Human T-lymphotropic virus type II among Guaymi Indians - Panama

Article Abstract:

The Guaymi Indians of Changuinola in western Panama seem to be infected with the human T-lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-II) at a higher rate than other residents of Panama. HTLV-II infects T-cells (cells of the immune system), and is mainly associated with intravenous (IV) drug users and their sexual partners. A survey of 254 Guaymi Indians in Panama found that infection with HTLV-II increased with age; 15% of individuals over 30 years of age were infected with HTLV-II. Individuals infected with HTLV-II were more likely to have had more than one marriage or to have lived with more than one partner. Infected individuals were also more likely to be infected with herpes simplex virus, compared with uninfected individuals. Infection with HTLV-II among the Guaymi Indians was not associated with IV injections, blood transfusions or tattoos. HTLV-II has not been associated with any diseases, but HTLV-I may cause leukemia or lymphoma. Little is known about the transmission of HTLV-I and HTLV II, but they may be transmitted in blood fluids that contain infected T-cells. They appear to be sexually transmitted among the Guaymi Indians.

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, Central American native peoples, Native Central Americans, HTLV-II (Virus)

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Antibiotic Susceptibility Among Aerobic Gram-negative Bacilli in Intensive Care Units in 5 European Countries

Article Abstract:

Many bacteria that can infect critically ill patients are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Over a one-year period, researchers analyzed the drug resistance of 9,166 bacteria species isolated from 7,308 patients in intensive care units in Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Resistance to many commonly used antibiotics was most common in Portuguese ICUs followed by French, Spanish, Belgian, and Swedish ICUs. In all five countries, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most likely to be resistant. Other resistant species included Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Klebsiella.

Europe, Surveys, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Microbial drug resistance, Intensive care units

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Illness Among Gulf War Veterans

Article Abstract:

Physicians need to take the symptoms of Persian Gulf veterans seriously and treat them even though no specific cause has yet been found. Many Gulf War veterans report fatigue, muscle and joint pain, memory loss and headaches. A 1998 study found that many Gulf War veterans had these symptoms but so did 15% of veterans who did not participate in the Gulf War. The Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (PAC) found no link between symptoms and exposure to vaccines, pesticides, pyridostigmine bromide, chemical and biological warfare agents, infectious diseases, depleted uranium, smoke from oil well fires, or petroleum products.

Editorial, Diseases, Persian Gulf War veterans, Persian Gulf syndrome

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