BACKGROUND:Foodborne disease outbreaks are one of the main health problems all over the world, which have an extensive impact on human health.OBJECTIVE:[corrected] To analyze the foodborne disease outbreaks occurred in Chilean urban area from 2005 to 2010.METHODS:We made a descriptive epidemiologic study. First, criteria were defined and classified according to previous epidemiologic investigations, clinical and environment samples, then. Variables of space, time, place and person were also analyzed.RESULTS:Among 2,806 reported outbreaks, 2434 (86.7%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Incidence rate of the period (2005-2010) were 32 cases per 100 inhabitants. A total of 12,196 people were affected, with an average of 5 patients per outbreak. The households (36.2%), restaurants (16.3%), supermarkets (6.3%) free fair (4.4%) have been the most important outbreak areas. The foods involved were seafood (15.4%), fish (15.1%), and fast food (13.5%). The etiologic agents were Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.CONCLUSIONS:Outbreaks foodborne diseases are frequents in the Chilean urban area, which make vulnerable a lot of people. The largest numbers happened in the households and were due to bad handling and/or inappropriate storage of the foods.

Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis are a public health problem. Norovirus is known as the most common cause (50%). In Chile, immediate notification allows surveillance of these events. We describe an acute gastroenteritis outbreak that occurred in Antofagasta region, between March and April 2010. An observational study was conducted to perform the outbreak investigation. Local residents who met case definition were included. Stool samples, epidemiological surveys and environmental samples were requested. The outbreak began approximately on March 8, 2010 and lasted until April 28 with 31,036 reported cases (rate 54 per 1000 inhabitants). The most affected age group was between 25 and 44 years, and diarrhea was the main symptom (97% of cases). We determined the presence of norovirus genogroup II in clinical and environmental samples. This outbreak was caused by consumption of raw vegetables from La Chimba, which were watered and contaminated with treated sewage containing low concentration of free residual chlorine. Subsequently, the outbreak spread from person to person in a poor sanitary environment.

Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Antofagasta Region.Chile

Foodborne disease outbreaks are one of the main health problems all over the world, which have an extensive impact on human health.[corrected] To analyze the foodborne disease outbreaks occurred in Chilean urban area from 2005 to 2010.We made a descriptive epidemiologic study. First, criteria were defined and classified according to previous epidemiologic investigations, clinical and environment samples, then. Variables of space, time, place and person were also analyzed.Among 2,806 reported outbreaks, 2434 (86.7%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Incidence rate of the period (2005-2010) were 32 cases per 100 inhabitants. A total of 12,196 people were affected, with an average of 5 patients per outbreak. The households (36.2%), restaurants (16.3%), supermarkets (6.3%) free fair (4.4%) have been the most important outbreak areas. The foods involved were seafood (15.4%), fish (15.1%), and fast food (13.5%). The etiologic agents were Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.Outbreaks foodborne diseases are frequents in the Chilean urban area, which make vulnerable a lot of people. The largest numbers happened in the households and were due to bad handling and/or inappropriate storage of the foods.

To find more evidence of human exposure to Anaplasma sp in Chile, we studied 108 contacts of dogs with canine ehrlichiosis (CE) (risk group) and 61 persons without tick or CE cases contact (control group). A survey including risk factors and history of diseases compatible with ehrlichiosis/ anaplasmosis was applied to the risk group. Serum IgG anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies were determined in both groups.A significant difference was found in the prevalence of anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies in the risk group compared with the control group (18,5 versus 3,3%), p < 0,005. No risk factors associated to seropositivity were found, nor persons with history suggesting ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. Ninety four percent of the houses of the risk group had tick infestation.A greater risk of exposition to Anaplasma sp is documented in people living in close contact with CE cases and in houses with tick infestation.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS:To find more evidence of human exposure to Anaplasma sp in Chile, we studied 108 contacts of dogs with canine ehrlichiosis (CE) (risk group) and 61 persons without tick or CE cases contact (control group). A survey including risk factors and history of diseases compatible with ehrlichiosis/ anaplasmosis was applied to the risk group. Serum IgG anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies were determined in both groups.RESULTS:A significant difference was found in the prevalence of anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies in the risk group compared with the control group (18,5 versus 3,3%), p < 0,005. No risk factors associated to seropositivity were found, nor persons with history suggesting ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. Ninety four percent of the houses of the risk group had tick infestation.DISCUSSION:A greater risk of exposition to Anaplasma sp is documented in people living in close contact with CE cases and in houses with tick infestation.

