Last data update: Jun 24, 2024. (Total: 47078 publications since 2009)
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Query Trace: Liu R [original query] |
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COVID-19 vaccination coverage and factors associated with vaccine uptake among people with HIV
Hechter RC , Qian L , Liu IA , Sy LS , Ryan DS , Xu S , Williams JTB , Klein NP , Kaiser RM , Liles EG , Glanz JM , Jackson LA , Sundaram ME , Weintraub ES , Tseng HF . JAMA Netw Open 2024 7 (6) e2415220 IMPORTANCE: People with HIV (PWH) may be at increased risk for severe outcomes with COVID-19 illness compared with people without HIV. Little is known about COVID-19 vaccination coverage and factors associated with primary series completion among PWH. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among PWH and examine sociodemographic, clinical, and community-level factors associated with completion of the primary series and an additional primary dose. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record data to assess COVID-19 vaccination information from December 14, 2020, through April 30, 2022, from 8 health care organizations of the Vaccine Safety Datalink project in the US. Participants were adults diagnosed with HIV on or before December 14, 2020, enrolled in a participating site. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The percentage of PWH with at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine and PWH who completed the COVID-19 vaccine primary series by December 31, 2021, and an additional primary dose by April 30, 2022. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% CIs were estimated using Poisson regression models for factors associated with completing the COVID-19 vaccine primary series and receiving an additional primary dose. RESULTS: Among 22 058 adult PWH (mean [SD] age, 52.1 [13.3] years; 88.8% male), 90.5% completed the primary series by December 31, 2021. Among 18 374 eligible PWH who completed the primary series by August 12, 2021, 15 982 (87.0%) received an additional primary dose, and 4318 (23.5%) received a booster dose by April 30, 2022. Receipt of influenza vaccines in the last 2 years was associated with completion of the primary series (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.15-1.20) and an additional primary dose (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.54-1.69). PWH with uncontrolled viremia (HIV viral load ≥200 copies/mL) (eg, RR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.85-0.95] for viral load 200-10 000 copies/mL vs undetected or <200 copies/mL for completing the primary series) and Medicaid insurance (eg, RR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.87-0.90] for completing the primary series) were less likely to be fully vaccinated. By contrast, greater outpatient utilization (eg, RR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.05-1.09] for ≥7 vs 0 visits for primary series completion) and residence in counties with higher COVID-19 vaccine coverage (eg, RR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.03-1.08] for fourth vs first quartiles for primary series completion) were associated with primary series and additional dose completion (RRs ranging from 1.01 to 1.21). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Findings from this cohort study suggest that, while COVID-19 vaccination coverage was high among PWH, outreach efforts should focus on those who did not complete vaccine series and those who have uncontrolled viremia. |
Post-COVID conditions following COVID-19 vaccination: a retrospective matched cohort study of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Malden DE , Liu IA , Qian L , Sy LS , Lewin BJ , Asamura DT , Ryan DS , Bezi C , Williams JTB , Kaiser R , Daley MF , Nelson JC , McClure DL , Zerbo O , Henninger ML , Fuller CC , Weintraub ES , Saydah S , Tartof SY . Nat Commun 2024 15 (1) 4101 COVID-19 vaccinations protect against severe illness and death, but associations with post-COVID conditions (PCC) are less clear. We aimed to evaluate the association between prior COVID-19 vaccination and new-onset PCC among individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection across eight large healthcare systems in the United States. This retrospective matched cohort study used electronic health records (EHR) from patients with SARS-CoV-2 positive tests during March 2021-February 2022. Vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 cases were matched on location, test date, severity of acute infection, age, and sex. Vaccination status was ascertained using EHR and integrated data on externally administered vaccines. Adjusted relative risks (RRs) were obtained from Poisson regression. PCC was defined as a new diagnosis in one of 13 PCC categories 30 days to 6 months following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. The study included 161,531 vaccinated COVID-19 cases and 161,531 matched unvaccinated cases. Compared to unvaccinated cases, vaccinated cases had a similar or lower risk of all PCC categories except mental health disorders (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10). Vaccination was associated with ≥10% lower risk of sensory (RR: 0.90, 0.86-0.95), circulatory (RR: 0.88, 0.83-0.94), blood and hematologic (RR: 0.79, 0.71-0.89), skin and subcutaneous (RR: 0.69, 0.66-0.72), and non-specific COVID-19 related disorders (RR: 0.53, 0.51-0.56). In general, associations were stronger at younger ages but mostly persisted regardless of SARS-CoV-2 variant period, receipt of ≥3 vs. 1-2 vaccine doses, or time since vaccination. Pre-infection vaccination was associated with reduced risk of several PCC outcomes and hence may decrease the long-term consequences of COVID-19. |
Rotavirus genotypes in the post-vaccine era: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global, regional, and temporal trends in settings with and without rotavirus vaccine introduction
Amin AB , Cates JE , Liu Z , Wu J , Ali I , Rodriguez A , Panjwani J , Tate JE , Lopman BA , Parashar UD . J Infect Dis 2024 229 (5) 1460-1469 BACKGROUND: Even moderate differences in rotavirus vaccine effectiveness against nonvaccine genotypes may exert selective pressures on circulating rotaviruses. Whether this vaccine effect or natural temporal fluctuations underlie observed changes in genotype distributions is unclear. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies reporting rotavirus genotypes from children <5 years of age globally between 2005 and 2023. We compared rotavirus genotypes between vaccine-introducing and nonintroducing settings globally and by World Health Organization (WHO) region, calendar time, and time since vaccine introduction. RESULTS: Crude pooling of genotype data from 361 studies indicated higher G2P[4], a nonvaccine genotype, prevalence in vaccine-introducing settings, both globally and by WHO region. This difference did not emerge when examining genotypes over time in the Americas, the only region with robust longitudinal data. Relative to nonintroducing settings, G2P[4] detections were more likely in settings with recent introduction (eg, 1-2 years postintroduction adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.87-6.72) but were similarly likely in settings with more time elapsed since introduction, (eg, 7 or more years aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, .49-5.37). CONCLUSIONS: When accounting for both regional and temporal trends, there was no substantial evidence of long-term vaccine-related selective pressures on circulating genotypes. Increased prevalence of G2P[4] may be transient after rotavirus vaccine introduction. |
Risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and receipt of a breathing test in 26 states and the District of Columbia, 2017-2018
Watson KB , Croft JB , Wheaton AG , Liu Y , Punturieri A , Postow L , Carlson SA , Greenlund KJ . Prev Chronic Dis 2024 21 E31 We estimated the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk level, and receipt of a breathing test among adults without reported COPD in 26 states and the District of Columbia by using 2017-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Among adults without reported COPD, the 3 respiratory symptoms indicating COPD (chronic cough, phlegm or mucus production, shortness of breath) were common (each >10%). About 15.0% were at higher COPD risk (based on the number of symptoms, age, and smoking status); 41.4% of adults at higher risk reported receipt of a breathing test. Patient-provider recognition and communication of risk symptoms, appropriate screening, and follow-up are important for early diagnosis and treatment. |
Challenges of COVID-19 case forecasting in the US, 2020-2021
Lopez VK , Cramer EY , Pagano R , Drake JM , O'Dea EB , Adee M , Ayer T , Chhatwal J , Dalgic OO , Ladd MA , Linas BP , Mueller PP , Xiao J , Bracher J , Castro Rivadeneira AJ , Gerding A , Gneiting T , Huang Y , Jayawardena D , Kanji AH , Le K , Mühlemann A , Niemi J , Ray EL , Stark A , Wang Y , Wattanachit N , Zorn MW , Pei S , Shaman J , Yamana TK , Tarasewicz SR , Wilson DJ , Baccam S , Gurung H , Stage S , Suchoski B , Gao L , Gu Z , Kim M , Li X , Wang G , Wang L , Wang Y , Yu S , Gardner L , Jindal S , Marshall M , Nixon K , Dent J , Hill AL , Kaminsky J , Lee EC , Lemaitre JC , Lessler J , Smith CP , Truelove S , Kinsey M , Mullany LC , Rainwater-Lovett K , Shin L , Tallaksen K , Wilson S , Karlen D , Castro L , Fairchild G , Michaud I , Osthus D , Bian J , Cao W , Gao Z , Lavista Ferres J , Li C , Liu TY , Xie X , Zhang S , Zheng S , Chinazzi M , Davis JT , Mu K , Pastore YPiontti A , Vespignani A , Xiong X , Walraven R , Chen J , Gu Q , Wang L , Xu P , Zhang W , Zou D , Gibson GC , Sheldon D , Srivastava A , Adiga A , Hurt B , Kaur G , Lewis B , Marathe M , Peddireddy AS , Porebski P , Venkatramanan S , Wang L , Prasad PV , Walker JW , Webber AE , Slayton RB , Biggerstaff M , Reich NG , Johansson MA . PLoS Comput Biol 2024 20 (5) e1011200 During the COVID-19 pandemic, forecasting COVID-19 trends to support planning and response was a priority for scientists and decision makers alike. In the United States, COVID-19 forecasting was coordinated by a large group of universities, companies, and government entities led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US COVID-19 Forecast Hub (https://covid19forecasthub.org). We evaluated approximately 9.7 million forecasts of weekly state-level COVID-19 cases for predictions 1-4 weeks into the future submitted by 24 teams from August 2020 to December 2021. We assessed coverage of central prediction intervals and weighted interval scores (WIS), adjusting for missing forecasts relative to a baseline forecast, and used a Gaussian generalized estimating equation (GEE) model to evaluate differences in skill across epidemic phases that were defined by the effective reproduction number. Overall, we found high variation in skill across individual models, with ensemble-based forecasts outperforming other approaches. Forecast skill relative to the baseline was generally higher for larger jurisdictions (e.g., states compared to counties). Over time, forecasts generally performed worst in periods of rapid changes in reported cases (either in increasing or decreasing epidemic phases) with 95% prediction interval coverage dropping below 50% during the growth phases of the winter 2020, Delta, and Omicron waves. Ideally, case forecasts could serve as a leading indicator of changes in transmission dynamics. However, while most COVID-19 case forecasts outperformed a naïve baseline model, even the most accurate case forecasts were unreliable in key phases. Further research could improve forecasts of leading indicators, like COVID-19 cases, by leveraging additional real-time data, addressing performance across phases, improving the characterization of forecast confidence, and ensuring that forecasts were coherent across spatial scales. In the meantime, it is critical for forecast users to appreciate current limitations and use a broad set of indicators to inform pandemic-related decision making. |
Innate immune activation restricts priming and protective efficacy of the radiation-attenuated PfSPZ malaria vaccine
Senkpeil L , Bhardwaj J , Little MR , Holla P , Upadhye A , Fusco EM , Swanson Ii PA , Wiegand RE , Macklin MD , Bi K , Flynn BJ , Yamamoto A , Gaskin EL , Sather DN , Oblak AL , Simpson E , Gao H , Haining WN , Yates KB , Liu X , Murshedkar T , Richie TL , Sim BKL , Otieno K , Kariuki S , Xuei X , Liu Y , Polidoro RB , Hoffman SL , Oneko M , Steinhardt LC , Schmidt NW , Seder RA , Tran TM . JCI Insight 2024 A systems analysis was conducted to determine the potential molecular mechanisms underlying differential immunogenicity and protective efficacy results of a clinical trial of the radiation-attenuated whole sporozoite PfSPZ Vaccine in African infants. Innate immune activation and myeloid signatures at pre-vaccination baseline correlated with protection from Pf parasitemia in placebo controls. These same signatures were associated with susceptibility to parasitemia among infants who received the highest and most protective PfSPZ Vaccine dose. Machine learning identified spliceosome, proteosome, and resting dendritic cell signatures as pre-vaccination features predictive of protection after highest-dose PfSPZ vaccination, whereas baseline CSP-specific IgG predicted non-protection. Pre-vaccination innate inflammatory and myeloid signatures were associated with higher sporozoite-specific IgG Ab response but undetectable PfSPZ-specific CD8+ T-cell responses post-vaccination. Consistent with these human data, innate stimulation in vivo conferred protection against infection by sporozoite injection in malaria-naïve mice while diminishing the CD8+ T-cell response to radiation-attenuated sporozoites. These data suggest a dichotomous role of innate stimulation for malaria protection and induction of protective immunity of whole-sporozoite malaria vaccines. The uncoupling of vaccine-induced protective immunity achieved by Abs from more protective CD8+ T cell responses suggest that PfSPZ Vaccine efficacy in malaria-endemic settings may be constrained by opposing antigen presentation pathways. |
Correction: Opioid prescriptions among the World Trade Center Health Program population
Liu R , Calvert GM , Anderson KR , Malcolm H , Cimineri L , Dupont H , Martinez M . BMC Health Serv Res 2024 24 (1) 551 |
Mortality and mortality disparities among people with epilepsy in the United States, 2011-2021
Tian N , Kobau R , Friedman D , Liu Y , Eke PI , Greenlund KJ . Epilepsy Behav 2024 155 109770 Studies on epilepsy mortality in the United States are limited. We used the National Vital Statistics System Multiple Cause of Death data to investigate mortality rates and trends during 2011-2021 for epilepsy (defined by the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes G40.0-G40.9) as an underlying, contributing, or any cause of death (i.e., either an underlying or contributing cause) for U.S. residents. We also examined epilepsy as an underlying or contributing cause of death by selected sociodemographic characteristics to assess mortality rate changes and disparities in subpopulations. During 2011-2021, the overall age-standardized mortality rates for epilepsy as an underlying (39 % of all deaths) or contributing (61 % of all deaths) cause of death increased 83.6 % (from 2.9 per million to 6.4 per million population) as underlying cause and 144.1 % (from 3.3 per million to 11.0 per million population) as contributing cause (P < 0.001 for both based on annual percent changes). Compared to 2011-2015, in 2016-2020 mortality rates with epilepsy as an underlying or contributing cause of death were higher overall and in nearly all subgroups. Overall, mortality rates with epilepsy as an underlying or contributing cause of death were higher in older age groups, among males than females, among non-Hispanic Black or non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native persons than non-Hispanic White persons, among those living in the West and Midwest than those living in the Northeast, and in nonmetro counties compared to urban regions. Results identify priority subgroups for intervention to reduce mortality in people with epilepsy and eliminate mortality disparity. |
Urinary biomonitoring of glyphosate exposure among male farmers and nonfarmers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) study
Chang VC , Ospina M , Xie S , Andreotti G , Parks CG , Liu D , Madrigal JM , Ward MH , Rothman N , Silverman DT , Sandler DP , Friesen MC , Beane Freeman LE , Calafat AM , Hofmann JN . Environ Int 2024 187 108644 Glyphosate is the most widely applied herbicide worldwide. Glyphosate biomonitoring data are limited for agricultural settings. We measured urinary glyphosate concentrations and assessed exposure determinants in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) study. We selected four groups of BEEA participants based on self-reported pesticide exposure: recently exposed farmers with occupational glyphosate use in the last 7 days (n = 98), farmers with high lifetime glyphosate use (>80th percentile) but no use in the last 7 days (n = 70), farming controls with minimal lifetime use (n = 100), and nonfarming controls with no occupational pesticide exposures and no recent home/garden glyphosate use (n = 100). Glyphosate was quantified in first morning void urine using ion chromatography isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. We estimated associations between urinary glyphosate concentrations and potential determinants using multivariable linear regression. Glyphosate was detected (≥0.2 µg/L) in urine of most farmers with recent (91 %) and high lifetime (93 %) use, as well as farming (88 %) and nonfarming (81 %) controls; geometric mean concentrations were 0.89, 0.59, 0.46, and 0.39 µg/L (0.79, 0.51, 0.42, and 0.37 µg/g creatinine), respectively. Compared with both control groups, urinary glyphosate concentrations were significantly elevated among recently exposed farmers (P < 0.0001), particularly those who used glyphosate in the previous day [vs. nonfarming controls; geometric mean ratio (GMR) = 5.46; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 3.75, 7.93]. Concentrations among high lifetime exposed farmers were also elevated (P < 0.01 vs. nonfarming controls). Among recently exposed farmers, glyphosate concentrations were higher among those not wearing gloves when applying glyphosate (GMR = 1.91; 95 % CI: 1.17, 3.11), not wearing long-sleeved shirts when mixing/loading glyphosate (GMR = 2.00; 95 % CI: 1.04, 3.86), applying glyphosate exclusively using broadcast/boom sprayers (vs. hand sprayer only; GMR = 1.70; 95 % CI: 1.00, 2.92), and applying glyphosate to crops (vs. non-crop; GMR = 1.72; 95 % CI: 1.04, 2.84). Both farmers and nonfarmers are exposed to glyphosate, with recency of occupational glyphosate use being the strongest determinant of urinary glyphosate concentrations. Continued biomonitoring of glyphosate in various settings is warranted. |
Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra versus mycobacterial growth indicator tube liquid culture for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in symptomatic adults: a diagnostic accuracy study
Xie YL , Eichberg C , Hapeela N , Nakabugo E , Anyango I , Arora K , Korte JE , Odero R , van Heerden J , Zemanay W , Kennedy S , Nabeta P , Hanif M , Rodrigues C , Skrahina A , Stevens W , Dietze R , Liu X , Ellner JJ , Alland D , Joloba ML , Schumacher SG , McCarthy KD , Nakiyingi L , Dorman SE . Lancet Microbe 2024 BACKGROUND: Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra) is an automated molecular test for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum. We compared the sensitivity of Ultra to that of mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) liquid culture, considered the most sensitive assay in routine clinical use. METHODS: In this prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study, we used a non-inferiority design to assess whether the sensitivity of a single Ultra test was non-inferior to that of a single liquid culture for detection of M tuberculosis in sputum. We enrolled adults (age ≥18 years) with pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms in 11 countries and each adult provided three sputum specimens with a minimum volume of 2 mL over 2 days. Ultra was done directly on sputum 1, and Ultra and MGIT liquid culture were done on resuspended pellet from sputum 2. Results of MGIT and solid media cultures done on sputum 3 were considered the reference standard. The pre-defined non-inferiority margin was 5·0%. FINDINGS: Between Feb 18, 2016, and Dec 4, 2019, we enrolled 2906 participants. 2600 (89%) participants were analysed, including 639 (25%) of 2600 who were positive for tuberculosis by the reference standard. Of the 2357 included in the non-inferiority analysis, 877 (37%) were HIV-positive and 984 (42%) were female. Sensitivity of Ultra performed directly on sputum 1 was non-inferior to that of sputum 2 MGIT culture (MGIT 91·1% vs Ultra 91·9%; difference -0·8 percentage points; 95% CI -2·8 to 1·1). Sensitivity of Ultra performed on sputum 2 pellet was also non-inferior to that of sputum 2 MGIT (MGIT 91·1% vs Ultra 91·9%; difference -0·8 percentage points; -2·7 to 1·0). INTERPRETATION: For the detection of M tuberculosis in sputum from adults with respiratory symptoms, there was no difference in sensitivity of a single Ultra test to that of a single MGIT culture. Highly sensitive, rapid molecular approaches for M tuberculosis detection, combined with advances in genotypic methods for drug resistance detection, have potential to replace culture. FUNDING: US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. |
Household transmission dynamics of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected children: A multinational, controlled case-ascertained prospective study
