Cryptosporidium muris, a rodent pathogen, recovered from a human in Perú

Cryptosporidium muris, predominantly a rodent species of Cryptosporidium, is not normally considered a human pathogen. Recently, isolated human infections have been reported from Indonesia, Thailand, France, and Kenya. We report the first case of C. muris in a human in the Western Hemisphere. This species may be an emerging zoonotic pathogen capable of infecting humans.     

'Smoke like a man, die like a man'?: a review of the relationship between gender, sex and lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most important 'avoidable' causes of death world-wide. It is also one in which differences in relation to sex and gender are especially significant. Increasing lung cancer deaths amongst women alongside stable or decreasing deaths amongst men in many countries have substantially altered the male:female ratio in this disease and produced a need to understand differences between men and women in lung cancer risk, and how they relate to sex and gender. This paper reviews research on differences between men and women in lung cancer incidence, mortality and survival, focusing on material which adds to our understanding of the complex differences between each group. This review suggests that the risk of lung cancer may be different for men and women in response to a complex interaction between biological factors such as hormonal difference and gendered factors such as smoking behaviour. In particular women's apparently greater relative risk of lung cancer and the differences between men and women in the risk of specific histological types of lung cancer need to be understood from a perspective in which both biological influences and gender influences are drawn out.     

Are geoprocessing, environment, and health a possible combination?

The use of geoprocessing techniques allows one to gather socioeconomic, health, and environmental data on a spatial basis. However, interpretation of associations between epidemiological and environmental variables requires the geoprocessing system design. The study scale and object choices precede conception of the system, conditioning the possible statistical and visual results. This scale must be compatible with the phenomenon on which one intends to focus, aiming at internal homogeneity and external heterogeneity of spatial units. The interdependency of spatial processes, reflected in the spatial configuration of social, environmental, and epidemiological data distribution, affects interpretation of causes for simultaneous processes. Geoprocessing allows for knowledge of the context or situational surroundings in which the damage to health takes place.     

Swarms of starlings in Basel: a natural phenomenon, a nuisance or a health risk?

A Natural Phenomenon, Molestation or a Health Risk? For the last two decades an avenue in the centre of Basel (Altrheinweg, Klybeckquartier) is known as site for overnight accommodation and assembly of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during autumn. The nightly visitors cause an immense contamination that directly affects a nursery and a primary school. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the health risk for the population due to the starlings' droppings, particularly for the children from the nursery school. Between August and December of the years 1995 and 1996 the population of starlings was observed, the contamination of the area with faeces was quantified, the presence of microorganisms in the faeces was determined and the contamination of the soil from the Altrheinweg was compared with that from other avenues and parks. Furthermore, the children attending the nursery school were monitored for possible infections due to the birds' droppings. In mid-October, when the population of starlings reached their maximum of about 15,000 birds, 1053 defecations per night and square metre were counted on an average in 1995 and 1821 in 1996. The microbiological analysis of the starlings' faeces showed a high contamination with Campylobacter spp. (1995: 95.5%; 1996: 100%), L. monocytogenes (1995: 36.5%; 1996: 26.7%) and C. psittaci (1995: 40.5%), a lower contamination with Salmonella spp. (1995: 1.0%), S. aureus (1995: 2.0%), Y. enterocolitica (1995: 1.5%) and Y. pseudotuberculosis (1995: 1.0%). Mycotic and parasitic human pathogens were not found. The contamination of the soil from the Altrheinweg with Campylobacter spp. and L. monocytogenes was significantly greater than that of the other avenues and parks in Basel. However, the investigations conducted by the school medical service showed that no infections among the children attending the nursery school could be correlated to the presence of the starlings. Even if the heavy contamination of the area with droppings of starlings presents a potential health risk, a continuous or systematic transmission of infectious agents seems rather improbable due to the contamination-avoiding behaviour of the children, the characteristics of the microorganisms involved and the climatic conditions in autumn. This situation showed however not reduce our awareness of such a potential health risk.     

