Showing papers by "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in 1976"
TL;DR: An epidemiological evaluation was undertaken by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to assess the magnitude and spectrum of neoplastic effects in workers exposed to VC.
Abstract: As early as 1930 the first adverse health effects of vinyl chloride (VC) were reported.' Since then, numerous observations and studies have indicated a wide range of toxicity attributable to the effects of VC on the central nervous system, the liver, the bones of the fingers, and the Lately, the spectrum of known toxic effects of VC broadened to include malignant neoplasms. Viola et al.," in 1971, reported the induction of tumors of the skin, lungs, and bones in rats exposed by inhalation to 30,000 ppm of VC for twelve months. However, widespread acceptance of the carcinogenic activity of VC did not occur until early in 1974 after the announcement of three cases of liver angiosarcoma among workers at a single VC polymerization facility in the U.S.A." About the same time, Maltoni reported the same cancerous hepatic effect in animals following exposure by inhalation to VC.13 Shortly thereafter, Maltoni and Lefemine l 4 and Keplinger et al.15 reported the induction of tumors of the brain, kidney, liver, lung, and lymphatic system in mice, rats, and hamsters exposed to VC by inhalation. Consequently, an epidemiological evaluation was undertaken by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to assess the magnitude and spectrum of neoplastic effects in workers exposed to VC. This study included industrial hygiene surveys, retrospective cohort analyses of mortality patterns, and histopathologic evaluation of tumors.
186 citations
TL;DR: Simplified schemes, using acceptable clinical laboratory techniques, are presented that either differentiate or categorize the pathologically important gram positive coccal species.
168 citations
TL;DR: Electron microscopy of purified La Crosse virus indicated that the virus particle is enveloped and possesses irregular surface projections (length, 10 nm) and the approximate number of protein molecules per virion has been determined.
Abstract: Preparations of La Crosse virus, a member of the California encephalitis group of bunyaviruses, were found to possess three major virion proteins. Two of the proteins were glycosylated (G1 and G2) and were located on the surface of the virus particles. These two glycoproteins were present in equimolar amounts and possessed apparent molecular weights of 120 X 10(3) and 34 X 10(3). Virion nucleocapsids, isolated by a nonionic detergent and salt treatment, contained another major protein, N (molecular weight = 23 X 10(3)). A large, but minor, protein species L (molecular weight = 180 X 10(3)) was also found in virus preparations. The approximate number of protein molecules per virion has been determined. Electron microscopy of purified La Crosse virus indicated that the virus particle (mean diameter, 91 nm) is enveloped and possesses irregular surface projections (length, 10 nm).
151 citations
TL;DR: Data suggest that E.E.T.C.A. is a common cause of adult diarrhea in Bangladesh while R.L.A., the reovirus-like agent responsible for diarrhea in children, was sudden in onset, shorter in duration, and caused pronounced dehydration.
137 citations
TL;DR: Results suggest that although the nucleocapsids appear as closed loops, the viral RNA has free 5' and 3' ends and is, therefore, not circular.
Abstract: La Crosse (LAC) virions purified by velocity and equilibrium gradient centrifugation contained three single-stranded RNA species The three segments had sedimentation coefficients of 31S, 25S, and 12S by sodium dodecyl sulfate-sucrose gradient centrifugation By comparison with other viral and cellular RNA species, the LAC viral RNAs had molecular weights of 29 x 10(6), 18 x 10(6), and 04 x 10(6) Phenol-sodium dodecyl sulfate-extracted LAC virion RNA was not infectious for BHK-21 cell cultures under conditions in which Sindbis viral RNA was infectious Treatment of LAC virus with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 and salt released three nucleocapsid structures, each containing one species of virion RNA The nucleocapsids had sedimenation coefficients of 115S, 90S, and 65S Negative-contrast electron microscopy of the nucleocapsids indicated that they were convoluted, supercoiled, and apparently circular They had a mean diameter of 10 to 12 nm and modal lengths of 200, 510, and 700 nm (some were even longer) By chemical and enzymatic analysis of purified viral RNA, one type of 5' nucleotide (pppAp) present in the proportion of one per RNA segment was identified After periodate oxidation, each virion RNA species was labeled by reduction with [3H]sodium borohydride Taken together, these results suggest that although the nucleocapsids appear as closed loops, the viral RNA has free 5' and 3' ends and is, therefore, not circular
136 citations
TL;DR: More information is needed about the epidemiology of group B streptococcal disease before appropriate and rational control measures can be recommended, as observations that 41% of colonized infants were born to culture-negative women and such infants became colonized later in their hospital stay than did Colonized infants born to colonized women.
Abstract: Group B streptococci are an important cause of infant septicemia and meningitis. A prospective study of group B streptococcal colonization in a 300-bed community hospital disclosed rates of 29% of 297 third-trimester women, 37% of 242 newborn infants, and 45% of 22 hospital personnel. Colonized parturients were more frequently black and anemic on admission for delivery. Infant colonization was statistically associated with a positive maternal genital culture, low birthweight, and prematurity. Nosocomial transmission of group B streptococci was strongly suggested by observations that 41% of colonized infants were born to culture-negative women and such infants became colonized later in their hospital stay than did colonized infants born to colonized women. Furthermore, hospital personnel working in the labor-delivery and nursery areas had a significantly higher prevalence of the organism than did personnel from other areas. Clearly, more information is needed about the epidemiology of group B streptococcal disease before appropriate and rational control measures can be recommended.
96 citations
TL;DR: The simultaneous effects of several variables on the secondary sex ratio have been examined using data from over 5,000,000 births which occurred in the United States during 1969-71 and the previously described negative association of birth order and sex ratio has been confirmed.
Abstract: The simultaneous effects of several variables on the secondary sex ratio have been examined using data from over 5,000,000 births which occurred in the United States during 1969-71. The previously described negative association of birth order and sex ratio has been confirmed. For legitimate and illegitimate births combined, maternal age and paternal age are unimportant factors once account is made of birth order. This pattern obtains for both blacks and whites. The sex ratio for legitimate and illegitimate births is equivalent but the fact of legitimacy or illegitimacy may affect the association of the ratio with birth order and the parental ages. Paternal education is not significantly related to the ratio, but the highest probability of a male birth is found among fathers with intermediate levels of attainment. Even though the association between sex ratio and order of birth is highly significant in the statistical sense, the proportion of male births changes less than 2% over the extreme values of birth order. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the association accounts for only a very minor (less than 10%) proportion of the total variation in the ratio.
91 citations
TL;DR: Compared with earlier reports, the observations suggest marked changes in cancer incidence among Alaska Natives over the past two decades, with declines in esophageal and invasive cervical cancers, and increases in cancers of the lung, colon and rectum.
Abstract: A survey of cancer incidence among Alaska Natives for the 5-year period 1969–73 revealed fewer cancer cases overall than expected in relation to US rates, but significantly increased risk for certain cancer sites: the nasopharynx in both sexes (with excesses over 15-fold), the liver in males, and the salivary glands, gallbladder, kidney and thyroid in females. Compared with earlier reports, the observations suggest marked changes in cancer incidence among Alaska Natives over the past two decades, with declines in esophageal and invasive cervical cancers, and increases in cancers of the lung, colon and rectum.
Incidence Du Cancer Chez Les Natifs De L'alaska
Une etude de l'incidence du cancer chez les natifs de l'Alaska pendant la periode quinquennale 1969–73 a revele un nombre global de cas de cancer moins eleve que prevu par rapport aux taux des Etats-Unis, mais un risque significativement accru pour certaines localisations: le nasopharynx pour les deux sexes (avec des taux au moins 15 fois plus eleves que la normale), le foie chez les hommes, et les glandes salivaires, la vesicule biliaire, les reins et la thyroide chez les femmes. Si l'on se refere a des rapports anterieurs, on constate que ces observations mettent en evidence de nettes modifications de l'incidence du cancer chez les natifs de l'Alaska depuis les vingt dernieres annees, avec une diminution des cancers de l'aesophage et des cancers invasifs du col de l'uterus, et une augmentation des cancers du poumon, du cǒlon et du rectum.
87 citations
TL;DR: Infections due to Serratia marcescens were studied in 23 different hospitals and strains from common-source outbreaks were generally sensitive to antibiotics.
85 citations
TL;DR: Examination of blood films from six species of rodents and lagomorphs on Nantucket Island disclosed infections with Babesia microti in all of five Microtus pennsylvanicus and 31 of 39 Peromyscus leucopus.
Abstract: Examination of blood films from six species of rodents and lagomorphs on Nantucket Island disclosed infections with Babesia microti in all of five Microtus pennsylvanicus (field mice) and 31 of 39 Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed or deer mice). Six human cases of clinical babesiosis have recently been diagnosed on the island.
79 citations
TL;DR: The first documented infection of a human being by Saksenaea vasiformis is described and identification problems are discussed that stem from the failure of this zygomycete to sporulate on the primary isolation media used in medical mycology.
Abstract: SUMMARY The first documented infection of a human being by Saksenaea vasiformis is described. Identification problems are discussed that stem from the failure of this zygomycete to sporulate on the primary isolation media used in medical mycology. The etiology of zygomycosis is critically reviewed and 10 species of zygomycetes classified in two orders and 6 genera are considered to be well authenticated as disease agents of humans.
TL;DR: Coronavirus 229E was grown to high titers in diploid fibroblast cells under medium containing twice the normal concentrations of amino acids and vitamins and identified by bromelin digestion as the spike proteins.
TL;DR: A laboratory investigation was conducted on cultures collected from travelers before, during, and after a trip to Mexico to characterize the etiology of traveler's diarrhea, and four laboratory methods for detecting enterotoxigenicity of Escherichia coli were evaluated: the infant mouse assay, the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), the Y1 adrenal cell assay, and the rabbit ileal loop.
Abstract: A laboratory investigation was conducted on cultures collected from travelers before, during, and after a trip to Mexico to characterize the etiology of traveler's diarrhea Four laboratory methods for detecting enterotoxigenicity of Escherichia coli were evaluated: the infant mouse assay, the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell assay, the Y1 adrenal cell assay, and the rabbit ileal loop Although a number of common enteric pathogens were identified as a cause of traveler's diarrhea, including six serotypes of Salmonella, two serotypes of Shigella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was most commonly isolated Strains were identified that produced only heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), only heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), or both LT and ST The infant mouse assay yielded results falling into two distinct groups, providing a clear separation of positive and negative cultures The CHO assay also formed two groups, with positive cultures producing 11% or more of the elongated cells There was good agreement between the CHO and the Y1 adrenal cell assays for detection of LT The adrenal cell system for detection of LT was more suitable than the CHO assay for processing large numbers of specimens because of the miniculture modification of this method utilized in this study The infant mouse method was a simple and reliable method for detecting ST
TL;DR: Six adolescent women with gonococcal cervicitis were examined and found to contain antibody of the IgA class to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, suggesting that the immune response generated in the genital tract was distinct from the systemic response.
Abstract: reduced by absorption with an antibody specific for "secretory piece." Similar treatment of serum samples produced no reduction in titers of antibody. The local response was most frequently characterized by the prompt development of a concentration of IgA antibody exceeding that detected in the serum; local IgA levels returned to normal rapidly after the infection was terminated by appropriate antibiotic therapy. In each case studied, the quantitative and chronological features of the local response differed from those observed in the serum, a finding suggesting that the immune response generated in the genital tract was distinct from the systemic response. The possible implications of these findings in the pathogenesis of gonococcal infections were considered. Gonorrhea in females is usually manifested as an infection of epithelial surfaces, most commonly the secretory epithelium of the uterine cervix, the fallopian tubes, the urethra, and the genital exocrine glands. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that such infections stimulate systemic antibody responses which are highly variable in intensity [1] and duration.' Furthermore, whereas antibody responses can usually be demonstrated in females, they are frequently not detected in males [1], in whom early treatment may abort or abrogate systemic antigenic stimulation. We have
TL;DR: The alert clinician who notifies his clinical laboratory colleagues that special isolation techniques are required to recover this organism from stool samples, and who submits mesenteric lymph nodes for bacteriologic examination in cases of Mesenteric adenitis, will aid attempts to further delineate the significance of this emerging pathogen in the United States.
TL;DR: It is postulated that these findings may indicate a more prominent function of the environment in the genesis of multiple malformations than is the case for single defects, the occurrence of which may be more strongly affected by non‐sporadic genetic factors.
Abstract: Summary
Racial variation in the incidence of several common congenital malformations has been studied in Atlanta, Georgia. The white-to-black incidence ratios were substantially different from unity for single defects, while approximate equality of rates was noted for multiple defects. Amongst the specific malformations for which familial data were available, affected first- and second-degree relatives were found only in the families of probands with single defects. It is postulated that these findings may indicate a more prominent function of the environment in the genesis of multiple malformations than is the case for single defects, the occurrence of which may be more strongly affected by non-sporadic genetic factors.
TL;DR: The ADCC mechanism can recognise viral surface antigens as early as 2 h after cells are infected with HSV and can produce target cell death by 3 h after infection, well in advance of the first appearance of both viral progeny and the susceptibility of infected cells to lysis by antibody and complement (AbC).
Abstract: TARGET cells acutely infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be destroyed by human blood mononuclear cells (MC) in the presence of IgG antibody to HSV1–3, a process termed antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The major effector cell which mediates this reaction is a K cell; it possesses surface Fc receptors which permit attachment to IgG antibody-sensitised target cells4–6, although the way in which the lethal hit is delivered is poorly understood. For an immune cytolytic mechanism to be maximally effective in limiting the spread of virus in a host, it should be able to destroy the infected cell at an early stage in the viral maturation cycle, before infectious viral progeny can be produced. This requirement seems to be of particular importance for viruses such as HSV, which can avoid exposure to the neutralising antibody in extracellular fluid by spreading from cell to cell across intercellular bridges7,8. In this report, we demonstrate that the ADCC mechanism can recognise viral surface antigens as early as 2 h after cells are infected with HSV and can produce target cell death by 3 h after infection (PI), well in advance of the first appearance of both viral progeny and the susceptibility of infected cells to lysis by antibody and complement (AbC).
TL;DR: A family study spanning four generations revealed a total of 10 members with antithrombin III deficiency, two teenage brothers with recurrent thromboembolic disease and five of the 10 affected family members have had thrombotic problems.
Abstract: Two teenage brothers with recurrent thromboembolic disease were found to have antithrombin III deficiency. A family study spanning four generations revealed a total of 10 members with antithrombin III deficiency. Five of the 10 affected family members have had thrombotic problems. Antithrombin III deficiency was documented by coagulation assays measuring heparin cofactor, anti-Factor Xa, and progressive antithrombin activity; the level of antithrombin III antigenic material measured by immunoelectrophoresis was low in subjects with abnormal coagulation assays. The clinical features which may lead one to suspect the hereditary hypercoagulable condition of antithrombin III deficiency are reviewed.
TL;DR: Judged from the data, the high rate of the transparent to opaque variation was not caused either by mutator effects or by the occurrence of extrachromosomal genes in these bacteria, but could have been due to selective mechanisms still incompletely understood.
Abstract: The results of drug susceptibility tests were found to be affected by changes that occur spontaneously in populations of Mycobacterium avium maintained in the laboratory. Because the transparent colony type variant was resistant to antituberculosis chemotherapeutic agents and the opaque colony type variant was usually susceptible to these agents, the transition of transparent to opaque colony type was investigated. The rate of the transition was found to be temperature dependent and, in agreement with a previous report, was found to be about 10 −4 to 10 −5 per generation at 37 C. Reversion was found to occur at a rate of 10 −6 to 10 −7 at 37 C. The mutation rate from susceptibility to resistance to rifampin, kanamycin, and erythromycin was about 10 −8 to 10 −9 mutations per bacterium per generation. Judged from our data, the high rate of the transparent to opaque variation was not caused either by mutator effects or by the occurrence of extrachromosomal genes in these bacteria, but could have been due to selective mechanisms still incompletely understood.
TL;DR: Pressure-transducer contamination, a frequently unappreciated but preventable cause of nosocomial bacteremia, can be minimized by sterilizing transducers between use on different patients by paying strict attention to aseptic technique when setting up, calibrating, and using monitoring systems.
TL;DR: Cutaneous abscesses at previous intravenous infusion sites occurred nine times, usually required surgical drainage, and were the most striking infections during the outbreak, and Scalp-vein needles appeared to provide a portal of entry of Serratia in colonized infants, predisposing them to abscess formation and bacteremia.
TL;DR: Data support the hypothesis that contact with blood is the primary mechanism of spread of hepatitis B in dialysis units, and suggest that, as preventive measures, gloves should be used and antibody-positive staff should dialyze antigen-positive patients.
Abstract: In the period January-September 1974, 50 cases of hepatitis B infection occurred among a nephrology center's hemodialysis patients and staff. The in-center patient population had an attack rate of 96%. Epidemiologic analysis of risk factors for patients revealed an association between the receipt of intravenous medication and the subsequent development of hepatitis, suggesting that parenteral inoculation was a mode of spread among patients (p equals .008). Nineteen per cent of the staff contracted hepatitis, and all of these personnel had had close contact with patients (p equals .005). The prevalence of hepatitis B infection in staff was related to the failure to use gloves (p less than .01), and accidental needle puncture was associated with the development of clinical hepatitis. These data suggested that disease was transmitted to staff by contact with contaminated blood or close personal contact with patients. Additional data showed that the presence of endogenous antibody protected both patients and staff from antigenemia (p equals .002). These data support the hypothesis that contact with blood is the primary mechanism of spread of hepatitis B in dialysis units, and suggest that, as preventive measures, gloves should be used and antibody-positive staff should dialyze antigen-positive patients.
TL;DR: Flagella of bacteria taken directly from 24- and 48-h blood agar plates can be stained by using a simple, reliable procedure.
Abstract: Flagella of bacteria taken directly from 24- and 48-h blood agar plates can be stained by using a simple, reliable procedure.
TL;DR: The results revealed resistance to griseofulvin of all the Prototheca isolates tested and an inhibitory effect on P. filamenta by high 5-fluorocytosine concentrations.
Abstract: Twenty isolates of Prototheca filamenta, Prototheca moriformis, Prototheca stagnora, Prototheca wickerhamii , and Prototheca zopfii were tested for in vitro susceptibility to five commonly used antifungal agents: amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, griseofulvin, miconazole, and nystatin. The results revealed resistance to griseofulvin of all the Prototheca isolates tested and an inhibitory effect on P. filamenta by high 5-fluorocytosine concentrations (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 12.5 to 100 μg/ml; minimal fungicidal or algacidal concentration [MFC/MAC] = 50 to 100 μg/ml). P. filamenta isolates were also susceptible to miconazole (MIC = 0.1 to 0.5 μg/ml, MFC/MAC = 0.5 to 1 μg/ml); isolates of the other Prototheca species varied in regard to miconazole activity from susceptible to resistant (MIC = 1 − >100 μg/ml, MFC/MAC = 5 − >100 μg/ml). The Prototheca isolates revealed an in vitro susceptibility to the polyene antifungal agents, amphotericin B, and nystatin (MIC = 0.09 to 3.12 μg/ml and 0.19 to 12.5 μg/ml, respectively; MFC/MAC = 0.19 to 25 μg/ml and 0.75 to 25 μg/ml, respectively).
TL;DR: Relative and absolute resistance to urethral and pharyngeal infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae persisted for up to two years in male chimpanzees parenterally immunized with a colony type 2 gonococcal antigen.
Abstract: Relative and absolute resistance to urethral and pharyngeal infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae persisted for up to two years in male chimpanzees parenterally immunized with a colony type 2 gonococcal antigen. Twelve additional adult males were immunized with either a colony type 1 gonococcal antigen or a sham diluent before being challenged with the immunizing isolate of N. gonorrhoeae. Serum specimens were obtained throughout the immunization procedure and tested for indirect fluorescent, bactericidal, microhemagglutinating, and complement-fixing antibody to the immunizing isolate of N. gonorrhoeae. The serological response measured by the indirect fluorescent antibody and serum bactericidal tests correlated most closely with the resistance of individual chimpanzees when they were challenged in the pharynx and urethra with graduated doses of N. gonorrhoeae one month after the last immunization. In this study, the resistance of the immunized chimpanzees to urethral infection with N. gonorrhoeae varied from one to greater than 1,000 times that of sham-injected controls.
TL;DR: A 62-year-old woman developed bubonic plague with an epitrochlear bubo one to two days after skinning two cottontail rabbits, the first documentation of plague infection in the actual rabbits to which the patient was exposed.
Abstract: A 62-year-old woman developed bubonic plague with an epitrochlear bubo one to two days after skinning two cottontail rabbits. The implicated rabbits were later recovered from the patient's freezer, and Yersinia pestis was isolated from marrows of both rabbits. Although human plague cases in the United States have occasionally been traced to exposure to wild rabbits, this is the first documentation of plague infection in the actual rabbits to which the patient was exposed. All reported cases of rabbit-associated plague in the United States were then reviewed. Eight cases were characterized by direct exposure to rabbit tissues. Seven of the eight cases occurred in adult males who had hunted rabbits during winter months in plague-endemic areas. These patients had upper extremity buboes, and the case-fatality ration for the group was 50%. Three other cases in which rabbit exposure was indirect or its role less clear, were also analyzed.
TL;DR: The data confirm the specific association between the e determinant and hepatitis B infections and indicate that e antigen is closely associated with evidence of chronic hepatic dysfunction, in contrast to the association of e antibody with hepatic normalcy in HBsAg carriers.
TL;DR: This case suggests the importance of bacteremia as a cause of such gram-negative infections in patients undergoing open-heart operation and suggests prevention of severe postoperative chest infections may depend in large part on careful preoperative evaluation of each patienc antibiotic regimens.
TL;DR: The distribution of serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from 40 infants with neonatal listeriosis is concerns and certain serotypes with the clinical syndromes of early and late onset are identified.