Emerging Infectious Diseases back issues from January 2008:
The international polar year, 2007-2008, an opportunity to focus on infectious diseases in Arctic regions.
Jan 01, 2008; ... On 3 occasions over the past 125 years, scientists from around the world have worked together to organize scientific and exploration activities in polar regions (www.ipy.org). The first International Polar Year (IPY) in 1881-1884 marked the first major coordinated international scientific ...
Sexual health and sexually transmitted infections in the North American Arctic.(PERSPECTIVE)(Statistical data)(Clinical report)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Our objective was to describe the basic epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections for Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America. We summarized published and unpublished rates of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea reported from 2003 through 2006 for Alaska, Canada, and Greenland ....
Integrated approaches and empirical models for investigation of parasitic diseases in northern wildlife.(PERSPECTIVE)
Jan 01, 2008; ... The North is a frontier for exploration of emerging infectious diseases and the large-scale drivers influencing distribution, host associations, and evolution of pathogens among persons, domestic animals, and wildlife. Leading into the International Polar Year 2007-2008, we outline ...
International Circumpolar Surveillance, an Arctic network for surveillance of infectious diseases.(PERSPECTIVE)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Peoples of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions live in social and physical environments that differ substantially from those of their more southern-dwelling counterparts. The cold northern climate keeps people indoors, amplifying the effects of household crowding, smoking, and inadequate ...
International Circumpolar Surveillance System for invasive pneumococcal disease, 1999-2005.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... The International Circumpolar Surveillance System is a population-based surveillance network for invasive bacterial disease in the Arctic. The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced for routine infant vaccination in Alaska (2001), northern Canada (2002-2006), and ...
Invasive bacterial diseases in Northern Canada.(RESEARCH)(Statistical data)(Clinical report)
Jan 01, 2008; ... International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) is a population-based invasive bacterial disease surveillance network. Participating Canadian regions include Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and northern regions of Quebec and Labrador (total population 132,956, 59% aboriginal). Clinical ...
Sindbis virus infection in resident birds, migratory birds, and humans, Finland.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Sindbis virus (SINV), a mosquito-borne virus that causes rash and arthritis, has been causing outbreaks in humans every seventh year in northern Europe. To gain a better understanding of SINV epidemiology in Finland, we searched for SINV antibodies in 621 resident grouse, whose population ...
Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae serotype a, North American Arctic, 2000-2005.(RESEARCH)(Statistical data)(Clinical report)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Before the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines, rates of invasive H. influenzae disease among indigenous people of the North American Arctic were among the highest in the world. Routine vaccination reduced rates to low levels; however, serotype ...
Implementation and effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy in Greenland.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Analyses from the Danish HIV Cohort Study showed that, despite comparable economic means and general education of healthcare personnel, antiretroviral treatment of HIV in Greenland began later and has been implemented at a slower pace with lower therapeutic effectiveness than in Denmark ....
Dogs as sources and sentinels of parasites in humans and wildlife, Northern Canada.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... A minimum of 11 genera of parasites, including 7 known or suspected to cause zoonoses, were detected in dogs in 2 northern Canadian communities. Dogs in remote settlements receive minimal veterinary care and may serve as sources and sentinels for parasites in persons and wildlife, and as ...
Human ophthalmomyiasis interna caused by Hypoderma tarandi, Northern Canada.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Human myiasis caused by bot flies of nonhuman animals is rare but may be increasing. The treatment of choice is laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy with larva removal and intraocular steroids. Ophthalmomyiasis caused by Hypoderma spp. should be recognized as a potentially reversible cause ...
Q fever update, Maritime Canada.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Since the 1990s, reports of Q fever in Nova Scotia, Canada, have declined. Passive surveillance for Q fever in Nova Scotia and its neighboring provinces in eastern Canada indicates that the clinical manifestation of Q fever in the Maritime provinces is pneumonia and that incidence of the ...
Dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria into the Arctic.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... We show that Escherichia coil isolates originating from Arctic birds carry antimicrobial drug resistance determinants. This finding implies that dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria is worldwide. Resistance genes can be found even in a region where no selection pressure for resistance ...
Spatial distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis, Svalbard, Norway.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... In Svalbard, Norway, the only intermediate host for Echinococcus multilocularis, the sibling vole, has restricted spatial distribution. A survey of feces from the main host, the arctic fox, showed that only the area occupied by the intermediate host is associated with increased risk for ...
