ABSTRACT
Introduction: Salmonellosis is an important public health problem. Turtles are increasingly involved in the role of transmitters of this infection to humans. Methods: Salmonella cases are reported to the local Surveillance Agency where interviews are carriedout to address possible exposures. Molecular epidemiology techniques were used to identify species. Results: In this article we report two examples of this type of infection in two places, 300 km apart in Spain. In Barcelona a turtle transmitted the disease to a small baby via her mother, and in Castellón 5 related cases of Salmonella infections were detected, and all were transmitted by imported turtles. Molecular epidemiology techniques confirmed the turtle-person transmissions and showed strong relationships between cases in Castellón and Barcelona. Discussion: These examples represent the tip of the iceberg of what is happening with pet reptiles as regards transmission of this infection. We believe that it is important to assess the impact of this type of infection in each country, in order to subsequently promote prevention strategies such as: regulations for pet shops, and educating/informing families who buy reptiles as pets (AU)
Introducción: La salmonelosis es un problema con un impacto importante en salud pública. Cada día es más importante el papel de las tortugas como transmisoras de esta enfermedad. Métodos: Los casos de salmonelosis son notiflcados a las Agencias de Vigilancia locales que realizan las encuestas pertinentes para valorar fuentes de exposición. Técnicas de epidemiologia molecular son utilizadas para identiflcar las especies. Resultados: En este artículo exponemos ejemplos de este tipo de transmisión en dos puntos de España que distan 300 km. En Barcelona una tortuga transmitió la enfermedad a un bebé a través de su madrey en Castellón se registraron cinco casos de infecciones por Salmonella, todos ellos provocados por el contacto con tortugas. La epidemiologia molecular permitió conflrmar la transmisión tortuga persona y así como una fuerte relación entre los casos de Barcelona y Castellón. Discusión: Estos ejemplos representan la punta del Iceberg en cuanto al papel de los reptiles en la transmisión de Salmonella. Creemos que evaluar el impacto de esta transmisión en los países es básico para poder aplicar y promover medidas preventivas. Normativas específlcas en los puntos de venta de reptiles así como información y educación de las familias que pretenden comprar un animal de este tipo podrían ser muy útiles para disminuir el impacto de esta transmisión (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Salmonella Infections/epidemiology , Salmonella paratyphi B/pathogenicity , Molecular Epidemiology/methods , Turtles , Zoonoses/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Communicable Disease Control/methodsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Salmonellosis is an important public health problem. Turtles are increasingly involved in the role of transmitters of this infection to humans. METHODS: Salmonella cases are reported to the local Surveillance Agency where interviews are carried out to address possible exposures. Molecular epidemiology techniques were used to identify species. RESULTS: In this article we report two examples of this type of infection in two places, 300 km apart in Spain. In Barcelona a turtle transmitted the disease to a small baby via her mother, and in Castellón 5 related cases of Salmonella infections were detected, and all were transmitted by imported turtles. Molecular epidemiology techniques confirmed the turtle-person transmissions and showed strong relationships between cases in Castellón and Barcelona. DISCUSSION: These examples represent the tip of the iceberg of what is happening with pet reptiles as regards transmission of this infection. We believe that it is important to assess the impact of this type of infection in each country, in order to subsequently promote prevention strategies such as: regulations for pet shops, and educating/informing families who buy reptiles as pets.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Pets/microbiology , Salmonella Infections/epidemiology , Salmonella enterica , Salmonella paratyphi B , Turtles/microbiology , Animals , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of asthma in schoolchildren from 6-7 years old to 14-15 years old and associated risk factors. POPULATION AND METHOD: A cohort study, with the ISAAC phases I and III in 1994 and 2002, respectively, was carried out in Castellón, and the nearby towns Vila-real, Almassora, Benicàssim, El Grau de Castelló, Borriol, and L'Alcora. In 1992, 3,607 schoolchildren aged 6-7 years old took part, of whom 1,805 were again studied in 2002, at the age of 14-15. New cases of asthma were defined following the ISAAC questionnaire. Poisson regression was used in the analysis of asthma risk factors. RESULTS: Participation was 50.0%. The cumulative incidence of asthma was 6.4% during the 8 years of study, 108 new cases of 1,698 schoolchildren free of asthma at beginning. Incidence was greater in boys than girls, and in 14-year old teenagers compared to 15-year olds, although differences were not significant. Risk factors associated with the incidence of asthma were: family history of asthma, history of allergic rhinitis, history of bronchitis and upper-middle compared to lower social class. CONCLUSIONS: A low incidence of asthma was found in schoolchildren from Castellón, Spain, in comparison with other cohort studies. Estimated risk factors were generally in accordance with incidence studies.
