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An outbreak of Q fever occurred in South Wales, United Kingdom, from July 15 through September 30, 2002. To investigate the outbreak a cohort and nested case-control study of persons [...]

Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, yet the etiology of this infection remains only partly explained. In a retrospective cohort study, we compared 213 sporadic campylobacter [...]

An outbreak of Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) gastroenteritis in visitors to an open farm in North Wales resulted in 17 primary and 7 secondary cases of illness. [...]

Neisseria meningitidis B15P1.16 and risk factors for its carriage were studied during a secondary school outbreak in Wales in 1996. Risk factors for carriage of the organism were compared with those for carriage of any meningococci. Of the total, 7.9% carried meningococci, and risk for carriage was higher in those more than 14 years old., In a school outbreak of meningococcal disease in Wales, we compared risk factors for the carriage of Neisseria meningitidis B15 P1.16 with carriage of any meningococci. Students had throat swabs [...]

Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) in Wales, 1990 to 1998, is discussed relative to population-based surveillance. Incidence has been stable during the period with the rate highest in those under 5 years of age. All fecal specimens should be screened because blood in the stool is seen less that 50% of the cases., Population-based surveillance for Vero Cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) 0157 has been carried out in Wales since 1990. The annual incidence has remained stable during the 9-year period (mean: 1.6 cases [...]

Retrospective testing of 3,232 serum samples from the general population and 518 serum samples from a high-risk group showed no evidence of human exposure to Neospora caninum in England. Results [...]

We describe the first documented spillover of bovine tuberculosis from animals into the human population of the United Kingdom since the resurgence of the disease in cattle in the country. [...]

Abstract Background It has been suggested that infection with Toxoplasma gondii is associated with slow reaction and poor concentration, whilst infection with Coxiella burnetii may lead to persistent symptoms of fatigue. Methods 425 farmers completed the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) by computer between March and July 1999 to assess psychiatric morbidity. Samples of venous blood had been previously collected and seroprevalence of T. gondii and C. burnetii was assessed. Results 45% of the cohort were seropositive for T. gondii and 31% were positive for C. burnetii. Infection with either agent was not associated with symptoms reflecting clinically relevant levels of concentration difficulties, fatigue, depression, depressive ideas or overall psychiatric morbidity. Conclusions We do not provide any evidence that infection with Toxoplasma gondii or Coxiella burnetii is associated with neuropsychiatric morbidity, in particular with symptoms of poor concentration or fatigue. However, this is a relatively healthy cohort with few individuals reporting neuropsychiatric morbidity and therefore the statistical power to test the study hypotheses is limited.

A sentinel group of primary-care physicians in Wales actively reported cases of acute bloody diarrhea from February 1997 through December 1998. The estimated annual rate was 18 cases per 100,000 [...]

Introduction: Variant creutzfeldt jakob disease (vCJD) is the human neurological disease known to be caused by the same proteinaceous infectious agent ("prion") that causes Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad Cow Disease". Two unusual and unexplained characteristics of the vCJD epidemic are its geographical distribution within the UK (about twice as frequent in Scotland and Northern England) and its median age of onset of 26 years that has remained unchanged over the fifteen years of the epidemic. The hypothesis: Infection via the dental route as a consequence of poor dental health, most probably the presence of untreated decay may account for the geographical distribution of vCJD in the UK and offer an explanation for the constant median age of onset of the disease by representing a fixed stage in development. Evaluation of the hypothesis: Analysis of existing data indicates that vCJD incidence by region and an index of dental health by region are positively correlated (r=0.737, p= 0.015). The hypothesis that infection via the dental route may explain the constant median age of onset and geographical distribution of vCJD could be investigated further with a case control study based on individual dental records and by further animal experiments to confirm the biological plausibility of this route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the outbreak of Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli 0157 gastroenteritis in visitors to an open farm in North Wales. Methods; Results; Discussion

Focuses on a study on public health management of an outbreak of group C meningococcal disease in university campus residents. Outbreak description and investigation; Clinical and diagnostic characteristics of cases; Risk factors for carriage of Neisseria meningitidis.

Aims to quantify and characterize household transmission of Shiga toxin (Vero cytotoxin)-producing Escherichia coli 0157 (STEC 0157) following sporadic infection in Wales. Determination of whether the household contact cases were secondary or coprimary; Role that pre-existing immunity might play in determining the severity of symptoms and the likelihood of fecal carriage.