Outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease and Pontiac Fever 2006-2017.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The global importance of Legionnaires' disease (LD) and Pontiac fever (PF) has grown in recent years. While sporadic cases of LD and PF do not always provide contextual information for evaluating causes and drivers of Legionella risks, analysis of outbreaks provides an opportunity to assess these factors. RECENT FINDINGS: A review was performed and provides a summary of LD and PF outbreaks between 2006 and 2017. Of the 136 outbreaks, 115 were LD outbreaks, 4 were PF outbreaks, and 17 were mixed outbreaks of LD and PF. Cooling towers were implicated or suspected in the a large portion of LD or PF outbreaks (30% total outbreaks, 50% confirmed outbreak-associated cases, and 60% outbreak-associated deaths) over this period of time, while building water systems and pools/spas were also important contributors. Potable water/building water system outbreaks seldom identify specific building water system or fixture deficiencies. The outbreak data summarized here provides information for prioritizing and targeting risk analysis and mitigation strategies.

Surgical alternatives for treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea: review and case series.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects up to 24% of middle aged males, resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction, hypertension, increased risks for acute coronary events, stroke and auto accidents. At special risk are individuals with BMI greater than 29, neck circumference greater than 43 cm (17 inches), macroglossia and retrognathia. Although non-surgical nasal positive air pressure (nCPAP) and mandibular advancement oral appliances are often effective and are the most widely used therapy, they are not definitive for more severe OSA and patients show poor long-term compliance. Surgical reduction of palatal, lingual and nasal soft tissue volumes improve airway functions in approximately 40% of patients with mild to moderate OSA. Maxillary and mandibular advancement osteotomies have proven over the past decade to reverse even severe OSA at greater than the 90% efficacy levels. Surgical treatment targeted to skeletal and airway soft tissue anomalies using a multidisciplinary treatment approach can have a major impact on this widespread and high-risk disorder.