Linked Life Data

9255876

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/9255876

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-9-18
pubmed:abstractText
This article describes a widespread outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection amongst drug abusers in Finland. Although attempts to demonstrate the virus in amphetamines failed, the infection was assumed to be linked to intravenous use of the drug. The unusual mode of transmission prompted us to analyse possible atypical clinical features as well as the spread of the virus to the general population, nowadays practically without protective immunity. Serologically verified cases that occurred in Helsinki were interviewed, their hospital records were analysed and their contacts were serology tested. Amphetamine lots, as well as faecal samples from patients, were examined with RT-PCR. Detailed information was obtained from 238 subjects, among whom 131 admitted drug abuse and 67 cases were classified as secondary cases. Phylogenetic analysis of virus strains from HAV-infected cases suggested a common origin, and epidemiological observations linked it with particular lots of amphetamine. Three cases died, and 3 presented with severe clinical disease. Icterus was more common among i.v. drug abusers than others. Infection with hepatitis A virus was probably related to the faecal contamination of amphetamine associated with the transportation of the drugs in the gastrointestinal tract.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0036-5548
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
29
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
213-6
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Hepatitis A outbreak amongst intravenous amphetamine abusers in Finland.
pubmed:affiliation
Aurora Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article