Psittacosis in Manitoba

Paired blood specimens submitted to the Virus Laboratory, between January and September 1970, from 200 patients with a lower respiratory tract infection were examined for antibodies to the psittacosis-human pneumonitis group antigen. A high static titre of antibodies was found in four patients and a rising titre in three. The illness varied in the seven patients, tending to be severe, chronic and recurrent. All patients recovered following a course of antibiotic therapy which was repeated in four; treatment tended to be inadequate since the diagnosis of psittacosis was made retrospectively. The likely source of the infection in four of the patients was budgerigars, in one it was pigeons, in one it was a canary as well as a pigeon, and in one the source was not identified. Two additional patients had a fairly high static titre of antibodies to the psittacosis-human pneumonitis antigen but were excluded from this report since they showed a diagnostic increase in antibodies to a respiratory virus during the course of their illness; both patients had an avian contact and are being followed up.     

Giardiasis and other intestinal parasitic infections in a Manitoba residential school for the mentally retarded.

A case of severely symptomatic giardiasis in a school for the mentally retarded prompted an epidemiologic survey of the institution. The rate of parasitic infection in the children were just under 50%. Multiple infections were common and one child harboured five different protozoa. The yield included known pathogens (Giardia lamblia, Metorchis conjunctus and Diphyllobothrium sp.), protozoa of potential pathogenicity (Dientamoeba fragilis) and other protozoa, the significance of which has yet to be determined. The prevalence of G. lamblia in the index ward was significantly higher than in a control ward matched for age and mobility of the children. The epidemiologic data suggested person-to-person transmission of G. lamblia within the institution. Recommendations for the control of protozoal intestinal infections in custodial institutions are presented.     

Breast-feeding promotion in Manitoba. Committee on Breast-feeding,Manitoba Pediatric Society.

During the International Year of the Child the Manitoba Pediatric Society undertook professional and public education activities to promote breast-feeding in that province. The objective was a 100% increase in the proportion of mothers who breast-fed their infants for 2 months or longer. Surveys conducted before and after the campaign showed no significant increase in the rate of breast-feeding either at the time of hospital discharge or 2 months later. The infants of Winnipeg residents were more likely to be breast-fed than those of women living on Indian reservations or in any other part of the province (termed "rural"). The rate of bottle-feeding was significantly greater among infants of young unmarried mothers. Future programs to promote breast-feeding should be longer and more intensive, should be directed to the young, to rural residents and to Indian women, and should focus on social and emotional factors as well as nutrition and health benefits.