Alimentary outbreak of streptococcal angina

The authors describe an outbreak of alimentary angina occurring at one of the large enterprises of Perm in April, 1975--185 persons fell ill in the course of 3 days. The diagnosis of follicular angina was made in 61.6, of lacunar--in 38.4% of cases. Mild course was noted in 63.9, moderately severe--in 31.4, and severe--in 4.7% of cases. All these patients catered at the same place and ate sour cream. Hemolytic streptococcus was isolated in bacteriological examination of the nasopharyngeal mucus in 39 to 51 patients examined, as well as of the cook and confectioner of the catering establishment.     

An explosive pollination mechanism in Eriope crassipes, a Brazilian labiate

The first recorded case of an explosive pollination mechanism in the Labiatae is reported. This was discovered in Eriope crassipes Benth., a frequent herb of the South and Central Brazilian savanna. Observations made on the sequence of events associated with pollination by the bee Epanthidioidesgregarium (Schrottky) are described in detail, and it is demonstrated that the whole process from flower opening to corolla fall is normally completed in a single day. Finally, the possible occurrence of this mechanism in other species of Eriope , and in related genera, is discussed.     

An outbreak of Legionella infection in Armavir

In March-April 1987 an outbreak of Legionella infection was registered among 236 workers at a rubber factory in Armavir. An ARD-like syndrome and acute alveolitis were the main variants of the clinical course of the infection. Legionella infection was diagnosed on the basis of a fourfold and greater increase in the titers of antibodies to L. pneumophila, serogroup 1, as determined in the indirect immunofluorescence test and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In urine samples obtained from patients Legionella antigen was determined with the use of EIA techniques. The culture of L. pneumophila, serogroup 1, was isolated from the recycling-type water supply system of the factory. The outbreak was stopped by a complex of sanitary, hygienic and epidemic control measures.     

Immunodiagnostic methods in interpreting an outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus infection

In the determination of the etiology of the outbreak of respiratory viral diseases, caused mainly by respiratory syncytial (RS) virus, on the basis of the comparison of the results of different laboratory tests and some epidemiological and clinical data high specificity of the detection of RS virus antigen and antibodies to it by means of erythrocyte diagnostica (newly developed antibody and commercial antigenic preparations) has been revealed. In the epidemiological situations the rapid methods of the detection of viral antigen are of prime importance.     

An intrahospital outbreak of HIV infection in Elista

For the first time a nosocomial focus of HIV infection was established. Out of 83,000 inhabitants of the Kalmyck ASSR who underwent planned examination in the course of epidemiological investigation, 65 cases of HIV infection were detected and all of them were traced to the focus of hospital infection (56 children and 9 adults: 1 man and 8 women; of these, 7 women contacted the infection from their infected children in the process of breast feeding). The children were infected during their stay in two hospitals of Elista where they received multiple intravenous and intramuscular injections. The infection spread from the infant department of the regional pediatric hospital to 4 more departments and to the infectious diseases hospital. Transmission of this infection was maintained for several months by the use of nonsterile syringes in parenteral manipulations.     

The epidemiological problems of viral non-A, non-B hepatitis with a fecal-oral mechanism of infection transmission

The results of the study of the epidemiological regularities of viral hepatitis non-A, non-B with the fecal-oral mechanism of the transfer of infection in one of the regions of the Turkmenian SSR are presented. These results have been confirmed by serological and virological laboratory methods. The territories, groups of the population (age groups) and the time of the maximum epidemic risk of infection have been determined. The main (primary) role of the water route (polluted ground water) in the spread of this infection has been proved.     

An outbreak of a herpesvirus infection in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

During an outbreak of a herpesvirus infection in juvenile harbor seals, 11 out of 23 seals died. The duration of the disease in these 11 animals varied from 1-6 days. Nasal discharge, inflammation of the oral mucosa, vomiting, diarrhea and fever up to 40 degrees C were observed in the first days of the disease. In later stages coughing, anorexia and lethargy occurred. Severe necrosis of the liver and interstitial pneumonia were the most striking histopathological findings.     

The epidemic process of an acute streptococcal respiratory infection in large organized collectives of children

The study of the specific features of the development of the epidemic process of scarlet fever, tonsillitis, and acute respiratory diseases (ARD) in two large organized groups of children revealed the presence of some differences which depended on the character of prophylactic measures taken in these groups. Thus, in the absence of prophylaxis with bicillin a pronounced increase in the level of carriership, accompanied by an increase in the infective capacity of carriers, was noted. This resulted in a high level and unfavorable dynamics of morbidity in scarlet fever, tonsillitis, and ARD. On the contrary, the use of prophylaxis with bicillin ensured the stability of the level of carriership, while the infective capacity of carriers was not pronounced. At the same time a rise in ARD morbidity was insignificant, and morbidity in scarlet fever and tonsillitis was reduced to nil.     

An outbreak of adenovirus type 7 infection in children in Montreal

Thirteen infants and children with adenovirus type 7 infection proved by virus isolation are described. High fever, cough and dyspnea were the most frequent findings; in infants under 1 year of age wheezing was common. Four patients required artificial ventilation. Lobar collapse, consolidation and hyperinflation were frequent radiologic findings. None of the symptoms responded to antibiotic therapy or bronchodilator drugs. Three patients died (mortality rate of 23%). Pathologic findings were compatible with adenovirus type 7 pneumonia, and were characterized by a necrotizing bronchitis and bronchiolitis, patchy alveolar fibrinopurulent exudate and hyaline membrane formation. Some intra-alveolar epithelial cells showed strikingly abnormal nuclei and rare typical halo-outlined intranuclear inclusions were seen. Only one of eight survivors had evidence of significant chronic chest disease.     

An outbreak of human Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection.

The occurrence of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis among inhabitants of 10 farms within 10 Km of the hamlet of Corte de Pedra, Bahia, Brazil was studied prospectively from 1984-1989. A mean population of 1,056 inhabitants living in 146 houses were visited every 6 months and the number of skin ulcers recorded. A leishmanin skin test survey was done people with suggestive skin scars or active disease in 1984. The incidence of skin ulcers due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (Lvb) reached 83/1,000 inhabitants but declined sharply in the subsequent 2 years. Retrospective data shows that leishmaniasis is a sporadic endemic disease. Although the reasons for this epidemic are unclear some possible aetiological factors are discussed.     

An outbreak of Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection in a rat breeding stock and its successful control

An outbreak of dermatophytosis by Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection was observed in a breeding stock of the Wistar-Imamichi rat. Typical cutaneous lesions such as alopecia and hyperkeratosis due to the fungus were observed in 10% and 44% of adult females, and males respectively. No infection was seen in infant, even in those fostered by infected females. By 3 repeated cultivations of the hair, T. mentagrophytes was isolated from 107 (90.7%) of 118 rats clinically diagnosed as dermatophytosis. In order to maintain the original stock, the usual wholesale slaughter program was avoided and the following control measures were taken. After sacrificing all rats with the cutaneous lesions, the breeding colony was transferred temporarily to a separate animal room. The resulting vacant room was then disinfected 3 times with 10% formalin, followed by spraying with 3% sodium propionate solution 3 month later. The progenies from the non-infected mothers were dipped into 3% sodium propionate solution and transferred back into the disinfected animal room for re-colonization. Frequent sterilization of all equipment with iodophor, balsam and formalin was carried out. The room sterilized monthly with iodophor and 70% alcohol. Daily observation of all rats and monthly screening by culture test was done thereafter. As a result, no infection has been detected 4 month after recolonization, except for the 3 rats which were sacrificed immediately after detection. On the basis of the culture test and clinical observation, no infection was observed in the treated rat colony for the next five following years. Therefore, the effectiveness of these procedures of the eradication of T. mentagrophytes infection from a rat colony was shown to be quite reliable.