Subject(s)
Asthma/epidemiology , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Fundamento y objetivo: Estimar la incidencia de asma en escolares desde los 6-7 años hasta los 14-15 años y los factores de riesgo asociados. Población y método: Se trata de un estudio de cohorte a partir de las fases I y III del estudio ISAAC, llevadas a cabo en 1994 y 2002, respectivamente, en Castellón y localidades vecinas (Vila-real, Almassora, Benicàssim, El Grau de Castelló, Borriol y L'Alcora). De los 3.607 escolares que participaron a los 6-7 años, 1.805 volvieron a ser incluidos a los 14-15 años en 2002. Se definió caso nuevo de asma según el cuestionario ISAAC. Se utilizó la regresión de Poisson en el análisis de los factores de riesgo de asma. Resultados: Se pudo seguir a un 50,0% de la muestra inicial. Se estimó una incidencia acumulada de asma del 6,4% durante los 8 años del estudio, con 108 casos nuevos sobre 1.698 escolares sin asma al inicio. Los varones resultaron más afectados que las mujeres, y los adolescentes de 14 años más que los de 15, pero sin alcanzar significación estadística. Los factores de riesgo asociados a la incidencia de asma fueron la historia familiar de asma, historia de alergia nasal, historia de bronquitis y clase social alta-media frente a baja. Conclusiones: Se estimó una incidencia baja de asma en escolares de Castellón al comparar los datos con los de otros estudios de cohorte. Los factores de riesgo hallados concuerdan, en general, con los estudios de incidencia
Background and objective: To estimate the incidence of asthma in schoolchildren from 6-7 years old to 14-15 years old and associated risk factors. Population and method: A cohort study, with the ISAAC phases I and III in 1994 and 2002, respectively, was carried out in Castellón, and the nearby towns Vila-real, Almassora, Benicàssim, El Grau de Castelló, Borriol, and L'Alcora. In 1992, 3,607 schoolchildren aged 6-7 years old took part, of whom 1,805 were again studied in 2002, at the age of 14-15. New cases of asthma were defined following the ISAAC questionnaire. Poisson regression was used in the analysis of asthma risk factors. Results: Participation was 50.0%. The cumulative incidence of asthma was 6.4% during the 8 years of study, 108 new cases of 1,698 schoolchildren free of asthma at beginning. Incidence was greater in boys than girls, and in 14-year old teenagers compared to 15-year olds, although differences were not significant. Risk factors associated with the incidence of asthma were: family history of asthma, history of allergic rhinitis, history of bronchitis and upper-middle compared to lower social class. Conclusions: A low incidence of asthma was found in schoolchildren from Castellón, Spain, in comparison with other cohort studies. Estimated risk factors were generally in accordance with incidence studies
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Humans , Asthma/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Bronchitis/complications , Hypersensitivity/complications , Cohort StudiesABSTRACT
Fundamentos: En este trabajo se evalúa el impacto que tiene el número de peticiones de análisis y su porcentaje de positividad sobre la endemia de legionelosis registrada de un área de la provincia de Castellón durante el periodo de implantación de la prueba (2001-2003).Métodos: Se excluyeron las peticiones repetidas y los casos asociados a brotes. Se estimó el incremento de casos esporádicos y del porcentaje de positividad mediante el riesgo relativo, tomando como referencia el primer año. Resultados: Hubo 2.068 peticiones correspondientes a1.819 enfermos. El porcentaje de enfermos positivos fue de 2,3%, sin diferencias significativas entre laboratorios o años. El número de casos esporádicos se incrementó en 9,3 veces (2,8-30,7).Conclusiones: El incremento de casos esporádicos registrados aparece como un artefacto. El aumento de peticiones de análisis incrementan el número de casos diagnosticados como efecto de arrastre, de modo que el aspecto pseudoepidémico del periodo tendría un componente de endemia descubierta cuya magnitud se podría estimar a partir de este indicador. Convendría, por otra parte, conocer los criterios de petición en cada hospital y las características de los enfermos con resultados negativos (AU)
Purpose: This work aims to ascertain the impact of the total number of urine antigen tests performed and the percent of positive results on the endemic level of legionellosis registered in an area of Castellón (Spain)during the period of introduction of this analytic method(2001-2003).Methods: Repeated analysis and outbreak associated cases were excluded from laboratory records. The increment of sporadic cases and percent of positive results were calculated by computing the relative risk (RR) with the first year as reference. Results: There were 2068 test performed from 1819patients.. The percent of positive results was 2.3%, without statistical differences between laboratories and years. The increment of endemic level registered resulted in a RR = 9.3 (2.8-30.7).Conclusions: The rise on registered sporadic cases appears as an artefact. The increment of patients with analysis reveal an endemic component of this pseudoepidemic period whose magnitude can be estimated by this indicator. However, clinical criteria of analytical petitions in each setting and characteristics of patients with negative results should be taken into account (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Legionnaires' Disease/diagnosis , Antigens/urine , Legionnaires' Disease/epidemiology , Legionella pneumophila/isolation & purification , Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicityABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The EMECAM Project demonstrated the short-term effect of air pollution on the death rate in 14 cities in Spain throughout the 1990-1995 period. The Spanish Multicentre Study on Health Effects of Air Pollution (EMECAS) is broadening these objectives by incorporating more recent data, information on hospital disease admissions and totaling 16 Spanish cities. This is an ecological time series study in which the response variables are the daily deaths and the emergency hospitalizations due to circulatory system diseases and respiratory diseases among the residents in each city. Pollutants analyses: suspended particles, SO2, NO2, CO and O3. Control variables: meteorological, calendar, seasonality and influenza trend and incidence. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: estimate of the association in each city by means of the construction of generalized additive Poisson regression models and metanalysis for obtaining combined estimators. The EMECAS Project began with the creation of three working groups (Exposure, Epidemiology and Analysis Methodology) which defined the protocol. The average levels of pollutants were below those established under the current regulations for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone. The NO2 and PM10 values were around those established under the regulations (40 mg/m3). This is the first study of the relationship between air pollution and disease rate among one group of Spanish cities. The pollution levels studied are moderate for some pollutants, although for others, especially NO2 and particles, these levels could entail a problem with regard to complying with the regulations in force.
Subject(s)
Air Pollution/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Humans , Public Health , SpainABSTRACT
El proyecto EMECAM constató el efecto a corto plazo de la contaminación atmosférica sobre la mortalidad en 14 ciudades españolasentre 1990 y 1995. El Estudio Multicéntrico Español de Contaminación Atmosférica y Salud (EMECAS) amplía estos objetivosincorporando al análisis datos de morbilidad hospitalaria, utilizainformación más reciente y suma un total de 16 ciudades. Se trata deun estudio ecológico de series temporales, siendo las variables respuestalas defunciones diarias y los ingresos hospitalarios urgentespor enfermedades del aparato circulatorio y enfermedades respiratoriasen los residentes de cada ciudad. Contaminantes analizados: partículas en suspensión, SO2, NO2, CO y O3. Variables de control:meteorológicas, de calendario, estacionalidad y tendencia e incidenciade gripe. Análisis estadístico: estimación de la asociación en cadaciudad mediante la construcción de modelos de regresión de Poissonaditivos generalizados, y meta-análisis para la obtención de estimadoresconjuntos. Los niveles medios de contaminantes se situaronpor debajo de los establecidos por la normativa actual para el dióxidode azufre, el monóxido de carbono y el ozono. Los valores de NO2y PM10 se situaron alrededor de los establecidos en la normativa (40mg/m3). Se trata del primer estudio de la relación entre contaminación atmosférica y morbilidad en un conjunto de ciudades españolas.Los niveles de contaminantes estudiados son moderados para algunoscontaminantes, aunque en otros, especialmente NO2 y partículas,podrían representar un problema para el cumplimiento de la normativavigente
The EMECAM Project demonstrated the short-term effect of airpollution on the death rate in 14 cities in Spain throughout the 1990-1995 period. The Spanish Multicentre Study on Health Effects of AirPollution (EMECAS) is broadening these objectives by incorporatingmore recent data, information on hospital disease admissionsand totaling 16 Spanish cities. This is an ecological time series studyin which the response variables are the daily deaths and the emergencyhospitalizations due to circulatory system diseases and respiratorydiseases among the residents in each city. Pollutants analyses:suspended particles, SO2, NO2, CO and O3. Control variables:meteorological, calendar, seasonality and influenza trend and incidence.Statistical analysis: estimate of the association in each city bymeans of the construction of generalized additive Poisson regressionmodels and metanalysis for obtaining combined estimators. TheEMECAS Project began with the creation of three working groups(Exposure, Epidemiology and Analysis Methodology) which definedthe protocol. The average levels of pollutants were below thoseestablished under the current regulations for sulfur dioxide, carbonmonoxide and ozone. The NO2 and PM10 values were around thoseestablished under the regulations (40 mg/m3). This is the first studyof the relationship between air pollution and disease rate among onegroup of Spanish cities. The pollution levels studied are moderate forsome pollutants, although for others, especially NO2 and particles,these levels could entail a problem with regard to complying with theregulations in force
Subject(s)
Humans , Air Pollution/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Public HealthABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intestinal infections are highly frequent processes of which solely a part are identified by the epidemiological monitoring systems. This study is aimed at estimating the incidence on the population, by age groups, of the sporadic intestinal infections diagnosed in one healthcare district in Castellón in the year 2000. METHODS: Based on the routine coprocultures, the basic demographic data for each patient was gathered for calculating the diagnosis and hospitalization rates. For children up to five years of age, the per annum rates were calculation for each microorganism. RESULTS: Campylobacter showed the highest rates (114.5 x 10(5)), followed by rotavirus (94.7) and Salmonella (83.0). Rotavirus is predominant among children under one year of age (3,194 x 10(5)), Campylobacter among those 1-4 year-olds, with a maximum of 3,850 x 10(5) among one-year olds, while Salmonella was predominant among all ages starting as of 5 years of age. The rates for cases hospitalized showed a different pattern, rotavirus ranking first (34.9 x 10(5)), Salmonella (21.7 x 10(5)) and Campylobacter (9.9 x 10(5)). With the exception of Salmonella, there were no outbreaks during the period under study. The predominance of Campylobacter was observed at the expense of the cases among children within the 1-4 age range who were not hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: Up to 4 years of age, the distribution of the germs causing these infections differs every year. A knowledge of the descriptive epidemiology of these infections contributes to the study of the social impact thereof and provides support for delving deeper into some questions that are posed with a view to these diseases and the preventive aspects which can be implemented.
Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases/microbiology , Adenoviridae Infections/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Campylobacter Infections/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Intestinal Diseases/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology , Salmonella Infections/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Fundamento: Las infecciones intestinales son procesos muy frecuentes de las que solo una parte son identificadas por los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la incidencia poblacional por grupos de edad de las infecciones intestinales esporádicas diagnosticadas en un área sanitaria de Castellón durante el año 2000. Métodos: A partir de los coprocultivos de rutina, se reunieron los datos demográficos básicos de cada enfermo para el cálculo de las tasas de diagnóstico y de hospitalización. En niños de hasta 5 años de edad se calcularon las tasas por año para cada microorganismo. Resultados: Campylobacter presentó las tasas más altas (114,5 por 105), seguido de rotavirus (94,7) y Salmonella (83,0). Rotavirus predomina en menores de 1 año (3.194 x 105), Campylobacter en 14 años, con un máximo de 3.850 por 105 en el segundo año de vida mientras Salmonella predominó en todas las edades a partir de los 5 años. Las tasas de casos hospitalizados tuvieron un patrón diferente, con rotavirus en primer lugar (34,9 por 105), Salmonella (21,7 por 105) y Campylobacter (9,9 por 105). Excepto Salmonella, no hubo brotes en ese periodo El predominio de Campylobacter se observó a expensas de los casos en niños de 1-4 años no hospitalizados. Conclusiones: Hasta los 4 años de edad la distribución de los gérmenes causantes de las infecciones es diferente para cada año. El conocimiento de la epidemiología descriptiva de estas infecciones contribuye al estudio de su impacto social y presta soporte para profundizar en algunas cuestiones que se plantean ante estas enfermedades y los aspectos preventivos que se puedan implementar (AU)
