A Multistate Outbreak of E Coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Soy Nut Butter.

BACKGROUND: In 2017, we conducted a multistate investigation to determine the source of an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 infections, which occurred primarily in children. METHODS: We defined a case as infection with an outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7 with illness onset between January 1, 2017, and April 30, 2017. Case patients were interviewed to identify common exposures. Traceback and facility investigations were conducted; food samples were tested for STEC. RESULTS: We identified 32 cases from 12 states. Twenty-six (81%) cases occurred in children <18 years old; 8 children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Twenty-five (78%) case patients ate the same brand of soy nut butter or attended facilities that served it. We identified 3 illness subclusters, including a child care center where person-to-person transmission may have occurred. Testing isolated an outbreak strain from 11 soy nut butter samples. Investigations identified violations of good manufacturing practices at the soy nut butter manufacturing facility with opportunities for product contamination, although the specific route of contamination was undetermined. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation identified soy nut butter as the source of a multistate outbreak of STEC infections affecting mainly children. The ensuing recall of all soy nut butter products the facility manufactured, totaling >1.2 million lb, likely prevented additional illnesses. Prompt diagnosis of STEC infections and appropriate specimen collection aids in outbreak detection. Child care providers should follow appropriate hygiene practices to prevent secondary spread of enteric illness in child care settings. Firms should manufacture ready-to-eat foods in a manner that minimizes the risk of contamination.

Early results of surgery in 123 patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei from a perforated appendiceal neoplasm.

PURPOSE: Epithelial appendiceal tumors are uncommon but can present as an emergency simulating appendicitis, or unexpectedly at laparotomy, laparoscopy, or on cross-sectional imaging. Occult rupture with features of pseudomyxoma peritonei may be encountered. We report the operative findings, pathologic assessment, and early outcomes in 123 consecutive patients with a perforated appendiceal neoplasm presenting as pseudomyxoma peritonei. METHODS: From March 1994 to March 2004, 292 patients were referred to a peritoneal malignancy surgical treatment center. Complete tumor removal (cytoreduction) was attempted in selected patients and, if achieved, surgery was combined with intraoperative, intraperitoneal mitomycin C (10 mg/m(2)). RESULTS: In total, 123 patients (52 males; 41 percent) underwent laparotomy for a perforated appendiceal malignancy presenting as pseudomyxoma peritonei. The median age was 52 (range 30-77) years. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 83 of 123 patients (67 percent), major palliative resection in 34 patients (28 percent), and 6 patients (5 percent) were inoperable. Postoperative mortality was 6 of 123 patients (5 percent). Kaplan-Meier analysis of the 83 patients who had complete tumor removal predicted 75 percent disease-free survival at five years. CONCLUSIONS: A perforated appendiceal epithelial tumor most frequently presents as pseudomyxoma peritonei. This treatment strategy, involving surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, can result in good outcomes in this rare and otherwise fatal disease.

Total mesorectal excision results in low local recurrence rates in lymph node-positive rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Most series report lymph node involvement as the main predictor for local recurrence. The principal lymphatic drainage of the rectum is to nodes in the mesorectum and then nodes along the superior rectal and inferior mesenteric arteries. If total mesorectal excision provides adequate block dissection of the lymphatics of the rectum, good local control with low rates of local recurrence should be achieved even in node-positive disease. METHODS: Prospective data on all rectal cancers have been collected since 1978; 170 patients with Dukes C rectal cancer have undergone anterior resection and total mesorectal excision. We did not perform any internal iliac node dissections. Follow-up data were analyzed for local recurrence and distant recurrence. RESULTS: The local recurrence rate was 2 percent for Dukes A cases, 4 percent for Dukes B, and 7.5 percent for Dukes C ( P = 0.0127). The systemic recurrence rate was 8 percent for Dukes A, 18 percent for Dukes B, and 37 percent for Dukes C ( P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: If surgical priority is given to the difficult task of excision of the whole mesorectum, anterior resection with total mesorectal excision in node-positive rectal cancer, local recurrence rates of < 10 percent can be achieved.

Rectal cancer in the elderly: patients' perception of bowel control after restorative surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of incontinence is perceived as a relative contraindication to a sphincter-saving procedure in elderly patients with rectal cancer. To investigate this, we reviewed functional results one year after restorative surgery in patients older than aged 75 years. METHODS: A total of 186 patients older than aged 75 years were diagnosed with rectal cancer during the study period. In 19 patients, no surgery was undertaken, and another 3 patients had a defunctioning stoma only. A local excision was performed in six patients. Of the remaining 158 having a major resection, 133 patients (84 percent) had a restorative anterior resection. The one-year, follow-up records of these patients were studied with particular reference to the patients' perception of bowel function and continence. RESULTS: At one year, 99 patients who had had an anterior resection were alive. In 92 patients, a stoma had been closed or avoided altogether, and these patients formed the study group. Significant problems with bowel function or continence were denied by 78 of 92 patients (85 percent). One patient had already reported severe difficulties and been given a definitive stoma for incontinence. The remaining 14 percent, although experiencing some problems with continence, did not consider the situation serious enough to contemplate a stoma. CONCLUSIONS: An elderly patient undergoing anterior resection for rectal cancer has a reasonable expectation of acceptable continence. Age alone should not be a contraindication to a restorative resection.