December 2017
Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal
Highlights: Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 2018
The articles of interest summarized below will appear in the January 2018 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, CDC’s monthly peer-reviewed public health journal. This issue features Zoonotic Infections. The articles are embargoed until December 13, 2017, at 12 p.m. EST.
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The articles of interest summarized below will appear in the January 2018 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, CDC’s monthly peer-reviewed public health journal. This issue features Zoonotic Infections. The articles are embargoed until December 13, 2017, at 12 p.m. EST.
1. Postmortem Findings in Patient with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Zika Virus Infection, Emilio Dirlikov et al.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is an uncommon disorder in which a person’s immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Guillain-Barré syndrome is an uncommon but serious complication of a variety of bacterial and viral infections; it seems we can now add Zika virus infection to the list. To learn more about how and why Zika virus and Guillain-Barré syndrome are associated (e.g., does Zika virus directly damage nerves, or does it overstimulate the immune system?), researchers examined tissues from a man with both conditions who died in 2016. Having found no evidence of the virus itself in the nerve tissue, the researchers suggest that antibodies (immune response) to the virus may be the trigger for Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Contact: CDC Media Relations; 404-639-3286, or media@cdc.gov.
2. Investigation of Canine-Mediated Human Rabies Death, Haiti, 2015, Cuc H. Tran et al.
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease of the brain. Vaccination soon after being bitten by an infected animal (called postexposure prophylaxis) can help prevent disease. However, despite control efforts in Haiti, people are still getting rabies after bites from infected dogs. In 2015, investigation of the rabies death of a 4-year-old Haitian girl led to further identification of other potential cases. The girl’s death led to formation of an international multiagency team, which identified additional people bitten by dogs, conducted a campaign to vaccinate dogs, and surveyed people about healthcare-seeking and dog ownership behaviors (e.g., number of dog bites, rabies awareness). The team found that there were more human rabies cases than previously reported because people had not sought healthcare after dog bites, some because of the cost of transportation and treatment, some because there was no nearby medical facility or trained personnel, and some because of religious beliefs. Most cases were reported by community members who alerted health officials after attending a rabies educator’s workshop; this finding indicates that, in Haiti, a valuable part of rabies control is community engagement. This investigation highlights that community engagement can be an effective control measure for rabies and other diseases in low resource settings.
Contact: CDC Media Relations; 404-639-3286, or media@cdc.gov.
3. Lethal Respiratory Disease Associated with Human Rhinovirus C in Wild Chimpanzees, Uganda, 2013, Erik J. Scully et al. (February 2018 issue)
Much is known about zoonotic diseases, which can spread from animals to people, but what about diseases that can spread from people to animals? Take rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, for example. Until 2013, rhinovirus C, a particularly potent species among the rhinoviruses, was believed to infect only people. However, an outbreak of lethal respiratory disease among wild chimpanzees in Uganda has proven otherwise. Postmortem examination of a young chimpanzee that died indicated pervasive rhinovirus C infection. Genetic testing of live chimpanzees from the same area and throughout Africa indicated susceptibility to this virus across the entire ape species. These findings show that rhinovirus C can cross the species barrier and threatens wild chimpanzees. The findings may renew efforts to prevent virus transmission from researchers, tourists, and local residents to captive and wild apes (e.g., by use of quarantine periods, face masks, hand hygiene).
Contact: Tony L. Goldberg, University of Wisconsin‒Madison, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, 1656 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706, USA; email: tony.goldberg@wisc.edu.
