title: An outbreak of gastroenteritis of unknown origin in Tehran, July 2003.
abstract: Aim of this study was to determine the causative agent and source of a large gastroenteritis outbreak occurred in a national financial center (CBIRI) in July 2003. A patient definition was defined staff were interviewed in the clinic of the Bank and their information were collected by means of a standardized questionnaire. A total of 110 fecal specimens were collected within 48 h of symptom onset from 100 patients with symptoms of gastroenteritis and 10 restaurant staff. The specimens were processed within 12 h to detect ova and parasites by direct microscopy and common bacteria by standard methods. The outbreak started on 22 July 2003 lasted 4 days. From a total of 1300 staff. 535 persons experienced a severe gastrointestinal illness. None but one of tested fecal samples were positive for bacterial enteric pathogens. S. paratyphi B was isolated from the positive case. Definitive association between illness and isolated S. paratyphi B remained to be determined since it was isolated only from one case. There is a need, however, for increased awareness among both professionals and the public to implement appropriate prevention measures and monitoring of food and water.
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Molecular Biology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranjbar
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salimkhani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sadeghifard
authors.forename: J Zaeimi
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Yazdi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morovvati
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jonaidi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izadi
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D011634:Public Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires