Last data update: Dec 02, 2024. (Total: 48272 publications since 2009)
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Query Trace: Mcdonald R[original query] |
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Use of multiplex molecular panels to diagnose urinary tract infection in older adults
Hatfield KM , Kabbani S , See I , Currie DW , Kim C , Jacobs Slifka K , Magill SS , Hicks LA , McDonald LC , Jernigan J , Reddy SC , Lutgring JD . JAMA Netw Open 2024 7 (11) e2446842 IMPORTANCE: Multiplex molecular syndromic panels for diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) lack clinical data supporting their use in routine clinical care. They also have the potential to exacerbate inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of unspecified multiplex testing in administrative claims with a primary diagnosis of UTI in the Medicare population over time, to assess costs, and to characterize the health care professionals (eg, clinicians, laboratories, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) and patient populations using these tests. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study used Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) claims data for Medicare beneficiaries. The study included older community-dwelling adults and nursing home residents with fee-for-service Medicare Part A and Part B benefits from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2023. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Multiplex syndromic panels were identified using carrier claims (ie, claims for clinician office or laboratory services). The annual rate of claims was measured for multiplex syndromic panels with a primary diagnosis of UTI per 10 000 eligible Medicare beneficiaries. The performing and referring specialties of health care professionals listed on claims of interest and the proportion of claims that occurred among beneficiaries residing in a nursing home were described. RESULTS: Between 31 110 656 and 36 175 559 Medicare beneficiaries with fee-for-service coverage annually (2016-2023) were included in this study. In this period, 1 679 328 claims for UTI multiplex testing were identified. The median age of beneficiaries was 77 (IQR, 70-84) years; 34% of claims were from male beneficiaries and 66% were from female beneficiaries. From 2016 to 2023, the observed rate of UTI multiplex testing increased from 2.4 to 148.1 claims per 10 000 fee-for-service beneficiaries annually, and the proportion of claims that occurred among beneficiaries residing in a nursing home ranged from 1% in 2016 to 12% in 2020. In addition to laboratories or pathologists, urology was the most common clinician specialty conducting this testing. The CMS-assigned referring clinician specialty was most frequently urology or advanced practice clinician for claims among community-dwelling beneficiaries compared with internal medicine or family medicine for claims among nursing home residents. In 2023, the median cost of a multiplex test in the US was $585 (IQR, $516-$695 for Q1-Q3), which was more than 70 times higher than the median cost of $8 for a urine culture (IQR, $8-$16 for Q1-Q3). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries with fee-for-service coverage from 2016 to 2023 found increasing use of emerging multiplex testing for UTI coupled with high costs to the Medicare program. Monitoring and research are needed to determine the effects of multiplex testing on antimicrobial use and whether there are clinical situations in which this testing may benefit patients. |
CDC's Core Elements to promote diagnostic excellence
Morgan DJ , Singh H , Srinivasan A , Bradford A , McDonald LC , Kutty PK . Diagnosis (Berl) 2024 Nearly a decade after the National Academy of Medicine released the "Improving Diagnosis in Health Care" report, diagnostic errors remain common, often leading to physical, psychological, emotional, and financial harm. Despite a robust body of research on potential solutions and next steps, the translation of these efforts to patient care has been limited. Improvement initiatives are still narrowly focused on selective themes such as diagnostic stewardship, preventing overdiagnosis, and enhancing clinical reasoning without comprehensively addressing vulnerable systems and processes surrounding diagnosis. To close this implementation gap, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the Core Elements of Hospital Diagnostic Excellence programs on September 17, 2024. This initiative aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2024 World Patient Safety Day focus on improving diagnosis. These Core Elements provide guidance for the formation of hospital programs to improve diagnosis and aim to integrate various disparate efforts in hospitals. By creating a shared mental model of diagnostic excellence, the Core Elements of Diagnostic Excellence supports actions to break down silos, guide hospitals toward multidisciplinary diagnostic excellence teams, and provide a foundation for building diagnostic excellence programs in hospitals. |
Quantitative measures of estrogen receptor expression in relation to breast cancer-specific mortality risk among white women and black women
Ma H , Lu Y , Marchbanks PA , Folger SG , Strom BL , McDonald JA , Simon MS , Weiss LK , Malone KE , Burkman RT , Sullivan-Halley J , Deapen DM , Press MF , Bernstein L . Breast Cancer Res 2013 15 (5) R90 INTRODUCTION: The association of breast cancer patients’ mortality with estrogen receptor (ER) status (ER + versus ER-) has been well studied. However, little attention has been paid to the relationship between the quantitative measures of ER expression and mortality. METHODS: We evaluated the association between semi-quantitative, immunohistochemical staining of ER in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast carcinomas and breast cancer-specific mortality risk in an observational cohort of invasive breast cancer in 681 white women and 523 black women ages 35-64 years at first diagnosis of invasive breast cancer, who were followed for a median of 10 years. The quantitative measures of ER examined here included the percentage of tumor cell nuclei positively stained for ER, ER Histo (H)-score, and a score based on an adaptation of an equation presented by Cuzick and colleagues, which combines weighted values of ER H-score, percentage of tumor cell nuclei positively stained for the progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) results. This is referred to as the ER/PR/HER2 score. RESULTS: After controlling for age at diagnosis, race, study site, tumor stage, and histologic grade in multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, both percentage of tumor cell nuclei positively stained for ER (Ptrend = 0.0003) and the ER H-score (Ptrend = 0.0004) were inversely associated with breast cancer-specific mortality risk. The ER/PR/HER2 score was positively associated with breast cancer-specific mortality risk in women with ER + tumor (Ptrend = 0.001). Analyses by race revealed that ER positivity was associated with reduced risk of breast cancer-specific mortality in white women and black women. The two quantitative measures for ER alone provided additional discrimination in breast cancer-specific mortality risk only among white women with ER + tumors (both Ptrend ≤ 0.01) while the ER/PR/HER2 score provided additional discrimination for both white women (Ptrend = 0.01) and black women (Ptrend = 0.03) with ER + tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support quantitative immunohistochemical measures of ER, especially the ER/PR/HER2 score, as a more precise predictor for breast cancer-specific mortality risk than a simple determination of ER positivity. |
Community and patient features and health care point of entry for pediatric concussion
