Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-30 (of 173 Records) |
Query Trace: Fang J[original query] |
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Changes in self-measured blood pressure monitoring use in 14 states from 2019 to 2021 - Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Fang J , Zhou W , Hayes DK , Wall HK , Wozniak G , Chung A , Loustalot F . Am J Hypertens 2024 BACKGROUND: Self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) is an important out-of-office resource that is effective in improving hypertension control. Changes in SMBP use during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been described previously. METHODS: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data were used to quantify changes in SMBP use between 2019 (prior COVID-19 pandemic) and 2021 (during COVID-19 pandemic). Fourteen states administered the SMBP module in both years. All data were self-reported from adults who participated the BRFSS survey. We assessed receipt of SMBP recommendation from healthcare professional and actual use of SMBP among those with hypertension (n=68,820). Among those who used SMBP, we assessed SMBP use at home and sharing BP readings electronically with healthcare professional. RESULTS: Among adults with hypertension, there was no significant changes between 2019 and 2021 in those reporting SMBP use (57.0% vs. 55.7%) or receiving recommendation from healthcare professional to use SMBP (66.4% vs. 66.8%). However, among those who used SMBP, there were significant increases in use at home (87.7% vs 93.5%) and sharing BP readings electronically (8.6% vs 13.1%) from 2019 to 2021. Differences were noted by demographic characteristics and residence state. CONCLUSION: Receiving a recommendation from healthcare provider to use SMBP and actual use did not differ before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, among those who used SMBP, home use and sharing BP readings electronically with healthcare professional increased significantly, although overall sharing remained low (13.1%). Maximizing advances in virtual connections between clinical and community settings should be leveraged for improved hypertension management. |
Prevalence of self-reported hypertension and antihypertensive medication use among adults - United States, 2017-2021
Sekkarie A , Fang J , Hayes D , Loustalot F . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024 73 (9) 191-198 Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It increases with age and is highest among non-Hispanic Black or African American persons, men, persons aged ≥65 years, those of lower socioeconomic status, and those who live in the southern United States. Hypertension affects approximately one half of U.S. adults, and approximately one quarter of those persons have their blood pressure under control. Reducing population-level hypertension prevalence and improving control is a national priority. In 2017, updated guidelines for high blood pressure in adults recommended lowering the blood pressure threshold for diagnosis of hypertension. Analysis of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System found that age-standardized, self-reported diagnosed hypertension was approximately 30% during 2017-2021, with persistent differences by age, sex, race and ethnicity, level of education, and state of residence. During this period, the age-standardized prevalence of antihypertensive medication use among persons with hypertension increased by 3.1 percentage points, from 59.8% to 62.9% (p<0.001). Increases in antihypertensive medication use were observed in most sociodemographic groups and in many states. Assessing current trends in hypertension diagnosis and treatment can help guide the development of policies and implementation of interventions to reduce this important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can aid in addressing health disparities. |
Epidemiologic and genetic characteristics of mumps viruses isolated in China from 1995 to 2010.
Cui A , Zhu Z , Chen M , Zheng H , Liu L , Wang Y , Ma Y , Wang C , Fang X , Li P , Guan R , Wang S , Zhou J , Zheng L , Gao H , Ding Z , Li L , Bo F , Sun Z , Zhang Z , Feng D , He J , Chen H , Jin L , Rota PA , Xu W . Infect Genet Evol 2014 21 384-90 The epidemiologic and genetic characteristics of mumps viruses detected in China from 1995 to 2010 were analyzed in this study. Mumps remains endemic in China with a high overall incidence rate. The incidence of mumps in Western China was higher than that in other regions of the country. Each year, most of mumps cases occurred between April and July, but a small peak also occurred in November and December. Mumps cases primarily affected the under 15 year old age group. Virologic data demonstrated that genotype F was the predominant circulating genotype throughout China for at least 15 years and no other genotype was detected between 1995 and 2010. Analysis of sequence data from the small hydrophobic (SH) gene indicated that multiple transmission chains of genotype F were found in various provinces of China, with no apparent chronologic and geographic restriction. This is the first report describing the epidemiology of mumps and genetic characterization of mumps viruses at the national level in China. |
Maternal and paternal preconception serum concentrations of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in relation to birth outcomes
Zhang Y , Mustieles V , Martin L , Sun Y , Hillcoat A , Fang X , Bibi Z , Torres N , Coburn-Sanderson A , First O , Souter I , Petrozza JC , Botelho JC , Calafat AM , Wang YX , Messerlian C . Environ Sci Technol 2024 Prenatal per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure is associated with adverse birth outcomes. There is an absence of evidence on the relationship between maternal and paternal preconception PFAS exposure and birth outcomes. This study included 312 mothers and 145 fathers with a singleton live birth from a preconception cohort of subfertile couples seeking fertility treatment at a U.S. clinic. PFAS were quantified in serum samples collected before conception. Gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) were abstracted from delivery records. We also assessed low birthweight (BW < 2500 g) and preterm birth (GA < 37 completed weeks). We utilized multivariable linear regression, logistic regression, and quantile-based g computation to examine maternal or paternal serum concentrations of individual PFAS and mixture with birth outcomes. Maternal serum concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), and the total PFAS mixture were inversely associated with birthweight. Maternal PFOS concentration was associated with a higher risk of low birthweight. Conversely, paternal PFOS and PFHxS concentrations were imprecisely associated with higher birthweight. No associations were found for gestational age or preterm birth. The findings have important implications for preconception care. Future research with larger sample sizes would assist in validating these findings. |
