Last data update: Apr 29, 2024. (Total: 46658 publications since 2009)
Records 1-12 (of 12 Records) |
Query Trace: Fajardo G[original query] |
---|
Description of a University COVID-19 Outbreak and Interventions to Disrupt Transmission, Wisconsin, August – October 2020 (preprint)
Currie DW , Moreno GK , Delahoy MJ , Pray IW , Jovaag A , Braun KM , Cole D , Shechter T , Fajardo GC , Griggs C , Yandell BS , Goldstein S , Bushman D , Segaloff HE , Kelly GP , Pitts C , Lee C , Grande KM , Kita-Yarbro A , Grogan B , Mader S , Baggott J , Bateman AC , Westergaard RP , Tate JE , Friedrich TC , Kirking HL , O'Connor DH , Killerby ME . medRxiv 2021 2021.05.07.21256834 University settings have demonstrated potential for COVID-19 outbreaks, as they can combine congregate living, substantial social activity, and a young population predisposed to mild illness. Using genomic and epidemiologic data, we describe a COVID-19 outbreak at the University of Wisconsin (UW)–Madison. During August – October 2020, 3,485 students tested positive, including 856/6,162 students living in residence halls. Case counts began rising during move-in week for on-campus students (August 25-31, 2020), then rose rapidly during September 1-11, 2020. UW-Madison initiated multiple prevention efforts, including quarantining two residence halls; a subsequent decline in cases was observed. Genomic surveillance of cases from Dane County, where UW-Madison is located, did not find evidence of transmission from a large cluster of cases in the two residence halls quarantined during the outbreak. Coordinated implementation of prevention measures can effectively reduce SARS-CoV-2 spread in university settings and may limit spillover to the community surrounding the university.Competing Interest StatementThe findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical TrialN/A.Funding StatementG.K.M. is supported by an NLM training grant to the Computation and Informatics in Biology and Medicine Training Program (NLM 5T15LM007359). This work was funded in part by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Contract #75D30120C09870: Defining the Role of College Students in SARS-CoV-2 Spread in the Upper Midwest.Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:A waiver of HIPAA Authorization was obtained by the Western Institutional Review Board (WIRB #1-1290953-1) to obtain the clinical specimens for whole genome sequencing. This analysis was reviewed by CDC and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy. These activities were determined to be non-research public health surveillance by the Institutional Review Board at UW-Madison.All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).YesI have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.YesAll sequencing data is available on www.gisaid.org. Scripts for sequence data analysis is available at https://github.com/gagekmoreno/SARS-CoV-2-at-UW_Madison. https://github.com/gagekmoreno/SARS-CoV-2-at-UW_Madison |
Longitudinal serologic and viral testing post-SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in a nursing home cohort-Georgia, October 2020-April 2021 (preprint)
Tobolowsky FA , Waltenburg MA , Moritz ED , Haile M , DaSilva JC , Schuh AJ , Thornburg NJ , Westbrook A , McKay SL , LaVoie SP , Folster JM , Harcourt JL , Tamin A , Stumpf MM , Mills L , Freeman B , Lester S , Beshearse E , Lecy KD , Brown LG , Fajardo G , Negley J , McDonald LC , Kutty PK , Brown AC , Bhatnagar A , Bryant-Genevier J , Currie DW , Campbell D , Gilbert SE , Hatfield KM , Jackson DA , Jernigan JA , Dawson JL , Hudson MJ , Joseph K , Reddy SC , Wilson MM . medRxiv 2022 01 (10) e0275718 Importance: There are limited data describing SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses and their durability following infection and vaccination in nursing home residents. Objective(s): To evaluate the quantitative titers and durability of binding antibodies detected after SARSCoV-2 infection and subsequent COVID-19 vaccination. Design(s): A prospective longitudinal evaluation included nine visits over 150 days; visits included questionnaire administration, blood collection for serology, and paired anterior nasal specimen collection for testing by BinaxNOWTM COVID-19 Ag Card (BinaxNOW), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and viral culture. Setting(s): A nursing home during and after a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Participant(s): 11 consenting SARS-CoV-2-positive nursing home residents. Main Outcomes and Measures: SARS-CoV-2 testing (BinaxNOWTM, RT-PCR, viral culture); quantitative titers of binding SARS-CoV-2 antibodies post-infection and post-vaccination (beginning after the first dose of the primary series). Result(s): Of 10 participants with post-infection serology results, 9 (90%) had detectable Pan-Ig, IgG, and IgA antibodies and 8 (80%) had detectable IgM antibodies. At first antibody detection post-infection, two-thirds (6/9, 67%) of participants were RT-PCR-positive but none were culture positive. Ten participants received vaccination; all had detectable Pan-Ig, IgG, and IgA antibodies through their final observation <=90 days post-first dose. Post-vaccination geometric means of IgG titers were 10-200-fold higher than post-infection. Conclusions and Relevance: Nursing home residents in this cohort mounted robust immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 post-infection and post-vaccination. The augmented antibody responses post-vaccination are potential indicators of enhanced protection that vaccination may confer on previously infected nursing home residents. Copyright The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. This article is a US Government work. It is not subject to copyright under 17 USC 105 and is also made available for use under a CC0 license. |
Longitudinal serologic and viral testing post-SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in a nursing home cohort-Georgia, October 2020‒April 2021.
Tobolowsky FA , Waltenburg MA , Moritz ED , Haile M , DaSilva JC , Schuh AJ , Thornburg NJ , Westbrook A , McKay SL , LaVoie SP , Folster JM , Harcourt JL , Tamin A , Stumpf MM , Mills L , Freeman B , Lester S , Beshearse E , Lecy KD , Brown LG , Fajardo G , Negley J , McDonald LC , Kutty PK , Brown AC , Bhatnagar A , Bryant-Genevier J , Currie DW , Campbell D , Gilbert SE , Hatfield KM , Jackson DA , Jernigan JA , Dawson JL , Hudson MJ , Joseph K , Reddy SC , Wilson MM . PLoS One 2022 17 (10) e0275718 There are limited data describing SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses and their durability following infection and vaccination in nursing home residents. We conducted a prospective longitudinal evaluation of 11 consenting SARS-CoV-2-positive nursing home residents to evaluate the quantitative titers and durability of binding antibodies detected after SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent COVID-19 vaccination. The evaluation included nine visits over 150 days from October 25, 2020, through April 1, 2021. Visits included questionnaire administration, blood collection for serology, and paired anterior nasal specimen collection for testing by BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card (BinaxNOW), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and viral culture. We evaluated quantitative titers of binding SARS-CoV-2 antibodies post-infection and post-vaccination (beginning after the first dose of the primary series). The median age among participants was 74 years; one participant was immunocompromised. Of 10 participants with post-infection serology results, 9 (90%) had detectable Pan-Ig, IgG, and IgA antibodies, and 8 (80%) had detectable IgM antibodies. At first antibody detection post-infection, two-thirds (6/9, 67%) of participants were RT-PCR-positive, but none were culture- positive. Ten participants received vaccination; all had detectable Pan-Ig, IgG, and IgA antibodies through their final observation ≤90 days post-first dose. Post-vaccination geometric means of IgG titers were 10-200-fold higher than post-infection. Nursing home residents in this cohort mounted robust immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 post-infection and post-vaccination. The augmented antibody responses post-vaccination are potential indicators of enhanced protection that vaccination may confer on previously infected nursing home residents. |
Assessing costs of a hypertension program in primary care: evidence from the HEARTS program in Mexico
Chivardi C , Hutchinson B , Molina V , Moreno E , Fajardo I , Giraldo-Arcila GP , Malo HM , Ordunez P , Rodrguez-Franco R , Moran AE , Kostova D . Rev Panam Salud Publica 2022 46 e144 OBJECTIVE: In 2021, Mexico launched the HEARTS program to improve the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 20 primary care facilities in the states of Chiapas and Yucatn. This study projects the annual cost of program implementation and discusses budgetary implications for scaling up the program. METHODS: We obtained district-level data on treatment protocols, medication costs, and other resources required to prevent and treat CVD. We used the HEARTS Costing Tool to estimate total and per-patient costs. A "partial implementation" scenario calculated the costs of implementing HEARTS if existing pharmacological treatment protocols are left in place. The second scenario, "full implementation," examined costs if programs use HEARTS pharmacological protocol. RESULTS: Respectively in the partial and full implementation scenarios, total annual costs to implement and operate HEARTS were $260 023 ($32.1 per patient/year) and $255 046 ($31.5 per patient/year) in Chiapas, and $1 000 059 ($41.3 per patient/year) and $1 013 835 ($43.3 per patient/year) in Yucatn. In Chiapas, adopting HEARTS standardized treatment protocols resulted in a 9.7 % reduction in annual medication expenditures relative to maintaining status-quo treatment approaches. In Yucatn, adoption was $12 875 more expensive, in part because HEARTS hypertension treatment regimens were more intensive than status quo regimens. CONCLUSION: HEARTS in the Americas offers a standardized strategy to treating and controlling CVD risk factors. In Mexico, approaches that may lead to improved program affordability include adoption of the recommended HEARTS treatment protocols with preferred medications and task shifting of services from physicians to nurses and other providers. |
Prognostic indicators and outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 patients with neurological disease: An individual patient data meta-analysis.
Singh B , Lant S , Cividini S , Cattrall JWS , Goodwin LC , Benjamin L , Michael BD , Khawaja A , Matos AMB , Alkeridy W , Pilotto A , Lahiri D , Rawlinson R , Mhlanga S , Lopez EC , Sargent BF , Somasundaran A , Tamborska A , Webb G , Younas K , Al Sami Y , Babu H , Banks T , Cavallieri F , Cohen M , Davies E , Dhar S , Fajardo Modol A , Farooq H , Harte J , Hey S , Joseph A , Karthikappallil D , Kassahun D , Lipunga G , Mason R , Minton T , Mond G , Poxon J , Rabas S , Soothill G , Zedde M , Yenkoyan K , Brew B , Contini E , Cysique L , Zhang X , Maggi P , van Pesch V , Lechien J , Saussez S , Heyse A , Brito Ferreira ML , Soares CN , Elicer I , Eugenín-von Bernhardi L , Ñancupil Reyes W , Yin R , Azab MA , Abd-Allah F , Elkady A , Escalard S , Corvol JC , Delorme C , Tattevin P , Bigaut K , Lorenz N , Hornuss D , Hosp J , Rieg S , Wagner D , Knier B , Lingor P , Winkler AS , Sharifi-Razavi A , Moein ST , SeyedAlinaghi S , JamaliMoghadamSiahkali S , Morassi M , Padovani A , Giunta M , Libri I , Beretta S , Ravaglia S , Foschi M , Calabresi P , Primiano G , Servidei S , Biagio Mercuri N , Liguori C , Pierantozzi M , Sarmati L , Boso F , Garazzino S , Mariotto S , Patrick KN , Costache O , Pincherle A , Klok FA , Meza R , Cabreira V , Valdoleiros SR , Oliveira V , Kaimovsky I , Guekht A , Koh J , Fernández Díaz E , Barrios-López JM , Guijarro-Castro C , Beltrán-Corbellini Á , Martínez-Poles J , Diezma-Martín AM , Morales-Casado MI , García García S , Breville G , Coen M , Uginet M , Bernard-Valnet R , Du Pasquier R , Kaya Y , Abdelnour LH , Rice C , Morrison H , Defres S , Huda S , Enright N , Hassell J , D'Anna L , Benger M , Sztriha L , Raith E , Chinthapalli K , Nortley R , Paterson R , Chandratheva A , Werring DJ , Dervisevic S , Harkness K , Pinto A , Jillella D , Beach S , Gunasekaran K , Rocha Ferreira Da Silva I , Nalleballe K , Santoro J , Scullen T , Kahn L , Kim CY , Thakur KT , Jain R , Umapathi T , Nicholson TR , Sejvar JJ , Hodel EM , Tudur Smith C , Solomon T . PLoS One 2022 17 (6) e0263595 BACKGROUND: Neurological COVID-19 disease has been reported widely, but published studies often lack information on neurological outcomes and prognostic risk factors. We aimed to describe the spectrum of neurological disease in hospitalised COVID-19 patients; characterise clinical outcomes; and investigate factors associated with a poor outcome. METHODS: We conducted an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of hospitalised patients with neurological COVID-19 disease, using standard case definitions. We invited authors of studies from the first pandemic wave, plus clinicians in the Global COVID-Neuro Network with unpublished data, to contribute. We analysed features associated with poor outcome (moderate to severe disability or death, 3 to 6 on the modified Rankin Scale) using multivariable models. RESULTS: We included 83 studies (31 unpublished) providing IPD for 1979 patients with COVID-19 and acute new-onset neurological disease. Encephalopathy (978 [49%] patients) and cerebrovascular events (506 [26%]) were the most common diagnoses. Respiratory and systemic symptoms preceded neurological features in 93% of patients; one third developed neurological disease after hospital admission. A poor outcome was more common in patients with cerebrovascular events (76% [95% CI 67-82]), than encephalopathy (54% [42-65]). Intensive care use was high (38% [35-41]) overall, and also greater in the cerebrovascular patients. In the cerebrovascular, but not encephalopathic patients, risk factors for poor outcome included breathlessness on admission and elevated D-dimer. Overall, 30-day mortality was 30% [27-32]. The hazard of death was comparatively lower for patients in the WHO European region. INTERPRETATION: Neurological COVID-19 disease poses a considerable burden in terms of disease outcomes and use of hospital resources from prolonged intensive care and inpatient admission; preliminary data suggest these may differ according to WHO regions and country income levels. The different risk factors for encephalopathy and stroke suggest different disease mechanisms which may be amenable to intervention, especially in those who develop neurological symptoms after hospital admission. |
Interventions to Disrupt Coronavirus Disease Transmission at a University, Wisconsin, USA, August-October 2020.
Currie DW , Moreno GK , Delahoy MJ , Pray IW , Jovaag A , Braun KM , Cole D , Shechter T , Fajardo GC , Griggs C , Yandell BS , Goldstein S , Bushman D , Segaloff HE , Kelly GP , Pitts C , Lee C , Grande KM , Kita-Yarbro A , Grogan B , Mader S , Baggott J , Bateman AC , Westergaard RP , Tate JE , Friedrich TC , Kirking HL , O'Connor DH , Killerby ME . Emerg Infect Dis 2021 27 (11) 2776-2785 University settings have demonstrated potential for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks; they combine congregate living, substantial social activity, and a young population predisposed to mild illness. Using genomic and epidemiologic data, we describe a COVID-19 outbreak at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. During August-October 2020, a total of 3,485 students, including 856/6,162 students living in dormitories, tested positive. Case counts began rising during move-in week, August 25-31, 2020, then rose rapidly during September 1-11, 2020. The university initiated multiple prevention efforts, including quarantining 2 dormitories; a subsequent decline in cases was observed. Genomic surveillance of cases from Dane County, in which the university is located, did not find evidence of transmission from a large cluster of cases in the 2 quarantined dorms during the outbreak. Coordinated implementation of prevention measures can reduce COVID-19 spread in university settings and may limit spillover to the surrounding community. |
Epidemiologic characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 antigen-based test results, rRT-PCR cycle threshold values, subgenomic RNA, and viral culture results from university testing.
Ford L , Lee C , Pray IW , Cole D , Bigouette JP , Abedi GR , Bushman D , Delahoy MJ , Currie DW , Cherney B , Kirby M , Fajardo G , Caudill M , Langolf K , Kahrs J , Zochert T , Kelly P , Pitts C , Lim A , Aulik N , Tamin A , Harcourt JL , Queen K , Zhang J , Whitaker B , Browne H , Medrzycki M , Shewmaker P , Bonenfant G , Zhou B , Folster J , Bankamp B , Bowen MD , Thornburg NJ , Goffard K , Limbago B , Bateman A , Tate JE , Gieryn D , Kirking HL , Westergaard R , Killerby M . Clin Infect Dis 2021 73 (6) e1348-e1355 BACKGROUND: Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and antigen tests are important diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2. Sensitivity of antigen tests has been shown to be lower than that of rRT-PCR; however, data to evaluate epidemiologic characteristics that affect test performance are limited. METHODS: Paired mid-turbinate nasal swabs were collected from university students and staff and tested for SARS-CoV-2 using both Quidel Sofia SARS Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) and rRT-PCR assay. Specimens positive by either rRT-PCR or antigen FIA were placed in viral culture and tested for subgenomic RNA (sgRNA). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate characteristics associated with antigen results, rRT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values, sgRNA, and viral culture. RESULTS: Antigen FIA sensitivity was 78.9% and 43.8% among symptomatic and asymptomatic participants respectively. Among rRT-PCR positive participants, negative antigen results were more likely among asymptomatic participants (OR 4.6, CI:1.3-15.4) and less likely among participants reporting nasal congestion (OR 0.1, CI:0.03-0.8). rRT-PCR-positive specimens with higher Ct values (OR 0.5, CI:0.4-0.8) were less likely, and specimens positive for sgRNA (OR 10.2, CI:1.6-65.0) more likely, to yield positive virus isolation. Antigen testing was >90% positive in specimens with Ct values <29. Positive predictive value of antigen test for positive viral culture (57.7%) was similar to that of rRT-PCR (59.3%). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 antigen test advantages include low cost, wide availability and rapid turnaround time, making them important screening tests. The performance of antigen tests may vary with patient characteristics, so performance characteristics should be accounted for when designing testing strategies and interpreting results. |
Performance of an Antigen-Based Test for Asymptomatic and Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Testing at Two University Campuses - Wisconsin, September-October 2020.
