36. New and re-emerging infectious diseases

Questions

What organisms have been recently discovered and what diseases are they associated with?

What factors influence the global emergence, re-emergence and spread of infectious diseases?

There has been considerable success in combating infection in the developed world since the middle of the last century, through advances in nutrition and hygiene as well as the development of drugs and vaccines. The worldwide eradication of smallpox was a notable success. However, despite many improvements there are still 15 million (> 25%) deaths worldwide attributable to infectious diseases (Fig. 3.36.1). ‘New’ infections are constantly being described (Appendix, Table A.2), and there is always the problem of established infections becoming resistant to current therapies (Table 3.36.1).

Fig. 3.36.1 Number of deaths worldwide caused by infectious diseases.

Source: World Health Organization World Health Report 2000.

Table 3.36.1 EMERGING PROBLEMS OF DRUG RESISTANCE

New diseases

Viruses are potentially the most rapidly evolving of all infectious agents and, therefore, the greatest future threat. Bacteria may acquire or generate new virulence genes and become able to cause new infections. Alternatively, the microorganisms may not change but, because of changes in the environment that surrounds us, they may suddenly start to cause human disease:

possible new pathogens: Escherichia coli O157, Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius

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