Neurologic symptoms associated with raising poultry and swine among participants in the Agricultural Health Study.
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ABSTRACT: Objective
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is the leading cause of acute peripheral neuropathy worldwide, often associated with recent foodborne infection with Campylobacter jejuni. In this cross-sectional analysis of data from the Agricultural Health Study, we tested whether swine and poultry exposure were associated with increased prevalence of GBS-like neurologic symptoms.Methods
Using multivariate analysis, we tested the symptoms such as numbness and weakness, relevant to inflammatory peripheral neuropathies, among farmers with self-reported occupational poultry or swine exposure compared with farmers who reported no occupational animal exposure.Results
Among swine farmers/workers, prevalence of weakness and numbness were increased (P < 0.05). Among poultry farmers/workers, prevalence of weakness and numbness were increased, but increased prevalence of weakness was not statistically significant.Conclusions
Occupational contact with live poultry or swine, potentially related to C. jejuni exposure, was associated with increased reporting of GBS-like symptoms.
SUBMITTER: Davis MF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3041019 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Neurologic symptoms associated with raising poultry and swine among participants in the Agricultural Health Study.
Davis Meghan F MF Kamel Freya F Hoppin Jane A JA Alavanja Michael C R MC Freeman Laura Beane LB Gray Gregory C GC Nelson Kenrad K Silbergeld Ellen E
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 20110201 2
<h4>Objective</h4>Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is the leading cause of acute peripheral neuropathy worldwide, often associated with recent foodborne infection with Campylobacter jejuni. In this cross-sectional analysis of data from the Agricultural Health Study, we tested whether swine and poultry exposure were associated with increased prevalence of GBS-like neurologic symptoms.<h4>Methods</h4>Using multivariate analysis, we tested the symptoms such as numbness and weakness, relevant to inflam ...[more]
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