Corwin DJ , Fedonni D , McDonald CC , Peterson A , Haarbauer-Krupa J , Godfrey M , Camacho P , Bryant-Stephens T , Master CL , Arbogast KB . JAMA Netw Open 2024 7 (10) e2442332 IMPORTANCE: Many recent advances in pediatric concussion care are implemented by specialists; however, children with concussion receive care across varied locations. Thus, it is critical to identify which children have access to the most up-to-date treatment strategies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in the sociodemographic and community characteristics of pediatric patients who sought care for concussion across various points of entry into a regional health care network. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study included children seen for concussions across a regional US health care network from January 1, 2017, to August 4, 2023. Pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years who received an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification code for concussion were included. The study took place at emergency department (ED) and outpatient (primary care [PC] and specialty care [SC]) settings. EXPOSURES: Age at visit, biological sex, parent-identified race and ethnicity, payer type, median income and percentage of adults with a bachelor's degree for home zip code, and overall and subdomain Child Opportunity Index (COI) score based on patient address. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The association of exposures with point of entry of ED, PC, and SC were examined in both bivariate analysis and a multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 15 631 patients were included in the study (median [IQR] age, 13 [11-15] years; 7879 [50.4%] male; 1055 [6.7%] Hispanic, 2865 [18.3%] non-Hispanic Black, and 9887 [63.7%] non-Hispanic White individuals). Race and ethnicity were significantly different across settings (1485 patients [50.0%] seen in the ED were non-Hispanic Black vs 1012 [12.0%] in PC and 368 [8.7%] in SC; P < .001) as was insurance status (1562 patients [52.6%] seen in the ED possessed public insurance vs 1624 [19.3%] in PC and 683 [16.1%] in SC; P < .001). Overall and individual COI subdomain scores were also significantly different between settings (overall COI median [IQR]: ED, 30 [9-71]; PC, 87 [68-95]; SC, 87 [69-95]; P < .001). Race, insurance status, and overall COI had the strongest associations with point of entry in the multivariable model (eg, non-Hispanic Black patients seen in the ED compared with non-Hispanic White patients: odds ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.69-2.45). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study, children with concussion seen in the ED setting were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black, have public insurance, and have a lower Child Opportunity Index compared with children cared for in the PC or SC setting. This highlights the importance of providing education and training for ED clinicians as well as establishing up-to-date community-level resources to optimize care delivery for pediatric patients with concussion at high risk of care inequities. |
The role and limitations of electronic medical records versus patient interviews for determining symptoms, underlying comorbidities, and medication usage for patients with COVID-19
Soto RA , Vahey GM , Marshall KE , McDonald E , Herlihy R , Chun HM , Killerby ME , Kawasaki B , Midgley CM , Alden NB , Tate JE , Staples JE , Team CI . Am J Epidemiol 2024 193 (10) 1442-1450 Electronic medical records (EMRs) are important for rapidly compiling information to determine disease characteristics (eg, symptoms) and risk factors (eg, underlying comorbidities, medications) for disease-related outcomes. To assess EMR data accuracy, agreement between EMR abstractions and patient interviews was evaluated. Symptoms, medical history, and medication use among patients with COVID-19 collected from EMRs and patient interviews were compared using overall agreement (ie, same answer in EMR and interview), reported agreement (yes answer in both EMR and interview among those who reported yes in either), and κ statistics. Overall, patients reported more symptoms in interviews than in EMR abstractions. Overall agreement was high (≥50% for 20 of 23 symptoms), but only subjective fever and dyspnea had reported agreement of ≥50%. The κ statistics for symptoms were generally low. Reported medical conditions had greater agreement with all condition categories (n = 10 of 10) having ≥50% overall agreement and half (n = 5 of 10) having ≥50% reported agreement. More nonprescription medications were reported in interviews than in EMR abstractions, leading to low reported agreement (28%). Discordance was observed for symptoms, medical history, and medication use between EMR abstractions and patient interviews. Investigations using EMRs to describe clinical characteristics and identify risk factors should consider the potential for incomplete data, particularly for symptoms and medications. |
Public health surveillance of outpatient antibiotic prescription trends, United States, 2011-2019
Kim C , Bartoces M , Gouin KA , McDonald E , Hicks LA , Kabbani S . Am J Epidemiol 2024 |
Race, ethnicity, and gender differences in patient reported well-being and cognitive functioning within 3 months of symptomatic illness during COVID-19 pandemic
Hill MJ , Huebinger RM , Ebna Mannan I , Yu H , Wisk LE , O'Laughlin KN , Gentile NL , Stephens KA , Gottlieb M , Weinstein RA , Koo K , Santangelo M , Saydah S , Spatz ES , Lin Z , Schaeffer K , Kean E , Montoy JCC , Rodriguez RM , Idris AH , McDonald S , Elmore JG , Venkatesh A . J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024 BACKGROUND: Differences in acute COVID-19 associated morbidity based on race, ethnicity, and gender have been well described; however, less is known about differences in subsequent longer term health-related quality of life and well-being. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included symptomatic adults tested for SARS-CoV-2 who completed baseline and 3-month follow-up surveys. Using the PROMIS-29 tool, a validated measure of health and well-being, we compared outcomes at 3 months and change in outcomes from baseline to 3 months among groups with different races, ethnicities, and/or sexes. RESULTS: Among 6044 participants, 4113 (3202 COVID +) were included. Among COVID + participants, compared to non-Hispanic White participants, Black participants had better PROMIS T-scores for cognitive function (3.6 [1.1, 6.2]) and fatigue (- 4.3 [- 6.6, - 2.0]) at 3 months and experienced more improvement in fatigue over 3 months (- 2.7 [- 4.7, - 0.8]). At 3 months, compared with males, females had worse PROMIS T-scores for cognitive function (- 4.1 [- 5.6, - 2.6]), physical function (- 2.1 [- 3.1, - 1.0]), social participation (- 2.8 [- 4.2, - 1.5]), anxiety (2.8 [1.5, 4.1]), fatigue (5.1 [3.7, 6.4]), and pain interference (2.0 [0.9, 3.2]). Females experienced less improvement in fatigue over 3 months (3.1 [2.0, 4.3]). Transgender/non-binary/other gender participants had worse 3-month scores in all domains except for sleep disturbance and pain interference. CONCLUSIONS: Three months after the initial COVID-19 infection, Black participants reported better cognitive function and fatigue, while females and other gender minoritized groups experienced lower well-being. Future studies are necessary to better understand how and why social constructs, specifically race, ethnicity, and gender, influence differences in COVID-19-related health outcomes. Trials Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04610515. |
Public health case for microbiome-sparing antibiotics and new opportunities for drug development
