An outbreak of tuberculosis in rural Delaware

American Journal of Epidemiology
T P GrossG W Rogers

Abstract

A total of 35 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1976-1984 were identified as part of a sustained outbreak involving five communities located in southern Delaware. The index case, a 25-year-old black female with sputum smear-positive, cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis, was a sexual partner of three other persons with cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis and a close contact of 10 other persons with tuberculosis. The median age of the 35 patients was 23 years (range 15 months to 77 years), and 13 (37%) were less than 15 years of age. Sixteen patients (46%) were male, and 34 (97%) were black. Pulmonary parenchymal disease was noted in 18 cases (51%), including nine (26%) with cavitary lesions; 11 (31%) had lymphatic disease (hilar and/or mediastinal); five (14%) had pleural disease; and one (3%) had a normal chest radiograph. Infection prevalence (per 100 tested) was 44.7 for close contacts of cases and 18.3 for other than close contacts, and disease prevalence (per 100 tested) was 8.9 and 1.4 for those two groups, respectively. This outbreak highlights several points: Outbreaks of tuberculosis may go undetected for several years; aggressive and complete surveillance and containment efforts are needed to control tuberculosis; and tu...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.

Related Papers

The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases = Journal Canadien Des Maladies Infectieuses
M W Mah, E A Fanning
Kansenshōgaku zasshi. The Journal of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases
T KurasawaF Kuze
The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
Boonchai PhomborphubTaveeporn Boonkitjaroen
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved