OBJECTIVE: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is the leading cause of acute peripheral neuropathy worldwide, often associated with recent foodborne infection with Campylobacter jejuni. In this cross-sectional analysis of data from the Agricultural Health Study, we tested whether swine and poultry exposure were associated with increased prevalence of GBS-like neurologic symptoms. METHODS: Using multivariate analysis, we tested the symptoms such as numbness and weakness, relevant to inflammatory peripheral neuropathies, among farmers with self-reported occupational poultry or swine exposure compared with farmers who reported no occupational animal exposure. RESULTS: Among swine farmers/workers, prevalence of weakness and numbness were increased (P < 0.05). Among poultry farmers/workers, prevalence of weakness and numbness were increased, but increased prevalence of weakness was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational contact with live poultry or swine, potentially related to C. jejuni exposure, was associated with increased reporting of GBS-like symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is the leading cause of acute peripheral neuropathy worldwide, often associated with recent foodborne infection with Campylobacter jejuni. In this cross-sectional analysis of data from the Agricultural Health Study, we tested whether swine and poultry exposure were associated with increased prevalence of GBS-like neurologic symptoms. METHODS: Using multivariate analysis, we tested the symptoms such as numbness and weakness, relevant to inflammatory peripheral neuropathies, among farmers with self-reported occupational poultry or swine exposure compared with farmers who reported no occupational animal exposure. RESULTS: Among swine farmers/workers, prevalence of weakness and numbness were increased (P < 0.05). Among poultry farmers/workers, prevalence of weakness and numbness were increased, but increased prevalence of weakness was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational contact with live poultry or swine, potentially related to C. jejuni exposure, was associated with increased reporting of GBS-like symptoms.
Authors: Eleni E Magira; Miltiadis Papaioakim; Irving Nachamkin; Arthur K Asbury; Chun Y Li; Tony W Ho; John W Griffin; Guy M McKhann; Dimitri S Monos Journal: J Immunol Date: 2003-03-15 Impact factor: 5.422
Authors: I Nachamkin; J Engberg; M Gutacker; R J Meinersman; C Y Li; P Arzate; E Teeple; V Fussing; T W Ho; A K Asbury; J W Griffin; G M McKhann; J C Piffaretti Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2001-06-08 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: J Engberg; I Nachamkin; V Fussing; G M McKhann; J W Griffin; J C Piffaretti; E M Nielsen; P Gerner-Smidt Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2001-06-08 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: R B Harvey; C R Young; R L Ziprin; M E Hume; K J Genovese; R C Anderson; R E Droleskey; L H Stanker; D J Nisbet Journal: J Am Vet Med Assoc Date: 1999-12-01 Impact factor: 1.936
Authors: Leora Vegosen; Meghan F Davis; Ellen Silbergeld; Patrick N Breysse; Jacqueline Agnew; Gregory Gray; Laura Beane Freeman; Freya Kamel Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2012-10 Impact factor: 2.162