Emerging Infectious Diseases back issues from March 2009:
Meeting the challenge of influenza pandemic preparedness in developing countries.(PERSPECTIVE)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Developing countries face unique difficulties preparing for an influenza pandemic. Our current top-down approach will not provide these countries with adequate supplies of vaccines and antiviral agents. Consequently, they will have to use a bottom-up approach based on inexpensive generic ...
Shigella.(etymologia)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [shi-gel'e] Genus of gram-negative bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae, named for Japanese bacteriologist Koyoshi Shiga (1871-1957). In 1897, Japan experienced a severe dysentery epidemic; >91,000 cases were reported, and the case-fatality rate was >20%. Dr Shiga isolated ...
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains negative for locus of enterocyte effacement.(RESEARCH)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Most Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections that are associated with severe sequelae such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) are caused by attaching and effacing pathogens that carry the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). However, a proportion of STEC isolates that do ...
Sources of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in the Netherlands.(RESEARCH)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Non-travel-related hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 infections in persons in the Netherlands may have a zoonotic, foodborne, or water-borne origin. Possible reservoirs for HEV transmission by water, food, and animals were studied. HEV genotype 3/open reading frame 2 sequences were ...
Integron-mediated multidrug resistance in a global collection of nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica isolates.(RESEARCH)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Salmonella enterica bacteria have become increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents, partly as a result of genes carried on integrons. Clonal expansion and horizontal gene transfer may contribute to the spread of antimicrobial drug--resistance integrons in these organisms. We ...
Coccidioidal pneumonia, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 2000-2004.(RESEARCH)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) often results in severe illness and death. In large, geographically defined areas where Coccidioides spp. are endemic, coccidioidomycosis is a recognized cause of CAP, but its frequency has not been studied extensively. To determine the frequency of ...
Characterization of avian influenza viruses A (H5N1) from wild birds, Hong Kong, 2004-2008.(RESEARCH)
Mar 01, 2009; ... From January 2004 through June 2008, surveillance of dead wild birds in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, periodically detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses (H5N1) in individual birds from different species. During this period, no viruses of subtype H5N1 were ...
Prevalence and seasonality of influenza-like illness in children, Nicaragua, 2005-2007.(RESEARCH)(Clinical report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Although information about seasonality and prevalence of influenza is crucial for development of effective prevention and control strategies, limited data exist on the epidemiology of influenza in tropical countries. To better understand influenza in Nicaragua, we performed a prospective ...
Clinical risk factors for severe Clostridium difficile-associated disease.(RESEARCH)(Clinical report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... CME ACTIVITY Medscape, LLC is pleased to provide online continuing medical education (CME) for this journal article, allowing clinicians the opportunity to earn CME credit. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the ...
Capacity of Thailand to contain an emerging influenza pandemic.(RESEARCH)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Southeast Asia will likely be the epicenter of the next influenza pandemic. To determine whether health system resources in Thailand are sufficient to contain an emerging pandemic, we mapped health system resources in 76 provinces. We used 3 prepandemic scenarios of clustered cases and ...
Epidemiology of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 8, Germany.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... In Germany, bluetongue disease had not been reported before 2006. During August 2006-August 2008, >24,000 bluetongue virus serotype 8 infections were reported, most (20,635) in 2007. In 2006 and 2007, respectively, case-fatality rates were 6.4% and 13.1% for cattle and 37.5% and 41.5% for ...
Evaluation of commercially available anti-dengue virus immunoglobulin M tests.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Anti-dengue virus immunoglobulin M kits were evaluated. Test sensitivities were 21%-99% and specificities were 77%-98% compared with reference ELISAs. False-positive results were found for patients with malaria or past dengue infections. Three ELISAs showing strong agreement with reference ...
Detection of newly described astrovirus MLB1 in stool samples from children.(DISPATCHES)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... The prevalence of the recently identified astrovirus MLB1 in a cohort of children with diarrhea in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, was defined by reverse transcription-PCR. Of 254 stool specimens collected in 2008, 4 were positive for astrovirus MLB1. These results show that astrovirus MLB1 is ...
Introduction into Nigeria of a distinct genotype of avian influenza virus (H5N1).(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Genetic characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) isolated in July 2008 in Nigeria indicates that a distinct genotype, never before detected in Africa, reached the continent. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the viruses are genetically closely related to ...
Border disease virus among Chamois, Spain.(DISPATCHES)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Approximately 3,000 Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) died in northeastern Spain during 2005-2007. Border disease virus infection was identified by reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing analysis. These results implicate this virus as the primary cause of death, similar to ...
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in poultry.(DISPATCHES)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been detected in several species and animal-derived products. To determine whether MRSA is present in poultry, we sampled 50 laying hens and 75 broiler chickens. MRSA was found in some broiler chickens but no laying hens. In all ...
Human bocavirus and KI/WU polyomaviruses in pediatric intensive care patients.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... We evaluated the prevalence of human bocavirus and KI and WU polyomaviruses in pediatric intensive care patients with and without lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). The prevalence of these viruses was 5.1%, 0%, and 2.6%, respectively, in children with LRTI and 4.8%, 4.8%, and 2.4%, ...
Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs, Brazil.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Clinical illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii in dogs has been reported solely in the United States. We report 2 natural clinical cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs in Brazil. Each case was confirmed by seroconversion and molecular analysis and resolved after doxycycline ...
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in high-risk population, Turkey.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... In the Tokat and Sivas provinces of Turkey, the overall Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) seroprevalence was 12.8% among 782 members of a high-risk population. CCHFV seroprevalence was associated with history of tick bite or tick removal from animals, employment in animal ...
Sudden increases in listeriosis rates in England and Wales, 2001 and 2003.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... The monthly incidence of listeriosis infections in England and Wales had 2 sudden increases during April 2001 (41%) and March 2003 (48%). Although no causative association is demonstrated, these increases correspond to key dates relating to the onset and aftermath of the 2001 foot and ...
Coordinated implementation of chikungunya virus reverse transcription-PCR.(DISPATCHES)(preformulated chikungunya virus real-time reverse transcription)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... A preformulated chikungunya virus real-time reverse transcription-PCR, quality-confirmed oligonucleotides, and noninfectious virus controls were distributed by the European Network for the Diagnosis of Imported Viral Diseases. An international proficiency study with 31 participants ...
Extended-spectrum [beta]-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Malian orphanage.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... We show high rates of extended-spectrum [beta]-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae carriage among the staff and children at an orphanage in Bamako, Mali. Enterobacteriaceae colonized in 100% and 63%, respectively, of the 38 children and 30 adults studied. Use of antimicrobial drugs ...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) outbreak in captive wild birds and cats, Cambodia.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... From December 2003 through January 2004, the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, Cambodia, was affected by the highly pathogenic influenza virus (H5N1). Birds from 26 species died. Influenza virus subtype H5N1 was detected in 6 of 7 species tested. Cats from 5 of 7 species were probably ...
Hepatitis E virus antibodies in patients with chronic liver disease.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... In the United States, the seroprevalence rate for hepatitis E virus (HEV) is [approximately equal to]20%. This study examined HEV seroprevalence in persons with and without chronic liver disease. Our data indicate that HEV seropositivity is high in patients with chronic liver disease and ...
Detection of novel SARS-like and other coronaviruses in bats from Kenya.(DISPATCHES)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Diverse coronaviruses have been identified in bats from several continents but not from Africa. We identified group 1 and 2 coronaviruses in bats in Kenya, including SARS-related coronaviruses. The sequence diversity suggests that bats are well-established reservoirs for and likely sources ...
Rickettsia spp. in ticks, Poland.(DISPATCHES)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Ticks are recognized as the main vectors and reservoirs of spotted fever group rickettsiae. We searched for the most prevalent Rickettsia spp. in Poland and found R. slovaca and R. helvetica bacteria in ticks in southern and central Poland; R. raoulti was found in ticks in all parts of ...
Merkel cell polyomavirus in respiratory tract secretions.(DISPATCHES)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), associated with Merkel cell carcinoma, was detected in 27 of 635 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples by real-time PCR. MCPyV was more commonly found in adults than in children. Presence in the upper respiratory tract may be a general property of human PyVs. ...
Merkel cell polyomavirus DNA in respiratory specimens from children and adults.(DISPATCHES)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA was detected in 7 (1.3%) of 526 respiratory tract samples from patients in Australia with upper or lower respiratory tract symptoms. Partial T antigen and major capsid protein sequences of MCPyV identified in respiratory secretions showed high homology ...
Guillain-Barre syndrome after chikungunya infection.(LETTERS)(Clinical report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Chikungunya virus is an RNA alphavirus (group A arbovirus) in the family Togaviridae. The known vectors are Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosqitoes. Chikungunya infection, after an incubation period of 2-10 days, has the main clinical manifestations of fever, ...
Cockroaches (Ectobius vittiventris) in an Intensive Care Unit, Switzerland.(LETTERS)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Ectobius vittiventris (Costa) is a field-dwelling cockroach and 1 of 4,000 cockroach species worldwide (1). We describe a cockroach infestation of an intensive care unit (ICU). Successful management required knowledge of the ecology of cockroaches and highlighted the need ...
Cutaneous anthrax, West Bengal, India, 2007.(LETTERS)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: In most of India, anthrax is not common, probably because a large proportion of the population is Hindu and does not eat beef. However, sporadic cases and outbreaks have been reported (1-6). On June 8, 2007, a healthcare facility reported 12 cases of cutaneous ...
Cat-to-human orthopoxvirus transmission, Northeastern Italy.(LETTERS)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Kurth et al (1) recently described a cowpoxvirus chain of transmission from rat to human through an elephant in Germany. Zoonotic cowpoxvirus infections are well known in Europe (2,3). This virus can infect many animal species; serologic evidence of infection may approach ...
Pertussis in Afghanistan, 2007-2008.(LETTERS)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Recent reports have raised concerns about transmission of pertussis among troops stationed in Afghanistan and indicated lack of data about pertussis in this country (1,2). To fill the knowledge gap about pertussis in Afghanistan, we analyzed data collected by the new Disease ...
Salmonella bongori [48:z.sub.35]:- in migratory birds, Italy.(LETTERS)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Serovars of Salmonella, other than subspecies enterica, are primarily associated with cold-blooded animals and infrequently colonize the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Strains of S. bongori, in particular, are rarely isolated from human patients (1,2). However, during ...
Comet sign (and other) in Pyemotos dermatitis.(LETTERS)(Report)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Recently, Pascal Del Giudice et al. published an interesting article (1) about dermatitis in France caused by Pyemotes ventricosus in which they highlight the presence of the comet sign in a number of their patients. It is, they assert, a sign that because of its peculiarity ...
Helicobacter pylori infection in patients undergoing upper endoscopy, Republic of Georgia.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Helicobacter pylori infection is the principal cause of chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and a major contributor for gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma(1). Approximately 50% of the world's population is infected ...
Spelling Pneumocystis jirovecii.(LETTERS)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Our 2002 article in Emerging Infectious Diseases about nomenclature changes for organisms in the genus Pneumocystis (1) has been widely cited and probably will remain a source for persons seeking information about this subject. Therefore, we need to correct an error in 1 of ...
Hypothetical Pneumocystis jirovecii transmission from immunocompetent carriers to infant.(LETTERS)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: The recent dispatch article by Rivero et al. reports the transmission of Pneumocystis jirovecii from immunocompetent grandparents to their granddaughter (1). The authors' conclusion was based on 2 facts: the grandparents were carriers but neither the parents nor the child's ...
Delinquent mortgages, neglected swimming pools, and West Nile virus, California.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2009; ... To the Editor: Reisen et al. illustrated the potential relationship between environmental developments, such as those that result from major economic events, and increased risks for infectious diseases (1). The Institute of Medicine landmark report in 1992 on emerging pathogens (2) and the ...
Avian Influenza.(BOOKS AND MEDIA)(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Hans-Dieter Klenk, Mikhail N. Matrosovich, and Jfirgen Stech, editors Monographs in Virology, vol. 27, S. Karger AG, Basel, Switzerland, 2008 ISBN-10:3805585012 ISBN-13:978-3-8055-8501-9 Pages: 292; Price: US $249 Avian influenza, caused by influenza ...
Forgotten People, Forgotten Diseases: The Neglected Tropical Diseases and Their Impact on Global Health and Development.(BOOKS AND MEDIA)(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Peter J. Hotez American Society for Microbiology Press, Washington, DC, USA, 2008 ISBN: 978-1555814403 Pages: 215; Price: US $39.95 Forgotten People, Forgotten Diseases is an interesting and highly informative book about the global status of neglected ...
Travel Medicine, 2nd Edition.(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Travel Medicine, 2nd Edition Jay S. Keystone, Phyllis E. Kozarsky, David O. Freedman, Hans D. Nothdurft, and Bradley A. Connor, editors Elsevier, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-323-03453-1 Pages: 640; Price: US $169 ...
Fantastic Voyage: Influenza.(ANOTHER DIMENSION)(Poem)
Mar 01, 2009; ... <Pre>Time to go! Time to go!An influenza virus,Hiding in saliva, buried in a cell,Antibodies and T-cells are coming.Get out! But how?Induce a sneeze? Kick-start a cough?Ah yes, here we go ...Aahhh-choo! Freedom at last! Where are we?A ...
Tango with Cows.(ABOUT THE COVER)
Mar 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Farm animals engaged in a sophisticated dance is how poet Vasily Kamensky represented the incongruous entanglement between Russia's rural past and sweeping modernism. In his daring book Tango with Cows, he abandoned syntax for a spatial arrangement of ...
Upcoming infectious disease activities.(NEWS & NOTES)(Brief article)(Calendar)
Mar 01, 2009 ... April 2-3, 2009 Exploring the Dynamic Relationship Between Health and the Environment The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Milstein Science Symposium American Museum of Natural History New York City, NY, USA ...