Studies of Infectious Diseases at NAMRU-2 in Taiwan
Abstract
In a 3 month prospective study of Chinese army recruits (9 companies) a large epidemic of influenza (both A and B) was the overwhelming cause of respiratory morbidity. Unlike U.S. experience, adenovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and rhinovirus were not associated with significant morbidity. Meningococcal prevalence increased during training (20-40%) with no significant disease. Thirty-six percent of 59 hospitalized children with hepatitis were associated with Hepatitis B antigen (HBag). Nine percent of 249 children without hepatitis were HBag positive. Family members of positive cases had a high prevalence of antigen. History of parenteral infections or blood transfusion were uncommon suggesting significant non-parenteral spread. The first epidemic of scrub typhus on Taiwan since World War II occurred in Chinese soldiers on the east coast of the island, and was thoroughly described. In the US airforce personnel on Taiwan 51% of men with urethritis had gonorrhea. Nineteen percent of cases of non gonococcal urethritis were positive for chlamydia (contrasted with 3% of controls). T-strain or large colony mycoplasma did not differ between urethritis cases and controls (with or without GC).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0749953
Entities
People
- E. R. Alexander
Organizations
- University of Washington