Funk A , Florin TA , Kuppermann N , Finkelstein Y , Kazakoff A , Baldovsky M , Tancredi DJ , Breslin K , Bergmann KR , Gardiner M , Pruitt CM , Liu DR , Neuman MI , Wilkinson M , Ambroggio L , Pang XL , Cauchemez S , Malley R , Klassen TP , Lee BE , Payne DC , Mahmud SM , Freedman SB . Clin Infect Dis 2024 BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is highly prevalent but its acute and chronic implications have been minimally described. METHODS: In this controlled case-ascertained household transmission study, we recruited asymptomatic children <18 years with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing performed at 12 tertiary care pediatric institutions in Canada and the United States. We attempted to recruit all test-positive children and 1 to 3 test-negative, site-matched controls. After 14 days' follow-up we assessed the clinical (ie, symptomatic) and combined (ie, test-positive, or symptomatic) secondary attack rates (SARs) among household contacts. Additionally, post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) was assessed in SARS-CoV-2-positive participating children after 90 days' follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 111 test-positive and 256 SARS-CoV-2 test-negative asymptomatic children were enrolled between January 2021 and April 2022. After 14 days, excluding households with co-primary cases, the clinical SAR among household contacts of SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative index children was 10.6% (19/179; 95% CI: 6.5%-16.1%) and 2.0% (13/663; 95% CI: 1.0%-3.3%), respectively (relative risk = 5.4; 95% CI: 2.7-10.7). In households with a SARS-CoV-2-positive index child, age <5 years, being pre-symptomatic (ie, developed symptoms after test), and testing positive during Omicron and Delta circulation periods (vs earlier) were associated with increased clinical and combined SARs among household contacts. Among 77 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected children with 90-day follow-up, 6 (7.8%; 95% CI: 2.9%-16.2%) reported PCC. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected children, especially those <5 years, are important contributors to household transmission, with 1 in 10 exposed household contacts developing symptomatic illness within 14 days. Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected children may develop PCC. |
Tuberculosis in United States-bound follow-to-join asylees, 2014-2019
Liu Y , Posey DL , Weinberg MS , Phares CR . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024 Persons may seek asylum in the United States or at a U.S. port of entry. Principal asylees are those who are granted asylum status. Their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may be granted asylum if accompanying, or following to join, the principal asylees. U.S.-bound follow-to-join asylees must undergo an overseas medical examination that includes tuberculosis (TB) screening. Culture-based overseas TB screening in U.S.-bound follow-to-join asylees has not been evaluated. We evaluated data from overseas TB screening in 19,088 arrivals of follow-to-join asylees during 2014-2019 and assessed data from their postarrival evaluation, which is recommended for those at risk for TB. Of 19,088 arrivals of follow-to-join asylees, 29 (152 cases/100,000 persons) met criteria for class B0 TB (recent completion of TB treatment overseas) and 340 (1,781 cases/100,000 persons) met criteria for class B1 pulmonary TB (chest radiograph/clinical symptoms suggestive of TB but negative sputum cultures overseas). Of 6,847 persons aged 2 to 14 years from countries with a WHO-estimated TB incidence of ≥20 cases/100,000 population/year, 408 (6.0%) were classified as class B2 latent TB infection (LTBI). Postarrival evaluations were completed in 44.8%, 51.5%, and 40.4% of persons with class B0 TB, class B1 TB, and class B2 LTBI, respectively. In conclusion, culture-based overseas TB screening in U.S.-bound follow-to-join asylees is effective in identifying those with TB (class B0 TB) or those at risk for TB (class B1 TB and class B2 LTBI). Completion of postarrival evaluation for newly arrived follow-to-join asylees was less frequent than that reported for immigrants and refugees. |
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 in New Orleans, August 2020 to September 2021
Drouin A , Plumb ID , McCullough M , James Gist J , Liu S , Theberge M , Katz J , Moreida M , Flaherty S , Chatwani B , Briggs Hagen M , Midgley CM , Fusco D . Sci Rep 2024 14 (1) 6539 Louisiana experienced high morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. To assess possible explanatory factors, we conducted a cohort study (ClinSeqSer) of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Orleans during August 2020-September 2021. Following enrollment, we reviewed medical charts, and performed SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing on nasal and saliva specimens. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations between patient characteristics and severe illness, defined as ≥ 6 L/min oxygen or intubation. Among 456 patients, median age was 56 years, 277 (60.5%) were Black non-Hispanic, 436 (95.2%) had underlying health conditions, and 358 were unvaccinated (92.0% of 389 verified). Overall, 187 patients (40.1%) had severe illness; 60 (13.1%) died during admission. In multivariable models, severe illness was associated with age ≥ 65 years (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.22-3.56), hospitalization > 5 days after illness onset (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.01-2.21), and SARS CoV-2 cycle threshold (Ct) result of < 32 in saliva (OR 4.79, 95% CI 1.22-18.77). Among patients who were predominantly Black non-Hispanic, unvaccinated and with underlying health conditions, approximately 1 in 3 patients had severe COVID-19. Older age and delayed time to admission might have contributed to high case-severity. An association between case-severity and low Ct value in saliva warrants further investigation. |
HIV-1 incidence, adherence, and drug resistance in individuals taking daily emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis: Pooled analysis from 72 global studies
Landovitz RJ , Tao L , Yang J , de Boer M , Carter C , Das M , Baeten JM , Liu A , Hoover KW , Celum C , Grinsztejn B , Morris S , Wheeler DP , Mayer KH , Golub SA , Bekker LG , Diabaté S , Hoornenborg E , Myers J , Leech AA , McCormack S , Chan PA , Sweat M , Matthews LT , Grant R . Clin Infect Dis 2024 BACKGROUND: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) has high efficacy against HIV-1 acquisition. Seventy-two prospective studies of daily oral F/TDF PrEP were conducted to evaluate HIV-1 incidence, drug resistance, adherence, and bone and renal safety in diverse settings. METHODS: HIV-1 incidence was calculated from incident HIV-1 diagnoses after PrEP initiation and within 60 days of discontinuation. Tenofovir concentration in dried blood spots (DBS), drug resistance, and bone/renal safety indicators were evaluated in a subset of studies. RESULTS: Among 17,274 participants, there were 101 cases with new HIV-1 diagnosis (0.77 per 100 person-years; 95% CI 0.63-0.94). In 78 cases with resistance data, 18 (23%) had M184I or V, one (1.3%) had K65R, and three (3.8%) had both mutations. In 54 cases with tenofovir concentration data from DBS, 45 (83.3%), 2 (3.7%), 6 (11.1%), and 1 (1.9%) had average adherence of <2, 2-3, 4-6, and ≥7 doses/week, respectively, and the corresponding incidence was 3.9 (95% CI 2.9-5.3), 0.24 (0.060-0.95), 0.27 (0.12-0.60), and 0.054 (0.008-0.38) per 100 person-years. Adherence was low in younger participants, Hispanic/Latinx and Black participants, cisgender women, and transgender women. Bone and renal adverse event incidence rates were 0.69 and 11.8 per 100 person-years, respectively, consistent with previous reports. CONCLUSIONS: Leveraging the largest pooled analysis of global PrEP studies to date, we demonstrate that F/TDF is safe and highly effective, even with less than daily dosing, in diverse clinical settings, geographies, populations, and routes of HIV-1 exposure. |
Exposure among middle and high school students to warning labels on e-cigarette packages before and after an FDA requirement, 2018-2019
