1例重组脊灰病毒引起的AFP病例调查

目的对贵港市2006年7月报告的1例疫苗重组脊髓灰质炎(脊灰)病毒引起的急性弛缓性麻痹(AFP)病例进行流行病学调查,为维持无脊灰状态提供依据。方法按照卫生部下发的《高危和聚集性AFP病例调查指南》进行。结果AFP病例粪便标本分离出脊灰Ⅲ型病毒,国家脊灰实验室型内鉴定为“VP1区4个核苷酸变异”,属疫苗重组脊灰病毒(VRPV),患儿发病60天后残留麻痹,“零剂次”免疫,患儿所在村屯0~11岁儿童免疫水平较低,5名密切接触儿童的粪便标本未分离出脊灰病毒。结论本例为VRPV引起的脊灰临床符合病例,未引起地区流行或循环。虽VRPV差异<1%,但毒力有所增强,仍可在“零剂次”免疫儿童中引起AFP,出现脊灰症状。提高OPV接种率是保护儿童免受脊灰野病毒、疫苗衍生脊灰病毒、VRPV的侵袭,阻止其流行或循环的有效措施。     

云南省2002年与四川省毗邻地区急性弛缓性麻痹病例主动搜索及口服脊髓灰质炎疫苗强化免疫结果分析

20 0 2年 6月 ,从四川省攀枝花市 2例急性弛缓性麻痹 (AFP)病例和 3名密切接触者粪便标本中分离到 5株疫苗重组脊髓灰质炎 (脊灰 )病毒 (VRPV) ,表明VRPV在该地区循环。 2 0 0 2年 8月 ,对云南省与四川省攀枝花市毗邻的 3个地区 (州、市 ,下同 )、5个县 (区、市 ,下同 )开展了AFP病例的主动搜索 ,未发现VRPV引起的病例。但发现AFP病例漏报率达 5 5 32 % ,一些地方常规免疫不落实。针对调查结果 ,2 0 0 2年 10、11月在楚雄、丽江、昭通 3个地区 2 5个县 ,开展了口服脊灰疫苗 (OPV)两轮强化免疫活动 ,报告接种率 >98% ,快速评估调查接种率常住儿童为 96 94 % ,流动儿童为 85 71%。     

安徽省疫苗变异脊髓灰质炎病毒病例的监测及其流行病学分析

安徽省在 2 0 0 1、2 0 0 2、2 0 0 4年急性弛缓性麻痹 (AFP)病例监测中 ,有 8例AFP病例粪便标本分离到疫苗变异脊髓灰质炎 (脊灰 )病毒 ,与脊灰疫苗 (Sabin)株相比 ,VP1 区核苷酸差异率为 0 2 2 %～ 0 99%,其中 1例为疫苗衍生脊灰病毒 (VDPV)。 8例主要分布在几个相邻的县 ,年龄主要在≤ 1岁 (7例 ) ,有明显的类似脊灰症状 ,其中 5例未免疫或未全程免疫。密切接触者及周围儿童粪便标本未分离到疫苗变异脊灰病毒 ,当地口服脊灰疫苗 (OPV)接种率调查 ,除 1个村为 4 0 %外 ,其余均 >80 %。表明安徽省局部地区自然环境中存在疫苗变异脊灰病毒的循环 ,但未在人间传播。今后仍应加强儿童OPV常规免疫 ,加强AFP病例监测 ,有计划地开展OPV强化免疫。     

由疫苗重组脊髓灰质炎病毒引起的聚集性急性弛缓性麻痹病例分析

20 0 2年 6月中旬 ,在四川省攀枝花市和泸州市 ,从 3例急性弛缓性麻痹 (AFP)病例及其 3名密切接触者中 ,共分离到 6株脊髓灰质炎 (脊灰 )病毒。这 6人中有 5人是口服脊灰疫苗“零”剂次免疫 ,1名免疫史不详。用逆转录 聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)分析病毒的VP1和 3D基因编码区发现 ,所有病毒均为疫苗重组脊灰病毒 (VRPV) ,其中 2株为Ⅱ型和Ⅰ型的重组 ,其余为Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型的重组。经序列分析发现 ,从AFP病例中分离到的毒株 ,在VP1编码区与标准参考株SabinⅡ型有 3个同样的核苷酸发生了变异 ,而从密切接触者中分离到的毒株有 4个核苷酸发生了变异。 6株病毒来源相同 ,并已在免疫覆盖率低的地方引起儿童患病及播散。     

四川省近4年高危急性弛缓性麻痹病例的发现及处理

目的：探讨早期发现与处理高危急性弛缓性麻痹(AFP)病例。方法：开展高危AFP病例早期流行病学调查与评估，针对性实施脊灰疫苗应急强化免疫。结果：发现高危AFP16例，发病年龄0～3岁，1岁占56．25％；2例有聚集性；13例检出脊灰疫苗病毒，其中4例为Ⅱ型疫苗重组株，密切接触者检出3株与病例同源脊灰Ⅱ型疫苗重组株病毒；13例残留麻痹；14例为超生儿童其基础免疫为“0”剂次，15县病例当地乡镇脊灰疫苗接种率平均值72．18％，低于85％者9个县，且流动和超生儿童明显低于常住和计生儿童，病例所在县均实施脊灰疫苗应急强化免疫，评估接种率均达95％以上。结论：四川省曾有脊灰Ⅱ型疫苗变异病毒在自然界的局部循环，脊灰疫苗应急强化免疫能有效阻断该变异病毒。增强AFP监测敏感性，尽早发现和及时调查处理高危AFP病例，有利于提高敏锐发现、有力阻断输入性脊灰野病毒传播循环的整体能力。     

陕西省脊髓灰质炎病毒检测分析

目的分析陕西省2003-2008年检出脊髓灰质炎(以下简称脊灰)病毒(PV)的急性弛缓性麻痹(AFP)病例流行病学特征,提高对疫苗衍生脊灰病毒(VDPV)监测的敏感性。方法对PV阳性的AFP病例相关资料进行流行病学分析,对疫苗变异PV采用VP1基因核苷酸序列测定方法进行分子生物学性状分析。结果陕西省2003-2008年共检出PV 29株,分离到的PV以Ⅱ型为主(15株),超过Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型之和;AFP病例集中在≤2岁儿童(75.86%),以零剂次免疫和未全程免疫儿童所占比例较大(51.72%);麻痹部位主要为单下肢、双下肢和四肢;型内鉴定14株为疫苗变异PV,基因序列测定均未达到VDPV(1%)的诊断标准;疫苗变异PV的病例中7例为未全程免疫,9例为0～2岁儿童。结论维持无脊灰阶段,存在着VDPV和发生循环疫苗衍生脊灰病毒(cVDPVs)爆发流行的可能,保持高水平的脊灰减毒活疫苗(OPV)免疫覆盖率,高质量的AFP病例流行病学监测和病毒学监测,具有重要现实意义。     

贵州省1999～2001年脊髓灰质炎疫苗病毒阳性的急性弛缓性麻痹病例流行病学分析

贵州省 1999～ 2 0 0 1年从急性弛缓性麻痹 (AFP)病例粪便标本中分离到脊髓灰质炎 (脊灰 )疫苗病毒 5 3株 ,对其进行了流行病学分析。 5 3例AFP病例分布在全省 8个地区 (州、市 ,下同 )的 31个县 (市、区 ) ,发病时间无明显的聚集趋势。≤ 3岁儿童 4 8例 ,占 90 .6 % ;未免疫和未全程免疫的 38例 ,占 71.7%。其特点是 :全省 9个地区中 8个有病例 ,病例呈散在分布 ;分离出的脊灰疫苗病毒以Ⅱ型为主 (32例 ,占 6 0 .4 % ) ,3年分离的Ⅱ型脊灰疫苗病毒数均超过本年Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型的总和 ;病例中零剂次免疫儿童发病 6 0d后仍残留麻痹的占 82 .4 % ;8例高度怀疑疫苗相关麻痹型脊灰 (VAPP)病例均为 <3岁儿童 ;免疫史为零剂次和 1剂次 ;麻痹时伴发热 ,为不对称麻痹 ,发病 6 0d随访仍残留麻痹并有肌肉萎缩。提示贵州省AFP病例中检出脊灰疫苗病毒的病例 ,集中在 <3岁未免疫和未全程免疫的儿童。因此要高度重视VAPP病例 ,提高和保持高水平的常规免疫覆盖率 ,巩固AFP病例监测质量是保持无脊灰状态、及时发现输入病例和防止疫苗衍生脊灰病毒病例发生的关键。     