McDonald LC , Young VB , Wilcox MH , Halpin AL , Chaves RL . mSphere 2024 e0041724 Although antibiotics remain a cornerstone of modern medicine, the issues of widespread antibiotic resistance and collateral damage to the microbiome from antibiotic use are driving a need for drug developers to consider more tailored, patient-directed products to avoid antibiotic-induced perturbations of the structure and function of the indigenous microbiota. This perspective summarizes a cascade of microbiome health effects that is initiated by antibiotic-mediated microbiome disruption at an individual level and ultimately leads to infection and transmission of multidrug-resistant pathogens across patient populations. The scientific evidence behind each of the key steps of this cascade is presented. The interruption of this cascade through the use of highly targeted, microbiome-sparing antibiotics aiming to improve health outcomes is discussed. Further, this perspective reflects on some key clinical trial design and reimbursement considerations to be addressed as part of the drug development path. |
Title evaluation of FluSight influenza forecasting in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with a new target laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations
Mathis SM , Webber AE , León TM , Murray EL , Sun M , White LA , Brooks LC , Green A , Hu AJ , Rosenfeld R , Shemetov D , Tibshirani RJ , McDonald DJ , Kandula S , Pei S , Yaari R , Yamana TK , Shaman J , Agarwal P , Balusu S , Gururajan G , Kamarthi H , Prakash BA , Raman R , Zhao Z , Rodríguez A , Meiyappan A , Omar S , Baccam P , Gurung HL , Suchoski BT , Stage SA , Ajelli M , Kummer AG , Litvinova M , Ventura PC , Wadsworth S , Niemi J , Carcelen E , Hill AL , Loo SL , McKee CD , Sato K , Smith C , Truelove S , Jung SM , Lemaitre JC , Lessler J , McAndrew T , Ye W , Bosse N , Hlavacek WS , Lin YT , Mallela A , Gibson GC , Chen Y , Lamm SM , Lee J , Posner RG , Perofsky AC , Viboud C , Clemente L , Lu F , Meyer AG , Santillana M , Chinazzi M , Davis JT , Mu K , Pastore YPiontti A , Vespignani A , Xiong X , Ben-Nun M , Riley P , Turtle J , Hulme-Lowe C , Jessa S , Nagraj VP , Turner SD , Williams D , Basu A , Drake JM , Fox SJ , Suez E , Cojocaru MG , Thommes EW , Cramer EY , Gerding A , Stark A , Ray EL , Reich NG , Shandross L , Wattanachit N , Wang Y , Zorn MW , Aawar MA , Srivastava A , Meyers LA , Adiga A , Hurt B , Kaur G , Lewis BL , Marathe M , Venkatramanan S , Butler P , Farabow A , Ramakrishnan N , Muralidhar N , Reed C , Biggerstaff M , Borchering RK . Nat Commun 2024 15 (1) 6289 Accurate forecasts can enable more effective public health responses during seasonal influenza epidemics. For the 2021-22 and 2022-23 influenza seasons, 26 forecasting teams provided national and jurisdiction-specific probabilistic predictions of weekly confirmed influenza hospital admissions for one-to-four weeks ahead. Forecast skill is evaluated using the Weighted Interval Score (WIS), relative WIS, and coverage. Six out of 23 models outperform the baseline model across forecast weeks and locations in 2021-22 and 12 out of 18 models in 2022-23. Averaging across all forecast targets, the FluSight ensemble is the 2(nd) most accurate model measured by WIS in 2021-22 and the 5(th) most accurate in the 2022-23 season. Forecast skill and 95% coverage for the FluSight ensemble and most component models degrade over longer forecast horizons. In this work we demonstrate that while the FluSight ensemble was a robust predictor, even ensembles face challenges during periods of rapid change. |
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Unger ER , Lin JS , Wisk LE , Yu H , L'Hommedieu M , Lavretsky H , Montoy JCC , Gottlieb MA , Rising KL , Gentile NL , Santangelo M , Venkatesh AK , Rodriguez RM , Hill MJ , Geyer RE , Kean ER , Saydah S , McDonald SA , Huebinger R , Idris AH , Dorney J , Hota B , Spatz ES , Stephens KA , Weinstein RA , Elmore JG . JAMA Netw Open 2024 7 (7) e2423555 IMPORTANCE: Chronic symptoms reported following an infection with SARS-CoV-2, such as cognitive problems, overlap with symptoms included in the definition of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of ME/CFS-like illness subsequent to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, changes in ME/CFS symptoms through 12 months of follow-up, and the association of ME/CFS symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 test results at the acute infection-like index illness. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective, multisite, longitudinal cohort study (Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Registry [INSPIRE]) enrolled participants from December 11, 2020, to August 29, 2022. Participants were adults aged 18 to 64 years with acute symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection who received a US Food and Drug Administration-approved SARS-CoV-2 test at the time of illness and did not die or withdraw from the study by 3 months. Follow-up surveys were collected through February 28, 2023. EXPOSURE: COVID-19 status (positive vs negative) at enrollment. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The main outcome was the weighted proportion of participants with ME/CFS-like illness based on the 2015 Institute of Medicine clinical case definition using self-reported symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 4378 participants were included in the study. Most were female (3226 [68.1%]). Mean (SD) age was 37.8 (11.8) years. The survey completion rates ranged from 38.7% (3613 of 4738 participants) to 76.3% (1835 of 4738) and decreased over time. The weighted proportion of participants identified with ME/CFS-like illness did not change significantly at 3 through 12 months of follow-up and was similar in the COVID-19-positive (range, 2.8%-3.7%) and COVID-19-negative (range, 3.1%-4.5%) groups. Adjusted analyses revealed no significant difference in the odds of ME/CFS-like illness at any time point between COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative individuals (marginal odds ratio range, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.42-1.67] to 1.18 [95% CI, 0.55-2.51]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this prospective cohort study, there was no evidence that the proportion of participants with ME/CFS-like illness differed between those infected with SARS-CoV-2 vs those without SARS-CoV-2 infection up to 12 months after infection. A 3% to 4% prevalence of ME/CFS-like illness after an acute infection-like index illness would impose a high societal burden given the millions of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2. |
World Health Organization Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme, Cambodia, 2023
Ouk V , Say HL , Virak M , Deng S , Frankson R , McDonald R , Kersh EN , Wi T , Maatouk I , van Hal S , Lahra MM . Emerg Infect Dis 2024 30 (7) 1493-1495 To determine antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, we analyzed phenotypes and genomes of 72 isolates collected in Cambodia in 2023. Of those, 9/72 (12.5%) were extensively drug resistant, a 3-fold increase from 2022. Genomic analysis confirmed expansion of newly emerging resistant clones and ongoing resistance emergence across new phylogenetic backbones. |
Distribution of COVID-19 mitigation measures by industry and work arrangement-US blood donors, May 2021-December 2021
Shi DS , Rinsky JL , McDonald E , Shah MM , Groenewold MR , de Perio MA , Feldstein LR , Saydah S , Haynes JM , Spencer BR , Stramer SL , McCullough M , Jones JM , Chiu SK . Am J Ind Med 2024 OBJECTIVE: To describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mitigation measures in workplaces of employed US blood donors by industry and work arrangement. METHODS: During May-December 2021, blood donors responded to a survey; we describe the distribution of reported workplace mitigation measures by industry and work arrangement, organized using the hierarchy of controls. RESULTS: Of 53,433 respondents representing 21 industries, ventilation upgrades were reported by 4%-38% of respondents (overall: 20%); telework access ranged from 14%-80% (53% overall). Requiring masks (overall: 84%; range: 40%-94%), physical distancing (77%; 51%-86%), paid leave for illness (70%; 38%-87%), and encouraging vaccination (61%; 33%-80%) were common. Independent workers reported fewer mitigation measures than those in traditional employment settings. CONCLUSIONS: Mitigation measures varied by industry and work arrangement. Some mitigation measures may be challenging to implement or irrelevant in certain industries, supporting the idea that mitigation is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. POLICY IMPLICATIONS: Tailored strategies to mitigate workplace risks of disease transmission are vital. Strategies should rely on effective methods for identifying workplace controls (e.g., through the hierarchy of controls) and account for industry-specific characteristics and workplace environments. |
Decolonization and pathogen reduction approaches to prevent antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections
Mangalea MR , Halpin AL , Haile M , Elkins CA , McDonald LC . Emerg Infect Dis 2024 30 (6) 1069-1076 Antimicrobial resistance in healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens and the infections they cause are major public health threats affecting nearly all healthcare facilities. Antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections can occur when colonizing pathogenic bacteria that normally make up a small fraction of the human microbiota increase in number in response to clinical perturbations. Such infections are especially likely when pathogens are resistant to the collateral effects of antimicrobial agents that disrupt the human microbiome, resulting in loss of colonization resistance, a key host defense. Pathogen reduction is an emerging strategy to prevent transmission of, and infection with, antimicrobial-resistant healthcare-associated pathogens. We describe the basis for pathogen reduction as an overall prevention strategy, the evidence for its effectiveness, and the role of the human microbiome in colonization resistance that also reduces the risk for infection once colonized. In addition, we explore ideal attributes of current and future pathogen-reducing approaches. |
Tick bite risk factors and prevention measures in an area with emerging Powassan virus disease
Wilson N , Vahey GM , McDonald E , Fitzpatrick K , Lehman J , Clark S , Lindell K , Pastula DM , Perez S , Rhodes H , Gould CV , Staples JE , Martin SW , Cervantes K . Public Health Chall 2023 2 (4) BACKGROUND: In the United States (U.S.), Powassan virus is primarily transmitted to humans by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis). Rarely, infections can present as severe neuroinvasive disease. In 2019, four neuroinvasive disease cases were reported in Sussex County, New Jersey, U.S. We administered a survey to county residents to better understand tick bite risk factors and the performance of personal prevention measures. METHODS: A survey was administered in October 2019 to adult residents of randomly selected households. Questions focused on tick bite prevention and risk factors. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for various outcomes. RESULTS: Of 274 participants, 25% were previously diagnosed with a tick-borne disease, and 42% reported finding an attached tick in 2019. Yardwork and gardening (OR = 7.38) and spending >50 hours outdoors per week (OR = 8.15) were associated with finding an attached tick. Finding an attached tick was inversely associated with the number of prevention measures used, indicating that a layered approach could reduce the risk of tick bites. Those who performed post-outdoor activity prevention measures (e.g., tick checks) were less likely to have a tick attached compared to finding a crawling tick. CONCLUSION: Compliance with prevention recommendations was low, despite a high prevalence of reported tick bites and significant outdoor exposures. Older adults and persons who spend significant time outdoors or engage in yardwork or gardening were at the highest risk of tick bites. Additional research is needed to further understand the barriers to tick bite prevention. |
Immune response kinetics to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination among nursing home residents-Georgia, October 2020-July 2022
Chisty ZA , Li DD , Haile M , Houston H , DaSilva J , Overton R , Schuh AJ , Haynie J , Clemente J , Branch AG , Arons MM , Tsang CA , Pellegrini GJ Jr , Bugrysheva J , Ilutsik J , Mohelsky R , Comer P , Hundia SB , Oh H , Stuckey MJ , Bohannon CD , Rasheed MAU , Epperson M , Thornburg NJ , McDonald LC , Brown AC , Kutty PK . PLoS One 2024 19 (4) e0301367 BACKGROUND: Understanding the immune response kinetics to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination is important in nursing home (NH) residents, a high-risk population. METHODS: An observational longitudinal evaluation of 37 consenting vaccinated NH residents with/without SARS-CoV-2 infection from October 2020 to July 2022 was conducted to characterize the immune response to spike protein due to infection and/or mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Antibodies (IgG) to SARS-CoV-2 full-length spike, nucleocapsid, and receptor binding domain protein antigens were measured, and surrogate virus neutralization capacity was assessed using Meso Scale Discovery immunoassays. The participant's spike exposure status varied depending on the acquisition of infection or receipt of a vaccine dose. Longitudinal linear mixed effects modeling was used to describe trajectories based on the participant's last infection or vaccination; the primary series mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was considered two spike exposures. Mean antibody titer values from participants who developed an infection post receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were compared with those who did not. In a subset of participants (n = 15), memory B cell (MBC) S-specific IgG (%S IgG) responses were assessed using an ELISPOT assay. RESULTS: The median age of the 37 participants at enrollment was 70.5 years; 30 (81%) had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 76% received Pfizer-BioNTech and 24% Moderna homologous vaccines. After an observed augmented effect with each spike exposure, a decline in the immune response, including %S IgG MBCs, was observed over time; the percent decline decreased with increasing spike exposures. Participants who developed an infection at least two weeks post-receipt of a vaccine were observed to have lower humoral antibody levels than those who did not develop an infection post-receipt. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that understanding the durability of immune responses in this vulnerable NH population can help inform public health policy regarding the timing of booster vaccinations as new variants display immune escape. |
High prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant and XDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae in several cities of Cambodia, 2022-23: WHO Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP)
