Characteristics and trends in the development of an epidemic process of Sonne and Flexner dysentery among preschool children

The results of studies indicate that the morbidity rates of dysentery among children attending preschool institutions and children brought up at home converged in recent years. This phenomenon was most pronounced among children of the kindergarten age group. At the same time dysentery caused by Sh. sonnei and Sh. flexnery produced a higher morbidity rate among children attending nursery in comparison with that among children of the same age group brought up at home. Group infections in preschool institutions were caused by Sh. sonnei in 89.1% of cases and by Sh. flexneri in 10.9% of cases. Outbreaks due to the transfer of infection through everyday contacts were observed only in dysentery caused by Sh. sonnei, constituting 71.4% of the total number of dysentery outbreaks.     

Epidemiological assessment of the health and nutrition of Ethiopian refugees in emergency camps in Sudan, 1985.

The findings from epidemiological data that were collected from emergency camps for Ethiopian refugees during a mass influx of refugees into Eastern Sudan in 1985 are presented. An overall mortality of 8.9 per 10,000 a day was recorded during February 1985, and in children under 5 years of age the rate was 22 per 10,000 a day. The estimated prevalence of malnutrition (calculated as less than 80% of the reference weight for height) ranged from 32% to 52% among children of preschool age. The principal causes of morbidity and mortality were measles, diarrhoea and dysentery, respiratory infections, and malaria. The findings suggest that malnutrition and disease increased in these refugees after they arrived in the camps. Epidemiological assessment is essential to help to maintain the health and nutrition of refugees in emergency camps.     

Morphofunctional Maturation of Preschool Children during Early Systematic Education

Experimental physiological, psychological, and hygienic longitudinal studies were carried out with children who began systematic developing education in the first childhood period (from 4 years) at preschool educational institutions. The results enabled the authors to evaluate the course of biological development at the fifth and sixth years of life. A two-year period at a preschool gymnasium or a kindergarten (teaching and upbringing complex) did not have a negative impact on the development of the children or their health. Developing lessons with their intellectual and static loads caused a notable fatigue in the children. The most manifest functional tension was found in the children with some developmental lag, mainly boys, whose development is delayed as compared to girls.     

Role of carriers of the hepatitis B surface antigen as possible sources of infection in children's collectives

The complex clinico-epidemiological and laboratory surveys of the children and the staff in 71 institutions for children of preschool age were made at the period of increased viral hepatitis morbidity in these institutions, and the dynamic observations of 11 children's institutions having children with prolonged HBs-antigenemia were carried out. In the foci of viral hepatitis the level of antigenemia in the children and the staff exceeded (p less than 0.01) that in the control group. The dynamic observations (lasting up to 6 years) of the groups containing HBsAg-carriers revealed that 6 children, previously HBsAg-negative, showed a short-term HBs-antigenemia in the absence of any evidence of the parenteral (instrumental) route of infection. This fact indicates that the role of HBsAg-carriers as the possible sources contributing to the transfer of hepatitis B through everyday contacts in children's institutions cannot be ruled out. Periodic clinico-epidemiological and laboratory surveys of groups with HBsAg-carriers are recommended.     

Basic measures for prevention of the epidemiological consequences of a natural disaster in the North Caucasus in 2002

The system of organizational and prophylactic measures, carried out with a view to prevent epidemiological aggravations in connection with the natural calamity in the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation in 2003, is described. Proposals on the improvement of the system of preventive measures, including the monitoring of the epidemiological, sanitary and hygienic situation, personnel training, technical provision, the cooperation of different services and departments, capable of ensuring the liquidation of the consequences of emergency situations of the natural character, are made.     

Epidemiology of bacillary dysentery in Algeria. II. The seasonality of dysentery

Morbidity rises during the period of summer and autumn are characteristic of bacterial dysentery in Algeria. During the last 18 years no essential changes in the seasonal character of bacterial dysentery were observed in the country taken as a whole. However, in different climatic and geographical zones of the country the seasonal character of dysentery greatly varies from one zone to another and essentially differs from the seasonal character of dysentery morbidity, typical of the country as a whole for many years. The most pronounced manifestations of seasonal rises are observed in the Sahara zone. The seasonal character of dysentery is formed mainly by morbidity among patients belonging to 3 age groups. The seasonal rises of dysentery can be probably explained by the complex of social and climatic factors, as well as by the biological features of the causative agents of this disease.     

Current methods of intraspecies typing of Shigella sonnei. 3. Bacteriophage typing]

Data are presented concerning the study of the phage type of Sh. sonnei isolated in various regions of the USSR. The strains isolated belonged to 64 phage types corresponding to the Hammarstr?m's scheme. A variety of Shigella sonnei phage types both in one and in different territories of the country provided future prospects for successful use of phage typing for the purpose of epidemiological supervision and analysis of dysentery morbidity.     

