Pigbel in the 21st century: still here, and still in need of an effective surveillance system
Duke, T.; Poka, H.; Myers, S.; Radcliffe, J.; Pavlin, B.I.
Papua and new Guinea Medical Journal 56(3-4): 136-140
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1480 PMID: 26288931 Document Number: 667592
Pigbel remains a likely significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), two decades after the administration of pigbel vaccination ceased. There is a need for an effective surveillance program for pigbel to better understand the disease burden and to target communities for preventive strategies. This paper reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, recent history and current data on the burden of pigbel in PNG. We propose a surveillance program based on clinical recognition of likely cases and laboratory confirmation using an ELISA assay for Clostridium perfringens type C beta-toxin. Research aimed at validating this approach in the clinical setting is outlined.