Assessing interventions to encourage primary care health workers to recommend influenza vaccination and the impact on vaccination uptake for persons with Non-Communicable diseases in China
Fan J , Song Y , Cong S , Millman AJ , Wang N , Greene C , Zhang R , Zhou S , Fang L . Vaccine 2024 BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination coverage is low among persons with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in China. Chinese health workers (HWs) do not routinely recommend influenza vaccination despite evidence that recommendations increase vaccine uptake. This study aims to assess whether interventions increased primary care HWs' recommendation for influenza vaccination and measure their impact on influenza vaccine uptake in persons with NCDs. METHODS: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled study in public primary healthcare clinics in Hubei from November 2018 through April 2019. In the intervention clinics, primary care HWs received training on the benefits of influenza vaccination and were asked to recommend influenza vaccine in routine primary healthcare for persons with NCDs. In the control clinics, primary care HWs did not receive training and provided standard services. We conducted questionnaire surveys before and after the intervention to collect information about recommendations made and receipt of influenza vaccines. RESULTS: A total of 896 primary care HWs and 4552 persons with NCDs were included. After intervention, a higher percentage of HWs recommended influenza vaccines in intervention clinics compared to control clinics. Vaccinated primary care HWs were more likely to recommend vaccination. Persons with NCDs reported higher influenza vaccination coverage in intervention than control clinics, and primary care HWs' recommendation increased vaccination uptake among persons with NCDs. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccinated primary care HWs were more likely to recommend influenza vaccination than unvaccinated HWs. Promoting primary care HWs' vaccination and encouraging them to recommend influenza vaccination during routine primary healthcare could increase influenza vaccine receipt among persons with NCDs. Registration number ChiCTR2200067140. |
Standard-dose versus MF59-adjuvanted, high-dose or recombinant-hemagglutinin influenza vaccine immunogenicity in older adults: comparison of A(H3N2) antibody response by prior season's vaccine status
Zhong S , Ng TWY , Skowronski DM , Iuliano AD , Leung NHL , Perera Rapm , Ho F , Fang VJ , Tam YH , Ip DKM , Havers FG , Fry AM , Aziz-Baumgartner E , Barr IG , Peiris M , Thompson MG , Cowling BJ . J Infect Dis 2023 BACKGROUND: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for older adults but repeated vaccination with standard-dose influenza vaccine has been linked to reduced immunogenicity and effectiveness, especially against A(H3N2) viruses. METHODS: Community-dwelling Hong Kong adults aged 65-82 years were randomly allocated to receive 2017/18 standard-dose quadrivalent, MF59-adjuvanted trivalent, high-dose trivalent, and recombinant-HA quadrivalent vaccination. Antibody response to unchanged A(H3N2) vaccine antigen was compared among participants with and without self-reported prior year (2016/17) standard-dose vaccination. RESULTS: Mean fold rise (MFR) in antibody titers from Day 0 to Day 30 by hemagglutination inhibition and virus microneutralization assays were lower among 2017/18 standard-dose and enhanced vaccine recipients with (range, 1.7-3.0) vs. without (range, 4.3-14.3) prior 2016/17 vaccination. MFR was significantly reduced by about one half to four fifths for previously vaccinated recipients of standard-dose and all three enhanced vaccines (β range, 0.21-0.48). Among prior-year vaccinated older adults, enhanced vaccines induced higher 1.43 to 2.39-fold geometric mean titers and 1.28 to 1.74-fold MFR vs. standard-dose vaccine by microneutralization assay. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of unchanged A(H3N2) vaccine strain, prior-year vaccination was associated with reduced antibody response among both standard-dose and enhanced influenza vaccine recipients. Enhanced vaccines improved antibody response among older adults with prior-year standard-dose vaccination. |
Inferring school district learning modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic with a hidden Markov model
Panaggio MJ , Fang M , Bang H , Armstrong PA , Binder AM , Grass JE , Magid J , Papazian M , Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Parks SE . PLoS One 2023 18 (10) e0292354 During the COVID-19 pandemic, many public schools across the United States shifted from fully in-person learning to alternative learning modalities such as hybrid and fully remote learning. In this study, data from 14,688 unique school districts from August 2020 to June 2021 were collected to track changes in the proportion of schools offering fully in-person, hybrid and fully remote learning over time. These data were provided by Burbio, MCH Strategic Data, the American Enterprise Institute's Return to Learn Tracker and individual state dashboards. Because the modalities reported by these sources were incomplete and occasionally misaligned, a model was needed to combine and deconflict these data to provide a more comprehensive description of modalities nationwide. A hidden Markov model (HMM) was used to infer the most likely learning modality for each district on a weekly basis. This method yielded higher spatiotemporal coverage than any individual data source and higher agreement with three of the four data sources than any other single source. The model output revealed that the percentage of districts offering fully in-person learning rose from 40.3% in September 2020 to 54.7% in June of 2021 with increases across 45 states and in both urban and rural districts. This type of probabilistic model can serve as a tool for fusion of incomplete and contradictory data sources in order to obtain more reliable data in support of public health surveillance and research efforts. |
From people to Panthera: Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo (preprint)
McAloose D , Laverack M , Wang L , Killian ML , Caserta LC , Yuan F , Mitchell PK , Queen K , Mauldin MR , Cronk BD , Bartlett SL , Sykes JM , Zec S , Stokol T , Ingerman K , Delaney MA , Fredrickson R , Ivančić M , Jenkins-Moore M , Mozingo K , Franzen K , Bergeson NH , Goodman L , Wang H , Fang Y , Olmstead C , McCann C , Thomas P , Goodrich E , Elvinger F , Smith DC , Tong S , Slavinski S , Calle PP , Terio K , Torchetti MK , Diel DG . bioRxiv 2020 2020.07.22.213959 We describe the first cases of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection detected in animals in the United States. In March 2020, four tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo developed mild respiratory signs. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by rRT-PCR in respiratory secretions and/or feces from all seven affected animals; viral RNA and/or antibodies were detected in their keepers. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from respiratory secretions or feces from three affected animals; in situ hybridization co-localized viral RNA with cellular damage. Whole genome sequence and haplotype network analyses showed tigers and lions were infected with two different SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggesting independent viral introductions. The source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lions is unknown. Epidemiological data and genetic similarities between keeper and tiger viruses indicate human to animal transmission.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest. |
Evaluation of association of anti-PEG antibodies with anaphylaxis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (preprint)
Zhou ZH , Cortese MM , Fang JL , Wood R , Hummell DS , Risma KA , Norton AE , KuKuruga M , Kirshner S , Rabin RL , Agarabi C , Staat MA , Halasa N , Ware R , Stahl A , McMahon M , Browning P , Maniatis P , Bolcen S , Edwards KM , Su JR , Dharmarajan S , Forshee R , Broder KR , Anderson S , Kozlowski S . medRxiv 2023 12 (28) 4183-4189 Background: The mechanism for anaphylaxis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination has been widely debated; understanding this serious adverse event is important for future vaccines of similar design. A mechanism proposed is type I hypersensitivity (i.e., IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation) to excipient polyethylene glycol (PEG). Using an assay that, uniquely, had been previously assessed in patients with anaphylaxis to PEG, our objective was to compare anti-PEG IgE in serum from mRNA COVID-19 vaccine anaphylaxis case-patients and persons vaccinated without allergic reactions. Secondarily, we compared anti-PEG IgG and IgM to assess alternative mechanisms. Method(s): Selected anaphylaxis case-patients reported to U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System December 14, 2020 - March 25, 2021 were invited to provide a serum sample. mRNA COVID-19 vaccine study participants with residual serum and no allergic reaction post-vaccination ("controls") were frequency matched to cases 3:1 on vaccine and dose number, sex and 10-year age category. Anti-PEG IgE was measured using a dual cytometric bead assay. Anti-PEG IgG and IgM were measured using two different assays. Laboratorians were blinded to case/control status. Result(s): All 20 case-patients were women; 17 had anaphylaxis after dose 1, 3 after dose 2. Thirteen (65%) were hospitalized and 7 (35%) were intubated. Time from vaccination to serum collection was longer for case-patients vs controls (post-dose 1: median 105 vs 21 days). Among Moderna recipients, anti-PEG IgE was detected in 1 of 10 (10%) case-patients vs 8 of 30 (27%) controls (p=0.40); among Pfizer-BioNTech recipients, it was detected in 0 of 10 case-patients (0%) vs 1 of 30 (3%) controls (p>0.99). Anti-PEG IgE quantitative signals followed this same pattern. Neither anti-PEG IgG nor IgM was associated with case status with both assay formats. Conclusion(s): Our results support that anti-PEG IgE is not a predominant mechanism for anaphylaxis post-mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. 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. |
Evaluation of association of anti-PEG antibodies with anaphylaxis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
Zhou ZH , Cortese MM , Fang JL , Wood R , Hummell DS , Risma KA , Norton AE , KuKuruga M , Kirshner S , Rabin RL , Agarabi C , Staat MA , Halasa N , Ware RE , Stahl A , McMahon M , Browning P , Maniatis P , Bolcen S , Edwards KM , Su JR , Dharmarajan S , Forshee R , Broder KR , Anderson S , Kozlowski S . Vaccine 2023 BACKGROUND: The mechanism for anaphylaxis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination has been widely debated; understanding this serious adverse event is important for future vaccines of similar design. A mechanism proposed is type I hypersensitivity (i.e., IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation) to polyethylene glycol (PEG). Using an assay that, uniquely, had been previously assessed in patients with anaphylaxis to PEG, our objective was to compare anti-PEG IgE in serum from mRNA COVID-19 vaccine anaphylaxis case-patients and persons vaccinated without allergic reactions. Secondarily, we compared anti-PEG IgG and IgM to assess alternative mechanisms. METHODS: Selected anaphylaxis case-patients reported to U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System December 14, 2020-March 25, 2021 were invited to provide a serum sample. mRNA COVID-19 vaccine study participants with residual serum and no allergic reaction post-vaccination ("controls") were frequency matched to cases 3:1 on vaccine and dose number, sex and 10-year age category. Anti-PEG IgE was measured using a dual cytometric bead assay (DCBA). Anti-PEG IgG and IgM were measured using two different assays: DCBA and a PEGylated-polystyrene bead assay. Laboratorians were blinded to case/control status. RESULTS: All 20 case-patients were women; 17 had anaphylaxis after dose 1, 3 after dose 2. Thirteen (65 %) were hospitalized and 7 (35 %) were intubated. Time from vaccination to serum collection was longer for case-patients vs controls (post-dose 1: median 105 vs 21 days). Among Moderna recipients, anti-PEG IgE was detected in 1 of 10 (10 %) case-patients vs 8 of 30 (27 %) controls (p = 0.40); among Pfizer-BioNTech recipients, it was detected in 0 of 10 case-patients (0 %) vs 1 of 30 (3 %) controls (p >n 0.99). Anti-PEG IgE quantitative signals followed this same pattern. Neither anti-PEG IgG nor IgM was associated with case status with both assay formats. CONCLUSION: Our results support that anti-PEG IgE is not a predominant mechanism for anaphylaxis post-mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. |
Less than ideal cardiovascular health among adults is associated with experiencing adverse childhood events: BRFSS 2019
Hayes DK , Wiltz JL , Fang J , Loustalot F . Prev Med 2023 169 107457 Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke while adverse childhood events (ACEs) are related to health behaviors (e.g., smoking, unhealthy diet) and conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) associated with CVH. Data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used to explore ACEs and CVH among 86,584 adults ≥18 years from 20 states. CVH was defined as poor (0-2), intermediate (3-5), and ideal (6-7) from summation of survey indicators (normal weight, healthy diet, adequate physical activity, not smoking, no hypertension, no high cholesterol, and no diabetes). ACEs was summed by number (0,1, 2, 3, and ≥4). A generalized logit model estimated associations between poor and intermediate CVH (ideal as referent) and ACEs accounting for age, race/ethnicity, sex, education, and health care coverage. Overall, 16.7% (95% Confidence Interval[CI]:16.3-17.1) had poor, 72.4% (95%CI:71.9-72.9) had intermediate, and 10.9% (95%CI:10.5-11.3) had ideal CVH. Zero ACEs were reported for 37.0% (95%CI:36.4-37.6), 22.5% (95%CI:22.0-23.0) reported 1, 12.7% (95%CI:12.3-13.1) reported 2, 8.5% (95%CI:8.2-8.9) reported 3, and 19.3% (95%CI:18.8-19.8) reported ≥4 ACEs. Those with 1 (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.27;95%CI = 1.11-1.46), 2 (AOR = 1.63;95%CI:1.36-1.96), 3 (AOR = 2.01;95%CI:1.66-2.44), and ≥ 4 (AOR = 2.47;95%CI:2.11-2.89) ACEs were more likely to report poor (vs. ideal) CVH compared to those with 0 ACEs. Those who reported 2 (AOR = 1.28;95%CI = 1.08-1.51), 3 (AOR = 1.48;95%CI:1.25-1.75), and ≥ 4 (AOR = 1.59;95%CI:1.38-1.83) ACEs were more likely to report intermediate (vs. ideal) CVH compared to those with 0 ACEs. Preventing and mitigating the harms of ACEs and addressing barriers to ideal CVH, particularly social and structural determinants, may improve health. |
