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[Update in infectious diseases. Part I: epidemiology]
B Salzberger1, C Franzen, G Fätkenheuer
1Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinik Köln. bernd.salzberger@uni-koeln.de
Medizinische Klinik (Munich, Germany : 1983)
|August 10, 2000
Summary
New infectious agents and diseases are emerging due to climate change and migration. Advances in DNA/RNA detection aid in identifying difficult-to-culture pathogens, signaling future infectious disease threats.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- The last decade has seen the emergence of novel infectious agents.
- Global factors like climate change and human migration are key drivers of new and re-emerging infections.
- Advancements in molecular detection methods (DNA/RNA) facilitate the identification of previously unculturable pathogens.
Purpose:
- To highlight newly identified infectious agents and their contributing factors.
- To underscore the role of environmental and societal changes in disease emergence.
- To emphasize the impact of technological advancements in pathogen detection.
Summary:
- Recent years have seen the emergence of new bacterial pathogens such as Bartonella henselae and Tropheryma whippeli.
- Newly detected viral threats include Sin-nombre virus, Nipah virus, Hendra virus, and avian influenza.
- Bovine spongiform encephalopathy has led to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, with its full impact yet to be determined.
Impact:
- The emergence of novel infectious diseases poses a significant public health challenge.
- Understanding the drivers of infectious disease emergence is crucial for developing effective control strategies.
- Continued surveillance and advancements in diagnostic technologies are essential for future pandemic preparedness.