312.73

LIBRARY OF THE

Vol. 5, No. 7

February 27, 1956

Influenza

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL REPORTS

The following reports have been received by the Influenza Information Center, NIH, and the National Office of Vital Statistics.

Dr. S. S. Kalter, New York State University at Syracuse, gives additional information on last week's report of the isolation of a hemagglutinating agent. Hemagglutination inhibition of the virus was obtained with Cuppett (FW-1-50) antisera.

Dr. W. S. Jordan, Jr., Western Reserve University at Cleveland, reports the isolation of 2 strains of influenza A-prime virus.

Dr. Fred M. Davenport, Michigan School of Public Health, reports the isolation of 3 strains of influenza A-prime virus in Ann Arbor during the 2-week period ended February 18. Antibody response was demonstrated in one patient, but there is no marked increase in total respiratory disease.

Dr. Henry Wisniewski, Milwaukee Department of Health, reports possible influenza A-prime by serological tests. Several virus isolations have been attempted and studies are continuing.

Dr. Henry Bauer, Minnesota Department of Health, reports that an influenza virus, apparently related to type A-prime (FM 1), has been isolated from a throat washing collected February 1, 1956, from a patient with symptoms of influenza.

Washington State Department of Health reported 717 cases of influenza and epidemic respiratory infection for the current week. However, no laboratory confirmations were received.

Leptospirosis

The Division of Veterinary Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, has provided the following report on a case of leptospirosis with unusual serologic findings. A 4-yearold boy was admitted to Valley Forge Army Hospital, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 1955, exhibiting fever to 105 degrees and convulsions. The previous day he had been noted to have pharyngitis. He became partially comatose for 1 week. Three lumbar punctures showed a cell count of 15,000, largely neutrophils. His white blood count ranged from 15,000 to 37,000 cells with neutrophils predominating. Recovery occurred with some residual signs pointing to the frontal lobe, i. e., mood swings and echolalia.

Serologic tests were negative for mumps, herpes simplex, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, and poliomyelitis. Sera drawn on the 3d and 5th days of the disease were negative in a micro-agglutination-lysis test for leptospirosis. Sera drawn on the 20th and 35th days of the disease were positive at dilutions of 1:100 to 1:400 for 3 members of the Leptospira pyrogenes group (L. newman, L. australis B, and L. pyrogenes) but not for the 20 remaining strains tested, Members of the L. pyrogenes serotype have heretofore been reported only from southeast Asia.

Psittacosis

LINOIS

The Washington State Department of Health has reported a case of psittacosis in a 30-year-old man. His illness was characterized by high fever, chills, severe headache, pneumonic process by X-ray, and leukopenia. The diagnosis of psittacosis was confirmed by complement fixation tests. Six weeks before onset of his illness, the patient purchased a parakeet which died within a week. Later he purchased another. This bird and one owned for 4 years have remained well. No laboratory tests have been made on any of the birds.

The California Department of Public Health has reported a case of psittacosis in a 56-year-old man. The patient had general malaise without localized symptoms or signs. A chest X-ray showed moderate soft diffuse infiltrate of the type seen in atypical pneumonia. Complement fixation titer on blood specimens rose from 1:8 to 1:64 for psittacosis. The patient has had pet psittacine birds in his home for at least 2 years. The present birds are well, and no laboratory tests have been made on any of them.

Botulism

Dr. Fred E. Tosh, Colorado Department of Health, has supplied information on 5 cases of botulism which occurred in December 1955. An investigation revealed that a jar of home canned chili peppers was the vehicle of infection. Of 13 jars canned in 1953, this was the only one found to contain type A parabotulinus. The woman who canned the chili peppers has done this many times and is accustomed to canning a large variety of foods. The procedure used was no different from that commonly used in the area.

None of the 1953 lot was consumed until early in December 1955 when a jar was opened and the chili peppers were eaten by at least 6 persons. The next jar was opened by the husband who took it to work. That day he and several of his friends ate lunch together and played cards. The contents of the jar was eaten by the husband and 4 of his companions. The following day he and 1 companion became ill and were excused from work. Their main complaint was difficulty in seeing clearly and both went to see different ophthalmologists. Later in the day 1 patient who could barely walk and who conversed with great difficulty was admitted to a hospital. Here botulism was suspected. The other patient was contacted and also admitted to the hospital. Later their 3 companions, 2 of whom experienced only diarrhea, were admitted to the hospital as possible botulinus cases. Botulism antitoxin was given and all 5 have recovered.

Salmonellosis

Dr. Fred T. Foard, North Carolina State Board of Health, has reported an outbreak of salmonellosis following benefit dinners sponsored by a local high school. The total number of persons ill is not known, but it has been estimated to be at least 200 of the approximately 1,300 persons who participated in the noon and evening meals. Salmonella newport was isolated from samples of potato salad submitted for examination. The same organism has been isolated from stool specimens of a considerable number of patients.

Gastro-enteritis

The Los Angeles County Health Department has reported an outbreak of gastro-enteritis among 4 persons in a private household. They all became ill with pain in upper abdomen, vomiting, and diarrhea from to 5 hours after dinner. An investigation revealed that baked ham eaten over a period of 2 days was probably the source of infection. The meat was carved by the husband who had undergone a recent colostomy, a possible source of contamination. Bacteriological examination of the ham revealed a few nonpigmented coagulase negative, gram positive cocci showing no hemolysis on blood agar.

The California Department of Public Health has reported an outbreak of gastro-enteritis associated with a cafe. Eight persons became ill with headache, nausea, abdominal pain,

vomiting, and diarrhea from 3 to 111⁄2 hours after eating in the establishment. A Roquefort type of salad dressing was suspected to be the vehicle of infection, but none was available for bacteriological examination. The dressing consisted of mayonnaise, chopped scallions, Roquefort cheese, garlic, parsley, and salad oil. It was made in 5-gallon lots on a power mixer and supposedly was maintained under refrigeration,

Communicable diseases in other areas

Information has been received from the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, WHO, that the Director of the Gorgas Memorial Laboratory has reported that the liver of a monkey from Morales Municipio, Izabel Department, Guatemala, was found positive for yellow fever on histopathological examination.