scholarly journals Epidemiological analysis of the Eyam plague outbreak of 1665–1666

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1830) ◽  
pp. 20160618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilith K. Whittles ◽  
Xavier Didelot
Keyword(s):  
Compartmental Model ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Human History ◽  
Epidemiological Analysis ◽  
Force Of Infection ◽  
Infection Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
The Village

Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis , is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in human history, and still causes worrying outbreaks in Africa and South America. Despite the historical and current importance of plague, several questions remain unanswered concerning its transmission routes and infection risk factors. The plague outbreak that started in September 1665 in the Derbyshire village of Eyam claimed 257 lives over 14 months, wiping out entire families. Since previous attempts at modelling the Eyam plague, new data have been unearthed from parish records revealing a much more complete record of the disease. Using a stochastic compartmental model and Bayesian analytical methods, we found that both rodent-to-human and human-to-human transmission played an important role in spreading the infection, and that they accounted, respectively, for a quarter and three-quarters of all infections, with a statistically significant seasonality effect. We also found that the force of infection was stronger for infectious individuals living in the same household compared with the rest of the village. Poverty significantly increased the risk of disease, whereas adulthood decreased the risk. These results on the Eyam outbreak contribute to the current debate on the relative importance of plague transmission routes.

The Iron Biology Status of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients May be a Risk Factor for Development of Infectious Peritonitis

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwh Aldriwesh ◽  
Noura Al-Dayan ◽  
Jonathan Barratt ◽  
Primrose Freestone
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Stress Hormones ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysate ◽  
Susceptibility To Infection ◽  
Infection Risk Factors

Background Infectious peritonitis is a clinically important condition contributing to the significant mortality and morbidity rates observed in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Although some of the socioeconomic risk factors for PD-associated peritonitis have been identified, it is still unclear why certain patients are more susceptible than others to infection. Methods We examined the molecular components of human peritoneal dialysate (HPD) in an attempt to identify factors that might increase patient susceptibility to infection. Characterization studies were performed on initial and follow-up dialysate samples collected from 9 renal failure patients on PD. Results Our in vitro data showed that peritonitis-causing bacteria grew differently in the patient dialysates. Proteomic analysis identified an association between transferrin presence and infection risk, as peritoneal transferrin was discovered to be iron-saturated, which was in marked contrast to transferrin in blood. Further, use of radioactive iron-labeled transferrin showed peritoneal transferrin could act as a direct iron source for the growth of peritonitis-causing bacteria. We also found catecholamine stress hormones noradrenaline and adrenaline were present in the dialysates and were apparently involved in enhancing the growth of the bacteria via transferrin iron provision. This suggests the iron biology status of the PD patient may be a risk factor for development of infectious peritonitis Conclusions Collectively, our study suggests transferrin and catecholamines within peritoneal dialysate may be indicators of the potential for bacterial growth in HPD and, as infection risk factors, represent possible future targets for therapeutic manipulation.

scholarly journals Assessment of fomites and infection risk to seniors in recreational curling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Spicer ◽  
BCIT School of Health Sciences, Environmental Health ◽  
Helen Heacock
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Enteric Disease ◽  
Health Promotion And Education ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Risk Of Disease

Background: Seniors participate in sports to improve physical, mental, and social health; however, such activities may increase the risk of illness and injury. Curling is popular in this age group because it is physically manageable, strategic, and provides social connection. Certain factors in curling such as handshaking, play during the flu season, and shared contact with curling stones suggest an increased risk of disease transmission. The purpose of this study was to determine the qualitative risk of communicable enteric disease transmission due to shared contact with curling stone handles in a senior men’s curling league. Methods: 3M™ Quick Swabs were used to sample 22 curling stone handles for total coliforms before a senior’s league game. To analyze microbial shedding during gameplay, the same 22 handles were sampled after the game. Samples were plated on 3M™ Petrifilm™ Coliform Count Plates and incubated at 30ºC ± 1ºC for 24 hours ± 2 hours. Colonies were enumerated in units of CFU (colony forming units)/cm2. Ambient and handle surface temperatures were measured, and curler hygiene-related behaviours documented. Results: Total coliform counts for all samples were 0 CFU/cm2. The ambient temperature was 6.6°C pre-game, and 8.0°C post-game. Mean handle surface temperature was 3.6°C. Hygiene behaviours of concern were hand-face contact, handkerchief/tissue use, and handshaking. Conclusion: There is low risk of enteric disease transmission due to shared contact with curling stone handles by male curlers 55 years and older. Absence of coliforms may have been due to adequate player hygiene, transference of microbial load before sampling, error, or environmental conditions. Health promotion and education can reduce the infection risk elevated by poor hand hygiene, face contact, and handshaking in senior’s curling, thereby protecting the health and welfare of all participants.

Risk Factors for Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in the Era of Prevention Bundles

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devin Callister ◽  
Pauline Limchaiyawat ◽  
Samantha J. Eells ◽  
Loren G. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Hemodynamic Monitoring ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Central Line ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Infect Control Hosp ◽  
Infection Risk Factors ◽  
Independent Risk Factors

Little is known about central line–associated bloodstream infection risk factors in the bundle era. In our case-control investigation, we found that independent risk factors for central line–associated bloodstream infection at our center included the number of recent lab tests, catheter duration, and lack of hemodynamic monitoring as the insertion indication.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0): 1–3

Leptospira spp. in horses in southern Brazil: Seroprevalence, infection risk factors, and influence on reproduction

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 101552
Author(s):  
Aleksandro S. Da Silva ◽  
Antonise M. Jaguezeski ◽  
Isadora Fabris Laber ◽  
Ana Eucares von Laer ◽  
Luciane T. Lovato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Leptospira Spp ◽  
Infection Risk Factors
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