The Journal of infectious diseases
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In spring 1994, an outbreak of sporotrichosis occurred at a tree nursery in Florida; 9 (14%) of 65 workers involved in production of sphagnum moss topiaries developed lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis. A cohort study of all 65 employees was conducted to identify risk factors for sporotrichosis, and an environmental investigation was done. The risk of sporotrichosis increased significantly with the duration of working with sphagnum moss (P < .05), in particular with filling topiaries (P < .05), and with having less gardening experience (P < .05). ⋯ Sporothrix schenckii was cultured from patients and sphagnum moss used in topiary production. Use of restriction fragment length polymorphism revealed an identical pattern for patient isolates that was different from the patterns of environmental isolates. Physicians should be aware of sporotrichosis in patients with ulcerative skin lesions who have a history of occupational or recreational exposure to sphagnum moss.
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Retinal toxicity of ISIS 2922 and ISIS 4015, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides complementary to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) RNA, were evaluated. The intravitreal concentration of ISIS 2922 found not to cause permanent toxic changes in the rabbit retina was 10 microM and in the pig retina, 5 microM. The 3 microM concentration was associated with a transient inflammatory response, and 1 microM caused no retinal toxicity or inflammation. ⋯ These oligonucleotides have a low intraocular therapeutic index. Attempts to improve the therapeutic index of these compounds are indicated. Only a clinical trial can determine the toxicity profile of ISIS 2922 for the treatment of CMV retinitis.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Ganciclovir treatment of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection: results of a phase II study. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Collaborative Antiviral Study Group.
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs in approximately 1% of newborns in the United States. A phase II evaluation was done of ganciclovir for the treatment of symptomatic congenital CMV infection. Daily doses of 8 or 12 mg/kg were administered in divided doses at 12-h intervals for 6 weeks. ⋯ Significant laboratory abnormalities included thrombocytopenia (< or = 50,000/mm3) in 37 babies and absolute neutropenia (< or = 500 mm3) in 29 babies. Quantitative excretion of CMV in the urine decreased; however, after cessation of therapy, viruria returned to near pretreatment levels. Hearing improvement or stabilization occurred in 5 (16%) of 30 babies at 6 months or later, indicating efficacy.
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The African Region of the World Health Organization includes a diverse membership of 48 countries and territories that has made substantial progress toward controlling poliomyelitis. The coverage with three doses of oral poliovirus vaccine among 1-year-old children reached 58% in 1995, a substantial increase from 49% in 1993, and the incidence of poliomyelitis decreased from 5126 cases in 1980 to 1597 in 1995. ⋯ To ensure the success of these efforts, high-level political commitment has been obtained in many countries, and the campaign to "Kick polio out of Africa" is supported by some of the most respected African politicians. Provided the necessary resources can be obtained from internal and external sources, the African Region may be able to achieve the eradication of poliomyelitis by the year 2000 or shortly thereafter.