Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-15 (of 15 Records) |
Query Trace: Durant T[original query] |
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One Health assessment of persistent organic chemicals and PFAS for consumption of restored anadromous fish
Melnyk LJ , Lazorchak JM , Kusnierz DH , Perlman GD , Lin J , Venkatapathy R , Sundaravadivelu D , Thorn J , Durant J , Pugh K , Stover MA . J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2023 BACKGROUND: Restoration efforts have led to the return of anadromous fish, potential source of food for the Penobscot Indian Nation, to the previously dammed Penobscot River, Maine. OBJECTIVE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Penobscot Indian Nation's Department of Natural Resources (PINDNR), and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), measured contaminants in six species of anadromous fish. Fish tissue concentrations were then used, along with exposure parameters, to evaluate potential human and aquatic-dependent wildlife risk. METHODS: PINDNR collected, filleted, froze, and shipped fish for analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dioxins/furans, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Contaminant levels were compared to reference doses (where possible) and wildlife values (WVs). RESULTS: Chemical concentrations ranged from 6.37 nanogram per gram (ng/g) wet weight (ww) in American Shad roe to 100 ng/g ww in Striped Bass for total PCBs; 0.851 ng/g ww in American Shad roe to 5.92 ng/g ww in large Rainbow Smelt for total PBDEs; and 0.037 ng/g ww in American Shad roe to 0.221 ng/g ww in Striped Bass for total dioxin/furans. PFAS concentrations ranged between 0.38 ng/g ww of PFBA in Alewife to 7.86 ng/g ww of PFUnA in Sea Lamprey. Dioxin/furans and PFOS levels indicated that there are potential human health risks. The WV for mink for total PCBs (72 ng/g) was exceeded in Striped Bass and the WV for Kestrel for PBDEs (8.7 ng/g) was exceeded in large Rainbow Smelt. Mammalian wildlife consuming Blueback Herring, Striped Bass, and Sea Lamprey may be at risk based on PFOS WVs from Canada. IMPACT: Anadromous fish returning to the Penobscot River potentially could represent the restoration of a major component of tribal traditional diet. However, information about contaminant levels in these fish is needed to guide the tribe about consumption safety. Analysis of select species of fish and risk calculations demonstrated the need for a protective approach to consumption for both humans and wildlife. This project demonstrates that wildlife can also be impacted by contamination of fish and their risks can be as great or greater than those of humans. A One Health approach addresses this discrepancy and will lead to a healthier ecosystem. |
COVID-19 incidence and mortality among unvaccinated and vaccinated persons aged 12 years by receipt of bivalent booster doses and time since vaccination - 24 U.S. jurisdictions, October 3, 2021-December 24, 2022
Johnson AG , Linde L , Ali AR , DeSantis A , Shi M , Adam C , Armstrong B , Armstrong B , Asbell M , Auche S , Bayoumi NS , Bingay B , Chasse M , Christofferson S , Cima M , Cueto K , Cunningham S , Delgadillo J , Dorabawila V , Drenzek C , Dupervil B , Durant T , Fleischauer A , Hamilton R , Harrington P , Hicks L , Hodis JD , Hoefer D , Horrocks S , Hoskins M , Husain S , Ingram LA , Jara A , Jones A , Kanishka FNU , Kaur R , Khan SI , Kirkendall S , Lauro P , Lyons S , Mansfield J , Markelz A , Masarik J 3rd , McCormick D , Mendoza E , Morris KJ , Omoike E , Patel K , Pike MA , Pilishvili T , Praetorius K , Reed IG , Severson RL , Sigalo N , Stanislawski E , Stich S , Tilakaratne BP , Turner KA , Wiedeman C , Zaldivar A , Silk BJ , Scobie HM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (6) 145-152 On September 1, 2022, CDC recommended an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine booster to help restore waning protection conferred by previous vaccination and broaden protection against emerging variants for persons aged ≥12 years (subsequently extended to persons aged ≥6 months).* To assess the impact of original (monovalent) COVID-19 vaccines and bivalent boosters, case and mortality rate ratios (RRs) were estimated comparing unvaccinated and vaccinated persons aged ≥12 years by overall receipt of and by time since booster vaccination (monovalent or bivalent) during Delta variant and Omicron sublineage (BA.1, BA.2, early BA.4/BA.5, and late BA.4/BA.5) predominance.(†) During the late BA.4/BA.5 period, unvaccinated persons had higher COVID-19 mortality and infection rates than persons receiving bivalent doses (mortality RR = 14.1 and infection RR = 2.8) and to a lesser extent persons vaccinated with only monovalent doses (mortality RR = 5.4 and infection RR = 2.5). Among older adults, mortality rates among unvaccinated persons were significantly higher than among those who had received a bivalent booster (65-79 years; RR = 23.7 and ≥80 years; 10.3) or a monovalent booster (65-79 years; 8.3 and ≥80 years; 4.2). In a second analysis stratified by time since booster vaccination, there was a progressive decline from the Delta period (RR = 50.7) to the early BA.4/BA.5 period (7.4) in relative COVID-19 mortality rates among unvaccinated persons compared with persons receiving who had received a monovalent booster within 2 weeks-2 months. During the early BA.4/BA.5 period, declines in relative mortality rates were observed at 6-8 (RR = 4.6), 9-11 (4.5), and ≥12 (2.5) months after receiving a monovalent booster. In contrast, bivalent boosters received during the preceding 2 weeks-2 months improved protection against death (RR = 15.2) during the late BA.4/BA.5 period. In both analyses, when compared with unvaccinated persons, persons who had received bivalent boosters were provided additional protection against death over monovalent doses or monovalent boosters. Restored protection was highest in older adults. All persons should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including receipt of a bivalent booster by eligible persons, to reduce the risk for severe COVID-19. |
A comparison of two population-based household surveys in Uganda for assessment of violence against youth
Currie DW , Apondi R , West CA , Biraro S , Wasula LN , Patel P , Hegle J , Howard A , Benevides de Barros R , Durant T , Chiang LF , Voetsch AC , Massetti GM . PLoS One 2021 16 (12) e0260986 Violence is associated with health-risk behaviors, potentially contributing to gender-related HIV incidence disparities in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous research has demonstrated that violence, gender, and HIV are linked via complex mechanisms that may be direct, such as through forced sex, or indirect, such as an inability to negotiate safe sex. Accurately estimating violence prevalence and its association with HIV is critical in monitoring programmatic efforts to reduce both violence and HIV. We compared prevalence estimates of violence in youth aged 15-24 years from two Ugandan population-based cross-sectional household surveys (Uganda Violence Against Children Survey 2015 [VACS] and Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment 2016-2017 [UPHIA]), stratified by gender. UPHIA violence estimates were consistently lower than VACS estimates, including lifetime physical violence, recent intimate partner physical violence, and lifetime sexual violence, likely reflecting underestimation of violence in UPHIA. Multiple factors likely contributed to these differences, including the survey objectives, interviewer training, and questionnaire structure. VACS may be better suited to estimate distal determinants of HIV acquisition for youth (including experience of violence) than UPHIA, which is crucial for monitoring progress toward HIV epidemic control. |
Risks from mercury in anadromous fish collected from Penobscot River, Maine
Melnyk LJ , Lin J , Kusnierz DH , Pugh K , Durant JT , Suarez-Soto RJ , Venkatapathy R , Sundaravadivelu D , Morris A , Lazorchak JM , Perlman G , Stover MA . Sci Total Environ 2021 781 146691 Levels of total mercury were measured in tissue of six species of migratory fish (alewife, American shad, blueback herring, rainbow smelt, striped bass, and sea lamprey), and in roe of American shad for two consecutive years collected from the Penobscot River or its estuary. The resultant mercury levels were compared to reference doses as established in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System and wildlife values. Mercury concentrations ranged from 4 μg/kg ww in roe to 1040 μg/kg ww in sea lamprey. Sea lamprey contained the highest amounts of mercury for both seasons of sampling. Current health advisories are set at sufficient levels to protect fishers from harmful consumption of the fish for mercury alone, except for sea lamprey. Based upon published wildlife values for mink, otter, and eagle, consumption of rainbow smelt, striped bass, or sea lamprey poses a risk to mink; striped bass and sea lamprey to otter; and sea lamprey to eagle. For future consideration, the resultant data may serve as a reference point for both human health and wildlife risk assessments for the consumption of anadromous fish. U.S. EPA works with federally recognized Tribes across the nation greatly impacted by restrictions on sustenance fishing, to develop culturally sensitive risk assessments. |
Counties with High COVID-19 Incidence and Relatively Large Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations - United States, April 1-December 22, 2020.
