title: Investigation of an unexplained skin disorder in a prison clinic in the Netherlands in 2002.
abstract: An unexplained outbreak of skin disorder with itching papules or pustules occurred among drugs body packers in a detention clinic in the Netherlands in October-November 2002. The descriptive cohort study suggests this outbreak could be associated with an expired batch of disposable linens, with an overall attack rate of 30% in the study population (n=118). No additionnal cases have been noted since this expired batch was replaced.
authors.affiliation: Robert Koch-Institut, Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Breugelmans
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosman
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: van der Heide
authors.forename: E Y R
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Roeleveld-Kuijper
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Bruynzeel
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001415:Back; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005076:Exanthema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D009426:Netherlands; D011330:Prisons; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012492:Salts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D012492:Salts; D017332:Cetirizine