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Intensity of exposure and incidence of melioidosis in Thai children

Cheng, Allen C., Wuthiekanun, Vanaporn, Limmathurotsakul, Direk, Chierakul, Wirongrong and Peacock, Sharon J. (2008). Intensity of exposure and incidence of melioidosis in Thai children. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene,102(Suppl. 1):S37-S39.

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Title Intensity of exposure and incidence of melioidosis in Thai children
Author Cheng, Allen C.
Wuthiekanun, Vanaporn
Limmathurotsakul, Direk
Chierakul, Wirongrong
Peacock, Sharon J.
Journal Name Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Publication Date 2008
Volume Number 102
Issue Number Suppl. 1
ISSN 0035-9203   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page S37
End Page S39
Total Pages 3
Place of Publication UK
Publisher Elsevier
Field of Research 0605 - Microbiology
1108 - Medical Microbiology
1117 - Public Health and Health Services
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract There is a high background seroprevalence of antibodies to Burkholderia pseudomallei in Thailand that limits its use as a diagnostic tool. It is believed that this results from childhood exposure to the bacterium in mud and surface water. The increasing prevalence of antibodies with age is a marker of the intensity of exposure. A susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) model was calibrated with data on seroprevalence in children (<15 years) in Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani (n=2214). In this mathematical model, children were assumed to gain antibodies at a constant rate related to exposure events, and waning antibody response occurred at a constant rate. The intensity of exposure appeared to be higher in Udon Thani than in Ubon Ratchathani, with 24% vs. 11% of patients becoming seropositive each year. In Udon Thani children, antibodies appeared to be long-lasting, compared with those in Ubon Ratchathani, where the mean duration was 5.2 years. Based on an estimated paediatric disease incidence in Ubon Ratchathani of 4.15 per 100,000 population, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 4600 antibody-producing exposures results in clinical infection. Childhood seroprevalence can be used as a marker of intensity of exposure. Further work to separate the effect of exposure to B. thailandensis and cross-reactivity to B. pseudomallei is proposed.
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0035-9203(08)70010-5   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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Created: Wed, 15 Apr 2009, 13:28:38 CST by Sarena Wegener