Prodigiozan aerosols in the treatment of nonspecific respiratory organ diseases in children]

High efficacy of prodigiozan, a bacterial polysaccharide used in the form of inhalation in combined therapy of 123 children at the age of 3 to 14 with nonspecific bronchopulmonary pathologic conditions was shown. The drug was administered by means of inhalators UI-I and PAI-I once every 4--5 days in the form of 0.02 per cent solution prepared in situ. The single and the course doses were 100--400 and 300--2000 micrograms respectively. The positive therapeutic effect was observed in 85.0 per cent of the patients: improvement of the patient state was registered 4--6 days earlier than that in the control group, the indices of the respiration mechanics and nonspecific immunity (titers of lysozyme and complement) also improved. The rate of viral respiratory diseases among the children treated with prodigiozan decreased 2.5 times. High efficacy and physiological character of the aerosol method for administration of prodigiozan used the the first time in pediatry provided its recommendation for wide use.     

The prevalence of head louse infestation among urban and rural children in Korea

The prevalence of head louse (Pediculus hamanus var. capitis) infestation in preschool and school children in 9 urban and 8 rural areas of Korea, was investigated. Of 11,865 children who were examined for head lice and nits, 2,900(24.4%) were found infested. The over-all infestation rate of rural children, 58.9%, was higher than that of urban children, 14.4%. There also existed significant differences in the infestation rate among various regions of urban as well as rural areas. Females were more infested than males. But there was no differences in infestation rate in either sex of preschool age. The infestation rate increased gradually from the age of 6, reached a plateau between 9-12 years of age and thereafter slowly decreased. The infestation rate of an orphanage children was higher than that of general childhood population. Health education and mass-delousing attempt are urgently required to lower such a high prevalence of head louse infestation in Korea.     

Epidemiologic and clinical features of infectious hepatitis in children against a background of massive prevention of the disease with microdoses of gamma-globulin]

The authors analyzed epidemiological and clinical peculiarities of infectious hepatitis in children aged under 11 years in conditions of mass-gamma-globulin prophylaxis in microdoses the last 5 years in Voronezh. It appeared that the incidence of the disease fell and that its clinical course became milder. In connection with reduction of the incidence of infectious hepatitis in the age group of under 10 years, the incidence of the disease was relatively higher in children aged from 10 to 14 years, with a tendency to levelling-out the periodic autumno-winter elevations among preschool children. Introduction of decreased gamma-globulin dose for hepatitis prophylaxis led to a lesser expenditure of the preparation and thus permitted to vaccinate more children.     

Course of dysentery and the specific alteration of the neutrophils in children in the use of monomycin and a diet with an increased protein content]

Acute dysentery mainly due to Shigella sonnei and dynamics of the neutrophil damage index (NDI) of the blood were studied in 80 children at the age of 1 to 14. 20 children (group 1) were treated with monomycin under conditions of a diet with an excessive content of protein (by 25% higher than the physiological norm). 60 children or 3 groups of 20 children each were not subject to such conditions and were considered as control groups. Reduction in the time of recovery (by 4 days) and bacteriological sanation (by 6 days) of the convalescents in the 1st group decreased as compared to that in the control groups. The test for the NDI of the blood was close in all the groups. It was concluded that an excessive protein content in the diet increased the efficacy of monomycin therapy in dysentery children. It is recommended that the diet with an excessive protein content be used in monomycin treatment of dysentery children.     

Epidemiology of bacillary dysentery in Algeria. I. The epidemiological aspects of dysentery in Algeria

Bacterial dysentery plays an important role among infectious diseases in Algeria. A tendency to the growth of the morbidity rate has been observed. Dysentery is irregularly spread in different zones of the country. The highest morbidity rate is registered in the Sahara zone and in the eastern part of the country. The morbidity rate among the urban population is higher than among the rural population. S. flexneri prevail in the etiological structure of dysentery infection. Of all age groups, the highest morbidity rate is observed among children during the first 2 years of life. In recent years lethality varies between 2.9% and 7.5%. Patients are hospitalized mainly on the basis of clinical symptoms.     

Cultural and national differences in the epidemiology of behavior problems of preschool children

Results from two epidemiological surveys, one British and the other American, examining the prevalence of behavior problems in preschool children are compared. Using the same interview technique, prevalence rates were found to be similar despite national, cultural and demographic differences. These surveys constitute the first stage in projects to examine the causes and persistence of childhood psychiatric disorder arising during the preschool years. The relevance of this work to anthropology is discussed.     

Update on the Mapping of Prevalence and Intensity of Infection for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Call for Action

It is estimated that in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) at least 13.9 million preschool age and 35.4 million school age children are at risk of infections by soil-transmitted helminths (STH): Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). Although infections caused by this group of parasites are associated with chronic deleterious effects on nutrition and growth, iron and vitamin A status and cognitive development in children, few countries in the LAC Region have implemented nationwide surveys on prevalence and intensity of infection. The aim of this study was to identify gaps on the mapping of prevalence and intensity of STH infections based on data published between 2000 and 2010 in LAC, and to call for including mapping as part of action plans against these infections. A total of 335 published data points for STH prevalence were found for 18 countries (11.9% data points for preschool age children, 56.7% for school age children and 31.3% for children from 1 to 14 years of age). We found that 62.7% of data points showed prevalence levels above 20%. Data on the intensity of infection were found for seven countries. The analysis also highlights that there is still an important lack of data on prevalence and intensity of infection to determine the burden of disease based on epidemiological surveys, particularly among preschool age children. This situation is a challenge for LAC given that adequate planning of interventions such as deworming requires information on prevalence to determine the frequency of needed anthelmintic drug administration and to conduct monitoring and evaluation of progress in drug coverage.     

