Biomedical subjects
M A Brieseman
Publications and source records attributed to M A Brieseman.
A case control study to determine risk factors for campylobacter infection in Christchurch in the summer of 1992-3.
AIM: This study was designed to determine the risk factors for acquiring campylobacter infection in Christchurch in the summer of 1992/3. METHODS: A case control study was conducted of 100 cases and controls from urban areas matched for age and sex. Cases and controls were interviewed by telephone using a questionnaire and results analysed using the Epi Info statistical computer programme. RESULTS: Eighty one percent of both cases and controls had recently consumed poultry. Eating poultry at a friends house (OR = 3.18, CI 1.0, 10.73, p = 0.03), at a barbecue (OR = 3.00, CI 0.99, 9.34, p = 0.03) or eating undercooked chicken (OR = 4.94, CI 1.03, 23.62, p = 0.05) was a risk whereas eating at home was protective (OR = 0.36, CI 0.14, 0.9, p = 0.02). Other factors associated with increased risk were drinking water from a nonurban supply (OR = 2.7, CI 0.89, 8.33, p = 0.09) or consumption of chicken bought fresh (OR = 1.8, CI 0.85, 3.82, p = 0.10). CONCLUSION: Poorly cooked or handled chicken is a significant source of human campylobacter infection. Morbidity may be reduced by increased public awareness and improvement of cooking practices.
Giardiasis in Canterbury: the first nine months reported cases.
AIM: To obtain epidemiological information about giardiasis in Canterbury. METHOD: From October 1990 general practitioners were requested to report laboratory confirmed cases. The first 100 cases were sent a questionnaire and also asked to provide the details of two persons to be controls. RESULTS: In the first nine months 109 cases were reported. Eighty four cases completed questionnaires and 51 were matched with controls. The overall reported attack rate was 4.0 per 10,000 population per year. The rate was highest for preschool children and young adults and in rural areas. There was a significant risk associated with having contact with sewage or travelling overseas and a marginal risk for drinking water outside Christchurch. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that giardiasis was relatively common in Canterbury and confirmed that the major mechanisms of infection were probably the same as those previously identified overseas, namely person to person spread via faecal-oral transmission and the drinking of inadequately filtered water.
Legionellosis in New Zealand: first recorded outbreak.
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A further study of the epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni infections.
Epidemiological data on notifications of Campylobacter jejuni infections is given for the Christchurch health district area. The number of notifications rose steadily to a peak of 883 cases in 1987 (rate 261 per 100,000 population). Christchurch shows consistently higher rates than the rest of New Zealand. Peak incidence is in the 0-4 age group; there is a high incidence amongst males and in rural areas; peak incidences in spring/summer; occupational risks have not been identified; chicken consumption is high amongst the sufferers, but statistical significance uncertain. The major association identified amongst campylobacter cases is a household contact with dogs. This has a risk factor of 1.25 to 2 times.
Town water supply as the cause of an outbreak of Campylobacter infection.
An outbreak of campylobacter disease is recorded. Nineteen cases of campylobacter were reported within a two week period. Epidemiological evidence indicates contamination of the town water supply as the likely source.
The epidemiology of campylobacter infections in Christchurch 1981-83.
The epidemiology of cases of campylobacter infection in Christchurch for 1981-83 is studied. The condition is the most common notifiable disease, occurring mainly in summer and in children under five years and young adults (15 to 35 years). There is evidence to suggest that a rural residence, associated with live animals, or handling raw meat, are risk factors. Clearance occurs within two months in 90% of cases.
Raw milk consumption as a probable cause of two outbreaks of campylobacter infection.
Outbreaks of gastro-intestinal illness among groups of children using two different camp sites are described. Fifty of the children in one situation and thirty-eight at the second site were ill, with campylobacter being isolated in 50 children. Circumstantial evidence implicates raw milk as the cause of the illness.
Knowledge and practice of New Zealand mothers in the treatment of infantile diarrhoea.
One hundred and ninety-four mothers in the Christchurch area were questioned concerning their knowledge and treatment of diarrhoea in infants. Results showed that although traditional ideas have changed and there is some awareness of the need to use fluid replacement, there is a lack of appreciation of the importance of solutes in oral rehydration, suggesting that New Zealand is as much in need of health education as developing countries in this particular facet, as well as in other related matters.
Serology testing as a means of encouraging rubella immunisation.
One thousand three hundred and sixty-one women were tested for rubella antibody titres both under public and occupational conditions. Two hundred and seventy-one of the thirteen hundred and sixty-one women (20%) had low immunity. Follow-up methods resulted in immunisation of 55% of these women (149 of 271). Reasons for non-acceptance are explored. While a higher acceptance rate would be desirable, mass testing for antibody levels has been demonstrated as a method of encouraging those with low immunity to be immunised.
An outbreak of skin disease from the use of a spa pool.
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