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Aita T, Sando E, Katoh S, Hamaguchi S, Fujita H, Kurita N. Nonnegligible Seroprevalence and Predictors of Murine Typhus, Japan (Response). Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:403-404. [PMID: 38270143 PMCID: PMC10826762 DOI: 10.3201/eid3002.231465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
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Gautret P. La Valentine disease: An outbreak of exanthematic typhus in Marseille, France, in 1810. J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2023; 53:290-294. [PMID: 37936398 DOI: 10.1177/14782715231210333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exanthematic typhus was highly frequent in the early 19th century among military troops and prisoners and at hospitals. METHODS Based on old reports, we describe an outbreak in a village, in Southern France, in 1810. RESULTS Twenty-eight cases were identified, over a period of 10 days following the death of the index case, in a soldier. Symptoms included notably persistent constant fever, myalgia and headaches, gastro-intestinal symptoms, prostration and stupor. Three patients suffered delirium and nine died (31.0%). Overall, symptoms persisted for 13-14 days. A total of 16 cases were secondary to contacts with the index case, and 10 cases were in house-hold contacts of secondary cases. Five familial clusters were described. CONCLUSION This data suggest that exanthematic typhus outbreaks among civilian populations also occurred outside the context of hospitals, in link with introduction of the disease by prisoners or soldiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Gautret
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Tadesse BT, Khanam F, Ahmmed F, Liu X, Islam MT, Kim DR, Kang SS, Im J, Chowdhury F, Ahmed T, Aziz AB, Hoque M, Park J, Pak G, Jeon HJ, Zaman K, Khan AI, Kim JH, Marks F, Qadri F, Clemens JD. Association Among Household Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Status and Typhoid Risk in Urban Slums: Prospective Cohort Study in Bangladesh. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2023; 9:e41207. [PMID: 37983081 PMCID: PMC10696503 DOI: 10.2196/41207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Typhoid fever, or enteric fever, is a highly fatal infectious disease that affects over 9 million people worldwide each year, resulting in more than 110,000 deaths. Reduction in the burden of typhoid in low-income countries is crucial for public health and requires the implementation of feasible water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, especially in densely populated urban slums. OBJECTIVE In this study, conducted in Mirpur, Bangladesh, we aimed to assess the association between household WASH status and typhoid risk in a training subpopulation of a large prospective cohort (n=98,087), and to evaluate the performance of a machine learning algorithm in creating a composite WASH variable. Further, we investigated the protection associated with living in households with improved WASH facilities and in clusters with increasing prevalence of such facilities during a 2-year follow-up period. METHODS We used a machine learning algorithm to create a dichotomous composite variable ("Better" and "Not Better") based on 3 WASH variables: private toilet facility, safe drinking water source, and presence of water filter. The algorithm was trained using data from the training subpopulation and then validated in a distinct subpopulation (n=65,286) to assess its sensitivity and specificity. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the protective effect of living in "Better" WASH households and in clusters with increasing levels of "Better" WASH prevalence. RESULTS We found that residence in households with improved WASH facilities was associated with a 38% reduction in typhoid risk (adjusted hazard ratio=0.62, 95% CI 0.49-0.78; P<.001). This reduction was particularly pronounced in individuals younger than 10 years at the first census participation, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.49 (95% CI 0.36-0.66; P<.001). Furthermore, we observed an inverse relationship between the prevalence of "Better" WASH facilities in clusters and the incidence of typhoid, although this association was not statistically significant in the multivariable model. Specifically, the adjusted hazard of typhoid decreased by 0.996 (95% CI 0.986-1.006) for each percent increase in the prevalence of "Better" WASH in the cluster (P=.39). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that existing variations in household WASH are associated with differences in the risk of typhoid in densely populated urban slums. This suggests that attainable improvements in WASH facilities can contribute to enhanced typhoid control, especially in settings where major infrastructural improvements are challenging. These findings underscore the importance of implementing and promoting comprehensive WASH interventions in low-income countries as a means to reduce the burden of typhoid and improve public health outcomes in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Farhana Khanam
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Faisal Ahmmed
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Xinxue Liu
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Md Taufiqul Islam
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Deok Ryun Kim
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sophie Sy Kang
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Justin Im
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Fahima Chowdhury
