Volume 18, Number 3—March 2012

LTCF residents had lower or similar rates of these infections, except salmonellosis, than community residents.

Most dairy-associated outbreaks occurred in states that permitted sale of these products.

Judicious use of antimicrobial drugs will reduce infections.

This novel virus is related to arenaviruses that cause hemorrhagic fever.

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is a primary pathogen.

Urinary tract infections can be difficult and expensive to treat. Most (85%) are caused by bacteria called E. coli. Historically, doctors have believed that these urinary tract E. coli came from the patient’s own intestines. But recently, Canadian researchers discovered that not only can these E. coli come from outside the patient’s intestines, they can actually come from outside the patient: from food. After comparing the genetic makeup of E. coli from human urinary tract infections with E. coli from retail meat (chicken, beef, and pork), they concluded that chickens are a likely source of E. coli and that the infections probably come directly from the chickens themselves, not from human contamination during food processing. Therefore, prevention of E. coli urinary tract infections in people might need to start on chicken farms.

We identified 95 isolates from novel taxa that may have clinical relevance.

Cysticercosis is an infection caused by a pork tapeworm that creates cysts in different areas of the human body. Sometimes, these parasites can get into the infected patient’s brain and lead to epilepsy or other neurologic disorders. Cysticercosis is most common in developing countries that have poor sanitation and where pigs feed on human waste; however, cases in the United States are increasing. A recent study found that many refugees who settle in the United States, including those from Burma, Laos, Burundi, and Bhutan, have been infected with the tapeworm. The occurrence of cysticercosis among these groups has clinical and public health implications because US physicians might not be familiar with this disease and its symptoms. Cysticercosis should be suspected in refugees who have seizures, headache, or other unexplained neurologic symptoms. Physicians should also be aware that treatment for intestinal parasites, routinely given to refugees before they leave their homeland, can cause serious neurologic reactions in those already infected with the tapeworm.

This pathogen may be the next Shiga toxin–producing E. coli of concern.

Novel adhesions, including trimeric autotransporters, might contribute to virulence.

For about 50 years, adenovirus has been a major cause of serious respiratory illness in US active duty military members, particularly at basic training camps. During 1971­­­–1999, a vaccine program successfully lowered the number of illnesses and deaths from adenovirus infection. However, a recent study has shown that since the program ended, the number of deaths might be creeping back up. A new program, which uses second-generation adenovirus vaccines approved in 2011, is expected to again lower the number of illnesses and deaths caused by adenovirus.