MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'graphs'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:48:59 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5170345&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F08%2F28%2Fcysticercosis-in-mexico%2F Mexico is one of only eight countries which mandate reporting of cysticercosis on a national level. The following background data are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] Cysticercosis in Mexico: Incidence and rates per 100,000, see graph: Prevalence surveys: Neurocysticercosis is found in 0.4 to 3.5% of autopsies (1980′s) and accounts for 25% of cerebral mass lesions. Cerebral cysts are identified in 50% of late-onset epileptics (1990) Six percent of cerebral CT scans are positive for this disease (Yucatan, 1989 to 1994). 0.49% of the Indian rural population of Chiapas are seropositive (1976 publication) 1.5% of persons in the Yucatan are infested by Taenia solium, and 3.7% are seropositive toward the parasite (1996 to 1997). 1.2% of persons in rural G... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5170345 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:11:33 +0100 5170345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5161737&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F08%2F25%2Fhepatitis-a-in-bulgaria%2F The incidence of viral hepatitis in Bulgaria has actually decreased in recent years [1-3] See graph: Nevertheless, disease rates in Bulgaria remain slightly higher than those in neighboring countries. Graphs are generated using an interactive online system – see GIDEON Graphs References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Bulgaria, 2011. 68 pp, 101 graphs, 967 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-bulgaria/ 2. Berger SA. Hepatitis A: Global Status, 2011. 163 pp, 180 graphs, 1073 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/hepatitis-a-global-status/ 3. Berger SA. Hepatitis B: Global Status, 2011. 327 pp, 405 graphs, 1517 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/hepa... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5161737 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:03:23 +0100 5161737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5161738&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F08%2F24%2Fgideon-graphs%2F The ability to graph data is an indispensable tool in Epidemiology. As of 2011, GIDEON follows reports concerning incidence, mortality and other numerical input for 347 individual diseases in 231 countries. The relevant spread sheets contain over 30,000 individual data sets, containing 550,000 individual data points. All data sets are updated on a continual basis. Users of GIDEON can view and compare any graph or group of graphs using a friendly interactive menu. An overview of this system is available in powerpoint format at the following link: GIDEON Graphs (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5161738 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:53:59 +0100 5161738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5161741&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F08%2F23%2Fmumps-in-the-czech-republic%2F Notwithstanding an ongoing outbreak in northern Bohemia, the Czech Republic has managed to reduce mumps to levels comparable to those of the United States. In the following graph, I have contrasted rates per 100,000 population for these two countries: Graph generation system outlined in [1]) Note that a precipitous decline in mumps in the Czech Republic followed the introuction of widespread MMR vaccination in 1987. [2,3] 1. Gideon Graphs module tutorial Gideon Graphs 2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the Czech Republic, 2011. 424 pp, 139 graphs, 1192 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-czech-republic/ 3. Berger SA. Mumps: Global Status, 2011. 157 pp, 187 graphs, 390 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/e... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5161741 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:46:53 +0100 5161741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5119916&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F08%2F11%2Fhepatitis-c-in-scotland%2F A recent post in ProMED highlights the fact that rates of Hepatitis C in Scotland are more than seven-fold higher than those of neighboring countries, and twenty-fold those reported in the United States. [1,2] See graph References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Scotland, 2011. 403 pp, 140 graphs, 1233 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-scotland/ 2. Berger SA. Hepatitis C: Global Status, 2011. 164 pp, 160 graphs, 1500 references. Gideonn e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/hepatitis-c-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5119916 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:56:40 +0100 5119916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096344&cid=t_110116_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F02%2F7-books-that-changed-the-way-i-see-the-world%2F One of my favorite things: when I read a book that transforms the way I see the world, or the way I see the possibilities of writing. Another one of my favorite things: when I convince someone to read one of those books, and he or she loves it as much I do. So keeping that in mind, here’s a short list of books that transformed the way I see the world. I could go on for pages, but here’s a start, and if you’re at your bookstore or the library, check these out… 1. Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language. I’ve never been interested in interior design or architecture, but this book taught me how to be aware of why certain spaces are pleasing — or not. I think about it all the time. 2. Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. I’ve never been interested i... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096344 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:42:19 +0100 5096344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5039572&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F07%2F17%2Fdiphtheria-in-india%2F Diphtheria rates in India have decreased considerably since 1980, in parallel with increasing vaccination coverage. [1,2] During the past decade rates in India have been similar to those of surrounding countries. References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of India, 2011. 480 pp, 65 graphs, 3503 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-india/ 2. Berger SA. Diphtheria: Global Status, 2011. 303 pp, 441 graphs, 259 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/diphtheria-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5039572 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:16:45 +0100 5039572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5020732&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F07%2F11%2Ftick-borne-encephalitis-correction%2F In a previous post, I noted that “highest rates [of Tick-borne encephalitis] are reported in Germany and the Czech Republic.” The statement should read, “highest rates …. in Slovenia and the Czech Republic.” Not surprisingly, Slovenia and the Czech Republic also report the highest rates of Lyme borreliosis, another tick-borne illness. In the following graph, rates for the United States are added for comparison. [1,2] References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Slovenia, 2011. 377 pp., 114 graphs, 931 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-slovenia/ 2. Berger SA. Lyme disease: Global Status, 2011. 68 pp., 61 graphs, 496 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/lyme-disea... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5020732 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:15:14 +0100 5020732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5020733&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F07%2F10%2Ftick-borne-encephalitis-in-austria-2%2F Prior to the institution of mass vaccination in 1981, Austria reported the highest rates of Tick-borne encephalitis in Western Europe. Currently, highest rates are reported in Germany and the Czech Republic. [1,2] see graph - References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Austria, 2011. 399 pp, 108 graphs, 1187 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-austria/ 2. Berger SA. Tick-borne Encephalitis: Global Status, 2011. 54 pp, 44 graphs, 314 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/tick-borne-encephalitis-global-status/ Update: Reported on ProMED (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5020733 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:50:42 +0100 5020733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4977682&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F28%2Freyes-syndrome-in-hong-kong%2F A single review of Reye’s syndrome in Hong Kong has been published. [1,2] 27 cases were treated at Queen Mary Hospital during 1979 to 1985 – a period of low activity for both Varicella and Scarlet Fever – see graph] Where a drug history was available, only 15% had received aspirin prior to the onset of illness, while 60% had received paracetamol. Influenza was presumed to be the underlying infection in most cases, rather than varicella. 1. Yu EC. Reye’s syndrome in Hong Kong. Aust Paediatr J. 1988 24:61. 2 Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Hong Kong, 2011. 375 pp, 107 graphs, 1229 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-hong-kong/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4977682 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:53:29 +0100 4977682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4970321&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F25%2Fscarlet-fever-and-varicella-in-hong-kong%2F There is a striking similarity between reported incidence of varicella and scarlet fever in Hong Kong. [1,2] In order to present data to scale on the following graphs, I have compared numerical incidence and death statistics for scarlet fever against comparable rates per 100,000 for varicella. References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Hong Kong, 2011. 375 pp, 107 graphs, 1229 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-hong-kong/ 2. Berger SA. Varicella-Zoster: Global Status, 2011. 106 pp, 122 graphs, 328 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/varicella-zoster-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4970321 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:38:00 +0100 4970321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954452&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F22%2Fscarlet-fever-in-hong-kong%2F Rates of scarlet fever in Hong Kong declined considerably since the 1970′s, but have been increasing during the past decade. Only six fatal cases were recorded during 1946 to 2006 – the last in 1970. As seen in the following graph, scarlet fever rates in Macau have paralleled those of Hong Kong. [1-3] References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Hong Kong, 2011. 375 pp, 107 graphs, 1229 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-hong-kong/ 2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Macao, 2011. 311 pp, 60 graphs, 833 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-macao/ 3. Berger. SA. Rheumatic Fever and Scarlet Fever: Global Status, 2011. 96 pp, 130 graphs, 90 references. Gideon ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954452 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:52:56 +0100 4954452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954454&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F20%2Fchlamydia-infection-in-denmark%2F Urogenital chlamydia infection was integrated into the Danish national reporting scheme in 1994. Increasing disease rates have also been encountered in Sweden and Norway, and have been characterized by a growing percentage of male patients. [1,2] Prevalence surveys: 5.0% of men seen in general practice (2005 publication) 1.3% of women above age 30 in Arhus county (2003 publication) 15.7% of women seeking abortion in Aarhus (2008 publication) Seroprevalence surveys: 23% of women with tubal factor infertility, and 36% with a self-reported history of PID attending fertility clinics (Arhus, 2007 publication) 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Denmark, 2011. Gideon e-book series, 445 pp, 176 graphs, 1251 references, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-disease... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954454 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 04:01:20 +0100 4954454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4946563&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F18%2Fanthrax-in-the-yugoslav-republics%2F Recent reports from Serbia remind us that Anthrax continues to occur in the republics of former Yugoslavia. Highest rates of human disease are reported in Macedonia (see graph). 