Ohio Department of Health

About: Ohio Department of Health is a government organization based out in Columbus, Ohio, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 308 authors who have published 354 publications receiving 14493 citations.

Update: Fusarium keratitis - United States, 2005-2006

Abstract: In April 2006, CDC reported on an ongoing multistate investigation of Fusarium keratitis occurring predominantly among contact lens wearers. This update summarizes epidemiologic developments in this investigation, which indicate an association with Bausch & Lomb's ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution.

Outbreak of Cutaneous Rhizopus arrhizus Infection Associated with Karaya Ostomy Bags

Abstract: BACKGROUND We investigated an outbreak involving 2 patients hospitalized at hospital A with cutaneous Rhizopus arrhizus (oryzae) infections of surgically created stomas. METHODS A cohort study involving all patients having ileostomy or colostomy surgery during the outbreak period (January-April 2005) was performed. Environmental samples, including samples obtained from nonsterile karaya (a plant-derived adhesive) ostomy bags and from select hospital areas, were collected. A point prevalence survey was conducted at 5 unrelated hospitals to assess stoma care practices and mold contamination of karaya ostomy bags outside of hospital A. Zygomycete isolates were identified by standard methods. RESULTS Infections occurred 7 and 10 days after operations for the 2 patients; 1 patient died. In a 21-patient cohort, receiving the equivalent of > or =0.5 mg/kg per day of prednisone during the week prior to the index date was associated with infection (infection rate, 33% for patients receiving > or =0.5 mg/kg per day of prednisone vs. 0% for patients receiving <0.5 mg/kg per day of prednisone; P=.07). The time to first ostomy bag change was longer for patients with infection (median duration, 8.5 days; range, 7-10 days) than for the 19 patients without infection (median duration, 1.5 days; range, 1-17 days; P=.08). At unrelated hospitals, the median time to first ostomy bag change was 2 days (range, 1-6 days) for 18 patients after ostomy. R. arrhizus was recovered from 10 of 18 karaya ostomy bags from hospital A and from karaya ostomy bags donated from 3 of 5 other hospitals, but it was not recovered from the hospital A environment. CONCLUSIONS The initial karaya ostomy bag was likely to be the source of Rhizopus infection, and prolonged exposure before the first ostomy bag change might have precipitated infection in these susceptible individuals. Karaya might contain opportunistic molds that can pose an infectious risk among susceptible persons.

National Outbreak of Type A Foodborne Botulism Associated With a Widely Distributed Commercially Canned Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Abstract: Foodborne botulism is a rare, neuroparalytic illness caused by consumption of a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria are found in the environment as dormant spores but can germinate and produce toxin in foods under permissive conditions of pH, water activity, anaerobic environment, and temperature. Human botulism is usually caused by toxin types A, B, or E, and, rarely, type F. BoNT binds irreversibly to the presynaptic membranes of peripheral neuromuscular and autonomic nerve junctions, causing a symmetric, descending flaccid paralysis. Death (<5% annually) occurs from respiratory muscle paralysis [1, 2]. Most cases of foodborne botulism in the United States are due to improperly handled (primarily home-preserved) foods [1–3]. Botulism attributed to commercially canned foods is rare. Proper commercial canning, owing to the controlled temperature and processing time, renders food commercially sterile (free of viable microorganisms, including those of public health significance such as spores of C. botulinum, capable of reproducing under normal nonrefrigerated conditions during storage and transport) [4]. A commercial canning process uses a closed vessel (known as a retort) to heat a product under pressure. Specific heating time and temperature in the retort depends on the product being sterilized. Manufacturers apply a code on all cans processed during a defined time period (sometimes described as a single retort), which identifies the production lot. During 1 week in July 2007, 4 cases of suspected botulism were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2 states (Texas and Indiana). Given the rarity of botulism in the continental United States, the appearance of 4 botulism cases in different geographic locations within the same week suggested that a distributed product could be involved. Until this outbreak, no US botulism cases were reported associated with underprocessing (failure to adequately sterilize) of commercial canned foods in >30 years [1]. We describe the investigation of this national foodborne botulism outbreak caused by a commercially canned product.

US Outbreak of Human Salmonella Infections Associated With Aquatic Frogs, 2008–2011

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Although amphibians are known Salmonella carriers, no such outbreaks have been reported. We investigated a nationwide outbreak of human Salmonella Typhimurium infections occurring predominantly among children from 2008 to 2011. METHODS: We conducted a matched case-control study. Cases were defined as persons with Salmonella Typhimurium infection yielding an isolate indistinguishable from the outbreak strain. Controls were persons with recent infection with Salmonella strains other than the outbreak strain and matched to cases by age and geography. Environmental samples were obtained from patients’ homes; traceback investigations were conducted. RESULTS: We identified 376 cases from 44 states from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2011; 29% (56/193) of patients were hospitalized and none died. Median patient age was 5 years (range CONCLUSIONS: ADFs were the source of this nationwide pediatric predominant outbreak. Pediatricians should routinely inquire about pet ownership and advise families about illness risks associated with animals.