BackgroundArctic populations are exposed to mercury, lead and cadmium through their traditional diet. Studies have however shown that cadmium exposure is most often attributable to tobacco smoking. The aim of this study is to examine the trends in mercury, lead and cadmium exposure between 1992 and 2004 in the Inuit population of Nunavik (Northern Québec, Canada) using the data obtained from two broad scale health surveys, and to identify sources of exposure in 2004.MethodsIn 2004, 917 adults aged between 18 and 74 were recruited in the 14 communities of Nunavik to participate to a broad scale health survey. Blood samples were collected and analysed for metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and dietary and life-style characteristics were documented by questionnaires. Results were compared with data obtained in 1992, where 492 people were recruited for a similar survey in the same population.ResultsMean blood concentration of mercury was 51.2 nmol/L, which represent a 32% decrease (p < 0.001) between 1992 and 2004. Mercury blood concentrations were mainly explained by age (partial r2 = 0.20; p < 0.0001), and the most important source of exposure to mercury was marine mammal meat consumption (partial r2 = 0.04; p < 0.0001). In 2004, mean blood concentration of lead was 0.19 μmol/L and showed a 55% decrease since 1992. No strong associations were observed with any dietary source, and lead concentrations were mainly explained by age (partial r2 = 0.20.; p < 0.001). Blood cadmium concentrations showed a 22% decrease (p < 0.001) between 1992 and 2004. Once stratified according to tobacco use, means varied between 5.3 nmol/L in never-smokers and 40.4 nmol/L in smokers. Blood cadmium concentrations were mainly associated with tobacco smoking (partial r2 = 0.56; p < 0.0001), while consumption of caribou liver and kidney remain a minor source of cadmium exposure among never-smokers.ConclusionImportant decreases in mercury, lead and cadmium exposure were observed. Mercury decrease could be explained by dietary changes and the ban of lead cartridges use likely contributed to the decrease in lead exposure. Blood cadmium concentrations remain high and, underscoring the need for intensive tobacco smoking prevention campaigns in the Nunavik population.
uring the first wave of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus (pH1N1) in the province of Manitoba, Canada, there were 892 laboratory-confirmed cases of pH1N1; 1 of these cases, 156 (17.5%) were in northern remote First Nations communities served by nursing stations (total population 45,000) (First Nations and Inuit Health Manitoba Region, Winnipeg, Manitoba Health Surveillance and Analysis, personal communication, 2009). First Nations ethnicity has been associated with increased severity of pH1N1. 2 Health staff in a remote First Nations community in Manitoba identified an outbreak of influenza-like illness (ILI) in late April 2009, with subsequent laboratory confirmation of pH1N1 circulation. A field investigation of this pH1N1 outbreak was undertaken in June 2009. The objectives were to contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of pH1N1 in this community, to inform a timely public health response and to make recommendations for the subsequent response to pH1N1 in other communities.
METHODSThis investigation was conducted in a remote First Nations community (population 3,300) in northern Manitoba. The community is served by daily flights, but lacks an all-weather road. Primary nursing care and public health services are provided at the community nursing station. Itinerant primary care and specialist physicians provide care to this community on a scheduled basis. The study period was April 20 to June 11, 2009. April 20 was chosen as the beginning of the study period based on observations by nursing staff of increasing ILI occurring in the community and on the start date of the first wave of pH1N1 as declared by the province of Manitoba. June 11 was the last day that the study team was in the community for the purpose of data collection. Study data were collected for all of the laboratory-confirmed cases of pH1N1 in this community.The ILI case group comprised both the pH1N1 laboratoryconfirmed and possible cases. Case definitions were agreed upon by the study team. The possible case definition was in accordance with the ILI case definition from Manitoba Health and Healthy Living, which stated that fever and/or cough may not be prominent in children <5 years of age. 1. Confirmed: Laboratory confirmation of novel influenza A (pH1N1) virus taken from a clinical specimen collected on or
Experimental models of urinary tract infection caused by a group D Streptococcus sp. in rabbits are described: retrograde pyelonephritis was induced by injecting 109 group D streptococci into the renal pelvis and obstructing the ureter by ligature for 24 h; cystitis was induced by injecting 5.109 group D streptococci
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