Snyder K , Liu ST , Donaldson EA , Wang T , Gentzke A . Prev Chronic Dis 2024 21 E16 INTRODUCTION: Beginning August 10, 2018, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule required all e-cigarette packages to have a health warning. We examined exposure among middle and high school students to e-cigarette warnings before and after the compliance date of the FDA's deeming rule, a rule allowing the FDA to regulate e-cigarettes, cigars, and other products. METHODS: We analyzed data from middle and high school students participating in the 2018 and 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey. We generated weighted prevalence estimates for any exposure ("rarely," "sometimes," "most of the time," or "always") and high exposure ("most of the time" or "always") to warnings. We used independent 2-sided t tests to examine differences in exposure between 2018 and 2019 and χ(2) tests to examine differences in any exposure and high exposure by demographic characteristics and tobacco use behaviors in 2019. Analyses excluded respondents who reported they had not seen an e-cigarette package. RESULTS: In 2019, 68.0% (vs 67.7% in 2018) of students reported any past 30-day exposure to e-cigarette warning labels and 35.0% (vs 28.7% in 2018) reported high exposure; we observed differences in the proportion of students reporting any and high exposure to warning labels across demographic characteristics and tobacco use behaviors. From 2018 to 2019, report of any and high exposure to e-cigarette warning labels increased among students who currently used any tobacco product and e-cigarettes. We observed increases in high exposure to e-cigarette warning labels overall, and among male students, female students, non-Hispanic White students, and middle and high school students. CONCLUSION: After implementation of the health warnings per the FDA's deeming rule, the percentage of current tobacco users and e-cigarette users among middle and high school students who reported any and high exposure to e-cigarette warning labels increased. Continued monitoring of reactions can inform if warnings are achieving their regulatory goal. |
Reducing alcohol use to prevent cancer deaths: Estimated effects among U.S. Adults
Esser MB , Sherk A , Liu Y , Henley SJ , Naimi TS . Am J Prev Med 2024 66 (4) 725-729 Introduction: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 recommends non-drinking or no more than 2 drinks for men or 1 drink for women in a day. However, even at lower levels, alcohol use increases the risk for certain cancers. This study estimated mean annual alcohol-attributable cancer deaths and the number of cancer deaths that could potentially be prevented if all U.S. adults who drank in excess of the Dietary Guidelines had instead consumed alcohol to correspond with typical consumption of those who drink within the recommended limits. Methods: Among U.S. residents aged ≥20 years, mean annual alcohol-attributable cancer deaths during 2020–2021 that could have been prevented with hypothetical reductions in alcohol use were estimated. Mean daily alcohol consumption prevalence estimates from the 2020–2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adjusted to per capita alcohol sales to address underreporting of drinking, were applied to relative risks to calculate population-attributable fractions for cancers that can occur from drinking alcohol. Analyses were conducted during February–April 2023. Results: In the U.S., an estimated 20,216 cancer deaths were alcohol-attributable/year during 2020–2021 (men: 14,562 [72.0%]; women: 5,654 [28.0%]). Approximately 16,800 deaths (83% of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths, 2.8% of all cancer deaths) could have been prevented/year if adults who drank alcohol in excess of the Dietary Guidelines had instead reduced their consumption to ≤2 drinks/day for men or ≤1 drink/day for women. Approximately 650 additional deaths could have been prevented annually if men consumed 1 drink/day, instead of 2. Conclusions: Implementing evidence-based alcohol policies (e.g., increasing alcohol taxes, regulating alcohol outlet density) to decrease drinking could reduce alcohol-attributable cancers, complementing clinical interventions. © 2023 |
Deaths from excessive alcohol use - United States, 2016-2021
Esser MB , Sherk A , Liu Y , Naimi TS . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024 73 (8) 154-161 Deaths from causes fully attributable to alcohol use have increased during the past 2 decades in the United States, particularly from 2019 to 2020, concurrent with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, previous studies of trends have not assessed underlying causes of deaths that are partially attributable to alcohol use, such as injuries or certain types of cancer. CDC's Alcohol-Related Disease Impact application was used to estimate the average annual number and age-standardized rate of deaths from excessive alcohol use in the United States based on 58 alcohol-related causes of death during three periods (2016-2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021). Average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased 29.3%, from 137,927 during 2016-2017 to 178,307 during 2020-2021; age-standardized alcohol-related death rates increased from 38.1 to 47.6 per 100,000 population. During this time, deaths from excessive alcohol use among males increased 26.8%, from 94,362 per year to 119,606, and among females increased 34.7%, from 43,565 per year to 58,701. Implementation of evidence-based policies that reduce the availability and accessibility of alcohol and increase its price (e.g., policies that reduce the number and concentration of places selling alcohol and increase alcohol taxes) could reduce excessive alcohol use and alcohol-related deaths. |
Comparing binary & ordinal definitions of urinary & stool continence outcomes: Data from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry
Kelly MS , Liu T , Routh JC , Castillo H , Tanaka ST , Smith K , Krach LE , Zhang A , Sherburne E , Castillo J , David J , Wiener JS . J Pediatr Urol 2024 INTRODUCTION: The National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR) assesses bladder and bowel incontinence using ordinal categories, but prior NSBPR analyses employed binary classification. Our aims were to 1) perform the first NSBPR analysis of bladder and bowel incontinence as ordinal outcomes to compare to the binary definition and subject variables; 2) explore the correlation of incontinence with undergarment usage, and 3) assess incontinence status following continence surgeries. METHODS: Data from NSBPR participants' most recent clinic visit from 2013 to 2020 were analyzed. Ordinal categories of incontinence were compared to previously used binary definitions. Incontinence surgical outcomes were analyzed for those with data at least three months post-operatively. Chi-square tests evaluated associations among categorical variables. Univariate and ordinal logistic regression models were used to test associations of ordinal incontinence status with patient and condition factors. Statistical tests were 2-sided; p values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Analysis of 7217 individuals using ordinal incontinence outcomes showed little difference from previously used binary outcomes. The final multivariable logistic regression models with ordinal multinomial outcomes showed that associations of incontinence with age, sex, race/ethnicity, health insurance, level of lesion, and continence management technique were similar to prior studies. Among those reporting never being incontinent of both bladder and bowel, 14% reported using protective undergarments. Of the 500 individuals who had bladder outlet surgery, 38% reported