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Table 2 Outbreak of S. aureus in Robesonia, PA.

From: Interactions of pathogens and irritant chemicals in land-applied sewage sludges (biosolids)

Patient

Onset of disease

Age/sex

Occupancy

Presentation

1

Feb 93

15♂

resident

furunclea

2

Jul/Aug 93

87♀

resident

furuncleb

3

Jul 94

40♂

visitor

furunclesa,c

4

Aug 94

66♀

visitor

foliculitis

1

Mar 95

17♂

resident

pneumonia

5

Jun/Jul 95

37♀

visitor

furunclesd

6

Aug 95

7♀

visitor

furuncleb

7

Dec 95

16♂

resident

furunclec

8

Sep/Oct 97

46♂

resident

furunclese,f

  1. Recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections developed in a Robesonia, PA household over a 5-yr period after Class B biosolids were applied several times a week on a yearly basis to a nearby farm. Patients 1, 7, and 8 correspond with Residents 39, 40, and 41, respectively (Table 1). Patient 1 developed a S. aureus furuncle on one knee then, two years later, succumbed to S. aureus pneumonia.
  2. a knee; b leg; c thigh; d nose, arm, abdomen, buttocks; e neck, chin; f chest