Outbreak of leptospirosis among triathlon participants in Germany, 2006

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In August 2006, a case of leptospirosis occurred in an athlete after a triathlon held around Heidelberg and in the Neckar river. In order to study a possible outbreak and to determine risk factors for infection an epidemiological investigation was performed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants of the triathlon were contacted by e-mail and were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire. In addition, they were asked to supply a serum sample for laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis. A confirmed case patient was defined as a clinical case (i.e. fever and at least one additional symptom suggestive for leptospirosis) with at least two of the following tests positive: ELISA IgM, latex agglutination testing, or microscopic agglutination testing. Rainfall and temperature records were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 142 of 507 triathletes were contacted; among these, five confirmed leptospirosis cases were found. Open wounds were identified as the only significant risk factor for illness (p = 0.02). Heavy rains that preceded the swimming event likely increased leptospiral contamination of the Neckar River.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This is the first outbreak of leptospirosis related to a competitive sports event in Germany. Among people with contact to freshwater, the risk of contracting leptospirosis should be considered by health care providers also in temperate countries, particularly in the summer after heavy rains.</p

Neuradno delo Johannesa Irmscherja za Državno varnost Nemške demokratične republike (prevedla Polonca Zupančič)

Johannes Irmscher (1920–2000), predvojni član NSDAP, je več desetletij veljal za najpomembnejšega vzhodnonemškega poznavalca klasične filologije, patristike in bizantinistike. Od leta 1958 dalje je deloval tudi v spregi s komunistično Državno varnostjo (Stasi). Dokumenti pričajo o njegovem ovajanju kolegov; o tem, kako je znal usmerjati zanimanje Državne varnosti proti ustanovam in krogom, povezanim z antiko; ter o tem, kako je dal mednarodni sloves klasične filologije in svoj lastni sloves na razpolago Ministrstvu za državno varnost (MfS). Študija temelji na raziskovalnem projektu pri Akademiji znanosti NDR ter je nastala v skladu s pravili Urada državnega pooblaščenca za dokumente Ministrstva za državno varnost (BstU)