Increase In Respiratory Diseases Research Articles

Influenza a virus infections in commercial turkeys in north east Italy

During 1973-1979 a marked increase in respiratory disease was seen in turkeys in the province of Verona in north east Italy. The disease was associated with virus isolations and serological evidence of influenza A infection. Seven of the influenza A viruses isolated from affected turkeys were of the Hav6 N2 antigenic subtype and one of the Hav2 N2 subtype. Pathogenicity index tests were done for seven of the virus isolates and indicated they were of low virulence.

Respiratory illness in households using gas and electricity for cooking: I. Survey of incidence

A 12-month study was undertaken to determine the incidence of respiratory illness in households in a midwest upper-middle-class community. The sample included 441 families, divided into two groups; those utilizing gas and those utilizing electricity in cooking. Family health and demographic data were obtained from the participants. Reports of acute respiratory illness were obtained through biweekly telephone calls to each household. Respondents were asked to report respiratory illness in any member of the household, and to indicate the presence or absence of a set of signs and symptoms. Ambient air was analyzed indoors and outdoors in a sample of the households, and pulmonary function tests were conducted on a subsample of the participants representing both types of households. AID analysis and multiple regression were carried out to determine the predictors of respiratory illness incidence. Comparison was made with data obtained in a similar study in Long Island, New York. There was no evidence to suggest that cooking with gas is associated with an increase in respiratory disease or a decrease in pulmonary function (FVC and FEV-75).

Epidemic influenza in a hill tribe of northwest Thailand.

An investigation of an epidemic of respiratory disease in a remote region of northwest Thailand revealed Influenza A/H3N2 as the etiologic agent. This epidemic would not have been recognized were it not for an unusual increase in respiratory disease following a meeting attended by residents of many villages. The influenza strains isolated most closely resembled A/Port Chalmers/1/73 when tested by hemagglutination inhibition but showed consistent antigenic differences when tested by quantitative neutralization. It is suggested that the differences noted between this strain and influenza viruses isolated elsewhere may have been due to the sequential transmission of influenza through partially immune people.

SECRETORY OTITIS MEDIA: ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TYMPANIC MEMBRANE IN NATURAL COLOR

The symptom complex of secretory otitis media with the presence of fluid in the middle ear cavity is a common, although apparently a frequently overlooked, condition and needs reemphasis at this time, especially with regard to diagnosis and treatment. Because of the war emergency, large numbers of men have been quickly mobilized in the Armed Forces, and many of these are leading a predominantly outdoor life under conditions different from those to which they have been accustomed. An increase of respiratory diseases is inevitable under these circumstances, and inasmuch as secretory otitis media is most often secondary to a mild infection of the upper respiratory tract, it is being more frequently encountered. In the months of January, February, March and part of April of 1943 in the Ear, Nose and Throat and Flight Surgeon Services of Keesler Field Station Hospital, 76 men with fluid in the middle ear were seen,