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Area Endemic (area + endemic)
Selected AbstractsCharacteristics of puumala and Dobrava infections in Croatia,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2002A. Markoti Abstract In this study, two different hantaviruses, Puumala virus (PUUV) and Dobrava virus (DOBV), were demonstrated for the first time to coexist and cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Croatia. Phylogenetic analysis showed some differences among the nucleotide sequences of PUUV originating from Dinara mountain, which was more closely related to Austrian PUUV than other Croatian PUUV from Mala Kapela mountain. More consistency was found among the Croatian DOBV. HFRS was verified in 85 of 201 suspected cases recorded in 1995 during the largest HFRS outbreak in Croatia. Most of these cases were soldiers. With the exception of the coastal region and islands, all of Croatia was found to be an area endemic for HFRS. A statistically significantly higher proportion of DOBV-infected patients had acute renal failure, visual disturbance, severe thrombocytopenia, and elevated levels of nonsegmented leukocytes, creatine, and total bilirubin. The prevalence of gastrointestinal and electrocardiography disorders also was greater in DOBV-infected patients. Interestingly, significantly more PUUV-infected patients had elevated systolic blood pressure on admission to the hospital. Further prospective studies are necessary to shed more light on differences in HFRS severity associated with PUU and DOB viruses. J. Med. Virol. 66:542,551, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Autochthonous hepatitis E in southwest EnglandJOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 5 2007H. R. Dalton Summary., Although autochthonous hepatitis E has been reported in developed countries, its extent and nature in the United Kingdom are unclear. The aim of the present study was to report the natural history, lifestyle risk factors and molecular epidemiology of autochthonous hepatitis E infection in southwest England. Three hundred and thirty-three patients with unexplained hepatitis were tested for markers of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection over a 7-year period. HEV RNA isolated from the cases was amplified and characterized. Of the 333 patients, 21 had autochthonous hepatitis E. Patients were middle-aged or elderly and males were more commonly affected. Clinical manifestations ranged from asymptomatic infection to severe hepatitis. Of the 21 patients, 20 recovered within 6 weeks. None of the cases had travelled to an area endemic for HEV. None of the patients were vegetarian and all ate pork. Of the 21 cases, 20 occurred in the spring, summer and autumn months. All polymerase-chain-reaction-confirmed cases carried HEV genotype 3, which bore close sequence homology to HEV circulating in UK pigs. In the United Kingdom, autochthonous hepatitis E may be more common than previously recognized. Although the mode of transmission remains to be determined, it may be a zoonosis with pigs as a reservoir. Hepatitis E should be considered a public health issue in the United Kingdom. [source] Comparison of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for detection of IgE antibodies to Brugia malayiPARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 11-12 2003Sitti Wahyuni SUMMARY The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for specific IgE antibodies to Brugia malayi was compared with the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for use in immunoepidemiological studies of lymphatic filariasis. Sera used were from individuals (aged 5,82 years) living in an area endemic for lymphatic filariasis in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The percentage of positive IgE ELISA reactions (52·6%) among the population was lower than the percentage of positive RAST (94·5%). Although an overall significant concordance was found between the two assays (P < 0·001), 328 (42·7%) individuals with a positive RAST result were negative in the ELISA, whereas only 6 (0·8%) subjects were positive by ELISA, yet negative by RAST. When the population was divided into those with active infection (positive for anti-filarial IgG4) and those not infected (mf-negative and negative for anti-filarial IgG4), the correlation between the two tests was higher in the IgG4-positive (rho = 0·70) than in the IgG4-negative (rho = 0·52) group. These results indicate that in assessment of B. malayi specific IgE antibody, RAST is superior to ELISA. However, given the use of radioactivity in the RAST method and given our results obtained in subjects with high anti-filarial IgG4, one could consider using the IgE-ELISA in areas with high endemicity for filariasis. In areas with low endemicity or where control programs are implemented, sera will have to be tested by RAST. [source] Risk of hepatitis A infection following travelJOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 6 2002M. Ciccozzi summary.,Travel to endemic areas is one of the most frequently reported risk factors for infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). We evaluated the association between HAV infection and travel, by area of destination. We conducted a case,control study on all cases of HAV infection reported to the Italian National Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis in the period 1996,2000. The study population consisted of 9695 persons with HAV infection (cases) and 2590 with HBV infection (controls). The risk of acquiring HAV was highest for travel to Asia, Africa and Latin America [Odds Ratio=9.30 (95%CI=6.71,12.9)]; a three-fold statistically significant excess of risk was found for travel to southern Italy (OR=3.03) and to the Mediterranean Area and Eastern Europe (OR=3.15). Travel was implicated in 28% of the cases of HAV infection. When stratifying the analysis by area of residence (northern and central Italy vs southern Italy and the Islands), the above-mentioned risks were confirmed only for those residing in northern and central Italy, with no significant risk for those residing in southern Italy and the Islands. Travel to areas endemic for HAV infection constitutes a considerable risk. Our results highlight the importance of developing health policies for improving environmental and hygienic conditions, as well as the prevention of certain eating habits. Vaccination before travelling to a medium or high endemic area could be a safe and effective means of preventing travel-related HAV infection. [source] Disseminated coccidioidomycosis in a liver transplant recipient with negative serology: Use of polymerase chain reactionLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2006Maha A. Assi Coccidioidomycosis has been previously described in recipients of solid organ transplantation, especially in patients who have lived in or have visited areas endemic for Coccidioides spp. We present a case of coccidioidomycosis in a liver transplant recipient with several unique aspects, including negative serology and positive polymerase chain reaction results. Liver Transpl 12:1290,1292, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source] | ||||||||||