An outbreak of neurological autoimmunity with polyradiculoneuropathy in workers exposed to aerosolised porcine neural tissue: a descriptive study

Lancet Neurology
Daniel H LachanceP James B Dyck

Abstract

Between November, 2006, and May, 2008, a subacute neurological syndrome affected workers from two swine abattoirs in Minnesota and Indiana who had occupational exposure to aerosolised porcine brain. We aimed to describe the pathogenic and immunological characteristics of this illness. All patients from two abattoirs who presented or were referred to the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) with neurological symptoms were included. We recorded details of exposure to aerosolised brain tissue and did comprehensive neurological, laboratory, neuroimaging, electrophysiological, pathological, and autoimmune serological assessments. Healthy controls were recruited from the community and from workers at the plant in Minnesota. 24 patients were identified (21 from Minnesota, three from Indiana). The shortest duration from first exposure to symptom onset was 4 weeks. No infectious agent that could trigger disease was identified. All patients developed polyradiculoneuropathy, which was usually sensory predominant and painful. Two patients had initial CNS manifestations: transverse myelitis and meningoencephalitis. Nerve conduction studies localised abnormalities to the most proximal and distal nerve segments. Quantitative sensory and autonomic...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 22, 2010·Brain : a Journal of Neurology·Haruki Koike, Gen Sobue
Mar 9, 2011·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Charles L LoprinziDaniel H Lachance
Mar 13, 2014·ILAR Journal·Deepa B RaoRobert C Sills
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Dec 8, 2015·Acta Neuropathologica Communications·Romana HöftbergerHans Lassmann
Mar 1, 2013·Muscle & Nerve·Georgios ManousakisAlan Pestronk
Jul 1, 2011·Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System : JPNS·Jennifer A Tracy, P James B Dyck
Jun 26, 2012·Immunological Reviews·Raffaele Iorio, Vanda A Lennon
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Jul 29, 2015·Prion·Per Hammarström, Sofie Nyström
Jul 30, 2015·BioMed Research International·Hao DingXiaoxing Xiong
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Aug 19, 2020·International Immunology·Iosif M GershteynLeonardo M R Ferreira
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Aug 2, 2011·Neurologic Clinics·Hani A Kushlaf

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