This study confirms that foodborne CPE-positive C. perfringens type A can affect the colon, resulting in potentially fatal necrotizing colitis. Drug-induced constipation and fecal impaction, resulting in prolonged exposure of the colonic mucosal tissue to C. perfringens type A toxins, contributed to the development of necrotizing colitis.

This article describes the development, testing, and implementation of the OKAlert-ILI System, a bidirectional, dual-use influenza-like illness surveillance and messaging system, during the influenza seasons of 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 in the Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network, a primary care practice-based research network. We describe how the Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network connected 30 primary care providers to the Oklahoma State Department of Health and how surveillance results were analyzed and fed back to the clinicians on a weekly basis. We demonstrate the timeliness, sensitivity, specificity, acceptability, validity, flexibility, and cost of the system. Finally, we describe upgrades and enhancements to the system based on user evaluation and feedback.