1,2 References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Serbia and Montenegro, 2011. 437 pp, 212 graphs, 1035 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-serbia-and-montenegro/ 2. Berger SA. Anthrax: Global Status, 2011. 287 pp, 452 graphs, 1265 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/anthrax-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4946563 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 07:43:38 +0100 4946563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4936903&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F14%2Fdiphtheria-in-paraguay%2F Notwithstanding an outbreak in 2002, diptheria in Paraguay and neighboring countries has been largely controlled since the 1980′s. 1,2 (see graph) Allthough decreasing rates have paralleled efficient implementation of DPT vaccination in the area, immunization rates in Paraguay have been relatively low. (see graph) References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Paraguay, 2011. 345 pp, 82 graphs, 906 references. Gideon e-book series, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-paraguay/ 2. Berger SA. Diptheria: Global Status, 2011. 303 pp, 441 graphs, 259 references http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/diphtheria-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4936903 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 03:53:17 +0100 4936903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4895311&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F03%2Flyme-disease-in-pennsylvania%2F Although the incidence of Lyme disease the United States has been steadily increasing since 1993, case numbers for Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut (the three states with highest disease rates) have not changed substatially. [1,2] See graph References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the United States, 2011. 1030 pp, 464 graphs, 8237 references. Gideon E-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-united-states/ 2. Berger SA. Lyme Disease: Global Status, 2011. 68 pages, 61 graphs, 496 references. Gideon E-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/lyme-disease-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4895311 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 05:09:59 +0100 4895311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4885702&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F06%2F01%2Fplague-in-lybia%2F A recent outbreak in Tobruk belies the fact that only sporadic cases and small outbreaks of plague have occurred in North Africa since 1950. Successive waves of plague were reported in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco during the first half of the 20th century (See Graph). [1,2] Plague was relatively rare in Libya, with the exception of an outbreak of 82 cases in 1913 (red arrow). References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Libya, 2011. 321 pp, 39 graphs, 930 refs. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-libya/ 2. Berger SA. Plague: Global Status, 2011. 95 pp, 101 graphs, 485 refs. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/plague-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4885702 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:37:11 +0100 4885702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4814189&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F05%2F11%2Ftularemia-in-germany%2F 688 cases of tularemia were reported in Germany during 1949 to 2006 (including 220 cases in East Germany during 1949 to 1989) – see graph. The following background data are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series (primary references available on request). [1,2] Although tularemia in Germany is associated with wild animal contact, individual cases have been ascribed to ingestion of hare meat in a Berlin restaurant, and acquisition from a mosquito bite. Prevalence surveys: 1.2% of bird-feeding and 1.5% of rodent-feeding ticks in central Germany (2007) Seroprevalence surveys: 2.32% of persons in Leutkirch, Baden-Wuerttemberg (2008 publication) 3% of hunters in Styria and Burgenland (2003 publication) 1.7% of hunters in an endemic area (2008 publication) 3.1% of wild b... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4814189 Wed, 11 May 2011 18:05:37 +0100 4814189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759481&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Favian-influenza-h5n1-graphic-summary%2F The attached graph summarizes successive waves in the occurrence of Influenza H5N1 among individual countries. Incidence peaked in Thailand in 2004, Vietnam in 2005 and Indonesia in 2006; while most reports during 2009 to 2010 originated from Egypt. [1] References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the World, 2011. 987 pp, 383 graphs, 12,492 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-world/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759481 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 05:02:03 +0100 4759481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4671636&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F04%2F03%2Fspotted-fever-in-brazil-2%2F The following background data on spotted fever in Brazil are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] (Primary references are available on request) Time and Place: Rickettsial spotted fever is known locally as Brazilian spotted fever, Sao Paulo fever and Febre maculosa brasileira. - Rickettsial spotted fever was first reported in Brazil in 1920. - Cases are reported in Minas Gerais, Bahia, Goias, Rio Grande do Sul and Espirito Santo. - The disease has re-emerged in Rio de Janeiro in recent years. Disease incidence and rates per 100,000 are depicted in the following graph. Between 6 and 27 fatal cases per year were registered during 2007 to 2010. Geographical notes: Outbreaks were reported in Minas Gerais during 1929 to 1944, but not during 1945 to 1980. - Subsequent outbreaks w... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4671636 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 08:04:34 +0100 4671636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4671637&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F04%2F02%2Fq-fever-in-australia%2F A recent cluster of cases on Coff’s Coast reminds us that Q-fever continues to be a common disease in Australia. The following backgroud data are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] Primary references are available on request. Time and Place: - Q-fever was first characterized in Australia, in 1939. - Queensland and New South Wales account for over 90% of cases. - Over 50% of cases are directly, or indirectly related to meat processing. - The male/female ratio for reported cases is approximately 5-to-1. Disease rates have gradually increased over the past six decades – see graph: Travel and Q-fever: 2002 (publication year) – Three Japanese workers acquired Q-fever while in Australia and New Zealand. 7 2005 – An American tourist acquired Q-fever in Aus... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4671637 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:43:19 +0100 4671637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4644460&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F03%2F27%2Flegionellosis-in-scotland%2F Notwithstanding a recent outbreak in Dundee, rates of legionellosis in Scotland have changed little during the past three decades, and continue to be similar to those reported in the United States [see graph] The following background data regarding Legionnaire’s disease in Scotland are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] (primary references available on request) Notable outbreaks: 1984 – An outbreak (33 cases, 1 fatal) in Glasgow was ascribed to a contaminated cooling tower. 1985 – An outbreak (16 cases) at a hospital in Glasgow was ascribed to a contaminated cooling tower. 1989 (publication year) – An outbreak (187 cases) of Pontiac fever due to Legionella micdadei was associated with use of a whirlpool in Lochgoilhead. 1994 (publication ye... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4644460 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:05:59 +0100 4644460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4606777&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F03%2F17%2Fbotulism-in-canada%2F A recent episode involving contaminated jelly belies the fact that current botulism rates in Canada are only half those reported in the United States [see graph] The following background data on botulism in Canada are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] Primary references are available on request. Historical background: The first outbreak of botulism in Canada was recorded in 1919. - A total of 100 outbreaks involving over 230 cases had been reported to 2005. - Botulism is primarily encountered among the First Nations and Inuit people. - Rates of 30 per 100,000 per year are reported among the Inuit. - Most cases in recent years have been caused by fermented salmon roe (‘stink eggs’ or ‘gink’) in British Columbia; and fermented sea mammal meat among the ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4606777 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:11:35 +0100 4606777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4555154&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F03%2F06%2Ftrichinellosis-in-spain%2F Trichinellosis outbreaks are common in Spain, with disease rates comparable to those reported in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. [1,2] See graph: Prevalence surveys: 0.3% of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Catalonia (Trichinella britovi, 1998 to 2007) 8.9% of red foxes in Guadelajara (2000 publication) 3% of red foxes and 0.48% of wild boar (Sus scrofa ferus) in Extremadura (2000 publication) 12.8% of wolves (Canis lupus) in the northwestern region (Trichinella britovi, 1993 to 1999) Outbreaks: 1. 51 outbreaks were reported during 1981 to 1987 – 24 (294 cases) due to wild boar, 18 (659 cases) due to domestic pork, and 12 unknown source. 2. 18 outbreaks were reported during 1988 to 1992. 3. 49 outbreaks were reported during 1990 to 2001 (75.5% due to wil... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4555154 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:09:24 +0100 4555154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4451382&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F02%2F09%2Fsalmonellosis-in-australia%2F A recent outbreak in Adelaide reminds us that the salmonellosis rates in Australia have been increasing for more than five decades. In contrast, the incidence of this disease in other English-speaking countries has leveled off, or even decreased, since the 1990′s. 1,2 [see graph] References: 1. Berger S. Infectious Diseases of Australia, 2011, 503 pp. Gideon e-book series, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-australia/ 2. Berger S. Salmonellosis: Global Status, 2011, 245 pp. Gideon e-book series, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/salmonellosis-global-status/ (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4451382 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:50:30 +0100 4451382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4226307&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F12%2F02%2Fcryptosporidiosis-in-sweden%2F Prior to a recent outbreak in Jamtland, Cryptosporidium had been the least common reported cause of diarrhea in Sweden – see graph The following background data are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. 1,2 Prevalence surveys: 2% of adult patients with diarrhea (2000 publication) 24% of untreated surface water supplies in 1996; 40% in 1997 52% of calves, 29% of young stock and 5.6% of cows in dairy herds (2005 to 2007) One waterborne outbreak was reported during 1986 to 1996. Notable outbreaks: 2002 – An outbreak (800 to 1,000 cases) was reported among visitors to a public swimming pool. 2007 – An outbreak was reported at a daycare center in the Stockholm area. 2007 – An outbreak (25 cases) was reported among Swedish guests at a hotel in Norway. 2008 – An... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4226307 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 07:16:42 +0100 4226307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4101191&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F10%2F24%2Fhepatitis-e-in-england%2F Recent reports from Cornwall remind us that autothonous cases of Hepatitis E are increasingly reported in Europe. In fact, reported rates in England and Wales are somewhat higher than those of other regional countries. The following background data on Hepatitis E in the United Kingdom are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] Primary references are availale on request. Only one autochthonous case (in 1999) of Hepatitis E was reported during 1994 to 2000 – all others were either imported or source unknown. – 10 autochthonous cases had been reported as of 2006. – 186 cases were reported during 1996 to 2003 – including 17 autochthonous cases. – 100 confirmed and presumed indigenous infections were reported in 2005 (30.4% of total cases, 70% above ag... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4101191 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:05:42 +0100 4101191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3656400&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F06%2F12%2Fvisceral-leishmaniasis-in-spain%2F Although leishmaniasis has generated increasing concern in Spain during recent years, the incidence of reported cases has changed little during the past 25 years. The following data are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series [1,2]. Time and Place: Visceral leishmaniasis is most common in the southern region. - Seroprevalence among dogs in this region is lowest during April, peaking during October. - A restricted focus has been identified in the Piorat region of northeastern Spain. - A single autochthonous case has been reported from Minorca. Graph Notes: 1. 1,180 hospitalizations were reported for leishmaniasis during 1999 to 2003 (0.4 per 100,000 population). 2. 11 cases (0 fatal) were identified among immunocompetent children in southern Madrid during 1994 to 2007. 3. 60 deaths were ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3656400 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:57:48 +0100 3656400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3469269&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F04%2F14%2Fkunjin-virus%2F Kunjin virus (KUN) is similar Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus; however, infection by KUN is generally milder than that with MVE, with a lower rate of encephalitis. KUN appears to have been responsible for some of the ‘Murray Valley encephalitis’ cases reported in 1974, and was implicated in an additional sporadic case in northern Victoria in 1984. KUN-is more widely distributed than MVE, and is found in most of tropical Australia, eastern Queensland, and occasionally southeastern Australia. Notes for individual years: 1996 – Two cases in Queensland. 1997 – Two cases in Western Australia and two in Northern Territory. A presumptive case of KUN was reported in Pilbara, WA 2000 – Three in Western Australia and one in Northern Territory. 2001 – New S... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3469269 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:47:12 +0100 3469269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3436829&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F04%2F04%2Fleptospirosis-in-argentina%2F Leptospirosis was first identified in Argentina in 1915. - Most cases are reported from Greater Buenos Aires. - 276 cases were diagnosed in the Greater Buenos Aires area during 1990 to 1999 – 43 of these characterized by pneumonia. - 32 cases (6 fatal) were reported in Santa Fe during the first two months of 2010. The following graphs depict incidence and case rates of Leptospirosis in Argentina, and contrast these data with those of surrounding countries: Notes: Individual years: 1998 – Included 53 cases in Santa Fe and 16 in Buenos Aires. 2001 – Included 63 cases in Santa Fe and 89 in Buenos Aires. 2005 – Three fatal. Twelve serovars were identified in human infection during the 1970’s, with most cases due to serovars bratislava, icterohaemorrhagia... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3436829 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:02:29 +0100 3436829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3400562&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F03%2F07%2Fvaccination-coverage-in-haiti%2F Although vaccination coverage for major infectious diseases in Haiti was below that of other countries in the region, recent WHO estimates had shown some improvement in recent years. Most recent data are summarized in the following chart: Also check out GIDEON’s free ebook: Infectious Diseases of Haiti (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3400562 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:42:49 +0100 3400562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3249271&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F07%2Ftuberculosis-in-haiti%2F As pointed out by ProMED, tuberculosis rates in Haiti were already highest in the region before the current disaster. In the following graph, I’ve contrasted reports for Haiti with those of neighboring countries. (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3249271 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:10:00 +0100 3249271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3249272&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F28%2Fe-book-the-infectious-diseases-of-haiti-by-gideon%2F When the humanitarian disaster in Haiti began to unfold, we accelerated development of a comprehensive book on the diseases of that country. This will be one in a series of E-books which present the status of all infectious diseases .. in all individual countries. This Ebook, Infectious Diseases of Haiti, will be offered free of charge to all Health Professionals concerned with the current disaster. There are 347 forms of human infectious disease in the world today – and 198 of these (more than half) are known to occur in Haiti. Sadly, one of the “side effects” of living in a poor and disaster-ridden economy is a lack of useful facts regarding the local status of individual diseases. GIDEON (Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network) is a Web-based appli... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3249272 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:53:31 +0100 3249272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3213875&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F28%2Fe-book-the-infectious-diseases-of-haiti-by-gideon%2F Following the earthquake and humanitarian disaster in Haiti over the past couple of weeks has been heart wrenching. At GIDEON we’ve been working on a series of E-books and have decided to offer a promotional free copy for the Infectious Diseases of Haiti to help health practitioners in Haiti. There are 347 forms of human infectious disease in the world today – and 198 of these (more than half) are known to occur in Haiti. Sadly, one of the side effects of living in a poor and disaster-ridden economy is a lack of detail regarding the local occurrence of individual diseases. GIDEON (Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network) is a Web-based project which follows the status of every individual disease – both on a global level and within each country. Data ar... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3213875 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:53:31 +0100 3213875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3064308&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F07%2Fhepatitis-a-in-tajikistan%2F An impending outbreak in Khujand belies the fact that reported rates of Hepatitis A in Tajikistan and neighboring countries have actually decreased in recent years. See graph (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3064308 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:57:31 +0100 3064308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912485&cid=t_110116_136_f&fid=36070&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnetwork.nature.com%2Fpeople%2Fbasanta%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F21%2Fsystems-biology-graphical-notation I haven’t updated this blog for a while, the reason being the usual for many researchers working in the US: grant writing. Part of this grant writing involved producing diagrams to illustrate various processes occurring at different scales in prostate tissue. These diagrams describe rather sophisticated intra and extra cellular interactions in the simplest possible manner. Yet these diagrams can be complicated and selecting the right symbols and colours to describe these interactions in a visually appealing but consistent manner can be far from trivial. As someone with a background in computer science I appreciate the advantage of having a standard notation to describe processes. Software engineers use tools such as UML to describe software modules and how they interact to form comp... Cancerevo: Evolution and cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912485 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:40:04 +0100 2912485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1492167&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F06%2F03%2Ftrypanosomiasis-in-angola%2F The following background information on Trypanosomiasis in Angola is abstracted from GIDEON: Trypanosomiasis was first identified in Angola in 1871, in the Quixama region (Kwanza River area, south of Luanda). A resurgence of disease rates during the 1980’s does not represent a general phenomenon for Africa, and appears to be related to civil unrest in the country. See graph Trypanosomiasis is endemic to 7 of the country’s 18 provinces. - Risk areas include the northern provinces of Bengo, Kwanza north and Kwanza south, Luanda, Malange, Uige, and Zaire. - Widespread disease in the southern provinces of Kunene, Huambo, Namibe, and Huila was first reported in 2003. - 2.5 to 4 million persons are considered at risk in 6,000 villages north of the Kuanza River. Trypanosoma brucei ga... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1492167 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:01:03 +0100 1492167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1469626&cid=t_110116_132_f&fid=35024&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBlindscientist%2F%7E3%2F298518400%2F Thanks to Pawel, I got introduced to the world of Processing and I must say I am impressed. It is a nice tool to create nice data displays. In the picture below I used a source code that Pawel sent me modified to display duplicons (larger than 30 kilobases) blast hits (larger than 5 kilobases) on a small arm of an human chromosome. Of course due to the number of blast hits, different duplicons involved and the chromosome arm’s length (60 Mb) the arcs and the colours are not easy to format. But still there is a good amount of information regarding hit identity and similar duplicons in different chromosomal regions. (Source: Blind.Scientist) Blind.Scientist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1469626 Mon, 26 May 2008 17:38:24 +0100 1469626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1429140&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F05%2F07%2Flyme-disease-revisited%2F As America once again enters the “Lyme disease season” information regarding this major infectious disease continues to evolve rapidly. The following material has been generated using GIDEON, an interactive on line program that can be used to diagnose or explore the status of all infectious diseases: signs and symptoms, status in every country, ongoing epidemics, antibiotics, vaccines, parasites, virus … in real time. So, let’s test your knowledge about Lyme disease: True or false: Lyme disease is a relatively new infection that is primarily limited to the United States. You have probably heard that Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks. How many tick-borne diseases occur in the world ? In the United States ? Many other infectious diseases are characterized by ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1429140 Thu, 08 May 2008 04:02:48 +0100 1429140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1356215&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F04%2F07%2Fleptospirosis-in-new-caledonia%2F A recent outbreak highlights the fact that New Caledonia has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in the Pacific region (see graph). In fact, in these islands, Leptospirosis is more common than Salmonellosis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Gonorrhea and Tuberculosis (see graph). The following background information regarding Leptospirosis in New Caledonia is abstracted from GIDEON: Leptospirosis is most common in west coast cattle-farming areas and rural Melanesian settings Disease rates are highest in the Bourail area. Disease rates peak during March to May. Notes: An average of 4 fatal cases are reported yearly. 57 cases were diagnosed during 1983 to 1985. 239 cases were reported during 2001 to 2005. The principal serogroups were Icterohaemorrhagiae (69%), Australis (8%), Pyrogenes (... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1356215 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:37:42 +0100 1356215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1198725&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F02%2F03%2Ferratic-rates-of-mumps-in-moldova%2F Steve quoted in ProMED: Recent outbreaks of mumps in Moldova illustrate the fact mumps rates in this region have been erratic for the past 3 decades, but appear to be declining slowly. See graph. Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1198725 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:23:21 +0100 1198725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1185862&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F01%2F29%2Fincrease-of-visceral-leishmaniasis-in-brazil%2F Quoted in ProMED: Visceral leishmaniasis was 1st described in Brazil in 1934 and 1st reported from Rio de Janeiro state in 1977. 90 percent of cases are reported from the north (mouth of the Amazon) and eastern regions. The disease is endemic to Alagoas, Bahia, Ceara, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio Grande do Norte, Roraima and Sergipe. Urban transmission was 1st reported in 1981, from Teresina (Piaui State). A large focus extends from Roraima into Venezuela and Guyana. The reported incidence has increased from 164 cases (35 fatal) in 1980 to 3220 (223 fatal) in 2005; see graph . A total of 44 289 cases were reported during 1980 to 2000, 39 823 of these from the northeast. Brazil accounts for over 90 percent of cases ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1185862 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:58:33 +0100 1185862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1169836&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F01%2F22%2Fbrucellosis-more-common-in-italy-than-neighbors%2F Quoted in ProMED: An ongoing epizootic in Campania highlights the fact that human brucellosis is more common in Italy than in any contiguous countries. I’ve compared regional disease rates on the graph. Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1169836 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:01:37 +0100 1169836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146496&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F01%2F11%2Ffatal-plague-in-madagascar%2F Recent events in Antananarivo highlight the fact that Africa - and particularly Madagascar - have accounted for most of the world’s plague deaths since the 1980’s. See graph of reported plague deaths and graph of rates per 100,000. Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146496 Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:48:16 +0100 1146496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1022254&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F11%2F12%2Fgiardiasis-in-the-united-kingdom%2F Quoted in ProMED: A recent outbreak in West Yorkshire belies the fact that rates of giardiasis in the United Kingdom have been for decreasing several years. In this graph, I’ve added the United States data for comparison. Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1022254 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:30:02 +0100 1022254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=935331&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F10%2F08%2Fhuman-brucellosis-in-georgia%2F As quoted in ProMED: The recent outbreak in Lagodechi belies the fact that reported rates for [human] brucellosis in Georgia are relatively low in comparison to neighboring countries. See graph: Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=935331 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:49:39 +0100 935331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918059&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F10%2F01%2Fross-river-virus-in-australia%2F A recent upsurge in Ross River virus infection in Queensland highlights the fact that this state has consistently accounted for the majority of cases in Australia for several years. See graph: Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918059 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:24:27 +0100 918059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=875253&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F09%2F16%2Fwest-nile-virus-in-israel-compared-to-north-america%2F Quoted in ProMED: Regarding recent cases in Afula, rates of West Nile fever in Israel have been strikingly similar to those of North America for the last 3 years. (See graph) Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=875253 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 22:19:46 +0100 875253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=803725&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F08%2F15%2Frates-of-e-coli-o157-in-scotland%2F Also quoted in ProMED: The recent outbreak in Paisley, Scotland, highlights the fact that rates of E. coli O157 in Scotland are more than 2-fold those of other areas in the UK. In the following graph, I’ve inserted rates in Ireland and the USA, for comparison: Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=803725 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:32:38 +0100 803725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=763073&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F07%2F27%2Fleprosy-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-katanga%2F A recent report of hundreds of new cases in Katanga Province highlights the fact that although reports of leprosy Worldwide and in Africa have declined since 2000, disease rates in D.R.C. have actually increased. Share This (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=763073 Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:48:59 +0100 763073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=750263&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F07%2F22%2Ftick-borne-diseases-in-the-usa-in-perspective%2F An interesting piece by Steve in ProMED, regarding tick borne diseases in the US: Although Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease are better known to the lay public, the list of additional tick-borne diseases has grown in recent years. The incidence of Lyme disease in the United States is greater than 5-fold that of all other tick-borne infections combined: If we eliminate Lyme disease, we find that tularemia was the most common disease in this group until 1965, but has since been superseded by Rocky Mountain spotted fever — and more recently Ehrlichiosis: Most significantly, although deaths due to other tick-borne diseases have declined in recent years, the number dying from tularemia has remained surprisingly constant for over 4 decades: (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=750263 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:03:13 +0100 750263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=734881&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F07%2F14%2Fsalmonellosis-rates-in-romania-and-surroundings%2F Following up on the latest outbreak of salmonellosis in Constanta, Romania, using the GIDEON graph function, Steve analyzes the reported rates of salmonellosis in Romania and surrounding countries. As reported by ProMED: The recent outbreak in Constanta belies the fact that Romania has consistently reported the lowest rates of salmonellosis in this region of Europe for at least 20 years. See graph. (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=734881 Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:22:58 +0100 734881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729884&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F07%2F11%2Fmeasles-outbreak-in-switzerland-and-regional-vaccine-coverage%2F Following the latest outbreak of measles in Switzerland, Steve graphs vaccine coverage in the neighboring countries in this ProMED post: This latest outbreak in Lucerne reminds us that the goal of 95 percent measles coverage continues to elude this region of Europe. See graph. (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729884 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:23:52 +0100 729884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=698168&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F06%2F26%2Flyme-disease-in-the-baltic-region%2F Steve is quoted in ProMED again: A recent ProMED-mail posting is a reminder that Lyme disease is extremely common in the Baltic region. In fact, disease rates are several fold higher in this area than in the USA (see graph at http://exhibit.gideononline.com/Lyme-Baltic.jpg). Additional background data abstracted from GIDEON (primary references available on request): The 1st cases (3) of Lyme borreliosis in Lithuania were diagnosed in 1987; and Estonia reported its 1st cases in 1988. Endemic foci exist in the western, eastern, and southern regions of Estonia. The areas of highest risk are concentrated along the Finnish Gulf coast in Harjumaa and Western Virumaa, in Parnumaa and Eastern Virumaa counties, and on the island of Saaremaa. In Latvia, 2.7 per cent of workers in high-risk occupatio... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=698168 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:48:44 +0100 698168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=659089&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F06%2F04%2Fbackground-on-measles-in-congo%2F Steve is quoted once again in ProMED: The latest outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (see: Measles - Democratic Republic of the Congo (Katanga)) highlights the fact that measles rates in this area have changed little during the past 2 decades. The relevant data extracted from the GIDEON database can be viewed in graphic form via the following link. There is little doubt that such outbreaks are related to continued suboptimal and erratic vaccination coverage. (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=659089 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:36:40 +0100 659089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629404&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F05%2F21%2Fsalmonellosis-in-germany%2F ProMED published another note from GIDEON related to Salmonellosis in Germany. Here’s an abstract: Salmonellosis accounts for 14 percent of all reported infectious disease and 98 percent of all zoonoses in Germany. 55 percent of infections are acquired from meat and poultry. Recent incidence data are displayed at and are contrasted with those of the United States at (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629404 Tue, 22 May 2007 06:24:14 +0100 629404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=577943&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F04%2F29%2Feastern-equine-encephalitis-eee-in-the-us%2F Another Promed post by Steve: The relative importance of Eastern Equine Encephalitis [EEE] in the United States has been overshadowed by the emergence of neuroinvasive West Nile fever (WNF) virus infection. The graphs referenced below illustrate the relative incidence of older forms of arboviral encephalitis: Graph of encephalitis cases in the US and the dominance of WNF since 2003: Graph of encephalitis cases versus West Nile fever in the US. (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=577943 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 06:30:32 +0100 577943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=547786&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F04%2F16%2Fcryptosporidiosis-in-ireland%2F Another post in ProMED from Steve describing Cryptosporidiosis in Ireland with a graph comparing rates in neighboring regions. (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=547786 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 04:24:57 +0100 547786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=523048&cid=t_110116_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F04%2F04%2Fmeasles-in-italy%2F Regarding the recent outbreak in Apulia, gradual decreases in measles rates may reflect the fact that vaccine coverage for Italy has exceded 80% only since 2002. Click on graph: Outbreaks of measles in Italy: 1996 to 1997 - An outbreak (1,642 cases seen at one hospital) was reported in Palermo. 2002 - An outbreak (24,000 clinical cases; 368 hospitalized; 13 encephalitis; 3 fatal) was reported in Campania. The rate among children below age 15 years was 3,750 per 100,000. 2003 - An outbreak (1,217 cases) was reported in Calabria and Puglia. 2003 - An outbreak (26 cases) was reported in South Tyrol. 2006 - An outbreak (40 cases) was reported in Grosseto. 2006 - Outbreaks (187 cases in 3 outbreaks) were reported in the Roma / Sinti populations of South Tyrol (17 cases), Sard... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=523048 Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:21:20 +0100 523048