Last data update: Apr 18, 2025. (Total: 49119 publications since 2009)
Records 1-19 (of 19 Records) |
Query Trace: Irwin K[original query] |
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COVID-19 Across Pandemic Variant Periods: The Severe Acute Respiratory Infection-Preparedness (SARI-PREP) Study
Mukherjee V , Postelnicu R , Parker C , Rivers PS , Anesi GL , Andrews A , Ables E , Morrell ED , Brett-Major DM , Broadhurst MJ , Cobb JP , Irwin A , Kratochvil CJ , Krolikowski K , Kumar VK , Landsittel DP , Lee RA , Liebler JM , Segal LN , Sevransky JE , Srivastava A , Uyeki TM , Wurfel MM , Wyles D , Evans LE , Lutrick K , Bhatraju PK . Crit Care Explor 2024 6 (7) e1122 ![]() IMPORTANCE: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has evolved through multiple phases in the United States, with significant differences in patient centered outcomes with improvements in hospital strain, medical countermeasures, and overall understanding of the disease. We describe how patient characteristics changed and care progressed over the various pandemic phases; we also emphasize the need for an ongoing clinical network to improve the understanding of known and novel respiratory viral diseases. OBJECTIVES: To describe how patient characteristics and care evolved across the various COVID-19 pandemic periods in those hospitalized with viral severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). DESIGN: Severe Acute Respiratory Infection-Preparedness (SARI-PREP) is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation-funded, Society of Critical Care Medicine Discovery-housed, longitudinal multicenter cohort study of viral pneumonia. We defined SARI patients as those hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infection and an acute syndrome of fever, cough, and radiographic infiltrates or hypoxemia. We collected patient-level data including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, acute physiologic measures, serum and respiratory specimens, therapeutics, and outcomes. Outcomes were described across four pandemic variant periods based on a SARS-CoV-2 sequenced subsample: pre-Delta, Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron post-BA.1. SETTING: Multicenter cohort of adult patients admitted to an acute care ward or ICU from seven hospitals representing diverse geographic regions across the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with SARI caused by infection with respiratory viruses. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-four adult patients with SARI were enrolled at seven study hospitals between March 2020 and April 2023. Most patients (780, 89%) had SARS-CoV-2 infection. Across the COVID-19 cohort, median age was 60 years (interquartile range, 48.0-71.0 yr) and 66% were male. Almost half (430, 49%) of the study population belonged to underserved communities. Most patients (76.5%) were admitted to the ICU, 52.5% received mechanical ventilation, and observed hospital mortality was 25.5%. As the pandemic progressed, we observed decreases in ICU utilization (94% to 58%), hospital length of stay (median, 26.0 to 8.5 d), and hospital mortality (32% to 12%), while the number of comorbid conditions increased. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We describe increasing comorbidities but improved outcomes across pandemic variant periods, in the setting of multiple factors, including evolving care delivery, countermeasures, and viral variants. An understanding of patient-level factors may inform treatment options for subsequent variants and future novel pathogens. |
Perceived Hospital Stress, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Activity, and Care Process Temporal Variance During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Anesi GL , Andrews A , Bai HJ , Bhatraju PK , Brett-Major DM , Broadhurst MJ , Campbell ES , Cobb JP , Gonzalez M , Homami S , Hypes CD , Irwin A , Kratochvil CJ , Krolikowski K , Kumar VK , Landsittel DP , Lee RA , Liebler JM , Lutrick K , Marts LT , Mosier JM , Mukherjee V , Postelnicu R , Rodina V , Segal LN , Sevransky JE , Spainhour C , Srivastava A , Uyeki TM , Wurfel MM , Wyles D , Evans L . Crit Care Med 2023 51 (4) 445-459 ![]() OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic threatened standard hospital operations. We sought to understand how this stress was perceived and manifested within individual hospitals and in relation to local viral activity. DESIGN: Prospective weekly hospital stress survey, November 2020-June 2022. SETTING: Society of Critical Care Medicine's Discovery Severe Acute Respiratory Infection-Preparedness multicenter cohort study. SUBJECTS: Thirteen hospitals across seven U.S. health systems. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We analyzed 839 hospital-weeks of data over 85 pandemic weeks and five viral surges. Perceived overall hospital, ICU, and emergency department (ED) stress due to severe acute respiratory infection patients during the pandemic were reported by a mean of 43% (sd, 36%), 32% (30%), and 14% (22%) of hospitals per week, respectively, and perceived care deviations in a mean of 36% (33%). Overall hospital stress was highly correlated with ICU stress (ρ = 0.82; p < 0.0001) but only moderately correlated with ED stress (ρ = 0.52; p < 0.0001). A county increase in 10 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 cases per 100,000 residents was associated with an increase in the odds of overall hospital, ICU, and ED stress by 9% (95% CI, 5-12%), 7% (3-10%), and 4% (2-6%), respectively. During the Delta variant surge, overall hospital stress persisted for a median of 11.5 weeks (interquartile range, 9-14 wk) after local case peak. ICU stress had a similar pattern of resolution (median 11 wk [6-14 wk] after local case peak; p = 0.59) while the resolution of ED stress (median 6 wk [5-6 wk] after local case peak; p = 0.003) was earlier. There was a similar but attenuated pattern during the Omicron BA.1 subvariant surge. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, perceived care deviations were common and potentially avoidable patient harm was rare. Perceived hospital stress persisted for weeks after surges peaked. |
Human biting mosquitoes and implications for West Nile virus transmission
Uelmen JA Jr , Lamcyzk B , Irwin P , Bartlett D , Stone C , Mackay A , Arsenault-Benoit A , Ryan SJ , Mutebi JP , Hamer GL , Fritz M , Smith RL . Parasit Vectors 2023 16 (1) 2 BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV), primarily vectored by mosquitoes of the genus Culex, is the most important mosquito-borne pathogen in North America, having infected thousands of humans and countless wildlife since its arrival in the USA in 1999. In locations with dedicated mosquito control programs, surveillance methods often rely on frequent testing of mosquitoes collected in a network of gravid traps (GTs) and CO(2)-baited light traps (LTs). Traps specifically targeting oviposition-seeking (e.g. GTs) and host-seeking (e.g. LTs) mosquitoes are vulnerable to trap bias, and captured specimens are often damaged, making morphological identification difficult. METHODS: This study leverages an alternative mosquito collection method, the human landing catch (HLC), as a means to compare sampling of potential WNV vectors to traditional trapping methods. Human collectors exposed one limb for 15 min at crepuscular periods (5:00-8:30 am and 6:00-9:30 pm daily, the time when Culex species are most actively host-seeking) at each of 55 study sites in suburban Chicago, Illinois, for two summers (2018 and 2019). RESULTS: A total of 223 human-seeking mosquitoes were caught by HLC, of which 46 (20.6%) were mosquitoes of genus Culex. Of these 46 collected Culex specimens, 34 (73.9%) were Cx. salinarius, a potential WNV vector species not thought to be highly abundant in upper Midwest USA. Per trapping effort, GTs and LTs collected > 7.5-fold the number of individual Culex specimens than HLC efforts. CONCLUSIONS: The less commonly used HLC method provides important insight into the complement of human-biting mosquitoes in a region with consistent WNV epidemics. This study underscores the value of the HLC collection method as a complementary tool for surveillance to aid in WNV vector species characterization. However, given the added risk to the collector, novel mitigation methods or alternative approaches must be explored to incorporate HLC collections safely and strategically into control programs. |
Windows of sensitivity to toxic chemicals in the development of reproductive effects: an analysis of ATSDR's toxicological profile database.
Buser MC , Abadin HG , Irwin JL , Pohl HR . Int J Environ Health Res 2018 28 (5) 1-26 ![]() Development of the fetus is a complex process influenced by many factors including genetics, maternal health, and environmental exposures to toxic chemicals. Adverse developmental effects on the reproductive system have the potential to harm generations beyond those directly exposed. Here, we review the available literature in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry toxicological profiles related to reproductive-developmental effects in animals following in utero exposure to chemicals. We attempt to identify windows of sensitivity. In the discussion, we correlate the findings with human development. The endpoints noted are fertility, estrus, anogenital distance, sex ratio, spermatogenesis, and mammary gland development. We identified some windows of sensitivity; however, the results were hampered by chronic-exposure studies designed to detect effects occurring throughout developmental, including multi-generational studies. This paper demonstrates the need for more acute studies in animals aimed at understanding time periods of development that are more susceptible to chemically induced adverse effects. |
Updated Federal Recommendations for HIV Prevention With Adults and Adolescents With HIV in The United States: The Pivotal Role of Nurses
Dumitru G , Irwin K , Tailor A . J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2017 28 (1) 8-18 In December 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the National Institutes of Health, the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC), and four other nongovernmental organizations issued the Recommendations for HIV Prevention with Adults and Adolescents with HIV in the United States (CDC et al., 2014a). The guideline includes recommendations on provision and delivery of services for HIV prevention, care, and treatment to people living with HIV (PLWH) to succeed in reaching and advancing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) prevention and care goals and objectives, including: avert new cases of HIV infection, increase the proportion of PLWH who are aware of their infection, and reduce HIV-related illnesses, death, and health disparities (The White House Office of National AIDS Policy, 2015). The 2014 guideline updates and further expands the 2003 federal Recommendations for Incorporating HIV Prevention into the Medical Care of Persons Living with HIV for clinicians (CDC, 2003) and includes recommendations for a broad spectrum of clinicians, nonclinical prevention providers, health departments, and HIV planning groups. The guideline focuses on strategies to reduce onward HIV transmission because these strategies were more effective and cost-effective than strategies to reduce the general risk of HIV acquisition; topics covered in the guideline reflect new evidence about interventions that can prevent HIV transmission from PLWH (CDC et al., 2014a). The full list of recommendations in the main guideline and three different summaries of recommendations for three main audiences aim to meet the needs of a broad range of clinical and nonclinical providers. |
Weight management and physical activity throughout the cancer care continuum
Demark-Wahnefried W , Schmitz KH , Alfano CM , Bail JR , Goodwin PJ , Thomson CA , Bradley DW , Courneya KS , Befort CA , Denlinger CS , Ligibel JA , Dietz WH , Stolley MR , Irwin ML , Bamman MM , Apovian CM , Pinto BM , Wolin KY , Ballard RM , Dannenberg AJ , Eakin EG , Longjohn MM , Raffa SD , Adams-Campbell LL , Buzaglo JS , Nass SJ , Massetti GM , Balogh EP , Kraft ES , Parekh AK , Sanghavi DM , Morris GS , Basen-Engquist K . CA Cancer J Clin 2017 68 (1) 64-89 Mounting evidence suggests that weight management and physical activity (PA) improve overall health and well being, and reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors. Although many opportunities exist to include weight management and PA in routine cancer care, several barriers remain. This review summarizes key topics addressed in a recent National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine workshop entitled, "Incorporating Weight Management and Physical Activity Throughout the Cancer Care Continuum." Discussions related to body weight and PA among cancer survivors included: 1) current knowledge and gaps related to health outcomes; 2) effective intervention approaches; 3) addressing the needs of diverse populations of cancer survivors; 4) opportunities and challenges of workforce, care coordination, and technologies for program implementation; 5) models of care; and 6) program coverage. While more discoveries are still needed for the provision of optimal weight-management and PA programs for cancer survivors, obesity and inactivity currently jeopardize their overall health and quality of life. Actionable future directions are presented for research; practice and policy changes required to assure the availability of effective, affordable, and feasible weight management; and PA services for all cancer survivors as a part of their routine cancer care. CA Cancer J Clin 2017. (c) 2017 American Cancer Society. |
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Ebola virus disease at the end of a national epidemic - Guinea, August 2015
Jalloh MF , Robinson SJ , Corker J , Li W , Irwin K , Barry AM , Ntuba PN , Diallo AA , Jalloh MB , Nyuma J , Sellu M , VanSteelandt A , Ramsden M , Tracy L , Raghunathan PL , Redd JT , Martel L , Marston B , Bunnell R . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017 66 (41) 1109-1115 Health communication and social mobilization efforts to improve the public's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding Ebola virus disease (Ebola) were important in controlling the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in Guinea (1), which resulted in 3,814 reported Ebola cases and 2,544 deaths.* Most Ebola cases in Guinea resulted from the washing and touching of persons and corpses infected with Ebola without adequate infection control precautions at home, at funerals, and in health facilities (2,3). As the 18-month epidemic waned in August 2015, Ebola KAP were assessed in a survey among residents of Guinea recruited through multistage cluster sampling procedures in the nation's eight administrative regions (Boke, Conakry, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, and Nzerekore). Nearly all participants (92%) were aware of Ebola prevention measures, but 27% believed that Ebola could be transmitted by ambient air, and 49% believed they could protect themselves from Ebola by avoiding mosquito bites. Of the participants, 95% reported taking actions to avoid getting Ebola, especially more frequent handwashing (93%). Nearly all participants (91%) indicated they would send relatives with suspected Ebola to Ebola treatment centers, and 89% said they would engage special Ebola burial teams to remove corpses with suspected Ebola from homes. Of the participants, 66% said they would prefer to observe an Ebola-affected corpse from a safe distance at burials rather than practice traditional funeral rites involving corpse contact. The findings were used to guide the ongoing epidemic response and recovery efforts, including health communication, social mobilization, and planning, to prevent and respond to future outbreaks or sporadic cases of Ebola. |
Delivery of HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence support services by HIV care providers in the United States, 2013 to 2014
Weiser J , Beer L , Brooks JT , Irwin K , West BT , Duke CC , Gremel GW , Skarbinski J . J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2017 16 (6) 2325957417729754 BACKGROUND: Little is known about clinicians' adoption of recommendations of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care and others for supporting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS: We surveyed a probability sample of US HIV care providers to estimate the percentage offering 3 ART adherence support services to most or all patients and assessed the characteristics of providers offering all 3 services (comprehensive support) to most or all patients. RESULTS: Almost all providers (95.5%) discussed ART adherence at every visit, 60.1% offered advice about tools to increase adherence, 53.5% referred nonadherent patients for supportive services, and 42.8% provided comprehensive support. Nurse practitioners were more likely to offer comprehensive support as were providers who practiced at Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program-funded facilities, provided primary care, or started caring for HIV-infected patients within 10 years. CONCLUSION: Less than half of HIV care providers offered comprehensive ART adherence support. Certain subgroups may benefit from interventions to increase delivery of adherence support. |
Recommendations for HIV screening of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men - United States, 2017
DiNenno EA , Prejean J , Irwin K , Delaney KP , Bowles K , Martin T , Tailor A , Dumitru G , Mullins MM , Hutchinson AB , Lansky A . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017 66 (31) 830-832 CDC's 2006 recommendations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing state that all persons aged 13-64 years should be screened for HIV at least once, and that persons at higher risk for HIV infection, including sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), should be rescreened at least annually (1). Authors of reports published since 2006, including CDC (2), suggested that MSM, a group that is at highest risk for HIV infection, might benefit from being screened more frequently than once each year. In 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found insufficient evidence to specify an HIV rescreening interval but recommended annual screening for MSM as a reasonable approach (3). However, some HIV providers have begun to offer more frequent screening, such as once every 3 or 6 months, to some MSM. A CDC work group conducted a systematic literature review and held four expert consultations to review programmatic experience to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to change the 2006 CDC recommendation (i.e., at least annual HIV screening of MSM in clinical settings). The CDC work group concluded that the evidence remains insufficient to recommend screening more frequently than at least once each year. CDC continues to recommend that clinicians screen asymptomatic sexually active MSM at least annually. Each clinician can consider the benefits of offering more frequent screening (e.g., once every 3 or 6 months) to individual MSM at increased risk for acquiring HIV infection, weighing their patients' individual risk factors, local HIV epidemiology, and local testing policies. |
Attitudes about vaccines to prevent Ebola virus disease in Guinea at the end of a large Ebola epidemic: Results of a national household survey
Irwin KL , Jalloh MF , Corker J , Alpha Mahmoud B , Robinson SJ , Li W , James NE , Sellu M , Jalloh MB , Diallo AA , Tracy L , Hajjeh R , VanSteelandt A , Bunnell R , Martel L , Raghunathan PL , Marston B . Vaccine 2017 35 6915-6923 INTRODUCTION: In 2014-2016, an Ebola epidemic devastated Guinea; more than 3800 cases and 2500 deaths were reported to the World Health Organization. In August 2015, as the epidemic waned and clinical trials of an experimental, Ebola vaccine continued in Guinea and neighboring Sierra Leone, we conducted a national household survey about Ebola-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and opinions about "hypothetical" Ebola vaccines. METHODS: Using cluster-randomized sampling, we selected participants aged 15+ years old in Guinea's 8 administrative regions, which had varied cumulative case counts. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographic characteristics, experiences during the epidemic, Ebola-related KAP, and Ebola vaccine attitudes. To assess the potential for Ebola vaccine introduction in Guinea, we examined the association between vaccine attitudes and participants' characteristics using categorical and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of 6699 persons invited to participate, 94% responded to at least 1 Ebola vaccine question. Most agreed that vaccines were needed to fight the epidemic (85.8%) and that their family would accept safe, effective Ebola vaccines if they became available in Guinea (84.2%). These measures of interest and acceptability were significantly more common among participants who were male, wealthier, more educated, and lived with young children who had received routine vaccines. Interest and acceptability were also significantly higher among participants who understood Ebola transmission modes, had witnessed Ebola response teams, knew Ebola-affected persons, believed Ebola was not always fatal, and would access Ebola treatment centers. In multivariable analyses of the majority of participants living with young children, interest and acceptability were significantly higher among those living with vaccinated children than among those living with unvaccinated children. DISCUSSION: The high acceptability of hypothetical vaccines indicates strong potential for introducing Ebola vaccines across Guinea. Strategies to build public confidence in use of Ebola vaccines should highlight any similarities with safe, effective vaccines routinely used in Guinea. |
Developing the evidence base to inform best practice: a scoping study of breast and cervical cancer reviews in low- and middle-income countries
Demment MM , Peters K , Dykens JA , Dozier A , Nawaz H , McIntosh S , Smith JS , Sy A , Irwin T , Fogg TT , Khaliq M , Blumenfeld R , Massoudi M , De Ver Dye T . PLoS One 2015 10 (9) e0134618 BACKGROUND: Breast and cervical cancers have emerged as major global health challenges and disproportionately lead to excess morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) when compared to high-income countries. The objective of this paper was to highlight key findings, recommendations, and gaps in research and practice identified through a scoping study of recent reviews in breast and cervical cancer in LMICs. METHODS: We conducted a scoping study based on the six-stage framework of Arskey and O'Malley. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, and CINAHL with the following inclusion criteria: 1) published between 2005-February 2015, 2) focused on breast or cervical cancer 3) focused on LMIC, 4) review article, and 5) published in English. RESULTS: Through our systematic search, 63 out of the 94 identified cervical cancer reviews met our selection criteria and 36 of the 54 in breast cancer. Cervical cancer reviews were more likely to focus upon prevention and screening, while breast cancer reviews were more likely to focus upon treatment and survivorship. Few of the breast cancer reviews referenced research and data from LMICs themselves; cervical cancer reviews were more likely to do so. Most reviews did not include elements of the PRISMA checklist. CONCLUSION: Overall, a limited evidence base supports breast and cervical cancer control in LMICs. Further breast and cervical cancer prevention and control studies are necessary in LMICs. |
Ebola Virus Epidemiology, Transmission, and Evolution during Seven Months in Sierra Leone.
Park DJ , Dudas G , Wohl S , Goba A , Whitmer SL , Andersen KG , Sealfon RS , Ladner JT , Kugelman JR , Matranga CB , Winnicki SM , Qu J , Gire SK , Gladden-Young A , Jalloh S , Nosamiefan D , Yozwiak NL , Moses LM , Jiang PP , Lin AE , Schaffner SF , Bird B , Towner J , Mamoh M , Gbakie M , Kanneh L , Kargbo D , Massally JL , Kamara FK , Konuwa E , Sellu J , Jalloh AA , Mustapha I , Foday M , Yillah M , Erickson BR , Sealy T , Blau D , Paddock C , Brault A , Amman B , Basile J , Bearden S , Belser J , Bergeron E , Campbell S , Chakrabarti A , Dodd K , Flint M , Gibbons A , Goodman C , Klena J , McMullan L , Morgan L , Russell B , Salzer J , Sanchez A , Wang D , Jungreis I , Tomkins-Tinch C , Kislyuk A , Lin MF , Chapman S , MacInnis B , Matthews A , Bochicchio J , Hensley LE , Kuhn JH , Nusbaum C , Schieffelin JS , Birren BW , Forget M , Nichol ST , Palacios GF , Ndiaye D , Happi C , Gevao SM , Vandi MA , Kargbo B , Holmes EC , Bedford T , Gnirke A , Stroher U , Rambaut A , Garry RF , Sabeti PC . Cell 2015 161 (7) 1516-26 ![]() The 2013-2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic is caused by the Makona variant of Ebola virus (EBOV). Early in the epidemic, genome sequencing provided insights into virus evolution and transmission and offered important information for outbreak response. Here, we analyze sequences from 232 patients sampled over 7 months in Sierra Leone, along with 86 previously released genomes from earlier in the epidemic. We confirm sustained human-to-human transmission within Sierra Leone and find no evidence for import or export of EBOV across national borders after its initial introduction. Using high-depth replicate sequencing, we observe both host-to-host transmission and recurrent emergence of intrahost genetic variants. We trace the increasing impact of purifying selection in suppressing the accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations over time. Finally, we note changes in the mucin-like domain of EBOV glycoprotein that merit further investigation. These findings clarify the movement of EBOV within the region and describe viral evolution during prolonged human-to-human transmission. |
Mosquito genomics. Highly evolvable malaria vectors: the genomes of 16 Anopheles mosquitoes.
Neafsey DE , Waterhouse RM , Abai MR , Aganezov SS , Alekseyev MA , Allen JE , Amon J , Arca B , Arensburger P , Artemov G , Assour LA , Basseri H , Berlin A , Birren BW , Blandin SA , Brockman AI , Burkot TR , Burt A , Chan CS , Chauve C , Chiu JC , Christensen M , Costantini C , Davidson VL , Deligianni E , Dottorini T , Dritsou V , Gabriel SB , Guelbeogo WM , Hall AB , Han MV , Hlaing T , Hughes DS , Jenkins AM , Jiang X , Jungreis I , Kakani EG , Kamali M , Kemppainen P , Kennedy RC , Kirmitzoglou IK , Koekemoer LL , Laban N , Langridge N , Lawniczak MK , Lirakis M , Lobo NF , Lowy E , MacCallum RM , Mao C , Maslen G , Mbogo C , McCarthy J , Michel K , Mitchell SN , Moore W , Murphy KA , Naumenko AN , Nolan T , Novoa EM , O'Loughlin S , Oringanje C , Oshaghi MA , Pakpour N , Papathanos PA , Peery AN , Povelones M , Prakash A , Price DP , Rajaraman A , Reimer LJ , Rinker DC , Rokas A , Russell TL , Sagnon N , Sharakhova MV , Shea T , Simao FA , Simard F , Slotman MA , Somboon P , Stegniy V , Struchiner CJ , Thomas GW , Tojo M , Topalis P , Tubio JM , Unger MF , Vontas J , Walton C , Wilding CS , Willis JH , Wu YC , Yan G , Zdobnov EM , Zhou X , Catteruccia F , Christophides GK , Collins FH , Cornman RS , Crisanti A , Donnelly MJ , Emrich SJ , Fontaine MC , Gelbart W , Hahn MW , Hansen IA , Howell PI , Kafatos FC , Kellis M , Lawson D , Louis C , Luckhart S , Muskavitch MA , Ribeiro JM , Riehle MA , Sharakhov IV , Tu Z , Zwiebel LJ , Besansky NJ . Science 2015 347 (6217) 1258522 ![]() Variation in vectorial capacity for human malaria among Anopheles mosquito species is determined by many factors, including behavior, immunity, and life history. To investigate the genomic basis of vectorial capacity and explore new avenues for vector control, we sequenced the genomes of 16 anopheline mosquito species from diverse locations spanning ~100 million years of evolution. Comparative analyses show faster rates of gene gain and loss, elevated gene shuffling on the X chromosome, and more intron losses, relative to Drosophila. Some determinants of vectorial capacity, such as chemosensory genes, do not show elevated turnover but instead diversify through protein-sequence changes. This dynamism of anopheline genes and genomes may contribute to their flexible capacity to take advantage of new ecological niches, including adapting to humans as primary hosts. |
Detection of human pathogenic Ehrlichia muris-like agent in Peromyscus leucopus
Castillo CG , Eremeeva ME , Paskewitz SM , Sloan LM , Lee X , Irwin WE , Tonsberg S , Pritt BS . Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014 6 (2) 155-7 ![]() An Ehrlichia muris-like (EML) bacterium was recently detected in humans and Ixodes scapularis ticks in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The reservoir for this agent is unknown. To investigate the occurrence of the EML agent, groEL PCR testing and sequencing was performed on blood from small mammals and white-tailed deer that were collected in areas where human and tick infections were previously demonstrated. DNA of the EML agent was detected in two Peromyscus leucopus of 146 small mammals (1.4%); while 181 O. virginianus tested negative. This report provides the first evidence that DNA from the EML agent is found in P. leucopus, the same animal that is a reservoir for Anaplasma phagocytophilum in this region. The role of white-tailed deer remains inconclusive. Further sampling is warranted to understand the spatial and temporal distribution, transmission and maintenance of this pathogen. |
The association between race/ethnicity and major birth defects in the United States, 1999-2007
Canfield MA , Mai CT , Wang Y , O'Halloran A , Marengo LK , Olney RS , Borger CL , Rutkowski R , Fornoff J , Irwin N , Copeland G , Flood TJ , Meyer RE , Rickard R , Alverson CJ , Sweatlock J , Kirby RS . Am J Public Health 2014 104 (9) e1-e10 OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between race/ethnicity and 27 major birth defects. METHODS: We pooled data from 12 population-based birth defects surveillance systems in the United States that included 13.5 million live births (1 of 3 of US births) from 1999 to 2007. Using Poisson regression, we calculated prevalence estimates for each birth defect and 13 racial/ethnic groupings, along with crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs). Non-Hispanic Whites served as the referent group. RESULTS: American Indians/Alaska Natives had a significantly higher and 50% or greater prevalence for 7 conditions (aPR = 3.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.89, 5.44 for anotia or microtia); aPRs of 1.5 to 2.1 for cleft lip, trisomy 18, and encephalocele, and lower, upper, and any limb deficiency). Cubans and Asians, especially Chinese and Asian Indians, had either significantly lower or similar prevalences of these defects compared with non-Hispanic Whites, with the exception of anotia or microtia among Chinese (aPR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.30, 3.33) and Filipinos (aPR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.10, 3.30) and tetralogy of Fallot among Vietnamese (aPR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.11, 2.32). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest population-based study to our knowledge to systematically examine the prevalence of a range of major birth defects across many racial/ethnic groups, including Asian and Hispanic subgroups. The relatively high prevalence of birth defects in American Indians/Alaska Natives warrants further attention. |
Evaluation of potential infectivity of Alzheimer and Parkinson disease proteins in recipients of cadaver-derived human growth hormone
Irwin DJ , Abrams JY , Schonberger LB , Leschek EW , Mills JL , Lee VM , Trojanowski JQ . JAMA Neurol 2013 70 (4) 462-8 IMPORTANCE: Growing evidence of cell-to-cell transmission of neurodegenerative disease (ND)-associated proteins (NDAPs) (ie, tau, Abeta, and alpha-synuclein) suggests possible similarities to the infectious prion protein (PrPsc) in spongiform encephalopathies. There are limited data on the potential human-to-human transmission of NDAPs associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) and other non-PrPsc ND. OBJECTIVE: To examine evidence for human-to-human transmission of AD, Parkinson disease (PD), and related NDAPs in cadaveric human growth hormone (c-hGH) recipients. DESIGN: We conducted a detailed immunohistochemical analysis of pathological NDAPs other than PrPsc in human pituitary glands. We also searched for ND in recipients of pituitary-derived c-hGH by reviewing the National Hormone and Pituitary Program (NHPP) cohort database and medical literature. SETTING: University-based academic center and agencies of the US Department of Health and Human Services. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four routine autopsy subjects (10 non-ND controls and 24 patients with ND) and a US cohort of c-hGH recipients in the NHPP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detectable NDAPs in human pituitary sections and death certificate reports of non-PrPsc ND in the NHPP database. RESULTS: We found mild amounts of pathological tau, Abeta, and alpha-synuclein deposits in the adeno/neurohypophysis of patients with ND and control patients. No cases of AD or PD were identified, and 3 deaths attributed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were found among US NHPP c-hGH recipients, including 2 of the 796 decedents in the originally confirmed NHPP c-hGH cohort database. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Despite the likely frequent exposure of c-hGH recipients to NDAPs, and their markedly elevated risk of PrPsc-related disease, this population of NHPP c-hGH recipients does not appear to be at increased risk of AD or PD. We discovered 3 ALS cases of unclear significance among US c-hGH recipients despite the absence of pathological deposits of ALS-associated proteins (TDP-43, FUS, and ubiquilin) in human pituitary glands. In this unique in vivo model of human-to-human transmission, we found no evidence to support concerns that NDAPs underlying AD and PD transmit disease in humans despite evidence of their cell-to-cell transmission in model systems of these disorders. Further monitoring is required to confirm these conclusions. |
Worldwide application of prevention science in adolescent health
Catalano RF , Fagan AA , Gavin LE , Greenberg MT , Irwin CE Jr , Ross DA , Shek DT . Lancet 2012 379 (9826) 1653-64 The burden of morbidity and mortality from non-communicable disease has risen worldwide and is accelerating in low-income and middle-income countries, whereas the burden from infectious diseases has declined. Since this transition, the prevention of non-communicable disease as well as communicable disease causes of adolescent mortality has risen in importance. Problem behaviours that increase the short-term or long-term likelihood of morbidity and mortality, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug misuse, mental health problems, unsafe sex, risky and unsafe driving, and violence are largely preventable. In the past 30 years new discoveries have led to prevention science being established as a discipline designed to mitigate these problem behaviours. Longitudinal studies have provided an understanding of risk and protective factors across the life course for many of these problem behaviours. Risks cluster across development to produce early accumulation of risk in childhood and more pervasive risk in adolescence. This understanding has led to the construction of developmentally appropriate prevention policies and programmes that have shown short-term and long-term reductions in these adolescent problem behaviours. We describe the principles of prevention science, provide examples of efficacious preventive interventions, describe challenges and potential solutions to take efficacious prevention policies and programmes to scale, and conclude with recommendations to reduce the burden of adolescent mortality and morbidity worldwide through preventive intervention. |
First report of human babesiosis in Australia
Senanayake SN , Paparini A , Latimer M , Andriolo K , Dasilva AJ , Wilson H , Xayavong MV , Collignon PJ , Jeans P , Irwin PJ . Med J Aust 2012 196 (5) 350-2 We report the first human case of babesiosis in Australia, thought to be locally acquired. |
STD screening of HIV-infected MSM in HIV clinics
Hoover KW , Butler M , Workowski K , Carpio F , Follansbee S , Gratzer B , Hare B , Johnston B , Theodore JL , Wohlfeiler M , Tao G , Brooks JT , Chorba T , Irwin K , Kent CK . Sex Transm Dis 2010 37 (12) 771-6 BACKGROUND: National guidelines for the care of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons recommend asymptomatic routine screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Our objective was to determine whether providers who care for HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) followed these guidelines. METHODS: We abstracted medical records to evaluate STD screening at 8 large HIV clinics in 6 US cities. We estimated the number of men who had at least one test for syphilis, chlamydia (urethral and/or rectal), or gonorrhea (urethral, rectal, and/or pharyngeal) in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Urethral testing included nucleic acid amplification tests of both urethral swabs and urine. We also calculated the positivity of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea among screened men. RESULTS: Medical records were abstracted for 1334 HIV-infected MSM who made 14,659 visits from 2004-2006. The annual screening rate for syphilis ranged from 66.0% to 75.8% during 2004-2006. Rectal chlamydia and rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhea annual screening rates ranged from 2.3% to 8.5% despite moderate to high positivity among specimens from asymptomatic patients (3.0%-9.8%) during this period. Annual urethral chlamydia and gonorrhea screening rates were higher than rates for nonurethral sites, but were suboptimal, and ranged from 13.8% to 18.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Most asymptomatic HIV-infected MSM were screened for syphilis, indicating good provider adherence to this screening guideline. Low screening rates for gonorrhea and chlamydia, especially at rectal and pharyngeal sites, suggest that substantial barriers exist for complying with these guidelines. The moderate to high prevalence of asymptomatic chlamydial and gonococcal infections underscores the importance of screening. A range of clinical quality improvement interventions are needed to increase screening, including increasing the awareness of nucleic acid amplification tests for nonurethral screening. |
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