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Classical Article
. 2002 Jan;112(1):4-12; discussion 2-3.
doi: 10.1016/s0002-9343(01)01050-6.

An epidemic of inhalation anthrax, the first in the twentieth century: I. Clinical features. 1960

Stanley A Plotkin, Philip S Brachman, Milton Utell, Forest H Bumford, Mary M Atchison
Classical Article

An epidemic of inhalation anthrax, the first in the twentieth century: I. Clinical features. 1960

Stanley A Plotkin et al. Am J Med. 2002 Jan.

Abstract

Acute respiratory tract infections are the most common illnesses in all individuals, regardless of age or gender. Epidemiologic surveys and community-based studies conducted since the beginning of the 20th century have determined the rates of illness and the pathogens involved in such infections. These studies have shown that rhinoviruses cause the great majority of these respiratory illnesses, and their findings have examined the means of transmission of respiratory illness. More recently, advances in diagnostic techniques have enabled more complete identification of the viruses involved in respiratory infections, which has aided in the ability to direct specific therapeutic agents at the causative pathogens.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean annual incidence of total respiratory illness per person-year, Tecumseh, Michigan, 1966–1971. (Adapted from JAMA.7)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportion of respiratory illnesses that began on each day of the week. (Adapted from Am J Epidemiol.9)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage distribution of isolates of virus in the surveillance population in Tecumseh, Michigan, 1966–1981. (Adapted from J Infect Dis.13)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Acute respiratory illness in the community, seasonality of respiratory agents: proportion isolated in each calendar month during study years. (Adapted from Am J Epidemiol.11)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Combined data for the 3-year period, March 1963 to March 1966, depicting the seasonal variation in the percentage of sampled respiratory illnesses yielding rhinoviruses and, in the rate of rhinovirus illness, derived by application of this percentage to the total rate of respiratory illness. (Adapted from N Engl J Med.12)
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Comment in

  • Inhalation anthrax revisited.
    Goldman L. Goldman L. Am J Med. 2002 Jan;112(1):1-2. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9343(01)01077-4. Am J Med. 2002. PMID: 11812397 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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