Progressive inflammatory neuropathy

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Progressive inflammatory neuropathy (PIN) is a disease that was identified in a report, released on January 31, 2008, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[1] The first known outbreak of this neuropathy was in southeastern Minnesota in the United States. The disease was reported among pig slaughterhouse workers. It is believed these workers might have contracted the disease through inhaling aerosols from pig brains blown through compressed-air devices and that "worker exposure to aerosolized pig neural protein might have induced an autoimmune-mediated peripheral neuropathy."[1]

[edit] Symptoms

Symptoms include acute paralysis, weakness, and numbness. The symptoms are similar to those for Guillain-Barré syndrome.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Investigation of Progressive Inflammatory Neuropathy Among Swine Slaughterhouse Workers---Minnesota, 2007---2008. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007-01-31). Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  2. ^ Brown, David (2008-02-04). Inhaling Pig Brains May Be Cause of New Illness. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.