ABSTRACT
A waterborne epidemic of non-A, non-B hepatitis occurred in Medea, an Algerian town of 68,000 inhabitants during the autumn and winter of 1980-1981. About 6 weeks before the epidemic, there had been a chlorination failure and an accidental sewage contamination of the river water that supplied large parts of the town. From October, 1980, to January, 1981, 788 cases were notified. This epidemic affected mostly young adults, who usually recovered; however, a high rate of mortality was noted among pregnant women (nine patients, nine deaths). Serological examinations performed on 57 hospitalized patients excluded both hepatitis A and B. The waterborne nature of the epidemic was suggested by a study of the case distribution according to water supplies. The epidemic was severe in the areas supplied by the untreated river water. Few cases were reported in the areas receiving spring water, where chlorination never failed. A mild incidence of infection was noted in the areas supplied by a mixture of untreated river water and chlorinated spring water.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology , Water Microbiology , Water Pollution/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Algeria , Child , Female , Hepatitis Antibodies/analysis , Hepatitis C/immunology , Hepatitis C/transmission , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/etiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/mortality , SewageABSTRACT
In the treatment of familial polyposis the conservation of the rectum is essential to assure a convenient control and rhythm of defecation. Meanwhile the future of resting polyps deserves the attention of the surgeon. Certain authors are optimistic and claim that spontaneous regression of the polyps is possible. Our experience illustrates that the rectal mucosa tends to fabricate new crops of polyps. The prolonged post operative observation of more than 4 years of polyposis in one family has permitted us to follow the evolution of the rectal mucosa and to deduce that gravity of the lesion is quite variable. The polypotique character of the rectal mucosa must influence the choice of certain surgical technic specially that nine of them achieve entire satisfaction yet.
