MRSA USA300 at Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA, 2000-2006.
Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jan;18(1):105-8
Authors: David MZ, Rudolph KM, Hennessy TW, Zychowski DL, Asthi K, Boyle-Vavra S, Daum RS
Abstract
To determine whether methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 commonly caused infections among Alaska Natives, we examined clinical MRSA isolates from the Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, during 2000-2006. Among Anchorage-region residents, USA300 was a minor constituent among MRSA isolates in 2000-2003 (11/68, 16%); by 2006, USA300 was the exclusive genotype identified (10/10).
Molecular evolution of respiratory syncytial virus fusion gene, Canada, 2006-2010.
Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jan;18(1):120-4
Authors: Papenburg J, Carbonneau J, Hamelin MÈ, Isabel S, Bouhy X, Ohoumanne N, Déry P, Paes BA, Corbeil J, Bergeron MG, De Serres G, Boivin G
Abstract
To assess molecular evolution of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion gene, we analyzed RSV-positive specimens from 123 children in Canada who did or did not receive RSV immunoprophylaxis (palivizumab) during 2006-2010. Resistance-conferring mutations within the palivizumab binding site occurred in 8.7% of palivizumab recipients and none of the nonrecipients.
Crimean-congo hemorrhagic Fever virus in ticks from imported livestock, egypt.
Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jan;18(1):181-2
Authors: Chisholm K, Dueger E, Fahmy NT, Samaha HA, Zayed A, Abdel-Dayem M, Villinski JT
Abstract
TO THE EDITOR: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, a tick-borne illness caused by Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), is endemic to Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The hard ticks (Ixodidae), especially those of the genus Hyalomma, serve as reservoirs and vectors for CCHFV, and a variety of animals, such as cattle, sheep, and camels, are considered amplifying hosts for the virus. Although CCHFV may cause little or no disease in zoonotic hosts, the virus can cause severe disease in humans who may be exposed by tick bites or by contact with blood or tissues from infected patients or animals (1). Surveillance for CCHFV in animal and vector populations provides an opportunity to monitor a disease of potentially severe impact.
Plague epidemic in the kingdom of naples, 1656-1658.
Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jan;18(1):186-8
Authors: Scasciamacchia S, Serrecchia L, Giangrossi L, Garofolo G, Balestrucci A, Sammartino G, Fasanella A
Abstract
TO THE EDITOR: In 1656, an epidemic of plague occurred in the Kingdom of Naples, Italy. Earlier the disease had spread from Algiers to Spain; in June 1647, it appeared in Valencia, and in the spring of 1648, it appeared in Aragon and several other Spanish areas of Valencia, Andalusia, and Catalonia. In 1652, plague had spread to Sardinia and then to the cities and territories of Naples, Rome, and Genoa. Within the Kingdom of Naples, plague first reached the town of Naples in the spring of 1656. Despite measures restricting population movement, by the summer of 1656, the disease had reached several provinces in southern Italy (1,2).
Authors: Vilain P, Larrieu S, Camuset G, Pouderoux N, Gerber A, Borgherini G, Fite S, Filleul L
Abstract
TO THE EDITOR: During recent decades, a considerable and consistent decrease in worldwide incidence of leprosy has been observed, mainly because of the recommendation to introduce multidrug therapy in 1981 (1) and the implementation of free therapy in 1994 (2) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The prevalence rate of the disease has been reduced globally by >90% since 1985 (3). Since 2000, WHO has recommended the implementation of a leprosy surveillance system in leprosy-endemic countries with indicators for screening, treatment, and monitoring of patients (4). From these indicators, WHO establishes an annual official report on the global status of the disease. According to official reports received from 141 countries, the global registered prevalence of leprosy was 211,903 cases in 2010 (5).
Analysis of mutations I117V and I117M in the neuraminidase of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 viruses showed that I117V confers a mild reduction in oseltamivir sensitivity and has a synergistic effect of further increasing resistance when combined with H275Y. Contrary to recent reports, the I117M mutation does not alter oseltamivir sensitivity.
TO THE EDITOR: Since 1999, vaccinia virus (VACV) has been isolated frequently from dairy cattle and humans (1-3). During bovine vaccinia outbreaks, VACV can be transmitted to farmers and those who milk cows; it frequently causes lesions on the hands and forearms. Bovine vaccinia causes economic losses and affects public health services in Brazil (1-4). One of the first VACV viruses isolated during Brazilian bovine vaccinia outbreaks was Araçatuba virus (ARAV), which was collected in São Paulo State, and since that time, other VACVs have been isolated in this state (2,5,6).
Authors: Hahné S, Whelan J, van Binnendijk R, Swaan C, Fanoy E, Boot H, de Melker H
Abstract
TO THE EDITOR: Yung et al. reported in the April 2011 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the epidemiologic characteristics of the nationwide mumps outbreak in England and Wales in 2004-2005 (1). The associated effect of disease was considerable, with >43,000 reported cases and >2,600 hospitalizations. Compared with the prevaccine era, the average age of infection was higher, with infection occurring mostly in older teenagers and young adults (2). Older age at infection is associated with a higher risk of certain complications, particularly orchitis (3). Yung et al. reported that among cases of mumps, previous mumps measles rubella (MMR) vaccination offered considerable protection against orchitis, meningitis, and hospitalization (1).
Multistate Outbreak of MDR TB Identified by Genotype Cluster Investigation.
Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jan;18(1):113-6
Authors: Barry PM, Gardner TJ, Funk E, Oren E, Field K, Shaw T, Langer AJ
Abstract
In 2008, diagnosis and investigation of 2 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases with matching genotypes led to identification of an outbreak among foreign-born persons who performed short-term seafood production work in Alaska during 2006. Tuberculosis control programs should consider the possibility of domestic transmission even among foreign-born patients.
Genetic characterization of peste des petits ruminants virus, sierra leone.
Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jan;18(1):193-5
Authors: Munir M, Zohari S, Suluku R, Leblanc N, Kanu S, Sankoh FA, Berg M, Barrie ML, Ståhl K
Abstract
TO THE EDITOR: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly infectious disease of small ruminants, characterized by high rates of illness and death and caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (peste des petits ruminants virus [PPRV]). PPRV can be divided into 4 genetically distinct lineages based on the nucleocapsid (N) gene (1). The lineages correlate well with geographic distribution of the virus, with lineages I and II mainly restricted to western and central Africa, lineage III to eastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula, and lineage IV to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and more recently northern Africa (2).
PMID: 22260878 [PubMed - in process]
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