四川省2003年维持无脊髓灰质炎进展

目的评价四川省2003年维持无脊髓灰质炎(脊灰)工作。方法对口服脊灰疫苗(OPV)常规免疫、强化免疫和急性弛缓性麻痹(AFP)病例监测等有关资料进行了分析。结果OPV常规免疫报告接种率为95.96%,抽样调查接种率为93.59%,4岁儿童加强免疫接种率为91.16%。2002/2003年度和2003/2004年度各两轮强化免疫共免疫0~3岁儿童506万人次,报告接种率均>97%。2003年报告AFP病例338例,<15岁儿童非脊灰AFP病例报告发病率1.84/10万,其它各项监测指标均达到卫生部和世界卫生组织(WHO)的标准。分离出脊灰病毒(PV)14例(Ⅰ型1例,Ⅱ型8例,Ⅲ型2例,Ⅰ+Ⅱ+Ⅲ型1例,Ⅱ+Ⅲ型2例),非脊灰肠道病毒13例。1993年至今未分离到脊灰野病毒,分离出的PV经鉴定均为疫苗株。AFP病例最后诊断均为脊灰排除病例。结论四川省2003年继续保持了无脊灰状态,但应加强免疫和监测工作,并注重对高危AFP病例的及时发现和调查处理。     

江苏省疑似脊髓灰质炎疫苗病毒变异株循环疫情的流行病学调查

目的分析一起疑似脊灰疫苗变异株病毒循环调查处置过程。方法进行病例核实诊断和个案调查,开展医院AFP病例主动搜索,评价AFP病例监测系统运转情况,调查密切接触者儿童粪便带毒率及脊灰疫苗接种率。结果在3例病例粪便标本中同时分离到Ⅲ型脊灰病毒,该病毒VP1区与Sabin疫苗株病毒相比,分别有0.44%、0.55%和0.44%的核苷酸变异。3例病例发病地点相距较远,均接种口服脊灰减毒活疫苗(OPV),密切接触者粪便标本未分离到脊灰病毒,当地儿童常规免疫接种率均处较高水平。结论脊灰疫苗变异株病毒未在当地发生循环。提高AFP监测系统敏感性、脊灰疫苗接种率和疫情应急能力,是有效阻止脊灰疫苗病毒变异株循环和脊灰野病毒输入的有效措施。     

湛江市2004年维持无脊髓灰质炎工作评价

目的了解湛江市2004年急性弛缓性麻痹(AFP)病例监测系统的运转情况与口服脊髓灰质炎(脊灰)疫苗(OPV)免疫接种情况,为维持无脊灰状态和消灭脊灰工作制定有效措施提供科学依据。方法对湛江市2004年AFP病例进行流行病学分析,对AFP病例监测系统及OPV免疫接种率进行评价。结果2004年全市报告AFP病例26例,零剂次免疫儿童2例;病例分布于25个镇,无明显季节高峰,<5岁病例占总病例数的61.5%,男女性别比为1.89∶1。26例AFP病例中脊灰病毒分离率为3.8%,为脊灰疫苗株;非脊灰肠道病毒分离率为15.4%。<15岁儿童非脊灰AFP病例报告发病率为1.30/10万。AFP病例48 h调查率、合格粪便标本采集率、标本及时送检率和随访表及时上报率均为100%。本地和流动儿童OPV基础免疫报告接种率分别为97.3%和99.1%。2004/2005年度两轮OPV强化免疫接种率分别为96.9%和97.2%,两轮强化免疫现场快速评估调查接种率均>95%。结论AFP病例监测系统各项监测指标均达到世界卫生组织和卫生部无脊灰证实标准,但AFP病例首诊报告率低,OPV免疫空白仍然存在。今后应继续提高AFP监测系统工作质量,提高OPV免疫接种率,消除免疫空白人群。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.