never being incontinent of urine. Of 1416 individuals who had appendicostomy (ACE) bowel surgery, 48% reported never being incontinent of stool. DISCUSSION: Our current analysis showed that ordinal continence outcome classification had similar continence findings as previous studies using the binary definition of continence. Expanding the binary definition of continence to include monthly episodes of incontinence did not greatly increase the proportion of continent individuals and, therefore, would have not likely made meaningful differences in continence outcomes in prior NSBPR analyses. However, it is known that even mild incontinence can affect quality of life, therefore, capturing any level of incontiennce is of clinical importance. Confirmation of the association of continence outcomes with sociodemographic, condition-related, and interventional factors with both approaches further validates previous analyses using the binary definition of continence. CONCLUSION: The previously used binary definition of bladder and bowel continence appears robust. Undergarment choice was a poor surrogate for reported incontinence. After bladder and bowel continence surgeries, 38% and 48%, respectively, reported never being incontinent. |
Long noncoding RNA ABHD11-AS1 interacts with SART3 and regulates CD44 RNA alternative splicing to promote lung carcinogenesis
Wang PS , Liu Z , Sweef O , Xie J , Chen J , Zhu H , Zeidler-Erdely PC , Yang C , Wang Z . Environ Int 2024 185 108494 Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a common environmental pollutant and chronic exposure to Cr(VI) causes lung cancer in humans, however, the mechanism of Cr(VI) carcinogenesis has not been well understood. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death, although the mechanisms of how lung cancer develops and progresses have been poorly understood. While long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are found abnormally expressed in cancer, how dysregulated lncRNAs contribute to carcinogenesis remains largely unknown. The goal of this study is to investigate the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced lung carcinogenesis focusing on the role of the lncRNA ABHD11 antisense RNA 1 (tail to tail) (ABHD11-AS1). It was found that the lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 expression levels are up-regulated in chronic Cr(VI) exposure-transformed human bronchial epithelial cells, chronically Cr(VI)-exposed mouse lung tissues, and human lung cancer cells as well. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that ABHD11-AS1 levels are up-regulated in lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs) tissues and associated with worse overall survival of LUAD patients but not in lung squamous cell carcinomas. It was further determined that up-regulation of ABHD11-AS1 expression plays an important role in chronic Cr(VI) exposure-induced cell malignant transformation and tumorigenesis, and the stemness of human lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, it was found that ABHD11-AS1 directly binds SART3 (spliceosome associated factor 3, U4/U6 recycling protein). The interaction of ABHD11-AS1 with SART3 promotes USP15 (ubiquitin specific peptidase 15) nuclear localization. Nuclear localized USP15 interacts with pre-mRNA processing factor 19 (PRPF19) to increase CD44 RNA alternative splicing activating β-catenin and enhancing cancer stemness. Together, these findings indicate that lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 interacts with SART3 and regulates CD44 RNA alternative splicing to promote cell malignant transformation and lung carcinogenesis. |
Association of COVID-19 pandemic societal closures with gestational weight gain among women in South Carolina, 2018-2021
Tori ME , Gosdin L , Shih Y , Hung P , Li X , Liu J . Ann Epidemiol 2024 91 51-57 PURPOSE: During the early COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in weight gain among the general population was observed; however, gestational weight gain (GWG) was not thoroughly evaluated. We evaluated changes in GWG during the pandemic closures in South Carolina. METHODS: We used live, singleton birth records to compare GWG outcomes among three pregnancy groups occurring before (January 2018-February 2020), during (March-May 2020), and after (June 2020-December 2021) pandemic closures. GWG categories were defined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations. We used multinomial logistic regression models to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) of GWG categories stratified by prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) category. RESULTS: We analyzed 177,571 birth records. Women with normal weight (n = 64,491, 36%) had a slightly lower prevalence of excessive GWG during and after the pandemic closures (PR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.98 and PR 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98, respectively). We observed no changes in GWG patterns for women with overweight and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: We found limited changes in GWG patterns for a subset of pregnant women during and after pandemic closures, compared with prepandemic period in South Carolina, countering findings of weight changes among the general population. |
Clinical and laboratory findings of the first imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus to the United States.
Kapoor M , Pringle K , Kumar A , Dearth S , Liu L , Lovchik J , Perez O , Pontones P , Richards S , Yeadon-Fagbohun J , Breakwell L , Chea N , Cohen NJ , Schneider E , Erdman D , Haynes L , Pallansch M , Tao Y , Tong S , Gerber S , Swerdlow D , Feikin DR . Clin Infect Dis 2014 59 (11) 1511-8 BACKGROUND: The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was discovered September 2012 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The first US case of MERS-CoV was confirmed on 2 May 2014. METHODS: We summarize the clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory and radiologic findings, and MERS-CoV-specific tests. RESULTS: The patient is a 65-year-old physician who worked in a hospital in KSA where MERS-CoV patients were treated. His illness onset included malaise, myalgias, and low-grade fever. He flew to the United States on day of illness (DOI) 7. His first respiratory symptom, a dry cough, developed on DOI 10. On DOI 11, he presented to an Indiana hospital as dyspneic, hypoxic, and with a right lower lobe infiltrate on chest radiography. On DOI 12, his serum tested positive by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for MERS-CoV and showed high MERS-CoV antibody titers, whereas his nasopharyngeal swab was rRT-PCR negative. Expectorated sputum was rRT-PCR positive the following day, with a high viral load (5.31 × 10(6) copies/mL). He was treated with antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin, and oxygen by nasal cannula. He was discharged on DOI 22. The genome sequence was similar (>99%) to other known MERS-CoV sequences, clustering with those from KSA from June to July 2013. CONCLUSIONS: This patient had a prolonged nonspecific prodromal illness before developing respiratory symptoms. Both sera and sputum were rRT-PCR positive when nasopharyngeal specimens were negative. US clinicians must be vigilant for MERS-CoV in patients with febrile and/or respiratory illness with recent travel to the Arabian Peninsula, especially among healthcare workers. |
Rapid outbreak sequencing of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone identifies transmission chains linked to sporadic cases.
Arias A , Watson SJ , Asogun D , Tobin EA , Lu J , Phan MVT , Jah U , Wadoum REG , Meredith L , Thorne L , Caddy S , Tarawalie A , Langat P , Dudas G , Faria NR , Dellicour S , Kamara A , Kargbo B , Kamara BO , Gevao S , Cooper D , Newport M , Horby P , Dunning J , Sahr F , Brooks T , Simpson AJH , Groppelli E , Liu G , Mulakken N , Rhodes K , Akpablie J , Yoti Z , Lamunu M , Vitto E , Otim P , Owilli C , Boateng I , Okoror L , Omomoh E , Oyakhilome J , Omiunu R , Yemisis I , Adomeh D , Ehikhiametalor S , Akhilomen P , Aire C , Kurth A , Cook N , Baumann J , Gabriel M , Wölfel R , Di Caro A , Carroll MW , Günther S , Redd J , Naidoo D , Pybus OG , Rambaut A , Kellam P , Goodfellow I , Cotten M . Virus Evol 2016 2 (1) vew016 To end the largest known outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa and to prevent new transmissions, rapid epidemiological tracing of cases and contacts was required. The ability to quickly identify unknown sources and chains of transmission is key to ending the EVD epidemic and of even greater importance in the context of recent reports of Ebola virus (EBOV) persistence in survivors. Phylogenetic analysis of complete EBOV genomes can provide important information on the source of any new infection. A local deep sequencing facility was established at the Mateneh Ebola Treatment Centre in central Sierra Leone. The facility included all wetlab and computational resources to rapidly process EBOV diagnostic samples into full genome sequences. We produced 554 EBOV genomes from EVD cases across Sierra Leone. These genomes provided a detailed description of EBOV evolution and facilitated phylogenetic tracking of new EVD cases. Importantly, we show that linked genomic and epidemiological data can not only support contact tracing but also identify unconventional transmission chains involving body fluids, including semen. Rapid EBOV genome sequencing, when linked to epidemiological information and a comprehensive database of virus sequences across the outbreak, provided a powerful tool for public health epidemic control efforts. |
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. |
Developing a COVID-19 WHO Clinical Progression Scale inpatient database from electronic health record data.
Ramaswamy P , Gong JJ , Saleh SN , McDonald SA , Blumberg S , Medford RJ , Liu X . J Am Med Inform Assoc 2022 29 (7) 1279-1285 OBJECTIVE: There is a need for a systematic method to implement the World Health Organization's Clinical Progression Scale (WHO-CPS), an ordinal clinical severity score for coronavirus disease 2019 patients, to electronic health record (EHR) data. We discuss our process of developing guiding principles mapping EHR data to WHO-CPS scores across multiple institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using WHO-CPS as a guideline, we developed the technical blueprint to map EHR data to ordinal clinical severity scores. We applied our approach to data from 2 medical centers. RESULTS: Our method was able to classify clinical severity for 100% of patient days for 2756 patient encounters across 2 institutions. DISCUSSION: Implementing new clinical scales can be challenging; strong understanding of health system data architecture was integral to meet the clinical intentions of the WHO-CPS. CONCLUSION: We describe a detailed blueprint for how to apply the WHO-CPS scale to patient data from the EHR. |
Telemedicine trends and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic-World Trade Center Health Program, 2020-2021
Azofeifa A , Liu R , Dupont H , Reissman DB . Public Health Rep 2024 333549231223143 The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, a limited federal health care program for eligible people exposed to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, expanded telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). We analyzed service use trends from January 2020 through December 2021 to describe how the program implemented telemedicine services. About three-quarters (75%) of telemedicine visits were for mental health-related services. In the second quarter of 2020 (April-June), the number of telemedicine visits per 1000 members (n = 367) increased, exceeding in-person visits (n = 152) by 1.4-fold. The number of telemedicine visits per 1000 members decreased gradually during the rest of the study period but still represented 38% of total visits by the end of 2021. Changes in telemedicine visits were offset by comparable changes for in-person visits, such that the rate of total visits was essentially constant during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression models showed differences in telemedicine visit rates by member type and by demographic characteristics. Survivor members (vs responder members), those self-identified as non-Hispanic Other races (vs non-Hispanic White), those with preferred language not English (vs preferred language English), and those not living in the New York metropolitan area (vs living in the New York metropolitan area) were less likely to use telemedicine. Implementing telemedicine services in the WTC Health Program during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of extensive collaboration among partners, the capacity to rapidly develop necessary technical guidance, and the flexibility to address frequent regulatory guidance updates in a timely fashion. These lessons learned may guide similar health care providers posed with time-sensitive disruptions of in-person services. |
Redirecting antibody responses from egg-adapted epitopes following repeat vaccination with recombinant or cell culture-based versus egg-based influenza vaccines
Liu F , Gross FL , Joshi S , Gaglani M , Naleway AL , Murthy K , Groom HC , Wesley MG , Edwards LJ , Grant L , Kim SS , Sambhara S , Gangappa S , Tumpey T , Thompson MG , Fry AM , Flannery B , Dawood FS , Levine MZ . Nat Commun 2024 15 (1) 254 Repeat vaccination with egg-based influenza vaccines could preferentially boost antibodies targeting the egg-adapted epitopes and reduce immunogenicity to circulating viruses. In this randomized trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03722589), sera pre- and post-vaccination with quadrivalent inactivated egg-based (IIV4), cell culture-based (ccIIV4), and recombinant (RIV4) influenza vaccines were collected from healthcare personnel (18-64 years) in 2018-19 (N = 723) and 2019-20 (N = 684) influenza seasons. We performed an exploratory analysis. Vaccine egg-adapted changes had the most impact on A(H3N2) immunogenicity. In year 1, RIV4 induced higher neutralizing and total HA head binding antibodies to cell- A(H3N2) virus than ccIIV4 and IIV4. In year 2, among the 7 repeat vaccination arms (IIV4-IIV4, IIV4-ccIIV4, IIV4-RIV4, RIV4-ccIIV4, RIV4-RIV4, ccIIV4-ccIIV4 and ccIIV4-RIV4), repeat vaccination with either RIV4 or ccIIV4 further improved antibody responses to circulating viruses with decreased neutralizing antibody egg/cell ratio. RIV4 also had higher post-vaccination A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) HA stalk antibodies in year 1, but there was no significant difference in HA stalk antibody fold rise among vaccine groups in either year 1 or year 2. Multiple seasons of non-egg-based vaccination may be needed to redirect antibody responses from immune memory to egg-adapted epitopes and re-focus the immune responses towards epitopes on the circulating viruses to improve vaccine effectiveness. |
Opioid prescriptions among the World Trade Center Health Program population
Liu R , Calvert GM , Anderson KR , Malcolm H , Cimineri L , Dupont H , Martinez M . BMC Health Serv Res 2023 23 (1) 1323 BACKGROUND: The World Trade Center Health Program (Program) provides limited health care to those directly affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Because of physical/mental trauma arising from the 9/11 attacks, Program members might be at high risk of opioid use. To prevent prescription opioid overuse, in 2018 the Program implemented various measures to improve opioid prescribing and expand access to non-opioid pain management among Program members. However, the characteristics of opioid prescriptions dispensed among this population has never been described. METHODS: Administrative and claims data from 07/01/2011 to 09/30/2022 were used to describe opioid prescriptions dispensed during 2013-2021. RESULTS: From 2013-2021, 108,285 members were Program-enrolled for ≥ 10 months, 4,053 (3.7%) had 22,938 outpatient opioid prescriptions, of which, 62.1% were for cancer-related pain, 11.1% for hospice/end of life care, 4.8% for surgery pain, and 9.8% for acute/chronic pain. Among members with Program-paid diagnostic/treatment claims (n = 70,721), the proportion with opioid prescriptions for cancer/hospice/end of life care increased from 0.5% in 2013 to 1.6% in 2018 (p = 0.010), then decreased to 1.1% in 2021 (p = 0.070), and the proportion for non-cancer surgery/acute/chronic pain decreased from 0.6% in 2013 to 0.23% in 2021 (p = 0.0005). Among members prescribed opioids without cancer/hospice/sickle cell disease, the proportion who started with long-acting opioids or had opioid prescriptions from ≥ 4 prescribers were below 6.5% annually; the proportion receiving a high-dose (≥ 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day [MED]), or with concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines use, or who started opioids with MED ≥ 50 or with long duration (≥ 7 days' supply) were above 10% annually, but decreased since 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of outpatient opioid prescriptions paid by the Program was very low and prescriptions were primarily dispensed for cancer/hospice/end of life care. Although Program efforts to improve opioid prescribing coincided with improvements in outcomes, ongoing surveillance is needed. |
Trends in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults aged ≥18 years - United States, 2011-2021
Liu Y , Carlson SA , Watson KB , Xu F , Greenlund KJ . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (46) 1250-1256 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death in the United States. Overall COPD prevalence declined during 1999-2011. Trends in COPD prevalence during the previous decade have not been reported. CDC analyzed 2011-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to assess trends and differences in self-reported physician-diagnosed COPD prevalence among U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Age-standardized prevalence of COPD did not change significantly from 2011 (6.1%) to 2021 (6.0%). Prevalence was stable for most states and subgroups; however, it decreased significantly among adults aged 18-44 years (average annual percent change [AAPC] = -2.0%) and increased significantly among those aged ≥75 years (AAPC = 1.3%), those living in micropolitan counties (0.8%), and among current (1.5%) or former (1.2%) smokers. COPD prevalence remained elevated in the following groups: women, adults aged ≥65 years, those with a lower education level, unable to work, living in rural areas, and who ever smoked. Evidence-based strategies, especially those tailored for adults disproportionately affected, can reduce COPD prevalence, and address the continued need for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and management. |
Antibody-mediated suppression regulates the humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in humans
Lu X , Liu F , Tzeng WP , York IA , Tumpey T , Levine MZ . J Infect Dis 2023 BACKGROUND: Pre-existing immunity, including memory B-cells and pre-existing antibodies, can modulate antibody responses to influenza in vivo to antigenically related antigens. We investigated whether pre-existing hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibodies targeting the K163 epitope on the hemagglutinin (K163-antibodies) could affect antibody responses following vaccination with A/California/07/2009-like (CA/09) A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza viruses in humans. METHODS: Pre- and post-vaccination sera collected from 300 adults (birth year:1961-1998) in 6 seasons (2010-2016) were analyzed using HAI assays with 2 reverse genetics viruses and A(H1N1) viruses circulated from 1977 to 2018. Antibody adsorption assays were used to verify the pre-existing K163-antibody-mediated suppression effect. RESULTS: Pre-existing K163-antibody titers of ≥80 affected HAI antibody responses following influenza vaccination containing CA/09-like antigens. At high K163-antibody concentrations (HAI antibody titers≥160), all HAI antibody responses were suppressed, while at moderate K163-antibody concentrations (HAI antibody titer=80), only K163-epitope-specific antibody responses were suppressed and novel HAI antibody responses targeting the non-K163-epitope(s) were induced by vaccination. Novel antibodies targeting non-K163 epitope(s) cross-reacted with newly emerging A(H1N1)pdm09 strains with a K163Q mutation, rather than historic 1977-2007 A(H1N1) viruses. CONCLUSION: K163-antibody-mediated suppression shapes antibody responses to A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination. Understanding how pre-existing antibodies suppress and redirect vaccine-induced antibody responses is of great importance to improve vaccine effectiveness. |
Changing social contact patterns among US workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: April 2020 to December 2021
Kiti MC , Aguolu OG , Zelaya A , Chen HY , Ahmed N , Batross J , Liu CY , Nelson KN , Jenness SM , Melegaro A , Ahmed F , Malik F , Omer SB , Lopman BA . Epidemics 2023 45 100727 Non-pharmaceutical interventions minimize social contacts, hence the spread of respiratory pathogens such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Globally, there is a paucity of social contact data from the workforce. In this study, we quantified two-day contact patterns among USA employees. Contacts were defined as face-to-face conversations, involving physical touch or proximity to another individual and were collected using electronic self-kept diaries. Data were collected over 4 rounds from 2020 to 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mean (standard deviation) contacts reported by 1456 participants were 2.5 (2.5), 8.2 (7.1), 9.2 (7.1) and 10.1 (9.5) across round 1 (April-June 2020), 2 (November 2020-January 2021), 3 (June-August 2021), and 4 (November-December 2021), respectively. Between round 1 and 2, we report a 3-fold increase in the mean number of contacts reported per participant with no major increases from round 2-4. We then modeled SARS-CoV-2 transmission at home, work, and community settings. The model revealed reduced relative transmission in all settings in round 1. Subsequently, transmission increased at home and in the community but remained exceptionally low in work settings. To accurately parameterize models of infection transmission and control, we need empirical social contact data that capture human mixing behavior across time. |
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