Heterogeneity in obesity prevalence among Asian American adults
Shah NS , Luncheon C , Kandula NR , Khan SS , Pan L , Gillespie C , Loustalot F , Fang J . Ann Intern Med 2022 175 (11) 1493-1500 BACKGROUND: Obesity increases the risk for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, and this risk occurs at lower body mass index (BMI) thresholds in Asian adults than in White adults. The degree to which obesity prevalence varies across heterogeneous Asian American subgroups is unclear because most obesity estimates combine all Asian Americans into a single group. OBJECTIVE: To quantify obesity prevalence in Asian American subgroups among U.S. adults using both standard BMI categorizations and categorizations tailored to Asian populations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: United States, 2013 to 2020. PARTICIPANTS: The analytic sample included 2 882 158 adults aged 18 years or older in the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys (2013 to 2020). Participants self-identified as non-Hispanic White ([NHW] n = 2 547 965); non-Hispanic Black ([NHB] n = 263 136); or non-Hispanic Asian ([NHA] n = 71 057), comprising Asian Indian (n = 13 916), Chinese (n = 11 686), Filipino (n = 11 815), Japanese (n = 12 473), Korean (n = 3634), and Vietnamese (n = 2618) Americans. MEASUREMENTS: Obesity prevalence adjusted for age and sex calculated using both standard BMI thresholds (≥30 kg/m(2)) and BMI thresholds modified for Asian adults (≥27.5 kg/m(2)), based on self-reported height and weight. RESULTS: Adjusted obesity prevalence (by standard categorization) was 11.7% (95% CI, 11.2% to 12.2%) in NHA, 39.7% (CI, 39.4% to 40.1%) in NHB, and 29.4% (CI, 29.3% to 29.5%) in NHW participants; the prevalence was 16.8% (CI, 15.2% to 18.5%) in Filipino, 15.3% (CI, 13.2% to 17.5%) in Japanese, 11.2% (CI, 10.2% to 12.2%) in Asian Indian, 8.5% (CI, 6.8% to 10.5%) in Korean, 6.5% (CI, 5.5% to 7.5%) in Chinese, and 6.3% (CI, 5.1% to 7.8%) in Vietnamese Americans. The prevalence using modified criteria (BMI ≥27.5 kg/m(2)) was 22.4% (CI, 21.8% to 23.1%) in NHA participants overall and 28.7% (CI, 26.8% to 30.7%) in Filipino, 26.7% (CI, 24.1% to 29.5%) in Japanese, 22.4% (CI, 21.1% to 23.7%) in Asian Indian, 17.4% (CI, 15.2% to 19.8%) in Korean, 13.6% (CI, 11.7% to 15.9%) in Vietnamese, and 13.2% (CI, 12.0% to 14.5%) in Chinese Americans. LIMITATION: Body mass index estimates rely on self-reported data. CONCLUSION: Substantial heterogeneity in obesity prevalence exists among Asian American subgroups in the United States. Future studies and public health efforts should consider this heterogeneity. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. |
Cardiovascular disease risk factors in US adults with vision impairment
Mendez I , Kim M , Lundeen EA , Loustalot F , Fang J , Saaddine J . Prev Chronic Dis 2022 19 E43 INTRODUCTION: Adults with vision impairment (VI) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with those without VI. We estimated the prevalence of CVD and CVD risk factors by VI status in US adults. METHODS: We used nationally representative data from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (N = 22,890 adults aged 18 years). We estimated the prevalence of self-reported diagnosis of CVD (coronary heart disease [including angina and myocardial infarction], stroke, or other heart disease) by VI status. We used separate logistic regression models to generate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs), controlling for sociodemographic covariates, for those with VI (reference group, no VI) for CVD and CVD risk factors: current smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. RESULTS: Overall, 12.9% (95% CI, 12.3-13.5) of the sample had VI. The prevalence of CVD was 26.6% (95% CI, 24.7-28.6) in people with VI versus 12.2% (95% CI, 11.7-12.8) in those without VI (aPR = 1.65 [95% CI, 1.51-1.80]). Compared with adults without VI, those with VI had a higher prevalence of all risk factors examined: current smoking (aPR = 1.40 [95% CI, 1.27-1.53]), physical inactivity (aPR = 1.14 [95% CI, 1.06-1.22]), excessive alcohol intake (aPR = 1.29 [95% CI, 1.08-1.53]), obesity (aPR = 1.28 [95% CI, 1.21-1.36]), hypertension (aPR = 1.29 [95% CI, 1.22-1.36]), high cholesterol (aPR = 1.21 [95% CI, 1.14-1.29]), and diabetes (aPR = 1.54 [95% CI, 1.38-1.72]). CONCLUSION: Adults with VI had a higher prevalence of CVD and CVD risk factors compared with those without VI. Effective clinical and lifestyle interventions, adapted to accommodate VI-related challenges, may help reduce CVD risk in adults with VI. |
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Residents of US Nursing Homes, Before and During the Delta variant Predominance, December 2020 - November 2021.
Hatfield KM , Baggs J , Wolford H , Fang M , Sattar AA , Montgomery KS , Jin S , Jernigan J , Pilishvili T . Clin Infect Dis 2022 75 S147-S154 BACKGROUND: Residents of nursing homes experience disproportionate morbidity and mortality related to COVID-19 and were prioritized for vaccine introduction. We evaluated COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections among nursing home residents. METHODS: We used a retrospective cohort of 4,315 nursing home residents during December 14, 2020 - November 9, 2021. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios comparing residents with a completed vaccination series to unvaccinated among those with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (identified using positive SARS-CoV-2 tests and/or diagnosis codes), by vaccine product, and by period (before and during Delta variant predominance). VE was estimated as one minus the hazard ratio times 100%. RESULTS: Overall adjusted VE for the completed vaccination series was 58% (95%CI: 44%, 69%) among residents without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. During the pre-Delta period, the VE within 150 days of receipt of the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (67%, 95%CI: 40%, 82%) and Moderna (75%, 95%CI: 32%, 91%) was similar. During the Delta period, VE measured >150 days after the second dose was 33% (95%CI: -2%, 56%) for Pfizer-BioNTech and 77% (95%CI: 48%, 91%) for Moderna. Rates of infection were 78% lower (95%CI: 67%, 85%) among residents with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and completed vaccination series compared to unvaccinated residents without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccines were effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections among nursing home residents and history of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection provided additional protection. Maintaining high coverage of recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccines remains a critical tool for preventing infections in nursing homes. |
Association of depressive symptoms and hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control among USA adults
Fang J , Zhang Z , Greenlund KJ . J Hypertens 2022 40 (9) 1658-1665 OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control by depressive symptoms among USA adults. METHOD: Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 to 2018 (n=28532), depressive symptoms were categorized as 'none or minimum', 'mild', 'moderate' and 'moderately severe or severe' by the Patient Health Questionnaire. Hypertension was assessed by history, blood pressure measures and antihypertensive medication use. Adjusted prevalence rates and adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) of hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control were measured. RESULTS: By depressive, the adjusted prevalence of hypertension (32.0, 34.2, 37.3 and 36.6%), awareness (80.6, 83.9, 85.7 and 89.8%) and treatment (73.1, 75.2, 78.6 and 83.9%) increased with advanced depressive symptoms, respectively (all P<0.001). However, no difference in hypertension control was noted after full adjustment. Compared with those with no or minimum depressive symptoms, APRs of hypertension prevalence for mild, moderate and moderately severe or severe depressive symptom were 1.07 (1.02-1.12), 1.16 (1.107-1.262) and 1.15 (1.05-1.26), respectively. The corresponding APRs were 1.04 (1.003-1.08), 1.06 (1.01-1.11) and 1.11 (1.06-1.17) for hypertension awareness, and 1.03 (0.98-1.07), 1.08 (1.02-1.14) and 1.15 (1.08-1.22) for hypertension treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among USA adults, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with hypertension prevalence, awareness and treatment, but not with hypertension control. When managing hypertension, healthcare providers should be aware of the mental health status. |
Prevalence and trends of coronary heart disease in the United States, 2011 to 2018
Lee YH , Fang J , Schieb L , Park S , Casper M , Gillespie C . JAMA Cardiol 2022 7 (4) 459-462 This survey study examines prevalence of coronary heart disease and the trend from 2011 to 2018 using self-reported data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. |
Self-measured blood pressure monitoring among adults with self-reported hypertension in 20 US states and the District of Columbia, 2019
Fang J , Luncheon C , Wall HK , Wozniak G , Loustalot F . Am J Hypertens 2021 34 (11) 1148-1153 BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Achieving hypertension control requires multiple supportive inventions, including self-measured blood pressure (SMBP). The objective of this study is to report the use of SMBP among US adults. METHODS: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were used for this study. The 2019 survey included, for the first time, an optional SMBP module. Twenty states and the District of Columbia (N=159,536) opted to include the module, which assessed whether participants were advised by a healthcare professional to use SMBP, and if they used SMBP monitoring. Among those using SMBP, additional questions assessed the location of SMBP monitoring and whether SMBP readings were shared with a healthcare professional. RESULTS: Among adults in the study population, 33.9% (95% confidence interval 33.4%-34.5%) reported having hypertension (N=66,869). Among them, nearly 70% were recommended to use SMBP by their healthcare professional and approximately 61% reported SMBP use regardless of recommendation. The most common location of SMBP was the home (85.6%). Overall, >80% shared their SMBP reading with their healthcare professional, 74% and 7% were shared in person and via the internet or email, respectively. There were differences in healthcare professional recommendations, use of SMBP, and SMBP information sharing across demographic characteristics and state of residency. CONCLUSIONS: SMBP recommendation was common practice among healthcare professionals, as reported by US adults with hypertension. Data from this study can be used to guide interventions to promote hypertension self-management and control. |
Self-Reported Diabetes Prevalence in Asian American Subgroups: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013-2019
Shah NS , Luncheon C , Kandula NR , Cho P , Loustalot F , Fang J . J Gen Intern Med 2021 37 (8) 1902-1909 BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States (US). Prior DM prevalence estimates in Asian Americans are predominantly from Asians aggregated into a single group, but the Asian American population is heterogenous. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate self-reported DM prevalence in disaggregated Asian American subgroups to inform targeted management and prevention. DESIGN: Serial cross-sectional analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents to the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys who self-identify as non-Hispanic Asian American (NHA, N=57,001), comprising Asian Indian (N=11,089), Chinese (N=9458), Filipino (N=9339), Japanese (N=10,387), and Korean Americans (N=2843), compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW, N=2,143,729) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB, N=215,957) Americans. MAIN MEASURES: Prevalence of self-reported DM. Univariate Satterthwaite-adjusted chi-square tests compared the differences in weighted DM prevalence by sociodemographic and health status. KEY RESULTS: Self-reported fully adjusted DM prevalence was 8.7% (95% confidence interval 8.2-9.3) in NHA, compared to 14.3% (14.0-14.6) in NHB and 10.0% (10.0-10.1) in NHW (p<0.01 for difference). In NHA subgroups overall, DM prevalence was 14.4% (12.6-16.3) in Filipino, 13.4% (10.9-16.2) in Japanese, 10.7% (9.6-11.8) in Asian Indian, 5.1% (4.2-6.2) in Chinese, and 4.7% (3.4-6.3) in Korean Americans (p<0.01). Among those aged ≥65 years, DM prevalence was highest in Filipino (35.0% (29.4-41.2)) and Asian Indian (31.5% (25.9-37.8)) Americans. Adjusted for sex, education, and race/ethnicity-specific obesity category, NHA overall had a 21% higher DM prevalence compared to NHW (prevalence ratio 1.21 [1.14-1.27]), while prevalence ratios were 1.42 (1.24-1.63) in Filipinos and 1.29 (1.14-1.46) in Asian Indians. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusted self-reported DM prevalence is higher in NHA compared with NHW. Disaggregating NHA reveals heterogeneity in self-reported DM prevalence, highest in Filipino and Asian Indian Americans. |
Genetic Diversity of Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine Antigens among Carriage Isolates Collected from Students at Three Universities in the United States, 2015-2016.
Marjuki H , Chang HY , Topaz N , Whaley MJ , Vuong J , Chen A , Jenkins LT , Hu F , Schmink S , Retchless AC , Thomas JD , Acosta AM , McNamara LA , Soeters HM , Mbaeyi S , Wang X . mBio 2021 12 (3) Carriage evaluations were conducted during 2015 to 2016 at two U.S. universities in conjunction with the response to disease outbreaks caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B and at a university where outbreak and response activities had not occurred. All eligible students at the two universities received the serogroup B meningococcal factor H binding protein vaccine (MenB-FHbp); 5.2% of students (181/3,509) at one university received MenB-4C. A total of 1,514 meningococcal carriage isolates were obtained from 8,905 oropharyngeal swabs from 7,001 unique participants. Whole-genome sequencing data were analyzed to understand MenB-FHbp's impact on carriage and antigen genetic diversity and distribution. Of 1,422 isolates from carriers with known vaccination status (726 [51.0%] from MenB-FHbp-vaccinated, 42 [3.0%] from MenB-4C-vaccinated, and 654 [46.0%] from unvaccinated participants), 1,406 (98.9%) had intact fHbp alleles (716 from MenB-FHbp-vaccinated participants). Of 726 isolates from MenB-FHbp-vaccinated participants, 250 (34.4%) harbored FHbp peptides that may be covered by MenB-FHbp. Genogroup B was detected in 122/1,422 (8.6%) and 112/1,422 (7.9%) isolates from MenB-FHbp-vaccinated and unvaccinated participants, respectively. FHbp subfamily and peptide distributions between MenB-FHbp-vaccinated and unvaccinated participants were not statistically different. Eighteen of 161 MenB-FHbp-vaccinated repeat carriers (11.2%) acquired a new strain containing one or more new vaccine antigen peptides during multiple rounds of sample collection, which was not statistically different (P = 0.3176) from the unvaccinated repeat carriers (1/30; 3.3%). Our findings suggest that lack of MenB vaccine impact on carriage was not due to missing the intact fHbp gene; MenB-FHbp did not affect antigen genetic diversity and distribution during the study period.IMPORTANCE The impact of serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccines on carriage is not completely understood. Using whole-genome sequencing data, we assessed the diversity and distribution of MenB vaccine antigens (particularly FHbp) among 1,514 meningococcal carriage isolates recovered from vaccinated and unvaccinated students at three U.S. universities, two of which underwent MenB-FHbp mass vaccination campaigns following meningococcal disease outbreaks. The majority of carriage isolates recovered from participants harbored intact fHbp genes, about half of which were recovered from MenB-FHbp-vaccinated participants. The distribution of vaccine antigen peptides was similar among carriage isolates recovered from vaccinated and unvaccinated participants, and almost all strains recovered from repeat carriers retained the same vaccine antigen profile, suggesting insignificant vaccine selective pressure on the carriage population in these universities. |
Receiving Advice from a Health Professional and Action Taken to Reduce Dietary Sodium Intake among Adults
Woodruff RC , Overwyk KJ , Cogswell ME , Fang J , Jackson SL . Public Health Nutr 2021 24 (12) 1-17 OBJECTIVE: Population reductions in sodium intake could prevent hypertension, and current guidelines recommend that clinicians advise patients to reduce intake. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of taking action and receiving advice from a health professional to reduce sodium intake in 10 US jurisdictions, including the first-ever data in New York state and Guam. DESIGN: weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) overall and by location, demographic group, health status, and receipt of provider advice using self-reported data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System optional sodium module. SETTING: seven states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. PARTICIPANTS: adults aged ≥18 years. RESULTS: Overall, 53.6% (CI: 52.7, 54.5) of adults reported taking action to reduce sodium intake, including 54.8% (CI: 52.8, 56.7) in New York and 61.2% (CI: 57.6, 64.7) in Guam. Prevalence varied by demographic and health characteristics and was higher among adults who reported having hypertension (72.5%; CI: 71.2, 73.7) vs. those who did not report having hypertension (43.9%; CI: 42.7, 45.0). Among those who reported receiving sodium reduction advice from a health professional, 82.6% (CI: 81.3, 83.9) reported action vs. 44.4% (CI: 43.4, 45.5) among those who did not receive advice. However, only 24.0% (CI: 23.3, 24.7) of adults reported receiving advice from a health professional to reduce sodium intake. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of adults report taking action to reduce sodium intake. Results highlight an opportunity to increase sodium reduction advice from health professionals during clinical visits to better align with existing guidelines. |
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, April 1 to July 31, 2020.
Xu F , Carlson SA , Wheaton AG , Greenlund KJ . Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021 27 (7) 1166-1169 The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world. In the United States, more than 26 million cases with COVID-19 were reported as of February 1, 2021 (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_totalcases). People infected with SARS-CoV-2 have a broad range of outcomes, from being asymptomatic or having mild symptoms to having severe illnesses that can result in hospitalization or death.1 Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are often under immunosuppressive treatment that makes them more susceptible to opportunistic infections, and this risk is especially high for patients aged 50 years or older.2 Patients with IBD are also more likely to have comorbidities than those without IBD,3 and certain chronic medical conditions are known to be risk factors for developing severe COVID-19.4 To date, no studies have found that patients with IBD are at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with the general population.5 However, given the complexity of IBD, health providers need to know whether older patients with IBD are more likely to develop severe illness so that they can better manage these patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Acquisition of ciprofloxacin resistance among an expanding clade of β-lactamase positive, serogroup Y Neisseria meningitidis in the United States.
Potts CC , Retchless AC , McNamara LA , Marasini D , Reese N , Swint S , Hu F , Sharma S , Blain AE , Lonsway D , Karlsson M , Hariri S , Fox LM , Wang X . Clin Infect Dis 2021 73 (7) 1185-1193 BACKGROUND: Penicillin and ciprofloxacin are important for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) management and prevention. IMD cases caused by penicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis containing a ROB-1 β-lactamase gene (blaROB-1) and a mutated DNA gyrase gene (gyrA), have been recently reported in the USA. METHODS: We examined 2097 meningococcal genomes collected through US population-based surveillance from January 2011-February 2020 to identify IMD cases caused by strains with blaROB-1 or gyrA-mediated resistance. Antimicrobial resistance was confirmed phenotypically. The US isolate genomes were compared to non-US isolate genomes containing blaROB-1. Interspecies transfer of ciprofloxacin resistance was assessed by comparing gyrA among Neisseria species. RESULTS: Eleven penicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates were identified after December 2018; all were serogroup Y, sequence type 3587, clonal complex (CC) 23, and contained blaROB-1 and a T91I-containing gyrA allele. An additional 22 penicillin-resistant, blaROB-1-containing US isolates with wild-type gyrA were identified from 2013-2020. All 33 blaROB-1-containing isolates formed a single clade, along with 12 blaROB-1-containing isolates from six other countries. Two-thirds of blaROB-1-containing US isolates were from Hispanic individuals. Twelve additional ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates with gyrA T91 mutations were identified. Ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates belonged to six CCs and contained 10 unique gyrA alleles; seven were similar or identical to alleles from N. lactamica or N. gonorrhoeae. CONCLUSIONS: Recent IMD cases caused by a dual resistant serogroup Y suggest changing antimicrobial resistance patterns in the USA. The emerging dual-resistance is due to acquisition of ciprofloxacin resistance by β-lactamase-containing N. meningitidis. Routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance will effectively monitor resistance changes and spread. |
The Science of Scale for Violence Prevention: A New Agenda for Family Strengthening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Shenderovich Y , Lachman JM , Ward CL , Wessels I , Gardner F , Tomlinson M , Oliver D , Janowski R , Martin M , Okop K , Sacolo-Gwebu H , Ngcobo LL , Fang Z , Alampay L , Baban A , Baumann AA , de Barros RB , Bojo S , Butchart A , Dippenaar W , Exavery A , Fang X , Ferdinandi I , Foran HM , Heinrichs N , Hutchings J , Kisyombe D , Massetti G , Mazak J , Mbuyi H , Singh P , Polsky K , Rakotomalala S , Raleva M , Savo R , Cluver L . Front Public Health 2021 9 581440 Ending all violence against children by 2030 is a core part of Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 16. A number of promising violence reduction strategies have been identified in research studies. However, we lack an understanding of the implementation and impact of these programs in respect to their delivery at a large scale or within existing service systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We advocate for greater collaboration between researchers, policymakers, donors, governments, non-governmental organizations, and program managers and staff to study how violence prevention programs operate on a large scale. We describe a new initiative aiming to foster such collaborations in the field of family strengthening programs. |
Immunogenicity of standard, high-dose, MF59-adjuvanted, and recombinant-HA seasonal influenza vaccination in older adults
Li APY , Cohen CA , Leung NHL , Fang VJ , Gangappa S , Sambhara S , Levine MZ , Iuliano AD , Perera Rapm , Ip DKM , Peiris JSM , Thompson MG , Cowling BJ , Valkenburg SA . NPJ Vaccines 2021 6 (1) 25 The vaccine efficacy of standard-dose seasonal inactivated influenza vaccines (S-IIV) can be improved by the use of vaccines with higher antigen content or adjuvants. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in older adults to compare cellular and antibody responses of S-IIV versus enhanced vaccines (eIIV): MF59-adjuvanted (A-eIIV), high-dose (H-eIIV), and recombinant-hemagglutinin (HA) (R-eIIV). All vaccines induced comparable H3-HA-specific IgG and elevated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity at day 30 post vaccination. H3-HA-specific ADCC responses were greatest following H-eIIV. Only A-eIIV increased H3-HA-IgG avidity, HA-stalk IgG and ADCC activity. eIIVs also increased polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, while cellular immune responses were skewed toward single-cytokine-producing T cells among S-IIV subjects. Our study provides further immunological evidence for the preferential use of eIIVs in older adults as each vaccine platform had an advantage over the standard-dose vaccine in terms of NK cell activation, HA-stalk antibodies, and T cell responses. |
Medical expenditures for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy that resulted in a live birth among privately insured women
Li R , Kuklina EV , Ailes EC , Shrestha SS , Grosse SD , Fang J , Wang G , Leung J , Barfield WD , Cox S . Pregnancy Hypertens 2020 23 155-162 OBJECTIVE: To estimate the excess maternal health services utilization and direct maternal medical expenditures associated with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and one year postpartum among women with private insurance in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: We used 2008-2014 IBM MarketScan® Commercial Databases to identify women aged 15-44 who had a pregnancy resulting in live birth during 1/1/09-12/31/13 and were continuously enrolled with non-capitated or partially capitated coverage from 12 months before pregnancy through 12 months after delivery. Hypertensive disorders identified by diagnosis codes were categorized into three mutually exclusive types: preeclampsia and eclampsia, chronic hypertension, and gestational hypertension. Multivariate negative binomial and generalized linear models were used to estimate service utilization and expenditures, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Per person excess health services utilization and medical expenditures during pregnancy and one year postpartum associated with hypertensive disorders (in 2014 US dollars). RESULTS: Women with preeclampsia and eclampsia, chronic hypertension, and gestational hypertension had $9,389, $6,041, and $2,237 higher mean medical expenditures compared to women without hypertensive disorders ($20,252), respectively (ps < 0.001). One-third (36%) of excess expenditure associated with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was attributable to outpatient services. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy were associated with significantly higher health services utilization and medical expenditures among privately insured women with hypertensive disorders. Medical expenditures varied by types of hypertensive disorders. Stakeholders can use this information to assess the potential economic benefits of interventions that prevent these conditions or their complications. |
Immunoglobulin A Targets a Unique Subset of the Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Shapiro JM , de Zoete MR , Palm NW , Laenen Y , Bright R , Mallette M , Bu K , Bielecka AA , Xu F , Hurtado-Lorenzo A , Shah SA , Cho JH , LeLeiko NS , Sands BE , Flavell RA , Clemente JC . Cell Host Microbe 2020 29 (1) 83-93 e3 The immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been attributed to a combination of host genetics and intestinal dysbiosis. Previous work in a small cohort of IBD patients suggested that pro-inflammatory bacterial taxa are highly coated with secretory immunoglobulin IgA. Using bacterial fluorescence-activated cell sorting coupled with 16S rRNA gene sequencing (IgA-SEQ), we profiled IgA coating of intestinal microbiota in a large cohort of IBD patients and identified bacteria associated with disease and treatment. Forty-three bacterial taxa displayed significantly higher IgA coating in IBD compared with controls, including 8 taxa exhibiting differential IgA coating but similar relative abundance. Patients treated with anti-TNF-α therapies exhibited dramatically altered microbiota-specific IgA responses compared with controls. Furthermore, increased IgA coating of Oscillospira was associated with a delay in time to surgery. These results demonstrate that investigating IgA responses to microbiota can uncover potential disease-modifying taxa and reveal improved biomarkers of clinical course in IBD. |
Web-Based Genome Analysis of Bacterial Meningitis Pathogens for Public Health Applications Using the Bacterial Meningitis Genomic Analysis Platform (BMGAP).
