MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Transplantation-Transmitted Tuberculosis — Oklahoma, 2007

PRESS CONTACT: CDC
Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Although the lifesaving benefit from transplanted organs may outweigh the potential risk for transmission of infectious disease, it is still important to continuously improve organ transplantation safety. To prevent tuberculosis transmission by organ transplantation, specific policies can be established to improve recognition of disease in donors and communication can be streamlined to facilitate rapid information exchange among clinicians, transplant centers, organ procurement organizations and public health authorities. This report summarizes the results of the investigation to evaluate possible tuberculosis transmission through organ transplantation. Disseminated tuberculosis occurred in two of three transplant recipients from a common donor, and one recipient died. To reduce the low but serious risk of tuberculosis transmission by organ transplantation, organ recovery personnel should consider risk factors for tuberculosis in potential donors and conduct further testing of those at risk. Clinicians should recognize that transplant recipients with tuberculosis might present with unusual signs or symptoms. When transmission is suspected, investigation of potential donor-transmitted infection requires rapid communication among physicians, transplant centers, organ procurement organizations, and public health authorities.

Maltreatment of Infants — United States, October 2005–September 2006

PRESS CONTACT: Leslie Dorigo
CDC Injury Center Media Relations
(770) 488-4902

• Media Advisory

In 2006 nearly 30,000 infants in the U.S. were abused or neglected in the first week of life. This study is the first national examination of the risk for nonfatal maltreatment among infants less than one year old. To determine the extent of nonfatal infant maltreatment in the United States, CDC and the federal Administration for Children and Families analyzed data collected in 2006 from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. The results show that 91,278 infants were substantiated victims of nonfatal maltreatment in the first year of life. Almost 40 percent of those infants had documented abuse or neglect during the first month after birth; and of these over 80 percent had documented abuse or neglect in the first week of life. These findings highlight the need for prenatal and postpartum prevention efforts to reduce risks for maltreatment and to promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships.

Surveillance for Community-Associated Clostridium difficile — Connecticut, 2006

PRESS CONTACT: William Gerrish, Communications Officer
Connecticut Department of Public Health
(860) 509-7106

People taking antibiotics need to be aware that they could get C. difficile-associated diarrhea, and clinicians need to consider a diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in outpatients with severe diarrhea, even in the absence of traditional risk factors. If promptly recognized, C. difficile-associated diarrhea usually can be readily treated. Clostridium difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that is a common cause of diarrhea in people who are hospitalized or are residents in long-term care facilities, particularly the elderly. Taking an antibiotic is the primary risk factor for development of C. difficile-associated diarrhea. Recently, concern has been raised that C. difficile may be causing disease in generally healthy people in the community. In 2006, Connecticut began surveillance for C. difficile diarrhea occurring in the community. Findings from 2006 show that 241 Connecticut residents were diagnosed with community-associated C. difficile infection. A total of 110 were hospitalized and two died. Overall, 33 percent of all cases including 25 percent of those hospitalized had no without underlying health conditions.

####

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES