlated with the proportion of permanent grassland to agricultural land. A high risk of outbreak is linked to a high proportion of permanent grassland (over 90%), whereas a low risk of outbreak is linked to a proportion of < 80%, Conversely, density variation patterns are negatively correlated with the proportion of temporary grassland to agricultural land and with the proportion of forest to total land in the western (major) part of the study area. Temporary grassland thus appears to be a marginal habitat for water voles and extensive forests could act as a brake on outbreaks. The increase in the area of permanent grassland from 1955 to 1988 was apparently the major cause of chronic high densities of water voles. Therefore, land use and landscape management could be one way to control water vole outbreaks. [source] Risk factors associated with mortalities attributed to infectious salmon anaemia virus in New Brunswick, CanadaJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 11 2005K L Hammell Abstract Outbreaks of unexplained mortalities attributed to infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) were examined in the 1996 year class of Atlantic salmon in three regions of New Brunswick, Canada. A total of 218 net pens at 14 sites deemed to have been exposed to ISA virus (ISAV) were surveyed for mortality records and management, environmental and host characteristics. Based on definitions of mortality patterns, clinical ISA disease outbreaks occurred in 106 net pens. There were eight sites in which >50% of net pens experienced ISA outbreaks during the study period. Factors related to their potential role in transmission of virus to new sites or new net pens at the same site were identified as sea lice vectors, divers visiting multiple sites, sites belonging to companies with more than one site, exposure to other year classes at the site, and proximity to other infected net pens. Host resistance factors associated with greater risk of outbreaks were identified as larger groupings, general health following smolt transfer, stressful husbandry procedures during growout, and health or productivity during colder water periods. Despite very close proximity between sites, modification of these management factors would probably influence the severity of mortalities caused by ISAV. [source] The control of sirex wood wasp using biological control agents in Victoria, AustraliaAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2009N. G. Collett Abstract 1,The sirex woodwasp, Sirex noctilio has been a significant pest of radiata pine plantations in Victoria since 1961. Outbreaks are usually associated with susceptible trees being under some form of stress including the effects of drought and overcrowding. 2,This paper reviews the spread of sirex and the history and efficacy of biological control programmes implemented against sirex in Victoria from 1970 to 2006. 3,Of the numerous biological control agents released, the most effective in managing sirex have been the nematode Beddingia siricidicola and the parasitic wasp Ibalia leucospoides. Several other parasitic wasps such as Schlettererius cinctipes and Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni have also established but provide only minimal control. 4,While rates of I. leucospoides parasitism have improved over time, it is unlikely that this improvement will continue substantially past current levels. 5,In recent years, issues have arisen regarding a decline in the infectivity of B. siricidicola necessitating a re-evaluation of strategies and development of techniques to overcome this problem. 6,Ongoing research using Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) testing is underway to accurately determine nematode strains and associated infectivity present in plantations in the field in order to develop management strategies to re-introduce more effective strains. [source] Paederus dermatitis in Egypt: a clinicopathological and ultrastructural studyJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 10 2010M Assaf Abstract Background, Outbreaks of paederus dermatitis (PD) have been observed in different parts of the world, yet the histopathological and ultrastructural changes and their relationship to pederin toxin have not been described. Objective, To describe the clinical presentations of PD in Egypt and to study the effects of pederin toxin on the skin by evaluating the histopathological and ultrastructural changes of some representative cases. Methods, One hundred and thirteen patients with PD were studied clinically and epidemiologically. Skin biopsies were taken from 40 patients for histopathological examination and from 20 patients for electron microscopic (EM) examination. Results, Clinically, the most common presentation comprised erythematous plaques with micropustules. Blisters exhibited a linear configuration in 40% of the patients and kissing lesions were observed in 13%. Multiple lesions occurred in 78% of the patients and the face was the most commonly involved site (48%). The insect was identified as Paederus alfierii. Histopathological examination revealed features of acute irritant dermatitis in the upper epidermis. Mitotic figures and apoptotic changes such as chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were identified in the basal and suprabasal layers. These features were confirmed by EM. Conclusions, Clinical, histopathological and, for the first time, ultrastructural characteristics of paederus dermatitis are described. The pathological abnormalities of the upper epidermis are caused by the irritant effect of pederin toxin. The presence of apoptosis within the lower epidermis can be related to this toxin, a point that needs further research, hoping for its future implications in the management of hyperproliferative disorders. [source] Series of incidents of Listeria monocytogenes non-invasive febrile gastroenteritis involving ready-to-eat meatsLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2002J. Sim Aims: A series of cases and outbreaks of febrile noninvasive gastrointestinal disease involving 31 identified cases was investigated in terms of the numbers and types of Listeria monocytogenes present in the suspect foods (ready-to-eat meats) and clinical samples from cases. Methods and Results: Foods and faecal samples involved in the incidents were tested for the presence and number of L. monocytogenes . Isolates were typed by macrorestriction analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The foods contained high levels of L. monocytogenes , in one case 1·8 × 10 7 g ,1 . Faecal samples contained L. monocytogenes for up to 15 d after the contaminated food was consumed. All isolates from the food and faecal samples were of serotype 1/2 and were indistinguishable from one another by macrorestriction typing. Conclusions: It is likely that the meats were contaminated either during their manufacture after they had been cooked or by underprocessing. The long shelf lives on these products would have allowed the contaminating L. monocytogenes to grow to the high numbers measured in this study, causing food poisoning as described. Significance and Impact of the Study: Outbreaks of febrile noninvasive listeriosis are relatively rare. This report adds ready-to-eat meats to the range of foods that have acted as vehicles for such outbreaks. [source] An outbreak of pneumonia associated with S. pneumoniae at a military training facility in Finland in 2006APMIS, Issue 7 2009ANNI VAINIO Streptococcus pneumoniae is a well-known cause of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to assess the cause and extent of the outbreak of pneumonia which occurred among military recruits following a 1-week hard encampment in Finland. We also assessed the carriage rate and molecular characteristics of the S. pneumoniae isolates. All pneumococcal isolates were studied for antibiotic susceptibility, serotyped, genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and the presence of pneumococcal rlrA pilus islet was detected. The genotype results defined by MLST corresponded with the serotype results. S. pneumoniae serotype 7F, ST2331, seemed to be associated with an outbreak of pneumonia and nasopharyngeal carriage among 43 military recruits. Of the 43 military recruits, five (12%) were hospitalized with pneumonia and two (40%) of them were positive for S. pneumoniae serotype 7F, ST2331 by blood culture. Eighteen (42%) of the 43 men were found to be positive for S. pneumoniae by nasopharyngeal culture, and nine (50%) of them carried pneumococcal serotype 7F, ST2331. The outbreak strain covered 55% of all the pneumococcal findings. Outbreaks of invasive pneumococcal disease seem to occur in a crowded environment such as a military training facility even among previously healthy young men. [source] Application of molecular genetic methods in macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin resistance diagnostics and in detection of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis,APMIS, Issue 11-12 2004JARI JALAVA Antimicrobial susceptibility testing has traditionally been based on measurements of minimal inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobials. Molecular genetic studies on antimicrobial resistance have produced a great deal of genetic information which can be used for diagnosis of antimicrobial resistance determinants. Bacteria can acquire resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin antibiotics by modification of the target site of the drugs, by active efflux of the drugs, and by inactivation of the drugs. The genetic backgrounds of these resistance mechanisms are well known and several molecular methods for detection of resistance determinants have been developed. Outbreaks of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis have focused international attention on the emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains that are resistant to antimycobacterial agents. Knowledge of the antimycobacterial resistance genetics and progress in molecular methods has made it possible to develop rapid molecular methods for susceptibility testing. This review presents the genetic background of drug resistance and introduces some methods for genotypic susceptibility testing. [source] Are the Australian poultry industries vulnerable to large outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza?AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009SA Hamilton Objective To describe the structure of the Australian poultry industry and discuss the potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to spread between Australian poultry farms. Procedure High densities of poultry farms, frequent contacts between farms by service providers, the supply of live poultry markets (LPM) and the presence of free-range duck flocks in affected regions have been identified as risk factors for the spread of HPAI between flocks in outbreaks causing the death or destruction of over 1 million poultry overseas. Data on 1,594 commercial Australian chicken meat, chicken egg, duck and turkey farms were collected by a telephone questionnaire of farm managers to assess the risk of a HPAI outbreak in Australia. Results and Discussion Five regions of Australia had farm densities comparable to overseas regions that experienced widespread HPAI. Common service providers routinely contacted different classes and types of farms over wide geographic areas. However, no responding farms supplied LPM and the majority of duck farms did not produce free-range ducks. Conclusion Outbreaks of HPAI have the potential to cause serious impacts on the Australian poultry industry. The risk posted by LPM and free-range ducks is limited, but the movement of genetic stock and common service providers could spread infection between companies, industries or geographical regions. Biosecurity measures are therefore considered critical to limit the secondary spread of infection should an outbreak occur. [source] Combating resistance in a challenging, changing environmentCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 2007F. W. Goldstein Abstract The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens is escalating worldwide. Outbreaks of community- and hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are being reported more frequently. Although antimicrobial resistance is well recognised as a global problem, decisions about appropriate intervention and treatment should be made at the level of the local hospital or healthcare system. Thus, local surveillance to identify prevalent pathogens, detect bacterial resistance and identify particular strains is necessary for selecting optimal treatment regimens. In addition, bactericidal antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms of action and activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, together with improved infection control measures, are needed to address this growing medical problem more effectively. [source] Effect of Point-of-care Influenza Testing on Management of Febrile ChildrenACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2006Srikant B. Iyer MD Abstract Objectives To determine the effect of point-of-care testing (POCT) for influenza on the physician management of febrile children who are at risk for serious bacterial illness (SBI) on the basis of age and temperature and who are presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED) during an influenza outbreak. Methods Patients 2,3 months of age with temperature of ,38°C and patients 3,24 months of age with temperature of ,39°C who were presenting to a pediatric ED during an influenza outbreak were enrolled into a prospective, quasi-randomized, controlled trial. Influenza testing was performed on enrolled patients by either the POCT or the standard-testing (ST) methods. The two groups were compared in terms of laboratory testing, chest radiography, antibiotic use, visit-associated costs, pediatric ED lengths of stay, inpatient admission, and return visits to the pediatric ED. Similar analyses also were performed on the resulting subgroups of patients on the basis of method of testing (POCT or ST) and test result (positive or negative). Results Of 767 eligible patients, 700 (91%) completed the study. No significant differences were demonstrated between the POCT and ST groups with respect to laboratory tests ordered, chest radiographs obtained, antibiotic administration, inpatient admission, return visits to the pediatric ED, lengths of stay, or visit-associated costs. In the subgroup analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for blood culture in influenza test,positive to ,negative patients were 0.59 and 0.71 in the POCT and ST groups, respectively (p = 0.088). The adjusted ORs for urine culture in influenza test,positive to ,negative patients were 0.46 and 0.67 in the POCT and ST groups, respectively (p = 0.005). Conclusions When using a strategy of performing influenza testing on all patients at risk for SBI who presented to a pediatric ED during an influenza outbreak, the method of testing (POCT or ST) did not appear to significantly alter physician management, cost, or length of stay in the pediatric ED. However, if the interaction of the method of testing and the test result (positive or negative) were considered, a positive POCT for influenza was associated with a significant reduction in orders for urinalyses and urine cultures. [source] Concomitant contact allergy to the resins, reactive diluents and hardener of a bisphenol A/F-based epoxy resin in subway construction workersCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2006Chia-Yu Chu An outbreak of suspected contact dermatitis among subway construction workers was suspected to be due to a new bisphenol A/F-based epoxy resin system (ERS). The construction workers used ERSs during the insertion of iron bars into concrete walls. The objective of the study was to determine the components (if any) of the ERS responsible for the contact allergy. Patch testing was performed on 20 of the 22 construction workers who had had contact with the ERS, and to the various subcomponents of component A on 5 of the 7 who reacted to this component. 9 patients (9/22, 40.9%) had clinical symptoms and signs of suspected contact dermatitis at presentation. 7 of these 9, but none of the 11 asymptomatic individuals, were positive to component A, while all were negative to component B. Of the 5 cases receiving further patch testing, all reacted to m -xylylene diamine, 4 to 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether, 3 to epoxy resins of the bisphenol F-type and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether 0.25% petrolatum, and only 1 to epoxy resins of the bisphenol A-type. Contact allergy to ERSs may involve hardeners and diluents as well as resins, and patch testing for reaction to all components should be performed. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||