Last data update: Apr 29, 2024. (Total: 46658 publications since 2009)
Records 1-16 (of 16 Records) |
Query Trace: Kofman A [original query] |
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Recombinant Sudan virus and evaluation of humoral cross-reactivity between Ebola and Sudan virus glycoproteins after infection or rVSV-ΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccination
Kainulainen MH , Harmon JR , Whitesell AN , Bergeron E , Karaaslan E , Cossaboom CM , Malenfant JH , Kofman A , Montgomery JM , Choi MJ , Albariño CG , Spiropoulou CF . Emerg Microbes Infect 2023 12 (2) 2265660 Ebola disease outbreaks are major public health events because of human-to-human transmission and high mortality. These outbreaks are most often caused by Ebola virus, but at least three related viruses can also cause the disease. In 2022, Sudan virus re-emerged causing more than 160 confirmed and probable cases. This report describes generation of a recombinant Sudan virus and demonstrates its utility by quantifying antibody cross-reactivity between Ebola and Sudan virus glycoproteins after human infection or vaccination with a licensed Ebola virus vaccine. |
Strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update
Patel PK , Advani SD , Kofman AD , Lo E , Maragakis LL , Pegues DA , Pettis AM , Saint S , Trautner B , Yokoe DS , Meddings J . Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2023 44 (8) 1209-1231 The intent of this document is to highlight practical recommendations in a concise format designed to assist physicians, nurses, and infection preventionists at acute-care hospitals in implementing and prioritizing their catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention efforts. This document updates the Strategies to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Acute-Care Hospitals published in 2014. It is the product of a collaborative effort led by SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and The Joint Commission. |
Revisiting the minimum incubation period of Zaire ebolavirus
Kofman AD , Haberling DL , Mbuyi G , Martel LD , Whitesell AN , Van Herp M , Makaya G , Corvil S , Abedi AA , Ngoma PM , Mbuyi F , Mossoko M , Koivogui E , Soke N , Gbamou N , Fonjungo PN , Keita L , Keita S , Shoemaker TR , Richards GA , Montgomery JM , Breman JG , Geisbert TW , Choi MJ , Rollin PE . Lancet Infect Dis 2023 23 (10) 1111-1112 Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by Ebola virus species Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) is a major global health challenge causing sporadic outbreaks with high mortality. The minimum incubation period of EBOV, or the time from infection with the virus to the development of first symptoms, is thought to be 2 days and was initially established during the first EVD investigation in 1976.1 A published observation from the investigation noted that, “in one case of the disease, the only possible source of infection was contact with a probable case 48 hours before the latter developed symptoms”, and this observation was restated in another publication.2, 3 However, concluding that the minimum incubation period for EBOV is 2 days based on these reports is flawed for several reasons. First, the presumed source of the infection was a probable case of EVD and was not laboratory-confirmed; it is therefore uncertain whether the source truly had EVD. Second, since the report describes the contact between the source and the case occurring before the source developed symptoms, this implies asymptomatic transmission, which has been established to not occur with EBOV.4, 5, 6 Finally, the report's description of 48 h refers to the time between the case's contact with the alleged source and the source's onset of symptoms, which is itself not an incubation period. |
Continued increases in the incidence of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) during the second year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Lastinger LM , Alvarez CR , Kofman A , Konnor RY , Kuhar DT , Nkwata A , Patel PR , Pattabiraman V , Xu SY , Dudeck MA . Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2023 44 (6) 997-1001 Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network were analyzed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) during 2021. Standardized infection ratios were significantly higher than those during the prepandemic period, particularly during 2021-Q1 and 2021-Q3. The incidence of HAI was elevated during periods of high COVID-19 hospitalizations. |
Risk Factors for Ebola Virus Persistence in Semen of Survivors - Liberia.
Dyal J , Kofman A , Kollie JZ , Fankhauser J , Orone R , Soka MJ , Glaybo U , Kiawu A , Freeman E , Giah G , Tony HD , Faikai M , Jawara M , Kamara K , Kamara S , Flowers B , Kromah ML , Desamu-Thorpe R , Graziano J , Brown S , Morales-Betoulle ME , Cannon DL , Su K , Linderman SL , Plucinski M , Rogier E , Bradbury RS , Secor WE , Bowden KE , Phillips C , Carrington MN , Park YH , Martin MP , Del Pilar Aguinaga M , Mushi R , Haberling DL , Ervin ED , Klena JD , Massaquoi M , Nyenswah T , Nichol ST , Chiriboga DE , Williams DE , Hinrichs SH , Ahmed R , Vonhm BT , Rollin PE , Purpura LJ , Choi MJ . Clin Infect Dis 2022 76 (3) e849-e856 BACKGROUND: Long-term persistence of Ebola virus (EBOV) in immunologically-privileged sites has been implicated in recent outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study was designed to understand how the acute course of EVD, convalescence, and host immune and genetic factors may play a role in prolonged viral persistence in semen. METHODS: A cohort of 131 male EVD survivors in Liberia were enrolled in a case-case study. "Early clearers" were defined as those with two consecutive negative EBOV semen tests by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) at least two weeks apart within 1 year after discharge from the Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) or acute EVD. "Late clearers" had detectable EBOV RNA by rRT-PCR over one year following ETU discharge or acute EVD. Retrospective histories of their EVD clinical course were collected by questionnaire, followed by complete physical exams and blood work. RESULTS: Compared to early clearers, late clearers were older (median 42.5 years, p = 0.0001) and experienced fewer severe clinical symptoms (median 2, p = 0.006). Late clearers had more lens opacifications (OR 3.9, 95%CI 1.1-13.3, p = 0.03), after accounting for age, higher total serum IgG3 titers (p = 0.007) and increased expression of the HLA-C*03:04 allele (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02-0.70, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Older age, decreased illness severity, elevated total serum IgG3 and HLA-C*03:04 allele expression may be risk factors for the persistence of EBOV in the semen of EVD survivors. EBOV persistence in semen may also be associated with its persistence in other immunologically protected sites, such as the eye. |
Successful Implementation of a Rapid Screening Tool for Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome
Oliver TT , Dyal JW , Talker DL , Safaeian S , Yazzie D , Kofman AD , D'Andrea SM , Saleki M , Ingall GB , Choi MJ , Antone-Nez R . Am J Clin Pathol 2021 157 (4) 498-501 OBJECTIVES: Hantavirus is endemic in the Four Corners region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) disproportionately affects the Navajo Nation. We describe the application of a rapid screening tool for identification of HCPS. METHODS: A rapid screening tool for HCPS was implemented at Tséhootsooí Medical Center (TMC) in collaboration with academic partners. RESULTS: Since its implementation in 2016, 20 TMC staff members have been trained to perform this test, and 189 screens for HCPS have been reported. Although hantavirus infection is rare even in high-risk areas, use of this tool resulted in the identification of 4 acute cases of hantavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the successful implementation of a 5-point screening tool for hantavirus infection in an endemic setting by a laboratory in a small community hospital. |
Hantavirus Disease and COVID-19.
Joyce AK , Oliver TT , Kofman AD , Talker DL , Safaeian S , Peker Barclift D , Perricone AJ , D'Andrea SM , Whitesell AN , Yazzie D , Guarner J , Saleki M , Ingall GB , Choi MJ , Antone-Nez R . Am J Clin Pathol 2021 157 (3) 470-475 OBJECTIVES: Navajo Nation is disproportionately affected by hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory disease that can quickly progress to respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock. The initial signs and symptoms of HCPS are indistinguishable from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, this distinction is critical, as the disease course differs greatly, with most patients with COVID-19 experiencing mild to moderate illness. We set out to determine if the evaluation of peripheral blood smears for five hematopathologic criteria previously identified as hallmarks of hantavirus infection, or "the hantavirus 5-point screen," could distinguish between COVID-19 and HCPS. METHODS: The hantavirus 5-point screen was performed on peripheral blood smears from 139 patients positive for COVID-19 seeking treatment from Tséhootsooí Medical Center and two Emory University hospitals. RESULTS: Of these 139 individuals, 136 (98%) received a score of 3/5 or below, indicating low suspicion for HCPS. While thrombocytopenia, one of the key signs of HCPS, was seen in the patients with COVID-19, it was generally mild and remained stable on repeat specimens collected 12 to 24 hours later. CONCLUSIONS: Given these findings, the 5-point screen remains a useful rapid screening tool for potential HCPS cases and may be useful to distinguish early HCPS from COVID-19 in HCPS endemic regions. |
Development and implementation of the Ebola exposure window calculator: A tool for Ebola virus disease outbreak field investigations
Whitesell A , Bustamante ND , Stewart M , Freeman J , Dismer AM , Alarcon W , Kofman A , Ben Hamida A , Nichol ST , Damon I , Haberling DL , Keita M , Mbuyi G , Armstrong G , Juang D , Dana J , Choi MJ . PLoS One 2021 16 (8) e0255631 During an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, calculating the exposure window of a confirmed case can assist field investigators in identifying the source of infection and establishing chains of transmission. However, field investigators often have difficulty calculating this window. We developed a bilingual (English/French), smartphone-based field application to assist field investigators in determining the exposure window of an EVD case. The calculator only requires the reported date of symptoms onset and the type of symptoms present at onset or the date of death. Prior to the release of this application, there was no similar electronic capability to enable consistent calculation of EVD exposure windows for field investigators. The Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Health endorsed the application and incorporated it into trainings for field staff. Available for Apple and Android devices, the calculator continues to be downloaded even as the eastern DRC outbreak resolved. We rapidly developed and implemented a smartphone application to estimate the exposure window for EVD cases in an outbreak setting. |
Case Series of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection - United Kingdom and United States, March-August 2020.
Morris SB , Schwartz NG , Patel P , Abbo L , Beauchamps L , Balan S , Lee EH , Paneth-Pollak R , Geevarughese A , Lash MK , Dorsinville MS , Ballen V , Eiras DP , Newton-Cheh C , Smith E , Robinson S , Stogsdill P , Lim S , Fox SE , Richardson G , Hand J , Oliver NT , Kofman A , Bryant B , Ende Z , Datta D , Belay E , Godfred-Cato S . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (40) 1450-1456 During the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, reports of a new multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been increasing in Europe and the United States (1-3). Clinical features in children have varied but predominantly include shock, cardiac dysfunction, abdominal pain, and elevated inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, and interleukin-6 (1). Since June 2020, several case reports have described a similar syndrome in adults; this review describes in detail nine patients reported to CDC, seven from published case reports, and summarizes the findings in 11 patients described in three case series in peer-reviewed journals (4-6). These 27 patients had cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and neurologic symptoms without severe respiratory illness and concurrently received positive test results for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antibody assays indicating recent infection. Reports of these patients highlight the recognition of an illness referred to here as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A), the heterogeneity of clinical signs and symptoms, and the role for antibody testing in identifying similar cases among adults. Clinicians and health departments should consider MIS-A in adults with compatible signs and symptoms. These patients might not have positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR or antigen test results, and antibody testing might be needed to confirm previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of the temporal association between MIS-A and SARS-CoV-2 infections, interventions that prevent COVID-19 might prevent MIS-A. Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis and long-term effects of this newly described condition. |
Characteristics of Ebola virus disease survivor blood and semen in Liberia: Serology and RT-PCR
Kofman A , Linderman S , Su K , Purpura LJ , Ervin E , Brown S , Morales-Betoulle M , Graziano J , Cannon DL , Klena JD , Desamu-Thorpe R , Fankhauser J , Orone R , Soka M , Glaybo U , Massaquoi M , Nysenswah T , Nichol ST , Kollie J , Kiawu A , Freeman E , Giah G , Tony H , Faikai M , Jawara M , Kamara K , Kamara S , Flowers B , Mohammed K , Chiriboga D , Williams DE , Hinrichs SH , Ahmed R , Vonhm B , Rollin PE , Choi MJ . Clin Infect Dis 2020 73 (11) e3641-e3646 INTRODUCTION: Ebola virus (EBOV), species Zaire ebolavirus, may persist in the semen of male survivors of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). We conducted a study of male survivors of the 2014-2016 EVD outbreak in Liberia and evaluated their immune responses to EBOV. We report here findings from the serologic testing of blood for EBOV-specific antibodies, molecular testing for EBOV in blood and semen, and serologic testing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in a subset of study participants. METHODS: We tested for EBOV RNA in blood by qRT-PCR, and for anti-EBOV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 126 study participants. We