Diphtheria among alcoholic urban adults: a decade of experience in Seattle

Article Abstract:

Diphtheria, once a common disease affecting the mucous membranes of the throat, has been reduced thanks to immunization of infants, but the disease still occurs in the form of a skin disease. There were three outbreaks of diphtheria causing a total of 1,100 infections in Seattle between 1972 and 1982. Eighty-six percent of the infections involved the skin and 14 percent affected the nasopharynx. The outbreaks occurred among alcoholic adults who were living in Seattle's Skid Row, and affected Native Americans primarily. Diphtheria is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae and the outbreaks were traced to three different strains of the bacteria, intermedius, mitis, and gravis. Another bacterium, Streptococcus pyogenes, was isolated from 73 percent of the lesions caused by diphtheria and 41 percent of nondiphtherial lesions. Complications occurred in 21 percent of the infections of the nasopharynx but in only 3 percent of the skin infections caused by the strain intermedius. The complications occurred more frequently in individuals who were over 60. The antibiotic erythromycin was used to treat the diphtheria and pyodermas, but the bacteria which caused the diphtheria became resistant to erythromycin. The outbreaks of cutaneous diphtheria were associated with poor hygiene of the alcoholics, underlying skin disease, seasonal occurrence (with peaks in the winter and spring), high rates of environmental contamination such as contaminated fomites (objects, such as dirty clothing, that contain the bacteria), co-infection with Streptococcus pyogenes and the emergence of new strains of bacteria which were resistance to erythromycin. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects, Native Americans, Native North Americans, Seattle, Washington, Alcoholics, Diphtheria, Seattle, Actinomycetales infections

---

Assessment of a retrovirus sequence and other possible risk factors for the chronic fatigue syndrome in adults

Article Abstract:

Human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II), a type of retrovirus, may not cause chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). CFS is a disorder characterized by chronic lethargy and fatigue. A study compared the occurrence of the HTLV-II gag gene sequence, an alleged laboratory marker for HTLV-II infection, in the blood of 21 patients with CFS to that among 63 healthy individuals. The HTLV-II gag gene sequence was not detected in the blood of the patients with CFS or any of the healthy individuals. The prevalence of risk factors for retrovirus infection was not higher among patients with CFS than among individuals without CFS. Risk factors for retrovirus infection include blood transfusions, an increased number of sexual partners, bisexual or homosexual behavior and intravenous drug use. Patients were more likely to have a family member or roommate suffering from CFS or to have a history of allergies than individuals without CFS.

Risk factors, Retroviruses, Chronic fatigue syndrome, HTLV-II (Virus)

---

Use of prescription weight loss pills by U.S. adults in 1996-1998

Article Abstract:

About 4.6 million Americans took a prescription diet pill between 1996 and 1998, according to researchers who surveyed 139,779 adults. About half were not overweight when they began taking the drugs.

Statistical Data Included, Usage, Appetite depressants

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Excretion of arsenic in urine as a function of exposure to arsenic in drinking water. Arsenic concentrations in well water and risk of bladder and kidney cancer in Finland
• Abstracts: Primary autonomic failure: three clinical presentations of one disease?
• Abstracts: Trends in smoking initiation among adolescents and young adults - United States, 1980-1989. Cluster of HIV-Infected Adolescents and Young Adults--Mississippi, 1999
• Abstracts: Firing lines: automatic fire doors. Fire safety in the future. Fire extinguishers use survey
• Abstracts: A randomized study of closure of the peritoneum at cesarean delivery. Paternal and maternal components of the predisposition to preeclampsia

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.