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PubMedDate not supplied

[Psittacosis outbreak in Granada, Spain].

BACKGROUND: Psittacosis can be transmitted to humans from infected birds, being the cause of atypical pneumonia. This work is aimed at determining the source of a psittacosis outbreak, the characteristics of the subjects exposed and describing the measures to control the outbreak. METHODS: Descriptive study. Notification to the Epidemiological Monitoring System and Autonomic Agriculture authorities, taking the pertinent measures (inspection, sampling, disinfecting and precautionary quarantine of birds), closing the establishment. Case definition and epidemiological survey. Frequency analysis. RESULTS: Seventeen (17) individuals (one of whom died) came into contact with suspicious animals (53% males/47% females), nine of whom (mean age: 30) showed symptoms (100% fever, flu-like symptoms 44.4%). A serology was performed for C. psitacci on 11 of the 17 subjects exposed (68.75%), two of whom (18.18%) tested positive. The presence of C. psittaci DNA was detected in the pulmonary tissue study conducted on the deceased individual. A total of 33% (3/9) of those showing symptoms were confirmed by diagnosis. The Autonomic Agriculture authorities placed 22 animal compounds under quarantine. A total of seven (10%) of the 70 samples taken (60: animal cloacas and 10 birds) revealed a positive antigen, the PCR nucleic acid test being positive in one there-of. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure to diseased animals at the establishments involved caused the outbreak, the common source of contagion being of an occupational nature. The appropriate coordination/collaboration between the local Health and Agriculture authorities made it possible to prevent any further cases from arising.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The spread of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine].

BACKGROUND: In the end-year report 2004 of the European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV), the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections in Ukraine ranks second in the WHO European Region after the Russian Federation. METHODS: An analysis of the HIV/AIDS reports from the official epidemiological register of the Ukrainian Centre for AIDS Prevention between 1987 and 2005 was undertaken. In addition, reports from the seroepidemiological monitoring were utilised. RESULTS: According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the cumulative number of reported HIV infections by the end of 2005 amounts to more than 88,900 cases with 13,786 new reports in 2005. The number of newly-registered AIDS cases rose from 45 in 1995 to 4220 in 2005. However, because of many unreported HIV diagnoses, the actual numbers are presumed to exceed the official reports considerably. Most of the infections are associated with injection drug abuse. The second most important route of transmission is sexual contact, also due to an increase in commercial sex. Vertical transmissions from infected mothers to their children rank third. CONCLUSION: HIV was not a significant problem in the Ukraine before 1995. Since 1995 there has been a considerable increase in the number of newly registered HIV cases. At the beginning of the epidemic, HIV was mainly transmitted through sexual contacts in the Ukraine. Since 1995 infected drug users have been the main source of infection in the spread of the epidemic. Unless effective preventive measures are taken, and unless there is more investment in development projects, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine could also affect the health system in neighbouring European countries.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Outbreak of shigellosis in a lower-class district].

BACKGROUND: The outbreaks of Shigella sonnei in our environment frequently involve day care centers and elementary schools. An outbreak of shigellosis in a lower-class district is reported. The purpose of this study is that of pinpointing the center of infection, the means of contagion, the characteristics of those infected and of assessing the suitability of the measures taken. METHODS: For monitoring the outbreak over time, a combined observational timeline study was conducted within a territory the bounds of which were marked by means of the conventional epidemiological monitoring variables (time, place and individual). The infectivity of the center of infection (contagion rate) is analyzed by age, gender and school; rate ratio and percentage attributable thereto. RESULTS: On a time-related basis, the outbreak in question started on week 46/97 and ended on week 8/98. This outbreak involved 218 individuals (110 males and 108 females) totaling 5.46% of the district. The highest frequency was found among the 0-4 age group (43.6%), 29.4% in day care (70.32% contagion rate) with a relative risk of 3.9 (95% CI: 2.57-5.93) and 74.36% attributable percentage. The rate ratio between day care and the schools in the district in question is 5.62 (95% CI: 4.33-7.31). Stool cultures were taken and analyzed in 84 cases (38.5%), Shigella sonnei being detected in 38 cases (17.4%). Antibacterial treatment (amoxicillin-clavulan) was set out and individual and group health and safety measures were employed. CONCLUSIONS: The long communicability period and the small number of viable microorganisms necessary for causing this disease fostered its being passed on from one person to another at school and in the home. The measures employed effectively confined the contagion of the infectious agent at the schools.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2026

Evaluation of amplicon-based nanopore sequencing for foot-and-mouth disease viruses in clinical and environmental samples.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) causes severe global economic loss, necessitating rapid viral characterization. Nanopore sequencing provides a simple, real-time workflow suitable for on-site outbreak response, addressing the limitations of conventional methods. In this study, we optimized a previously published amplicon-based protocol and used this method to characterize a diverse range of samples (vesicular fluid, epithelium, serum, nasal/oral swabs, and environmental samples) collected during FMD outbreaks in 2025 in the Republic of Korea. Of the 129 samples collected, we successfully recovered complete genomes from 37 samples and VP1 sequences from 85 samples. Amplifying the S-fragment in isolation and separately barcoding each pool of PCR amplicons markedly improved sequence recovery. Furthermore, sequencing success depended on viral load and sample type. Based on comparisons with real-time RT-PCR results, whole-genome sequence (WGS) recovery exceeded 77.3% at cycle threshold (Ct) values ≤25 across all clinical samples. In the Ct > 30 category, serum samples yielded the highest WGS recovery rates (44.4%). This rate was markedly higher than the success rates observed for epithelium (20.0%) and nasal swabs (9.1%), whereas oral swabs and environmental samples failed to yield any sequences (0%). However, VP1 recovery from environmental samples reached 80% at Ct ≤ 30 (8/10), providing an approach to enable non-invasive monitoring. These findings demonstrate that amplicon-based nanopore sequencing is a practical method for the rapid generation of genomic data during FMD outbreaks.IMPORTANCEAlthough rapid detection and genomic data analysis are crucial for effective foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control, the collection of these data can be challenging for certain sample types and impacted by reduced viral loads that result from nationwide FMD vaccination. This study provides a practical solution through large-scale evaluation of an optimized amplicon-based nanopore sequencing protocol to enhance the sequencing success rates for both clinical and environmental samples. Using a modified protocol to enhance genome recovery, we demonstrated that sequence data could be retrieved from diverse sample types (even with high real-time RT-PCR cycle threshold values). We identified serum as the most suitable sample, with environmental sample sequencing allowing for non-invasive monitoring during outbreaks. These results support the use of nanopore sequencing for rapid genomic analysis, particularly in outbreak responses, such as rapid surveillance, emergency vaccine selection, and epidemiological monitoring.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease↗

PubMed2005

Serological investigation of Theileria sergenti using latex agglutination test in South Korea.

Theileria sergenti causes persistent theileriosis in cattle, characterized by fever and chronic anemia. Theileriosis causes losses in feed efficiency and growth retardation through cycling infections in endemic areas. Among several major proteins of T. sergenti merozoites, the surface protein p33 is reported to be the most immunogenic. In this study, we investigated the use of p33 as a diagnostic antigen in a latex agglutination test to monitor antibodies against T. sergenti. When compared with TaqMan polymerase chain reaction, the sensitivity and specificity of the latex agglutination test were 86.5 and 92.5%, respectively. An epidemiological survey using the latex agglutination test was conducted with 1,046 sera collected from 4 slaughterhouses and 2 individual pasture farms throughout South Korea; 27.3% of samples were seropositive, depending on the areas in which the cattle were raised. This study indicated that the latex agglutination test could be used as a convenient tool for epidemiological monitoring of T. sergenti infections in the field.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Epidemiology of HIV infection and AIDS in childbearing women in the United States.

HIV infection and AIDS is of increasing prevalence among women in the United States, as documented by the AIDS surveillance data and HIV-seroprevalence data from pregnant women and parturients. Monitoring epidemiologic trends in childbearing women has required clever and creative strategies like those of Hoff et al. The impact on women in the reproductive years, on the reproductive health of these women, and on the outcome of their pregnancies is of substantial concern. The effect of HIV infection on pregnancy and of pregnancy on HIV infection must be clarified but suggests that monitoring T cell levels in pregnancy may be of benefit in identifying women at risk of serious infections. Treatment of HIV-infected women with antiretroviral and other therapies may happen in the future not only to treat the mother but also to investigate the prevention of in utero transmission. In the meantime, studies of the natural history of HIV infection in HIV-infected pregnant women are necessary to clarify when, by what mechanism, and how to prevent in utero transmission of infection from mother to fetus. The committee on AIDS Research and the Behavioral, Social and Statistical Sciences of the National Research Council is optimistic that "the statistics derived from the survey of childbearing women in the United States will provide a basis both for projecting future AIDS cases among infants and, perhaps most importantly, for monitoring the prevalence of infection among an important part of the population of heterosexually active women." The epidemic of HIV in men, women, and children will be controlled not only by finding effective treatments but also by developing strategies that prevent the spread of infection from one person to another. As Quinn et al. stated in a recent editorial, "The rate of increase will be influenced markedly by our degree of success in preventing the sexual, parenteral and perinatal transmission of HIV.... Without immediate action, the spread of HIV and related retroviruses is likely to escalate throughout our hemisphere and to have a profound impact on the medical, cultural, economic and political structure of the Americas."

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1986

[A project for developing rheumatologic epidemiology in France. The setting up of a network].

The epidemiological approach is indispensable in rheumatology. It involves the collection of quantitative data on the extent and geographical distribution of different rheumatismal pathologies, their socioeconomic consequences, the handicap they produce, the evaluation of a system of care and the risk factors involved. The epidemiological group of the French Rheumatology Society has recorded the data currently available in France and the studies performed in France and abroad. It recommends the setting up of an epidemiological monitoring network on a national scale consisting of rheumatologists and general practitioners.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiologic registry of leukemia and other hemoblastoses in Briansk region as an instrument of investigation of consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant].

Beginning from 1986, at Hematological Research Centre (HRC) epidemiological monitoring has been performed on hemoblastoses in Bryansky district, which suffered from the Chernobyl accident more than any other area of Russia. The collection of personal information is organized about each case of disease from all possible sources, diagnosis verification, computer control, storage and analysis of materials. A specialized Register of Blood diseases is created, including demographical and ecological files. Retrospective period of monitoring 1979-1985, afteraccident period-from 1986. In the register 2832 cases were accumulated of hemoblastoses up to 1993. Regions are selected for monitoring with high levels of contamination by 137Cs (15 Ci/sq.km and more), and area for comparison--the other 21 regions of the district. The comparison did not reveal substantial differences. Further epidemiological analysis must be performed. Taking into account dose loads, special studies are initiated.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Research on the biological risk in the hospital environment].

The epidemiological monitoring of injuries due to exposure to potentially infected biological liquids constitutes the indispensable premise for the elaboration of strategies meant to intervene to reduce the incidence. This work shows the results of an epidemiological study relative to the period going from January 1, 1994--December 31, 1998 elaborated by the use of the register of injuries deposited with the Sanitary Direction. The variables shown here allowed us to individualize the prevalence of injuries in the various professional categories, the working zones, the type and form of injury, the use of individual protection devices. The analyses of the data has shown a scarce sense of risk by the sanitary workers and a scarce application of protective measures. It's evident of the need to intervene in the formation of the workers to sensibilize then to the importance of preventive measures.

Biological Assay↗

PubMed1995

Successful application of deltamethrin pour on to cattle in a campaign against tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) in the pastoral zone of Samorogouan, Burkina Faso.

1,500-2,000 head of cattle were treated with deltamethrin 1% Spot On in an area of high tsetse densities, notably of Glossina morsitans submorsitans. After four treatments at monthly intervals, the time between two treatments was increased to two months. 11 months after the commencement of the campaign the fly population had decreased from initially 54.2 flies/trap/day to densities varying between 0.06-2.0 flies/trap/day, mostly G. palpalis gambiensis. Blood-meal analysis showed that this species was surviving in limited areas, mainly feeding on monitor lizards; consequently it is unlikely that this species can be eradicated solely by the use of cattle treated with a pyrethroid. The resistance of Trypanosoma congolense to all commercially available trypanocides necessitated the epidemiological monitoring of calves which were born after the start of the campaign in order to reasses the real challenge. The risk of new infections was low, basically due to contracts between the cattle and tsetse outside the ranching area. A weight increase from 122.3 kg to 213.6 kg of calves aged 6-12 months was recorded from October 1993 to October 1994. An average daily weight gain of more than 400 g was observed from the end of April 1994 to the beginning of August 1994.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2003

[Molecular characterization and biodiversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Antilles-Guiana region and comparative analysis in a metropolitan region, Aquitaine].

Tuberculosis is a highly contagious infectious disease in recrudescence whose epidemiologic monitoring is reinforced by molecular biology. In this context, we were particularly interested in the cases of tuberculosis of French West Indies and French Guiana (FWI-FG). This study covered a period of two years (1997 and 1998) and focused on the demographical and epidemiological characteristics of the cases diagnosed by an analysis of their genotypes. Our results were confronted with a French metropolitan area (Aquitaine) with similar demographic background. Moreover, Aquitaine area has privileged links with FWI-FG region and also has a similar network for monitoring tuberculosis as ours. So we used a PCR method called spoligotyping as a first line method to optimize the alternative IS6110-RFLP method which remains cumbersome. A total of 105 strains of FWI-FG and 172 strains of Aquitaine were typed by spoligotyping and by the standard IS6110-RFLP method. The results of the first grouping by spoligotyping were analyzed in comparison with IS6110-RFLP. The results obtained showed a rate of recent transmission of tuberculosis being 34.3% in FWI-FG and 10.5% in Aquitaine. These observations underlined a high degree of polymorphism in the Aquitaine region as compared to the FWI-FG region. Thanks to the various profiles obtained by spoligotyping, we could study their distribution in the three areas and highlight common types like type 53, 50 and 42 and types found locally like the types 33 and 14 found respectively in Aquitaine and FWI as well as endemic types like type 76 found only in FG. These results are discussed in the context of the evolution of clinical isolates of tubercle bacilli with time.

Biodiversity↗

PubMed2002

Molecular epidemiology of malaria in Cameroon. XIII. Analysis of pfcrt mutations and in vitro chloroquine resistance.

The key Lys76Thr amino-acid substitution in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-resistance transporter (PfCRT) has been shown to be a reliable marker associated with chloroquine-resistant phenotype in reference clones, but few discordant results have been observed in field isolates. To further examine the relationship between in vitro chloroquine response and pfcrt alleles, the entire exon 2 of the pfcrt gene of 157 Cameroonian isolates was sequenced. All isolates were characterized as having either Cys-72, Met-74, Asn-75, and Lys-76 (wild-type alleles), Cys-72, Ile-74, Glu-75, and Thr-76 (mutant alleles), or mixed alleles. The hypothetical threshold 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) set at 100 nM distinguished between isolates carrying the wild-type alleles and those with mutant alleles in a large majority of cases (135 of 139 isolates with unmixed pfcrt alleles). Isolates presenting discordant results generally had IC50s within an intermediate range. In vitro chloroquine response of isolates with mixed pfcrt alleles was highly variable. Although discordant results between chloroquine-resistant phenotype and pfcrt alleles were not explained by the immediate adjacent codons, the key Lys76Thr codon may prove to be a highly reliable genetic marker for the epidemiologic monitoring of chloroquine resistance by means of molecular techniques.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Lysosomal storage disease in Sida carpinifolia toxicosis: an induced mannosidosis in horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: This study reports a neurological disease unrecognised until now in ponies in southern Brazil. HYPOTHESIS: Epidemiological data strongly suggests that the ingestion of Sida carpinifolia is involved in the aetiology. We tested the hypothesis that it is an acquired lyosomal storage disease. METHODS: Following the death of 3 ponies, all ponies from the premises were closely monitored; epidemiological data and clinical findings carefully recorded. Fragments of several organs, including CNS, were fixed in neutral formalin and embedded in paraffin-wax. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Representative sections of the cerebellum and trigeminal ganglia were submitted to lectin histochemical procedures. RESULTS: The neurological disorder, characterised by stiff gait, muscle tremors, abdominal pain and death, was observed on a farm with 3 hectares of pasture. Three of 11 ponies died 15-20 days after they had been introduced into a new paddock heavily infested by the plant Sida carpinifolia. No significant gross lesions were observed. The main histological findings included multiple cytoplasmatic vacuoles in swollen neurones in the brain, cerebellum, spinal cord, autonomic ganglia (trigeminal and celiac ganglia), and submucosal and myenteric plexus of the intestines. In the kidneys, there was marked vacuolation of the proximal convoluted tubular cells. Sections of cerebellum and trigeminal ganglion were submitted to lectin histochemistry. The vacuoles in different cerebellar and ganglion cells reacted strongly to the following lectins: Concanavalia ensiformis, Triticum vulgaris and succinylated-Triticum vulgaris. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of staining coincides with that of both swainsonine toxicosis and inherited mannosidosis reports. The histopathological changes were similar to those described in S. carpinifolia spontaneous and experimental poisoning in goats. This disease seems to be similar to Swainsona, Oxytropis and Astragalus toxicosis. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: S. carpinifolia should be evaluated as a possible cause in the diagnosis of equine neuropathies.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Russian hospitals.

A total of 904 consecutive nosocomial isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae collected from 28 Russian hospitals were screened for production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The ESBL phenotype was detected in 78 (15.8%) E. coli and 248 (60.8%) K. pneumoniae isolates. One hundred fifteen isolates carried the genes for CTX-M-type beta-lactamases, which, as shown by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, were distributed into the two genetic groups of CTX-M-1 (93%)- and CTX-M-2 (7%)-related enzymes. Isolates producing the enzymes of the first group were found in 20 hospitals from geographically distant regions of the country and were characterized by considerable diversity of genetic types, as was demonstrated by enterobacterial repetitive consensus PCR typing. Within this group the CTX-M-3 and the CTX-M-15 beta-lactamases were identified. In contrast, the enzymes of the CTX-M-2 group (namely, CTX-M-5) were detected only in eight clonally related E. coli isolates from a single hospital. Notably, the levels of resistance to ceftazidime were remarkably variable among the CTX-M producers. This study provides further evidence of the global dissemination of CTX-M type ESBLs and emphasizes the need for their epidemiological monitoring.

Cross Infection↗

PubMed1983

Parents seeking help after cot death. How atypical is their experience?

A survey of 241 cases of cot death reported to the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths is compared with more formal epidemiological studies. As expected the cases tend to be drawn from the higher social classes, and this selection affects some of the data--for instance, mothers' age and feeding practice. Nevertheless, data relating to the infants and their histories are remarkably similar to data from other studies. The survey provides a continuous epidemiological monitor as well as being of therapeutic value to the parents and should be continued.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

AIDS in women: epidemiology.

Several facts concerning the distribution of AIDS in U.S. female populations are clear. This disease has made significant inroads, in a quantitative sense, into the female segment of our society as documented by AIDS surveillance data, information on pregnant women and parturients, and by screening data from the military. The impact on women in the reproductive years, on the reproductive health of these women, and on the reproductive outcome of their pregnancies is of substantial concern. Monitoring epidemiologic trends in certain groups will require clever and creative strategies like those of Hoff and colleagues. Additional data may be derived from the CDC's Family of Surveys that will examine HIV prevalence in five groups (in addition to the newborn infant survey described above): intravenous drug users, patients admitted to hospitals, sexually transmitted disease clinic patients, women's health and reproductive health clinics, and tuberculosis clinics. It is hoped that the data obtained from these studies, as well as data gathered on college students and Job Corps applicants, will contribute additional information on HIV infection in women. Monitoring the progress of the AIDS epidemic in women will be difficult. Even more difficult will be the effort to respond to the epidemic in the women it most frequently affects: the poor, minority, disenfranchised women who may be involved in illegal activities (drug use, prostitution, illegal immigration) who are not well networked into the medical and social services of our society.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Molecular virological monitoring of Newcastle disease virus strains (Paramyxoviridae, Avulavirus) in the populations of wild birds in the Volga estuary (the 2001 data)].

The paper analyzes the results of isolation of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains from 336 swaps of 31 wild bird species collected in the 2001 summer in the Volga estuary (Astrakhan Region). Twenty-seven NDV strains were isolated from little terns (Sterna albifrons) (n=11; infection rate, 24.4%), great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) (n=6; 11.1%), coots (Fulica atra) (n=8; 6.5%), sandwich terns (Sterna sandvicensis) (n=1; 100%), and common redshanks (Tringa totanus) (n=1; 50.0%). Four strains were sequenced by the 374 n. a. residue fragment from the beginning of the F gene, one of them was by the full F gene, and another (Stemal/Astrakhan/2755/2001) was by the full genome. Nucleotide sequences have allowed the authors to classify corresponding NDV strains as 5b genotype and the analysis of the amino acid sequence of the F-protein cleavage site has shown them to belong to a non-pathogenic group.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Cough-generated aerosols of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a new method to study infectiousness.

The concentration and size distribution of infectious aerosols produced by patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has never been directly measured. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a method that we developed to collect and quantify culturable cough-generated aerosols of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Subjects were recruited from a referral hospital and most had multidrug-resistant TB. They coughed into a chamber containing microbial air samplers while cough frequency was measured during two 5-minute sessions. Cough-generated aerosol cultures were positive in 4 of 16 subjects (25%) with smear-positive pulmonary TB. There was a rapid decrease in the cough-generated aerosol cultures within the first 3 weeks of effective treatment. Culture-positive cough aerosols were associated with lack of treatment during the previous week (p = 0.007), and there was a trend in the association with cough frequency (p = 0.08). The size distributions of these aerosols were variable, but most particle sizes were in the respirable range. Quantification of viable cough-generated aerosols is feasible and offers a new approach to study infectiousness and transmission of M. tuberculosis and other airborne pathogens.

Aerosols↗