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The ecology and epidemiology of the pig-bel syndrome in man in New Guinea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

T. G. C. Murrell
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Kundiawa, New Guinea
J. R. Egerton
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries, Konedobu, Papua
Anita Rampling
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries, Konedobu, Papua
Janet Samels
Affiliation:
Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, Kent, United Kingdom
P. D. Walker
Affiliation:
Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, Kent, United Kingdom
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1. Features in the epidemiology of a spontaneous enteric gangrene in the Highlands of New Guinea are described.

2. The disease has been called pig-bel because of its firm association with the pig-feasting practices of the people, which occur in 3–7 year cycles.

3. Cl. welchii type C is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the condition. Strains isolated were strongly toxigenic and uniform in their toxin production.

4. A food poisoning aetiology was not proved but circumstantial and immunological evidence suggest that pork may be a vector of the disease.

5. The source of Cl. welchii type C was not established.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1966

References

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