Haemophilus influenzae Serotype a Invasive Disease,Alaska, USA, 1983–2011

Before introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines, rates of Hib disease in Alaska’s indigenous people were among the highest in the world. Vaccination reduced rates dramatically; however, invasive H. influenzae type a (Hia) disease has emerged. Cases of invasive disease were identified through Alaska statewide surveillance during1983–2011. Of 866 isolates analyzed for serotype, 32 (4%) were Hia. No Hia disease was identified before 2002; 32 cases occurred during 2002–2011 (p<0.001). Median age of case-patients was 0.7 years; 3 infants died. Incidence of Hia infection (2002–2011) among children <5 years was 5.4/100,000; 27 cases occurred in Alaska Native children (18/100,000) versus 2 cases in non-Native children (0.5/100,000) (risk ratio = 36, p<0.001). From 12/2009 to 12/2011, 15 cases of Hia disease occurred in southwestern Alaska (in children <5 years, rate = 204/100,000). Since introduction of the Hib conjugate vaccine, Hia infection has become a major invasive bacterial disease in Alaska Native children.     

福氏志贺氏菌2a,3a型变异的研究

本实验用紫外线诱变福氏志贺氏菌2a、3a型,使其发生了生化突变,耐药性突变和抗原性变异等现象。福氏2a菌对鼠李糖和蕈糖不发酵,经诱变后变为发酵株,对红霉素耐药变为敏感菌株。福氏3a菌株在各种糖培养基中可发生型抗原和群抗原丢失现象。诱变后的福氏2a-A_2菌在伊红美兰培养基上传代连续三次分化出福氏3a型菌。这种突变仅发生在极少数营养缺陷型菌株中。本实验选育出一株福氏3a-A_2 met~-(甲硫氨酸缺陷型)无毒株,免疫家免后的抗体血清效价比原始株高10倍,其免疫保护率为100％,此菌株可用于制作痢疾杆菌活菌苗。     

炼焦现场大气中B（a）,P,DB（a,h）A污染水平及吸入危害

目的：分析两个五环烃大气污染水平及吸入危害。方法：用高效液相色谱仪对炼焦现场大气中Ｂ［ａ］Ｐ和ＤＢ［ａ，ｈ］Ａ的污染水平进行定量分析；对气溶胶粒度分布进行监测。结果：ＤＢ［ａ，ｈ］Ａ的污染水平与Ｂ［ａ］Ｐ同样严重。结论：小于空气动力学直径２．０μｍ的五环烃气溶胶占８０％左右，吸入危害严重。     

An α-lactalbumin-enriched and symbiotic-supplemented v. a standard infant formula: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised trial

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, tolerance and preventive effect on atopic dermatitis of an experimental α-lactalbumin-enriched and symbiotic-supplemented infant formula. A total of ninety-seven non-breastfed term neonates were enrolled into a double-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial in which they received experimental (n 48) or standard formula (n 49) for 6 months. The primary outcome was weight at 6 months of age. Secondary outcomes were gastrointestinal tolerance and manifestation of atopic dermatitis. Faecal secretory IgA (SIgA) concentration and microbiota composition of forty-three infants were analysed at 1 and 6 months. Growth was similar in both groups. At 1 month, compared to those in the control group, infants in the experimental group exhibited less crying or agitation, and more quiet behaviour (P=0·03). At 6 months, atopic dermatitis was less frequently observed in the experimental group (P<0·05). Decrease of faecal SIgA concentration between 1 and 6 months was mainly observed in the control group. This decrease was significantly associated with atopic dermatitis (P<0·014) and negatively correlated to the level of colonisation by bifidobacteria (P<0·005). In conclusion, compared to the control formula, the experimental formula guaranteed a similar growth, was better tolerated at 1 month and had a protective effect against the development of atopic dermatitis.