Cholera-like illness due to halophilic vibrio spp. in the Caribbean - abstract

Since the introduction of V.cholerae 01 (E1 tor biotype) toxigenic strain in Peru in 1991, all mainland countries of South, Central and North America, with the exception of Uruguay, have had outbreaks of cholera. The Caribbean Islands have intensified their surveillance, strengthened laboratory capabilites and health education for prevention and control of diarrhoeal diseases as well as cholera. Vibrio cholerae 01 (E1 tor biotype) causes severe dehydrating watery diarrhoea as well as asymptomatic or mild illness which is indistinguishable from illness caused by other halophilic Vibrio spp. Ten (10) cases of diarrhoeal illness with dehydration (mild to severe) were seen between

The Tobago leg of the Intersalt Study: urine sodium, bloodpressure and body mass index correlations - abstract

Tobago is a participant in the INTERSALT study, a multicentre study of inter-relationships between salt intake, bloodpressure and other variables. In the period 1986-1987, in Tobago, a random sample of 200 men and women, 25 in each of 8 age/sex groups, were enrolled in the study. Systolic and diastolic bloodpressure levels were measured with a Hawksley random sphygmomanometer under defined conditions, a spot urine and 24-hr. urine collection were obtained and information was obtained on cardio-vascular risk factors (questionnaire), drug schedules and alcohol intake. Overall in the INTERSALT study of 52 centres in 32 countries, increase of systolic and diastolic bloodpressure with age was significantly related to the average sodium excretion. In addition, sodium excretion (positive), body mass index (positive), heavy alcohol intake (positive) and potassium excretion (negative) were significantly related to the bloodpressure of individuals. In Tobago, prevalence of raised bloodpressure was 18 per cent. Thirteen per cent of men were heavy drinkers (>300 ml alcohol per week), and an average body mass index of 27.0 (kg/m2) and sodium/potassium ratio 2.77 were recorded (men and women combined). The results indicate above optimal values of these variables in Tobago, and suggest the potential for appropriate lifestyle changes of high bloodpressure in Tobago (AU)