Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis in California, 1950-1970

Epidemiologic patterns of type A (infectious) and type B (serum) hepatitis in California from 1950 to 1970 are presented. During this period hepatitis incidence increased greatly among teenagers and young adults but no significant increase occurred in other age groups. Much of this age-specific increase is related to the increasing drug abuse problem during the last decade. Other factors which possibly contribute to the current pattern of hepatitis in California are the overcrowding and inadequate sanitary facilities among a portion of young people between the ages of 15 and 30. Until these factors change or effective vaccines are developed, viral hepatitis will continue to be a significant public health problem.     

Epidemiology of gastroschisis in metropolitan Atlanta, 1968 through 2000

BACKGROUND: An increase in the rate of gastroschisis has been documented by birth defects surveillance systems in the United States and in other countries. This study sought to evaluate historical trends in the rate of gastroschisis in Atlanta, Georgia, and to describe the epidemiology of gastroschisis over 33 years. METHODS: Gastroschisis cases were identified through the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) from 1968 through 2000. Poisson regression techniques were used to evaluate trends over time. Data on covariates were compared for three maternal age groups (< or =19, 20-24, and > or =25 years). RESULTS: From 1968 through 1975, the rate of gastroschisis was stable at 0.8 per 10,000 births. After 1975, the rate of gastroschisis was 2.3 per 10,000 births with no significant increase observed from 1976 through 2000. The rate of gastroschisis was six times higher among teenage mothers compared with mothers > or =25 years of age. Affected infants born to teenage mothers were less likely to be born to Black mothers compared to White mothers (rate ratio [RR], 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2-0.6). This was also true for mothers 20-24 years of age (RR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.8) but not for mothers 25 years of age or older (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9-2.7). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the rate of gastroschisis was observed in the mid-1970s, but no temporal trend has been observed since that time. In light of recent reports of an increasing prevalence of gastroschisis in the United States, continued monitoring of this birth defect is warranted.     

Secular rates and correlates for gastroschisis in California (1968-1977)

This study reports on an epidemiological investigation of gastroschisis using birth certificate data from California for the period of 1968-1977. Gastroschisis has been reported to be on the increase in a number of countries. The distribution of the 166 California gastroschisis cases reported during this time period indicated a clear upward secular trend (P less than .001) with the rate per 1,000 increasing from .006 in 1968 to .089 by 1977. This secular trend was observed in every maternal age group and for gravidity level 1. Gastroschisis also occurred more frequently among younger mothers (P less than .001) and low gravidity mothers (P less than .001). Omphalocele, another eventration defect, was also examined but did not display an upward secular trend.     

Epidemiology,Evolution, and Recent Outbreaks of Avian Influenza Virus in China

Novel reassortants of H7N9, H10N8, and H5N6 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are currently circulating in China''s poultry flocks, occasionally infecting humans and other mammals. Combined with the sometimes enzootic H5N1 and H9N2 strains, this cauldron of genetically diverse AIVs pose significant risks to public health. Here, we review the epidemiology, evolution, and recent outbreaks of AIVs in China, discuss reasons behind the recent increase in the emergence of novel AIVs, and identify warning signs which may point to the emergence of a potentially virulent and highly transmissible AIV to humans. This review will be useful to authorities who consider options for the detection and control of AIV transmission in animals and humans, with the goal of preventing future epidemics and pandemics.     

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysmectomy, 1968-1969—A Review of Recent Experience of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group

Seventy-three aneurysmectomies were done in the two-year period 1968-1969 for a Health Plan population of 771,000. The mortality in the elective cases was nine percent and in the emergency cases 44 percent. An analysis of the complications and causes of death reveals them to be essentially the same as reported by others. Bleeding and myocardial infarction are the two most common causes of death in emergency operations. Pneumonia and urinary tract infections are the most common complications in successful cases.Comparison of this report of recent experience with reports of cumulative series is difficult. The morbidity and mortality reported here is felt to be representative of current practice.     

禽流感病毒感染鸽的流行病学与致病机理研究进展

禽流感病毒(Avian influenza virus,AIV)不仅严重危害禽类,而且对人类生命健康造成严重威胁。鸽作为留鸟,具有作为AIV从野生鸟类传播至人类中间宿主的潜能。鸽对AIV的易感性以及在病毒传播中的作用却存在争议。通过分析AIV自然感染、人工感染鸽的流行病学以及实验研究数据,同时回顾了禽流感病毒感染鸽的机制,发现随着病毒的进化和时间的推移,鸽群AIV的感染率也在递增;尤其随着近年具有双受体结合特性的高致病性禽流感病毒(highly pathogenic avian influenza virus,HPAIV)clade2.3.4.4分支H5Nx毒株的出现,其感染鸽后排毒量上升以及鸽体间直接接触传播能力增强。为了有效防控AIV的跨种间传播,有必要加强对鸽感染AIV的流行病学监测和传播特性的研究,特别需要密切关注具双受体结合特性的H5Nx和H7N9 HPAIV对鸽易感性的发展趋势。