Schistosoma mansoni Infections in Young Children: When Are Schistosome Antigens in Urine,Eggs in Stool and Antibodies to Eggs First Detectable?

Background

In Uganda, control of intestinal schistosomiasis with preventive chemotherapy is typically focused towards treatment of school-aged children; the needs of younger children are presently being investigated as in lakeshore communities very young children can be infected. In the context of future epidemiological monitoring, we sought to compare the detection thresholds of available diagnostic tools for Schistosoma mansoni and estimate a likely age of first infection for these children.

Methods and Findings

A total of 242 infants and preschool children (134 boys and 108 girls, mean age 2.9 years, minimum 5 months and maximum 5 years) were examined from Bugoigo, a well-known disease endemic village on Lake Albert. Schistosome antigens in urine, eggs in stool and host antibodies to eggs were inspected to reveal a general prevalence of 47.5% (CI₉₅ 41.1–54.0%), as ascertained by a positive criterion from at least one diagnostic method. Although children as young as 6 months old could be found infected, the average age of infected children was between 3¼–3¾ years, when diagnostic techniques became broadly congruent.

Conclusion

Whilst different assays have particular (dis)advantages, direct detection of eggs in stool was least sensitive having a temporal lag behind antigen and antibody methods. Setting precisely a general age of first infection is problematic but if present Ugandan policies continue, a large proportion of infected children could wait up to 3–4 years before receiving first medication. To better tailor treatment needs for this younger ageclass, we suggest that the circulating cathodic antigen urine dipstick method to be used as an epidemiological indicator.     

Serological survey of measles in Yemen in 1985

The HI assay for measles was used to evaluate the sera of 191 children of preschool age (1-6 ys) from five regions of South Yemen: highland, coastal, Vadi Hadramot, the agricultural area Abijan and the capital city Aden. The serum positivity rate was 47.5% in 1-2-year-old children, 75.5% in 3 year-old and 88.5% in 4-6 year-old children. The geometric mean of HI titres was 4.8 log2 in preschool children. An optimal strategy of vaccination against measles in Yemen is discussed.     

Prevention of acute enteric infections and viral hepatitis A in the Krasnodar Territory appearing in connection with a natural disaster in 2002

Materials on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Krasnodar Territory in connection with emergency situations (intensive snowfalls, heavy showers, high floods) in 2002 are presented. The scope of the destruction of the systems ensuring the life provision of the population in the affected regions of the territory is shown. To carry out the epidemiological surveillance on acute enteric infections, to make corrections of the planned prophylactic measures, as well as the timely solutions of problems connected with controlling the epidemiological situation, the daily monitoring of the level and dynamics of infectious morbidity in individual settlements among different age and professional groups, as well as the foci of infections, was established. 65 cases of acute enteric infection and 4 cases of viral hepatitis A were registered in the affected areas, which did not exceed the average morbidity figures for many years. A complex of sanitary, hygienic and prophylactic measures was carried out by the sanitary and epidemiological service of the territory, which made it possible to maintain human morbidity in acute enteric infections and viral hepatitis A in the affected areas on the sporadic level.     

Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey

Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendency of high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conduct a head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, crosssectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical examination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%) with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children with mothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and sociocultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health of preschool age children.     

Schistosomiasis in African infants and preschool children: to treat or not to treat?

The occurrence of schistosomiasis in African infants and preschool children has been largely overlooked, with preventive chemotherapy usually focused on school-aged children instead. Two recent surveys by Bosompem et al. and Odogwu et al. have shown that schistosomiasis in younger children is much more common than previously thought. This article highlights the importance of the disease in this age group and discusses the future prospects for schistosomiasis control.     

Conditions and factors determining the etiological structure of dysentery and its changes. Report 1. Epidemiological theory of etiological selectivity of the main (primary) pathways of infection and their differences in various nosological forms of dysentery]

The authors present the elaborated and formed epidemiological theory ("conformity theory") according to which the etiological structure of dysentery is determined by the etiological selectivity of the main (primary) waves of transmission of the infection differing in various nosological forms of dysentery. In Grigoriev-Shiga dysentery the domestic way of the spread of infection plays the main role, in Flexner and Newcastle dysentery--the water way, and in Sonne dysentery--the food way (particularly through the milk). Evolution of the etiological structure of dysentery serves as the reflection of evolution of the principal ways of transmission. The complex of prophylactic and antiepidemic measures in individual noslogical forms of dysentery should be differentiated and be directed in epidemiological sense to the neutralization of the corresponding main (primary) way of transmission of the infection.