Occupational exposure to Streptococcus suis type 2.
Antibody titres to Streptococcus suis type 2 were measured with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in four occupational groups in New Zealand. No veterinary students, 9% of dairy farmers, 10% of meat inspectors and 21% of pig farmers were seropositive to S. suis type 2. The development of antibody to S. suis type 2 was associated with occupational contact with pigs or their meat products. Subclinical infection with S. suis type 2 appears to occur in humans and the antibody produced is of only short duration. The annual incidence of subclinical infection and seroconversion in pig farmers may approach 28%. Thus S. suis type 2 may be one of the most infectious potentially zoonotic agents present in New Zealand, although very rarely resulting in clinical disease.
Robertson
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ID
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Blackmore
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DK
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003612:Dairying; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005513:Food Inspection; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008460:Meat; D009520:New Zealand; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007136:Immunoglobulins