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Biomedical subjects

L Mascola

Publications and source records attributed to L Mascola.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

HIV seroprevalence in intravenous drug users: Los Angeles, California, 1986.

To estimate the seroprevalence and investigate risk behaviors for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection in intravenous drug users in Los Angeles County, a stratified, random sample of 790 clients, enrolled in either methadone maintenance or detoxification programs, were studied. Thirteen study participants (1.8 per cent) were seropositive; of these, five were homosexual/bisexual males and three were female prostitutes. Ninety-five per cent of all participants reported sharing needles. Risk reduction education efforts must be expanded before the HIV antibody prevalence rate increases.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Declining rates of amebiasis in Los Angeles County: a sentinel for decreasing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidence?

In Los Angeles County from 1983-1988, rates of amebiasis declined 65 percent among White males 15-44 years. No such decline occurred among White females 15-44 years or White males less than 15. Reported acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in the district of highest AIDS incidence has followed the initial decline in amebiasis by four years. Amebiasis trends may be a useful predictor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and future rates of AIDS among gay men.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Surveillance of listeriosis in Los Angeles County, 1985-1986. A first year's report.

After a large food-borne outbreak of listeriosis in Los Angeles County, California, in 1985, the California State Department of Health Services instituted mandatory reporting of Listeria monocytogenes by clinical laboratories. From September 1, 1985, through August 31, 1986, 94 cases of listeriosis were reported in Los Angeles County for an annual crude incidence rate of 12 cases per million persons. Of the 94 cases, 37 (39%) were in neonates and/or their mothers and 57 (61%) were nonperinatal. The overall case fatality rate was 31%, with a perinatal case fatality of 16% (6 fetal and 23 nonperinatal); this compares with an epidemic perinatal case fatality rate of 32%. No significant differences were observed in age-adjusted, race-specific incidence rates among nonperinatal cases or race-specific incidence rates among perinatal cases. All but 2 of the nonperinatal patients had a known predisposing risk factor for the development of listeriosis, the most common of which was a prior history of steroid therapy. A clustering of cases was not identified. No common food sources were apparent. Patients presenting as perinatal cases were more likely to have ingested Mexican-style cheese, ice cream, and yogurt than those presenting as nonperinatal cases. Improved case ascertainment through mandatory reporting and laboratory-based surveillance will establish meaningful baseline levels of listeriosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Rape and AIDS.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Association of sporadic listeriosis with consumption of uncooked hot dogs and undercooked chicken.

In 1986-87 the Centers for Disease Control conducted an active population-based survey of Listeria monocytogenes infections in six regions of the United States. Listeriosis was reported in 154 patients: one-third of cases were perinatal and the remaining two-thirds occurred in the elderly and immunosuppressed. 28% of cases were fatal. 82 cases and 239 controls matched for age and underlying disease were enrolled in a study of risk factors for listeriosis. Cases were significantly more likely than controls to have eaten uncooked hot dogs or undercooked chicken, with 20% of the overall risk of listeriosis attributable to consumption of these foods. No other risk factors were identified.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Epidemic listeriosis associated with Mexican-style cheese.

In Los Angeles County, California, 142 cases of human listeriosis were reported from January 1 through August 15, 1985. Ninety-three cases (65.5 percent) occurred in pregnant women or their offspring, and 49 (34.5 percent) in nonpregnant adults. There were 48 deaths: 20 fetuses, 10 neonates, and 18 nonpregnant adults. Of the nonpregnant adults, 98 percent (48 of 49) had a known predisposing condition. Eighty-seven percent (81 of 93) of the maternal/neonatal cases were Hispanic. Of the Listeria monocytogenes isolates available for study, 82 percent (86 of 105) were serotype 4b, of which 63 of 86 (73 percent) were the same phage type. A case-control study implicated Mexican-style soft cheese (odds ratio, 5.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.2 to 24.8) as the vehicle of infection; a second case-control study showed an association with one brand (Brand A) of Mexican-style soft cheese (odds ratio, 8.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.4 to 26.2). Laboratory study confirmed the presence of L. monocytogenes serogroup 4b of the epidemic phage type in Brand A Mexican-style cheese. In mid-June, all Brand A cheese was recalled and the factory was closed. An investigation of the cheese plant suggested that the cheese was commonly contaminated with unpasteurized milk. We conclude that the epidemic of listeriosis was caused by ingestion of Brand A cheese contaminated by one phage type of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Listeriosis: an uncommon opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A report of five cases and a review of the literature.

Between January 1985 and March 1986, five cases of listeriosis were reported in Los Angeles County in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). All patients were homosexual men with no other risk factors for AIDS. Two patients had sepsis only, two patients had sepsis and meningitis, and one patient had sepsis and signs of meningitis. Sixty percent of the cases (three patients) had a prior or concurrent gastrointestinal illness. Eighty percent of the cases (four patients) also had no prior history of antibiotic administration. Both of these findings may have predisposed these AIDS patients to be at increased risk for listeriosis. Although listeriosis is an infrequent illness in AIDS patients, people with AIDS or human immunodeficiency virus infection should probably refrain from ingesting food items associated with listeriosis. These food items include improperly pasteurized dairy products, and raw fruits and vegetables not properly washed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Public health at the 1984 Summer Olympics: the Los Angeles County experience.

During the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services used its active disease surveillance system to monitor disease occurrence and other health concerns. Reports were collected by telephone three times a week from 198 participating facilities including hospitals, prepaid health plans, private physicians, and Olympic sites. Background data were obtained two months preceding the Olympic events. Less illness was recorded during the Olympics than during the same period for the three preceding years.

California↗
PubMed1987

Salmonellosis outbreak on transatlantic flights; foodborne illness on aircraft: 1947-1984.

In March 1984, 186 cases of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella enteritidis were reported after 29 flights to the United States on an international airline. An estimated 2,747 passengers on flights to the United States were affected. Illness was associated with flying supersonic or first class (odds ratio = 15, p less than 0.001). Eating food from the first-class menu was associated with illness (p = 0.09), and eating a tourist-class entree was protective (p less than 0.01). In 23 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness on aircraft, Salmonella has been the most common pathogen (seven outbreaks), followed by Staphylococcus (five outbreaks), and Vibrio species (five outbreaks). Outbreaks are most often the result of an improper temperature for preparation or for holding food in the flight kitchens. Serving the flight crew meals from one kitchen carries the risk that the entire crew will become ill.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1986

Screening to reduce transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in semen used for artificial insemination.

The practice of artificial insemination by donor semen is increasing in the United States. Many sexually transmitted organisms are found in semen, but screening procedures for the detection of these agents in donor semen have not been standardized. Sexually transmitted organisms have been transmitted during artificial insemination by donor, and such transmission can cause local, disseminated, or fatal disease in the recipient woman and may harm the fetus or newborn. Therefore, screening of both the donor and the donated semen is necessary to avoid infectious complications. Because semen samples cannot be evaluated completely on the day of donation, the use of fresh semen for artificial insemination should be discouraged. Until accurate, rapid diagnostic tests are available, only frozen semen that has been appropriately screened should be used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Congenital syphilis revisited.

Despite decades of experience with congenital syphilis, problems still arise in case definition, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and follow-up. We reviewed all 50 cases of early congenital syphilis reported to the State of Texas in 1982. A large proportion of the infants were premature (39%), of low birth weight (38%), and symptomatic at birth (62%). Because of these findings, we believe that possible cases of asymptomatic congenital syphilis in Texas may be under-reported. Laboratory and/or roentgenographic findings were important to confirm the diagnosis of congenital syphilis. Over half of the asymptomatic infants had positive results of cerebrospinal fluid VDRLs. After diagnosis, the treatment of infants with penicillin varied considerably. While all 47 living infants were treated with penicillin, 21 different regimens were used. We urge all physicians to perform complete diagnostic evaluations on suspected infants consisting of a quantitative serum test for syphilis, serum IgM levels, a cerebrospinal fluid VDRL, roentgenographs of the long bones, and dark-field microscopy where indicated. Additionally, infants and their families need appropriate follow-up after treatment.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1984

Inadequate treatment of syphilis in pregnancy.

Pregnant women with untreated syphilis have high rates of adverse pregnancy outcome. Early syphilis in pregnancy, if not treated, results in 40% loss either by spontaneous abortions, stillbirth, or perinatal death. Another 40% of such pregnancies result in an infant born with congenital syphilis. Only 20% of such pregnancies result in a normal infant. Currently recommended treatment of early syphilis in pregnant women uses a dosage of 2.4 million U of benzathine penicillin G. Because of the potentially disastrous effect syphilis has on pregnancy outcome, the occurrence of any treatment failure must be considered seriously. In this brief report we present clinical summaries of four pregnant women treated for syphilis who represent probable treatment failures.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Congenital syphilis. Why is it still occurring?

A total of 159 cases of early congenital syphilis were reported in the United States during 1982, with Texas reporting 50 cases. We reviewed these Texas cases to identify the most important characteristics on which to focus control efforts. Thirty-eight mothers were 25 years of age or younger; 33 were unmarried. All were from minority groups. No congenital syphilis occurred in whites. Blacks were twice as likely as Hispanics to have an infected infant. Foreign-born Hispanic women were three times more likely to be delivered of an infected child than Hispanics born in the United States. Attendance at prenatal care facilities significantly affected the risk of being delivered of an infected child in both black and Hispanic women; 31 women received no prenatal care. Based on these findings, congenital syphilis in Texas can be reduced primarily through improving prenatal care for high-risk populations and by refining casefinding efforts to control infectious syphilis in the community.

Female↗
PubMed1984

Neonatal herpes simplex virus death manifested as rapidly progressive pneumonia.

This report describes a case of probable herpes simplex virus (HSV) pneumonia in a neonate with no other localized signs of HSV infection. A 37-week-old infant became ill on the fourth day of life and died 6 days later of overwhelming pneumonia and ensuing complications. After the infant's death, viral cultures from the trachea, nasopharynx, and gastric aspirate grew herpes simplex virus. The mother had no history or signs of HSV infection at delivery. She developed a postpartum fever, and 8 days later herpetic lesions were noticed on the vulva and buttocks. The source of this infant's infection was most likely the maternal birth canal. Nosocomial acquisition could not be ruled out, but no history of HSV infection was found in either involved hospital personnel or in 38 infants defined to be at risk for nosocomial acquisition of the disease. Neonatal HSV can present as a rapidly progressive pneumonia without other clues to etiology.

Cross Infection↗