Bites caused by pets or free living animal, including the so called exotic ones are a common cause of medical care request, although its real dimension has not been well defined in the local setting. This paper reviews the epidemiology of the topic placing emphasis in the initial approach and recommendations for the management of dog and cat bites. Due to increasing ownership or contact with other animals, management of bites from hamsters, mice, ferrets, rabbits, prairie dogs, monkeys, bats, lizards and bird bites is also discussed.

Capsid and polymerase (RdRp) genes of 13 norovirus outbreak strains from Chile were compared. The genes sequences were discordant for five strains, and recombination was confirmed for two of them by amplification of a 1,360-bp gene segment containing a fragment of both genes. These strains belonged to a novel genogroup by RdRp sequence and to genogroup GII/3 by capsid sequence. Determining the clinical and epidemiological impact of human calicivirus recombination will require future studies.

BACKGROUND:Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease and its incidence is known in Chile since 2002, when it was incorporated as a disease that must be reported to health authorities. A serologic survey for leptospirosis was performed in humans and animals from a farm in a semi urban area in Santiago Chile, after the death of a farmer due to Weil disease in that place.AIM:To report the prevalence of antibodies against leptospirosis and to determine exposure to infection risk factors in the humans and domestic animals studied in this survey.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Antibodies were detected by IgM immunodot and indirect haemagglutination test in 61 humans (43 male, aged 5 to 70 years) and by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in 44 animals. A questionnaire was applied to determine their exposure to risk factors for infection with Leptospira.RESULTS:Seventy two percent of the studied population were farm workers and 70% had activities that required contact with water from canals, 41% cleaned closed places where rodents were present. Other risk factors detected were lack of sewage and waste disposal, high level of rodent infestation and disposal of faeces into canals used for watering. Two humans (3.3%) and six animals (1 bovine and 5 rodents) had positive antibodies. Among animals, antibodies against Leptospira serovar pomona and icterohaemorragiae were detected.CONCLUSIONS:In Chile, leptospirosis exists not only in rural areas but semi urban ones close to Santiago, although the prevalence is low. Education is necessary among semi urban population to avoid infection.

Human caliciviruses caused 45% of 55 gastroenteritis outbreaks occurring in Santiago, Chile, during 2000–2003. Outbreaks affected ≤99 persons, occurred most commonly in the home, and were associated with seafood consumption. Thirteen outbreak strains sequenced were noroviruses, including 8 GII, 2 GI, and 3 belonging to a novel genogroup.

Foodborne diseases are becoming an important cause of morbidity in Chile. In the Metropolitan Region of Chile, the Environmental Health Service started a surveillance program for foodborne diseases in 1994. In 2000, this program was complemented with an etiologic study of individuals involved in outbreaks.To report the incidence of foodborne outbreaks in the Metropolitan Region of Chile and its causative agents.One hundred ninety outbreaks of foodborne diseases were reported in 1999 and 260 in 2000. The Southern Metropolitan health service had the higher incidence rates (7.5 in 1999 and 8.2 in 2000). The mean attack rates were 25% in both periods, affecting 1248 individuals in 1999 and 1774 in 2000. In 18% of outbreaks, a pathogen was identified; the most frequent agents were Salmonella Spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella. In 15% of subjects, the cause was histamine or chemical agents. In the rest of the cases, the cause was not identified. The foods with higher risk of causing foodborne diseases were hot prepared dishes, home made goat cheese and meats.The incidence rates of foodborne disease in Metropolitan Area of Chile are high and maybe underestimate, only in a low rate of outbreaks was possible to have samples for etiologic studies. For a better understanding of this problem, timely notification of foodborne diseases must be encouraged and educational campaigns about the proper manipulation of food items must be implemented.

BACKGROUND:Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), is an emergent pathogen that causes sporadic infections and outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with consumption of contaminated food products. Because detection of EHEC in diarrhea patients is not routinely performed, infection is most probably underestimated.AIM:To compare three techniques to detect EHEC: Colony hybridization with DNA probes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of stx1 and stx2 genes and immunoenzymatic detection by ELISA (Premier EHEC) of Stx1 and Stx2 toxins.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Four outbreaks of food-borne gastroenteritis were studied including 16 patients and 78 strains of E coli. Twenty-one (26.9%) strains, hybridized with the stx1 probe, 1 (1.3%) hybridized only with the stx2 probe and 36 (46.1%) with both probes. PCR amplification for cytotoxin genes was observed in 6 strains (7.7%) from the second outbreak studied. The immunoenzymatic assay detected the cytotoxins in 18 (23.0%), of the 78 studied strains. Agreement between probes and ELISA was 44.8%, between PCR and probes 34.7% and 82.4% between ELISA and PCR.CONCLUSIONS:These results indicate a variable yield among different EHEC detection techniques. Considering PCR as the gold standard, ELISA technique showed a better sensitivity and specificity than probes.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), is an emergent pathogen that causes sporadic infections and outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with consumption of contaminated food products. Because detection of EHEC in diarrhea patients is not routinely performed, infection is most probably underestimated.To compare three techniques to detect EHEC: Colony hybridization with DNA probes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of stx1 and stx2 genes and immunoenzymatic detection by ELISA (Premier EHEC) of Stx1 and Stx2 toxins.Four outbreaks of food-borne gastroenteritis were studied including 16 patients and 78 strains of E coli. Twenty-one (26.9%) strains, hybridized with the stx1 probe, 1 (1.3%) hybridized only with the stx2 probe and 36 (46.1%) with both probes. PCR amplification for cytotoxin genes was observed in 6 strains (7.7%) from the second outbreak studied. The immunoenzymatic assay detected the cytotoxins in 18 (23.0%), of the 78 studied strains. Agreement between probes and ELISA was 44.8%, between PCR and probes 34.7% and 82.4% between ELISA and PCR.These results indicate a variable yield among different EHEC detection techniques. Considering PCR as the gold standard, ELISA technique showed a better sensitivity and specificity than probes.

Background.: Foodborne diseases are becoming an important cause of morbidity in Chile. In the Metropolitan Region of Chile, the Environmental Health Service started a surveillance program for foodborne diseases in 1994. In 2000, this program was complemented with an etiologic study of individuals involved in outbreaks. Aim: To report the incidence of foodborne outbreaks in the Metropolitan Region of Chile and its causative agents. Results: One hundred ninety outbreaks of foodborne diseases were reported in 1999 and 260 in 2000. The Southern Metropolitan health service had the higher incidence rates (7.5 in 1999 and 8.2 in 2000). The mean attack rates were 25% in both periods, affecting 1248 individuals in 1999 and 1774 in 2000. In 18% of outbreaks, a pathogen was identified; the most frequent agents were Salmonella Spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella. In 15% of subjects, the cause was histamine or chemical agents. In the rest of the cases, the cause was not identified. The,foods with higher risk of causing foodborne diseases were hot prepared dishes, home made goat cheese and meats. Conclusions: The incidence rates of foodborne disease in Metropolitan Area of Chile are high and maybe underestimate, only in a low rate of outbreaks was possible to have samples for etiologic studies. For a better understanding of this problem,, timely notification of foodborne diseases must be encouraged and educational campaigns about the proper manipulation of food items must be implemented.

BACKGROUND:Foodborne diseases are becoming an important cause of morbidity in Chile. In the Metropolitan Region of Chile, the Environmental Health Service started a surveillance program for foodborne diseases in 1994. In 2000, this program was complemented with an etiologic study of individuals involved in outbreaks.AIM:To report the incidence of foodborne outbreaks in the Metropolitan Region of Chile and its causative agents.RESULTS:One hundred ninety outbreaks of foodborne diseases were reported in 1999 and 260 in 2000. The Southern Metropolitan health service had the higher incidence rates (7.5 in 1999 and 8.2 in 2000). The mean attack rates were 25% in both periods, affecting 1248 individuals in 1999 and 1774 in 2000. In 18% of outbreaks, a pathogen was identified; the most frequent agents were Salmonella Spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella. In 15% of subjects, the cause was histamine or chemical agents. In the rest of the cases, the cause was not identified. The foods with higher risk of causing foodborne diseases were hot prepared dishes, home made goat cheese and meats.CONCLUSIONS:The incidence rates of foodborne disease in Metropolitan Area of Chile are high and maybe underestimate, only in a low rate of outbreaks was possible to have samples for etiologic studies. For a better understanding of this problem, timely notification of foodborne diseases must be encouraged and educational campaigns about the proper manipulation of food items must be implemented.

In autumn 1996, children from an elementary school in Santiago were affected by an outbreak caused by Shigella sonnei.Initially 35 children out of 350 beneficiaries of the feeding program got sick.However, in the next five days, 189 new cases appeared.Sixty eight patients submitted stool samples for culture (65 children and 3 food handlers); 20.5% of stool cultures from the children were positive for S. sonnei, and all samples from food handlers were negative.The presentation of the outbreak states a toxiinfection due to S. sonnei, which probably started by ingestion of contaminated food (rate of primary attack 10%) and then person to person transmission (rate of secondary attack 16.9%).To control the outbreak, the personal sanitation rules were enforced as well as those concerning the environment with educational lectures to all the school community and with sanitary in situ control.Five days after beginning the first case, trimethoprim-sulpha was administered to only those symptomatic cases during five days.