Ouk V , Heng LS , Virak M , Deng S , Lahra MM , Frankson R , Kreisel K , McDonald R , Escher M , Unemo M , Wi T , Maatouk I . JAC Antimicrob Resist 2024 6 (2) dlae053 OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global public health concern. Ceftriaxone is the last effective and recommended option for empirical gonorrhoea therapy worldwide, but several ceftriaxone-resistant cases linked to Asia have been reported internationally. During January 2022-June 2023, the WHO Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP) investigated N. gonorrhoeae AMR and epidemiological factors in patients from 10 clinical sentinel sites in Cambodia. METHODS: Urethral swabs from males with urethral discharge were cultured. ETEST determined the MIC of five antimicrobials, and EGASP MIC alert values and EUCAST breakpoints were used. EGASP demographic, behavioural and clinical variables were collected using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: From 437 male patients, 306 had positive N. gonorrhoeae cultures, AMR testing and complete epidemiological data. Resistance to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin was 15.4%, 43.1%, 14.4% and 97.1%, respectively. Nineteen (6.2%) isolates were resistant to all four antimicrobials and, accordingly, categorized as XDR N. gonorrhoeae. These XDR isolates were collected from 7 of the 10 sentinel sites. No EGASP MIC alert values for gentamicin were reported. The nationally recommended cefixime 400 mg plus azithromycin 1 g (65.4%) or ceftriaxone 1 g plus azithromycin 1 g (34.6%) was used for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant, MDR and XDR N. gonorrhoeae in several cities of Cambodia were found during 2022-23 in WHO EGASP. This necessitates expanded N. gonorrhoeae AMR surveillance, revision of the nationally recommended gonorrhoea treatment, mandatory test of cure, enhanced sexual contact notification, and ultimately novel antimicrobials for the treatment of gonorrhoea. |
Characteristics of patients with initial clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) that are associated with increased risk of multiple CDI recurrences
Guh AY , Li R , Korhonen L , Winston LG , Parker E , Czaja CA , Johnston H , Basiliere E , Meek J , Olson D , Fridkin SK , Wilson LE , Perlmutter R , Holzbauer SM , D'Heilly P , Phipps EC , Flores KG , Dumyati GK , Pierce R , Ocampo VLS , Wilson CD , Watkins JJ , Gerding DN , McDonald LC . Open Forum Infect Dis 2024 11 (4) ofae127 BACKGROUND: Because interventions are available to prevent further recurrence in patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI), we identified predictors of multiple rCDI (mrCDI) in adults at the time of presentation with initial CDI (iCDI). METHODS: iCDI was defined as a positive C difficile test in any clinical setting during January 2018-August 2019 in a person aged ≥18 years with no known prior positive test. rCDI was defined as a positive test ≥14 days from the previous positive test within 180 days after iCDI; mrCDI was defined as ≥2 rCDI. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 18 829 patients with iCDI, 882 (4.7%) had mrCDI; 437 with mrCDI and 7484 without mrCDI had full chart reviews. A higher proportion of patients with mrCDI than without mrCDI were aged ≥65 years (57.2% vs 40.7%; P < .0001) and had healthcare (59.1% vs 46.9%; P < .0001) and antibiotic (77.3% vs 67.3%; P < .0001) exposures in the 12 weeks preceding iCDI. In multivariable analysis, age ≥65 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55-2.35), chronic hemodialysis (aOR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.48-3.51), hospitalization (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.33-2.01), and nitrofurantoin use (aOR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.18-3.23) in the 12 weeks preceding iCDI were associated with mrCDI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with iCDI who are older, on hemodialysis, or had recent hospitalization or nitrofurantoin use had increased risk of mrCDI and may benefit from early use of adjunctive therapy to prevent mrCDI. If confirmed, these findings could aid in clinical decision making and interventional study designs. |
Clinical Course of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Adults with ESKD Receiving Outpatient Hemodialysis
Bardossy AC , Korhonen L , Schatzman S , Gable P , Herzig C , Brown NE , Beshearse E , Varela K , Sabour S , Lyons AK , Overton R , Hudson M , Hernandez-Romieu AC , Alvarez J , Roman K , Weng M , Soda E , Patel PR , Grate C , Dalrymple LS , Wingard RL , Thornburg NJ , Halpin ASL , Folster JM , Tobin-D'Angelo M , Lea J , Apata I , McDonald LC , Brown AC , Kutty PK , Novosad S . Kidney360 12/28/2021 2 (12) 1917-1927 BACKGROUND: Patients with ESKD on maintenance dialysis receive dialysis in common spaces with other patients and have a higher risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. They may have persistently or intermittently positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests after infection. We describe the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the serologic response in a convenience sample of patients with ESKD to understand the duration of infectivity. METHODS: From August to November 2020, we enrolled patients on maintenance dialysis with SARS-CoV-2 infections from outpatient dialysis facilities in Atlanta, Georgia. We followed participants for approximately 42 days. We assessed COVID-19 symptoms and collected specimens. Oropharyngeal (OP), anterior nasal (AN), and saliva (SA) specimens were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, using RT-PCR, and sent for viral culture. Serology, including neutralizing antibodies, was measured in blood specimens. RESULTS: Fifteen participants, with a median age of 58 (range, 37‒77) years, were enrolled. Median duration of RT-PCR positivity from diagnosis was 18 days (interquartile range [IQR], 8‒24 days). Ten participants had at least one, for a total of 41, positive RT-PCR specimens ≥10 days after symptoms onset. Of these 41 specimens, 21 underwent viral culture; one (5%) was positive 14 days after symptom onset. Thirteen participants developed SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, 11 of which included neutralizing antibodies. RT-PCRs remained positive after seroconversion in eight participants and after detection of neutralizing antibodies in four participants; however, all of these samples were culture negative. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ESKD on maintenance dialysis remained persistently and intermittently SARS-CoV-2-RT-PCR positive. However, of the 15 participants, only one had infectious virus, on day 14 after symptom onset. Most participants mounted an antibody response, including neutralizing antibodies. Participants continued having RT-PCR-positive results in the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, but without replication-competent virus detected. |
Were needles everywhere?: Differing views on syringe waste and disposal associated with needs-based syringe services programs among community partners and persons who inject drugs
Hershow RB , Love Pieczykolan L , Worthington N , Adams M , McDonald R , Wilson S , McBee S , Balleydier S , Curran KG . Subst Use Misuse 2024 1-8 BACKGROUND: Community concerns surrounding syringe waste are a common barrier to syringe services program (SSP) implementation. In Kanawha County, West Virginia, community opposition to SSPs resulted in the closure of needs-based SSPs prior to and during an HIV outbreak among persons who inject drugs (PWID). This qualitative analysis examines views of PWID and community partners on syringe waste and disposal associated with needs-based SSPs. METHODS: Qualitative interviews with 26 PWID and 45 community partners (medical and social service providers, law enforcement personnel, policymakers, and religious leaders) were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Code summaries described participants' views on syringe waste and disposal and needs-based SSPs. RESULTS: Community partners and PWID who favored needs-based SSPs reported that needs-based SSPs had not affected or reduced syringe waste. Conversely, community partners who favored one-to-one exchange models and/or barcoded syringes described needs-based SSPs increasing syringe waste. Community partners often cited pervasive community beliefs that SSPs increased syringe waste, risk of needlesticks, drug use, and crime. Community partners were unsure how to address syringe waste concerns and emphasized that contradictory views on syringe waste posed barriers to discussing and implementing SSPs. CONCLUSIONS: Participants' views on whether syringe waste was associated with needs-based SSPs often aligned with their support or opposition for needs-based SSPs. These differing views resulted in challenges finding common ground to discuss SSP operations amid an HIV outbreak among PWID. SSPs might consider addressing syringe waste concerns by expanding syringe disposal efforts and implementing community engagement and stigma reduction activities. |
Coronavirus disease 2019 infections among emergency health care personnel: Impact on delivery of United States emergency medical care, 2020
Weber KD , Mower W , Krishnadasan A , Mohr NM , Montoy JC , Rodriguez RM , Giordano PA , Eyck PT , Harland KK , Wallace K , McDonald LC , Kutty PK , Hesse EM , Talan DA . Ann Emerg Med 2024 STUDY OBJECTIVE: In the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and before vaccine availability, there were concerns that infected emergency department (ED) health care personnel could present a threat to the delivery of emergency medical care. We examined how the pandemic affected staffing levels and whether COVID-19 positive staff were potentially infectious at work in a cohort of US ED health care personnel in 2020. METHODS: The COVID-19 Evaluation of Risks in Emergency Departments (Project COVERED) project was a multicenter prospective cohort study of US ED health care personnel conducted from May to December 2020. During surveillance, health care personnel completed weekly electronic surveys and underwent periodic serology and nasal reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS-CoV-2, and investigators captured weekly data on health care facility COVID-19 prevalence and health care personnel staffing. Surveys asked about symptoms, potential exposures, work attendance, personal protective equipment use, and behaviors. RESULTS: We enrolled 1,673 health care personnel who completed 29,825 person weeks of surveillance. Eighty-nine (5.3%) health care personnel documented 90 (0.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2% to 0.4%) person weeks of missed work related to documented or concerns for COVID-19 infection. Health care personnel experienced symptoms of COVID-19 during 1,256 (4.2%) person weeks and worked at least one shift whereas symptomatic during 1,042 (83.0%) of these periods. Seventy-five (4.5%) participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the surveillance period, including 43 (57.3%) who indicated they never experienced symptoms; 74 (98.7%; 95% CI 90.7% to 99.9%) infected health care personnel worked at least one shift during the initial period of infection, and 71 (94.7%) continued working until laboratory confirmation of their infection. Physician staffing was not associated with the facility or community COVID-19 levels within any time frame studied (Kendall tau's 0.02, 0.056, and 0.081 for no shift, one-week time shift, and 2-week time shift, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: During the first wave of the pandemic, COVID-19 infections in ED health care personnel were infrequent, and the time lost from the workforce was minimal. Health care personnel frequently reported for work while infected with SARS-CoV-2 before laboratory confirmation. The ED staffing levels were poorly correlated with facility and community COVID-19 burden. |
Changes in anti-OV-16 IgG4 responses to onchocerciasis after elimination of transmission in the central endemic zone of Guatemala
Cama VA , Mendizabal-Cabrera R , de Leon O , White M , McDonald C , Thiele E , Ogawa GM , Morales Z , Prince-Guerra J , Cantey P , Rizzo N . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024 Current WHO guidelines for onchocerciasis elimination provide requirements for stopping mass drug administration of ivermectin and the verification of elimination of transmission. These guidelines also recommend post-elimination surveillance (PES) based on entomological surveys. Serological markers in humans could complement entomological PES once the longevity of anti-OV-16 antibody responses is better understood. In 2014-2015 we evaluated ELISA anti-OV-16 IgG4 antibody persistence among previously seropositive people from the central endemic zone of Guatemala. The country stopped all onchocerciasis program interventions in 2012 and was verified by WHO as having eliminated transmission of onchocerciasis in 2016. A total of 246 participants with prior OV-16 ELISA results from 2003, 2006, 2007, or 2009 were enrolled in a follow-up study. Of these, 77 people were previously OV-16 seropositive and 169 were previously seronegative. By 2014 and 2015, 56 (72.7%) previously seropositive individuals had sero-reverted, whereas all previous negatives remained seronegative. The progression of antibody responses over time was estimated using a mixed-effects linear regression model, using data from seropositive participants who had sero-reverted. The temporal variation showed a mean activity unit decay of 0.20 per year (95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.17, 0.23), corresponding to an estimated antibody response half-life of 3.3 years (95% CrI: 2.7, 4.1). These findings indicate that the majority of seropositive people will sero-revert over time. |
Ethnic and racial differences in self-reported symptoms, health status, activity level, and missed work at 3 and 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection
O'Laughlin KN , Klabbers RE , Ebna Mannan I , Gentile NL , Geyer RE , Zheng Z , Yu H , Li SX , Chan KCG , Spatz ES , Wang RC , L'Hommedieu M , Weinstein RA , Plumb ID , Gottlieb M , Huebinger RM , Hagen M , Elmore JG , Hill MJ , Kelly M , McDonald S , Rising KL , Rodriguez RM , Venkatesh A , Idris AH , Santangelo M , Koo K , Saydah S , Nichol G , Stephens KA . Front Public Health 2023 11 1324636 INTRODUCTION: Data on ethnic and racial differences in symptoms and health-related impacts following SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited. We aimed to estimate the ethnic and racial differences in symptoms and health-related impacts 3 and 6 months after the first SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Participants included adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection enrolled in a prospective multicenter US study between 12/11/2020 and 7/4/2022 as the primary cohort of interest, as well as a SARS-CoV-2-negative cohort to account for non-SARS-CoV-2-infection impacts, who completed enrollment and 3-month surveys (N = 3,161; 2,402 SARS-CoV-2-positive, 759 SARS-CoV-2-negative). Marginal odds ratios were estimated using GEE logistic regression for individual symptoms, health status, activity level, and missed work 3 and 6 months after COVID-19 illness, comparing each ethnicity or race to the referent group (non-Hispanic or white), adjusting for demographic factors, social determinants of health, substance use, pre-existing health conditions, SARS-CoV-2 infection status, COVID-19 vaccination status, and survey time point, with interactions between ethnicity or race and time point, ethnicity or race and SARS-CoV-2 infection status, and SARS-CoV-2 infection status and time point. RESULTS: Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the majority of symptoms were similar over time between ethnic and racial groups. At 3 months, Hispanic participants were more likely than non-Hispanic participants to report fair/poor health (OR: 1.94; 95%CI: 1.36-2.78) and reduced activity (somewhat less, OR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.06-2.02; much less, OR: 2.23; 95%CI: 1.38-3.61). At 6 months, differences by ethnicity were not present. At 3 months, Other/Multiple race participants were more likely than white participants to report fair/poor health (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.25-2.88), reduced activity (somewhat less, OR: 1.72; 95%CI: 1.21-2.46; much less, OR: 2.08; 95%CI: 1.18-3.65). At 6 months, Asian participants were more likely than white participants to report fair/poor health (OR: 1.88; 95%CI: 1.13-3.12); Black participants reported more missed work (OR, 2.83; 95%CI: 1.60-5.00); and Other/Multiple race participants reported more fair/poor health (OR: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.10-3.05), reduced activity (somewhat less, OR: 1.60; 95%CI: 1.02-2.51; much less, OR: 2.49; 95%CI: 1.40-4.44), and more missed work (OR: 2.25; 95%CI: 1.27-3.98). DISCUSSION: Awareness of ethnic and racial differences in outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection may inform clinical and public health efforts to advance health equity in long-term outcomes. |
Seroprevalence of poliovirus antibodies in Nigeria: refining strategies to sustain the eradication effort
Bolu O , Adamu U , Franka R , Umeokonkwo CD , An Q , Greby S , McDonald S , Mainou B , Mba N , Agala N , Archer WR , Braka F , Etapelong SG , Gashu TS , Siddique AR , Asekun A , Okoye M , Iriemenam N , Wiesen E , Swaminathan M , Ihekweazu C , Shuaib F . Pan Afr Med J 2023 45 2 INTRODUCTION: in 2016, a switch from trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) (containing serotypes 1,2,3) to bivalent OPV (types 1,3) was implemented globally. We assessed the seroprevalence of poliovirus antibody levels in selected Nigerian states, before and after the switch, documented poliovirus type2 outbreak responses conducted and ascertained factors associated with immunity gaps based on seroprevalence rates. METHODS: we conducted a secondary analysis of stored serum samples from the 2018 Nigeria National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey. Serum from 1,185 children aged 0-119 months residing in one southern and four northern states were tested for serotype-specific PV neutralizing antibodies; seropositivity was a reciprocal titer ≥8. We conducted regression analysis to determine sociodemographic risk factors associated with low seroprevalence using SAS 9.4. RESULTS: children aged 24-119 months (pre-switch cohort) had seroprevalence against PV1, PV2, and PV3, of 97.3% (95% CI:96.4-98.2), 93.8% (95% CI:92.2-95.5), and 91.3% (95% CI:89.2-93.4), while children aged <24 months (post-switch) had seroprevalence of 86.0% (95% CI:81.2-90.8), 55.6% (95% CI: 47.7-63.4), and 77.2% (95% CI:71.0-83.4) respectively. Regression analysis showed age <24 months was associated with lower seroprevalence against all PV serotypes, (p<0.0001); females had lower seroprevalence against PV1 (p=0.0184) and PV2 (p=0.0354); northern states lower seroprevalence against PV1 (p=0.0039), while well-water source lower seroprevalence against PV3 (p=0.0288). CONCLUSION: this study showed high seroprevalence rates against PV 1, 2, and 3 in pre-switch children (aged 24-119 months). However, post-switch children (<24 months) had low immunity against PV2 despite outbreak responses. Strategies to increase routine immunization coverage and high-quality polio campaigns can increase immunity against polio virus. |
Neurovascular complications of iatrogenic fusarium solani meningitis
Strong N , Meeks G , Sheth SA , McCullough L , Villalba JA , Tan C , Barreto A , Wanger A , McDonald M , Kan P , Shaltoni H , Campo Maldonado J , Parada V , Hassan AE , Reagan-Steiner S , Chiller T , Gold JAW , Smith DJ , Ostrosky-Zeichner L . N Engl J Med 2024 390 (6) 522-529 A multinational outbreak of nosocomial fusarium meningitis occurred among immunocompetent patients who had undergone surgery with epidural anesthesia in Mexico. The pathogen involved had a high predilection for the brain stem and vertebrobasilar arterial system and was associated with high mortality from vessel injury. Effective treatment options remain limited; in vitro susceptibility testing of the organism suggested that it is resistant to all currently approved antifungal medications in the United States. To highlight the severe complications associated with fusarium infection acquired in this manner, we report data, clinical courses, and outcomes from 13 patients in the outbreak who presented with symptoms after a median delay of 39 days. |
Utilizing a university testing program to estimate relative effectiveness of monovalent COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccine versus two-dose primary series against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection
Bennett JC , Luiten KG , O'Hanlon J , Han PD , McDonald D , Wright T , Wolf CR , Lo NK , Acker Z , Regelbrugge L , McCaffrey KM , Pfau B , Stone J , Schwabe-Fry K , Lockwood CM , Guthrie BL , Gottlieb GS , Englund JA , Uyeki TM , Carone M , Starita LM , Weil AA , Chu HY . Vaccine 2024 Vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies utilizing the test-negative design are typically conducted in clinical settings, rather than community populations, leading to bias in VE estimates against mild disease and limited information on VE in healthy young adults. In a community-based university population, we utilized data from a large SARS-CoV-2 testing program to estimate relative VE of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine primary series and monovalent booster dose versus primary series only against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection from September 2021 to July 2022. We used the test-negative design and logistic regression implemented via generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, calendar time, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, and testing frequency (proxy for test-seeking behavior) to estimate relative VE. Analyses included 2,218 test-positive cases (59 % received monovalent booster dose) and 9,615 test-negative controls (62 %) from 9,066 individuals, with median age of 21 years, mostly students (71 %), White (56 %) or Asian (28 %), and with few comorbidities (3 %). More cases (23 %) than controls (6 %) had COVID-19-like illness. Estimated adjusted relative VE of primary series and monovalent booster dose versus primary series only against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was 40 % (95 % CI: 33-47 %) during the overall analysis period and 46 % (39-52 %) during the period of Omicron circulation. Relative VE was greater for those without versus those with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (41 %, 34-48 % versus 33 %, 9 %-52 %, P < 0.001). Relative VE was also greater in the six months after receiving a booster dose (41 %, 33-47 %) compared to more than six months (27 %, 8-42 %), but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). In this relatively young and healthy adult population, an mRNA monovalent booster dose provided increased protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, overall and with the Omicron variant. University testing programs may be utilized for estimating VE in healthy young adults, a population that is not well-represented by routine VE studies. |
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. |
Second nationwide tuberculosis outbreak caused by bone allografts containing live cells - United States, 2023
Wortham JM , Haddad MB , Stewart RJ , Annambhotla P , Basavaraju SV , Nabity SA , Griffin IS , McDonald E , Beshearse EM , Grossman MK , Schildknecht KR , Calvet HM , Keh CE , Percak JM , Coloma M , Shaw T , Davidson PJ , Smith SR , Dickson RP , Kaul DR , Gonzalez AR , Rai S , Rodriguez G , Morris S , Armitige LY , Stapleton J , Lacassagne M , Young LR , Ariail K , Behm H , Jordan HT , Spencer M , Nilsen DM , Denison BM , Burgos M , Leonard JM , Cortes E , Thacker TC , Lehman KA , Langer AJ , Cowan LS , Starks AM , LoBue PA . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024 72 (5253) 1385-1389 During July 7-11, 2023, CDC received reports of two patients in different states with a tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis following spinal surgical procedures that used bone allografts containing live cells from the same deceased donor. An outbreak associated with a similar product manufactured by the same tissue establishment (i.e., manufacturer) occurred in 2021. Because of concern that these cases represented a second outbreak, CDC and the Food and Drug Administration worked with the tissue establishment to determine that this product was obtained from a donor different from the one implicated in the 2021 outbreak and learned that the bone allograft product was distributed to 13 health care facilities in seven states. Notifications to all seven states occurred on July 12. As of December 20, 2023, five of 36 surgical bone allograft recipients received laboratory-confirmed TB disease diagnoses; two patients died of TB. Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated close genetic relatedness between positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures from surgical recipients and unused product. Although the bone product had tested negative by nucleic acid amplification testing before distribution, M. tuberculosis culture of unused product was not performed until after the outbreak was recognized. The public health response prevented up to 53 additional surgical procedures using allografts from that donor; additional measures to protect patients from tissue-transmitted M. tuberculosis are urgently needed. |
A qualitative analysis of barriers to accessing HIV prevention services during an HIV outbreak among persons who inject drugs in West Virginia
Hershow RB , Worthington N , Adams M , McDonald R , Wilson S , McBee S , Balleydier S , Curran KG . AIDS Behav 2024 In response to an increase in HIV diagnoses among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Kanawha County, West Virginia, West Virginia Bureau for Public Health and CDC conducted a qualitative assessment in Kanawha County to inform HIV outbreak response activities. Interviews with 26 PWID and 45 community partners were completed. Transcribed interviews were analyzed to identify barriers to accessing HIV prevention services among PWID using the risk environment framework. Participants identified numerous political, physical, social, and economic community-level barriers that influenced access to HIV prevention services among PWID. Political factors included low community support for syringe services programs (SSPs); physical factors included low SSP coverage, low coverage of HIV testing outreach events, low HIV preexposure prophylaxis availability, and homelessness; social factors included stigma and discrimination; economic factors included community beliefs that SSPs negatively affect economic investments and limited resources for HIV screening in clinical settings. Individual-level barriers included co-occurring acute medical conditions and mental illness. Community-level interventions, such as low-barrier one-stop shop models, are needed to increase access to sterile syringes through comprehensive harm reduction services. |
Reply to Gonzales-Luna et al
Gargis AS , Karlsson M , Kamile Rasheed J , Kent AG , McKay SL , Paulick AL , Anderson KF , Adamczyk M , Campbell D , Korhonen LC , McAllister G , Vlachos N , Halpin AL , Lutgring JD , Guh AY , Clifford McDonald L , Elkins CA . Clin Infect Dis 2023 76 (11) 2039-2041 We thank Gonzales-Luna and colleagues [1] for their comments. We agree that laboratories must have access to accurate and standardized methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results to be clinically meaningful. The reference method for performing Clostridioides difficile AST is agar dilution according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines [2]. The CLSI method for performing AST for anaerobic bacteria recommends that 5 μg/mL of hemin be incorporated into agar dilution plates and that the hemin stock solution should be protected from light and stored at 4°C–8°C for no longer than 1 month [2]. The susceptibility testing done by Gargis et al [3] was performed according to these guidelines, and the hemin stock solution was protected from light. | | Nevertheless, we read with interest the research in recent years [4–6] related to heme-dependent metronidazole resistance, including the reported association between isolates characterized as heme dependent and metronidazole resistant and the presence of a T to G mutation (PnimBG) in the −10 promoter region of the nitroimidazole reductase gene, nimB [5]. While Olaitan et al [5] found that not all heme-dependent metronidazole-resistant isolates contained the PnimBG mutation, Olaitan et al [5] indicate that most do; therefore, the presence of PnimBG may be predictive of resistance. We determined that the nimB mutation was present in 20% of our study isolates (116 of 593), of which 99% (115 of 116) belonged to RT027 (Table 1). The remaining isolate was RT014, the only RT014 isolate containing the PnimBG mutation among the 65 evaluated. |
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among US blood donors by industry, May-December 2021
Shi DS , McDonald E , Shah M , Groenewold MR , Haynes JM , Spencer BR , Stramer S , Feldstein LR , Saydah S , Jones J , Chiu SK , Rinsky JL . Am J Ind Med 2023 BACKGROUND: Work is a social determinant of health that is often overlooked. There are major work-related differences in the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and death, but there have been few analyses of infection rates across industry groups. To date, only one national assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence by industry based on self-report has been completed. No study has looked at seroprevalence of COVID-19 by industry. METHODS: During May-December 2021, blood donors with SARS-CoV-2 antinucleocapsid testing were sent an electronic survey about their work. Free-text industry responses were classified using the North American Industry Classification System. We estimated seroprevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of SARS-CoV-2 infection by industry. RESULTS: Of 57,726 donors, 7040 (12%, 95% CI: 11.9%-12.5%) had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seroprevalence was highest among Accommodation & Food Services (19.3%, 95% CI: 17.1%-21.6%), Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (19.2%, 95% CI: 12.8%-27.8%), Healthcare & Social Assistance (15.6%, 95% CI: 14.9%-16.4%), and Construction (14.7%, 95% CI: 13.1%-16.3%). Seroprevalence was lowest among Management of Companies & Enterprises (6.5%, 95% CI: 3.5%-11.5%), Professional Scientific & Technical Services (8.4%, 95% CI: 7.7%-9.0%), and Information (9.9%, 95% CI: 8.5%-11.5%). CONCLUSIONS: While workers in all industries had serologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, certain sectors were disproportionately impacted. Disease surveillance systems should routinely collect work characteristics so public health and industry leaders can address health disparities using sector-specific policies. |
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