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tasnuva Ahmed
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Asma Binte Aziz
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Masuma Hoque
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Juyeon Park
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gideok Pak
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyon Jin Jeon
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Khalequ Zaman
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ashraful Islam Khan
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jerome H Kim
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Florian Marks
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Madagascar Institute for Vaccine Research, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Firdausi Qadri
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - John D Clemens
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Mantile N, Giuffra V, Fornaciari A. Francesco Maria Fiorentini (1603-1673): An Italian physician in 'The Iron Century'. J Med Biogr 2023; 31:253-260. [PMID: 34459697 DOI: 10.1177/09677720211039156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to shed light on the figure of Francesco Maria Fiorentini, a 17th-century physician from Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) and member of the Iatromechanical School, who distinguished himself for his role during the plague and the typhus epidemics that spread throughout Italy in the first half of that century. His work must be contextualized in a precise historical moment, which marked the gradual transition of Western medicine from the archaism of Galenic doctrine to that of the Iatromechanical School, when the foundations started to be laid for an experimental type of medicine that based its assumptions on the direct observation of phenomena concerning the human body. In this work, we mainly focus on the medical biography of Fiorentini and on the reasons why he enjoyed great social prestige among the most prominent figures of his time. However, Fiorentini should also be remembered as a multifaceted scholar, as evidenced by his numerous writings, which underline his erudition in disparate fields of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Mantile
- Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Giuffra
- Division of Paleopathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Fornaciari
- Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge, University of Pisa, Italy
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5
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Ko K, Borger JG. Science and sacrifice: the pioneering journey of Dora Lush. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:911-915. [PMID: 37787934 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
In 1943, Australian scientist Miss Dora Lush's life was tragically cut short in her relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge. This article commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the journal, ICB, by celebrating the remarkable career of Lush, a renowned bacteriologist who achieved unparalleled success in an era when women faced formidable barriers to tertiary education and scientific recognition. Graduating with a Master of Science from the University of Melbourne in 1934, Lush's ground-breaking research in infectious diseases, conducted in collaboration with Frank Macfarlane Burnet AO at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of viruses, including influenza, herpes and myxomatosis. Lush's pivotal work on influenza provided the foundational evidence to develop the influenza vaccine, a cornerstone of global public health today. Similarly, her investigation of myxoma virus in rabbits, with its potential for pest control and ecological impact, was used to instruct creation of the world's first biological control program against a mammalian pest. Tragically, Dora Lush succumbed to scrub fever in 1943, a disease she contracted during a laboratory accident. Her unwavering commitment to science led her to offer her own blood for research as she battled the infection, exemplifying her dedication to advancing knowledge even in the face of personal adversity. Lush's legacy endures through scholarships and fellowships that bear her name in Australia, fostering the careers of aspiring scientists. Her ground-breaking research and unwavering determination continue to inspire generations, reminding us of the importance of diversity in science and the enduring impact of pioneering women like Lush.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Ko
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica G Borger
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Nakonechnyi M, Pallot J. Silences and Omissions in Reporting Epidemics in Russian and Soviet Prisons, 1890-2021. J Hist Med Allied Sci 2023:jrad047. [PMID: 37652056 DOI: 10.1093/jhmas/jrad047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Penitentiary systems serve as breeding grounds for all kinds of diseases. Drawing upon new archival materials, this article examines the history of the management and reporting of epidemics in the Russian prison system from the late Imperial period to the present day. We use the case studies of cholera (1892-1893), typhus (1932-1933), and pulmonary tuberculosis (the 1990s) to examine how the general political and social conjuncture at different times affected the response of prison authorities to epidemics to show that, notwithstanding major shifts in society and polity, there was continuity in the management of epidemics by prison authorities in the long twentieth century. However, there were fundamental discrepancies in the way late Imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet Russia reported epidemiological emergencies in prisons. We argue that Russia's tumultuous past has reinforced the tendency among the Russian penal administration towards a lack of transparency that has persisted to the present day, in relation to the latest, COVID-19, epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Judith Pallot
- University of Helsinki, Finland
- University of Oxford, UK
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7
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Sarı M. Epidemic diseases during the World War I and Dr Server Kamil Tokgöz. J Med Biogr 2023:9677720231196571. [PMID: 37641211 DOI: 10.1177/09677720231196571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Server Kamil became one of the most prominent doctors during the period of the Ottoman Empirey. Server Kamil, who specialized in bacteriology and sanitation, made a name for himself primarily through his fight in the memories against epidemic diseases on the Caucasus front during World War I. He was sent to the Caucasus front as chief physician of Erzurum Red Crescent (Hilâl-i Ahmer) Hospital, and made great efforts to prevent the disease typhus-which was a major problem in the region-as soon as he reached the front line. He worked long and hard to develop a vaccine to prevent typhus, which affects thousands of soldiers and civilians. He also played a pioneering role in establishing important institutions such as the Sivas Smallpox Vaccine Laboratory and the Rabies Treatment Centre, which accomplished significant work and achieved great success both during the World War I and in the period that followed. This article attempts to clarify the activities of Server Kamil on Caucasus front during World War I based on the documents of the Turkish Red Crescent Archive, the reports of the Red Crescent Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Sarı
- History Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
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Abstract
To elucidate the epidemiology of murine typhus, which is infrequently reported in Japan, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving 2,382 residents of rickettsiosis-endemic areas in Honshu Island during August-November 2020. Rickettsia typhi seroprevalence rate was higher than that of Orientia tsutsugamushi, indicating that murine typhus is a neglected disease.
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Palacios-Santana R, Wei L, Fernandez-Santos NA, Rodriguez-Perez MA, Uriegas-Camargo S, Mendell NL, Bouyer DH, Estrada-Franco JG. Spotted Fever and Typhus Group Rickettsiae in Dogs and Humans, Mexico, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1443-1446. [PMID: 37347822 PMCID: PMC10310375 DOI: 10.3201/eid2907.230333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We found serologic evidence of spotted fever group Rickettsia in humans and dogs and typhus group Rickettsia in dogs in Reynosa, Mexico. Our investigation revealed serologic samples reactive to spotted fever group Rickettsia in 5 community members, which highlights a potential rickettsial transmission scenario in this region.
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10
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Huang C, Pickavance CL, Gawkrodger DJ. Skin disease and military conflicts: Lessons from the Crimean War (1854-56). J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2022; 52:336-340. [PMID: 36515578 DOI: 10.1177/14782715221139950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Crimean War (1854-56), infamous for its high death rate from disease at 212 per thousand British troops annually - one third of which was due to cholera or dysentery - skin disease was common, accounting for 13% of all admissions and 4.2% of all deaths. Excluding typhus, skin disease caused 252 per thousand annual admissions and 8.8 per thousand annual deaths, with an overall case fatality of 3.4%. The commonest skin diseases were: localised cellulitis/abscess, ulcer, venereal disease, frostbite, scurvy, eruptive rashes and scabies. The biggest number of skin disease-related deaths were from frostbite and scurvy. Cutaneous afflictions with the highest case fatality were erysipelas (27%), gangrene (25%), smallpox (21%) and frostbite (19%). Problems from frostbite lessened during the better provisioned second winter. The experience of skin disease in the Crimea highlights the importance of public health and personal sanitation to skin health in the military context, and shows that skin-related infections and nutritional deficiencies easily develop if environmental conditions deteriorate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghao Huang
- Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Newton PN, Fournier PE, Tappe D, Richards AL. Renewed Risk for Epidemic Typhus Related to War and Massive Population Displacement, Ukraine. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:2125-2126. [PMID: 36007931 PMCID: PMC9514335 DOI: 10.3201/eid2810.220776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemic typhus, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii bacteria and transmitted through body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), was a major public health threat in Eastern Europe as a consequence of World War II. In 2022, war and the resulting population displacement in Ukraine risks the return of this serious disease.
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Quade BR, Ramírez-Hernández A, Blanton LS. In Vitro Susceptibility of Rickettsia Species to Eravacycline, Omadacycline, and Tigecycline. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0066521. [PMID: 34060898 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00665-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Abstract
Rickettsia rickettsii infection is the only rickettsiosis included in the list of reportable diseases in Brazil, where typhus group rickettsioses, mainly murine typhus, have been underreported. We report a case of typhus group rickettsiosis with unique ecologic particularities in a patient from the Brazilian Amazon, where, to our knowledge, rickettsioses have not been reported.
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Mathews KO, Phalen D, Norris JM, Stenos J, Toribio JA, Wood N, Graves S, Sheehy PA, Nguyen C, Bosward KL. Serological Evidence of Exposure to Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsiae in Australian Wildlife Rehabilitators. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060745. [PMID: 34204809 PMCID: PMC8231516 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsioses are arthropod-borne zoonotic diseases, several of which occur in Australia. This study aimed to assess the exposure levels and risk factors for Rickettsia spp. among Australian wildlife rehabilitators (AWRs) using serology, PCR and a questionnaire. Antibody titres against Spotted Fever Group (SFG), Typhus Group (TG) and Scrub Typhus Group (STG) antigens were determined using an immunofluorescence assay. PCR targeting the gltA gene was performed on DNA extracts from whole blood and serum. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. Of the 27 (22.1%; 27/122) seropositive participants all were seropositive for SFG, with 5/27 (4.1%) also positive for TG. Of the 27 positive sera, 14.8% (4/27) were further classified as exposure to R. australis, 3.7% (1/27) to R. honei, 3.7% (1/27) to R. felis and 77.8% (21/27) were classified as ‘indeterminate’—most of which (85.7%; 18/21) were indeterminate R. australis/R. honei exposures. Rickettsia DNA was not detected in whole blood or serum. Rehabilitators were more likely to be seropositive if more than one household member rehabilitated wildlife, were older than 50 years or had occupational animal contact. These findings suggest that AWRs are at increased risk of contracting Rickettsia-related illnesses, however the source of the increased seropositivity remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen O. Mathews
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia; (D.P.); (J.M.N.); (J.-A.T.); (P.A.S.)
- Correspondence: (K.O.M.); (K.L.B.)
| | - David Phalen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia; (D.P.); (J.M.N.); (J.-A.T.); (P.A.S.)
| | - Jacqueline M. Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia; (D.P.); (J.M.N.); (J.-A.T.); (P.A.S.)
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (J.S.); (S.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Jenny-Ann Toribio
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia; (D.P.); (J.M.N.); (J.-A.T.); (P.A.S.)
| | - Nicholas Wood
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia;
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (J.S.); (S.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Paul A. Sheehy
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia; (D.P.); (J.M.N.); (J.-A.T.); (P.A.S.)
| | - Chelsea Nguyen
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (J.S.); (S.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Katrina L. Bosward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia; (D.P.); (J.M.N.); (J.-A.T.); (P.A.S.)
- Correspondence: (K.O.M.); (K.L.B.)
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Paris DH, Kelly DJ, Fuerst PA, Day NPJ, Richards AL. A Brief History of the Major Rickettsioses in the Asia-Australia-Pacific Region: A Capstone Review for the Special Issue of TMID. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5040165. [PMID: 33121158 PMCID: PMC7709643 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The rickettsioses of the "Far East" or Asia-Australia-Pacific region include but are not limited to endemic typhus, scrub typhus, and more recently, tick typhus or spotted fever. These diseases embody the diversity of rickettsial disease worldwide and allow us to interconnect the various contributions to this special issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. The impact of rickettsial diseases-particularly of scrub typhus-was substantial during the wars and "police actions" of the last 80 years. However, the post-World War II arrival of effective antibiotics reduced their impact, when recognized and adequately treated (chloramphenicol and tetracyclines). Presently, however, scrub typhus appears to be emerging and spreading into regions not previously reported. Better diagnostics, or higher population mobility, change in antimicrobial policies, even global warming, have been proposed as possible culprits of this phenomenon. Further, sporadic reports of possible antibiotic resistance have received the attention of clinicians and epidemiologists, raising interest in developing and testing novel diagnostics to facilitate medical diagnosis. We present a brief history of rickettsial diseases, their relative importance within the region, focusing on the so-called "tsutsugamushi triangle", the past and present impact of these diseases within the region, and indicate how historically, these often-confused diseases were ingeniously distinguished from each another. Moreover, we will discuss the importance of DNA-sequencing efforts for Orientia tsutsugamushi, obtained from patient blood, vector chiggers, and rodent reservoirs, particularly for the dominant 56-kD type-specific antigen gene (tsa56), and whole-genome sequences, which are increasing our knowledge of the diversity of this unique agent. We explore and discuss the potential of sequencing and other effective tools to geographically trace rickettsial disease agents, and develop control strategies to better mitigate the rickettsioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H. Paris
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-61-284-8111
| | - Daryl J. Kelly
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (D.J.K.); (P.A.F.)
| | - Paul A. Fuerst
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (D.J.K.); (P.A.F.)
| | - Nicholas P. J. Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Center for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
| | - Allen L. Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
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Affiliation(s)
- George M Varghese
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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17
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Rochat RH, Palazzi DL. Fever and Headache in a Fully Vaccinated Adolescent. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2019; 8:279-281. [PMID: 30590546 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piy132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan H Rochat
- Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Debra L Palazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
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Rauch J, Muntau B, Eggert P, Tappe D. Rickettsia typhi as Cause of Fatal Encephalitic Typhus in Hospitalized Patients, Hamburg, Germany, 1940-1944. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1982-1987. [PMID: 30334722 PMCID: PMC6200005 DOI: 10.3201/eid2411.171373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 7 patients who died with encephalitic typhus in Hamburg, Germany, during World War II. The archived specimens included only central nervous system tissues >70 years old that had been stored at room temperature. We demonstrated successful detection of Rickettsia typhi DNA by a nested qPCR specific to prsA in 2 patients. These results indicate that R. typhi infections contributed to typhus outbreaks during World War II. Immunohistochemical analyses of brain tissue specimens of R. typhi DNA-positive and -negative specimens showed perivascular B-cell accumulation. Around blood vessels, nodular cell accumulations consisted of CD4-positive and CD8-positive T cells and CD68-positive microglia and macrophages; neutrophils were found rarely. These findings are similar to those of previously reported R. prowazekii tissue specimen testing. Because R. typhi and R. prowazekii infections can be clinically and histopathologically similar, molecular analyses should be performed to distinguish the 2 pathogens.
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Basu S, Saha A, Sarkar S, Sinha MK, Das MK, Datta R, Hazra A, Datta Kanjilal S, Datta S. Clinical Profile and Therapeutic Response of Scrub Typhus in Children: A Recent Trend from Eastern India. J Trop Pediatr 2019; 65:139-146. [PMID: 29800384 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmy027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the clinico-laboratory parameters, complications and therapeutic responses in children with scrub typhus in Eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective, observational study, all children (age, <12 years) with suspected scrub typhus with a compatible clinical scenario were enrolled consecutively over six months. Cases confirmed by means of a positive IgM serology or a positive Weil-Felix reaction (OXK = 1/80 or above) were administered enteral doxycycline (4.5 mg/kg/day). RESULTS Out of 94 recruited children, 61 had confirmed scrub typhus (mean age = 6.1 years, M:F = 1.1:1) with or without complications and having a considerably higher incidence of neurological presentation (meningoencephalistis n = 21, 34.4%). The most frequent manifestations included vomiting (n = 39, 63.9%), abdominal pain (n = 33, 54.1%), lymphadenopathy (n = 36, 59%), hepatosplenomegaly (n = 32, 52.5%), pedal edema (n = 32, 52.5%) and eschar formation (n = 30, 49.2%). Low hemoglobin levels, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia, increased liver enzymes and increased C-reactive protein were associated with delayed defervescence (>48 h). CONCLUSION Scrub meningoencephalitis, with a notably higher incidence, showed favorable therapeutic response. Prompt and empiric doxycycline therapy could be lifesaving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suprit Basu
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Arpan Saha
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Sumantra Sarkar
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Malay Kumar Sinha
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Mrinal Kanti Das
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Ranjabati Datta
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Avijit Hazra
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Sumana Datta Kanjilal
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Supratim Datta
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (I.P.G.M.E.& R.), 244, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, India
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Pennington
- Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology, University of Aberdeen, 13 Carlton Place, Aberdeen AB15 4BR, UK
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21
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Abstract
In order to study the neurological manifestations in adult patients suffering from scrub typhus, 323 patients aged over 18 years, admitted with a positive diagnosis, were screened for neurological dysfunction; 37 patients with symptoms and/or signs suggestive of neurological dysfunction were included in the study. Of these, 31 (84%) patients had altered sensorium, four (11%) had cerebellitis, one (2%) patient had acute transverse myelitis and one (2%) had bilateral papilloedema without focal neurological deficit. Of the 31 patients with altered sensorium, 15 (40%) had meningoencephalitis, three (8%) had seizures, two (5%) had cerebral haemorrhages, one (2%) had a presentation likened to neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and one (2%) had a 6th nerve palsy with inflammation of the right cavernous sinus. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was abnormal in 23 patients (raised lymphocytes in 68%, raised protein in 80%). All patients improved with anti-rickettsial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Rana
- Resident, I.G. Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sanjay K Mahajan
- Associate Professor, I.G. Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Arindam Sharma
- Resident, I.G. Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sudhir Sharma
- Department of Neurology, I.G. Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Balbir S Verma
- Professor, I.G. Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Professor and Head Department of Medicine, I.G. Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
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van der Vaart TW, van Thiel PPAM, Juffermans NP, van Vugt M, Geerlings SE, Grobusch MP, Goorhuis A. Severe murine typhus with pulmonary system involvement. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 20:1375-7. [PMID: 25062435 PMCID: PMC4111165 DOI: 10.3201/eid2008.131421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We encountered a case of severe murine typhus complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. To determine worldwide prevalence of such cases, we reviewed the literature and found that respiratory symptoms occur in ≈30% of murine typhus patients. In disease-endemic areas, murine typhus should be considered for patients with respiratory symptoms and fever.
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Dittrich S, Phommasone K, Anantatat T, Panyanivong P, Slesak G, Blacksell SD, Dubot-Pérès A, Castonguay-Vanier J, Stenos J, Newton PN, Paris DH. Rickettsia felis Infections and comorbid conditions, Laos, 2003-2011. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 20:1402-4. [PMID: 25061919 PMCID: PMC4111177 DOI: 10.3201/eid2008.131308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Coulaud PJ, Lepolard C, Bechah Y, Berenger JM, Raoult D, Ghigo E. Hemocytes from Pediculus humanus humanus are hosts for human bacterial pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015; 4:183. [PMID: 25688336 PMCID: PMC4311696 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediculus humanus humanus is an human ectoparasite which represents a serious public health threat because it is vector for pathogenic bacteria. It is important to understand and identify where bacteria reside in human body lice to define new strategies to counterstroke the capacity of vectorization of the bacterial pathogens by body lice. It is known that phagocytes from vertebrates can be hosts or reservoirs for several microbes. Therefore, we wondered if Pediculus humanus humanus phagocytes could hide pathogens. In this study, we characterized the phagocytes from Pediculus humanus humanus and evaluated their contribution as hosts for human pathogens such as Rickettsia prowazekii, Bartonella Quintana, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Lepolard
- CNRS UMR 7278, IRD198, INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Yassina Bechah
- CNRS UMR 7278, IRD198, INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | | | - Didier Raoult
- CNRS UMR 7278, IRD198, INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Eric Ghigo
- CNRS UMR 7278, IRD198, INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
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Abstract
Epidemic typhus is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia prowazekii and transmitted by body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis). This disease occurs where conditions are crowded and unsanitary. This disease accompanied war, famine, and poverty for centuries. Historical and proxy climate data indicate that drought was a major factor in the development of typhus epidemics in Mexico during 1655–1918. Evidence was found for 22 large typhus epidemics in central Mexico, and tree-ring chronologies were used to reconstruct moisture levels over central Mexico for the past 500 years. Below-average tree growth, reconstructed drought, and low crop yields occurred during 19 of these 22 typhus epidemics. Historical documents describe how drought created large numbers of environmental refugees that fled the famine-stricken countryside for food relief in towns. These refugees often ended up in improvised shelters in which crowding encouraged conditions necessary for spread of typhus.
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Wilson PA, Tierney L, Lai K, Graves S. Queensland tick typhus: three cases with unusual clinical features. Intern Med J 2014; 43:823-5. [PMID: 23841762 DOI: 10.1111/imj.12184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Queensland tick typhus (QTT), caused by Rickettsia australis, is usually a relatively mild illness but can occasionally be severe. We describe three cases of probable QTT with unusual clinical features, namely splenic infarction, fulminant myopericarditis and severe leukocytoclastic vasculitis. QTT may present with uncommon clinical features in addition to the more common manifestations. A high index of suspicion enables specific antibiotic therapy that may hasten recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Wilson
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
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Brooks J. Nursing typhus victims in the Second World War, 1942-1944: a discussion paper. J Adv Nurs 2013; 70:1510-9. [PMID: 24256312 DOI: 10.1111/jan.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This article explores the care British nurses provided to victims of typhus during the Second World War. BACKGROUND Typhus is associated with poverty and overcrowding. During wars in the pre-antibiotic era, civilians were particularly susceptible to epidemics, which military governments feared would spread to their troops. DESIGN This discussion paper draws on archival data from three typhus epidemics in the Second World War to examine the expert work of British nurses in caring for victims during these potential public health disasters. DATA SOURCES The published sources for the paper include material from nursing and medical journals published between 1940-1947. Archival sources come from the National Archives in Kew, the Wellcome Library and the Army Medical Services Museum, between 1943-1945. Of particular interest is the correspondence with Dame Katharine Jones from nurses on active service overseas. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Whilst epidemics of typhus are now rare, nurses in the present day may be required to care for the public in environments of extreme poverty and overcrowding, where life-threatening infectious diseases are prevalent. This article has demonstrated that it is possible for expert and compassionate nursing to alleviate suffering and prevent death, even when medical technologies are unavailable. CONCLUSION Expert and compassionate care, adequate nutrition and hydration and attention to hygiene needs are crucial when there are limited pharmacological treatments and medical technologies available to treat infectious diseases. The appreciation of this could have implications for nurses working in current global conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Brooks
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Manchester University, UK; Director, UK Centre for the History of Nursing and Midwifery, Manchester, UK
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Abstract
A case of typhus fever is presented. On admission, the clinical diagnosis was typhoid fever. Forty-eight hours after admission, the presence of subconjunctival haemorrhage, malena, and jaundice raised the possibility of a different aetiology, the two most likely differentials being dengue and typhus. Finally, a co-infection of typhoid and typhus was discovered. This uncommon clinical scenario should be taken into account in the management of patients with high fever on admission being treated as a case of typhoid fever.
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Garg P, Seneviratne SL. Dengue, HIV and thrombocytopenia. Indian J Pediatr 2008; 75:1187. [PMID: 18810353 PMCID: PMC7102016 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-008-0175-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Abstract
In 1914, Progressive Era reformer Irving Fisher and wealthy contractor Harold Ley founded the Life Extension Institute (LEI), a business venture organized to address the problems of American health. For approximately two decades, from 1914 until the death of its medical director in 1931, the Life Extension Institute widely promoted its health maintenance program of annual physical examinations and health literature. The advertised goal of the LEI was to extend life without old age, as well as improve masculinity and good business practices through adherence to health principles. The first two decades of activities of the Life Extension Institute offer a window for examining early twentiethcentury ideas about the relationships between health, old age, and masculinity. The LEI literature constructed a picture of healthy, vigorous, and efficient American working men that helped to cement ideals of masculinity to ideals of health.
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