Surveillance for unexplained deaths and critical illnesses due to possibly infectious causes, United States, 1995-1998.

ABSTRACT: Population-based surveillance for unexplained death and critical illness possibly due to infectious causes (UNEX) was conducted in four U.S. Emerging Infections Program sites (population 7.7 million) from May 1, 1995, to December 31, 1998, to define the incidence, epidemiologic features, and etiology of this syndrome. A case was defined as death or critical illness in a hospitalized, previously healthy person, 1 to 49 years of age, with infection hallmarks but no cause identified after routine testing. A total of 137 cases were identified (incidence rate 0.5 per 100,000 per year). Patients' median age was 20 years, 72 (53%) were female, 112 (82%) were white, and 41 (30%) died. The most common clinical presentations were neurologic (29%), respiratory (27%), and cardiac (21%). Infectious cau

SUBMITTER: Hajjeh RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2732455 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature