ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between chronic infection and cumulative burden of infection and acute coronary syndrome. DESIGN: The 5C (Cork coronary care case-control) study was a community based case-control study. Patients and controls underwent a standard physical examination and had blood samples taken for serological analysis for Helicobacter pylori (IgG), Chlamydia pneumoniae (IgA, IgM, and IgG), cytomegalovirus (IgG), and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (IgG). SETTING: Patients were recruited from four hospitals in Cork City and Mallow Town. Controls, individually matched on age and sex, were selected by incident density sampling from the same general practices as the referent case. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age and sex adjusted and fully adjusted odds ratios for acute coronary syndrome by seropositivity and by increasing number of infections. RESULTS: Cases and controls did not differ significantly in seropositivity to C pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex viruses, and H pylori. In unconditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, waist to hip ratio, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and social class there was no evidence of an increasing risk for acute coronary syndrome with increasing burden of infection. CONCLUSIONS: The findings do not support an association between specific infectious agents and acute coronary syndrome and do not provide evidence of a burden of infection effect.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/complications , Myocardial Ischemia/microbiology , Virus Diseases/complications , Adult , Aged , Anthropometry , Case-Control Studies , Chlamydophila Infections/complications , Chlamydophila pneumoniae , Chronic Disease , Cytomegalovirus Infections/complications , Female , Helicobacter Infections/complications , Helicobacter pylori , Herpes Simplex/complications , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Ischemia/virologyABSTRACT
Official government statistics and serological laboratory data provide limited information about the incidence of leptospirosis in the Republic of Ireland. The mean annual notified incidence in the Republic of Ireland from 1985 to 1996 was 1.3/million. The incidence according to hospital discharge diagnosis was higher at 4.9/million. One hundred and seventy-five serologically confirmed cases of leptospirosis were reported from 1986 to 1996, giving a mean annual incidence of 4.5/million. The true incidence of leptospirosis in the Republic of Ireland is probably higher, as hospital discharge data are incomplete and full serological testing was not always performed. Our data indicate that leptospirosis is an underestimated public health problem with only 26% of cases being notified. A national communicable disease surveillance centre in the Republic of Ireland would facilitate better monitoring and understanding of this disease.
Subject(s)
Leptospirosis/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bias , Female , Humans , Incidence , Ireland/epidemiology , Leptospirosis/immunology , Leptospirosis/microbiology , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Discharge/statistics & numerical data , Population Surveillance/methods , Seasons , Seroepidemiologic Studies , SerotypingABSTRACT
A pulsed GaAs laser terrain profiler has been successfully tested and flown. Preliminary flight data indicate excellent resolution, with terrain features easily identifiable. Unique design features and typical flight results are given. The laser profiler is to be used as part of an airborne surveying package which will contain an inertial measurement unit and laser tracker to provide three-coordinate position information as well as base motion isolation and stabilization control for the profiler.
