An outbreak of lupinosis in sheep.

Lupinosis is a mycotoxicosis caused by the ingestion of toxins produced by the fungus phomopsis leptostromiformis which grows on lupin plants. An outbreak of natural lupinosis in lambs occurred in Caceres, Spain. Clinical signs were inappetence, depression, constipation, weakness and different degrees of jaundice. Blood samples were analysed every 7 d for 5 w for hematocrit, total protein, glucose, total bilirubin, and GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase activities. The last 4 parameters were increased and returned to normal values after 2-3 w. The liver was swollen and a bright yellow color; microscopically fatty metamorphosis, necrotic areas and infiltration of polymorphonuclears were observed. This is the first time that lupinosis is described in Spain.     

An outbreak of aflatoxicosis in Angora rabbits

An outbreak of aflatoxicosis in Angora rabbits involving a large number of rabbitries was investigated. Mortality was more in weaners than in adults. Affected animals showed anorexia, dullness and weight loss followed by jaundice in terminal stages. Death occurred within 3-4 d of the appearance of clinical signs. Livers were moderately to severely congested, icteric and were hard to cut. Gall bladders were distended and had inspissated bile. Liver sections showed degenerative changes of hepatic cells along with dilatation and engorgement of sinusoids. Bile ducts had mild to severe periportal fibrosis. Focal areas of pseudolobulation and regenerative foci were also predominant. The level of aflatoxin B1 in feed samples from various farms submitted at the time of the investigation varied from 90 to 540 ug aflatoxin B1/kg of feed. Withdrawal of feed and supplementary therapy resulted in gradual disappearance of signs and mortality.     

An outbreak of chromium ulcer in a manufacturing plant

On May 23, 1989, managers of a manufacturing plant requested an investigation of an outbreak of hand ulceration and skin discoloration among workers. The plant has manufactured kitchen ranges for 30 years and employs approximately 633 hourly workers. The affected employees worked in the enamel department, where metallic range tops are coated with a "ground coat" or sprayed with an enamel coloring, and then baked in ovens at 1200F. Our evaluation included physical examinations, environmental sampling, and a questionnaire eliciting information concerning skin ulceration job history, demographics, and use of protective practices. We identified 10 enamel department workers (13.5%) who developed chromium ulcers between January 1st and June 30th, 1988. Ulcers were found on hands, forearms, periumbilical area and/or axillae. Within the enamel department, workers who handled conveyer hooks used to suspend range tops as they passed through the oven were at greatest risk (rate ratio (RR) = 12.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.90-53.35). Workers who wore gloves were protected from developing ulcers (RR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01-0.60). Normally, trivalent chromium (Cr+3) does not cause skin ulcers unless it is oxidized to hezavalent chromium Cr+6). The enamel used contained only Cr+3, not Cr+6, but analysis of hooks that had passed through the oven revealed Cr+6 on their surface. A mechanical failure of the oven resulted in the formation of sharp edges of the parts and consequently causing the abrasion of exposed skin. We believe Cr+3 was converted to Cr+6 during the baking process which associated with the mechanical failure of the oven causing this outbreak.     

Outbreak of trichinosis near Paris.

A localised outbreak of trichinosis occurred in January 1976 in the southern suburbs of Paris. A total fo 125 cases was recorded including 30 children. The prominent symptoms were oedema of the face or eyelids, fever, and myalgia; diarrhoea was unusual and constipation common. An increased blood eosinophil count and raised serum concentrations of muscular enzymes strongly indicated trichinosis. This diagnosis was confirmed later immunologically. The parasite was found in only three out of 32 muscle biopsy specimens but this investigation was made relatively early in the disease. No deaths occurred. In all cases clinical recovery was fast and serum antibody titres were maximum during the first month and decreased slowly. The disease was milder and the recovery faster in children than adults. Epidemiological study suggested that horse meat was responsible for the infection, though no meat could be examined.     

An outbreak of food-borne illness due to methomyl contamination

BACKGROUND: On December 26, 2002, 124 dinners took ill while eating lunch at a seafood restaurant in the town of Chiching in Kaohsiung municipality of Taiwan. Sixty-nine people were sent to the emergency departments of the Municipal Chiching Hospital and Yuan's General Hospital. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical symptoms, detailed food history, and ingested amount of each food from 59 hospitalized adult patients and identified the source of the outbreak. RESULTS: The median latency period from beginning eating to first symptoms was 5 min. Twenty-six symptoms and signs were recorded. The most commonly reported clinical effects were general weakness (84%), ataxia (82%), dizziness (82%), vomiting (80%), sweating (75%), floating sensation (71%), headache (69%), dyspnea (69%), and blurred vision (67%). Thirty-one patients had residual symptoms 7 days after ingestion. Of the six residual symptoms reported, the most frequent ones were dizziness (40%), poor appetite and dry mouth (11%), and gastrointestinal disturbance (11%). The presence of residual symptoms correlated with the severity of the initial complaints (p < 0.01). Almost all patients ate cooked rice (93%) and leaf vegetable stir-fried with crab claw (93%). The amount of each food eaten by the patients was not associated with the severity of symptoms (p > 0.05). High levels of methomyl in leaf vegetables of "leaf vegetables stir-fried with crab claws" (380 ppm) and fried mussels (1113 ppm) were found by the Food Inspection Center at the Department of Health. The food history and chemical analysis of the poison indicated methomyl was the cause of this outbreak. Twenty-four patients recovered completely within 7 days. CONCLUSION: Food-related methomyl intoxication produced a rapid onset of significant clinical toxicity in 124 individuals. Based on the analysis of 55 adult patients, the most common effects were gait ataxia, dizziness, generalized weakness, and vomiting.