Antibiotic resistance patterns in invasive group B streptococcal isolates.

Antibiotics are used for both group B streptococcal (GBS) prevention and treatment. Active population-based surveillance for invasive GBS disease was conducted in four states during 1996-2003. Of 3813 case-isolates, 91.

A nationwide population-based study identifying health disparities between American Indians/Alaska Natives and the general populations living in select urban counties.

Objectives: Despite their increasing numbers, little is known about the health of American Indians/Alaska Natives living in urban areas. We examined the health status of American Indian/Alaska Native populations served by 34 federally funded urban Indian health organizations.

Methods: We analyzed US census data and vital statistics data for the period 1990 to 2000.

An outbreak of Pontiac fever with respiratory distress among workers performing high-pressure cleaning at a sugar-beet processing plant.

Background: In August 2000, the Minnesota Department of Health was notified of and investigated an outbreak of febrile respiratory illness among workers at a sugar-beet processing plant.

Methods: A case was defined as fever and respiratory symptoms occurring in a worker at the sugar-beet plant on or after 31 July 2000. Case patients were interviewed, medical and work records were reviewed, and clinical samples were obtained.

Reducing illness transmission from disinfected recreational water venues: swimming, diarrhea and the emergence of a new public health concern.

Recreational water-related illnesses are associated with swimming in contaminated water venues. The transmission of diarrheal illness in disinfected settings is influenced by several factors which include: chlorine resistance in waterborne pathogens; poor facility maintenance of disinfectant levels; and lack of healthy swimming habits. Health care providers can help to disseminate healthy swimming messages to their patients and help to prevent and control this emerging public health concern.