A large community outbreak of blastomycosis in Wisconsin with geographic and ethnic clustering.
Clin Infect Dis
; 57(5): 655-62, 2013 Sep.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23735332
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Blastomycosis is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by the soil-based dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is endemic throughout much of the Midwestern United States. We investigated an increase in reported cases of blastomycosis that occurred during 2009-2010 in Marathon County, Wisconsin.METHODS:
Case detection was conducted using the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS). WEDSS data were used to compare demographic, clinical, and exposure characteristics between outbreak-related and historical case patients, and to calculate blastomycosis incidence rates. Because initial mapping of outbreak case patients' homes and recreational sites demonstrated unusual neighborhood and household case clustering, we conducted a 13 matched case-control study to identify factors associated with being in a geographic cluster.RESULTS:
Among the 55 patients with outbreak-related cases, 33 (70%) were hospitalized, 2 (5%) died, 30 (55%) had cluster-related cases, and 20 (45%) were Hmong. The overall incidence increased significantly since 2005 (average 11% increase per year, P < .001), and incidence during 2005-2010 was significantly higher among Asians than non-Asians (2010 incidence 168 vs 13 per 100 000 population). Thirty of the outbreak cases grouped into 5 residential clusters. Outdoor activities were not risk factors for blastomycosis among cluster case patients or when comparing outbreak cases to historical cases.CONCLUSIONS:
This outbreak of blastomycosis, the largest ever reported, was characterized by unique household and neighborhood clustering likely related to multifocal environmental sources. The reasons for the large number of Hmong affected are unclear, but may involve genetic predisposition.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Blastomyces
/
Blastomicosis
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Brotes de Enfermedades
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Infecciones Comunitarias Adquiridas
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
/
Child
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Child, preschool
/
Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Infect Dis
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Año:
2013
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos