Synopsis for June 3, 2005

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Human Exposure to Mosquito-Control Pesticides ― Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia, 2002 and 2003
2. Unintentional Topical Lindane Ingestions ― United States, 1998-2003
3. Surveillance for Laboratory-Confirmed, Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations ― Colorado, 2004-05 Influenza Season
4. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients ― Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 2005

Human Exposure to Mosquito-Control Pesticides ― Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia, 2002 and 2003

Ultra-low-volume spraying of mosquito-control pesticides does not appear to increase human exposure to pesticides, suggests a recent CDC study.

The study found no significant increase in concentrations of pesticides in urine of study participants. Pesticides such as naled, permethrin and d-phenothrin are often sprayed from airplanes and trucks to control mosquito populations in residential areas. The findings are noteworthy because mosquito-control spraying kills mosquitoes that may carry diseases like West Nile virus. The study suggests that future studies should address the long-term safety of ultra-low volume exposure to these pesticides. Also, the study suggests that public health interventions might be needed to reduce home and workplace exposure to pesticides.

Unintentional Topical Lindane Ingestions ― United States, 1998-2003

Efforts are needed to reduce the risk of unintentional ingestion of lindane, a second-line therapy for lice and scabies. To prevent unintentional ingestion, clinicians should dispense lindane in manufacturer-produced, 1- or 2-ounce, single-use containers only and not repackaged. Furthermore, pharmacists need to follow the new FDA guidelines for dispensing lindane: use only when first-line treatments have failed or are intolerable; avoid use in persons weighing less than 110 pounds or 50 kilograms, don't repeat the treatment even if itching persists.

Lindane is an organochlorine pesticide found in some shampoos and topical lotions to treat lice and scabies. From 1998 through 2003, 870 persons in the United States were identified with illnesses associated with unintentional ingestion of lindane. Often these people inadvertently consumed lindane because it was dispensed in bottles that resembled bottles of other liquid oral medications, such as cough syrup. Most illnesses (90 percent) were not severe. Reported health effects included vomiting, nausea, throat/oral irritation, abdominal cramping, and seizures. These findings suggest the need to remind clinicians of the hazards of lindane and the importance of following the new FDA guidelines for lindane: use only when first-line treatments have failed or are intolerable; avoid use in patients weighing less than 110 pounds, and don't repeat the treatment even if itching persists. In addition, lindane should be dispensed in manufacturer-produced, 1- or 2-ounce, single-use containers only and not repackaged.

Surveillance for Laboratory-Confirmed, Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations ― Colorado, 2004-05 Influenza Season

No Summary Available.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients ― Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 2005

The occurrence of transplant-transmitted LCMV infection, although critical for healthcare providers to be aware of, is thought to be an extremely rare occurrence. Organ donation continues to save more and more lives every year and the risk of LCMV transmission should not discourage life-saving organ donation and transplantation.

LCMV, a rodent-borne virus that rarely causes serious illness in healthy persons, has been associated with death in several organ transplant recipients in two clusters. While there are no tests for effective pre-transplant screening of LCMV in organ or tissue donors, clinicians should be aware that unusual symptoms or death in a transplant recipient may be due to transmission of an infectious agent from the donor. Clinicians should rapidly alert their organ procurement organization (OPO) and public health authorities when this is suspected. The life-saving benefits from transplanted organs far outweigh the potential risk from unidentified infectious transmission; opportunities to increase donation should be encouraged.

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