Buono SA , Kelly RJ , Topaz N , Retchless AC , Silva H , Chen A , Ramos E , Doho G , Khan AN , Okomo-Adhiambo MA , Hu F , Marasini D , Wang X . Front Genet 2020 11 601870 Effective laboratory-based surveillance and public health response to bacterial meningitis depends on timely characterization of bacterial meningitis pathogens. Traditionally, characterizing bacterial meningitis pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) and Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) required several biochemical and molecular tests. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has enabled the development of pipelines capable of characterizing the given pathogen with equivalent results to many of the traditional tests. Here, we present the Bacterial Meningitis Genomic Analysis Platform (BMGAP): a secure, web-accessible informatics platform that facilitates automated analysis of WGS data in public health laboratories. BMGAP is a pipeline comprised of several components, including both widely used, open-source third-party software and customized analysis modules for the specific target pathogens. BMGAP performs de novo draft genome assembly and identifies the bacterial species by whole-genome comparisons against a curated reference collection of 17 focal species including Nm, Hi, and other closely related species. Genomes identified as Nm or Hi undergo multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and capsule characterization. Further typing information is captured from Nm genomes, such as peptides for the vaccine antigens FHbp, NadA, and NhbA. Assembled genomes are retained in the BMGAP database, serving as a repository for genomic comparisons. BMGAP's species identification and capsule characterization modules were validated using PCR and slide agglutination from 446 bacterial invasive isolates (273 Nm from nine different serogroups, 150 Hi from seven different serotypes, and 23 from nine other species) collected from 2017 to 2019 through surveillance programs. Among the validation isolates, BMGAP correctly identified the species for all 440 isolates (100% sensitivity and specificity) and accurately characterized all Nm serogroups (99% sensitivity and 98% specificity) and Hi serotypes (100% sensitivity and specificity). BMGAP provides an automated, multi-species analysis pipeline that can be extended to include additional analysis modules as needed. This provides easy-to-interpret and validated Nm and Hi genome analysis capacity to public health laboratories and collaborators. As the BMGAP database accumulates more genomic data, it grows as a valuable resource for rapid comparative genomic analyses during outbreak investigations. |
Sociodemographic and geographic variation in awareness of stroke signs and symptoms among adults - United States, 2017
Jackson SL , Legvold B , Vahratian A , Blackwell DL , Fang J , Gillespie C , Hayes D , Loustalot F . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (44) 1617-1621 Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States (1). In 2017, on average, a stroke-related death occurred every 3 minutes and 35 seconds in the United States, and stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability (1). To prevent mortality or long-term disability, strokes require rapid recognition and early medical intervention (2,3). Common stroke signs and symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side; sudden confusion or trouble speaking; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance; and a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Recommended action at the first sign of a suspected stroke is to quickly request emergency services (i.e., calling 9-1-1) (2). Public education campaigns have emphasized recognizing stroke signs and symptoms and the importance of calling 9-1-1, and stroke knowledge increased 14.7 percentage points from 2009 to 2014 (4). However, disparities in stroke awareness have been reported (4,5). Knowledge of the five signs and symptoms of stroke and the immediate need to call emergency medical services (9-1-1), collectively referred to as "recommended stroke knowledge," was assessed among 26,076 adults aged ≥20 years as part of the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The prevalence of recommended stroke knowledge among U.S. adults was 67.5%. Stroke knowledge differed significantly by race and Hispanic origin (p<0.001). The prevalence of recommended stroke knowledge was highest among non-Hispanic White adults (71.3%), followed by non-Hispanic Black adults (64.0%) and Hispanic adults (57.8%). Stroke knowledge also differed significantly by sex, age, education, and urbanicity. After multivariable adjustment, these differences remained significant. Increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke continues to be a national priority. Estimates from this report can inform public health strategies for increasing awareness of stroke signs and symptoms. |
From People to Panthera : Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Tigers and Lions at the Bronx Zoo.
McAloose D , Laverack M , Wang L , Killian ML , Caserta LC , Yuan F , Mitchell PK , Queen K , Mauldin MR , Cronk BD , Bartlett SL , Sykes JM , Zec S , Stokol T , Ingerman K , Delaney MA , Fredrickson R , Ivančić M , Jenkins-Moore M , Mozingo K , Franzen K , Bergeson NH , Goodman L , Wang H , Fang Y , Olmstead C , McCann C , Thomas P , Goodrich E , Elvinger F , Smith DC , Tong S , Slavinski S , Calle PP , Terio K , Torchetti MK , Diel DG . mBio 2020 11 (5) Despite numerous barriers to transmission, zoonoses are the major cause of emerging infectious diseases in humans. Among these, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and ebolaviruses have killed thousands; the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has killed millions. Zoonoses and human-to-animal cross-species transmission are driven by human actions and have important management, conservation, and public health implications. The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which presumably originated from an animal reservoir, has killed more than half a million people around the world and cases continue to rise. In March 2020, New York City was a global epicenter for SARS-CoV-2 infections. During this time, four tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo, NY, developed mild, abnormal respiratory signs. We detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in respiratory secretions and/or feces from all seven animals, live virus in three, and colocalized viral RNA with cellular damage in one. We produced nine whole SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the animals and keepers and identified different SARS-CoV-2 genotypes in the tigers and lions. Epidemiologic and genomic data indicated human-to-tiger transmission. These were the first confirmed cases of natural SARS-CoV-2 animal infections in the United States and the first in nondomestic species in the world. We highlight disease transmission at a nontraditional interface and provide information that contributes to understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission across species.IMPORTANCE The human-animal-environment interface of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important aspect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that requires robust One Health-based investigations. Despite this, few reports describe natural infections in animals or directly link them to human infections using genomic data. In the present study, we describe the first cases of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in tigers and lions in the United States and provide epidemiological and genetic evidence for human-to-animal transmission of the virus. Our data show that tigers and lions were infected with different genotypes of SARS-CoV-2, indicating two independent transmission events to the animals. Importantly, infected animals shed infectious virus in respiratory secretions and feces. A better understanding of the susceptibility of animal species to SARS-CoV-2 may help to elucidate transmission mechanisms and identify potential reservoirs and sources of infection that are important in both animal and human health. |
Comparison of alternative full and brief versions of functional status scales among older adults in China
Reich J , Thompson MG , Cowling BJ , Iuliano AD , Greene C , Chen Y , Phadnis R , Leung NHL , Song Y , Fang VJ , Xu C , Dai Q , Zhang J , Zhang H , Havers F . PLoS One 2020 15 (8) e0234698 BACKGROUND: Brief assessments of functional status for community-dwelling older adults are needed given expanded interest in the measurement of functional decline. METHODS: As part of a 2015 prospective cohort study of older adults aged 60-89 years in Jiangsu Province, China, 1506 participants were randomly assigned to two groups; each group was administered one of two alternative 20-item versions of a scale to assess activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) drawn from multiple commonly-used scales. One version asked if they required help to perform activities (ADL-IADL-HELP-20), while the other version provided additional response options if activities could be done alone but with difficulty (ADL-IADL-DIFFICULTY-20). Item responses to both versions were compared using the binomial test for differences in proportion (with Wald 95% confidence interval [CI]). A brief 9-item scale (ADL-IADL-DIFFICULTY-9) was developed favoring items identified as difficult or requiring help by ≥4%, with low redundancy and/or residual correlations, and with significant correlations with age and other health indicators. We repeated assessment of the measurement properties of the brief scale in two subsequent samples of older adults in Hong Kong in 2016 (aged 70-79 years; n = 404) and 2017 (aged 65-82 years; n = 1854). RESULTS: Asking if an activity can be done alone but with difficulty increased the proportion of participants reporting restriction on 9 of 20 items, for which 95% CI for difference scores did not overlap with zero; the proportion with at least one limitation increased from 28.6% to 34.2% or an absolute increase of 5.6% (95% CI = 0.9-10.3%), which was a relative increase of 19.6%. The brief ADL-IADL-DIFFICULTY-9 maintained excellent internal consistency (α = 0.93) and had similar ceiling effect (68.1%), invariant item ordering (H trans = .41; medium), and correlations with age and other health measures compared with the 20-item version. The brief scale performed similarly when subsequently administered to older adults in Hong Kong. CONCLUSIONS: Asking if tasks can be done alone but with difficulty can modestly reduce ceiling effects. It's possible that the length of commonly-used scales can be reduced by over half if researchers are primarily interested in a summed indicator rather than an inventory of specific types of deficits. |
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