Outbreak Of Dysentery Research Articles

What Are the Most Common Disinfection Methods?

Microbial contaminants exist in many forms ‐ amoebic cysts, protozoa, viruses, or bacteria ‐ and may be the result of human or animal waste. Even in small quantities, their presence in potable drinking water may result in an outbreak of waterborne disease, including cryptosporidiosis, dysentery, gastroenteritis, giardiasis, and infectious hepatitis. All cause painful symptoms, and many are fatal.

A winter dysentery (coronavirus infection) outbreak in a dairy herd in Galicia (northwestern Spain)

Bovine coronavirus infections in adult cattle are commonly referred as to winter dysentery and present as an epidemic outbreak characterised by the sudden onset of diarrhoea with fresh blood that...

Evaluation of the in vitro activity of flumequine against field isolates of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

Flumequine is a quinolone derivative used in veterinary medicine to treat enteric infections, mainly those caused by Gram negative bacteria and also some Gram positive. Some recent reports by field practitioners have suggested that its use in swine dysentery outbreaks can minimize the impact of this disease. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro anti-Brachyspira hyodysenteriae activity of flumequine. Forty eight field isolates of the bacterium were evaluated using a microdilution test. The lack of colon bioavailability studies of flumequine in pigs makes it difficult to establish the true efficacy of this antibiotic for swine dysentery control. Nonetheless, the relatively high values of MIC50 (50μg/mL) and MBC50 (50μg/mL) obtained suggest poor activity against B. hyodysenteriae. Flumequine activity in swine dysentery outbreaks could be related to its activity against other bacteria, different from B. hyodysenteriae, engaged in swine dysentery pathogenesis.

Short communication. First report in Cuba of bovine coronavirus detection in a winter dysentery outbreak

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) infection causes epidemics of acute diarrhea in calves and winter dysentery (WD) in adult cattle. The disease in adult cattle can cause a decrease in milk production resulting in serious economic losses. In Cuba, BCoV infections have not been previously reported. During 2004, many outbreaks of enteric disease have occurred in adult cattle from thirteen dairy farms in the central and western part of the island. The clinical features of the outbreaks resembled those of WD, such as decrease in milk production and, 24 hours later, diarrhea, sometimes bloody, that lasted until the animals recovered in about 7-15 days. Laboratory confirmation of BCoV infection was provided by hemagglutination test (HAT) in 24 samples from four dairy farms from three provinces; RT-PCR assays confirmed the presence of BCoV in three of these samples. Cell culture isolation in secondary calf kidney cells was obtained from four pools of fecal diarrheic samples from each dairy farm. It was remarkable that the disease was also observed during summer. Studies of molecular characterization of the viral strain are in progress.

A Cookbook of Her Own

A Cookbook of Her Own

Correlation analysis for the attack of bacillary dysentery and meteorological factors based on the Chinese medicine theory of Yunqi and the medical-meteorological forecast model

To explore the impact of meteorological factors on the outbreak of bacillary dysentery, so as to provide suggestions for disease prevention. Based on the Chinese medicine theory of Yunqi, the descriptive statistics, single-factor correlation analysis and back-propagation artificial neural net-work were conducted using data on five basic meteorological factors and data on incidence of bacillary dysentery in Beijing, China, for the period 1970-2004. The incidence of bacillary dysentery showed significant positive correlation relationship with the precipitation, relative humidity, vapor pressure, and temperature, respectively. The incidence of bacillary dysentery showed a negatively correlated relationship with the wind speed and the change trend of average wind speed. The results of medical-meteorological forecast model showed a relatively high accuracy rate. There is a close relationship between the meteorological factors and the incidence of bacillary dysentery, but the contributions of which to the onset of bacillary dysentery are different to each other.

Quinolone-resistant Shigella flexneri Isolated in a Patient Who Travelled to India

We report a recent case in which ciprofloxacin-resistant Shigella flexneri was isolated from a 23-yr-old female patient with a history of travel to India. Prior to her admission to our internal medicine department, she experienced symptoms of high fever and generalized weakness from continuous watery diarrhea that developed midway during the trip. S. flexneri was isolated from the stool culture. Despite initial treatment with ciprofloxacin, the stool cultures continued to show S. flexneri growth. In the susceptibility test for antibiotics of the quinolone family, the isolate showed resistance to ciprofloxacin (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], 8 µg/mL), norfloxacin (MIC, 32 µg/mL), ofloxacin (MIC, 8 µg/mL), nalidixic acid (MIC, 256 µg/mL), and intermediate resistance to levofloxacin (MIC, 4 µg/mL). In molecular studies for quinolone resistance related genes, plasmid borne-quinolone resistance genes such as qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qepA, and oqxAB were not detected. Two mutations were observed in gyrA (248C→T, 259G→A) and 1 mutation in parC (239G→T). The molecular characteristics of the isolated S. flexneri showed that the isolate was more similar to the strains isolated from the dysentery outbreak in India than those isolated from Korea.

Elevated fat skatole levels in immunocastrated, surgically castrated and entire male pigs with acute dysentery

Boar taint is due to androstenone and skatole (3-methyl-indole) accumulation in fat tissues. During a study to investigate the effect of immunocastration on fattening pigs, an outbreak of acute dysentery occurred caused by Lawsonia intracellularis and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and resulted in cachexia and high mortality. Low androstenone levels in the immunocastrates (0.25 ± 0.04 μg/g liquid fat) suggested that the immunocastration had been effective, but unusually high skatole concentrations in fat tissues were found not only in entire males, but also in surgical castrates and immunocastrates (0.22 ± 0.15, 0.14 ± 0.08 and 0.18 ± 0.14 μg/g liquid fat, respectively). The findings suggest that boar taint can arise in cases of intestinal infections, even in castrated pigs.

Foodborne-associated Shigella sonnei, India, 2009 and 2010

Foodborne-associated Shigella sonnei, India, 2009 and 2010

INVESTIGATION OF DYSENTERY OUTBREAK AND ITS CAUSES, JIMMA CITY, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

INVESTIGATION OF DYSENTERY OUTBREAK AND ITS CAUSES, JIMMA CITY, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

"War dysentery" and the limitations of German military hygiene during World War I.

This article examines major epidemics of bacillary dysentery in the German army as well as among civilians in eastern Europe and in Germany during World War I. These epidemics were all the more surprising in light of prewar advances in understanding the disease and limiting dysentery outbreaks. Three major reasons are adduced for the incapacity of German military hygienists to prevent wartime epidemics. First was the difficulty of bacteriological testing at the front, especially early in the war, with negative consequences for diagnosis, therapy, and disease control. Second was inadequate hygiene including major shortcomings in latrine cleanliness and attempts to grapple with the "fly plague." Third was the lack of a Pasteur-type vaccine until late in the war. Susceptibility to dysentery was also heightened by war-related nutritional deficiencies. Taking off from an article by the English medical historian Roger Cooter, this article shows that the concept of "war dysentery" was socially constructed and served a variety of professional interests but at the same time takes issue with Cooter's arguments against linking "war" and "epidemics" pathogenetically.

"War Dysentery" and the Limitations of German Military Hygiene during World War I

This article examines major epidemics of bacillary dysentery in the German army as well as among civilians in eastern Europe and in Germany during World War I. These epidemics were all the more surprising in light of prewar advances in understanding the disease and limiting dysentery outbreaks. Three major reasons are adduced for the incapacity of German military hygienists to prevent wartime epidemics. First was the difficulty of bacteriological testing at the front, especially early in the war, with negative consequences for diagnosis, therapy, and disease control. Second was inadequate hygiene including major shortcomings in latrine cleanliness and attempts to grapple with the "fly plague." Third was the lack of a Pasteur-type vaccine until late in the war. Susceptibility to dysentery was also heightened by war-related nutritional deficiencies. Taking off from an article by the English medical historian Roger Cooter, this article shows that the concept of "war dysentery" was socially constructed and served a variety of professional interests but at the same time takes issue with Cooter's arguments against linking "war" and "epidemics" pathogenetically.

Subtype prevalence, plasmid profiles and growing fluoroquinolone resistance in Shigella from Kolkata, India (2001-2007): a hospital-based study

Shigellosis is a major public health problem, and increasing antimicrobial resistance has complicated its treatment. We report isolation frequency, plasmid profiles and antimicrobial resistance of Shigella subtypes in Kolkata, India, from a prospective hospital-based study. Fresh stool or rectal swabs were collected from children (<5 years) attending the Diarrhea Treatment Unit of a governmental paediatric referral hospital in Kolkata. Samples were processed following standard methods over a 7-year period from January 2001 to December 2007. Of 4478 samples collected, 516 (11.5%) were positive for Shigella spp. S. flexneri (312; 6.9%) was the most frequently isolated serogroup, ranking before S. sonnei (123, 2.7%), S. dysenteriae (48, 1.1%) and S. boydii (33, 0.7%). Although 10 subtypes of S. flexneri were identified, the common ones circulating locally were S. flexneri 2a (179), S. flexneri 6 (38) and S. flexneri 3a (36). Knowledge of Shigella subtypes is important for vaccine development. The majority of Shigella isolates (81.0%) were multidrug (two or more antimicrobial classes) resistant and showed high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with commonly used drugs like ampicillin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole and nalidixic acid. Emergence of fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant S. dysenteriae type 1 (100.0%) in 2002-2003 was followed by frequent isolation (>25.0%) of FQ-resistant S. flexneri 2a, and S. flexneri 3a in 2004, which restricted use of fluoroquinolones for treatment. A number of smaller plasmids (<20 kb) with distinct patterns have been observed for several years in predominant subtypes. Long-term surveillance of Shigellae and their antimicrobial resistance are mandatory in endemic areas to formulate treatment policy until any suitable candidate vaccine is available to control the disease.

Prevalence of Uninvestigated Dyspepsia 8 Years After a Large Waterborne Outbreak of Bacterial Dysentery: A Cohort Study

Symptoms of dyspepsia may occur following an episode of acute gastroenteritis, but data are conflicting. We assessed prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia in a cohort of individuals, some of whom were exposed to bacterial dysentery in May 2000, as well as risk factors for dyspepsia in exposed individuals. This was a cohort study conducted in the town of Walkerton, Ontario, Canada. Involved individuals were recruited into the Walkerton Health Study between 2002 and 2003 and were attending for annual assessment in 2008. Exposed individuals were subdivided into those with self-reported gastroenteritis, with acute illness unconfirmed by health records, and those with clinically confirmed gastroenteritis, with substantiation of acute illness by health record review. Presence of dyspepsia at 8 years, according to a broad definition (any symptom referable to the upper gastrointestinal tract), and the Rome II criteria, was compared between exposed and nonexposed individuals. Of 2597 subjects eligible, 1088 (41.9%) provided data for analysis, and 706 (64.9%) had reported acute gastroenteritis. Multivariate odd ratios for dyspepsia at 8 years in exposed individuals using a broad definition and the Rome II definition were 2.09 (95% confidence interval: 1.58-2.78) and 2.30 (95% confidence interval: 1.63-3.26), respectively. Prevalence of dyspepsia was higher in females; smokers; those with premorbid irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, or depression; and those reporting >7 days of diarrhea or abdominal cramps during the acute illness. Symptoms of dyspepsia 8 years after an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis were significantly more prevalent in exposed compared with nonexposed individuals.

Causes of abortion and stillbirth in cattle in Scotland

Review of causes of bovine abortion, 2004 to 2009 Salmonellosis in cattle causing milk drop, abortion and calf pneumonia Nematodirosis, haemonchosis, lungworm infections and chronic fasciolosis diagnosed in sheep Continuing spread of outbreaks of swine dysentery in pigs Histomonosis and ‘round heart disease’ in turkey poults These are among matters discussed in the disease surveillance report for September from SAC Consulting: Veterinary Services (SAC C VS)

An outbreak of winter dysentery caused by bovine coronavirus in a high-production dairy cattle herd from a tropical country

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is a known cause of winter dysentery (WD) in adult cattle. The morbidity of the disease is high, that results in a significant decrease in milk production and consequently, economic losses. In the present study, we report on a classical outbreak of WD that affected a high-production Holstein dairy herd raised in a tropical country. The lactating batch included 154 cows, and 138 (90%) presented diarrhea in a short (nine days) period of time. Three (2%) cows died. The other batches of animals did not become ill. The evolution of the disease in the herd, including the clinical signs and epidemiological features, strongly suggested a WD case. Semi-nested PCR and RFLP confirmed that BCoV was the cause of the infection. Samples tested negative for all other enteric pathogens. This case report highlights the importance of BCoV in WD even in tropical countries such as Brazil.

Bioinformatics determination of ETEC signature genes as potential targets for molecular diagnosis and reverse vaccinology

Background Genomes of the model bacterium, Escherichia coli, exhibit high plasticity caused by gene gain/loss via pathoadaptive mutations, genetic rearrangement, and horizontal gene transfer [1,2]. This genetic variability is also translated into a remarkable phenotypic and pathotypic diversity: while some E. coli strains normally inhabit the mammalian colon, other pathotypes cause a wide range of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases that include mild intestinal disturbance but also severe urinary tract infections and outbreaks of shigellosis-like dysentery or cholera-like watery diarrhea [1]. In this study, we focus on enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), one of the world's deadliest infectious agents, which also represents a serious public health in Egypt's rural areas. Our aim is to integrate multiple bioinformatics tools to determine horizontally transferred, pathotype-specific signature genes as targets for specific, high-throughput molecular diagnostic tools and reverse vaccinology screens.

“More Fatal than Powder and Shot”: Dysentery in the U.S. Army During the Mexican War, 1846–48

In terms of deaths due to disease, the Mexican War (1846-48) was the deadliest of all American wars. Nearly 13% of the entire U.S. force perished from disease. Of the total 12,535 war deaths, 10,986 (88%) were due to infectious diseases (overwhelmingly dysentery, both bacterial and amoebic); seven men died from disease for every man killed by Mexican musket balls. Camp pollution was the greatest error committed by U.S. troops in the Mexican War. The indifference of line officers and recruits to the need for proper sanitation and military hygiene fueled the dysentery outbreaks, and the poor conditions in military hospitals contributed further to the spread of disease. This defect in military culture undermined the health of the army and led to medical disaster. Disease caused an enormous drain on the U.S. Army's resources, eroded troop morale, and influenced strategy and tactics. As we enter the 21st century, dysentery is still a major public health threat, killing hundreds of thousands of people annually-primarily children in developing countries where personal hygiene is poor and disposal of human and animal wastes is indiscriminate.

Drinking Water Quality Monitoring in Ado-Ekiti and Environs

The water cycle is an obvious mode of transmission of enteric diseases. Bacteriologically polluted water is potentially dangerous to health because of possible outbreak of typhoid, dysentery and cholera epidemics. In this paper major sources of drinking water in Ado Ekiti and its environs were examined for physical, chemical and biological qualities. These consists of wells in Adebayo, Ajilosun, Odo-Ado and other suburbs; most popular sachet waters (pure water) produce in Ado- Ekiti and the Pipe-borne water from the state water cooperation (Ureje treatment plants). The results were analyzed using t-distribution method of data analysis and World Health Organization (WHO) Standard was applied. The wells were found to be a little more acidic. All the samples showed high calcium content and some gave total hardness value above WHO standard. 70% of the samples, failed bacteriological test. Samples examined give a wider coverage of drinking water sources in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Increased case fatality from winter dysentery in cattle

Increased case fatality from outbreaks of winter dysentery in cattleFasciolosis continuing to be a widespread cause of disease in cattle and sheepFurther case of psoroptic mange in cattleBibersteinia trehalosi septicaemia...