PMID: 9436385Jan 22, 1998Paper

A molecular epidemiological analysis of several outbreaks of tuberculosis in public saunas. A problem of tuberculosis among homeless people in the metropolitan area

[Nihon kōshū eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health
Y NakanishiT Mori

Abstract

There were several outbreaks of pulmonary tuberculosis among employees and customers of public saunas in Shijuku, a large office, shopping and amusement quarter in Tokyo. Twenty four patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were found between March 1994 and November 1996. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of DNA derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from eighteen patients with positive cultures was used to analyze the transmission route. The DNA probe was derived from the insertion sequence IS6110. There were 14 different DNA patterns of the M. tuberculosis isolated from 18 patients. Of 14 patterns, three patterns were shared by 2 patients, patients and 3 patients, respectively. The remaining 11 patterns were observed in 11 patients, thus one pattern for each patient. These data suggest that the infection of M. tuberculosis resulted from different origins. The saunas in amusement areas like Shinjuku have been used as hotels. Many customers from different places are using the saunas for overnight stay, and in particular homeless people have been using the saunas as their "home". The sauna can be a place where groups of people with high risk for tuberculosis congregate and the potential for an outbreak of t...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.