Population-based survey of invasive bacterial diseases, Greenland, 1995-2004.(DISPATCHES)(Survey)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Invasive bacterial disease occurs frequently among native populations in the Arctic, Although a variety of bacteria are involved in invasive bacterial disease in Greenland, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coil, Staphylococcus aureus, and other staphylococci are responsible for most ...
Molecular epidemiology of dengue virus strains from finnish travelers.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... We characterized 11 dengue virus (DENV) isolates obtained from Finnish travelers during 2000-2005 using monoclonal antibodies and phylogenetic analysis. The analysis of DENV isolated from travelers contributes to the global picture of strain distribution and circulation. The isolates ...
Wild Bird Influenza Survey, Canada, 2005.(Dispatches)(Survey)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Of 4,268 wild ducks sampled in Canada in 2005, realtime reverse transcriptase-PCR detected influenza A matrix protein (M1) gene sequence in 37% and H5 gene sequence in 5%. Mallards accounted for 61% of samples, 73% of Ml-positive ducks, and 90% of H5-positive ducks. Ducks hatched in 2005 ...
Influenza virus samples, international law, and global health diplomacy.(PERSPECTIVE)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Indonesia's decision to withhold samples of avian influenza virus A (H5N1) from the World Health Organization for much of 2007 caused a crisis in global health. The World Health Assembly produced a resolution to try to address the crisis at its May 2007 meeting. I examine how the parties ...
Pandemic influenza and pregnant women.(PERSPECTIVE)(Medical condition overview)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Planning for a future influenza pandemic should include considerations specific to pregnant women. First, pregnant women are at increased risk for influenza-associated illness and death. The effects on the fetus of maternal influenza infection, associated fever, and agents used for ...
Human metapneumovirus infections in children.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infections in hospitalized children, but the age-related incidence and effect of hMPV in unselected children in the community have not been evaluated. We studied a cohort of 1,338 children <13 years of age ...
High genetic diversity of measles virus, World Health Organization European Region, 2005-2006.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... During 2005-2006, nine measles virus (MV) genotypes were identified throughout the World Health Organization European Region. All major epidemics were associated with genotypes D4, D6, and B3. Other genotypes (B2, D5, D8, D9, G2, and H1) were only found in limited numbers of cases after ...
Cryptosporidiosis and filtration of water from Loch Lomond, Scotland.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Previous evidence has suggested an association between consumption of unfiltered water from Loch Lomond, Scotland, and cryptosporidiosis. Before November 1999, this water had been only microstrained and disinfected with chlorine; however, since that time, physical treatment of the water ...
Cross-subtype immunity against avian influenza in persons recently vaccinated for influenza.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Avian influenza virus (H5N1) can be transmitted to humans, resulting in a severe or fatal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune cross-reactivity between human and avian influenza (H5N1) strains in healthy donors vaccinated for seasonal influenza A (H 1 N 1)/(H3N2). A ...
Telephone survey to assess influenza-like illness, United States, 2006.(Survey)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Although current national response plans assume that most influenza-infected patients would stay home during a pandemic, surveillance systems might be overwhelmed and unable to monitor their health status. We explored the feasibility of using a nationwide telephone survey to monitor ...
Experimental infection of swans and geese with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) of Asian lineage.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... The role of wild birds in the epidemiology of the Asian lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 epizootic and their contribution to the spread of the responsible viruses in Eurasia and Africa are unclear. To better understand the potential role of swans and ...
Short- and long-term effects of bacterial gastrointestinal infections.(RESEARCH)
Jan 01, 2008; ... During 1997-2004, microbiologically confirmed gastrointestinal infections were reported for 101,855 patients in Sweden. Among patients who had Salmonella infection (n = 34,664), we found an increased risk for aortic aneurysm (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 6.4, 95% confidence interval ...
Avian influenza virus (H5N1) replication in feathers of domestic waterfowl.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... We examined feathers of domestic ducks and geese inoculated with 2 different avian influenza virus (H5N1) genotypes. Together with virus isolation from the skin, the detection of viral antigens and ultrastructural observation of the virions in the feather epidermis raise the possibility of ...
Prolonged Bartonella henselae bacteremia caused by reinfection in cats.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... We analyzed the genetic relatedness of blood culture isolates of Bartonella henselae from 2 cats of patients with cat-scratch disease at admission and after 12 months. Isolates from each cat at different times were clonally unrelated, which suggested reinfection by a second strain. ...
Human case of Streptococcus suis serotype 16 infection.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Streptococcus suis infection is an emerging zoonosis in Southeast Asia. We report a fatal case of S. suis serotype 16 infection in a Vietnamese man in 2001. ********** Streptococcus suis is a gram-positive, facultatively anerobic coccus that may cause pneumonia, ...
Magpies as hosts for West Nile virus, Southern France.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... European magpies (Pica pica) from southern France were tested for antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV) and viral shedding in feces during spring-autumn 2005. Results suggest that this peridomestic species may be a suitable sentinel species and a relevant target for additional investigations ...
Emerging angiostrongyliasis in mainland China.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Our review of angiostrongyliasis in China found that the disease is emerging as a result of changes in food consumption habits and long-distance transportation of food. Enhanced understanding of angiostrongyliasis epidemiology, increased public awareness about the risks associated with ...
Hepatitis E in England and Wales.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... In 2005, 329 cases of hepatitis E virus infection were confirmed in England and Wales; 33 were confirmed indigenous infections, and a further 67 were estimated to be indigenous infections. Hepatitis E should be considered in the investigation of patients with hepatitis even if they have no ...
Protochlamydia naegleriophila as etiologic agent of pneumonia.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Using ameba coculture, we grew a Naegleria endosymbiont. Phenotypic, genetic, and phylogenetic analyses supported its affiliation as Protochlamydia naegleriophila sp. nov. We then developed a specific diagnostic PCR for Protochlamydia spp. When applied to bronchoalveolar lavages, results ...
Adamantane-resistant influenza infection during the 2004-05 season.(DISPATCHES)
Jan 01, 2008; ... Adamantane-resistant influenza A is an emerging problem, but infections caused by resistant and susceptible viruses have not been compared. We identified adamantane resistance in 47% of 152 influenza A virus (H3N2) isolates collected during 2005. Resistant and susceptible viruses caused ...
Chikungunya and dengue viruses in travelers.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... To the Editor: Chikungunya vires (CHIKV), an arthropod-borne virus transmitted to humans by Aedes spp. mosquitoes, was first isolated in Tanzania (Tanganyika) in 1953 (1). Various outbreaks have since occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, and India (2). CHIKV has recently been ...
Acinetobacter spp. in gunshot injuries.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... To the Editor: Challenges posed by Acinetobacter spp. result from multidrug resistance, nosocomial spread, and hospital-wide outbreaks (1-3). We evaluated Acinetobacter spp. infections from gunshot injuries received during the April 2006 East Timor conflict (for a description of these ...
Case cluster of necrotizing fasciitis and cellulitis associated with vein sclerotherapy.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... To the Editor: Varicose vein sclerotherapy is a commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in which a sclerosing agent is injected into small varicose veins of the leg by using small gauge needles. It is regarded as a minor, safe procedure, usually performed in an office clinic (1). We ...
Streptococcus suis in humans, Thailand.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... To the Editor: Streptococcus suis is an important zoonotic pathogen for swine and humans. Among 33 serotypes, serotype 2 is more frequently isolated from diseased pigs than other serotypes (1). However, not all serotype 2 strains are virulent, and degree of virulence varies among strains ...
Streptococcus suis Meningitis, United States.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... To the Editor: Streptococcus suis, commensal and opportunistic pathogens of swine, and prevalent zoonotic agents worldwide, are [alpha]-hemolytic gram-positive cocci with 35 different serotypes (1). In humans, S. suis infection has been associated with bacterial meningitis, septic shock, ...
Parvoviruses in blood donors and transplant patients, Italy.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... To the Editor: Parvoviruses (PARV) 4 and 5 are 2 genotypes of a novel human parvovirus, with 92% nucleotide identity, identified in the plasma sample of a patient screened for acute HIV infection and in samples of manufactured plasma pools (1,2). Recently, PARV4 and PARV5 were identified ...
Antimicrobial drug use and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2008; ... To the Editor: The article by Harris et al., published in the August 2007 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, examined the risk factors for selecting extended-spectrum [Beta]-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in intensive-care patients and found that exposure to ...
Aftermath.(ANOTHER DIMENSION)(Poem)
Jan 01, 2008; ... <Pre>It's not the storm itself--wind and rain lashing shore,uprooting trees, toppling poles and dousing lights,flooding cellars and roads, capsizing boats-butthe aftermath--the bright calm, the pairof drowned cats crumpled against the picket fence,the parlor of ...
"I Am but Mad North-northwest: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.".(Cover story)
Jan 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The true north strong and choked with ice," wrote Canadian poet Al Purdy, about the Arctic (1). "The sea ... was like the concentrated essence of all the blue that ever was; I could feel that blue seep into me and all my innards change colour. And the ...