河南省首次恙虫病暴发疫情的实验室证实

目的调查以发热、头痛、淋巴结肿大、皮疹为主要症状的不明疾病病因。方法对可疑病人进行流行病学调查,血用血清学、免疫学、套式PCR方法检测病人血清抗体滴度、血清型及立克次体特异性基因片段。结果对采集到20例病人进行血清外裴OXk凝集反应,阳性率达100%,11份二次血清OXk效价呈4倍升高;恙虫立克次体IFA检测lgM和lgG抗体,20份均为阳性,最高达到1:2560;恙虫病血清学分型G illiam 4例,Karp 6例,Kato 8例。套式PCR检测病人血结果3份扩增出R t特异性DNA片段。结论首次证实了河南省恙虫病暴发疫情。     

外斐氏OXk试验在恙虫病暴发调查的价值

目的证实河南省发生的不明原因发热、头痛、皮疹病人的病因。方法对可疑病人进行流行病学调查、用血清学、套式PCR方法检测病人血清抗体滴度、血清型及立克次体特异性基因片段。结果恢复期病人血清外斐氏OXk阳性率100%。11例病人的双份血清抗体呈4倍升高;恙虫病立克次体IFA检测lgM和lgG抗体,20份均为阳性,最高达1∶2560;恙虫病血清学分型G illiam 4例,Karp 6例,Kato 8例。套式PCR检测病人血标本中特异性R tDNA片段,3份阳性;结论外斐氏OXk试验简便、易行,适用于暴发疫情的定性。值得注意的是病人第1周阳性率较低,对高度怀疑恙虫病患者在第1周内OXk阴性,在第(2、3)周再作OXk试验,可以得到明确诊断。     

检测OXk抗体诊断恙虫病价值的研究

目的：探讨检测OXk抗体诊断恙虫病的价值。方法：对病后不同时期的恙虫病病人的血清标本和非疫区健康人群血清标本进行OXk抗体检测。结果：用外斐氏法检测恙虫病血清标本的OXk抗体，因病后标本采集时间不同，诊断恙虫病的灵敏度和漏诊率亦不同；因所定OXk抗体临界值不同，诊断恙虫病的灵敏度和特异度也有所不同，认为最佳OXk抗体检测时间为病后12～26d，患病2个月后不宜用外斐氏法诊断恙虫病。结论：OXk抗体检测对提供诊断线索有重要意义，建议单份血清用外斐氏法检测OXk抗体，诊断恙虫病的临界值定为≥1:320。     

河北省首次发现恙虫病病例的初步研究

目的 :证实河北省恙虫病的存在。方法 :对可疑病人进行调查、采血 ,用血清学方法检测病人血清抗体并分型。结果 :14例发热病人中的 13例被诊断为恙虫病 ,确诊率为 92 .86 %。患者均为成年人 ,年龄在 32～ 6 9岁之间 ,男性 4例 ,女性 9例。发病时间为 1997年 10月 1～ 2 0日。病人血清OXk抗体阳性率为 10 0 % ,GMT为 1∶92 6 .6 ;恙虫病立克次氏体IgG抗体阳性率为92 .3% ,GMT为 1∶94 1.2 ;IgM抗体阳性率为 84 .6 % ,GMT为 1∶1546 .4。对病人血清标本进行血清学分型 ,证实为恙虫病Gilliam血清型。结论 :河北省太行山区首次被证实有恙虫病病例存在。有关本病的流行因素和特征正在研究中     

2种恙虫病东方体核酸检测方法的比较

目的探讨巢式PCR法与实时荧光PCR法在恙虫病诊断中的作用。方法采集2010年-2014年北京市404例恙虫病疑似患者的全血样本,分别以巢式PCR法与实时荧光PCR法检测恙虫病东方体的gro EL基因与47 k D蛋白基因,以血清特异性Ig M检测结果为诊断恙虫病的金标准,研究2种PCR方法的灵敏度。结果以急性期血清Ig M阳性或恢复期血清Ig M转阳作为确诊标准,374例患者确诊为恙虫病。其中巢式PCR法检测gro EL基因阳性者323例,灵敏度为86.36%;实时荧光PCR法检测47 k D蛋白基因阳性者328例,灵敏度为87.70%。而单份急性期血清Ig M抗体检测的灵敏度为87.17%。结论实时荧光PCR法的检测时间短,适合用于快速诊断,但对于检测阴性的样本应考虑进行血清Ig M或多个基因的分子生物学检测以明确诊断。     

河南省一起恙虫病暴发疫情调查分析

目的 对2015年河南省发生的一起恙虫病暴发疫情进行调查分析,了解其发病特点及流行特征,分析恙虫病感染的影响因素,为制定针对性预防控制措施提供依据。方法 采用现场流行病学调查的方法,搜索病例,填写《恙虫病个案调查表》,对病例进行血清学、免疫学以及分子生物学实验。采用病例对照研究的方法,以搜索到的临床诊断病例和确诊病例作为病例组,按1∶2匹配的方式,随机选择与病例所在的同村、年龄相差5岁以内的同性别且无临床症状的村民为对照,收集可疑危险因素。结果 本次疫情10月16日至11月20日,共发现病例48例,其中发热≥38.5℃的病例超过83.3%,发现特异性焦痂或溃疡的病例68.7%,有皮疹的病例60.4%,其他临床症状还包括头痛、浅表淋巴结肿大、寒战等。对采集的16份病人标本进行检测,其中血清抗体IgM阳性15份。外斐氏反应检测OXk血清抗体,抗体滴度>1∶160的13份,最高抗体滴度>1∶640,第二次采集病人恢复期血清有7份抗体呈4倍增高。恙虫病PCR核酸检测,阳性4份。结论 本次疫情为一起恙虫病暴发疫情,临床症状上主要表现为发热、特异性焦痂或溃疡、皮疹、头疼等;外斐氏试验可以作为重要诊断依据,PCR核酸检测方法,作为确诊依据之一,具有重要的意义;去参加田间劳动、在屋内堆放柴草或农作物、在家中饲养家禽及在家中饲养宠物为发病的独立影响因素。     

河南首起恙虫病暴发的流行病学调查

目的查清本次暴发的流行原因和流行状况。方法采用现场流行病学调查的方法并依据血清学、免疫学以及分子生物学实验结果确认。结果2005年河南省南部淮滨县新里镇大董庄发生一起恙虫病暴发流行,自9月26日~11月10日共发病32人,以成人为主,主要临床表现为发烧、头疼、淋巴结肿大、皮疹。恢复期病人血清外斐氏OXk1∶160实验阳性率100%,最高效价达1∶2560,典型病人的两次血清呈4倍升高;恙虫病荧光抗体阳性率100%,最高效价达1∶2560。血清分型主要是G illiam、Karp、Kato3个血清型;套式PCR检测病人血3份阳性。结论本次为河南首起恙虫病暴发流行。     

粤北山区域恙虫病自然疫源地的研究

目的了解粤北山区域是否存在恙虫病自然疫源地。方法采用分子生物学诊断技术结合间接免疫荧光方法调查粤北山区发热人群、宿主动物感染状况;采用荧光定量PCR技术对粤北山区域恙虫病病人的标本检测Ot-Sta56kDa基因片段,对阳性标本进行基因分型和序列分析,并与巢式PCR检测结果相比较。结果在660份发热人群血清标本中有224份检测到恙虫病东方体,阳性率为33.94%;在55份鼠类脾脏组织标本中有10份黄毛鼠(R.lossea Swinboe)检测到恙虫病东方体,阳性率为18.18%,有2份褐家鼠(R.norvegicus Berkenhout)检测恙虫病东方体,阳性率为3.64%,各调查点之间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。经荧光定量PCR和巢式PCR鉴定为Gilliam型和Kawasaki型,间接免疫荧光法也诊断为恙虫病东方体Gilliam型。从病人、动物宿主、地里纤恙螨选取4株粤北代表株,其同源性为100%,与Kawasaki型的同源性为96.25%;另有3份阳性黄毛鼠标本的核苷酸序列与TA686型的同源性为78.5%。结论从宿主动物、媒介、分子水平上证实粤北山区域存在恙虫病自然疫源地。     

瑞安市恙虫病首例报告

瑞安市在历史上尚未有恙虫病报告,1997年7月该县有临床诊断疑似恙虫病病人。为此,我们会同县卫生防疫站开展了个案调查,并经实验室证实了该患者为恙虫病病人。材料与方法1．个案调查资料:为该县人民医院病史记录及患者现场询问录。2．血清学检测:采患者在恢复期内静脉血4ml分离血清,低温保存,送省站进行外-斐氏反应及MICRO-IFA法检测特异性IgG抗体。     

天津市北部农村首次发现恙虫病流行的报告

1989年和1990年秋,天津市北部农村相继发生恙虫病流行。通过临床、流行病学、血清学和病原学方面的调查,结果44例病人经IFA法检测,42例病人恢复期血清抗体滴度≥1:40(95.5%),其余2例病人采血时间过早。用CF法分型测定了10份血标本,滴度≥1:20者8份,均为Gilliam型。病原分离未获成功。该地位于北纬39°45''~40°05'',系我国新发现的恙虫病流行地区。     

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.