Residents Of Tecumseh Research Articles

Respiratory Syncytial Virus in a Community Population: Circulation of Subgroups A and B since 1965

Respiratory syncytial viruses were isolated from residents of Tecumseh, MI, with illnesses of all severities during the periods 1965-1971 and 1976-1981. These isolates were grouped using one monoclonal antibody specific for each subgroup. All were identified as either subgroup A or B. Subgroup A predominated in most years. No differences in age distribution or illness characteristics could be found between the subgroups. This study demonstrated that the currently recognized subgroups have been present in a single community since 1965, and their behavior in the past is similar to that currently described.

The Tecumseh study. XII. Enteric agents in the community, 1976-1981.

Enteric illnesses in residents of Tecumseh, Michigan, were studied from 1976 to 1981. The frequency of illness among adults and children increased each year in the late autumn, usually in November. This peak of illness preceded the main period of appearance of the rotaviruses, which were less regularly associated with another peak of illness. Rotaviruses were identified in 3.8% of all stool specimens collected; in specimens from children under two years of age, the annual rate of rotavirus identification was 10.4%. All rotaviruses were identified during the period from late December to early April. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from 3.3% of stool specimens, with no concentration in any age group or season. However, most enteric illnesses in the community were not associated with recognized pathogens. Testing of blood specimens collected in 1976-1978 by complement fixation confirmed the seasonal pattern of rotavirus activity. Rotavirus infections were documented in all age groups, even in older adults, and were associated with symptomatic illness.

Handedness and drinking-smoking types.

This work showed that more sinestrals both smoke and drink together more and abstain less in both uses than dextrals. This association is stronger for females than men, regardless of age. The sample included whites, 18 to 69 yr. old, who were residents of Tecumseh, Michigan (N = 1,153).

The Tecumseh Study of Respiratory Illness. IX. Occurence of influenza in the community, 1966--1971.

The occurrence of types A and B influenza infections was determined by isolation and serology over six years among residents of Tecumseh, Michigan. By isolation, there was evidence of type A infection for a limited period during each year of the study; most rises in titer were detected during the periods of viral isolation, but some also occurred out of season. Outbreaks of type B infection were encountered three times during the six-year period and out of season infections were less frequently seen than with type A. Infection rates with type A were relatively flat over the age range, with high rates seen in infants and small children; in contrast, highest infection rates with type B were observed in the 5--14-year-olds. On examination of illness rates, it was found that some of the outbreaks wound have gone undetected if surveillance techniques for infection had not been in operation. Frequency of respiratory illness with activity restriction was taken as a guide to influenza virus activity during outbreaks; it was found that highest rates of such illnesses occurred among the 1--4-year-olds for type A outbreaks, and among the 5--9-year-olds during mixed or type B outbreaks.

SEROIMMUNITY TO POLIOMYELITIS IN AN AMERICAN COMMUNITY1

In an effort to determine the immune status of individuals in a natural community, neutralizing antibody titers for the three types of poliovirus were examined in 301 randomly sampled sera collected in 1966 and 308 specimens from 1971. The specimens were part of a larger collection obtained from residents of Tecumseh, Michigan. Approximately 22 sera from each five-year age group between 5-70 years were tested. A somewhat smaller number from younger and older individuals were also studied. Geometric mean titers for the two years of collection were in general quite low and never exceeded 1:42 which was found for type II virus. All GM titers decreased markedly as the age of the subjects increased. The percentage of individuals lacking antibody at the 1:4 level to at least one type of poliovirus ranged between 20-30% until age 49 and then steadily increased to over 60% in the 60-69 and over 70-year groups. A retrospective history of vaccination was obtained from 264 of the 308 persons in the 1971 collection. As expected these showed rather poor correlation with the presence or absence of antibody and were considered to be unsatisfactory as an index of immunity.

Epidemiology of asthma and allergic rhinitis in a total community, Tecumseh, Michigan: IV. Natural history

The incidence and remission of allergic rhinitis and asthma were studied in 6,563 residents of Tecumseh, Michigan, who were examined on two occasions separated by an average interval of 4 years. The 4 year incidence of probable allergic rhinitis was 2 per cent for males and females, and the 4 year incidence of probable asthma was 1 per cent for both sexes. During this time interval the incidence of allergic rhinitis among males and females who previously had asthma was 3 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. The incidence of asthma in persons who previously had allergic rhinitis was 1 per cent in males and 3 per cent in females. Remission occured in approximately 20 per cent of persons with asthma and 8 per cent with allergic rhinitis over a 2 year period. Either disease was as likely to remit if the other disease was present or not. Allergic rhinitis was more likely to remit when the duration was shorter than 5 years, while asthma remissions were not clearly influenced by duration. Persons with perennial allergic rhinitis were less likely to remit than those with seasonal symptoms.

Acute Respiratory Illness in an American Community

Approximately 14,600 cases of respiratory illness in 4,905 residents of Tecumseh, Mich, were studied during a six-year period. The annual incidence of respiratory illness for each individual was calculated. Rates decreased with age except during the 20- to 29-year decade. In children less than 3 years of age, males experienced more illnesses than females; in those older than that, the reverse was true. Frequency of physician consultation varied with illness type. Rhinoviruses were the most frequently isolated pathogen from all illnesses. From those associated with physician consultation, group A hemolytic streptococci were nearly as frequently isolated. More illnesses started on Monday than on any other day of the week. Illness frequency increased with education of head of household, but decreased with family income. Therefore, highest rates were observed in more educated families with low income.