Lee FC , Adams L , Graves SJ , Massetti GM , Calanan RM , Penman-Aguilar A , Henley SJ , Annor FB , Van Handel M , Aleshire N , Durant T , Fuld J , Griffing S , Mattocks L , Liburd L . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021 70 (13) 483-489 Long-standing systemic social, economic, and environmental inequities in the United States have put many communities of color (racial and ethnic minority groups) at increased risk for exposure to and infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as more severe COVID-19-related outcomes (1-3). Because race and ethnicity are missing for a proportion of reported COVID-19 cases, counties with substantial missing information often are excluded from analyses of disparities (4). Thus, as a complement to these case-based analyses, population-based studies can help direct public health interventions. Using data from the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC), CDC identified counties where five racial and ethnic minority groups (Hispanic or Latino [Hispanic], non-Hispanic Black or African American [Black], non-Hispanic Asian [Asian], non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native [AI/AN], and non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander [NH/PI]) might have experienced high COVID-19 impact during April 1-December 22, 2020. These counties had high 2-week COVID-19 incidences (>100 new cases per 100,000 persons in the total population) and percentages of persons in five racial and ethnic groups that were larger than the national percentages (denoted as "large"). During April 1-14, a total of 359 (11.4%) of 3,142 U.S. counties reported high COVID-19 incidence, including 28.7% of counties with large percentages of Asian persons and 27.9% of counties with large percentages of Black persons. During August 5-18, high COVID-19 incidence was reported by 2,034 (64.7%) counties, including 92.4% of counties with large percentages of Black persons and 74.5% of counties with large percentages of Hispanic persons. During December 9-22, high COVID-19 incidence was reported by 3,114 (99.1%) counties, including >95% of those with large percentages of persons in each of the five racial and ethnic minority groups. The findings of this population-based analysis complement those of case-based analyses. In jurisdictions with substantial missing race and ethnicity information, this method could be applied to smaller geographic areas, to identify communities of color that might be experiencing high potential COVID-19 impact. As areas with high rates of new infection change over time, public health efforts can be tailored to the needs of communities of color as the pandemic evolves and integrated with longer-term plans to improve health equity. |
COVID-19 Case Surveillance: Trends in Person-Level Case Data Completeness, United States, April 5-September 30, 2020.
Gold JAW , DeCuir J , Coyle JP , Duca LM , Adjemian J , Anderson KN , Baack BN , Bhattarai A , Dee D , Durant TM , Ewetola R , Finlayson T , Roush SW , Yin S , Jackson BR , Fullerton KE . Public Health Rep 2021 136 (4) 466-474 OBJECTIVES: To obtain timely and detailed data on COVID-19 cases in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses 2 data sources: (1) aggregate counts for daily situational awareness and (2) person-level data for each case (case surveillance). The objective of this study was to describe the sensitivity of case ascertainment and the completeness of person-level data received by CDC through national COVID-19 case surveillance. METHODS: We compared case and death counts from case surveillance data with aggregate counts received by CDC during April 5-September 30, 2020. We analyzed case surveillance data to describe geographic and temporal trends in data completeness for selected variables, including demographic characteristics, underlying medical conditions, and outcomes. RESULTS: As of November 18, 2020, national COVID-19 case surveillance data received by CDC during April 5-September 30, 2020, included 4 990 629 cases and 141 935 deaths, representing 72.7% of the volume of cases (n = 6 863 251) and 71.8% of the volume of deaths (n = 197 756) in aggregate counts. Nationally, completeness in case surveillance records was highest for age (99.9%) and sex (98.8%). Data on race/ethnicity were complete for 56.9% of cases; completeness varied by region. Data completeness for each underlying medical condition assessed was <25% and generally declined during the study period. About half of case records had complete data on hospitalization and death status. CONCLUSIONS: Incompleteness in national COVID-19 case surveillance data might limit their usefulness. Streamlining and automating surveillance processes would decrease reporting burdens on jurisdictions and likely improve completeness of national COVID-19 case surveillance data. |
Race, Ethnicity, and Age Trends in Persons Who Died from COVID-19 - United States, May-August 2020.
Gold JAW , Rossen LM , Ahmad FB , Sutton P , Li Z , Salvatore PP , Coyle JP , DeCuir J , Baack BN , Durant TM , Dominguez KL , Henley SJ , Annor FB , Fuld J , Dee DL , Bhattarai A , Jackson BR . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (42) 1517-1521 During February 12-October 15, 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in approximately 7,900,000 aggregated reported cases and approximately 216,000 deaths in the United States.* Among COVID-19-associated deaths reported to national case surveillance during February 12-May 18, persons aged ≥65 years and members of racial and ethnic minority groups were disproportionately represented (1). This report describes demographic and geographic trends in COVID-19-associated deaths reported to the National Vital Statistics System(†) (NVSS) during May 1-August 31, 2020, by 50 states and the District of Columbia. During this period, 114,411 COVID-19-associated deaths were reported. Overall, 78.2% of decedents were aged ≥65 years, and 53.3% were male; 51.3% were non-Hispanic White (White), 24.2% were Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic), and 18.7% were non-Hispanic Black (Black). The number of COVID-19-associated deaths decreased from 37,940 in May to 17,718 in June; subsequently, counts increased to 30,401 in July and declined to 28,352 in August. From May to August, the percentage distribution of COVID-19-associated deaths by U.S. Census region increased from 23.4% to 62.7% in the South and from 10.6% to 21.4% in the West. Over the same period, the percentage distribution of decedents who were Hispanic increased from 16.3% to 26.4%. COVID-19 remains a major public health threat regardless of age or race and ethnicity. Deaths continued to occur disproportionately among older persons and certain racial and ethnic minorities, particularly among Hispanic persons. These results can inform public health messaging and mitigation efforts focused on prevention and early detection of infection among disproportionately affected groups. |
Public health assessment of dioxin-contaminated fish at former US airbase, Bien Hoa, Vietnam
Durant JT , Boivin TG , Pohl HR , Sinks TH . Int J Environ Health Res 2014 25 (3) 1-11 Ponds at the former US airbase at Ben Hoa, Vietnam are contaminated with Agent Orange. The ponds had been used for aquaculture, and in all likelihood, fish from those ponds have been sold to the public. We assessed human exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) in fish samples from the ponds. For on-base tilapia, muscle concentrations 2,3,7,8-TCDD ranged from 1.4 to 32.7 pg/g. Fat concentrations ranged from 73.3 to 3990 pg/g. Estimated human exposure doses exceed international guidelines and exceed 2,3,7,8-TCDD's lowest adverse effect levels. The Bien Hoa fishponds are a completed human pathway for TCDD exposure. |
GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols: comparison of outcomes among good-prognosis patients using national surveillance data v
Grow D , Kawwass JF , Kulkarni AD , Durant T , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M . Reprod Biomed Online 2014 29 (3) 299-304 Implantation and live birth rates resulting from IVF cycles using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and (GnRH) antagonist IVF protocols were compared among good-prognosis patients using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System 2009-2010 data (n = 203,302 fresh, autologous cycles). Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted between cycles to compare outcomes. Cycles were restricted as follows: age younger than 35 years, maximum FSH less than 10 mIU/mL, first assisted reproduction technology cycle and FSH dose less than 3601 IU. A subgroup analysis including only elective single embryo transfer was also carried out. Among good-prognosis patients, the GnRH-agonist protocol was associated with a lower risk of cancellation before retrieval (4.3 versus 5.2%; P < 0.05) or transfer (5.5 versus 6.8%; P < 0.05), and a higher live birth rate per transfer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.13, confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 1.25) than the GnRH-antagonist group. Among the elective single embryo transfer group, the GnRH-agonist protocol was associated with a higher implantation rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.36, CI 1.08 to 1.73) and a higher live birth rate (adjusted OR 1.33, CI 1.07 to 1.66) compared with the GnRH-antagonist protocol. The GnRH-antagonist group had lower rates of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Among good-prognosis patients, agonist protocols decreased cancellation risk and increased odds of implantation and live birth. Antagonist protocols may confer decreased risk of hyperstimulation. |
Childhood lead poisoning associated with gold ore processing: a village-level investigation - Zamfara State, Nigeria, October-November 2010
Lo YC , Dooyema CA , Neri A , Durant J , Jefferies T , Medina-Marino A , de Ravello L , Thoroughman D , Davis L , Dankoli RS , Samson MY , Ibrahim LM , Okechukwu O , Umar-Tsafe NT , Dama AH , Brown MJ . Environ Health Perspect 2012 120 (10) 1450-5 BACKGROUND: During May-June 2010, a childhood lead poisoning outbreak related to gold-ore-processing was confirmed in 2 villages in Zamfara State, Nigeria. During June-September, villages with suspected or confirmed childhood lead poisoning continued to be identified in Zamfara State. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the extent of childhood lead poisoning (≥1 child with a blood lead level [BLL] ≥10 microg/dL) and lead contamination (≥1 soil/dust sample with a lead level >400 parts per million) among villages in Zamfara State and identified villages that should be prioritized for urgent interventions. METHODS: We used chain-referral sampling to identify villages of interest, defined as villages suspected of participation in gold-ore-processing during the previous 12 months. We interviewed villagers, determined BLLs among children aged <5 years, and analyzed soil/dust from public areas and homes for lead. RESULTS: We identified 131 villages of interest and visited 74 (56%) villages in 3 local government areas. Fifty-four (77%) of 70 villages that completed the survey reported gold-ore-processing. Ore-processing villages were more likely to have ≥1 child aged <5 years with lead poisoning (68% vs. 50%, p=0.17) or death following convulsions (74% vs. 44%, p=0.02). Soil/dust contamination and BLL ≥45 microg/dL were identified in ore-processing villages only [50% (p<0.001) and 15% (p=0.22), respectively]. The odds of childhood lead poisoning or lead contamination was 3.5 times as high in ore-processing villages than the other villages (95% CI: 1.1, 11.3). CONCLUSION: Childhood lead poisoning and lead contamination were widespread in surveyed areas, particularly among villages that had processed ore recently. Urgent interventions are required to reduce lead exposure, morbidity, and mortality in affected communities. |
Early alterations of brain cellular energy homeostasis in Huntington disease models
Mochel F , Durant B , Meng X , O'Callaghan J , Yu H , Brouillet E , Wheeler VC , Humbert S , Schiffmann R , Durr A . J Biol Chem 2012 287 (2) 1361-70 Brain energy deficit has been a suggested cause of Huntington disease (HD), but ATP depletion has not reliably been shown in preclinical models, possibly because of the immediate post-mortem changes in cellular energy metabolism. To examine a potential role of a low energy state in HD, we measured, for the first time in a neurodegenerative model, brain levels of high energy phosphates using microwave fixation, which instantaneously inactivates brain enzymatic activities and preserves in vivo levels of analytes. We studied HD transgenic R6/2 mice at ages 4, 8, and 12 weeks. We found significantly increased creatine and phosphocreatine, present as early as 4 weeks for phosphocreatine, preceding motor system deficits and decreased ATP levels in striatum, hippocampus, and frontal cortex of R6/2 mice. ATP and phosphocreatine concentrations were inversely correlated with the number of CAG repeats. Conversely, in mice injected with 3-nitroproprionic acid, an acute model of brain energy deficit, both ATP and phosphocreatine were significantly reduced. Increased creatine and phosphocreatine in R6/2 mice was associated with decreased guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase and creatine kinase, both at the protein and RNA levels, and increased phosphorylated AMP-dependent protein kinase (pAMPK) over AMPK ratio. In addition, in 4-month-old knock-in Hdh(Q111/+) mice, the earliest metabolic alterations consisted of increased phosphocreatine in the frontal cortex and increased the pAMPK/AMPK ratio. Altogether, this study provides the first direct evidence of chronic alteration in homeostasis of high energy phosphates in HD models in the earliest stages of the disease, indicating possible reduced utilization of the brain phosphocreatine pool. |
Outbreak of fatal childhood lead poisoning related to artisanal gold mining in northwestern Nigeria, 2010
Dooyema CA , Neri A , Lo YC , Durant J , Dargan PI , Swarthout T , Biya O , Gidado SO , Haladu S , Sani-Gwarzo N , Nguku PM , Akpan H , Idris S , Bashir AM , Brown MJ . Environ Health Perspect 2011 120 (4) 601-7 BACKGROUND: In May 2010, a team of national and international organizations was assembled to investigate children's deaths due to lead poisoning in villages in northwestern Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: To determine the cause of the childhood lead poisoning outbreak, investigate risk factors for child mortality, and identify children aged <5 years in need of emergency chelation therapy for lead poisoning. METHODS: We administered a cross-sectional, door-to-door questionnaire in two affected villages, collected blood from children aged 2-59 months, and soil samples from family compounds. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed with survey, blood-lead, and environmental data. Multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to determine risk factors for childhood mortality. RESULTS: We surveyed 119 family compounds. One hundred eighteen of 463 (25%) children aged <5 years had died in the last year. We tested 59% (204/345) of children, aged <5 years, and all were lead poisoned (≥10 microg/dL); 97% (198/204) of children had blood-lead levels ≥45 microg/dL, the threshold for initiating chelation therapy. Gold ore was processed inside two-thirds of the family compounds surveyed. In multivariate modeling significant risk factors for death in the previous year from suspected lead poisoning included: the child's age, the mother performing ore-processing activities, community well as primary water source, and the soil-lead concentration in the compound. CONCLUSION: The high levels of environmental contamination, percentage of children aged <5 years with elevated blood-lead levels (97%, >45 microg/dL), and incidence of convulsions among children prior to death (82%) suggest that most of the recent childhood deaths in the two surveyed villages were caused by acute lead poisoning from gold ore-processing activities. Control measures included environmental remediation, chelation therapy, public health education, and control of mining activities. |
Establishment of a new human pneumococcal standard reference serum, 007sp
Goldblatt D , Plikaytis BD , Akkoyunlu M , Antonello J , Ashton L , Blake M , Burton R , Care R , Durant N , Feavers I , Fernsten P , Fievet F , Giardina P , Jansen K , Katz L , Kierstead L , Lee L , Lin J , Maisonneuve J , Nahm MH , Raab J , Romero-Steiner S , Rose C , Schmidt D , Stapleton J , Carlone GM . Clin Vaccine Immunol 2011 18 (10) 1728-36 Lot 89SF has been the reference standard serum pool used in pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) since 1990. In 2005, it was estimated that there remained between 2 and 5 years' supply of lot 89SF. Since lot 89SF was the reference standard used in the evaluation of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevnar (PCV7), the link to clinical efficacy would be severed if stocks became completely depleted. Furthermore, demonstration of immune responses comparable to those elicited by PCV7 is a licensure approach used for new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, so a replacement reference standard was required. A total of 278 volunteers were immunized with the 23-valent unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine Pneumovax II, and a unit of blood was obtained twice within 120 days following immunization. Plasma was prepared, pooled, and confirmed to be free from hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV. The pooled serum was poured at 6 ml per vial into 15,333 vials and lyophilized. Immunological bridging of 007sp to 89SF was used to establish equivalent reference values for 13 pneumococcal capsular serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) by five independent laboratories. Antibody concentrations in 007sp were established relative to the lot 89SF reference preparation using the WHO reference ELISA. Subsequently, 12 existing WHO calibration sera had concentrations reassigned for 13 pneumococcal serotypes using new serum 007sp as the reference, and these were compared to concentrations relative to the original reference serum. Agreement was excellent for the 12 WHO calibration sera. The 007sp preparation has replaced 89SF as the pneumococcal reference standard. Sufficient quantity of this new preparation is available such that, with judicious use, it should be available for at least 25 years. |
Probabilistic linkage of assisted reproductive technology information with vital records, Massachusetts 1997-2000
Zhang Y , Cohen B , Macaluso M , Zhang Z , Durant T , Nannini A . Matern Child Health J 2011 16 (8) 1703-8 To assess the validity of probabilistic linkage (PL) in combining national surveillance data on assisted reproductive technology (ART) with Massachusetts birth and infant death data, for the purpose of monitoring maternal and child health outcomes of ART. A study conducted in 2006 utilized direct identifiers to match Massachusetts birth records with records on ART procedures performed to Massachusetts residents in fertility clinics located in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, achieving a linkage rate of 87.5%. The present study employed PL using the program Link Plus, without access to direct identifiers. The primary linking variables were maternal and infant dates of birth, and plurality. Ancillary variables such as maternal ZIP code and gravidity helped resolve duplicate matches and capture additional matches. PL linked 5,390 (87.8%) of 6,139 deliveries, correctly identifying 96.4% of the matches previously obtained using deterministic linkage methods. PL yielded a high linkage rate with satisfactory validity; this method may be applied in other states to help monitor the maternal and child health outcomes of ART. |
Multilaboratory comparison of Streptococcus pneumoniae opsonophagocytic killing assays and their level of agreement for the determination of functional antibody activity in human reference sera
Rose CE , Romero-Steiner S , Burton RL , Carlone GM , Goldblatt D , Nahm MH , Ashton L , Haston M , Ekstrom N , Haikala R , Kayhty H , Henckaerts I , Durant N , Poolman JT , Fernsten P , Yu X , Hu BT , Jansen KU , Blake M , Simonetti E , Hermans PW , Plikaytis BD . Clin Vaccine Immunol 2010 18 (1) 135-42 Antibody mediated killing of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) by phagocytes is an important mechanism of protection of the human host against pneumococcal infections. Measurement of opsonophagocytic antibodies using a standardized opsonophagocytic assay (OPA) is important for the evaluation of candidate vaccines and a requirement for the licensure of new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine formulations. We assessed agreement among six laboratories that used their own optimized OPAs on a panel of 16 human reference sera for 13 pneumococcal serotypes. Consensus titers, estimated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) mixed-effects model, provided a common reference to assess agreement among these laboratories. Agreement was evaluated using assay accuracy, reproducibility, repeatability, precision and bias. We also reviewed four acceptance criteria intervals for assessing the comparability of protocols when assaying the same reference sera. The precision, accuracy and concordance results among laboratories and the consensus titers revealed acceptable agreement. Results of this study indicate that the bioassays evaluated in this study are robust and the resultant OPA values are reproducible for the determination of functional antibody titers specific to 13 pneumococcal serotypes when performed by laboratories using highly standardized but not identical assays. The statistical methodologies employed in this study may serve as a template to evaluate future multilaboratory studies. |
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