performed peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) analysis on a subgroup of 26 IgG-negative participants. RESULTS: All 126 participants tested negative for EBOV RNA in blood by qRT-PCR. The blood of 26 participants tested negative for EBOV-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. PBMCs were collected from 23/26 EBOV IgG-negative participants. Of these, 1/23 participants had PBMCs which produced anti-EBOV-specific IgG antibodies upon stimulation with EBOV-specific GP and NP antigens. DISCUSSION: The blood of EVD survivors, collected when they did not have symptoms meeting the case definition for acute or relapsed EVD, is unlikely to pose a risk for EBOV transmission. We identified one IgM/IgG negative participant who had PBMCs which produced anti-EBOV-specific antibodies upon stimulation. Immunogenicity following acute EBOV infection may exist along a spectrum and absence of antibody response should not be exclusionary in determining an individual's status as a survivor of EVD. |
Domestically acquired Seoul virus causing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis - Washington, DC, 2018
Shastri B , Kofman A , Hennenfent A , Klena JD , Nicol S , Graziano JC , Morales-Betoulle M , Cannon D , Maradiaga A , Tran A , Ramdeen SK . Open Forum Infect Dis 2019 6 (10) ofz404 Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) infections, uncommonly reported in the United States, often result in mild illness. We report a case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to SEOV infection that was domestically acquired in Washington, DC. |
Marburg virus disease outbreak in Kween District Uganda, 2017: Epidemiological and laboratory findings
Nyakarahuka L , Shoemaker TR , Balinandi S , Chemos G , Kwesiga B , Mulei S , Kyondo J , Tumusiime A , Kofman A , Masiira B , Whitmer S , Brown S , Cannon D , Chiang CF , Graziano J , Morales-Betoulle M , Patel K , Zufan S , Komakech I , Natseri N , Chepkwurui PM , Lubwama B , Okiria J , Kayiwa J , Nkonwa IH , Eyu P , Nakiire L , Okarikod EC , Cheptoyek L , Wangila BE , Wanje M , Tusiime P , Bulage L , Mwebesa HG , Ario AR , Makumbi I , Nakinsige A , Muruta A , Nanyunja M , Homsy J , Zhu BP , Nelson L , Kaleebu P , Rollin PE , Nichol ST , Klena JD , Lutwama JJ . PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 13 (3) e0007257 INTRODUCTION: In October 2017, a blood sample from a resident of Kween District, Eastern Uganda, tested positive for Marburg virus. Within 24 hour of confirmation, a rapid outbreak response was initiated. Here, we present results of epidemiological and laboratory investigations. METHODS: A district task force was activated consisting of specialised teams to conduct case finding, case management and isolation, contact listing and follow up, sample collection and testing, and community engagement. An ecological investigation was also carried out to identify the potential source of infection. Virus isolation and Next Generation sequencing were performed to identify the strain of Marburg virus. RESULTS: Seventy individuals (34 MVD suspected cases and 36 close contacts of confirmed cases) were epidemiologically investigated, with blood samples tested for MVD. Only four cases met the MVD case definition; one was categorized as a probable case while the other three were confirmed cases. A total of 299 contacts were identified; during follow- up, two were confirmed as MVD. Of the four confirmed and probable MVD cases, three died, yielding a case fatality rate of 75%. All four cases belonged to a single family and 50% (2/4) of the MVD cases were female. All confirmed cases had clinical symptoms of fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding from body orifices. Viral sequences indicated that the Marburg virus strain responsible for this outbreak was closely related to virus strains previously shown to be circulating in Uganda. CONCLUSION: This outbreak of MVD occurred as a family cluster with no additional transmission outside of the four related cases. Rapid case detection, prompt laboratory testing at the Uganda National VHF Reference Laboratory and presence of pre-trained, well-prepared national and district rapid response teams facilitated the containment and control of this outbreak within one month, preventing nationwide and global transmission of the disease. |
Lassa fever in travelers from West Africa, 1969-2016
Kofman A , Choi MJ , Rollin PE . Emerg Infect Dis 2019 25 (2) 245-248 Lassa virus is a rodentborne arenavirus responsible for human cases of Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever, in West Africa and in travelers arriving to non-Lassa-endemic countries from West Africa. We describe a retrospective review performed through literature search of clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of all imported Lassa fever cases worldwide during 1969-2016. Our findings demonstrate that approximately half of imported cases had distinctive clinical features (defined as fever and >1 of the following: pharyngitis, sore throat, tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, oropharyngeal ulcers, or proteinuria). Delays in clinical suspicion of this diagnosis were common. In addition, no secondary transmission of Lassa fever to contacts of patients with low-risk exposures occurred, and infection of high-risk contacts was rare. Future public health investigations of such cases should focus on timely recognition of distinctive clinical features, earlier treatment of patients, and targeted public health responses focused on high-risk contacts. |
Notes from the Field: Contact tracing investigation after first case of Andes virus in the United States - Delaware, February 2018
Kofman A , Eggers P , Kjemtrup A , Hall R , Brown SM , Morales-Betoulle M , Graziano J , Zufan SE , Whitmer SLM , Cannon DL , Chiang CF , Choi MJ , Rollin PE , Cetron MS , Yaglom HD , Duwell M , Kuhar DT , Kretschmer M , Knust B , Klena JD , Alvarado-Ramy F , Shoemaker T , Towner JS , Nichol ST . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018 67 (41) 1162-1163 In January 2018, a woman admitted to a Delaware hospital tested positive for New World hantavirus immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequent testing by CDC’s Viral Special Pathogens Branch detected New World hantavirus by nested reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Andes virus by nucleic acid sequencing. This case represents the first confirmed importation of Andes virus infection into the United States; two imported cases have also been reported in Switzerland (1). Before her illness, the patient had traveled to the Andes region of Argentina and Chile from December 20, 2017, to January 3, 2018. She stayed in cabins and youth hostels in reportedly poor condition. No rodent exposures were reported. After returning to the United States on January 10, she developed fever, malaise, and myalgias on January 14. On January 17, while ill, she traveled on two commercial domestic flights. She was hospitalized during January 20–25 in Delaware and discharged to her home after clinical recovery. |
Notes from the field: Exported case of sin nombre hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - Israel, 2017
Kofman A , Rahav G , Yazzie D , Shorty H , Yaglom HD , Peterson D , Peek-Bullock M , Choi MJ , Wieder-Finesod A , Klena JD , Venkat H , Chiang CF , Knust B , Gaither M , Maurer M , Hoeschele DR , Nichol ST . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018 67 (40) 1129 In November 2017, CDC confirmed Sin Nombre virus (SNV) infection in a previously healthy man aged 47 years who was admitted to a hospital in Israel. The patient had traveled with his family on vacation to the southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada, and Utah) during October 3–9, 2017. During this time, he and his family hiked and biked the southern rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park and took a guided tour through Antelope Cave. On November 7, approximately 3 weeks after his return to Israel, he was hospitalized with fever, cough, and shortness of breath requiring bilevel positive airway pressure. A chest radiograph indicated diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates with consolidations at the right costophrenic angle and in the retrocardiac space. Based upon the patient’s travel history and clinical findings, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was suspected. A blood specimen collected on November 9 tested positive for SNV using nested reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction; he had an immunoglobulin M titer of ≥1:6,400 and an immunoglobulin G titer of ≥1:6,400. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has a mortality rate of approximately 36%.* The patient was treated with supportive care and discharged from the hospital on November 19. No illness was reported in any family member who traveled with him. |
Impact of enhanced viral haemorrhagic fever surveillance on outbreak detection and response in Uganda
Shoemaker TR , Balinandi S , Tumusiime A , Nyakarahuka L , Lutwama J , Mbidde E , Kofman A , Klena JD , Stroher U , Rollin PE , Nichol ST . Lancet Infect Dis 2018 18 (4) 373-375 The recent outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Kween District, eastern Uganda, reported in The Lancet Infectious Diseases,1 marks the 13th independent viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak identified and confirmed via laboratory test by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI)’s viral haemorrhagic fever surveillance and laboratory programme since 2010. This Marburg virus disease outbreak was followed closely by three independent confirmations of human Rift Valley fever virus infection in three districts in central Uganda, and now brings the total viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak detections to 16. This exceptional number of early detections and subsequent outbreak responses has led to a significant decrease in the overall intensity (p=0·001) and duration (p<0·0001) of viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Uganda, and serves as a role model for detecting and responding to public health threats of international concern. |
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