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Respiratory diseases among U.S. military personnel: countering emerging threats
G C Gray1, J D Callahan, A W Hawksworth
1Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California 92186-5122, USA. Gray@nhrc.navy.mil
Abstract:
Emerging respiratory disease agents, increased antibiotic resistance, and the loss of effective vaccines threaten to increase the incidence of respiratory disease in military personnel. We examine six respiratory pathogens (adenoviruses, influenza viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) and review the impact of the diseases they cause, past efforts to control these diseases in U.S. military personnel, as well as current treatment and surveillance strategies, limitations in diagnostic testing, and vaccine needs.
Insights
Military personnel face rising respiratory disease risks from new pathogens and antibiotic resistance. This review covers six key agents, control efforts, and future vaccine needs for military health.
Area of Science:
- Military medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Emerging respiratory pathogens and increasing antibiotic resistance pose significant threats to military personnel.
- Loss of effective vaccines exacerbates the risk of respiratory disease outbreaks in this population.
- U.S. military health systems face challenges in managing respiratory infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review six critical respiratory pathogens affecting military personnel.
- To analyze past and current disease control strategies within the U.S. military.
- To identify limitations in diagnostics and outline future vaccine requirements.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on adenoviruses, influenza viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis.
- Analysis of historical and contemporary data on respiratory disease incidence in military populations.
- Evaluation of current treatment, surveillance, and diagnostic capabilities.
Main Results:
- Six specific pathogens identified as major threats: adenoviruses, influenza viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis.
- Review highlights historical control measures and current strategies for managing these infections.
- Significant limitations exist in current diagnostic testing for these respiratory agents.
Conclusions:
- Urgent need for enhanced surveillance and improved diagnostic tools for military respiratory pathogens.
- Development of new and effective vaccines is critical to mitigate disease incidence.
- A comprehensive approach is required to address the multifaceted threat of respiratory diseases in military personnel.