Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 21 outbreak in Austria, 2005.

We report an outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella Enteritidis PT 21 associated with attending an annual traditional fair in a small Austrian village on 4 May 2005. The outbreak lasted from 4 to 8 May. Descriptive and analytical epidemiological investigations were conducted in order to determine the extent of the outbreak and to identify outbreak risk factors. Of the 115 persons who visited the fair, 85 persons fulfilled the criteria of an outbreak case (attack rate = 73.9%). Stool specimens from 52 patients, including two kitchen staff, were tested for salmonella, and 20 specimens were positive for Salmonella Enteritidis PT 21. The cohort study revealed mixed salad (which included potatoes) as the likely cause of the outbreak (RR: 10.4, 95%CI 2.8 - 39.1; P = < 0.001). The causative agent of the outbreak was cultured from the stock of eggs used at the fair and from all three drag swabs and one barn dust sample collected from the responsible egg laying flock. Molecular subtyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA after XbaI digestion showed that isolates from eggs, from the flock and from humans were indistinguishable. We hypothesise that cross contamination from eggs to boiled potatoes occurred in the kitchen area, where raw eggs were handled by village residents preparing a traditional Viennese egg dressing. Unrefrigerated storage of peeled potatoes may have favoured bacterial growth. Eggs from small rural flocks of laying hens kept in a traditional 'natural' way should not be assumed to be salmonella-free.

Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 21 outbreak in Austria, 2005.

We report an outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella Enteritidis PT 21 associated with attending an annual traditional fair in a small Austrian village on 4 May 2005. The outbreak lasted from 4 to 8 May. Descriptive and analytical epidemiological investigations were conducted in order to determine the extent of the outbreak and to identify outbreak risk factors. Of the 115 persons who visited the fair, 85 persons fulfilled the criteria of an outbreak case (attack rate=73.9%). Stool specimens from 52 patients, including two kitchen staff, were tested for salmonella, and 20 specimens were positive for Salmonella Enteritidis PT 21. The cohort study revealed mixed salad (which included potatoes) as the likely cause of the outbreak (RR: 10.4, 95%CI 2.8 - 39.1; P=<0.001). The causative agent of the outbreak was cultured from the stock of eggs used at the fair and from all three drag swabs and one barn dust sample collected from the responsible egg laying flock. Molecular subtyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA after XbaI digestion showed that isolates from eggs, from the flock and from humans were indistinguishable. We hypothesise that cross contamination from eggs to boiled potatoes occurred in the kitchen area, where raw eggs were handled by village residents preparing a traditional Viennese egg dressing. Unrefrigerated storage of peeled potatoes may have favoured bacterial growth. Eggs from small rural flocks of laying hens kept in a traditional 'natural' way should not be assumed to be salmonella-free.

Glaucoma in East Greenlandic Inuit--a population survey in Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund).

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) in an isolated Greenlandic Inuit community and to examine the anatomical risk factors for this disease. METHODS: All individuals aged > or =40 years were examined. Visual acuity, refractive error, anterior chamber depth (ACD), intraocular pressure (IOP), gonioscopy, and optic disc characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-nine individuals (65% response rate) were examined. Mean IOP was 12.0 mmHg. ACD was shallow and decreased with age and hypermetropia. ACD was deeper than observed in the same community in 1981 and another East Greenland population in 1970. Two subjects had definite PACG (2.5 %). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to use applanation tonometry in a Greenland population and confirms a low IOP as found in other populations of Inuit and Mongolians. ACD measured in 1998 was deeper than in 1981 in the same community which may represent a cohort effect indicating a secular change.

[Rehabilitation problems in traumatic spinal cord injuries following spinal stabilization using Harrington's fixation device]. / Traumás gerincvelösérültek rehabilitációs problémái Harrington-eszközzel történt gerincstabilizáció után.

Authors describe their experiences in medical rehabilitation of 18 patients with traumatic injuries of the medulla after spinal stabilisation with Harrington instrument. The Harrington method is a classical method for spinal stabilization used in the whole world. Besides its doubtless advantages experiences are gathered on its numerous disadvantages: It is not suitable for direct reduction, its stability is insufficient against flexion and extension forces, its biomechanical characteristics are not the most favourable in respect of consolidation, it is too long and includes healthy sections of the spine in immobilization, finally external fixation is needed. For all this, the claims of modern rehabilitation cannot be fulfilled. In possession of newer, more modern methods (fixateur interne, groove plate) the use of it is not at all recommended.

[Eye care in Greenland in 1979-1988]. / Ojenlaegearbejdet i Grønland 1979-1988.

Specialist eye care in Greenland is described on the basis of 66 reports from all 30 visiting consultants during a ten-year period. During this time the durations of the visits increased to approximately seven months per year for 8-9 ophthalmologists who undertook approximately 2,500 consultations annually. The diagnoses were distributed as follows: 30% anomalies of refraction, 15% cataract, 12% conditions in the posterior segment and 10% glaucoma, i.e. a considerable proportion of eye diseases associated with advancing age and with a particular Greenlandic influence. The workload was particularly great and averaged more than a reasonable weekly load despite the increase in number of days of employment. Until 1985-1986, eye surgery activities showed a considerable increase after which operative interventions for cataract and glaucoma were mainly referred to Rigshospitalet. The great increase in the number of referrals is discussed in relation to the marked changes in the therapeutic possibilities for cataract and glaucoma: extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber implantation using an operation microscope and YAG-laser iridectomy of early angle closure glaucoma. The requirement of an eye surgical unit in Greenland appears to be pressing together with continuation of specialist eye care in the districts.

Recurrent herpetic keratitis and HLA antigens.

A non-selected group of 50 patients with recurrent herpetic keratitis, subclassified into groups of stromal or epithelial forms was typed for HLA-ABC antigens. In none of the groups was a statistically significant association to a certain HLA antigen found. When these data are combined with other reviewed reports on HLA types in recurrent herpetic keratitis, a statistically significant association between HLA-B5 and the whole group of recurrent herpetic keratitis, as well as between the subgroup of recurrent stromal keratitis, could be demonstrated. Recurrent epithelial keratitis showed an insignificant association to this antigen.

Acyclovir and idoxiuridine treatment of herpes simplex keratitis--a double blind clinical study.

38 patients with herpes simplex keratitis were treated in double blind clinical trial. 18 patients (10 with pure epithelial and 8 with accompanying stromal affection) were treated with 3% acyclovir (ACV) eye ointment, and 20 patients (10 with pure epithelial and 10 with accompanying stromal affection) were treated with 0.5% idoxiuridine (IDU). The cure rate was 94% in the ACV group compared to 70% in the IDU group. This was significantly higher in the ACV group. Only minor adverse reactions were recorded.

Secretory IgA specific for herpes simplex virus in lacrimal fluid from patients with herpes keratitis--a possible diagnostic parameter.

In the present study a solid-phase radioimmune assay was used for the demonstration of herpes simplex virus-specific IgG and secretory IgA antibodies in the lacrimal fluid from patients with active recurrent herpes keratitis. The method was quantitative and made it possible to test specifically for the production of secretory IgA antibodies produced during an active herpes simplex virus infection. The production of secretory IgA was followed in 2 patients with fresh recurrent lesions. The HSV-specific secretory IgA could be demonstrated during the first 10 days of infection, where the maximal concentration was reached 3-5 days after the first symptoms occurred. The secretory antibodies were locally produced, and it is shown for the first time that herpes virus-specific secretory antibodies were of diagnostic value.

Frequency of cataract extraction in Greenlanders.

The total number of cataract extractions in Eskimos in Greenland was 43 during 1979 and 1980. Of these 28 were performed as first eye extractions. The frequency of first eye extractions was found to be rather high, respectively 42 and 72 per 10.000 persons in 60-69 and 70-79-year-old persons. Racial, nutritional, climatological factors together with "backlog effect" are discussed.

Relative contents of sodium, potassium, and dry matter in diabetic cataractous lenses.

Cataractous lenses from diabetic patients were pre-operatively divided into 3 groups according to the biomicroscopical appearance of the lenses and biochemical analyses of CNa+, CK+, and dry matter were performed. 1) Immature cataractous lenses without anterior capsular/subcapsular opacity (ac-sco): (N=4) CNa+ = 35 meq/kg lens water, CK+ = 164 meq/kg lens water, dry matter 24%. 2) Immature cataractous lenses with ac-sco: (N=12) CNa+ = 151 meq/kg lens water, CK+ = 62 meq/kg lens water, dry matter 33%. 3) Totally opaque lens: (N=1) CNa+ = 185 meq/kg lens water, CK+ = 12 meq/kg lens water, dry matter 19%. The concentrations of sodium, potassium, and dry matter were equal to the findings in senile non diabetic cataractous lenses.

Central corneal thickness and intraocular tension in patients with acromegaly.

In 27 patients with pituitary adenomas the central corneal thickness and the intraocular tension were measured. Thirteen of the patients were suffering from acromegaly, and in this group the central corneal thickness was 0.561 mm +/- 0.35 (mean +/- SD). In the 14 patients with pituitary adenomas but no acromegaly the central corneal thickness was 0.526 mm +/- 0.030 (mean +/- SD). This difference is statistically significant 0.01 greater than P greater than 0.001. In the 13 patients with acromegaly the intraocular tension measured by applanation was 16.9 mmHg +/- 2.3 (mean +/- SD) and in the control group 14.7 mmHg +/- 2.4 (mean +/- SD). This difference is statistically significant (0.05 greater than P greater than 0.02). When the applanation reading is corrected for the difference in the central corneal thickness, the patients suffering from acromegaly have an intraocular tension of 14.1 mmHg, which is of the same magnitude as the tension in the patients without acromegaly.

Human senile cataract and Na-K ATP'ase activity in the anterior lens structures with special reference to anterior capsular/subcapsular opacity.

Location and in vitro determination of Na-K ATP'ase activity in the anterior structures of individual human lenses with senile cataract are reported, with special reference to anterior capsular/subcapsular opacity (ACSCO). Histochemically, ATP'ase reaction products were found exclusively in the epithelium. Even totally opaque lenses showed strong positive reactions. Biochemically, increasing ratios of Na+/K+ concentrations in the assay medium resulted in an increase in enzyme activity to a limited degree, whereafter the activity remained stable. We cannot decide whether the Na-K ATP'ase activity of the anterior lens structures is unchanged in relation to ACSCO as indicated by our figures. For there are methodological problems, although our analytical error, expressed as the variation coefficient for slaughterhouse pig lenses, seems to be one of the lowest so far reported in the literature on interindividual, non-pooled material.

Pituitary adenoma and visual function. The prognostic value of clinical, ophthalmological and neuroradiologic findings in 51 patients subjected to operation.

The series studied included 51 patients subjected to operation for pituitary adenoma. The visual status was analysed both pre- and postoperatively. The pre- and postoperative parameters were compared with clinical information, ophthalmological and neuroradiological findings with a view to an evaluation of their prognostic value. In 36 patients with chromophobe adenoma, visual field defects were present in 92% before the operation; visual function improved in 62% and returned to normal in 24%. Among 15 patients with eosinophil or mixed adenoma, only two (13%) had visual field defects pre-operatively. In those patients where operation was followed by a distinct visual improvement, the pre-operative ophthalmological findings were as follows: visual acuity greater than 6/24, normal optic discs, visual field defects up to two quadrants, and pneumoencephalographic findings suggestive of only a small suprasellar tumour.