Pray IW , Ford L , Cole D , Lee C , Bigouette JP , Abedi GR , Bushman D , Delahoy MJ , Currie D , Cherney B , Kirby M , Fajardo G , Caudill M , Langolf K , Kahrs J , Kelly P , Pitts C , Lim A , Aulik N , Tamin A , Harcourt JL , Queen K , Zhang J , Whitaker B , Browne H , Medrzycki M , Shewmaker P , Folster J , Bankamp B , Bowen MD , Thornburg NJ , Goffard K , Limbago B , Bateman A , Tate JE , Gieryn D , Kirking HL , Westergaard R , Killerby M . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021 69 (5152) 1642-1647 Antigen-based tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are inexpensive and can return results within 15 minutes (1). Antigen tests have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in asymptomatic and symptomatic persons within the first 5-12 days after symptom onset (2). These tests have been used at U.S. colleges and universities and other congregate settings (e.g., nursing homes and correctional and detention facilities), where serial testing of asymptomatic persons might facilitate early case identification (3-5). However, test performance data from symptomatic and asymptomatic persons are limited. This investigation evaluated performance of the Sofia SARS Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) (Quidel Corporation) compared with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 detection among asymptomatic and symptomatic persons at two universities in Wisconsin. During September 28-October 9, a total of 1,098 paired nasal swabs were tested using the Sofia SARS Antigen FIA and real-time RT-PCR. Virus culture was attempted on all antigen-positive or real-time RT-PCR-positive specimens. Among 871 (79%) paired swabs from asymptomatic participants, the antigen test sensitivity was 41.2%, specificity was 98.4%, and in this population the estimated positive predictive value (PPV) was 33.3%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 98.8%. Antigen test performance was improved among 227 (21%) paired swabs from participants who reported one or more symptoms at specimen collection (sensitivity = 80.0%; specificity = 98.9%; PPV = 94.1%; NPV = 95.9%). Virus was isolated from 34 (46.6%) of 73 antigen-positive or real-time RT-PCR-positive nasal swab specimens, including two of 18 that were antigen-negative and real-time RT-PCR-positive (false-negatives). The advantages of antigen tests such as low cost and rapid turnaround might allow for rapid identification of infectious persons. However, these advantages need to be balanced against lower sensitivity and lower PPV, especially among asymptomatic persons. Confirmatory testing with an FDA-authorized nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as RT-PCR, should be considered after negative antigen test results in symptomatic persons, and after positive antigen test results in asymptomatic persons (1). |
Characteristics of persons who report using only nicotine-containing products among interviewed patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury - Illinois, August-December 2019
Ghinai I , Navon L , Gunn JKL , Duca LM , Brister S , Love S , Brink R , Fajardo G , Johnson J , Saathoff-Huber L , King BA , Jones CM , Krishnasamy VP , Layden JE . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (3) 84-89 In 2019, the United States experienced an outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) (1). Most EVALI patients have reported using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products obtained from informal sources (2,3), and vitamin E acetate in these products has been closely linked with EVALI (4,5). However, some EVALI patients report using only nicotine-containing products. This study compared demographic, product use, and clinical characteristics of EVALI patients in Illinois who reported using only nicotine-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products with those of patients who reported using any THC-containing products. Among 121 interviewed Illinois EVALI patients, 17 (14%) reported using only nicotine-containing products, including nine (7%) patients who had no indication of any THC use, based on self-report or toxicology testing. Compared with patients who used any THC-containing products, these nine patients were significantly more likely to be older and female and were less likely to experience constitutional symptoms or to have leukocytosis on initial evaluation. Although vitamin E acetate has been strongly linked with EVALI, evidence is not sufficient to rule out the contribution of other chemicals of concern, including chemicals in either THC- or non-THC-containing products, in some reported EVALI cases. The contributing cause or causes of EVALI for patients reporting use of only nicotine-containing products warrants further investigation. |
Comparing electronic news media reports of potential bioterrorism-related incidents involving unknown white powder to reports received by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation: U.S.A., 2009-2011
Fajardo GC , Posid J , Papagiotas S , Lowe L . J Forensic Sci 2014 60 Suppl 1 S76-82 There have been periodic electronic news media reports of potential bioterrorism-related incidents involving unknown substances (often referred to as "white powder") since the 2001 intentional dissemination of Bacillus anthracis through the U.S. Postal System. This study reviewed the number of unknown "white powder" incidents reported online by the electronic news media and compared them with unknown "white powder" incidents reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during a 2-year period from June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2011. Results identified 297 electronic news media reports, 538 CDC reports, and 384 FBI reports of unknown "white powder." This study showed different unknown "white powder" incidents captured by each of the three sources. However, the authors could not determine the public health implications of this discordance. |
An evaluation of situation reports and incident notices: the DBPR/ESRB experience
Fajardo GC , Rosenberg P , Hayashi K . J Public Health Manag Pract 2012 22 (3) E29-38 OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to review information within the situation reports (SITREPs) and incident notices (INs) prepared by the Division of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response/Epidemiology Surveillance and Response Branch, (DBPR/ESRB), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The secondary objective is to evaluate accuracy and completeness of the information provided in these documents. METHODS: The authors reviewed all SITREPs/INs prepared by DBPR/ESRB from January 2007 to June 2009. Data were abstracted for variables related to the type of incidents, the type of CDC assistance requested, the geographic origin of the calls, and the organization reporting the event or requesting CDC assistance or both. In addition, variables were also created to assess the accuracy and completeness of reports for quality improvement analysis. RESULTS: The DBPR/ESRB prepared 77 SITREPs and 22 INs. Most of them were related to unknown white powders/suspicious packages or BioWatch Actionable Reports (78%). Most calls (79%), requesting CDC assistance or not, were domestic. Almost all calls requesting CDC assistance were for clinical and/or laboratory consultation and/or request for analysis of samples. Most of the calls requesting CDC assistance came from city, county, state, or federal government agencies and military organizations (82%). However, 14 of the analyzed documents (14.4%) were misclassified, that is, a SITREP was written when it should have been an IN or vice versa. The authors also noted the absence of some relevant information among some of the documents, for example, date/time of update. CONCLUSIONS: All of the issues/incidents reported in this article to which DBPR/ESRB responded were cause for legitimate concern. However, significant improvement can be made in the preparation of these reports by CDC staff to ensure efficient and effective response from CDC and its partners. Finally, local entities may wish to develop a similar documentation and reporting process to help manage significant incidents. |
Postmortem blood cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations: comparisons with regard to sampling location and reference ranges for living persons
Schier JG , Heninger M , Wolkin A , Kieszak S , Caldwell KL , Fajardo GC , Jones R , Rubin C , Hanzlick R , Osterloh JD , McGeehin MA . J Anal Toxicol 2010 34 (3) 129-34 This study's goal was to determine cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), total mercury (THg), and inorganic mercury (IHg) levels in human cadavers to compare measured levels with established reference ranges for living persons and to determine whether blood levels varied with time from death to sample collection or by body collection site. Subjects (n = 66) recruited from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office in Atlanta, GA, were 20 years of age or older, had no penetrating trauma, no obvious source of environmental contamination of the vasculature, and had whole blood accessible from the femoral (F) site, the cardiac (C) site, or both. Geometric mean results were as follows: 2.59 microg/L F-Cd; 11.81 microg/L C-Cd; 1.03 microg/L F-THg; 2.01 microg/L C-THg; 0.29 microg/L F-IHg; 0.49 microg/L C-IHg; 1.78 microg/dL F-Pb; and 1.87 microg/dL C-Pb. Both F- and C-Cd levels as well as C-THg levels were significantly higher than reference values among living persons (C- and F-Cd, p < 0.0001 and C-THg, p = 0.0001, respectively). Based on regression modeling, as the postmortem interval increased, blood Cd levels increased (p < 0.006). Postmortem blood Cd concentrations were elevated compared to population values and varied with respect to sampling location and postmortem interval. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:Apr 29, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure