ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are several reports on outbreaks of V. paraphaemolyticus enteritis, however, these are only complicated cases or microbiologic surveillance in marine environment. We experienced an outbreak associated with eating flavored crabs and investigated the magnitude of the outbreak on a large scale located in Inchon. METHOD: We took medical history and stool cultures from patients with diarrhea, visited the Inha University Hospital from September 14 to September 30, 1998. Pulsed-field gel electrophereis of isolates from stool culture performed to identify the relation. We counted the number of diarrheal patients visited the emergency rooms of 5 other general hospitals and 9 private clinics in Inchon from August 16 to September 30, 1998. We bought 6 crabs and 2 flavored crabs at a nearby market and cooked 6 crabs flavored at our hospital. Cultures from the flavored crabs stored at a refrigerator were done daily for consecutive 5 days. RESULTS: The outbreak began on September 5 and ended on September 29, 1998. The numbers of patients visiting ERs of 6 general hospitals and private clinics during outbreak were estimated 1,033 and 4,530, respectively. All 8 crabs revealed Vibrio spp., but identification up to species level was not possible. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of 12 isolates showed different patterns and suggested different sources. CONCLUSION: In 1998, an outbreak estimated more than 5,000 patients of V. parahaemolyticus enteritis occurred in Inchon, Korea. Because the magnitude of food-associated enteritis is enormous, that surpass the number which we assumed from clinical practice, early report and prompt investigation of such cases are necessary.
Subject(s)
Humans , Diarrhea , Disease Outbreaks , Eating , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field , Emergency Service, Hospital , Enteritis , Hospitals, General , Korea , Vibrio parahaemolyticus , VibrioABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is closely associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. We evaluated the reliability and usefulness of 73C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) for the detection of H. pylori infection and searched for the cut-off value of the test. METHOD : We investigated 45 patients, who underwent esophagoduodenoscopy with multiple biopsy specimens taken for culture, histology and rapid urease test, and 13C-UBT. Sensitivity and specificity of UBT were calculated against the combined biopsy-based test results. RESULT: Of 45 patients, 26 were found to be H. pylori-positive according to combined biopsy-based test-results. Sensitivity and specificity of the 13C-UBT were 100.0% and 89.5 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The urea breath test provides a simple and reliable and noninvasive method of assessing HL pylori infection status.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biopsy , Breath Tests , Gastritis , Helicobacter pylori , Helicobacter , Peptic Ulcer , Sensitivity and Specificity , Urea , UreaseABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is closely associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. We evaluated the reliability and usefulness of 73C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) for the detection of H. pylori infection and searched for the cut-off value of the test. METHOD : We investigated 45 patients, who underwent esophagoduodenoscopy with multiple biopsy specimens taken for culture, histology and rapid urease test, and 13C-UBT. Sensitivity and specificity of UBT were calculated against the combined biopsy-based test results. RESULT: Of 45 patients, 26 were found to be H. pylori-positive according to combined biopsy-based test-results. Sensitivity and specificity of the 13C-UBT were 100.0% and 89.5 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The urea breath test provides a simple and reliable and noninvasive method of assessing HL pylori infection status.