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ABSTRACT: TO THE EDITOR: An outbreak of Cryptococcus gattii cryptococcosis has been ongoing in the US Pacific Northwest (PNW) since 1999 (1-3). In contrast to C. neoformans infections, which typically cause meningitis in HIV-infected persons, outbreak-associated C. gattii infections occur primarily in persons without HIV and often cause pneumonia (1-3). Sporadic, nonoutbreak-associated C. gattii infections often cause meningitis and have been reported outside the PNW (1-4). The prevalence of both types of C. gattii infection in the United States is unknown because diagnostic practices and awareness vary among physicians.
Emerging Infectious Diseases 06/2012; 18(6):1012-5. · 6.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Infections caused by the emerging pathogen Cryptococcus gattii are increasing in frequency in North America. During the past decade, interest in the pathogen has continued to grow, not only in North America but also in other areas of the world where infections have recently been documented. This review synthesizes existing data and raises issues that remain to be addressed.
Medical mycology: official publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology 09/2011; 50(2):113-29. · 2.13 Impact Factor
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Jennifer Zipser Adjemian,
James Howell,
Stacy Holzbauer, Julie Harris,
Sergio Recuenco,
Jennifer McQuiston,
Thomas Chester,
Ruth Lynfield,
Aaron Devries,
Ermias Belay,
Jim Sejvar
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ABSTRACT: In November 2007 a novel neuropathy, immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy (IP), was identified among workers at a Minnesota swine abattoir where a unique compressed air technique was used to remove porcine brains. An epidemiologic investigation at another abattoir in Indiana that also uses this process was launched to evaluate workers self-reporting neurologic illness compatible with IP. A nested case-control study was performed to identify cases and risk factors. Six confirmed, one probable, and three possible IP cases were detected. IP cases were 28-52 years old, of Latino origin, and 62.5% female. Onset dates ranged from April 2005-December 2007; 60% were hospitalized. IP cases at this plant were similar in clinical presentation and exposure risks to those detected in Minnesota. Swine abattoirs using similar brain extraction methods should discontinue this process.
International journal of occupational and environmental health 15(4):331-8. · 1.03 Impact Factor
